TLDR
- Murtazali Magomedov submitted Melsik Baghdasaryan with a twister at 1:17 of Round 1 at UFC Vegas 119
- Magomedov became the first fighter to win a UFC debut using a twister submission
- Only three other fighters have ever landed a twister in UFC history
- The undefeated 26-year-old improved to 11-0 with his 11th career finish
- Magomedov earned his UFC contract after a knockout win on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2025
Sources: cagesidepress.com | mmamania.com | mmajunkie.usatoday.com
Murtazali Magomedov made an unforgettable first impression in the UFC on Saturday night, submitting Melsik Baghdasaryan with a rare twister at UFC Vegas 119. The finish came just 1:17 into the first round at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
Magomedov became the first fighter in UFC history to win their debut bout using a twister submission. Only three other fighters have ever pulled off the move in the UFC: Chan Sung Jung (The Korean Zombie), Bryce Mitchell, and Da’Mon Blackshear.
The 26-year-old from Kyrgyzstan entered the cage as a heavy betting favorite against Baghdasaryan. He came into the fight with an undefeated 10-0 record and a 100 percent finish rate.
Magomedov earned his UFC contract after a knockout win on Dana White’s Contender Series last September. The featherweight was expected to perform well, but nobody predicted one of the rarest submissions in mixed martial arts.
How the Fight Unfolded
Baghdasaryan started the fight by landing a body kick and a clean body shot. But the Armenian fighter’s early success quickly ended when he pressed forward too aggressively.
Magomedov changed levels and secured a takedown. He immediately took Baghdasaryan’s back and locked in both hooks.
IN NO TIME ⏰
Murtazali Magomedov just locked up a crazy submission for the win!
[ #UFCVegas119 | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/PNtISNh5gz
— UFC (@ufc) June 21, 2026
The undefeated fighter then rolled to his back and executed his game plan. As Baghdasaryan attempted to turn toward him, Magomedov locked in a modified Scottish twister.
Baghdasaryan tapped almost immediately as the pressure became unbearable. Video footage showed the severity of the torque applied to Baghdasaryan’s midsection.
Fighter Records and Background
Magomedov improved his professional record to 11-0 with the victory. He has now finished all 11 opponents he has faced in his career.
Baghdasaryan entered the fight with a 3-2 record inside the UFC octagon. The loss dropped him to 8-4 in his professional career and 3-3 in the UFC.
Magomedov told reporters after the fight that he had practiced the twister variation extensively in training. The submission requires precise positioning and timing to execute properly.
The twister, also known as a wrestling guillotine, involves controlling an opponent’s body from back control while applying rotational pressure to the spine and neck. It’s considered one of the most painful submissions in grappling.
Fans watching on Paramount+ witnessed the rare moment live. Social media exploded with reactions to the unusual finish.
Magomedov landed some sharp strikes early in the exchange before taking the fight to the ground. His striking set up the takedown that led to the submission.
The featherweight division now has a new contender to watch. Magomedov’s perfect record and creative finishing ability make him an interesting addition to the 145-pound weight class.
Baghdasaryan had hoped to bounce back from previous losses but instead suffered his third defeat in six UFC appearances. The Armenian fighter will need to regroup after the quick submission loss.
Magomedov’s debut performance puts him in position for a step up in competition for his next fight. UFC matchmakers typically reward impressive debuts with ranked opponents or experienced veterans.
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