Edmen Shahbazyan (Image by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

What must Edmen Shahbazyan do to get past Derek Brunson at UFC Vegas 5?

In the currently stacked middleweight division, there is no hotter possibility than the number 9 competitor, Edmen Shahbazyan Given that his effective look in Dana White’s Competitor Series, Shahbazyan has actually gone a best 4-0 in the UFC, keeping a total pristine record of 11 -0. with most of Shahbazyan’s battles ending in the first round, the possibility has actually made it practice to damage almost every opponent he has actually dealt with. Shahbazyan is facing his first true test this weekend versus a skilled veteran in Derek Brunson. Brunson, who has won his last 2 battles, has actually dealt with the very best that the middleweight division has to deal. With names like Yoel Romero, Robert Whittaker, and Israel Adesanya on his record, Brunson has actually shown that he can combat with the very best the UFC has to deal. With the relative beginner Shahbazyan facing his first leading 10 skill in Brunson, there are absolutely things that the possibility should do to get the win on Battle Island in his first main event.

Here are the 5 keys to victory for Edmen Shahbazyan

Make it through the first round

It is definitely no secret that Brunson is at his most unsafe in the first round of a battle. Out of his 20 profession wins, Brunson has won 14 of those bouts in the firstround His last 2 success were by method of patient choices, Brunson will most likely be trying to grapple an elite striker like Shahbazyan in the very same method he attempted to grapple with other strikers like Whittaker or Adesanya. If Shahbazyan is looking to reduce the effects of Brunson as much as possible, he would be wise to take the battle and attempt out of the firstround Brunson’s bad practice of lazy takedowns due to tiredness leaves him open for a striker like Shahbazyan to profit from, and the chance of that increases as the battle goes on. If Shahbazyan chooses to take the battle into much deeper rounds, his opportunities to both reject takedowns and get striking off boosts tremendously versus Brunson.

Stress knees and kicks

In among Brunson’s many well-known losses versus present UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya, it was a perfectly-timed knee that started the flurry of deadly shots from Adesanya that ended the battle in the firstround Shahbazyan, who has a relatively massive striking tool kit, must keep in mind from both Adesanya and Whittaker when approaching how to strike most efficiently with Brunson. Whittaker, who landed an enormous head kick that stunned and ultimately completed Brunson in 2016, is likewise an individual who exposed Brunson’s weak point to leg strikes. Shahbazyan, who had actually revealed his kicking expertise in his newest battle versus Brad Tavares, must not think twice to toss kicks when the opportunities provide themselves. Concealing the lead kick behind the jab like in his knockout win versus Tavares would be an exceptional strategy to bring to this battle, along with practicing attempting to catch Brunson with his knees when he attempts a takedown.

Do not engage on the ground

Shahbazyan is no downturn in the grappling department, however letting Brunson enter his convenience zone would be an error on his part. Due to the fact that there is such a relatively big space in between the 2 fighters striking abilities, Shahbazyan must attempt his hardest to make certain that the battle remains on the feet, even if that indicates stayingpatient Brunson’s last 2 wins were both really grappling heavy, and there is no doubt that Brunson’s gameplan for Shahbazyan will look comparable. Shahbazyan must be fine with packing several takedown efforts and waiting to strike if that indicates preventing having to grapple with Brunson. It’s no secret that in battles Brunson has a hard time to come to grips with his opponent, he generally does not do also, and excellent takedown defense from Shahbazyan might be the distinction in losing or winning.

Usage speed benefit

Shahbazyan is shockingly fast for a middleweight. In his 4 UFC battles, he has actually been noticeably quicker than his challengers in both his striking and his shifts on the ground. When he gets into exchanges with his opponent and ends up being able to launch mixes,Shahbazyan’s hand speed has actually particularly assisted him. Versus Brunson, nevertheless, Shahbazyan should utilize his speed to keep away from Brunson’s straight left and prevent takedown efforts. Brunson has actually discovered a great deal of success in his profession by utilizing his athleticism to interrupt his opponent’s range management and land power shots. Shahbazyan needs to watch out for this, and attempt to use his speed to keep Brunson at the end of his punches and far from his legs. He can reduce the effects of a substantial part of Brunson’s striking game if he can handle this.

Prevent the clinch

If Brunson has actually revealed something throughout his profession, it is that he has amazing strength. His capability to hang on to his challengers and force them to the fence is helped by his strength, and Shahbazyan must attempt his best to discourage Brunson from trying to clinch. When he tries to clinch,Shahbazyan needs to utilize his exceptional hand speed and counter-striking to tag Brunson. Shahbazyan needs to be peppering the jab frequently and shooting combinations when Brunson efforts to clinch in order to prevent the harsh strength and pressure of Brunson’s clinch. if Shahbazyan can keep the battle at a kickboxing variety, he will nearly absolutely be more effective than if he enables Brunson to clinch.

UFC Vegas 5 happens on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, live from the UFC Peak in Las Vegas, NV. Follow together with FanSided for all your live news and highlights.

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