Brad Riddell vs Magomed Mustafaev Expert UFC Picks - 2/22/2020

Brad Riddell vs Magomed Mustafaev

UFC Fight Night 168

Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand

Saturday, February 22, 2020

Brad Riddell will enter the Octagon against Magomed Mustafaev at UFC Fight Night 168 in Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday, February 22, 2020. The opener has Riddell coming in at +130 while Mustafaev is priced at -150.

Brad "Quake" Riddell comes into this bout with a record of 7-1-0. The 28-year-old weighs in at 155 lbs and comes in at 5' 7". The orthodox fighter has an arm span of 71". Magomed Mustafaev measures in at 5' 8" and is weighing in at 155 lbs. The orthodox fighter looks to add a victory to his career total of 14-2-0. The 31-year-old stretches 71". In terms of significant strikes, Brad Riddell is connecting on 6.07 per min and Magomed Mustafaev is connecting on 3.11 significant strikes per min. Riddell lands 59% of the significant strikes he tries and Mustafaev connects on 57%. Concerning the fighter's defense, "Quake" takes 2.40 significant strikes per minute and Mustafaev absorbs 2.78. Riddell also prevents 62% of the significant strikes that are thrown his way while Mustafaev is able to thwart 36% of them.

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When it comes to grappling, Brad Riddell is the more efficient grappler as he is averaging a takedown 1.05 times per 3 rounds. Riddell is getting his opponent to the mat on 90% of his attempts and is defending 80% of takedowns his opponents have attempted. Mustafaev is scoring a takedown on 10% of the takedowns he tries and is stuffing 25% of the attempts against him. Regarding going for the sub, Riddell is less apt at going for the finish by attempting 0.3 subs per 15 minutes while Mustafaev tries 0.7 subs per 3 rounds.

In his last bout, Brad Riddell faced Jamie Mullarkey and ended up getting the victory by way of unanimous decision in round 3. Mullarkey ended up landing 41 of 100 total strikes that he threw in that fight. Riddell walked away from this fight having landed 104 of 167 total strikes. In the significant strikes category, Mullarkey ended up landing 36 of 95, giving him a percentage of 37%. He finished the fight landing 25 of 83 significant strikes directed at the head. In terms of stats for the opponent, Riddell ended up landing 59% of his significant strikes by sticking 91 of 153. Of all the significant strikes, he landed 70 of 129 aimed at the head. 97% of the significant strikes connected on by Mullarkey and 69% of them landed by Riddell were tallied at a distance.

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In the last bout for Magomed Mustafaev, he went up against Rafael Fiziev and wound up taking home the victory by way of a spinning kick to the head in round 1. Fiziev ended up connecting on 90% of his significant strikes at distance and Mustafaev ended up landing 40% of his significant strikes at distance. Mustafaev ended up landing 83% of the significant strikes he attempted by landing 10 of 12. He landed 7 of 9 significant strikes to the head. Fiziev ended up landing 1 of 1 significant strikes in that battle. Out of all the significant strikes thrown, he landed 0 of 0 directed at the head. Discussing total strikes that he let go in that contest, Fiziev connected on 1 of 1 and Mustafaev connected on 11 of 13 of all the strikes he threw.

Other fights to watch

One more match to look forward to is when Kevin Aguilar takes on Zubaira Tukhugov. Aguilar will be looking to add a win to his total of 17-2-0. The 31-year-old tips the scales at 145 lbs and stands in at 5' 7". The orthodox fighter has a reach of 73". Tukhugov stands 5' 8" and steps on the scale at 145 lbs. The orthodox fighter walks into the cage holding a mark of 18-4-1. The 29-year-old reaches 68". Regarding grappling, Kevin Aguilar takes his opponents to the mat 0.25 times per 3 rds and Zubaira Tukhugov scores a takedown 3.03 times per 15 min. In terms of striking, Aguilar lands an average of 3.78 strikes per minute and connects on 36% of his attempted strikes. On the other side we have Zubaira Tukhugov, who tags the opposition on 35% of his attempted strikes and is landing 2.28 per min.

One more can't miss bout is when Emil Meek is set to face off with Jake Matthews. Matthews comes into this fight with a record of 15-4-0. The 25-year-old is fighting at 170 lbs and measures 5' 11". The orthodox fighter reaches 73". Meek measures 5' 11" and will fight at 170 lbs. The switch fighter comes into this bout with a mark of 9-4-1. The 31-year-old stretches 74". When it comes to takedowns, Jake Matthews is thwarting 66% of the takedowns his opponents go for and is getting his opponent to the mat on 38% of the times he tries. Meek is finishing his takedowns on 50% of the tries he takes and prevents 48% of all takedown attempts. With reference to striking, Matthews is absorbing 2.02 strikes/minute while he connects on 3.07 per min. Meek, in contrast, is absorbing 2.64 strikes/minute and dishes out 2.24 per min.

Who will win tonight's UFC match against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Brad Riddell (+130)

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