Nikolay Veretennikov
Kazakhstan
Filling in for Nolan
Veretennikov will fight Jose Henrique Souza at UFC Vegas 113 on Feb. 7, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The 36-year-old will be fighting in place of Eric Nolan, who withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons. Veretennikov will surely be desperate for a win after dropping three of his first four fights in the UFC, and a loss against a debutant who will have a five-inch reach advantage could put his future in the promotion in question.
The 36-year-old will be fighting in place of Eric Nolan, who withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons. Veretennikov will surely be desperate for a win after dropping three of his first four fights in the UFC, and a loss against a debutant who will have a five-inch reach advantage could put his future in the promotion in question.
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Inconsistent ways continue
Veretennikov lost to Punahele Soriano via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC 320 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Veretennikov picked up his first UFC victory in three attempts his last time out with a split decision win over Francisco Prado, but he went right back to his struggling ways here in a fight which was a terrible stylistic matchup for him. Soriano is a power wrestler, and Veretennikov brings very little grappling to the table. His lone offensive flurries in this fight were a handful of guillotine attempts. Considering Nikolay entered with just one career win via submission, it's not surprising nothing ended up materializing. Set to turn 36 years of age in December, Veretennikov's roster spot would appear to be in doubt.
Veretennikov picked up his first UFC victory in three attempts his last time out with a split decision win over Francisco Prado, but he went right back to his struggling ways here in a fight which was a terrible stylistic matchup for him. Soriano is a power wrestler, and Veretennikov brings very little grappling to the table. His lone offensive flurries in this fight were a handful of guillotine attempts. Considering Nikolay entered with just one career win via submission, it's not surprising nothing ended up materializing. Set to turn 36 years of age in December, Veretennikov's roster spot would appear to be in doubt.
Fighting at UFC 320
Veretennikov will fight Punahele Soriano at UFC 320 on Oct. 4, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Veretennikov will look to build upon his first UFC win, which came via split decision in July against Francisco Prado. Veretennikov dropped his first two UFC bouts. Soriano has won both of his matches since switching from middleweight to welterweight.
Veretennikov will look to build upon his first UFC win, which came via split decision in July against Francisco Prado. Veretennikov dropped his first two UFC bouts. Soriano has won both of his matches since switching from middleweight to welterweight.
Finally earns first UFC win
Veretennikov defeated Francisco Prado via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC 318 on Saturday in New Orleans.
ANALYSIS
A loser in each of his first two UFC bouts, Veretennikov was almost certainly fighting for his job here and should thank his lucky stars that two of the three thought he did enough to win. Veretennikov started quickly, outworking Prado early on. He was clearly up a round and apparently cruising to a 20-18 lead, at which point he gassed out and let Prado back in the fight. Veretennikov has some power, but his takedown defense is awful, and his cardio isn't much better. The win should ensure he gets another shot with the company, but little should be expected.
A loser in each of his first two UFC bouts, Veretennikov was almost certainly fighting for his job here and should thank his lucky stars that two of the three thought he did enough to win. Veretennikov started quickly, outworking Prado early on. He was clearly up a round and apparently cruising to a 20-18 lead, at which point he gassed out and let Prado back in the fight. Veretennikov has some power, but his takedown defense is awful, and his cardio isn't much better. The win should ensure he gets another shot with the company, but little should be expected.
Facing Prado in July
Veretennikov will face Francisco Prado at UFC 318 on July 19, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Veretennikov has booked his next fight for July and will look to earn his first career UFC win versus Prado. Veretennikov has lost his first two UFC bouts, most recently to the newcomer Austin Vanderford at the end of February. Prado has also lost his last two fights, and Veretennikov has a three-inch advantage in height and reach.
Veretennikov has booked his next fight for July and will look to earn his first career UFC win versus Prado. Veretennikov has lost his first two UFC bouts, most recently to the newcomer Austin Vanderford at the end of February. Prado has also lost his last two fights, and Veretennikov has a three-inch advantage in height and reach.
Can't defend takedown in loss
Veretennikov lost to Austin Vanderford via TKO (punches) at 4:13 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Seattle.
ANALYSIS
The performance, combined with his post-fight antics figure to be enough to hand Veretennikov his walking papers. A striker by trade with zero grappling game to speak of, Nikolay was grounded by Vanderford repeatedly. He spent 7:21 of the bout being controlled on the mat and was eventually finished late in Round 2 after being pounded with countless unanswered blows. After the fight, Veretennikov decided to charge across the cage and push Vanderford in the back for no reason before security stepped in. 35 years of age and sporting an 0-2 record with the company, in addition to a defeat on Dana White's Contender Series, don't be surprised if this is the last we see of Veretennikov.
The performance, combined with his post-fight antics figure to be enough to hand Veretennikov his walking papers. A striker by trade with zero grappling game to speak of, Nikolay was grounded by Vanderford repeatedly. He spent 7:21 of the bout being controlled on the mat and was eventually finished late in Round 2 after being pounded with countless unanswered blows. After the fight, Veretennikov decided to charge across the cage and push Vanderford in the back for no reason before security stepped in. 35 years of age and sporting an 0-2 record with the company, in addition to a defeat on Dana White's Contender Series, don't be surprised if this is the last we see of Veretennikov.