MMA Preview – Jorge Masvidal vs Ben Askren at UFC 239
THE FACTS
When is UFC 239? Sunday 7th July, 2019 – 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 239? T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
What channel is UFC 239? BT Sport Box Office (£19.95)
Where can I stream UFC 239? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ which you can sign up to here!
Are tickets still available for UFC 239? https://www.ufc.com/tickets
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
There are mouth-watering match-ups everywhere you look in the welterweight division right now. The unbeaten and elite Wrestler Ben Askren makes his second UFC appearance against the veteran Jorge Masvidal who will be happy to scrap wherever the fight goes.
Masvidal walks out for his 17th UFC fight and is coming off a spectacular knockout over Darren Till. Although he lacks consistency, Masvidal is one of the most game fighters on the roster with all the skills in the book. Prior to his starching of Till, he lost decisions to Demian Maia and Stephen Thompson - an elite grappler and elite Kickboxer. Although he lost, he took these guys on at their own game and was never out of the fight.
Askren finally got his chance in the UFC after Dana White put their beef to one side. Although it has come too late in his career, he is still a huge threat to the title. In his UFC debut he was handed one of the hardest match-ups possible in Robbie Lawler who almost finished him with strikes but Askren rallied to grab a hold of him and eventually and controversially submit him via a bulldog choke. It was a premature stoppage but Askren’s grappling was there for everyone to see.
THE PREDICTION
Masvidal is exceptional everywhere but this fight will all come down to Askren’s control. He knows it will be too dangerous to stand with Masvidal and he will hunt the takedown. Masvidal has great takedown defence, and training with Colby Covington will be ideal practice but Askren will tie him up and eventually get him to the ground.
This is likely to follow a similar pattern to Masvidal’s fight with Maia. Masvidal will fight off the takedown attempts for as long as possible and is too good to get finished but the control over the three rounds will be enough to earn Askren the points.
Winner: Askren via Decision
