A pivotal matchup in the flyweight division will be part of the UFC Baku on Saturday, as No. 4-ranked contender Asu Almabayev and No. 14-ranked fighter Charles Johnson face each other inside the National Gymnastics Arena in Azerbaijan.
Due to his two-fight win streak, Almabayev is going to be the betting favorite with -275 UFC odds, while Johnson, who’s coming off a bounce-back win, will be the +220 betting underdog.
UFC Baku: Asu Almabayev vs. Charles Johnson Fight Odds
- Asu Almabayev: -275
- Charles Johnson: +220
UFC Baku: Asu Almabayev vs. Charles Johnson: Tale of the Tape
| Asu Almabayev | Charles Johnson | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 32 | 35 |
| Height | 5’4” | 5’9” |
| Reach | 65 inches | 70 inches |
| Leg Reach | 36 inches | 40 inches |
| Record | 23-3 | 19-8 |
| Fighting Style | Jiu-jitsu | MMA |
| Finishing Rate | 57% | 58% |
UFC Baku: Asu Almabayev vs. Charles Johnson: Prediction
I predict a decision win for Almabayev over Johnson as he’s the better grappler. Even though he’s gives up the height, reach, and leg reach advantages to Johnson, Almabayev can neutralize it by pressing forward and taking Johnson down.
Johnson likes to fight in a striking battle, but he often backs up against the fence whenever his opponents puts pressure on him. This easily takes away his edge in reach and leg reach, which are crucial in his fighting style.
Another factor to consider is the speed advantage of Almabayev over Johnson. This could be beneficial for him to move in and out of striking range and perfectly set up a level-change to secure the takedown and take the fight down the mat.
Asu Almabayev’s Recent Fight Results
Almabayev made his UFC debut in August 2023 and has since recorded six wins and one loss. His victories were against Ode’ Osbourne, CJ Vergara, Jose Johnson, Matheus Nicolau, Jose Ochoa, and Alex Perez, while his loss was courtesy of Manel Kape.
Charles Johnson’s Recent Fight Results
Johnson was a former LFA champion when he was signed by the UFC in 2022. In his last appearances inside the octagon, he had three wins (Sumudaerji, Lone’er Kavanagh, and Bruno Silva) and two losses (Ramazan Temirov and Alex Perez).
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