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Drops decision as big favorite
Bibulatov lost to Rogerio Bontorin via split decision (28-29, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC Fortaleza on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Bibulatov won the battle of significant strikes 58-to-40 and also had four takedowns compared to just one for Bontorin, but it wasn't enough to gain the favor of the judges. Bontorin did gather two passes and attempted two submissions, which may have been enough to sway the judges in an otherwise-close fight. By most accounts Bontorin won rounds 1 and 3, while Bibulatov was the clear winner of the second. This was a pretty significant setback for Bibulatov, especially considering the shaky state of the flyweight division. He had also closed as a (-425) betting favorite -- the largest on the card. Add in the fact that he missed weight by a pound, and this could spell the end for Bibulatov's days at 125 pounds. To make matters even worst, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com is reporting that Bibulatov is facing a six-month suspension from the Brazilian Athletic Commission (CABMMA), pending an x-ray of his right foot.
Bibulatov won the battle of significant strikes 58-to-40 and also had four takedowns compared to just one for Bontorin, but it wasn't enough to gain the favor of the judges. Bontorin did gather two passes and attempted two submissions, which may have been enough to sway the judges in an otherwise-close fight. By most accounts Bontorin won rounds 1 and 3, while Bibulatov was the clear winner of the second. This was a pretty significant setback for Bibulatov, especially considering the shaky state of the flyweight division. He had also closed as a (-425) betting favorite -- the largest on the card. Add in the fact that he missed weight by a pound, and this could spell the end for Bibulatov's days at 125 pounds. To make matters even worst, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com is reporting that Bibulatov is facing a six-month suspension from the Brazilian Athletic Commission (CABMMA), pending an x-ray of his right foot.
Fight still on
Bibulatov will still face Rogerio Bontorin at UFC Fortaleza on Saturday despite missing weight by one pound, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Bibulatov will be fined 20 percent for failing to make weight. He's coming off his first career loss at UFC 216 to John Moraga -- and will be fighting on foreign soil Saturday -- but the 30-year-old won his previous 14 fights before then.
Bibulatov will be fined 20 percent for failing to make weight. He's coming off his first career loss at UFC 216 to John Moraga -- and will be fighting on foreign soil Saturday -- but the 30-year-old won his previous 14 fights before then.
Adds fight in Brazil
Bibulatov (back) will go up against Rogerio Bontorin in a bantamweight fight on Feb. 2 in Fortaleza, Brazil, Marcelo Barone of Combate.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Bibulatov is ready to return to the ring after being removed from his previous bout versus Ulka Sasaki earlier this year due to a back injury. The "Gladiator" hasn't earned a victory since claiming his UFC debut back in April of 2017 against Jenel Lausa, though he's only fought one other time since that outing. Bontorin, a native Brazilian, will look to fire up the home crowd after defeating Gustavo Gabriel Silva in Dana White's Contender Series this past summer. Both fighters are bringing a 14-1 career record into this bout.
Bibulatov is ready to return to the ring after being removed from his previous bout versus Ulka Sasaki earlier this year due to a back injury. The "Gladiator" hasn't earned a victory since claiming his UFC debut back in April of 2017 against Jenel Lausa, though he's only fought one other time since that outing. Bontorin, a native Brazilian, will look to fire up the home crowd after defeating Gustavo Gabriel Silva in Dana White's Contender Series this past summer. Both fighters are bringing a 14-1 career record into this bout.
Removed from UFC Atlantic City
Bibulatov is dealing with a back injury and has been removed from the UFC Atlantic City card where he was supposed to face Ulka Sasaki, Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The back injury has apparently been a lingering issue for Bibulatov and especially flared up Thursday night. It's still unclear if Sasaki will be provided a last minute replacement opponent.
The back injury has apparently been a lingering issue for Bibulatov and especially flared up Thursday night. It's still unclear if Sasaki will be provided a last minute replacement opponent.
Looks to get back in win column
Bibulatov will take on Yuta Sasaki in a flyweight matchup at UFC Atlantic City on April 21, Alexander K. Lee of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The hype train was in full swing for the 29-year-old Bibulatov heading into his last fight, but it was derailed in the first round when he was knocked out by John Moraga. The UFC will make the right move and scale back the prospect a bit, giving Bibulatov a chance to get back in the win column against a fighter with a sub-.500 record with the promotion. Bibulatov was a (-600) favorite for his last fight, so although oddsmakers will likely take it a bit easier this time around, he should still enter as the betting favorite.
The hype train was in full swing for the 29-year-old Bibulatov heading into his last fight, but it was derailed in the first round when he was knocked out by John Moraga. The UFC will make the right move and scale back the prospect a bit, giving Bibulatov a chance to get back in the win column against a fighter with a sub-.500 record with the promotion. Bibulatov was a (-600) favorite for his last fight, so although oddsmakers will likely take it a bit easier this time around, he should still enter as the betting favorite.