A Russian MMA analyst provided a recap of recent UFC action, noting that Mike Malott will enter the top 15 welterweight rankings but expressing skepticism about his championship potential. The analyst stated he does not believe Malott can defeat any of the new generation of top welterweights. The post also mentioned Gilbert Burns' retirement and highlighted several entertaining fights from the card. Additionally, it covered Arman Tsarukyan's 13-1 RAF wrestling victory over Urijah Faber, where Tsarukyan threw his opponent into the crowd and called out Colby Covington. The analyst also noted Khamzat Chimaev signing with RAF and Bo Nickal immediately challenging him.
A Russian MMA analyst offered a mixed assessment of recent UFC action in a post dated April 19, 2026, acknowledging Mike Malott's rise in the welterweight division while casting doubt on his ability to compete with the upper tier of the 170-pound weight class.
The analyst conceded that Malott's recent winning streak will push him into the top-15 welterweight rankings, but stopped short of viewing him as a genuine title contender, stating he does not believe Malott can defeat any of the new generation of elite welterweights.
The same recap noted that Gilbert Burns, 39, has announced his retirement. The Brazilian fighter, who competed out of Kill Cliff FC, finishes his career with a record of 22 wins and 10 losses at welterweight, where he was ranked 13th. Burns averaged 3.15 significant strikes per minute over his career with a 48 percent striking accuracy, and added 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes to his offense.
The analyst also covered a bout from a Rapid Action Fighting event, describing Arman Tsarukyan's 13-1 RAF wrestling victory over Urijah Faber in vivid terms — Tsarukyan reportedly threw Faber into the crowd during the contest and afterward called out Colby Covington.
Separate RAF news also drew attention. Khamzat Chimaev, the 32-year-old Middleweight ranked first in his division and tenth pound-for-pound, has reportedly signed with the promotion. Chimaev carries a 15-1 record and an imposing 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 60 percent striking accuracy. Bo Nickal, 9-1 and fighting out of American Top Team Happy Valley, wasted no time responding, immediately calling out Chimaev after news of the signing emerged. The 30-year-old American southpaw averages 3.1 takedowns per 15 minutes and attempts submissions at a rate of 2.5 per 15 minutes, making a potential matchup with Chimaev a compelling grappling clash on paper.
Why it matters
- Malott's top-15 entry reshapes the welterweight picture, though his ceiling remains a subject of debate
- Burns' retirement closes the chapter on a career that included a welterweight title challenge
- Chimaev's reported RAF move and Nickal's immediate callout could set up one of the most anticipated grappling matchups in recent memory
