Underdog Pick of the Week: UFC Houston Middleweight Matchup

Uros Medic looks to pull off the upset against Geoff Neal in the co-main event

Feb. 19, 2026 at 12:31am

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In the co-main event of UFC Houston, welterweight Uros Medic is stepping in on short notice to face Geoff Neal. Despite the risks of backing a short-notice fighter, the sports gambling podcast is picking Medic as the underdog to win this fight due to his powerful striking and Neal's recent knockout loss.

Why it matters

This middleweight matchup features an underdog pick that could provide a nice payout for bettors willing to take a chance on the lesser-known Medic against the more established Neal. The UFC is returning to Houston's Toyota Center for this event, providing an exciting atmosphere for the fights.

The details

Uros Medic, a welterweight fighter with a history of finishing his opponents, is stepping in to face Geoff Neal on short notice in the co-main event of UFC Houston. Despite the risks associated with backing a late replacement, the sports gambling podcast believes Medic's immense power and striking ability give him a chance to pull off the upset against Neal, who is coming off a knockout loss in his previous fight.

  • The UFC Houston event is taking place on February 17, 2026.
  • The co-main event featuring Medic vs. Neal is scheduled to start at 5:00 PM EST.

The players

Uros Medic

A welterweight fighter known for his powerful striking and finishing ability, with all 15 of his professional MMA fights ending within the distance.

Geoff Neal

An experienced welterweight fighter who is coming off a knockout loss in his previous bout and will be facing the short-notice replacement Medic in the co-main event.

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What they’re saying

“Despite what we know about backing short-notice fighters (generally, you don't want to do it), I'm going with Medic in this matchup.”

— Jeff Fox, Sports Gambling Podcast Host (sportsgamblingpodcast.com)

What’s next

The UFC Houston event will take place on February 17, 2026, with the co-main event between Medic and Neal scheduled for a 5:00 PM EST start time.

The takeaway

This underdog pick in the co-main event of UFC Houston provides an opportunity for bettors to potentially cash in on an upset, as the lesser-known Medic looks to take advantage of his powerful striking against the more established Geoff Neal, who is coming off a recent knockout loss.