The mixed martial arts (MMA) action ignites this week with exciting events from both the UFC and the PFL.
UFC Fight Night in Baku
On Saturday, the UFC lands in Baku, Azerbaijan, for UFC Fight Night. The main event features a light heavyweight clash between Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. The fight is scheduled for 3 p.m. (Eastern Time) on ABC/ESPN+, with the prelims starting at noon on ESPN/ESPN+. Jamahal Hill, former champion and currently ranked number 5 in the light heavyweight rankings, comes to this fight after suffering two knockout losses in his last octagon appearances. For his part, Rountree, ranked just behind Hill, fell to Alex Pereira in a championship fight last October.PFL Semifinals
On Friday, the PFL continues with its World Tournament semifinals, where lightweights, bantamweights, and women’s flyweights will seek to secure their place in the final round. MMA veteran and former UFC champion Kevin Lee will make his PFL debut facing Gadzhi Rabadanov in the main event. In addition, former Bellator champion Liz Carmouche will face Elora Dana in the co-main event. We analyze the predictions and bets for these exciting events.UFC Predictions
Brett Okamoto spoke with former UFC champions Din Thomas and Anthony Smith to get their predictions on the UFC main event. Alofoke Deportes betting expert Ian Parker offers his analysis of the card in Baku and interesting bets from the PFL semifinals.Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree
Jamahal Hill lives and breathes for the X factors. I’ve spent a lot of time with Hill, and he’s truly unique. If I had to choose who I’d prefer to spar with, Hill or Rountree, it would be Rountree because he’s familiar. Everything Khalil does seems like it should be that way. He’s technically perfect. But, in a way, that’s easier to handle because when he looks so perfect, at least he’s predictable. Jamahal has very good eyes and, although he’s not the most technically sound striker, I think he’s harder to deal with.
Anthony Smith
Betting analysis Parker: Rountree to win (-110). Despite losing in his first attempt for the UFC championship, Rountree made a statement. He looked great for two rounds, giving the champion all he could handle until Rountree tired in the third round and was knocked out in the fourth. His ability to last so long with Pereira proved that Rountree belongs at the top of the division. Hill has lost two consecutive fights by knockout, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened for a third time here. Hill is a skilled striker, but Rountree is better and is faster and has more power. Unless Hill can threaten Rountree with grappling, expect another KO/TKO loss here. Parker’s best bets on the rest of the card Lightweight: Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio BahamondesHill has had very bad luck in recent years with injuries and layoffs. He needs a fight like this to change his luck, and I think Rountree surpassed himself in his last fight. He gave the best possible version of himself against Pereira, and I think his performance this time will be a little less convincing, and Hill will catch Rountree.
Din Thomas
Bahamondes to win (-130). Bahamondes enters this matchup with Fiziev having won each of his last three fights by first-round finish. Fiziev is a great striker, but I believe Bahamondes can match him in the striking. Look for Bahamondes to use lateral movement and distance striking to get the win here. He also has a submission game if the opportunity presents itself.
Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev Blaydes to win (-250). Kuniev, who has won twice in “Dana White’s Contender Series”, is getting a big step up in competition for his UFC debut. Although Kuniev is good on the mat, Blaydes has fought the best in the UFC for almost seven years. Unless Kuniev catches Blaydes early in the fight, expect Blaydes to weather an early onslaught and use his dominant wrestling to secure the victory. Lightweight: Tofiq Musayev vs. Myktybek Orolbai Over 1.5 rounds. This matchup has the potential to be the fight of the night. Orolbai showed his durability in his last fight, overcoming initial adversity and almost securing the victory against Mateusz Rębecki. Considering that each of his three fights in the UFC has exceeded 1.5 rounds, I expect the same here. Look for Orolbai to use his wrestling to take away Musayev’s striking prowess and run the clock towards a decision or a late submission victory.
