Career Averages - Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Career Averages - Shamil Gaziev
Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Shamil Gaziev
Jairzinho Rozenstruik - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sergei Pavlovich | 0 | 25 of 60 | 41% | 145 of 208 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 6:17 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 17 of 55 | 30% | 23 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sergei Pavlovich | 0 | 11 of 23 | 47% | 32 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:09 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 9 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Sergei Pavlovich | 0 | 3 of 19 | 15% | 39 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 8 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Sergei Pavlovich | 0 | 11 of 18 | 61% | 74 of 93 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:49 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 4 of 23 | 17% | 6 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sergei Pavlovich | 25 of 60 | 41% | 21 of 55 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 17 of 55 | 30% | 7 of 43 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 9 | 17 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sergei Pavlovich | 11 of 23 | 47% | 9 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 7 of 15 | 46% | 0 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sergei Pavlovich | 3 of 19 | 15% | 2 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 6 of 17 | 35% | 3 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sergei Pavlovich | 11 of 18 | 61% | 10 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 4 of 23 | 17% | 4 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Business picks up in the heavyweight division, where Pavlovich (18-3, 6-3 UFC) sets his sights on Rozenstruik (15-5, 9-5 UFC) in a three-round showcase. They have nine sub-minute finishes between them. Smith handles the refereeing duties. The former training partners are ready to go. They meet in the middle without a glove touch. Rozenstruik lands an inside leg kick. Pavlovich answers. The Russian paws with his jab, hoping to exploit his reach advantage. He follows a jab with a thudding overhand right but elects not to follow up. Inside leg kick from Rozenstruik. Neither man looks to eager to throw midway through the round. Pavlovich flicks out his jab and steps forward behind another one-two. Rozenstruik rolls with it. Action somewhat tepid thus far. Low kicks from both men. Smith warns Pavlovich about extending his fingers. The Russian connects with an overhand right. Rozenstruik loses his balance while avoiding an overhand right and winds up on his back, pinned beneath his monstrous counterpart. Pavlovich works his ground-and-pound in half guard. Thirty seconds to go. Body-head shots from the Russian, who looks to have salted away this round.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pavlovich
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pavlovich
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pavlovich
Round 2
And away we go for the second round. Rozenstruik feints a low kick and thinks better of it. Pavlovich probes with his jab. Rozenstruik down blocks a front kick to the body. Pavlovich resets, keeps his head and feet moving and hunts for potential openings. Again, neither man eager to throw. Inside leg kick from Rozenstruik. Pavlovich steps forward with a left hook, then evades the return fire. Fans growing restless with the inactivity. Pavlovich connects with a counter right hook, drives forward and secures a takedown. He lands in half guard and throws his ground-and-pound into gear. Pavlovich swings his left hand into the Surinamese kickboxer’s head repeatedly, doing more than enough to avoid a restart. Rozenstruik going nowhere with less than a minute on the clock. Looks like he will head to the third round in a significant hole on the scorecards. Pavlovich peppers him with short punches until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pavlovich
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pavlovich
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pavlovich
Round 3
Rozenstruik likely needs a finish here. The flick jabs at one another. Pavlovich lands with a left hook. Smith asks for more action. They trade powerful left hooks. Neither man goes down. More jabs from both man. Pavlovich steps into a body lock behind an overhand right and secures a takedown. With three minutes to go, Rozenstruik’s situation has grown downright dire. He has shown no ability to get back to his feet thus far. Pavlovich works in half guard, scoring with left hands to the body and forearm strikes to the head. Rozenstruik still flat on his back at the base of his cage. Pavlovich staying busy, even though he has not yet landed anything of consequence. He mixes left hands to the body with rights to the head. Rozenstruik gets to his knees with a minute to go and finally gets back to his feet. They separate with 30 seconds on the clock. Pavlovich buckles his opponent with a counter left hook. Rozenstruik lunges in with a left hook, but the Hail Mary finish he seeks fails to materialize.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 30-27 Pavlovich
Scottie Smith scores the round: 30-27 Pavlovich
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 30-27 Pavlovich
The Official Result
Sergei Pavlovich def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Jairzinho Rozenstruik, citing his technical striking and counter-striking ability. He notes that Sergei Pavlovich struggles against a jab, as seen in his loss to Volkov. He believes Rozenstruik's Muay Thai and patience will allow him to frustrate Pavlovich and take over as the fight goes on. He acknowledges Pavlovich's power and speed but thinks Rozenstruik's technique wins.
Big Brady thinks Sergei Pavlovich needs to be aggressive to win. He notes Pavlovich looked terrible against Volkov when he wasn't aggressive, but when he rushes forward he knocks people out. Brady believes if Pavlovich brings aggression, he will sleep Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the first round. He chalks up the Volkov fight to them being friends/training partners.
Connor picks Pavlovich, believing he can overwhelm Rozenstruik early with his power. He notes that Rozenstruik is a trigger counter puncher who stands with locked knees, making him vulnerable to a bull rush. Connor thinks Pavlovich's loss to Volkov was due to familiarity and that he will revert to his aggressive style. However, he acknowledges that if Pavlovich hesitates or tries to be technical, he will lose.
James picks Pavlovich to win by knockout in round one, but he is not confident and sees value on Rozenstruik. He notes Pavlovich's tendency to fade if he doesn't get an early KO, and that Rozenstruik has a chance to win by decision or knockout in later rounds. He mentions Rozenstruik's decision prop at +700 as a potential small play. He is undecided on betting Rozenstruik.
Rozenstruik is the technically better striker and will use his mobility, straight jabs, and counters to pick apart Pavlovich's wild combinations. He is expected to win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Sergei Pavlovich to win by first-round TKO. He believes Pavlovich has a great chin and will remind people he is a top heavyweight. He notes Rozenstruik was finished by Volkov and that Pavlovich took a beating from Volkov but never got finished. He expects a dominant performance.
Zane picks Rozenstruik, arguing that Pavlovich is a one-dimensional brawler who has not evolved. He notes that Rozenstruik is a durable counter puncher who can settle in and pick apart aggressive fighters. Zane believes Pavlovich's lack of a range game and poor fight IQ will be exposed, and that Rozenstruik's trigger countering will catch him coming in.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 37 of 126 | 29% | 37 of 126 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 91 of 184 | 49% | 92 of 185 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 9 of 38 | 23% | 9 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 19 of 48 | 39% | 19 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 13 of 38 | 34% | 13 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 36 of 69 | 52% | 37 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 15 of 50 | 30% | 15 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 0 | 36 of 67 | 53% | 36 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 37 of 126 | 29% | 19 of 92 | 6 of 17 | 12 of 17 | 37 of 124 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 91 of 184 | 49% | 58 of 146 | 12 of 16 | 21 of 22 | 86 of 177 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 9 of 38 | 23% | 1 of 22 | 2 of 5 | 6 of 11 | 9 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 19 of 48 | 39% | 5 of 32 | 4 of 6 | 10 of 10 | 19 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 13 of 38 | 34% | 8 of 28 | 1 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 13 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 36 of 69 | 52% | 27 of 57 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 33 of 65 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 15 of 50 | 30% | 10 of 42 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tai Tuivasa | 36 of 67 | 53% | 26 of 57 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 34 of 64 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rozenstruik (-225), Tuivasa (+185)
Round 1
The UFC has thrown the crowd some red meat on the main card in the form of a good old-fashioned heavyweight slobberknocker. While Rozenstruik (14-5, 8-5 UFC) may have the kickboxing background and is a more technical man compared to his opponent, he does not shy away from throwing bungalows when the mood strikes him. Tuivasa (14-7, 8-7 UFC) will feed him that mood as well as several punches, if he has anything to say about it. Referee Marc Goddard buckles up for what is about to come next. Happy as a clam to fight in front of a crowd that is drowning him with adoration, Tuivasa offers a fist bump that is gladly accepted. Rozenstruik moves to the center of the cage to start, and he stays away from a front kick lobbed at him. Rozenstruik snaps out a kick to the lead leg, and he lands one on the inside as well. Tuivasa gives him a kick back to think about, and Rozenstruik counters with a right over the top. Tuivasa kicks him again, and he leans back to dodge it. The Aussie absorbs another low kick and adjusts his shorts, and he sits down on a right hand when Rozenstruik inevitably chops at his front wheel again. Tuivasa uses several feints to draw out wide reactions, and he overkicks to turn himself around. Rozenstruik reaches him with a one-two, and he retreats before getting countered. Tuivasa sells out on another inaccurate kick, and Rozenstruik prods him with a jab. Rozenstruik gets in a left hook and a hard calf kick, and he absorbs a much heavier one coming back. They jab at the same time, and Rozenstruik paws out his left hook to measure. Tuivasa gets a front kick to land on the belly, and he winds up with a right hand and pulls it back as Rozenstruik flinches. Tuivasa chips with kicks on both sides, and he gets off a left hook and is met with a left to the chest. Tuivasa keeps his guard up to block a lead left hook, and he tries to jab his way in only to get met with quicker offense. Tuivasa misses with a low kick and dodges a looping strike in response, but Rozenstruik still gets him in the belly. Rozenstruik kicks his man in the side, and he gets clipped with two big hooks right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Round 2
The big men touch ‘em up to begin Round 2, and Rozenstruik leads behind several jabs. When Tuivasa tries to do the same, Rozenstruik chews up his front leg. Rozenstruik loads up and smashes Tuivasa in the side of the head with a right hand, and he manages to escape danger by a matter of inches when Tuivasa tries to retaliate. Tuivasa goes after his opponent with a right hand, and Rozenstruik is just out of range. Tuivasa stands firm, cracking Rozenstruik with a right hand, and Tuivasa absorbs a flush knee to the body on the way out. Tuivasa slugs with a right hand, and Rozenstruik turns the corner and strings several punches together. Tuivasa rebounds off the fencing, and he walks face-first into a right hand and a knee. Tuivasa backs his adversary to the wall but is not able to catch him with anything clean, and he is slowly working his way forward. Tuivasa engages with a hard right hand, and he releases a low kick that slams his foot into Rozenstruik’s knee. Tuivasa limps back, and Rozenstruik charges at him and lays into him with a mighty blitz of punches. Tuivasa gets cut on the right side of his face, and he starts firing back, backing Rozenstruik away and hurting him as well. Tuivasa shakes his foot out and struggles to put weight on it. Rozenstruik lines a one-two down the pipe, and a head kick that follows is blocked. Tuivasa catches Rozenstruik ducking down, but it is one-and-done. Rozenstruik lands a few kicks, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Round 3
Gloves are touched to kick off the final round, much to the surprise of many that it got this far. Rozenstruik keeps behind his jab to stop Tuivasa from reaching him, and a leg kick after it is also effective. Tuivasa uses his own jab, but it is not able to reach the target. A right hand does, and Rozenstruik counters right back. Tuivasa is out of range of a front kick, and two jabs fall short as well. Rozenstruik snaps the head back with his own jab, and he kicks the body and escapes as Tuivasa lumbers towards him. Tuivasa finds his own with a left and then a right, and Rozenstruik scoots away from any further blows before stabbing out a jab. Tuivasa lands a stance-changing low kick, and he elbows Rozenstruik when Rozenstruik loads up on a left hand. Tuivasa walks through a jab to unload with a right, and Rozenstruik catches him with a right on the inside. Rozenstruik stays composed and watches massive right hands soar past him, and he pushes off with a front kick that adjusts Tuivasa’s cup. Tuivasa waves Goddard off, and he practically sprints at Rozenstruik with his right hand firing off. Rozenstruik’s head movement keeps him safe, and his jab peppers the Aussie again and again. Rozenstruik shields himself from the telegraphed bombs, and he gets up close and scores a short right hand. As Tuivasa goes wide, Rozenstruik pretends to smooth out his hair—he is bald, so it is a mocking gesture. Rozenstruik plods out with front kicks and jabs, keeping Tuivasa from getting his hands on him. Tuivasa sells out with big punches, and he points the ground to force a brawl. Rozenstruik does the same, and they blast one another with ferocious punches. This continues right to the final horn, and they have made it the distance.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik (30-27 Rozenstruik)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik (30-27 Rozenstruik)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik (30-27 Rozenstruik)
The Official Result
Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Tai Tuivasa via Split Decision (29-28, 27-30, 30-27)
Angelo picks Jairzinho Rozenstruik because he is a great counter striker who will step off and land big on Tai Tuivasa, who overcommits and has a compromised chin. He notes that Tuivasa has been knocked down in four straight fights and that Rozenstruik's technique will be the difference. He expects a one-punch knockout and will look for prop value.
