UFC Moscow prelims results & video: Zawada taps out Nurmagomedov

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Check out the results and highlights from the UFC Moscow prelims, including David Zawada submitting Abubakar Nurmagomedov in the first round.

The decision-heavy UFC Moscow preliminary card just closed out with Magomed Ankalaev pulling out a sweet up kick to cross knockout finish of Dalcha Lungiambula. Ankalaev was in control for the entire fight, and now enjoys a three-fight winning streak.

Karl Roberson lit up the leg of Roman Kopylov in their bout. After getting poked in the eye in the third frame, Roberson opted to continue and Kopylov lost a point. Then, Roberson closed the distance and realized an RNC for the tap. The strong showing for Roberson marks his second straight victory. After a trio of decisions on the prelims, David Zawada puled off a first-round triangle on Abubakar Nurmagomedov. The slick Jiu-Jitsu attack snapped a two-fight losing skid for Zawada, and also got him his first UFC win.

**See complete results below

Prelims:

Magomed Ankalaev def. Dalcha Lungiambula by KO at :29 of round 3: Light Heavyweight

Ankalaev pressed forward right away, backing Dalcha up to the fence. Dalcha landed a hard right hand that backed off Ankalaev. The locked up against the cage, with neither man really having the advantage. The difference was that Ankalaev was landing short shots on the inside.

Dalcha worked for the takedown early in the second stanza, but Ankalaev fought it off and snuck in a knee to the midsection. Ankalaev then scored himself a takedown and solidified the position. He was able to drop some serious elbows from top and Dalcha did not return to his feet.

Opening the third frame, Ankalaev blasted his opponent with a gorgeous up kick that staggered him, and followed up with a clean cross to put him out. The ref was quick to get in and stop the fight.

Rustam Khabilov def. Sergey Khandozhko by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2): Welterweight

Khabilov used his strikes too close the distance on his foe. Khandozhko did a sound job of fighting off the takedown attempts and remaining on his feet. After several warnings by the ref to improve his position, the fighters were separated. Khabilov was getting solid looks for the takedown, but just couldn’t convert.

The hands of Khabilov looked fast, but that didn’t seem to be his gameplan. He closed the distance again early in the second round, but stalled out when the fight went to the cage. Khabilov came close on a few occasions, but Khandozhko was refusing to concede the takedown. Although not getting the fight to the floor for any extended period of time, Khandozhko was not throwing any offense.

Khabilov exploded with a takedown to open the final round. Khandozhko worked his way back to his feet, but was taken right back down. Khabilov was finally able to solidify his position on the ground, controlling until the final bell.

Karl Roberson def. Roman Kopylov by submission (RNC) at 4:01 of round 3: Middleweight

Roberson brought the pressure. He stalked forward looking to let his hands go. Kopylov would dart in and out with his own strikes. Roberson continued to lead the dance, but Kopylov matched his output.

Roberson started cracking with hard leg kicks in the second round. Kopylov stayed mobile, returning fire, but the leg kicks seemed to be adding up. Kopylov just wasn’t checking the leg kicks and Roberson wasn’t stopping. The output Kopylov dwindled as the damage was taking effect.

The leg kicks continued to fly in for Roberson in the final round. Kopylov landed a mean eye poke that caused Roberson to turn away in agony. The doctor came in to assess the eye, which was bleeding. The referee deducted a point for the illegal poke. Kopylov got aggressive upon the restart, throwing volume and showing urgency. Roberson went back to the leg kick which simmered the aggression of Kopylov. Roberson shot in, took the back, and locked up a rear-naked choke to get the finish.

David Zawada def. Abubakar Nurmagomedov by submission (Triangle) at 2:50 of round 1: Welterweight

Nurmagomedov cracked his foe right in the face to open the match. He then secured himself a takedown into the full guard. Zawada remained calm, and locked up a triangle. Nurmagomedov defended well, prompting Zawada to attack the arm. When Nurmagomedov defended against the armbar, Zawada cinched up the triangle to secure the tap.

Roosevelt Roberts def. Alexander Yakovlev by unanimous decision (29-28 x3): Lightweight

Yakovlev came out seeming content to stand. Roberts stalked his opponent, landing strong straight punches. Yakovlev tried to call a timeout for some issue with his eye, but the referee said to fight on. Roberts started landing more, even briefly wobbling Yakovlev. Yakovlev finally grabbed ahold of the clinch, but Roberts stayed vertical.

Yakovlev was quick to hit a trip takedown in the second frame. He kept the pressure, trying to control as Roberts tried to get up. Roberts locked up an armbar from his back, but Yakovlev was able to fight his way out. Some descent ground strikes landed for Yakovlev before Roberts worked back to his feet.

It was Roberts who found the full mount early in the third frame, but Yakovlev got back up without sustains much of any damage. Yakovlev went back to the clinch, but disengaged on his own accord. The fighters exchanged on the feet. Yakovlev pressed forward with punches and Roberts was countering with his own, both were landing. Yakovlev achieved a takedown, but Roberts again worked back to his feet. Roberts took full mount off of a ninja choke attempt, and finished the frame on top.

Pannie Kianzad def. Jessica-Rose Clark by unanimous decision (30-27 x3): (W) Bantamweight

Clark looked to close the distance right away, but Kianzad escaped the clinch and started striking. The boxing combos of Kianzad were hitting home. Clark was doing well at kicking the legs, but the visible damage was being dished out by Kianzad.

The punches continued to be there for Kianzad in the second act. Clark starting land clean right hands over the guard of her opponent, causing a bit of selling around the left eye of Kianzad. The left hook of Kianzad was scoring as she used it to finish up her combos.

Kianzad opened the final round with a crisp boxing combo, again finishing it with her hook. Clark was sneaking in her elbows and kicking to the body, but it seemed as if Kianzad was the one throwing the harder strikes. She was physically moving Clark whenever she landed.

Davey Grant def. Grigorii Popov by split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29): Bantamweight

Grant came out attacking with a variety of kicks. One accidentally went to the cup, causing a brief pause to the action. Grant took top position and was able to drop some descent strikes before Popov scrambled back up.

Popov ate another strike to the cup early in the second round. Upon the restart, Popov locked up a Kimura and transitioned to an armbar, but Grant was able to escape out of harms way. Grant did a solid job of scrambling into top position to finish the round in the dominant position.

It was Popov who landed an accidental cup strike to start the final round. They touched gloves upon the restart, and then Grant went for the takedown. Popov attacked a leg which led tot he fighters standing back up. Grant shot back in, but Popov attacked with elbows to avoid it. Grant started to slow down and Popov began landing more on his feet.