BKFC 72 Dubai Best Bets & Predictions for April 5, 2025

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returns today (April 5, 2025) with BKFC 72 in Dubai, capping off a thrilling two-night event. Several high-stakes bare knuckle bouts are on the card at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, highlighted by international showdowns in multiple weight classes. Below we break down each featured fight with a betting preview, expert pick, and a top prop play. Expect an afternoon of fierce stand-up action – all fights streaming live at 12:00 PM ET on the BKFC App.

Mark Angel Sadang vs Matin Safari – 12:00 PM ET (BKFC App)

• Moneyline Odds: Mark Angel Sadang -130 (slight favorite), Matin Safari -102

• Weight Class: ~155 lbs (Lightweight Bout)

• Over/Under: Not available (5 rounds scheduled)

Fight Preview: This lightweight clash pits a Filipino power-puncher against an Iranian MMA brawler. Mark “Deadshot” Sadang enters BKFC 72 with a pro boxing background (2-0, 2 KOs), bringing crisp hand speed and knockout power honed in the boxing ring. At 27, Sadang is a bit more experienced and has shown precise striking and finishing instinct – both of his pro boxing wins came via stoppage. Opposite him, 24-year-old Matin “Matdog” Safaritransitions from MMA (pro record 3-2) to make his bare knuckle debut. Safari rides a two-fight MMA win streak, including a blistering 18-second TKO victory in his last bout, showcasing ferocity from the opening bell. He’s taller by a couple of inches (5’11” to Sadang’s 5’9”) and will look to use his reach and wild aggression to overwhelm Sadang in the clinch. Safari’s nickname “Matdog” hints at his tenacity – he’s a pressure fighter who isn’t afraid to turn a bout into a brawl.

Stylistically, this is a classic boxer vs. MMA striker matchup. Sadang’s polished hands and tight defense will be tested by Safari’s unorthodox punches and rugged clinch work (a skill from his MMA days). In bare knuckle, both men’s power is even more dangerous with no gloves to dull the impact – and each has proven knockout ability. Sadang likely owns the technical edge: expect him to work behind straight punches and counter when Safari lunges in. Safari, meanwhile, may attempt to drag Sadang into a chaotic firefight, using flurries and toughness to negate Sadang’s skill. One X-factor is endurance: neither has seen a long bare-knuckle fight yet. Sadang has boxed into the second round, and Safari has MMA experience, but with five two-minute rounds scheduled, a furious pace is likely. If this fight goes past the early rounds, composure and stamina could decide it. Sadang’s boxing conditioning might give him the advantage in later rounds, whereas Safari’s all-out bursts could fade if he doesn’t score an early finish. Keep an eye on cuts as well – Safari’s looping shots could cause damage if they land, but Sadang’s sharper punches might cut Safari up first. Overall, the matchup favors Sadang’s cleaner technique against Safari’s raw aggression, in what should be an explosive bare-knuckle debut for both.

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Best Bet: Mark Angel Sadang -130. The slight favorite is our pick due to his superior striking fundamentals and proven knockout accuracy. In a bout that may devolve into a slugfest, we trust Sadang’s boxing pedigree to prevail. He can land the cleaner shots in exchanges and is less likely to gas out if it goes into the later rounds. Safari will have his moments of chaos, but Sadang’s tighter defense and counter-punching should allow him to capitalize on Safari’s defensive lapses. At -130, Sadang’s moneyline offers value as the fighter with the more refined stand-up skill set and a track record of power punches finding their mark.

Top Fighter Prop: Consider Sadang to win by KO/TKO as a prop wager. Both men are knockout-minded, and an early finish is a strong possibility. Sadang’s 100% KO rate in boxing and Safari’s aggressive style point toward a fight unlikely to need the judges. If Sadang stays composed, he can catch Safari charging in and score a mid-fight knockout. For a plus-money angle, Sadang to win in Rounds 2-3 is an enticing play, anticipating that his patient approach will pay off after Safari’s initial storm.

Shamil Dzhakhbarov vs Dilshat Nurym – 12:15 PM ET (BKFC App)

• Moneyline Odds: Shamil Dzhakhbarov +133 (underdog), Dilshat Nurym -179 (favorite)

• Weight Class: ~145 lbs (Featherweight Bout)

• Over/Under: Not posted (expect a shorter fight)

