The UFC travels to Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday for a Struggle Evening at which mild heavyweights Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. conflict in the principle occasion (3 p.m. on ABC/ESPN+; prelims at midday on ESPN/ESPN+).
Hill, a former champion and ESPN’s No. 5-ranked mild heavyweight, enters the combat having misplaced by way of knockout in his final two Octagon appearances. Rountree, ranked simply behind Hill, misplaced to Alex Pereira in a problem for the championship this previous October.
Brett Okamoto spoke to former UFC fighters Din Thomas and Anthony Smith to get their foremost occasion predictions. ESPN betting knowledgeable Ian Parker provides perception and evaluation on intriguing bets in Baku.
Mild heavyweight: Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree
Jamahal Hill lives and breathes on X components. I’ve spent a number of time with Hill, and he’s actually distinctive. If I had to decide on between who I would reasonably spar — Hill or Rountree — it will be Rountree as a result of he is acquainted. Every little thing Khalil does seems to be prefer it’s presupposed to. It is technically excellent. However in a means, that is simpler to take care of as a result of when it seems to be so excellent, not less than it is predictable. Jamahal has actually good eyes and, despite the fact that he isn’t the extra technically sound striker, I believe he is tougher to take care of. — Anthony Smith
Hill has had such dangerous luck the final couple of years with accidents and layoffs. He wants a combat like this to show his luck round, and I believe Rountree outperformed himself in his final combat. He gave the very best attainable model of himself in opposition to Pereira, and I believe his efficiency this time might be a contact much less convincing, and Hill will catch Rountree. — Din Thomas
Betting evaluation
Odds correct as of June 19. Go to ESPN BET for probably the most up-to-date UFC Fight Night odds and PFL semifinals odds.
Parker: Rountree to win (-110). Regardless of dropping in his first shot at a UFC championship, Rountree made a press release. He seemed nice by two rounds, giving the champ all he might deal with till Rountree obtained drained in Spherical 3 then knocked out in Spherical 4. His potential to hold with Pereira so lengthy proved Rountree belongs close to the highest of the division. Hill has misplaced back-to-back fights by knockout, and I would not be shocked if it occurs for a 3rd time right here. Hill is a talented striker, however Rountree a greater one and he’s quicker and carries extra energy. Except Hill can threaten Rountree with grappling, anticipate one other KO/TKO loss right here.
Parker’s greatest bets on the remainder of the cardboard
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Ignacio Bahamondes finishes Manuel Torres early for win in prelims
Ignacio Bahamondes grabs the TKO victory of Manuel Torres within the prelims of UFC 306.
Light-weight: Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
Bahamondes to win (-130). Bahamondes enters this matchup with Fiziev having gained every of his final three bouts by first-round end. Fiziev is a good striker, however I consider Bahamondes can match him on the ft. Search for Bahamondes to make use of lateral motion and distance putting to get the win right here. He additionally has a submission recreation if the chance have been to current itself.
Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
Blaydes to win (-250). Kuniev, who’s gained twice on “Dana White’s Contender Collection,” is getting a large step up in competitors for his UFC Debut. Though Kuniev is sweet on the mat, Blaydes has fought the very best within the UFC for almost seven years. Except Kuniev catches Blaydes early within the combat, anticipate Blaydes to face up to an early onslaught and use his dominant wrestling to get the win.
Light-weight: Tofiq Musayev vs. Myktybek Orolbai
Over 1.5 rounds. This matchup has combat of the evening potential. Orolbai confirmed his sturdiness in his final combat, overcoming early adversity and almost getting a win in opposition to Mateusz Rębecki. Contemplating every of his three UFC bouts has gone over 1.5 rounds, I anticipate the identical right here. Search for Orolbai to make use of his wrestling to remove Musayev’s putting prowess and run the clock en path to a choice or late submission win.