The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi Saturday for what should be a very decent card! We have quite a few veterans on this card, which always makes these events interesting.
We also have some young up and coming challengers to pay attention to and I believe will capture our attention come Saturday evening.
My members and I have been on Shara every step of the way and we will continue to back him, in what I believe will be a very good back and forth for as long as it lasts. I do not see this fight finishing, but I can see these guys test each other. Shara has 13 fights with 11 finishes by TKO.
Shara needs to respect Michael Oleksiejczuks offensive striking as he lands 5 strikes per minute, hitting 50% of his strikes, all while having a 61% striking defense.
Shara is a very skilled striker landing over 7 strikes per minute while only absorbing 3. I believe they will test each other but Shara’s cardio will find him a win either by TKO or decision.
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Azamat may be unknown, but he is 13-0 in his MMA career, 3-0 in the UFC with 2 knockouts and a decision. He has a tough task in a talented and powerful Alonzo Menifield, so Azamat will have to avoid the powerful punch. Both have very solid takedown defense and I expect this to stay on the feet.
Menifield is coming off a brutal knockout loss to Carlos Ulberg in a definite mismatch. I think these fighters will test each other and if Azamat can get this to the ground he has the ability for a strong ground and pound or submission victory. In his 13 fights he has 9 knockouts and 1 submission.
I believe Azamat will be able to get Menifield to the ground if needed, but over the course of 2-3 rounds I believe Azamats speed and landing accuracy will find him the victory. I think they will test each other on the feet with Menefield coming off a knockout loss, and I expect him to be more cautious allowing Azamat to set up his shot.
This Dog Will Be Barking
Rolando Bedoya is also a bit of an unknown, after 2 fights in the UFC he has 2 decision losses, it is either make or break time for Rolando. He has the youth, the upside, and the striking volume to have the edge here.
Bedoya has never been finished in his career, going 4-0 to the TKO, and 3-0 to the submission. Bedoya’s nickname is the machine for a reason, and I believe he out paces, outlands, and out damages Herbert, even if Herbert attempts a few takedowns.
It is always tough to go against the more experienced and skilled fighters, but Jai Herbert has not looked great his last 4 fights. Herbert lands less than 3 strikes per minute with a 45% defense rate, and Bedoya lands almost 9 strikes per minute at above 50% rate.
Best Bets:
2-Leg Parlay (+106) DraftKings:
Azamat Murzakanov ML
Shara Magomedov ML
Rolando Bedoya ML (+110) DraftKings/Bet365