Lightweight fighters John Makdessi and Nasrat Haqparast slugged it out in a three-round encounter that was part of the UFC Fight Night 209 card. Makdessi looks to win for the fifth time in six bouts while Haqparast seeks to bounce back from two straight setbacks inside the octagon. The fight is important for both fighters as they seek to extend their careers and boost their status in the 155-pound class. Early MMA fight odds favor Makdessi to win the lightweight clash.
UFC Fight Night 209: John Makdessi vs. Nasrat Haqparast Betting Information
| Date: |
Saturday, September 3, 2022 |
| Time: |
3:00 PM ET |
| Location: |
Accor Arena, Paris, France |
| TV Coverage: |
ESPN+ |
UFC Fight Night 209: John Makdessi vs. Nasrat Haqparast Odds
| Fighter |
ML |
|
| John Makdessi |
+180 |
Place Bets |
| Nasrat Haqparast |
-240 |
| Place Bets |
John Makdessi – The Canadian Bull
MMA veteran Makdessi (18-7) has been around in the UFC for almost 12 years. He has fought the likes of Ross Pearson, Francisco Trinaldo, Abel Trujillo, and Donald Cerrone inside the octagon and he produced mixed results. Makdessi’s last UFC stint was in April 2021 where he won via split decision over Ignacio Bahamondes. The Canadian MMA fighter has won four of his last five fights, including the career-defining win over Pearson in July 2018. The match gained Fight of the Night distinction as both fighters beat each other up with Makdessi emerging victorious via unanimous decision. Makdessi must use his veteran smarts to outclass Haqparast as the fight is expected to last the 15-minute route.
Nasrat Haqparast – Man on a Mission
Before losing two straight matches, Haqparast (13-5) has strung up five victories in six UFC bouts, winning against Rafa Garcia, Alexander Muñoz, Joaquim Silva, Thibault Gouli, and Marc Diakiese. However, the German hit a brick wall in his last two bouts, losing to Dan Hooker (UFC 266) and Bobby Green (UFC 271). The setbacks affected Haqparast’s ascent to the top of the lightweight rankings as he needed to win against Makdessi to rekindle his UFC career and figure in more lucrative bouts in the future. Haqparast is good at striking, with nine of his 13 wins ending in stoppages. He needs to time his power punches well to outclass Makdessi, who also has nine stoppages on his resume.
John Makdessi vs. Nasrat Haqparast Betting Numbers
|
Makdessi |
Haqparast |
| Record |
18-7-0 |
13-5-0 |
| Last Fight |
Win |
Loss |
| Country |
Canada |
Germany |
| Height |
5’8″ |
5’10” |
| Weight |
155 lbs |
155 lbs |
| Reach |
68″ |
72″ |
| Win by KO/TKO |
50% |
69% |
| Submissions |
0% |
0% |
| Decisions |
50% |
31% |
| Strikes Landed Per Minute |
5.57 |
5.17 |
| Striking Accuracy |
51% |
45% |
| Striking Absorbed Per Minute |
4.02 |
4.70 |
| Striking Defense |
69% |
66% |
| Takedown Average |
0.00 |
0.13 |
| Takedown Accuracy |
0% |
14% |
| Takedown Defense |
89% |
78% |
| Submission Average |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Makdessi vs. Haqparast Summary
Both lightweight fighters need to string up wins to elevate their status in the UFC. The match will be more important for Haqparast as he needs to avoid losing his third consecutive fight. Makdessi, on the other hand, must resume his winning ways to strike better fights in the future. The fight could end up in a decision as both fighters are adept at the ground game, but it could also end up early depending on who lands the most effective punch first. The match is almost even for UFC picks and parlays, with Makdessi holding on to a slight advantage over Haqparast due to his experience but one should not sleep on the German as he is capable of knocking out opponents in a single strike.
