Latest news with #BogdanGrad
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bogdan Grad vs. Muhammad Naimov prediction, pick, start time for UFC on ABC 8
Bogdan Grad and Muhammad Naimov meet Saturday in the main card opener of UFC on ABC 8 at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. Last event: 5-1 UFC main cards, 2025: 57-44-1 Bogdan Grad vs. Muhammad Naimov UFC Baku preview Grad (15-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) enters on a four-fight winning streak with three stoppages. After back-to-back finishes on the regional scene, he picked up a win on Dana White's Contender Series, and then finished Lucas Alexander in his February debut. ... Naimov (12-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) looks to keep the momentum going after a unanimous decision over Kaan Ofli in February, which was a successful rebound from his first setback in the UFC. Bogdan Grad vs. Muhammad Naimov UFC Baku expert pick, prediction Kicking off the main card in Joe Silva-like fashion is a featherweight attraction between Muhammad Naimov and Bogdan Grad. Naimov's resume is a deceiving one when you factor in everything from his opportunistic style to his favorable fortunes with fouls and injuries alike. And though I suspect that Naimov's not far from being audited again, I don't think it comes here. Grad, who looks like a muscled-up version of Edward Furlong in "American History X," can make fights ugly and work his way back into them if he's allowed to stick around. However, Grad also has some porous striking defense to go along with some plodding footwork and linear advances that I see running him right into a Naimov counter hook. The pick is Naimov by knockout in Round 2. Bogdan Grad vs. Muhammad Naimov UFC Baku odds The oddsmakers and the public favor the Tajik fighter, listing Naimov -260 and Grad +205 via FanDuel. Bogdan Grad vs. Muhammad Naimov UFC Baku start time, how to watch As the main card opener, Grad and Naimov are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 3:10 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ABC 8 predictions: Jamahal Hill or Khalil Rountree in Azerbaijan\u00a0debut?
The UFC makes its first visit to Azerbaijan this week with a former champions in the main event. UFC on ABC 8 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku. Get pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below. Bogdan Grad vs. Muhammad Naimov Nikolas Motta vs. Nazim Sadykhov Tofiq Musayev vs. Myktybek Orolbai Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Rafael Fiziev Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. Individual staff member picks, main card Readers 75-51: Rountree (66%), Fiziev (57%), Blaydes (84%), Orolbai (78%), Sadykhov (92%), Naimov (75%) Preliminary card picks Although they don't count toward the standings, MMA Junkie staff members still pick the fights on the prelims. Here are the results:
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC on ABC 8's Muhammad Naimov draws 'extra energy' fighting closer to Tajikistan
Muhammad Naimov is proud to be one the few fighters from Tajikistan in UFC, but believes many more will be there soon. Currently, Naimov (12-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) is just one of four fighters from the Central Asian country. Nurullo Aliev, Muin Gafurov and Loik Radzhabov are the other three Tajik representatives on the UFC roster. Advertisement "Three years ago, four years ago, five years ago, all Tajik people, we all watch UFC," Naimov said at the UFC on ABC 8 media day. "... UFC for us, it was like something different. It was really hard to get to UFC, and in one year, four Tajik people get signed by UFC. So, it's always hard to shoulder and show up, but I always telling myself, I'm fighting for myself first of all. Second thing I represent my name, my family, and then my country. "So, if you think like this, you're not going to perform good: 'All Tajik people watching me.' No, this is energy for me. I really like it. I know Saturday night in Tajikistan, all people around Tajikistan like in villages, in my motherland Kulob city and also in Dushanbe – everybody in restaurants, cafes, cinema, everywhere they're gonna watch the fight. That's like extra energy for me." In his second appearance of 2025, Naimov faces Bogdan Grad (15-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in the main card opener of UFC on ABC 8 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+), which takes place Saturday at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. It's the closest Naimov has been to home for a fight since signing with the UFC. He expects to see many people from his home country in the crowd, and hopes his performance will help fuel the upcoming generation of fighters. "MMA level is growing up every day," Naimov said. "Day by day, month by month, it's getting better in Tajikistan. We got very tough young generation in amateur in (IMMAF). They're becoming world champions, Europe champions, and also Asian champions. It's like great expereince before they start pro career. Advertisement "We are just four guys – four Tajik fighters from Tajikistan in UFC now. That's how you know people love us, respect us, they always show up for us." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Baku: Muhammad Naimov draws 'extra energy' fighting close to home
