Volkov Vs. Pavlovich Betting Odds, Prediction

Final Preventing Championship (UFC) Heavyweight strikers Alexander Volkov vs. Sergei Pavlovich will collide this weekend (Sat., June 22, 2024) at UFC Saudi Arabia inside Kingdom Area in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Current teammates will throw down right here, however there’s truly no unhealthy blood. As an alternative, this showdown between Volkov and Pavlovich was merely introduced earlier than it was signed, after which the stress to compete was on. We’ll see how and if that particular wrinkle impacts the battle, however the match up itself is sensible.

Pavlovich enters the competition having most just lately lot his interim title match up versus Tom Aspinall. Previous to that knockout loss (watch highlights), he was destroying opponents left and proper. In the meantime, Volkov has gained three in a row by way of stoppage, incomes a possibility to battle again into the title combine.

Let’s take a better have a look at the betting odds and strategic keys for every athlete:

Volkov Vs. Pavlovich Betting Odds

Alexander Volkov victory: +195
Alexander Volkov by way of TKO/KO/DQ: +350
Alexander Volkov by way of submission: +1400
Alexander Volkov by way of resolution: +650
Sergei Pavlovich victory: -238
Sergei Pavlovich by way of TKO/KO/DQ: -145
Sergei Pavlovich by way of submission: -1600
Sergei Pavlovich by way of resolution: -600
Odds by way of DraftKings Sportsbook

How Volkov Wins

Volkov is one in every of Heavyweight’s higher kickboxers. An extended-range striker with a background in a number of kinds of Karate, Volkov likes to choose opponents aside with stabbing entrance kicks earlier than shifting in to finish the battle along with his arms. He’s not often called a large hitter relative to his friends, however 28 victories by way of stoppage is nothing to scoff at.

On this bout, Volkov needs to be (fairly) aggressive. He’s not going to maintain Pavlovich off him by hanging on his again foot, kicking, and circling off from exchanges. Pavlovich is just too massive, imply, and highly effective for that, and the precise finish consequence can be that Volkov will get clipped whereas making an attempt to lean away from an alternate.

Prefer it or not, Volkov’s greatest odds contain braving the hearth. He doesn’t need to brawl with Pavlovich — a horrible thought by any measure — however Volkov can’t be timid. He has to throw his personal exhausting, threatening punches down the center and drive Pavlovich’s respect. If he can stand his floor a bit and earn Pavlovich’s respect, his mixture and kicking benefits ought to come into play.

Volkov has solely been knocked out twice in 47 Heavyweight fights. He has to belief in his personal sturdiness and energy, even within the face of a bruiser like Pavlovich.

How Pavlovich Wins

Pavlovich is a tank. The Russian boxer doesn’t have a very deep sport that we’ve ever seen, however he can whip shockingly highly effective punches at his opponent in fast succession. He additionally has a Greco-Roman wrestling background, which hasn’t come into play in a number of years now.

Pressuring the rangy kicker is just about all the time one of the best guess, even when Pavlovich didn’t have the cheat code that’s an 84 inch attain. A direct bull rush might work however isn’t needed, not when Volkov is traditionally a bit gradual on his toes. Lesser strikers like Marcin Tybura have managed to shut the gap and crack him occasionally, however Pavlovich hits a lot, a lot tougher.

In brief, a little bit of tactical stress and ring craft probably rating Pavlovich the pocket, which is precisely the place he desires to be. When he explodes from the pocket, opponents not often get again up.

Volkov Vs. Pavlovich Prediction

It’s exhausting to again Volkov when “Drago” himself admitted that sparring periods with Pavlovich not often went nicely.

Now, Volkov has an opportunity. He hits a lot exhausting and is hard as nails. Pavlovich shouldn’t be a defensive mastermind or significantly sturdy slugger. If Volkov cracks him with a proper down the center or journeys him to the ground, the veteran might produce a sudden end himself.

The only consequence appears most probably although: Pavlovich unloads an ungodly highly effective mixture in Volkov’s common course, one thing lands, and Volkov hits the ground throughout the first couple minutes.

Prediction: Pavlovich by way of knockout (-145)

Keep in mind that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of the complete UFC Saudi Arabia battle card proper right here, beginning with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, that are scheduled to start at 12 p.m. ET, then the remaining most important card stability (on ABC/ESPN+) at 3 p.m. ET.

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