Mirsad Bektic
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Struggles continue in Vegas
Bektic lost to Damon Jackson via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:21 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Widely viewed as one of the very best prospects in the sport at one point and a potential future title contender at 145 pounds, that should just about do it for Bektic. As has been the case throughout his run with the company, Bektic let opportunity slip right through his hands Saturday. He was in firm control of this fight after two rounds, perhaps even up 20-17. Yet he lazily left his neck exposed in the opening portion of Round 3, and Jackson was able to choke him out. It's truly been a shocking turn of events for a fighter who appeared to have so much promise early in his tenure with the company. Bektic began his UFC run with four straight wins, but has since gone 2-4 in his past six fights, including three straight defeats.
Widely viewed as one of the very best prospects in the sport at one point and a potential future title contender at 145 pounds, that should just about do it for Bektic. As has been the case throughout his run with the company, Bektic let opportunity slip right through his hands Saturday. He was in firm control of this fight after two rounds, perhaps even up 20-17. Yet he lazily left his neck exposed in the opening portion of Round 3, and Jackson was able to choke him out. It's truly been a shocking turn of events for a fighter who appeared to have so much promise early in his tenure with the company. Bektic began his UFC run with four straight wins, but has since gone 2-4 in his past six fights, including three straight defeats.
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Facing Damon Jackson on Saturday
Bektic will face Damon Jackson at UFC Fight Night on September 19, Marcel Dorff of MMADNA reports.
ANALYSIS
Eduardo Garagorri, Bektic's previously scheduled opponent, was forced to withdraw this week, so Jackson will step in on less than a week's notice to fill out the card.
Eduardo Garagorri, Bektic's previously scheduled opponent, was forced to withdraw this week, so Jackson will step in on less than a week's notice to fill out the card.
Fight Saturday in jeopardy
Bektic's opponent, Eduardo Garagorri, had to withdraw on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's anticipated featherweight bout at UFC 253, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
One of Garagorri's corner men reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, meaning the UFC will have to scramble to see if they can find a short notice replacement. It is also likely, however, that this fight ends up getting rebooked in a few weeks when the UFC returns to Yas Island. Bektic has gone 2-2 in his last four fights.
One of Garagorri's corner men reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, meaning the UFC will have to scramble to see if they can find a short notice replacement. It is also likely, however, that this fight ends up getting rebooked in a few weeks when the UFC returns to Yas Island. Bektic has gone 2-2 in his last four fights.
Joins UFC 253 card
Bektic (13-3-0) is scheduled to face Luiz Eduardo Garagorri (13-1-0) in a featherweight fight at UFC 253 on Sept. 19, Mike Bohn of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Bektic returns to the Octagon after losing to Dan Ige and Josh Emmett in his last two fights. The 29-year-old Bosnian's last victory came back in June 2018, when he defeated Ricardo Lamas in a split decision.
Bektic returns to the Octagon after losing to Dan Ige and Josh Emmett in his last two fights. The 29-year-old Bosnian's last victory came back in June 2018, when he defeated Ricardo Lamas in a split decision.
Struggles continue at UFC 247
Bektic lost to Dan Ige via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC 247 on Saturday in Houston.
ANALYSIS
Long on talent and short on performance, it was a typical up and down performance from Bektic. He nearly got run out of the Toyota Center by Ige in Round 1 before completely flipping the script in Round 2 with his grappling. Bektic had Ige in a very deep choke but ultimately couldn't get the stoppage and did very little in Round 3. We have reached the point in which Bektic has essentially evolved into a one-dimensional grappler. He's reckless on the feet and absorbs far too much punishment in the striking game. The fact he hasn't made any notable improvements under the tutelage of Firas Zahabi is particularly concerning. Bektic is 2-3 in his last five fights dating back to March 2017.
Long on talent and short on performance, it was a typical up and down performance from Bektic. He nearly got run out of the Toyota Center by Ige in Round 1 before completely flipping the script in Round 2 with his grappling. Bektic had Ige in a very deep choke but ultimately couldn't get the stoppage and did very little in Round 3. We have reached the point in which Bektic has essentially evolved into a one-dimensional grappler. He's reckless on the feet and absorbs far too much punishment in the striking game. The fact he hasn't made any notable improvements under the tutelage of Firas Zahabi is particularly concerning. Bektic is 2-3 in his last five fights dating back to March 2017.
Paired against Dan Ige
Bektic will face Dan Ige on Feb. 8 at an event in a location that hasn't yet been disclosed, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Bektic lost his most recent fight by first-round TKO to Josh Emmett back in July. That was his second loss in his last four matches, bringing his career record to 13-2. His opponent, Ige, has won his last four matches.
Bektic lost his most recent fight by first-round TKO to Josh Emmett back in July. That was his second loss in his last four matches, bringing his career record to 13-2. His opponent, Ige, has won his last four matches.