The first bout taking place on the UFC 323 Prelims features a 155-pound contest between Nazim Sadykhov vs. Fares Ziam. Ziam has won five consecutive fights, while Sadykhov is on an 11-fight unbeaten streak. Sadykhov lost his MMA debut in 2018 but hasn’t lost since.
Check out my best bet for Nazim Sadykhov vs. Fares Ziam at UFC 323.
Fares Ziam Moneyline (-142)
On paper, this is a mismatch, as Ziam has a massive six-inch reach advantage (75″ vs. 69″) and is three inches taller (6’1″ vs. 5’10”). Sadykhov lands 2.70 more significant strikes per minute, but Ziam is the more accurate striker (51% vs. 50%). Ziam only absorbs 1.62 significant strikes per minute from opponents, which is impressive. On the ground, Ziam averages 0.33 more takedowns per 15 minutes.
Ziam is a -155 favorite with Sadykhov being a +130 underdog on DraftKings Sportsbook in this contest. The over/under is set at 2.5 rounds with the over being -215. Even though Sadykhov is the better striker, Ziam has the tools to slow him down and control the pace of this bout with his reach advantage. Since Sadykhov has a 75 percent takedown defensive rate, Ziam must be relentless in his takedown attempts. If he does so, Ziam is talented enough to hand Sadykhov the first loss of his MMA career at UFC 323.
