Shara Magomedov and Antonio Troccoli at the official weigh-in for UFC Saudi Arabia. Credit: Youtube/UFC
After not one but two opponents lost, newcomer Antonio Troccoli will face Shara Magomedov at UFC Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
In a strange twist, Trocoli was scheduled to face Ikram Aliskerov a week earlier, but with Igor Potelier withdrawing and substitute Jairton Luterbach failing a drugs test, Trocoli was substituted in Aliskerov’s place against Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia.
In a middleweight matchup on the main card, Trocoli went after Shara “Bullet” and grappled with Magomedov, who had him pressed up against the fence. He then clinched and tried to finish the fight by using his power, trading right punches. But no matter how hard Trocoli tried, he couldn’t take Magomedov down. Magomedov blocked a takedown attempt with one leg and showed great balance. Referee Marc Goddard noticed Trocoli pinned against the fence, and after a stern warning, he removed the position and resumed the bout at the center.
Magomedov landed two kicks high and one low after the restart, followed by a question mark kick and a diagonal kick to keep Trocoli on his toes. Trocoli again let go and Shara responded with a left. Trocoli again tried to go for a takedown in the clinch, but Magomedov again defended and only dropped to one knee for a brief pause.
Shara Magomedov continued his kicking attack in the second round, adding a spinning backfist. Trokoli tried to clinch around the one minute mark, but couldn’t hold on. Magomedov landed more kicks, the back and forth continued, and in the final minute of the round, Shara got a chance to grab the fence. The referee gave him the finger, but didn’t award the point or retract the position. With a few seconds left in the frame, Shara Magomedov attempted a head kick that was blocked.
Round three was a stand-up affair from the start, with Magomedov landing a front kick that looked like it would do some serious damage about 90 seconds in. Shara again landed leg kicks, then a knee as Trocoli changed levels, then a right hand that really hurt Trocoli. Shara felt the finish was near and he landed a flurry of punches to the body and on top. Antonio Trocoli went down from a hook, and the fight was over!
OFFICIAL RESULT: Shara Magomedov defeats Antonio Troccoli by KO, Round 3, 2:27
