Jakub Wikłacz already in his debut sent a clear signal that he did not come to the UFC just for the fact of being in this organization. In October last year, he defeated Patchy Mix, the former Bellator bantamweight champion, who announced after joining the UFC that he wanted the championship title. Our compatriot brutally verified these plans. Mix was later released. So we hoped that the Pole’s second fight overseas would also end with his triumph. Especially since his rival, on paper, seemed even weaker than the first one.
The opponent messed up before the fight. It wasn’t a good thing for Wkłacz at all
Of course, Muin Gafurov didn’t get away with it. He has already had four fights in the UFC, winning the last two of them. Dangerous both on the stand (10 wins by KO) and on the ground (7 submissions), but we had no doubt that the Pole, extremely creative in grapple fighting, could dominate him on the ground and force him to tap. The only thing that was worrying was that Gafurov didn’t make weight. He weighed over 2 kg too much. In such circumstances, Wkłacz did not have to agree to fight at all. But he wanted to fight it. The Tajik was punished by transferring 25 percent. payments to a Pole. However, many people believe that these penalties should be more severe, because such a penalty has no impact on the fight itself. The greater weight and the lack of arduous cutting of it are an advantage for the player who made a mistake.
Two rounds, two Polish faces
We could only hope that the Pole would punish his rival for failing to fulfill his obligation. He started imposing the punishment quickly! After just a few seconds, he landed a hard right that made the Tajik’s legs weak. However, Gafurov survived and the fight was even. Wkłacz used the advantage of range, but his rival had his arguments. Mainly in the form of torso bombs. Our compatriot took in a bit too much of them. The more fighting, the better for the Tajik, who looked better in the last minute of the first round.
However, the second round started brilliantly for the Pole! He landed a terrible kick to the opponent’s torso, sending him flying to the floor. Wkłacz tried to guillotine him. It didn’t work out, but Wikłacz found himself at the top on the ground floor, which is where he feels best. It was visible. The Pole hit the Tajik with elbows and knees, but another choke attempt cost him his opponent’s escape to the standing position. In turn, when Gafurov tried a takedown, he quickly learned that it was a terrible mistake. It is true that he will overthrow him, but in such a way that Jakub quickly rolls him over and finds himself on top! This time he didn’t let Tajik go and had full control. This round is definitely for Wkłacz!
It seemed that all was lost. Until at the last second THIS happened!
The men were aware that the third round would probably decide everything. The difference in styles was clearly visible here. Unfortunately, Gafurowa’s one was much more beneficial when you were very tired. Many blows to the body took a heavy toll on Wikłacz, and the Tajik added more of them. It seemed that the fight was lost, but in the last seconds the Pole finally secured the choke! The seconds were ticking away, but almost at the same time as the final siren, Gafurov tapped out! Initially, it was not certain whether the Tajik had tapped after the time had expired, but in the replays it seemed that he had tapped literally a second before. The referee had to watch it himself (which is allowed).
However, VAR confirmed what the replays suggested. Gafurov scored LITERALLY one second before the end, and our representative officially won ahead of time! Something incredible! We’re not sure how it would have ended if the judges had decided. But they didn’t decide! In such extraordinary circumstances, Jakub Wikłacz won his second victory in the UFC. It was probably the most valuable second in the Pole’s life, because from the beginning of 2026, the UFC pays $25,000 for each time a fight ends early. Unless Wikłacz’s performance is recognized as the “Performance of the Evening”. Then 25 thousand will turn into 100.
