UFC 282 Odds, Pick & Prediction for Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dalcha Lungiambula: Both Fighters Hard to Trust (Saturday, December 10)
Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images. Pictured: UFC middleweight Edmen Shahbazyan
- Two fighters who need a win meet on Saturday at UFC 282 with Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dalcha Lungiambula.
- Despite a three-fight skid, Shahbazyan is a big favorite in this middleweight fight.
- Below, Sean Zerillo discusses the matchup and a possible betting angle for it.
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dalcha Lungiambula Odds
Edmen Shahbazyan, once one of the middleweight division's most promising newcomers, looks to halt a three-fight skid when he meets Dalcha Lungiambula on Saturday's UFC 282 preliminary card.
Sadly, Lungiambula is in the same boat and likely fighting for his job while riding a three-fight skid of his own.
Which struggling 185-pounder can shake out of the funk? Let's dive in.
Tale of the Tape
| Shahbazyan | Lungiambula | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 11-3 | 11-5 |
| Avg. Fight Time | 6:54 | 10:03 |
| Height | 6'2" | 5'8" |
| Weight (pounds) | 185 lbs. | 185 lbs. |
| Reach (inches) | 74" | 76" |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Date of birth | 11/20/1997 | 7/31/1987 |
| Sig Strikes Per Min | 3.24 | 3.18 |
| SS Accuracy | 50% | 44% |
| SS Absorbed Per Min4 | 4.13 | 3.66 |
| SS Defense | 46% | 53% |
| Take Down Avg | 2.71 | 2.49 |
| TD Acc | 37% | 55% |
| TD Def | 57% | 77% |
| Submission Avg | 0.5 | 0.0 |
"The Golden Boy" Shahbazyan will return to the octagon on Saturday after more than a one-year layoff.
Shahbazyan had lost three consecutive bouts from August 2020 to November 2021, derailing a hype train that gained steam after an 11-0 start to his professional career.
Shahbazyan changed camps since his last fight, now working out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, and retains massive potential at 25 years old, with a wealth of fighting experience already under his belt.
He will be the taller fighter in the cage (6-inch height advantage), and he may be the more prominent athlete, but Lungiambula will carry a two-inch reach advantage and likely more power.
Both fighters have shown significant cardio concerns after about seven or eight minutes in previous bouts. I don't trust either fighter in general.
However, I would give more benefit of the doubt to the Shahbazyan side; perhaps the camp change helped to improve his cardio base and broad skill set, and he's in his physical prime (age 25) with massive potential, whereas Lungiambula (35) is nearing the end of his career and has limited upside.
Shahbazyan vs. Lungiambula Pick
Technically, Shahbazyan is the better fighter everywhere and likely has Lungiambula covered in this matchup skill for skill (aside from raw power). Still, I don't project value on this bout from any perspective, and I'll pass on betting on this fight.
Shahbazyan currently sits at a break-even price compared to projections, but you can play him in a straight bet at -255 or better.
The Pick: Pass
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