Mansur Abdul-Malik shows an all-business attitude after UFC Fight Night 247

LAS VEGAS – Mansur Abdul-Malik defeated Dusko Todorovic with a first-round TKO on Saturday to open the main card at UFC Fight Night 247 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look at the fight with Abdul-Malik, who scored a brutal result in his official UFC debut, along with a $50,000 bonus.

Mansur Abdul-Malik defeated. Dusko Todorovic

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 9: (LR) Mansur Abdul-Malik defeats Dusko Todorovic of Montenegro in a middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 9, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Result: Mansur Abdul-Malik defeated. Dusko Todorovic via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:44
Updated records: Abdul-Malik (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Todorovic (12-5 MMA, 3-5 UFC)
Key stats: Abdul-Malik overwhelmed Todorovic from the start, beating him 31-3.

Abdul-Malik on the key moment of the fight

Mansur Abdul-Malik defeated. Dusko Todorovic, UFC Fight Night 247 (via UFC)

“It worked 100 percent (as I expected) – especially when it comes to doing damage, when it comes to hurting him, when it comes to taking him out and getting him out of there quickly. But that’s a game opponent right there. All due respect to Dusko. This is a Russian warrior. This is a good man, and we went out there, we fought, and that’s how it is. I’m happy.”

Abdul-Malik on his no-nonsense approach

“It looks familiar. This is the second time I have held this position and I am happy to be here. Not only does it feel familiar, it feels good. I’m thrilled. I am grateful and so happy now. Honestly, I don’t even think it will feel any different (fighting at a big venue). It might feel less than the big moment. The big experience was walking through those doors for the first time in the Contender series, and even that wasn’t all that meaningful to me. I feel like those moments are over, not in a sad or bad way, but that’s a business. I am a grown man. I’m an adult. I am a man within the UFC who has been assigned to fight these other men. So all the happy, great, oh my god great experiences – they’re not really there for me. I’m here on business. I love this business. It makes me happy. I’m so grateful to be here, but I don’t make it more than it is.”

Abdul-Malik on what he wants next

Mansur Abdul-Malik

“I will fight here. I’m going to fight outside in the back parking lot now. I don’t really see the venue of something completely amazing and different. Of course I want to travel. Of course I want to be on the road with this business. I want to go to different places and experience that lifestyle and environment. But ultimately I’m here to get in a cage and fight other men. I can’t even think about whether the sun is setting, whether the sun is rising. I’m here to fight, so it doesn’t matter where I am. I want to go somewhere else, but I’m here and I’m happy.”

To hear more from Abdul-Malik, watch video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie’s UFC Fight Night 247 event hub.