UFC 319: Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan - Fight Card, Predictions, and How to Watch

UFC 319: Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan - A Comprehensive Preview

UFC 319 is set to electrify the MMA world with a stacked card headlined by a highly anticipated lightweight clash between Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the entire fight card, expert predictions, and information on how to watch this must-see event. Whether you're a seasoned UFC fan or new to the sport, this guide will equip you with everything you need to enjoy UFC 319.

Fight Card Breakdown: UFC 319

UFC 319 boasts a compelling lineup of fights across various weight divisions. Here's a complete look at the card, including confirmed bouts and potential matchups (card subject to change):

Main Card (ESPN+ PPV)

• Lightweight: Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan
• Middleweight: Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov
• Heavyweight: Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Romanov
• Women's Strawweight: Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs. Marina Rodriguez
• Welterweight: Randy Brown vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

Preliminary Card (ESPN/ESPN+)

• Middleweight: Roman Dolidze vs. Nassourdine Imavov
• Bantamweight: Ricky Simon vs. Brady Hiestand
• Lightweight: Joaquim Silva vs. Drakkar Klose
• Lightweight: Clay Guida vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira

Early Preliminary Card (ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass)

• Women's Flyweight: Gillian Robertson vs. Piera Rodriguez
• Bantamweight: Miles Johns vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade
• Heavyweight: Auston Lane vs. Justin Tafa
• Flyweight: CJ Vergara vs. Tatsuro Taira

Main Event Breakdown: Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan

The main event features a classic striker vs. grappler matchup between Charles Oliveira, a submission wizard with a relentless offensive style, and Arman Tsarukyan, a powerful wrestler with improving striking.

Charles Oliveira: Strengths and Weaknesses

Charles "Do Bronx" Oliveira (34-9, 1 NC) is one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC. His strengths include:

• Submission Skills: Oliveira holds the record for most submission wins in UFC history. His jiu-jitsu is world-class, and he's dangerous off his back.
• Aggressive Striking: While known for his grappling, Oliveira's striking has evolved. He throws with power and volume, often overwhelming opponents.
• Mental Fortitude: Oliveira has shown incredible resilience throughout his career, overcoming adversity to reach the top of the lightweight division.

However, Oliveira also has weaknesses:

• Defensive Wrestling: While his jiu-jitsu is elite, Oliveira's defensive wrestling can be exploited by strong wrestlers.
• Chin: Oliveira has been knocked down and finished in the past, suggesting a vulnerability to strikes.
• Weight Cutting Issues: Oliveira has had issues making weight in the past, potentially impacting his performance.

Arman Tsarukyan: Strengths and Weaknesses

Arman "Ahalkalakets" Tsarukyan (22-3) is a rising star in the lightweight division. His strengths include:

• Wrestling Prowess: Tsarukyan is a dominant wrestler with excellent takedown ability and control.
• Ground and Pound: Once he secures a takedown, Tsarukyan is effective at landing strikes from top position.
• Improving Striking: Tsarukyan's striking has improved significantly, making him a more well-rounded fighter.
• Cardio: Tsarukyan has excellent cardio, allowing him to maintain a high pace throughout the fight.

Tsarukyan's weaknesses include:

• Submission Defense: While improving, Tsarukyan's submission defense hasn't been tested against elite grapplers like Oliveira.
• Experience Against Top-Tier Opponents: Tsarukyan's resume lacks wins against fighters of Oliveira's caliber.
• Decision Making Under Pressure: Tsarukyan has shown some vulnerability to making mistakes when facing adversity.

Expert Predictions: Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan

This is a tough fight to call, with compelling arguments for both fighters. Here's a breakdown of potential outcomes and expert predictions:

Scenario 1: Tsarukyan's Wrestling Dominance

If Tsarukyan can consistently take Oliveira down and control him on the ground, he has a good chance of winning. Tsarukyan's wrestling and ground-and-pound could wear Oliveira down and potentially lead to a TKO finish or a decision victory. However, he needs to be wary of Oliveira's submission attempts.

Scenario 2: Oliveira's Submission Threat

If Oliveira can avoid being taken down or create scrambles, he can threaten Tsarukyan with submissions. Oliveira's jiu-jitsu is a game-changer, and he only needs one mistake from Tsarukyan to secure a fight-ending submission. This scenario favors a submission victory for Oliveira in the middle rounds.

Scenario 3: Striking Battle

If the fight stays on the feet for an extended period, Oliveira has a slight advantage. His striking has become more refined, and he throws with more volume and aggression. However, Tsarukyan's striking is improving, and he possesses knockout power. This scenario could lead to a back-and-forth striking battle with a potential knockout for either fighter.

Expert Prediction:

Most analysts lean towards a Tsarukyan victory, citing his wrestling advantage and improved striking. However, Oliveira's submission skills are a constant threat, making this a high-stakes, exciting matchup. A likely outcome is Tsarukyan controlling the majority of the fight with takedowns and ground control, leading to a unanimous decision victory. However, a late submission win by Oliveira is not out of the question.

Prediction: Arman Tsarukyan by Unanimous Decision.

Other Key Fights on the Card: Predictions and Analysis

Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov

This is a significant middleweight bout with title implications. Whittaker (25-7) is a former champion looking to reclaim his spot at the top, while Aliskerov (15-1) is a dangerous newcomer with a strong grappling background. Aliskerov replaced Khamzat Chimaev who pulled out due to illness.

Whittaker's Advantages:

• Striking Prowess: Whittaker possesses superior striking technique and experience.
• Takedown Defense: He has shown solid takedown defense against skilled wrestlers.
• Championship Experience: Whittaker has been in numerous high-pressure fights.

