Kurt Holobaugh and Kaynan Kruschewsky meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ESPN 60 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
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Kurt Holobaugh vs. Kaynan Kruschewsky UFC on ESPN 60 preview
Few fighters get a second shot in the UFC after their first run, but even fewer get a third after their second, like Holobaugh (20-8 MMA, 1-5 UFC). In the tournament championship of “The Ultimate Fighter 31,” Holobaugh earned another spot on the roster by submitting Austin Hubbard. His momentum was halted, however, by Trey Ogden in his first fight of the year in April. … Kruschewsky (15-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) will look to pick up his first win in the UFC after being knocked out by Elves Brener in his November debut. The result snapped a six-fight unbeaten run that led to his entrance into the promotion after a submission win on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Kurt Holobaugh vs. Kaynan Kruschewsky UFC on ESPN 60 expert pick, prediction
Serving as a solid lightweight action fight is a matchup between Holobaugh and Kruschewsky.
Both men appear to be similar versions of one another – but at different points in their careers.
Kruschewsky is the younger and larger of the two, so it’s no surprise to see him favored on the betting lines. That said, I suspect that Holobaugh is a live underdog in this spot.
Aside from having more than enough ground skills to compete with Kruschewsky, Holobaugh is also an incredibly fast starter with some deceptive pop on the feet.
Couple that with Holobaugh’s experience edge and the chaos that the smaller octagon encourages, and I can’t help but take a flier on the American to score the upset.
The pick is Holobaugh by first-round TKO.
Kurt Holobaugh vs. Kaynan Kruschewsky UFC on ESPN 60 odds
The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the younger fighter, listing Kruschewsky -138 and Holobaugh +113 via FanDuel.
Kurt Holobaugh vs. Kaynan Kruschewsky UFC on ESPN 60 start time, how to watch
As the main card feature bout, Holobaugh and Kruschewsky are expected to make their walks to the cage at approximately 9:35 p.m. ET (6:35 p.m. local time in Las Vegas). The fight airs on ESPN and streams live on ESPN+.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 60.
