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"Saki Bombs for Everyone"
Gokhan Saki, the former Heavyweight champion and contender to the GLORY World Kickboxing Series made his UFC debut last night...and it was spectacular!
Saki showed immense evolution in his anti wrestling game, as his opponent is a hulking black belt who has gotten most every opponent to the ground at will. Saki did well to brace for impact and utilized powerful underhooks to prevent control of his torso. He pushed down on his opponent Da Silva's neck and forced him away from cage, landing brutal counters from every angle. I was shocked at the amount of punishment Henrique took in the first phases of the round, but a lot can drive a man whom is on a losing streak with his job at risk. Regardless, Gokhan adapted to the savage clinch and knees which he is not used to in his profession. Kickboxing is more refined than mixed martial arts, but Saki did well to recover from the damage his body doesn't usually take, and he baited his man into a furious left hand which ended the night...
It was an absolute barn burner for the few minutes it lasted, and both men showed heart and pushed through immeasurable damage. Gokhan's hands look as fast as ever, and his confidence from last night is at an all time high. He needed this win to make himself a staple within mixed martial arts; he has claimed that kickboxing no longer provides the challenges he needs, so we may have a new contender at 205 pounds that is here to stay! When a man who has thrown hands as magnificently as Gokhan has his whole life, he poses a serious problem to even the champion at 205 in Daniel Cormier. nobody can really expect the hand speed nor prepare for it...Saki will evolve and progress over time, he may hold belts in multiple sports and organizations...something no one has done in the modern era of combat sports!
Key Matchups:
A fight I would love to see for Gokhan is Alexander Gustaffson eventually. The mauler is a pure striker at heart, and would most likely oblige Gokhan in the stand up for as long as the fight lasts. Gokhan would be an incredible middleweight, but he has always been comfortable at over 200 pounds, and fighting bigger men. Jimi Manuwa, Ovince St. Preux (who won his main event bout last night)...all of these men can pose a challenge to Gokhan and elevate his status with a win over them. Only time will tell with Saki, but I'm not sure anyone in that division can take that left hand shot...
