UFC ON ESPN 49: Albert Duraev vs Junyong Park 07/15/2023 Fight Analysis, Picks and Tips

UFC ON ESPN 49: Duraev vs Park 07/15/2023 – Middleweight fighters Albert Duraev and Junyong Park clash in a three-round fight that is the co-main event of the UFC on ESPN 49 card on Saturday, July 15, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both protagonists won their previous matches as they hope to pick up another win that would boost their rankings in the 185-pound division. Duraev eked out a split decision victory over Chidi Njokuani while Park submitted Denis Tiuliulin in just one round. The South Korean is looking for his fourth straight win in the UFC and the Russian seeks to end that streak. Online MMA picks and parlays are updated for sports fans who want to watch an action-packed encounter while earning extra money at the same time.

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Main Card

Albert Duraev

The 34-year-old Duraev (16-4, 2-1 UFC) bounced back from his two-round loss against Joaquin Buckley by edging Chidi Njoukuani in March 2023. The split decision verdict was the Russian fighter’s second win in the UFC in three fights and improved his record to 16-4 win-loss. A victory over Park would give the 20-fight veteran his second straight win and boost his rankings in the 185-pound class. Duraev has 12 stoppages in 20 fights, with three of his wins coming by knockout and nine were submissions. However, the Russian is prone to a knockout strike as his four losses ended within the distance.

Stats-wise, Duraev is proficient in grappling, as he averaged 2.07 takedowns per 15 minutes. However, his frequency to attempt takedowns against his opponents has affected his takedown percentage mightily. He has an accuracy rate of 27% and his defense against these takedowns is at 50%. Duraev has a submission average of 0.69 per 15 minutes. In terms of striking, the Russian has landed 2.94 significant strikes per minute at a rate of 40%. His defense against strikes was above average at 63% and has absorbed 2.53 strikes per minute. Duraev needs to be a busier fighter in his next fight against Park to have a good chance of winning the match.

Junyong Park

Park (16-5, 6-2 UFC) has excelled in his first eight fights in the UFC, winning six of his eight assignments. The Korean fighter recorded decision victories over Marc-Andre Bariault, John Phillips, Tafon Nchukwi and Eryk Anders. He followed that up with two submission wins against Joseph Holmes and Tiuliulin. If the 32-year-old Seoul native registers another convincing victory, it would put him in the promotion’s middleweight contendership talks. Park has 10 stoppages in 21 fights with five knockouts and five submissions each. He is also capable of lasting the full route, as eight of his fights ended by decision and that included six decision wins.

In terms of statistics, Park has been prolific in terms of striking and grappling. He has landed an average of 4.92 significant strikes per minute and absorbed 3.71 significant strikes per minute. His significant strike accuracy rate is 51% and and his proficiency in defense is 53%. In terms of grappling, the South Korean has a good takedown workrate as he normed 2.33 takedowns per 15 minutes. He has successfully executed 51% of the takedowns he attempted and defended 70% of the takedowns against him. His submission workrate is also average, as he normed 0.83 submission attempts per 15 minutes.