Big Brady picks Jairzinho Rozenstruik to win by second-round knockout. He criticizes the matchmaking for giving Tuivasa a tough fight when he is on a four-fight skid and a fan favorite in Australia. He believes Rozenstruik is the better striker and that Tuivasa is very hittable and has been getting hurt in fights. He expects Rozenstruik to knock him out in the second round. He notes both fighters are likely to stand and bang, making it an entertaining fight.
Cody points to Tuivasa's four-fight losing streak, declining durability, and lack of recent power, while Rozenstruik is coming off a win and has a style that can pick Tuivasa apart from range. He notes Rozenstruik's volume and leg kicks will be key, and that Tuivasa's heart may not be in it anymore. Cody expects a decision or late stoppage for Rozenstruik.
Daniel Vreeland picks Jairzinho Rozenstruik to win, citing Tuivasa's four-fight losing streak and questionable camp. He acknowledges that Tuivasa has knockout power and that the fight could go either way, but believes Rozenstruik is the cleaner striker with better cardio. Vreeland notes that he might bet Tuivasa as a dog but is leaning toward Rozenstruik for the pick.
Vreeland picks Rozenstruik, citing his recent win showing he still has something left. He notes Tuivasa has lost four straight and lacks durability. He suggests the knockout prop for better odds, as Rozenstruik has power to finish.
Fox picks Tuivasa, believing he can land a big shot if he backs Rozenstruik to the cage. He criticizes Rozenstruik's performance against Gajiev, noting he backed up and won by TKO due to Gajiev's poor cardio. Fox thinks Tuivasa's one-touch power and lack of takedown threat give him a chance.
The host is confident in Rozenstruik, citing his technical striking superiority and jab. He expects Rozenstruik to control the pace and knock out Tuivasa, who he sees as a one-dimensional knockout-or-bust fighter. He acknowledges the heavyweight volatility but feels stylistically Rozenstruik is far superior.
Paul acknowledges Tuivasa's losing streak and durability concerns but believes the crowd and the matchup favor him as a banger. He notes that both fighters are strikers and that Tuivasa has a puncher's chance, especially in front of an Australian crowd. Paul calls it a 'dogger pass' type of fight and leans toward Tuivasa as a live underdog.
The MMA Guru picks Jairzinho Rozenstruik over Tai Tuivasa. He criticizes Tuivasa's lack of discipline and commitment, noting he has lost four in a row, including a first-round finish to Martin Tybura. He believes Rozenstruik is a more technical kickboxer with a good jab and inside leg kicks. He notes Tuivasa is hittable and has been finished before. He expects Rozenstruik to land more and win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 127 of 215 | 59% | 140 of 230 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 22 of 68 | 32% | 27 of 75 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 4:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 13 of 31 | 41% | 15 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 12 of 23 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:46 | |
| 2 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 19 of 41 | 46% | 26 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 7 of 19 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:04 | |
| 3 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 47 of 75 | 62% | 47 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 5 of 19 | 26% | 5 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 48 of 68 | 70% | 52 of 73 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 2 of 12 | 16% | 3 of 14 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 127 of 215 | 59% | 78 of 158 | 30 of 37 | 19 of 20 | 123 of 209 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 22 of 68 | 32% | 16 of 59 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 60 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 13 of 31 | 41% | 8 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 8 of 18 | 44% | 7 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 19 of 41 | 46% | 11 of 32 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 19 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 7 of 19 | 36% | 2 of 13 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 47 of 75 | 62% | 24 of 48 | 16 of 19 | 7 of 8 | 47 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 5 of 19 | 26% | 5 of 17 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 48 of 68 | 70% | 35 of 53 | 7 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 45 of 64 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 2 of 12 | 16% | 2 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gaziev (-148), Rozenstruik (+124)
Round 1
It’s all down to the heavyweights tonight. The big men sport nearly identical finish rates, with their primary method of victory by knockout, so referee Marc Goddard might not need to put in 25 minutes of work here. Former kickboxer Rozenstruik (13-5, 7-5 UFC) would like nothing more than to blunt the momentum of the undefeated Gaziev (12-0, 1-0 UFC), and he will have five rounds or less to spring the minor betting upset. They touch gloves respectfully, and prepare to handle their business. Rozenstruik circles to the outside, lands a leg kick, and gets himself ready to stop a takedown. Gaziev shoots, and he bounces off the fence when he misses. Rozenstruik strafes to the side and lands a right hand that makes Gaziev lick his lips. Rozenstruik scores a leg kick, and he comes up short on an overhand right. Rozenstruik paws out a jab, and his foe backs him to the fence. Gaziev crashes the pocket for a takedown, and Rozenstruik stands him up immediately and smacks him with a right hand. Rozenstruik jabs, and he avoids a huge right hand. Another Gaziev crashing takedown effort gets stopped in its tracks, and Rozenstruik busts his foe’s nose open with his fists. Gaziev shows little setup when he tries to take the fight down, and does not even bend over so much as he runs straight ahead. Rozenstruik briefly knocks him back with a one-two, and Gaziev gets right back to his constant forward pressure. Rozenstruik scores a right hand and then jabs his way out to safety. Gaziev swings as hard as he can with a left and a monstrous right, and Rozenstruik dodges by a matter of inches. Gaziev plods ahead and then lumbers into a clinch, swinging slow punches all the while. Gaziev drops down to scoop up a single, and he lifts the kickboxer up and slams him down. Gaziev connects with a few short punches from above, and keeps his weight pressed down heavily. The round ends with Gaziev sitting up measuring a strike.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Round 2
The big men reach Round 2, and Rozenstruik reintroduces himself with multiple snappy jabs. Gaziev lumbers forward, and Rozenstruik uses head movement to dodge the majority of the big punches coming from the Bahraini. Rozenstruik reaches out with punches and low kicks, and he smiles when eating a jab as they high-five from an exchange. Rozenstruik looks for two punches, and Gaziev sneaks a counter right around the top to back him away. Gaziev pushes out his own jab, and Rozenstruik goes to the body and then reaches out with a one-two. Gaziev smiles when he eats a jab, and he fails to land when swinging at the kickboxer. Gaziev drives a knee right to the belly, and Rozenstruik responds with a single jab. Gaziev swings with more of a hammerfist than a straight punch, and Rozenstruik chops at his lead leg when Gaziev slowly moves forward. Rozenstruik naps out his jab to decent effect, disrupting the oncoming Gaziev until Gaziev simply decides to rumble forward like a tank and go after a single. Rozenstruik uses the wall behind him to keep himself upright, and he pulls his leg down to stop the effort. The two trade knees to the gut, and Gaziev presses tightly to control “Bigi Boy.” Rozenstruik gets in a few more short knees to the body, and Gaziev fails on another takedown effort. Goddard asks them to work as Gaziev stalls out, and Rozenstruik tries to get away again only to be snagged by his opponent and held in the clinch until the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Round 3
It is the third round, and these two heavyweights are quite fatigued to this point. They meet in the middle with a glove touch, and Rozenstruik stands firm and jabs the head and body. “Bigi Boy” lands a leg kick, and he paws out with several jabs to keep Gaziev at bay. Gaziev clubs his foe with a right hand, and he sneaks another right around the jab to get Rozenstruik’s attention. Rozenstruik throws back with a single right after multiple jabs, and Gaziev’s nose is bloodied and his mouth wide open. Gaziev charges, landing a left hand, but he gets stunned with a right hand that nearly dislodges his mouthpiece. Gaziev holds his mouthguard like it is about to fly out, as he appears to be struggling to breathe. Rozenstruik snaps out jab after jab, and blood sprays from Gaziev’s nose when he absorbs each and every blow. Rozenstruik rips a right hand to the body, and he hops away from the offense from Gaziev that is slow and labored. Gaziev continues to shuffle his mouthpiece, and Rozenstruik opens up with a fierce combination ending with a chopping low kick. Gaziev reaches out with his arms outstretched, and Rozenstruik snaps his head back with a mean jab. Gaziev sits down on a right hand counter, and Rozenstruik has to shake it out and backpedal. Rozenstruik gathers his thoughts and jabs away, and when he lands a leg kick, he gets knocked back with a right hand. The kick did enough damage to draw out a minimal limp, and both men stand in front of one another and engage in a brief, fierce exchange to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Round 4
