Neil Magny vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov: UFC Fight Night Odds, Prediction

Undefeated in 15 pro MMA contests, including three fights since joining the UFC, Rakhmonov is perched as a solid -480 favorite on the UFC Vegas 57 odds ahead of Saturday night’s matchup at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. Magny vies for a third straight victory while pegged as a +355 underdog.

Neil Magny Odds

Magny has emerged as a UFC fixture since joining the promotion over nine years ago. “The Haitian Sensation” trails only the legendary Matt Brown among UFC welterweights with 26 career octagon appearances, and is the all-time leader among 170-pounders with 13 wins by decision. Magny continued to demonstrate his durability in his last outing three months ago, earning a split decision win over Max Griffin at UFC Columbus to improve to 5-1-0 over a stretch of six fights that have all gone the distance.

The 34-year-old Brooklyn native earned his recent victory over Griffin on the strength of his work on the mat, racking up 4:33 of control that influenced the judges in his favor. However, Magny has struggled with his striking of late, landing a meagre 32.8% of significant strikes over his past three fights.

While he maintains the No. 10 spot on the UFC welterweight rankings, Magny has failed to finish an opponent since his first-round KO win over Craig White over four years ago. However, he has a lengthy track record of speedy losses, with five of his eight career defeats coming inside two rounds, including four losses inside five minutes.

Shavkat Rakhmonov Odds

Shavkat Rakhmonov has taken the UFC by storm since joining the promotion two years ago. “Jamil” has tallied three convincing wins inside the octagon, capped by a crushing first-round knockout of Carlston Harris in his most recent appearance at UFC Fight Night 200. In addition to extending his pro MMA record to an unblemished 15-0-0, Rakhmonov’s speedy win over Harris marked his ninth victory inside five minutes. Indeed, the former world amateur champion has finished every professional opponent he has faced to date, and has seen just one of his 15 pro fights go beyond two rounds.

While he demonstrated his skill set as a power puncher in his win over Harris, Rakhmonov is also a dominant force on the mat. The 27-year-old has submitted opponents in seven of his 15 wins, including his first two UFC matchups against Alex Oliveira and Michel Prazeres.

Not surprisingly, Rakhmonov’s rise has been meteoric. The Uzbekistan native finally earned the No. 15 spot on the UFC welterweight rankings with his last victory, and could be poised to make considerable gains with a decisive performance on Saturday night. However, he must avoid being overconfident against Magny, who will be both the most talented and wiliest opponent has faced to date.

UFC Fight Night Prediction: Neil Magny vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov

There is little reason to expect anything other than a win by Rakhmonov in this contest. The questions are how long it will take him, and by what method will he improve his record to 16-0-0. Expect Jamil to take the fight to Magny early on, and eventually ending the veteran’s night inside 10 minutes.

Prediction: Shavkat Rakhmonov to win in round 2 (+265)