All eyes on Jon Jones Heavyweight debut and three year return, however UFC 285 main card is great top to bottom with two future champions Mateusz Gamrot & Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Mateusz Gamrot Future Lightweight Challenger
One of the most successful free agent signings in recent years signing Gamrot from KSW and having great success. Completely understand lost to Beneil Dariush at UFC 280 but had incredible fight against Tsarukyan & strong win against Ferreira.
Few more wins and Gamrot can challenge for the Lightweight title but before any title expectations must get through rising Lightweight prospect Jalin Turner.
Dana White Contender Series alumni is on five fight winning streak but has tough matchup in front of him as Gamrot is a great grappler former ADCC European Champion. Polish strangler look for grappling dominant performance.
Many times I have fought with taller guys. I am ready for his skills, but I don’t know if he’s ready for my wrestling.” said Mateusz Gamrot on UFC.com
Gamrot is the shorter guy, Turner’s boxing and length might give Mateusz Gamrot real trouble take some time wrestling Turner in the first round until he finds out techniques to takedown Turner. Great opportunity for Jalin Turner to climb up the rankings but truly believe he’s on another level when it comes to grappling, fighting great fighters and having great conditioning.
Hates the feeling of losing, Surprising loss to Dariush makes him hungrier than ever to bounce back in the win column against rising Lightweight prospect.
“Who wants it more That guy will win this fight. Last time I lost when I fought Beneil Dariush and this was a big lesson for me. I never want to lose again.” Mateusz Gamrot said on UFC.Com
Convincing win and Gamrot can face the loser of Fizev vs Gaethje, Rematch with Arman Tsarukyan or matchup with the Australian savage Dan Hooker. Multiple options for Gamrot in his second fight for 2023.
Shavkat Rakmonov’s Performance Shows He’s Ready for Title
Kazakhstan’s own broke through the UFC right away with impressive performance against Charles Oliveira and never stopped since all four UFC wins are by finish.
Shavkat Rakhmonov proved throughout his fights he’s the dark horse of the welterweight division, Few more wins and Kazakhstan prospect will challenge for title. Must defeat his first real test in Geoff Neal before any title expectations.
“Right now I’m focused on Geoff Neal, but after that, I’d like to get an opponent from the Top 5 to secure my spot as a title contender. ” Shavkat Rakhmonov said on UFC.Com/news
Geoff Neal currently on two fight winning streak against Vicente Luque and Santiago Ponzinibbio. Two confidence building wins. Neal finally finding his stride after dealing with tough losses. Will make sure Shavkat deals with adversity, struggles for takedowns, Being the nail instead of the hammer. Fortis MMA coach Sayif Saud teaches his students about first round KO power and Neal definitely can finish Shavkat with one punch.
“I see myself winning by finish, first or second round,” Neal said. “I feel like I’m too strong, too powerful for him. It’s going to wear on him.” Geoff Neal said on UFC media day.
9th ranked Shavkat is all-around world class talent can beat opponents in any aspect of martial arts. Filthy fluid strikes to the body, great grappling pressure, Effective use of his Master of Sport in Combat Sambo. Time and time again the Kazakhstan fighter shown he’s a future champion.
“So I think he’s got it, for sure. …Shavkat, I think his strikings good enough, I think his wrestlings good enough, and I think his Jiu-Jitsu is good enough to be champ.” Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson said on lowkickmma. com
“I got to grapple with him and he’s a beast in grappling and he’s super technical striking. I’ve watched him on the pads with Henri Hooft and yeah, he definitely is a beast, you know.” Vicente Luque BT.Com
First real test for Shavkat, Finishes Geoff Neal wowing the audience. UFC can invest market dollars behind him and match him up against Belal Muhammad, Gilbert Burns, Stephen Thompson next fight. Won’t be surprised if he becomes welterweight title contender.
“After this fight, maybe one or maximum two fights to fight for the title,” Rakhmonov told reporters at the UFC 285 media day on Wednesday.
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