UFC 251 Prelims Analysis and Results: Jiri Prochazka Explodes
To open the UFC 251 Prelims portion, Leonardo Santos enduredpainfully repeated low blows and an illegal knee from Roman Bogatov to remain Octagon unbeaten.
Overall, the 40-year-old welterweight stands 7-0-1 in UFC events. After a measured opening round, Santos unloaded on and nearly stopped Bogatov while lobbing harsh strikes from pillar to post.
Though Bogatov survived, he smothered legitimate third-round comeback hopes after kicking and kneeing Santos in the groin. Repeatedly warned for infractions by official Kevin Mulholland, Octagon rookie Bogatov then kneed downed Santos to earn a two point deduction.
Gassed from his second round outburst and undue injuries, Santos spent much of the final five minutes writhing while fight action broke for penalties.
As the final cards were read, Leonardo Santos improved to 18-3-1. Bogatov dropped to 10-1 after building a strong M-1 rep. Overall, Santos outlanded his 29-year-old challenger 116-81 while nearly ending matters to highlight middle frame combat. Santos limped away wearing some of the more flagrant illegal strikes in recent MMA memory.
Winner: Leonardo Santos by Decision
Featherweights: Danny Henry vs. Makwan Amirkhani
Fight two saw "Mr. Finland" Makwan Amirkhani cinch in a perfect anaconda choke to quickly submit Danny Henry at 3:17 of round one. With the win, Amirkhani reclaims winning ground after being TKO'd by Shane Burgos. Overall, the 32-year-old grappling specialist stands 6-2 under the Zuffa banner and now claims four paid submissions -three by anaconda. Henry falls to 12-4 and has lost consecutive fights for the first time in his nine year career.
As a bit of post fight bravado, Amirkhani motioned to silence his doubters.
Winner: Makwan Amirkhani by submission
Welterweights: Elizeu Zaleski vs. Muslim Salikhov
Muslim Salikhov edged his pivotal welterweight encounter earning split decision victory over Elizeu Zaleski.
For fifteen minutes each man circled and cautiously traded in the pocket. However, Salikhov's braver lands and center cage approach made the winning difference. At 36, "The King of Kung Fu" boasts four straight Octagon victories since his 2017 UFC debut loss versus Alex Garcia.
Conversely, Zaleski has dropped two of three and now stands 8-3 under the Zuffa banner. With little motion wasted between the two, Zaleski outstruck his stalking opponent 50-46, though with wrestling nullified, Salikhov's spinning heel kicks found the mark enough for the ringside nod.
Muslim Salikhov is now 17-2. Zaleski falls to 22-7.
Winner: Muslim Salikhov by split decision
Light Heavyweights: Jiri Prochazka vs. Volkan Oezdemir
Facing three close first round calls behind faulty defense, UFC newcomer Jiri Prochazka showed the best defense is a frightening offense. At 0:51 of round two the power-punching menace erased #7 light heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir with one well leveraged right hand. Touted after TKO'ing his past eight opponents, the newest 205 pound game changer demanded attention on Fight Island.
Unbeaten since 2015, 27-year-old Prochazka's UFC debut elicited shades of Anderson Silva's knockout of Chris Leben. The question now is who's next for Jiri Prochazka after his 24th -and most important- career TKO?
Meanwhile, amid his foe's earned hype, former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir loses again to elite competition after consecutive buildup wins.
After seperating top-ten ranked Octagon fodder from consciousness, expect fast track booking for Prochazka.
Winner: Jiri Prochazka by knockout
