The UFC returns to Las Vegas on September 23, 2023, with a stacked card headlined by a lightweight clash between Rafael Fiziev and Mateusz Gamrot. Both fighters are on impressive winning streaks and looking to break into the top five of the division.

Fiziev (12-2) is a former Muay Thai champion who had won four straight fights in the UFC, including a unanimous decision over former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, but lost his last fight to the great Justin Gaethje. The Kazakhstan native is known for his explosive striking, especially his powerful kicks and punches. He has six knockouts in his career and has never been finished.

Gamrot (22-2-1) is a former KSW champion and is coming with decision win over Jalin Turner. The Polish fighter is a well-rounded mixed martial artist who can grapple, wrestle, and strike with equal proficiency. He has nine submissions and five knockouts in his career and has only lost once by split decision.

This fight promises to be a thrilling contest between two rising stars who have different styles but similar goals. Fiziev will look to use his striking advantage and keep the fight on the feet, while Gamrot will try to close the distance and take the fight to the ground. Both fighters are durable and confident, so expect fireworks from start to finish.

The co-main event features a featherweight bout between Bryce Mitchell and Dan Ige, two fighters who are also looking to climb the rankings. Mitchell (15-1) is a submission specialist who has won five straight fights in the UFC, including four by rear-naked choke. Ige (17-6) is a former contender series winner who has won two of his three fights in the UFC, including a knockout over Gavin Tucker in his last fight.

The main card also includes a women’s strawweight bout between Marina Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson-Gomez, a welterweight bout between Bryan Battle and AJ Fletcher, and a featherweight bout between Ricardo Ramos and Charles Jourdain.

Main card

Rafael Fiziev vs. Mateusz Gamrot: Lightweight

Bryce Mitchell vs. Dan Ige: Featherweight

Marina Rodriguez vs. Michelle Waterson-Gomez: Strawweight

Bryan Battle vs. AJ Fletcher: Welterweight

Charles Jourdain vs. Ricardo Ramos: Featherweight

Bellator 299 Preview

Bellator 299 is an upcoming mixed martial arts event that will take place on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. The event will feature a middleweight title fight between the undefeated champion Johnny Eblen and the UK’s No.1 challenger Fabian Edwards, who is the brother of UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards. The event will also showcase some of the best talent from Europe and beyond, including Aaron Pico, Sinead Kavanagh, Mads Burnell, Jay-Jay Wilson, Peter Queally, and more.

Here are some of the highlights and predictions for the main card fights:

Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards: This is a clash of styles between two elite middleweights. Eblen is a former NCAA Division I wrestler who has dominated his opponents with his grappling and ground-and-pound. He has finished 10 of his 13 wins by knockout or submission and is yet to suffer a loss. Edwards is a striking specialist who has a diverse arsenal of kicks, knees, and elbows. He has won 7 of his 12 wins by knockout or submission, including a highlight-reel flying knee over Falco Neto at Bellator Birmingham. Both fighters are confident and hungry for the belt, but we think Eblen will use his wrestling advantage to control the fight and grind out a decision victory.

Aaron Pico vs. Pedro Carvalho: This is a matchup between two exciting featherweights who are looking to bounce back from losses. Pico is a former wrestling prodigy who has shown incredible power and athleticism in his striking. He has knocked out seven of his 15 opponents, but he has also been knocked out 3 times himself. Carvalho is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who has a knack for finishing fights with submissions. He has won six of his 13 wins by submission, but he was stopped by Patricio Freire in the quarterfinals of the featherweight grand prix. Both fighters are dangerous and unpredictable, so expect a great fight.

Sinead Kavanagh vs. Sara Collins: This is a women’s featherweight bout between two Irish fighters who are making their Bellator debuts. Kavanagh is a former boxing champion who has transitioned to MMA with mixed results. She has won 9 of her 14 fights, but she has also lost 5 times. Collins is a former kickboxer who has won four of her five fights by knockout or submission. She has not fought since 2017, when she defeated Kerry Hughes by TKO at Cage Warriors 85. Both fighters are aggressive and powerful, but we think Kavanagh will use her experience and boxing skills to outstrike Collins and win by TKO.

Bellator Main Card

    Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards Title Fight

    Aaron Pico vs. Pedro Carvalho

    Sinead Kavanagh vs. Sara Collins

    Mads Burnell vs. Daniel Weichel

    Sabah Homasi vs. Levan Chokheli

Boxing

Zhilei Zhang vs Joe Joyce 2

 The fight features a heavyweight rematch between Chinese southpaw Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang and British superstar Joe Joyce.

 Zhang (25-1-1, 20 KOs) captured an Olympic silver medal for his home country at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He turned pro in 2014 and compiled a 24-0-1 record before losing a controversial decision to Filip Hrgovic last August. He meets Joyce again just five months after snatching his WBO interim world title. Joyce (15-1, 14 KOs) is a 2016 Olympic silver medalist who turned pro in October 2017 and won the Commonwealth title in his fourth outing. He hopes to exact revenge in his hometown this Saturday.