:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21386543/112_tj_waldburger_and_adlan_amagov.0.jpg)
In the final fight of the UFC 166 preliminary card Facebook broadcast, Texas' own T.J. Waldburger (16-7 MMA, 4-2 UFC) looks for a successful return home as he faces Chechen fighter Adlan Amagov (12-2-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in a welterweight bout.
Waldburger has a penchant for submissions, while Amagov is a dangerous striker. Both men are coming off of impressive victories in their last fights. The UFC 166 preliminary card will have 4 fights streamed live on the promotion's Facebook page starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT. Fox Sports 1 airs the remaining prelims at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.
How do these two measure up?
Waldburger: 25 years old | 6'0" | 75" reach
Amagov: 27 years old | 6'2" | 76" reach
What have these two done recently?
Waldburger: W - Nick Catone (SUB) | L - Brian Ebersole (UD) | W - Jake Hecht (SUB)
Amagov: W - Chris Spang (UD) | W - Keith Berry (TKO) | L - Robbie Lawler (TKO)
How did these two get here?
Waldburger made his way into the UFC in 2010, where he and David Mitchell would break the record for submission attempts in a fight with 13 (Waldburger 7, Mitchell 6). TJ won a unanimous decision in front of the Austin, Texas crowd, but his ensuing bout against Johny Hendricks saw him knocked out in just 95 seconds. Consecutive submission wins over Mike Stumpf and Jake Hecht set up a main card appearance for Waldburger against Brian Ebersole, but Ebersole was able to fend off the submission attempts and effectively win a decision from top position. Waldburger's most recent fight came on the TUF 16 Finale prelims, where he put Nick Catone to sleep with a beautiful triangle choke in the 2nd round, and he would go on to win SOTN honors.
Believe it or not, Amagov started out as a light heavyweight, and the early phase of his career included a draw against current Bellator LHW champion Attila Vegh. He dropped to middleweight in 2011, just in time for him to get on board with Strikeforce. Amagov easily destroyed Anthony Smith in less than a minute, but was himself flattened by Robbie Lawler after a flying knee stunned him. With a TKO win over Keith Berry closing out his Strikeforce career, Amagov dropped to welterweight to take on fellow Strikeforce migrant Chris Spang in Sweden. In an entertaining fight, Amagov used his heavy kicking game mixed in with some takedowns to win a unanimous decision.
Why should you care?
This should be a great battle between two young, exciting welterweights, plus the partisan crowd should make for a great atmosphere.
SBN coverage of UFC 166: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos III
Latest From Our Partners
Get the latest gear
