Liliya Shakirova
Uzbekistan
One and done with UFC
Shakirova has been released from the UFC roster, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Shakirova was called upon on short notice to face a tough opponent in flyweight contender Lauren Murphy, and she ultimately came up short as a sizable underdog. Typically the UFC gives fighters another chance in this scenario, but an apparent two-year suspension (due to failure to disclose her use of the banned drug meldonium) ultimately tipped the scales in the other direction. She'll now be looking for a new promotion to call home, presumably after her suspension is up.
Shakirova was called upon on short notice to face a tough opponent in flyweight contender Lauren Murphy, and she ultimately came up short as a sizable underdog. Typically the UFC gives fighters another chance in this scenario, but an apparent two-year suspension (due to failure to disclose her use of the banned drug meldonium) ultimately tipped the scales in the other direction. She'll now be looking for a new promotion to call home, presumably after her suspension is up.
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Taps out in UFC debut
Shakirova lost to Lauren Murphy via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:31 of Round 2 at UFC 254 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Shakirova hung around for the better part of a round before Murphy was able to force her to the mat and finish the fight. Making her UFC debut on extremely short notice, Shakirova had all sorts of difficulties generating any offense. She did a decent job defensively prior to the stoppage, but there just doesn't appear to be much here. Shakirova will probably get another opportunity with the company due to her willingness to "save" this fight, but little should be expected from the first fighter from Uzbekistan in UFC history.
Shakirova hung around for the better part of a round before Murphy was able to force her to the mat and finish the fight. Making her UFC debut on extremely short notice, Shakirova had all sorts of difficulties generating any offense. She did a decent job defensively prior to the stoppage, but there just doesn't appear to be much here. Shakirova will probably get another opportunity with the company due to her willingness to "save" this fight, but little should be expected from the first fighter from Uzbekistan in UFC history.
Set to fight Lauren Murphy
Shakirova will replace Cynthia Calvillo (undisclosed) for the fight against Lauren Murphy on October 24, Marcel Dorff of MMADNA reports.
ANALYSIS
With Calvillo being removed from the card earlier Thursday, Shakirova will step in to make her UFC debut against Murphy. The Uzbekistan native has an overall record of 8-1 while fighting in various organizations since 2015.
With Calvillo being removed from the card earlier Thursday, Shakirova will step in to make her UFC debut against Murphy. The Uzbekistan native has an overall record of 8-1 while fighting in various organizations since 2015.