It all goes in “Space City” this weekend (Sat., Feb. 21, 2026) contained in the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. In the principle occasion, former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Sean Strickland returns to action against surging title contender Anthony Hernandez
We have a weekly sequence at MMAmania.com referred to as “Weekend Lock,” the place we share one bet that we predict will slap in “Sin City” when the chaotic mud settles. We additionally wish to hear what our readers suppose (that’s you!), so please inform us your most assured UFC Houston betting lock within the feedback part beneath (see full UFC Houston odds here)
Last event’s recap: Apparently, affected person Michal Oleksiejczuk is an actual factor — Oleksiejczuk vs. Marc-Andre Barriault didn’t finish below 1.5.
Let’s preserve rolling beneath:
This combat will not be constructed for scorecards. Medic has by no means gone to the judges in his professional career — win or lose. Every single one among his bouts has ended inside the gap. That alone tells you the kind of chaos we’re coping with.
But each time Medic has taken a transparent step up in competitors, he’s fallen brief. He was completed by Jalin Turner, knocked out by Punahele Soriano (watch highlights), and submitted by Myktybek Orolbai. When the facility and athleticism match his personal, the defensive gaps present.
Stylistically, this can be a fire-fight ready to occur. Neal carries official one-punch energy, particularly together with his straight left, and he’s traditionally been much more composed within the pocket than Medic. The betting line displays it: the market expects violence. Neal has 10 profession knockouts and has persistently fought ranked and elite competitors, in contrast to Medic.
If this turns right into a mid-cage alternate — and it doubtless will — Neal’s tighter fundamentals and expertise edge ought to produce the cleaner, fight-ending shot.
Medic is wild and fearless. Neal is coming off a stoppage loss, which at all times raises sturdiness questions. If Medic lands first in a type of chaotic exchanges, this ticket may burn rapidly. And on condition that neither man fights cautiously, variance is excessive.
Still, in a matchup constructed for brutality, Neal by knockout (-135) feels just like the sharp facet at UFC Houston.
To checkout UFC Houston’s closing combat card and bout order click on here.
