Tag: Omari Akhmedov

UFC on ABC 1 pre-event facts: Max Holloway’s chin is legendary

The best facts and figures about UFC on ABC 1, which features a Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar main event.

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The UFC kicks off its 2021 campaign on Saturday with UFC on ABC 1, which marks the promotion’s return to network television.

Headlining the card on ABC, which follows prelims on ESPN+, is a high-stakes featherweight clash between former longtime champion [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] (21-6 MMA, 17-6 UFC), who looks to snap a two-fight losing skid, and the red-hot [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag] (22-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC).

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 45 pre-event facts about UFC on ABC 1.

UFC on ESPN 20 gets Omari Akhmedov vs. Tom Breese after four-day COVID-19 delay

The middleweight fight will take place 96 hours later than expected due to COVID-19-related issues.

[autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tom Breese[/autotag] is still in the UFC’s plans – just for a later date than expected.

The middleweight matchup was originally scheduled for Saturday’s UFC on ABC 1 card on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. However, the promotion announced Tuesday the fight has been pushed back to UFC on ESPN 20, which takes place Wednesday, Jan. 20, due to “COVID-19 related issues.” The UFC did not elaborate further on the matter.

Akhmedov (20-5-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) has only lost once in his most recent seven outings. After he went 5-0-1 in six fights, Akhmedov fought former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman in August and lost a unanimous decision.

Breese (12-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) returned from a 21-month layoff in February 2020 and lost by first-round TKO to Brendan Allen. In October, he returned and defeated promotional newcomer KB Bhullar by TKO in 1 minute, 43 seconds.

With the addition, the UFC on ESPN 20 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 12 p.m. ET)

  • Michael Chiesa vs. Neil Magny
  • Warlley Alves vs. Mounir Lazzez
  • Vinicius Moreira vs. Ike Villanueva
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Roxanne Modafferi
  • Lerone Murphy vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, ESPN+, 9 a.m. ET)

  • Omari Akhmedov vs. Tom Breese
  • Gaetano Pirrello vs. Ricky Simon
  • Zarrukh Adashev vs. Su Mudaerji
  • Dalcha Lungiambula vs. Markus Perez
  • Francisco Figueredo vs. Jerome Rivera
  • Mike Davis vs. Mason Jones
  • Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell
  • Manon Fiorot vs. Victoria Leonardo
  • Sergey Morozov vs. Umar Nurmagomedov

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Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza steps in to face Marvin Vettori at UFC 256

Marvin Vettori will finally get his wish to fight a big name when he faces Ronaldo Souza at UFC 256.

[autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] will finally get his wish to fight a big name in the UFC.

[autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag] has been pulled from a planned matchup with Vettori (15-3-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC) at UFC 256, and [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) will instead step in to face the Italian middleweight on Dec. 12. MMA Junkie confirmed the change in plans after an initial post by Vettori’s coach on social media.

Akhmedov is expected to receive a different opponent, instead.

Since losing to UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in 2018, Vettori has won three in a row. Most recently, he submitted Karl Roberson in the first round at UFC on ESPN 10 in June. Prior to that, he picked up back-to-back decision wins over Cezar Ferreira and Andrew Sanchez.

“Jacare” Souza is enduring the roughest stretch of his career with losses in three of his past four fights. After knocking out Chris Weidman at UFC 230 in 2018, Souza has dropped back-to-back fights to Jack Hermansson and, most recently, Jan Blachowicz in November 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 22. He was scheduled to face Uriah Hall at UFC 249 in May but was forced out due to a positive COVID-19 test.

With the change, the UFC’s Dec. 12 lineup now includes:

    • Champ Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson – for women’s featherweight title
    • Champ Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling – for bantamweight title
    • Dwight Grant vs. Li Jingliang
    • Ronaldo Souza vs. Marvin Vettori
    • Mackenzie Dern vs. Virna Jandiroba
    • Omari Akhmedov vs. opponent TBA

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Marvin Vettori vs. Omari Akhmedov added to UFC 256 lineup

Marvin Vettori has been begging for a fight – and now he has one.

[autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] has been campaigning for a fight. Now, the UFC is finally giving him one.

The promotion has booked Vettori against fellow UFC-ranked middleweight [autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag] for UFC 256 on Dec. 12. The card doesn’t have an official location or venue at this time, though it’s expected to take place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Multiple people with knowledge of the situation recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Vettori (15-3-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC), 27, is riding a three-fight winning streak into the bout. Following a loss to now-UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, Vettori won back-to-back decisions over Cezar Ferreira and Andrew Sanchez before submitting Karl Roberson in his most recent outing at UFC on ESPN 10 on June 13.

