Preview: UFC Saudi Arabia Prelims

Lightweights

Terrance McKinney (15-7, 5-4 UFC) vs. Damir Hadzovic (14-7, 4-5 UFC)

ODDS: McKinney (-455), Hadzovic (+350)

The McKinney rollercoaster continues. As a former standout wrestler with knockout power, McKinney has the natural athletic talent to make a run towards championship contention, but he would much rather hunt for the highlight, for better or for worse. McKinney has gone past the halfway point of the second round once in over 20 professional fights, and it’s rare things even make it out of the first, as he is extremely aggressive and sharp with all of his weapons from the jump, allowing him to quickly knock out or submit opponents that even have a historically high level of durability. However, that cuts both ways. McKinney’s approach dumps out his gas tank, leaving him a sitting duck after a few minutes, and his lack of defensive awareness has led to his getting starched in short order himself. For the time being, McKinney’s flawed approach results in excitement every time out, and he can blow out an overmatched opponent, which might describe Hadzovic here. Hadzovic has quietly put together a solid UFC campaign, turning himself from a brawler to a fighter with some more thoughtful and well-rounded aggression. Yet he’s also at a clear athletic deficit in this assignment and isn’t much of a defensive wrestler, which should allow McKinney to blow this fight open sooner rather than later. The pick is McKinney via first-round submission.

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