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· Ewan Lavender

MMA Preview – Alexander Volkanovski vs Chan Sung Jung at UFC 273

MMA Preview – Alexander Volkanovski vs Chan Sung Jung at UFC 273

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI VS CHAN SUNG JUNG FACTS

When is UFC 273? Sunday 10th April, 2022 - 01:00 start (UK)

Where is UFC 273? VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida (US)

Where can I get tickets for UFC 273? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 273

What channel is UFC 273 on? BT Sport 1

Where can I stream UFC 273? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website

For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!

ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI VS CHAN SUNG JUNG LOWDOWN

Alexander Volkanovski (23-1) continues to make his case for the featherweight ‘goat’ sitting proudly on an incredible 20-fight win streak. He is coming off an epic title defence against Brian Ortega (2021) after outpointing fellow ‘goat’ candidates Jose Aldo (2019) and Max Holloway (2019 and 2020). Holloway came up short in two very close and compelling battles and was due for the trilogy this weekend, but injury has forced him out opening the door to another title shot for the ‘Korean Zombie’.

Chan Sung Jung (17-6) attempts his second shot at gold since getting TKO’d by a prime Aldo (2013). He has gone 4-2 since with losses to Yair Rodriguez (2018) and Brian Ortega (2020) in among vintage knockout wins over the likes of Dennis Bermudez (2017), Renato Moicano (2019) and Frankie Edgar (2019). He is coming off a unanimous decision win over Dan Ige (2021) which would not usually be enough to warrant a title shot, but nobody is complaining about Jung filling in.

ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI VS CHAN SUNG JUNG PREDICTION

Volkanovski is understandably the favourite, but the Korean Zombie has the tools to pull of the upset. He has the experience, knockout power and will happily put himself in danger in search of a finish which is exactly what you need to do against the Aussie.

Volkanovski is impeccable everywhere. He out struck Holloway for the majority of their 50 minutes of cage time and survived the submission attempts of one of the most dangerous jiu-jitsu practitioners in the sport.

It is his cardio and work rate that sets him apart keeping up a ferocious pace for 25 minutes mixing in seamless boxing, leg kicks and takedowns. His arsenal and output will be too much for the Korean Zombie unless he can clip him to set up a TKO or even a submission.

Jung will not be deterred by the power of the champion and will continue to press into range hoping to find a home for one of his hands which will create some crazy exchanges and probably the ‘fight of the night’.

We expect the Korean Zombie to land causing damage but Volkanovski’s constant movement and counters in the form of leg kicks and punches down the pipe will slow Jung down and frustrate him. This will force Jung to throw wilder looping shots opening himself up for more counters.

The Korean Zombie certainly has the ability to finish and considering the odds, he is well worth a punt, but we are backing Volkanovski to break him down on the feet and on the ground with Jung’s his durability pushing this to a punishing decision.

Prediction: Volkanovski via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)

Value Bet: The Korean Zombie via finish