Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Joaquim Silva and Nasrat Haqparast faced each other in a Lightweight clash tonight (Sat., Aug. 3, 2019) inside Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., only on ESPN. After a technical opening round, the speed and sharp left hand of Haqparast ended the bout violently in the second stanza.
Silva opened with a big step knee that just missed. A good low kick landed for the Brazilian. Another. A pair of high kicks from Silva are blocked, but neither man really committed to much early. Strong left hand scored for Haqparast. Haqparast showed the left high kick. Silva stung his foe with a right hand. Left body kick from Haqparast dug into the body a bit. Hard low kick landed for the Brazilian, but he ate a left hand afterward. Haqparast flurried but did not land well. Good right hook from Haqparast caught Silva circling, and he followed up with a nice combination. Silva connected on another low kick. A Haqparast high kick glanced off the arms to end a close opening round.
More feints and movement from Haqparast draw out attempt counter punches from Silva in the second. The Brazilian again looked to target the lead leg. Instead, Haqparast exploded into a monstrous left overhand, finally connecting on the punch that he’d been looking for since the opening bell. Silva fell down hard, and a few follow up shots sealed the deal.
Against his best opponent yet, Haqparast picked up his first UFC knockout. The 23-year-old German is a major prospect to watch and already a threat to many of the division’s more established fighters.
Result: Nasrat Haqparast defeats Joaquim Silva via second-round knockout
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