The championship rounds have been reached, much to the surprise of most prognosticators. Rozenstruik does not change his approach, with jabs and leg kicks completely flustering the undefeated fighter. Rozenstruik’s power jab stops Gaziev from hitting him cleanly, until Gaziev decides he is sick of getting hit and runs forward. Gaziev unleashes several big punches, knocking “Bigi Boy” against the fencing, and he shoots for a takedown to follow and try to take back some momentum. Rozenstruik staves it off and slides away to not get hit by an elbow on the break, and he returns to striking range while Gaziev is chewing on his mouthpiece. Rozenstruik jabs the face and chest, and Gaziev glares at him but does not have the energy reserves to do anything more but look angry. Gaziev tries to throw a single punch, and he does not have the gas to reach his opponent. Rozenstruik opens up with a left and a huge right, seeing that Gaziev is spent. He releases several more heavy punches, stinging the unbeaten fighter, and starts feeling himself. Rozenstruik jabs and smacks Gaziev in the face, and he lets Gaziev swing futilely back his direction. Rozenstruik lets go with additional jabs and doubles up on a leg kick as Gaziev looks down at his damaged limb but does not keep attacking. The jab dislodges Gaziev’s gumshield, and Rozenstruik walks off to celebrate the cool moment as Goddard recovers it and has Gaziev replace it. Rozenstruik surges into action as seconds are left in the round, and he shoots for his own takedown so Gaziev sells out defending it, and he bails on it to unload with a flurry of strikes to end the round. As Gaziev sits on his stool, he seems to tell his corner he cannot continue. The translation is not clear, whether he is injured or exhausted or something else. Gaziev stands up, and with his corner still in the cage, Goddard goes over to them all and calls time. Goddard demands that the corner translate what Gaziev was saying, and eventually they inform him that Gaziev says he cannot see. Goddard has the doctor check out Gaziev, but before the physician can determine any lack of vision, Gaziev shakes his head and seems to motion that he is all done tonight after getting beaten up for 20 minutes. Therefore, it is a stoppage via retirement at the end of the fourth round. It is a crucial win for the former kickboxer, as he strips the 0 from Gaziev’s record, and turns a rough patch to 2-1 in his last three. In his post-fight interview, Rozenstruik welcomes any challenge, and many minds immediately go to Derrick Lewis, as the two sluggers have never met. Next week, it is a massive night for the sport as UFC 299 goes down in Miami with a blockbuster lineup. We will be here for it, and we hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
The Official Result
Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Shamil Gaziev R4 5:00 via TKO (Retirement)
Angelo picks Shamil Gaziev, calling the -140 odds a gift. He notes Rozenstruik is one-dimensional and flat-footed, while Gaziev has power, wrestling, and better movement. He has a full unit bet on Gaziev and expects him to win.
Big Brady picks Rozenstruik despite acknowledging Gaziev's power and early finishing ability. He notes that Gaziev has only been past 1.5 rounds once and has cardio concerns, while Rozenstruik has five-round experience and a fifth-round knockout. He believes if the fight extends, it heavily favors Rozenstruik. However, he admits he has no confidence in the pick and won't bet the fight except maybe a prop.
Cody sees Rozenstruik as a live underdog due to his knockout power and proven five-round cardio, noting that Gaziev has weak cardio and has never been extended beyond two rounds. He believes if Rozenstruik survives the early takedown onslaught, Gaziev will gas and Rozenstruik can finish him late. He compares it to the Overeem fight where Rozenstruik knocked him out in the fifth round.
Gaziev is a strong grappler who should get the fight to the ground with relative ease. Rozenstruik struggles against grapplers, as seen in losses to Curtis Blaydes, Jailton Almeida, and Alexander Volkov. Gaziev's striking confidence has improved, and he can stay safe from Rozenstruik's power until he secures a takedown. Once on the ground, Gaziev's strength will be too much, leading to a TKO or submission finish within the first round. The host considers -145 a gift line.
Paul picks Gaziev but acknowledges it's a 60/40 fight and not one he has a big edge on. He expects Gaziev to get early takedowns but questions what happens after that, noting Gaziev's cardio concerns. He mentions the fight feels like a toss-up and he's not entirely confident.
The MMA Guru struggles with this pick but ultimately goes with Rozenstruik. He thinks Gaziev is open on the feet and has been dropped before, while Rozenstruik has power and experience in main events. He worries about Rozenstruik's takedown defense but believes he can survive and find opportunities. He predicts a KO in round one and mentions betting on Rozenstruik as an underdog.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jailton Almeida | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 14 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jailton Almeida | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 14 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:09 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jailton Almeida | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 4 of 7 | 57% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jailton Almeida | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 4 of 7 | 57% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
Angelo picks Almeida, noting his powerful hands, incredible grappling, and non-stop pressure. He mentions Almeida has never gone to a decision in the UFC and all wins are by stoppage. He cautions that Almeida is a 205-pounder moving up to heavyweight, but hasn't struggled yet. He says the only way to bet him is through parlays because the line is too high for moneyline, and calls him safe to parlay.
Big Brady expects Almeida to shoot a takedown within the first 10-20 seconds, as he always does. He notes Rozenstruik has poor takedown defense and a weak ground game, citing past fights where he was taken down by Overeem, Blaydes, and even Junior Albini. Brady predicts Almeida will take Rozenstruik's back and finish via submission or ground-and-pound in the first round. He calls it a 'pretty hilarious fight' that won't last long.
Cody agrees with Paul, picking Almeida but noting the big favorite price is concerning. He highlights Almeida's takedown entries and ground control, and mentions Rozenstruik's poor takedown defense and hesitancy. He expects Almeida to finish inside the distance, likely by TKO from mount, and discusses the under 1.5 rounds and under 1.5 takedowns props.
Connor agrees with Zane, calling it a clear grappling mismatch. He highlights that Rozenstruik is a lifelong kickboxer with no grappling, and Almeida is a specialist who will take him down and finish him. He notes that heavyweights don't grapple, so Almeida's skills are especially effective.
Daniel Levi picks Jailton Almeida to win, citing Almeida's elite jiu-jitsu and wrestling that should overwhelm Rozenstruik on the mat. He notes Rozenstruik's takedown defense is poor and his ground survival skills have not been tested against a black belt of Almeida's caliber. Levi expects Almeida to employ his usual game plan of takedowns and ground control, leading to a stoppage via submission or ground and pound. He acknowledges Rozenstruik's power and kickboxing background but believes Almeida's path to victory is decisive on the mat.
James sees this as a straightforward matchup where Almeida's elite wrestling and grappling will overwhelm Rozenstruik, who is primarily a kickboxer with poor takedown defense. He references Curtis Blaydes' success taking Rozenstruik down at will and believes Almeida is even more athletic and stronger. James notes Rozenstruik's only path to victory is an early knockout, but once taken down, he expects Almeida to dominate and finish. He predicts a first-round finish via TKO or submission, though he won't bet the moneyline at -500.
Almeida is a hot prospect moving up to heavyweight, with speed and grappling advantages. He sets up takedowns with power shots, drags opponents to the mat, and mauls them with ground-and-pound or submissions. Rozenstruik is one-dimensional, relying on knockout power, but has nothing off his back and struggles against well-rounded fighters. Almeida will get the fight to the ground and finish emphatically in the first round.
Paul picks Almeida confidently, citing his elite grappling and takedown ability. He notes that Almeida gets the takedown early and dominates on the ground, but the minus 500 price is too steep for a bet due to heavyweight volatility. He acknowledges Rozenstruik's puncher's chance but believes Almeida's wrestling is overwhelming.
The MMA Guru picks Jailton Almeida, citing his grappling dominance and finishing ability. He notes Almeida's success in grappling tournaments and his recent submission wins. He believes Almeida will take Rozenstruik down and submit him, as Rozenstruik has looked lost on the ground against Overeem and Blaydes. He predicts a first-round TKO or submission.
Zane sees this as a clear grappling mismatch. He notes that Rozenstruik is clueless off his back and that Almeida is a relentless grappler who finishes everyone. He emphasizes that Almeida's takedown game, especially low singles, will be impossible for Rozenstruik to defend, and once taken down, Almeida will punish him thoroughly.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 1 | 12 of 21 | 57% | 12 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Chris Daukaus | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 1 | 12 of 21 | 57% | 12 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Chris Daukaus | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 12 of 21 | 57% | 12 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
| Chris Daukaus | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 12 of 21 | 57% | 12 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
| Chris Daukaus | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Daukaus despite Rozenstruik being a 2-1 favorite, because he believes Daukaus is the better striker with better footwork, speed, and volume. He notes both have power and suspect chins, making it essentially a 50-50 fight. He advises not to bet on this fight due to the volatility, but suggests using both in knockout Kings entries.
Big Brady picks Jairzinho Rozenstruik, emphasizing his superior power and questioning Daukaus's chin after being knocked out by Curtis Blaydes. He notes Rozenstruik has been more active and hits harder, and expects a first-round knockout. He criticizes the UFC for feeding Daukaus to a heavy hitter.
Cody picks Rozenstruik, citing his power and kickboxing background. He notes Daukaus has durability issues, having been knocked out by Lewis and Blaydes. He thinks Rozenstruik will land a counter right hand and knock him out. He suggests Rozenstruik by knockout or under 1.5 rounds.
