MMA Preview – Zarrukh Adashev vs Ryan Benoit at UFC Vegas 26
ZARRUKH ADASHEV VS RYAN BENOIT FACTS
When is UFC Vegas 26? Sunday 9th May, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Vegas 26? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Vegas 26? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC Vegas 26 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Vegas 26? 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!
ZARRUKH ADASHEV VS RYAN BENOIT LOWDOWN
Zarrukh Adashev (3-3) heads to the APEX for his seventh pro MMA fight. He lost his debut back in 2015 but after signing off on a successful kickboxing career going 16-3, he came back to MMA in 2018 and got thrown into Bellator winning all three bouts with a couple knockouts thrown in. However, he has not had the same success stepping up to the UFC. He got knocked out in the first round against Tyson Nam and is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Su Mudaerji in January.
Ryan Benoit (10-7) is not fairing much better at the moment coming off two losses – a split decision to Alateng Heili in 2019 which was up at bantamweight and a unanimous decision to Tim Elliott last July. Those two losses have put more dents on the record, and he is now 3-5 in the UFC so he could be fighting to save his career here.
ZARRUKH ADASHEV VS RYAN BENOIT PREDICTION
Adashev is an accomplished kickboxer but he is yet to bag a notable win in MMA. That said, his first two UFC fights were very tough outings against bigger, longer and more experienced strikers and this is a better match-up for him. We have seen a lot of Benoit now, and he has not shown anything to suggest he is going to break the top tier.
The majority of this fight should take place on the feet which will suit Adashev although, he will still be giving up a three-and-a-half-inch reach advantage. However, he has a lot of experience fighting longer men and will be very comfortable in his southpaw stance.
Benoit has a lot of power in his hands and he should look to mix in takedowns with combinations. Adashev has decent takedown defence with his sambo background and if he can keep the fight on the feet he has the technique to earn a decision.
Their defence and chins are somewhat suspect so we could easily see a knockout here, but if Benoit can throw in some takedowns and land a few clean shots he should earn a decision at least.
Prediction: Benoit via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Adashev via Decision
