Undefeated bantamweight Farid Basharat welcomes debuting prospect John Garza to the Octagon on Saturday night, as the pair throw down at UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2 in Las Vegas.
Basharat (15–0, 6–0 UFC) preserved his spotless record with a split-decision win over Jean Matsumoto in February. Garza (6–1, 0–0 UFC) arrives at MMA’s flagship promotion following an impressive run in Fury FC, punctuated by a second-round knockout against Josh Walker in January.
Basharat enters as a staggering -675 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Garza is a +490 underdog, with the fight total set at O/U 2.5 rounds.
Basharat vs. Garza Preview
Farid Basharat (#10)
- 15–0 (6–0 UFC)
- 1–0 (T)KO
- 6–0 SUB
Undefeated prospect Farid Basharat enters Saturday night eyeing his seventh-straight victory in the UFC. The Afghanistani contender, 28, has showcased impressive fight IQ and elite range control as he’s ascended into the bantamweight top 10.
The only problem? His nickname, “Ferocious,” simply does not apply to his fight style. Basharat has recorded just one stoppage victory in six trips to the Octagon — not since September 2023. He often leans on his grappling to blanket opponents and pile up control time. While it’s proved a winning formula, he may need to step on the gas a bit more if he wants to make a serious push towards the title.
John Garza
- 6–1 (0–0 UFC)
- 3–1 (T)KO
- 1–0 SUB
Most 23-year-olds are finishing up college. John Garza is making his UFC debut — on short notice.
The promising young striker makes his first walk to the Octagon, packing dynamite in his gloves. “Mowgli” is fresh off an explosive run on Fury FC, where he notched three of his four wins by knockout or TKO. Fighting on the same card as his favorite fighter, Conor McGregor, the Dallas native will be looking to make an emphatic first impression as a heavy underdog.
Basharat vs. Garza Pick, Best Bet
Garza has a bright future ahead of him. However, making his debut on short notice against an undefeated fighter with a wealth of Octagon experience doesn’t seem like a recipe for success.
Basharat should lean on his scholarly fight IQ, effective distance management, and opportunistic grappling to stay out of harm’s way — but don’t bank on a finish. “Ferocious” has been anything but inside the Octagon, and his minimal finishing upside forecasts a fifth-straight victory on the scorecards.
