The second fight of the UFC 323 Early Prelims features a Middleweight bout between Mansur Abdul-Malik and Antonio Trocoli. Abdul-Malik won his first eight fights of his MMA career by finish, but is coming off a draw against Cody Brundage. Technically, on the night of the bout, Abdul-Malik beat Brundage, but it was later changed to a draw due to a headbutt. Trocoli is 0-2 in the UFC and is trying to avoid the second three-fight losing streak of his career.
Check out my best bet for Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Antonio Trocoli at UFC 323 on the Early Prelims.
Mansur Abdul-Malik Round 1 (-120)
Trocoli is three inches taller (6’5″ vs. 6’2″), but they both have an 80″ standing reach. Abdul-Malik averages nearly three more significant strikes per minute (4.27 vs. 1.29) than Trocoli does. In this fight, Abdul-Malik is the more powerful striker, and that should be a difference maker.
Even though his last fight wasn’t a dominant victory as he usually has, Abdul-Malik is still a massive -1450 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Abdul-Malik is the largest favorite on the UFC 323 card. Since all eight of his victories have been by finish, Abdul-Malik is -450 to win by KO/TKO/DQ. Abdul-Malik has six victories in the first round and is -120 to win in Round 1 against Trocoli, which seems like the play. That is because he should be more motivated than ever after having his last win changed to a draw.
