Saricam vs Popov

Who won Saricam vs Popov?

Oleg Popov beat Gokhan Saricam by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest during the prelims of Bellator Dublin, on Saturday 25th February 2023 at 3Arena Dublin in Dublin.

The scorecards were announced in favor of the winner Oleg Popov.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Heavyweight division, which meant the weight limit was 265 pounds (18.9 stone or 120.2 KG).

Saricam vs Popov stats

Gokhan Saricam stepped into the octagon with a record of 8 wins, 1 loss and 0 draws, 5 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 1 by submission.

Oleg Popov made his way to the cage with a record of 15 wins, 1 loss and 0 draws, 7 of those wins coming by knock out and 3 by submission.

Oleg Popov marked his 1st fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2023.

Gokhan Saricam's Bellator record stood at 5-2-0, while Oleg Popov's came in at 1-0-0.

The stats suggested Saricam had an advantage in power over Popov, with a 63% knock out percentage over Popov's 47%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Popov had a slight advantage over Saricam, with a 20% submission rate over Saricam's 13%.

Gokhan Saricam was the younger man by 33 years, at years old.

Saricam had a height advantage of 2 inches over Popov.

Saricam was arguably the less experienced fighter, having had 7 fewer fights, and made his debut in , 9 years and 7 months earlier than Popov, whose first professional fight was in 2015. He had fought 28 less professional rounds, 21 to Popov's 49.

Saricam vs Popov form

Popov had beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 1 of them, going the distance 3 times.

In his last fight before this contest, he had lost to Denis Goltsov at PFL 2024 Championships on 29th November 2024 by submission in the 1st round at The Mayadeen, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Previous to that, he had won against Linton Vassell at PFL 7: 2024 Playoffs on 2nd August 2024 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, United States.

Going into that contest, he had beaten Davion Franklin at PFL 4: 2024 Regular Season on 13th June 2024 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville.

Before that, he had defeated Steve Mowry at PFL 1: 2024 Regular Season on 4th April 2024 by knockout in the 2nd round at Boeing Center, San Antonio.

He was victorious against Gokhan Saricam at Bellator Dublin on 25th February 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at 3Arena Dublin, Dublin, United Kingdom.

Activity check

Saricam's last 3 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 6 months and 18 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 1 year, 2 months and 7 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 7 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.3 rounds on average.

Popov's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 2 months and 28 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 5 months and 12 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 12 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.4 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Saricam vs Popov?

Gokhan Saricam was a 7/5 (+140) underdog going into the contest, while Oleg Popov made his way into the ring at 1/2 (-200) with oddsmakers.