Australia’s Jamie Mullarkey has suffered a devastating loss at UFC Vegas 74.
The Central Coast native was forced to take on Tajikistan’s Muhammad Naimov after his original opponent withdrew from the bout.
With impeccable timing, Naimov unleashed a powerful right-hand counter midway through the second round, sending Mullarkey crashing to the canvas. Seizing the opportunity, Naimov swiftly followed up with a series of strikes while the referee hurriedly intervened to halt the bout.
What a debut for Muhammad Naimov
???? #UFCVegas74 pic.twitter.com/uOw853dsMs— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 3, 2023
As a last minute replacement, Naimov came into the contest as the biggest underdog on the card as well as coming up in weight from where he usual fights.
“You guys have a new king,” Naimov said after the contest.
“That short guy [Alexander Volkanovski], Max Holloway, forget about them. I’m here.”
The loss snaps Mullarkey’s two fight winning streak and brings his professional record to 16-6