Dana White signed me to the UFC but I’ve yet to show my best in the cage, that changes at UFC Vegas 84, says Basharat
FARID BASHARAT has made a perfect start to life in the UFC – but he insists his best is yet to come.
The former London Shootfighters standout has gone 2-0 in MMA‘s top promotion since bagging a contract on season six of Dana White‘s Contenders Series.
Basharat got the ball rolling at UFC 285 last March with a decision win over fellow highly-touted debutant Da’Mon Blackshear.
He went one better a few months later at UFC Paris, where he submitted Kleydson Rodrigues in just under five minutes.
Afghan-born Brit Basharat’s solid displays have caught the eye of several fans, although he believes they’ll get a true look at his potential when he takes on Taylor Lapilus at UFC Vegas 84 early tomorrow morning.
He told SunSport: “They’ve seen my grappling abilities so far. In the last fight, they saw the grappling.
“But then again, in the Contenders Series, they saw some really good striking too.
“The thing with me, I’m always improving. I’m very well-rounded and I work with the best coaches and best training partners.
“So you’re just going to see me improve and get better and better.”
Get better Basharat has since he and brother Javid upped sticks from London to Las Vegas to train at Xtreme Couture, a decision neither of them took lightly.
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The only downside for the Basaharat brothers – who are both undefeated – since they made their respective debuts in the promotion, however, is the fact they haven’t been able to fly the flag of their native Afghanistan.
Farid, however, expects that to soon change, saying: “The most important thing for me is going out there and winning fights.
“And representing my people with honour and dignity and claiming to be from Afghanistan.
“That’s the most important thing for me, that’s what is going to make people look at me and go, ‘Oh, that guy’s an Afghan fighter.’
“Oh, that guy represents Afghanistan.’
“The flag is a bonus and it would be very nice. And I expect any day now that they approve it.”
A win over France‘s Laplius – who is riding high following a win over former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion Caolan Loughran – will put Farid on course for an assault on the big boys at 135lbs.
He said of the Frenchman: “I think he’s a top-notch fighter, I think he’s top calibre for sure.
“I think he probably beats some people in the top ten.
“His second stint in the UFC hasn’t been long enough to get that notoriety and credit.
“He’s definitely going to be the toughest fight of my career, but I’m excited to showcase why I belong at the top.”
Picking up a second successive finish would show the world Farid does indeed “belong” with the top 15 at bantamweight.
And he plans to have a number by his name by year’s end with a trio of “spectacular” finishes in 2024.
He said: “This year the plan is to have this fight in January, one in the summer and one at the end of the year – God willing.
“And what I plan to do is win them all. Win them all in spectacular fashion starting with this weekend.
“And hopefully by the end of the year, I should be ranked.”