Lightweights
Jamie Mullarkey (16-5, 4-3 UFC) vs. Muhammadjon Naimov (8-2, 0-0 UFC)ODDS: Mullarkey (-500), Naimov (+400)
For the second time in 2023, Mullarkey looks to hold serve against a late replacement in what figures to be an entertaining fight. Australia’s Mullarkey has carved out a solid niche for himself as a reliable action fighter in the middle of a deep lightweight division, particularly since he did not seem especially poised for success upon his UFC debut. He immediately gained some notice as one half of a three-round war opposite Brad Riddell, and after a rough start to his UFC career in terms of results, he turned things around with four victories in his last five fights. Mullarkey has made his name through well-rounded aggression with a reliance on his impressive level of durability, all of which was on display in his best win to date: a back-and-forth fight against Michael Johnson in 2022 that saw him narrowly get the nod on the scorecards. However, Mullarkey has had some trouble capitalizing on that success, as his opponent has dropped out of his last three scheduled bookings. As a result, Mullarkey’s last fight saw him put on a workmanlike performance against an overmatched raw prospect in Francisco Prado, and a fight week reshuffling sees Guram Kutateladze replaced by a promotional newcomer in Naimov. The 28-year-old Naimov’s signing continues what has been a banner year for Tajikistan inside the UFC, and “Hillman” does look like a prospect who can make some noise as a powerful striker. With that said, Naimov is also still clearly a work in progress to a degree. He has done well to improve since his 2020 defeat to Collin Anglin on Dana White’s Contender Series, but the overall book remains the same; a dedicated wrestler can neutralize a lot of Naimov’s momentum. Add in that Naimov is a natural featherweight taking on a sneakily stout lightweight in Mullarkey, and this figures to be another fight where the latter can rely on his chin and plug away for the victory. The pick is Mullarkey via decision.
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