INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Muin Gafurov beat Rinya Nakamura with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 311 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.
Take a look inside the fight with Gafurov, a former LFA bantamweight champion who has back-to-back wins after consecutive losses to open his UFC career.
Muin Gafurov def. Rinya Nakamura
Result: Muin Gafurov def. Rinya Nakamura via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Gafurov (20-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) def. Rinya Nakamura (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC)
Key stats: Nakamura was one of the biggest favorites on the card at as much as -850.
Gafurov on the fight’s key moment
Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Muin Gafurov (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Rinya Nakamura (not pictured) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
“Before the fight, coach John Wood told me my striking, my wrestling – everything is good. Don’t worry. I was running around and I was feeling good, so I decided to show something crazy.”
Gafurov on feeling loose and inspired
“Before the fight, coach John Wood told me my striking, my wrestling – everything is good. Don’t worry. I was running around and I was feeling good, so I decided to show something crazy.
“After Saudi my last fight (against Kyung Ho Kang), I told everyone I’m following (Merab Dvalishvili’s) path. I’ll never lose after this.”
Gafurov on what he wants next
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – MAY 06: Henry Cejudo looks on after his bantamweight title bout against Aljamain Sterling of Jamaica (not pictured) at UFC 288 at Prudential Center on May 06, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. Sterling won by judge’s decision. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
“After I go back home a little bit, relax with my kids, this year I want to fight once more. I’ll ask Sean Shelby or Dana White or somebody, if somebody wants to watch a good fight: I’ll defend this Olympic wrestling. I’d like for the second guy to be Henry Cejudo.”
To hear more from Gafurov, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.
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