Dana White's Contender Series: Islem Masraf vs Artem Vakhitov Prediction

This highly anticipated light heavyweight showdown between France's Islem Masraf and Russia's Artem Vakhitov features two fighters with knockout power. Masraf remains undefeated at 3-0, while Vakhitov holds a 2-1 record. With both competitors possessing explosive finishing ability, this bout could end in spectacular fashion.

As always, KingPin Pro is your #1 source for MMA predictions and insights. Make sure to check out my Kody Steele vs Chasen Blair Prediction for more fight breakdowns from this event.

 

Fighter Overview

Islem Masraf

Islem Masraf is a rising star in the light heavyweight division, boasting an undefeated record of 3-0-0. Known for his fast finishes, Masraf has ended two of his fights via knockout in the first round. His most recent victory was a stunning 10-second KO in March 2024 at the PFL Europe Regular Season. Masraf’s aggressive style and power make him a dangerous threat in any fight, and despite being the underdog, he offers great value with his proven ability to end fights quickly.

Artem Vakhitov

Artem Vakhitov holds a record of 2-1-0, with two knockout victories to his name. He rebounded from his first career loss with two dominant first-round finishes in 2024. Vakhitov’s striking power has been on full display, as both of his wins came within the first minute of the opening round. However, his loss to Ashraf Bashandy in June 2023, where he was knocked out in under a minute, raises some concerns about his ability to handle pressure against fast starters like Masraf.

Key Stats Comparison

Fighter	Record	KO/TKO	Submissions	Last Fight
Islem Masraf	3-0-0	2	1	March 2024: KO/TKO (PFL Europe)
Artem Vakhitov	2-1-0	2	0	February 2024: KO/TKO (NFC 57)

Odds Table

Fighter	Odds
Islem Masraf	+425
Artem Vakhitov	-700

Prediction