MMA Preview – Islam Makhachev vs Drew Dober at UFC 259
ISLAM MAKHACHEV VS DREW DOBER FACTS
When is UFC 259? Sunday 7th March, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 259? UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 259? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC 259 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 259? 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!
ISLAM MAKHACHEV VS DREW DOBER LOWDOWN
After three fights falling through last year, Islam Makhachev (18-1) is finally back on his way to the octagon. Fights with Alexander Hernandez and Rafael dos Anjos fell through which has been an unwelcome theme of Makhachev’s UFC career but thankfully he returns after last fighting in September 2019. That was a unanimous decision over jiu-jitsu ace Davi Ramos to stretch his winning run to six. He lost his second UFC fight by getting slept by Adriano Martins but has showcased his grappling prowess since including a knockout of his own over Gleison Tibau back in 2018.
Drew Dober (23-9(1)) and Makhachev were originally scheduled to fight all the way back in 2016 but it fell through due to Makhachev failing a drugs test. Since then, Dober has threatened to break into the upper echelon but had a couple hiccups. He got submitted by Olivier Aubin-Mercier before going on a three-fight win streak but then got submitted by Beneil Dariush to fall back down the pecking order. However, he is back on the march and has never looked better with three knockouts in a row. Firstly, Marco Polo Reyes and then Nasrat Haqparast and Alexander Hernandez last year.
ISLAM MAKHACHEV VS DREW DOBER PREDICTION
This is a huge fight for both men as a statement win will could catapult them into the top 10 which is a feat in its own as the lightweight division is littered with animals. Makhachev has promised so much but has not progressed as quickly as he would like with many calling him the next Khabib. Nurmagomedov’s close friend and training partner will always be in a league of his own but Makhachev is not far away when it comes to talent.
The Russian is another beast of a wrestler and one of the very best in the division so he will no doubt call upon these skills in an attempt to throw Dober around the cage and grind him down until he breaks or submits.
The odds suggest this is very likely to happen as Dober is the heavy underdog but everything is coming together for the veteran now and he is knocking people out for fun. He is enormous for the division and he has a clear striking advantage, so he needs to land while he is still fresh.
The worrying stat is Dober’s takedown defence which is only 58%. Hernandez took him down three times in their fight and Makachev is on a different level when it comes to wrestling and he is expected to get the job done with takedowns leading to a potential submission. Dober still managed to knock Hernandez out and that is still a possibility here.
Prediction: Makhachev via Submission - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Dober via KO/TKO
