CHICAGO – Timur Khizriev acquired the win and three factors within the opening spherical of the 2024 PFL featherweight season, however he’s satisfied there was room for way more.
Friday, Khizriev (15-0) defeated veteran Brett Johns in a unanimous decison on the preliminary card of PFL 2024, Week 3 at Wintrust Enviornment. Though it was a clear victory, Khizriev doesn’t assume he carried out at his greatest in opposition to Johns (20-4), and he has an concept as to why that occurred.
“To be sincere, I’m not absolutely proud of my efficiency,” Khizriev mentioned in Russian by means of a translator in his post-fight interview. “Clearly, a win is a win, however I simply really feel like I wasn’t absolutely there. My regular vitality wasn’t current, and I feel it was partly due to Ramadan. I used to be fasting, and the final day was specifically arduous for me. Usually, I don’t have an issue with weight reducing and this time I had somewhat hassle, so I don’t assume I used to be absolutely recovered.
“However once more, we’re transferring on, and hopefully the subsequent combat shall be extra attention-grabbing.”
Johns selected a heavy grappling method, one thing that didn’t shock Khizriev. Khizriev simply thought he would’ve been extra harmful on the bottom when it got here to grappling with Johns, which leaves him with a bitter style regardless of conserving his unbeaten document and transferring on with three factors to the ultimate season bout.
“No, I used to be not shocked with him wrestling,” Khizriev mentioned. “As a matter of truth, I felt that was the one probability he really had. With hanging, I feel he realized he didn’t have an opportunity with me.
“I’m simply not likely proud of the best way I used to be on the bottom at present, and I do know he has wrestling. I do know he has fought good guys like (Aljamain) Streling and you already know, I used to be anticipating that. However once more, it wasn’t the very best efficiency, however we’ll get one other probability.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for PFL 2024, Week 3.
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