UFC 321: Azat Maksum vs Mitch Raposo Preview & Prediction
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Flyweights set stage as Azat Maksum vs Mitch Raposo features on the prelims at UFC 321.
Azat Maksum vs Mitch Raposo facts
What time are Azat Maksum and Mitch Raposo expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 321? Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Where can I get tickets for UFC 321? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 321
What TV channel is UFC 321 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC 321? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 321 main card
Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane (Heavyweight)
Virna Jandiroba vs Mackenzie Dern (Women’s Strawweight)
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista (Bantamweight)
Alexander Volkov vs Jailton Almeida (Heavyweight)
Aleksandar Rakic vs Azamat Murzakanov (Light Heavyweight)
UFC 321 prelims
Nasrat Haqparast vs Quillan Salkilld (Lightweight
Ikram Aliskerov vs Park Jun-yong (Middlweight)
L'udovit Klein vs Mateusz Rebecki (Lightweight)
Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs Matheus Camilo (Lightweight)
Valter Walker vs Louie Sutherland (Heavyweight)
Nathaniel Wood vs Jose Miguel Delgado (Featherweight)
Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Chris Barnett (Heavyweight)
Azat Maksum vs Mitch Raposo (Flyweight)
Jaqueline Amorim vs Mizuki Inoue (Women’s Strawweight)
Azat Maksum: Kazakh grappler looking to bounce back
Azat Maksum (15-2) returns to action at UFC 321 eager to get back into the win column after facing a tough run of opponents in the flyweight division. The 30-year-old from Kazakhstan has made halted progress since joining the promotion, going 1-2 in his first three bouts. Maksum earned a split-decision win over Tyson Nam in his debut before dropping unanimous decisions to Charles Johnson and Tagir Ulanbekov — two strong, established names at flyweight. Those setbacks have done little to dent his reputation, with both opponents being well regarded.
A technically composed fighter, Maksum is an elite grappler with solid positional control and strong defensive instincts. He’s most comfortable once he finds his rhythm, using steady pressure, well-timed level changes, and disciplined movement to dictate the pace. While not the most aggressive finisher, his experience against top opposition has made him a seasoned and composed presence inside the Octagon. His performance against Ulanbekov, in particular, showcased his ability to compete with elite grapplers without being totally outclassed.
Mitch Raposo: Talented technician seeking first UFC win
Mitch Raposo (9-3) enters this contest hungry to earn his first UFC victory after two frustrating split-decision losses. The 27-year-old American dropped his debut against Andre Lima, followed by another razor-thin defeat to Sumudaerji earlier in 2025. Both bouts were highly competitive, and Raposo could easily be 2-0 on another night.
Raposo is a sound boxer with solid wrestling fundamentals, using quick combinations and good defensive movement. His main criticism has been a tendency to hold back rather than push for dominance, which has cost him close rounds. When he lets his hands go, he’s capable of controlling exchanges, but his patience can sometimes play against him in three-round fights.
Azat Maksum vs Mitch Raposo prediction
This matchup feels like one between two fighters at different stages of development. Raposo is talented and skilled but still finding his identity inside the UFC. Maksum, meanwhile, has been through the fire — sharing the cage with elite names like Tagir Ulanbekov and holding his own. That level of experience is hard to overlook.
Expect Maksum to dictate the tempo with measured striking and well-timed grappling, using his strength and composure to keep Raposo on the back foot. Raposo’s durability should see him to the final horn, but Maksum’s control and experience are likely to carry him over the line on the judges’ scorecards.
Prediction: Azat Maksum to win via unanimous decision
