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UFC Vegas 122: Allen vs. Duncan continues on the prelims with a battle between Niko Worth and Leon Shahbazyan within the welterweight division. Try our s for our Worth-Shahbazyan prediction and decide.
Niko Worth (16-11, 8-11 UFC) returns from retirement following 4 consecutive defeats. Michael Chiesa submitted him with a first-round rear-naked choke in March, after Nikolay Veretennikov knocked him out in February, leaving the veteran looking for redemption as he comes into his battle this weekend in opposition to Leon Shahbazyan on Saturday.
Leon Shahbazyan (12-5, 0-1 UFC) suffered a 23-second TKO loss to Levan Chokheli in his June promotional debut. Beforehand, he submitted Robert Hale with a first-round armbar in March, extending his profitable streak to 4 earlier than that setback, as he comes into his battle this weekend in opposition to Niko Worth on Saturday.
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UFC Vegas 122 Odds, courtesy of :
UFC Vegas 122 Odds: Niko Worth-Leon Shahbazyan Odds
Niko Worth: +120
Leon Shahbazyan: -142
Over 1.5 Rounds: +180
Beneath 1.5 Rounds: -238
Why Niko Worth Will Win
Niko Worth’s strongest path to victory is popping this matchup right into a sustained putting battle quite than an early grappling scramble. Shahbazyan lasted simply twenty-three seconds in opposition to Levan Chokheli in his UFC debut, giving Worth a vulnerability to focus on with stress.
Worth ought to assault behind mixtures, making Shahbazyan defend punches earlier than he can comfortably provoke takedowns or hunt submissions throughout shut exchanges. The target is just not reckless aggression however constant work that forces an inexperienced UFC opponent to make troublesome choices underneath fireplace.
Shahbazyan’s submission menace calls for respect, particularly as a result of Worth has not too long ago struggled in opposition to opponents who capitalize on scrambles and uncovered defensive positions. Defending his neck and refusing pointless floor exchanges would hold the battle nearer to the situation that most closely fits Worth’s offense.
The longer this contest lasts, the stronger the case turns into for Worth’s expertise and skill to keep up output in later rounds. Shahbazyan has far much less expertise in prolonged fights, making a aggressive opening spherical one thing Worth can survive quite than essentially win.
Worth’s latest outcomes forestall this from being a assured choice, however Shahbazyan has not established himself as a reliable UFC performer. I favor Worth to climate the early hazard, enhance his stress and earn a late stoppage.
Why Leon Shahbazyan Will Win
Leon Shahbazyan’s strongest path to beating Niko Worth is his submission recreation, with eleven of his twelve victories coming via grappling. That ending report offers him a transparent goal: keep away from prolonged putting exchanges and pressure Worth into defensive scrambles earlier than the veteran establishes momentum.
Worth enters after 4 consecutive defeats, together with a submission loss to Michael Chiesa, making his latest floor protection an apparent concern. Shahbazyan ought to assault that weak point instantly quite than give Worth time to settle into a cushty rhythm on the toes.
The secret is creating transitions, the place an uncovered neck or remoted arm can change into extra worthwhile than extended positional management. Shahbazyan can use clinches and takedown makes an attempt to fabricate these alternatives, forcing Worth to prioritize protection as an alternative of launching his personal offense.
Worth stays harmful together with his punches, significantly in opposition to an opponent whose 5 skilled losses have all come by knockout. Nonetheless, Shahbazyan can cut back that danger by closing distance behind measured entries quite than lingering in exchanges that favor Worth’s energy.
This isn’t a matchup Shahbazyan ought to method as a take a look at of toughness or a protracted contest of putting quantity. I anticipate him to pursue grappling early, capitalize on a scramble and safe a submission victory earlier than Worth’s expertise takes over.
Closing Niko Worth-Leon Shahbazyan Prediction & Decide
Leon Shahbazyan is my decide to beat Niko Worth, together with his submission assault providing the clearest ending alternative. Eleven of Shahbazyan’s twelve victories have come via submissions, highlighting his grappling menace.
Worth stays harmful in putting exchanges, significantly in opposition to an opponent whose skilled defeats have all come by knockout. Shahbazyan should keep away from buying and selling recklessly and as an alternative prioritize closing distance behind managed entries.
The matchup turns into favorable for Shahbazyan if he can pressure scrambles earlier than Worth establishes his rhythm. Worth’s latest submission loss to Michael Chiesa gives motive to query his defensive reliability there.
Nonetheless, Shahbazyan’s transient UFC debut uncovered his personal vulnerability, so this prediction carries uncertainty regardless of the stylistic alternative. Worth can punish a careless method if Shahbazyan enters vary with out adequately defending himself.
I anticipate Shahbazyan to pursue clinches and takedowns instantly quite than take a look at Worth’s punching energy. As soon as a scramble develops, his submission instincts ought to create the decisive opening for an early end.
Closing Niko Worth-Leon Shahbazyan Prediction & Decide: Leon Shahbazyan (-142), UNDER 1.5 Rounds (-238)
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