'His most difficult test yet': MMA expert warns Anshul Jubli before debut fight at UFC 294

With less than two days remaining for the UFC 294 PPV to take over, the Indian MMA fraternity is excited to witness what the homegrown talent, Anshul Jubli, is up to. He will take on Mike Breeden at the event. This will be Anshul's official debut in UFC after prevailing in the Road to UFC tournament in February.

3 things you need to know

• Anshul Jubli to mark his debut at UFC 294
• He will take on United States' Mike Breeden
• Anshul Jubli earned a UFC contract in February

Also Read | Why UFC 294 is a very special event for India: An Indian fighter is on the brink of superstardom

Huge moment for Indian MMA fraternity

The UFC 294 fight card, which showcases absolute dream matches in the form of co-main and main event-Kamaru Usman vs Khamzat Chimaev, and Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski- will also mark the emergence of India at the MMA forefront. The country's very own Lightweight MMA fighter, Anshul Jubli, is on the card and will enter as the favorite against Mike Breeden, who is on a 3-fight skid.

While it is going to be a huge moment for India and Anshul Jubli, Mike Breeden could spoil the party for the 28-year-old. So, with all to look forward to on October 21, 2023, republicworld.com sought to know what aspects should Jubli remain wary of about his opponent and for that we caught up with  MMA expert, Somesh Kamra, who has played an instrumental role in Anshul's rise to the top.

(Image: Someshkamra/instagram)

Somesh first expressed how this is a big moment for India and said that the Indian will receive enormous support at the Etihad Arena on Saturday.

“In fact, it is one of the biggest moments for Indian MMA as a whole because Anshul Jubli, who got his contract in February is finally fighting and is getting his debut fight in front of a large crowd in Abu Dhabi. So, it's not going to be at the APEX with 250 people, it's going to be there with almost 10,000 people and I am sure there will be a lot of Indians that are going to be there that are going to support him in person. ”

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What challenge Mike Breeden could pose against Anshul Jubli?

On being asked where Anshul needs to remain cautious, he said, "While a lot of people are talking about how good Anshul is and how he is going to win and all of that. I had a chat with Anshul yesterday and I did tell them that Mike Breeden is on a 3-fight losing streak, but, it's a fight game and you cannot rule some aspects out. Mike Breeden when he is in a southpaw stance he throws his overhand, left hook, very often, that's one of his go-to moves. He comes in with very very heavy hands, and what happens in a combat sport is that it just takes one shot to knock anybody out. While there's somebody who has steam behind him, I do believe it can just take one shot to take anybody out. So, Anshul has to be still very very cautious, this is going to be his most difficult test yet. He's fought a Korean before, he's fought an Indonesian and now he's fighting an American. So, I do believe it is not going to be as easy as people think because there is a lot of pressure on Anshul. He is unbeaten, he wants to keep that streak going, and he wants to end this fight in a dominating manner. Ideally, don't want to go to the decision but the win is what we are aiming for. " 

*Watch the LIVE coverage of UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski on 21st October 2023 on Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi) & Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu) channels at 11:30 pm IST.

Watch the LIVE coverage of Anshul Jubli’s debut bout against Mike Breeden at UFC 294: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski on 21st October 2023 on Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi) & Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu) channels with the pre-show starting at 7:30 pm IST.