It’s been quite the few weeks for recent UFC debutant Muhammad Saidov.
Not only did he get the call-up he’d long sought, Saidov (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made the most of the opportunity Saturday when he put together a highlight reel second-round TKO barrage to finish Dustin Jacoby at UFC Fight Night 282 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhai.
Advertisement
“It’s very positive emotions,” Saidov said post-fight (via UFC). “I was very glad I got to get the victory. I was able to bring happiness to the people that came to support me, to all my people. I was able to show myself on such a big arena. Thank you very much. It’s very positive emotions.”
Saidov, 30, got the short-notice call up to fight Jacoby (22-10-1 MMA, 10-7-1 UFC) when multiple other opponents withdrew. It was an elevated entry point compared to what many debutants get. But Saidov said he felt right at home.
“I was ready to win. I was ready to lose,” Saidov said. “My goal was to just come out and show a good fight. Obviously, Dustin is very, very experienced. He’s a great guy but he’s a little older. I’m a little faster. Sometimes you have a good day in the office. Sometimes you have a bad one. I didn’t have expectations. I happened to have a good one. Everybody says how experienced he is, how good of a kickboxer he is. But I’m also not over here from reading books in the library. I’ve had a career behind me as well. I can show myself. I can show I belong here. I’m happy that it worked either way. Understand that this is not anything special. This is my work. I came out here. I did my job well and that’s what it was.”
With the victory, Saidov takes home his show money, win money, and $25,000 finish bonus. The cash couldn’t come at a better time. Just prior to receiving the UFC call, Saidov admits he debated stepping away from competition entirely as his bank account was running low.
Advertisement
“Honestly, I really hope that I won some fans over and somebody is going to know who I am now,” Saidov said. “A month ago, I was sitting at home and I didn’t know where to get the money to feed my family. I was going to quit this sport. I was going to find something different. To be honest, I don’t think about fans or whatever. I am not in a place where I can feed my family and I’m excited I’m here in the UFC to do it.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Muhammad Saidov wondered how he’d feed family before UFC call came
