PRAGUE – Look out, world. “The Austrian Wonderboy” is coming.
Welterweight prospect Ismail Nauriev (18-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) scored an eye-catching debut victory after stepping in on just two weeks’ notice for his octagon debut against in-form veteran Michel Prazeres on Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 3.
And the newcomer showcased an excellent all-round MMA game, comprehensively outstriking the Brazilian powerhouse Prazeres (26-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) while showcasing some impressive scrambling ability on the mat as he scored a landslide decision victory to kick-start his UFC career.
The Austrian star clearly was still buzzing when he chatted with MMAjunkie backstage at the O2 arena, saying: “I’m so, so happy. I can’t say it in words. So much emotions right now. But, to be honest, I’m not surprised. It feels so, so good.
“I knew Michel Prazeres would try the takedowns and try to pressure me. We knew that. We can’t change something in two weeks, but we did the best we could do, and it worked.”
The 22-year-old from Salzburg may have been making his debut in Prague this weekend, but he carried himself like a man who had made the walk to the octagon many times before as he delivered a nerveless performance in his first showing under the UFC lights.
The reason for his calm approach, he said, was down to the fact that he’s doing what he loves, and he puts his enjoyment ahead of the end result.
“I’m always relaxed because I’m not like other fighters, like, ‘Oh my God, I have to win,’ or, ‘Or will I lose or will I win.’ I don’t think about this, you know?” he explained. “I’m really mentally strong. I’m just enjoying the moment and enjoying everything because I love it so much. It doesn’t matter, lose or win. Of course I want to win, but I don’t make up so much pressure.
“I go to the cage, enjoy the moment, enjoy the fight, have fun, destroy my opponent, do my best, and the rest will come along.”
His performance drew a great response from the Czech crowd, who seemed to side with the Austrian newcomer over the battle-tested Brazilian carrying an eight-fight winning streak into the contest at the O2 arena.
Sometimes fighters explain that they block out the crowd noise during their fights, but Nauriev said he was aware of everything going on around him as he took on Prazeres.
“I heard everything,” Nauriev said of the crowd support. “I was so surprised. I know I have a good fanbase in Austria, but I didn’t know I had a fanbase in the Czech Republic! When I came into the arena and the people went “WHOAAAA!”, it felt so good. It motivated me.”
Now Nauriev is off and running in the UFC with an impressive debut performance against a tough, seasoned opponent. He’s beginning to get a glimpse of bigger things on his horizon, and he’s loving every minute.
“It was crazy, like a dream,” Nauriev said. “I enjoy everything. The media, interviews, the fight, everything. I love this.”
And the confident welterweight prospect says he’d love nothing more than the opportunity to take his skills the U.S. to take on a ranked opponent in the fight capital of the world.
“Vegas, baby! Vegas!” he grinned. “I want the money! I want the million checks, you know?
“It doesn’t matter who. I’ll fight everyone. I came in at short notice and beat a guy like Prazeres who had an eight-fight win streak, didn’t lose since 2015. So I think I deserve a top 15 fighter next. I’m ready.”
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