MMA Preview – Rafael Fiziev vs Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Fight Night 228
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RAFAEL FIZIEV VS MATEUSZ GAMROT FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 228? Saturday 23rd September, 2023 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 228? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 228? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 228 on? TNT Sports 3
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 228? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
RAFAEL FIZIEV VS MATEUSZ GAMROT LOWDOWN
It took Justin Gaethje to stop the bonus machine Rafael Fiziev (12-2). He lost a majority decision in a technical striking war which finally snapped his impressive six-fight win streak including five fight bonuses. He ran into the path of the top contender by knocking out Brad Riddell (2021) and Rafael dos Anjos (2022) earning two ‘Performance of the Night’ bonuses and although he lost to Gaethje, he still pocketed a ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus for his troubles.
Life does not get any easier fighting Mateusz Gamrot (22-2-1). He was also storming his way up the division submitting Jeremy Stephens (2021), TKOing Carlos Diego Ferreira (2021) and outpointing the prospect Arman Tsarukyan (2022). That led him into the path of Beneil Dariush (2022) who displayed all his class and experience in a unanimous decision. Gamrot has already bounced back with a hard-fought split decision over Jalin Turner back in March.
RAFAEL FIZIEV VS MATEUSZ GAMROT PREDICTION
Both fighters are immensely skilled with contrasting skillsets. Fiziev is one of the most talented strikers on the roster hailing from a Muay Thai background whereas Gamrot is one of the strongest grapplers in the division with relentless wrestling.
The key here will be Fiziev’s takedown defence which is 90% and it will no doubt be tested here. Gamrot’s accuracy is only 31% but most of his attempts are made to set up takedowns he fully commits to and averages 4.54 takedowns every three rounds which is very high.
He has the skill, patience and technique to put Fiziev on his back, but there is no room for error. Gamrot is a good striker, but Fiziev’s speed and power will make him a knockout threat whenever they are standing in front of each other.
The variety of Fiziev’s Muay Thai techniques and how he sets up his power shots will constantly give Gamrot problems. Gamrot cannot afford to leave any opening when he shoots in and worryingly, he has been knocked down four times in the UFC and he has not fought a striker as dangerous as Fiziev.
That said, Fiziev has not fought a grappler as strong as Gamrot. We can see Gamrot taking Fiziev down and controlling him to win rounds, but he needs to be flawless and we cannot see him protecting his chin for 25 minutes.
Gamrot is always worth a punt as an underdog, but we feel Fiziev’s striking is at such a level that he may just inflict Gamrot’s first knockout loss.
Prediction: Fiziev via KO/TKO
Value bet: Gamrot to win
