UFC Fight Night predictions: Fight card, odds, expert picks for Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres in Baku

Don't blink or you might miss UFC Fight Night's main event. Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres, two thrilling strikers in the action-packed lightweight division, collide on Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Fiziev (13-5) might be the best pure Muay Thai striker in the division. He's shown flashes of elite potential, but has struggled to fulfill it. His back is against the wall after a 1-4 stretch, which includes two losses to current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. Fiziev has newfound inspiration after witnessing Gaethje, whom many thought would never win the undisputed title when he overcame Ilia Topuria.

"I wanted him to win. I'm totally with him, but I didn't completely believe he'd win..." Fiziev told CBS Sports' Brian Campbell. "When I saw the damage on Ilia's face, I thought, 'Wow!' I was screaming at home in front of the TV. I'm very happy for him. It's motivated me because I fought him twice in Fight of the Nights."

Sign up for Paramount+ and watch UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Torres live for no additional fee -- every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year!

Torres (17-3) has one speed and one speed only. Every fight, except one, has ended in Round 1. The two-pronged finisher broke into the lightweight rankings with knockouts over Drew Dober and Grant Dawson. Now, he's circling one of the division's most fearsome but seemingly compromised strikers.

"Truthfully, I think Rafael Fiziev hasn't seen my game really because I finish my fights within the first couple of minutes," Torres told reporters at Wednesday's media day. "I'm coming in with my plan and my pace, and I will impose myself.

"I'm always prepared to fight for five rounds, but it's part of my strategy to win in the first round."

There are a few more fights worth paying attention to this weekend. Rising middleweight contender Shara "Bullet" Magomedov looks to make a thunderous return in the region when he takes on the showy striker Michel Pereira. Magomedov is 5-1 in his UFC career with the lone defeat coming against the tricky Michael "Venom" Page. A win on Saturday could elevate him into the shallow contender pool at 185 pounds. Plus, top flyweights collide when Asu Almabayev takes on Charles Johnson. Almabayev was scheduled to face former champion Brandon Moreno in February when he suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw. Now, he needs a win to hold onto his place and move up the pecking order to possibly challenge champion Joshua Van.

Let's take a look at the rest of the fight card with the latest odds from DraftKings before getting to a prediction and expert pick on the main event below.

UFC Fight Night card, odds

Manuel Torres -112

Lightweight

Shara Magomedov -395

Michel Pereira +310

Middleweight

Nazim Sadykhov -205

Matheus Camilo +170

Lightweight

UFC Fight Night viewing information

Date: June 27 | Start time: 12 p.m. ET (Main card) | 9 a.m. ET (Prelims)
Location: National Gymnastics Arena -- Baku, Azerbaijan
Stream: Paramount+ (subscribe now for as low as $8.99 per month)

Prediction

Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres: Nothing raises alarms more than a first-round fighter. Torres is tremendously powerful, no doubt, but he's not the most refined striker. That cost him against Ignacio Bahamondes, a fighter whom Fiziev beat cleanly. Fiziev's combination of patience, striking finesse and experience will reward him the longer this fight goes. It's probable that Torres tires out and gets caught slacking if this fight makes it past Round 1. Fiziev's health is a bigger concern for me than his losses. He gave Gaethje two tough fights, lost to Mateusz Gamrot by knee injury and got starched by a phenomenally talented Mauricio Ruffy. Durability issues in mind, I think the 33-year-old has enough juice to outwork someone like Torres. Pick: Fiziev via KO, Round 3 

Who wins Fiziev vs. Torres, and how exactly does the fight end? Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks and analysis from the incomparable expert who is up over $21,000 on his UFC picks since May 2018, and find out.

Predictions, picks for UFC Fight Night in Azerbaijan Shakiel Mahjouri 3 min read

Best fights to make for winners and losers after UFC 333 Shakiel Mahjouri 4 min read

UFC 333 takeaways: Volkanovski reminds of his greatness in TKO win Brian Campbell 5 min read

White explains why Prates vs. Morales was booked for UFC 336 Brandon Wise 1 min read

Yan outduels Dvalishvili to retain title in Fight of the Year contender Brent Brookhouse 2 min read

Morales set for UFC 336 in January Shakiel Mahjouri 1 min read

Power Rankings: Ohio State and Miami remain above the chaos Brandon Marcello 1 min read

Top 25 and 1 coaches: No. 1 Hurley is undisputed; Izzo aging like fine wine David Cobb 8 min read

A Taylor-made landing spot for star RB, plus Week 7 game balls and gaffes Tyler Sullivan 12 min read

How the Rays fixed Peralta after trade -- and it starts at the very beginning Mike Axisa 8 min read