Mark Vologdin
Russia
Escapes with draw
Vologdin fought John Castaneda to a draw (27-29, 28-28, 28-28) at UFC Fight Night 273 on Saturday in Winnipeg.
ANALYSIS
This fight was similar to Vologdin's bout on the Contender Series, as he largely controlled the first round before being caught flatfooted and accepting a brawl in rounds two and three. Vologdin was awarded a 9-9 scorecard after Castaneda hit him low twice in Round 2, and the Russian fighter needed it, as he allowed "Sexi Mexi" to run downhill in the final frame, nearly tripling his significant strike count with clean, powerful shots. At five feet three inches tall, Vologdin is probably too small for this division, but wherever he ends up, he needs to tighten his defense, as he has absorbed a stunning 10 significant strikes per minute in his UFC and UFC-adjacent bouts. His record stands at 12-4-2 in professional MMA due to the draw.
This fight was similar to Vologdin's bout on the Contender Series, as he largely controlled the first round before being caught flatfooted and accepting a brawl in rounds two and three. Vologdin was awarded a 9-9 scorecard after Castaneda hit him low twice in Round 2, and the Russian fighter needed it, as he allowed "Sexi Mexi" to run downhill in the final frame, nearly tripling his significant strike count with clean, powerful shots. At five feet three inches tall, Vologdin is probably too small for this division, but wherever he ends up, he needs to tighten his defense, as he has absorbed a stunning 10 significant strikes per minute in his UFC and UFC-adjacent bouts. His record stands at 12-4-2 in professional MMA due to the draw.
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Set to debut in Canada
Vologdin will take on John Castaneda in a bantamweight matchup at UFC Winnipeg on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Vologdin is the rare example of a fighter who took a loss on Contender Series and was still awarded a UFC contract, but landing 117 significant strikes in a three-round war certainly helped his case (he did absorb 165 and was taken down three times). He now finds himself as a slight betting underdog against Castaneda, who is 4-4 with the UFC but coming off back-to-back decision losses.
Vologdin is the rare example of a fighter who took a loss on Contender Series and was still awarded a UFC contract, but landing 117 significant strikes in a three-round war certainly helped his case (he did absorb 165 and was taken down three times). He now finds himself as a slight betting underdog against Castaneda, who is 4-4 with the UFC but coming off back-to-back decision losses.
Earns contract for role in classic
Vologdin lost to Adrian Luna Martinetti via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at Dana White's Contender Series on Tuesday. He was one of six fighters to be officially awarded a UFC contract.
ANALYSIS
Vologdin looked to be managing the fight well in Round 1, keeping range and timing blitzes to complement his kicking game. Martinetti's physicality simply became too much over time, as the Russian fighter seemed unable to defend himself in the clinch, resulting in a nasty cut over his eye and an incredible amount of body punishment. While Martinetti was the clear winner in this one, Vologdin's toughness will likely go down in Contender Series history, as he would storm back to land hard shots whenever it looked like his opponent was taking over. The bout was so impressive that UFC President Dana White broke protocol, announcing directly afterwards that both men (who had been taken to the hospital) would receive UFC contracts. They were also awarded $25,000 apiece for their efforts. While speed and toughness make him a worthy addition to the bantamweight division, a fighter never wants to take a beating akin to the one Vologdin endured. The 25-year-old will need to sure up his defense if he wants to rise up the UFC ranks. He fell to 12-4-1 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.
Vologdin looked to be managing the fight well in Round 1, keeping range and timing blitzes to complement his kicking game. Martinetti's physicality simply became too much over time, as the Russian fighter seemed unable to defend himself in the clinch, resulting in a nasty cut over his eye and an incredible amount of body punishment. While Martinetti was the clear winner in this one, Vologdin's toughness will likely go down in Contender Series history, as he would storm back to land hard shots whenever it looked like his opponent was taking over. The bout was so impressive that UFC President Dana White broke protocol, announcing directly afterwards that both men (who had been taken to the hospital) would receive UFC contracts. They were also awarded $25,000 apiece for their efforts. While speed and toughness make him a worthy addition to the bantamweight division, a fighter never wants to take a beating akin to the one Vologdin endured. The 25-year-old will need to sure up his defense if he wants to rise up the UFC ranks. He fell to 12-4-1 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.