Connect with us

MMA

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic pick, prediction, time: UFC 308

Published

4 hours ago

on

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic pick, prediction, time: UFC 308

Magomed Ankalaev and Aleksandar Rakic meet Saturday on the main card of UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 2-4
UFC main cards, 2024: 89-81-3

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic UFC 308 preview

Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) was on a nine-fight winning streak before a pair of odd results in back-to-back fights – first a draw with Jan Blachowicz for the then-vacant light heavyweight title in December 2022 followed by a no contest against Johnny Walker because of an accidental illegal knee in October 2023. But Ankalaev got back on track in emphatic fashion this past January when he knocked out Walker in their rematch. Now he’s out to prove he’s the rightful No. 1 contender at 205 pounds. … Rakic (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) enters the bout reeling from back-to-back stoppage losses against Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka. A serious knee injury in the Blachowicz fight kept Rakic out of action for more than two years.

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic expert pick, prediction

I’m not sure what’s worse: Anakalaev getting skipped over for another title shot or Rakic being booked with the division’s top contender after two consecutive losses and an injury layoff?

Advertisement

Either way, there is some questionable matchmaking under the top two fights of this event.

Rakic is technically 1-0 opposite UFC-level southpaws, beating Marcin Prachnio back on the regional scene. However, it’s difficult to tell what version of Rakic we’ll get given how long it’s been since we’ve seen a dominant performance from the Austrian fighter.

Couple that with the fact that Ankalaev’s wrestling savvy and southpaw stance may limit Rakic’s leg kicks and takedowns, and I can’t help but side with the Russian favorite to roll in this spot.

I like Rakic and wouldn’t mind being wrong, but the pick is for Ankalaev to take a competitive but clear unanimous decision.

Advertisement

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic odds

The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Stipe Miocic doppelganger, listing Ankalaev -385 and Rakic +290 via FanDuel.

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic start time, how to watch

As the featured bout, Ankalaev and Rakic are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 3:15 p.m. ET (12:15 p.m. PT). The fight will stream on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

Advertisement

Source link

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Football

Scotland: ‘No way we will lose at home to Hungary’ – Pedro Martinez Losa

Published

36 mins ago

on

October 26, 2024

By

Scotland: 'No way we will lose at home to Hungary' - Pedro Martinez Losa


While Scotland have undoubtedly improved since that defeat by their neighbours at Hampden, this is still a side who have questions to answer.

Martinez Losa was back in Budapest, where, just over three years ago, he led the national team for the first time.

The aim then was to qualify for the 2023 World Cup, but the Scots failed to do that after enduring an agonising play-off loss to the Republic of Ireland. Again, that was at home – at Hampden.

Advertisement

Only recently has the hurt from that near miss started to fade. Nine of the squad that faced Hungary also started against Ireland and felt the weight of the nation’s disappointment particularly deeply.

Now there is an unbelievably heavy expectation to, at least, reach the final play-off stage.

Martinez Losa is steadfast in his belief Scotland have developed since their last play-off heartache.

They were outmuscled in a particularly strong League A group last year but rediscovered their groove and grit in the recent unbeaten League B campaign.

Advertisement

Against Hungary, a fellow League B side, they faced an aggressive and powerful attack, the kind they would face at major tournaments.

The head coach, though, said Scotland are “stable” and “competitive”.

“I think we have shown the team that we are competitive,” he said. “We keep concentration and don’t make mistakes in key moments.

“We are a very stable team. We’re not afraid to defend properly and be concentrated.

Advertisement

“We had some good moments of football, but when you play away from home, it’s not simple.

“Although the score is tight, just 1-0, we didn’t concede and we know there’s no way we’re going to lose the game at home in Scotland.”

As Martinez Losa and his players fly back home to ready themselves for Tuesday’s second leg, there may be a few raised eyebrows greeting them given his dismissal of Hungary’s chances of a comeback.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

MMA

UFC 308 Results: Topuria vs. Holloway

Published

1 hour ago

on

October 26, 2024

By

UFC 308 Results: Topuria vs. Holloway

MMA Fighting has UFC 308 results of the Topuria vs. Holloway fight card, live blogs for the entire main card, and more from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday afternoon.

In the main event, UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria will make his first title defense against former UFC champion Max Holloway. Topuria (15-0) has never tasted defeat in his pro career, while Holloway (26-7) has won four of his past five fights.

Khamzat Chimaev makes his long-awaited return against former UFC champion Robert Whittaker in the co-main event.

Check out the UFC 308 results below.

Main card (ESPN+ PPV at 2 p.m. ET)

Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Advertisement

Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan

Prelims (ESPN+ at 10 a.m. ET)

Advertisement

Geoff Neal vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Mateusz Rebecki vs. Myktybek Orolbai

Abus Magomedov vs. Brunno Ferreira

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Chris Barnett

Advertisement

Farid Basharat vs. Victor Hugo

Ismail Naurdiev vs. Bruno Silva

Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Carlos Leal

Ibo Aslan vs. Raffael Cerqueira

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Football

Anthony Volpe drives in the go-ahead run, giving Yankees a 3-2 lead over Dodgers

Published

2 hours ago

on

October 26, 2024

By

Anthony Volpe drives in the go-ahead run, giving Yankees a 3-2 lead over Dodgers




Anthony Volpe drove in the go-ahead run to give the New York Yankees a 3-2 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers.



