UFC Fight Night: Elliott vs. Nicolau betting odds, preview, and pick
October 4th, 2021
A battle-tested veteran will face an emerging talent when Tim Elliott and Matheus Nicolau clash on the Oct. 9 edition of UFC Fight Night.
This crossroads bout might steal the show, and have the analysis and a pick ahead of the action.
Nicolau is up against a sturdy veteran
There’s a lot to like when it comes to Nicolau’s potential, but as good as many think he is, there’s a lot work left to do, after he escaped defeat against Manel Kape with a disputed split decision in March.
The Global Scorecard had Manel Kape defeating Matheus Nicolau.#UFCVegas21 pic.twitter.com/FdoAlyskaQ
— Verdict (@VerdictMMA) March 14, 2021
With that said, Nicolau does a lot of things well mixing up his striking and takedowns. The best thing he has going for him in this bout is that his takedown defense is on point, and he is an energetic striker.
Elliott looking to make it three in a row
Elliott, a former flyweight title challenger, went from a three-fight skid to a two-fight win streak. While he is no longer the elite of the division, he is not quite a stepping stone, after his dominant win over Jordan Espinosa at UFC 259.
Tim Elliott vs. Matheus Nicolau tale of the tape
| Tim Elliott | vs. | Matheus Nicolau |
|---|
17-11-1 | Record | 16-2-1 |
34 | Age | 28 |
5’7” | Height | 5’6” |
67” | Reach | 66” |
2-3 | Last five fights | 4-1 |
Experience | Key strengths | Busy offensive style |
Elliott is very good at takedowns, averages four per 15 minutes, and has six submission wins. Though Elliott has fallen short against the division’s best, he will be and away the most accomplished fighter Nicolau has faced.
Nicolau will shine at Elliott’s expense
Elliott’s mileage and potential inability to take Nicolau down is going to be problematic. While Nicolau isn’t a lights-out striker or a suffocating grappler, he has pop and gas in the tank. If anything, Elliott is the right kind of opponent to gauge Nicolau’s trajectory.
Because Elliott is durable, he is going to take Nicolau the distance and give him a good fight. It is hard to imagine Elliott would be able to keep up the pace Kape did, and if he tried, he’d get outworked and beaten up.
This should turn into a conventional stand-up battle once Nicolau shuts down Elliott’s takedown attempts. Elliott will be crafty enough to survive, but he won’t have any tricks to offset Nicolau’s momentum.
This should be a routine decision win for Nicolau, who will be on to bigger things in the flyweight division.