UFC news: Zahabi says Basharat talked trash in-fight before uspet loss

LAS VEGAS – Aiemann Zahabi beat Javid Basharat with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 238 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Zahabi, who upset a 9-1 betting favorite to hand him the first loss of his career.

Result:Aiemann Zahabi def. Javid Basharat via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Zahabi (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Javid Basharat (14-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC)
Key stats: One online sportsbook had Basharat as much as a 20-1 betting favorite.

“(There were) no surprises, but it did take me a while to kind of figure out his reach and his range. I knew that he had a bag of tricks. He has a taekwondo background. So I didn’t want to hit him with anything too hard, spinning wise. I didn’t want to hit him with a spinning back fist or a spinning back kick that would put me out or something like that. So I had to really take my time.”

“Early in Round 1 when I threw the first overhand right, the way he pulled, I missed it, and I was like, ‘Oh, OK, so I still haven’t found the range, so I’ve got to be really careful before I throw.’ When I missed the first punch, when he evaded, he came back. He’s like, ‘Hey brother, you’re loading up too much. Take it easy.’ He said something like that. I can’t remember the exact quote or whatever, but he made fun of me loading up on the shot. But it was pretty funny. I didn’t get frustrated at the time. It was kind of like with Ricky (Turcios). I don’t let it get to me, and I just continue fighting my game until I figure you out.”

“I don’t have much in mind. It’s Ramadan in a few days, so we’re going to start with that. Then my team and my manager, we’re going to look over who’s next. What’s up there for me? What’s an opportunity? And we’ll take something, hopefully, before the year ends.”