Bekzat Almakhan vs Aleksandre Topuria matchup features explosive finishing power against technical striking and elite defense. Both fighters are looking to secure their positions in the bantamweight division. These contenders will clash at UFC Qatar on November 22nd.
Almakhan stands 5’7″ with a 68 inch reach and a 12-2 record. He showcases minimal striking at just 0.68 per minute with concerning 40% accuracy while absorbing heavy 4.29. His striking defense sits at an alarming 32% and his grappling presents no threat with 0.00 takedowns per fight at 0% accuracy and 0.0 submission attempts. He has non-existent 0% takedown defense that presents severe vulnerability in scrambles.
Aleksandre Topuria returns to the Octagon for the second time at #UFCQatar vs. Bekzat Almakhan! 🔥
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) November 21, 2025
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Topuria measures 5’7″ with a 68 inch reach and 6-1 record. He showcases moderate striking at 2.73 per minute with excellent 51% accuracy while absorbing just 2.53. His striking defense registers at impressive 70%, significantly dominating Almakhan’s defensive capabilities and his grappling shows respectable threat with 1.00 takedowns per fight at 50% accuracy and 0.0 submission attempts. He has a perfect 100% takedown defense that keeps scrambles in his favor when opponents shoot.
This UFC fight breaks down to whether Almakhan’s explosive finishing ability can overcome Topuria’s superior technical striking and defensive metrics. Almakhan holds clear advantages in recent momentum with a devastating first-round knockout of Brad Katona. His 10 knockout victories across 12 wins proves consistent finishing instincts throughout his career.
The critical factor lies in the massive statistical disparities favoring Topuria. His 70% striking defense absolutely dwarfs Almakhan’s catastrophic 32%, while absorbing only 2.53 strikes per minute. Topuria’s perfect 100% takedown defense neutralizes any grappling threats, though Almakhan offers zero takedown attempts anyway. His recent unanimous decision over Colby Thicknesse and first-round TKO against Johan Segas demonstrate well-rounded finishing ability complementing his technical approach.
If we bet on this fight, we are going with Aleksandre Topuria to win via unanimous decision.
Aleksandre Topuria enters as a slight favorite at -136 on FanDuel. Meanwhile, Bekzat Almakhan comes in as the +116 underdog. The near pick’em odds reflect uncertainty around Almakhan’s explosive knockout power vs Topuria’s technical superiority.
The odds for the fight going the distance stand at +126. The odds favor an early finish at -160, reflecting both fighters’ combined finishing ability with 16 total career stoppages and explosive striking styles that create knockout opportunities.
Here are the best bets for Bekzat Almakhan vs Aleksandre Topuria fight:
Fair price on the technically superior fighter with elite defense. His striking defense should neutralize Almakhan’s explosive bursts while accumulating damage.
Excellent value for the technical striker’s most likely path to victory. His composure and 70% striking defense allow him to weather Almakhan’s fast starts before adapting and taking control. Six-win streak demonstrates consistent ability to win decisions against aggressive opponents, making this premium odds attractive.
Solid bet at reasonable odds. Both bantamweights possess 16 combined career finishes demonstrating consistent finishing ability. Almakhan’s 10 knockouts and concerning 32% striking defense create early knockout vulnerability, while Topuria’s power shown in Johan Segas TKO suggests stoppage potential.
(All odds taken from FanDuel. Bet on the most up-to-date MMA odds, lines, and spreads with FanDuel Sportsbook)
(Image Credit: Eric Bolte – Imagn Images)
mma I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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