Rozenstruik vs Gaziev Prediction

This Saturday night, we have a main event showdown between two heavyweight KO machines. In addition to strong KO ability, both heavyweights have another unique fighting experience to go along with it. Jairzinho Rozenstruik has multiple kickboxing world title while Shamil Gaziev has a skilled, wrestling background, as he was born and raised in Dagestan.

I am picking Shamil Gaziev to win and take Rozenstruik’s no 12 ranking. I believe he has the striking advantage to win and the grappling advantage to out wrestle Rozenstruik when necessary. Rozenstruik is the better technical striker, due to his kickboxing experience, and he could win on paper if he fights smart. That would have to include picking the right shots, dragging Gaziev into the later rounds, and finding a finish then. I just do not see a game plan like that going successfully against Shamil Gaziev. He is so good at pressure and stopping his opponents against the cage. Rozenstruik has been knocked out while being pressured before by Francis Ngannou and Alexander Volkov.

Gaziev round 1 TKO is the pick.