Light-weight contenders Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker will sq. off in the primary occasion of UFC Struggle Night time at ABHA Enviornment in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday (1 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with prelims at 10 a.m. on ESPN+).
Tsarukyan is making his first Octagon look of the 12 months after an damage pressured him to withdraw from a title shot at UFC 311 in January. He has gained every of his previous 4 fights. Hooker additionally comes into the combat with some momentum, using a three-fight successful streak. Neither fighter is in ESPN’s divisional rankings.
Within the co-main occasion, former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad appears to get again in title rivalry as he takes on rising contender Ian Machado Garry. Muhammad misplaced the belt to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in Might. Garry picked up a unanimous choice win over fan favourite Carlos Prates in his final combat at a UFC Struggle Night time in April. Muhammad is ESPN’s No. 3-ranked welterweight, and Garry is No. 5.
MMA analysts and commentators present their predictions for the primary and co-main occasions, and ESPN betting skilled Ian Parker provides perception on the worth bets accessible on the cardboard.
Light-weight primary occasion
I am undecided that Hooker can cease Tsarukyan’s takedowns. Tsarukyan would be the higher grappler on the market, but when Hooker can defend the takedown makes an attempt, he’ll beat Tsarukyan, similar to he beat Mateusz Gamrot. Gamrot beat Tsarukyan — however MMA math does not work. I anticipate Tsarukyan to work to dominant positions on the bottom higher than Gamrot did and win by choice. — Anthony Smith
Tsarukyan goes to come up with Hooker, frustrate him and win by choice. Hooker might be recreation sufficient to not get completed, however Tsarukyan will keep on him your entire time. Out of a 25-minute combat, I imagine Hooker will get managed on the mat for not less than 18 minutes. — Din Thomas
Betting evaluation
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Parker: Tsarukyan to win inside the gap. Tsarukyan is a close to 5-to-1 betting favourite. Do not be shocked if he wins inside the gap right here. Whereas Hooker is extraordinarily robust and sturdy, Tsarukyan has knockout energy to go together with his elite wrestling. I do not assume Hooker will be capable of dangle for 5 rounds. Search for Tsarukyan to take Hooker down and get the combat achieved there.
Welterweight co-main occasion
I am leaning towards Machado Garry right here. Della Maddalena wrote the ebook on the best way to take care of Belal. Now, if Belal can get on the within and take Machado Garry down, he can win this combat. However a few of Belal’s wins aren’t growing older very effectively. We have been all tremendous impressed when he beat Leon Edwards and Sean Brady, however these two simply misplaced by knockout. And he misplaced to Della Maddalena, who was the brand new man within the division. — Anthony Smith
It is a robust one, however I am going with Belal due to his work ethic and willpower. I feel he grinds Machado Garry out by getting near him and avoiding taking large photographs. He’ll battle to do it at occasions, however when he does get to the within, he’ll management him and win a call. I feel Belal will win two of the three rounds. — Din Thomas
Betting evaluation
Parker: Muhammad to win (+220). This combat will come down as to if or not Muhammad can get the combat to the bottom. I anticipate Muhammad’s wrestling and tempo to get Machado Garry down and win not less than two of the three rounds. When combating off his again, Machado Garry does not provide submission threats to Muhammad. If you wish to take a safer route, take into account taking the combat goes the gap and placing it in your parlay.
Parker’s finest bets on the remainder of the cardboard
Mild heavyweight: Volkan Oezdemir vs. Alonzo Menifield
Menifield to win (+190). At virtually a 2-1 underdog, I am taking Menifield to get the upset. The combat would ideally keep on the ft and Menifield carries the heavier punches. Menifield has gained his previous two fights by choice which reveals an evolution to his cardio and skill to win later rounds whereas Oezdemir has proven a decline in cardio in current fights. If it will get previous the primary spherical, this goes in Menifield’s favor.
Males’s bantamweight: Bekzat Almakhan vs. Aleksandre Topuria
Topuria to win (-125). Almakhan is coming off a first-round KO over Brad Katona, whereas Topuria, the brother of light-weight champion Ilia Topuria, not too long ago gained in his UFC debut. I like Topuria right here as a result of he has extra methods to win. If Almakhan does not take the primary spherical, anticipate Topuria to make use of his boxing to shut the gap and wrestle his approach to victory.
