Puryear - on defeat to Makhachev: "He's a real champion, he did everything cool"

Recall, the American lost to Dagestan by choke hold in the fifth round.

"He fought like a champion, showed his resilience and will to win. I knew he had it all in him. You don't win the belt just like that. Makhachev and his team prepared perfectly, they had a clear plan for the fight.

When he went for D'Arce, I missed his arm movement. I knew he was going for a guillotine, but I didn't think about D'Arce. By the time he pulled it off, it was too late. The chokehold was so tight, I couldn't get out. It was either knock or pass out. He did a great job. A true champion," Puryear said on The MMA Hour show.