With Chris Wade withdrawing from UFC Fight Night 74, TUF: Nations finalist Olivier Aubin-Mercier – 6-1, 6 SUBs – will instead face Tony “2.0” Sims – 12-2, 10 KOs, 2 SUBs. Sims will have approximately four weeks to prepare for the fight.
The matchup is slated for the FOX Sports 1 main card portion, headlined by featherweights Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira.
CURRENT ODDS
Check our UFC Fight Night 74 odds for the latest Wade vs. Aubin-Mercier money lines. I’d expect Aubin-Mercier to be the slight favorite, as Wade isn’t getting time for a full training camp. The total is likely to be set at 2.5 rounds, with the under as the betting favorite. Prop bets are usually released on the morning of fight night, so check back in to see all your available plays.
A PRE-PROSPECT PERSPECTIVE
Aubin-Mercier’s fledgling career comes with some promise, as the 26-year old Quebec native came within a split decision of winning The Ultimate Fighter: Nations, falling short to Chad Laprise. Since that loss, “The Quebec Kid” has won back-to-back fights, besting Jake Lindsey and David Michaud.
Sims is coming off an impressive UFC debut, knocking out Steve Montgomery in the first round at UFC Fight Night 70. Now, the Elevation Fight Team rep will jump back into the cage less than two months later to face a Canadian in Saskatchewan. Prior to the UFC, Sims went 11-2 in regional organizations such as KOTC and Fight to Win.
It takes a special fighter to be labeled a bright prospect in the UFC’s lightweight division, and neither Aubin-Mercier or Sims are there yet. But that’s exactly what they’re fighting for, and although both sit far outside of the top-20, they can start a run with a win on the main card of a nationally televised offering.
FIGHT ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
There is some definite intrigue to Aubin-Mercier, as all six of his victories have come by way of submission. He is a standout athlete with a judo black belt, utilizing powerful trips and throws. What’s more, he is excellent in securing his opponent’s back in the transition game. Sims is a knockout artist, with 10 KOs in 12 victories, but that style isn’t conducive to winning against a guy who closes the distance fast. The pick to win is Aubin-Mercier by submission in the second round.
HOW TO BET
Sign in to get the latest Aubin-Mercier vs. Sims odds. BookMaker offers daily updates to money lines, Mtotal, prop bets and more, so make sure to lock in your bets should you find a favorable wager. Their bout takes place at UFC Fight Night 74 on August 23, 2015 at the Sasktel Centre in Sakatoon, Canada. FOX Sports 1 will televise the main card starting 9 p.m., with the prelims starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Don’t forget to check in during fight night to get live odds. During each fight, BookMaker updates their odds in real-time, so you can keep betting as each fight unfolds on live television. It’s a great way to hedge your bets should you fall behind. With our mobile platform, it’s never been easier to bet on UFC events.
