Aslanbek Badaev has offered analysis of Azamat Bekoev's showing at UFC Vegas 115, expressing concerns about the fighter's psychological state and technical development. Badaev noted that while Bekoev possesses heavy punching power, he is technically raw and absorbs too many strikes. He also pointed out that Bekoev has wrestling ability but doesn't utilize it, possibly due to fear of being put on his back. Badaev acknowledged Bekoev's reputation as a tough competitor from his ACA days but suggested the fighter has significant work ahead and may face difficulty making necessary adjustments at this stage of his career. The commentary raises questions about whether Bekoev can successfully reinvent himself moving forward.
Aslanbek Badaev has gone public with a pointed assessment of Azamat Bekoev's performance at UFC Vegas 115, raising questions about the Russian heavyweight's mental approach and technical standing at the elite level.
Bekoev, known by the nickname "Iron," enters the conversation with a 20-5 record and arrives at the UFC from a prominent run in ACA competition. The 30-year-old Orthodox striker stands six feet tall with a 72-inch reach and trains out of American Top Team. His numbers carry genuine threat — he lands 4.57 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and averages 3.48 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that underscores wrestling tools that clearly exist in his arsenal.
Badaev's critique, however, centers on the gap between what Bekoev is capable of and what he actually puts on display. While acknowledging the fighter's heavy hands and his reputation as a durable, hard-nosed competitor from his ACA days, Badaev expressed concern about Bekoev's psychological state, suggesting it may be limiting his performance. Notably, Badaev pointed out that despite his takedown ability, Bekoev rarely initiates the grappling — possibly, Badaev suggested, out of fear of ending up on his back. His submission attempt rate of zero per 15 minutes reinforces that the ground game remains largely untapped.
Badaev also flagged that Bekoev absorbs too many strikes and remains technically raw, adding that making the adjustments required to compete at this level may prove difficult given where Bekoev is in his career.
Why it matters
- Bekoev's takedown volume suggests real wrestling ability that goes largely unused in fights, a tactical disconnect Badaev has now called out publicly
- The mental and technical concerns raised could shape how the UFC matchmakers view his development trajectory
- At 30, with five losses on his record, the window to reinvent his approach at the highest level is narrowing
