Nordine Taleb is going up against Sean Strickland at UFC Fight Night 138 on Saturday night in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. This event is one of four on the FS1 portion of the preliminary card. Taleb is 14-5 in his career, while Strickland is 19-3 in his career. There are a total of six fights on the main card on FS1, with the headliner a bout between Volkan Oezdemir and Anthony Smith. There are also a total of seven fights on the preliminary card with four on FS1and three on UFC Fight Pass. Let’s look at the bout between Taleb and Strickland and UFC picks.
UFC Fight Night 138 Betting at BookMaker.eu
Nordine Taleb (14-5, 6-3 UFC)
Taleb came into the UFC with a record of 8-2 and he has six wins and three losses in the UFC. He defeated Vik Grujic by unanimous decision, Li Jingliang by split decision, Chris Clements by unanimous decision, Erick Silva by KO, Oliver Enkamp by unanimous decision, and Danny Roberts by KO; while losing to Warlley Alves by submission, Santiago Ponzinibbio by unanimous decision, and Cláudio Silva by submission. Taleb has been a pro since 2007 and has seven wins by TKO/KO. He has a total of three first round finishes in his career.
Sean Strickland (19-3, 6-3 UFC)
Strickland came into the UFC with a record of 13-0 and he has six wins and three losses in the UFC. He defeated Bubba McDaniel by submission, Luke Barnatt by split decision, Igor Araújo by unanimous decision, Alex Garcia by KO, Tom Breese by split decision, and Court McGee by unanimous decision; while losing to Santiago Ponzinibbio by unanimous decision, Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision, and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos by KO. Strickland has been a pro since 2008 and has eight wins by TKO/KO and four by submission. He has nine first round finishes.
Striking Stats
Strikes landed per minute: Taleb 3.21/ Strickland 4.08
Accuracy: Taleb 54% / Strickland 35%
Strikes absorbed per minute: Taleb 2.06/ Strickland 3.45
Defense: Taleb 68% / Strickland 66%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Taleb 2.49/ Strickland 1.46
Accuracy: Taleb 76% / Strickland 57%
Takedowns defended: Taleb 71% / Strickland 81%
Submission average: Taleb 0.0 / Strickland 0.5
UFC Picks
Taleb should be at a disadvantage against Strickland. Taleb and Strickland have a 10 year age difference and Strickland has a big edge on the ground. Strickland looked good in a win over Bubba McDaniel, while Taleb has never won a fight by submission. He was beaten by a rear-naked choke against Claudio Silva in his last fight. Taleb does have knockout power, but Strickland has more ways to win. I am a little surprised that Strickland is not a solid favorite, as I see him winning this fight. I will take Strickland and the fight to go under the rounds total.
UFC Fight Night 138 takes place at Avenir Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada on Saturday, October 27. There are six fights on the main card on FS1, headlined by the bout between Volkan Oezdemir and Anthony Smith and seven preliminary bouts, with four on FS1 and three on UFC Fight Pass.
Main Card (FS1)
Light Heavyweight - Volkan Oezdemir -166 vs. Anthony Smith
Featherweight - Michael Johnson -625 vs. Artem Lobov
Light Heavyweight - Misha Cirkunov -465 vs. Patrick Cummins
Bantamweight - Andre Soukhamthath -180 vs. Jonathan Martinez
Light Heavyweight - Gian Villante -255 vs. Ed Herman
Welterweight - Alex Garcia -190 vs. Court McGee
Preliminary Card (FS1)
Welterweight - Nordine Taleb -115 vs. Sean Strickland
Lightweight - Nasrat Haqparast -900 vs. Thibault Gouti
Featherweight - Calvin Kattar -275 vs. Chris Fishgold
Women's Bantamweight - Sarah Moras -175 vs. Talita Bernardo
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Lightweight - Te'Jovan Edwards -550 vs. Don Madge
Heavyweight - Arjan Bhullar -195 vs. Marcelo Golm
Lightweight - Stevie Ray -165 vs. Jessin Ayari
UFC Fight Night 138 Odds
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.
