A man who made his name fighting in Asia will face a man who was born in Asia at UFC Vegas 79. Javid Basharat has been matched with Victor Henry in a battle between two unranked bantamweights looking to break into the top 15.
Basharat (14-0) was born in Afghanistan but moved to the UK at a young age. He has won three fights out of three since signing for the UFC in 2021 after an impressive showing on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Basharat’s three fights inside the octagon have all gone the distance. He is coming off a decision win over previously undefeated Brazilian Mateus Mendonça at UFC Vegas 67.
this is so cold from Basharat after Mendonca did it to him at face offs pic.twitter.com/DqithC3y4z
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) January 14, 2023
Well travelled
Henry (23-6) has nearly twice as many fights on his record as Basharat, even if his record isn’t quite as immaculate. The American is a former Deep bantamweight champion and also challenged unsuccessfully for the Pancrase belt during his time fighting in Japan.
He beat the likes of Hideo Tokoro, Masakatsu Ueda and Yuki Motoya while fighting in Japan. Henry has two wins from his three UFC fights and has made the most of an unexpected opportunity.
He got the callup to replace the injured Trevin Jones in 2021. The late notice bout was postponed due to Covid-19 but Henry eventually defeated Raoni Barcelos by decision at UFC 270.
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Long absence
As previously announced Mizuki Inoue will be returning after a three year injury enforced absence. She is going to be taking on Hannah Goldy in a strawweight fight at UFC Vegas 79 on September 23rd.
Inoue (14-6) is coming off a decision loss to Amanda Lemos at UFC Vegas 7. A few months after that fight she underwent knee surgery to repair a damaged anterior cruciate ligament.
Goldy (6-3) earned her spot on the roster after impressing with Dana White’s Contender Series. She has won two out of her four UFC fights.
#UFCShenzhen Official Result: Mizuki Inoue (@fighter_mizuki) (29-28, 29-28) def Yanan Wu (29-28) by split decision.
Live Results: https://t.co/VdL2mxYSvU pic.twitter.com/S7DTuNS4bL
— UFC News (@UFCNews) August 31, 2019
Heavyweight headliner
UFC Vegas 79 looks set to be headlined by a lightweight fight. Tiger Muay Thai’s Rafael Fiziev (12-2) takes on former KSW 155lbs champion Mateusz Gamrot (22-2).
In the flyweight division Bruno Silva (13-5-2) faces Cody Durden (15-4-1). Heavyweight Jake Collier (13-9) has been matched with undefeated Brazilian newcomer Valter Walker (11-0).
The event is set to take place at the Apex Centre in Las Vegas on September 23rd.
UFC Vegas 79, Las Vegas, September 23rd
Rafael Fiziev vs. Mateusz Gamrot (Lightweight)
Bryce Mitchel vs. Dan Ige (Featherweight)
Bruno Silva vs. Cody Durden (Flyweight)
Charles Jourdain vs. Ricardo Ramos (Featherweight)
Jake Collier vs. Mohammed Usman (Heavyweight)
Montserrat Rendon vs. Tamires Vidal (Bantamweight)
Miles Johns vs. Daniel Argueta (Bantamweight)
Bryan Battle vs. AJ Fletcher (Welterweight)
Javid Basharat vs. Victor Henry (Bantamweight)
Mizuki Inoue vs. Hannah Goldy (Strawweight)
