Remaining Up to date on 24 Mar 2022 2:19 am (UK Time)
The most recent version of UFC Combat Night time guarantees to not disappoint; enthusiasts are in for a deal with when two behemoths climb into the octagon for the primary match of the night time. Heavyweight opponents Curtis Blaydes and Chris Daukaus are each identified to own knockout energy. Ten out of Blaydes’ 15 occupation victories have come by way of stoppage. Daukaus just lately went on a 5 combat win streak, right through which none of his fighters have been in a position to head the space. There’s so much to unpack right here. With out additional ado, let’s get into it!
Blaydes vs. Daukaus
Curtis Blaydes earned a scholarship to take part in collegiate wrestling. Previous to that, he used to be topped an newbie champion through the Global Kickboxing Federation. Merely put, he is a flexible athlete who made combined martial arts his game of selection; he for sure can have excelled in wrestling or kickboxing if the ones have been his personal tastes. At 6’4″ and 260 lbs, he’s a powerfully constructed 31-year-old on the lookout for his first identify shot within the UFC. If he is in a position to carry out admirably in a primary match setting, it is going to do wonders for his profile and get him that a lot nearer to reaching his goals.
Chris Daukaus used to be on a five-fight win streak ahead of dropping to Derrick Lewis in December of ultimate yr. Daukaus stays a very talked-about prospect within the heavyweight department; on the time of this newsletter he’s ranked ninth within the group. Even if he’s handiest been with the UFC since 2020, Daukaus has been competing professionally since 2013. A win in opposition to a revered opponent like Blaydes may just put him at the quick checklist of contenders for a heavyweight identify shot.
Wooden vs. Grasso
Ladies’s flyweight challengers Joanne Wooden and Alexa Grasso have occupation momentum in reverse instructions. Grasso has the correct of pace, lately on a two combat win streak. Wooden, alternatively, is taking a look to proper some in-the-octagon errors and break out from her two combat dropping streak. Grasso may be very skilled for her age; she turned into a certified at simply 18-years-old. She is now a 28-year-old octagon savvy veteran with identify aspirations. For her phase, Wooden is an overly completed kickboxer whose gained 19 skilled fights. This shall be a story of contrasting types from two extremely professional athletes. Combat enthusiasts won’t wish to omit this contest!
Brown vs. Barberena
At 41-years-old, welterweight challenger Matt Brown is appearing no indicators of slowing down. He’s gained 3 out of his ultimate 5 fights together with a second spherical knockout victory in June of ultimate yr. At 32-years-old, Bryan Barberena is considerably more youthful than Brown, and does now not have the similar degree of brand name popularity. He’s hoping that a possibility to take part in the primary card will result in larger fights someday. If that’s the case, he’ll want initially an outstanding efficiency, and in the end a victory on Saturday.
Askarov vs. Kara-France
Flyweight prospect Askar Askarov took house a Gold Medal in wrestling right through the 2017 Deaflympics. His listening to is twenty p.c capability of the common individual; he can’t pay attention directions from his nook right through a combat. But and nonetheless, Askarov is undefeated in skilled blended martial arts since becoming a member of the ranks in 2013. He’s lately ranked because the quantity two contender in his department. Any other victory on Saturday evening may just catapult him into “subsequent up” for a UFC Flyweight identify shot.
New Zealander Kai Kara-France used to be spectacular in either one of his outings in 2021. He claimed victory by way of knockout in each bouts, catapulting him into the highest ten within the group’s flyweight scores. Saturday’s bout in opposition to Askarov would be the greatest check of his occupation. If he needs to make the following soar ahead, it’s in his perfect hobby to have a efficiency price remembering.
Latifi vs. Oleinik
Swedish born heavyweight Ilir Latifi has handiest seemed in festival as soon as every of the ultimate 3 calendar years. Except he turns into extra energetic in 2022 and 2023, he runs the danger of dropping relevance. At his perfect, he is a smart grappler; status handiest 5’10” and weighing 240 lbs, he’s a tricky puzzle to unravel for the remainder of the heavyweight department. Ten years in the past, he used to be topped the sunshine heavyweight champion of a regional group in his local nation. A decade later, he’s nonetheless looking to reproduction that very same degree of luck within the UFC.
At 44-years-old, age may simply be catching as much as Alexei Oleinik. After profitable two fights in 2020, he misplaced either one of his outings in 2021. If he suffers a 3rd consecutive defeat on Saturday, he dangers dropping his contract with the UFC. He’s had a protracted occupation in blended martial arts, however it seems that Father Time can have after all stuck as much as him.
Diakiese vs. Borshchev
Light-weight prospect Marc Diakiese has collected a mediocre report since becoming a member of the UFC in 2016. He’s misplaced every of his ultimate two fights and is taking a look to get his occupation again on course. Slava Borshchev made his UFC debut ultimate yr whilst showing on Dana White’s Contender Collection. He’s undefeated within the group, however has participated in handiest two fights. It is a case of a fighter looking to save his occupation pitted in opposition to a fighter looking to get started his occupation. The distinction in momentum is fascinating; those two will give all of it they’ve were given throughout the octagon to stop their goals of being a a hit fighter from slipping away.
The right way to watch
UFC Combat Night time may also be considered on BT Game in the UK and on ESPN Plus in the USA. As all the time, we’ll have the entire newest updates in regards to the results of the fights, in addition to extensive research to be had proper right here at International in Game!