Fight Preview: In this featherweight contest, Russian grit meets Kazakh precision. Shamil “Hunter” Dzhakhbarovcomes in from the MMA world (5-3 MMA record) looking to make a statement in his first BKFC bout. Dzhakhbarov is known as a pressure fighter with a brawling style – he’s shorter than Nurym (Shamil stands about 5’4”) but built compactly, and he’ll try to turn his size disadvantage into an advantage by fighting on the inside. His MMA wins include both knockouts and submissions, showing he’s a well-rounded combatant, but with only his fists to rely on now, he’ll need to channel that power into close-range boxing. Dzhakhbarov’s nickname “Hunter” fits his approach: he likes to stalk forward, absorb shots if needed, and unload hooks in the pocket. However, he’s on a one-fight losing streak from MMA, so motivation is high to rebound and prove himself in this new arena. On the other side is Dilshat Nurym, a highly regarded boxer from Kazakhstan making his bare-knuckle debut. Nurym sports an impressive 9-1 pro boxing recordwith a 66% knockout rate, and at 25 years old he’s hitting his stride (currently on a 3-fight win streak in the ring). Fighting out of Zhanaozen, Kazakhstan, Nurym brings a polished striking game – fast jabs, tight combinations, and solid footwork – all of which earned him those nine wins in traditional boxing. He likely has a height and reach edge here, and will try to keep the fight at distance, where his crisp one-twos and counter punches can shine.

The contrast is stark: Nurym is the technical boxer with far more ring experience (10 pro bouts, many going into later rounds), while Dzhakhbarov is the wild-card brawler who will make it ugly to have a chance. For Nurym, the key will be maintaining range and using his superior hand speed to tag Dzhakhbarov as he lunges in. His straight punches and body shots could quickly wear down the Russian if he’s accurate. Dzhakhbarov, by contrast, will want to bait Nurym into a brawl – perhaps using feints and rolling under Nurym’s jab to get inside and land overhand rights or uppercuts. We haven’t seen Nurym in a bare-knuckle setting, so one question is how he adapts to the lack of gloves: his punches will land harder, but defensively he must be careful not to break his hands or get cut by an unexpected head clash in close. Dzhakhbarov’s brawling experience might actually be an asset if the fight goes into the clinch, where he can rough Nurym up with short punches. However, skill-wise, Nurym has a clear advantage in pure boxing IQ and has faced solid opposition in the ring. Another factor is conditioning – Nurym has gone as far as 8 rounds in gloved boxing, indicating he has the stamina to fight hard every minute of a 5-round BKFC duel. Dzhakhbarov’s cardio is less proven in such a striking-intensive format; if he eats many clean shots early, it could slow his aggression by the mid rounds. Barring Shamil landing a knockout punch out of nowhere, the matchup favors Nurym’s composed and technical style over Dzhakhbarov’s rugged approach. Nurym’s combinations and counterpunching ability should allow him to pile up damage quickly.

Best Bet: Dilshat Nurym -179. Nurym is a justified favorite thanks to his extensive boxing pedigree and striking finesse. Laying -179 on the moneyline isn’t cheap, but he has the tools to dominate this fight. We expect Nurym to pick apart Dzhakhbarov with cleaner punches and superior ring generalship. His experience in longer boxing bouts suggests he won’t panic under pressure; instead, he’ll likely make Dzhakhbarov pay for any wild swings with sharp counters. While Shamil “Hunter” will be dangerous in spurts – especially if he can turn it into a phone-booth fight – Nurym’s skill and reach advantage should allow him to control the pace. This bout is a prime spot to back the more polished striker despite the chalk. Nurym’s path to victory could be either a decisive accumulation of damage leading to a corner stoppage or a lopsided decision if Dzhakhbarov’s toughness carries him to the final bell. Either way, we like the favorite to get the job done.

Top Fighter Prop: Nurym by KO/TKO is the top prop in this matchup. Given Nurym’s 6 knockout wins in 10 boxing fights, there’s a strong chance he can end this early under BKFC rules. Without gloves, his punches will cut and hurt even more – and Dzhakhbarov’s aggressive style might play right into a counter right hand or a check hook. The most likely script sees Nurym catching Dzhakhbarov with a flurry once the Russian rushes in recklessly, leading to a knockdown or stoppage by the referee. If prop odds are available, also consider Fight Under 4.5 Rounds, as both men will throw with bad intentions from the opening round. Nurym’s precise power punching and Dzhakhbarov’s come-forward mentality are a recipe for an inside-the-distance finish. For a fun long shot, Nurym to win in Round 2 or 3 could deliver value – he might use Round 1 to measure Dzhakhbarov before turning up the heat for a mid-fight knockout.

Mohd Azahar vs Ruel Panales – 12:30 PM ET (BKFC App)

• Moneyline Odds: Odds not posted (Azahar expected to be favored)

• Weight Class: ~134.5 lbs (Bantamweight Bout)

• Over/Under: N/A (watch for live lines)

