FARID BASHARAT believes his best is yet to come – and he plans to start showcasing it tonight at UFC Paris.
The former London Shootfighters ace makes his second octagon outing in mixed martial arts‘ premier promotion’s return to the French capital early this afternoon.
GETTYFarid Basharat punched his ticket to the UFC on season six of Dana White’s Contenders Series[/caption]
GETTY‘Ferocious’ made his octagon debut at UFC 285 in March[/caption]
The Afghan-born Brit dominated the contest but feels he didn’t showcase his true talentGETTY
Bantamweight prospect Basharat punched his ticket to the UFC last September with a beatdown of Allan Begosso on season six of Dana White‘s Contenders Series.
‘Ferocious ‘carried that momentum into his promotional debut at UFC 285 in March with a dominant display against American Da’Mon Blackshear, albeit while compromised after undergoing surgery just a few weeks earlier.
The Afghan-born Brit told SunSport: “I knew going into that fight that I wasn’t going to be at my peak because I had surgery in October and it was a tight window to get to March.
“Even the UFC’s medical team were telling me it was going to be tough.
“The reason I had to fight in March because at the end of March was Ramadan. And if I hadn’t fought before Ramadan I probably wouldn’t have fought until around June.
“For me, it was a tight window and I only got cleared medically by doctors around January. So that gave me six or seven weeks of training against a tough opponent on my debut.
“And I wasn’t able to do the some of training I’m doing now or I’m used to doing.
“To go in and after a surgery and not spar for five months and only spar and grapple for five or six weeks, it’s a tall ask – it’s not easy.
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INSTAGRAM@FARDIDBOFFICIALFarid Basharat and brother Javid began their MMA journies in London but now train in Las Vegas[/caption]
“But I knew there was going to be a version of myself that I was going to beat Da’Mon Blackshear comfortably. I beat him and I beat him comfortably.”
Basharat made his octagon bow on the biggest card of the year so far, which was headlined by the return of former pound-for-pound king Jon Jones.
And as far as he’s concerned, there won’t be anywhere near as much pressure on him going forward until he mixes it with the big boys at 135lbs.
He said: “As far as UFC jitters go, I didn’t really get any because my preparation is really good from a visual and mental standpoint.”
It wasn’t that long ago that Basharat and his brother Javid – who also competes in the promotion – struggled to find fights on the regional and European circuits.
But they didn’t give up hope of reaching the promised land of mixed martial arts.
“In my mind, it was never in doubt that I would end up in the UFC,” Farid said. “It was either that I was going to end up in the UFC or I wasn’t doing this sport at all.
“For me, with all do respect to other promotions, there just isn’t that same type of glory and ability to leave a legacy.
“The money is there in other promotions but that’s not my primary goal in this sport. My primary goal is to be the best and to fulfil my vision.
INSTAGRAM@FARIDBOFFICIALFarid Basharat struggled to get fights on the regional and European scene[/caption]
“I have a vision, I want to achieve things before I retire. And you can’t really tick those boxes in those other promotions.
“The UFC is the only one that has the prestige that will allow me to tick those boxes. So it was UFC or nothing.”
Brazilian Kleydson Rodrigues stands between Basharat and his first win streak inside the octagon.
And after having thoroughly studied the Brazilian’s style with his coaches, Basharat is confident of getting the job done in Paris.
“I think Kleydson is a good and formidable opponent, “he said. “But the way I see it, the fight is not going to be about him.
“It’s going to all be about me. And when it’s all said and done, everybody is going to be talking about me and what I did in the cage.
“I think Kleydson is going to be following my rhythm he’s going to be following the direction of where I take the fight all night long.
“Whether I keep it on the feet or take it to the ground, that depends on what he gives me. I’m able to take the fight in both directions and finish it.
“I think it’s going to be a standout performance for me – it’s going to be a real showcase of my skills and I’m definitely going to get the finish.”
GETTYFarid Basharat faces Brazilian Kleydson Rodrigues in his second octagon outing[/caption]