MARLON MORAES VS MERAB DVALISHVILI FACTS
When is UFC 266? Sunday 26th September, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 266? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 266? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 266
What channel is UFC 266 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 266? 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!
MARLON MORAES VS MERAB DVALISHVILI LOWDOWN
When Marlon Moraes (23-8-1) submitted Rapahel Assuncao back in 2019 to set up a fight for the vacant title, there was a feeling he could be the next dominant bantamweight champion. However, his gas tank was exposed by Henry Cejudo in that fight who weathered the first round and finished Moraes in the third round via TKO. He won his next fight against Jose Aldo, but he was very lucky to get the nod from two judges. He returned nearly a year later only to end up on Cory Sandhagen’s highlight reel and then Rob Font piled on more misery two months later with a first round TKO – his third TKO loss in his last four fights.
It is about time Merab Dvalishvili (13-4) has been handed a top tier bantamweight. His toughest test so far was Cody Stamann in his last fight back in May and just like his five fights prior, he ragdolled him around to earn a unanimous decision. So, he is riding a dominant six-fight win streak now, but it could easily be a 14-fight streak as he lost his first two UFC fights in controversial fashion to Frankie Saenz and Ricky Simon.
MARLON MORAES VS MERAB DVALISHVILI PREDICTION
Moraes must be in the UFC’s bad books with his recent matchups. He should really be on a four-fight losing streak getting knocked out three times and now he has to fight the strongest wrestler in the division with a suspect gas tank.
Cardio was the only factor that prevented him from winning the title. He was piecing Cejudo up but just could not pace himself. He possesses some of the most potent finishing ability in the stacked division with lightening kicks and heavy hands. He is also a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu but the kryptonite to those skills is a wrestler with crazy endurance.
Unfortunately, we expect Moraes to lose again, but it will not be a knockout on the feet. We expect Dvalishvili to waste no time in shooting in for a takedown and sap the Brazilian’s energy and cruising to another decision.
This is only possible is the Georgian gets out of the first round which is no mean feat. Dvalishvili does not have the striking of Sandhagen or Font and Moraes is electric on the feet and can easily catch the jaw especially when shooting in – just ask his teammate Aljamain Sterling who got knee’d into the shadow realm.
This will most likely be a Dvalishvili unanimous decision but if you fancy a punt, go for a first round Moraes knockout.
Prediction: Dvalishvili via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Moraes via KO/TKO