A unused abbreviation of light-weight contenders are forcing their method into the dialog. Rafael Fiziev and Mateusz Gamrot are two of the more recent additions to the category’s elite and hoping to proceed the rush to the supremacy once they meet in the primary tournament of UFC Combat Evening on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Fiziev (12-2) and Gamrot (22-2, 1 NC) don’t style defeat incessantly, however reliable classes have been discovered in high-profile losses to Justin Gaethje and Beneil Dariush, respectively. Fiziev’s defeat got here by the hands of a perennial identify challenger, who would possibly get a 3rd break on the divisional crown. However Fiziev says that he didn’t battle sly plenty to get the task performed in his greatest battle to month, a mistake he doesn’t plan on making once more.
“I was 100% sure that was my fight. I could do anything I wanted to… That’s why I didn’t control my emotions. The fire inside controlled me,” Fiziev informed CBS Sports activities. “Not my brain.”
Fiziev faces an absolutely other problem in opposition to Gamrot than he did in opposition to Gaethje. While Fiziev knew his fight with Gaethje could be a hanging fight, it’s most likely that Gamrot, a high-level grappler, will attempt to create this an uglier affair at the farmland. Fiziev can’t oath he’ll prevent each and every takedown however he indisputably gained’t concede place.
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“Staying with me in the stand-up when I’m trying to stay calm and take control of my emotions and fight start, I don’t think it’s easy for anyone in this division. This is MMA. If he takes me down, I stand up,” Fiziev mentioned. “I’m ready for this. If he takes me down 200 times, I’m ready to stand back up 201.”
Take a look at the total interview with Rafael Fiziev beneath.
Gamrot began to fix his symbol following the Dariush loss via defeating Jalin Turner by the use of crack choice. It’s a take the appropriate action, however now not a efficiency that evokes self belief in an international identify run. A win over Fiziev places Gamrot inside of achieve of the identify sphere. There’s a wholesome quantity of appreciate between Saturday’s headliners with indistinguishable impressions in their strengths and weaknesses.
“Fiziev went to make war, but Justin Gaethje wanted to win the fight and made a technical fight…” Gamrot informed CBS Sports activities. “Fiziev’s conditioning was bad in [Round 3] and maybe that’s why he lost. It was a super technical, high-level striking fight.”
Take a look at the total interview with Mateusz Gamrot beneath.
Saturday’s co-main tournament is an subtle featherweight presentation. Gifted submission specialist Bryce Mitchell appears to dance again from his first occupation loss to Ilia Topuria. Opposing him is 145-pound stalwart Dan Ige, who once more reveals himself at the cusp of the elite wanting a signature win. Michelle Waterson is again in motion hoping to avenge a 2021 loss to Marina Rodriguez.
Under is the remainder of the battle card for Saturday with the fresh odds earlier than we get to a prediction and pick out at the leading tournament.
UFC Combat Evening card, odds
| Rafael Fiziev -155 | Mateusz Gamrot +130 | Light-weight |
| Bryce Mitchell -205 | Dan Ige +170 | Featherweight |
| Marina Rodriguez -320 | Michelle Waterson +250 | Girls’s strawweight |
| Bryan Fight -190 | AJ Fletcher +160 | Welterweight |
| Charles Jourdain -140 | Ricardo Ramos +120 | Featherweight |
UFC Combat Evening viewing data
Presen: Sept. 23 | Get started age: 7 p.m. ET (leading card)
Location: UFC Apex — Las Vegas
TV channel: ESPN+
Prediction
Rafael Fiziev vs. Mateusz Gamrot: The percentages have a tendency to be near between two opponents with such distinct benefits. Will Fiziev impose his will hanging or may Gamrot smother his foe? Folk will level to Fiziev’s 90% takedown protection within the Octagon. It’s an notable determine however you’ll be able to’t forget about how Fiziev used to be taken unwell via his terminating 3 warring parties. Gaethje, Rafael dos Anjos and Brad Riddell are very proficient, however Gamrot is a greater wrestler than they all. Moreover, Gamrot landed 4 takedowns on Dariush and 6 on Arman Tsarukyan, either one of whom are higher grapplers than Fiziev. What evokes self belief in Fiziev is his center of attention on getting up off the ground in lieu of preventing each and every takedown. Too many opponents fall into the entice of overtraining their takedown protection for a selected opponent however relenting as soon as the battle hits the mat.
It could now not be recommended for Gamrot to be on one?s feet and industry on Saturday. Gamrot used to be knocked unwell via his terminating 3 warring parties: Turner, Dariush and Tsarukyan. Credit score to Gamrot for overcoming distress and profitable two of the ones fights, however Fiziev packs energy that you’ll be able to’t get better from. It’s crucial that each males have height continuity. The battle shall be maximum fascinating within the after rounds as stamina wanes. If Gamrot can climate early storms and pick out up the day, he may be able to farmland Fiziev and scouse borrow the past due rounds. Even next, Fiziev’s energy carries past due and he’s scored UFC stoppages as past due as Spherical 5. In the end, I’ll incline in opposition to Fiziev. He has the appropriate psychological means, a want to clean away the style of defeat and late-carrying energy in opposition to an opponent that may be harm. Fiziev by the use of KO3
