Uran Satybaldiev was reported as a late replacement against Martin Buday after Kennedy Nzechukwu withdrew from the bout. The matchup was tied to UFC Vegas 105 and marked another significant opportunity for Satybaldiev on short notice. The report matters because it signals a major UFC booking change and shows the promotion had enough confidence in him to slot him into the card. It also suggests his UFC debut was being positioned against a ranked-level heavyweight test.
Uran Satybaldiev stepped in as a late replacement to face Martin Buday at UFC Vegas 105 after Kennedy Nzechukwu withdrew from the scheduled bout, according to reports.
Satybaldiev, nicknamed "Gorilla," enters the matchup carrying a 9-1-0 professional record. The 31-year-old heavyweight from Kyrgyzstan trains out of Uluu Kyrgyz Team and stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, giving him the physical tools to compete at the top level of the division. An orthodox striker, he lands 2.14 significant strikes per minute and averages 1.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes, suggesting a fighter comfortable mixing standup with grappling threats on the ground. The short-notice call signals the UFC viewed him as ready for a ranked-level test in his promotional debut.
No verified data for Buday was included in the available fighter information, so further statistical comparison between the two heavyweights cannot be drawn from confirmed sources.
Why it matters
- Nzechukwu's withdrawal forced a late booking change that reshapes the UFC Vegas 105 heavyweight landscape
- Satybaldiev's selection on short notice reflects organizational confidence heading into what appears to be his UFC debut
- The matchup pits a submission-active grappler with a notable reach advantage against a heavyweight described as a ranked-level opponent, creating a stylistically compelling test
