Preview: UFC 308 Prelims

Bantamweights

Farid Basharat (12-0, 3-0 UFC) vs. Victor Hugo (25-4, 1-0 UFC)

ODDS: Basharat (-625), Hugo (+455)

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This is a decent enough fight, in part because it’s always interesting to see what Basharat will bring to the table. Less athletic but more technically sound than older brother Javid Basharat, he has been quietly consistent. He can try to get by with the same movement-heavy striking game as his brother, but he has done much better fighting with an intelligent and well-practiced wrestling and grappling game. After looking impressive in his first three UFC bouts, Basharat looked to get a step up in competition against Montel Jackson earlier this year before that fell through. Instead, he winds up facing Hugo in a fight that represents a lateral move while still serving as a tough test.

“Striker” is not an appropriate nickname for Brazil’s Hugo, as he mostly looks to implement a control-heavy wrestling game while diving for some risky submissions. Hugo’s certainly comfortable with this approach, as he has been a professional since 2011, but he has only faced solid competition in the last few years and it seems he has been a bit lucky to thread that needle. His Contender Series win was going poorly until a sudden heel hook submission, and his successful UFC debut was mostly won on the back of a late-notice replacement opponent tiring after a round. Basharat doesn’t fade and makes some smart decisions on the mat, so this looks like his fight to lose. The pick is Basharat via decision.

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