Mehemmedeli Osmanli is brimming with confidence as he prepares for his UFC debut. With a professional record of 12-1 and no previous UFC fights, Osmanli will face Akylbek Uulu, who holds a 10-3 record and is also new to the UFC, in the Season 34 “Ultimate Fighter” bantamweight final this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 289 at Meta APEX.
Osmanli’s dynamic striking has drawn early comparisons to Conor McGregor, and his impressive grappling skills have led him to submit both Artem Belakh and Christian Strong to secure his place in the finals. The two finalists have a personal rivalry from the show, and the confident 22-year-old Osmanli is determined to make Uulu pay for it.
“He’s all wrestling, but that’s not enough,” Osmanli told MMA Junkie and other media on Wednesday. “He’ll try to take me down, but I’ll beat him. His team even came to spy on my training, but I don’t care — I know I’ll finish him easily, maybe by first-round knockout or submission. He disrespected me by trying to injure me, so I’m going to make him pay.”
Osmanli dreams of becoming the youngest UFC champion ever, a record currently held by Jon Jones. If he wins this fight as anticipated, he hopes for a quick turnaround, eyeing a spot on the October 24 card in Abu Dhabi, possibly against a top-15 opponent. “I want a knockout finish — Dana White loves that,” he said. “I hope to finish it quickly and then fight again soon. I think I could easily beat Sean O’Malley.”
Fan Take: Osmanli’s bold prediction and aggressive mindset make him an exciting prospect to watch, potentially shaking up the bantamweight division. If he can back up his words with performance, it could signal the rise of a new star, injecting fresh energy and rivalries into the UFC.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