Meanwhile, Akhmedov (20-5-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) looks to bounce back from a decision loss to former UFC champ Chris Weidman in August. Prior to the setback, Akhmedov had gone 5-0-1 in his previous six visits to the octagon

With the addition, the Dec. 12 lineup includes:

  • Champ Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns – for welterweight title
  • Champ Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson – for women’s featherweight title
  • Carla Esparza vs. Amanda Ribas
  • Omari Akhemdov vs. Marvin Vettori

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UFC on ESPN+ 32 medical suspensions: Yana Kunitskaya, three others face six months off

Four fighters are facing lengthy suspensions as a result of their UFC on ESPN+ 32 injuries.

Four fighters are facing potential six-month suspensions for injuries sustained in their respective UFC on ESPN+ 32 bouts.

[autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag] (neck and arm), [autotag]Scott Holtzman[/autotag] (facial fractures), [autotag]Peter Barrett[/autotag] (left ribs), and [autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag] (right hand, right wrist, and left eye) will not be able to fight until Feb. 5, 2021, unless they are cleared by a doctor beforehand.

On Wednesday, MMA Junkie obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commission’s official record keeper.

Headlining victor [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] did not receive a suspension, while his opponent, [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag], received a 45-day suspension for lacerations sustained in the fight.

Former UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag] and his opponent, [autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag], both received 30-day suspensions after their co-main event bout.

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Below is the full list of UFC on ESPN+ 32 medical suspensions:

  • Derrick Lewis: No suspension.
  • Aleksei Oleinik: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to left eye and lip lacerations.
  • Chris Weidman: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to a “hard fight.”
  • Omari Akhmedov: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to laceration under left eye.
  • [autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left scalp laceration.
  • [autotag]Maki Pitolo[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • Yana Kunitskaya: Suspended 180 days or until MRI of neck and right arm are cleared by orthopedic doctor; Also suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
  • [autotag]Julija Stoliarenko[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • Scott Holtzman: Suspended 180 days or until left inferior orbital floor fracture cleared by maxillofacial surgeon; Also suspended for 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Tim Means[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
  • [autotag]Laureno Staropoli[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days due to left eye laceration.
  • [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to left eye lacerations.
  • [autotag]Nasrat Haqparast[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to left eye laceration.
  • [autotag]Alexander Munoz[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days, or until right eye is cleared by doctor.
  • [autotag]Andrew Sanchez[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Wellington Turman[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days.
  • [autotag]Gavin Tucker[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • Peter Barrett: Suspended 180 days or until x-ray of left ribs is cleared by an orthopedic doctor; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • Irwin Rivera: Suspended 180 days or until x-ray of right hand and wrist is cleared by doctor and possible left eye corneal abrasion is cleared by an ophthalmologist.
  • [autotag]Ali Alqaisi[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to sutures on nasal bridge.

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UFC on ESPN+ 32 post-event facts: Derrick Lewis conquers one record and approaches others

All the notable stats to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 32, which took place in Las Vegas, and saw Derrick Lewis knock out Aleksei Oleinik.

The UFC’s loaded August schedule continued on Saturday with UFC on ESPN+ 32, which went down at UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streamed on ESPN+.

The UFC’s busiest heavyweight picked up another notable win in the headliner when [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) overcame the grappling prowess of [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] (59-14-1 MMA, 8-5 UFC) to net a second-round TKO and extend his current winning streak to three fights.

“The Black Beast” made UFC history with his finish, and for more on the numbers, check below for 35 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 32.

* * * *

General

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The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $162,000.

Debuting fighters went 0-3 at the event.

[autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag], [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag], [autotag]Andrew Sanchez[/autotag] and [autotag]Gavin Tucker[/autotag] earned $50,000 UFC on ESPN+ 32 fight-night bonuses.

UFC on ESPN+ 32 drew an announced attendance of zero for a live gate of $0.

Betting favorites went 10-2 on the card.

Betting favorites improved to 15-7 in UFC headliners this year.

Total fight time for the 12-bout card was 2:10:09.

Main card

Derrick Lewis

Lewis’ 15 victories in UFC heavyweight competition are tied with Junior Dos Santos for third most in divisional history behind Andrei Arlovski (18) and Frank Mir (16).

