MMA Preview – Tai Tuivasa vs Alexander Volkov at UFC 293
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TAI TUIVASA VS ALEXANDER VOLKOV FACTS
When is UFC 293? Sunday 10th September, 2023 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 293? Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, New South Wales (Aus)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 293? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 293
What channel is UFC 293 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC 293? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
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!
TAI TUIVASA VS ALEXANDER VOLKOV LOWDOWN
The hometown boy Tai Tuivasa (14-5) graces Sydney for the second time in his UFC career. His last appearance was in fact the last time the city hosted the UFC when ‘Bam Bam’ smoked Rashad Coulter (2017) with a flying knee on his debut. He has built a UFC record of 8-5 and after stringing together five impressive knockouts in a row, his streak was abruptly halted. He got schooled by Cyril Gane (2022) and Sergei Pavlovich (2022) made it two brutal knockouts in a row.
In contrasting form, Alexander Volkov (36-10) is coming off two knockout wins boosting his UFC record to 10-4. His title hopes evaporated when he flew to London to get dominated and submitted by Tom Aspinall (2022) in the main event. However, he has responded with two immaculate performances against the dangerous Jairzinho Rozenstruik (2022) and Alexander Romanov (2023) in the first round to regain hope.
TAI TUIVASA VS ALEXANDER VOLKOV PREDICTION
Tuivasa is going to have to show a lot of character to come back from his recent beatings. He took a lot of damage and Volkov possesses similar tools to Gane to pick him apart from range.
He will boast a five-inch height and reach advantage as well as an eight-inch leg reach advantage which he will leverage to teep and pierce the mid-section of Tuivasa. Expect him to throw front kicks like a jab to kick Tuivasa at bay.
Volkov has learnt his lesson against knockout artists and knows he will have to be patient for 15 full minutes. Tuivasa has more speed and he will rely on his explosiveness to close the distance and hunt the dome.
The Aussie is always a knockout threat, but we expect another calculated display from the Russian sniping and poking from range. We can see Tuivasa getting frustrated with the pressure of home fans behind him forcing a mistake which Volkov will punish him for.
Tuivasa is worth a punt considering the odds, but on paper, Volkov should earn a patient decision or late knockout.
Prediction: Volkov via KO/TKO
Value bet: Tuivasa via KO/TKO
