Askar Askarov
Bullet
Russia
Parting ways with UFC
Askarov was granted a release from the UFC, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Askarov asked the UFC to be released to address some health concerns. He was supposed to take on Brandon Royval a few weeks back, but determined he was not fit to keep cutting weight. Askarov was the No. 7 in the UFC Flyweight rankings and had a 3-1-1 record with the promotion.
Askarov asked the UFC to be released to address some health concerns. He was supposed to take on Brandon Royval a few weeks back, but determined he was not fit to keep cutting weight. Askarov was the No. 7 in the UFC Flyweight rankings and had a 3-1-1 record with the promotion.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Won't fight Royval on Saturday
Askarov will no longer face Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 62 on Saturday after it was determined he was not fit to keep cutting weight, Carlos Contreras Legaspi of ESPN Deportes reports.
ANALYSIS
It appears Askarov experienced some issues with his weight cut, so the fight between him and Royval won't take place Saturday. It's unclear if the bout will be rescheduled or if the UFC will try to find a replacement opponent for Royval, but Askarov will now have to wait to be re-booked before returning to the Octagon.
It appears Askarov experienced some issues with his weight cut, so the fight between him and Royval won't take place Saturday. It's unclear if the bout will be rescheduled or if the UFC will try to find a replacement opponent for Royval, but Askarov will now have to wait to be re-booked before returning to the Octagon.
Set to take on Royval
Askarov is set to take on Brandon Royval in a flyweight matchup at a UFC event scheduled for Oct. 15, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Askarov will look to bounce back from his first UFC loss at the hands of Kai Kara-France on Mar. 26, when he takes on Brandon Royval. The 5-foot-5 Russian fighter currently boasts a 14-1-1 record in the UFC.
Askarov will look to bounce back from his first UFC loss at the hands of Kai Kara-France on Mar. 26, when he takes on Brandon Royval. The 5-foot-5 Russian fighter currently boasts a 14-1-1 record in the UFC.
Withdraws from Perez bout
Askarov was forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Alex Perez at UFC's July 16 event for undisclosed reasons, Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The reason for the withdrawal is unknown, so it's unclear when Askarov may re-enter the Octagon. Perez will instead face Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 277 on July 30.
The reason for the withdrawal is unknown, so it's unclear when Askarov may re-enter the Octagon. Perez will instead face Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 277 on July 30.
Set to fight Perez on July 16
Askarov will fight Alex Perez at a UFC event on July 16, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Askarov is set to take on Perez in his fifth UFC fight July 16. Askarov has a 1.5 inch reach advantage over Perez. All three of Askarov's UFC victories have come from unanimous decision. Both fighters are entering the bout coming off a defeat in their previous match.
Askarov is set to take on Perez in his fifth UFC fight July 16. Askarov has a 1.5 inch reach advantage over Perez. All three of Askarov's UFC victories have come from unanimous decision. Both fighters are entering the bout coming off a defeat in their previous match.
Suffers first pro defeat
Askarov lost to Kai Kara-France via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.
ANALYSIS
There is room for immediate advancement in a thin UFC flyweight division, but these are the type of 50/50 fights you have to win in order to climb the rankings, and Askarov didn't get this one. Askar started quickly on the strength of a successful takedown and 3:09 worth of control time in the opening frame, but the good times ended there. Askarov went on to land just 1-of-10 takedowns over the course of the final ten minutes. Those numbers aren't going to get the job done considering the clear advantage Kara-France possessed in the striking game. This fight ended up being remarkably easy to score, with Askarov losing each of the final two rounds. He has now seen the final bell in each of his first five UFC fights, with three victories, one loss, and one draw to show for it. This was the first loss of Askarov's professional career.
There is room for immediate advancement in a thin UFC flyweight division, but these are the type of 50/50 fights you have to win in order to climb the rankings, and Askarov didn't get this one. Askar started quickly on the strength of a successful takedown and 3:09 worth of control time in the opening frame, but the good times ended there. Askarov went on to land just 1-of-10 takedowns over the course of the final ten minutes. Those numbers aren't going to get the job done considering the clear advantage Kara-France possessed in the striking game. This fight ended up being remarkably easy to score, with Askarov losing each of the final two rounds. He has now seen the final bell in each of his first five UFC fights, with three victories, one loss, and one draw to show for it. This was the first loss of Askarov's professional career.