Lock picks Rozenstruik to win, likely by knockout, but he is not comfortable paying the chalk price. He notes that Rozenstruik doesn't always maximize his knockout opportunities, making him hesitant even on the KO line at -125. From a PredictionStrike perspective, he suggests a pump and dump: buy Rozenstruik this weekend, sell after the win, because Rozenstruik has a ceiling and won't crack the top five again. He also mentions Daukaus might be cut after a third straight loss.
Paul picks Rozenstruik, noting his power and that Daukaus has been knocked out by heavy hitters. He is more interested in the under 1.5 rounds prop, as he expects a finish. He acknowledges Rozenstruik is coming off a knockout loss but thinks Daukaus' durability is a bigger issue.
The MMA Guru picks Jairzinho Rozenstruik over Chris Daukaus by first-round KO. He criticizes Daukaus's chin and believes he was exposed in his fight against Shamil Abdurakhimov, where he got hit a lot. Rozenstruik has a reach advantage and power, and Daukaus is coming off a loss by his brother. He predicts Rozenstruik will put him down early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkov | 0 | 21 of 37 | 56% | 21 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 6 of 18 | 33% | 6 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkov | 0 | 21 of 37 | 56% | 21 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 6 of 18 | 33% | 6 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkov | 21 of 37 | 56% | 10 of 26 | 5 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 21 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 6 of 18 | 33% | 3 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkov | 21 of 37 | 56% | 10 of 26 | 5 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 21 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 6 of 18 | 33% | 3 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Volkov (-155), Rozenstruik (+135)
Round 1
The heavyweight headliner is upon us as 515.5 pounds of man is slated to meet in the center of the cage in mere moments. Both Volkov (34-10, 8-4 UFC) and Rozenstruik (12-3, 6-3 UFC) are clinging to spots in the bottom half of the top 10 of the weight class, and a loss could eject one into the 11-15 range. Knockout rates of 65% for Volkov and 92% for “Bigi Boy” will throw down as referee Herb Dean hangs on tight, and fight fans around the world hope for action and excitement in the last fight of the day. Large gloves get touched ahead of the final bout of the card, and the main event is on. Two kicks from Volkov come fast, and Rozenstruik responds with one to the lower leg. Volkov is active in the first 15 seconds with a handful of kicks to all targets, including a high kick that slaps off Rozenstruik’s right hand. Volkov absorbs a low kick after blocking a punch, and he jabs his foe several times to the body. “Drago” chips away with body kicks, loosing a kiai every time he strikes. Volkov lands a few to the legs, and when he goes to the body, Rozenstruik pounces. Rozenstruik just misses on a huge, looping hook, and Volkov gathers himself and pierces the guard with a jab and a low kick. The former kickboxer responds with a heavier leg kick, and Volkov gets lazy when he lands a body kick again. Rozenstruik comes out furiously, letting loose with a few punches up high that surprise the Russian. Volkov staggers Rozenstruik with a straight right hand, and Rozenstruik leans towards the wall as he is in big trouble from the blow.
Three lightning-quick punches from “Drago” dislodge the mouthpiece of Rozenstruik, and Volkov continues punching as Rozenstruik’s lights flicker in and out. Smelling blood and knowing he could get his first first-round finish since 2016, Volkov unleashes a fury to match his tattoo, with a final barrage of punches that knock Rozenstruik against the wall. Dean intervenes before Rozenstruik hits the mat or loses consciousness, and he must not have liked what he saw by Rozenstruik’s body language to step in like this.
Volkov gets peeled away and Rozenstruik staggers off, but he is on his feet still and protests to Dean that he was not out. No matter what he says, the fight is over, and “Bigi Boy” is clearly on wobbled legs from the damage he absorbed when Volkov teed off on him. Volkov is back in the win column in a big way, with a knockout that will keep him in contendership for the foreseeable future. That is one event in the books, and many more are to come for the next several weeks. UFC 275 in Singapore – and four Road to UFC events before that – are on deck next week. We will be here for all of it, and we hope you are too.
The Official Result
Alexander Volkov def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik R1 2:12 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo trusts Volkov's fight IQ and long striking style to keep him out of danger against Rozenstruik's one-punch power. He notes Volkov's recent losses were to elite grapplers and strikers, and believes Volkov can win a technical striking match or even mix in takedowns. The only worry is a repeat of the Derrick Lewis loss, but he sides with Volkov.
Big Brady picks Alexander Volkov to win by decision. He thinks Volkov will be the clear minute winner with his volume and reach advantage, out-striking Rozenstruik over five rounds. He acknowledges Rozenstruik's power and that it only takes one shot, but believes Volkov's chin is good and he can avoid the knockout. He notes Volkov has looked off in recent fights (against Tybura and Aspinall) but still expects him to win. He mentions that Rozenstruik by KO at +200 is a possible prop.
Cody agrees with Paul's assessment, emphasizing Volkov's reach, output, and ability to stay on the outside. He notes Rozenstruik's power and the small cage as concerns but believes Volkov's volume will be key. He picks Volkov by decision and also likes the over 3.5 rounds.
Daniel Levi picks Jairzinho Rozenstruik as the underdog, citing Volkov's decline after the Ciryl Gane fight and poor performances against Tybura and Aspinall. He notes Rozenstruik's power, counter-striking, and the small cage favoring the shorter fighter. He recommends a one-unit bet on Rozenstruik by knockout at +210, as he doubts Volkov's durability and motivation.
Paul argues that Volkov's high volume and durability should carry him to victory as long as he avoids getting knocked out. He notes that Rozenstruik is low-volume and unlikely to win a decision, and suggests Volkov by decision is a strong prop. He acknowledges the risk of Rozenstruik's power but believes Volkov's output will be decisive.
The MMA Guru picks Alexander Volkov to win by decision. He criticizes Rozenstruik as 'fat', 'untrustworthy', and a 'coward', noting he often hesitates and stands around. He believes Volkov's range, front kicks, and size advantage will keep Rozenstruik at bay. He mentions Volkov's underrated chin and activity, and thinks Rozenstruik will freeze up. He predicts a lackluster decision with Volkov winning the majority of rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curtis Blaydes | 0 | 32 of 96 | 33% | 113 of 190 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 6:19 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 18 of 68 | 26% | 46 of 99 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Curtis Blaydes | 0 | 19 of 42 | 45% | 27 of 56 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:54 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 6 of 28 | 21% | 13 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Curtis Blaydes | 0 | 8 of 37 | 21% | 43 of 73 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:20 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 10 of 31 | 32% | 23 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Curtis Blaydes | 0 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 43 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:05 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 10 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curtis Blaydes | 32 of 96 | 33% | 18 of 76 | 6 of 8 | 8 of 12 | 24 of 86 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 10 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 18 of 68 | 26% | 17 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 16 of 65 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Curtis Blaydes | 19 of 42 | 45% | 10 of 30 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 11 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 10 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 6 of 28 | 21% | 5 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Curtis Blaydes | 8 of 37 | 21% | 5 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 4 | 8 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 10 of 31 | 32% | 10 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Curtis Blaydes | 5 of 17 | 29% | 3 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 2 of 9 | 22% | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Blaydes, citing his exceptional wrestling for a heavyweight, with fast entries and relentless top control. He notes that Rozenstruik is a heavy-handed counter-striker but struggles when pressured. Angelo acknowledges the risk of Blaydes getting knocked out again but believes he only needs three takedowns to win.
Big Brady picks Curtis Blaydes to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Rozenstruik has poor takedown defense and has been taken down easily by lesser wrestlers. Blaydes is a superior wrestler with great ground-and-pound, and Brady expects him to take Rozenstruik down and finish him. He acknowledges the heavyweight power threat but is confident in Blaydes.
Cody likes Blaydes' wrestling and cardio but is nervous about his history of getting knocked out by power punchers. He thinks Blaydes will grind out a decision, as Rozenstruik is durable but not likely to be finished by Blaydes. He prefers Blaydes by decision at +200 or Rozenstruik by KO at +400.
Daniel Levi leans with Curtis Blaydes, expecting him to attempt more takedowns than in his last fight against Derrick Lewis (0 for 3). He notes that Rozenstruik has poor takedown defense and get-up game, but also has knockout power. Levi is concerned about Blaydes' chin and the fact that he got knocked out by Lewis. He believes if Blaydes gets takedowns, he will maul Rozenstruik, but if not, Rozenstruik could catch him.
Jacob picks Blaydes, expecting a copy-paste of the Derrick Lewis fight. He notes Blaydes has bounced back from knockouts before and is level-headed. Jacob believes Blaydes will get takedowns and control the fight, making it boring but effective.
The host picks Curtis Blaydes by second-round TKO. He believes Blaydes will take Rozenstruik down and finish him on the ground. He notes that Blaydes learned from the Lewis fight and will shoot to the correct side. He thinks Rozenstruik's takedown defense is not good enough and that Blaydes' wrestling pedigree will be decisive. He also mentions a submission prop as a sprinkle.
Paul picks Blaydes but is nervous about the price, noting Blaydes' history of getting knocked out. He thinks Blaydes' wrestling will be effective in a three-round fight and expects him to win, but considers Rozenstruik's power a threat. He mentions Blaydes by decision as a possible play.
The MMA Guru picks Curtis Blaydes over Jairzinho Rozenstruik, citing Blaydes' wrestling and size advantage. He notes that Rozenstruik is not in great shape and has poor takedown defense. He expects Blaydes to mix in takedowns with striking, take Rozenstruik down, and pound him out for a second-round TKO. He acknowledges Rozenstruik's puncher's chance but believes Blaydes wins nine times out of ten.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 1 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 16 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Augusto Sakai | 0 | 3 of 14 | 21% | 3 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 1 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 16 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Augusto Sakai | 0 | 3 of 14 | 21% | 3 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 16 of 29 | 55% | 6 of 17 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 15 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Augusto Sakai | 3 of 14 | 21% | 0 of 5 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 16 of 29 | 55% | 6 of 17 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 15 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Augusto Sakai | 3 of 14 | 21% | 0 of 5 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady thinks the line should be flipped and Sakai should be favored. He notes Rozenstruik has the worst striking defense in the heavyweight division (39%) and a negative strike differential, while Sakai has higher volume and a positive differential. He believes Sakai has a good chin and can outwork Rozenstruik over five rounds, possibly getting a late finish. He acknowledges Rozenstruik's power but thinks Sakai is the better fighter.
