UFC Baku main card odds: Magomedov, Sadykhov predictions

Ultimate Fighting Championship lands in Baku, Azerbaijan on Saturday with a main card stacked with fighters from the Caucasus region. Shara Magomedov headlines the action as a substantial favorite over Michel Pereira in a middleweight clash at the National Gymnastics Arena.

MMA Mania's Andrew Richardson, a professional fighter at Team Alpha Male, broke down the odds for the June 27 event and noted the regional flavor extends well beyond the featured bouts. All six main card matchups include an "Ov" or "Ev" surname, a pattern that carries into the prelims. Richardson predicted the Caucasus contingent will post a far better collective record than UFC athletes did on recent stops in Canada or China.

Magomedov's volume expected to overwhelm Pereira

Magomedov opens at -340 against Pereira's +240 line. Richardson called the Russian "Bullet" a volume machine at 185 pounds, praising his low kicks and body knees that set up sustained offensive bursts. Pereira's recent hesitance has dulled the wild scrambles and backflip sequences that once defined his style, per the breakdown. "I really struggle to see Pereira winning this," Richardson wrote. "Magomedov is historically durable, and Pereira isn't really a one-shot knockout guy." The prediction: Magomedov wears down his opponent and stops him late.

In the lightweight ranks, Nazim Sadykhov sits at -260 over Matheus Camilo after a recent loss to Fares Ziam snapped his four-fight UFC stoppage streak. Richardson called Sadykhov sharp and accurate, noting the 25-year-old Camilo looked green at times despite his upside. Flyweight Asu Almabayev draws -260 odds against Charles Johnson in what Richardson labeled one of the card's best scraps. Almabayev chains takedowns behind spin kicks but lacks finishing power from top position, while the bigger Johnson has historically struggled against wrestlers who hold him down. The call: Almabayev grinds out a decision by staying busier in the third round.

Ikram Aliskerov closes the featured prelims at -265 over Brunno Ferreira. The combat Sambo specialist from Dagestan mixes heavy hands with offensive wrestling and could crack the Top 10 soon if he continues blending his tools, according to the report. UFC Baku airs live Saturday from the National Gymnastics Arena with the main card beginning at 4 p.m. ET on Paramount+.

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• MMA Mania — UFC Baku main card odds, breakdowns and predictions | X-Factor