CHICAGO – Timur Khizriyev earned a win and three points in the opening round of the 2024 PFL featherweight season, but he believes there was room for more.
Khizriyev (15-0) defeated veteran Brett Johns by unanimous decision on the PFL 2024 Week 3 preliminary card on Friday at Wintrust Arena. Although it was a clean win, Khizriyev didn’t think he gave his best performance against Johns (20-4), and he has ideas as to why that happened.
“To be honest, I’m not completely satisfied with my performance,” Khizriyev said in Russian through an interpreter in his post-match interview. “Of course, a win is a win, but I feel like I didn’t quite achieve it. I didn’t have the energy that I normally would, and I think that was partly because of Ramadan. I was fasting, so The last day was especially difficult. Normally I have no problem losing weight, but this time I had a little trouble, so I don’t think I can say I’ve fully recovered.
“But again, we’re moving forward, and hopefully the next fight will be more interesting.”
Johns opted for a heavy grappling approach, which did not surprise Hisuriyev. Khizriyev would have been even more dangerous on the ground had he been paired with Johns, and despite maintaining an undefeated record and advancing to the finals with three points, the bitter feeling remains.
“No, I wasn’t surprised that he was wrestling,” Hizriyev said. “Actually, I felt like that was the only chance he really had. I think he realized I didn’t have a chance as far as hitting goes.
“I’m not too happy with the way I did on the ground today, but I know he’s got the wrestling. I know he’s been up against good guys like (Aljamain) Streling. I know that, and I expected that too. But again, it wasn’t my best performance, but I’ll get another chance.”
For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s PFL 2024 Week 3 event hub.
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