MMA Preview – Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Michel Prazeres at UFC Vegas 30
SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV VS MICHEL PRAZERES FACTS
When is UFC Vegas 30? Saturday 26th June, 2021 -19:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Vegas 30? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Vegas 30? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC Vegas 30 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC Vegas 30? 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!
SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV VS MICHEL PRAZERES LOWDOWN
Shavkat Rakhmonov (13-0) is a prodigy and is finally starting to appear on everyone’s radar. The former M-1 and Kazakhstan MMA Federation welterweight champion made his UFC debut last October filling in for Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos to take on the veteran Alex Oliveira. It was his toughest test to date but made light work of the Brazilian. He chopped him down with leg kicks, hurt him on the feet and cinched up a perfect guillotine in the first round.
Up until 2019, Michel Prazeres (26-3) was storming his way towards a title shot. He was riding an eight-fight win streak including a unanimous decision over Gilbert Burns on his debut and capping it with a submission on Bartosz Fabinski. Ismail Naurdiev eventually snapped the streak in February 2019 and then Prazeres popped positive by USADA and was banned for two years and is now ready for his comeback.
SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV VS MICHEL PRAZERES PREDICTION
The UFC are clearly not impressed with Prazeres’ substance abuse, so they have handed him a killer. Considering the lay off and Rakhmonov’s soaring form, Prazeres’ is the underdog. He is also a stumpy welterweight who has always struggled to cut to 170 lbs and will be giving up a significant height and reach advantage.
Rakhmonov will boast a whopping 10-inch reach and seven-inch height advantage and has the skill to really make it count. Prazeres will be well aware of this so expect him to call upon his bread and butter. He is a top tier grappler and high-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt so he will do everything in his power to get Rakhmonov on his back.
Rakhmonov is also a beast on the mat but there is a question mark over his takedown defence so the grappling exchanges will be very interesting. If Prazeres can get his hands on the Kazakhstani, he has a chance, but he will have to walk through nasty jabs, elbows and knees. Given the seismic range discrepancy and Prazeres’ layoff/natural return, Rakhmonov is likely to keep up his 100% finish rate up before getting tied up.
Prediction: Rakhmonov via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Prazeres via Submission
