UFC 288 Headliner basically sells itself with Henry Cejudo vs Aljamain Sterling, Really excited for this fight but lower down on the prelims is excited debut for Ikram Aliskerov.
Ikram Aliskerov one of the best prospects in the world before signing with UFC from Dana White Contender Series.
Ikram Aliskerov Prospect Career
Before MMA was four time World Combat Sambo Champion with two defeats against Bellator World Champion Yaroslav Amosov. During his Sambo career was one of the better sambo fighters.
Switched from sambo to MMA, Taking advantage of his world class sambo skills by winning fights convincingly under Russian Promotions before signing with Brave Combat Federation.
Five wins with Brave CF before losing to some unknown fighter named Khamzat Chimaev lol. Actually was challenging Chimaev in the first round before getting knocked out with his mouth piece dropping on the floor.
Loss didn’t undwaver him continued being on a 4 fight winning streak defeating longtime MMA veteran Nah-Shon Burrell at his Eagle FC debut that probably attracted Sean Shelby to offering him a contender series contract.
Dana White Contender Series fight impressed everyone as first round submit high level Brazilian prospect Mario Sousa.
UFC Debut fight Phil Hawes
Ikram Aliskerov debut against is against first team all body Phil Hawes. Started on three fight winning streak but now struggling.
No easy task in his UFC debut but the fast pace sambo fighting style can lead to dominant submission win. Impressing Dana White, Sean Shelby and Maynard.
UFC Middleweight division needs new faces to the weight class and Aliskerov can be part of that next group of title contenders in few years.
Billy's MMA Blog 