This Saturday, UFC Fight Night 228 is all set to take place in Las Vegas on September 24, featuring an exciting lineup. The main event fight showcases a compelling lightweight clash between top contenders Rafael Fiziev and Mateusz Gamrot. Both fighters have recently experienced setbacks that halted their paths to a lightweight championship fight opportunity.
The winner of Saturday’s contest will potentially find themselves on the cusp of earning a shot at the lightweight crown. Fans can anticipate a classic battle between a striker and a wrestler, with Fiziev, who specializes in Muay Thai, and Gamrot, a skilled freestyle wrestler.
Rafael Fiziev last appeared inside the octagon in March, where he got outclassed by UFC veteran Justin Gaethje. Before that bout, he had delivered stunning knockout performances against Rafael Dos Anjos and Brad Riddell and secured a dominating decision victory over Bobby Green.
Mateusz Gamrot, on the other hand, is coming off a split decision victory over Jalin Turner in March. Before that bout, he suffered a loss by unanimous decision to another top lightweight contender, Beneil Dariush.
Let us have a look at their stats to get a better understanding of their matchup.
Rafael Fiziev vs. Mateusz Gamrot stats
| Stats | Rafael Fiziev | Mateusz Gamrot |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 12 | 22 |
| Losses | 2 | 2 |
| Height | 5′ 8″ | 5′ 10″ |
| Division | Lightweight | Lightweight |
| Reach | 71″ | 70.5″ |
| Age | 30 | 32 |
Rafael Fiziev vs. Mateusz Gamrot prediction
Lightweight has been arguably the most competitive division in the UFC, so a win becomes necessary for both fighters to rise through the rankings and also put forward their contention for a title shot.
Fiziev, being a Muay Thai expert, imposes the same danger on Gamrot that Beneil Dariush did. Dariush used his leg kicks to perfection to take the lead on the scoreboard. Gamrot, on the other hand, is brilliant in his ground game. He will try to shoot as many takedowns as he can, just like he did in his last fight against Jalin Turner.
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So Fiziev will only be able to have an upper hand here if he can avoid being taken down by his Polish opponent. The Azerbaijani fighter has shown good takedown defense skills over the years, which only adds to his advantage.
All in all, it is expected to be a close encounter, with both fighters bringing different skills to the table. Our pick for the fight will be: Rafael Fiziev wins by decision. Who do you think will emerge victorious in this competitive lightweight clash at UFC Fight Night 228? Tell us in the comments!
