Preview: UFC Baku Prelims

Heavyweights

Hamdy Abdelwahab (6-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Mohammed Usman (10-4, 3-2 UFC)

ODDS: Abdelwahab (-175), Usman (+145)

Some perfectly competent heavyweight action takes place here. Abdelwahab probably still has a bit of prospect shine, given that he’s relatively young for the division at 32 years old and has a background wrestling in the Olympics for Egypt. “The Hammer” was signed quickly into his mixed martial arts career, knocking out a few opponents and then getting the late-notice call in 2022; and he did solid enough in his UFC debut against Don'Tale Mayes. Abdelwahab obviously tired but also kept fighting, staying persistent enough to earn the decision victory. However, that win was overturned once Abdelwahab failed a drug test. It would be followed by another failed drug test and kept the Egyptian out of action for two and a half years. The UFC did decide to keep Abdelwahab on the roster, and upon his return, he earned another decision win over Jamal Pogues, albeit with much of the same issues and in much less convincing fashion. Abdelwahab looks to get some momentum going with a second straight win against Usman, who has been solid if unspectacular since winning his season of “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2022. The brother of Kamaru Usman, “The Motor” is a top-tier athlete who struggled to find coordination and comfort with mixed martial arts before hitting a decent groove in the last few years. He’s far from the prettiest fighter, but Usman can plug away for three solid rounds while buoyed by his physical gifts. Usman can still lose decisions to more dedicated fighters, but he hasn’t been truly taken out of a fight in the UFC yet, and this figures to be another close one. The call is that Usman is physically sturdy enough to win the back half of this fight once Abdelwahab starts to slow down, but the Egyptian could just take this on activity. The pick is Usman via decision.

Jump To »
Ko vs. Elliott
Park vs. Naurdiev
Mullins vs. Zheleznyakova
Alekseeva vs. Sygula
Ulanbekov vs. Maksum
Abdelwahab vs. Usman