Marat Gafurov Chokes Out Emilio Urrutia In Short Order

Marat Gafurov IMG_5116

Marat "Cobra" Gafurov submits "The Honey Badger" with a scintillating arm-triangle choke at 2:34 of the first round!

Marat "Cobra" Gafurov submits "The Honey Badger" with a scintillating arm-triangle choke at 2:34 of the first round!TV: Check local listings for global broadcast

Posted by ONE Championship on Friday, April 20, 2018

Marat “Cobra” Gafurov is on a mission to recapture the ONE Featherweight World Title, and he is taking no prisoners on his way back to the top.

That was the message the Dagestani sent on Friday, 20 April, at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. He mauled Emilio “The Honey Badger” Urrutia in their featherweight clash, and left the ring with yet another first-round submission victory.

While he was definitely the underdog, Urrutia had promised a knockout following four consecutive wins, and he showed no fear in the early going. In fact, he cracked the former world champion with a stinging low leg kick during the initial exchange on the feet.

Marat Gafurov IMGL0271.jpg

The kick did some damage, as Gafurov abandoned any plans of striking with “The Honey Badger,” and instead quickly dumped him on the mat while looking to transition to a better position on the ground.

“Cobra” was methodical once he got Urrutia where he wanted him. He peppered away at the American with short punches, while showcasing his incredible power by muscling past his opponent’s defenses.

With just over two minutes expired in the contest, Gafurov saw an opening to leap out of Urrutia’s guard, and latched onto an arm-triangle choke. Once the Dagestani had the submission locked up, he did not let go until his adversary was no longer able to defend himself. His arms went limp, and the referee jumped in to stop the contest at the 2:34 mark of the first round.

Marat Gafurov IMGL0326.jpg

In victory, Gafurov not only washes the bad taste of defeat out of his mouth after his stunning loss to current featherweight kingpin Martin Nguyen from last August. He reminded everybody in the division that he is still the man to beat.

The Dagestani lifts his record to 16-1, and now waits for his opportunity to challenge for the gold once again. He will be anxiously watching the upcoming world title bout between Nguyen and 19-year-old sensation Christian Lee at ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS in May.

More in News

Moa Carlsson Kana Morimoto ONE Friday Fights 95 8
Shadow Singha Mawynn Hassan Vahdanirad ONE Friday Fights 100 25
Sinsamut vs. Nieky Holzken ONE Friday Fights 100 Faceoffs
Nico Carrillo Nabil Anane ONE 170 75
Adriano Moraes vs. Yuya Wakamatsu Fight Result at ONE X
Rodtang Jitmuangnon Jacob Smith ONE 169 8
Nico Carrillo Saemapetch Fairtex ONE Fight Night 23 26
Shakir Al Tekreeti Masaaki Noiri ONE 170 26
Alexis Nicolas Regian Eersel ONE Fight Night 25 46
Roman Kryklia Alex Roberts ONE Fight Night 17 30
Nico Carrillo Nabil Anane ONE 170 136
Marat Grigorian vs Abdelali Zahidi ONE Friday Fights 923297