Lightweight: Nariman Abbasov Vs. Ismael Bonfim
Tale of the tape
28-years-old
5’8″
Baku, Azerbaijan
Gabala
28-3
11 KO/TKOs, 5 Submissions
Combined opponent’s record: 204-68-7
26-years-old
5’8″
Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
Cerrado MMA
17-3
8 KO/TKOs, 4 Submissions
Combined opponent’s record: 102-64-6
Pros and Cons
Nariman Abbasov
Pros
- Good kicks
- Dangerous in exchanges
- Good knees
- Constant forward pressure
- Good in the pocket
- Thrives in brawls
Cons
- Wild striking/Spams overhands
- TDD needs work
- Misses a lot
- Slows as the fight goes/Gets sluggish
Ismael Bonfim
Pros
- Good jab
- Submission threat
- Good body kicks
- Strong BJJ
- Good pull-counter
- Good vision
- Nasty bodywork
- Composed
- Hands up/High guard
- Deep gas tank
- Good check hook
- Slips punches well
- Solid TDD
- Good knees
Cons
- Gives up his back
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Bonfim
Speed: Bonfim
Output/Volume: Abbasov
Kickboxing: Abbasov
Striking defense: Bonfim
Footwork/movement: Bonfim
Wrestling: Even
Grappling: Bonfim
More likely to finish on the mat: Bonfim
Gas tank: Bonfim
Prediction: I thought this fight would be close before rewatching the tape. With that said I think this could very well be one-sided towards Bonfim.
On the feet, Bonfim has a massive advantage. He has some of the sharpest boxing you see and Abbasov is the total opposite. Abbasov is far from technical and just swings overhands and hooks. What beats overhands and wide hooks? Quick straight punches and that’s what Bonfim has.
Abbasov has to take this fight down but I can’t see it happening. He fails to use angles and lacks the technique to get Bonfim down. Even if he was to get Bonfim down Bonfim has far better jiu-jitsu. To make matters worse for Abbasov he slows as the fight goes and Bonfim fights at the same pace. I’m picking Bonfim and I think he finishes late in the fight.
