In a middleweight bout on Saturday’s main card, Andrew Sanchez and Makhmud Muradov meet at UFC 257 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The early prelims and prelims kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+, followed by the main card on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET.
Sanchez (13-5) and Muradov (24-6) were a late addition to the main card, and this bout adds to the pay-per-view. It should be a good one. Originally Sanchez was to face Andre Muniz, but he is out due to injury. So Muradov steps in on the short notice.
Sanchez is coming off a Round 1 KO/TKO win against Wellington Turman last time out on Aug. 8, 2020, at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. Prior to that each of his past three outings went the distance, with two victories and a loss to Marvin Vettori. “El Dirte” is just 3-3 over his past six pro bouts, with two KO/TKO losses and the UD setback to Vettori.
Muradov, who is a protege of boxer Floyd Mayweather, heads in one inch taller with a slight 1.5-inch reach advantage. He also has a 4.97 to 4.57 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, although Sanchez is slightly more accurate at 44.03 to 41.19 percent.
The Uzbekistani fighter has only appeared in two fights under the UFC banner, winning by unanimous decision over Alessio Di Chircio on Sept. 28, 2019, and KO/TKO over Trevor Smith in his most decent fight Dec. 7, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 7.
Muradov has had some tough luck lately. His lengthy absence from the octagon isn’t due to his own injuries, but four canceled fights due to injuries to others.
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Sanchez vs. Muradov: Betting odds, predictions and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 4:15 p.m. ET.
MURADOV (-145) has been eager to get back into the octagon to continue his ascent in the division. He’ll get a chance to shine on the main card, introducing himself to many fight fans who might not be familiar with his name. He is a strong play on the 2-way line, and the fight isn’t terribly ridiculous, as Sanchez (+120) has been rather ordinary over his past six.
Sanchez is a step up in competition for Muradov, but even so, MURADOV BY KO/TKO, DQ OR SUBMISSION (+165) is a good play at plus-money. As such, if you’re going to bet that, you have to look to UNDER 2.5 ROUNDS (+125) for a good value play, too. It’s a better wager than the 50-50 bet on ‘Will the fight go the distance?’, with both ends offered at -110.
And if you like to roll the dice a little, target a two-round block and take MURADOV IN ROUND 2 (+600) and MURADOV IN ROUND 3 (+1500). Yes, you would lose one of those wagers, but if he wins in either round you will be well in the black.
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