Preview: UFC Fight Night 173 ‘Brunson vs. Shahbazyan’ Prelims

Featherweights

Timur Valiev (16-2) vs. Jamall Emmers (17-5)

ODDS: Valiev (-190), Emmers (+165)

It is a bit of a surprise that the UFC is burying Valiev’s debut this deep on the prelims, since he probably should have been in the fold years ago. Spending time at both bantamweight and featherweight over the last few years, the Russian has been one of the best non-UFC fighters in whichever division he has plied his trade. Valiev makes his debut against Emmers, who is looking to rebound from a narrow loss in his own Octagon debut against Giga Chikadze in March. Emmers has some skills and is the much larger fighter, but there is a distinct lack of initiative to his game. If this takes place on the feet, there is a chance that Valiev’s wild striking puts him in danger, but he will be the more active fighter and has a much clearer advantage on the ground. This should generally be one-way traffic. The pick is Valiev via decision.

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