Nicolas Dalby vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev prediction, odds, pick for UFC Qatar

UFC Qatar: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker continues on the prelims with a fight between Nicolas Dalby and Saygid Izagakhmaev within the welterweight division on Saturday. Check out our UFC odds series for our Dalby-Izagakhmaev prediction and pick.

Nicolas Dalby (23-6-1) enters UFC Qatar riding a tricky stretch, dropping his last two fights—suffering a KO loss to Randy Brown and a split decision defeat against Rinat Fakhretdinov. Previously, he scored an enormous TKO over Gabriel Bonfim as he comes into his fight this weekend against Saygid Izagakhmaev.

Saygid Izagakhmaev (22-2) enters UFC Qatar after a dominant run in ONE Championship, where he finished Shinya Aoki by first-round TKO and defeated Lipeng Zhang by decision. The Dagestani grappler showcases top-tier wrestling and has yet to fight within the UFC as he comes into his fight this weekend against Nicolas Dalby.

Listed below are the UFC Qatar Odds, courtesy of DraftKings. 

UFC Qatar odds: Nicolas Dalby-Saygid Izagakhmaev odds

Nicolas Dalby: +270

Saygid Izagakhmaev: -340

Over 2.5 rounds:  -145

Under 2.5 rounds: +114

*Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*

Why Nicolas Dalby will win

• Last Fight: (L) Randy Brown – KO/TKO R2
• Last 5: 3-2
• Finishes: 11 (7 KO/TKO/4 SUB)

Nicolas Dalby can pull off the upset at UFC Qatar by mixing his relentless pressure with sharp striking and ironclad durability. Over a protracted UFC profession, Dalby has faced quite a lot of elite grapplers and infrequently gets held down for long—even against strong wrestlers, his scrambling ability and pace shine through.​

Dalby’s cardio, output, and volume are his biggest weapons, often overwhelming opponents who can’t match his work rate. If he keeps this fight standing, his signature body kicks and fluid footwork could frustrate Izagakhmaev, who’s making his UFC debut and might have time to regulate to the Octagon’s flow.​​

With over 30 pro fights, Dalby’s experience edge is critical—he’s survived wild battles and never been submitted, making him uniquely resilient against Dagestani grapplers. He shocked the world by ending Gabriel Bonfim and has a proven knack for rising to the occasion when counted out.​

Against a UFC debutant, Dalby’s toughness and refusal to interrupt could possibly be the deciding aspects. If he can drag Izagakhmaev into deep water, wear him down, and make it ugly, Dalby’s veteran savvy gives him a transparent path to victory in Qatar.​

Why Saygid Izagakhmaev will win

• Last Fight: (W) Shinya Aoki – KO/TKO R1
• Last 5: 5-0
• Finishes: 16 (4 KO/TKO/12 SUB)

Saygid Izagakhmaev’s relentless Dagestani wrestling is the most important difference-maker against Dalby this Saturday. He brings suffocating top control, slick transitions, and a lethal submission arsenal, making it extremely difficult for opponents to scramble or find space if taken down.​​

Dalby’s takedown defense sits at just 59 percent, and his 28 percent accuracy on offensive shots means he’s prone to get drawn right into a defensive struggle on the mat. Izagakhmaev’s experience ending completed names like Shinya Aoki and his ongoing training with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s camp guarantee a level of intensity and positional dominance rarely matched at welterweight.​

Despite the fact that Dalby’s durability and high striking output give him a puncher’s probability, Izagakhmaev’s pressure and grappling pace are proven to interrupt opponents with similar resumes. The time away from the cage is a priority, but his recent bouts in submission grappling keep him sharp and competitive at an elite level.​​

Ultimately, Izagakhmaev’s wrestling pedigree and commitment to regulate should allow him to neutralize Dalby’s offense, grind out rounds, and potentially discover a late submission as he makes his UFC debut in Qatar.​

Final Nicolas Dalby-Saygid Izagakhmaev prediction & pick

This matchup between Saygid Izagakhmaev and Nicolas Dalby offers a classic stylistic clash between a relentless Dagestani grappler and a durable, high-volume veteran. Izagakhmaev enters with heavy hype, world-class wrestling, and a capability to dictate where the fight takes place, while Dalby brings grit, cardio, and veteran experience which have frustrated many UFC opponents before.​

Izagakhmaev’s path to victory is evident if he can get Dalby to the mat early and sometimes, where his suffocating top pressure and slick submissions come into play. Dalby, nonetheless, has proven incredibly tough to complete, with scrambling ability and defensive awareness honed through battles against among the division’s grinders.​

On the feet, Dalby’s volume could rating points and test Izagakhmaev’s striking defense, particularly if the UFC newcomer struggles with Octagon jitters or gas tank concerns. Still, the sting likely goes to Izagakhmaev, whose physicality and wrestling pedigree seem poised to overwhelm even a seasoned opponent like Dalby.​

Expect a competitive start, but because the rounds progress, search for Izagakhmaev to take control with takedowns, heavy ground control, and possibly threaten for a submission. Saygid Izagakhmaev gets it done via decision or late submission at UFC Qatar.​

Final Nicolas Dalby-Saygid Izagakhmaev Prediction & Pick: Saygid Izagakhmaev (-340), Over 2.5 Rounds (-145)