MMA Preview – Abubakar Nurmagomedov vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC on ESPN 46
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ABUBAKAR NURMAGOMEDOV VS ELIZEU ZALESKI DOS SANTOS FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 46? Sunday 4th June, 2023 - 00:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 46? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 46? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC on ESPN 46 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 46? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
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!
ABUBAKAR NURMAGOMEDOV VS ELIZEU ZALESKI DOS SANTOS LOWDOWN
Fans did not have high hopes for Abubakar Nurmagomedov (17-3-1) after getting submitted by David Zawada (2019) on his UFC debut. However, he has gone on to earn solid unanimous decisions over Jared Gooden (2021) at UFC 260 and Gadzhi Omargadzhiev (2022) at UFC 280.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (23-7) finally returns after 19 months out. He fought twice in 2020 outpointing Alexey Kunchenko and losing a split decision to fellow striking ace Muslim Salikhov. He returned over a year later and delivered a three-round pounding on Benoit Saint-Denis, but a tainted supplement has kept him out for over a year.
ABUBAKAR NURMAGOMEDOV VS ELIZEU ZALESKI DOS SANTOS PREDICTION
Zaleski dos Santos’ activity has been a travesty. He is one of the most exciting fighters in the welterweight division and it is great to see him back, but this is a tough match up for him.
Nurmagomedov does not have the same X-factor, but he is just as formidable. He is aggressive with phenomenal wrestling and in true Dagenstani fashion, he pressures his opponents until they break. Zaleski dos Santos has decent jiu-jitsu, but his wrestling is a worry here.
His striking is wild but effective and he will play with Nurmagomedov while this stays on the feet. However, we expect the Russian to seal the takedown with relative ease. He will throw his heavy hands to close the distance and tie the Brazilian up.
For as long as this stays on the feet Zaleski dos Santos will be a knockout threat, however we feel Nurmagomedov will be able to pin him down long enough to bag the rounds and earn a decision.
Prediction: Nurmagomedov via Decision
