MMA Match Preview: Mansur Abdul-Malik (8-0-1) vs. Antonio Trocoli (12-5)
The middleweight division’s lopsided prospect showcase unfolds on the early prelims of UFC 323 as unbeaten phenom Mansur Abdul-Malik (8-0-1) faces struggling veteran Antonio “Malvado” Trocoli (12-5-0) on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Abdul-Malik, the 28-year-old Pittsburgh native ranked No. 43 in the division, rides a nine-fight unbeaten streak into his fourth UFC appearance, aiming to reclaim momentum after a controversial majority draw halted his eight-win rampage. His explosive striking (54% accuracy, 5.2 SLpM) and ground-and-pound dominance (88% KO/TKO rate) have earned him a Performance of the Night bonus and hype as a future contender, but questions about his chin—exposed in a knockdown against Nick Klein—loom against taller foes. Trocoli, the 34-year-old Brazilian journeyman ranked No. 69, enters desperate for his first UFC victory after back-to-back stoppage defeats, including a quick guillotine choke to Tresean Gore. With a rangy 80-inch reach matching Abdul-Malik’s and a submission-heavy resume (42% sub wins), Trocoli’s length could frustrate early, but his 0-2 Octagon skid and cardio fades (both losses after Rd. 1) paint him as a gatekeeper-level test. This rescheduled three-rounder—originally slated for February before Trocoli’s medical withdrawal—pits Abdul-Malik’s athletic finishes against Trocoli’s survival instincts, with the winner eyeing ranked relevance in a shark-infested 185-pound class amid the UFC’s PPV farewell to ESPN.
Venue Location
The scrap ignites at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada (the Las Vegas Valley), at 3780 South Las Vegas Boulevard. This 20,000-seat powerhouse, opened in 2016 as the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights’ bastion, has hosted 18 UFC events, including the chaotic UFC 229 (McGregor vs. Khabib) and its infamous brawl. Anchored beside the New York-New York Hotel & Casino and the neon-soaked Strip, it’s a fan’s gateway: Las Vegas Monorail (MGM Grand station) or rideshare oases (Uber/Lyft at Park MGM). Features boast a 360-degree LED canopy, VIP fighter suites, and concessions like “Finishers Feast” platters and signature cocktails. As the UFC’s swan-song ESPN PPV before the 2026 Paramount+ shift, anticipate a frenzied, near-sellout of 19,000+; tickets via Ticketmaster start at $125 for early prelim uppers, with T-Mobile garage parking at $50/event.
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. PT) for early prelims (Abdul-Malik-Trocoli opener around 6:15 p.m. ET)
Broadcast: ESPN+ (early prelims), ESPN/ESPN+ (prelims at 8:00 p.m. ET), ESPN+ PPV (main card at 10:00 p.m. ET). International via UFC Fight Pass; SiriusXM Fight Nation (Ch. 93) for audio.
Injury Report
Both hit 185 lbs cleanly at Friday weigh-ins, entering cleared with no active injuries per UFC medicals. Abdul-Malik’s camp was uninterrupted post his June draw with Cody Brundage (accidental headbutt ruled, no structural damage). Trocoli’s February withdrawal was medical (undisclosed, resolved by summer), but his November guillotine loss to Gore yielded no long-term issues—full grappling reintegration confirmed. Minor cut drain expected, but pristine readiness.
| Fighter | Status | Recent Injury History | Notes |
| Mansur Abdul-Malik | Cleared | None in 2025; accidental headbutt (Jun. 2025 vs. Brundage; no downtime) | Full striking/wrestling; chin tested but intact |
| Antonio Trocoli | Cleared | Undisclosed medical (Feb. 2025 withdrawal; resolved) | Grappling sharpened; no sub-related setbacks |
Fighter Matchups
Abdul-Malik’s orthodox power (80″ reach parity, 88% finishes) overwhelms Trocoli’s sub chains (1.2 attempts/15 min), but the Brazilian’s height (6’6″ frame) aids clinch knees. Abdul-Malik’s 33% TD accuracy exploits Trocoli’s 55% defense, favoring ground dominance.
