Felipe Franco vs Alexander Poppeck Booked for UFC Vegas 122 on Oct. 10

Felipe Franco and Alexander Poppeck have been booked to face each other at UFC Vegas 122, scheduled for October 10 in Las Vegas.

Franco, known as "Negao," is one of the younger prospects on the card at just 25 years old. The Orthodox-stance fighter carries an 11-2-0 professional record and stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach. His game shows a clear grappling emphasis, averaging 3.7 takedowns per 15 minutes, and he pairs that wrestling output with a striking accuracy of 57 percent, though his volume of 2.55 significant strikes landed per minute suggests he picks his shots rather than overwhelming opponents on the feet.

Poppeck brings considerably more experience to the matchup. The 34-year-old German, who trains out of Munich Top Team, owns a 21-6-0 record and stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. He is a volume striker by nature, landing 4.01 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy rate of 57 percent. His UFC numbers show zero takedowns and zero submission attempts per 15 minutes, pointing to a fighter who prefers to keep the action standing.

Why it matters

• The contrast in styles sets up a clear striker-versus-wrestler dynamic, with Poppeck's output on the feet going up against Franco's takedown threat.
• At 25, Franco is still building his UFC resume, and a win over a veteran with 21 professional victories would represent a meaningful step forward.
• Poppeck, at 34, will be looking to establish himself inside the Octagon against a younger, athletically dangerous opponent.
• The bout adds competitive depth to the UFC Vegas 122 card on October 10.