MMA Preview – Chidi Njokuani vs Michal Oleksiejczuk at UFC Fight Night 225
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CHIDI NJOKUANI VS MICHAL OLEKSIEJCZUK FACTS
When is UFC Singapore? Saturday 26th August, 2023 - 11:30 start (UK)
Where is UFC Singapore? Singapore Indoor Stadium, Kallang, Singapore (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Singapore? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Singapore on? TNT Sports 3
Where can I stream UFC Singapore? 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!
CHIDI NJOKUANI VS MICHAL OLEKSIEJCZUK LOWDOWN
After blazing onto the UFC scene with two vicious knockouts, Chidi Njokuani (22-9(1)) is staring down the barrel of a three-fight skid. He racked up two ‘Performance of the Night’ bonuses by starching Marc-Andre Barriault (2022) and Dusko Todorovic (2022). However, he then received a taste of his own medicine getting knocked out by Gregory Rodrigues (2022) after piercing a hole in the Brazilian’s forehead. He returned in March this year against Albert Duraev who grinded out a split decision.
Now, he goes back to slugging it out with a fellow knockout artist in Michal Oleksiejczuk (18-6(1)). The Pole went 4-3(1) up at light heavyweight before finally dropping down to 185 lbs. He started his middleweight chapter with two vintage first-round knockouts over Sam Alvey (2022) and Cody Brundage (2022). However, he then ran into prospect grappler Caio Borralho (2023) suffering his fourth submission loss.
CHIDI NJOKUANI VS MICHAL OLEKSIEJCZUK PREDICTION
This is an exciting match-up. Do not expect much volume, but they both possess one-punch knockout power, so one mistake will put an end to the fight.
Njokuani has more speed and is a threat with all eight limbs whereas Oleksiejczuk relies more on his hands which serves him well possessing the touch of death. He will also be full of confidence knowing he will not have to worry about getting taken down and submitted.
As the odds suggest, this is extremely tough to call. Njokuani is the more dynamic striker, but Oleksiejczuk is incredibly durable. In fact, he has only been knocked out once and that was nearly 10 years ago.
Despite Njokuani’s power, we expect this to go to the bell and over three rounds, his lack of volume could let him down. We are backing Oleksiejczuk’s pressure and a knockout is the value pick, but this could go either way.
Prediction: Oleksiejcuk via Decision
Value bet: Oleksiejcuk via KO/TKO