Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
AMIR ALBAZI VS ALESSANDRO COSTA FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 216? Saturday 17th December, 2022 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 216? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 216? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 216 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 216? 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!
AMIR ALBAZI VS ALESSANDRO COSTA LOWDOWN
Amir Albazi (15-1) is quietly creeping up the flyweight rankings after making it three UFC wins from three. He submitted Malcolm Gordon (2020) at bantamweight on his debut and outpointed Zhalgas Zhumagulov (2021) six months later. Now, he is coming off the biggest win of his career after submitting Francisco Figueiredo in the first round four months ago.
He welcomes Alessandro Costa (12-2) to the octagon who is coming in hot riding a seven-fight win streak. He cleaned up the Lux Fight League and made two defences of his flyweight title. That earnt him a shot on the Contender Series and he picked up a split decision over Andres Luna (2022) which almost earnt the call-up, and he made sure by going back to the Lux Fight League a couple months ago to spark out Carlos Gomez in the first round.
AMIR ALBAZI VS ALESSANDRO COSTA PREDICTION
Costa is the third opponent lined up for Albazi after Alex Perez pulled out followed by his replacement Brandon Royval who broke his wrist. The odds are stacked against Costa taking on a top flyweight on short notice but that makes him dangerous.
Costa is a good striker with good jiu-jitsu but Albazi is a level above and his wrestling can dictate where the fight goes. Coasta is dangerous but unless he catches the chin early, it is hard to see him combating the power and wrestling of Albazi.
Prediction: Albazi via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)