MMA Preview – Aiemann Zahabi vs Drako Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 19
AIEMANN ZAHABI VS DRAKO RODRIGUEZ FACTS
When is UFC Vegas 19? Saturday 20th February, 2021 - 23:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Vegas 19? UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Vegas 19? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC Vegas 19 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Vegas 19? 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!
AIEMANN ZAHABI VS DRAKO RODRIGUEZ LOWDOWN
Aiemann Zahabi (7-2) has had a miserable time in the octagon compounded by a positive COVID-19 test that postponed this bout at UFC Vegas 17 in December. The brother of Firas won his debut back in 2017 against Reginaldo Vieira earning a decision but got brutally knocked out by a lethal spinning back elbow from Ricardo Ramos. He was out licking his wounds for 18 months but returned only to lose a unanimous decision to Vince Morales.
Drako Rodriguez’s (7-1) UFC debut has been delayed but he is still carrying some momentum after wrapping up Leomana Martinez in a beautiful triangle choke on the Contender Series. That submission in September made it three wins on the bounce after getting knocked out by Tony Gravely for King of the Cage in 2018.
AIEMANN ZAHABI VS DRAKO RODRIGUEZ PREDICTION
After finishing his first seven fights, Zahabi has been hit by the step-up in competition and now risks getting cut if he loses three in a row. He will need to perform a lot better than he did against Morales but is up against a hungry young lion looking to make a statement on his debut.
Rodriguez has a lot of amateur experience as well as boxing experience which is where he should win the fight. Zahabi may have the edge on the ground as a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu but we expect Rodriguez to hold his own in the grappling exchanges and sway the judges with his athleticism and output on the feet.
Prediction: Rodriguez via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