Cody leans toward Sakai, noting Rozenstruik's tendency to be tentative and take too long to get going. He points out that Sakai has fast hands and good movement, and if he can improve his cardio from the Overeem fight, he could win early rounds. Cody also mentions that Rozenstruik's power is a threat but Sakai is durable. He suggests the over on rounds and that Sakai could win a decision if he doesn't fade.
Daniel favors Sakai because he believes Sakai will be the one moving forward with more volume and a more well-rounded game. He notes that Sakai has a methodical Muay Thai style and good output, while Rozenstruik relies heavily on counter-fighting and one-punch knockout power. Daniel points out that Rozenstruik has been down on scorecards before (e.g., the Overeem fight) and that Sakai is the better round winner. He also mentions that Sakai has a good chin and can take a shot, making it hard for Rozenstruik to land a clean counter. Daniel predicts Sakai will win a decision or possibly by outworking Rozenstruik over five rounds.
Rozenstruik is a one-dimensional knockout artist who is tentative against longer fighters. Sakai has better volume and can use clinch work and takedowns to neutralize Rozenstruik's power. Sakai will win a decision.
Paul picks Sakai as a slight underdog, citing Sakai's fast hands and movement for a heavyweight, and his volume punching. He notes Sakai's cardio failed against Overeem but hopes he has improved. Paul is hesitant because Rozenstruik has power and five-round experience, but he can't get behind Rozenstruik's low volume and slow starts. He suggests the fight starts round three as a prop.
The Guru picks Augusto Sakai, expressing frustration with Rozenstruik's hesitancy and lack of urgency, especially in the Cyril Gane fight. He notes Sakai's good chin, pressure, and ability to mix kicks. He compares their fights against Overeem: Sakai was winning early before gassing, while Rozenstruik was dominated. He predicts Sakai will walk Rozenstruik down, pressure him against the cage, and get a second-round TKO via ground and pound.
Shamil Gaziev - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 41 of 100 | 41% | 51 of 110 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:36 |
| Brando Peričić | 1 | 89 of 163 | 54% | 100 of 177 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 25 of 47 | 53% | 34 of 56 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:46 |
| Brando Peričić | 0 | 42 of 87 | 48% | 52 of 100 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 16 of 53 | 30% | 17 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Brando Peričić | 1 | 47 of 76 | 61% | 48 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamil Gaziev | 41 of 100 | 41% | 30 of 88 | 11 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 34 of 92 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Brando Peričić | 89 of 163 | 54% | 62 of 134 | 14 of 16 | 13 of 13 | 81 of 150 | 8 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shamil Gaziev | 25 of 47 | 53% | 15 of 37 | 10 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 39 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Brando Peričić | 42 of 87 | 48% | 33 of 77 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 35 of 75 | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Shamil Gaziev | 16 of 53 | 30% | 15 of 51 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brando Peričić | 47 of 76 | 61% | 29 of 57 | 10 of 11 | 8 of 8 | 46 of 75 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The good news is that the second straight heavyweight bout on the UFC Perth main card almost has to be an improvement on the first, but we will see what Gaziev (14-2; 3-2 UFC) and Pericic (6-1; 2-0 UFC) have to say about it. Dan Movahedi is the third man in the cage, and Pericic wastes no time in flicking out a left high kick off of Gaziev’s guard. Gaziev changes levels, drives Pericic to the fence and dumps him to the canvas with a double-leg. Pericic remains calm, turns his back and stands up against the fence. Gaziev stays glued to Pericic’s back, driving a few knees to the thighs but mostly appearing to wait for a chance to drag his man back to the ground. Movahedi warns the two to stay busy, then after another warning, breaks them up and sends them back to the center of the cage. There, Pericic quickly nails Gaziev with a laser right hand, then another. Gaziev stands his ground and tries to swing back, but Pericic slips the punches easily and blasts his foe with another salvo of punches. Gaziev is hurt and reeling, with Pericic in pursuit. Pericic snaps Gaziev’s head back with a right cross, then an uppercut. They clinch against the fence and the offense slows. They come off the fence and Pericic lands another pair of long, straight punches. Gaziev catches Pericic with a wild haymaker and he’s hurt! Gaziev tries to follow up but Pericic recovers quickly and lands another combination. Gaziev hits him with another big left hand. The horn sounds on a wild round. 10-9 Pericic.
Round 2
The heavyweights meet in the center of the cage and pick right back up where they left off. Both men land in the ensuing clash, but Pericic gets the better of it, punctuating things with a nice low kick as well. Pericic’s jab is far too quick and accurate for Gaziev to deal with, but he wades right through it and tags the taller man with a pair of hooks. Pericic hurts Gaziev with a one-two and Gaziev goes stumbling back into the fence, but again recovers by the time Pericic can get there to capitalize. Two minutes in, Pericic rocks Gaziev with yet another flurry of punches, and once again Gaziev recovers enough to throw back. They clinch against the cage and take a bit of a breather, but referee Movahedi is telling them to stay busy almost immediately. He separates them moments later and Gaziev is clearly in trouble, mouth hanging open, hands low. He is still trying to throw power shots, but Pericic is the fresher man and his hands are simply too fast.
A final right cross puts Gaziev on his back near the base of the fence and no follow-up is needed, as Movahedi sees that there’s no fight left in the Dagestani.
Brutal work by Brando Pericic in a wild heavyweight brawl.
The Official Result
Brando Pericic def. Shamil Gaziev R2 3:44 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Brando Peričić, relying on his athleticism and striking. He acknowledges Shamil Gaziev's wrestling potential but believes Brando's takedown defense will hold up. He notes that if Brando defends early takedowns, he will outstrike Gaziev. However, he admits uncertainty about Brando's takedown defense at a high level.
Big Brady picks Brando Peričić to win by first-round knockout. He praises Peričić's massive power and aggressive style, comparing him to a heavyweight Terrance McKinney. Brady notes that Gaziev is overrated and coming off a knockout loss, and believes Peričić's power will be too much early in the fight.
Cody picks Peričić, calling him 'his boy' and believing he will knock out Gaziev. He notes Gaziev's poor cardio and wrestling, and thinks Peričić's kickboxing and volume will overwhelm him.
Daniel Vreeland picks Brando Peričić based on momentum, but is not confident due to Gaziev's takedown threat and Peričić's untested chin. He notes Gaziev's cardio issues and Peričić's ability to get up from takedowns.
Perišić is a slight favorite with dangerous striking and good takedown defense shown against Sutherland. Gaziev is slow, clunky, and has poor takedown entries. Perišić should keep the fight standing and knock Gaziev out, but his cardio is unknown. A speculative bet, not too big.
Lucrative James picks Brando Peričić to win via knockout in round one. He admits bias as he knows Peričić personally, but believes Peričić's firepower and Gaziev's recent knockout loss make it likely. He notes Gaziev is a tough opponent but expects Peričić to get the finish.
The host fades Peričić, believing Gaziev's strength and wrestling will get the fight to the ground and lead to a TKO or submission. He thinks Peričić still has grappling holes and Gaziev is the right stylistic matchup to exploit them. The host notes Gaziev's explosive grappling and power.
Paul picks Peričić, citing his youth and pace, and questions Gaziev's cardio and wrestling effectiveness at heavyweight. He believes Peričić will outland and finish him.
The MMA Guru picks Brando Peričić, praising his well-rounded skills and grappling. He believes Peričić will maul Gaziev's legs and finish him in round one. He notes Gaziev's hand speed but thinks Peričić is a better-trained martial artist.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waldo Cortes Acosta | 2 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 15 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waldo Cortes Acosta | 2 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 15 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waldo Cortes Acosta | 10 of 21 | 47% | 8 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 6 of 15 | 40% | 4 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waldo Cortes Acosta | 10 of 21 | 47% | 8 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 6 of 15 | 40% | 4 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cortes-Acosta (-160); Gaziev (+130)
Round 1
It’s time for the big boys again. Let us hope it is nothing like the travesty of the curtain jerker today, and that there is no eye poke silliness to speak of. Looking to become the heavyweight version of Donald Cerrone, Cortes-Acosta (15-2, 8-2 UFC) steps in on short notice to replace Serghei Spivac. In an amusing twist of fate, “Salsa Boy” previously replaced Gaziev (14-1, 3-1 UFC) against Spivac earlier this year. While Cortes-Acosta wants to fight six times this year—meaning, he wants to serve as a replacement fighter for one of the next two final UFC cards in 2026 providing he gets out of this unscathed—he will have to handle the Bahraini first. Referee Lukasz Bosacki has his hands full as these big lugs tipped the scales at a combined 527 pounds on Friday, but he takes a breath of relief as they touch gloves and do not appear to hold any ill will towards one another.
Gaziev fearlessly marches forward to start the fight, putting Cortes-Acosta’s back to the fence and aiming straight punches at him. Cortes-Acosta flicks a few jabs back at him, and Gaziev smiles at him and sways from most. Gaziev clubs Cortes-Acosta with a left hand, and Cortes-Acosta snaps into action and counters Gaziev with a balance-destroying right. Cortes-Acosta tries to pound out Gaziev when he hits the floor, but Gaziev stands and backs off, shaking off the cobwebs. Cortes-Acosta, smelling blood in the water, starts to set something up as he flashes jab after jab.
When the opening presents itself, he hurls a fastball of a right hand that crashes square into Gaziev’s temple. The Bahrain native collapses to his back and clutches his face, still with it but no longer defending himself. Cortes-Acosta drops to a knee to deliver one final hammerfist, but it glances off Bosacki’s protective arm as he has already stepped in to wave things off given Gaziev’s sign of physical surrender.
The fight over, Gaziev slowly rolls to his knees, and he is beside himself after getting smoked like that. That marks four wins in 2025 for Cortes-Acosta, who still wants one more—on December 13 at the year-end Fight Night—and dons his eye patch and bandana to represent his pirate self.
