Omari Akhmedov vs. Tom Breese is the latest addition to the UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar card on January 16.
The middleweight banger was announced by UFC officials Monday morning via social media.
After losing a wrestling heavy bout against former middleweight champion Chris Weidman, Akhmedov (20-5-1) will look to get back in the win column. Facing the Russian on the winter card is Birmingham’s Breese (12-2), who is coming off a quick win against KB Bhullar.
Interestingly, Akhmedov is looking to rebound, while Breese is looking to expand his success — breaking the UFC’s usual “winner vs. winner, loser vs. loser” approach. However, it’s important to acknowledge the solid streak Akhmedov was on prior to running into Weidman. In short, Akhmedov compiled a solid string of wins over Tim Boetsch, Zak Cummings and Ian Heinisch. Despite going to decision in all three bouts, he’s never an easy out, and gave Weidman all he could handle in their last outing. While Akhmedov has the edge in experience, Breese enters the bout with plenty of grappling bouts, and even some amateur fights too. With ten of Breese’s wins coming by way of submission, he’s a definite threat on the ground.
Despite both competitors being active as of late, Akhemedov’s schedule is far more consistent than United Kingdom’s Breese. The British fighter sat out all of 2019, and did not compete between May of 2018 and this past February. He’s 1-1 in his last two fights, losing a bout against Brendan Allen at UFC Norfolk before picking up the win against Bhullar.
The UFC’s January 16, 2021 event does not have an official location announced. However, the card is expected to be a Fight Night event headlined by Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar. The following bouts have been reported for the date:
Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar
Ricky Simon vs. Brian Kelleher
Justin Tafa vs. Carlos Felipe
Tim Elliott vs. Jordan Espinosa
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Muslim Salikhov
Austin Lingo vs. Jacob Kilburn
Punahele Soriano vs. Duško Todorovic
Julianna Peña vs. Sara McMann
Rodolfo Vieira vs. Anthony Hernandez
Nik Lentz vs. Mike Grundy
Warlley Alves vs. Christian Aguilera
Omari Akhmedov vs. Tom Breese
David Zawada vs. Ramazan Emeev
