Fight Night UFC 228 returns to the Apex in Las Vegas with a Main Event between top ten Lightweight Contenders Rafael Fiziev and Mateusz Gamrot. Poland’s Gamrot defeated Jalin Turner in March and is a dominant grappler who has won numerous European Jiu-Jitsu titles. Fiziev is a former professional kickboxer whose aggressive style has made him a favorite to watch amongst combat sports fans. After losing to Justin Gaethje in a highly entertaining fight, Fiziev will need a win this weekend to get back into title contention.
The Co-Main event of UFC Fight Night 228 showcases Featherweights Bryce Mitchell and Dan Ige. This will be an interesting clash of styles between the heavy-handed wrestler Ige, and a dominant Jiu-Jitsu practitioner in Mitchell. Ige has won his last two fights against tough competitors Nate Landwehr and Damon Jackson. Mitchell suffered a loss last December to Ilia Topuria and wants to bounce back with a win against his veteran opponent.
Also on the card, Featherweight finishers Ricardo Ramos and Charles Jourdain clash in a contest that has Fight of the Night written all over it.
#6 Rafael Fiziev (12-2) vs. #7 Mateusz Gamrot (22-2)
In the Main Event of UFC Fight Night 228 entertaining Lightweights collide when dangerous striker Rafael Fiziev faces former two-division KSW champion Mateusz Gamrot. Both of these fighters have gained a significant amount of fans due to their all-action styles. Since joining the UFC in 2020, Gamrot has received four performance bonuses in seven fights. Fiziev just earned his third Fight of the Night award in an absolute battle with Justin Gaethje. It will be interesting to see how Fiziev responds after taking a massive amount of damage in his last fight. Gamrot was tested by well-respected prospect Jalin Turner last time out, winning a hard-fought split decision. Currently, online sportsbooks have Fiziev (-155) as a slight betting favorite.
Stylistically this will be a very fun matchup between striker and grappler. Gamrot must take this fight to the ground where he should hold a significant advantage over Fiziev. Gamrot has one of the best gas tanks in the division and is dominant when in top control on the ground. Fiziev hasn’t faced anyone with the level of wrestling Gamrot possesses. If the fight stays standing, Fiziev will win the striking exchanges and could find himself a knockout. Gamrot will need to be very careful with the former professional kickboxer if he plans on striking for extended periods of time. Fizev is extremely creative and can pull off spectacular kicks and spinning techniques out of nowhere. This will be a highly competitive fight with both having a specific path to victory.
Prediction
In Gamrot’s first loss in the UFC, Guram Kuteladze was able to defeat the Polish contender by outlanding Gamrot on the feet while also stopping some of his takedown attempts. Fiziev and his team will need to look at this fight for an example of how to find success against Gamrot’s pressure-filled style. If Gamrot can bait Fiziev into over-extending in exchanges he may be able to take him down and find success on the ground.
Prediction: Mateusz Gamrot By Decision
#10 Bryce Mitchell (15-2) vs. #12 Dan Ige (17-6)
This Saturday’s Co-Main event will feature ranked contenders at 145 pounds. Arkansas’s Bryce Mitchell is coming into this contest after his first loss in the UFC. Last December, Mitchell suffered a one-sided defeat at the hands of future title challenger Ilia Topuria. Having tasted defeat for the first time since the Ultimate Fighter, Mitchell will look to rebound this weekend against veteran Dan “50k” Ige. Experience will lie on the side of Ige who has faced top ten contenders Josh Emmett, Korean Zombie, and Mosvar Evloev. After struggling against the division’s elite, Ige has won back-to-back fights against Nate Landwehr and Damon Jackson. Ige has never been finished in his career and will enter the octagon for the 15th time this weekend.
Mitchell could hold a slight advantage on the ground but Ige may stop some of his takedown attempts being a former collegiate wrestler at Wartburg College in Iowa. If Mitchell can’t get the fight to the ground he may be in serious trouble. Ige has tremendous power in his hands with five knockouts on his record. Mitchell will be three inches taller and is in his prime at 28 years old.
Prediction: Bryce Mitchell by Decision
Ricardo Ramos (16-4) vs. Charles Jourdain (14-6)
Featherweight standouts Ricardo Ramos and Charles Jourdain collide on the main card of UFC Fight Night 228. Ramos started his career on the right foot winning his first three fights. Many had high hopes for the Brazilian finisher but Ramos has struggled recently going 2-2 since 2020. Canada’s Jourdain looked very impressive in his recent win over Kron Gracie. Jourdain is a very well-rounded fighter who has eight knockouts and four submissions on his record. According to online sportsbooks, this is the closest fight on Saturday’s card. FanDuel is slightly favoring Jourdain (-150).
On the feet, Jourdain was able to hold his own with talented strikers Lando Vanatta and Shane Burgos in past fights. If this matchup takes place standing up Jourdain should hold an advantage. Ramos knocked out Danny Chavez in under two minutes last time out. This is a very even and competitive matchup that has “Fight of the Night” written all over it.
Prediction: Charles Jourdain by KO/TKO
UFC Fight Night Prelims:
The UFC Fight Night 228 prelims have multiple matches fight fans should tune in for. Former Ultimate Fighter winner Bryan Battle (10-2) returns after his first-round knockout of Gabe Green. Battle will face tough Louisiana prospect AJ Fletcher (10-2) in this Welterweight contest. Fletcher is very strong physically and may want to take this fight to the ground as Battle will have a ten-inch reach advantage. Fletcher has gone 1-2 in his last three, while Battle’s lone UFC loss came against top Russian contender Rinat Fakretdinov (21-1).
Prediction: Bryan Battle by Decision
Another Ultimate Fighter winner will be competing on the prelims when Mohammed Usman (10-2) takes on UFC veteran Jake Collier (13-9). Collier started his career at Middleweight but now finds himself fighting in the Heavyweight division. Collier has lost three fights in a row to unranked competition. Usman is a former collegiate football player at the University of Arizona and is physically gifted for a Heavyweight. Usman is the brother of former Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and has devastating one-punch knockout power. Collier has struggled against heavy-handed opponents at times.
Prediction: Mohammed Usman by KO/TKO
The UFC 228 prelims begin at 3 p.m. CST. The Main card will start at 6 p.m. CST.
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