Abubakar Vagaev

Vagaev's control-heavy last outing (4 TD, 7:46 control) tops Malkoun's recent control totals in a likely grappling-decided fight

Vagaev is 25-4-0 with three straight wins on file, most recently a grappling-heavy win over Saygid Izagakhmaev featuring 4 takedowns and 7:46 of control. Malkoun is 10-3-0 and also 3-0 in his last three, landing 3 takedowns against Gerald Meerschaert and posting 117 significant strikes with 3 submission attempts against Torrez Finney. Both men win by grappling, but Vagaev's single-fight control total (7:46) exceeds Malkoun's recent control figures (2:17, 5:16, 0:32), and his record is deeper, giving him a narrow edge in a fight likely decided by who dictates the grappling.