LAS VEGAS — Islam Makhachev came into his UFC debut with quite a bit of hype. The Dagestani lightweight nicknamed “Little Khabib” is a sambo champion and an undefeated mixed martial artist.
Saturday night did little to slow down the hype train. The American Kickboxing Academy fighter put on a clinic in defeating the American Top Team’s Leo Kuntz.
Makhachev (12-0) won by tapout due to a rear-naked choke at 2:38 of the second round at UFC 187 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
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Makhachev got the best of things in the first round, scoring in close with brutal dirty boxing, landing smooth throws and working for submissions from the ground. Kuntz (17-2-1), who took a 15-fight unbeaten streak into his UFC debut, managed to hang tough, but never really got any offense untracked.
Kuntz slipped early in the second round, which ultimately led to his demise. Makhachev took his back, and while Kuntz did his best to escape, Makhachev eventually got the RNC for the win.
“That was a combat sambo-style choke,” Makhachev said through his interpreter, Khabib Nurmagomedov. “I came here to show everyone sambo style.”