The highly anticipated UFC Fight Night bout Whittaker vs de Ridder in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is around the corner, and my eyes are focused on the quick card building up to that fight, Jose Ochoa vs Asu Almabayev. This provides better betting angles and opportunities. As you already know, the date for the event is 26.07.2025, so let’s dissect the important details and make a bet.
The “Kalzifer”: Pure Power
Let’s take a look at Jose Ochoa. This fellow is a finishing machine. His record reads a very impressive 8-1-0 (1NC). But it’s how he gets the victories that concern us. Seven of those eight victories are by KO/TKO. That’s an incredible 88% knockout ratio! He just knocked out Cody Durden in June of 2025. It only took him 11 seconds of the second round. That’s insane power.
Think about this: Ochoa is also young, only 24 years old. He’s still learning. He’s explosive and raw and can finish a bout with one powerful jab. You can’t teach that kind of knockout power. He has a 3.96 significant strikes per minute average. That means he’s always looking to land big shots.
Almabayev’s Grappling vs. Ochoa’s Knockout Ability
Now, I’m going to talk about Asu Almabayev. His record is 21-3. He’s an excellent fighter, no doubt about it. His fighting style is built around grappling. He has nine submissions and nine decision wins. His takedown average is high, at 4.13 per 15 minutes. He tries to take you down and maintain you there.
But here is the twist. Almabayev was TKO’d by Manel Kape in March 2025. That’s a new loss. It shows he can be stopped on his feet. He’s tough, sure. But against a straight-up knockout artist like Ochoa, one mistake, one clean shot, and it’s lights out. Almabayev’s striking defense is 53%. That’s good enough, but it leaves openings.
Striking Accuracy and Defense
Let’s see some numbers. Ochoa has a 33% accuracy with his strikes. Almabayev is 54%. You’d think Almabayev strikes better. But remember, Ochoa throws with malice. All his strikes are to inflict harm. His strikes-landed-per-minute can be better than Almabayev’s (3.96 to 2.32). That means he’s moving more with his feet.
Ochoa’s strike defending is equally precise at 64%. He’s quite good at staying away from harm. Should Almabayev fail to knock him out, he’ll be fighting in a stand-up contest. And that’s where Ochoa would love this bout to go.
Jose Ochoa vs Asu Almabayev Prediction: A Striking Feast
So how does it go? Almabayev will try takedowns. That’s his ticket to victory. But Ochoa’s takedown defense is 66%. He knows how to stay on his feet. If Almabayev can’t get those takedowns, he’s in big trouble.
Ochoa’s recent KO win against Cody Durden shows his confidence and power are stronger than ever. He’s coming into this fight with a lot of momentum. Almabayev is entering off a TKO loss. That can affect the mental attitude of a fighter.
I see Jose Ochoa receiving a crushing punch. It may come either in the first or second round. He can end this fight early. This fight will not go the distance. A stunning knockout is on the cards for “Kalzifer.” That’s why I’m backing him @1.96. Such high odds are available when you register on Game2Bet.
