Matt Mitrione vs. Tim Hague
Odds: (-280 Mitrione /+220 Hague )
Betting Pick: Meat Head
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In the semi-main event, tough brawler Tim Hague makes his return to the UFC to face Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights alum Matt Mitrione. Hague had a rough time of it in his last stint with UFC, dropping three straight fights before being released, but earned another shot with some vicious wins on smaller shows. Mitrione, for his part, has yet to lose since his stint on the reality show and seems to be constantly improving, so Hague is going to need a great performance if he wants to avoid a fourth straight UFC defeat.
Hague, returning to the UFC after two vicious knockout victories in the smaller shows, is a very dangerous brawler who has a lot of punching power. While he is clearly at his most effective winging power punches, he also has fairly decent submissions to go along with his punching, most notably a very dangerous guillotine choke. He is also very tough and notoriously difficult to finish, having only been stopped once as a professional.
Mitrione, who made it to the semi-finals of The Ultimate Fighter before succumbing to a guillotine choke from James McSweeney, has put together an undefeated record since then with a mix of solid wrestling, submission defense, and heavy-handed boxing. Mitrione seems lumbering at first glance, but he is deceptively light on his feet and has a surprising amount of hand speed. His power is quite serious, and he is an imposing physical specimen who can overpower his opponents with his size and strength advantage.
I think this fight favors Mitrione, stylistically. Both guys have knockout power but Mitrione is the quicker and more accurate striker. Hague has skills on the ground, but Mitrione is the superior wrestler and should be able to keep the fight standing if he wants to. On the feet I think he will consistently beat Hague to the punch and eventually put him away. Mitrione by T/KO
Prediction: Matt Mitrione Via second round T/KO.
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