UFC Fight Night 266: Jean Matsumoto vs. Farid Basharat Prediction for Saturday, 02/07/26

The second fight on the Main Card at UFC Fight Night 266 will see Jean Matsumoto take on Farid Basharat. This will be a fight in the UFC Bantamweight division. Matsumoto enters this fight with an MMA record of 17-1 and 4-1. He averages 5.43 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 41%. Matsumoto absorbs 5.43 strikes and has a striking defense of 48%. His grappling has also been solid, averaging 2.14 takedowns every 15 minutes. Matsumoto has a takedown accuracy of 41%, and his takedown defense is 53%.

Basharat enters this fight with an MMA record of 14-0 and 6-0 in the UFC. He is averaging 4.05 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 52%. Basharat absorbs 2.47 strikes and has a striking defense of 60%. His grappling has also been elite, averaging 3.60 takedowns every 15 minutes. He has a takedown accuracy of 47% and a takedown defense of 72%.

Basharat is the overwhelming favorite; therefore, we will be looking at the method by which he will win. Basharat is perfect in the UFC and has won 5 of his 6 UFC fights by decision. Matsumoto, on the other hand, has only lost once in the UFC, but it was by decision. Basharat also has the advantage in grappling, plus he absorbs fewer strikes compared to Matsumoto. For that reason, backing Basharat to win by decision will be our lean.