Predicting the UFC Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree Jr Card

The UFC is heading to Baku, Azerbaijan, for a stacked Fight Night card that has a little bit of everything. From exciting matchups to rising prospects and a main event featuring two Light Heavyweights on the verge of title contention, this event is set to deliver. The card is filled with fighters looking to make a statement, and the international setting adds an extra layer of intensity. Fans can expect fireworks from top to bottom, with plenty of opportunities for breakout performances. These are my official picks and predictions for UFC Fight Night: Hill vs Rountree Jr.

HEAVYWEIGHT: Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Mohammed Usman

This matchup features two powerful but unrefined wrestlers in what could be a gritty and closely contested fight. Mohammed Usman tends to wear opponents down with relentless grappling before opening up with strikes once they are fatigued. On the other side, Hamdy Abdelwahab throws big overhangs and looks to mix in takedowns early, using his Olympic wrestling background to control the pace. While this could easily become a grinding clinch battle, there is also a real chance it turns into a low-output striking match. In that case, I trust Hamdy to land slightly more volume and stay undefeated. — Hamdy Abdelwahab by decision.

FLYWEIGHT: Tagir Ulanbekov vs Azat Maksum

Azat Maksum may be an exciting prospect, but this is a major step up in competition that he does not seem ready for. If Charles Johnson was able to out-wrestle him, then Tagir Ulanbekov, a far more dominant grappler, should have no problem controlling the fight. Ulanbekov has a strong track record against other wrestlers, with solid wins over names like Cody Durden and Clayton Carpenter. His style may not be the flashiest, but it is extremely effective at shutting opponents down and winning rounds. Expect a slow-paced, grappling-heavy fight. — Tagir Ulanbekov by decision.

WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT: Irina Alekseeva vs Klaudia Sygula

This one is pretty straightforward. Neither fighter is particularly high level, with records of 5-2 for Alekseeva and 6-2 for Sygula, but the difference in competition is clear. Alekseeva has faced tougher opponents and shown that she can hold her own, especially with her gritty style and solid ground game. Sygula has not proven she is ready for the UFC and looks outmatched in nearly every area. Expect Irina Alekseeva to get this fight to the mat and secure a submission win. — Irina Alekseeva by submission.

WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT: Darya Zheleznyakova vs Melissa Mullins

This fight is pretty straightforward as well. These two have faced off before, with Melissa Mullins knocking out Darya Zheleznyakova two and a half years ago. While Darya has a cleaner and more technical striking, she tends to fold under pressure, and pressure is exactly what Mullins brings. Mullins may not be particularly skilled in any one area, but she is tough, relentless, and determined to win. Expect a repeat of their first meeting — Melissa Mullins by knockout.

MIDDLEWEIGHT: Ismail Naurdiev vs Jun Yong Park

Jun Yong Park comes in as the clear favorite according to the odds, and it is easy to see why. He is skilled on the ground, has gone 4-1 in his last five, with the only defeat being a close split decision, and he brings a gritty, relentless style. With the right matchups, Park could find himself in the top fifteen soon. However, Ismail Naurdiev is a tough stylistic challenge for him. Naurdiev maybe 3-2 in his last five, but he is always game, has solid takedown defense, decent volume on the feet, and knows how to edge out rounds. I expect a close, competitive fight where Naurdiev does just enough to win on the scorecards — Ismail Naurdiev by decision.

WELTERWEIGHT: Seokhyeon Ko vs Oban Elliott

Seokhyeon Ko is a promising prospect with clean, technical striking and solid potential, but this fight might be coming a little too soon. Oban Elliott is a well-rounded fighter who knows how to win. He mixes good volume striking with decent power, has reliable takedowns, and is efficient once the fight hits the ground. Ko will likely have his moments on his feet, but over time, Elliott's pressure and wrestling should take over. I expect Oban Elliott to wear Ko down and score a late knockout. — Oban Elliott by knockout.

