LAS VEGAS – Movlid Khaybulaev beat Ryoji Kudo with a unanimous decision Friday on the main card at 2023 PFL 1 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Khaybulaev, the 2021 featherweight season winner who missed all of 2022.
Movlid Khaybulaev vs. Ryoji Kudo
Result: Movlid Khaybulaev def. Ryoji Kudo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Khaybulaev (20-0-1), Kudo (11-5-1)
Key stat: Khaybulaev landed eight of 10 takedowns.
Khaybulaev on the fight’s key moment
Movlid Khaybulaev vs. Ryoji Kudo
“It was a little bit discomfort in the beginning, but I’m happy I won. There was no surprise about my opponent, but in the beginning of the fight I was a little uncomfortable because I hadn’t fought in so long.”
Khaybulaev on feeling pressure from only 3 points
Movlid Khaybulaev vs. Ryoji Kudo
“Nothing pressured me in the 2021 season. I was the first to fight. I won by points and became champion. For me, it was most important to win this fight, and I did it.”
Khaybulaev on what he wants next
Movlid Khaybulaev vs. Ryoji Kudo
“Any opponent is good. I think with any opponent, it is going to be good fight. ”
To hear more from Khaybulaev, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 1.