Las Vegas, the middle of the fight sports activities universe, will once more function the host metropolis for an additional UFC Battle Evening. Saturday evening, the UFC Apex opens its doorways to the best abilities of MMA’s high promotion. UFC Vegas 79 options (absent of any postponements) 11 fights all instructed.
Dwell protection begins Saturday afternoon at 4 pm ET/ 1 pm PT with the undercard. Predominant card fights observe at 7 pm ET/ 4 pm PT from the Apex facility. Viewers inside the US can watch UFC Vegas 79 and the UFC Vegas 79 principal occasion on ESPN’s subscription-based streaming platform, ESPN+.
High-10 Battle at Light-weight in UFC Vegas 79 Predominant Occasion
Highlighting the evening’s itinerary is a top-10 bout within the UFC‘s 155-lb. division. No. 6 contender Rafael Fiziev (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) meets No. 7 contender Mateusz Gamrot (22-2, 1 NC MMA, 12-2 UFC).
As with all UFC principal occasions, Saturday’s headliner is an marketed most of 5 rounds at 5 minutes per spherical to finish the night’s actions.
Climbing the light-weight High 10!
#7 @Gamer_MMA prepared for Rafael Fiziev at #UFCVegas79 Saturday pic.twitter.com/7LAFPy22fu
— UFC (@ufc) September 20, 2023
UFC Vegas 79 Predominant Occasion Fighter Comparability
Heading into the UFC Vegas 79 principal occasion this Saturday evening, Mateusz Gamrot stands because the taller man at 5-foot-10, in comparison with the 5-foot-9 body of Rafael Fiziev. The latter owns a one-inch benefit in each attain (71 1/2 inches to 70 1/2 inches) and leg attain (40 inches to 39 inches) over the previous on this contest.
Fiziev Trying to Get Again in Win Column
Rafael Fiziev enters the UFC Vegas 79 principal occasion having posted a 4-1 document in his final 5 fights, however he noticed a four-fight profitable streak snapped final outing by the hands of Justin Gaethje (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) throughout UFC 286 on March 18.
Lately, he talked to UFC.com, the place he talked about that he’s utilizing that final consequence as motivation to return to the winners’ circle this time round within the UFC Vegas 79 principal occasion.
“I’m feeling good,” Fiziev started. “Come again to Vegas, come again to combat week, at all times really feel [the] identical, hungry, indignant, excited to combat. Can’t wait, end this combat, after which going dwelling. Attempting to remain enjoyable, at all times.”
He additionally referred to as the March defeat a worthwhile educating second.
“I discovered the way to cook dinner good humble pie first,” he continued. “No must observe feelings. I’ve to observe my gameplan and bear in mind that is enterprise. In enterprise, at all times have a plan.”
Rafael Fiziev has had simply over six months to stew over his defeat below the intense lights of pay-per-view in London late final winter.
“Gamer” Pushed to Succeed on Saturday
Within the different nook, Mateusz Gamrot has gone 4-1 himself over the past 5 fights. Most just lately, he returned to the win column because of a cut up choice over Jalin Turner (13-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in UFC 285 on March 4.
The American High Group member subscribes to a easy mantra of “exhausting work, sleep, eat, repeat.” It’s gotten him this principal occasion spot.
He used his Wednesday media availability to put out a coldly easy fact in terms of himself versus his opponent.
“He’s a very harmful opponent,” Gamrot stated of Fiziev. “Excessive-level, world-class striker, however I consider I’m the higher all-around fighter. “To be trustworthy, I don’t care, as a result of, after all I’ve a lot respect to Rafa, however my wrestling abilities kill each striker.”
These are assured phrases from Gamrot, that a lot is for certain.
Evaluation, Movie Examine, and Prediction
Stylistically, the UFC Vegas 79 principal occasion appears to favor Mateusz Gamrot, a wrestler with a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, in comparison with Rafael Fiziev, a Muay-Thai fighter with a blue belt in BJJ.
Watch Out for Fiziev’s Left Hook
One facet of Rafael Fiziev’s combat recreation that’s proven up on video is his penchant to land the large shot. Though it took him some time to attain with a left hook, he discovered his goal towards Rafael dos Anjos final yr.
Proper from the command to combat within the fifth and last spherical, dos Anjos appeared to have momentum on his facet with an honest left-handed punch, however Fiziev returned fireplace with a left hook of his personal. Upon knocking dos Anjos down, Fiziev landed a couple of floor and pound pictures earlier than referee Mark Smith waved off the combat in simply 18 seconds.
Gamrot Can Lock Up a Fast Submission
Given Mateusz Gamrot’s wrestling background, a takedown and a submission is a definite chance within the UFC Vegas 79 principal occasion. Jeremy Stephens discovered this out the exhausting method a few years in the past.
Throughout the first spherical of a scheduled three, Gamrot nearly instantly sprawled and transitioned right into a single-leg takedown. Regardless that Stephens tried to advance on a kimura, Gamrot secured one in all his personal.
It was throughout however the shouting after that, with Gamrot making use of the torque to lock it in after only a minute and 5 seconds.
Remaining Ideas
Battle Evening principal occasions will be simply as entertaining because the headliners seen on pay-per-view. We’ll have a high-stakes affair right here. Your winner takes one step shut towards an eventual date for a championship. Tune in and luxuriate in.
Prediction: Mateusz Gamrot by Third-Spherical Submission.
UFC Vegas 79: Finest Bets and Predictions
