Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Zelim Imadaev and Danny Roberts faced each other in a Welterweight clash today (Sat., Nov. 9, 2019) at UFC Fight Night 163, which took place inside CSKA Arena in Moscow, Russia.
Roberts struck first with a quick low kick. When Imadaev stepped forward, Roberts dropped down into a takedown attempt, but the Russian was able to stop the shot and score some uppercuts. In the clinch, Imadaev pushed his foe into the fence, where the two traded hard knees and uppercuts. Back in the center, Roberts landed some good kicks from the outside. Imadaev pressured his foe into the fence with a combination, but he squared his hips up and gave away a brief takedown. Nice elbow landed in the clinch for Roberts. Imadaev pressured his foe, but the two landed at a fairly event rate. A pair of good front kicks to the body landed for Imadaev. Roberts ripped an inside low kick. A takedown attempt from Roberts was reversed, and Imadaev finished the round in top position.
Roberts continued working over the lead leg into the second. The Russian returned the favor, then clipped his opponent with a couple left hooks. Roberts tried to force a takedown and was flipped to his back. Roberts worked back to his feet quickly, but he ate another power hook in the process. Roberts stung his foe with a hard cross. Snapping body kick landed for the Russian. Roberts again countered with a takedown, but he simply could not hold his foe down, and the effort seemed to be causing him to fatigue. Roberts landed a couple more brief takedowns and a few good knees in the clinch. Imadaev flipped the script and put his foe on the mat with a double leg takedown, but he could not hold his foe down either. Another hard knee to the body landed from Roberts. Out of nowhere, a GIGANTIC left hand connected to the chin of Imadaev, sending him in a spiral to the mat (watch it).
Following the back-and-forth war that was promised, Roberts’ experience earned him the victory in the form of a perfect slip and left hand counter.
Result: Danny Roberts defeats Zelim Imadaev via knockout at 3:51 of round one
For complete UFC Fight Night 163: “Zabit vs. Kattar” results and play-by-play, click HERE!