The Official Result
Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Shamil Gaziev R1 1:22 via KO (Punch)
Angelo picks Shamil Gaziev over Waldo Cortes Acosta, despite mocking Gaziev's appearance. He notes Gaziev is a much better striker with power and capable wrestling, while Acosta is a grappler who can be outworked and out-athleted. Gaziev should dominate on the feet and keep the fight standing, leading to a win.
Big Brady leans Shamil Gaziev by first-round knockout, despite acknowledging Spivak's inconsistency. He believes Gaziev's power and forward pressure will overwhelm Spivak, who has been knocked out by lesser fighters. He notes Spivak's path via grappling but can't count on him to execute.
Cody picks Shamil Gaziev but is not confident. He notes both fighters have awful cardio, but Gaziev has better wrestling and power. Cody believes Gaziev can knock out Spivac early, as Spivac gasses quickly and has poor takedown defense. He mentions the location in Qatar might favor Gaziev.
Connor picks Spivak (Waldo Cortes Acosta), predicting that Gaziev will gas after an early takedown attempt, allowing Spivak to take over with his clinch and jab. He notes Gaziev's poor defensive striking and tendency to fade, while Spivak manages fights well. Connor acknowledges Gaziev's speed and power could lead to an early KO.
Lucrative James picks Shamil Gaziev, citing his power striking and durability. He notes Sergey Spivac's questionable mentality and recent poor performances. He believes Gaziev's power will be too much and predicts a knockout win. He also mentions Spivac's camp change as a potential negative.
Gaziev has knockout power and physicality. Spivac is on a losing streak and may struggle with Gaziev's strength. Gaziev should land a big shot and finish Spivac by the second round.
Paul leans towards Gaziev, citing his wrestling and power. He notes that Spivac has poor cardio and has been finished when tired. Paul believes Gaziev can take Spivac down or knock him out early, but acknowledges it's a greasy fight.
The MMA Guru picks Shamil Gaziev over Waldo Cortes Acosta, citing Gaziev's pressure and ability to barrage opponents. He notes Spivak's vulnerability when pressured. He expects a close decision, with Gaziev undeniable as the fight goes on.
Zane agrees with Connor, picking Spivak. He notes that Gaziev's cardio is a major issue and that Spivak's reach and jab will become factors as the fight progresses. Zane sees Spivak as a competent heavyweight who can survive early danger and take over late.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamil Gaziev | 1 | 14 of 32 | 43% | 14 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Thomas Petersen | 0 | 19 of 34 | 55% | 19 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shamil Gaziev | 1 | 14 of 32 | 43% | 14 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Thomas Petersen | 0 | 19 of 34 | 55% | 19 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamil Gaziev | 14 of 32 | 43% | 9 of 27 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Thomas Petersen | 19 of 34 | 55% | 4 of 18 | 7 of 8 | 8 of 8 | 18 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shamil Gaziev | 14 of 32 | 43% | 9 of 27 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Thomas Petersen | 19 of 34 | 55% | 4 of 18 | 7 of 8 | 8 of 8 | 18 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Action moves to the heavyweight division, where Gaziev (13-1, 2-1 UFC) squares off with a former Legacy Fighting Alliance champion in Petersen (9-2, 1-1 UFC). Herzog administers he law and order. Customary glove touch gets them started. Gaziev takes the center and fires off two punches. Short elbow on the inside from Gaziev. Petersen answers with a low kick, then another. They trade right hands. Body kick from Gaziev. Petersen paws with his jab, then fires one to the body. Short right hook finds the mark for Gaziev, who plods forward against the southpaw. Petersen completes a takedown but fails to corral his opponent on the mat. Gaziev easily gets back to his feet and connects with two straight rights. Chopping right hand from Gaziev.
They circle in the center of the cage, and Gaziev connects with a crushing right hook that floors the American where he stands. No follow-up shots are required
.
The Official Result
Shamil Gaziev def. Thomas Petersen—TKO (Punch) 3:12 R1
Angelo picks Shamil Gaziev, believing he is the better fighter despite a loss to Rozenstruik. He notes that Gaziev has improved his cardio and bounced back with a decision win. He thinks Gaziev's power and physicality will be too much for Thomas Petersen, who is solid but not spectacular. He includes Gaziev in a parlay with Mike Davis.
Big Brady thinks Shamil Gaziev has awful cardio but will likely knock out Thomas Petersen early. He notes Gaziev has much more power and Petersen is hitable. Brady expects a first-round knockout, but says if the fight extends it will be 'greasy'. He is staying away from betting Gaziev at -330 and might live bet Petersen.
Petersen's wrestling background will allow him to keep the fight upright and use his jab and volume to outwork Gaziev, who struggles when he can't secure takedowns or control against the cage. Petersen is a plus-300 underdog and is expected to win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Shamil Gaziev to win by third-round finish. He calls Gaziev 'The Blob' and says he pushes forward and is there to win. He thinks Gaziev will start to pick up the pace as the fight goes on and get a late finish over Thomas Petersen, who he calls a 'fat idiot' with unimpressive skills.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 31 of 46 | 67% | 89 of 114 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 11:58 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 0 | 27 of 58 | 46% | 57 of 95 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 8 of 13 | 61% | 24 of 35 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:32 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 0 | 12 of 17 | 70% | 12 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 21 of 28 | 75% | 29 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:28 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 20 of 39 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 36 of 43 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:58 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 0 | 5 of 16 | 31% | 25 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamil Gaziev | 31 of 46 | 67% | 22 of 37 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 25 | 15 of 17 | 4 of 4 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 27 of 58 | 46% | 18 of 45 | 5 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 25 of 53 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shamil Gaziev | 8 of 13 | 61% | 7 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 12 of 17 | 70% | 7 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Shamil Gaziev | 21 of 28 | 75% | 13 of 20 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 12 | 15 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 10 of 25 | 40% | 9 of 22 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 21 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Shamil Gaziev | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 5 of 16 | 31% | 2 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gaziev (-238), Mayes (+195)
Round 1
The lone heavyweight contest on the fight card plays out on the prelims rather than slotted undeservedly on the main card. Fresh off a deflating headlining loss to suffer his first pro defeat, Gaziev (12-1, 1-1 UFC) is hungry to bounce back from that setback at the expense of Kentucky judoka Mayes (11-6, 1 NC; 4-4, 1 NC UFC). The reputation of the fictitious Kentucky Judo Federation is at stake over the next 15 minutes, and referee Keith Peterson is ready to handle the nonsense. There is a clap of hands, and Mayes says hello with punches, a low kick and a looping left hand. Gaziev backs him off with a one-two, and Mayes fires back but is tagged with a right hand. Mayes backs up to the wall as he tries to get his mind right, and Gaziev shoots for a double and clasps his hands. Gaziev slams his man to the floor, and the entire Octagon shudders at the impact. The Bahraini by way of Russia moves to half guard with ease, where he frames off the face with his elbow and jams it down. Gaziev frees his hand from the grasp of his foe to slug him in the chops with two right hands, and he keeps “Lord Kong” flat on his back with no sign of getting back to his feet as there are over three minutes left in the round. Gaziev considers taking side control but prefers the half guard to maintain control, and he winds up with a hard right hand that bounces off the forehead. Gaziev lands right hands when he is able to wriggle his arm out of the grip of his adversary, landing enough to keep Peterson from standing them up. Gaziev presses down with his shoulder for a potential arm-triangle choke, and he sits up to land more offense. Gaziev fights off Mayes trying to sit up and punches him in the face. Gaziev hooks his arm around the neck again to keep Mayes flat, lumping him up with short but powerful blows. When the 10-second clapper sounds, Gaziev punches his way into an arm-triangle choke from the other side, but the horn toots before it is completed.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Round 2
The heavyweights meander towards one another as the second round opens, and Mayes keeps his man honest by busting him in the chops with several hooks. The blows are strong but largely one, and then another, rather than chained together. Mayes gets in an uppercut and shoots for his own takedown, and Gaziev grabs pursues a takedown. Mayes grabs the shorts of his foe, pulling them way up, and Peterson warns him for the grab and calls time to issue another warning instead of taking a point. They resume where they left off, and Mayes ducks, seeing an elbow whiz by his head. Mayes gets back to boxing range, slinging hooks, and Gaziev clashes forward and slams his head into the chin of his foe. Peterson observes it but does not call time, and Gaziev fights his way into a clinch as Mayes is not overly thrilled. Gaziev drives knees to the solar plexus, and he rings Mayes’ bell with an elbow. Mayes staggers back, away from the clinch, but Gaziev snags him again and starts peppering him again with knees. As the heavyweights slow to a crawl, the commentary booth remarks that the temperature feels like over 100 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity in the arena around 75%. The big men are pouring sweat and are totally wiped out, kneeing one another with short shots as Gaziev is warned by draping his hands over the fencing. Mayes sneaks in a left hand, and Gaziev pays him back with a thumping knee. Gaziev has no interest in letting go or deviating from his approach, clinging to the Kentucky native and spamming knees until the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Round 3
Mayes starts out the final round with a fresh head of steam, racing in with punches that are telegraphed and largely miss the mark. Gaziev avoids some, eats others, and responds when caught. Mayes swings hard to the liver, and Gaziev runs at him and bowls him over, landing in half guard and returning to smothering top control form. Gaziev stays just busy enough to not have Peterson warn him for inactivity, smacking Mayes in the dome and otherwise making his life miserable. Gaziev holds on with his forearm, and Mayes complains about something. Mayes starts talking to Gaziev, and Peterson does call for more action. Gaziev answers with a few fists, and Mayes answers him with words that Gaziev may or may not understand. Gaziev postures up to drop down heavy left hands, and Mayes keeps chattering and softly lands punches to the side from his back. Mayes holds on and is trying to have a conversation, mentioning that the fans are booing Gaziev. Gaziev controls and grinds, sapping time away and ending the rough matchup disappointingly.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev (30-27 Gaziev)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev (30-27 Gaziev)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev (30-27 Gaziev)
The Official Result
Shamil Gaziev def. Don’Tale Mayes via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo is confident Gaziev bounces back from his first loss, believing he bit off more than he could chew in his last fight. He thinks Gaziev is the more powerful striker with good takedowns, and that this is a good rebound fight. He expects Gaziev to win but notes cardio concerns.
