Fight Predictions: UFC on ABC: Hill vs Rountree Jr
Jamahal Hill & Khalil Rountree Jr face off after weigh-ins.
The UFC is bringing the excitement to ABC on Saturday, which is always a big thing. Especially for 'UFC on ABC 8', as for the first time, the promotion will be doing its thing in Baku, Azerbaijan, in their impressive Baku Crystal Hall!
Three fighters will be making their debut on the card. South Korean fighter, Ko Seok-hyun is looking to continue his 4 fight winning streak and let the Welterweight division know, a new problem is in town. Azerbaijan's own Tofiq Musayev will also be making his first walk. The former Rizin champion will want to show that he can reach that same level in the UFC! Plus, in the 'Featured Bout' of the night, a new Dagestani wrecking machine is hoping to continue his country men's success. As Rizvan Kuniev enters the Heavyweight picture, on a blazing 19 fight win streak!!! Non have an easy task though, as they face 'The Welsh Gangster' Oban Elliott, Kyrgyzstan's Myktybek Orolbai and the savvy vet, Curtis Blaydes!!!
Former Olympian Hamdy Abdelwahab will be making his second promotional start. The Hammer' will be wanting to extend his 6 fight winning streak streak. But across from him is former 'The Ultimate Fighter' winner Mohammed Usman, who will be hoping to mirror his brother’s recent success!
Serra / Longo standout, and another Azerbaijani son, Nazim Sadykhov has been highlighting his skillset with a string of impressive performances since his debut and 'The Contender' series appearance. Currently riding a 10 fight win streak, he's looking to get on the Lightweight radar. Hoping to scuttle those hopes is the 'Iron' Brazilian, Nikolas Motta. Who is wanting to build his own win streak to force his way into the divisions contention.
The Co-main event features two fighters that always bring the action, Rafael Fiziev & Ignacio Bahamondes have a ton of highlights between them and both have title aspirations. Fiziev is currently on a 3 fight skid, but that is to the top of the division, while Bahamondes has won his last 3 looking impressive every step of the way!
Closing the night are a couple of fighters who have been in that rarified air. Khalil Rountree Jr put up a valiant challenge for the belt, whilst Jamahal Hill was the champion until injury had him relinquish the title. Both are coming off losses to the former champion Alex Pereira, and both want to get another crack at the top prize! A win catapults the victor closer to the promised land, whilst a loss is a huge setback. So who will be left standing at the end of the night!!!!
For the full event preview, you can listen to the podcast (ep 251) Otherwise, here are your @ChinCheckPod #fightpredictions 🥊
Main Card
Watch Headline Fight breakdown: HERE.
Main Event - Light Heavyweight
Jamahal Hill vs Khalil Rountree Jr (W)
Watch the Co-Main breakdown: HERE.
Co-Main - Lightweight
Rafael Fiziev vs Ignacio Bahamondes (W)
Watch Main card breakdown: HERE.
Heavyweight
Curtis Blaydes (W) vs Rizvan Kuniev
Lightweight
Tofiq Musayev vs Myktybek Orolbai (W)
Lightweight
Nazim Sadykhov (W) vs Nikolas Motta
Featherweight
Muhammad Naimov vs Bogdan Grad (W)
Preliminary card
Watch breakdown: HERE.
Welterweight
Ko Seok-hyun vs Oban Elliott (W)
Middleweight
Ismail Naurdiev vs Park Jun-yong (W)
Women's Bantamweight
Melissa Mullins (W) vs Daria Zheleznyakova
Women's Bantamweight
Irina Alekseeva vs Klaudia Syguła (W)
Flyweight
Tagir Ulanbekov (W) vs Azat Maksum
Heavyweight
Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Mohammed Usman (W)