UFC 328: Ateba Gautier vs Osman Diaz Preview & Prediction
Cameroonian knockout artist Ateba Gautier looks to extend his win streak to double figures as he welcomes rebooked opponent Ozzy Diaz to the octagon on the prelims.
Ateba Gautier vs Osman Diaz facts
What time are Ateba Gautier and Osman Diaz expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland? Prudential Center, Newark, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 328
What TV channel is UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland main card
Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland (Middleweight)
Joshua Van vs Tatsuro Taira (Flyweight)
Alexander Volkov vs Waldo-Cortes Acosta (Heavyweight)
Sean Brady vs Joaquin Buckley (Welterweight)
King Green vs Jeremy Stephens (Lightweight)
UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland prelims
Ateba Gautier vs Osman Diaz (Middleweight)
Joel Alvarez vs Yaroslav Amosov (Welterweight)
Grant Dawson vs Mateusz Rebecki (Lightweight)
Jim Miller vs Jared Gordon (Lightweight)
Roman Kopylov vs Marco Tulio (Middleweight)
Pat Sabatini vs William Gomis (Featherweight)
Baisangur Susurkaev vs Djorden Santos (Middleweight)
Clayton Carpenter vs Jose Ochoa (Flyweight)
Ateba Gautier: Cement block for hands prospect looking to return to his finishing ways
Ateba “The Storm” Gautier (10-1) has entered the UFC like a middleweight Ngannou, one of the most exciting young talents in recent years. The 24-year-old opened his promotional tenure with three consecutive first-round knockouts over Jose Medina, Robert Valentin, and Tre’ston Vines, before taking Pulyaev to a unanimous decision in January. Gautier hits like he has cement blocks in his gloves, every punch he throws has knockout intent. He’s at his best when he backs opponents up against the fence and unloads. At 24 with this much natural power, he’s only going to keep improving and inevitably climb the rankings.
Osman Diaz: Journeyman finally gets his rebooked shot at prospect
Ozzy Diaz (10-3) was stopped in the first round by Mingyang Zhang on his debut before bouncing back with a unanimous decision over Djorden Santos. The former LFA fighter was originally scheduled to meet Gautier last year before the fight was withdrawn. Diaz fights with fundamentally sound boxing, working behind a long jab and a counter right hand, occasionally mixing in calf kicks at low volume. He stands very heavy on his front foot, which has allowed opponents to rip his lead leg early in fights. He also tends to need time to read his opponent before opening up on the feet.
Ateba Gautier vs Osman Diaz prediction
This is one of the easiest calls of the weekend. Gautier is a lock. Diaz isn’t even a step up in competition for Gautier from his last fight, the UFC are clearly taking their time building this prospect. What Gautier needs is a real test, someone who can mix in takedowns and pose a decent threat on the ground while remaining competent on the feet. Diaz isn’t that.
Diaz has crumbled to power punching. Joe Pyfer and Ming Yang Zhang have both shown that if you crack him clean early, his fight ends. Gautier is arguably the heaviest hitter in the division, and at 24, with noticeable improvement every fight, this should be another easy finish.
Diaz’s long jab could theoretically be an issue if he used it with conviction, but he doesn’t throw it nearly enough to deter Gautier from walking him down. His tendency to need a few minutes to read his opponent is a death sentence here, Gautier will have already closed the distance, backed him up to the fence, and knocked him out. I don’t see any scenario that Diaz beats Gautier.
Prediction: Ateba Gautier to win by KO/TKO in round one
