UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Torres - Odds, Predictions, Picks

The UFC returns to Baku, Azerbaijan this weekend for a fascinating fight card, headlined by the country’s No. 1 ranked fighter Rafael Fiziev, as he takes on Manuel Torres in the lightweight division. A win for either fighter will propel them up the rankings and set them up for a Top 10 clash later down the line.

• Fiziev has won just one of his last five fights, last losing to Mauricio Ruffy back in February via TKO, while Torres has gone 5-1 with the promotion

• Unranked fighters Shara Magomedov and Michel Pereira go head-to-head in the co-main event in a middleweight contest

You can find the latest odds ahead of UFC Fight Night 280 below followed by our picks and predictions for each matchup.

UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Torres - Odds

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UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Torres - Picks & Predictions

Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres - Lightweight Division

• Our pick: Manuel Torres by KO/TKO (+145) at FanDuel

Shara Magomedov vs. Michel Pereira - Middleweight Division

• Our pick: Michel Pereira by KO/TKO (+900) at FanDuel

Nazim Sadykhov vs. Matheus Camilo - Lightweight Division

• Our pick: Nazim Sadykhov by KO/TKO (+170) at FanDuel

Asu Almabayev vs. Charles Johnson - Flyweight Division

• Our pick: Asu Almabayev by Points (+110) at FanDuel

Ikram Aliskerov vs. Brunno Ferreira - Middleweight Division

• Our pick: Ikram Aliskerov by KO/TKO (+120) at FanDuel

Abus Magomedov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk - Middleweight Division

• Our pick: Abus Magomedov (-128) at FanDuel

Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres - Lightweight Division

A three-fight skid for Fiziev came to an end after he managed to defeat Ignacio Bahamondes by unanimous decision last June. However, the 33-year-old was unable to make it back-to-back victories in his last bout after losing via TKO in the second round to Ruffy. The oddsmakers are finding it hard to separate this bout with Fiziev listed as the narrow -118 favorite with FanDuel.

A former Muay Thai fighter, “Ataman” is a superb technician with explosive and sharp combinations. Despite his underwhelming recent record, Fiziev has fought against top-level competition, including two bouts against newly-crowned lightweight champ Justin Gaethje. His defensive reactions appear to be slowing down, which could leave him open against an aggressive Torres who has yet to go beyond the first round in the UFC.

“El Loco” has just one loss on his record since joining the promotion in May 2022, but that first-round technical knockout defeat to Bahamondes proves how he can get caught early. That’s a big reason why Fiziev is just about the favorite for this fight. Nevertheless, Torres is a known finisher who will look to attack Fiziev head on and pile on the striking volume.

It’s set to be a chaotic fight, and a bout well worthy of headlining this event. The power that Torres has shown could make all the difference given Fiziev’s recent struggles. We can’t count Fiziev out, though, as he’ll have the home support and has the superior experience. Either way, it should be an electric battle between two intriguing fighters.

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Shara Magomedov vs. Michel Pereira - Middleweight Division

With just one loss throughout his pro career, Dagestani fighter Magomedov is looking to improve upon his 5-1 promotional record as he takes on Pereira this weekend. Magomedov is a competent grappler, yet has impressed more in the standup game, with knockout wins over Antonio Trocoli and Armen Petrosyan. He’s the -390 favorite with FanDuel ahead of the bout with Brazilian fighter Pereira.

Pereira managed to end a three-fight losing streak in his last bout, but it was a close one as he beat Zachary Reese via split decision. Prior to that, he had lost against Anthony Hernandez, Abusupiyan Magomedov, and Kyle Daukaus. Before those three losses, Pereira was looking like a true contender in the division and was on an eight-fight streak, recording victories over the likes of Niko Price, Michał Oleksiejczuk, and Ihor Potieria.

“Demolidor” will have the grappling advantage in this one if he decides to use it. Regardless of whether he does, Pereira is a top athlete, will look to get in close to Magomedov, and has the power to finish this one early. That said, if “Shara Bullet” can maintain distance by utilizing his kicks, he will have the upper hand due to his clean striking ability.

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Nazim Sadykhov vs. Matheus Camilo - Lightweight Division

Looking to bounce back from a defeat to Fares Ziam, Nazim Sadykhov takes on Brazilian Matheus Camilo in a lightweight bout. Sadykhov is the -265 favorite with FanDuel as he hopes for successive victories in front of his home crowd. “Black Wolf” managed to sleep Nikolas Motta in Baku this time last year, and will be keen to get back in the win column in this one.

Camilo will be featuring in just his third fight with the promotion. He has a 1-1 record with the UFC, being submitted by Gabe Green on debut before responding with a decision win over Viacheslav Borshchev. He could struggle against a more experienced and balanced fighter in Sadykhov.

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Asu Almabayev vs. Charles Johnson - Flyweight Division

Asu Almabayev and Charles Johnson square off in a ranked flyweight bout with the former the -265 favorite with FanDuel. No. 9 ranked flyweight Almabayev has lost just one of his last seven fights in the UFC, last submitting Alex Perez back in November. The Kazakh is an excellent wrestler, but could struggle to control the bout due to being much smaller than his opponent.

As for Johnson, he’s coming off of a split decision win over Bruno Gustavo da Silva. His mixed 8-6 promotional record highlights his inconsistency. “InnerG” does have the size and five inch reach advantage, so he’ll look to manage the distance.

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Ikram Aliskerov vs. Brunno Ferreira - Middleweight Division

Ikram Aliskerov is hoping to extend his winning streak to three this weekend when he takes on “The Hulk”. Successive victories over André Muniz and Park Jun-yong means Aliskerov enters the fight with solid momentum, bouncing back from a knockout loss to former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker. He’s the -320 favorite with FanDuel.

Ferreira has a fairly solid 6-3 record with the UFC, but will need to respond following a first-round defeat to Gregory Rodrigues back in March. He likes finishing fights early, with just one of his bouts being decided by the judges scorecards.

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Abus Magomedov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk - Middleweight Division

The main card begins with a middleweight battle between Abus Magomedov and Michael Oleksiejczuk. Magomedov is the -128 favorite with FanDuel, despite losing to Joe Pyfer the last time he stepped foot inside the Octagon. He has a mixed UFC record overall, but is a well balanced fighter competent in both the standup and ground game.

Streaking Polish fighter Oleksiejczuk has won three straight bouts, proving he’s got what it takes after losing three in a row before that. He’s got the power to finish this one early, but will do all he can to avoid going to the mat, given that three of his last four defeats have been by submission.

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How to Watch UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Torres

• Location: National Gymnastics Arena, Baku, Azerbaijan

• When: Saturday, June 27

• Time: 12:00 PM ET

• How: Paramount+