UFC is back for its latest PPV, this time back in the United States. A month removed from Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, UFC 252 will take place on August 15th at the company’s APEX facility in Las Vegas. The card features a massive heavyweight title main event, and opens at 7 p.m. with the early preliminary card. The PPV will air on ESPN+.
The final card of the preliminary card is a lightweight bout between Jim Miller and Vince Pichel. This is a gate-keeper match, with Miller the long-time veteran facing a fighter in Pichel who is looking to get back on track even at the age of 37. As we head into the fight weekend, Pichel is a -130 favorite, with a slight edge in betting to date. Miller is +105, so he’s a fairly slim underdog.
Pichel is year older than Miller, but significantly less experienced. Pichel is 12-2 with 8 wins by KO or TKO and four by decision. This is his eight UFC dating back to losing The Ultimate Fighter 16 finale. Since that loss he has gone 5-1, most recently beating Roosevelt Roberts by unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 3. That was a year ago June and injuries and Covid-19 have kept him out of the octagon since.
Miller is 36 and has 46 MMA fights under his belt. He is 32-14-1 with 18 submission wins, and a UFC record of 21-13-1. It’s a relatively quick turnaround for Miller as he last fought on June 20th at UFC on ESPN 11. Like Pichel, it was a win over Roosevelt Roberts, although his came by way of first round submission. Miller has won three of his last four fights.
Weigh-in results
Jim Miller: 156 lbs.
Vinc Pichel: 156 lbs.
Friday odds
Jim Miller: +105
Vinc Pichel: -130
DFS prices
Jim Miller: $8,300
Vinc Pichel: $7,900