Winner: Rinat Fakhretdinov
Confidence Score: 75Rinat Fakhretdinov stands out as the more well-rounded fighter with a diverse skill set compared to Nursulton Ruziboev, making him the likely favorite in this matchup. Analyzing various aspects, Fakhretdinov's record of 22-1-1 demonstrates strong consistency and effectiveness, with 11 wins by knockout and an additional 6 via submission, highlighting his balanced striking and grappling capabilities. His striking accuracy at 55% is notably higher than Ruziboev's 43%, indicating precision and efficiency in significant strikes which can play a crucial role in maintaining control during stand-up exchanges.
Rinat's defensive statistics further showcase his ability to mitigate damage and impose his style, with a significant strike defense of 52% and an exceptional 100% takedown defense. This poses a substantial challenge for Ruziboev, whose takedown accuracy is 100% but has a glaring weakness in takedown defense at 0%, likely making him susceptible to being controlled on the ground.
Furthermore, Fakhretdinov’s average fight time of 12:11 suggests he is adept at managing the fight through to later stages and can maintain performance even in extended contests. In contrast, Ruziboev has a high number of first-round finishes (25), indicating a tendency to start strong but potentially risking stamina and strategic adaptation in longer battles.
Although Ruziboev's reach advantage and impressive first-round finish record present specific threats, particularly his submission skills (20 wins by submission), Fakhretdinov's comprehensive defensive capabilities and balanced offensive approach provide a significant edge in neutralizing these risks.
Considering these factors, Fakhretdinov is the more versatile fighter with fewer apparent weaknesses, warranting a confident, though not overwhelming, prediction for his victory with a 75% confidence score.
Live odds
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