Austin Hubbard (+120) vs. Vinc Pichel (-142)
Weight Class: Lightweight (155 lbs)
Vinc Pichel will be looking to continue a solid run when he takes on Austin Hubbard at UFC Vegas 34.
Pachel typically employs stalking pressure that results in a takedown. He has very solid leg kicks and is good at backing his opponents into corners.
When he does secure a takedown, Pichel is a problem. This is where he does the bulk of his work and wins his fights. He attacks in bursts and does not wear himself out; which is a solid skill set to master. His bottom game isn’t nearly as polished, but Hubbard is not known for his takedowns.
Vinc Pichel has racked up UFC wins over Jim Miller and Roosevelt Roberts to name a couple, proving he earns his roster spot.
As for Austin Hubbard, the elevation product has squared off against several pressure wrestlers in his UFC career. He has lost fights with Davi Ramos and Mark Madsen who are both incredibly skilled on the ground, especially Madsen.
But Hubbard is a solid fighter with a-lot of positive traits. His kick-boxing is very solid when he opens up, though he has been hit with counters more than once. Against non-pressure wrestlers, he has success, as evidenced by his fight with Dakota Bush.
Hubbard is good for solid combinations, though I worry about his volume. He also doesn’t have a ton of power, though his overall striking game is pretty good.
Ultimately, I think Pichel has to be the pick. It’s no disrespect to Hubbard, but we’ve seen him solved by fighters with Pichel’s skill-set. I see Pichel getting more than one takedown and once he gets it, I expect him to hold his opponent down.
I would strongly consider Hubbard in a fight where I project him to be standing more, but he again finds himself in a tough spot relative to his game.
Initially a pick em’, late money has come in on Vinc Pichel, who now sits at (-142.) I still think this is a solid play.
Prediction and play: Vinc Pichel moneyline (-142)