Fight Preview: The Dubai crowd will also witness a classic India vs. Philippines showdown in the bantamweight division. Mohd “Villain” Azahar represents India and brings a wealth of pro boxing experience into his BKFC debut. At first glance, Azahar’s credentials jump off the page – a pro boxing record of 13-7-2 with an outstanding knockout ratio (approximately 78% of his wins by KO). He’s a former WBC regional title challenger and is riding a 3-fight winning streak in gloved boxing as of February 2025. Azahar last fought just two months ago, winning a decision in a boxing match, so he’s staying active. At 137 lbs in his last weigh-in, Azahar will be right at home in this 135-lb bare-knuckle contest. Stylistically, “Villain” is a heavy-handed striker who loves to press forward behind a tight guard and rip hooks to the body and head. Many of his bouts have ended in the middle rounds with him stopping opponents via accumulation of power punches. Transitioning to bare knuckle, Azahar’s challenge will be adjusting from 8- or 10-ounce gloves to bare fists – but his power and combination punching should translate very well if he lands clean. Across from him is Ruel “Bagsik” Panales, fighting out of the Philippines. Panales comes from an MMA background with a 5-3 record (1 No Contest) and has competed in reputable promotions like Brave CF. “Bagsik” means ferocity in Tagalog, and Panales indeed fights with an aggressive, fearless style. He’s a smaller bantamweight (naturally a flyweight in MMA at 125 lbs), but he makes up for it with speed and explosiveness. At age 26, Panales is entering his fighting prime but is looking to rebound from two consecutive losses in MMA competition. Those setbacks likely came against high-level opponents, so Panales will be hungry to prove himself on this big stage. He’s making his BKFC debut as well, and we can expect him to utilize his kickboxing and Muay Thai skills (minus the kicks and elbows) to put pressure on Azahar. Panales might try darting in and out with quick punches and even use clinch uppercuts – a technique allowed in BKFC – to negate Azahar’s boxing rhythm.

On paper, Azahar’s striking experience dwarfs Panales’s. The Indian boxer has nearly 100 rounds of professional boxingunder his belt, compared to Panales who has primarily fought three-round MMA fights. That gap in high-level ring time means Azahar should have a significant advantage in composure and tactical awareness. He’s seen various styles in boxing – from brawlers to technicians – and won’t be easily rattled by pressure. For Panales to have success, he’ll need to leverage his one clear edge: unpredictability. Coming from MMA, Panales might throw punches from odd angles or use spinning backfists and hammerfists in clinch exchanges, techniques a conventional boxer like Azahar might not expect. Additionally, Panales could have an edge in the clinch thanks to his MMA clinch training; if he can tie up Azahar, he might land short shots or at least slow down Azahar’s momentum. However, Panales will have to cope with Azahar’s power. Every limb of Panales’s defense must be sharp, because Azahar only needs a small opening to land a fight-changing hook or overhand. Panales has been stopped before (he suffered a first-round TKO loss at Brave CF 71), raising questions about his ability to absorb punches from a knockout artist like Azahar without the protection of gloves. If Panales can’t hurt Azahar early or at least earn his respect, he could find himself walked down by the Indian fighter’s heavy hands. Azahar will likely target the body early on – a common strategy in bare knuckle to sap the opponent’s strength and set up a knockout upstairs. Panales’s best hope is to use movement and flurries to outwork Azahar in spurts, perhaps dragging the fight to the later rounds where the boxer might tire or get frustrated. But given Azahar’s seasoned background, he’s likely prepared to go the distance if needed. All signs point to the “Villain” bringing too much firepower and ring savvy for “Bagsik” to handle if the fight stays primarily a boxing match.

Best Bet: Mohd Azahar to Win. With no official odds listed, we’re confidently siding with Mohd Azahar straight upas the best bet in this matchup. The combination of Azahar’s extensive pro boxing experience and knockout powermakes him a formidable favorite. He has faced tougher competition in boxing than Panales likely ever has in MMA, and that gulf in striking pedigree should manifest itself in the BKFC ring. We anticipate Azahar will methodically break down Panales with hard jabs and hooks, keeping the Filipino fighter on the defensive. Panales is undeniably tough and will bring the fight to Azahar, but backing the more skilled striker is the prudent play. If your sportsbook offers Azahar on the moneyline or as part of a parlay, grab it – his chances of winning are significantly higher, and we’d project his true odds to be around -300 in this spot. Sometimes the best bet is the simple one: the fighter with the superior stand-up resume to win outright.

Top Fighter Prop: Azahar by KO/TKO is an enticing prop given the mismatch in striking credentials. Azahar has stopped roughly 10 of his 13 boxing victims with his fists, and bare-knuckle rules only increase the likelihood of a knockout. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Azahar debut in BKFC with a bang – perhaps a knockout in the first two or three rounds after he lands a flush combination. If Panales’ recent struggles carry over, Azahar could even score a first-round finish by overwhelming him with volume and power. For prop bettors, also watch for Total Rounds Under 3.5; Azahar’s aggressive style and Panales’s willingness to trade in the pocket could result in an early night. A more creative angle: Azahar to win by KO in Round 2 might offer a nice payout – giving Panales one round of survival before Azahar’s power finds the mark. No matter how you slice it, the safest prop revolves around Azahar’s punching power ending this fight inside the distance.