Big Brady thinks Gaziev should be able to destroy Mayes if he is anywhere near the real deal, comparing Mayes to Martin Budai whom Gaziev finished impressively. He notes Mayes does not like getting hit and has been finished on the mat multiple times. He worries about Gaziev's gas tank if the fight extends past 1.5 rounds but predicts an early finish by first-round knockout.
Cody picks Shamil Gaziev, noting that Mayes has poor takedown defense and has been taken down by lesser wrestlers. He thinks Gaziev can use his wrestling and clinch to neutralize Mayes's range striking. Cody acknowledges Gaziev's cardio issues but believes in a three-round fight he can win the first two rounds. He also mentions that Mayes is flat-footed and struggles to get up when taken down.
Daniel picks Gaziev, believing he should be able to pin Mayes against the fence and dirty box him. He notes Mayes is inconsistent and has lost to lower-level competition, while Gaziev's only loss is to a top-10 guy. He expects a similar performance to Gaziev's win over Bud.
Gaziev is coming off a main event loss and will be pissed off. He should steamroll Mayes, finishing him in the first or second round.
Paul picks Shamil Gaziev, noting that Mayes has been taken down by many opponents and has poor get-up game. He thinks Gaziev can use his wrestling to control the fight. Paul acknowledges that both fighters are low-level heavyweights and that Mayes could win if he stuffs takedowns, but he leans toward Gaziev. He also mentions that the fight could be slow and the over might be a play.
The MMA Guru picks Shamil Gaziev over Don'Tale Mayes, despite calling Gaziev 'awful'. He thinks Mayes is 'a bit dumb' and that Gaziev's grappling will be the difference. He expects Gaziev to take Mayes down and wear him out, possibly catching a spinning attack from Mayes. He predicts a fourth-round TKO, though the fight is three rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 127 of 215 | 59% | 140 of 230 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 22 of 68 | 32% | 27 of 75 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 4:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 13 of 31 | 41% | 15 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 12 of 23 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:46 | |
| 2 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 19 of 41 | 46% | 26 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 7 of 19 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:04 | |
| 3 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 47 of 75 | 62% | 47 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 5 of 19 | 26% | 5 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 48 of 68 | 70% | 52 of 73 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 2 of 12 | 16% | 3 of 14 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 127 of 215 | 59% | 78 of 158 | 30 of 37 | 19 of 20 | 123 of 209 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 22 of 68 | 32% | 16 of 59 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 60 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 13 of 31 | 41% | 8 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 8 of 18 | 44% | 7 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 19 of 41 | 46% | 11 of 32 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 19 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 7 of 19 | 36% | 2 of 13 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 47 of 75 | 62% | 24 of 48 | 16 of 19 | 7 of 8 | 47 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 5 of 19 | 26% | 5 of 17 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 48 of 68 | 70% | 35 of 53 | 7 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 45 of 64 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Shamil Gaziev | 2 of 12 | 16% | 2 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gaziev (-148), Rozenstruik (+124)
Round 1
It’s all down to the heavyweights tonight. The big men sport nearly identical finish rates, with their primary method of victory by knockout, so referee Marc Goddard might not need to put in 25 minutes of work here. Former kickboxer Rozenstruik (13-5, 7-5 UFC) would like nothing more than to blunt the momentum of the undefeated Gaziev (12-0, 1-0 UFC), and he will have five rounds or less to spring the minor betting upset. They touch gloves respectfully, and prepare to handle their business. Rozenstruik circles to the outside, lands a leg kick, and gets himself ready to stop a takedown. Gaziev shoots, and he bounces off the fence when he misses. Rozenstruik strafes to the side and lands a right hand that makes Gaziev lick his lips. Rozenstruik scores a leg kick, and he comes up short on an overhand right. Rozenstruik paws out a jab, and his foe backs him to the fence. Gaziev crashes the pocket for a takedown, and Rozenstruik stands him up immediately and smacks him with a right hand. Rozenstruik jabs, and he avoids a huge right hand. Another Gaziev crashing takedown effort gets stopped in its tracks, and Rozenstruik busts his foe’s nose open with his fists. Gaziev shows little setup when he tries to take the fight down, and does not even bend over so much as he runs straight ahead. Rozenstruik briefly knocks him back with a one-two, and Gaziev gets right back to his constant forward pressure. Rozenstruik scores a right hand and then jabs his way out to safety. Gaziev swings as hard as he can with a left and a monstrous right, and Rozenstruik dodges by a matter of inches. Gaziev plods ahead and then lumbers into a clinch, swinging slow punches all the while. Gaziev drops down to scoop up a single, and he lifts the kickboxer up and slams him down. Gaziev connects with a few short punches from above, and keeps his weight pressed down heavily. The round ends with Gaziev sitting up measuring a strike.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Round 2
The big men reach Round 2, and Rozenstruik reintroduces himself with multiple snappy jabs. Gaziev lumbers forward, and Rozenstruik uses head movement to dodge the majority of the big punches coming from the Bahraini. Rozenstruik reaches out with punches and low kicks, and he smiles when eating a jab as they high-five from an exchange. Rozenstruik looks for two punches, and Gaziev sneaks a counter right around the top to back him away. Gaziev pushes out his own jab, and Rozenstruik goes to the body and then reaches out with a one-two. Gaziev smiles when he eats a jab, and he fails to land when swinging at the kickboxer. Gaziev drives a knee right to the belly, and Rozenstruik responds with a single jab. Gaziev swings with more of a hammerfist than a straight punch, and Rozenstruik chops at his lead leg when Gaziev slowly moves forward. Rozenstruik naps out his jab to decent effect, disrupting the oncoming Gaziev until Gaziev simply decides to rumble forward like a tank and go after a single. Rozenstruik uses the wall behind him to keep himself upright, and he pulls his leg down to stop the effort. The two trade knees to the gut, and Gaziev presses tightly to control “Bigi Boy.” Rozenstruik gets in a few more short knees to the body, and Gaziev fails on another takedown effort. Goddard asks them to work as Gaziev stalls out, and Rozenstruik tries to get away again only to be snagged by his opponent and held in the clinch until the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Round 3
It is the third round, and these two heavyweights are quite fatigued to this point. They meet in the middle with a glove touch, and Rozenstruik stands firm and jabs the head and body. “Bigi Boy” lands a leg kick, and he paws out with several jabs to keep Gaziev at bay. Gaziev clubs his foe with a right hand, and he sneaks another right around the jab to get Rozenstruik’s attention. Rozenstruik throws back with a single right after multiple jabs, and Gaziev’s nose is bloodied and his mouth wide open. Gaziev charges, landing a left hand, but he gets stunned with a right hand that nearly dislodges his mouthpiece. Gaziev holds his mouthguard like it is about to fly out, as he appears to be struggling to breathe. Rozenstruik snaps out jab after jab, and blood sprays from Gaziev’s nose when he absorbs each and every blow. Rozenstruik rips a right hand to the body, and he hops away from the offense from Gaziev that is slow and labored. Gaziev continues to shuffle his mouthpiece, and Rozenstruik opens up with a fierce combination ending with a chopping low kick. Gaziev reaches out with his arms outstretched, and Rozenstruik snaps his head back with a mean jab. Gaziev sits down on a right hand counter, and Rozenstruik has to shake it out and backpedal. Rozenstruik gathers his thoughts and jabs away, and when he lands a leg kick, he gets knocked back with a right hand. The kick did enough damage to draw out a minimal limp, and both men stand in front of one another and engage in a brief, fierce exchange to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Round 4
The championship rounds have been reached, much to the surprise of most prognosticators. Rozenstruik does not change his approach, with jabs and leg kicks completely flustering the undefeated fighter. Rozenstruik’s power jab stops Gaziev from hitting him cleanly, until Gaziev decides he is sick of getting hit and runs forward. Gaziev unleashes several big punches, knocking “Bigi Boy” against the fencing, and he shoots for a takedown to follow and try to take back some momentum. Rozenstruik staves it off and slides away to not get hit by an elbow on the break, and he returns to striking range while Gaziev is chewing on his mouthpiece. Rozenstruik jabs the face and chest, and Gaziev glares at him but does not have the energy reserves to do anything more but look angry. Gaziev tries to throw a single punch, and he does not have the gas to reach his opponent. Rozenstruik opens up with a left and a huge right, seeing that Gaziev is spent. He releases several more heavy punches, stinging the unbeaten fighter, and starts feeling himself. Rozenstruik jabs and smacks Gaziev in the face, and he lets Gaziev swing futilely back his direction. Rozenstruik lets go with additional jabs and doubles up on a leg kick as Gaziev looks down at his damaged limb but does not keep attacking. The jab dislodges Gaziev’s gumshield, and Rozenstruik walks off to celebrate the cool moment as Goddard recovers it and has Gaziev replace it. Rozenstruik surges into action as seconds are left in the round, and he shoots for his own takedown so Gaziev sells out defending it, and he bails on it to unload with a flurry of strikes to end the round. As Gaziev sits on his stool, he seems to tell his corner he cannot continue. The translation is not clear, whether he is injured or exhausted or something else. Gaziev stands up, and with his corner still in the cage, Goddard goes over to them all and calls time. Goddard demands that the corner translate what Gaziev was saying, and eventually they inform him that Gaziev says he cannot see. Goddard has the doctor check out Gaziev, but before the physician can determine any lack of vision, Gaziev shakes his head and seems to motion that he is all done tonight after getting beaten up for 20 minutes. Therefore, it is a stoppage via retirement at the end of the fourth round. It is a crucial win for the former kickboxer, as he strips the 0 from Gaziev’s record, and turns a rough patch to 2-1 in his last three. In his post-fight interview, Rozenstruik welcomes any challenge, and many minds immediately go to Derrick Lewis, as the two sluggers have never met. Next week, it is a massive night for the sport as UFC 299 goes down in Miami with a blockbuster lineup. We will be here for it, and we hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rozenstruik
The Official Result
Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Shamil Gaziev R4 5:00 via TKO (Retirement)
Angelo picks Shamil Gaziev, calling the -140 odds a gift. He notes Rozenstruik is one-dimensional and flat-footed, while Gaziev has power, wrestling, and better movement. He has a full unit bet on Gaziev and expects him to win.
