Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Erickson and Ken Hathaway

Omari Akhmedov ready to take his time becoming top contender after UFC 245

LAS VEGAS – Omari Akhmedov beat Ian Heinisch with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 245 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Akhmedov, who is unbeaten in his past six fights.

Result: Omari Akhmedov def. Ian Heinisch via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Akhmedov (20-4-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC), Heinisch (13-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Key stat: In a close fight, the striking department was nearly identical – Heinisch had just a 70-69 overall edge.

Akhmedov on the fight’s key moment

“I felt confident at the end. I was winning two rounds for sure. I maybe lost the last round, but I knew I had won at the end.”

Akhmedov on climbing the ranks

“It’s been a great year for me. It was my goal to become a top 10 fighter in the UFC, so I think I have achieved that now. I feel like I could have fought better tonight, but I have many injuries right now. I had to get surgery on my shoulder, and then I have some injuries on my knee. But thank God that everything went well.”

Akhmedov on what he wants next

“For now, I want to completely recover my body. I fought two months ago, so I need some time. By the end of 2020, I want to be a top contender for the belt.”

To hear more from Akhmedov, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.