MEXICO CITY – Muhammad Naimov beat Erik Silva with a first-round injury TKO Saturday to open up the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 237 at Mexico City Arena.
Take a look inside the fight with Naimov, whose early kick made Silva backpedal into an awkward placement against the cage and a likely knee injury.
Muhammad Naimov vs. Erik Silva
Result: Muhammad Naimov def. Erik Silva via TKO (injury) – Round 1, 0:44
Updated records: Naimov (11-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Silva (9-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Key stats: Naimov lost on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020 and had a setback his next time out after that, but since has six straight wins.
Naimov on the fight's key moment
Muhammad Naimov def. Erik Silva, UFC Fight Night 237
“He’s a very respectful guy. I know that attack (I threw) can cause that. It can cause the opponent to step badly and have that injury, but I don’t know. Maybe my opponent was already injured before. I don’t know. I respect him a lot.”
Naimov on fighting at altitude
Beautiful and clear lake Sarez sits 3300 meters high up in the mountains of Pamir, Tajikistan, 29 July 2007. The lake formed in 1911 as the result of an earthquake that measured level ten on the Richter scale. AFP PHOTO / KADAM MASKAYEV (Photo credit should read KADAM MASKAYEV/AFP via Getty Images)
“I’m a mountain man – 93 percent of Tajikistan is mountains. The highest mountain in Tajikistan (is more than 24,000 feet). (Mexico City’s elevation) doesn’t matter – no elevation, sea level, on Mars … I’m ready to fight anywhere. I’m an international fighter. I was in Abu Dhabi. I was in United States. I’m in Mexico City right now.”
Naimov on what he wants next
Muhammad Naimov
“There is a card in Saudi Arabia in June. It’s after Ramadan. I want to fight there. It doesn’t matter. Whatever opportunities come, we’re going to take. I want to fight top 15, top 10, top five. It doesn’t matter. I want to fight anyone.”
To hear more from Naimov, check out the video above.
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