Fiziev v Gamrot UFC betting picks – September 23, 2023

UFC Fight Night returns to the Apex in Las Vegas this Saturday night, with leading lightweight prospects Rafael Fiziev and Mateusz Gamrot set to trade blows for five rounds of elite MMA action. Both men are within striking distance of a top divisional ranking, and a future title opportunity beckons for the winner of this bout.

Rafael Fiziev v Mateusz Gamrot main event preview

Rafael Fiziev vs Mateusz Gamrot

Rafael Fiziev (12-2-0) is a surging lightweight who last fought Justin Gaethje in a thrilling Fight of the Night effort that was narrowly adjudicated in the American’s favour. The loss broke a run of six straight wins, and the Kazakhstani will be looking to bounce back in this main event. The 30-year-old trains out of the legendary Tiger Muay Thai camp and brings some of the sport’s most technical striking abilities to the octagon.

Fiziev is the sixth-ranked lightweight and boasts recent wins over Rafael dos Anjos, Brad Riddel, and Bobby Green. The five rounds of this contest should suit him, given his stamina and work ethic. Tiger Muay Thai fighters routinely work pads for hours at a time, and Fiziev will set a cracking pace for the duration of this matchup. A win here will ensure he pushes towards the top of the 155-pound division.

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Mateusz Gamrot (22-2-0) brings strong winning form into this bout with a 5-1 record since 2021. The loss was to Beneil Dariush, and the most impressive wins were over Scott Holtzman, Jeremy Stephens, and Arman Tsarukyan. The Pole might have a grappling advantage in this contest, but he will need to get beyond the striking of Fiziev to realise that edge.

Gamrot’s last three bouts have all been decided by the judges, and he will need to display greater aggression against a challenging opponent here. As an MMA fighter who has never been stopped throughout his career, Gamrot’s toughness cannot be questioned, and this bout should prove to be a gritty battle of wills if it enters the fourth and fifth rounds.

Fiziev v Gamrot UFC betting predictions

It is hard to tip against Fiziev after his stellar run against superior competition in recent times. If the favourite can keep the action upright, he should have a striking advantage that widens as the contest progresses. Fans of elite Muay Thai would be wise to tune into this high-quality main event. Fiziev looks to have genuine contender prospects and should be ready to unleash his best.

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