Big Brady picks Rozenstruik despite acknowledging Gaziev's power and early finishing ability. He notes that Gaziev has only been past 1.5 rounds once and has cardio concerns, while Rozenstruik has five-round experience and a fifth-round knockout. He believes if the fight extends, it heavily favors Rozenstruik. However, he admits he has no confidence in the pick and won't bet the fight except maybe a prop.
Cody sees Rozenstruik as a live underdog due to his knockout power and proven five-round cardio, noting that Gaziev has weak cardio and has never been extended beyond two rounds. He believes if Rozenstruik survives the early takedown onslaught, Gaziev will gas and Rozenstruik can finish him late. He compares it to the Overeem fight where Rozenstruik knocked him out in the fifth round.
Gaziev is a strong grappler who should get the fight to the ground with relative ease. Rozenstruik struggles against grapplers, as seen in losses to Curtis Blaydes, Jailton Almeida, and Alexander Volkov. Gaziev's striking confidence has improved, and he can stay safe from Rozenstruik's power until he secures a takedown. Once on the ground, Gaziev's strength will be too much, leading to a TKO or submission finish within the first round. The host considers -145 a gift line.
Paul picks Gaziev but acknowledges it's a 60/40 fight and not one he has a big edge on. He expects Gaziev to get early takedowns but questions what happens after that, noting Gaziev's cardio concerns. He mentions the fight feels like a toss-up and he's not entirely confident.
The MMA Guru struggles with this pick but ultimately goes with Rozenstruik. He thinks Gaziev is open on the feet and has been dropped before, while Rozenstruik has power and experience in main events. He worries about Rozenstruik's takedown defense but believes he can survive and find opportunities. He predicts a KO in round one and mentions betting on Rozenstruik as an underdog.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 13 of 26 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Martin Buday | 0 | 49 of 98 | 50% | 60 of 114 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 7 of 17 | 41% | 12 of 23 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Martin Buday | 0 | 36 of 73 | 49% | 45 of 87 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:08 | |
| 2 | Shamil Gaziev | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Martin Buday | 0 | 13 of 25 | 52% | 15 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamil Gaziev | 8 of 20 | 40% | 8 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 17 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Martin Buday | 49 of 98 | 50% | 35 of 79 | 14 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 35 of 73 | 5 of 10 | 9 of 15 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shamil Gaziev | 7 of 17 | 41% | 7 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Martin Buday | 36 of 73 | 49% | 27 of 59 | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 49 | 4 of 9 | 9 of 15 | |
| 2 | Shamil Gaziev | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Martin Buday | 13 of 25 | 52% | 8 of 20 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Buday (-148), Gaziev (+124)
Round 1
The year-ending UFC pay-per-view is upon us, and with a record number of fights for the organization, it has been one heck of a 2023 calendar. Before fans receive a much-needed respite over the holidays, a dozen matchups of high intrigue will play out in Las Vegas. It may not start with 12 drummers drumming, but when the heavyweights open up the billing, the thumps of the two big men laying into one another might sound like percussion. Getting things started will be once-beaten, surging Buday (13-1, 4-0 UFC) and the undefeated Gaziev (11-0, 0-0 UFC). Despite their heft, the knockout rates of these burly gentlemen that will combine for 525 mighty pounds—not counting any weight cut—are not through the roof. Referee Mark Smith will nevertheless be on his A-game for the card opener, one that begins with a bump of large fists. Gaziev takes the center of the cage, and he sets up immediate counters when Buday lumbers towards him. Gaziev cuts off his foe with a two-hook combo, making Buday take a second look at coming in. Gaziev sticks out a sharp jab, and he flashes a mean grin while stalking after Buday. Gaziev marks up Buday’s nose with combinations, and he follows a few punches with a knee up the middle. Buday grabs hold of him after absorbing the flush knee to the breadbasket to slow down the surging offense of the UFC debutant. Gaziev pushes off, and he loads on power punches while further busting Buday up. Buday circles away, and he gets backed up to the fence and takes a knee that partially bounces off his guard. Buday escapes, and Gaziev walks him down and blasts him in the face with a shovel uppercut that makes Buday’s nose leak blood. Buday starts blinking and brings his hands up to cover his face, and he backs off in dire trouble. Smith recognizes that there is a nasty cut opened up either under his left eyebrow or on his eyelid, and he pauses the round and brings in the doctor to check on his condition. Buday is cleared to continue, and he thanks Smith by shooting in for a takedown. Gaziev steamrolls him over and pushes Buday to his back, where he proceeds to target the bloodied eye with punches and elbows. Gaziev moves to half guard, and he grinds his elbow mercilessly on Buday’s mouth and throat. Gaziev sits up and busts Buday in the face with a few left hands, and blood continues to leak out of Buday’s eye. Buday turns over as he continues to take punishment, and he fights to a knee but is wrenched down by the undefeated fighter. Gaziev drills a knee to the posterior, and when Buday stands up, Gaziev follows him with a knee on the jaw right before the bell sounds.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Gaziev
Round 2
Smith brings in the doctor to again take a look at Buday’s eye, who checks on Buday’s vision and condition. The physician informs Smith that Buday can still continue, and the second round begins. Gaziev wants to waste little time as he searches for a finish, marching Buday down and slugging him in the face with ruthless right hands and elbows. Buday shells up, his back against the cage wall, and Gaziev lays into him with powerful blows.
Smith implores Buday to fight back, and Gaziev drills his foe in the body with a right hand that makes Buday double over. Gaziev continues hurling punches as Buday wilts but does not go down, and Smith recognizes that Buday has nothing left to offer and waves off the match.
That makes it a perfect 12 up with none down for the debuting Gaziev, who has notched 11 of his 12 victories inside the distance.
The Official Result
Shamil Gaziev def. Martin Badys R2 0:56 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Shamil Gaziev, impressed by his power, cardio, and toughness. He notes that Buday has faced weaker competition and that Gaziev's power is a different level. He has a quarter-unit bet on Gaziev at +155.
Big Brady picks Martin Buday to win by second-round TKO, favoring Buday's cardio and size. He notes Gaziev's early finish power but poor cardio, and believes if Buday survives the first round, he will break Gaziev in deep waters. Brady highlights Buday's brown belt in BJJ and volume striking (over 5 significant strikes per minute). He expects Buday to wear on Gaziev against the cage, take him down, and finish with ground and pound.
Cody picks Buday, arguing that Gaziev has poor cardio and will fade after the first round. He notes that Gaziev's wrestling is not elite and his striking is bad, while Buday has good cardio and can push a pace. Cody believes Buday will survive the early onslaught and take over in later rounds, winning by TKO or decision. He sees Buday as the safer pick.
Jeff Fox picks Shamil Gaziev by knockout, stating that he likes Gaziev's straight punches and the way he attacks. He believes Gaziev will land one to Martin Buday's big skull and finish him. The prop is at plus 250.
Lucrative James picks Shamil Gaziev as an underdog. He believes Gaziev has more finishing upside early, is more athletic, and hits harder. He criticizes Martin Buday's plodding style and porous striking defense, noting Buday has been cracked by lesser fighters. He says it's Gaziev or pass, and that laying minus 200 on Buday is not advisable.
The host picks Buday, praising his pace, pressure, durability, and cardio. He expects Buday to stuff Gaziev's early takedown attempts, then take over in rounds two and three, breaking Gaziev in the clinch and finding a late finish. He notes that Gaziev's cardio looks sketchy and that Buday will be the better striker and more durable. He predicts a third-round stoppage for Buday.
Paul picks Gaziev as an underdog, noting that Buday has struggled against bottom-level heavyweights and that Gaziev has a wrestling advantage. He acknowledges that Gaziev's cardio is a concern but believes if Gaziev can get early takedowns, he can control the fight. Paul is not fully confident but sees value at +135, especially since Buday has not faced many wrestlers.
The Guru picks Shamil Gaziev over Martin Buday, criticizing Buday as an out-of-shape heavyweight with no grappling or striking skills. He highlights Gaziev's regional credentials and finishing ability. He predicts Gaziev will get a takedown and submit Buday with an arm triangle in round one.
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Shamil Gaziev, calling the -140 odds a gift. He notes Rozenstruik is one-dimensional and flat-footed, while Gaziev has power, wrestling, and better movement. He has a full unit bet on Gaziev and expects him to win.
Big Brady picks Rozenstruik despite acknowledging Gaziev's power and early finishing ability. He notes that Gaziev has only been past 1.5 rounds once and has cardio concerns, while Rozenstruik has five-round experience and a fifth-round knockout. He believes if the fight extends, it heavily favors Rozenstruik. However, he admits he has no confidence in the pick and won't bet the fight except maybe a prop.
Cody sees Rozenstruik as a live underdog due to his knockout power and proven five-round cardio, noting that Gaziev has weak cardio and has never been extended beyond two rounds. He believes if Rozenstruik survives the early takedown onslaught, Gaziev will gas and Rozenstruik can finish him late. He compares it to the Overeem fight where Rozenstruik knocked him out in the fifth round.
Gaziev is a strong grappler who should get the fight to the ground with relative ease. Rozenstruik struggles against grapplers, as seen in losses to Curtis Blaydes, Jailton Almeida, and Alexander Volkov. Gaziev's striking confidence has improved, and he can stay safe from Rozenstruik's power until he secures a takedown. Once on the ground, Gaziev's strength will be too much, leading to a TKO or submission finish within the first round. The host considers -145 a gift line.
Paul picks Gaziev but acknowledges it's a 60/40 fight and not one he has a big edge on. He expects Gaziev to get early takedowns but questions what happens after that, noting Gaziev's cardio concerns. He mentions the fight feels like a toss-up and he's not entirely confident.
The MMA Guru struggles with this pick but ultimately goes with Rozenstruik. He thinks Gaziev is open on the feet and has been dropped before, while Rozenstruik has power and experience in main events. He worries about Rozenstruik's takedown defense but believes he can survive and find opportunities. He predicts a KO in round one and mentions betting on Rozenstruik as an underdog.
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