Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree know what it takes to struggle for a spot on the high 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 at present on the primary shedding streak of his profession, Saturday’s UFC Baku primary 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, 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 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 shedding 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 towards Ignacio Bahamondes, a hungry contender with a harmful mixture of youth and expertise.
In different primary 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 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 primary card at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+.
(Numbers in parentheses point out standing within the MMA Preventing World Rankings)
Jamahal Hill (7) vs. Khalil Rountree (8)
Jamahal Hill is a troublesome fighter to judge. He can clearly grasp 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 mild heavyweight matchup, one which Khalil Rountree should work to navigate over the course of what I anticipate to be a five-round struggle. 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 undoubtedly comes and goes, in order that’s a significant factor to observe as this bout progresses. If he loses focus at any level, Rountree will discover a gap to place Hill down.
Nevertheless, since I’m predicting this struggle 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 cope with. 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 might be a captivating chess match for so long as it lasts.
Fiziev is the sharper striker, however his persistence might be put to the check towards the agile Bahamondes. There’s simply no straightforward option to put together for such a protracted fighter that’s no slouch on the toes. Spinning strikes and haymakers are enjoyable when you will 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 looking for angles to land large pictures.
It appears unfathomable {that a} fighter as proficient 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 high 15 by way of knockout.
Choose: Bahamondes
Curtis Blaydes (7) vs. Rizvan Kuniev
Curtis Blaydes went from preventing Tom Aspinall, the most effective heavyweight on the earth, to taking up a UFC newcomer. That’s a tough draw for “Razor,” however what else will be completed with him having fought nearly everybody within the high 10 (some twice!)? He has lots 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 fashion and mixes the martial arts effectively sufficient, combining rudimentary placing 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 Okay-1 Curtis’ music? My pals, we’re in for some heavyweight kickboxing as soon as Kuniev realizes he can’t take Blaydes down. Blaydes is at all times desperate to flaunt his improved placing, typically to his detriment, however on at the present time some sprawling and brawling ought to greater than do the trick towards the customarily wild Kuniev.
I like Blaydes punching his option to a call right here.
Choose: 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 truthful 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 struggle 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 undoubtedly keen to eat just a few arduous pictures 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 ready to steal the present at residence.
The Bakuvian has been blessed with a matchup that ought to ship the followers residence glad because the at all times recreation Nikolas Motta is bound to carry the struggle to him on the opening bell. Sadykhov has floor abilities he can use to defuse Motta if it involves it, however this could rapidly develop right into a standup battle.
Sadykhov’s technical means 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 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 lots of enjoyable to observe and I look ahead to him having 20-plus fights within the UFC. However Muhammad Naimov will set the tone for Saturday’s primary card with a workmanlike win.
Naimov has crisp boxing and a potent high recreation when he can get the struggle to the bottom. He’d be smart to concentrate on organising takedowns because the unpredictable Grad might drop him at any second. Grad likes to advance at each alternative, so openings might be there to place him on his again.
Although Grad can grapple as effectively, he’s extra adventurous on the mat, typically 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.
Choose: 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
