Lightweights
NR | Damir Ismagulov (23-1, 4-0 UFC) vs. NR | Magomed Mustafaev (14-3, 3-2 UFC)ODDS: Ismagulov (-270), Mustafaev (+230)
Pretty much everything about Ismagulov’s UFC career has conspired to make him one of the most underrated fighters on the roster. The Russian has been relegated exclusively to the prelims since his 2018 UFC debut, owing to a cautious but effective style that has made him a decision machine. As soon as Ismagulov looked to be building some momentum—a 2019 victory over Thiago Moises has aged particularly well—injuries, personal issues and the coronavirus pandemic kept him out of action for nearly two years. Ismagulov can do everything. He is a long striker with a surprising amount of power who can back it up with an effective wrestling game. However, he has never looked to press for a finish, instead opting to establish his advantages and ride out a safe victory. That could come back to bite him at some point, but thus far, the only moments of danger have come early in Ismagulov’s return win over Rafael Alves in May, which still turned into a clear decision win. Those moments do at least provide some intrigue in this fight against Mustafaev, who is capable of the type of violence that can catch Ismagulov off-guard. Mustafaev is all about wild and brutal offense that typically involves crashing into his opponent, whether it is via wrestling or some sort of spinning strike. “The Sniper” usually only has about a round of good offense in his gas tank, but he can get a lot done in that time, even managing to catch current top prospect Rafael Fiziev for a quick knockout win in 2019. That could happen in this outing, but as long as Ismagulov can survive the opening salvos of offense from Mustafaev, he should be able to coast to another victory after his countryman exhausts himself. The pick is Ismagulov via decision.
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