MMA Preview – Claudio Puelles vs Fares Ziam at UFC Fight Night 237
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
CLAUDIO PUELLES VS FARES ZIAM FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 237? Sunday 25th February, 2024 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 237? Arena CDMX, Mexico City (Mexico)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 237? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 237 on? TNT Sports 2
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 237? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
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!
CLAUDIO PUELLES VS FARES ZIAM LOWDOWN
We have not seen Claudio Puelles (12-3) since his humbling loss to Dan Hooker (2022) at UFC 281. He was collecting legs on the way to that fight with five wins including kneebars over Felipe Silva (2018), Chris Gruetzemacher (2021) and Clay Guida (2022). However, he could not get a hold of the Kiwi and ended up looking like a fish out of water eventually getting put out of his misery with a body kick.
Fares Ziam (14-4) welcomes his back and is coming off two solid unanimous decision wins. His last loss in his last five was a submission loss to Terence McKinney (2022) which is the meat in a decision sandwich beating Jamie Mullarkey (2020), Luigi Vendramini (2021) and recently Michal Figlak (2022) and Jai Herbert (2023).
CLAUDIO PUELLES VS FARES ZIAM PREDICTION
Like all Puelles’ fights, this will depend on whether he can tie up his opponent. If he can’t, he will look like an amateur rolling around on his back.
Ziam has a 75% takedown defence with a judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu base. Although worryingly, he was taken down three times by Don Madge and five times by Jamie Mullarkey. If Puelles only needs one takedown to pounce on a leg or neck.
Until that happens, Ziam has the ability to light him up on the feet. He is an excellent striker and has the patience to pick him apart at the right times. However, his lack of knockout power will mean he cannot afford to make a mistake for 15 minutes.
Ziam is the favourite especially as he has the tools to follow Hooker’s blueprint. However, we expect Puelles to land a takedown eventually, so we are backing him to snap up a submission and upset the odds.
Prediction: Puelles via Submission
Value Bet: Puelles via Submission
