Omari Akhmedov ready to take his time becoming top contender after UFC 245

LAS VEGAS – Omari Akhmedov beat Ian Heinisch with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 245 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Akhmedov, who is unbeaten in his past six fights.

Result: Omari Akhmedov def. Ian Heinisch via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Akhmedov (20-4-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC), Heinisch (13-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Key stat: In a close fight, the striking department was nearly identical – Heinisch had just a 70-69 overall edge.

Akhmedov on the fight’s key moment

“I felt confident at the end. I was winning two rounds for sure. I maybe lost the last round, but I knew I had won at the end.”

Akhmedov on climbing the ranks

“It’s been a great year for me. It was my goal to become a top 10 fighter in the UFC, so I think I have achieved that now. I feel like I could have fought better tonight, but I have many injuries right now. I had to get surgery on my shoulder, and then I have some injuries on my knee. But thank God that everything went well.”

Akhmedov on what he wants next

“For now, I want to completely recover my body. I fought two months ago, so I need some time. By the end of 2020, I want to be a top contender for the belt.”

To hear more from Akhmedov, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.