ABU DHABI – Danilo Marques beat Khadis Ibragimov with a unanimous decision Saturday to open up the preliminary card at UFC 253 in Abu Dhabi.
Take a look inside the fight with Marques, who won his UFC debut in his first bout since February 2018.
Marques on the fight’s key moment
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – SEPTEMBER 27: (L-R) Khadis Ibragimov of Russia punches Danilo Marques of Brazil in their light heavyweight bout during UFC 253 inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on September 27, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
“It was my plan: Take him down. I thought he held the cage many times, so that made (my work) more difficult. I didn’t speak anything to him or to the (referee). I think the work we planned before works.”
Marques on finally getting back in the cage
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – SEPTEMBER 27: (R-L) Danilo Marques of Brazil reacts after defeating Khadis Ibragimov of Russia in their light heavyweight bout during UFC 253 inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on September 27, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)
“My way to come here was hard, man. My way was so hard. So I just think about my way when I get in the octagon and I put my right arm inside first and pray a little – how I planned before. I won – (it) doesn’t matter. I’m inside. … I’m so happy. I can’t think about this right now. I just feel happy because I won. That’s what matters to me right now. After (Sunday), Monday, Tuesday, I’m going to think about my debut, how it was.”
Marques on what he wants next
“Let’s go to the next one, brother – get better and better. I have a long, long and hard way to still offer you. For me, this division is hard because it has so many good fighters. For now, I’m going to rest and think about my next step.”
To hear more from Marques, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.