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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Erickson and Ken Hathaway

Melsik Baghdasaryan surprised by Tucker Lutz’s grit, toughness at UFC on ESPN 49

LAS VEGAS – Melsik Baghdasaryan beat Tucker Lutz with a unanimous decision Saturday to close out the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 49 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Baghdasaryan, who bounced back from his first UFC loss in February.

Melsik Baghdasaryan vs. Tucker Lutz

Result: Melsik Baghdasaryan def. Tucker Lutz via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Baghdasaryan (8-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), Lutz (12-4 MMA, 1-3 UFC)
Key stats: Although Lutz had more than 6 minutes of control time and three takedowns, Baghdasaryan got the nod.

Baghdasaryan on the fight's key moment

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 15: (R-L) Melsik Baghdasaryan of Armenia punches Tucker Lutz in their featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night at UFC APEX on July 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“I was expecting to win quick, but the guy was tough. I can’t lie. Yeah, the guy was tough. But this is also good for me to get experience.”

Baghdasaryan on Lutz's toughness

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 15: (R-L) Tucker Lutz kicks Melsik Baghdasaryan of Armenia in their featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night at UFC APEX on July 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“No one has held me like that, like wrestling. I’m a wrestler. I have to do this. But that was a good test for me. In my mind, it was first just win, of course – like a good knockout. I was thinking control his wrestling, and then just knock him out. But the guy was kicking and then doing everything, and then I just realized quickly (he was tough).”

Baghdasaryan on what he wants next

To hear more from Baghdasaryan, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 49.

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