At welterweight, Jack Catterall faces Shakhram Giyasov in a fight that hinges on whether Giyasov can handle a tough and controlling style. Giyasov has the job and the intention to force the fight, but he will need to go the distance cleanly and avoid being drawn into a low-paying contest in Catterll's favor over twelve rounds.
Catterl sticks to your rhythm and drains life out of combat. It can be ugly to watch at times, and it will be interesting to see if Giyasov can solve it.
Giyasov still fights under the shadow of a promise he made to his late daughter to become world champion. If he can't find a way to cut the ring without getting caught by Catterll in the hold and potshotting, this is going to be a long, frustrating night for the Uzbeks. He has to be healthier than Arnold Barboza Jr., or he will be another name added to Catterll's collection of bad wins.
A heavyweight fight between Frank Sanchez and 2020 Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr. it's too big if it's on the card. Sanchez recently moved to this card because his knee blew out, forcing him out of the March date with Torrez on the Fundora-Thurman bill.
If Sanchez's movement is even 10% hindered by that surgically repaired knee, he's a sitting duck. Agit Kabayel has shown that if you stay on Sanchez's chest and force him to work while supporting, he will. Torrez Jr. he doesn't know what to do but sit on your chest. If Sanchez can't use his legs to reset the distance, Torrez may advance him before the midpoint.
The 6'7″ Bakhodir Jalolov repeatedly blanked Torrez in the rookies by controlling the range and punishing submissions with authority. Replicating that approach at the professional level requires consistent strength and the ability to hold position under pressure. Sanchez has the technical ability, but lacks the size and one-punch power to keep his opponents from getting into punching range.
At super middleweight, Hamzah Sheeraz meets Alem Begic for the vacant world title in a meeting of undefeated fighters. The fight puts Sheeraz directly in contention for the title at 168 with no transition period, making it a test of readiness rather than positioning.
The card also features Mizuki Hiruta defending her titles against Mai Soliman, as well as a series of supporting fights featuring regional prospects.
Taken together, the undercard brings the most rewarding competition to the show, with many fights built around style, pressure, and continuity rather than spectacle. The main event will attract attention, but the results below it may have an impact on how these stages go next.
