Strengths: Shahbazyan is an experienced fighter with a strong striking game and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is highly aggressive in attack and prefers to finish fights early, with his knockout power being a key advantage. His striking accuracy is 51%, which is relatively low for his level, but he compensates with speed and power.
Achievements: 13 wins (11 by knockout, 1 by decision, 1 by submission), 5 losses. He made a strong start in the UFC with several first-round knockouts. However, since his first professional loss in 2020, his performance has been inconsistent.
Strengths: Budka is a well-rounded fighter with solid striking and grappling skills. His striking accuracy stands at 54%, slightly higher than Shahbazyan’s, indicating a more measured approach. He prefers to control the pace of the fight and maintain distance while looking for openings.
Achievements: 13 wins (2 by knockout, 7 by decision, 4 by submission), 6 losses. His career highlights include a title fight in Legacy Fighting Alliance, where he lost to Azamat Bekoev, and two debut defeats in the UFC. However, he secured a win in Dana White’s Contender Series, showing promise for his future in the promotion.
This fight will likely take place in striking exchanges, where both fighters feel comfortable. Edmen Shahbazyan is expected to be the favorite due to his superior power and finishing ability. However, his defensive issues and recent inconsistency could give Budka an opportunity to capitalize.
Predicted Winner: Edmen Shahbazyan. Despite his recent struggles, his knockout ability and UFC experience give him the edge. He has a strong chance of finishing the fight early. The estimated betting odds for his victory are around 1.60.
Shahbazyan enters the upcoming fight as the clear favorite. Oddsmakers believe Budka has only a slim chance of success, and that assessment seems reasonable. The Golden Boy has been gradually adapting to the UFC and might finally regain his previous form. A victory is crucial for him to restore his confidence, and Budka is unlikely to stand in his way.
Our prediction – Shahbazyan wins by decision at odds of 1.89.
