Can Beirut-born Al-Turk cause shock against Croatian star at UFC 99?
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic is the strong favourite to be victorious against Mostapha Al-Turk at UFC 99 in Germany on Saturday night.
The fight is a must-win for the Croatian fighter, who has become a shadow of his former self.
With all due respect, Al-Turk is nowhere near the level of an in-form Cro Cop, but as shown in the past, Cro Cop and the Octagon do not mesh (no pun intended) well together.
Cro Cop is best priced 1/4 (bet365) to be victorious in the UFC's first live event to take place in Germany and should he be on form, that would look like a good price.
But there are questions over whether the former PRIDE fighter will get the job done and what kind of shame he will be in.
Al-Turk (6-4, 4 KO's) going into the fight as a huge underdog, best priced on Saturday morning 7/2 with Boylesports.
The Beirut-born fighter is currently working with the Wolfslair Academy, which includes Michael Bisping, Quinton Jackson and Cheick Kongo, the latter of whom he last to via TKO last December.
Filipovic may be the bookies' favourite, but should he fail to overcome some kind of psychological issues when fighting inside the cage, the bout come become less of a foregone conclusion than some expect it to be and 7/2 on Al-Turk winning may well represent great value once Saturday night's show is over and done with