On October 26th, Russian fighter Sharabutdin Magomedov will take on Armen Petrosyan in a middleweight bout at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena.
Following his dominant destruction of Oleksiejczuk, Magomedov is once again the clear favorite in the eyes of bookmakers.
Armen Petrosyan, on the other hand, has struggled to put together a solid win streak. After losing his last fight to top grappler Vieira, it’s hard to imagine analysts favoring him in this upcoming clash.
Sharabutdin Magomedov
- Record: 14-0-0
- Background: Competed in RCC and AMC Fight Night, Russian Muay Thai champion.
Magomedov’s last fight against Oleksiejczuk was a long-awaited test of his abilities and physical conditioning, answering many questions about his readiness to compete at a high level.
Sharabutdin’s striking game has developed far beyond the average UFC middleweight, and it’s clear that the roster’s mid-tier fighters hardly pose a threat to him. Unfortunately for Petrosyan, with his straightforward and somewhat predictable style, he’s unlikely to offer much more resistance.
This means Magomedov needs to put on a show for Dana White and not just win — but deliver a bloody, dominant performance with a finish.
What to Expect from Magomedov Against Petrosyan
In his last fight, Magomedov showcased improved work in close range, ensuring he won’t be vulnerable to excessive pressure or being pinned against the cage. He will likely aim to slow down Petrosyan early with low and mid kicks, recognizing that these are Petrosyan’s weak spots.
Magomedov will wait for Petrosyan to close the distance, setting up a powerful overhand counter with a slick side step. His movement out of the traditional stance will likely be his key tactic in this fight.
Once Magomedov senses that Petrosyan is worn down and hesitant to throw reckless strikes, he’ll start mixing in head kicks and devastating combinations that include sharp elbows.
Magomedov’s Path to Victory
Magomedov’s chances of winning are very high, thanks to the huge technical and tactical gap between him and Petrosyan. Sharabutdin is more versatile, more accurate, and smarter in the cage.
Even if he takes a couple of Petrosyan’s heavy shots, it’s unlikely they’ll be enough to knock him down or slow his pace. Magomedov is focused on delivering a spectacular finish, which could catapult him into the middleweight division’s top tier.
The only real challenge for Magomedov would be if he stays stationary, choosing a monotonous stand-up strategy without utilizing defensive footwork or leg kicks.
Armen Petrosyan
- Record: 9-3-0
- Background: Former Fight Nights Global light heavyweight champion, Muay Thai world and Russian champion.
Petrosyan’s journey through Dana White’s Contender Series and his early UFC bouts have highlighted the gap between UFC competition and the top fighters in other organizations like AMC Fight Nights.
Facing mid-tier fighters in the UFC has already presented many challenges for Petrosyan, who still struggles to find consistency and clarity in how he needs to evolve. He’s had some knockouts, but his straightforward striking likely won’t be enough to surprise Magomedov.
What to Expect from Petrosyan Against Magomedov
Petrosyan understands his only real chance to win is through constant pressure, not wasting time on feeling out his opponent. He’ll need to close the distance, breaking up Magomedov’s attacks while keeping a strong focus on defending his legs and body.
Petrosyan’s key weapon will be his quick double jabs and whipping hooks, which could cause problems for Magomedov. Sharabutdin rarely uses a tight guard, so Petrosyan has a real chance to land a couple of counters during exchanges.
Petrosyan’s Path to Victory
Unfortunately for Petrosyan, his chances of victory aren’t great. After just a couple of rounds, his striking arsenal is likely to run dry, leaving him with few answers to the relentless Magomedov, who will ramp up the pressure as the fight progresses.
It’s unlikely that Petrosyan’s legs will survive into the third round. Bullet will relentlessly attack them, causing Petrosyan to lunge forward and stay stationary in an attempt to recover.
By the third round, Petrosyan may no longer have the energy for explosive bursts or sustained combinations. And this is exactly the type of fight that would be hardest for Magomedov to handle.
Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Armen Petrosyan: Fight Prediction
Whenever discussing a rising fighter, you often hear predictions about them breaking into the top five or soon getting a title shot.
However, in the case of Sharabutdin Magomedov, the hype is more measured. Even his most devoted fans understand that the Russian still has some gaps in his game that need fixing before he faces top-tier opponents. Still, Petrosyan is unlikely to show us anything new, making him an ideal stepping stone for Magomedov’s climb up the division.
Magomedov can finish Petrosyan within two rounds through aggressive counter-pressuring. He likely knows the importance of delivering not just a win but a thrilling performance that maximizes the fight’s hype.
If Magomedov avoids standing still and times his counters well, he can finish Petrosyan by the end of the third round.