Aiemann Zahabi has been a longtime Tristar product, so evaluating somebody to one among his legendary health club compatriots through the years, Georges St. Pierre, is excessive reward to not be taken calmly. Zahabi drew a comparability between the previous two-division champion and the present bantamweight kingpin, Merab Dvalishvili, forward of the latter’s subsequent title protection.
Aiemann Zahabi has his personal high-stakes bantamweight bout to concentrate on as he takes on Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera in a battle of ranked bantamweight contenders at UFC Vancouver on October 18th. Zahabi appeared on MMA Canada to offer his ideas on not simply the ‘Chito’ Vera conflict, but additionally on the upcoming bantamweight title battle on October 4th.
When pertaining to that bout between reigning titleholder Merab Dvalishvili and Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320, Zahabi stated,
“Man, very fascinating battle. Guys, I believe it’s going to be nice to look at. Okay, to start with, bantamweight division, the blokes are nice. All superb. I believe that Cory did some actually good things in opposition to Umar [Nurmagomedov] when it comes to granbying out, , defending the again by grabbing the ankles up. Like, he didn’t get dominated on the bottom in any respect, .”
“Clearly I’m certain he’s been refining that stuff to get higher at them already. And now he’s dealing with a man just like Umar when it comes to like we all know Merab’s going to shoot ultimately. He’s going to shoot, , it’s no secret. And he’s like GSP in that sense that all of us knew GSP was going to shoot. He’s taking you down anyway, man [laughs]. Merab’s going to take you down it doesn’t matter what.”
“That’s one thing you must make peace with. And I really feel like Cory is the kind of fighter who’s made that peace, however he’s additionally sensible sufficient to discover a manner that okay, as I’m taking place, how can I’m going down in the very best state of affairs? Roll out, possibly not get dominated, discover a manner again as much as my toes? Can I get him exhausted? Can I roll in a manner the place possibly I find yourself on prime of Merab?”
Aiemann Zahabi thinks Cory Sandhagen will “have higher strike output than [Sean] O’Malley in opposition to Merab [Dvalishvili]”
As he additional expounded upon his bout breakdown for the UFC 320 co-main occasion, Zahabi continued,
“Let’s see Merab on his again, . So, I believe it’s going to be a very good battle. I additionally discover that the peak goes to play an excellent position as a result of I believe that Cory’s going to be extra keen to throw the knee than Sean O’Malley was. I believe Cory’s bringing in a greater grappling, higher granby rolls than [O’Malley] was bringing in. So, I believe he’s going to have higher strike output than O’Malley in opposition to Merab.”
“However that’s to be seen. However in case you have been to ask me who’s gonna win, I believe Merab is gonna win by taking him down and and dominating him on the bottom ultimately. You recognize, that’s what I believe is gonna occur.”
“I could possibly be mistaken. I could possibly be mistaken. He’s been rocked many instances earlier than and Cory’s a slick switcher. So he may catch him on one of many switches with a pleasant strike or a pleasant knee or a pleasant elbow, very dynamic striker. It’s a should see. Should see, for certain.”
