Last Updated on 25 Jun 2022 7:03 am (UK Time)
UFC Vegas 57 features a clash of two of the top ranked fighters in the lightweight division. This weight class has long been distinguished as the most talented division in all of mixed martial arts. It takes a special fighter to stay active, let alone achieve ranked status. Arman Tsarukyan and Mateusz Gamrot are set to lock horns in the main event of the evening. The winner will be one step closer to a spot in the organization’s top ten divisional rankings; the loser could fall out of the top fifteen altogether. There’s a lot to unpack here. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot
Arman Tsarukyan is on an impressive five fight win streak that dates back to July of 2019. In February of this year, he reminded fans of why he is a ranked fighter, when he emerged victorious by way of a second round knockout against Joel Álvarez. Mateusz Gamrot, on the other hand, is on a three fight win streak of his own. This entails all three of his bouts during the calendar year of 2021; his upcoming fight against Tsarukyan will be his first match of 2022. Gamrot is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who is known for his elite grappling skills and the ability to confuse fighters because he is left-handed. You won’t want to miss this showdown between two of the most talented fighters in the lightweight division!
Magny vs. Rakhmonov
In 2014, Neil Magny tied the UFC record for most wins in a calendar year when he amassed five victories. Since that time, he has remained one of the most consistent performers in the welterweight division. At 34-years-old, he is not seen as an immediate contender for the title. However, opponents know when they climb into the octagon with the veteran from Brooklyn New York they are in for a challenge.
Shavkat Rakhmonov is only 27-years-old and has amassed an impressive fifteen wins and zero losses record since becoming a professional. His last three fights have come under the banner of the UFC; prior to that he participated in several outfits in Eastern Europe including the renowned M-1 Global organization, becoming the Welterweight champion along the way. In a short period of time, he has worked his way into the UFC’s top fifteen Welterweight fighters; a win against Magny would mean another boost in the rankings and put him one step closer towards his goal of landing a title shot.
Parisian vs. Baudot
Heavyweight prospect Josh Parisian hails from Metropolitan Detroit and began competing on regional circuits after dropping out of college. Eventually, this lead to him being crowned the heavyweight champion of a small promotion in the Mid-Western United States. The UFC took notice and provided Parisian an opportunity to compete on Dana White’s Contender Series. Parisian was able to impress the UFC brass enough to become a part of the organization’s roster. At 265 pounds, he is among the biggest fighters in the division; time will tell if he is one day able to become a contender.
Alan Baudot is originally from France; he began his mixed martial arts career by competing in several organizations throughout Europe and Asia. Since joining the UFC in 2020, Baudot is yet to emerge victorious from the octagon. A win against Parisian would put his career back on the right track. Otherwise, he may find himself competing in a lesser known organization in an effort to prove he belongs on the world’s biggest stage.
Moisés vs. Giagos
Brazilian lightweight, Thiago Moisés, has lost each of his last two fights. No fighter wants to go on a three-fight-skid and Moisés is no exception. Once upon a time, he was the reigning RFA lightweight champion; veterans of the sport know a bout against Moisés certainly does not amount to a night off. However, pundits are openly wondering whether or not he can regain his former confidence and get back to his winning ways. His next bout could be the beginning of his resurgence, or the continuation of his decline.
Christos Giagos has always had a reputation of being a solid performer, just not quite among the elite performers in the lightweight division. He has never been able to crack the division’s top fifteen rankings and has never come close to a title shot. That being said, he is a Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who is always a threat to force his opponents into submission. Fight fans can rest assured that Moisés and Giagos will give it all they’ve got when they climb into the octagon to face one another!
Maness vs. Nurmagomedov
Bantamweight prospect Nate Maness is on a four fight win streak dating back to February of 2020. Prior to joining the UFC, he competed in several small regional circuits, amassing championship belts in a myriad of lesser known organizations. If he continues his winning ways, it won’t be long before he crack’s the UFC’s top fifteen in the bantamweight division.
Umar Nurmagomedov has amassed fourteen wins and zero losses throughout his career. His upcoming fight against Maness will be his third under the UFC’s banner, and will be seen as the biggest test of his career. If he is able to emerge victorious, it will serve as evidence that he belongs in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization.
Curtis vs. Vieira
Middleweight prospect Chris Curtis is preparing for just his third bout in the UFC’s organization. Having claimed relatively easy knockout victories in his first two matches, his fight with Rodolfo Vieira is seen as his biggest test yet. Vieira is a four-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion who eventually decided to embark upon a career in mixed martial arts. Since turning pro in MMA, Vieira has suffered defeat just once in his career. Curtis may have the nickname of “Action Man,” but it’s going to take some skill and technique in order to defeat Vieira.
How to Watch
UFC Fight Night can be viewed on BT Sport in The United Kingdom and on ESPN Plus in the United States. As always, we’ll have all the latest updates about the outcomes of the fights, as well as in depth analysis available right here at World in Sport!
