On October 21, 2023, the world will witness a breathtaking matchup in the UFC featherweight division: Nathaniel Woods vs. Muhammad Naimov. Woods, who moved up to featherweight in 2022, has made wonderful progress by doing so. Naimov, who is fairly new to the game, prepares for his second win in the UFC.
According to Woods, the cause of the transition from bantamweight to featherweight was the fact that he was focusing more on the weight cut than the training. Now at featherweight, he feels comfortable and relaxed. Woods last fought Andre Fili and won the fight via unanimous decision.
Time to work.
Finally get to compete in Abu Dhabi with a crowd 😊 pic.twitter.com/HQZylnUlwR
— Nathaniel Wood (@TheProspectMMA) September 21, 2023
‘The Prospect’ previously had an injury prior to his fight with Lerone Murphy, which forced him to pull out of that fight. Nathaniel had many fights at bantamweight before climbing to featherweight. He made his featherweight debut with Charles Rosa and won the fight via unanimous decision.
WHAT A COMEBACK KO 🤯
They are going crazy in Tajikistan right now for Muhammad Naimov!!!! #UFCVegas74 pic.twitter.com/kNldANTqRe
— UFC (@ufc) June 3, 2023
Meanwhile, for Muhammad Naimov, this will be his second fight in the organization. After having won a fight against Jamie Mullarkey in June 2023 via TKO. He went up against a more experienced Jamie, who had a record of 16-5 at that time. The Tajikistani has fought in Titan FC and Tuff-N-Uff fight promotions before signing with the UFC.
Nathaniel Woods vs. Muhammad Naimov stats
Stats | Nathaniel Woods | Muhammad Naimov |
Wins | 20 | 9 |
Losses | 5 | 2 |
Height | 5’6” | 5’8” |
Reach | 69” | 70.1” |
Division | Featherweight | Featherweight |
Age | 30 | 29 |
Nathaniel Woods vs. Muhammad Naimov prediction
Nathaniel Woods has the advantage of experience in this fight and is on a three-fight win streak. The English fighter has a record of 20 wins and 5 losses, with 7 first-round finishes. He has 49% striking accuracy, with 6.24 significant strikes landed per minute. Bringing him nine wins by knockout.
His takedown accuracy stands at 54%, with a 76% takedown defense and a 1.70 average takedown per 15 minutes. Mixing his styles well against his opponents makes Nathaniel a formidable opponent for Naimov in the octagon. His fighting style is very unorthodox as he begins swinging the moment he steps into the octagon.
Muhammad Naimov, on the other hand, has a record of nine wins and two losses, with five of his wins coming from knockouts. Muhammad possesses a striking accuracy of 41%, with 3.48 significant strikes landed per minute. His takedown defense stands at 50% with four first-round finishes.
Even though Naimov is new to the organization, his capability of finishing fights sets him apart from other fighters around him. It will be expected of him to put up a good fight against Woods. Nathaniel Woods seems to be the more probable fighter for the win. Nathaniel Woods comprises all the fighting aspects and will win against Muhammad Naimov via a Split Decision.