Volkov vs Rozenstruik betting picks & top odds – UFC on ESPN+ 65

Two heavyweights in desperate need of a win collide this Saturday night when Alexander Volkov takes on Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 65. Both fighters have lost two of their last three fights and are looking to get back on track with a win in this one.

Volkov vs Rozenstruik matchup, records & form

Alexander Volkov (34-10) bounced back from a loss to Ciryl Gane last June with a decision win over Marcin Tybura at UFC 267 in October. That win moved Volkov’s record to 3-1-0 over his last four fights, but any momentum from the victory over Tybura was quickly snapped in a loss to Tom Aspinall in March. Volkov was forced to submit in the first round after being caught in an armbar, falling to 1-2-0 over his last three fights in the process.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik (12-3-0) opened his career with a perfect 10-0-0 record that included nine knockout wins and a perfect 4-0-0 start in the UFC. Rozenstruik has cooled off since then, however, with losses in three of his last five fights, most recently losing to Curtis Blaydes by decision at UFC 266. All but one of Rozenstruik’s 12 career wins and all six of his UFC victories have come by way of knockout.

Volkov vs Rozenstruik betting predictions

Rozenstruik and Volkov are both stuck in the tier right below the top heavyweights in the division. It’s easy to forgive Rozenstruik’s losses to Blaydes, Gane and Francis Ngannou as they all came against top-tier heavyweights, but on the other hand he doesn’t really have any super impressive wins on his resume either. The same goes for Volkov, who’s best win in the UFC might have been the one over Tybura, who isn’t exactly an established contender.

This match will serve as a good litmus test for both of these fighters, who may never climb the ranks into title contention but could still have productive careers ahead of them. You could certainly argue that Volkov should be the favorite here based on his skillset, but it’s hard to justify this price given the power advantage Rozenstruik has and the fact that Volkov just had the worst fight of his professional career against Tom Aspinall. In a fight that could very realistically go either way, the value is on Rozenstruik at healthy underdog odds to find the upset with a knockout blow.

More sports betting picks