Makhmud Muradov is heavily favored against Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Chikadze on Saturday, August 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event is one of six fights on the main card on ESPN/ESPN+. Meerschaert is 32-14 in his career, while Muradov is 25-6 in his career. There are a total of six fights on the main card on ESPN/ESPN+ at UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Chikadze and five preliminary bouts on ESPN/ESPN+. Let’s look at the bout between Meerschaert and Muradov and UFC predictions.
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Chikadze takes place at UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, August 28 with six fights on the main card on and five preliminary bouts, all on ESPN/ESPN+.
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Chikadze Betting
Gerald Meerschaert (32-14, 7-6 UFC)
Meerschaert came into the UFC with a record of 25-8 and he has seven wins and six losses in the UFC. In his last six fights, he has three wins and three losses. He defeated Trevin Giles by technical submission, Deron Winn by rear-naked choke submission, and Bartosz Fabinski by technical submission; while losing to Eryk Anders by split decision, Ian Heinisch by KO, and Khamzat Chimaev by KO. Meerschaert has been a pro since 2007 and he has six wins by TKO/KO and 24 by submission. He has 16 first round finishes.
Makhmud Muradov (25-6, 3-0 UFC)
Muradov came into the UFC with a record of 22-6 and he has three wins and no losses in the UFC. He defeated Alessio Di Chirico by unanimous decision, Trevor Smith by KO, and Andrew Sanchez by TKO. Muradov’s last loss in his career was against David Ramires by TKO on December 18, 2016. Muradov has been a pro since 2012 and he has 17 wins by TKO/KO and three by submission. He has nine first round finishes.
Muradov said this to top-fight.cz about his upcoming fight against Meerschaert. Gerald is a good landlord; he has the most endings in my balance on earth, so he really can do something. I have to be careful not to grab the guillotine. But I don't think it even suits me, I have better movement, and I’m faster and better in posture than he is. When I started wrestling in MMA, I wanted to be a champion in an organization. That's what happened. Then I wanted to be in the UFC, and I'm in the UFC, I have three wins in a row and a new contract. If everything continues as it does now, we will train, win, I think it will take a year and a half, maybe two years and it could turn out that I will fight for the belt.”
Striking Stats
Strikes landed per minute: Meerschaert 3.31 / Muradov 5.32
Striking Accuracy: Meerschaert 43% / Muradov 42%
Strikes absorbed per minute: Meerschaert 3.60 / Muradov 2.92
Defense: Meerschaert 51% / Muradov 64%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Meerschaert 2.28 / Muradov 0.36
Takedown Accuracy: Meerschaert 43% / Muradov 16%
Takedowns defended: Meerschaert 43% / Muradov 100%
Submission average: Meerschaert 1.8 / Muradov 0.4
UFC Picks
Muradov is a big favorite in this fight at over 5-1 which is pretty high considering the submission skills of Meerschaert. The price definitely has me considering Meerschaert, but I will probably focus more on the rounds. Did you notice how many finishes these two fighters have? Meerschaert has 32 wins and 30 of those wins were finishes. Muradov has 25 wins in his career with 20 of those wins coming by finish. I am not sure how this fight will end, as it is a contrast of styles, as Meerschaert would like to get this fight to the mat, while Muradov would prefer a striking battle. Muradov has been really good in defending takedowns, so perhaps that is why the price on him is so high, but I might take a small flyer on Meerschaert at the big price. The better bet, however, is to play this fight to go under the rounds total.
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Chikadze Card & Odds
Featherweight - Edson Barboza -123 vs. Giga Chikadze -107
Middleweight - Gerald Meerschaert +405 vs. Makhmud Muradov -600
Middleweight - Sam Alvey +100 vs. Wellington Turman -130
Featherweight - Pat Sabatini +124 vs. Jamall Emmers -155
Light Heavyweight - Darren Stewart +143 vs. Dustin Jacoby -180
Welterweight - Kevin Lee -150 vs. Daniel Rodriguez +120
Bantamweight - Brady Hiestand +135 vs. Ricky Turcios -170
Middleweight - Bryan Battle -160 vs. Gilbert Urbina +127
Middleweight - Micheal Gillmore +379 vs. Andre Petroski -550
Bantamweight - Guido Cannetti +228 vs. Mana Martinez -300
Women's Flyweight - Vanessa Demopoulos +267 vs. JJ Aldrich -360
Middleweight - Alessio Di Chirico -240 vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan +186
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