Expectations for Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Shamil Gaziev at UFC Vegas 87 final night time (Sat., March 2, 2023) began within the basement.
Actually.
In a vacuum, Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev wasn’t a horrible match up. Gaziev was marginally spectacular in his UFC debut end win over Martin Buday, whereas Rozenstruik has largely struggled in latest fights and thus may use a step again. It’s not intriguing, however certain, it’s a battle that’s value watching.
An additional two rounds although? No one wished that. There was no want! The one pair of presumably good eventualities right here concerned the battle ending inside 5 minutes. Both Rozenstruik’s counter left hook ended the battle in a minute or Gaziev smashed the kickboxer with floor strikes earlier than gassing — these have been the one good choices!
There was no likelihood of this battle enhancing after the opening 5 minutes. There was DEFINITELY no likelihood of this battle being good after 15! Gaziev is understood to gasoline out, and each Rozenstruik battle that goes past the primary is characterised by lengthy durations of inactivity.
I’ll give some credit score to ‘Bigi Boy’: he threw extra this battle. 122 vital strikes in 20 minutes is fairly strong, significantly by his commonplace. Alas, Gaziev did dwell as much as his fatigued status, which nonetheless induced the bout to tug. He was spent after the opening couple of minutes, and Rozenstruik just about simply jabbed him up till referee Marc Goddard and the physician teamed as much as present him — and us — some mercy by calling the battle between rounds
Predictable.
Briefly, it was a predictably dangerous predominant occasion with zero consequence. Rozenstruik doesn’t transfer up the ladder. Gaziev returns to the “Prelims” from whence he got here. The true situation right here is that UFC retains feeding its followers and ESPN+ horrible Heavyweight predominant occasions regardless of the persistently mediocre outcomes.
Apart from Jon Jones — most likely essentially the most embellished athlete in UFC historical past — Rozenstruik has scored the primary occasion slot greater than another lively UFC champion. Six instances he’s been prime of the cardboard, and never a kind of bouts has been all that a lot enjoyable to observe. We don’t have to hold making an attempt!
Fight sports activities have at all times promoted the most important males essentially the most, as a result of that’s what appeals most to the informal fanbase. If we now have to focus on the divisions 185-pounds and up, nevertheless, can we a minimum of make certain they’re good match ups? Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev lowered the bar on this regard, taking a wholly unremarkable undercard fighter and pitting him towards a ranked — however stationary and infrequently uninteresting — contender.
We have now seen sufficient Jairzinho Rozenstruik predominant occasions. Sadly, within the aftermath of his win, I’ve seen a number of requires Rozenstruik vs. Derrick Lewis, which in some way hasn’t occurred but. It’s a particular step up from final night time’s predominant occasion, and would make an incredible three-round bout on a pay-per-view or co-main occasion in some non-Apex “Struggle Night time.”
As an alternative, it most likely will get the five-round remedy, and we’ll all be crossing our fingers hoping for a stoppage inside two minutes.
For full UFC Vegas 87: “Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev” outcomes and play-by-play, click on HERE.
