Preview: UFC Fight Night 170 ‘Lee vs. Oliveira’
Trinaldo vs. Makdessi
Lightweights
NR | Francisco Trinaldo (24-7) vs. NR | John Makdessi (17-6)Advertisement
He was one of the older fighters on the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter Brazil,” but Trinaldo has probably enjoyed a better UFC career than any of his castmates. While “Massaranduba” was a prospect worth watching on the Brazilian scene, his early UFC bouts showed a simple approach that was mostly reliant on his physical strength and left him with a clear ceiling against better competition. However, with the ability to become a full-time fighter, everything fully clicked into place circa 2015. Trinaldo suddenly flashed an effective counterpunching game that led him to a seven-fight winning streak. As he has entered his 40s, Trinaldo has hung around the fringes of the lightweight rankings, and at this point, he has settled into a niche as a Brazilian fan favorite who is a welcome addition to cards in the country. He opens up the main draw here against a fellow erstwhile veteran in Makdessi.
It has been nearly a decade since Makdessi made his much-hyped UFC debut. The Quebec native had gained a reputation as an exciting striker, and after handling Pat Audinwood, “The Bull” scored a spinning backfist knockout of Kyle Watson to truly announce his arrival. Makdessi did not quite reach the heights some expected—he never rounded out his skills beyond being an undersized range kickboxer—but he quickly found a niche as a mid-tier action fighter. Even as recently as 2018, Makdessi had one of the most underrated fights of the year against Ross Pearson. Injuries have slowed Makdessi down a bit, as 2016 was the last time he fought twice in a calendar year, but he is quietly riding a three-fight winning streak and could make a huge statement with a win against Trinaldo.
Hopefully, this bout entertains, but there is some real slog potential involved. Trinaldo can bring the action when called upon, but his default state is as a powerful counterpuncher, and Makdessi has also been more willing to sit back and react as his career has gone on. There is a chance this is a comfortable fight for Makdessi. Trinaldo will give him some time to settle into his range kickboxing game, and the Brazilian is the rare opponent who is just as stocky. Still, whenever these two decide to exchange, Trinaldo should be the one who hits the harder shots. Trinaldo also has more options with which to work, particularly his wrestling if he decides to fight against type and press his advantages. The pick is Trinaldo via decision.
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