Asaf Chopurov KOs Reece McLaren in 63 seconds at UAE Warriors 72
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Bantamweight prospect Asaf Chopurov stopped former ONE Championship title challenger Reece McLaren in 63 seconds Thursday night at UAE Warriors 72 in Abu Dhabi.
McLaren pressed forward early with combinations and leg kicks, but Chopurov held his ground and timed a counter. As McLaren blitzed in again, the UAE Warriors champion landed a flush overhand right that dropped him unconscious. In a bizarre twist, Chopurov caught McLaren's kick as he went out and fell to the canvas.
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UFC call-up makes sense for unbeaten Chopurov
After the finish, Chopurov called for a bout with former UFC fighter Muhammad Mokaev, per MMA Mania. But the 24-year-old Chopurov now sits at 11-0 with ten finishes — five by knockout, five by submission — and has defended his UAE Warriors title three times. He has never faced an opponent with a losing record, a rare achievement on the regional circuit.
The loss snapped a three-fight win streak for McLaren, who went 17-0 inside ONE Championship before the promotion released him last September. McLaren entered as one of Chopurov's toughest tests to date and lasted barely a minute.
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Chopurov fights next at a date to be announced, with the Mokaev matchup reportedly under consideration by the promotion.
Original reporting:
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