Paul Craig vs. Volkan Oezdemir Prediction: How Long With This Light Heavyweight Bout Go at UFC London?

Paul Craig vs. Volkan Oezdemir Prediction: How Long With This Light Heavyweight Bout Go at UFC London?

Paul Craig vs. Volkan Oezdemir Start Time, Where To Watch, and Odds

When: Saturday, July 23, 2022

Time: 3:00 PM EDT (Prelims: 12:00 PM EDT)

Where: O2 Arena, London, United Kingdom

Where to Watch: ESPN+

Click here for complete Paul Craig vs. Volkan Oezdemir betting odds

Paul Craig vs. Volkan Oezdemir Prediction

In perhaps one of the most banger bouts to ever come about from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, we have Paul "Bear Jew" Craig going toe to toe against Volkan "Time Is of The Essence" Oezdemir at UFC Fight Night in London. Now what is on display right here besides a tour de force case of beautiful matchmaking is a fairly binary convergence. 

The wonky, perhaps chinny grappler is going to try to take the fight to the mats, while the cumbersome power punching phenom with horrid wrestling looks to run away from the ground exchanges and try to put him out on the feet. Even though there can be an argument made regarding Volkan's level of washedness, he has been fighting the absolute pinnacle of the division for over 5 years.

Craig has been used largely as a doormat throughout his UFC tenure, gatekeeping the top 15 and occasionally pulling a rabbit out of his hat, but for the most part, faltering to any real competition. He does have some fairly remarkable wins on his resume, however, with a hail marry dub against Ankliev and obliteration of Jamahal Hill being noteworthy standouts. 

When it comes to brass tax for this matchup on Saturday night, who comes out the winner, and who limps out the whiner? Craig has the momentum coming into this matchup, that's for sure. He's looked great in his last few goes of it and seems illuminated by the MMA gods.

Volkan has something to prove here as it might be closing time for the entire career if he can't resuscitate it with something bombastic relatively soon. It's for those reasons that I believe the fight will not go the distance and end rather brutally in the early rounds. Play the fight doesn't complete the first two rounds to ensure easy cash and to take oneself out of the equation side-wise.

Paul Craig vs. Volak Oezdemir Pick

• Fight Doesn't Complete 2 Rounds (-165) (Bet $165 to win $100)

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