Get to know the betting odds, predictions and picks for the upcoming Irina Alekseeva vs. Klaudia Sygula fight at UFC Baku
Russian Irina Alekseeva will face off against Poland’s Klaudia Sygula at UFC Baku in Azerbaijan. Both women are coming off losses to the same opponent: Melissa Mullins, and both need a win badly to stay relevant in the bantamweight division.
Alekseeva debuted with an impressive first-round submission win over Stephanie Egger but dropped a decision to Mullins in her sophomore appearance. Sygula suffered a TKO loss in the second round to Mullins in what was her UFC debut back in November. Now both women find themselves in a must-win situation where the loser might be looking for a new employer.
This bantamweight clash features two women with identical heights at 5’8″ but vastly different fighting approaches. Alekseeva brings more well-rounded skills to the table, landing 3.84 significant strikes per minute with 43% accuracy. Her ground game looks more dangerous too, averaging 0.9 submission attempts per fight and boasting perfect 100% takedown defense.
Sygula’s statistics tell a concerning story about her UFC readiness. She lands just 1.89 strikes per minute while absorbing a massive 6.00 strikes per minute from opponents. Her 36% strike defense means she’s getting hit by nearly two-thirds of everything thrown at her. Even worse, her takedown defense sits at just 33%, meaning she’s most likely going down whenever someone shoots on her.
According to BetMGM, the odds have Irina Alekseeva priced at -275 favourite. Meanwhile Klaudia Sygula is priced at +220. These numbers reflect the massive skill gap that betting markets perceive between these fighters. Alekseeva’s status as a heavy favorite makes sense when fans compare their statistics and recent performances.
Oddsmakers have also made up their mind on whether this fight will go the distance or not. According to BetMGM, the odds of this fight going the distance are -120 while the fight not seeing the judges’ scorecards is -110. This are close odds for this fight.
This fight shapes up as a clear showcase for Alekseeva to demonstrate why she deserves to stick around the UFC roster. Her superior striking output, defensive capabilities, and submission threats give her multiple paths to victory. Sygula’s defensive lapses make her vulnerable to sustained pressure, and Alekseeva has shown she can maintain a high pace throughout fights.
The most likely scenario sees Alekseeva controlling the striking exchanges early before transitioning to grappling when opportunities present themselves. Sygula’s poor takedown defense makes her susceptible to being taken down and controlled on the ground. Once there, Alekseeva’s submission average suggests she will hunt for a finish rather than settle for position.
If we bet on the fight, we are going with Irina Alekseeva to win the fight via submission.
(All Odds According to BetMGM: BetMGM offers exclusive promo codes, bonus deals and accurate odds for users upon signing up. Use BetMGM to ace your betting game in all sports!)
(Image Credit: UFC – X)
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