UFC Fight Night 28 Date: September 4, 2013 Arena: Mineirinho Arena City: Belo Horizonte, Brazil Lightweight bout: Francisco Trinaldo (-305) vs Piotr Hallmann (+275) Fight Breakdown: The UFC Fight Night 28 main card on FOX Sports 1 features a contest between two very tough and powerful lightweights, when the Brazilian Francisco “Massaranduba” Trinaldo meets the Poland’s Piotr “The Whale” Holland. Trinaldo is currently the big favorite at -305 (bet $305 to win $100), while Hallmann is the big underdog at +275 (bet $100 to win $275) at Several Bookmakers. FRANCISCO TRINALDO (13-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has been making noise in the UFC’s lightweight division since coming on to the scene after being a middleweight contestant on the first season of TUF: Brazil. He has finished all three opponents he has faced inside the Octagon and his only loss was a somewhat controversial Decision loss at the hands of top ten UFC lightweight Gleison Tibau. Trinaldo is a very strong man and a powerful fighter. He has a great chin and is capable of taking a lot of punishment, as he has not once been knocked out in his professional mixed martial arts career. He has powerful takedowns and implements a brutal ground and pound. He is well-versed on the ground, as his jiu-jitsu game is also legit. He is capable of finishing fights with both his fists and submissions, as five of his thirteen career victories come by way of TKO/KO and another five by tapout. Francisco Trinaldo will be the older fighter going into this bout at 35 years of age; he did not get started in MMA until the age of 24. Trinaldo cuts a lot of weight to make the 155 limit, and that combined with his age often cause him to gas and lose momentum in fights; I believe he will be at a cardio disadvantage entering this bout. PIOTR HALLMANN (13-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is making his UFC debut riding an impressive nine-fight win streak. The streak includes victories over some legitimate European prospects and not “cans” as most would expect from a guy with a 13-1 record making his promotional debut, as that is usually the case. Hallmann is a well-conditioned athlete with good footwork and striking skills. He also has a nice Muay-Thai clinch, in which he delivers devastating knees to the body of his opponents. He likes to close the distance on opponents and deliver powerful short shots from close distance. Hallmann has been dropped several times in his fights but nonetheless has a good chin; his recovery is excellent. Piotr Hallmann has an excellent grappling game; well-versed in wrestling and the submission game. He possesses good takedowns, as he likes to get opponents to the mat and get in top position, from which point he loves to put on a very heavy ground and pound attack. Hallmann has heavy hands and some some serious damage in the ground and pound, as he is very strong from the top position. Hallmann is certainly a finisher, as seven of his thirteen career victories come by way of TKO/KO and five by submission, all five by rear naked choke. He does not necessarily look for submissions, he just beats his opponents up until they give up their neck, at which point he chokes them for the tap. Being nine years younger than Trinaldo and generally better conditioned, I believe Hallmann will have the cardio edge going into this fight. Fight Prediction: I anticipate a very exciting, high-paged, action-packed first round, as both fighters like to move forward and push the pace. The first round might go to Trinaldo but I think Hallmann has enough in him to make this a close fight and take two rounds from Trinaldo. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hallmann takes the first, either, but I’m expecting Trinaldo to start out start and start to fade as Hallmann pours it on. It could go to a Unanimous 29-28, a split, or he could even manage a finish. Gabe’s Pick: Piotr Hallmann by Submission (rear naked choke, 3:41 round 3) Gabe’s Recommended 7*UNIT Play: Piotr Hallmann +3.5 +170 for 5u and Piotr Hallmann +275 for 2u
