Azamat Bekoev reveals injuries after loss to Tresean Gore

Azamat Bekoev has broken his silence one week after suffering an early stoppage loss to Tresean Gore, revealing he came into the fight carrying significant physical damage and is now facing a significant recovery ahead.

The Russian middleweight, who competes out of American Top Team, posted an update confirming he requires surgery on his hand and nose and is also dealing with a broken leg. Bekoev, 30, holds a professional record of 20-5 and has built a reputation as one of the division's more active strikers, averaging 4.57 significant strikes landed per minute at 52 percent accuracy. He also brings a strong grappling dimension, averaging 3.48 takedown attempts per 15 minutes.

In his update, Bekoev acknowledged he pushed himself well beyond what his physical condition warranted in order to avoid disappointing the fans who had rallied behind him. He described the outpouring of support — particularly from the Caucasus region — as something he considers a personal debt, and he pledged to return to competition.

Gore, the 32-year-old American known as "Mr. Vicious," improved to 7-4 with the finish. Fighting out of American Top Team Atlanta, Gore operates from a switch stance at 183 centimeters tall with a 191-centimeter reach. He averages 3.41 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy and supplements his striking with nearly two takedown attempts per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Bekoev's self-disclosure of pre-fight injuries adds context to the stoppage and the manner of the performance
• A hand injury, nasal surgery, and a broken leg point to an extended absence before he can return to the octagon
• Gore's finish now carries additional weight given the physical state Bekoev was in heading into the bout