UFC Fight Night 235 offers thrilling matchups, featuring a flyweight clash between Charles Johnson and Azat Maksum in the preliminary card at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, scheduled for Saturday, February 3, starting at 4:00 PM ET. Maksum enters the bout as a moderate favorite, boasting a -220 moneyline.

Maksum is aiming to impress in the UFC with his current undefeated 17-fight record, with his last fight being his successful debut in the UFC. This battle was a split decision over Tyson Nam back at UFC on ESPN 49 in July of last year.

He takes pride in his fight record, boasting 17 victories, with five knockouts, seven submissions, and five decisions. Notably, he has achieved six triumphs in the opening round. This should be another appealing matchup for him, especially if can close out the fight early.

“Qazaq” maintains a 24 percent striking accuracy and an 18 percent success rate in takedowns, which does not bode well in his chances at success. Per minute of action, he lands 3.07 significant strikes but absorbs 5.40, resulting in a negative margin of error.

On average, he secures 2.00 takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time, yet to secure any submissions. His defensive skills include a 62 percent success rate against significant strikes but currently lacks readiness against takedowns.

Johnson has had mixed results since joining the UFC, going 2-4 in his battles so far. He is currently on a three-fight skid, with his most recent defeat being a unanimous decision against Rafael Estevam at UFC Fight Night 232.

He boasts 13 professional victories, comprising six knockouts, three submissions, and four decisions. Notably, four of these triumphs concluded in first-round finishes, and all six of his decision victories showcase his strategic prowess.

"Inner G" demonstrates an impressive 55 percent accuracy in striking, contrasting with a 14 percent accuracy in takedowns. His performance includes an average of 4.34 significant strikes per minute and an absorption rate of 3.27, resulting in a slightly positive differential that could prove impactful.

When it comes to ground action, he records only 0.19 takedowns and submissions per 15 minutes, indicating limited success. Despite this, he showcases a 55 percent defense against significant strikes and a 63 percent takedown defense.

MyBookie offers the betting odds for this match, favoring Azat Maksum as a moderate favorite (-220) for potential success. Those looking for optimal value in betting on Maksum may want to include him in a parlay with other fights or choose a prop bet that aligns with his fighting style. Maksum will likely be able to utilize his abilities on the ground.