MMA Preview – Joseph Benavidez vs Askar Askarov at UFC 259
JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VS ASKAR ASKAROV FACTS
When is UFC 259? Sunday 7th March, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 259? UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 259? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC 259 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 259? 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!
JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VS ASKAR ASKAROV LOWDOWN
The longest serving flyweight Joseph Benavidez (28-7) is back after those brutal back-to-back title fight losses to Deiveson Figueiredo last year getting knocked out in the first fight and then submitted in the second to remove all doubt. It seems the perennial contender will never get his hands on the UFC gold after his fourth failed attempt and there is no doubting he is still a top contender but he has a very tough match-up to remind everyone of that.
Askar Askarov (12-0-1) is not a household name yet but he is unbeaten and has all the potential to fight for a title himself in the near future. He put his name on the map on his UFC debut by fighting to a hard-fought draw with the recent title challenger Brandon Moreno and then went on to earn unanimous decisions over Tim Elliott and Alexandre Pantoja last year to announce himself as the new contender in the division.
JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VS ASKAR ASKAROV PREDICTION
Benavidez is coming off two devastating losses and he is up against a young and hungry beast who is not even in his prime yet. It is an odd fight for Benavidez to take as despite Askarov’s pedigree, he does not have anything to gain besides holding on to his high ranking which he has always held.
Askarov is an incredible wrestler and his striking is getting better and better, but he will not bring much to the table Benavidez has not seen before and this will all depend on what Benavidez turns up. If he is motivated, he has the speed and experience to win all the exchanges.
However, if Benavidez simply wants a win to make up for the recent losses and takes Askarov too lightly, he is going to have a very miserable night. The value is with Benavidez as the underdog but Askarov is a future title contender and this could be his fast-track pass.
Prediction: Askarov via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Benavidez via Decision
