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Russia’s Nikolay Aleksakhin aiming for UFC bid, rematch with Ben Askren

After downing three UFC veterans in his past five outings, Russian welterweight Nikolay Aleksakhin (22-5) is hoping for a look from the world’s largest MMA promotion – and he already has a debut opponent in mind.

“Dana White, I have five wins in a row, four wins with a finish, three of them over UFC fighters – what else do you need to get me in your roster?” Aleksakhin asked following his latest win at this past weekend’s Russian Cagefighting Championship 5 event in Yekaterinburg, Russia. “Ben Askren, I heard that you called the Russians to fight. You owe me, because I was the only Russian with whom you held five rounds. It was the toughest fight in your career. In the fifth round, you ran away from me.”

Aleksakhin and Askren clashed in April 2016 in a non-title fight under the ONE Championship banner. The contest went the full 25 minutes, with Askren declared the winner via unanimous decision. Aleksakhin thought his performance was worthy of a second meeting, but Askren only fought for ONE Championship three more times before leaving the promotion.

Now the Team Rati fighter, who boasts 10 knockouts in his 22 career victories, wants a second chance at Askren. He realizes it’s not likely to happen right away, but he’s hoping to make his way to the octagon and start chasing “Funky” for what he considers an inevitable meeting.

Like his countrymen Aleksei Kunchenko and Ramazan Emeev, Aleksakhin believes he’s a fighter whose stock is on the rise, and he wants the chance to prove it.

Aleksakhin has already downed UFC veterans Elias Silverio, Dominique Steele and Michael Graves while competing in Russia. But beating Askren would go a long way toward establishing his position in the sport, and Aleksakhin is hell-bent on getting it done.

“I was promised a rematch, but it did not take place,” Aleksakhin said. “Ben, know one thing: I’m coming for you.”

UFC free fight: Charles Oliveira rallies to light up Michael Chandler for first title win

Charles Oliveira proved he had championship mettle when he battled through some early adversity against Michael Chandler. Oliveira faced Chandler for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 262 in May 2021. It took “Do Bronx” 28 octagon appearances to earn his first-career title shot. Round...

Javier Mendez disagrees with Daniel Cormier’s claim that Islam Makhachev more dangerous than Khabib Nurmagomedov

For Javier Mendez, Islam Makhachev is more skilled than Khabib Nurmagomedov but not more dangerous. Daniel Cormier, who also trained under Mendez at American Kickboxing Academy, said UFC lightweight champion Makhachev is even more dangerous than former champ Nurmagomedov was during his prime. Mendez heavily disagrees. “OK, he’s more...

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