MMA Preview – Umar Nurmagomedov vs Bekzat Almakhan at UFC Fight Night 238
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UMAR NURMAGOMEDOV VS BEKZAT ALMAKHAN FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 238? Saturday 2nd March, 2024 - 19:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 238? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 238? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 238 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 238? 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!
UMAR NURMAGOMEDOV VS BEKZAT ALMAKHAN LOWDOWN
More activity and better opponents will fast-track Umar Nurmagomedov (16-0) to the bantamweight title. Arguably, he is almost ready after making light work of his four UFC opponents. He submitted Sergey Morozov (2021) and Brian Kelleher (2022) before outpointing Nate Maness (2022). His last fight was over a year ago, but it was his most impressive performance to date folding Raoni Barcelos with a body kick and collecting the second knockout of his career.
He does not get a big name but instead a debutant in the form of Bekzat Almakhan (17-1). He made his name under his Octagon League in Kazakhstan where he is coming off two brilliant knockouts last year. He clattered Mateus Rodrigues Gloria with a first-round head kick and then TKO’d Yan Ferraz four months later to extend his streak to eight which includes six knockouts and a submission.
UMAR NURMAGOMEDOV VS BEKZAT ALMAKHAN PREDICTION
This matchmaking makes no sense. Nurmagomedov is one of the biggest prospects in the division and cannot build his stock with a win over a fighter few fans have heard of and even though Almakhan is a prospect in his own right, he is up against the bogeyman of the division and likely to get all of his momentum abruptly halted.
He is UFC calibre, but Nurmagomedov is a colossal favourite for a reason and his wrestling alone should be enough to close the show. Almakhan is a good grappler himself, but his strengths lay in his striking.
He will hope Nurmagomedov’s new-found confidence in his striking will create a stand-up battle. Almakhan is a dangerous striker, but Nurmagomedov is too savvy to make any mistakes. He will trade on the feet but be able to avoid any danger while setting up the takedown.
We can see Almakhan making the favourite work hard, but his wrestling should make all the difference and nullify the weapons of the debutant.
Prediction: Nurmagomedov via Decision
