Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree know what it takes to battle for a spot on the high of the mountain; quickly, considered one of them would possibly rediscover what it’s prefer to be again close to the underside of it.
For Hill, a one-time UFC titleholder presently on the primary dropping streak of his profession, Saturday’s UFC Baku predominant occasion presents a golden alternative for him so as to add one other ranked opponent to his résumé and show that the brilliant moments he’s had in his championship losses to Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka are extra consultant of his abilities than the top outcomes.
For Rountree, he can affirm that his UFC 307 conflict with Pereira wasn’t merely booked as a result of he was the subsequent man up. The Final Fighter 23 finalist scraped and clawed to contender standing, finally stringing collectively 5 consecutive wins to earn his shot at gold after which push Pereira to the restrict in a brutal encounter. Was Rountree the beneficiary of favorable matchmaking or is he able to placing on a dominant efficiency in opposition to Hill to stake his declare to a different title shot?
The co-main occasion options one other veteran in want of a win as Rafael Fiziev finds himself within the unlikely place of getting to stave off a four-fight dropping streak. It’s been nearly three years since Fiziev’s most up-to-date victory, with a knee damage and a pair of losses to Justin Gaethje accounting for his prolonged stoop. He places his spot within the light-weight rankings up in opposition to Ignacio Bahamondes, a hungry contender with a harmful mixture of youth and expertise.
In different predominant card motion, Curtis Blaydes welcomes Rizvan Kuniev to the UFC heavyweight division, former RIZIN, Bellator standout, and Azerbaijan native Tofiq Musayev debuts in opposition to Myktybek Orolbai, Baku’s personal Nazim Sadykhov faces Nikolas Motta, and Muhammad Naimov seems to decelerate the streaking Bogdan Grad within the opener.
What: UFC Baku
The place: Baku Crystal Corridor in Baku, Azerbaijan
When: Saturday, June 21. The six-fight preliminary card begins at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+, adopted by a six-fight predominant card at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+.
(Numbers in parentheses point out standing within the MMA Fighting Global Rankings)
Jamahal Hill (7) vs. Khalil Rountree (8)
Jamahal Hill is a troublesome fighter to judge. He can clearly hold with the elite, whether or not it’s beating a brink-of-retirement Glover Teixeira or taking a spirited loss by the hands of Jiri Prochazka. He confirmed loads of promise early in his profession and relying on the way you view his previous three fights, has arguably lived as much as or surpassed expectations.
His measurement and attain give him an edge in any mild heavyweight matchup, one which Khalil Rountree should work to navigate over the course of what I count on to be a five-round battle. Each males have loads of knockout energy, however they’ve loads of sturdiness, too, so it will shock me to see this one finish earlier than the championship frames.
I see Hill pushing the tempo with quantity early on and controlling the gap whereas being cautious of Rountree’s one-shot KO functionality. Hill’s protection positively comes and goes, in order that’s a significant component to look at as this bout progresses. If he loses focus at any level, Rountree will discover a gap to place Hill down.
Nonetheless, since I’m predicting this battle goes the gap, I’ve Hill profitable on factors after 25 tense minutes.
Choose: Hill
Rafael Fiziev (11) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
The towering Ignacio Bahamondes goes to be a load for Rafael Fiziev to take care of. Bahamondes has a ridiculous seven inches of top on the 5-foot-8 Fiziev and he is aware of easy methods to make use of it, whether or not it’s attacking from vary or tangling his opponents up on the mat. This will likely be an enchanting chess match for so long as it lasts.
Fiziev is the sharper striker, however his persistence will likely be put to the check in opposition to the agile Bahamondes. There’s simply no simple method to put together for such a protracted fighter that’s no slouch on the toes. Spinning strikes and haymakers are enjoyable when you’ve an opponent that has to satisfy you within the pocket, however Fiziev and his nook would be the ones left with their heads spinning trying to find angles to land large photographs.
It appears unfathomable {that a} fighter as gifted as Fiziev might lose 4 straight fights, even in a loaded division. There’s no denying Bahamondes, although, and I’m selecting him to take Fiziev’s spot within the high 15 by way of knockout.
