UFC Azerbaijan: Full Card Breakdown and Predictions

Overview

We’re heading to new territory this week with UFC Azerbaijan. It’s a card where upsets are live, styles make fights, and a couple bets could hinge on cardio or chin. Let’s dive into every matchup.

Mohammed Usman vs. Hamdy Abdelwahab

Low-level heavyweight fights are a coin flip at best, but I’m siding with Hamdy here. Usman has the reach but not the technical tools to use it—he’s not a jab-and-move guy. Hamdy should be the busier fighter, crash the pocket, and mix in some takedowns to edge out a sloppy but effective decision.

Pick: Hamdy Abdelwahab

Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Azat Maksum

Ulanbekov was supposed to face Kyoji Horiguchi, and now steps in with a last-minute opponent in Maksum. Maksum is talented but struggled with wrestling against Charles Johnson, which doesn’t bode well here. Tagir is a pace controller with elite grappling who will slow things down and grind out rounds. Expect him to dominate with top pressure.

Pick: Tagir Ulanbekov

Irina Alekseeva vs. Klaudia Sygula

Alekseeva returns after a long layoff, but she’s the more aggressive, physical fighter. Sygula won’t threaten much with takedowns and will likely get walked down. Alekseeva’s pressure and volume should break Klaudia down. Unless ring rust kills her, Irina’s the side.

Pick: Irina Alekseeva

Dharya Zheleznyakova vs. Melissa Mullins

Mullins already holds a win over Darya, but it’s not as simple as running that back. Darya has fast hands and could win striking exchanges, especially early. Still, Mullins has the grappling edge and should find a way to drag this down eventually. If she does, the control and threat of a finish tilt things her way. Mullins is the pick, but it's not a slam dunk.

Pick: Melissa Mullins

Ismail Naurdiev vs. Jun Yong Park

Naurdiev looked great in his return bout, but that was against a faded Bruno Silva. Park is a tougher test and brings pressure wrestling. Still, if Naurdiev sticks and moves while mixing in offensive grappling, he can edge out rounds and frustrate Park. He’ll have to be slick, but I think he pulls it off.

Pick: Ismail Naurdiev

Seokhyeon Ko vs. Oban Elliott

Ko has knockout power and forward pressure, but his competition hasn’t been elite and his chin has been cracked before. Oban Elliott is coming off a clean KO over Bassil Hafez and has shown solid movement and composure. If he can stay off the fence, he’ll outpoint Ko with footwork and volume.

Pick: Oban Elliott

Muhammad Naimov vs. Bogdan Grad

Naimov’s stock dipped after the loss to Felipe Lima, but Lima’s a legit rising star. That fight was close until the third, and Naimov looked sharp. Against Bogdan Grad, he’ll have the striking and wrestling edge. If he paces himself and mixes levels, he should win convincingly.

Pick: Muhammad Naimov

Nazim Sadykhov vs. Nikolas Motta

Sadykhov is the better striker, kicks like a mule, and has wrestling upside. Motta has some pop but limited tools overall. At home and with more ways to win, Sadykhov should chew up Motta’s legs and either finish or coast to a win.

Pick: Nazim Sadykhov

Myktybek Orolbai vs. Tofiq Musayev

This could be a war. Musayev is powerful and a capable wrestler, but Orolbai’s cardio and relentless pace set him apart. His Rebecki fight showed insane durability and dog in him. This is close, but I’m siding with the pressure and toughness of Orolbai to win a gritty decision.

Pick: Myktybek Orolbai

Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev

The UFC clearly wants this fight to happen, booking it for a third time. Blaydes is declining, and his win over Almeida was odd—he got rag-dolled until landing some heavy ground shots in an awkward position. Kuniev has upside, but Blaydes still has enough wrestling and IQ to edge it. Not confident, but leaning Blaydes.

Pick: Curtis Blaydes

Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes

This is razor-close. Fiziev is slick in the pocket, but Bahamondes is long and good at keeping range. Fiziev will have to take risks to close distance and will get clipped on the way in. If there’s a finish, it likely comes from Ignacio. Slight lean to Bahamondes for having more finishing upside and the physical tools to win rounds.

Pick: Ignacio Bahamondes

Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

Rountree has improved a lot and his Muay Thai is a real threat, but Hill has cleaner boxing and championship experience. If he avoids leg kicks and survives early chaos, he should pull ahead with sharp hands and volume. Five round experience matters here. Leaning Hill late.

Pick: Jamahal Hill

Final Thoughts:

It’s a wild one this week with high variance matchups. Look for value in cardio edges and wrestling upside. Check betkopicks.com for official plays and premium bets.