Striking: Explosive Power vs. Rangy Counters
Abdul-Malik’s volume (5.2 SLpM, 54% accuracy) meets Trocoli’s low output (3.1 SLpM, 42% accuracy), absorbing 4.2/min. Abdul-Malik landed 29 sig strikes vs. Todorovic (Rd. 1 TKO); Trocoli mustered 16 vs. Magomedov before KO. Edge: Abdul-Malik—his 88% KO rate exploits Trocoli’s 40% striking defense.
Grappling: Ground-and-Pound vs. Sub Threats
Abdul-Malik’s 1.5 TD/15 min (one guillotine sub) tests Trocoli’s 1.2 subs/15 min (five RNC/arm triangles). Trocoli stuffed 55% TDs vs. Gore but tapped quickly; Abdul-Malik controlled Klein 2:15. Edge: Abdul-Malik—his top pressure neutralizes Trocoli’s 20% sub defense.
Cardio & Durability: Athletic Burst vs. Late Fades
Abdul-Malik’s finishes (avg. 4:12 time) vs. Trocoli’s decisions (33% wins, but gassed post-Rd. 1 in losses). Abdul-Malik rebounded from KD vs. Klein; Trocoli absorbed 82 strikes vs. Magomedov. Edge: Abdul-Malik—youth edges Trocoli’s age/fade risk.
Recent Form
Abdul-Malik is 2-0-1 in 2025, extending unbeaten run: Majority draw vs. Brundage (Jun., 55-30 strikes edge pre-headbutt), TKO knees/punches vs. Klein (Feb., Rd. 2 after KD recovery), TKO vs. Todorovic (Nov. 2024, Rd. 1 POTN). All UFC finishes pre-draw. Trocoli is 0-2 in 2025: Sub loss to Gore (Nov. 2024, Rd. 1 guillotine), KO punches vs. Magomedov (Jun., Rd. 3 after early promise). Pre-UFC: 12-3 with subs/KOs.
| Last 5 Fights | Record | Key Win | Key Loss | Notes |
| Abdul-Malik | 3-0-1 | W-TKO vs. Klein (Feb. 2025, Rd. 2) | D-Maj vs. Brundage (Jun. 2025) | 75% finishes; 55 strikes landed avg. |
| Trocoli | 0-2-0 | N/A | L-Sub vs. Gore (Nov. 2024, Rd. 1) | 100% UFC losses by stoppage; 16 strikes landed avg. |
Fight History
irst meeting—no priors. Abdul-Malik’s UFC: 2-0-1, TKOs over Todorovic/Klein. Trocoli’s UFC: 0-2, sub/KO losses to Gore/Magomedov. Analogs: Abdul-Malik 3-0 vs. veterans; Trocoli 2-3 vs. prospects.
| Date | Abdul-Malik Result | Trocoli Result | Notes |
| N/A | First meeting | First meeting | Abdul-Malik 2-0-1 UFC; Trocoli 0-2 UFC |
Betting Trends
Abdul-Malik is 3-0-1 SU UFC, 2-2 ATS; public hammers him (80% tickets), 3-1 Under in wins. He’s -900+ fave in 2-0-1. Trocoli 0-2 SU UFC, 1-1 ATS; sharps nibble +750 (40% handle), but 2/2 Under. Analogs: Abdul-Malik 4-0 vs. +500 dogs; Trocoli 1-4 as underdog. Public 75% Abdul-Malik ML; trends favor KO (Abdul-Malik 88% finishes).
Trends: Abdul-Malik 4/4 UFC Under 1.5; Trocoli 2/2 UFC Under 2.5. Abdul-Malik 2-0-1 SU 2025; Trocoli 0-2 SU 2025.
FIGHT ODDS
Mansur Abdul-Malik – 1200
Antonio Trocoli + 750
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
