| Tale of the Tape | Bilal Hasan |
Mridul Saikia
|
|---|---|---|
| Record | 8-0 | 9-1 |
| Age | 25 | 29 |
| Height | 5’7″ | 5’7″ |
| Reach | 71.0″ | 68.5″ |
| Hometown | Everett, Washington by way of Indonesia | Guwahati, Assam, India |
| Combined Opp. Record | 32-12-1 | 28-20 |
| Gym | Charlie’s Combat Club | Syndicate MMA |
| Championships | CFFC | n/a |
Shawn Bitter- Unless Saikia has diabetes, I don’t understand why he’s getting this fight. He fought on Road to UFC last year and got finished in under a minute. They aren’t even trying to hide the fact they are setting up Hasan for a highlight reel knockout. Hasan is one of the best prospects in the world as he sits at #3 in our rankings. You can say he’s gotten a lot of soft matchups, but wins over Shamel Findley and Xhelal Lleshi are good wins. Hasan by something flashy in under three minutes.
Cedric Dumas- The matchmaking here feels deliberate and telling. Mridul Saikia was obliterated in less than a minute on Road to UFC, and now the UFC has paired him with Bilal Hasan, arguably the sharpest, most dangerous regional striker available at 125 pounds. On the surface it looks predatory: a fighter we know from a brutal first-round knockout defeat being thrown straight into the deep end against a polished, finishing-minded prospect.
Yet Mick Maynard has always been highly selective with the flyweight division, repeatedly signaling that he only wants “ninjas”, fighters with speed, creativity, and that special edge. Hasan fits the description perfectly. The self-styled Indoninja is a true blue-chip prospect: explosive, well-rounded, already a multi-time regional champion, and carrying genuine star potential both inside and outside the cage.
Given the stylistic mismatch and Saikia’s recent vulnerability, this contest is unlikely to last long. Hasan should methodically close the distance, find his opening, whether a crushing body shot, spinning attack, or crisp combination, and put the Indian fighter away before the night can truly settle in.
Pick: Hasan by Round 1 KO/TKO.
Nicholas Holt- It’s pretty clear what’s happening here, and I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to figure it out. Just a year ago, Mridul Saikia was knocked out in 37 seconds while competing on Road to the UFC, and yet here he is again, getting another “chance” at a contract. Dana and the brass will almost certainly get what they want in this matchup. If Hasan doesn’t finish this fight in the first round, I’ll be severely disappointed.
Pick: Hasan by Round 1 KO/TKO.
Patrick Danna– Bilal Hasan is better everywhere in this fight, and this will (hopefully) be the biggest mismatch of the season. Saikia got sparked instantly the only time he fought anyone decent, and I rate Hasan higher than Agulali, as he is ranked #4 on my Top 25. If Hasan lets this extend past five minutes, I’ll think a lot less of him.
Pick: Hasan by Round 1 KO
Chase Gurotsky- While Midrul Saikia does not have the worst resume or record, his only time stepping up in competition, he was KOed in just 30 seconds. This might be the easiest pick of the season. Hasan really should have just made his debut with the UFC outright, instead of having to go through DWCS. He should get another highlight-reel KO in this fight that will finally get him that UFC contract. The INDONinja is a star in the making for the sport. Anything but a win and an easy one at that will be a bit shocking.
Pick: Hasan 1st round KO
Xavi Ryder- I mean no disrespect to Saikia when I say this, but this is 100% a setup fight to get Hasan a sick knockout. Hasan is the best flyweight prospect in the world, currently sitting at #2 in my personal top 25 and #3 in the Prospect Vault top 25. Saikia was put out cold by Agulali in less than a minute, and even though he has gotten back in the win column since, this isn’t going to go well. I don’t see a world where Hasan lets this get out of the first round.
Pick: Hasan via Round 1 KO/TKO
Drew Beaupre – I’m glad Hasan is fighting on the opening week for this year’s edition of DWCS, as he’s long overdue for his UFC opportunity. Saikia only lasted 37 seconds in his first real step up in competition against Agulali on Road to UFC last year, and that doesn’t bode well in this matchup given how much power Hasan packs.
I don’t enjoy seeing mismatches like this on DWCS and would much rather have well-matched fights that require fighters to really prove something in order to get a contract, but if this is what it takes for the UFC to finally sign Hasan then so be it.
(Pick: Hasan via Round 1 KO/TKO)
Cangrejo Ruiz- This fight is a complete mismatch. Hasan is likely going to be the biggest favorite all season, and he will finish the fight whenever he wants. Saikia can’t deal with any sort of pressure, so I expect Hasan to set up Feints and look for the highlight reel finish.
Pick: Hasan by R1 KO, likely a spinning wheel kick
