Currently, the Kyrgyz fighter approaches the match with two consecutive early victories: he defeated Azerbaijani Tofik Musaev by submission with a kimura and also knocked out Swede Jack Hermansson. Previously, in his first loss in the UFC, Orolbay uulu lost to Polish fighter Mateusz Rebecki by judges' decision.
As for Curtis, in his last fight, he won against Max Griffin, breaking a two-fight losing streak against Brendan Allen and Roman Kopylov.
Last year, Orolbay uulu moved up in weight class to welterweight (77 kg) from lightweight (70 kg). Similarly, Curtis is also having his second fight in a new weight class, dropping down from middleweight (84 kg).
Strengths of Myktybek Orolbay uulu
One of the key strengths of the Kyrgyz fighter is his knockout power. He has repeatedly sent opponents to the canvas, as seen in his last fight against Hermansson. Earlier, his strikes also knocked down Brazilian Elvis Brenner.
Additionally, active pressure is a strong point for Orolbay uulu. He effectively uses low kicks, jabs, and at the right moment connects with a powerful right straight or hook, allowing him to control the pace of the fight.
Equally important is his versatility in style. Myktybek is capable of successfully operating both in stand-up and on the ground, offering opponents various options for fighting.
It is also worth noting his high endurance. Even in his loss to Rebecki, he continued to fight actively despite injuries and heavy bleeding. Orolbay uulu's coach, Tynchtykbek Omurzakov, previously emphasized that even at the start of training, his protégé stood out for his remarkable endurance.
An important aspect is the age of the fighter. Orolbay uulu is only 28 years old and is on the rise of his career, while Curtis has already reached 38. This age difference may give the Kyrgyz fighter an advantage in speed and endurance.
Potential difficulties for the Kyrgyz fighter
One possible issue for Myktybek could be the stance difference. Orolbay uulu fights in an orthodox stance, while Curtis is a southpaw. Fights against southpaws often create difficulties for orthodox fighters, as such opponents are harder to encounter in training. It is important to note that Rebecki, to whom Orolbay uulu lost, also fights in a southpaw stance.
Moreover, the Kyrgyz fighter sometimes gets hit in stand-up exchanges, preferring to evade rather than block attacks. Nevertheless, he is capable of absorbing heavy strikes and is not easily knocked out.
It is also worth mentioning the size difference. Orolbay uulu previously fought in lightweight, while Curtis has fought in middleweight for a long time. Although the fighters are the same height—178 cm—Curtis has a reach of 193 cm, while the Kyrgyz has a reach of 188 cm. This gives the American an advantage in distance and may affect the speed of exchanges. However, Myktybek has already defeated opponents with a greater reach, such as Hermansson (197 cm).
It should also be considered that after weighing in, Curtis may come into the fight significantly heavier than his opponent.
Possible fight scenario
Curtis is not the most challenging opponent in Orolbay uulu's career. The American's weight advantage could create difficulties for the Kyrgyz if the fight goes to the ground.
However, Myktybek's technical skills suggest that he can work effectively in grappling, attempting to finish the fight with a submission or choke.
In stand-up, the advantage in speed and striking power is likely to be with the Kyrgyz. However, straightforward attacks may be risky due to Curtis's southpaw stance and his ability to counter with his left hand.
Fight prediction
Considering the age, endurance, and tactical flexibility, Orolbay uulu has a good chance of winning. The fight will require high concentration from the Kyrgyz fighter.
The most likely outcome is a victory for Myktybek Orolbay uulu by unanimous decision. Bookmakers also consider the Kyrgyz a favorite, setting the odds for his victory at around 1.3, while for Curtis's victory at 3.7.
