By:  | September 3, 2023 7:16 pm

Farid Basharat remains undefeated after a submission win over Kleydson Rodrigues at UFC Paris. He submitted the Brazilian in the opening round on Saturday night (local time).

Farid is the younger brother of Javid Basharat who at 13-0, also boasts an unblemished record. The pair are arguably the most talented siblings to compete inside the octagon since the Diaz brothers.

The younger brother certainly enhanced his reputation here showcasing some impressive grappling skills. Rodriguez was coming off a first round submission win over Shannon Ross at UFC 284, and he burst into action with a flurry of kicks.

Critical error

This prompted a swift response from Basharat, who initiated a takedown. Rodrigues sprawled to defend but made a critical error when he attempted to take the Afghan’s back.

Basharat was able to escape and executed a successful single-leg takedown of his own. The Afghan found himself in half guard, exerting pressure by driving his shoulder into Rodriguez’s chin and diligently working to transition to mount.

After approximately 30 seconds of strategic manoeuvring Basharat secured full mount but Rodriguez explosiveness allowed him to bridge and then engage in a clinch. In the exchange that followed the Brazilian connected with a knee but was promptly taken down again.

Half guard

Basharat absorbed some elbows in the process before ultimately securing half guard. He unleashed some sharp ground-and-pound while maintaining his dominant position.

Rodrigues retaliated with strikes of his own but they lacked force. He would live to regret looking to land punches from the bottom instead of working to improve his position.

Suddenly, the Afghan broke free from half guard and transitioned into a head-and-arm choke. Rodrigues attempted to fight him off, but the 26 year old’s relentless squeeze left him with no choice but to tap out with the finish coming at the 4:15 mark.

Basharat improves to 11-0 and moved one step closer to cracking the top 15 at bantamweight. Rodriguez slips to 8-2 although he did at least make weight, something which he consistently struggled to do at 125lbs.

Best of the rest

In the main event Ciryl Gane (12-2) knocked out Sergey Spivac (16-4)  in the second round to the delight of the French fans. The only two losses of his career have come in heavyweight title fights.

UFC Fight Night 226, Paris, September 3rd
Ciryl Gane def. Sergey Spivac via TKO (Punches) at 3:44 of Round 2
Manon Fiorot def. Rose Namajunas via Decision (Unanimous)
Benoit Saint Denis def. Thiago Moises via TKO (punches) at 4:44 of Round 2
Volkan Oezdemir def. Bogdan Guskov via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:46 of Round 1
William Gomis def. Yanis Ghemmouri via TKO (body kick) at 2:20 of Round 3
Morgan Charriere def. Manolo Zecchini via knockout (body kicks) at 3:51 of Round 1
Taylor Lapilus def. Caolan Loughran via Decision (Unanimous)
Ange Loosa def. Rhys McKee via Decision (Unanimous)
Nora Cornolle def. Joselyne Edwards via Decision (Unanimous)
Farid Basharat def. Kleydson Rodrigues via submission (Arm triangle choke) at 4:15 of Round 1
Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Zarah Fairn via Decision (Unanimous)