UFC is back, and we are back overseas! The Venue, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will be host to this incredible card! I believe the UFC did a fantastic job matchmaking a majority of this card. When it is hard to come to a conclusion on where to put your money, the UFC did its job!
We have 2 outstanding Main and Co-Main events featuring a past champion and a couple up-and-coming stars that UFC fans are always excited to watch. This card starts early at 9 am EST for us Americans, so let's get right into the picks!
Muhammad Naimov has the height and reach advantage over Kaan Ofli. He also lands almost 2 times as many significant strikes per minute while absorbing slightly less.
On top of the striking, he can also take this to the ground as he averages almost 2 takedowns per match. He should look to push the pace, press forward, find his strikes, and cause damage when in the clinch!
Shamil Gaziev should find a victory here against Thomas Peterson. His odds show what the books think, and I don’t think they are wrong here.
He has the ability to win this fight on the feet or on the ground, and those are fighters I always like to back with money. I expect to see solid striking from Gaziev and I do think he will be able to neutralize Petersons wrestling.
Most casual fans won’t know who Hamdy Abdelwahab is as he has been away for 2 years. And while these are positions, I usually don’t play, I do think his overall skill level is better than Jamal Pogues.
He is an Olympian wrestler from Egypt who can pair his strikes with takedowns. It's hard to predict what he will look like, but I am 100% backing the more accomplished wrestler in this fight. I believe he will crack Pogues on the feet and if needed wrestle his way to a victory!
Bogdan Grad odds have dropped from favorite to now dog money and I am not sure exactly why. I do think it will be a close fight, and I am predicting a decision victory for Grad here.
He has multiple paths to victory; he can use his striking to keep the distance and he can grind out a victory on the ground if needed. He picks his spots very well on when to enter striking when to use his kicks, and when to get it to the ground!
Best Bets (3):
Parlay: 3% Shamil Gaziev + Muhammad Naimov (-147)
Straight: 1% Hamdy Abdelwahab ML (+100)
Straight: 1% Bogdan Grad ML (+100)