MMA Preview – Dustin Jacoby vs Azamat Murzakanov at UFC on ESPN 44
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DUSTIN JACOBY VS AZAMAT MURZAKANOV FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 44? Saturday 15th April, 2023 - 23:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 44? T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 44? Click here to buy tickets for UFC on ESPN
What channel is UFC on ESPN 44 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 44? 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!
DUSTIN JACOBY VS AZAMAT MURZAKANOV LOWDOWN
Dustin Jacoby (18-6-1) is coming off his fist loss in 10 fights. After his draw with Ion Cutelaba (2021) he went on to TKO Darren Stewart (2021), earn unanimous decisions over John Allan (2021) and Michal Olesksiejcczuk (2022) and knock out Da Un Jung (2022). He then met his striking match in Khalil Rountree Jr (2022) but just fell short in a split decision.
He now takes on another knockout artist in Azamat Murzakanov (12-0). He has disposed of nine out of his 12 opponents which include his first two UFC fights. He entered the big stage after TKOing Matheus Scheffel (2021) on the Contender Series and then made his mark by erasing Tafon Nchukwi (2022) with a flying knee and followed that up with a TKO over Devin Clark in August last year.
DUSTIN JACOBY VS AZAMAT MURZAKANOV PREDICTION
UFC are not wasting time in testing Murzakanov’s credentials. He is an unbeaten knockout artist, but the sambo specialist has been paired with a kickboxer with more experience.
Murzakanov has relied on his striking, but he is taking on the most polished striker of his career and will be playing with fire if he decides to stand and trade. Jacoby does not have the same blistering knockout power, but he has the technique to find the chin and eventually turn the lights off.
That said, the Russian is so explosive, anything can happen and he represents the value as the unbeaten underdog especially if he throws in some grappling. However, we are leaning towards Jacoby and expect his cardio and striking from the outside to get the job done.
Prediction: Jacoby via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value bet: Murzakanov via KO/TKO
