After a shocking win, let’s check out what’s subsequent for Ateba Gautier. Combined Martial Arts is a sport constructed round highlights, or as Dana White would say, “Holy Shit moments”. Followers of the game tune in, staying up until unseen hours of the morning, within the hope of seeing the subsequent knockout etched within the historical past books. From Chuck Liddell to Francis Ngannou to Alex Pereira, followers are drawn to energy hitters, phenoms with the flexibility to separate their opponents from consciousness at any given second. This previous weekend at UFC 328, we bore witness to the continued rise of the game’s newest knockout artist.
Ateba Gautier is intimidation personified. Listed at 6 toes 4 inches tall, and constructed like one thing you would possibly see on the Mr Olympia stage, Ateba has all of the bodily makings of a monster. Add to this an immense work ethic, supported by the superb steering of head coach Carl Prince, and you’ve got the potential for a future champion. Boasting an 11-1 report, with 9 brutal knockout victories, Ateba has rapidly cemented himself as one of many largest future threats to the 185-pound crown, and proved precisely why at UFC 328.
In reality, Ateba Gautier vs Ozzy Diaz felt like a matter of when, not if, a knockout would occur. Regardless of a formidable 10-3 report, all 3 of Diaz’s earlier losses had come by way of KO. Cracks within the chin are like kryptonite to any fighter trying the superheroic effort of defeating Gautier.
Ateba managed the opening spherical, stuffing 3 impressively timed takedown makes an attempt from Diaz and displaying a mature stage of endurance within the stand-up. However, there was a pep within the step of Ozzy Diaz heading to the stool on the finish of the primary, audibly telling his nook Gautier lacked the ability to ship him to the canvas. The second spherical opened with the Cameroonian persevering with his calculated strategy, working the physique and throwing missiles at his opponent’s head.
The ticking time bomb ultimately exploded simply 1 minute and 6 seconds into the second body, as a monstrous Gautier overhand proper caught the temple of Diaz, sending him crashing to the mat. Vicious hammer fists adopted, securing one more highlight-reel end for the large Gautier.
What’s Subsequent for Ateba Gautier?
Now the query is, what’s subsequent for the UFC’s scariest 185-pounder? While his callout of Israel Adesanya is an attractive risk, I discover it exhausting to imagine the previous champion could be prepared to take such a danger after earlier stoppage defeats to Imavov and Pyfer. For my part, three matchups stick out as the perfect subsequent step on this supernova’s profession.
Matchup #1 – The Iron Turtle
Does this matchup instantly soar off the web page as extraordinarily thrilling? – No, no, it doesn’t. Nonetheless, that is the precise step up in competitors that’s wanted for followers to see whether or not Ateba is really the actual deal. Jun Yong Park has constantly confirmed to be a formidable problem for any man locked inside a UFC octagon throughout from him. 9-4 within the firm, with just one KO loss, Park is as powerful as they arrive, one thing he has proved time and time once more. Even the likes of Isram Aliskerov discovered life tough, needing the scorecards to safe victory.
“The Iron Turtle” is the right mix of expertise, data and well-roundedness required to check the stamina and can of the surging Gautier. Nonetheless, if the UFC resolve now’s the time to push the Cameroonian in direction of the rankings, then I do know the right man to name.
Possibility #2 – The Italian Dream
Unstoppable drive vs immovable object is the one time period that springs to thoughts when pondering of this matchup. Marvin Vettori’s chin has virtually reached legendary standing, with it seemingly being made from some newfound unbreakable substance. In reality, Vettori would be the solely man able to absorbing 241 vital strikes from Jared Cannonier in 25 minutes and never hit the canvas.
Regardless of his current 4-fight dropping skid, Vettori stays a troublesome out, with notable profession wins over Paulo Costa and Roman Dolidze proving his stage. If Ateba Gautier breaks the unbreakable Vettori, he might enter the highest 15 conversations, a vital subsequent step in “The Storm’s” profession.
Possibility #3 – RoboCop
For the third and closing matchup, why not have some enjoyable? This struggle would actually be one for the spectators, two large punchers going toe to toe till one drops. The #12-ranked Gregory Rodrigues has entered the prime of his profession, driving a formidable 3-fight win streak, most just lately prolonged with a vicious end of Bruno Ferreira. While this matchup could be an immense step-up in competitors for the 24-year-old Gautier, experiencing such a stage of struggle could be little doubt useful in his improvement.
Irrespective of who the UFC resolve is subsequent, one factor is for sure: Ateba Gautier might be in title conversations earlier than lengthy. The proper mix of freakish energy blended with calm and intelligence, Ateba is a nightmare matchup for any man courageous sufficient to face throughout from him.
