Undefeated prospect Farid Basharat took on Brazilian Muay Thai specialist Kleydson Rodrigues at UFC Paris.
Farid, just like his also-undefeated brother Javid, has a well-rounded and effective style that gives the pair high potentials in the stacked bantamweight division. Kleydson Rodrigues is no easy opponent for a fighter in his second UFC fight, but the Brazilian was at a size disadvantage due to moving up to bantamweight for the first time in the promotion after missing weight twice in a row.
Kleydson came out kicking hard and Farid shot a takedown in response; Rodrigues sprawled it out well but made a mistake when he tried to take the back because Basharat was able to block it with his hand and complete the single leg. Farid settled in half guard, pressed his shoulder into Kleydson’s chin, and worked to pass to mount. After about thirty seconds he was able to get the full mount and he stayed low and heavy on top to settle the position. When he did posture up a bit Kleydson’s explosiveness allowed him to buck and explode up into a clinch situation.
Rodrigues landed a knee but then Farid got in on a takedown again. He ate some elbows on the way but once again got into top half. Basharat landed more ground and pound this time around but still stayed heavy and low on top. Some great elbows from Basharat landed; Rodrigues responded with some of his own but they had less power on them becuase he had no leverage from his back. Suddenly Farid got clear of the half guard and locked up a head-and-arm choke in one fluid move. Rodrigues tried to answer the phone but was forced to tap due to an impressive, powerful squeeze from Farid.
STILL UNDEFEATED! @faridbofficial gets the first finish of the day at #UFCParis 💪 pic.twitter.com/Wj2xa2xDl4
— UFC (@ufc) September 2, 2023
The Basharat brothers’ combined undefeated record stayed intact at UFC Paris and Farid got the first finish of his UFC career in front of an appreciative Parisian crowd.
Official Result: Farid Basharat def. Kleydson Rodrigues by Submission (arm triangle choke), Round 1, 4:15
