A highly rated product of the Dana White Contender Series season 8 cohort makes his promotional debut this weekend at UFC Fight Night 254 when he takes on Brazil's Brendson Ribeiro in a light heavyweight clash. The Kazakhstani prospect Nurgozhay, who is unbeaten pro, will have his hands full against a confident Ribeiro, who ended a 2-fight skid with a split decision late last year to cap off a difficult 2024. The pair of light heavyweights compete in the prelims of the Fight Night, with the newcomer a huge favorite to clock into the win column.
Bet on Diyar Nurgozhay vs. Brendson Ribeiro with 1xBet
MMA: UFC Light Heavyweight
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Venue: UFC Apex, Las Vegas
Date: 16.03.2025 02:30
Diyar Nurgozhay
The unbeaten Kazakh drew the attention of the UFC with a decisive TKO in his 2024 Contender Series bout and earned a call-up to the world's elite MMA promotion. The 27-year-old Diyar Nurgozhay finished his ninth professional opponent with a head kick and ground punches in the second round. Nurgozhay, who turned pro in 2021, has competed in several regional European promotions, including Eagle FC and Alash Pride. The Arlan MMA pro Team member, who fights out of his native Almaty in Kazakhstan, has a 60% KO/TKO rate. MMAFighting website ranked him last year as a good prospect with a reasonable shot at earning a ranking in the division. With his relative youth and skills, Diyar Nurgozhay is one to look out for in the 205-pound class.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 27
- Height: 6’2”
- Reach: 74”
- Weight: 205 lbs (93kg)
- Record: 10-0
Brendson Ribeiro
Brendson Ribeiro claimed his first UFC win at the third time of asking with a split decision over Caio Machado last November. The 2023 Contender Series graduate lost his first two fights in the promotion, beginning with a first-round loss to Mingyang Zhang in his debut. Now that he has ticked the win column, "Gorilla" expects to forge ahead in the promotion, even though the bookmakers think otherwise. The 28-year-old from Brazil had competed in Shooto Brazil and AMC Fight Night before winning a UFC contract following a first-round finish of Bruno Lopes in the Contender Series. He turned professional ten years ago and was a one-time Shooto Brazil light heavyweight champion.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 28
- Height: 6'3"
- Reach: 81"
- Weight: 205 lbs (93kg)
- Record: 16-7
Betting Odds
Brendson Ribeiro is a 3.50 underdog on Betway. Diyar Nurgozhay is 1.90 to win by KO/TKO on Bet365 which has the favorite by decision at 4.00 odds. Over 1.5 is 1.69 on 1xbet, while the under is 2.1 odds. Read more here.
Bet on Diyar Nurgozhay vs. Brendson Ribeiro with 1xBet
