MMA Preview – Said Nurmagomedov vs Jonathan Martinez at UFC Fight Night 221
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
SAID NURMAGOMEDOV VS JONATHAN MARTINEZ FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 221? Saturday 11th March, 2023 - 21:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 221? The Theatre at Virgin Hotels, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 221? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 221 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 221? 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!
SAID NURMAGOMEDOV VS JONATHAN MARTINEZ LOWDOWN
Said Nurmagomedov (17-2) continues to rack up names and quietly climb the bantamweight ranks. His only loss in his last 12 was a unanimous decision to Raoni Barcelos (2019) on his third UFC appearance. Now, he is sitting on an impressive four-fight streak. He knocked out Mark Striegl (2020) and eventually returned last year to submit Cody Stamann, outpoint Douglas Silva de Andrade and submit Saidyokub Kakhramonov with a slick ninja choke.
Jonathan Martinez (17-4) is finally putting a run together we knew he was capable of. His last loss was a huge setback getting clapped out cold by Davey Grant (2021). That made it 4-3 in the UFC, but he has boosted that to 8-3 with unanimous decisions over Zviad Lazishvili (2021), Alejandro Perez (2022) and Vince Morales (2022) before a vintage TKO over Cub Swanson (2022) disabling the veterans leg.
SAID NURMAGOMEDOV VS JONATHAN MARTINEZ PREDICTION
This is a very important fight for both ben as an impressive win will catapult them up the bantamweight rankings. This should be a barnburner as they are both powerful and skilful strikers.
Nurmagomedov is a good grappler although he mainly calls upon these skills defensively which have been very effective. Martinez prefers to do all his work on the feet as he is a phenomenal southpaw striker with knockout power in all eight limbs.
His leg kicks will be lethal, but he will risk getting a leg caught and subsequently dragged to the ground. His knees will also be a severe threat and we expect to see them unleashed if Nurmagomedov shoots in.
This depends on how much Nurmagomedov decides to grapple. If he has the ego to stand with Martinez for three rounds, we can see his streak ending. If he mixes in his wrestling, he can frustrate Martinez, bag a couple rounds and begin to open up.
Martinez is a hefty underdog so there is value on him considering his form. However, we are backing the Russian as he fairs much better against strikers.
Prediction: Nurmagomedov via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value bet: Martinez to win
