Nazim Sadykhov vs. Nikolas Motta was one of the most thrilling lightweight contests of 2025, taking place at UFC on ABC: Hill vs. Rountree Jr. in Baku, Azerbaijan. Fighting in front of an energetic home crowd, Sadykhov was determined to put on a memorable performance, while the dangerous Brazilian knockout artist Motta arrived looking to spoil the celebration. The bout ultimately exceeded expectations, earning Fight of the Night, while both fighters also collected Performance of the Night bonuses thanks to the incredible action.
The opening round began at a blistering pace. Sadykhov immediately pressed forward behind sharp jabs and heavy calf kicks, trying to dictate the center of the Octagon. Motta refused to back up, firing powerful overhand rights and crisp left hooks whenever Sadykhov entered range. The exchanges quickly turned into a firefight, with both men landing clean punches that snapped each other’s heads back. Sadykhov mixed in body kicks and combinations, but Motta’s counters repeatedly found their mark, forcing the Azerbaijani fighter to absorb significant punishment.
Midway through the first round, Motta connected with several clean power shots that momentarily staggered Sadykhov. Instead of retreating, Sadykhov answered with aggressive combinations of his own, landing elbows and short hooks in close quarters. The crowd roared with every exchange as neither fighter showed any interest in slowing the pace. By the end of the round, both athletes had visible damage on their faces and had already delivered one of the year’s most entertaining five minutes.
Round two continued with the same relentless intensity. Motta came out aggressively, throwing looping hooks and powerful combinations that again forced Sadykhov into dangerous exchanges. Sadykhov maintained his composure, using better footwork and mixing straight punches with kicks to gradually regain control. As the round progressed, his pressure began wearing Motta down.
With just over a minute remaining, Sadykhov sensed his opportunity. He trapped Motta against the fence and unleashed a relentless barrage of punches. A perfectly timed right hand landed flush, immediately hurting the Brazilian. Smelling the finish, Sadykhov poured on accurate hooks, uppercuts, and straight punches. Motta tried to fire back but could no longer defend himself effectively as Sadykhov’s combinations continued to land cleanly.
The referee stepped in at 4:17 of Round 2, awarding Sadykhov a technical knockout victory after a spectacular finishing sequence. The hometown crowd erupted as Sadykhov celebrated one of the biggest wins of his UFC career.
Although Sadykhov earned the stoppage victory, Motta’s fearless willingness to exchange punches throughout the fight made the contest unforgettable. Their nonstop action, dramatic momentum swings, and violent finish earned widespread praise from fans and media, with many considering it one of the UFC’s best fights of 2025.