Mehemmedeli Osmanli, Azerbaijan, 12-1
Pros:
-Relentless
-Good head movement
-Chai wrestling
-Busy striking/Weapon variety
-Elite cardio
-Excellent submission attack
-Insane workrate
-Good ground and pound
Cons:
-Hands low
-TDD needs work
-Too comfortable off his back
Osmanli is a nice surprise to see this season. UAE Warriors has done a great job matching him against tough competition, and he’s passed those tests with flying colors.
No matter where the fight goes, you’re not safe against Osmanli. You can take him down, but that’s usually a bad idea. Crazy enough, his takedown defense gets tested quite a bit. Osmanli often doesn’t put up much resistance because he’s so comfortable fighting off his back. You’ll see him hit sweeps, attack the neck, go after limbs, and he’s particularly tricky with the buggy choke.
His scrambling ability is no joke. He’s in constant motion, continuously rolling and adjusting until he finds a favorable position. It feels like every time you do something to him in the grappling, he has multiple answers ready. He’s one of those fighters who is difficult to keep in a bad spot for long.
When Osmanli initiates the wrestling, he’s relentless. He shoots low, works his way to the body, and showcases solid chain wrestling. He’s very good at locking his hands around the body and driving opponents to the mat. If he decides he wants the fight on the ground, there’s a good chance he’s going to find his way there.
On the feet, Osmanli carries his hands low, but he compensates with head movement. He does a good job getting off the centerline, slipping punches, and even moving his head during combinations. I’d like to see him cut back on some of the spinning attacks, but he still shows a diverse arsenal with his hands, knees, and elbows.
Osmanli is a nightmare matchup and one of the most well-rounded fighters in the field. The scary part is that he’s only 21 years old.
