UFC Baku predictions: Hill vs. Rountree Jr.

Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Mohammed Usman

Bet: Usman wins

Analysis: Ok, Mohammed is the much less skilled Usman brother, but his raging bull style, with a strong wrestling base, always trying to crush his opponent on the fence, can work. Hamdy has already made his UFC debut and needed a split decision against the weak Jamal Pogues. Just be warned that Mohammed doesn’t have the best fight IQ, and could tire from the second round onwards.

Tagir Ulanbekov vs Azat Maksum

Bet: Ulanbekov wins

Analysis: Very even fight. Two good, tough athletes. Tagir is Russian and Azat is from Kazakhstan, so both have a reasonably similar fighting style. In Tagir’s favor is more experience in the UFC compared to Azat. Depending on the price, it’s worth saying that this fight will go the distance: I think it’s difficult for one of them to knock out or finish the other.

Irina Alekseeva x Klaudia Sygula

Bet: Alekseeva wins

Analysis: Irina made a blazing debut, but in her second fight in the UFC she fought very badly, that’s over a year and a half ago. Sygula is the kind of fighter who is torn between MMA and being an influencer. She was knocked out on her UFC debut. If Irina comes in focused, even after this long break, she has more weapons to beat Klaudia than the other way around.

Daria Zhelezniakova x Melissa Mullins

Bet: Mullins wins

Analysis: The two already fought in 2022 and Mullins won by knockout in the first round after ground and pound. Daria is a striker with a very weak takedown defense. Melissa isn’t exactly a star in any area, but she has enough to be able to take the Russian down and take advantage of the ground and pound, just as she did in their first fight.

Ismail Naurdiev vs Jun Yong Park

Bet: Park wins

Analysis: The Korean is already experienced in the UFC and has a good game on his feet and especially on the ground, not to mention good stamina. Naurdiev has 12 knockouts in his career, but it’s been a while and all in smaller events. Park just can’t let Ismail grow into the fight. He has to put pressure on him, take him to the cage, lock him up to tire Ismail out. If he sticks to pure striking, Naurdiev could do better.

Seokhyeon Ko vs Oban Elliott

Bet: Elliott wins

Analysis: I used to have a certain dislike for Oban, but his slower style of fighting has proved very useful for him, who has now won four in a row in the UFC, getting more comfortable with each performance. Seokhyeon won the Contender’s contract last year and he’s already got this difficult mission, making his debut in an arena with a crowd, against a tricky guy who has a bigger wingspan and height.

Muhammad Naimov vs Bogdan Grad

Bet: Naimov wins

Analysis: Naimov is more complete and dangerous both on the feet and on the ground. Grad has had some good wins, but he was knocked out in the first round by Tom Nolan. In exchanges, due to the speed of his blows, Muhammad even has a chance of finding a knockout. Overall, it seems to me that Naimov knows how to win rounds better, if necessary.

Nazim Sadykhov x Nikolas Motta

Bet: Sadykhov wins

Analysis: Nazim is more lethal. Nikolas has been showing progress, but in his five defeats he has been knocked out four times and finished once. And the way Nazim starts his fights, I think it’s hard for the Brazilian to hold his own. Now, if Sadykhov approaches him in any way, he’ll be in for a treat: Nikolas has a very heavy hand.

Tofiq Musayev x Myktybek Orolbai

Bet: Orolbai wins

Analysis: Musayev comes from Rizin, where he was putting on a show… but in the UFC there are levels. Orolbai is coming off a split-decision defeat to Mateusz Rebecki, which is no demerit and he had previously recorded two good wins. Tofiq is a knockout artist, but Orolbai has never been knocked out and has monstrous stamina.

Curtis Blaydes vs Rizvan Kuniev

Bet: Blaydes wins

Analysis: This must be the tenth time I’ve analyzed this fight… it’s been a long time since they’ve faced each other, but something comes up. My opinion is the same:

It seems to me that they’re trying to speed up the Russian, but I think they’re taking a step too far. Blaydes has been knocked out five times, but he’s not dead. And he himself, has the strength to knock out and a high level of wrestling. I’m going to believe in experience, since Rizvan has never fought someone on the same level as Curtis.

Rafael Fiziev vs Ignacio Bahamondes

Bet: Bahamondes wins

Analysis: The Chilean athlete will have a height and wingspan advantage. Fiziev is coming off three defeats in a row. All right, it was against the elite of MMA, but it seems to me that he’s already slowing down, while Ignacio is flying. I think Bahamondes has more desire to win.

Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

Bet: Rountree Jr. wins

Analysis: Khalil hits like his opponent owes him money. He throws punches with his hands and feet. He has enormous strength and good endurance. Of course, if the fight goes to five rounds, he could be in trouble, but I think that against Hill, he’ll settle the score sooner. Jamahal has been knocked out in all three of his defeats. Now his fourth defeat should come in the same way. I don’t see him having enough speed to dodge all of Khalil’s bombs and his counter attacks haven’t impressed me in recent fights.