- What: UFC Saudi Arabia Co-Main Event
- Who: Shara “Bullet” Magomedov vs. Michael “Venom” Page
- Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
- Location: anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Time: Prelims (9:00 a.m. ET), Main Card (12:00 p.m. ET)
- How to Watch: ESPN+
The next UFC fight card takes place on Saturday, February 1, when the fight promotion returns to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a UFC Fight Night card headlined by a middleweight bout between Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov. In the co-main event, Sharabutdin Magomedov takes on Michael Page in a middleweight matchup. Before we look at the betting breakdown for the UFC Saudi Arabia fight card co-main event, here is some background on the fighters competing in that contest.
Shara Magomedov (15-0) enters the UFC Saudi Arabia fight card with a perfect UFC record of 4-0, with two knockouts and two decision wins. Magomedov, who is coming off a highlight-reel knockout win of Armen Petrosyan, is the No. 14 fighter in the official UFC middleweight rankings.
Michael Page (22-3) has a 1-1 record in the UFC. The former long-time Bellator competitor moves up to 185 pounds for the UFC Saudi Arabia card. Page has spent most of his MMA career competing at welterweight. He is the No. 15 ranked 170-pounder in the UFC.
Before we look at the best bets for the Adesanya vs. Imavov matchup on the UFC Saudi Arabia card, check out the best UFC betting sites and where you can find our betting pick for the UFC Saudi Arabia main event.
UFC Saudi Arabia co-main event: Shara “Bullet” Magomedov vs. Michael “Venom” Page betting picks
Fighters | ||||
Shara Magmoedov | -195 | -183 | -190 | -196 |
Michael Page | +170 | +158 | +160 | +151 |
Shara “Bullet” Magomedov betting breakdown
The jury is out on just how high Shara Magomedov can climb in the UFC, and this fight against another striker might not answer that question, but it should be an entertaining bout. Magomedov is an effective striker but can allow his opponent to dictate where the fight takes place, and that could be a problem against a dynamic striker like Michael Page. However, if Page doesn’t pressure and set the pace and distance, Magomedov will shine. Given time and space to employ his striking game, “Bullet” is an effective and dangerous opponent.
Magomedov is a striker who can mix up his targets and techniques. He is also a fighter who is unafraid to take chances, as evidenced by his double-spinning backfist knockout of Armen Petrosyan. The question facing Magomedov is what type of wrestling he possesses. Fortunately for him, that skill will not likely get tested against Page, one of the better strikers in MMA..
Magomedov lands 6.82 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy of 65 percent. His striking defense is 42 percent, and he gets hit 4.49 times per minute. Magomedov has not shot a takedown in the UFC. His takedown defense is 71 percent.
Michael “Venom” Page betting breakdown
Michael Page is one of the flashiest strikers in MMA. Like his opponent in Saudi Arabia, Page has a diverse bag of tricks he can employ, but he is more awkward and faster than Magomedov. Page uses a slick kickboxing style and can take advantage of an opponent’s mistakes or timing errors with speed and power. Something he showed when he crushed Evangelista Santos with a flying knee in 2016. He can also cover a lot of ground very quickly with his karate stance and low guard.
The one drawback with Page is that many of his Bellator fights seemed to be booked to give him a showcase. He only faced tough competition with that promotion late in his career, and even when he did face tough opponents, he did not meet them in back-to-back fights. Because of that type of booking, we have never been able to gauge just how good Page is as a fighter. Another thing to consider is that Page is 37, which is usually past the age when fighters at welterweight and below tend to decline.
Page has some ground skills but wants to keep his fights on the feet. If Page can set the pace and force Magomedov to the back foot for however long this fight lasts, he should have an advantage. However, if he gives his opponent time and space, things could change in a hurry.
Page lands 2.38 significant strikes per minute as a UFC fighter with an accuracy of 65 percent. His striking defense is 54 percent, and he absorbs 1.45 strikes per minute. Page averages 0.44 takedown attempts per 15 minutes with an accuracy of 25 percent. He has a takedown defense of 63 percent.
Best Bets: UFC Saudi Arabia Co-Main Event – Shara “Bullet” Magomedov vs. Michael “Venom” Page
Page is the more skilled fighter, and his speed and striking techniques give him the advantage in this fight. However, Magomedov could end the bout with a single punch, so a value bet of Magomedov to win by knockout is one to consider. I’m going with the upset in the UFC Saudi Arabia co-main event.
The betting pick is for Michael “Venom” Page to beat Shara “Bullet” Magomedov by decision.
See below the top offshore sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you: