Tim Means vs. Laureano Staropoli - 8/8/20 UFC Fight Night 174 Pick and Prediction

Means comes into this fight averaging 4.87 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.44 significant strikes per minute. Means also is averaging 0.91 successful takedowns every 15 minutes and 0.2 submission attempts every 15 minutes. Means also stops 63 percent of his opponent takedown attempts. 

Laureano “Pepi” Staropoli comes into this fight with a 9-2 record and since coming into the UFC he has a 2-1 record. The one loss for Staropoli comes in his last fight against Muslim Salikohov in October of 2019. In that fight Staropoli was outstruck 63-42 and that led to a unanimous decision loss. Each of Pepi’s first two wins also came by unanimous decision.  

Staropoli comes into this game averaging 4.29 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 4.22 significant strikes per minute. Staropoli is also averaging 0.33 successful takedowns every 15 minutes and he probably won’t be trying a submission attempt in this game. He also is only successful on 25 percent of his takedown attempts.  In this fight Staropoli needs to get out to a fast start and really ty to wear down Means early or this could be a troublesome matchup as they try to come away with a victory. 

Staropoli has issues finishing fights and that is going to let him down in this fight. Look for Means to get out to fast start and catch Staropoli to be put in a bad position. Means might not get the finish, but he will win this fight.