Murtazali Magomedov wasted little time making an impression in his first UFC appearance. Competing at UFC Vegas 119 on Saturday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, the undefeated featherweight prospect delivered one of the most unusual finishes seen in recent memory.
Magomedov forced Melsik Baghdasaryan to tap out with a modified twister submission in the opening round.
Highly Touted Prospect Lives Up to Expectations
Magomedov entered the event carrying significant hype. The 26-year-old arrived with an undefeated professional record, a perfect finishing rate, and a knockout victory on Dana White’s Contender Series last September.
Those credentials made him one of the more talked-about newcomers on the card. Even with those expectations, few anticipated the manner in which he would secure his first UFC victory.
The rising featherweight immediately showcased the grappling skills that have helped build his reputation on the regional scene.
Quick Adjustment Leads to Spectacular Finish
Baghdasaryan found early success with a kick during the opening exchanges. The strike prompted Magomedov to change levels and bring the fight to the ground.
Once there, Magomedov quickly secured control with a tight body triangle. He continued to improve his position before applying a painful twisting submission that trapped Baghdasaryan’s torso and spine. Unable to escape the hold, Baghdasaryan tapped out just minutes into the fight.
The victory keeps Magomedov unbeaten and adds another finish to his growing highlight reel.
More importantly, it introduced him to UFC fans with a submission few fighters ever manage to pull off inside the Octagon.