Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
CHARLES JOURDAIN VS NATHANIEL WOOD FACTS
When is UFC Paris? Saturday 3rd September, 2022 - 18:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Paris? Accor Arena, Paris (France)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Paris? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Paris
What channel is UFC Paris on? BT Sport 3
Where can I stream UFC Paris? 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!
CHARLES JOURDAIN VS NATHANIEL WOOD LOWDOWN
Charles Jourdain (13-5-1) is 4-4-1 in the UFC now but he is one of the most underrated fighters in the featherweight division. He has remained active and fought three times last year. He TKO’d Marcelo Rojo before getting submitted by Julian Erosa but bounced back with a unanimous decision over Andre Ewell. He has fought twice this year already with mixed results again. He put on a clinic back in April submitting Lando Vannata and put on another exciting scrap two months later with Shane Burgos but fell on the wrong side of a majority decision.
Cut from the same cloth, Nathaniel Wood (18-5) heads to Paris to put on another show. He is 5-2 in the UFC now and stays up at featherweight hoping to make up for lost time when he could not get a fight in for 19 months. He stamped his name on the UFC map with three impressive submissions in his first three outings but then got TKO’d by the veteran John Dodson (2020). He displayed his character by responding with a unanimous decision over John Castaneda (2020) but then was handed a very tough matchup in Casey Kenney who earnt the unanimous decision (2020). Wood finally returned back in July resorting to featherweight and never looked better comfortably outpointing Charles Rosa.
CHARLES JOURDAIN VS NATHANIEL WOOD PREDICTION
What a perfect way to kick off the main card as this has ‘Fight of the Night’ written all over it. They are both are extremely well-rounded with calculated aggression whether that be throwing combinations on the feet or hunting a submission on the ground.
Wood has the momentum, but Jourdain is naturally the bigger man and has amassed more UFC experience. This is a very tough fight for a second appearance in the featherweight division and it is understandable that Jourdain is the favourite especially after how he looked against Burgos despite the loss.
The striking battle will be a spectacle and fought at a frenetic pace. Wood is more likely to shoot in for a takedown, but if he gets to the floor, Jourdain has the jiu-jitsu to make it very difficult for the Londoner. Wood will need to execute a perfect game plan mixing in takedowns with his striking in particular his thunderous leg kicks. His timing will have to be on point as Jourdain is also rapid and can counter from different ranges whether be kicks or jumping knees.
This is going to be a very competitive fight and all the value is on Wood as the underdog. However, we feel Jourdain’s power and experience sway this slightly in his favour. If this goes to the bell, his flashy strikes, volume and defensive grappling could be enough to convince the judges, but do not rule Wood out.
Prediction: Jourdain via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Wood via Decision