Preview: UFC Fight Night 139 ‘Korean Zombie vs. Rodriguez’

Lightweights

Michael Trizano (7-0) vs. Luis Pena (3-0)

ODDS: Pena (-380), Trizano (+315)

Before he was pulled from the tournament with a broken foot, Pena figured to win the lightweight bracket on Season 27 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” and in a roundabout way, here comes his chance to prove it. Pena, better known as “Violent Bob Ross” due to his distinctive Afro, is as good as prospects get on “The Ultimate Fighter” nowadays. He is a giant lightweight with some knockout power and a venomous grappling game, and when you add in his recognizable look and some strong charisma, he is definitely someone the UFC can cultivate into a potential star. As with most prospects the promotion brings in, there is always the concern that the UFC could rush Pena, who remains firmly in the development phase in his career. On the plus side, Trizano makes for a perfect post-“Ultimate Fighter” opponent for Pena, even beyond this being somewhat of a redo of the Season 27 lightweight final.

New Jersey’s Trizano wound up being the lightweight winner on “The Ultimate Fighter 27,” and he is a perfectly fine developmental prospect. He is well-rounded but not particularly dynamic and mostly succeeded on the reality show by outlasting his opponents and taking advantage of openings as they presented themselves. It was impressive in its own way. Most prospects rack up quick finishes and learn tough lessons when that route is blocked, but Trizano is already at the point where he can stay calm and win a workmanlike decision. However, that is a double-edged sword. While it will probably serve Trizano well in the long run, it is not doing much to get people excited about “The Lone Wolf” right now.

This really does feel like the UFC matchmakers basically trying to retcon Season 27 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” making Pena the essential winner once all is said and done; and it will probably work. Trizano has done a solid job of surviving much more finish-happy opponents, but Pena seems to operate a level above his recent competition. It may take a while for Pena to find his groove, but he has enough power that I expect him to eventually get a club-and-sub submission. I do hope Trizano at least gets another fight if Pena wins. The UFC has had a particularly quick trigger when it comes to cutting guys off Season 27. It would be a raw deal for Trizano if he were cut and would make the whole season pointless in the long run. As far as this fight goes, the pick is Pena via second-round submission.

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