Asu Almabayev delivered a historic performance at UFC Baku on Saturday, submitting Charles Johnson with a third-round Suloev stretch — a maneuver so rare it marks just the fourth time it has been executed inside the Octagon. The finish, which unfolded inside the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan, secured Almabayev's third consecutive win and made him the first flyweight ever to pull off the technique.
Almabayev, who has now won three straight, controlled the bout with relentless pressure before locking in the Suloev stretch late in the final round. Johnson, a durable veteran, had no choice but to tap as the Kazakh fighter hyperextended his leg. The submission highlights Almabayev's evolving grappling arsenal and solidifies his standing as a rising threat at 125 pounds.
The victory should propel Almabayev into the flyweight rankings. Johnson, meanwhile, falls to 5-4 in the UFC and will likely need a rebound performance to stay competitive in the division's crowded top tier. The UFC flyweight scene continues to deepen, with Almabayev joining a logjam of contenders circling champion Alexandre Pantoja.
Almabayev did not address the media post-fight, but the performance speaks volumes. The 28-year-old has now submitted two of his last three opponents and appears poised for a step up in competition. A matchup against a ranked flyweight like Alex Perez or Matheus Nicolau could be next.
While Almabayev's finish was the highlight of the night, Abus Magomedov also impressed with a quick first-round guillotine choke submission over Michal Oleksiejczuk in middleweight action. Magomedov bounced back from a submission loss in his previous outing, potentially breathing new life into his UFC tenure.