Minyan Zhang - Alonzo Menifield: betting tip (kef 1.87) and bets on the fight

Current form

Minyan Zhang is one of the most interesting Asian fighters in the UFC. The organization clearly placed a serious bet on him: a powerful drummer, aggressive manner, bright finishes — everything that the audience loves. But the fight with Johnny Walker turned the picture upside down.

In Shanghai, Zhang was considered a huge favorite in the fight against Johnny Walker. The odds spoke for themselves, the bookmakers had little doubt of his victory. However, instead of a triumph, it turned out to be a real cold shower. Walker survived the initial onslaught, and then in the second round literally took the Chinese apart, making a technical knockout. It was a painful blow for the local public, but for Zhang himself it was a moment that he would have to relive in every next fight.

But here it is important to understand one thing: one heavy defeat does not negate the strengths of a fighter. Before meeting Walker, Zhang looked like a real car for finishing. Anthony Smith didn't have time to really get into the fight, Ozzy Diaz also quickly found himself under a barrage of attacks, and Brandson Ribeiro couldn't stand the pressure at all at the start. Zhang works at a very high pace, constantly moving forward and not afraid to take risks.

His stats look impressive: almost eight accurate beats per minute with excellent accuracy. This is a serious figure for the light heavyweight division. Especially considering that Zhang doesn't accumulate points, he goes into the cage to finish the fight.

However, there is a downside. When the opponent withstands the initial assault, the Chinese begins to have problems with defense and the distribution of forces. That's exactly what Walker took advantage of. And Menifield probably studied that fight carefully.

Current form

Alonzo Menifield's career has long been like a roller coaster. It seems that you are just beginning to believe in his new rise — and then a painful defeat follows. In November, the American was stopped by Volkan Ozdemir in the first round. Moreover, it looked quite alarming: Menifield again could not withstand serious pressure and crumbled under a dense attack.

But shortly before that, he had produced one of the most unexpected results of the year, defeating Umar Xi in the status of a huge underdog. At that time, many expected Menifield to become an easy target, but the American suddenly turned on discipline, competently worked as the second number and managed to surprise the judges.

The problem is that there is still no stability in his performances. When the fight drags on or the opponent starts to impose a high tempo, Menifield's speed drops noticeably. And with it, confidence disappears. For a fighter who has to deal with an aggressive puncher like Zhang, this is a very unpleasant factor.

In addition, age is gradually beginning to remind you of yourself. Menifield is ten years older than Zhang, and in the light heavyweight division, such things are especially noticeable in the exchanges. The reaction becomes a little slower, the recovery is not so fast anymore, and missed punches feel heavier.

Another worrying point is the protection of the American. About half of the opponents' punches reach the target. Against a technical and powerful finisher, this is an extremely dangerous statistic. Especially considering that Zhang usually starts out like a hurricane.