UFC Houston Staff Picks: Middleweight Contenders Clash For Likely Title Shot
Setting the stage for an electrifying evening of bouts, UFC Houston delivers a monumental 14-fight card that promises action from start to finish. In the headlining matchup, previous middleweight king Sean Strickland faces quickly rising contender Alexander Hernandez. In the co-main event, perenn...
Setting the stage for an electrifying evening of bouts, UFC Houston delivers a monumental 14-fight card that promises action from start to finish. In the headlining matchup, previous middleweight king Sean Strickland faces quickly rising contender Alexander Hernandez. In the co-main event, perennial welterweight star Geoff Neal meets European knockout artist Uroš Medić.
UFC Houston Main Event
Known as one of the more polarising figures in the sport, Strickland stands as a top competitor in the UFC’s 185-lb class, formerly holding the spot of champion after his legendary victory over Israel Adesanya. Coming off of a loss to Dricus du Plessis last year, “Tarzan” is finally making his move to reenter the title conversation after more than a year on the sidelines.
Undefeated since 2020, Hernandez is in the midst of a mammoth eight-fight winning streak, which includes finishes over the likes of Roman Kopylov, Michel Pereira and Roman Dolidze. Nearing the championship picture, “Fluffy” will lock horns with the most experienced adversary of his career to date.
UFC Houston Co-Main Event
A staple of the upper echelon of the 170-lb category, Neal has shared the Octagon with some of the best fighters on the planet for many years since joining the UFC in 2018. While his latest trips to the cage have yielded middling to unfortunate results, “Handz of Steel” still remains a formidable foe for anyone he comes across, with 10 of his 16 victories ending in knockouts.
In the wake of a devastating first-round stoppage loss to Punahele Soriano in January of last year, Medić has improved by leaps and bounds as a fighter. Logging two straight wins against Gilbert Urbina and Muslim Salikhov, with both matches coincidentally ending by strikes at 1:03 in the first, “The Doctor” is now but a mere punch away from snagging his first ranking.
More Bouts On the UFC Houston Main Card
Rounding out the main card, featherweight bruisers Dan Ige and Melquizael Costa collide. Then, heavyweight contender Serghei Spivac attempts to end a two-fight skid by turning back PFL veteran Ante Delija. Also, undefeated welterweight prospects Jacobe Smith and Josiah Harrell square off. Finally, middleweight finisher Zachary Reese faces the explosive Michel Pereira.
Which fight are you most looking forward to on the UFC Houston card?
UFC Houston Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.
Find our UFC Houston picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC Vegas 113:
- Hank Strandberg: 18-7
- Frazer Krohn: 16-9
- Drew Zuhosky: 10-14
- Andrew Benjamin: 2-3
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Michel Pereira -155
Vs.
Zach Reese +135
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Reese by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Reese by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Pereira by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Pereira: 1
Staff picking Reese: 2
Jacobe Smith -310
Vs.
Josiah Harrell +260
WELTERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Smith by Second Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Smith by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Smith by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Smith: 3
Staff picking Harrell: 0
Ante Delija -130
Vs.
Sergey Spivak +110
HEAVYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Delija by First Round Knockout Drew Zuhosky: Spivak by First Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Delija by Second Round Knockout
Staff picking Delija: 2
Staff picking Spivak: 1
Melquizael Costa -212
Vs.
Dan Ige +182
FEATHERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Costa by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Ige by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Ige by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Costa: 1
Staff picking Ige: 2
Geoff Neal -210
Vs.
Uroš Medić +180
WELTERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Neal by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Neal by First Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Medić by Second Round Knockout
Staff picking Neal: 2
Staff picking Medić: 1
Anthony Hernandez -255
Vs.
Sean Strickland +215
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Hernandez by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Strickland by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Hernandez by Fourth Round Submission
Staff picking Hernandez: 2
Staff picking Strickland: 1
