The compelling bantamweight bout between two fighters on a roll, Russian Said Nurmagomedov and American Jonathan Martinez, to start the main card at UFC Fight Night 221. Both these fighters are on a four-fight streak. While Said Nurmagomedov is number fourteen in the rankings, Jonathan Martinez is unranked. The winner will most expectedly find himself in a ranking place after the fight week. UFC Fight Night takes place at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Paradise, Nevada.
MMA: UFC Bantamweight
Location: The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Paradise, Nevada, USA
Where to watch: ESPN+
Date: 12.3.2023, 2:40
Said Nurmagomedov
After winning the AFC bantamweight championship, Said Nurmagomedov moved to the UFC in 2018. Picking up a split decision win over Justin Scoggins in his promotional debut, the 30-year-old has only lost once in UFC. He comes into the octagon on a four-fight winning streak. In 2022, he fought three times with two submissions and one decision win. His only loss in the promotion was against Raoni Barcelos in a 2019 decision. In Nineteen professional fights, Said Nurmagomedov has lost only twice. He last fought in December.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 30
- Height: 5’ 8”
- Reach: 70”
- Record: 17-2
Jonathan Martinez
After alternating between wins and losses in his UFC career, American Jonathan Martinez has hit a rich vein of form with four consecutive wins. His last loss was a KO against Davey Grant in March 2021. Three decisions and an impressive performance of the night against veteran Cub Swanson last October means the 28-year-old, who once went 9-1 in his early professional career, is working hard to get into the rankings. Martinez made his UFC debut in October 2018 against Andre Soukhamthath. He was knocked down severally and lost the fight via decision.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 28
- Height: 5’ 7”
- Reach: 70”
- Record: 17-4
Betting Odds
The market is clearly favoring Said Nurmagomedov with a short price of 1.40 odds for the Russian to win on Bet365. Coinplay prices the fight to go the distance at 1.725 odds. 1xbet lists Said Nurmagomedov to win by decision at 2.5 odds.
