Ateba Gautier
The Silent Assassin
Cameroon
Crumples opponent in Round 2
Gautier defeated Ozzy Diaz via TKO (punches) at 1:10 of Round 2 at UFC 328 on Saturday in Newark.
ANALYSIS
Gautier was selective in the face of a powerful and aggressive opponent, largely engaging in a feeling-out process early before finding the counter hook that sent him to the canvas. The UFC has been rightly criticized for rushing prospects along, but Diaz was a suitable test for Gautier as a solid boxer who would try to make him uncomfortable with pressure. The Cameroonian fighter continues to impress with his knockout power and has shown the ability to slow things down in the Octagon when necessary. He improved to 11-1-0 in professional MMA as a result of the victory.
Gautier was selective in the face of a powerful and aggressive opponent, largely engaging in a feeling-out process early before finding the counter hook that sent him to the canvas. The UFC has been rightly criticized for rushing prospects along, but Diaz was a suitable test for Gautier as a solid boxer who would try to make him uncomfortable with pressure. The Cameroonian fighter continues to impress with his knockout power and has shown the ability to slow things down in the Octagon when necessary. He improved to 11-1-0 in professional MMA as a result of the victory.
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Diaz fight scheduled again
Gautier is scheduled to compete against fellow middleweight Ozzy Diaz at UFC 328 in Newark on May 9, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Initially scheduled for UFC 320, the Gautier-Diaz fight will instead take place at UFC 328. Diaz withdrew from their previously arranged bout, and Gautier would push his next fight to UFC 324, where he fought and defeated Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision.
Initially scheduled for UFC 320, the Gautier-Diaz fight will instead take place at UFC 328. Diaz withdrew from their previously arranged bout, and Gautier would push his next fight to UFC 324, where he fought and defeated Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision.
Takes decision in surprising result
Gautier defeated Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 324 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was an ordinary and mediocre performance from Gautier as a -1000 favorite. Yes, he landed a pair of knockdowns, won, and did so easily, but there are several causes for concern moving forward. Gautier slowed down in a major way throughout the course of the bout. He didn't defend particularly well and loaded up every single shot he threw. Of course, when you have elite, all-world power, you can get away with that at times. Still, if we learned anything from this result, it's that the 23-year-old has a ways to go and may not be fast-tracked to the top as quickly as some might have expected.
It was an ordinary and mediocre performance from Gautier as a -1000 favorite. Yes, he landed a pair of knockdowns, won, and did so easily, but there are several causes for concern moving forward. Gautier slowed down in a major way throughout the course of the bout. He didn't defend particularly well and loaded up every single shot he threw. Of course, when you have elite, all-world power, you can get away with that at times. Still, if we learned anything from this result, it's that the 23-year-old has a ways to go and may not be fast-tracked to the top as quickly as some might have expected.
Fighting Pulyaev at UFC 324
Gautier will fight Andrey Pulyaev at UFC 324 on Jan. 24, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Gautier has cruised to a 3-0 start to his UFC career since making his debut in March. His next test will come in the form of Pulyaev, who also debuted in March and has gone 1-1 to begin his time in the promotion.
Gautier has cruised to a 3-0 start to his UFC career since making his debut in March. His next test will come in the form of Pulyaev, who also debuted in March and has gone 1-1 to begin his time in the promotion.
Top prospect continues roll
Gautier defeated Treston Vines via KO (strikes) at 1:41 of Round 1 at UFC 320 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Yes, it came against an opponent that accepted this fight just two days ago, but Gautier is one of the most dominating and physical imposing fighters we have seen in recent memory, in any weight class. He smashed Vines twice in the side of the head before tossing him aside and knocking him into to next year. Referee Marc Goddard was immediately on the scene to prevent any more damage. The UFC is taking things exceedingly slow with Gautier, but with three first-round knockout wins on his resume, the push is coming sooner or later.
Yes, it came against an opponent that accepted this fight just two days ago, but Gautier is one of the most dominating and physical imposing fighters we have seen in recent memory, in any weight class. He smashed Vines twice in the side of the head before tossing him aside and knocking him into to next year. Referee Marc Goddard was immediately on the scene to prevent any more damage. The UFC is taking things exceedingly slow with Gautier, but with three first-round knockout wins on his resume, the push is coming sooner or later.
Finds new opponent
Gautier will take on Treston Vines in a middleweight bout at UFC 320 in Las Vegas on Oct. 4, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Gautier was initially slated to take on Ozzy Diaz, but the latter was forced to pull out of the bout due to an undisclosed medical issue. A day later, a replacement has been found, however, as Gautier will now take on UFC newcomer Treston Vines, who boasts a 10-3-0 pro MMA record.
Gautier was initially slated to take on Ozzy Diaz, but the latter was forced to pull out of the bout due to an undisclosed medical issue. A day later, a replacement has been found, however, as Gautier will now take on UFC newcomer Treston Vines, who boasts a 10-3-0 pro MMA record.