Belal might be a bad matchup for Shavkat

[Noraaq]

Shavkat is the most overrated fighter in the UFC right now

I am a fan of him, but this is probably true. Hes a lanklet with average offensive grappling and questionable defense. I wouldnt be shocked if Belal "bullies" him in the clinch tbh.

 

[TriangleMonkey]

At this point, Belal is a bad match-up for most, if not all of the WWs

 

[Laheys'Liquorland]

I know the general consensus is that belal is just keeping the belt warm for shavkat but I don't know. We know that shavkat is hittable by fighters who are willing to trade up close after the Geoff neal fight. Belal did use a similar strategy against Leon that lead into takedowns and control time. Shavkat likes to finish by submissions but Belal might be a tough fighter to submit. Against Brady, Belal was able to prevent grappling from happening at all and against Luque, Belal was able to easily control him on the ground without getting into danger. We have never seen Shavkat tested by a wrestling heavy gameplan so we don't really know how he'd do in that case.
Again, I could eat my words and see Shavkat win by submission or KO but I wouldn't be surprised if Belal was able to pull off the same gameplan as he did against Leon.

I believe Belal is a bad matchup for many. Someone is gonna need to catch the chin or else it's a UD.

 

[Portland8242]

When has Shavkat's defensive wrestling been tested?

On the feet I really don't think Belal is gonna do the same thing to Shavkat as he did to Edwards. Shavkat will happily meet pressure head on and scrap it out, and he's a more powerful and diverse striker than Belal.

 

[Evangelion]

Shavkat struggles to get takedowns, Belal does not. Belal's takedown game is clearly way better.

He’s also the better boxer of the two. Hate when people simplify it to well this guy is the better grappler and striker. There’s so much more than that.

Leon’s a better striker than Belal but Belal boxed his ears off.

 

[Squintz]

He’ll finish Belal like he does everyone else.

 

[markantony20]

I’d like to see how Shavkat responds to Belal “Canelo” Muhammad’s newfound jab.

Conversely I can see Belal walking onto a knee or kick trying to press the takedown.

It’s a good fight regardless.

 

[kingmob6]

He’ll finish Belal like he does everyone else.

He very well can.
Shavkat is master of sport sambo, so his grappling is going to be better than Leon's.
I would think that Belal's gameplan would need to include a lot of clinchwork, slow down the fight, eliminate range fighting like he did with Leon. When Shavkat advances, he is basically at his best, that's something that will need to be nullified by Belal to even the odds a bit. So get in close, push him against the fence, short strikes in and out, land takedowns, keep the fight at close distance etc.

 

[CombatCyborg]

Yo I don't even know what to expect from [WW belt holder] at this point. His body doesn't look how it should for his age. Maybe he's capable of anything. Is Shavkat dialed in, taking every advantage he can? Compared to [WW champion]? I'm not sure.