Laureano Staropoli vs Jamie Pickett Odds, Preview and Prediction, October 23 (10/23): UFC

Credit: photo by Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

 

Odds

Time (Preliminary Card)	1:00 p.m. EST
Laureano Staropoli money line	-240
Jamie Pickett money line	+200

 

Key stats

	Laureano Staropoli	Jamie Pickett
Height	6'1	6'2
Weight	185	185
Reach	71.5'	80'
Record	9-4	11-6
Streak	L3	L2
Last 5	2-3	2-3

 

Preview

 

The Middleweight division features a pair of struggling fighters, as Laureano ‘Pepi’ Staropoli takes on Jamie ‘The Night Wolf’ Pickett. The Argentinian Staropoli heads into this fight on a three-fight skid. While the competition has been stiff, Staropoli has held his own. Unfortunately that hasn’t amounted to a win, but has earned the Argentinian a fourth chance to end the losing streak. Meanwhile, Pickett seeks his first UFC victory. Coming up short in the first two fights, the Night Wolf will need to find a way to muster up a victory in this third chance. Otherwise, it’s likely his next fight comes outside the UFC.

 

Prediction

 

In a fight that is likely to see the loser cut from the organization, I expect both men to muster up their best efforts to avoid losing at all cost. Laureano Staropoli is a striker who came into the UFC with a knack of knocking opponents out. While Staropoli has failed to record a knockout victory in the UFC, he has a notable win over Thiago Alves. In the Argentinian’s defense, he has fought several opponents who elected to take him down. A problem that Jamie Pickett has dealt with in his career. However, the striker should have little issues with Staropoli, who has landed only four takedowns in five UFC fights.

As for a prediction, I’m going with Jamie Pickett. While I believe that Staropoli is the better striker, I’m concerned that the move up to the Middleweight division was the right choice for the Argentinian. Already being exploited for his lack of takedown defense, moving up in weight seems like a death sentence against a wrestler. Now, Pickett isn’t a wrestler, but he has shown a propensity to mix it in his attack. Another reason I lean Pickett is that he will have a whopping 8.5’ reach advantage. For someone who already likes to pump a jab, I see Pickett finding lots of success. In the end, I believe this is a close fight. One in which Pickett edges out via split decision.

 

PICK: Jamie Pickett (+200)

 

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