No. 12 lightweight James Vick (12-1, 3 KOs, 5 SUBs) will meet No. 13 Francisco Trinaldo (22-5, 7 KOs, 5 SUBs) at UFC Fight Night 126 on Saturday, February 18, 2018 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. The card airs live on FS1 starting 9 p.m. ET. Bet on the latest UFC odds at BookMaker.eu, and get the latest previews, predictions and picks now.
James Vick might not be a celebrated lightweight, but he’s quickly becoming a fighter to watch at 155. And in a loaded division, being ranked No. 12 is no small feat. This Saturday, “The Texecutioner” will look for his fourth straight win when he meets No. 13 Francisco Trinaldo on the main card of UFC Fight Night 126 this Saturday.
Trinaldo is not one to be taken lightly. The Brazilian is 8-1 in his last nine fights, with wins over Yancy Medeiros, Paul Felder and Jim Miller. His lone loss during this run came against interim title challenger Kevin Lee, one of the lightweight elite. Even at 39, “Massanduraba” is obviously still a force at 155.
So who should you take in this fight? There are a few decent plays you can make here to get the most out of your money. Let’s look at the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu, break down the matchup and go over your best betting options.
UFC Odds at BookMaker.eu now
Francisco Trinaldo +175 vs. James Vick -210
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -160, under +140
Matchup Breakdown
It’s not often you see 6’3” lightweights, especially ones that aren’t stick thin. But that’s Vick, and he knows how to use his size to overwhelm his opponents inside the octagon. With his long limbs and large torso, the 30-year old year old tags his opponents from a distance and then presses inside to set up a punishing clinch game.
When he’s got guys trapped against the cage, Vick’s height is especially useful when it comes to landing short, brutal knees. The lanky arms come into play when foes expose their necks, as Vick loves to grab the front headlock and force the tap. It’s an effective gameplan used by elite fighters like Tony Ferguson and Max Holloway.
Trinaldo is just 5’8”, but he’s built like a brick and fights how you’d expect short, compact dudes to fight. He presses forward aggressively to get in range, blasting his way with heavy low kicks and powerful left hands. Like Vick, the Brazilian is a strong clinch fighter, though he’s more a conventional dirty boxer in that phase.
UFC Betting Tips
Vick’s recent three-fight finishing streak suggests that he’s taken a big step up in competition. Considering that he was able to take out Joe Duffy, a very good boxer, in his last matchup, Vick should be able to use his length and to outstrike Trinaldo. The size difference between the two will be the key factor in this matchup, as Trinaldo has never faced a guy as big as long as Vick.
UFC Odds Pick: Vick to win at -210
The pick here is Vick to win. At this price, it’s good enough as a straight play, though we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to parlay this with another pick. Vick is the clear favorite for a reason, and his recent performances suggest that he’s ready to take it to another level.
UFC Odds Pick: Over 2.5 rounds at -160
Though Vick has been finishing his opponents lately, he’s not a strong enough offensive wrestler to convince us that he forces a submission. Trinaldo has never been finished, and though he has knockout power he doesn’t have the technical skill to consistently finish guys.
Bet on UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today.
UFC Fight Night 126 takes place on Saturday, February 18, 2018 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. The card airs live on FS1 starting 9 p.m. ET.
