MMA Preview – Edmen Shahbazyan vs AJ Dobson at UFC ESPN 53
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EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN VS AJ DOBSON FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 53? Sunday 24th March, 2024 - 00:00 (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 53? UFC Apex, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 53? Click here to buy tickets for UFC on ESPN
What channel is UFC on ESPN 53 on? TNT Sports 2
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 53? 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!
EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN VS AJ DOBSON LOWDOWN
Just when Edmen Shahbazyan (12-4) looked to build his stock back up, Anthony Hernandez crushed it with another TKO to slump to 1-4 in his last five. He got mauled originally by Derek Brunson (2021), then Jack Hermansson (2021) and then Nassourdine Imavov knocked him out for the second time. He responded with a vintage TKO of his own over Dalcha Lungiambula (2022) at UFC 282 but that already seems like a distant memory.
He was scheduled to fight Dusko Todorovic, but he is still recovering from a serious knee injury he suffered against Christian Leroy Duncan. Up steps AJ Dobson (7-2(1)) who is coming off his first UFC win. It came with great relief after losing his first two UFC fights via unanimous decision to Jacob Malkoun (2022) and Armen Petrosyan (2022). He then got paired with Tafon Nchukwi (2023) and fell on the right side of the decision this time.
EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN VS AJ DOBSON PREDICTION
All the pressure is on Shahbazyan here who’s blueprint for defeat has been on view for everyone. He is a quality striker, but he has come unstuck against strong grapplers. His takedown defence continues to improve, but his poor get-up game and jiu-jitsu offer little resistance when he lands on his back.
Fortunately for him, Dobson is also a striker by trade, and he will hope he obliges in a stand-up battle. Dobson is very powerful, but he does not have the movement or speed of Shahbazyan.
Dobson can wrestle and if he gets lit up, we fully expect him to shoot in. He has the ability to take Shahbazyan down, however he is not on the level of the likes of Hernandez, Hermansson and Brunson.
We expect the majority of the fight to play out on the feet which will allow Shahbazyan to show what he is capable of.
Prediction: Shahbazyan via Decision
Value bet: Dobson to win
