How AgentMMA breaks down Jacob Malkoun vs Abubakar Vagaev
Finish Maps
UFC Record Breakdown
Performance Stats
Performance Breakdown
Performance Breakdown
Last Opponents
Jacob Malkoun has three straight wins, and Abubakar Vagaev arrives with a July victory over Saygid Izagakhmaev that went the distance. That makes UFC 333 an interesting next step: two unranked fighters with recent wins, neither getting a free pass just because his last result looked tidy on paper. Here's the thing about Malkoun's run. He stopped Andre Petroski in round 2, then beat Torrez Finney and Gerald Meerschaert by unanimous decision, so his recent results include both an early ending and the work of getting through a full fight.
- Malkoun brings three straight wins, with different roads to the result.
- Vagaev's July decision over Izagakhmaev sets up his next UFC test.
- Equal reach puts the spotlight on timing, position and repeated effort.
The fight is most likely to open up in round 2, when the early battle for position turns into longer exchanges and repeated efforts begin testing the pace.
Vagaev also beat Izagakhmaev by unanimous decision, which gives this matchup a proper question about what happens when neither man backs off after the first hard exchange. Both stand orthodox, and both have a 73 inch reach, so nobody gets to claim an automatic advantage just by sticking an arm out. Watch who controls the space after the first punch, who can stop an entry without giving up position, and who keeps working if the fight gets tied up. If it reaches the mat, the first takedown is only the beginning: keeping control and finding a way back up become the next jobs.
Another win would keep either man's momentum rolling, but the interesting part is how he earns it. Can either force the other to fight at an uncomfortable pace without burning through his own energy?
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Jacob Malkoun
Jacob Malkoun finish map
UFC Record Breakdown
Jacob Malkoun breakdown
Performance Breakdown
Jacob Malkoun's recent form
Jacob Malkoun has three straight wins, and Abubakar Vagaev arrives with a July victory over Saygid Izagakhmaev that went the distance. That makes UFC 333 an interesting next step: two unranked fighters with recent wins, neither getting a free pass just because his last result looked tidy on paper. Here's the thing about Malkoun's run. He stopped Andre Petroski in round 2, then beat Torrez Finney and Gerald Meerschaert by unanimous decision, so his recent results include both an early ending and the work of getting through a full fight.
- Malkoun brings three straight wins, with different roads to the result.
- Vagaev's July decision over Izagakhmaev sets up his next UFC test.
- Equal reach puts the spotlight on timing, position and repeated effort.
The fight is most likely to open up in round 2, when the early battle for position turns into longer exchanges and repeated efforts begin testing the pace.
Vagaev also beat Izagakhmaev by unanimous decision, which gives this matchup a proper question about what happens when neither man backs off after the first hard exchange. Both stand orthodox, and both have a 73 inch reach, so nobody gets to claim an automatic advantage just by sticking an arm out. Watch who controls the space after the first punch, who can stop an entry without giving up position, and who keeps working if the fight gets tied up. If it reaches the mat, the first takedown is only the beginning: keeping control and finding a way back up become the next jobs.
Another win would keep either man's momentum rolling, but the interesting part is how he earns it. Can either force the other to fight at an uncomfortable pace without burning through his own energy?
Premium analysis preview is ready.
Loading secure checkout…
Abubakar Vagaev
Abubakar Vagaev finish map
UFC Record Breakdown
Abubakar Vagaev breakdown
Performance Breakdown
Abubakar Vagaev's recent form
