UFC Fight Night 265: Nurullo Aliev vs Shaqueme Rock Preview & Prediction
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Scouse superstar Shem Rock makes UFC debut against the tough Nurullo Aliev in exciting lightweight clash on the prelims.
Nurullo Aliev vs Shaqueme Rock facts
What time are Nurullo Aliev and Shaqueme Rock 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)
Nurullo Aliev: Undefeated Tajik control wrestler aiming to shut down the hype
Nurullo “Tajik Eagle” Aliev (10–0) steps into this lightweight prelim as an undefeated prospect from Tajikistan, built around a grinding, smothering wrestling style. Aliev isn’t a dangerous finisher, but he is a dominant positional grappler — someone who uses chain wrestling, cage pinning, and tight rides to shut opponents down round after round. Eight of his wins have come by decision, showing his comfort in long, control-heavy fights where he slowly drains opponents and keeps them stuck underneath him.
While not particularly explosive or creative, Aliev is extremely disciplined. His entire game revolves around securing takedowns early, avoiding scrambles, and never giving opponents room to breathe. Against strikers or fighters who can’t threaten off their back, his style becomes brutally effective. This fight gives him a chance to derail a highly anticipated debut and reinforce his status as a difficult puzzle for anyone outside the lightweight elite.
Shaqueme Rock: Electric UK fan-favorite bringing chaos and creativity
Shaqueme “Shem” Rock (12–1–1) makes his long-awaited UFC debut representing the United Kingdom and fighting out of Dublin’s Next Gen — the same gym that produced Paddy Pimblett. A wildly entertaining and aggressive grappler, Rock has earned a reputation for his elite BJJ, nonstop submission hunting, and ability to create chaos in scrambles. With nine submission wins and a fierce fighting style that mixes pressure, creativity, and attitude, Rock has become one of the most popular lightweight prospects in the UK scene.
Rock is known for pushing a fast, overwhelming pace, constantly threatening the back, attacking chokes, and turning takedown attempts into transitions that favor him. His recent wins on the regional circuit — including a dominant decision over Joe Solecki — showed he can compete with experienced grapplers and still be the more dangerous fighter everywhere the fight goes. Fans have been waiting for this debut, and stylistically, he enters with the tools to make an immediate statement.
Nurullo Aliev vs Shaqueme Rock prediction
This fight likely becomes a grappling-heavy war, but the type of grappling each man brings is completely different. Aliev wants slow, steady, methodical control — nothing risky, nothing dynamic, just pressure and positional dominance. Rock wants movement, chaos, and transitions, because that’s where his submissions become lethal.
Aliev may secure takedowns early, but Rock’s scrambling and constant attacking style are a completely different challenge from what Aliev has faced. If Rock can create scrambles or force Aliev to adjust positions, openings for submissions will appear. With Rock’s creativity, aggression, and proven finishing instincts, he seems better equipped to turn this fight into the type of chaotic grappling battle that favours him.
Prediction: Shem Rock to win
