MMA Preview – Alex Perez vs Matt Schnell at UFC 271
ALEX PEREZ VS MATT SCHNELL FACTS
When is UFC 271? Sunday 13rd February, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 271? Toyota Center, Houston, Texas (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 271? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 271
What channel is UFC 271 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 271? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ALEX PEREZ VS MATT SCHNELL LOWDOWN
Alex Perez (24-6) finally returns after his unsuccessful title shot last November. He was the victim in a flawless Deiveson Figueiredo performance getting submitted in the first round. He was originally scheduled to fight Brandon Moreno but filled in for Cody Garbrandt who dropped out with a torn bicep. Many thought Moreno deserved the shot at the time and they were clearly right as he went on to become the champion, but Perez is desperate to get back into action, find the form that earnt him a unanimous decision over Mark De La Rosa, a submission over Jordan Espinosa and a TKO over Jussier Formiga.
Matt Schnell (15-6) is also desperate to regain some form. After an impressive four-fight win streak which included a unanimous decision over Marco Beltran, split decision over Naoki Inoue and submissions over Louis Smolka and Jordan Espinosa. Pantoja abruptly halted the streak in December 2019 with a first round knockout and he returned a year later to earn a split decision over Tyson Nam, but he is now coming off another loss and unanimous decision to Rogerio Bontorin.
ALEX PEREZ VS MATT SCHNELL PREDICTION
Fifth time lucky for this pairing and hopefully they make it to the octagon as this will be a fun fight fought at a frenetic pace. They are both electric on the feet and very tricky on the mat. Schnell will try and keep the fight on the feet. He has ferocious hand speed and will boast a five-inch reach advantage over Perez.
Perez is also very confident on the feet and throws a lot of volume particularly with his leg kicks which will make the striking exchanges very interesting, but the difference will come in his wrestling. He will feel Schnell out on the feet but pounce on a takedown at any opportunity.
Schnell is illusive but we expect Perez to land at least one takedown in each round to get take the fight away from him. Perez is not known for his knockout power, but Schnell’s chin is weak and we could see him get put to sleep. Perez will also back himself for a submission if he can control Schnell, but he will have to tire him out to pull one off.
On paper, it is hard to see how Schnell wins this but if you want to bet, he is the man as the massive underdog,
Prediction: Perez via Decision
Value Bet: Schnell to win
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