Preview: UFC on ESPN 28 Prelims

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Featherweights

NR | Melsik Baghdasaryan (5-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. NR | Collin Anglin (8-1, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: Baghdasaryan (-145), Anglin (+125)

This should be an entertaining scrap between UFC newcomers. Both men are also relatively unproven past their fights on Dana White’s Contender Series, though Michigan’s Anglin has the longer resume. Anglin showed some well-rounded skills over the course of his regional career, but it came against an extremely low level of competition. His lone opponent with any sort of substantial pro career was overmatched athletically and knocked out in just 14 seconds. However, after coasting to DWCS win over Muhammadjon Naimov, Anglin landed a UFC contract and looks to earn his stripes inside the Octagon. He will take on Armenia’s Baghdasaryan, who looks to build on his own DWCS victory. After losing his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2014, Baghdasaryan focused on kickboxing and boxing before returning to the sport in 2019, at which point he racked up four wins in a combined 64 seconds. Those wins were against an extremely suspect level of competition, though Baghdasaryan did show some potential in his Dana White’s Contender Series bout against Dennis Buzukja in September.

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Baghdasaryan hunted the early knockout once again, but with Buzukja managing to survive, the Armenian instead gutted through severe exhaustion for a decision victory. At the time, he was deemed to be in need of more seasoning, but despite having not fought since, he still wound up getting signed sometime in the last few months. Baghdasaryan is the higher upside prospect of these two, but this is a fight that could go either way. The Armenian figures to get out to a hot start, but he also seems likely to tire and let Anglin take over the fight if he cannot score an early finish. However, with Anglin being an unproven finisher against real competition and Baghdasaryan reading as the more physical talent, the bet is that the latter once again finds a way to make his offense count more and guts out a win. The pick is Baghdasaryan via decision.

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