The June 21 showdown between Ismail Naurdiev and JunYong Park at UFC Fight Night in Baku carries major implications for both men. Naurdiev, 28, has surged back into form, following two straight victories. Park, 34, comes off a thrilling split-decision win over veteran Brad Tavares. Before these two middleweights do battle in Baku, continue reading to get my Ismail Naurdiev vs JunYong Park prediction.
Our Ismail Naurdiev vs JunYong Park Pick
- Pick: JunYong Park via decision
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
- Bonus Bets For Fight Night: BetMGM bonus code – ATSBONUS – get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet doesn’t win.
Tale of the Tape
| Ismail Naurdiev | JunYong Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 28 | 34 |
| Height | 5’10” | 5’10” |
| Reach | 74″ | 73″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Record | 24‑7‑0 | 18‑6‑0 |
Ismail Naurdiev vs Jun Yong Park Preview
Naurdiev enters riding high. His 24‑7 record is built on finishing instincts, with 12 knockouts and six submissions. At 28, he’s in his second stint in UFC, winning his return fight in October against Bruno Silva. He split his first four fights in the promotion from 2019 to 2020 and some time away from UFC could have done him some good, which he will look to prove by winning this matchup.
Park brings veteran wisdom and steady aggression to the octagon. His record of 18‑6 includes balance, with five knockouts, six submissions, and multiple decisions under his belt. He’s got reliable boxing with powerful hooks, solid low-kicks, and effective grappling, with ground control and clinch dominance in his repertoire. His recent win over Tavares shows he can handle elite-level pacing and maintain composure under fire.
Physically, the fighters are near-identical in height, weight, and reach, making style and skill the deciding factors. Naurdiev’s unpredictability versus Park’s consistency will be the deciding factor here. If Park imposes his volume striking and controls the pace, he should grab rounds. But if Naurdiev lands early combos, he could steal the fight.
Betting Insights
- Moneyline odds show Park as the favorite at -190 at BetMGM, with Naurdiev at +155.
- The total rounds line sits at 2.5 with juice favoring the over, hinting at expectation for a full fight or late finish.
- Three of Park’s last four wins have come via decision, while Naurdiev has never earned a stoppage win in his five career UFC fights.
Ismail Naurdiev vs JunYong Park Prediction
Park’s experience and technical skill give him the advantage in a tight contest. He controls distance with boxing, lands consistent low kicks, and his grappling can stall Naurdiev’s dynamic bursts. Naurdiev is explosive and carries finishing power, but his susceptibility to Park’s cerebral style makes a Park decision the most likely outcome.
