MMA Preview – Michael Johnson vs Marc Diakiese at UFC Orlando
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MICHAEL JOHNSON VS MARC DIAKIESE FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 42? Sunday 4th December, 2022 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 42? Amway Center, Orlando, Florida (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 42? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC on ESPN 42 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 42? 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!
MICHAEL JOHNSON VS MARC DIAKIESE LOWDOWN
Michael Johnson (20-18) makes the short trip to Orlando for his 27th UFC fight. Coined as one of the biggest under-achievers in the UFC, he has only won one of his last six fights. He went on an almighty skid losing to Josh Emmett (2019), Stevie Ray (2019), Thiago Moises (2020) and Clay Guida (2021) before turning back the clock with a knockout over Alan Patrick (2022). However, he is coming off another loss which was a split decision to Jamie Mullarkey back in July.
Marc Diakiese (16-5) is also a UFC vet now making his debut back in 2016. He is 7-5 in the big leagues and it is fair to say he is also an under-achiever. He made his name as an athletic and electrifying striker, but he has called upon his wrestling in recent times. He is coming off two unanimous decision wins this year grinding out Viacheslav Borschev and Damir Hadzovic.
MICHAEL JOHNSON VS MARC DIAKIESE PREDICTION
Johnson has always had an abundance of talent particularly on the feet and he is one of the most experienced fighters on the roster, but he just has a knack of finding a way to lose. We know his hands are still ferociously quick and dangerous as we saw in the Alan Patrick fight so we are likely to see Diakiese the wrestler turn up in Orlando.
If they both let their hands and feet go, this would be the ‘fight of the night’ but we expect Diakiese to fall back on his takedowns. Johnson has decent defence and we expect a lot of this fight to consist of Diakiese pressing Johnson up against the fence in a clinch.
They are both capable of a knockout. If it falls to Johnson it will most likely come in the first round, so if this goes past five minutes, back Diakiese. If the Brit calls upon the skills that got him to the dance, we can see him stealing the show with a knockout but we expect him to play it safe.
Prediction: Diakiese via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Johnson via KO/TKO
