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JAMIE MULLARKEY VS MUHAMMADJON NAIMOV FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 46? Sunday 4th June, 2023 - 00:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 46? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 46? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC on ESPN 46 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 46? 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!
JAMIE MULLARKEY VS MUHAMMADJON NAIMOV LOWDOWN
Jamie Mullarkey (16-5) is keeping active making his second appearance of the year. He began 2022 without a knockout loss albeit to rising contender Jalin Turner. However, he is back on track with two impressive decisions over Michael Johnson (2022) and Francisco Prado back in February.
He was preparing for Guram Kutateladze who has had to pull out of another fight. Fortunately, Muhammadjon Naimov (8-2) steps up to replace him. We first saw him on the Contender Series when he lost a unanimous decision to Collin Anglin (2020) and since then, he has gone 3-1 coming off three wins under the Titan FC and Tuff-N-Uff banners.
JAMIE MULLARKEY VS MUHAMMADJON NAIMOV PREDICTION
Mullarkey is inevitably the heavy favourite here, but Naimov is a tough fight. He has nothing to lose stepping up on such short notice and he hails from an elite taekwondo background.
Naimov can also grapple and is very dangerous in the clinch. So, he will be a threat from close range and from a distance leveraging his taekwondo movement. However, Mullarkey should dictate where this fight goes.
He is the bigger, stronger man and will not be afraid to stand and trade with a height and reach advantage. We expect him to feel Naimov out on the feet before taking him down and controlling him on the ground.
The longer this stays on the feet, the more chance Naimov has, but Mullarkey will be able to hang on the feet and drag him into dark waters enforcing a will-breaking pressure.
Prediction: Mullarkey via Decision
Value bet: Naimov to win