UFC Fight Night: Mario Pinto vs Felipe Franco Preview & Prediction
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Felipe Franco steps in for the injured Mick Parkin, taking on the dangerous Mario Pinto at heavyweight.
Mario Pinto vs Felipe Franco facts
What time are Mario Pinto and Felipe Franco expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Evloev vs Murphy? O2 Arena, London, England
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Evloev vs Murphy? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 270
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Evloev vs Murphy on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Evloev vs Murphy? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Evloev vs Murphy main card
Movsar Evloev vs Lerone Murphy (Featherweight)
Luke Riley vs Michael Aswell (Featherweight)
Michael Page vs Sam Patterson (Welterweight)
Iwo Baraniewski vs Austen Lane (Light Heavyweight)
Roman Dolidze vs Christian Leroy Duncan (Middleweight)
Kurtis Campbell vs Danny Silva (Featherweight)
UFC Fight Night: Evloev vs Murphy prelims
Mason Jones vs Axel Sola (Lightweight)
Nathaniel Wood vs Losene Keita (Featherweight)
Mario Pinto vs Felipe Franco (Heavyweight)
Mantas Kondratavicius vs Antonio Trocoli (Middleweight)
Louie Sutherland vs Brando Pericic (Heavyweight)
Shaqueme Rock vs Abdul Kareem Al Selwady (Lightweight)
Shanelle Dyer vs Ravena Oliveira (Women’s Strawweight)
Melissa Mullins vs Luana Carolina (Women’s Bantamweight)
Mario Pinto: The adopted Englishman aims to push his promotional record to 3-0
Punching his ticket to the UFC with a vicious KO over Lucas Camacho on the Contender Series, Mario Pinto (11-0) has been nothing short of perfect throughout his MMA career to date. Debuting with a highlight reel, POTN winning KO over Austen Lane, Pinto would follow up his impressive debut with a convincing second round stoppage over Jhonata Diniz and some hilarious antics on the mike in his sophomore appearance. Huge for the division at 6’5 with a 79’ reach, Pinto has eight finishes in eleven professional victories. He was originally scheduled to face Mick Parkin, marking his first shot at a ranked opponent since joining the UFC.
Felipe Franco: Can "Negao" play spoiler as an enormous underdog in enemy territory?
Losing to Freddy Vidal by third round submission in his sole appearance on the Contender Series, Felipe Franco (10-1) gets the call for a short notice UFC debut after Mick Parkin withdrew from his matchup with Pinto. Boasting a 100% finishing rate in victory split virtually even between KOs and submissions, “Negao” looks to be a formidable opponent on paper but a closer look at his record does not make for pretty reading. The 25 year old Brazilian has exclusively fought cans throughout his career, with his best win coming over Kleberson Tavares, a 41 year old journeyman with a 10-8 record.
Mario Pinto vs Felipe Franco prediction
Who does Josh Hokit know at the UFC?
“The Incredible Hok” is slated to face No. 4 ranked Curtis Blaydes in his second appearance with the promotion after a win over the notoriously limited Denzel Freeman, while Pinto finds himself facing an unranked debutant after going 2-0 with back to back finishes. He may have originally been scheduled to face Mick Parkin, but the TFT standout is still only ranked at No. 12 in the division by contrast.
Politics aside, this is an easy pick; Pinto is going to destroy Franco early with ease. An athletic powerhouse, the Portuguese born heavyweight is one of the most exciting prospects in the sparse division, boasting one shot KO power to complement an underrated ground game. He’s got decent cardio and fight IQ, with a proven ability to work his way to a decision if he’s unable to get his opponent out of there.
However, that shouldn’t be a factor here. Franco has faced fighters with losing records in eight of his eleven professional fights, with three of his wins coming over debutants; his most recent victory came against a fighter with a 1-1 record. He’s also on the wrong end of a significant edge in height and reach, facing an undefeated finisher in hostile territory with proven UFC experience under his belt.
In short, notwithstanding an insanely flukey upset KO from “Negao,” the adopted Englishman wins this in any way he wants. The pick is Pinto by knockout, likely in the first round.
Prediction: Mario Pinto to win by KO
