UFC Auckland – what you need to know

Alastair Bishop Posted On February 19, 2020

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Playing With Fire

In the main event of the evening, Paul “The Irish Dragon” Felder takes on Dan “The Hangman” Hooker in what promises to be a thrilling encounter in the lightweight division. A bout nearly two years in the making, “The Hangman” dramatically called out “The Irish Dragon” in person after his first round KO of Jim Miller atUFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: BARBOZA vs. LEE back in April 2018.

Felder, who was commentating that evening, enters the bout having won seven of his last nine UFC® contests and currently holds a 17-4 professional MMA record. However, his opponent, an Auckland native who has fought across multiple divisions, also enters the fight in impressive form and is 6-1 as a UFC lightweight. Expect fireworks in this one as both men look to break into the top five of the lightweight division with a victory.

Strawweight Showdown

Poland’s strawweight Karolina Kowalkiewicz returns to the Octagon® against China’s Yan Xiaonan. Born and raised in Lodz, Poland, Kowalkiewicz originally trained in Krav Maga before eventually falling in love with the versatility of MMA. Having turned pro in 2012, Kowalkiewicz currently holds a 12-5 professional MMA record and is 5-5 in UFC bouts.

She faces a tough test, however, against her latest opponent Yan Xiaonan, who has impressed since joining the promotion in 2017 and enters the bout on a ten-fight win streak. Yan has also recorded unanimous decision victories in all four of her UFC bouts to date and believes she is destined to eventually face current champion, and friend, Weili Zhang for the strawweight title. This one should not disappoint as fans can expect a fiery contest between two of the division’s most talented athletes.

Russian Talent

Russia’s talented Magomed Mustafaev andZubaira “Warrior” Tukhugov are also in action and will be hoping victories will help them break into the top 15 of the lightweight and featherweight division respectively. A pro since 2011, Mustafaev has won 13 of his last 14 bouts, and has finished all 14 of his career wins to date (10 KO, 4 submission.) Mustafaev will be hoping his versatility and ability to cause trouble in a number of ways will see him triumph in his lightweight clash with Brad Riddell, who has 5 of his 7 wins by KO.

The Warrior comes off the back of a draw against British athlete Lerone Murphy in the prelim card at UFC 242^®: NURMAGOMEDOV vs. POIRIERlast September. Teammate of UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tukhugov faces a stern challenge against the 31-year-old American, Kevin “Angel of Death” Aguilar, who will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after losing his last fight via a unanimous decision. Renowned for his striking ability, the Warrior will be wanting to go one better from his previous fight and get the win in what promises to be an electrifying bout between two seasoned fighters in the featherweight division.

Main Card

Paul “The Irish Dragon” Felder vs. Dan “The Hangman” Hooker

Jimmy Crute vs. Michal “Lord” Oleksiejzuk

Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Yan Xiaonan

Ben “Combat Wombat” Sosoli vs. Marcos “Pezao” Rogerio De Lima

Brad “Quake” Riddell vs. Magomed Mustafaev

Kevin “Angel of Death” Aguilar vs. Zubaira “Warrior” Tukhugov

Prelims

Jamie Mullarkey vs. Jalin “The Tarantula” Turner

Jake “The Celtic Kid” Matthews vs. Emil “Valhalla” Meek

Callan “The Rockstar” Potter vs. Song “The Assassin” Kenan

Kai “Don’t Blink” Kara France vs. Tyson Nam