FEATHERWEIGHT: Muhammad Naimov vs Bogdan Grad

Muhammad Naimov has put together an impressive run in the UFC, going 4-1 against solid competition. He is the clear favorite according to the oddsmakers, but I am picking the underdog Bogdan Grad. Grad may not be the most skilled in any one area, but he is tough, determined, and always willing to push through adversity to get the win. He has shown that grit time and time again. Naimov is powerful and explosive, but he has also shown signs of being breakable under sustained pressure. I expect Grad to outlast him in a close fight and earn a hard-fought decision win. — Bogdan Grad by decision.

LIGHTWEIGHT: Nazim Sadykhov vs Nikolas Motta

Nazim Sadykhov may come in as a big favorite, but this matchup is closer than the odds suggest. Both fighters bring solid striking to the table, with Sadykhov being the more technical of the two and Motta leaning more toward raw power. Each has earned respectable wins in the UFC and still carries potential as a rising prospect. Sadykhov should be able to keep things clean, land the more effective shots, and eventually wear Motta down. Motta tends to get sloppy in exchanges, and that could cost him here. — Nazim Sadykhov by knockout.

LIGHTWEIGHT: Myktybek Orolbai vs Tofiq Musayev

Tofiq Musayev was once one of the most dangerous prospects outside of the UFC, but at 35 years old, the wear and tear is starting to show. He remains a slick and dangerous striker with sharp technique, and he will have the advantage of fighting in front of a home crowd. However, Myktybek Orolbai is relentless and refuses to back down. His pressure, pace, and wrestling should allow him to get this fight to the ground, where he can work toward a submission finish. Hopefully, this is not the last we see of Musayev, because he still has the tools to give many fighters in the division a tough fight. — Myktybek Orolbai by submission.

HEAVYWEIGHT: Curtis Blaydes vs Rizvan Kuniev

Rizvan Kuniev is better than most give him credit for, but this is a major step up, and he is not quite ready for the challenge that Curtis Blaydes presents. Kuniev may have his moments early, but Blaydes should be able to use his striking volume, experience, and pace to control the fight. Over time, Blaydes’ pressure and power will add up. Expect him to back Kuniev up against the fence and land a big knockout shot. This should be a solid bounce-back performance for Blaydes after suffering a tough knockout loss in his last outing. — Curtis Blaydes by knockout.

LIGHTWEIGHT: Rafael Fiziev vs Ignacio Bahamondes

This fight is shaping up to be a banger between two of the most exciting strikers in the division. Ignacio Bahamondes is the favorite, but that seems off considering his recent performances. Not long ago, he had a competitive fight against Trey Ogden and suffered a loss to Ludovit Klein. Rafael Fiziev is coming off a tough three-fight losing streak that includes a razor-close decision loss to Justin Gaethje, an injury loss to Mateusz Gamrot, and another close defeat to Gaethje. He is being heavily underrated here. Fiziev’s boxing is crisp, his durability is impressive, and his cardio can match anyone in the Lightweight Division. The only clear advantage for Ignacio is his height, but Fiziev has faced taller strikers before and comes out on top. Expect Fiziev to get back to his winning ways by decision, though a knockout is not out of the question. — Rafael Fiziev by decision.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT: Jamahal Hill vs Khalil Rountree Jr

This fight promises absolute fireworks, and a knockout is all but guaranteed. It is a fan’s delight from start to finish. Jamahal Hill is coming off two knockout losses to former champions, both of whom are considered the hardest hitters in the division. Khalil Rountree Jr is coming off a brutal war loss to former champion Alex Pereira. While Rountree is the favorite in the eyes of many fans, I am backing Hill to score a knockout late in the fight after a highly competitive back-and-forth. Hill is calm, composed, and capable of taking a strike to land one. His crisp boxing and power should lead to a late finish. No matter who wins, this fight will be a barn burner. — Jamahal Hill by knockout.