UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev continues on the main card with a fight between Lone'er Kavanagh and Ramazan Temirov in the flyweight division. Check out our UFC 333 odds series for our Kavanagh-Temirov prediction and pick.
Lone'er Kavanagh (10-2) suffered a third-round submission loss to Brandon Royval at UFC 329 on July 11. He is 4-2 in the promotion, highlighted by a February five-round unanimous decision win over former champion Brandon Moreno, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Ramazan Temirov.
Ramazan Temirov (20-3) defeated former title challenger Steve Erceg by decision on July 25 to extend his winning streak. He is 3-0 in the Octagon, also holding victories over Charles Johnson and CJ Vergara, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Lone'er Kavanagh.
UFC 333 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings
UFC 333 Odds: Lone'er Kavanagh-Ramazan Temirov Odds
Lone'er Kavanagh: -115
Ramazan Temirov: -105
Over 2.5 rounds: -120
Under 2.5 rounds: -110
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Why Lone'er Kavanagh Will Win
Lone'er Kavanagh is one of the most dynamic and technical strikers in the flyweight division, boasting a significant speed and reach advantage in this matchup. As he demonstrated in his five-round masterclass against Brandon Moreno, he excels at managing distance with sharp side kicks, calf kicks, and lightning-fast counters.
Against a compact power puncher like Ramazan Temirov, Kavanagh's lateral footwork and ability to fight off the back foot will be his greatest assets. He rarely stays stationary in the pocket, instead darting in with straight punches before exiting at angles where wide hooks cannot reach him.
Defensively, the British contender stops over eighty percent of takedowns, which should allow him to keep this bout in open space where he thrives. By constantly peppering the lead leg and body from the outside, he can frustrate Temirov into overextending on wild blitzes.
Every time his opponent charges forward, Kavanagh will be waiting with check hooks and intercepting knees up the middle. Over fifteen minutes, his superior precision, movement, and range management will allow him to outpoint Temirov for a clear decision win.
Why Ramazan Temirov Will Win
Ramazan Temirov possesses fight-altering knockout power in both hands, a rare commodity in the 125-pound division that makes him dangerous every second of the fight. He explodes into range with ferocious hooks to the head and body, capable of shattering high guards and ending exchanges in an instant.
While Lone'er Kavanagh prefers a measured, technical point-fighting pace, Temirov thrives on turning bouts into chaotic firefights in the pocket. By cutting off the cage aggressively and throwing in heavy three- and four-punch combinations, he can trap the faster mover against the fence.
Additionally, Temirov has shown improved patience and three-round conditioning, proven by recent wins over seasoned veterans like Steve Erceg and Charles Johnson. He also holds an undefeated takedown defense rate in the promotion and can mix in timely level changes of his own to disrupt a striker's rhythm.
Article Continues BelowIf Temirov invests early in body shots and forces Kavanagh to trade in close quarters, his durability and heavy hands will take over. He will catch Kavanagh during an exchange, hurt him along the cage, and secure an impactful win.
Final Lone'er Kavanagh-Ramazan Temirov Prediction & Pick
This flyweight clash is a classic matador-versus-bull matchup between the slick outside movement of Lone'er Kavanagh and the explosive pocket power of Ramazan Temirov. Temirov will immediately march forward looking to trap his taller opponent along the fence and unload his signature hooks.
However, Kavanagh already proved against elite opposition that he has the composure and footwork to navigate heavy pressure without panicking. Utilizing athree-inch reach advantage, the Englishman will establish his jab and punish Temirov's lead leg every time the Uzbek fighter plants his feet to swing.
Temirov will have dangerous moments in the opening frame when he closes the gap, forcing Kavanagh to respect his power and stay on his bicycle. As the bout progresses into the second and third rounds, though, Temirov's wide swings will begin to miss the mark against a constant moving target.
Kavanagh will pick his shots cleanly from the outside, counter effectively, and secure a unanimous decision victory.
Final Lone'er Kavanagh-Ramazan Temirov Prediction & Pick: Lone'er Kavanagh (-115), OVER 2.5 Rounds (-120)