Shamil Gaziev
Record: 15-2
Recent Fights:
- Loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik (TKO, 2024)
- Win against Martin Buday (TKO, 2023)
- Win against Greg Velasco (Submission, 2023)
- Win against Darko Stosic (TKO, 2023)
- Win against Pavel Dailidko (KO, 2022)
Gaziev is known for his aggressive striking and effective grappling. His recent loss to Rozenstruik came after a solid run of victories, including notable finishes against Buday and Velasco. His ability to finish fights early and his well-rounded skills make him a dangerous opponent.
Don'Tale Mayes
Record: 12-6 (1 NC)
Recent Fights:
- Win against Caio Machado (Decision, 2024)
- Loss to Rodrigo Nascimento (Decision, 2023)
- Win against Andrei Arlovski (TKO, 2023)
- Loss to Augusto Sakai (Decision, 2023)
- No Contest against Hamdy Abdelwahab (2022)
Mayes is known for his size and striking power but has shown vulnerability, especially in grappling exchanges. His win against Arlovski demonstrates his potential, but his inconsistent performances and recent losses suggest a level of unpredictability.
Fighting Styles and Strategy
Gaziev: Will likely look to use his striking to keep Mayes on the back foot and utilize his grappling skills to control the fight. Gaziev's ability to finish fights early could be a significant advantage.
Mayes: Needs to leverage his size and striking power to keep Gaziev at bay. His success will depend on his ability to avoid getting into grappling exchanges and using his striking to score.
Keys to Victory
Gaziev: Must capitalize on his striking and grappling skills to control the fight. Avoiding prolonged exchanges with Mayes and looking for opportunities to finish the fight quickly could be crucial.
Mayes: Needs to keep the fight standing and utilize his power to land significant strikes. Avoiding the ground game and ensuring he doesn't get overwhelmed by Gaziev's aggression will be key.
Prediction
Given Gaziev's strong recent performances and well-rounded skill set, he has the edge in this matchup. If he can avoid Mayes' power and use his striking and grappling effectively, he should secure a victory. I predict Shamil Gaziev to win, likely by TKO in the later rounds.
