MMA Preview – Joel Alvarez vs Alexander Yakovlev at UFC 254
JOEL ALVAREZ VS ALEXANDER YAKOVLEV FACTS
When is UFC 254? Saturday 24th September, 2020 - 17:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 254? Flash Forum, Fight Island, Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 254? No tickets are available as this event will take place without spectators
What channel is UFC 254 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 254? 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!
JOEL ALVAREZ VS ALEXANDER YAKOVLEV LOWDOWN
Joel Alvarez (17-2) flies to Fight Island for the second time with the whole of Spain behind him. He has only lost once in his last 13 fights but that was against Damir Ismagulov who is currently on a 14-fight win streak. Not the kindest of UFC debuts but the Spaniard showed what he is capable of in his next fight against Danilo Belluardo, knocking him out in the second round. He then followed it up on Fight Island back in July by picking off Joe Duffy and ruthlessly finishing him with a guillotine.
Alexander Yakovlev (25-10-1) has not quite had the same success in MMA as other martial arts but he is still a multi-skilled beast. He went 2-4 in the UFC including losses to Demian Maia and Kamaru Usman and then took two and a half years off after a submission loss to Zak Cummings in November 2016. He came back in April last year and returned to lightweight and ended up submitting Alex da Silva Coelho but then lost his fifth UFC fight to Roosevelt Roberts with a unanimous decision.
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JOEL ALVAREZ VS ALEXANDER YAKOVLEV PREDICTION
Yakovlev talents are undeniable in the likes of Sambo and wrestling, but we have not seen any consistency in the UFC. He has also floated between different weight classes fighting as heavy as light heavyweight. He strips back down to 155 lbs for this one where he is very rangy for the division.
However, so is Alvarez. They both stand at 6’3” but Alvarez will boast a three-inch reach advantage. This is a great match-up on paper but the consistency and momentum of Alvarez swing this in his favour.
Yakovlev is the stronger all-round grappler but Alvarez’ ground skills are no joke and the Russian will have to be cautious getting tied up on the mat as Alvarez' submission skills are lethal, even off his back. His striking is also improving with each fight and if he uses his range and movement while avoiding Yakovlev’s left high kick, he can find a damaging blow to set up a finish on the ground.
Prediction: Alvarez via Submission
