UFC Predictions: UFC Vegas 33: Uriah Hall vs. Sean Strickland 

#3. UFC heavyweight division: Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Chris Daukaus

Heavyweight prospect Chris Daukaus is 3-0 in the UFC thus far

This is an interesting pick for a co-main event, particularly as Shamil Abdurakhimov hasn’t actually fought in the UFC since 2019. However, it seems more likely that the promotion is putting its weight behind Chris Daukaus as a prospect to watch.

The brother of UFC middleweight Kyle Daukaus, Chris came into the UFC on relatively late notice last August and has already put together an impressive 3-0 record.

His last win came over the highly rated Aleksei Oleinik. While ‘The Boa Constrictor’ is clearly slowing down at the age of 44, anyone who can take him out inside two minutes has to have some talent.

There’s no denying that Daukaus has looked good thus far. In terms of physical shape, he’s clearly not as imposing as someone like Ciryl Gane or Francis Ngannou. In fact, he more closely resembles Roy Nelson.

However, he’s surprisingly quick for a big guy, carries heavy power in his hands, and definitely isn’t a sloppy striker either. He prefers to throw straight punches and use the clinch to do a lot of damage too.

There are plenty of questions around him, though – namely over his grappling and cardio. Abdurakhimov should at least be able to test those.

The Dagestan native has an underrated record in the UFC. Abdurakhimov debuted back in 2015, and has gone 5-3, with his only losses coming to Tim Johnson, Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes.

Along the way, he’s used his grappling and heavy hands to beat Walt Harris, Andrei Arlovski and Marcin Tybura. This makes him one of the more accomplished heavyweights on the UFC’s roster to never really climb into title contention.

However, he’s a slower fighter, even for a heavyweight, he’s hittable, and doesn’t really weather punishment all that well.

Essentially, if Daukaus can keep this fight standing and hurt Abdurakhimov early, it should be his fight to win. If the Dagestani can land some takedowns and start to wear the big man down, then it’ll probably go the other way.

It’s hard to call, but the fact that Daukaus has fought three times in the past year while Abdurakhimov hasn’t fought since 2019 probably gives him a slight edge.

The Pick: Daukaus via second round TKO