UFC debuts do not usually make history, but Murtazali Magomedov’s did. The featherweight from Kyrgyzstan submitted Melsik Baghdasaryan at 1:17 of the first round at UFC Vegas 119 with a Scottish twister, becoming the first fighter to pull off the submission in the UFC this way.
It was only the fourth twister submission in the promotion’s entire history, and Magomedov landed it on debut night, for which he thanks his brother, who helped him master this technique.
What is the Twister Submission?
The twister is one of the rarest and most technically demanding submissions in all of combat sports. It is a spinal lock that forces an opponent’s spine and neck to rotate in opposing directions simultaneously, generating enough pressure to produce an immediate tap.
The submission demands an unusual combination of positioning, timing, and body control that most fighters never develop or even attempt. It was made famous in MMA circles by ex-UFC fighter Stevie Ray, who used it twice in the PFL.
How Murtazali Magomedov Set Up A Twister Submission at UFC Vegas 119 and Why It Was No Accident
The finish started with a takedown following a brief striking exchange. Murtazali Magomedov worked toward the back and initially looked for a body triangle before recognizing a completely different opportunity. He secured his opponent’s arm and head at the same time, leaned back, and the tap came almost immediately.
Magomedov confirmed afterward that a teammate had introduced the submission to him during training camp and that he had been drilling it specifically in preparation for this fight. This was a rehearsed finish, not an improvised scramble.
11-0 and Every Single Win a Finish
The victory takes Murtazali Magomedov worked to a perfect 11-0 professional record, with all eleven wins coming by stoppage. He walked into his UFC debut, made promotion history, and then grabbed the microphone and declared:
“The featherweight division is almost dying. Let’s bring it back to life and make it great again.”
About The Author
