An MMA Thanksgiving: 2020 All-Turkey Team

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Mariya Agapova

If she had it to do over again, Agapova might turn down the histrionics a notch or two or three. The 23-year-old American Top Team prospect entered her UFC on ESPN 15 clash with Shana Dobson as a -1250 favorite—and with good reason. Agapova had finished her previous three opponents inside one round, and Dobson was on a three-fight losing streak. All signs pointed to a blowout.

During pre-fight introductions, Dobson appeared calm and focused. Agapova was the exact opposite, as she danced, gyrated and mugged arrogantly for the camera. It was as if she believed she had light work ahead of her. History is littered with such miscalculations.

Agapova largely controlled the first round with straight punches, a takedown and ground-and-pound. However, she hemorrhaged fuel in her bid to finish and had nothing left in the tank by the time the middle stanza started. Agapova secured a takedown despite her exhaustion, only to be immediately swept. Dobson assumed top position, moved to back mount and cut loose with a burst of unanswered punches until the job was done. Agapova’s situation only grew more embarrassing from there. Because she was so fatigued, the Kazakhstani flyweight was unable to leave the cage under her own power and instead had to be stretchered out.

Based on the odds, it was the biggest upset in UFC history.

“That’s awesome,” Dobson said. “I stumbled upon the odds when I was trying to bet, when I was trying to make some money off the fights last week. I was like, ‘Damn, they’re really doubting me.’ That was a little more fuel in the tank for me.”

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