Beneil Dariush vs Arman Tsarukyan Betting Preview: UFC ESPN 52
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
BENEIL DARIUSH VS ARMAN TSARUKYAN FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 52? Saturday 2nd December, 2023 - 22:00 (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 52? Moody Center, Austin, Texas (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 52? Click here to buy tickets for UFC on ESPN
What channel is UFC on ESPN 52 on? TNT Sports 2
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 52? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
BENEIL DARIUSH VS ARMAN TSARUKYAN LOWDOWN
Beneil Dariush’s (22-5-1) run finally came to an end back in June at UFC 289. He was riding an incredible eight-fight winning streak including decisions over Carlos Diego Ferreira (2021), Tony Ferguson (2021) and Mateusz Gamrot (2022). He then met the former lightweight champion Charles Oliveria and suffered the same fate as many getting spectacularly finished. Now, he has another tough match-up to bounce back from the first round TKO.
Arman Tsarukyan (20-3) is still a prospect nine fights deep into his UFC career. He has only lost twice which came on his baptism of fire UFC debut taking the current champ Islam Makhachev (2019) to a decision and then Gamrot (2022) five wins later. He is now coming off a vintage unanimous decision win over Damir Ismagulov (2022) and TKO over Joaquim Silva back in June.
BENEIL DARIUSH VS ARMAN TSARUKYAN PREDICTION
There will be an abundance of skill here in Austin, particularly in the grappling realm. Dariush has been refining his all-round game for years and Tsarukyan’s striking is improving at a rapid rate.
Dariush has never gone five rounds and Tsarukyan has only gone five rounds once which was against Gamrot. That said, we still expect a ferocious pace for as long as it lasts.
We expect Tsarukyan to test his developing striking skills and try to land something heavy early. However, once Dariush begins to walk him down, expect the Armenian to adopt a similar strategy to Gamrot, trying to wear him down by tying him up and chaining takedowns together.
Tsarukyan can have a lot of success if he leverages his wrestling to set up his strikes. We can see him threatening the level-change and going up top with his right hand and head kick. Dariush’s chin has taken some damage getting knocked out four times and Tsarukyan has the power to make it five.
Dariush has the better jiu-jitsu should the fight go to the floor, but the Armenian’s wrestling is good enough to subdue those skills. Considering how well Dariush negated the wrestling of Gamrot makes us feel the key for Tsarukyan will be his striking.
If he is predictable, Dariush has the takedown defence and nous to win the exchanges and even hurt Tsarukyan on the feet himself. He can win this in a variety of ways especially in the championship rounds, but we can also see Tsarukyan knocking him out.
We are backing the veteran but would not be surprised if the young gun delivers the best performance of his career.
Prediction: Dariush via Decision
Value bet: Dariush to win
