Dolidze v Imavov fight preview & betting picks – UFC Fight Night

The UFC returns to Las Vegas this weekend for an unmissable Fight Night headlined by the middleweight bout between the No.8-ranked Roman Dolidze and the No.11-ranked Nassourdine Imavov. Read on to see our UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs Imavov predictions and betting picks.

Dolidze v Imavov main event analysis

Roman Dolidze vs Nassourdine Imavov

Roman Dolidze (12-2-0) comes into this fight off a unanimous decision loss to No.7 middleweight contender Marvin Vettori back in March. Formerly a heavyweight and light heavyweight fighter, Dolidze made the switch down to middleweight in 2021. Before his recent loss, Dolidze had been on a run of four consecutive wins — including three KOs — to rise up the division.

A well-rounded fighter, Dolidze has wins in a variety of different methods. He is a low-volume high-powered striker that has an impressive submission game whilst also excelling in the clinch. In wins over Jack Hermansson and Phil Hawes, Dolidze used his submission skills to target the legs before securing the knockout with heavy punches.

Nassourdine Imavov (17-4-0, 1 NC) enters this weekend’s bout without a win since 2022 after his previous fight with Chris Curtis was declared a no contest. Earlier in the year he also fought former middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who came in off just five days’ notice and beat Imavov by unanimous decision. Highly ranked at No.11, Imavov had won his three previous fights — with two knockouts — against unranked opponents.

A former boxer, Imavov is known for his use of the jab and combinations going forward as he looks to pick gaps in his opponent’s defence. Before joining the UFC Imavov had secured plenty of submission victories through a variety of different ways, but he is yet to win by that method in his six UFC fights. An improving wrestler, Imavov fell to Phil Hawes as a result of his poor technique, but his submission skills came to fruition in wins over Ian Heinisch and Edmen Shahbazyan.

Roman Dolidze vs Nassourdine Imavov betting predictions

Before his loss to Marvin Vettori, there was emerging discussion surrounding Roman Dolidze as a title contender. With his lack of strike volume a clear error in that fight, expect the veteran to throw more punches whilst taking advantage of Nassourdine Imavov in the clinch as the slightly bigger fighter. With both fighters taking major damage to their lead leg in previous fights, look for them both to shoot for takedowns as a result of tiring over the five rounds.

Imavov is shiftier and may be favoured as the fight rolls on, especially with experience in a five-round fight. But we are expecting Dolidze to be stronger on the ground, with his wrestling game and heavy punches likely to secure a knockout blow.

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