Heavyweight
57%
% Wins - Prediction by RTF
43%
This is exactly the kind of fight where fans should expect a big, brutal heavyweight brawl.
Bakole and Ajagba are not the fastest or most mobile guys.
But that’s not what they’re here for — they are here to land heavy shots and try to break their opponents down.
Ajagba is 31 years old, Bakole is 33.
It’s the prime age for heavyweights — strong, experienced, and still with plenty of years ahead for further accomplishments.
Both have good records, but Bakole’s résumé features slightly better names.
The biggest name on Ajagba’s record is Frank Sanchez — and Efe lost that fight.
Don’t expect a flood of multi-punch combinations from either side.
However, in terms of sheer volume and more agile combining, Bakole clearly has the edge.
Ajagba has never been the best when it comes to combining punches.
Even Vianello, his previous opponent, was able to cause him problems because of this.
An important factor: Ajagba comes into this fight off a win, though it was a tough one.
Bakole, meanwhile, comes in after a loss — a knockout defeat.
Coming back from a KO loss to face another dangerous puncher is a very risky move.
The biggest question: has Martin had enough time to properly rest and recover?
Both fighters have the ability to knock out an opponent with a single punch.
But their power works differently due to their styles.
Ajagba needs space to get his shots off and generate full power.
Bakole, on the other hand, can flatten someone even with a short hook in close.
So the threat levels are somewhat different for each fighter.
It might seem that since Parker stopped Bakole so easily, he doesn’t take punches well.
But that's not entirely accurate.
Martin barely prepared for that fight, and expectations were low.
In all other cases, there have been no real complaints about either fighter’s durability.
However, both men punch so hard that even the best chin could crack — possibly even in the very first round.
This will be Bakole’s third career fight in Saudi Arabia and his second consecutive bout there.
This time, however, he comes well-prepared, well-trained, and fully aware of the conditions.
For Ajagba, this will be his first fight outside the United States.
It’s worth noting that the bout will take place early in the morning local time, in order to fit U.S. broadcast schedules — and it’s extremely important to see how both fighters handle this adjustment.
For Bakole, it’s crucial to win — and to win convincingly.
Not long ago, he was considered one of the heavyweight division’s boogeymen — and then he was knocked out by Parker.
Another loss would badly damage his reputation.
Given Ajagba’s punching power, and considering that his opponent was just recently stopped, Efe certainly has a real chance at an upset.
But it won't be easy.
Total number of punches thrown per fight
460
Total number of punches thrown451
Total number of punches landed per fight
145 (32%)
Total number of punches landed190 (42%)
Total number of jabs thrown per fight
234
Total number of jabs thrown290
Total number of jabs landed per fight
63 (27%)
Total number of jabs landed106 (37%)
Total number of power punches thrown per fight
226
Total number of power punches thrown161
Total number of power punches landed per fight
82 (36%)
Total number of power punches landed84 (52%)
110to the head
35to the body
139to the head
51to the body