Career Averages - Ricky Simón
Career Averages - Javid Basharat
Ricky Simón
Javid Basharat
Ricky Simón - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 0 | 44 of 139 | 31% | 52 of 149 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:06 |
| Adrian Yañez | 1 | 71 of 169 | 42% | 73 of 171 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 12 of 55 | 21% | 12 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 16 of 46 | 34% | 16 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 15 of 35 | 42% | 23 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:06 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 16 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 17 of 49 | 34% | 17 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Adrian Yañez | 1 | 40 of 94 | 42% | 41 of 95 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 44 of 139 | 31% | 33 of 121 | 7 of 13 | 4 of 5 | 38 of 132 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Adrian Yañez | 71 of 169 | 42% | 63 of 159 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 67 of 156 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 13 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 12 of 55 | 21% | 9 of 48 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 16 of 46 | 34% | 15 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 15 of 35 | 42% | 13 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Adrian Yañez | 15 of 29 | 51% | 13 of 26 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 17 of 49 | 34% | 11 of 42 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 40 of 94 | 42% | 35 of 88 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 36 of 81 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 13 |
Angelo picks Ricky Simon because he believes Simon's relentless pressure and wrestling will negate Yanez's technical striking. He notes that Simon's takedown defense was exposed against Honey Balcelos, but Balcelos is a high-level wrestler, while Yanez has no offensive takedowns. Angelo also mentions the hometown advantage and the possibility of a close decision, but expects Simon's wrestling to be effective enough to secure the win.
Big Brady picks Ricky Simón to win by decision, but he is hesitant. He notes that Simón has been on a three-fight losing streak and his cardio and wrestling have declined. However, he believes Simón's wrestling upside is key, as Adrian Yañez has not faced a wrestler in the UFC. Simón is the hometown fighter, and Brady thinks he can mix in takedowns, cage push, and win minutes in the clinch to secure a decision.
Cody picks Yanez, believing his striking and takedown defense will be enough to win rounds. He's concerned about Simon's hometown advantage but thinks Yanez lands the more significant shots.
Connor picks Yañez, thinking that Simón doesn't want to win just by holding someone down and will engage in the pocket, where Yañez can catch him. He notes that Simón is square and takes his eyes off the target, and Yañez has power.
Daniel believes Yanez's boxing and takedown defense will be too much for Simon, who he thinks is past his best. He cites sources saying Yanez is sharp again and likes the underdog value.
The host picks Simón despite his poor fight IQ and tendency to strike instead of wrestle. He argues that Simón's wrestling is his path to victory, and Yanez's takedown defense is inflated because he has only faced strikers. Footage from Yanez's fight against Daniel Marcos shows he can be taken down and held down easily. However, the host warns that Simón may not commit to grappling, making this a risky bet.
The host sees Yañez as the better striker with good takedown defense and getups, allowing him to keep the fight standing. He believes Yañez's striking edge and reach advantage will allow him to piece up Simón, and he even suggests Yañez might score a knockout. He notes Simón's reliance on power and wrestling, but thinks Yañez can avoid the big shots and find a finish.
Paul leans Simon, citing his wrestling and hometown crowd. He thinks Simon's control time could sway judges, especially with the Seattle crowd.
The MMA Guru picks Ricky Simón, noting his improved demeanor and grappling ability. He believes Simón is well-rounded enough to grapple his way to a decision victory. He criticizes Adrian Yañez's recent performances, pointing out losses to Rob Font and Daniel Marcos, and suggests Yañez struggles against capable opponents. He expects Simón to mix in grappling and land good shots on the feet.
Zane picks Simón for the wrestling, noting that Simón has shown more interest in keeping people down recently. He is hesitant because Yañez has good defensive wrestling and is a higher output fighter, but he thinks Simón's wrestling will be the difference in a close fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 0 | 67 of 181 | 37% | 77 of 191 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:25 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 82 of 187 | 43% | 86 of 194 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 24 of 52 | 46% | 34 of 62 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:45 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 19 of 39 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 16 of 47 | 34% | 16 of 47 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 32 of 71 | 45% | 33 of 72 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 27 of 82 | 32% | 27 of 82 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 34 of 83 | 40% | 34 of 83 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 67 of 181 | 37% | 57 of 165 | 9 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 58 of 170 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 7 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 82 of 187 | 43% | 53 of 150 | 19 of 24 | 10 of 13 | 80 of 184 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 24 of 52 | 46% | 20 of 46 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 7 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 16 of 33 | 48% | 9 of 26 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 16 of 47 | 34% | 13 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 32 of 71 | 45% | 21 of 57 | 8 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 32 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 27 of 82 | 32% | 24 of 75 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 27 of 82 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 34 of 83 | 40% | 23 of 67 | 8 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 33 of 82 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Simon (-160); Barcelos (+130)
Round 1
Sticking to the bantamweight division but flipping over to men, a pair of relative elder statesmen in the promotion come to blows with hopes of pushing their unlikely win streaks one step forward. Some six and a half years after getting wasted by Urijah Faber and totally written off, Simon (22-6, 10-5 UFC) has gone on a pair of respectable runs since then. The same can be said for 38-year-old Barcelos (20-5, 9-4 UFC), who once had a rough patch where he dropped four of five. Someone’s fortuitous stretch is about to crash into the proverbial wall, and referee Keith Peterson will follow the athletes every step of the nonsense-free way. Fists are bumped before they are traded.
