The UFC APEX returns to host another incredible fight card as #12 Heavyweight contender, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, looks to redeem his last fight as he takes on undefeated Bahraini fighter, Shamil Gaziev, in the main event of UFC Vegas 87. With such a big fight waiting to happen and a lot at stake, let's take a deeper look into the headliner.
UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) February 29, 2024
Main Card Predictions
THREAD: pic.twitter.com/OvgRJjUrO9
Jairzinho Rozenstruik last fought at UFC Charlotte when he suffered a first-round submission loss to Jailton Almeida. This was the Surinamese's fifth UFc headliner as he had only been successful in the main event twice.
Bigi Boy was last victorious in 2022 when he defeated Chris Daukaus by knockout in 23 seconds of the first round at UFC 282, redeeming his previous fight in 2022 when he lost to Alexander Volkov by first-round TKO at UFC Vegas 56.
The #12 Heavyweight contender has proved to be a knockout artists in his MMA career as 12 of his 13 victories have ended by KO/TKO with nine of them ending in the first round.
Rozenstruik will be more than happy if he is is victorious at the UFC APEX as he will look to maintain his ranking in the Heavyweight division and get redemption for his recent loss at UFC Charlotte.
Shamil Gaziev made his UFC debut at UFC 296 and made a good impression when he defeated Martin Buday by second-round TKO. Gaziev earned his UFC contract at Dana White's Contender Series when he defeated Greg Velasco by first-round submission.
The Bahraini made his MMA debut in October 2020 which was the beginning of his demolishing run as he has actively fought three or four times in a year.
The undefeated mixed martial artist has almost stopped everyone he has faced with eight of his opponents suffering by KO or TKO and three fighters submitting to Gaziev.
Gaziev has a big opportunity to not only extend his undefeated run in his MMA career but enter the Heavyweight rankings and have the opportunity to face tougher challenges in the weight division.
Other fights you should look out for
Matt Schnell vs Steve Erceg - Schnell was meant to fight in 2023 on numerous occasions however they would be cancelled for undisclosed reasons. Despite losing by knockout against Matheus Nicolau at UFC Orlando, he did achieve an astonishing comeback victory against Sumudaerji with a submission win. Schnell is the current #9 Flyweight contender and will look to maintain his position with a long-awaited fight.
Erceg has been on a roll in his MMA career as he is currently on a 10-fight winning streak. The Australian has fought twice in the UFC and has picked up two unanimous decision wins with one coming against David Dvorak at UFC 289 and the other against Alessandro Costa at UFC 295. Astroboy is ranked 12 in the Flyweight rankings as he looks to boost up the division with a win in the UFC APEX.
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Bekzat Almakhan - Nurmagomedov is undefeated with 16 fights and has fought in the UFC four times, earning two submission victories and a knockout win, earning him a place in the Bantamweight rankings. His last fight was at the beginning of 2023, earning a second career knockout win at UFC Vegas 67 against Raoni Barcelos. The #13 Bantamweight contender will aim to stay unbeaten before facing a higher ranked fighter to get him one step closer to fighting for a title.
Almakhan is making his UFC debut at the UFC APEX and has proven to earn a place against a tough contender. The Kazakhstan fighter is on a 1--fight winning streak and has proven to be tough competition for fighter in his MMA career as he has only lost once and has 17 wins on his MMA record. The Turan Warrior has an incredible chance to not only be the first fighter to defeat Umar Nurmagomedov but enter the Bantamweight rankings on his first UFC fight.
Alex Perez vs Muhammad Mokaev - Perez has not fought since July 2022 as he currently sits on a two-fight losing streak with two first-round submissions, one coming against Deiveson Figueiredo in a title fight at UFC 255 and the other against the current Flyweight Champion, Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 277. The #7 Flyweight contender was last victorious in June 2020 with a first-round TKO against Jussier Formiga at UFC 250 and will look to redeem his bad run of form.
Mokaev is undefeated in his MMA career with 11 victories as he currently holds a three-fight submission win streak with his most recent triumph coming against Tim Elliott at UFC 294. The Punisher has only five fights in the UFC but have finished four of his opponents, all by submission, as he could add another one to the list and move up the Flyweight rankings with him currently being the #8 contender.
Vitor Petrino vs Tyson Pedro - Petrino is undefeated with 10 fights as he has been seen as a huge prospect for the UFC Light Heavyweight division. The Brazilian had his first three fights in the UFC, making it his best year in MMA as his most recent win ended by knockout against Modestas Buskauskas at UFC Sao Paulo. With seven KO/TKO wins to his name, Petrino will look to add another to the record and have the opportunity to enter the Light Heavyweight rankings
Pedro got redemption in his home country with a win in Australia, defeating Anton Turkalj by first-round knockout at UFC 293. Tyson has stopped every opponent he has triumphed over as with 10 wins he has five of each for knockouts and submissions. Pedro has stopped every fighter in the first round and will be more than happy to get another against an undefeated fighter at UFC Vegas 87.
Written by Charlie Oxtoby
Instagram: charlie_oxtoby
MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma
Twitter: Charlie_Oxtoby1
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