Strickland vs Magomedov Odds Preview: Ready to Go The Distance

Strickland Favored Over Magomedov in a Potential War

Top-three contender Sean Strickland takes on the hot prospect Abus Magomedov. This is a surprising main event as the latter has just fought once in the octagon. He needed just 19 seconds to win. The Strickland vs Magomedov odds slightly favor the former as he has more “big fight” experience. With the total expected to go over 3.5 rounds (-140), bank on this to be a war of attrition.

Strickland Looks To “Out-Badass” Magomedov

“Just let me bang bro” is likely Strickland’s credo as he has proven that he’s not afraid to take on any opponent. Most fighters in Strickland’s standing would turn down a bout against a dangerous unranked opponent like Magomedov. The Strickland vs Magomedov odds are relatively close with Strickland at -175 and Magomedov at +145.

The one who used to be dubbed “Tarzan” is one of the wildest UFC fighters on and off the cage. He’s frequently been quoted as saying absurd things from killing someone in the octagon to watching pornography.

But he’s not all fun and games. His only losses have come against former champions and title challengers in the division. He got knocked out by Alex Pereira and lost a controversial decision to Jared Cannonier, who just ran a train on a former title challenger in Marvin Vettori.

The key for Strickland in this fight is to mix it up and outwork Magomedov. Strickland lands 5.76 significant strikes per minute. In his last four main events, he landed 150+ significant strikes over five rounds. That’s at least 30+ per round.

The consensus here is that Strickland can outlast Magomedov over five rounds. But the total being at just 3.5 means he could either finish him or gets finished. Magomedov is a surgical kickboxer. Ten of his last 18 victories have come via strikes. If Strickland gets careless as he did against Pereira, the Dagestani-German will light him up.

Ismagulov, Dawson Overcome Obstacles Beyond Each Other

In the co-main event, Grant Dawson gets his biggest test as he takes on fellow blue-chip prospect Damir Ismagulov. Dawson quietly compiled an unbeaten record in the UFC and has finished his last three victories. Ismagulov just lost a hard-fought fight to Arman Tsarukyan.

The American is on the cusp of breaking out. But his biggest obstacle, outside of his opponent, is his weight. Dawson has already missed weight twice: once at featherweight and again in his current division, lightweight.

“We moved up and I was super worried about the size difference, but being at American Top Team, I’ve also put on a lot more size,” Dawson told Cageside Press. “I’m in a really great strength and conditioning program and I’m getting older. I’m 29 years old and starting to hit my man-body.”

As for Ismagulov, the Kazakh fighter abruptly retired late last year via an Instagram post. He cited health concerns as the reason. But not too long after, he took the fight with Dawson. So it’s interesting to see Ismagulov garner most of the UFC predictions.

But the betting lines have evened out with both now set at -115. Oddsmakers expect the total to go over 2.5 rounds as these all-around fighters are as tough as they come.

Action-Packed Fights To Go The Distance

And setting the stage will be a couple of barnburners set to go ‘over’ their totals per the UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Magomedov odds.

Max Griffin takes on Michael Morales in the featured bout. While Morales has finished his last two fights, odds have the total going over 2.5 rounds at -155. In a similar vein, Ariane Lipski a.k.a. “The Queen of Violence” will slug it out with Melissa Gatto. The latter is favored with the total marked at 2.5 rounds and juiced to go over like the other fights on here.

For more UFC betting news, fighters stats and odds visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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