UFC Fight Night: Losene Keita vs Muhammad Naimov Preview & Prediction

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Oktagon standout, Losene Keita, looks to get back on track after an unsuccessful UFC debut, taking on Muhammad Naimov at 145 pounds.

Losene Keita vs Muhammad Naimov facts

What time are Losene Keita and Muhammad Naimov expected to walk out? 5 September 2026 at 8:05 pm

Where is UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs Parnasse? Accor Arena, Paris, France

Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs Parnasse? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 287

What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs Parnasse on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount

Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs Parnasse? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass

UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs Parnasse main card

Dan Hooker vs Salahdine Parnasse (Lightweight)

Fares Ziam vs Axel Sola (Lightweight)

Michael Page vs Nursulton Ruziboev (Middleweight)

Daniil Donchenko vs Punahele Soriano (Welterweight)

Kurtis Campbell vs Trevor Peek (Featherweight)

Losene Keita vs Muhammad Naimov (Featherweight)

UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs Parnasse prelims

Morgan Charriere vs Felipe Lima (Featherweight)

Mario Pinto vs Ryan Spann (Heavyweight)

Oumar Sy vs Modestas Bukauskas (Light Heavyweight)

Nathaniel Wood vs Pavel Andrusca (Featherweight)

Michael Aljarouj vs Fabia Sintes (Flyweight)

Nora Cornolle vs Klaudia Sygula (Women's Bantamweight)

Matthieu Letho Duclos vs Luis Felipe Dias (Middleweight)

Delphine Benouaich vs Sofia Montenegro (Women's Strawweight)

Losene Keita: The once hyped prospect looks to regain his terrifying aura

Oktagon standout, Losene Keita (16-2), has decidedly not had the UFC dream start that he was undoubtedly hoping for. A weight miss scuppered his debut against Patricio Pitbull, delaying his debut by seven months before he was matched up with Nathaniel Wood. “Black Panther” came out on the wrong end of a split decision in that matchup to considerably dampen his hype, a huge let down considering that he had only lost prior to that result because of a foot injury. A powerful KO artist, Keita has ten wins by knockout and a lengthy highlight reel to underline the danger that he poses on the feet.

Muhammad Naimov: Will "Hillman" right the ship after a brutal KO loss last time out?

5-2 since joining the UFC, Muhammad Naimov (13-4) returns following a nasty KO loss to Mairon Santos in his most recent showing at UFC 323, marking his second stoppage defeat in the promotion. While he debuted with a KO victory over Jamie Mullarkey, the Tajikistan native is not known for his fight finishing ability. He's primarily a decision fighter, but it's still carried him to scorecard victories over the likes of Nathaniel Wood, Bogdan Grad, and Kaan Ofli throughout his time in the UFC. Naimov is very well-rounded in the sense that he mixes the martial arts well, but he doesn't excel in any one particular area. 

Losene Keita vs Muhammad Naimov prediction

I don't expect Naimov to depart from his usual approach here, despite the firepower coming back in his direction. He's going to dart around the cage, switch stances, and try to pull Keita into a big right hand. I also wouldn't be surprised if he attempts to mix in a bit of wrestling to keep his opponent guessing.

Unfortunately, I don't think it's going to be enough to get him past Keita. Many have been quick to shout "fraud!" in the wake of "Black Panther's" loss to Nathaniel Wood, but he's still a devastating striker with legitimate one-shot KO power. He's also a lot more physically imposing than most of the opponents that Naimov has found success against, and has a diverse array of strikes to find a finish. If he's able to corral "Hillman" against the fence and let his hands go, this could be brutal.

Naimov isn't necessarily dead in the water though. Keita has a notably bad habit of pulling out of range with his hands low and his chin exposed; it's not inconceivable that Naimov manages to crack him with something while he's exciting the pocket.

However, I don't think that's the way this one goes. I wouldn't be surprised if Naimov takes the first round but I think that Keita is eventually going to take advantage of his tendency to switch stances, timing the Tajikistan fighter as he squares up with a murderous shot down the pipe.

Prediction: Losene Keita to win by KO