Abubakar Vagaev vs Jacob Malkoun Prediction
FightIQ rating gap 29 points. Abubakar Vagaev rates 59 and Jacob Malkoun rates 88.
Jacob Malkoun faces Abubakar Vagaev at UFC 333 in a middleweight contest. We expect Jacob Malkoun to secure a victory by decision over 3 rounds.
The Numbers
Abubakar Vagaev carries a FightIQ rating of 59 and Jacob Malkoun sits at 88, a gap of 29 points. The model win probability for Jacob Malkoun stands at 59%, rated Medium confidence.
The Middleweight Clash Preview
The middleweight division brings us an intriguing matchup between Abubakar Vagaev and Jacob Malkoun at UFC 333. Vagaev enters this bout with a professional record of 25-4-0 and carries momentum from his victory in his lone UFC appearance. Malkoun boasts much deeper experience inside the octagon with a record of 7-3 across 10 UFC bouts.
Keys For Abubakar Vagaev
Vagaev will need to utilize his striking defense which sits at 60% to keep this fight upright. With 4 takedowns per 15 minutes of action, he has the capability to mix things up if the fight turns into a grind. He must find a way to increase his volume beyond his current average of 1.8 significant strikes per minute to pressure his opponent.
Path To Victory For Malkoun
Jacob Malkoun brings a much higher striking output into the cage by landing 4.23 significant strikes per minute at a 56% accuracy rate. His ability to initiate grappling exchanges with 5.39 takedowns per 15 minutes will likely be the primary weapon in his arsenal. By maintaining a high pace and keeping Vagaev on the defensive, Malkoun can control the flow of this fight.
Where The Fight Is Won
This contest will likely be determined by who can dictate the position of the fight throughout the 3 rounds. While Vagaev has solid takedown defense at 71%, the consistent pressure from Malkoun is designed to wear down opponents. If Malkoun can initiate his wrestling early and often, he should be able to neutralize the offense of Vagaev for the duration of the contest.
The Official FightIQ Pick
Our analysis points toward a clear path for Jacob Malkoun to succeed in this middleweight clash. We expect him to maintain his pace and rely on his wrestling to secure favorable positions throughout the duration of the bout. The official pick is Jacob Malkoun to win by decision after 3 hard fought rounds.
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