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It is the flyweights that kick off the main card as Matheus Nicolau meets Asu Almabayev in what should be a highly entertaining fight
MATHEUS NICOLAU VS ASU ALMABAYEV FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 245? UK – the preliminary card starts at 9:00pm on Saturday October 19th, 2024, followed by the main card at 12:00am (Sunday) / USA – 4:00pm/7:00pm ET and 1:00pm/4:00pm PT
Where is UFC Fight Night 245? UFC Apex, Las Vegas, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 245? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 245
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 245 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 245? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
For viewers in the United States, UFC Fight Night 245 will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
What time are Matheus Nicolau and Asu Almabayev expected to walk out? 11:35pm UK / 6:35pm US ET / 3:35pm US PT
UFC Fight Night 245 MAIN CARD EVENT
Anthony Hernandez vs Michel Pereira (Middleweight)
Rob Font vs Kyler Phillips (Bantamweight)
Charles Johnson vs Su Mudaerji (Flyweight)
Brady Hiestand vs Jake Hadley (Bantamweight)
Darren Elkins vs Daniel Pineda (Featherweight)
Matheus Nicolau vs Asu Almabayev (Flyweight)
UFC Fight Night 245 Prelims
Brad Katona vs Jean Matsumoto (Bantamweight)
Joselyne Edwards vs Tamires Vidal (Women’s Bantamweight)
Jessica Penne vs Elise Reed (Women’s Strawweight)
Melissa Martinez vs Alice Ardelean (Women’s Strawweight)
Austen Lane vs Robelis Despaigne (Heavyweight)
MATHEUS NICOLAU: COMING OFF CONSECUTIVE KO LOSSES
Matheus Nicolau (19-4-1) is coming back-to-back losses – both coming via knockout – and much will depend on how he recovers from those. He has now lost four times by knockout but he came back well from his previous setbacks so will be hoping for the same here. The losses came at the hands of Brandon Royval and Alex Perez so they have come against high-quality opponents. He now faces another tough test in Almabayev.
ASU ALMABAYEV: KAZAKH STAR ON 16-FIGHT WIN STREAK
30-year-old Asu Almabayev is currently riding an impressive 16-fight winning streak and he has shown that he is the real deal as the quality of opponent steps up. His wins earned him a shot in the UFC and his debut was a Performance of the Night submission win over Ode’ Osbourne and he has followed that up with two decision wins. Not blessed with major knockout power, he is a formidable grappler and possesses a varied arsenal of submission skills.
MATHEUS NICOLAU VS ASU ALMABAYEV PREDICTION
After two consecutive losses by knockout, the matchmakers have given Matheus Nicolau a different assignment this time as he faces Asu Almabayev. The Kazakh flyweight is a really strong grappler and this one is more likely to resemble a wrestling match than a slugfest.
Almabayev has all the momentum on his side having won his last 16 fights. He is rising to the challenge of meeting better quality opponents in the UFC and he keeps finding a way to win.
The likelihood is that Nicolau will be too skilled defensively to succumb to his submission attempts but we do favour Almabayev to win the wrestling match on points.
PREDICTION: ASU ALMABAYEV TO WIN BY DECISION