Bellator 255 win reminded emotional Khalid Murtazaliev what fighting feels like after long layoff

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – It was 930 days in between fights for Khalid Murtazaliev. When he won in his return Friday at Bellator 255, he remembered the elation and excitement that accompanies a victorious performance inside the cage.

At the post-fight news conference, an emotional Murtazaliev (15-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) reflected on his unanimous decision victory over Fabio Aguiar on the preliminary card.

“It’s been almost three years’ layover for me with surgeries, injuries, and everything,” Murtazaliev told MMA Junkie. “I forgot already that feeling to fight inside the cage. I’m very glad I got back and picked up the victory, but the fight didn’t start as well as I wanted to start it. Thank God I picked up the victory and next time the fight will be more entertaining.”

The most recent time Murtazaliev competed inside the cage before Friday was in September 2018, when he defeated C.B. Dolloway by TKO by retirement in his UFC debut. In October and December of the same year, Murtazaliev failed two USADA drug tests for drostanolone and its metabolite. As a result of the findings, USADA suspended Murtazaliev for two years. He was subsequently released from the UFC in early 2020.

Murtazaliev has now won four straight appearances inside the cage. Twelve of his 15 professional MMA wins have come by knockout or TKO.

Check out Murtazaliev’s full post-fight news conference in the video above.