UFC Paris Hot Prospect Betting Pick
UFC Pick: Taylor Lapilus (-160) at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review)
UFC Paris Information
- Date & Time: Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 – 12:00 PM EDT
- Location: Accor Arena, Paris, France
- Scheduled Fights: 11
- Main Event: Ciryl Gane vs. Serghei Spivac (UFC Heavyweight Bout)
UFC Paris Hot Prospect Profile
Taylor “Double Impact” Lapilus
- Pro MMA Record: 18-3-0 (4 KO/TKO, 6 submissions, 8 decisions)
- UFC Record: 3-1 (1 KO/TKO, 2 decisions)
While unconfirmed, sources suggest that Taylor Lapilus and the UFC mutually parted ways in 2016 following the Frenchman’s 4-fight stint. In a rare situation, “Double Impact” was riding a 3-1 positive record for the company on his departure.
Lapilus has always presented diverse skills since his professional debut in 2012; he ticks every box in martial arts – striking, grappling, cardio, and fight intelligence. However, a stint in boxing, which included training at the Mayweather gym, and more pro-MMA experience in Ares FC has undoubtedly leveled up his fighting toolbox during his seven-year absence from the UFC.
During his time away from the UFC, Lapilus has since gone 7-1 with three KO/TKO stoppages, thus proving the evolution in his striking credentials. And now, aged 31, he returns to the big stage on home turf, arguably competing in the prime fighting years of his career.
Lapilus vs. Loughran: The Fight Tape
The offensive striking gains Lapilus had made throughout the years are noteworthy. He controls space excellently from a southpaw stance, and he’s confident in his attack behind pressure and a high guard, keeping his defense in check.
Last time out, Lapilus faced an undefeated (11-0) Demarte Pena and displayed excellent takedown defense. Composure, confidence, and vicious strikes to the liver, followed by elbows, stopped the fight in round one, and he unquestionably looked the best he’d ever looked.
This man was already UFC-worthy, but with an added seven years of fighting experience, he’ll be an incredibly difficult challenge for Caolan Loughran, a fighter who lacks top-tier experience.
As a diverse striker with boxing fundamentals but also a strong grappling game, the game plan could vary for Loughran. However, the experience factor is huge, and while Loughran is undoubtedly a prospect worth paying attention to, it’s difficult to favor him versus a fighter who controls distance well and is arguably entering the prime of his career.
I expect Loughran will over-commit on his wrestling offense and receive one-two-many strikes from Lapilus. This fighter has the potential for a TKO stoppage but could also end the bout via submission and also possesses great conditioning to achieve such results in any round.
Lapilus Moneyline (-160): UFC Paris Hot Prospect Best Bet
The UFC odds shave Lapilus favored at -160, and rightfully so. Not only will the Frenchman possess a notable striking advantage, but he’s the bigger man (muscle mass and reach) with more high-level experience, owns the hometown advantage, and has excellent cardio, sprawling takedown defense, and jiu-Jitsu.
Moreover, if the contest isn’t stopped via KO/TKO or submission, an 8-3 decision record favors the fight intelligence of Lapilus across three rounds, as Loughran has only gone the distance in 1 of his 8 pro-MMA bouts to date.
UFC Pick: Taylor Lapilus (-160) at Bookmaker [1.60u to win 1u]
UFC Paris Main Card & Odds
- Ciryl Gane vs. Serghei Spivac [UFC heavyweight main event bout]
- Manon Fiorot vs. Rose Namajunas [UFC co-main women’s flyweight bout]
- Benoit Saint-Denis vs. Thiago Moises [UFC lightweight bout]
- William Gomis vs. Yanis Ghemmouri (UFC featherweight bout)
- Volkan Oezdemir vs. Bogdan Guskov [UFC light heavyweight bout]
- Morgan Charriere vs. Manolo Zecchini [UFC featherweight bout]
UFC Paris Preliminary Card & Odds
- Nora Cornolle vs. Joselyne Edwards [UFC women’s bantamweight bout]
- Ange Loosa vs. Rhys McKee [UFC welterweight bout]
- Farid Basharat vs. Kleydson Rodrigues [UFC bantamweight bout]
- Taylor Lapilus vs. Caolan Loughran (UFC bantamweight bout)
- Zarah Fairn dos Santos vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti [UFC women’s bantamweight bout]
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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