Muhammad Naimov took his octagon debut on just days’ notice at UFC on ESPN 45 and was pegged by oddsmakers as the biggest underdog on the card against Jamie Mullarkey.
Naimov (9-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) had other plans, however, as in the second round of Saturday’s lightweight bout at the UFC Apex, he caught Mullarkey (16-6 MMA, 4-4 UFC) with a brilliant counter right hand that led to the TKO.
Mullarkey controlled the opening round of the matchup and took momentum into the second frame. Naimov didn’t get discouraged, though, and waited for his moment to connect with a fight-changing shot that ended the bout at the 2:59 mark of Round 2.
Check out the replay of the finish below (via Twitter):
THAT RIGHT HOOK SENT HIM DOWN 😳😳😳 #UFCVegas74 pic.twitter.com/KzTrwu3JLc
— UFC (@ufc) June 3, 2023
With the win, Naimov became the second fighter in UFC history from Tajikistan to earn a victory inside the octagon. He had a massive crowd at home watching the fight just shy of 5 a.m. local time in his home country.
Naimov was emotional in the aftermath of the fight but was bold in calling for what the future holds.
“I’m not surprised to beat this guy,” Naimov said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “I can beat any lightweight, any featherweight. I can beat anyone.
“Nobody believed I could beat this lightweight, but I swear, put me with welterweight next week, I’m ready. Featherweight, you guys have problem. You guys have big problem. 145, I’m here. You guys have new king. That short guy, Max Holloway, forget about them. I’m here. I’m here.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 45.
