The MMA Daily

We have a scrap in the Lightweight division, as Marc Diakiese takes on Damir Hadzovic. Coming off an important victory over Viacheslav Borschev, which halted a two-fight skid, Diakiese returns to the octagon looking to make it two straight. Nearing six years with the UFC, Diakiese is going to need to do better than his 6-5 UFC record if he is ever going to realize his dream of becoming a UFC champion. Meanwhile, Hadzovic returns to the octagon for the first time in 2022. Having been out for over a year, which isn’t the first time, Hadzovic will look to finally build off his victory over Yancy Medeiros. A fight that was important for Hadzovic, as he avoided three straight losses and a potential exit from the UFC.

An important fight for both, as the loser will not only find themselves at the bottom of the division, but potentially fighting for another organization next. Diakiese is a dynamic striker, who of late, has improved his wrestling abilities significantly. Having landed eleven takedowns in his most recent fight, Diakiese has proven that he isn’t one dimensional and can embrace the grind if he needs to. Given Hadzovic’s takedown defense sits around 37%, I would suspect that the Bosnian is going to face a lot of wrestling in this one. However, if Hadzovic can keep the fight upright, his power on the feet will come into play. With seven of his fourteen victories coming via knockout, Hadzovic isn’t someone to take lightly on the feet.

In my opinion, this is Diakiese’s fight to lose. With advantages in the wrestling department, as well as a five inch reach advantage on the feet, Diakiese will be comfortable wherever this fight goes. Having never been stopped via strikes in twenty professional fights, Diakiese has the durability to withstand Hadzovic’s one real strength. Then again, I don’t believe that strength ever see’s the light of day, as I predict that Diakiese uses his wrestling to cruise to a decision victory.