Strickland v Magomedov UFC betting picks – July 1, 2023

MMA fans can expect an intense stand-up war when Sean Strickland squares off against Abus Magomedov at the Apex in Las Vegas this weekend for the latest UFC Fight Night. Both men are blessed with high-level striking skills, making this is must-watch sporting event.

UFC Fight Night: Strickland v Magomedov fight preview

Sean Strickland vs Abus Magomedov

Perennial fan-favourite Sean Strickland (26-5-0) has accepted a dangerous contest against an unranked opponent in his quest to remain active and bank main-event money. He has been sparring with former middleweight champion Alex Periera in the build-up to this fight, and the Brazilian kickboxing king left the gym in awe of Strickland’s work ethic and training regimen. The Texan prepares for his professional contests with countless rounds of sparring with four-ounce gloves, maintaining an intensity that few active MMA fighters can match.

Strickland’s most recent trip to the cage resulted in a tidy decision victory over the dangerous Nassourdine Imavov, following a close points loss to Jared Cannonier. His primary skill is to slide just out of an opponent’s range while never being out of position to fire strikes. This aptitude can only be achieved with the volume of sparring Strickland does. He is an amusing and outspoken figure out of the ring, and MMA purists are drawn to his technical prowess and never-retreat mentality.

Abus Magomedov (25-4-1) made his UFC debut in September 2022, scoring a dramatic knockout win within the first 20 seconds of the opening round. The Russian rocked opponent Dustin Stoltzfus with a straight kick to the face and followed up with a brief combination of punches that closed the show in decisive fashion. The quick finish was no aberration; Magomedov has 14 knockouts on his record and six wins via submission.

The quality of his early career is difficult to assess given the questionable nature of the opposition, but the 32-year-old is a seasoned combatant who stands 6’2″ with a 78-inch reach and must be respected based on his highlight reel. Magomedov will find a willing striker in Strickland, and it promises to be an enthralling stand-up contest. Magomedov appears to have a slight grappling edge, but Stickland boasts great defensive wrestling skills, and we should witness an extremely high-level kickboxing match-up.

Strickland v Magomedov betting predictions

It is hard to tip against Strickland given his exposed form, but we are wary of this UFC newcomer who looks like a ready-made middleweight force. The American should have the edge as the fight progresses beyond the early rounds, so Magomedov’s best chance at victory will lie in landing a big shot in the opening minutes of the bout.

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