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UFC Fight Night Predictions: Royval vs. Taira - Abdul Razak Alhassan vs Josh Fremd Preview

On October 12, 2024, UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira will kick off its main card at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV, featuring an explosive middleweight clash between Abdul Razak Alhassan and Josh Fremd. Alhassan, known for his devastating knockout power, will take on the taller and more versatile Fremd in what promises to be a thrilling matchup. Both fighters are hungry for a win, and this bout could be a defining moment for their respective careers in the UFC middleweight division.

As always, KingPin Pro is your #1 source for MMA predictions and analysis. Check out my CJ Vergara vs Temirov Article Prediction for more fight breakdowns from this event.

 

Fighter Backgrounds

Abdul Razak Alhassan

Abdul Razak Alhassan is a 39-year-old fighter from Ghana, training out of the prestigious Elevation Fight Team. With a professional record of 12-6-0, Alhassan has built his career around his fearsome knockout power, finishing all 12 of his victories via KO/TKO, including notable wins over Niko Price and Sabah Homasi. Standing at 5'10" with a 73-inch reach, Alhassan is a compact powerhouse who thrives in close-range exchanges, where his explosive striking can shine.

Alhassan’s career has been a mix of highlights and struggles, with his recent performances reflecting the ups and downs of his journey in the UFC. While he suffered a submission loss to Joe Pyfer in October 2023, Alhassan rebounded earlier in 2023 with a devastating KO victory over Claudio Ribeiro. Alhassan is always dangerous when standing, but his grappling has been a question mark, and he has faced difficulties when fights extend into the later rounds. Against Fremd, Alhassan will look to add another highlight-reel knockout to his resume.

Josh Fremd

Josh Fremd, a 30-year-old American fighter, represents FactoryX Muay Thai and stands tall at 6'4" with a 76-inch reach. Sporting a record of 11-6-0, Fremd brings a well-rounded game to the Octagon, with four wins by KO/TKO and four by submission. His size and versatility make him a tough opponent for anyone in the middleweight division, as he can both strike and grapple effectively.

Fremd’s UFC career has seen its share of challenges, with recent losses to Roman Kopylov and Andre Petroski, but he showcased his grappling prowess with a submission victory over Sedriques Dumas in March 2023. Fremd’s length and ground game give him tools to neutralize Alhassan’s striking power, but he will need to be cautious of getting drawn into a firefight. With his height and reach, Fremd will look to keep the fight at range and use his grappling when the opportunity arises.

Fighting Styles and Strengths

Abdul Razak Alhassan

Alhassan’s fighting style is centered around his devastating knockout power. He is an explosive striker who can end fights with a single punch, making him a constant threat on the feet. Alhassan thrives in aggressive exchanges and looks to overwhelm his opponents with a barrage of strikes early in the fight. His ability to finish fights quickly has earned him a reputation as one of the most dangerous knockout artists in the middleweight division.

The key to Alhassan’s success is to avoid grappling exchanges and keep the fight standing. He has struggled against fighters who can mix in takedowns and control him on the ground, as seen in his losses to grapplers like Jacob Malkoun and Joaquin Buckley. However, if Alhassan can dictate the fight’s tempo and force Fremd to engage in a striking battle, his power could once again lead to an early finish.

Josh Fremd

Fremd’s fighting style is more well-rounded, with solid striking and a dangerous submission game. His 6'4" frame gives him a significant height and reach advantage over most middleweights, which he uses to keep opponents at bay with long punches and kicks. Fremd is also capable of taking the fight to the ground, where he has shown an ability to control his opponents and secure submissions.

Against Alhassan, Fremd will need to use his reach and footwork to avoid getting trapped in close-range exchanges. His grappling could be his biggest asset in this fight, as Alhassan has struggled against opponents who can take him down and control him on the mat. Fremd’s path to victory likely involves wearing Alhassan down and exploiting his weaknesses in the later rounds or on the ground.

Recent Performances and Fight Analysis

Abdul Razak Alhassan

Alhassan’s recent performances have been a mixture of brilliance and inconsistency. His KO win over Claudio Ribeiro in early 2023 showed that his power is still very much a factor, but his submission loss to Joe Pyfer later that year highlighted the vulnerabilities in his ground game. Alhassan’s best chance of winning this fight will be to land early and often, as he has historically struggled in fights that go the distance or involve grappling exchanges.

Josh Fremd

Fremd has had a tough stretch recently, with back-to-back losses to Roman Kopylov and Andre Petroski. However, his submission victory over Sedriques Dumas earlier in 2023 demonstrated his grappling abilities. Fremd will need to mix up his attacks and avoid engaging in a pure striking battle with Alhassan, as the Ghanaian’s power could make things difficult if the fight remains standing for too long. Fremd’s grappling and clinch work will be crucial to his success in this bout.

Odds and Betting Information

Fighter	Odds
Abdul Razak Alhassan	-170
Josh Fremd	+140

Alhassan enters the fight as the slight favorite at -170, while Fremd is the underdog at +140. Alhassan’s knockout power and his ability to end fights quickly give him the edge in the odds, but Fremd’s well-rounded skill set could make this a more competitive fight than the odds suggest.

Keys to Victory

Abdul Razak Alhassan

• Land Power Shots Early: Alhassan’s best chance of winning this fight is to land his knockout punches early before Fremd can settle into his rhythm or attempt takedowns.
• Avoid the Ground: Alhassan needs to keep the fight standing and avoid grappling exchanges where Fremd could use his submission skills to control the fight.

Josh Fremd

• Utilize Reach and Footwork: Fremd needs to keep Alhassan at bay with long strikes and avoid getting into close-range exchanges where Alhassan’s power can be dangerous.
• Mix in Takedowns: Fremd’s grappling could be his biggest advantage in this fight. If he can take Alhassan down, he could control the fight and potentially secure a submission victory.

 

Prediction