At UFC Qatar on Saturday, Moroccan-Austrian fighter Ismail Naurdiev finished off his latest fight with a decisive knockout win over American Ryan Loder. Once again, he showed the striking power that has made him a standout in the middleweight division.
The fight ended in the first round, at exactly 1:26 of the round, with Naurdiev landing a precise overhand right and Loder unable to continue.
In his post-fight interview, Naurdiev was emotional and gave a special thank you to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, dedicating the win to Morocco:
“Your Majesty, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me. Thank God. You’ve changed my life for the better. I can’t thank you enough. May God reward you with good. May God protect you. May God keep you as a crown upon our heads. I love you so much. God bless your life, sir. Dima Maghreb!”
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Moroccan fans quickly flooded social media to express their admiration for the fighter’s performance in the cage as well as the respectful tribute to the King. After being granted Moroccan citizenship last year, Naurdiev’s words truly revealed his Moroccan roots and the personal significance of the win to him.
With this win, Naurdiev’s professional record is now 25–8, and he’s solidifying his position as a rising middleweight fighter. Naurdiev is an aggressive striker and a technically skilled fighter known for his ability to finish fights quickly.
This win proves Naurdiev’s skill in the cage and the pride he carries for Morocco every time he fights.
