Bantamweight contender Xiao Long welcomes Francesco Nuzzi to the UFC on Saturday, as they are set to collide at the UFC Shanghai card inside Oriental Sports Center in Pudong District, China.
Because of his experience competing inside the octagon, Xiao is going to be the betting favorite with -180 UFC odds, while Nuzzi, who’s making his promotional debut, will be the +145 betting underdog.
UFC Shanghai: Xiao Long vs. Francesco Nuzzi Fight Odds
- Xiao Long: -180
- Francesco Nuzzi: +145
UFC Shanghai: Xiao Long vs. Francesco Nuzzi: Tale of the Tape
| Xiao Long | Francesco Nuzzi | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 28 | 29 |
| Height | 5’8” | 5’7” |
| Reach | 70 inches | N/A |
| Leg Reach | 37 inches | N/A |
| Record | 27-11 | 11-2 |
| Fighting Style | Striker | Striker |
| Finishing Rate | 52% | 73% |
UFC Shanghai: Xiao Long vs. Francesco Nuzzi: Prediction
My prediction is a TKO/KO win for Nuzzi over Xiao because he’s the more technical and powerful striker. The edge in speed will also be with Nuzzi, and Xiao has struggled with faster opponents before.
I expect Nuzzi to produce another clinical performance against Xiao. He begins his offense by targeting the lead leg to compromise their power and movement. Then, Xiao proceeds to let go of his boxing combinations.
Although Xiao has the option to employ a grappling-heavy fight, I think Nuzzi’s takedown defense and explosiveness will allow him to stop takedowns and keep the fight on the feet, where he flourishes.
Xiao Long’s Recent Fight Results
Xiao was a contestant in the 2023 Road to UFC tournament. He competed in four UFC fights, racking up one win against Quang Le and sustaining three losses to ChangHo Lee, SuYoung Yu, and Cody Garbrandt.
Francesco Nuzzi’s Recent Fight Results
Nuzzi is an MMA contender who competed in various fight promotions before the UFC signed him this year. In his last five fights, he recorded two wins (Farbod Iran Nezhad and Lucas Rodrigues), two no contests (Moktar Benkaci and Manoel Silva), and one loss (Mando Gutierrez).
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