Abubakar Nurmagomedov, a Russian featherweight competitor, faced a setback in UFC Vegas 74 as he was unable to secure a victory in the main card clash. The bout, which opened the pay-per-view portion, pitted Nurmagomedov against Eliseu Zaleski dos Santos. Over the course of three rounds, the Brazilian fighter demonstrated a tactical edge and earned the judges’ decision, marking Nurmagomedov’s fourth loss in his 22-fight career so far. Dos Santos, meanwhile, tallied the 24th win of his professional run, while absorbing his seventh defeat in MMA competition.
The fight highlighted the ongoing momentum between two established lightweights in the federation, underscoring the volatility and competitiveness of the UFC’s global roster. Nurmagomedov’s approach was characterized by speed and pressure, but dos Santos effectively countered with precise counterpunching and strategic movement, which ultimately swayed the outcome in his favor according to the official scoring. This result added another chapter to Nurmagomedov’s UFC journey, testing his resilience after previous campaigns and offering dos Santos a notable victory on a high-profile stage.
In the broader context of the event, Nurmagomedov’s connection to a prominent figure in the sport’s history remained a talking point among fans and analysts. He is the cousin of former undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, whose last appearance in competition occurred in late 2020. The family tie matters in the world of MMA, where lineage and mentorship often play a role in shaping a fighter’s approach, training environment, and expectation setting for future bouts.
The Vegas 74 card also featured a marquee headliner pairing, with Kai Kara-France of New Zealand set to challenge Amir Alibazi of Iraq in the main event spotlight. Earlier, Alex Caceres and Daniel Pineda, both representing the United States, were scheduled to meet in a co-main event-style matchup, underscoring the event’s cross-regional appeal and the UFC’s ongoing strategy of blending established veterans with rising talents from North America and beyond.
Another notable result on the night involved former Belarusian MMA fighter Andrei Orlovski, who competed on the undercard in Las Vegas. He faced US fighter DonTale Mays, and the bout concluded with Mays prevailing via technical knockout in the second round. Orlovski’s performance added another dramatic moment to a card already filled with competitive exchanges and notable career milestones for several athletes on display, reflecting the depth of talent and the evolving dynamics within the UFC roster.