Fiziev’s fight with Gamrot and the battle for the Bellator title. Top 7 fights of the week in MMA and boxing
Sergey Sorokin September 18, 2023, 08:15 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
The next seven days will feature four belt fights at once.
Next week promises to be very important in the world of boxing and mixed martial arts. The organizers have planned a large number of titles. Therefore, fights must delight in intrigue and confrontations between the best athletes. We have compiled seven main events that will take place from September 18 to 24.
September 18. Together Nakatani – Argy Cortés
On September 18, a major boxing tournament will take place in Tokyo (Japan). The confrontation between Junto Nakatani and Argy Cortez is especially striking. The WBO 52.2 kg title is at stake. Nakatani seems the clear favorite. He remains undefeated and has a professional record of 25-0. Together he has 19 knockouts. Arga Cortez has more modest numbers: 25-3-2, 10 KOs. But he looks like a dangerous opposition and can impose very serious resistance.
Together Nakatani – Argy Cortés
Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images
September 18. Kenshiro Teraji – Hekki Badler
At the same tournament in Tokyo, boxing fans will have another interesting confrontation. Kenshiro Teraji and Hekki Badler will compete in the ring. The rivals will fight for the WBC and WBA 49kg titles. Therefore, the fight should prove very intriguing. Teraji has a professional record of 21-1 and has knocked out his opponents 13 times. Badler has experience on his side: he has participated in 39 professional fights and has a record of 35 wins and four losses. On 11 occasions he knocked out his opponents.
Kenshiro Teraji – Hekki Badler
Photo: Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images
September 20. Lester Martinez – Lionell Thompson
An interesting fight will take place on September 20 in Plant City (USA). Lester Martinez and Lionell Thompson will enter the ring. There are no titles at stake, but each of the boxers has incredible motivation. Martinez, who is undefeated with a 16-0 record, appears to be the favorite. In addition, the boxer completed 14 of his fights ahead of schedule. And Lionell Thompson has less significant statistics: 22-5, 12 KOs. But the athlete is determined to deprive his opponent of the “zero” and significantly improve his status.
Lester Martinez
Photo: from Lester Martínez’s personal archive.
September 23. Zhang Zhilei – Joe Joyce
On September 23, it will be very hot in London (England). The fight between Zhang Zhilei and Joe Joyce should be especially interesting. They will fight for the WBO interim heavyweight world title (over 90.7 kg). Therefore, it will be very interesting to see which of the giants will win the belt. Zhilei has a record of 25-1-1, 20 KOs, Joyce – 15-1, 14 KOs. The fight is unlikely to go to a judge’s decision. For the opponents, this fight will be a rematch. Joe’s only defeat was inflicted by Zhang.
Zhang Zhilei – Joe Joyce
Photo: James Chance/Getty Images
September 23. Johnny Ablin – Fabián Edwards
Bellator 299 will take place on September 23 in Dublin, Ireland, and in its main event the organization’s middleweight title will be at stake. Defending him will be the undefeated Johnny Ablin with a record of 14-0. In the previous fight he was stronger than the Russian Anatoly Tokov. He will face Fabian Edwards (14-2). The fight promises to be very exciting.
How is the Russian Bellator star doing?
He will send Bader into retirement and go after Ngannou. Nemkov moves up to heavyweight
The night of September 23 to 24. Juntaro Ushiku – Kyohei Agiwara
The RIZIN 44 tournament will take place on the night of September 23-24. Juntaro Ushiku and Kyohei Agiwara will compete in the main fight of the evening. Mixed martial arts fans expect an uncompromising fight. Usiku, with a record of 22-10-1, will try to get back on track after two consecutive losses. Agiwara (7-6) achieved a long-awaited victory in the last fight and closed his losing streak. Each of the rivals hopes to return to the title race.
The organization is already doing everything it can to compete with the best promotions on the planet:
Fedor’s New Year’s fight and Khabib’s “last dance.” RIZIN did what the UFC couldn’t
The night of September 23 to 24. Rafael Fiziev – Mateusz Gamrot
The UFC Fight Night tournament will take place the night of September 23-24. It will take place at the UFC Apex sports complex in Enterprise (Las Vegas, USA). Rafael Fiziev and Mateusz Gamrot will compete in the main event of the night. Both competitors intend to win and return to the championship race, as they suffered defeats not long ago. Fiziev (12-2) defeated Justin Gaethje. And Gamrot (22-2) lost to Beneil Dariush. It is true that he already closed his failure with a victory over Jalin Turner. But it’s too early to think about a title fight.
Let’s remember Rafael’s last fight:
Fiziev is defeated! In one minute, Gaethje shattered Ataman’s championship dreams.
