Battle vs Ruziboev UFC 319: Odds, Analysis & Pick

Bryan Battle vs Nursulton Ruziboev Fight Analysis

Introduction

The middleweight clash between Bryan Battle and Nursulton Ruziboev is set to ignite the Octagon on the preliminary card of UFC 319, scheduled for Saturday, August 17, 2025, at the iconic United Center in Chicago, Illinois. As the preliminary bouts kick off the evening’s action at the Windy City’s premier arena, this highly anticipated matchup promises fireworks from the opening bell, offering fight fans an intriguing stylistic contrast and a compelling betting narrative.

Event Details

• Date & Time: Saturday, August 17, 2025 (Preliminary Card)
• Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
• Event: UFC 319 – Du Plessis vs Chimaev
• Stage: Preliminary Card (expected to begin in the early evening local time)

The Fighters

Bryan Battle, hailing from the United States, enters this contest as the betting favorite. With a professional record of 13-2-0, Battle has demonstrated a versatile game that blends striking precision and persistent wrestling. His significant striking accuracy sits at an impressive 53%, and he boasts 6 submission victories alongside 4 knockouts, underlining his ability to finish fights both on the feet and on the mat. At 30 years old, Battle has already made waves in the middleweight division since his UFC debut in August 2021, and his recent form—marked by back-to-back wins over Randy Brown (split decision) and Kevin Jousset (second-round TKO)—reinforces the oddsmakers’ confidence in his skill set.

On the opposite side stands Nursulton Ruziboev, the Uzbek kickboxer who arrives in Chicago with a wealth of experience—36 wins, 9 losses, and 2 draws—highlighted by 20 submission victories and 13 knockouts. Ruziboev’s average fight time of 8:02 and his prolific first-round finish rate (25) showcase a competitor who thrives on fast starts and sudden stoppages. Despite being the underdog on most boards (≈+155 to +165 across major sportsbooks), his takedown accuracy of 67% indicates a potent wrestling base ready to be unleashed against Battle’s formidable striking.

Betting Outlook

• Favorite: Bryan Battle (approximately –195 on DraftKings and BetRivers)
• Underdog: Nursulton Ruziboev (approximately +155 on BetRivers)

Betting lines firmly favor Battle, reflecting his recent winning streak and balanced skill set. However, Ruziboev’s underdog status could appeal to punters seeking value—his finishing instincts and grappling prowess present a genuine threat, especially if he can capitalize on the early exchanges.

As the fight clock approaches, casual viewers and seasoned bettors alike will be weighing dynamic striking matchups against high-stakes grappling scenarios. With both men capable of ending the fight in a hurry, Bryan Battle vs Nursulton Ruziboev promises to be one of the most entertaining preliminary bouts on this blockbuster UFC 319 card.

Live odds

Live and historic odds as well as more fighter statistics and insights for Bryan Battle vs Nursulton Ruziboev can be found on the fighter matchup page. All the fighter matchups and live odds for Du Plessis vs Chimaev can be found on the Du Plessis vs Chimaev event page.

Matchup and Fighter Profiles

Bryan Battle

Background

• Age: 30
• Country: United States 🇺🇸
• Fighting Style: Freestyle wrestler with a well-rounded striking arsenal
• Physicals: 6'1" (73") tall, 77" reach

Recent Form (Last 5 Fights)

1. Win vs. Randy Brown – Decision (Split) – Dec. 7, 2024
2. Win vs. Kevin Jousset – KO/TKO (Round 2, 3:47) – Sept. 28, 2024
3. Loss vs. Ange Loosa – Could Not Continue (Round 2, 1:00) – Mar. 16, 2024
4. Win vs. AJ Fletcher – Submission (Round 2, 4:32) – Sept. 23, 2023
5. Win vs. Gabe Green – KO/TKO (Round 1, 0:14) – May 13, 2023

Battle enters this bout on a four-fight winning streak (apart from a March setback vs. Loosa), showcasing his ability to grind out decisions, earn stoppages on the feet, and secure submissions when the fight hits the mat.

Strengths

• Striking Accuracy (53%): Battle lands more than half of his significant strikes, giving him a clear edge in stand-up exchanges.
• Submission Prowess: With 6 submission victories, he poses a constant threat whenever he pulls guard or scrambles for a takedown.
• Takedown Defense (54%): He successfully defends over half of his opponent’s takedown attempts, neutralizing grapplers.
• Cardio & Durability: An average fight time of 8:37 indicates the stamina to outlast foes and sustain pressure across three rounds.

