:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67784449/993148510.0.jpg)
In a middleweight bout on the main card of UFC Vegas 14, Julian Marquez will take on Saparbek Safarov Saturday in Las Vegas, and available on ESPN+.
The 30-year-old Marquez enters the octagon with a professional fighting record of 7-2. This is Marquez’s first UFC event in two years, where he last competed at the Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale. In that July 2018 bout, “The Cuban Missile Crisis” lost to Alesso Di Chirico by a split decision. At the same time, Marquez’s fighting career was in serious trouble as he suffered a shoulder injury that knocked him out of competition for two years.
The veteran fighter is more of a striker than a grappler based on his stats from two years ago. He lands 3.80 strikes per minute, with a 40 percent striking accuracy. He also absorbs 3.37 strikes per minute, while his defense is at 53 percent.
As for Safarov, he comes to the UFC APEX with a professional fighting record of 9-3. The 34-year-old from Russia will be fighting in the octagon for the second time this year. Safarov fought earlier this spring at UFC 248 against Rodolfo Vieira, but was submitted by Vieira in Round 1 via arm-triangle choke.
He also competed at UFC Fight Night 147, defeating Nicolae Negumereanu by unanimous decision. In his UFC bouts, Safarov lands 4.03 strikes per minute with an accuracy of 48 percent. The 34-year-old Russian also absorbs fewer strikes per minute than Marquez at 2.96, but his defense is only at 47 percent, and has 2.52 takedowns per 15 minutes with an accuracy of 41 percent.
Here are the betting odds at DraftKings Sportsbook for Julian Marquez vs. Saparbek Safarov at UFC Vegas 14 on November 14th.
Money line odds
Julian Marquez: -315
Saparbek Safarov: +239
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/MI/PA/WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA) or Call or Text the TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789. 21+ (18+ NH). NJ/PA/WV/IA/IN/CO/IL/TN/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.