Skilled picks, greatest bets for UFC Struggle Evening

The UFC travels to Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday for a Struggle Evening at which mild heavyweights Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. conflict in the principle occasion (3 p.m. on ABC/ESPN+; prelims at midday on ESPN/ESPN+).

Hill, a former champion and ESPN’s No. 5-ranked mild heavyweight, enters the combat having misplaced by way of knockout in his final two Octagon appearances. Rountree, ranked simply behind Hill, misplaced to Alex Pereira in a problem for the championship this previous October.

Brett Okamoto spoke to former UFC fighters Din Thomas and Anthony Smith to get their foremost occasion predictions. ESPN betting knowledgeable Ian Parker provides perception and evaluation on intriguing bets in Baku.

Gentle heavyweight: Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree

Jamahal Hill lives and breathes on X elements. I’ve spent loads of time with Hill, and he’s actually distinctive. If I had to decide on between who I would slightly spar — Hill or Rountree — it might be Rountree as a result of he is acquainted. Every little thing Khalil does seems prefer it’s purported to. It is technically excellent. However in a approach, that is simpler to take care of as a result of when it seems so excellent, not less than it is predictable. Jamahal has actually good eyes and, though he isn’t the extra technically sound striker, I feel he is tougher to take care of. — Anthony Smith

Hill has had such unhealthy luck the final couple of years with accidents and layoffs. He wants a combat like this to show his luck round, and I feel Rountree outperformed himself in his final combat. He gave the very best doable model of himself in opposition to Pereira, and I feel his efficiency this time might be a contact much less convincing, and Hill will catch Rountree. — Din Thomas

Betting evaluation

Odds correct as of June 19. Go to ESPN BET for essentially the most up-to-date UFC Fight Night odds and PFL semifinals odds.

Parker: Rountree to win (-110). Regardless of dropping in his first shot at a UFC championship, Rountree made an announcement. He appeared nice by means of two rounds, giving the champ all he may deal with till Rountree received drained in Spherical 3 then knocked out in Spherical 4. His capability to hold with Pereira so lengthy proved Rountree belongs close to the highest of the division. Hill has misplaced back-to-back fights by knockout, and I would not be shocked if it occurs for a 3rd time right here. Hill is a talented striker, however Rountree a greater one and he’s sooner and carries extra energy. Until Hill can threaten Rountree with grappling, anticipate one other KO/TKO loss right here.

Parker’s greatest bets on the remainder of the cardboard

Light-weight: Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes

Bahamondes to win (-130). Bahamondes enters this matchup with Fiziev having received every of his final three bouts by first-round end. Fiziev is a superb striker, however I imagine Bahamondes can match him on the toes. Search for Bahamondes to make use of lateral motion and distance hanging to get the win right here. He additionally has a submission sport if the chance have been to current itself.

Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev

Blaydes to win (-250). Kuniev, who’s received twice on “Dana White’s Contender Collection,” is getting a large step up in competitors for his UFC Debut. Though Kuniev is sweet on the mat, Blaydes has fought one of the best within the UFC for almost seven years. Until Kuniev catches Blaydes early within the combat, anticipate Blaydes to face up to an early onslaught and use his dominant wrestling to get the win.

Light-weight: Tofiq Musayev vs. Myktybek Orolbai

Over 1.5 rounds. This matchup has combat of the evening potential. Orolbai confirmed his sturdiness in his final combat, overcoming early adversity and almost getting a win in opposition to Mateusz Rębecki. Contemplating every of his three UFC bouts has gone over 1.5 rounds, I anticipate the identical right here. Search for Orolbai to make use of his wrestling to remove Musayev’s hanging prowess and run the clock en path to a call or late submission win.