MMA Event Breakdown - UFC Fight Night: Gaziev vs. Rozenstruik
UFC Fight Night: Gaziev vs. Rozenstruik
The UFC is back in the familiar confines of the Apex Center in Las Vegas for an afternoon showcase. The card was originally supposed to be located in Saudi Arabia, but UFC’s local partners declined this card and opted for a June date where the UFC would have more time to prepare a worthy event. Regardless of location, we have plenty of fights to break down, beginning with a pair of lightweight contests that kick off the card at 1:30 PM EST.
Loik Radzhabov vs. Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady
Fight Odds: +140 Radzhabov vs. -170 Al-Selwady
Weight Class: 155lb. (Lightweight)
Loik Radzhabov is looking to bounce back after suffering a stoppage loss at the hands of Mateusz Rebecki in his last contest. Al-Selwady on the other hand is making his UFC debut after defeating the highly-touted prospect George Hardwick on Dana White’s Contender Series. Radzhabov opened a -175 favorite in this matchup, so we have seen a lot of money come in on Al-Selwady to flip this line completely.
Al-Selwady has solid footwork, serviceable wrestling, counter striking, and a good physique, but he has always had a sketchy chin, losing three times via KO1. He is also a former featherweight fighting a formidable lightweight. Radzhabov has only been finished once and by a highly-skilled opponent. He is also 33 years of age, deep into his career, and he missed weight for the first time in his career. Al-Selwady seems like the better conditioned and more motivated fighter, so if he can protect his chin, he could earn a decision.
Prediction: Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady defeats Loik Radzhabov via DEC (Low Confidence)