With UFC Fight Night hitting Baku on Saturday, June 21, 2025, all eyes will be on the lightweight bout featuring hometown hero Nazim Sadykhov taking on Brazil’s powerful striker Nikolas Motta. Sadykhov arrives riding a four-fight UFC unbeaten streak, while the fanatic-packed Crystal Hall will be in full voice behind the Azerbaijani southpaw. But lurking in Motta’s corner is a knockout artist who will look to ruin Sadykhov’s homecoming. Here, we break down this fight and give you our Nazim Sadykhov vs Nikolas Motta prediction.
Our Nazim Sadykhov vs Nikolas Motta Pick
- Pick: Nazim Sadykhov by KO/TKO
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
- Bonus Bets For This Fight: Get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet doesn’t win with BetMGM bonus code ATSBONUS!
Tale of the Tape
| Nazim Sadykhov | Nikolas Motta | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 31 | 32 |
| Height | 5′10″ | 5′9″ |
| Reach | 69″ | 70″ |
| Stance | Southpaw | Orthodox |
| Record | 10‑1‑1 (7 KO, 2 Sub, 1 Dec) | 15‑5‑0, 1 NC (10 KO, 5 Dec) |
Nazim Sadykhov vs Nikolas Motta Preview
Sadykhov’s nickname “Black Wolf” is fitting, as he stalks his opponents in the cage with aggressive forward pressure, combining sharp striking and solid grappling. His UFC run includes three finishes in his last four fights, most recently getting a doctor stoppage win in February. The only fight he hasn’t won since joining UFC came in a draw in 2023 against Viacheslav Borshchev.
Motta counters with pure striking. He lands 3.64 significant strikes per minute at 38% accuracy. His 10 KO victories show finishing power, but his defense is less refined and his takedown game is nearly nonexistent. Motta did go 2-0 in 2024, beating Maheshate by decision and Tom Nolan by knockout before that. Here, he will need to overcome not just Sadykhov, but a crowd that will not want to see him win.
At 5′10″, Sadykhov has slight physical advantages with his height. His ability to throw in the occasional takedown gives him the tools to offset Motta’s striking. Motta’s slightly longer reach may help on the outside, but he hasn’t showcased a diverse game plan beyond striking.
Betting Insights
- Moneyline: Sadykhov is the strong favorite at BetMGM, entering at -450, while Motta is at +350.
- This fight is seen as one of the least likely to go the distance on Saturday night. The fight is -300 to end inside the distance and is +200 to go the full three rounds.
- Motta’s knockout potential provides upside for underdog bettors, but his lack of grappling and striking defense may leave him vulnerable.
- A finish is likely, as 75% of Sadykhov’s UFC fights are stoppage wins, while Motta boasts a 67% KO rate in his wins.
Nazim Sadykhov vs Nikolas Motta Prediction
The role of the hometown advantage shouldn’t be underestimated in this fight. Baku’s crowd energy could energize Sadykhov’s output and tempo, even when he would normally wear down. Motta will find moments, but lacks the technical toolkit to sustain a full three-round war. Betting on Sadykhov to win via stoppage is solid value given his recent form, stylistic dominance, and edge in versatility.