Lewis’ 11 stoppage victories in UFC heavyweight competition are tied with Arlovski, Gabriel Gonzaga and Stefan Struve for second most in divisional history behind Mir (13),

Lewis’ 11 knockout victories in UFC competition are tied for second most in company history behind Vitor Belfort (12).

Lewis’ 11 knockout victories in UFC heavyweight competition are most in divisional history.

Lewis’ 11 knockout victories in UFC competition since 2014 are tied with Thiago Santos for most among active fighters in the organization.

Oleinik has suffered all four of his UFC stoppage losses by knockout.

[autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) was successful in his return to the middleweight division.

Weidman earned his first UFC victory where he failed to outland his opponent in strikes.

[autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag] (20-5-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) fell to 3-1-1 since he returned to the UFC middleweight division in December 2017. He’s 4-1-1 in the weight class overall under the UFC banner.

Akhmedov suffered the first decision loss of his career.

Stewart (12-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) improved to 5-3 since he dropped to the UFC middleweight division in November 2017.

[autotag]Maki Pitolo[/autotag] (12-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC) has suffered five of his six career losses by stoppage.

Yana Kunitskaya

[autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag] (13-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) improved to 3-1 since she returned to the UFC women’s bantamweight division in October 2018.

Kunitskaya outlanded her opponent 209-to-30 in total strikes. The +179 margin is largest in UFC women’s bantamweight history.

Kunitskaya has earned all three of her UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] (19-4-1 MMA, 13-4-1 UFC) earned the eighth knockout in UFC history stemming from a spinning backfist.

Dariush’s four-fight stoppage streak in UFC competition is tied with Justin Gaethje and Francis Ngannou for second longest among active fighters on the roster behind Charles Oliveira (seven).

[autotag]Scott Holtzman[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) suffered the first stoppage loss of his career with his knockout defeat.

Preliminary card

Tim Means

[autotag]Tim Means[/autotag] (30-12-1 MMA, 12-9 UFC) improved to 10-7 (with one no contest) since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in May 2014.

[autotag]Laureano Staropoli[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has suffered both of his UFC losses by decision.

[autotag]Alexander Munoz[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) had his six-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of his career.

[autotag]Wellington Turman[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) suffered the first stoppage loss of his career with his knockout defeat.

[autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag] (16-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) suffered the first stoppage loss of his career with his submission defeat.

[autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag] (10-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has earned all three of his UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Peter Barrett[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) suffered the first decision loss of his career.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

UFC on ESPN+ 32 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Tim Means leads $162,000 payout

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 32 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $162,000.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 32 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $162,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN+ 32 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card streamed ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN+ 32 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag]: $15,000
def. [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag]: $15,000
def. [autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Maki Pitolo[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Julija Stoliarenko[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag]: $15,000
def. [autotag]Scott Holtzman[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Tim Means[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]Laureano Staropoli[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Nasrat Haqparast[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Alex Munoz[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Andrew Sanchez[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Wellington Turman[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Gavin Tucker[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Peter Barrett[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Ali Alqaisi[/autotag]: $3,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $3,763,000
2019 total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $34,767,500

UFC on ESPN+ 32 predictions: Can Aleksei Oleinik upset the favored Derrick Lewis?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN+ 32 main card in Las Vegas.

