Volkan Oezdemir vs. Alonzo Menifield prediction, odds, pick for UFC Qatar

Because the Principal Card of UFC Qatar continues, we’re back with one other betting prediction and pick for this ranked bout within the Light Heavyweight (205) Division. No. 9 Volkan Oezdemir of Switzerland will tackle Texas’ No. 14-ranked Alonzo Menifield in a can’t-miss scrap contained in the rankings. Check our UFC odds series for the Oezdemir-Menifield prediction and pick.

Volkan Oezdemir (20-8) has gone 8-7 contained in the UFC since 2017. He’s split his last six fights at 3-3 and hoping to bounce back following his most up-to-date loss against Carlos Ulberg. Retaining a top-10 rating, Oezdemir will look to show away one other worthy challenger. He stands 6-foot-2 with a 75-inch reach.

Alonzo Menifield (17-5-1) has gone 10-5-1 in his UFC stint since 2019. Following back-to-back losses, Menifield rebounding with decision wins over Julius Walker and Oumar sy over his last two. He’s riding an incredible wave of momentum trying to money in because the underdog here. Menifield stands six feet tall with a 76-inch reach.

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

UFC Qatar Odds: Volkan Oezdemir-Alonzo Menifield Odds

Volkan Oezdemir: -225

Alonzo Menifield: +185

Over 2.5 rounds: +120

Under 2.5 rounds: -154

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Why Volkan Oezdemir Will Win

• Last Fight: (L) Carlos Ulberg – U DEC
• Last 5: 3-2
• Finishes: 13 KO/TKO, 2 SUB

Volkan Oezdemir bumped into an especially tough opponent in Carlos Ulberg his last trip, but his ability to hold in for 3 rounds and avoid the knockout is a testament to his proven toughness. Oezdemir is a continuing knockout threat throughout the fight in his own right, but he’s also harder to place away than most fighters, making him a troublesome challenge for opponents.

Oezdemir will likely be most dangerous in the course of the opening minutes of this fight as his last two wins have come contained in the first round. This can be a testament to his one-punch knockout power, but Oezdemir does a good higher job at countering and defending initial strikes coming back his way at a 55% rate. If Menifield is not perfect along with his strikes from range, Oezdemir will likely be waiting for the right opening to blow up and finish the fight.

Oezdemir also sports a formidable 80% takedown defense, but he isn’t prone to be grappling against one other willing striker like Menifield. This fight will likely be won on timing and given Oezdemir’s history of knocking opponents out along with his counter-punching, he’s billed because the rightful betting favorite on this fight.

Why Alonzo Menifield Will Win

• Last Fight: (W) Oumar Sy – U DEC
• Last 5: 3-2
• Finishes: 9 KO/TKO, 4 SUB

Alonzo Menifield had among the best performances of his profession with a recent win over Oumar Sy. Menifield was billed because the +500 betting underdog and turned in a masterful performance on the feet and in defending the takedowns. His ability to slide out of range and tire Sy out by making his miss was a savvy move and Menifield could possibly be trying to implement the same game plan on this fight.

Menifield, very similar to his opponent, sports one-punch knockout ability, but he hasn’t earned a KO/TKO win since 2022. As an alternative, Menifield has approached his previous few fights in a really measured approach, allowing his opponents to make the primary mistake before trying to capitalize. Along with his explosive athletic ability, search for Menifield to be a continuing threat throughout this fight.

Opposite of Oezdemir, Menifield lands at a more accurate clip (53%) and absorbs less strikes (3.76) per minute as well. This fight will likely be about measuring as much as his opponent and feinting until he can find the right time to open up with a mix. If Menifield can land cleanly with a couple of punches, he should have the opportunity to place Oezdemir on the ropes sooner or later.

Final Volkan Oezdemir-Alonzo Menifield Prediction & Pick

The UFC Qatar Principal Card will feature one other fun fight within the Light Heavyweight Division between two fighters who’re fully able to ending this fight with a single punch. As of late, Volkan Oezdemir has been the more prolific finisher by way of knockouts, but Alonzo Menifield has done a greater job of containing his opponents and wearing them down over three rounds.

Oezdemir will likely be a threat to complete this fight in the primary round, but given the entire rounds set at 2.5, Menifield stands a really solid likelihood to make it out for the primary round and make this a fight. If that is the case, now we have to favor his activity within the later rounds in a dog fight.

Nevertheless, Volkan Oezdemir has been on a relentless streak against similar fighters to Menifield and we could possibly be in for one more quick finish on this one. We’ll side with the betting favorite here, but look towards Alonzo Menifield as a live underdog anywhere past the primary round.

Final Volkan Oezdemir-Alonzo Menifield Prediction & Pick: Volkan Oezdemir (-225); UNDER 2.5 Rounds (-154)