UFC Fight Night 265: Ismail Naurdiev vs Ryan Loder Preview & Prediction
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Ismail Naurdiev vs Ryan Loder set for middleweight prelim showdown at UFC Qatar.
Ismail Naurdiev vs Ryan Loder facts
What time are Ismail Naurdiev and Ryan Loder expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs Hooker? Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena, Al Rayyan, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs Hooker? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs Hooker
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs Hooker on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs Hooker? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night 265: Tsarukyan vs Hooker main card
Arman Tsarukyan vs Dan Hooker (Lightweight)
Belal Muhammad vs Ian Machado Garry (Welterweight)
Volkan Oezdemir vs Alonzo Menifield (Light Heavyweight)
Jack Hermansson vs Myktybek Orolbai (Welterweight)
Serghei Spivac vs Shamil Gaziev (Heavyweight)
Alex Perez vs Asu Almabayev (Flyweight)
UFC Fight Night 265: Tsarukyan vs Hooker prelims
Bogdan Grad vs Luke Riley (Featherweight)
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs Rafael Cerqueira (Light Heavyweight)
Tagir Ulanbekov vs Kyoji Horiguchi (Flyweight)
Bekzat Almakhan vs Aleksandre Topuria (Bantamweight)
Ismail Naurdiev vs Ryan Loder (Middleweight)
Nurullo Aliev vs Shaqueme Rock (Lightweight)
Nicolas Dalby vs Saygid Izagakhmaev (Welterweight)
Marek Bujlo vs Denzel Freeman (Heavyweight)
Ismail Naurdiev: Explosive pressure fighter returning with experience on his side
Ismail “Berdzog” Naurdiev (24-8) enters this middleweight prelim as the vastly more seasoned competitor, representing Morocco after years of competing across Europe and the Middle East. Known for his explosive style and pressure-heavy approach, Naurdiev mixes fast kickboxing combinations with opportunistic takedowns, using athletic bursts to overwhelm opponents early. With 18 career finishes — 12 by knockout and six by submission — he brings a proven track record of ending fights and thriving in chaotic exchanges.
Naurdiev’s UFC tenure years ago ended at 2–2, including a loss to elite grappler Sean Brady, but the level of competition he faced during that run still stands far above anything his opponent has dealt with. Since returning to the regional scene, he picked up strong wins, including a slick guillotine over Tahar Hadbi and a dominant performance over Bruno Silva upon re-entry into the UFC. While his recent loss to Jun Yong Park showed issues with discipline — including notable fouls — it also highlighted that he remains powerful, dangerous, and capable of pushing a relentless pace. Against lower-tier or inexperienced competition, Naurdiev typically shines.
Ryan Loder: Strong American wrestler making his climb
Ryan “The Man of Steel” Loder (7-2) steps into this matchup as an American wrestling specialist out of Team Alpha Male — a gritty grinder with solid top control and heavy ground-and-pound. His best weapons are his takedowns and his ability to establish position, and several of his wins, including stoppages over Leon Shahbazyan and Sean Sullivan, showcased real talent once he secures dominant positions.
However, Loder’s résumé comes with major context. His lone UFC win was over Robert Valentin, who is currently 0–3 in the promotion, and most of his victories came against regional-level competition with limited striking threats. His losses to Troy Green and Azamat Bekoiev showed a recurring pattern: when he cannot get the fight to the mat early, he becomes extremely vulnerable on the feet. His striking remains raw, his defense is inconsistent, and he is often a sitting target for faster, more dynamic opponents. While his grappling is legitimate, his lack of proven success against higher-level fighters is a very real question mark.
Ismail Naurdiev vs Ryan Loder prediction:
This matchup comes down to experience and striking firepower versus limited but functional wrestling. Loder’s path is clear — wrestle early, wrestle often — but against someone as explosive, seasoned, and physically strong as Naurdiev, that path becomes much more difficult. Naurdiev has faced far superior grapplers and athletes than Loder, and his ability to pressure forward, trap opponents against the cage, and let his hands go is likely the deciding factor.
On the feet, the gulf in skill is wide. Naurdiev is faster, sharper, and more dangerous at range and in close quarters. Unless Loder can dominate positionally — something he has not consistently shown even against regional opponents — he is likely to get backed up, out-struck, and eventually overwhelmed.
Prediction: Ismail Naurdiev to win
