Islam Makhachev is a big favorite against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Fight Night 149 on Saturday, April 20 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. This event is one of six fights on the main card on ESPN+. Makhachev is 16-1 in his career, while Tsarukyan is 13-1 in his career. There are a total of six fights on the main card on ESPN+ at UFC Fight Night 149, with the headliner a bout between Alistair Overeem and Alexey Oleinik. There are also a total of six fights on the preliminary card all on ESPN+. Let’s look at the bout between Makhachev and Tsarukyan and UFC picks.
Bet on UFC at BookMaker.eu
Islam Makhachev (16-1, 5-1 UFC)
Makhachev came into the UFC with a record of 11-0 and he has five wins and one loss in the UFC. He defeated Leo Kuntz by submission, Chris Wade by unanimous decision, Nik Lentz by unanimous decision, Gleison Tibau by KO, and Kajan Johnson by submission; while losing to Adriano Martins by KO. Makhachev has been a pro since 2010 and he has three wins by TKO/KO and seven by submission. He has six first round finishes.
Arman Tsarukyan (13-1, UFC debut)
Tsarukyan is making his UFC debut this Saturday against Makhachev. In his career, his only loss was against Alexander Belikh by KO on December 12, 2015. Tsarukyan has not fought since August 22, 2018 where he defeated Felipe Olivieri by KO. Tsarukyan has been a pro since 2015 and he has five wins by TKO/KO and five by submission. He has seven first round finishes.
Striking Stats
Strikes landed per minute: Makhachev 2.24/ Tsarukyan 0.00
Accuracy: Makhachev 60% / Tsarukyan 0%
Strikes absorbed per minute: Makhachev 0.82/ Tsarukyan 0.00
Defense: Makhachev 64% / Tsarukyan 0%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Makhachev 4.33/ Tsarukyan 0.00
Accuracy: Makhachev 86% / Tsarukyan 0%
Takedowns defended: Makhachev 100% / Tsarukyan 0%
Submission average: Makhachev 1.3/ Tsarukyan 0.0
UFC Picks
Both Makhachev and Tsarukyan are going back to their birth country and this should prove to be competitive and interesting, especially since both fighters are coming off layoffs. Tsarukyan will be making his UFC debut and has not been afraid to go against experienced fighters in the past but will be facing a tough challenge in Makhachev. Perhaps Tsarukyan could get a win by TKO or by decision but the advantage on the mat should be with Makhachev. The odds on this fight have Makhachev, but should he be listed as more than a 5-1 favorite? I am definitely tempted to take the big price and go with Tsarukyan, but we simply don’t know how he will handle the big stage. I still think he is worth considering, but going under the total might be the better choice, as this fight doesn’t figure to go the distance.
UFC Fight Night 149 takes place at Yubileyny Sports Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia on Saturday, April 20, with six fights on the main card on ESPN+, headlined by Alistair Overeem vs. Alexey Oleinik and six preliminary bouts on ESPN+.
Main Card (ESPN+)
Heavyweight - Alistair Overeem -250 vs. Alexey Oleinik
Lightweight - Islam Makhachev -550 vs. Arman Tsarukyan
Heavyweight - Sergei Pavlovich -315 vs. Marcelo Golm
Light Heavyweight - Ivan Shtyrkov -195 vs. Devin Clark
Women's Flyweight - Antonina Shevchenko -350 vs. Roxanne Modafferi
Middleweight - Krzysztof Jotko -195 vs. Alen Amedovski
Preliminary Card (ESPN+)
Bantamweight - Movsar Evloev -285 vs. Seung Woo Choi
Welterweight - Keita Nakamura -125 vs. Sultan Aliev
Lightweight - Alexander Yakovlev -145 vs. Alex da Silva
Heavyweight - Marcin Tybura -198 vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov
Light Heavyweight - Michal Oleksiejczuk -195 vs. Gadzhimurad Antigulov
Lightweight - Magomed Mustafaev -175 vs. Rafael Fiziev
How to Bet
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today.
