Gafurov vs Kang

Who won Gafurov vs Kang?

Muin Gafurov beat Kyung Ho Kang by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest during the prelims of UFC Fight Night, on Saturday 22nd June 2024 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

The scorecards were announced in favor of the winner Muin Gafurov.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Bantamweight division, which meant the weight limit was 135 pounds (9.6 stone or 61.2 KG).

Gafurov vs Kang stats

Muin Gafurov stepped into the octagon with a record of 18 wins, 6 losses and 0 draws, 10 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 7 by submission.

Kyung Ho Kang made his way to the cage with a record of 19 wins, 10 losses and 0 draws, 2 of those wins coming by knock out and 12 by submission.

This was Muin Gafurov's 3rd fight in the UFC, having made his debut for the promotion in 2023. Kyung Ho Kang marked his 14th fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2013.

Muin Gafurov's UFC record stood at 1-2-0, while Kyung Ho Kang's came in at 8-5-0.

The stats suggested Gafurov had a massive power advantage over Kang, boasting a 56% knock out percentage over Kang's 11%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Kang had a large advantage over Gafurov, boasting a 63% submission rate over Gafurov's 39%.

Muin Gafurov was the younger man by 8 years, at 28 years old.

Kang had a height advantage of 2 inches over Gafurov. That also extended to a 5-inch reach advantage.

Gafurov was the less experienced professional fighter, having had 5 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2013, 6 years and 6 months later than Kang, whose first professional fight was in 2007. He had fought 20 less professional rounds, 44 to Kang's 64.

Gafurov vs Kang form

Muin Gafurov had stopped 2 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had lost to Said Nurmagomedov at UFC 294 on 21st October 2023 by submission in the 1st round at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Previous to that, he had been beaten by John Castaneda at UFC Fight Night – Kara-France vs. Albazi on 3rd June 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at UFC Apex, Las Vegas, United States.

Going into that contest, he had won against Diego Silva at LFA 144 on 14th October 2022 by knockout in the 3rd round in their LFA Bantamweight championship fight at Sanford Pentagon, Sioux Falls.

Before that, he had beaten Herbeth Sousa at LFA 134 on 10th June 2022 by knockout in the 2nd round at Bell County Expo Center, Belton.

He had been defeated by John Lineker at ONE Championship – Dawn of Valor on 25th October 2019 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Kyung Ho Kang had beaten 3 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he had lost to John Castaneda at UFC 295 on 11th November 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States.

Previous to that, he had defeated Cristian Quinonez at UFC Fight Night – Vettori vs. Cannonier on 17th June 2023 by submission in the 1st round at UFC Apex, Las Vegas.

Going into that contest, he was victorious against Danaa Batgerel at UFC 275 on 11th June 2022 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore.

Before that, he had been beaten by Rani Yahya at UFC Vegas 43 on 20th November 2021 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at UFC APEX, Las Vegas, United States.

He had won against Pingyuan Liu at UFC on ESPN+ 23 on 21st December 2019 by split decision in their 3 round contest at Sajik Arena, Busan, South Korea.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Kyung Ho Kang had been fighting more than Muin Gafurov.

Going to this contest, Muin Gafurov had last fought 9 months and 3 days ago, while Kyung Ho Kang's last outing had been 8 months and 13 days ago.

Gafurov's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 8 months and 29 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 11 months and 12 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 12 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.4 rounds on average.

Kang's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 7 months and 3 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 11 months and 1 day. In those fights, he fought a total of 13 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.6 rounds on average.

What time did Gafurov vs Kang start?

The fighters were expected to walk out at around 4:50 PM UTC , which was 12:50 PM EST or 9:50 AM PST on the West Coast of America, or 5:50 PM BST in the UK.

What were the odds on Gafurov vs Kang?

Muin Gafurov was a 31/50 (-160) favourite going into the contest, while Kyung Ho Kang made his way into the ring at 13/10 (+130) with oddsmakers.