Neil Magny and Anthony Rocco Martin will add spice to the June 6 main card of UFC 250: Nunes vs. Spencer (view prediction) as the two welterweights take aim at adding luster to their respective records. Magny, who’s still getting his feet wet again in the UFC, hopes to get his second win in a row, while Martin eyes to establish another win streak. Register to make your pick on this welterweight matchup and read on for our prediction.
Magny lost plenty of time due to a failed drug test that was eventually overturned, and now, he’s on the right track of making up for it. After almost two years of inactivity inside the octagon, Magny returned and made a splash by defeating Li Jingliang via unanimous decision just last March during the undercard of UFC 248: Adesanya vs. Romero. Magny peppered Jingliang with shots all over the body. Magny landed 123 strikes to just 16 by Jingliang, excellently using his reach advantage. Magny could take the same approach again this weekend, as he boasts a huge 6.5-inch reach advantage. Magny is landing 3.86 strikes per minute and 46 percent of those are significant strikes. It’s important for Magny to keep the fight away from the mat, especially since he’s lost four times via submission. That being said, Magny also has three wins via submissions. Magny has a 60 percent takedown defense.
Martin is all set to build another win streak. After seeing his four-fight unbeaten streak end with a loss to Demian Maia last June, Martin showed his resiliency by bouncing right back, beating Ramazan Emeev in Moscow back in November. Martin has 23 fights in his career to date but has scored only one knockout victory. Most of his wins came through decisions and submissions. He has nine submission victories against two losses in that manner. However, his power should not be underestimated against Magny. Compared to Magny, Martin has a higher knockdown average per 15 minutes (.21) than Magny (.13). If he can send Magny to the ground with a nicely timed strike, Martin could shoot for a dominant position wherein he can utilize his superior grappling skills. Martin has a 50 percent takedown defense, 1.13 submission average per 15 minutes, and a 25 percent takedown accuracy. As for his striking, Magny lands 2.82 strikes per minute and absorbs 2.72.
