Islam Makhachev almost broke Dan Hooker's arm with a nasty kimura submission at UFC 267

• Islam Makhachev almost broke Dan Hooker's arm with a nasty kimura technique at UFC 267.
• Hooker refused to tap to the submission in the main card lightweight fight in Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI - Islam Makhachev almost broke Dan Hooker's arm with a nasty kimura submission at UFC 267, a 14-fight MMA event Insider attended Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

A protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov's, Makhachev has become a fan favorite in the United Arab Emirates as he climbs higher in his mentor's old lightweight division.

Victory this weekend edges him even further up the rankings at 155-pounds, as the 30-year-old sambo specialist needed only half a round to secure victory against New Zealand's top-tier striker Hooker.

With the majority of the action on the mat, Makhachev had control, asserted his authority, and, though Hooker tried to tie him up from bottom position, Makhachev managed to isolate his opponent's arm.

Prior to his fight Saturday, Makhachev had finished four fights by submission and used three different techniques - a rear-naked choke (x2), armbar, and an arm-triangle choke.

Perhaps inspired by Nurmagomedov, who he spoke glowingly of through fight week, Makhachev may have been thinking of the kimura the retired, former UFC champ finished Michael Johnson with at UFC 205, five years ago.

Against Hooker, Makhachev cranked a kimura of his own and used such leverage, bending his opponent's limb in such a horrible angle, that it looked like Hooker's bone might break.

But Hooker wouldn't tap, and before there was a snap, the referee intervened and called time on the contest. It was all over.

Watch Makhachev cast his magic right here:

"I knew when I take him down, I can finish anyone," Makhachev said after his elite win.

"My grappling level is better than everyone in the division. MMA ground game, I have the best in the division."

The 30-year-old then said he has his crosshairs on the UFC's lightweight championship.

" I'm ready for a title fight. It doesn't matter. This division is a little bit sleepy. I woke up this division," he said.

"I'm coming to take this belt and keep this belt many years."