James Vick has an opponent for UFC Austin at long last.
After calling out Donald Cerrone (who is now headlining the card) and pretty much everyone else, James Vick finally has a dance partner for UFC Austin. The UFC announced Thursday that the lightweight would be facing Francisco Trinaldo at the event. Numerically UFC Fight Night 126, the Austin card goes down next month.
Vick (12–1), who originated from Texas, will enter UFC Austin on a three fight win streak. Having bested Abel Trujillo, Marco Polo Reyes, and Joseph Duffy, ‘The Texicutioner’ will now look to add Trinaldo to the list. The only blemish on Vick’s career record, in fact, comes from a knockout loss to Beneil Dariush at UFC 199.
While Vick was looking for a higher profile opponent, not to mention main event status, Francisco Trinaldo is no easy out. Trinaldo (22–5) is coming off an October win over the gritty Jim Miller. Prior to a loss to Kevin Lee last March, the Brazilian had been on a seven fight winning streak in the UFC’s stacked lightweight division. At thirty-nine, the former Jungle Fights champion, who broke into the UFC via UFC Brazil, is on the back half of his career. That said, he’ll represent the most formidable challenge of Vick’s career to date.
UFC Fight Night 126 takes place at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas on February 18. Donald Cerrone faces Yancy Medeiros in the main event.
