Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Askar Askarov
The three most experienced MMA handicappers on the RotoWire staff offer up a total of 10 plays for UFC 259, with six of the selections coming in at plus money.
UFC 259 on Saturday is the best pay-per-view card of the year from top to bottom, and Chris Olson is back to offer up some bets and make his picks for FOUR different DFS sites.
In a fresh series of bets for UFC 259, Cole Shelton picks out a pair of flyweight fighters to cash in on, as well as a longshot prop and a parlay.
The women's MMA GOAT is back in action for another title defense at UFC 259, but can she live up to her hefty price tag? Jon Litterine breaks down five key fights and makes his picks on DraftKings.
In his debut column for RotoWire, Cole Shelton lays down a four-pack of bets to consider for UFC Vegas 18 on Saturday, which includes a lesser-known debuting fighter.
More Fantasy News
Fighting Perez at the end of July
Askarov will take on Alex Perez in a flyweight bout at the UFC event on July 31, Marcel Dorff of MMADNA reports.
ANALYSIS
Askarov was able to defeat Joseph Benavidez back in early March via unanimous decision. That brought his career record to 14-0-1 as he is closing in on his chance at the flyweight belt in the UFC. Perez was supposed to fight at UFC 262, but had to withdraw for medical reasons.
Askarov was able to defeat Joseph Benavidez back in early March via unanimous decision. That brought his career record to 14-0-1 as he is closing in on his chance at the flyweight belt in the UFC. Perez was supposed to fight at UFC 262, but had to withdraw for medical reasons.
Closing in on title shot
Askarov defeated Joseph Benavidez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) at UFC 259 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a bell-to-bell rout for Askarov and one that likely would have certainly earned him a title shot had he not missed weight by a pound on Friday morning. As is, he still may get his opportunity. A win over a former top-tier contender in Benavidez means far less in the early days of 2021 than it did just a year ago at this time, but Askarov was dominant. He landed 5-of-6 takedown attempts and his striking, generally viewed as his weak point, was stellar throughout the fight. Askarov is remarkably well rounded and is still just 28 years old. It's a near certainty that the Dagestani will be fighting for UFC gold sooner rather than later. Having him face the winner of the upcoming Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno rematch at UFC 263 in June would appear to be in play. Askarov fought Moreno to a draw in his company debut back in September 2019.
It was a bell-to-bell rout for Askarov and one that likely would have certainly earned him a title shot had he not missed weight by a pound on Friday morning. As is, he still may get his opportunity. A win over a former top-tier contender in Benavidez means far less in the early days of 2021 than it did just a year ago at this time, but Askarov was dominant. He landed 5-of-6 takedown attempts and his striking, generally viewed as his weak point, was stellar throughout the fight. Askarov is remarkably well rounded and is still just 28 years old. It's a near certainty that the Dagestani will be fighting for UFC gold sooner rather than later. Having him face the winner of the upcoming Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno rematch at UFC 263 in June would appear to be in play. Askarov fought Moreno to a draw in his company debut back in September 2019.
Misses weight, fight still on
Askarov missed weight for his flyweight bout against Joseph Benavidez on March 6 by one pound, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Askarov will thus forfeit 20 percent of his purse to Benavidez, but the flyweight matchup will continue on at a catchweight of 127. It's possible that Askarov could nab a title shot if he manages to defeat Benavidez in March.
Askarov will thus forfeit 20 percent of his purse to Benavidez, but the flyweight matchup will continue on at a catchweight of 127. It's possible that Askarov could nab a title shot if he manages to defeat Benavidez in March.
Targeting March 6 fight
Askarov is in line to face Joseph Benavidez in a flyweight bout March 6 at UFC 259, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Askarov will be making his first appearance since defeating Alexandre Pantoja via unanimous decision back in mid-July. Askarov, who boasts a 13-0-1 career MMA record, could receive a title shot if he ends up beating Benavidez.
Askarov will be making his first appearance since defeating Alexandre Pantoja via unanimous decision back in mid-July. Askarov, who boasts a 13-0-1 career MMA record, could receive a title shot if he ends up beating Benavidez.
Remains undefeated after huge win
Askarov defeated Alexandre Pantoja via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Askarov remains undefeated as a professional and vaults himself right into the flyweight title picture with this impressive win. Askarov was lucky to emerge with a draw in his UFC debut against Brandon Moreno last September, but he has since run off a pair of impressive unanimous decision wins over Pantoja and Tim Elliott. The Russian won this fight on the heels of his wrestling and gas tank. Simply put, he was the better conditioned athlete. The fact Askarov was able to emerge victorious against a quality opponent in a fight in which he landed just 2-of-15 takedowns is a very good sign. That said, those takedowns better land with a bit more regularity moving forward if Askarov wants to continue his undefeated ways.
Askarov remains undefeated as a professional and vaults himself right into the flyweight title picture with this impressive win. Askarov was lucky to emerge with a draw in his UFC debut against Brandon Moreno last September, but he has since run off a pair of impressive unanimous decision wins over Pantoja and Tim Elliott. The Russian won this fight on the heels of his wrestling and gas tank. Simply put, he was the better conditioned athlete. The fact Askarov was able to emerge victorious against a quality opponent in a fight in which he landed just 2-of-15 takedowns is a very good sign. That said, those takedowns better land with a bit more regularity moving forward if Askarov wants to continue his undefeated ways.