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Rob Wilkinson (13-2) vs. Sam Kei (8-5)
The Hex Fight Series returns this weekend with a card that’s heavy on amateur bouts and only includes a handful of professional contests. However, the headlining title tilt is certainly worthy of our attention. Light-heavyweight kingpin and former UFC fighter Rob Wilkinson puts his belt on the line against the company’s heavyweight champion, Sam Kei.
Wilkinson has spent much of his career, including his UFC tenure, at middleweight. He had the misfortune of meeting the formidable duo of Siyar Bahadurzada and eventual UFC champ Israel Adesanya in his two Octagon appearances. Needless to say, Wilkinson did not fare well in either affair. Prior to his time with the UFC, though, the Aussie had compiled a perfect 11-0 mark since his 2011 debut. Once he departed the UFC, he took a detour into the realm of kickboxing and won two fights. He returned to MMA in late 2019 and added his 12th career win with a first-round submission of fellow UFC castof
Azamat Bakytov (6-0) vs. Ramazan Mustafaev (5-0)
Kazakhstan isn’t exactly known as an epicenter of MMA action, but it serves as the host for one of the bigger regional shows of the coming weekend. Naiza Fighting Championship is set for its 30th event, with a headlining affair for the interim featherweight crown. However, it’s a lightweight fight further down the lineup that really catches the eye thanks to the presence of two undefeated upstarts. Those men are Azamat Bakytov and Ramazan Mustafaev.
Bakytov is the native son in this fight. The Almaty resident made his pro debut in 2015 and won three fights before taking a two-year hiatus from competition. Upon his 2018 return, he resumed his winning ways. However, he’s still averaging just one fight per year. His best opponent thus far has been Boris Medvedev, whom Bakytov outpointed for a decision under the M-1 Challenge banner. It was by far his most high-profile appearance. “Massaget” has stopped all of his remaining foe