Source link

Continue Reading

MMA

Ilia Topuria tells Max Holloway he’s best

Published

2 hours ago

on

October 26, 2024

By

Ilia Topuria tells Max Holloway he’s best


The UFC is back in Abu Dhabi for UFC 308, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 308 (pay-per-view, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

Advertisement

In the headliner, featherweight champion Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) puts his title on the line for the first time when he takes on former champ Max Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC). In the co-feature, Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) meets former champ Robert Whittaker (27-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC) to determine the next top contender at middleweight.

The sixth and final episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Khamzat Chimaev sheds the last few pounds ahead of UFC 308 official weigh-ins; Athletes step on the scale to make their UFC 308 bouts official; Crowds gather to see final face-offs between fighters at the UFC 308 Ceremonial weigh-ins.

Previous UFC 308 ‘Embedded’ episodes:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Football

Football gossip: Xavi, Amorim, De Bruyne, Marmoush, Isak, Chilwell

Published

3 hours ago

on

October 26, 2024

By

Football gossip: Xavi, Amorim, De Bruyne, Marmoush, Isak, Chilwell


Manchester United hold talks with managerial candidates to replace Erik ten Hag, Kevin de Bruyne could leave Manchester City for Major League Soccer, Eintracht Frankfurt set price for Liverpool target Omar Marmoush.

Manchester United have already held talks with several managerial candidates as further pressure mounts on Dutchman Erik ten Hag, with Xavi Hernandez and Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim among them. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, 33, could be on the move to Major League Soccer with San Diego FC as the Belgian’s contract expires in June. (GiveMeSport)

Advertisement

Eintracht Frankfurt have set a value of between 50-60m euros (£41.6m-50m) for 25-year-old Egypt forward Omar Marmoush, whose representatives have held talks with Liverpool. (Sky Germany)

Arsenal have drawn up a shortlist of world-class striker targets and Newcastle and Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25, is top of the list. (TeamTalk)

West Ham is a possible destination for Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell, 27, as the Englishman continues to struggle for playing time under Enzo Maresca. (Metro)

Inter Milan are interested in Athletic Bilbao’s 24-year-old Spanish attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet, who has also been linked with Aston Villa. (Fichajes – in Spanish)

Advertisement

Tottenham are determined to prevent 25-year-old Spanish right-back Pedro Porro from joining Manchester City, who see him as a replacement for England defender Kyle Walker, 34. (Football Insider)

Liverpool and Arsenal are contenders to sign Spain and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, 17, as the La Liga club could be forced to sell their teenage forward amid ongoing financial difficulties. (Miguel Delaney via TeamTalk)

Brazil winger Raphinha, 27, says he considered leaving Barcelona more than once in his first two seasons with the club following his move from Leeds. (ESPN)



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

MMA

Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan pick, prediction, time: UFC 308

Published

3 hours ago

on

October 26, 2024

By

Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan pick, prediction, time: UFC 308

Shara Magomedov and Armen Petrosyan meet Saturday on the main card of UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 2-4
UFC main cards, 2024: 89-81-3

Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan UFC 308 preview

Off to a 3-0 start in his UFC tenure, Magomedov (14-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is yet to taste defeat in his career. A win here would give Magomedov is third win of 2024. … Petrosyan (9-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is coming off a first-round submission loss to Rodolfo Vieira this past February. Prior to that setback, he’d won two fights in a row.

Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan expert pick, prediction

Despite having fights like Myktybek Orolbai vs. Mateusz Rebecki on the prelims, the matchmakers decided to kick off the paid portion of the card with a middleweight matchup between Magomedov and Petrosyan.

Advertisement

I get that this should be a stand-up affair on paper, I’m just still having a hard time with the fact that the UFC is trying to shove “Shara Bullet” down our throats.

Aside from looking like a James Bond villain who can throw kicks with solid power, there isn’t much to speak of when it comes to well-rounded skills or a depth of process from Magomedov.

Petrosyan, on the other hand, is a more consistent and proven commodity inside the cage.

The Armenian may not wield the same flash or flare as Magomedov, but Petrosyan possesses solid fundamentals that allow him to get off offense at a decent clip.

Advertisement

Petrosyan also appears to be the better grappler by a decent stretch, which is more than enough for me to side with him in this spot.

The pick is Petrosyan by unanimous decision.

Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan odds

The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the more hyped product, listing Magomedov -168 and Petrosyan +136 via FanDuel.

Shara Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan start time, how to watch

As the main card opener, Magomedov and Petrosyan are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 2:15 p.m. ET (11:15 a.m. PT). The fight will stream on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

Advertisement

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 WordupNews.com