[autotag]Ramazan Temirov[/autotag] and [autotag]CJ Vergara[/autotag] meet Saturday on the main card opener of UFC Fight Night 244 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
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Ramazan Temirov vs. CJ Vergara UFC Fight Night 244 preview
Temirov (17-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his UFC debut in a main card opening slot, putting his nine-fight winning streak on the line. On his current run, the 27-year-old Uzbekistan native has racked up six first-round finishes, four of which have come consecutively in recent outings. … Vergara (12-5-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC) will look to pour cold water on Temirov’s streak, while remaining about .500 in the UFC. Vergara will need to bounce back from a unanimous decision loss to Asu Almabayev in March.
Ramazan Temirov vs. CJ Vergara UFC Fight Night 244 expert pick, prediction
Despite the impromptu promotion to this spot, Temirov vs. Vergara is an arguable improvement to the endless middleweight slog that the UFC usually force-feeds you in these spots. It’s also great to see more men’s flyweight fights in more prominent positions.
Although the betting line for this fight is a bit wide for my liking, I can understand why Temirov is favored.
Despite Temirov’s lack of UFC sample size, the Master of Sports in hand-to-hand combat looks to be an aggressive athlete with all the instincts for fighting. Temirov is not beyond getting clipped for his aggression early, but the 27-year-old appears capable of powering through both on the feet and the floor.
Vergara strikes should be extra live off clinch breaks, but I’m not sure that Temirov gives the American his preferred space.
For that reason, I’ll semi-reluctantly pick Temirov to force a stoppage by strikes in Round 1.
Ramazan Temirov vs. CJ Vergara UFC Fight Night 244 odds
The oddsmakers and the public heavily favor the Uzbek fighter, listing Temirov -325 and Vergara +250 via FanDuel.
Ramazan Temirov vs. CJ Vergara UFC Fight Night 244 start time, how to watch
Vergara and Temirov are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 7:05 p.m. ET (4:05 p.m. PT). The fight will stream on ESPN+.
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 244.