UFC Vegas 49 Preview
The fourth or eight straight fight weeks brings us UFC Vegas 49 which is headlined by one of the UFC’s most talented contenders. Lightweight contender Islam Makhachev was meant to fight Beneil Dariush with the winner likely fighting for the belt next, but instead UFC Vegas 49 will be headlined by Makhachev and Bobby Green. But before they get underway there are 10 other fights taking place on Saturday, February 26th. The preliminary card starts at 4:00 PM ET while the main card kickoff at 7:00 PM ET with all of the fights being shown on ESPN+.
Islam Makhachev (4) vs Bobby Green Catchweight 160lbs
As entertaining as this fight could be it will not nearly live up to what was originally expected to serve as the main event for UFC Vegas 49. Initially, it was set to be No. 4 lightweight Islam Makhachev against the No. 3 lightweight Beneil Dariush, but unfortunately, Dariush had to pull out after suffering a leg injury. Nonetheless, this fight should still be the best of the night as Makhachev comes into this 21-1 and riding a nine-fight win streak. Teammate and protégé of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev has been touted as a future UFC champion and could edge one step closer to fulfilling that prophecy with a win over Bobby Green.
After not fighting at all in 2020 Makhachev returned dominantly winning all three of his fights in 2021 by submission. Last time out he beat then No. 6 ranked lightweight Dan Hooker in the first round with a kimura submission. Similar to his next opponent, Hooker accepted that fight on short notice after Rafael dos Anjos could not fight due to an injury.
Makhachev has had a hard time booking fights in the past and that was the same when it came to finding a replacement for Dariush. After asking around for a ranked opponent and getting nothing Green stepped up on short notice to fight arguably the toughest opponent of his UFC career. 35-year-old Green fought only two weeks ago at UFC 271 where he beat Nasrat Haqparast by unanimous decision. That was Green’s second consecutive win and moved his record to 29-12-1
Prediction
Makhachev has not lost a fight since 2015 and will not start now. It will not be an easy fight, but the Russian should have no issue finishing Green. I have Makhachev winning by submission.
Misha Cirkunov vs Wellington Turman Middleweight
Another fighter coming in on short notice is Wellington Turman. Turman replaced Makhmud Muradov in his fight against Misha Cirkunov after Muradov suffered a hand injury. Last time out Truman fought Sam Alvey and came out with a split decision win. Prior to that win Alvey had won only one of his first four fights in the UFC and lost the last two by knockout.
Standing across the octagon at UFC Vegas 49 from Turman will be Canada and Latvia’s Cirkunov. It has been a tough stretch for Cirkunov having only won two of five fights since starting out 4-0 in the UFC. This fight will be Cirkunov’s second at middleweight after moving down from light heavyweight. In his middleweight debut, he went the distance with Krzysztof Jotko but lost a split decision. If this fight goes to the ground it is an advantage for Cirkunov as his last five wins all came by submission.
Prediction
Despite being 9 years older Cirkunov will use his size to his advantage and defeat the smaller Turman. I have Cirkunov winning by decision.
Arman Tsarukyan vs Joel Alvarez Lightweight
The only other ranked fighter on the UFC Vegas 49 card besides Islam Makhachev is 13th ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan. The Georgian fighter has been a perfect 4-0 in the UFC since losing his debut against Makhachev by unanimous decision. Three of Tsarukyan’s four wins came by decision, but he picked up a first-round knockout of Christos Giagos that earned him Performance of the Night honors in his most recent fight.
Tsarukyan’s opponent on Saturday has had the same luck since losing by decision in their UFC debut. Joel Alvarez has won four straight fights all by finish since losing his debut against Damir Ismagulov by unanimous decision. In his last fight in November, Alvarez took down Thiago Moises with a first-round TKO. This was the third straight first-round finish for Alvarez. However, Alvarez had struggled to make weight recently, missing weight in his last two fights.
Prediction
Both fighters come in with two losses each but it will be Arman Tsarukyan who leaves with his third loss. Of his 19 wins Alvarez has won 16 times by submission and for that reason, I have Alvarez making it 17 a win by submission.
Armen Petrosyan vs Gregory Rodrigues Middleweight
Armenia’s Armen Petrosyan is set to make his UFC debut at UFC Vegas 49 when he faces off with Gregory Rodrigues. Petrosyan earned a shot in the UFC after winning in Dana White’s Contender Series with a first-round knockout. That win moved his record to 6-1 and keeps his 100 percent finish streak alive. The former light heavyweight competitor will be returning to middleweight for the first time since his second career fight in 2019.
Rodrigues is just as dangerous a fighter and is currently riding a four-fight win streak that includes three knockouts. While not quite having a 100 percent finishing rate, Rodrigues does hold an 80 percent finish rate with five knockouts and four submissions. A win for either fighter could see them move closer to cracking the rankings.
Prediction
This fight is bound to be finished before the judges can get involved. Rodrigues won his UFC debut last year and now Petrosyan will win his UFC debut this year. I have Petrosyan winning by knockout.
Terrance McKinney vs Fares Ziam Lightweight
At UFC 263 Terrance McKinney made quick work of Matt Frevola in his UFC debut by knocking out Frevola in only seven seconds. That was even more impressive when McKinney took the fight on eight days’ notice. Unfortunately for McKinney though, he injured his knee celebrating after jumping off the cage. McKinney has been electric and quick with all of his last four fights ending in round one with only one last more than 20 seconds. The four-fight win streak came after McKinney suffered two straight defeats.
While McKinney is ending fights quickly France’s Fares Ziam is using all the time recently. Ziam’s last two fights were both decision wins coming off his only loss since 2016. Now with a record of 12-3 Ziam should be ready to give McKinney a fight that will be his longest when they step into the octagon at UFC Vegas 49.
Prediction
Ziam has a three-inch height advantage over McKinney and will be able to use his reach to his advantage. My worry for McKinney is if this fight goes longer he is in new depths as only two of his 14 fights have gone into a second round. I have Ziam winning by decision.
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