Choose: Bahamondes
Curtis Blaydes (7) vs. Rizvan Kuniev
Curtis Blaydes went from combating Tom Aspinall, one of the best heavyweight on the planet, to taking up a UFC newcomer. That’s a tough draw for “Razor,” however what else may be achieved with him having fought nearly everybody within the high 10 (some twice!)? He has rather a lot to lose and never a lot to realize right here.
I say that with all due respect for Rizvan Kuniev, who’s greater than deserving of an octagon alternative. Kuniev has an aggressive model and mixes the martial arts nicely sufficient, combining rudimentary putting with a powerful floor recreation. I’m not satisfied he has what it takes to place Blaydes on his again although.
What’s that? My goodness, is that Ok-1 Curtis’ music? My associates, we’re in for some heavyweight kickboxing as soon as Kuniev realizes he can’t take Blaydes down. Blaydes is all the time wanting to flaunt his improved putting, generally to his detriment, however on this present day some sprawling and brawling ought to greater than do the trick in opposition to the usually wild Kuniev.
I like Blaydes punching his method to a call right here.
Choose: Blaydes
Tofiq Musayev vs. Myktybek Orolbai
I’m not solely certain why this was modified to a 165-pound catchweight bout on weigh-in day, however my guess is it was to accommodate the bigger Myktybek Orolbai. That is the second catchweight bout in a row for Orolbai, so it’s truthful to query whether or not that is the final time we see him scheduled for a light-weight bout.
Can Tofiq Musayev’s pace cease Orolbai from simply bull-rushing him and profitable the battle on the bottom? Musayev is an extremely entertaining striker that likes to march ahead along with his fingers low, daring his opponents to step into vary. He makes use of quick fingers and exquisite counters to arrange highlight-reel knockouts.
Orolbai, win or lose, can take a punch or two, so he’s positively keen to eat just a few onerous photographs to shut the gap. We’ll know early on if Musayev’s takedown protection is as much as snuff.
My guess? It’s. Orolbai is harmful, however messing round with that 155-pound weight minimize is lastly going to meet up with him. Musayev shrugs off a sluggish begin and batters Orolbai on the toes, profitable a call or discovering a end in Spherical 3.
Choose: Musayev
Nazim Sadykhov vs. Nikolas Motta
Nazim Sadykhov is about to steal the present at house.
The Bakuvian has been blessed with a matchup that ought to ship the followers house joyful because the all the time recreation Nikolas Motta is bound to convey the battle to him on the opening bell. Sadykhov has floor expertise he can use to defuse Motta if it involves it, however this could rapidly develop right into a standup battle.
Sadykhov’s technical capacity is an excessive amount of for Motta, who can simply be tempted into going for the home-run swing over sticking with the sport plan. That makes Motta a relentless risk, however one the extra constant Sadykhov can deal with.
Search for Sadykhov to arrange a entice and end Motta with strikes late within the first or early within the second.
Choose: Sadykhov
Muhammad Naimov vs. Bogdan Grad
Bogdan Grad is a whole lot of enjoyable to look at and I sit up for him having 20-plus fights within the UFC. However Muhammad Naimov will set the tone for Saturday’s predominant card with a workmanlike win.
Naimov has crisp boxing and a potent high recreation when he can get the battle to the bottom. He’d be sensible to deal with organising takedowns because the unpredictable Grad might drop him at any second. Grad likes to advance at each alternative, so openings will likely be there to place him on his again.
Although Grad can grapple as nicely, he’s extra adventurous on the mat, generally to his detriment. Naimov will deal with management and place to put on down Grad and nullify his offense.
On the toes, Naimov can just do sufficient to remain forward on the scorecards, with well timed takedowns serving to him cruise to a call win.
Choose: Naimov
Preliminaries
Oban Elliott def. Seokhyun Ko
Ismail Naurdiev def. Jun Yong Park
Melissa Mullins def. Daria Zhelezniakova
Irina Alekseeva def. Klaudia Sygula
