Mansur Abdul-Malik and Dusko Todorovic meet Saturday in the primary card opener of UFC Combat Night time 247 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Try this fast breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Final occasion: 1-3UFC most important playing cards, 2024: 91-88-3
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Dusko Todorovic UFC Combat Night time 247 preview
Undefeated Abdul-Malik (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his UFC debut in a most important card opening slot. The 27-year-old Dana White’s Contender Sequence signee brings his unblemished file stuffed with finishes to the world’s premier MMA group. By means of six professional fights, Abdul-Malik has completed 5 opponents within the opening spherical, solely reaching the second body as soon as. … Todorovic (12-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) will look to return to .500 within the UFC whereas rebounding from a loss in his final outing. The 30-year-old has traded wins and losses since 2021, struggling to construct momentum.
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Dusko Todorovic UFC Combat Night time 247 knowledgeable decide, prediction
Regardless of having bantamweight motion fights like Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Stamann on the prelims, the UFC matchmakers determined to kick off the primary card with a middleweight matchup between Abdul-Malik and Todorovic.
Within the matchmakers’ protection, at any time when they disrespectfully go in opposition to Joe Silva’s tried and true methodology of reserving lighter-weight males’s divisions to set correct leisure tones, they not less than decide welterweight or middleweight fights which have a excessive potential for finishes.
And when taking a look at this battle between Abdul-Malik and Todorovic, it’s arduous to not see a excessive chance of violence.
Though Abdul-Malik continues to be a bit inexperienced on paper, it’s not arduous to see the potential that I and plenty of others are excessive on. He made my prospects column in 2023 for a cause.
Todorovic may have the submission edge because the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, however I’m undecided his wrestling is sweet sufficient to safe high positions or be sure that he doesn’t find yourself on backside – which could possibly be problematic given the American’s vicious floor placing.
Add in Todorovic’s porous protection on the toes, and I can’t assist however facet with Abdul-Malik to pressure a stoppage by way of strikes in Spherical 1.
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Dusko Todorovic UFC Combat Night time 247 odds
The oddsmakers and the general public closely favor the American fighter, itemizing Abdul-Malik -500 and Todorovic +360 by way of FanDuel.
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Dusko Todorovic UFC Combat Night time 247 begin time, tips on how to watch
As the primary card opener, Abdul-Malik and Todorovic are anticipated to stroll to the cage at roughly 7:05 p.m. ET (4:05 p.m. PT). The battle will stream on ESPN+.
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