The last time the UFC was in Philadelphia was 5 years ago to the day, March 30th, 2019 where an up-and-coming Justin Gaethje fought Edson Barboza and he knocked him out in the first round. Since then, the PA Athletic Commission has made things increasingly difficult to get back into the Wells Fargo Center. The UFC has been in NY and NJ plenty of times in recent memory but this was definitely the most recent Philly-adjacent event. And it lived up to the hype.

Unfortunately, of the three local fighters only Nursulton Ruziboev came out with a victory.

ANDRE PETROSKI VS. JAKOB MALKOUN

After an exciting first round (won by Petroski based on all three judges score cards), Andre Petroski went in for a takedown early in the second and his head collided with Malkoun’s hip bone, throwing off his equilibrium, where Malkoun was able to take advantage and finish the fight. In a game of inches, that take down could have easily been the beginning of the end for Malkoun, instead it ended the fight for Petroski.

Malkoun celebrated like he actually did something impressive, rather than simply having luck on his side. The AC crowd drowned him in boos, as he deserved, whether it was a hometown fight for Petroski or not.

BILL “SENOR PERFECTO” ALGEO VS. KYLE “THE MONSTER” NELSON

Some controversy surrounded the end of this matchup between two badass featherweights who both have a reputation for exciting fights. Nelson took home the W on a referee stoppage while he was landing consistent shots, but Algeo never touched the canvas.

NURSULTON RUZIBOEV VS. SEDRIQUES DUMAS

Ruziboev took down Dumas to secure his second win in his second fight in the UFC.

Again, there was some controversy here as Dumas complained about an eye poke before Ruziboev took advantage of his opponent’s attention shifting, but the fight was not finished while Dumas was looking at the ref. The real controversy was Dumas being allowed in the cage after a string of arrests. The most recent being a short while before this card took place. Ruziboev looks to be a clear contender in the middleweight division that now boasts three top tier fighters from the Philly area in Ruziboev, Petroski, and Joe Pyfer.

PHIGHT NIGHT in Atlantic City

Atlantic City’s famed Boardwalk Hall is host to a UFC card spearheaded by Vicente Luque vs Joaquin Buckley and Erin Blanchfield vs. Manon Fiorot. It’s sure to be a spectacularly violent evening of some of the world’s best mixed martial artists on full display. Included on the card are middleweights Andre Petroski and Nursulton Ruziboev, as well as featherweight Bill “Senor Perfecto” Algeo.

Sean Brady and Patrick Sabatini were also on the card at one point, but in the fight life, injuries and other external forces can switch up plans fast.

Regardless, Boardwalk Hall in AC is sure to be rocking on Saturday, March 30th.

Andre Petroski

MIDDLEWEIGHT (10-3)

Petroski grew up in Delaware County, lives in South Jersey, and now fights out of Team Taino Martial Arts (South Jersey), Webb Fitness & MMA (South Jersey) and Marquez MMA (Philly). He will look to get back into the win column after his first UFC loss on a short notice fight against top talent, Michael Pereira. Petroski is one of the best grapplers in the UFC and prides himself in being THE best in the Middleweight division. Malkoun is another impressive wrestler on the come up.

Petroski is currently the underdog at +160

BILL “SENOR PERFECTO” ALGEO

Featherweight (18-7)

Bill “Senor Perfecto” Algeo fights out of his own gym in King of Prussia (Algeo MMA & Kickboxing) and was also born & raised in Delco. Algeo has both KO and submission victories in his MMA career and has a habit of putting on entertaining bouts in both victory and defeat. He looks to continue his two fight win streak against Kyle Nelson.

Hilarious octagon interview. Fuck the Chiefs.

NURSULTON “BLACK” RUZIBOEV

MIDDLEWEIGHT (35-8-2)

Althgouh Ruziboev has professional experience all over the world and also has professional boxing experience, this is only Ruziboev’s second UFC fight. He’s originally from Uzbekistan and spent time training and fighting in Russia but has made the move to Philadelphia to train with some of the best in the world. He fights out of Marquez MMA and trains with Petroski.