Ricky Simon vs Javid Basharat at UFC Fight Night 252 | Preview & Prediction
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This is a fascinating bout between a surging up-and-coming fighter in Javid Basharat and veteran Ricky Simon who desperately needs a win after three losses in succession
Ricky Simon vs Javid Basharat Facts
When is UFC Fight Night 252? UK – the preliminary card starts at 11:00pm on Saturday 22nd February 2025, followed by the main card at 2:00am (Sunday) / USA – 6:00pm/9:00pm ET and 3:00pm/6:00pm PT
Where is UFC Fight Night 252? Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 252? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 252
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 252 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 252? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
For viewers in the United States, UFC Fight Night 252 will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
What time are Ricky Simon and Javid Basharat expected to walk out? 12:00am UK / Saturday 22nd February, 7:00pm US ET / 4:00pm US PT
UFC Fight Night 252 Main Card
Henry Cejudo vs Song Yandong (Bantamweight)
Brandon Allen vs Anthony Hernandez (Middleweight)
Jean Silva vs Melsik Baghdasaryan (Featherweight)
Ion Cutelaba vs Ibo Aslan (Light Heavyweight)
Alonzo Menifield vs Julius Walker (Light Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night 252 Prelims
Nursulton Ruziboev vs Eric McConico (Middleweight)
Andre Fili vs Melquizael Costa (Featherweight)
Ricky Simon vs Javid Basharat (Bantamweight)
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Nick Klein (Middleweight)
Modestas Bukauskas vs Raffael Cerqueira (Light Heavyweight)
Rob Font vs Jean Matsumoto (Catchweight)
Ricky Simon: Vet aiming to snap three-fight skid
Ricky Simon (20-6) was enjoying a fantastic run of five consecutive wins in the UFC but has since suffered three losses in a row so the Oregon native is desperate for a win here. As the quality of opponent has improved, he has been found wanting a little and it is now almost two years since his last win in the Octagon. The 32-year-old was the last person to beat Merab Dvalishvili in 2018 but times have changed and Simon now needs a win to stay relevant in the organisation.
Javid Basharat: Afghan looking to rebound from first loss
Javid Basharat (14-1 with one no contest) is coming off the fight loss of his career as Aiemann Zahabi picked up the unanimous decision against him last time out in March. It will be almost a year since his last bout as he was due to fight Chris Gutierrez in August but the bout was cancelled after Basharat withdrew due to injury. He returns now hoping to get a win under his belt and get back to winning ways after he had won the first 14 fights of his professional MMA career.
Ricky Simon vs Javid Basharat Prediction
We have one fighter who is seemingly on a downward spiral after fighting at a high level for quite some time and another who has been on an absolute tear but comes off the first loss of his career.
So much will depend on the mindset of the two fighters coming into this one but we have to lean towards Javid Basharat coming into this one.
He is the hungrier of the two fighters and given the fact his loss came on the scorecards, there are unlikely to be any scares from that.
Simon has lost three in a row now with one being a TKO loss alongside two decisions going against him. It is a tough route back for him now but that makes this one simply a must-win fight for him.
Basharat is a tough opponent however and he has both knockout power and some good ground skills. We have to favour him and his momentum in this bout to get the victory.
Prediction: Javid Basharat to win via decision
