Preview: UFC on ESPN 37 ‘Kattar vs. Emmett’

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Lightweights

Damir Ismagulov (23-1, 4-0 UFC) vs. Guram Kutateladze (12-2, 1-0 UFC)

ODDS: Ismagulov (-155), Kutateladze (+135)

It feels a bit out of place on this card, but it is still good to see this pairing that will seemingly determine the UFC’s most underrated lightweight. Russia’s Ismagulov can do a bit of everything—he is a long striker with some power who backs things up with an effective wrestling game—but he tends to work within a cautious style, rarely looking to press for a finish and instead establishing terms that allow him to ride out a safe victory. It is an approach that usually takes some time to get noticed, though the cream often rises to the top. However, in Ismagulov’s case, as soon as he started to build some momentum with a 2019 win over Thiago Moises, a combination of injuries and the coronavirus pandemic kept him out of action for nearly two years. Upon Ismagulov’s return in May 2021, he essentially picked up where he left off against Rafael Alves. Even so, Alves’ explosive athleticism did get him a few moments of danger that showed just how thin Ismagulov’s margins can be at times. Over a year later, Ismagulov returns against Georgia’s Kutateladze, who himself is looking to regain some momentum after a 20-month layoff. Kutateladze was a lauded signing in late 2020 after a strong regional campaign, but he figured to have a tough first test inside of the Octagon. Kutateladze got the assignment of welcoming undefeated Polish fighter and expected future contender Mateusz Gamrot to the UFC. Impressively, Kutateladze fought Gamrot about even, landing some powerful strikes while doing a shocking job of neutralizing him on the mat and getting back to his feet. Kutateladze got the split decision nod, though amusingly, it has been Gamrot who had all the momentum since: The Pole has won all of his fights since and will headline UFC on ESPN 38 on June 25, while Kutateladze has been out of action with injuries and visa issues. Ismagulov is the slightly longer fighter in this pairing, and his neutralizing style could turn this into a much more patient affair on both sides than his UFC debut. At the same time, Kuteteladze does seem capable of hanging with Ismagulov everywhere and keeping this as a razor-close fight, with the advantage of being the harder hitter that can separate himself on the scorecards. Kutateladze also does look to be the type of fighter who will try and make something happen through aggression rather than be scared off by Ismagulov’s success, so the bet is that the Georgian can find enough moments over the course of 15 minutes to take this win. The pick is Kutateladze via decision.

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