Azamat Bekoev calls out Jack Hermansson, promises another knockout after UFC 311
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Azamat Bekoev beat Zach Reese with a first-round knockout Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 311 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.
Take a look inside the fight with Bekoev, who won his UFC debut on less than a week’s notice when he stepped in for Sedriques Dumas.
Azamat Bekoev def. Zach Reese
Result: Azamat Bekoev def. Zach Reese via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:04
Updated records: Bekoev (19-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Reese (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Key stats: Bekoev has 15 of his 19 wins by stoppage.
Bekoev on the fight’s key moment
Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Zachary Reese (red gloves) fights Azamat Bekoev (blue gloves) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
“I had a game plan (for the fight), but I didn’t prepare for (Reese) because it was very short notice – only five days. But it was my dream, and when I heard about the short notice (opportunity), when my manager Brian Butler called me, I was very happy. It didn’t matter who was going to stand in front of me – I was going to smash everybody. You saw me at the faceoff – I was charged.”
Bekoev on the brutal knockout
“I felt bad because I didn’t know he was out for such a long time. When I saw him, I didn’t want to celebrate too much because he’s a fighter and everybody can be in that same place. This is a fight. He was dangerous. He has a lot of finishes in the first round – very dangerous. I told him he’s a real man. I’ve seen his fights. He doesn’t need to worry about (getting knocked out).”
Bekoev on what he wants next
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 10: (R-L) Jack Hermansson of Sweden punches Joe Pyfer in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 10, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“I want to fight as soon as possible. … I’m ready to fight even next week. I’m training at American Top Team for two years. This is my fifth victory for American Top Team. I want to bring my fight to Miami. I want to fight in Miami. This is my second home town.
“I would like to fight with a top 10 (opponent), actually. If the promotion lets me fight them, I’m ready. Maybe (Jack) Hermansson because I want to fight wrestlers. … I used to fight wrestlers, and all the time I’d finish them by knockout. I will knock him out, too.”
To hear more from Bekoev, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.