Preview: UFC 267 Prelims

Light Heavyweights

NR | Shamil Gamzatov (14-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. NR | Michal Oleksiejczuk (15-4, 3-2 UFC)

ODDS: Gamzatov (-142), Oleksiejczuk (+122)

This fight between baffling light heavyweights should hopefully result in the right type of weirdness. Poland’s Oleksiejczuk did not figure to find much success at the UFC level. Film prior to his Octagon debut showed a fighter reliant on absorbing damage and staging comebacks—a strategy that was not expected to work against the harder hitters in the UFC. However, for at least one fight, Oleksiejczuk successfully followed that game plan to a T, scoring a decision win over Khalil Rountree that was later overturned due to a failed drug test. After missing all of 2018 due to the ensuing suspension, Oleksiejczuk immediately re-announced himself as a prospect to watch upon his return, showing some sharp boxing in quick finishes over Gian Villante and Gadzhimurad Antigulov. Then Oleksiejczuk hit a clear ceiling. While there is a lot to like about the diverse and high-paced striking attack the Pole has developed for himself, he is both small and unathletic for the light heavyweight division, a reality which led to his hitting a wall against Ovince St. Preux and Jimmy Crute. It also nearly cost Oleksiejczuk his last win—a nip-tuck affair over Modestas Bukauskas—and figures to be a factor in this assignment. Gamzatov has staged an undefeated career over the past decade, and it is still a bit difficult to tell exactly how, as his style does not seem particularly functional. The Russian’s jab is the best part of his game, and Gamzatov otherwise seems to get by on some thin margins, throwing out just enough volume to stay ahead of his opponents while not wrestling nearly as much as you would expect. That could still work, particularly given Gamzatov’s size and likely strength advantage, but Oleksiejczuk seems likelier than most of his opponents to press the issue; and Gamzatov does not seem like much of a finishing threat. The pick is Oleksiejczuk via decision.

Continue Reading » Murphy vs. Amirkhani