Weight Class: Lightweight
Record: 3-0
Age: 28
Height: 6’3”
Born In: Netherlands (Represents Morocco)
Training Out Of: Days Gym
Combined Opponent Records (at the time they fought): 14-23
Key Wins: N/A
After making the jump to MMA last year, former GLORY Kickboxing Champion Tyjani Beztati headlines his first Levels Fight League card this Saturday against Daniel Kolasiński.
Following a multi-year reign with the GLORY lightweight belt, Beztati fought to back-to-back split draws with welterweight titleholder Chico Kwasi in double-champ bids at GLORY 96 and GLORY Underground before turning his attention to MMA.
The 28-year-old’s debut in November of last year saw him stop Italo Julio in just over half a round, and Beztati also already stopped both of his opponents this year via first-round knockout to bring his MMA record to 3-0.
Boasting a huge frame for the lightweight division, Beztati’s extensive striking experience has been on fully display in his three MMA bouts. “The Wonderboy” doesn’t feel the need to rush anything, as he’s comfortable throwing out frequent feints with both hands in order to gauge his opponent’s reactions before he commits to anything significant.
Opponents that get distracted by Beztati’s hands may find themselves caught off guard when the former kickboxer steps into a heavy calf kick, which he throws with very little tell and used to drop Julio twice in his MMA debut before finishing him with ground punches.
Beztati’s feints also help to set up head kicks with his rear leg when he isn’t also flicking out probing attacks with lead leg. When the 28-year-old does decide to sit down on a punch he’s happy to pick his opening for a big single shot, but he’ll also burst forward with combinations of right hands and left hooks when he feels it’s time to try and hunt for a finish.
If Beztati ends up in close range with an opponent following one of these bursts, he’ll immediately look to throw up devastating knees to the head. If he’s put on the back foot, he does a very good job of constantly circling away to try and keep his back off the fence and make it difficult for his opponents to commit to a takedown.
Josue Ekedi Misseke was the only fighter to really try and test Beztati’s takedown defense so far, and “The Wonderboy” was quick to turn his hips and widen his base as soon as Misseke dropped down for takedowns along the fence. He also utilized some nasty elbows to shut down one of the more dedicated attempts, and Beztati also did a good job of framing off of Misseke’s face with his forearm to create some space in these exchanges and open up the chance for him to land elbows in close.
Beztati was immediately tabbed as a major MMA prospect as soon as he made the decision to transition from kickboxing, and the way he’s run through his first three opponents has only helped to build the hype around him. The opposition he’s faced so far has admittedly been overmatched and hasn’t been able to test his ground game, but if he secures another dominant finish this weekend at Levels Fight League 24 then it probably won’t be long until a major MMA organization comes calling.
