MMA
Petr Yan will defeat Merab Dvalishvili again, Umar Nurmagomedov predicts
Zuffa LLCUmar Nurmagomedov has a feeling that Petr Yan will be able to get the better of Merab Dvalishvili again at UFC 333.
At UFC 333, Petr Yan will defend the UFC bantamweight championship against Merab Dvalishvili. The two both have a win to their name in this rivalry, and this could well serve as the final time they ever collide in the cage.
RELATED: Merab Dvalishvili admits Petr Yan could ‘beat the s—‘ out of him in UFC 333 trilogy
Given the performance he put on in the rematch, Yan will likely be considered the favorite for this one – but you certainly can't count out someone like Dvalishvili who is, as his nickname suggests, an absolute machine in every way.
In a recent interview, divisional rival Umar Nurmagomedov weighed in on Yan vs Dvalishvili 3.
Nurmagomedov on Yan vs Dvalishvili 3
“My bet is that Petr will get it done again,†Nurmagomedov told Red Corner MMA. “He was healthy. A lot of things depend on your health. He was able to punch with his right hand. That's what I saw. In their first fight he couldn't do that as his shoulder was injured. In the second fight, he could use both of his hands, and it was a completely different story.
“I can see that if they are both healthy in the next fight, based on their skillsets, Petr has good boxing, Merab has wrestling, but he can't control opponents on the ground the way Aljamain Sterling did. Merab just can't because he doesn't have that level of grappling. So, he might take him down, but Petr will get up. That's why I don't see a different outcome.â€
Quotes via MMA Junkie
Do you agree with Umar Nurmagomedov's prediction? Do you expect to see Umar eventually challenge the winner for the belt? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
ONE ChampionshipJonathan Haggerty spent last Friday watching someone else fight. Next month marks his own turn again, and the stakes are considerably higher for the reigning bantamweight kickboxing king.
Jonathan Haggerty defends his ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship against former divisional king Hiroki Akimoto in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 4 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday, October 17.
The assignment comes after Haggerty watched his brother, Freddie Haggerty, grind out a unanimous decision over Rungruanglek TN Muaythai at The Inner Circle 30 in Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium, a result that pushed Freddie's record to 25-5 and snapped Rungruanglek's five-fight winning streak. Freddie dropped Rungruanglek twice across the opening two rounds before closing the fight out on the back foot with sharp counters.
“It was a great performance. It was pushing for the stoppage, but we didn't get it,†Jonathan said. “It's all love; it's a learning curve. In this sport, you can never stop learning, so we'll go back to the drawing board.â€
Jonathan Haggerty predicts fireworks against Akimoto
Watching his brother's disciplined performance seemed to sharpen Jonathan's own approach heading into his title defense. He has never been one to shy away from bold declarations before a fight, and this time is no different.
The 29-year-old Englishman has spent a run spanning multiple weight classes and two disciplines building toward this kind of stage, defending gold on home soil in Japan against a fighter who once held the very title he now carries.
“I'm more than ready. Fans can expect fireworks, explosiveness, and a knockout.
“Thank you so much for always supporting me for years now. You guys are a big part of ONE Championship. Fans pick you up when you're down. They make you positive. That extra bit of motivation just spurs you on.â€
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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