MMA Preview – Marcin Tybura vs Blagoy Ivanov at UFC Vegas 68
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
MARCIN TYBURA VS BLAGOY IVANOV FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 218? Sunday 5th February, 2023 - 04:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 218? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 218? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 218 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 218? 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!
MARCIN TYBURA VS BLAGOY IVANOV LOWDOWN
Marcin Tybura (23-7) is coming off the biggest win of his career albeit, a close majority decision. He handed the beastly Moldovan Alexander Romanov his first loss back in August which came in response to getting his five-fight win streak snapped my Alexander Volkov (2021) in a unanimous decision.
Blagoy Ivanov (19-4(1)) returns for his second fight in nearly three years. He lost controversial split decisions to Derrick Lewis (2019) and Augusto Sakai (2020) and was then out for two years. He made his comeback against Marcos Rogerio de Lima and shook off the cobwebs to earn a comfortable unanimous decision.
MARCIN TYBURA VS BLAGOY IVANOV PREDICTION
Ivanov arguably has the strongest chin in the UFC eating clean shots from the likes of Junior dos Santos, Tai Tuivasa and Lewis. He is made out of granite and is a monster grappler from a sambo background.
His attributes and skillset are not highlight reel friendly and the same can be said for Tybura who is a can strike, but prefers to grapple. So, do not expect much excitement in this one and instead, some sluggish striking and a lot of clinch work.
The Bulgarian is brutishly strong, but Tybura has the technique to take him down. We expect them both to find success in the grappling exchanges ultimately cancelling each other out so it could come down to convincing the judges with their striking.
This has a close decision written all over it and we feel Tybura’s volume of the feet will be enough to convince two judges at least but Ivanov is the value pick even as a slight underdog.
Prediction: Tybura via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Ivanov via Decision
