UFC 329: Farid Basharat vs John Garza Preview & Prediction
A bantamweight clash on the prelims sees unbeaten #10 ranked contender Farid Basharat welcome short-notice debutant John Garza to the promotion.
Farid Basharat vs John Garza facts
What time are Farid Basharat and John Garza expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 329
What TV channel is UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2 main card
Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway 2 (Welterweight)
Benoit Saint-Denis vs Paddy Pimblett (Lightweight)
Cory Sandhagen vs Mario Bautista (Bantamweight)
Brandon Royval vs Lone'er Kavanagh (Flyweight)
King Green vs Terrance McKinney (Lightweight)
UFC 329: McGregor vs Holloway 2 prelims
Robert Whittaker vs Nikita Krylov (Light Heavyweight)
Gable Steveson vs Elisha Ellison (Heavyweight)
Cody Garbrandt vs Adrian Yanez (Bantamweight)
Luke Riley vs Kai Kamaka III (Featherweight)
Tracy Cortez vs Wang Cong (Women's Flyweight)
Damian Pinas vs Cesar Almeida (Middleweight)
Farid Basharat vs John Garza (Bantamweight)
Ryan Gandra vs Zachary Reese (Middleweight)
Alessandro Costa vs Cody Durden (Flyweight)
Farid Basharat: “Ferocious” and unbeaten, the better of the Basharat bros
Farid Basharat (15-0) is the last unbeaten man in a stacked bantamweight division and now sits at #10 in the new rankings. “Ferocious” announced himself by outpointing the dangerous Da’Mon Blackshear on debut, and has since piled up decisions over Chris Gutierrez and Jean Matsumoto – a win that’s aged nicely, given Matsumoto bounced back to beat the heavy-handed Bekzat Almakhan. The Afghan-born Brit is the more dangerous of the two Basharat brothers, a well-rounded operator who blends a striking base with strong wrestling and control. He’s decision-heavy on paper, but six career submissions say the finishing threat is there.
John Garza: “Mowgli” takes a huge leap on six days’ notice
John Garza (6-1) is a 23-year-old Texan stepping in on short notice for his UFC debut, having been weeks away from fighting for the Fury FC bantamweight title. Garza is on a five-fight win streak with three of his last four coming by knockout, and he’s earned a reputation on the regional scene as a slick boxer. He operates at range with a sharp jab, feinting with it constantly to set up a slip right hand, he fights at a high volume and pressures opponents to the cage before sitting down on his heavier shots. The obvious concern is his MMA grappling and lack of high-level experience.
Farid Basharat vs John Garza prediction
On paper this is a mismatch of experience, and that’s exactly how it should play out. The one area where Garza can genuinely claim an edge is pure boxing – he’s slick and rangy, but that’s about where his advantages end.
Everywhere else, Basharat is simply on a different level. Garza has shown okay takedown defence against regional opponents, but that’s a world away from stopping the shots of a ranked UFC fighter, and while his get-up game is decent, Basharat’s control from top should smother it. Garza has some sting on his shots, but probably not the power to trouble a chin that’s not been cracked in fifteen pro fights.
It’s hard to see a path for the debutant. Basharat has better movement, better head movement, more dynamic striking, and of course the wrestling to take this to the mat when he wants. I expect him to weather any early boxing exchanges, plant Garza on the mat and work to a victory from there. Garza’s a fun prospect for the future for sure, this is just too much too soon.
Prediction: Farid Basharat to win
