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A flyweight fight between Brandon Royval and Askar Askarov has been called off.
Best fight on the card gets called off. Askarov couldn’t make weight and turned down a catchweight fight. If we do see him again in the UFC, I have to think it is at 135lbs.
So with the UFC bringing Brandon Moreno back, I think it’s worth reminding people that Askar Askarov was signed by the UFC recently to fight at 125 lbs as well.
Maybe in a way this wasn’t the worst idea; like rebuilding a bad NBA team. Get yourself a franchise guy (Cejudo), clean out the fluff that people are tired of and then just churn the roster with lottery picks.
Askar Askarov vs Joseph Benavidez
If it weren’t for him missing weight in his previous bout, there’s a decent chance Askar Askarov (14-0-1) would have himself a title shot right now. Instead, he’s got to prove he can still make weight. And he’s got to do it against one of the biggest punchers in the flyweight division.
Askarov will face off with the surging Kai Kara-France (23-9) on the main card of UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Daukaus this Saturday (March 26).
Kai Kara-France takes UD over Askar Askarov.
2-1. Could have gone either way.
I don’t know why this wasn’t the main event. We’re learning that out wrestling KKF after 1 round is harder than it seems. Askarov had a brilliant first round where he got KKF down, took his back and rode out the round hunting for the rnc. But like Bobby Green, KKF instantly adjusted and became basically un-takedownable. Askarov, try as he might, could not take him down and KKF started getting off with his hands. Landing with that big right hand and forcing Askarov to panic wrestle. The third was way more competitive. Both guys had moments and were landing. Could have gone either way but KKF seemed the fresher, more comfortable fighter and had the crowd behind him every time he threw.
Askar Askarov vs Tim Elliott
There is no shortage of interesting non-title fights on UFC 259 that have captured people’s attention. Makachev-Dober, Santos-Rakic, Case-Cruz, Brady-Matthews, etc. All great fights. The one that stands out to me, however, is the fight between Askar Askarov (13-0-1) and Joe Benavidez (28-7). It’s a crossroads fight for JoeB as well as a chance for Askarov to prove he has what it takes to be a contender at 125lbs. Great fight. Well worth investing into.
Askar Askarov dominates Joseph Benavidez. Takes wide UD.
Fantastic performance from Askarov. Was able to disrupt JoeB’s ability to close range and timing with those nicely timed front kicks to the body. That stopped JoeB’s ability to jump into range with those big overhands. Askarov was able to frame off a lot of those strikes and just tie up with JoeB when he wanted. From there, Askarov was able to pick Benavidez from range before closing distance himself and getting some really nice takedowns. Round 2 was one of the best non-Fig rounds someone has ever had against JoeB. Just really dominant grappling mixed with heavy GnP.
It’s pretty clear though that JoeB is physically past it. Not quick enough to just explode into range, not strong enough or explosive enough to create the scramble, and just not crafty enough to manage to win the fight without those tools at his disposal. If Benavidez keeps fighting, I think this is how a lot of his fights are going to start looking.
A big flyweight fight is lined up for UFC 259.
We got a big one down at flyweight. With Cody Garbrandt likely next in line after Figs-Moreno next week, Askar Askarov is probably the next guy in line for a title fight. A win over Benavidez probably seals the deal for him.
But I think this is a really good fight for Benavidez, unless getting bombed on twice by Figs just depleted whatever physicality JoeB had left. Anyway, tremendous fight.
Askar Askarov takes UD over Alexandre Pantoja
Great fight between Askar Askarov and Alexandre Pantoja. Askarov has had 3 fights in the UFC and they’ve all been fanastic and Pantoja continues to be a fun ass fighter to watch.
Askarov attempting to push the pace and take the fight to Pantoja paid off. Fought off Pantoja’s grappling skills in the first and wore him down over the last two by chasing takedowns.
