A prediction and pick for the Ikram Aliskerov versus Brunno Ferreira matchup at UFC Baku has been released ahead of the event.
A prediction and pick for the middleweight clash between Ikram Aliskerov and Brunno Ferreira at UFC Baku has been published ahead of the June 27 event, drawing attention to one of the card's more compelling matchups.
Aliskerov enters the fight as one of the division's most dangerous finishers. The 33-year-old Russian, who trains out of KHK MMA, carries an 18-2 record and fights out of a southpaw stance at six feet tall with a 76-inch reach. His striking numbers are among the most striking in the middleweight division, landing 6.86 significant strikes per minute at a 64 percent accuracy rate. He also averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a genuine threat in multiple areas.
Ferreira, known as "The Hulk," brings a 15-4 record into the bout. The 33-year-old Brazilian, representing Brazilian TKO, stands five-foot-ten with a 72-inch reach and fights orthodox. He lands 3.77 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy and averages 1.25 takedowns per 15 minutes, adding 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes to give him a well-rounded offensive profile on the ground.
Why it matters
- Aliskerov's elite striking volume and accuracy make him a difficult puzzle for any middleweight
- Ferreira's submission threat could complicate matters if the fight reaches the ground
- The reach and height advantage sits with Aliskerov, potentially shaping the range at which the fight is contested
- A strong performance for either man could have meaningful implications in the middleweight rankings
