Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Joshua Van: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Tagir Ulanbekov and Joshua Van fight in a flyweight contest to round off the prelims of UFC Fight Night 242 at the Apex. Russia's Ulanbekov was originally cast to headline the Fight Night against Alex Perez before he was moved down the card. His opponent, Joshua Van, was pulled from UFC 302 and paired to fight the ranked Russian. Tagir Ulanbekov is the bookies' favorite in early odds.

MMA: UFC Flyweight

Where to Watch: ESPN+

Venue: UFC Apex

Date: 16.06.2024. 01:00

The Dagestan-born sambo stylist was a former Fights Night Global flyweight champion and European champion in combat sambo. Strong in jiu-jitsu, Tagir Ulanbekov trained alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhacher at Eagles MMA. Currently sitting at number twelve in the UFC flyweight rankings, Ulanbekov is on a two-fight streak, winning both fights via submission. The 32-year-old Russian is 4-1 in the UFC.

• Age: 32
• Height: 5'7"
• Weight: 125lbs (57kg)
• Reach: 70"
• Record: 15-2

Young Joshua Van has won all three fights in the UFC since his debut last summer. The former Fury FC flyweight champion secured decisions over Zhalgas Zhumagulov and Kevin Borjas before pounding Felipe Bunes last January to grab his first UFC finish. Still unranked, the 22-year-old is confident of getting a win over Ulanbekov, insisting that the Russian won't be able to submit him. Defeated only once in ten professional fights, "The Fearless" has six KO's in his resume.

• Age: 22
• Height: 5'5"
• Reach: 65"
• Weight: 125lbs (57kg)
• Record: 10-1

Joshua Van is priced at 2.62 odds to win the fight on Bet365 as a huge underdog. 1XBET lists No to the start of the third round at 2.32 odds. Joshua Van is a 2.40 underdog on Betway. Read more.