As we enter the seventh consecutive weekend of UFC action, headlined by heavyweight 'stars' Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Shamil Gaziev in front of the sparsely populated UFC Apex, it is worth asking whether it is all worth it? Saturday night's card features a number of interesting prospects that the premier MMA promotion should be building more effectively. Undefeated talent in Vitor Petrino, Umar Nurmagomedov, Muhammad Mokaev, and Javid Basharat add intrigue to the event - but the match-making is so half-arsed that it is difficult for fans to get excited.
Unless Jake Paul's boxing adventures in Puerto Rico tickles your pickle, then this weekend's UFC showing will have to suffice though. Boo.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs Shamil Gaziev
For all the acclaim that Jairzinho Rozenstruik's kickboxing background carries, Bigi Boy has looked uncoordinated at best on his feet in recent fights. While Alexander Volkov has enjoyed a mini career renaissance, the Russian toyed with Rozenstruik for the best part of three minutes. Sure, Rozenstruik can be criticised for slow starts, but against Volkov he shelled up with a fear similar to that of Chase Sherman. That is not the ideal look for a fighter who is marketed as a heavyweight title contender.
On paper, it seems likely that Shamil Gaziev extends his undefeated professional record to thirteen victories. This is a fighter, however, who claimed a career scalp last time out when he stopped Martin Buday in his UFC debut. To call Gaziev green would be to refer to the sky as blue-ish. At 34-years-old, we are witnessing the polished Gaziev product. Yeesh. The Dagestani brawler is enjoyable enough to watch in a 'hehe brawler' sort of way, but he ultimately amounts to a pressure boxer that breaks opponents with dirty boxing against the cage.
Rozenstruik vs Gaziev Prediction: Rozenstruik TKO Round 2
Where has it all gone wrong for Jairzinho Rozenstruik? (Credit:
YouTube)
Vitor Petrino vs Tyson Pedro
Over just three UFC fights, Vitor Petrino has picked up both performance of the night and fight of the night bonuses. Petrino's risk-taking on the feet and mat underline his blockbuster qualities, often willing to put himself in danger to chase a finish. He dominated Modestas Bukauskas on the mat in his last outing and showcased a powerful wrestling base against a heavy-set opponent. The Brazilian's major red flag is his tepid volume on the feet, although his power and explosivity tends to prevent him from hearing the scorecards.
While Tyson Pedro is always good for a finish, on either side of the result, he has never blossomed into the fearsome light heavyweight that was promised after his first-round KO of Paul Craig back in 2017. I can see Pedro enjoying success early as he chips away at Petrino's lead leg with clubbing calf kicks. Unfortunately, the Aussie also tends to back himself onto the cage on a straight line - squaring his hips and leaving him open to Petrino's head kicks.
Petrino vs Pedro Prediction: Silva TKO Round 3
Alex Perez vs Muhammad Mokaev
Future fight fans will scratch their head at the enigma that is Alex Perez's career. The former TUF 28 finalist earned a title shot after breaking submission specialist Jussier Formiga via a leg kick clinic. Following a brutal two-minute beatdown from champion Deiveson Figueiredo in 2020, Perez has fought just once since - a loss to current champ Alexandre Pantoja in 91 seconds - amidst a sea of cancelled bouts due to weigh-in failures and training injuries.
While the 31-year-old remains a relatively game grappler, he finds himself well over the physical hill for a flyweight - especially a 125lber carrying such ring rust. As such, anything less than a statement win for Muhammad Mokaev will be a disappointment. Slack could be cut for a 23-year-old prospect, but as he continues to run his mouth at greater speed, The Punisher will have to cash the cheques he is making. Thankfully, the Dagestani-Mancunian is a grappling whiz and once again proved his credentials at the highest level when he stopped veteran Tim Elliot last October.
Perez vs Mokaev Prediction: Mokaev Decision
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Bekzat Almakhan
Bantamweight's most ducked Dagestani is back in action this Saturday. Such a shame that Cory Sandhagen, Jack Shore, and Nathaniel Wood all avoided fights with... wait a second, it was Umar who pulled out of all three fights? For all the entertainment that Nurmagomedov brings to the octagon, he sure likes to cherry-pick his fights. This time around, he is facing Kazakhstan's finest prospect in Bekzat Almakhan. The UFC debutant may have picked up five stoppage wins in his last six fights with the 'Octagon' promotion, but he is yet to face an opponent of substance.
Nurmagomedov vs Almakhan Prediction: Nurmagomedov TKO Round 1
Matt Schnell vs Steve Erceg
After spending a couple of futile years acting as the UFC's lapdog, Matt Schnell has realised his bargaining power in the promotion is limited at best. The Danger has been stopped twice in his last three outings, although to be fair, it has been at the hands of title contenders in Matheus Nicolau and Brandon Royval. The 34-year-old remains a threat on the mat but he lacks the physical tools to survive against top-10 fighters. While Steve Erceg is not officially there yet, Astroboy has exhibited exceptional points-striking over his two-fight UFC career. As long as he keeps himself standing, Erceg should move towards an unlikely title bout.
Schnell vs Erceg Prediction: Erceg Decision
Rest of the Card
Eryk Anders vs Jamie Pickett Prediction: Anders Decision
Vinicius Oliveira vs Bernardo Sopaj Prediction: Oliveira TKO Round 2
Javid Basharat vs Aiemann Zahabi Prediction: Basharat Decision
Christian Leroy Duncan vs Claudio Ribeiro Prediction: Duncan TKO Round 3
L'udovit Klein vs AJ Cunningham Prediction: Klein Decision
Loik Radzhabov vs Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady Prediction: Al-Selwady Decision
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