While the broad shoulders of former light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson take center stage in Stockholm, Sweden, up-and-coming UFC welterweight Nico Musoke demands your attention.
With three wins in his first four fights, the Stockholm native will look to make it back-to-back victories when he faces Albert “Einstein” Tumenov at UFC on Fox 14. After first testing the waters against veteran Alessio Sakara at 185 pounds, Musoke has settled into his new weight class, notching decision wins over The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil Season 2 alum Viscardi Andrade and well-rounded Russian fighter Alexander Yakovlev.
Musoke will now turn his attention to Yakovlev‘s teammate Tumenov. The 23-year-old prospect trains out of K Dojo Warrior Tribe in Fairfield, New Jersey, and has won his last two fights by way of first-round knockout.
Einstein began his professional mixed martial arts career at 18 years old, piling up 12 wins, compared to just one loss, in Russia. Tumenov‘s best weapon is his power.
Leading up to his UFC stint, Tumenov let the bodies hit the floor, taking out five men in a row, all in the first round. His win over Roman Mironenko is a fine example of his masterful handiwork.
In the Mironenko fight, Tumenov was on the offensive, and defensive, catching a kick and lighting up his opponent with head kicks. His most effective punch, the left uppercut, separated Mironenko from his senses and spelled the beginning of the end for Tumenov‘s challenger.
Even more impressive, in his last win on the independent circuit, Einstein fought Swiss striker Yasubey Enomoto. Throughout the first three minutes of the fight, he landed his trademark left uppercut three times, including one that dropped Enomoto.
Though he kept it competitive, Enomoto got clipped by a left hook after his leg kick was caught in an exchange by Tumenov late in the first round and was finished off by a left head kick.
Tumenov‘s UFC career has started quite the same way as his career in the lower ranks, save a tough split-decision loss in his debut to Ildemar Alcantara in February. Octagon opponents Anthony Lapsley and Matt Dwyer have felt the wrath of both his fists and his kicks.
Musoke will need to be very wary of the Russian’s top-notch striking ability.
“I will find a win way to win,” Musoke told MMA Crazy TV. “I’m more versatile, I find more ways to win. I’m ready to bang, I’m ready for whatever.”
The Swede proved that in his submission win over potent Italian striker Sakara, Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Andrade and Yakovlev. Musoke‘s chin has been tested multiple times early in his UFC run.
Musoke weathered an early storm by Andrade, after the fight looked like it was well over following an overhand right by the Brazilian, to take the last two rounds by applying constant pressure. He took the same approach in his bout against the sambo master, claiming all three rounds while stifling his opponent’s attack.
It’s clear that the 28-year-old Musoke has his hands full here. No matter what type of stand-up game plan Musoke employs, Tumenov will surely have an answer for it.
While the Swede’s striking is solid, it’s not nearly on the same level as the Russian’s. Musoke is better off making this fight ugly and utilizing his clinch work to secure a takedown (think Jon Fitch or Rick Story against Thiago Alves).
Musoke is smart; he won’t play right into his opponent’s advantage. He hasn’t lost a bout due to strikes in his 17-fight career. Engaging in a ground war may be the easiest path to a finish for Musoke. However, it still won’t be easy.
If he’s able to pull off a TKO or submission victory, it would mark the first time Tumenov has been finished in his career. This fight can go either one of two ways: It can end early or end up a grappling match.
I have a hunch it’s going to be the latter.
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