Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree know what it takes to battle for a spot on the prime of the mountain; quickly, one in all them would possibly rediscover what it’s wish 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 essential occasion presents a golden alternative for him so as to add one other ranked opponent to his résumé and show that the intense 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, ultimately 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 towards 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 virtually 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 droop. He places his spot within the light-weight rankings up towards Ignacio Bahamondes, a hungry contender with a harmful mixture of youth and expertise.
In different essential card motion, Curtis Blaydes welcomes Rizvan Kuniev to the UFC heavyweight division, former RIZIN, Bellator standout, and Azerbaijan native Tofiq Musayev debuts towards Myktybek Orolbai, Baku’s personal Nazim Sadykhov faces Nikolas Motta, and Muhammad Naimov seems to be 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 essential card at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+.
(Numbers in parentheses point out standing within the MMA Combating World Rankings)
Jamahal Hill (7) vs. Khalil Rountree (8)
Jamahal Hill is a tough fighter to guage. He can clearly cling 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 dimension and attain give him an edge in any gentle heavyweight matchup, one which Khalil Rountree must 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 might 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 space whereas being cautious of Rountree’s one-shot KO functionality. Hill’s protection undoubtedly 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 space, I’ve Hill profitable on factors after 25 tense minutes.
Decide: 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 peak 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 can be an enchanting chess match for so long as it lasts.
Fiziev is the sharper striker, however his endurance can be put to the take a look at towards the agile Bahamondes. There’s simply no simple method to put together for such an extended fighter that’s no slouch on the toes. Spinning strikes and haymakers are enjoyable when you may have 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 huge 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 choosing him to take Fiziev’s spot within the prime 15 by way of knockout.
Decide: Bahamondes
Curtis Blaydes (7) vs. Rizvan Kuniev
Curtis Blaydes went from combating Tom Aspinall, the very best heavyweight on the earth, to taking up a UFC newcomer. That’s a tough draw for “Razor,” however what else may be finished with him having fought virtually everybody within the prime 10 (some twice!)? He has quite a bit to lose and never a lot to achieve 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 placing with a robust 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 mates, we’re in for some heavyweight kickboxing as soon as Kuniev realizes he can’t take Blaydes down. Blaydes is at all times wanting to flaunt his improved placing, generally to his detriment, however on this present day some sprawling and brawling ought to greater than do the trick towards the customarily wild Kuniev.
I like Blaydes punching his method to a call right here.
Decide: Blaydes
Tofiq Musayev vs. Myktybek Orolbai
I’m not completely 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 honest to query whether or not that is the final time we see him scheduled for a light-weight bout.
Can Tofiq Musayev’s velocity 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 arms low, daring his opponents to step into vary. He makes use of quick arms and delightful counters to arrange highlight-reel knockouts.
Orolbai, win or lose, can take a punch or two, so he’s undoubtedly prepared to eat a number of laborious photographs to shut the space. 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 lower is lastly going to meet up with him. Musayev shrugs off a gradual begin and batters Orolbai on the toes, profitable a call or discovering a end in Spherical 3.
Decide: Musayev
Nazim Sadykhov vs. Nikolas Motta
Nazim Sadykhov is about to steal the present at dwelling.
The Bakuvian has been blessed with a matchup that ought to ship the followers dwelling blissful because the at all times recreation Nikolas Motta is certain 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 shortly develop right into a standup battle.
Sadykhov’s technical skill 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 continuing menace, however one the extra constant Sadykhov can deal with.
Search for Sadykhov to arrange a lure and end Motta with strikes late within the first or early within the second.
Decide: Sadykhov
Muhammad Naimov vs. Bogdan Grad
Bogdan Grad is plenty of enjoyable to look at and I stay up for him having 20-plus fights within the UFC. However Muhammad Naimov will set the tone for Saturday’s essential card with a workmanlike win.
Naimov has crisp boxing and a potent prime recreation when he can get the battle to the bottom. He’d be sensible to concentrate on organising takedowns because the unpredictable Grad might drop him at any second. Grad likes to advance at each alternative, so openings can 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 concentrate on management and place to put on down Grad and nullify his offense.
On the toes, Naimov can do exactly sufficient to remain forward on the scorecards, with well timed takedowns serving to him cruise to a call win.
Decide: Naimov
Preliminaries
Oban Elliott def. Seokhyun Ko
Ismail Naurdiev def. Jun Yong Park
Melissa Mullins def. Daria Zhelezniakova
Irina Alekseeva def. Klaudia Sygula
Tagir Ulanbekov def. Azat Maksum
Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Mohammed Usman
