Undefeated lightweight prospect Roosevelt Robert (8-0, 3 KOs, 4 SUBs) will meet knockout puncher Vinc Pinchel (11-2, 8 KOs) at UFC on ESPN 3 on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In a lightweight division swimming with sharks, it can be tough for young fighters like Roosevelt Roberts to find their footing. But in two UFC fights, the 26-year old has been extremely impressive. Now it’s time for him to take a step up in competition: this Saturday, “The Predator” throws down with solid vet in Vinc Pinchel.
Roberts earned his way to the UFC with a submission win over Garrett Gross in DWTNCS, then followed it up with another sub against Darrell Horcher in November 2018. His only appearance so far in 2019 was an authoritative decision win against Thomas Gifford. It was the first time in Roberts’ career he went to the scorecards.
Pichel came up through The Ultimate Fighter 16, winning two bouts before losing to Al Iaquinta. The Lancaster native was offered a UFC opportunity, but lost his promotional debut via nasty suplex courtesy of Rustam Khabilov. The 36-year ripped off a four-fight winning streak to earn a shot at blue chip prospect Gregor Gillespie in his last outing, but was choked out in the second round.
Don’t think that Pichel is just some scrub being brought in to make Roberts look good - he’s a dangerous dude with serious punching power. The UFC odds at our onlinse sportsbook opened with Roberts as a big favorite, but let’s break down whether Pichel deserves consideration as a live ‘dog. Live UFC betting is also available to hedge your bets between rounds as well.
UFC Odds at Bookmaker.eu
Roosevelt Roberts -285
Vinc Pichel +215
FIght goes/doesn’t go to decision:
Significant Striking Stats
Landed per minute: Roberts 3.31 / Pichel 3.12
Accuracy: Robert 45% / Pichel 42%
Absorbed per minute: Roberts 4.97 / Pichel 2.67
Defense: Roberts 52% / Pichel 54%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Roberts 0 / Pichel 4.25
Takedown accuracy: Roberts NA / Pichel 62%
Takedown defense: Roberts 100% / Pichel 20%
Submission average: Roberts 3.1 / Pichel 0.25
Bet this UFC fight at the online sportsbook
There’s not much variance in the prices in the online sportsbooks: the outliers here are that BetOnline has Roberts at -235, while William Hill is the most expensive at around -300. Most other books list the youngster around the -270 to -280 range, making BookMaker a solid bet.
Though Dana White earmarked Roberts as somebody to watch, we’re not totally convinced that his ceiling is so high. He’s talented for sure, but his striking is somewhat awkward and he’s at his best when grinding out wins. You can get pretty far with a strong clinch and top game, but unless you’re a mauler - which Roberts is not - it’s not a strong recipe for stardom.
Pichel is cut from the same cloth. Though his early days seemed to show a strong pressure fighter, “From Hell” has become more of a counter-puncher/potshotter on the feet. Now, he’s more a takedowns-and-top-control type, but not a particularly overpowering one. In fact, he was physically overmatched by Gregor Gillespie, but to his credit Gillespie is an uber-prospect with killer wrestling.
UFC Odds Pick: Roberts to win at -285
The cheapest price you can get at the online sportsbook is at BetOnline, but that could change in the upcoming days. In this matchup, Roberts’ youth (he’s 10 years younger) and strength should give him the win. We’d also recommend looking into the fight goes to decision prop, as the fight looks like it’ll be a grind.
Bet the latest UFC odds at the online sportsbook
