Photo: Canadian Press
LAS VEGAS – Canadian bantamweight Ayman Zahabi won his fourth straight UFC fight on Saturday, earning a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Javed Bisharat on the undercard of a UFC Fight Night card.
The judges scored it 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 for the 36-year-old Golden (11-2-0), the betting underdog who was involved as the match wore on.
It was a close fight with Zahabi taking it 75-67 in significant strikes according to UFC stats. Basharat, a Briton of Afghan descent whose nickname is Snow Leopard, raised his hands in disbelief when the decision was announced.
The 28-year-old Bisharat (14-1-0 with one no contest) has won all four of his previous UFC bouts since winning the promotion on Dana White's Contender Series in October 2021.
The main event at the UFC's Apex production facility saw Jairzinho (Biggie Boy) Rosenstruik of Suriname, ranked 12th among the heavyweight contenders, stop Bahraini Shamil Gaziev via TKO as referee Mark Goddard called a stoppage after four rounds.
Bisharat pressed the action in the first round, taking the lead. He finished the round with a 14-12 lead in important hits. Al-Dhahabi caught Bisharat's attention late in the second, rocking him with a right hook.
Al-Dhahabi continued his progress in the third, hitting Bisharat with a body kick. Both men struck powerfully, and Al-Dhahabi ended the round with a 37-25 advantage in important strikes.
Al-Dhahabi is the younger brother of famous trainer Firas Al-Dhahabi, the owner of Tristar Gym and the head coach who helped Georges St-Pierre win two UFC titles. Firas Al-Dhahabi was in his brother's corner on Saturday.
Ayman Al Zahabi won his UFC debut in February 2017, following a decision over Brazilian Reginaldo Vieira. He lost his next two matches – to Brazilian Ricardo Ramos and American Vince (Vandeta) Morales – before rebounding to defeat Americans Draco (The Great Draculini) Rodriguez, (Beautiful) Ricky Turcios and China's Qiling (Mongolian Killer) Ori.
His one-punch knockout win over Rodriguez ended his losing streak – which included being on the wrong end of a back elbow from Ramos – and earned him a $50,000 Performance Night bonus and a new UFC deal.
Al-Dhahabi, the youngest of four brothers, began martial arts at the age of five with karate. Brother Alex, who holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as well as a PhD in Microbiology and an MBA, teaches BJJ at TriStar Burlington (Ontario). Tariq, the fourth brother, is no longer training.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 2, 2024.
