UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev odds and predictions: MMA expert shares surprise fight card picks and bets
Shamil Gaziev says he understands there are critics who don’t think he deserves a shot at the top spot in only his second fight. The heavyweight champion intends to prove the critics wrong on Saturday when he faces veteran contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the main event of UFC Fight Night. The five-round fight anchors the UFC’s main fight card beginning at 4pm ET from the Apex facility in Las Vegas. Gaziev will be given a main event appearance after just one fight in the UFC as the promotion looks to rush talent to a division that has historically lacked depth. Gazeev told the media this week that he understands the doubts but intends to show his talent by beating No. 12 Rozenstruik.
Gaziev is a -165 favorite (risk $165 to win $100), while Rozenstruik is +140 (risk $100 to win $140) in the latest UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev from SportsLine Consensus. In the co-main event, Vitor Petrino (-300) meets Tyson Pedro (+240) in a bout between two light heavyweight prospects. Before you make your picks for UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev, be sure to check out our MMA predictions and betting tips from SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani.
From a**lyzing film and closely following fighters and their camps, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the spectrum of MMA betting from top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and regularly speaks with MMA fighters to understand the nuances of the sport.
Vithlani made his SportsLine debut back in January of last year and swept the main card of UFC 283 with a 5-0 record and has been a consistent winner ever since. At UFC 292 in August, expect an upset of underdog Sean O’Malley (+210) against Aljamain Sterling (-250) in the main event of the bantamweight championship. Anyone who has followed Vithlani has already seen tremendous returns.
Now, UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev in sight, Vithlani studied the card top to bottom and produced his best picks. You can only see that footage at SportsLine.
UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev
The main event appears to provide both fighters with a chance to prove something. With a dominant showing, Rozenstruik could reclaim his spot as a top-10 heavyweight and perhaps save his job in the process. Conversely, giving Gaziev a marquee appearance in only his second UFC fight paves the way for him to be fast-tracked toward the rankings and higher opportunities should he deliver on his perceived potential.
Rozenstruik (13-5) began his UFC stint with four straight knockout victories, most notably finishing out former veteran contender Alistair Overeem in the last second. However, a 20-second knockout loss to former champion Francis Ngannou would lead to a stretch that saw him go 3-5 in his last eight fights, while being exposed as somewhat one-dimensional in the process.
The 35-year-old’s seven knockouts in seven UFC victories show he has the ability to pose a threat to any opponent in the octagon. However, his lack of success against top-tier competition suggests the bottom of the top 10 could be his ceiling. In his most recent performance, Rozenstruik appeared in the first round against prospect Jelton Almeida last May.
Gaziev (12-0) is a versatile fighter who has gained attention for his success in the Valiant Fighting Federation and other respected promotions. The 34-year-old Dagestan native has reportedly trained with superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired from the UFC with a 29-0 record as lightweight champion.
Gaziev showed grappling and athleticism rare for heavyweights. After appearing on “Dana White’s Contender Series,” Gaziev made his UFC debut last December against veteran Martin Budai at UFC 296. He dominated from the opening bell and won by stoppage in the second round. You can only find out who to pick at UFC Fight Night here.
UFC fight night predictions
We’ll reveal one of Vithlani’s UFC Fight Night predictions here: He’s backing Eryk Anders (-370) to raise his hand against Jamie Pickett (+265) in a bout between the two veteran middleweight fighters on the main card.
Anders (15-7) is a former college football player at Alabama who later played in the Canadian Football League before transitioning to mixed martial arts. He is now a seven-year UFC veteran known for his lethal striking and action-packed fights, but the 36-year-old has lost three of his past four contests. However, he earned a Fight of the Night bonus in a decision loss to Marc-Andre Barriault last June.
Beckett (13-10) is likewise a strong player known for coming forward and participating in memorable wars. But the 36-year-old North Carolina native has now lost four straight games and his spot on the roster could be in jeopardy with a fifth straight defeat.
“I give Anders the edge in the grappling, cardio and toughness departments. I expect Anders to wear on Pickett and find a late TKO,” Vithlani told SportsLine. Look who else is coming back here.
How to choose UFC Fight Night
Vithlani has strong picks for Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev and other bouts on the UFC Fight Night card. He also backs the fighter who is a “sk**led striker and more sk**led jiu-jitsu player” to come away with a dominant victory. These picks are only available at SportsLine.
Who wins UFC Fight Night: Rosenstruik vs. Gaziev, and how exactly does each fight end? Visit SportsLine now for detailed UFC Fight Night picks, all from an MMA expert who has taken advantage of over 62 units, and find out.
UFC fight night odds, fight card
See our full UFC Fight Night picks, predictions and best bets here.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik (+140) vs Shamil Gaziev (-165)
Vitor Petrino (-300) vs. Tyson Pedro (+240)
Muhammed Mukayev (-360) vs. Alex Perez (+280)
Matt Schnell (+240) vs. Steve Erceg (-310)
Omar Nurmagomedov (-1,100) vs. Makhan Poke (+700)
Eric Anders (-370) vs. Jimmy Pickett (+265)
Javed Bisharat (-700) vs Iman Al Zahabi (+450)
Loic Radjabov (+145) vs Abdelkarim El Salwadi (-170)
Christian Leroy Duncan (-260) vs. Claudio Ribeiro (+210)
Ludovit Klein (-800) vs. AJ Cunningham (+575)