UFC Fight Night 78 Date: November 21, 2015 Arena: Arena Monterrey City: Monterrey, Mexico Bantamweight bout: Taylor Lapilus (-105) vs Erik Perez (-105) Fight Breakdown: Headlining the UFC Fight Night 78 preliminary card on FOX Sports 1 will be a bantamweight contest between Frenchman Taylor “Double Impact” Lapilus and Mexico’s own Erik “Goyito” Perez. The betting odds for this scrap are at a coin-flip, with both fighters bein -105 ($105 to win $100) at Several Bookmakerss. Taylor Lapilus(10-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) made his Octagon debut in the featherweight division against Rocky Lee six months ago, defeating the fellow promotional newcomer via unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards following three rounds action. In a quick return to action two months later, he made the drop down to 135-pounds and scored a second round TKO over Ulka Sasaki in upset fashion, extending his winning streak to three and making it two in a row for himself inside the Octagon. Now he travels to enemy territory in Monterrey to take out their hometown boy in an effort to make it three in a row for himself inside the Octagon. “Double Impact” has switched training camps starting with this fight, making SBG Ireland his new home, so I expect to see the best version of him we have yet to see. His wrestling his average at very best, both with his offensive takedowns and takedown defense. It will be interesting to see how Lapilus fairs in that department against the superior grappler in Perez. His conditioning is on point, so I expect he will have enough gas in the tank for a full three rounds of action, should this bantamweight scrap see it’s way to the judges’ scorecards for a decision. The 23 year old is a talented striker who mixes it up well on the feet. He has good footwork and is very fast on his feet. Lapilus does a good job of setting up his strikes, faints well with them and puts together excellent combinations, including some beautiful 1-2’s. He has a very good jab, vicious hooks and a hard overhand left. The Frenchman has a great kicking game, as well, and has a variety of them in his arsenal, including a sidekick he favors. He is quite effective with his heavy body-kicks and likes to go for the head and legs, too. Erik Perez (14-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) last saw action at UFC Fight Night 42 nearly a year and a half ago, where he was submitted by rear naked choke in the second round of action by Bryan Caraway. It was a bit a controversial submission, as Caraway used a “fish-hook” technique, which is illegal in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, specifically the UFC. Sidelined by injuries since, Perez is now healthy and ready to return to action and simultaneously the winning column in highlight reel fashion in front of his homecrowd in Monterrey. “Goyito” is a well-rounded Mixed Martial Artist who continues to improve in every facet of the sport. He is a talented striker who moves well on his feet. He loves throwing haymakers with both hands, and packs power in both. Perez prefers the overhand right, but also has a solid hook and a great uppercut. His kicking game is good, too. He works some great leg kicks and has a nice push kick. The Mexican puts together some effective, albeit wild at times combinations on the feet, and he delivers some damaging blows to the body. Perez likes implementing all limbs into his offensive striking including. He loves to use his elbows and especially his knees, often attacking with a flying knee. The (just turned on November 19th) 26 year old works solid takedowns and has an excellent double-leg. He is powerful and dominant from top position, as well as from inside the clinch against the cage. Training out of Jackson-Winklejohn MMA in high-altitude Albuquerque, NM, Perez generally has good cardio. Despite his extended layoff, I expect he will have enough gas in his tank for a full 15 minutes of bantamweight action, if necessary. Gabe’s Thoughts: Contrary to the line movement (which moved Perez from -180 to -105) I think Perez should be a -300 betting favorite heading into this 135-pound contest, so I really like him for a play at his current coin-flip price of -105. Lapilus is red hot and has been looking impressive inside the Octagon. Training at SBG Ireland now for this fight, I think we will see the best version of him yet. That said, I do think Perez is the superior mixed martial artist of the two, specifically the superior grappler, and I think that will be the difference in this match-up. I think Perez could potentially outbox Lapilus on the feet, but I don’t expect he will keep it on the feet long, considering his advantage on the mat. I think the Mexican takes this fight down to the mat and likely scored a submission finish, if not pounds the Frenchman away for three rounds of action en route to picking up a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards in front of his hometown Monterrey crowd. Gabe’s Call: Perez by Submission (rear naked choke, 3:23 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Perez (-105) 5.25u to win 5u
