UFC Middleweight

UFC: Is Edmen Shahbazyan the next big thing?

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The UFC is always out looking for their next big superstar. They are looking all over the world for young prospects who have superstar written all over them.

In the world today, MMA is becoming more of a mainstream option for kids as they grow up. Instead of traditional martial arts, parents are enrolling their kids into MMA classes where they are learning everything.

As a result, more and more talent is going to be coming out of this next generation as fighters who can do everything. One fighter that epitimizes that is 22-year old phenom, Edmen Shahbazyan.

Shahbazyan will make the walk for his fifth UFC fight this Saturday, months before he turns 23. Shahbazyan is wanting to beat Jon Jones record as the youngest fighter to become a UFC champion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gue7–IUr7M

The next UFC star from the Glendale Fighting Club?

Shahbazyan trains out of the Glendale Fighting Club. The gym was the home of Ronda Rousey during her career. Rousey actually is Shahbazyan’s manager.

Shahbazyan started hitting the mats when he was really young. There is actually footage of him working with Rousey at an open workout when he was just sixteen. Shahbazyan has been brought up to be good at everything.

Shahbazyan already possesses a smoothness and patience that you usually don’t see from fighters that are so young. His striking and killer instinct are already near the top of the division.

When Shahbazyan hurts his opponents, he’s so patient and calm about looking for the finishing blow. Most UFC fighters go all out aggressively, but Shahbazyan continues to strike with force and precision.

Shahbazyan could really be the next big thing in the UFC. He headlines his first card this Saturday night against Derek Brunson. A win over Brunson would likely get Shahbazyan an opponent in the top five of the UFC‘s middleweight division.

Realistically if Shahbazyan wins impressively Saturday night, he might only be one more win away from a title shot. If Shahbazyan is able to get his hands on the title in the year he turns 23, we might see him reign for a long time.

UFC: Where does Kelvin Gastelum go from here?

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Entering 2019, many people believed that Kelvin Gastelum (15-6, 1 NC) was near the top of the UFC‘s middleweight division.

Gastelum came into the year coming off of a knockout win over former champion Michael Bisping, and a win over Jacare Souza. Those wins led him to getting a interim title shot against Israel Adesanya.

The fight back at UFC 236 was an instant classic. Both men had big moments in the fight. Gastelum became the first man inside the UFC to make Adesanya look vulnerable.

In the final round of the fight, Adesanya made it clear that he was the better man. Gastelum fell in that fight, but his stock actually rose.

A fall from the top of the UFC’s middleweight division

Now we fast forward to our present time, and nobody believes that Gastelum is at the top of the UFC‘s middleweight division. After last Saturday, Gastelum is now 0-3 in his last three fights in the division.

Gastelum lost his fight to Adesanya then took on middleweight newcomer and former UFC welterweight title challenger, Darren Till.  Despite a split decision, I thought it was clear Till won the fight unanimously.

Gastelum took eight months off before showing up on Fight Island to fight Jack Hermansson. Gastelum talked about his mental struggles, but was confident he would dominate Hermansson. Hermansson went on to submit Gastelum in 78 seconds.

Gastelum is just getting ready to turn 29-years old, but where does he go from here? Gastelum is naturally a welterweight, but struggled mightily to make weight at 170.

After missing weight multiple times, Dana White forced Gastelum to move up. While his middleweight career started out well, he’s now just 3-4, 1 NC in the division.

I really think that Gastelum should evaluate what he wants to do moving forward. I think he could be one of the best welterweights in the world if he could show a little more discipline.

If Gastelum decides to stay in the UFC middleweight division, I’m not sure where he goes from here. Maybe he fights the loser of the Edmen Shahbazyan/Derek Brunson fight next? If not that, he’s going to have to take someone near the bottom of the top 15. Gastelum really needs to take a step back and evaluate the next steps in his career.

UFC: Paulo Costa says Israel Adesanya contract is signed

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One of the more anticipated UFC title fight of 2020 looks like it’s getting closer to having a date. Top UFC middleweight contender, Paulo Costa (13-0), announced that the contract has been signed for his title fight against champion, Israel Adesanya (19-0).

Costa’s Rise

Paulo Costa has looked like a one man wrecking crew since he joined the UFC in 2017. Costa has gone 5-0 with four knockouts including finishes over Johny Hendricks and Uriah Hall. However, it was Costa’s last fight that told the world just how good he was. “Borrachinha” went head-to-head against the middleweight division’s boogieman, Yoel Romero. Costa went right after Romero with a pace that was hard to match. Costa went right into the fire with arguably the scariest guy in the division, and he came out victorious. His performance was the polar opposite of Adesanya’s against Romero. After that fight, it was clear that Costa was the top contender in the division. However, injuries have delayed his UFC title fight.

The age of Stylebender

Since making his UFC debut back in February of 2018, Israel Adesanya has gone 8-0, looking incredibly impressive along the way. “The Last Sytlebender” reminds many of former middleweight great, Anderson Silva (who Adesanya holds a win over). Despite being undefeated, many doubted Adesanya when he fought former champion, Robert Whittaker. Adesanya put on the performance of his career stopping Whittaker in the second round of their title fight. Adesanya defended his title earlier this year against Yoel Romero in a fight that drew a ton of criticism. While Costa showed no fear in going into a fire fight with Romero, Adesanya played it safe striking from distance. There was a lack of action, and a lot of boos. Romero is the kind of fighter who waits to explode, while Adesanya is a counter-striker. It resulted in a horrific fight. However, the Adesanya/Costa fight is a matchup guaranteed to generate fireworks.

Who will be UFC middleweight king?

It’s rare that you get a title fight like this in MMA. The clear two top guys in the division, going head-to-head for the title while being undefeated. This fight has a Jon Jones/Daniel Cormier feel to it. Now, the fight has not been officially announced, but I would put my money that this fight will likely take place in October. The UFC is planning on Daniel Cormier/Stipe Miocic for their big August show while Khabib/Gaethje is tentatively scheduled for September. The likely next slot will be the October PPV. I cannot wait for this fight to come together. Costa is not the kind of guy who is going to sit back like Romero did against Adesanya, and an ultra aggressive challenger is just the kind of opponent that will allow Izzy to shine. It’s a fascinating clash of styles, and I can’t wait to see who will walk out as the undisputed middleweight king.