Lewis
vs.
Oleinik		 Akhmedov
vs.
Weidman		 Pitolo
vs.
Stewart		 Kunitskaya
vs.
Stoliarenko		 Dariush
vs.
Holtzman
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2020: 72-49		 lewis2020
Lewis
(65%)		 akhmedov2020
Akhmedov
(53%)		 stewart2020
Stewart
(75%)		 kunitskaya2020
Kunitskaya
(82%)		 dariush2020
Dariush
(85%)
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2020: 85-36		 lewis2020
Lewis		 akhmedov2020
Akhmedov		 pitolo2020
Pitolo		 kunitskaya2020
Kunitskaya		 dariush2020
Dariush
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2020: 85-36		 lewis2020
Lewis		 akhmedov2020
Akhmedov		 stewart2020
Stewart		 kunitskaya2020
Kunitskaya		 dariush2020
Dariush
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2020: 83-38		 lewis2020
Lewis		 akhmedov2020
Akhmedov		 stewart2020
Stewart		 kunitskaya2020
Kunitskaya		 dariush2020
Dariush
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2020: 81-40
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 lewis2020
Lewis		 akhmedov2020
Akhmedov		 pitolo2020
Pitolo		 kunitskaya2020
Kunitskaya		 dariush2020
Dariush
Simon Head
@simonhead
2020: 80-41
trophy copy 2019 Champion*		 lewis2020
Lewis		 weidman2020
Weidman		 stewart2020
Stewart		 kunitskaya2020
Kunitskaya		 dariush2020
Dariush
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2020: 80-41
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 lewis2020
Lewis		 weidman2020
Weidman		 stewart2020
Stewart		 kunitskaya2020
Kunitskaya		 dariush2020
Dariush
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2020: 80-41		 lewis2020
Lewis		 akhmedov2020
Akhmedov		 pitolo2020
Pitolo		 kunitskaya2020
Kunitskaya		 dariush2020
Dariush
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2020: 79-42
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 lewis2020
Lewis		 akhmedov2020
Akhmedov		 pitolo2020
Pitolo		 stoliarenko2020
Stoliarenko		 holtzman2020
Holtzman
Dave Doyle
@davedoylemma
2020: 78-43		 lewis2020
Lewis		 akhmedov2020
Akhmedov		 stewart2020
Stewart		 kunitskaya2020
Kunitskaya		 holtzman2020
Holtzman
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2020: 77-45		 lewis2020
Lewis		 akhmedov2020
Akhmedov		 stewart2020
Stewart		 kunitskaya2020
Kunitskaya		 dariush2020
Dariush
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2020: 76-45		 lewis2020
Lewis		 weidman2020
Weidman		 pitolo2020
Pitolo		 kunitskaya2020
Kunitskaya		 dariush2020
Dariush
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2020: 73-48		 lewis2020
Lewis		 weidman2020
Weidman		 stewart2020
Stewart		 kunitskaya2020
Kunitskaya		 dariush2020
Dariush
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2020: 73-48		 lewis2020
Lewis		 weidman2020
Weidman		 stewart2020
Stewart		 kunitskaya2020
Kunitskaya		 dariush2020
Dariush
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2020: 52-69		 oleinik2020
Oleinik		 weidman2020
Weidman		 pitolo2020
Pitolo		 stoliarenko2020
Stoliarenko		 holtzman2020
Holtzman

The UFC is in its home city again this week with a hard-hitting heavyweight against a submission specialist atop the card.

UFC on ESPN+32 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, former heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] (23-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC) takes on [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] (59-13-1 MMA, 8-4 UFC). Lewis is a 2-1 favorite in the fight, and he’s got the support of a whopping 13 of our 14 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts in the picks.

In the co-main event, former middleweight champion [autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) tries to stop his slump when he meets [autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag] (20-4-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC). Weidman is the slight favorite at the betting window at -145, but it’s Akhmedov with a narrow 8-6 picks lead in a close fight among our staff members.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag] (11-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC) is a -160 favorite in his middleweight bout against [autotag]Maki Pitolo[/autotag] (13-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC), and he has an 8-6 picks lead.

[autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) is more than a 2-1 favorite in her women’s bantamweight bout against [autotag]Julija Stoliarenko[/autotag] (9-3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), and she’s got a big 12-2 blowout in the picks.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] (18-4-1 MMA, 12-4-1 UFC) takes on [autotag]Scott Holtzman[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) at lightweight. Dariush is the favorite at nearly 2-1, and he’s got a heavy 11-3 lead in the picks.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Lewis (65 percent), Akhmedov (53 percent), Stewart (75 percent), Kunitskaya (82 percent) and Dariush (85 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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UFC on ESPN+ 32’s Omari Akhmedov knows what win over Chris Weidman means

Omari Akhmedov is well aware that his opportunity to fight Chris Weidman marks the biggest moment of his MMA career.

LAS VEGAS — [autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag] prefers to let his fighting in the cage do the talking, and when he’s been in the UFC octagon, his performances have spoken volumes.

The 32-year old Russian competitor has really come into his own over the past three years, going undefeated over a six-fight stretch by earning five victories and a draw.

As impressive as that string of fights has been, though, Akhmedov (20-4-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC)  has never had an opportunity to fight a high-profile competitor before this week.

Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 32 will mark Akhmedov’s biggest fight to date, as he gets a co-feature bout against former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman.

And while the American Top Team competitor out of Dagestan is still making progress on his English skills, he didn’t need a translator at Thursday’s virtual media day to make clear he understands a victory over Weidman will make a major statement in the UFC’s stacked 185-pound division.

“Chris is a good fighter, he’s a big name,” Akhmedov told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “It’s a good chance for me to get close to title.”

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To hear more of Akhmedov’s thoughts on his big opportunity, watch the video above.

UFC on ESPN+32 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+. 

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