MMA Preview – Zhalgas Zhumagulov vs Joshua Van at UFC on ABC 5
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ZHALGAS ZHUMAGULOV VS JOSHUA VAN FACTS
When is UFC on ABC 5? Saturday 24th June, 2023 - 18:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ABC 5? VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ABC 5? Click here to buy tickets for UFC on ABC 5
What channel is UFC on ABC 5 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC on ABC 5? 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!
ZHALGAS ZHUMAGULOV VS JOSHUA VAN LOWDOWN
We thought we saw the last of Zhalgas Zhumagulov (14-8) after his recent loss, but thankfully he is back in the mix. He has had a miserable couple years inside the octagon going 1-5. He lost unanimous decisions to Raulian Paiva (2020) and Amir Albazi (2021) before submitting Jerome Rivera (2021) and is coming off a TKO to Manel Kape (2021) and two dubious split decisions to Jeff Molina (2022) and Charles Johnson (2022).
Now, he welcomes Joshua Van (7-1) to the UFC. He has fought his whole professional career for the Fury Fighting Championship and is coming off five wins all last year. He knocked out Francisco Obando and Angelo Trujillo before pulling off a calf slicer on Mario Suazo. Now, he is coming off a TKO over Paris Moran and another submission over Cleveland McLean.
ZHALGAS ZHUMAGULOV VS JOSHUA VAN PREDICTION
Van is a very exciting fighter. He has never gone to a decision and always looks for the finish. He is a very dangerous and as the debutant, a finish could send Zhumagulov packing out of the UFC.
He will be a threat on the feet and try and create scrambles when Zhumagulov gets his hands on him. However, the Kazakhstani will be relentless with his pressure and will try and suffocate Van with his wrestling.
He is better than his form suggests and we are backing him to subdue Van for three rounds and give the judges an easier decision this time.
Prediction: Zhumagulov via Decision
