Entering the octagon knowing that every fight could be your last is a lot of psychological pressure. But Russian mixed martial artist Denis Tyulyulin, who received the chance of a lifetime from the UFC, brilliantly took advantage of the opportunity presented to him.

The opponent faltered under a hail of blows from the Russian after an unfair decision by the referee, which could put an end to his promotion career. After such a referee had to save the floating American.

I ended up in the UFC by accident

Heavyweight Denis Tyulyulin cannot boast of an impeccable career in mixed martial arts. The 33-year-old fighter, even before his debut in the UFC, suffered five defeats, while winning ten fights. At the beginning of this year, the athlete did not even think about debuting in the most prestigious promotion on the planet. And with such a track record, it was difficult to do it.

Tyulyulin originally planned to get a fight in any American federation in order to gain a foothold in the United States. Denis had mixed martial arts organizations of the second or third echelon in his thoughts. But fate decreed that the head of the UFC, Dana White, gave the Russian a chance of a lifetime. Another Russian fighter, Aliaskhab Khizriev, could not find an opponent for a long time. Many were frankly afraid to go into the “cage” with a dangerous opponent.

After a series of refusals within the UFC, the organizers turned to Tyulyulin, who immediately accepted the offer to fight. The details of the contract were settled within a few hours. But the debut turned out blurry. Already in the second round, Aliaskhab celebrated the victory with a rear naked choke.

“I’m ready to fight any day”

In the promotion, it is not uncommon to say goodbye to fighters after the first lost fight. The memories of the “exploits” of Askar Mozharov, who was fired after a failed debut, are still fresh. But Denis was given a second chance. This time his opponent was Jamie Pickett. The American, although there are not enough stars from heaven, has already spent his six fights in the UFC.

Photo: © Jeff Bottari / Contributor / UFC / Gettyimages.com

Both fighters prefer to act in a standing position. It was not necessary to expect from them an abundance of struggle in the “cage”. The fight began with an exchange of blows in the standing position. Opponents did not spend much time on reconnaissance. Opponents threw punches and kicks with enviable regularity. In the middle of the segment, Jamie tried to carry out a takedown, but having received a tough rebuff from Denis, the American was left with nothing.

An incident occurred near the end of the round. Tyulyulin, during a kick, unintentionally tangentially touched the opponent’s groin. On the repeat, it was clearly seen that the main blow fell on the abdomen. The protective “shell”, which jumped too high from the jump of the American, Denis touched only with his thumb. To Jamie’s credit, he didn’t take a long pause. After recovering, he continued the fight.

In the second round, the fight continued according to a similar scenario. The fighters delighted the assembled spectators with regular exchanges of blows. But in the middle of the round, Denis again got into an unpleasant situation. Being at close range, both opponents simultaneously decided to strike with their knees. Pickett took his leg too far, at which point Tyulyulin again hit the American in the groin.

At that moment, Denis began to show the referee with a characteristic gesture that he was trying to stop his knee. But the famous “mustache” UFC Mike Beltran, who worked at the fight, did not believe the Russian, removing a point from him. In a three-round match, losing a point can cost you a win. In the situation with Denis, this decision of the judge could put an end to Tyulyulin’s career in the UFC.

Pickett after this blow to the groin again did not take a long pause to recover. And then the Russian turned into a ruthless predator who knows no fear. He brought down a hail of blows on the opponent, from one of which the American “floated” and fell on the canvas, going into a dead defense. Denis continued to beat his opponent methodically. The referee simply had no other option but to stop the fight.

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The end of the fight did not calm Tyulyulin. Even during the interview with Joe Rogan, he was in an extremely agitated state.

Jamie, thanks brother. I love Las Vegas. If they tell me to fight this year, then I’m ready, no problem. I am ready to fight any day,” Denis said after the fight.

After such a bright victory, the promotion is simply obliged to organize a few more fights for the Russian.