Aliskerov's Advantages:

• Grappling Skills: Aliskerov is a highly skilled grappler with a strong submission game.
• Power: He has knockout power in his hands and is a threat on the ground.
• Unpredictability: As a relative newcomer, he can surprise opponents with his diverse skillset.

Prediction:

Whittaker is favored due to his superior striking and experience. If he can keep the fight standing, he should be able to outstrike Aliskerov. However, if Aliskerov can get the fight to the ground, he poses a significant submission threat. Whittaker's takedown defense will be key. Whittaker by TKO in Round 3.

Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Romanov

This heavyweight clash pits two strong wrestlers against each other. Almeida (20-2) is a rising star known for his relentless grappling and submission skills, while Romanov (17-2) is a powerful wrestler with heavy hands.

Almeida's Advantages:

• Grappling Dominance: Almeida has exceptional grappling skills and a knack for submissions.
• Pace: He maintains a high pace and constantly looks for opportunities to take the fight to the ground.
• Size and Strength: Almeida is a physically imposing heavyweight.

Romanov's Advantages:

• Wrestling Base: Romanov has a strong wrestling background and can control opponents on the ground.
• Power: He possesses knockout power in his hands and can finish fights quickly.
• Experience: Romanov has faced a variety of opponents in the heavyweight division.

Prediction:

Almeida is the favorite due to his superior grappling and submission skills. He's likely to take Romanov down and look for a submission. Romanov will need to keep the fight standing and utilize his power to have a chance. Almeida by Submission in Round 2.

Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs. Marina Rodriguez

This women's strawweight bout features two skilled strikers. Waterson-Gomez (18-12) is a veteran with a diverse skillset, while Rodriguez (17-3-2) is a powerful striker with a high finishing rate.

Waterson-Gomez's Advantages:

• Striking Variety: Waterson-Gomez has a diverse striking arsenal and can mix up her attacks.
• Experience: She has faced many top contenders in the strawweight division.
• Movement: Waterson-Gomez is known for her agility and movement in the cage.

Rodriguez's Advantages:

• Power Striking: Rodriguez has significant knockout power in her hands.
• Aggression: She is an aggressive fighter who likes to push the pace.
• Reach Advantage: Rodriguez has a longer reach, which she uses effectively in her striking.

Prediction:

Rodriguez is the favorite due to her power and aggression. She is likely to pressure Waterson-Gomez and look for a knockout. Waterson-Gomez will need to use her movement and striking variety to avoid Rodriguez's power. Rodriguez by TKO in Round 2.

Randy Brown vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

This welterweight bout promises exciting striking exchanges. Brown (18-5) is a tall, rangy striker, while Zaleski dos Santos (24-7-1) is a dynamic and unpredictable fighter.

Brown's Advantages:

• Reach: Brown has a significant reach advantage, which he uses to keep opponents at bay.
• Technical Striking: He possesses a refined striking technique and a good jab.
• Cardio: Brown has shown good cardio in his fights.

Zaleski dos Santos's Advantages:

• Unpredictability: Zaleski dos Santos is known for his creative and unorthodox striking style.
• Power: He has knockout power in his hands and feet.
• Aggression: He is an aggressive fighter who constantly moves forward.

Prediction:

This fight is a close one, but Zaleski dos Santos is favored due to his unpredictable style and power. He's likely to pressure Brown and look for a knockout. Brown will need to use his reach and technical striking to keep Zaleski dos Santos at bay. Zaleski dos Santos by Decision.

How to Watch UFC 319

UFC 319 is a pay-per-view event, meaning you'll need to purchase it to watch the main card. Here's how you can watch:

• ESPN+ PPV: The main card is exclusively available on ESPN+ PPV in the United States. You'll need an ESPN+ subscription and purchase the pay-per-view event.
• UFC Fight Pass: The early preliminary card will be streamed live on UFC Fight Pass.
• ESPN/ESPN2: The preliminary card will air on ESPN and ESPN2, depending on your cable package. Check your local listings for specific times.
• International Viewers: Check your local listings for broadcast details in your country. Many international broadcasters carry UFC events.

Steps to Watch on ESPN+ PPV (US):

1. Subscribe to ESPN+: If you're not already a subscriber, sign up for ESPN+ on the ESPN website or app.
2. Purchase UFC 319 PPV: Once you're subscribed to ESPN+, navigate to the UFC section and purchase the UFC 319 pay-per-view event.
3. Watch Live: On fight night, log in to your ESPN+ account and stream the event live.

Understanding UFC Betting Odds

Before placing any bets on UFC 319, it's essential to understand how betting odds work. UFC odds are typically displayed in the American format (e.g., -200, +170). Here's a brief explanation:

• Negative Odds (-): Indicate the favorite. The number represents how much you need to bet to win $100. For example, -200 means you need to bet $200 to win $100.
• Positive Odds (+): Indicate the underdog. The number represents how much you'll win if you bet $100. For example, +170 means you'll win $170 if you bet $100.

Understanding these odds allows you to assess the perceived likelihood of each fighter winning and make informed betting decisions.

Conclusion: UFC 319 Promises Excitement

UFC 319 is shaping up to be a thrilling event with a stacked card full of exciting matchups. The main event between Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan is a must-see fight with title implications, and the rest of the card offers plenty of compelling action. Be sure to tune in and witness the excitement live!

Stay Updated

Fight cards are always subject to change, so stay updated with the latest news and announcements from the UFC. Follow official UFC social media channels and reputable MMA news outlets for any last-minute changes or updates.