Rivalries: Devin Clark

Devin Clark’s tendency to run hot and cold has thus far prevented him from establishing an identity in the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight division.

The “Brown Bear” will step back into the spotlight as a slight underdog when he toes the line against the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov in a UFC on ESPN 41 showcase this Saturday at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego. Clark, 32, has lost two of his past three bouts and carries a 7-6 record inside the Octagon. He last competed at UFC on ESPN 34, where he brought down William Knight with an elbow strike and follow-up punches in the third round of their April 16 clash.

As Clark moves ever closer to his upcoming battle with Murzakanov at 205 pounds, a look at a few of the rivalries that have helped shape his career to this point:

Rafael Viana

Clark captured the vacant Resurrection Fighting Alliance light heavyweight championship with a technical knockout of Rafael Viana in the RFA 37 headliner on April 15, 2016 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A hand injury left Viana unable to continue between the second and third rounds. The two men staggered each other with simultaneous hooks during their first standup exchange, but from that point forward, Clark was in control. The South Dakotan struck for takedowns in both rounds and grinded Viana with punches and elbows from top position. At some point in Round 2, the Brazilian suffered an injury to his right middle finger. Once Viana returned to his corner between rounds, it became clear his night was done. Clark would arrive in the UFC less than three months later.

Alex Nicholson

“The Spartan” spoiled Clark’s promotional debut when he put away the onetime RFA titleholder with punches in the first round of their UFC Fight Night 91 middleweight prelim on July 13, 2016 at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Nicholson brought it to a close 4:57 into Round 1. Clark was in control right up until the finish. The previously unbeaten prospect executed a takedown inside the first minute, advanced to half guard and threatened with an arm-triangle choke, only to bail on the maneuver and return to his feet. He later dropped the oncoming Nicholson with a counter jab but could not capitalize on the opening. In the closing seconds of the first round, Nicholson floored the South Dakotan with a glancing right to the temple and mopped up what was left with follow-up punches.

Josh Stansbury

Clark returned to the light heavyweight division and rebounded from his first professional setback to claim a unanimous decision over the former North American Allied Fight Series titleholder as part of “The Ultimate Fighter 24” Finale undercard on Dec. 3, 2016 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Scores were 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28. Stansbury simply got outhustled. Clark executed the only takedown of the fight, pieced together two-, three- and four-punch combinations and mixed in a sneaky jab with stinging leg kicks. Stansbury found the mark more often in the third round—he buzzed Clark’s tower with a right uppercut in the clinch—but lost his way in the closing seconds, as he allowed the Jackson-Wink MMA rep to scramble to his back in a seated position. The loss was Stansbury’s first in more than seven years.

Jan Blachowicz

The former KSW champion submitted Clark with a standing rear-naked choke in the second round of their UFC Fight Night 118 light heavyweight feature on Oct. 21, 2017 at Ergo Arena in Gdansk, Poland. Blachowicz closed it out 3:02 into Round 2. Clark had never before been submitted. Blachowicz set the tone with a series of body kicks, one of which briefly doubled over his adversary. Clark battled back and staggered the Pole with an overhand right but never seemed to find his comfort zone. Midway through the second round, he crashed ahead with overzealous punches and wandered right into the Blachowicz’s waiting arms. He weaved the choke into place, tightened his squeeze and elicited the quick tapout from Clark, whose face bore a look of sheer panic.

Anthony Smith

“Lionheart” returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in more than a year and retained his place in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s light heavyweight pecking order when he dismissed Clark with a triangle choke in the first round of their UFC on ESPN 18 main event on Nov. 28, 2020 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The end came 2:34 into Round 1. Smith wrapped the former Resurrection Fighting Alliance champion in a body lock, secured a takedown and then drew him to the center of the cage and away from the relative safety of the fence. Clark sprang a reversal after being threatened with a twister but uncovered an opponent who was no less dangerous from his back. The resourceful Smith cinched the triangle choke from the bottom, repositioned himself for maximum effect and constricted the neck for the tapout.