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Marc Diakiese and Rafael Fiziev tangle in a lightweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 30 – also known as UFC Fight Night 172 – Saturday at the UFC’s Fight Island facility on Yas Island, United Arab Emirates. The prelims kick off at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+, followed by the main card set for 8 p.m. ET.
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Marc Diakiese (14-3) will look for his third straight victory after a three-bout losing skid from July 7, 2017 to July 22, 2018. The Briton took care of Lando Vannata by way of unanimous decision last time out on the Hermansson-Cannonier card Sept. 28, 2019. While Diakiese has gotten back on track lately, each of his past three bouts have gone the distance, so that’s something to file away. Diakiese – nicknamed “Bonecrusher” – will try to make like James Smith and knock out Fiziev (7-1). Diakiese has posted six KO/TKO in his 17 career fights, and has never been knocked out.
Fiziev, the switch-stance fighter from Kyrgyzstan, is coming off a unanimous decision win over Alex White on Oct. 26, 2019, erasing the bad feelings of a KO/TKO loss in his UFC debut against Magomed Mustafaev on April 20, 2019. Like Diakiese, Fiziev loves the knockout, with five of his seven career wins coming via KO/TKO. The decision against White was a rarity, too, as his first seven professional fights had finishes inside the distance, including 5-1 via KO/TKO and 1-0 by way of submission.
Marc Diakiese vs. Rafael Fiziev betting odds
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 8:30 a.m. ET.
DIAKIESE (-167) is a reasonable play on the 2-way line straight up, and he’ll be able to scratch out a win if he can avoid catching the hands of Fiziev (+140). Diakiese is also the better all-around fighter, and more polished, too. In addition, he isn’t a one-trick pony, as he can brawl toe-to-toe, or can go to the mat and get the finish if need be. He has 2.50 to 0.91 advantage in takedown average, although submissions aren’t the biggest arrow in his quiver.
Looking at the 7-way Method of Victory lines, rolling with DIAKIESE BY DECISION/TECHNICAL DECISON (+125) is worth a roll of the dice, while taking YES (-162): WILL THE FIGHT GO THE DISTANCE? is also a sound play.
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