Punching Stronger: Myktybek Orolbai Smashes Chris Curtis in Las Vegas MMA Title Match!

Myktybek Orolbai looked like a dog playing with a chew toy. The surging Kyrgyzstani welterweight took another step forward in the Ultimate Fighting Championship ’s loaded 170-pound weight class with a three-round unanimous decision over Chris Curtis in their featured UFC Fight Night 269 prelim on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Orolbai (16-2-1, 5-1 UFC) swept the scorecards with matching 30-27 marks from the cageside judges.

Curtis (32-13, 6-5 UFC) was a man with no answers. Orolbai closed the distance and completed one takedown after another, effectively smothering the former CES MMA champion across 15 non-competitive minutes. Every time Curtis managed to stand, his opponent was there to return him to the mat.

Orolbai progressed to the back on multiple occasions and threatened the neck with rear-naked chokes but mostly chose to play it safe and dominate the battle with superior grappling. Meanwhile, CM System mainstay Vitor Petrino called upon a sharp jab, destructive leg kicks and punishing counters to post a unanimous decision over fellow Dana White’s Contender Series graduate Steven Asplund in their three-round heavyweight encounter. All three judges turned in 29-28 scorecards for Petrino (14-2, 7-2 UFC).

Related » UFC Vegas 114 Round-by-Round Scoring A late-notice replacement for Kennedy Nzechekwu, Asplund (7-2, 1-1 UFC) had the Brazilian reeling late in the first round. He dazed and dropped Petrino with a thudding left, then swarmed with punches in a bid to finish. Petrino survived and dragged the McCune’s Martial Arts export further and further out of his comfort zone.