Aiemann Zahabi
Canada
Drags himself to sixth straight win
Zahabi defeated Jose Aldo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 315 on Saturday in Montreal.
ANALYSIS
It's the biggest win of Zahabi's career by a mile. Whether or not he actually deserved it is another matter entirely, but either way, Zahabi dug really deep to even have a chance to get his hand raised. Aiemann started slowly, clearly dropping Round 1 and probably dropping Round 2. Things went from bad to worse early in Round 3 and it appeared he was on the verge of being finished, but he ended up surviving, and Aldo gassed himself out in the process. Zahabi eventually got his exhausted opponent to the mat an unloaded elbows from mount until the bell rang. The late surge ended up being enough, because all three judges shockingly gave him the middle frame. Zahabi has fought just six times since February 2021, but he's won each and every one. Set to turn 38 years of age in November, Aiemann needs to keep his foot on the gas.
It's the biggest win of Zahabi's career by a mile. Whether or not he actually deserved it is another matter entirely, but either way, Zahabi dug really deep to even have a chance to get his hand raised. Aiemann started slowly, clearly dropping Round 1 and probably dropping Round 2. Things went from bad to worse early in Round 3 and it appeared he was on the verge of being finished, but he ended up surviving, and Aldo gassed himself out in the process. Zahabi eventually got his exhausted opponent to the mat an unloaded elbows from mount until the bell rang. The late surge ended up being enough, because all three judges shockingly gave him the middle frame. Zahabi has fought just six times since February 2021, but he's won each and every one. Set to turn 38 years of age in November, Aiemann needs to keep his foot on the gas.
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Against legend at featherweight
Zahabi is scheduled to compete against Jose Aldo in a featherweight fight Saturday at UFC 315, per MMA Fighting.
ANALYSIS
It is publicly unknown why the Zahabi-Aldo fight is now at a higher weight, though Aldo did look wll worse for wear when stepping up for his official weigh-in. The fight will be Zahabi's first featherweight bout. However, he does have experience with a bantamweight opponent not making the class' weight limit. Back in 2021, for a Vegas card, Zahabi defeated a heavy Drako Rodriguez by knocking him out within four minutes.
It is publicly unknown why the Zahabi-Aldo fight is now at a higher weight, though Aldo did look wll worse for wear when stepping up for his official weigh-in. The fight will be Zahabi's first featherweight bout. However, he does have experience with a bantamweight opponent not making the class' weight limit. Back in 2021, for a Vegas card, Zahabi defeated a heavy Drako Rodriguez by knocking him out within four minutes.
Scheduled against legend
Zahabi is scheduled to compete against fellow bantamweight Jose Aldo at UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10, per Nolan King of MMAJunkie.com.
ANALYSIS
In terms of opponent accomplishments, Zahabi will not get one much better than Aldo, arguably the UFC's greatest featherweight of all time. However, the now-38-year-old Aldo is only big in name, coming off a split-decision loss to Mario Bautista and serving as the bantamweight division's litmus test. By defeating Aldo, Zahadi not only improves his streak but also proves he is easily a serviceable contender in the division.
In terms of opponent accomplishments, Zahabi will not get one much better than Aldo, arguably the UFC's greatest featherweight of all time. However, the now-38-year-old Aldo is only big in name, coming off a split-decision loss to Mario Bautista and serving as the bantamweight division's litmus test. By defeating Aldo, Zahadi not only improves his streak but also proves he is easily a serviceable contender in the division.
Runs winning streak to five
Zahabi defeated Pedro Munhoz via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Edmonton.
ANALYSIS
The best run of Zahabi's professional career continues. While Munhoz attempted to turn this into a wild brawl, Zahabi was the more technical fighter and did the better job of picking his spots. He landed the more consistently damaging blows and stuffed all six of Pedro's takedown attempts for good measure. Zahabi has now won five in a row, which is great, but he'll be 37 years of age later this month and has fought just five times dating back to February 2021. That type of activity level isn't going to cut it if you hope to make a serious run in a loaded bantamweight division. Time isn't on Zahabi's side.
The best run of Zahabi's professional career continues. While Munhoz attempted to turn this into a wild brawl, Zahabi was the more technical fighter and did the better job of picking his spots. He landed the more consistently damaging blows and stuffed all six of Pedro's takedown attempts for good measure. Zahabi has now won five in a row, which is great, but he'll be 37 years of age later this month and has fought just five times dating back to February 2021. That type of activity level isn't going to cut it if you hope to make a serious run in a loaded bantamweight division. Time isn't on Zahabi's side.
Slated to face Munhoz
Zahabi will face Pedro Munhoz in a bantamweight fight at UFC Edmonton on Nov. 2, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Zahabi defeated Javid Basharat via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in his most recent fight in March this year, and he'll look to keep the streak alive since that was his fourth consecutive win. The soon-to-be 37 years old wants to keep proving he has enough left in the tank to continue fighting at the highest level.
Zahabi defeated Javid Basharat via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in his most recent fight in March this year, and he'll look to keep the streak alive since that was his fourth consecutive win. The soon-to-be 37 years old wants to keep proving he has enough left in the tank to continue fighting at the highest level.
Pulls massive upset in Vegas
Zahabi defeated Javid Basharat via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Zahabi was given no respect prior to this fight, marked as a +650 underdog despite entering having won three straight. It didn't start well for Aiemann, as Basharat outworked him in Round 1 and landed the cleaner, more damaging strikes, but an increase in output and effectiveness over the course of the final ten minutes allowed Zahabi to pull a huge upset. When all was said and done, Zahabi landed 43 percent of his significant strikes (75-174) while Javid was at just 32 percent (67-205). That, combined with Zahabi stuffing all four of his opponent's takedown attempts, ended up being enough.
Zahabi was given no respect prior to this fight, marked as a +650 underdog despite entering having won three straight. It didn't start well for Aiemann, as Basharat outworked him in Round 1 and landed the cleaner, more damaging strikes, but an increase in output and effectiveness over the course of the final ten minutes allowed Zahabi to pull a huge upset. When all was said and done, Zahabi landed 43 percent of his significant strikes (75-174) while Javid was at just 32 percent (67-205). That, combined with Zahabi stuffing all four of his opponent's takedown attempts, ended up being enough.