UFC Vegas 33: Sean Strickland vs Uriah Hall Picks, Odds, and Predictions

Uriah Hall and Sean Strickland fight Saturday in UFC Vegas 33 at the UFC Apex. Hall enters this fight with a 17-9 record and has won 76 percent of his fights by knockout. Strickland enters this fight with a 23-3 record and has won 43 percent of his fights by knockout. 

Hall has won five of his last six fights and is coming off an April win over Chris Weidman. Hall is averaging 3.34 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 51 percent. Hall is averaging 0.67 takedown with an accuracy percentage of 38 percent. Hall is coming off a first round knockout win at UFC 261 where a leg check snapped his opponents leg. Hall has now won four straight fights and looks for two wins in the same year for the first time since 2015. There’s not many secrets with Hall, as he’s a pure striker at heart who has heavy hands with one-punch knockout potential, and he mixes in legs and knees. Hall is an impressive athlete who can be a bit unpredictable on his feet and is rather accurate with his shots. Hall is always one strike away from completely turning around a fight and seven of his last eight victories have come by knockout. A blue belt in BJJ, Hall is also a threat to end things with a solid ground and pound attack. On the other side, Hall has been knocked out in four of his nine career losses. This will be Hall’s seventh career fight in Nevada.

Strickland has won five of his last six fights and is coming off a May win over Krzysztof Jotko. Strickland is averaging 5.14 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy percentage of 39 percent. Strickland is averaging 1.14 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 60 percent. Strickland is coming off a decision win at UFC Vegas 25 where he landed 84 total strikes and 46 percent of his significant strikes. Strickland is now 10-3 under the UFC banner and has a chance to win four fights since October of last year. Strickland has been a pro for more than 12 years at just 30 years old and he’s a black belt in BJJ. Strickland is a successful takedown artist, defends takedowns well and has never been submitted in his career. Strickland survived Kamaru Usman at UFC 210, showing his level of ground game. Strickland also has striking power with 10 career knockouts and he’ll push the pace a bit on the feet. This will be Strickland’s eighth career fight in Nevada.

Strickland should be favored, as he’s been on a roll over the last year and has a considerable edge on the ground here. However, Hall is the more accurate striker, has a power edge and is the bigger fighter of the two with a reach advantage. Hall also has decent takedown defense, so this won’t be a walk in the park for Strickland. We’re getting value with the underdog here.

Give me Hall in a upset.