Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at a matchup of debutants as LFA’s Trevin Giles takes on James Bochnovic in a middleweight clash at UFC 213.
Trevin Giles
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Age: 24
Height: 6-foot
Reach: 76 inches
Weight Class: Light Heavyweight
Camp: Elite MMA
Career Record: 9-0
Key Wins: None
Key Losses: None
Background A recent college graduate of Texas Southern University, Giles turns his focus to MMA for his first UFC bout. The former Taylor High School football defensive end is a good athlete that began training in MMA at 20 years of age. He holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Strengths
- Good athlete
- Closes reach gap on the feet quickly
- Capable of dropping opponents with one punch
- Heavy ground-and-pound
- Solid gas tank
Weaknesses
- Fights off his back foot too often
- Hittable on the feet
- Chin is a question mark, as he’s been hurt in multiple fights
- Can be pushed against the cage and taken to the mat by bigger, stronger fighters
- Undersized for light heavyweight
- Tends to put himself in difficult positions on the ground
Fighter Grade
Offensive Striking: D+
Striking Defense: D-
Knockout Power: C-
Athleticism / Speed: C
Footwork: C-
Chin: D-
Offensive Wrestling: D
Takedown Defense: D-
Submissions: C-
Conditioning: C
Intangibles: D
Overall Grade: D Matchup with James Bochnovic With fight film rather limited on Bochnovic, it’s rather difficult to develop a significant opinion on this fight. One thing is for certain, Giles has faced a higher level of competition overall and proven he’s capable of a fight in the UFC. Bochnovic has a solid record, but he has fought low-level competition in the Midwest, a region that has not traditionally produced much MMA talent. Given the gap in athleticism and quality opponents, this is a fight that Giles should be able to win. One thing to worry about is Giles moving up to light heavyweight for this fight, putting him at a size disadvantage in this bout.
UFC Ceiling Giles has the athletic tools to stick around in the UFC at middleweight, but the question is for how long? He’s already been tagged in several of his lead-up fights prior to joining the UFC, and it’s only a matter of time before someone is able to finish him to end his undefeated run. A great chin to withstand damage at middleweight is key to being able to move up in the division’s hierarchy. Giles is at a major disadvantage in that regard.
Fight Film Check out Giles in some of his most recent fights…
Giles vs. Brandon Allen
Giles vs. Ryan Spann
Giles vs. Ike Villanueva
