MMA Preview – Thiago Moises vs Christos Giagos at UFC on ESPN 38
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THIAGO MOISES VS CHRISTOS GIAGOS FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 38? Sunday 26th June, 2022 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 38? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 38? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC on ESPN 38 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 38? 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!
THIAGO MOISES VS CHRISTOS GIAGOS LOWDOWN
Thiago Moises (15-6) is coming off two devastating losses but deserves credit for accepting fights that nobody wants. After submitting Michael Johnson (2020) and earning unanimous decisions over Bobby Green (2020) and Alexander Hernandez (2021) he answered the call to take on Islam Makhachev (2021). It was odd matchmaking, and the future title contender displayed his grappling prowess eventually submitting the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Up and comer Joel Alvarez then piled on the misery with a first-round knockout forcing Moises to suffer two losses in a row for the first time in his career.
Christos Giagos (19-9) is also coming off a wounding first-round knockout loss. He took on one of the brightest prospects on the roster Arman Tsarukyan (2021) who headlines this card and managed to stuff the initial takedown but then got stunned with a left hook leading to the TKO. That came after a unanimous decision over Carlton Minus (2020) and submission over Sean Soriano (2021) and now he is backing himself to regain that form here.
THIAGO MOISES VS CHRISTOS GIAGOS PREDICTION
Moises has lost four times in the UFC already, but they were to Beneil Dariush, Damir Ismagulov, Islam Makhachev and Joel Alvarez. They would all run through Giagos. That said, American is well rounded and very dangerous, especially on the feet and he will look at Moises’ fight with Johnson carefully.
The veteran was lighting him up on the feet, but as soon as Moises called upon his jiu-jitsu, his ankle was getting twisted sideways. Giagos is a brown belt in jiu-jitsu, but he will not want anything to do with Moises on the mat.
This will begin to play out on the feet where Moises’ confidence in his striking continues to improve. He will feel he can hang with Giagos, but we expect him to lose the boxing exchanges as Giagos has great hands.
The more Moises tests his ego on the feet, the more chance Giagos has. We expect him to be competitive in the striking exchanges especially if he finds a home for his leg kicks but considering Giagos’ takedown defence is only 52%, the quicker he mixes in takedowns the better.
As long as Moises incorporates a game plan, we are backing him to earn a classy decision or even a submission although there is value on Giagos considering the odds.
Prediction: Moises via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Giagos to win
