MMA Preview – Geoff Neal vs Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 285
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
GEOFF NEAL VS SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV FACTS
When is UFC 285? Sunday 5th March, 2023 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 285? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 285? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 285
What channel is UFC 285 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 285? 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!
GEOFF NEAL VS SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV LOWDOWN
Geoff Neal (14-4) had to pull out of this scheduling last month due to injury but thank the heavens this fight is back on and on the stacked UFC 285 card. When he head kicked Mike Perry (2019) into next week, he had future title contender printed on his forehead. However, he then slumped losing unanimous decisions to Stephen Thompson (2020) and Neil Magny (2021). It seemed personal issues were getting the best of him, but he responded with a split decision over Santiago Ponzinibbio (2021) and then reeled off his most impressive performance to date last year. He met Vicente Luque and became the first man to knock out the granite Brazilian.
Shavkat Rakhmonov (16-0) graces his second pay-per-view. He is one of the most exciting prospects we have seen in the UFC for a while. He has had four UFC fights and has simply demolished his competition. He submitted Alex Oliveira (2020) on short notice and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Michel Prazeres (2021) before spectacularly knocking Carlston Harris (2022). He then got handed his toughest test in the shape of Neil Magny (2022) and put everyone on notice with another second-round submission.
GEOFF NEAL VS SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV PREDICTION
This is an incredible match up. Neal has more valuable UFC experience, but Rakhmonov is the more finely tuned fighter with a seamless skillset. He has better technique on the feet and his grappling is on a different level to most welterweights let alone Neal.
Where Neal has the advantage is his power. He truly does have hands of steel and they are the equalizer to Rakhmonov’s bag of tools. That said, the ‘Nomad’ is an even more prolific finisher with eight knockouts and eight submissions.
This is the biggest fight of his career and we still expect fireworks from the bell. He has the striking to knock Neal out, but the longer he stands, the more chance there is of him getting knocked out himself.
We expect Rakhmonov to play it smart and try and get Neal on his back. It may take a round or two once Neal begins to fade, but if he does, we back him to wrap up a submission although it feels rude not to put something on Neal when he is such a big underdog.
Prediction: Rakhmonov via Submission - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value bet: Neal via KO/TKO