Weaknesses

• Takedown Offense (17%): A relatively low takedown success rate suggests he may struggle to impose his wrestling against elite wrestlers.
• Striking Defense (44%): Battle concedes a high volume of significant strikes, leaving openings for heavy hitters.
• Finishing Frequency: Only 3 first-round finishes hint that early fight explosiveness isn’t his hallmark—instead, he tends to methodically work his game plan.

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Nursulton Ruziboev

Background

• Age: 31
• Country: Uzbekistan 🇺🇿
• Fighting Style: Kickboxer with high-level submission transitions
• Physicals: 6'5" (77") tall, 76" reach

Recent Form (Last 4 Fights)

1. Win vs. Eric McConico – KO/TKO (Round 2, 0:33) – Feb. 22, 2025
2. Loss vs. Joaquin Buckley – Decision (Unanimous) – May 11, 2024
3. Win vs. Sedriques Dumas – KO/TKO (Round 1, 3:18) – Mar. 30, 2024
4. Win vs. Brunno Ferreira – KO/TKO (Round 1, 1:17) – Jul. 1, 2023

Ruziboev is riding a three-fight win streak (excluding his Buckley defeat) and has shown aggressive striking early, with three of his last four wins coming by way of knockout.

Strengths

• Takedown Accuracy (67%): Despite being labeled a kickboxer, he boasts a two-thirds takedown success rate—ideal for blending striking with grappling.
• Finishing Instincts: With 25 first-round finishes and a 36–9–2 record, Ruziboev capitalizes on fast starts, whether via strikes (13 KOs) or submissions (20).
• Average Fight Time (8:02): Reflects his aggressive style, often ending contests before they reach championship rounds.

Weaknesses

• Takedown Defense (33%): Vulnerable to wrestlers—he defends only one in three takedown attempts, which Battle could exploit.
• Striking Accuracy (47%): Below 50% efficiency leaves him open to counters from precision strikers like Battle.
• Striking Defense (49%): Concedes nearly half of opponents’ significant strikes, indicating susceptibility to volume and power.

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Head-to-Head Implications

This stylistic clash pits Battle’s precision wrestling and grappling defense against Ruziboev’s fast-paced knockout approach and submission upside. Battle must negate Ruziboev’s early explosive bursts, utilize his striking accuracy, and avoid overcommitting to takedown attempts where he’s statistically less efficient. Conversely, Ruziboev will aim to force scrambles, capitalize on his takedown success, and turn the fight into a first-round fireworks display. Expect a strategic battle of patience vs. aggression with pivotal roles for cardio, ring IQ, and defensive discipline.

Betting Odds and Line Movement

Current Betting Lines

As fight night approaches, the betting market clearly favors Bryan Battle over Nursulton Ruziboev. Here’s a snapshot of the current head-to-head lines across major sportsbooks:

• DraftKings:

  • Battle: –192
  • Ruziboev: +160

• FanDuel:

  • Battle: –196
  • Ruziboev: +152

• BetRivers:

  • Battle: –195
  • Ruziboev: +155

• BetOnline.ag:

  • Battle: –190
  • Ruziboev: +165

Bryan Battle is the favorite (negative odds), while Nursulton Ruziboev is the underdog (positive odds). The gap between them—roughly 1.7 to 1.9 to 1 on Battle vs. 1.5 to 1.6 to 1 on Ruziboev—reflects the market’s confidence in Battle’s well-rounded skill set and winning momentum.

Best Sportsbook to Bet On

For bettors seeking the highest potential return:

• Favorite (Battle): BetOnline.ag at –190
• Underdog (Ruziboev): BetOnline.ag at +165

BetOnline.ag offers the most favorable lines for both sides, maximizing profit potential whether you back the chalk or chase the upset.

Line Movement

Line movement has been relatively modest in the days leading up to UFC 319:

• Bryan Battle opened around –200 on most books and has gradually shifted to the mid –190s, indicating consistent backing from sharp action but no dramatic late-money swings.
• Nursulton Ruziboev’s number has drifted from +155 up to +165 at BetOnline.ag, suggesting limited but steady support for the underdog.

Overall, there are no large swings or dramatic reversals—just incremental tweaks reflecting normal money flow.

$1,000 Payout & Implied Probabilities

If you were to wager $1,000 tonight:

• Betting Battle at –190 (BetOnline.ag)
  • Total returned: $1,526
  • Market’s implied win chance: about 66%

• Betting Ruziboev at +165 (BetOnline.ag)
  • Total returned: $2,650
  • Market’s implied win chance: about 38%

Whether you believe the favorite’s well-rounded game plan or the underdog’s explosive finish rate, these payouts and implied probabilities highlight exactly how the betting public values each man’s chances.