MMA Preview – Arman Tsarukyan vs Joel Alvarez at UFC Fight Night 202
ARMAN TSARUKYAN VS JOEL ALVAREZ FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 202? Saturday 26th February, 2022 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 202? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 202? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC Fight Night 202 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 202? 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!
ARMAN TSARUKYAN VS JOEL ALVAREZ LOWDOWN
Arman Tsarukyan (17-2) received a baptism of fire for a UFC debut against the headliner of this card Islam Makhachev (2019). He was 13-1 at the time with few giving him a chance however, despite losing a unanimous decision, he immediately became a prospect going toe-to-toe with one of the best grapplers in the division. He has since fuelled that prospect status with four impressive wins including unanimous decisions over Olivier Aubin-Mercer (2019), Davi Ramos (2020) and Matt Frevola (2021) before his most impressive win sparking out Christos Giagos in the first round back in September last year.
Joel Alvarez (19-2) has trailed a very similar path. He made his debut in the same year against another beast in Damir Ismagulov (2019). He lost a unanimous decision but is also now on a four-fight win streak. He TKO’d Danilo Belluardo (2019), submitted Joe Duffy (2020) and Alexander Yakovlev (2020) and is also coming off his most impressive win and knockout which was over Thiago Moises in November last year.
ARMAN TSARUKYAN VS JOEL ALVAREZ PREDICTION
It seemed fate that these two had to meet now but that does not make it right as one prospect has to fall.
Alvarez is known for his submission prowess, but he looked like an assassin on the feet in his last fight doing what no fighter has done before against Moises, blowing him away with an onslaught of punches and elbows.
That version of Alvarez makes this fight even more interesting especially as he has five inches in reach and eight in height over Tsarukyan. The narrative will still be Tsarukyan taking Alvarez down and fending off the submission attempts as the Spaniard is happy to be taken down relying on his jiu-jitsu and length to find a submission. However, after their last fights, we may see more striking.
The Armenian is a solid technical striker, but if Alvarez bursts out the gate and utilizes that reach, he will cause a lot of problems. That said, Tsarukyan is one of the best all round grapplers in the division and we feel his wrestling, submission defence and cardio will earn him a decision with the value on an Alvarez finish.
Prediction: Tsarukyan via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Alvarez via KO/TKO or Submission
