Chad Laprise’s last five fights have gone the distance. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Lightweights
Chad Laprise (10-0, 3-0 UFC) vs. Francisco Trinaldo (17-4, 7-3 UFC)Laprise is a silky-smooth striker with clean footwork and movement. He measures constantly with the jab as he circles and then picks his spots to sit down with crisp punch-kick combinations before pivoting and exiting on an angle. Counters are increasingly a specialty for him, and he can both punch on the back step and exchange in the pocket without compromising himself defensively. Power is not Laprise’s strong suit, but he works at an excellent pace and does a fantastic job of setting up his high kicks. He complements his striking with sound defensive wrestling skills and serviceable change-of-pace takedowns, primarily the double-leg. While he is nothing special from top position, Laprise can eat up time, pass occasionally and land a few strikes. The Canadian reminds me a great deal of a more technical Michael Bisping, and he could eventually reach a similar ranking in the lightweight division.
Trinaldo has great strength, speed and power, and he slowly but surely has developed into a more technical and skilled fighter. The southpaw was formerly a bomber who relied on a winging left hand, and while he still keeps that punch in his back pocket, he now works behind a consistent probing jab and follows up with sharp kicks. Trinaldo mixes up his left hand to the body and head and uses the threat of it to set up potent left kicks at all levels. He is a willing grinder in the clinch and hits the occasional explosive and well-finished takedown, but he is no more than an average defensive wrestler and offers little from his back. On top, Trinaldo passes nicely, has some pop in his ground strikes and can hit topside submissions like the arm-triangle.
BETTING ODDS: Laprise (-300), Trinaldo (+250)
THE PICK: The odds are a bit steeper than I would have assumed, but Laprise should definitely be the favorite here. He is a far cleaner technician on the feet and holds enough of a wrestling edge that he should dictate where the fight takes place.
Trinaldo’s power is a concern but not enough of one to swing the balance in his favor. Laprise should stick and move and put volume on the hittable Trinaldo and perhaps mix in a takedown or two. The pick is Laprise by decision.
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