Simon sprints to the center of the cage and looses a head kick that goes wide. He pushes out a front kick, and Barcelos whizzes past him with a fireball of a right hand. Barcelos jabs the body and allows Simon to leap at him, staying out of range so there is no strike to come from it. Simon sticks the Brazilian and moves, and Barcelos strides forward and is belted with an uppercut. Barcelos takes it well, and the two consider grappling but bail on it to brawl it out. Both men are putting everything into their swings, and Barcelos clips Simon and then shoots in for a double. Simon scrambles wildly and flips Barcelos over, where he starts smacking Barcelos around with high-arcing hammerfists.
Simon lashes out with elbows while Barcelos keeps him contained with butterfly hooks, and both men trade while in a horizontal position until Barcelos kicks off to stand up. Simon reaches him at the end of a right hand, and Barcelos wings on the overhand right counter. Simon dings the Brazilian with a one-two, and his jab is money. Barcelos smashes Simon in the face with a ruthless right hand, and somehow Simon not only sticks with it but returns fire with an uppercut that nearly lifts his man off the ground. Both men are no worse for wear from the mighty exchange, and Simon tries to sneak in a head kick that is blocked in time. Barcelos opens up upstairs with a pair of punches, and Simon backs him off with jabs. Barcelos tries to take the fight down, and he abandons it to slash out with an elbow up top. A final Simon takedown is blocked to end what was a close, tense round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Round 2
Barcelos starts off the round with a double jab and a right hand up top. Simon swings back with a huge overhand right, and Barcelos ducks it and plants a right on the jaw. Barcelos times a thumping calf kick and overswings on a right hand while chasing the man, and Simon knees him in the jaw. Barcelos digs a left to the body, and Simon’s quick kick and right hand greet him in rapid succession. Barcelos scrapes the side of his uppercut off the head, and he drops down for a low single and hurls Simon to a knee. Simon scrambles out of reach and gets back to his feet, only for Barcelos to ring his bell with a crisp uppercut and a power right hand. Barcelos crashes into his foe with a leaping uppercut, and Simon tries to time a double when he lands. Simon pushes Barcelos up against the wire, but the sprawl of Barcelos prevents the Washington native from going anywhere. Barcelos escapes with little more than a knee to the belly, and he allows Simon to circle all the way around him so he can find his angle in. Simon lands first with a right, but Barcelos connects last and the heavier of the two.
Barcelos goes to the body and then head, and he scoops Simon up and deposits him gingerly on the canvas. Simon jumps right back up, and Barcelos does not mind as he can trade hands with his foe. Simon scores an uppercut, and Barcelos reaches him with three punches over the guard. A naked leg kick from Simon is met with a two-punch salvo, and Barcelos rips a right to the body to punctuate the combo. Simon counters a low kick with a right hand, and Barcelos stands firm and jacks him in the jaw with a right hand and an uppercut. Simon dances and keeps Barcelos guessing with awkward movement, entries and exits that rely on speed and potshots with evasive movement. They both shoot at the same time and clash heads like bulls, and proceed to trade punches and kicks to end what is another tight round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Round 3
The final round opens with the Brazilian pushing the pace. He watches Simon attack and sways to dodge everything but an uppercut, and he storms back to nail Simon with a one-two that forces a takedown shot. Barcelos sits down on a right hand, Simon replies, and Barcelos comes over the top. Barcelos leaps in and lands a right after Simon’s strike connects on him, and Simon’s jab has bloodied the bridge of the Brazilian’s beak. Barcelos rubs his nose and busts Simon in the chops with a stiff right hand. Simon’s one-two also scores, but Barcelos still has the power edge and is putting more strikes together.
Both men go back and forth with their offensive offerings, with Simon just missing an uppercut when Barcelos ducked down. Barcelos jams a knee to the body, and he plants his shin on the side of Simon’s lead leg. Barcelos drops down for a snatch single, and he releases it and busts open Simon’s nose with power punches. Barcelos follows a punch with a high kick, and then goes back to a one-two. Simon’s stabbing jab is effective, as is his overhand right and uppercut to follow, but Barcelos stuns him when landing flush. Barcelos’ rights have Simon’s attention, and Simon tries to walk him down to attack the liver but finds himself in a slugfest. Barcelos goes after a double and bails on it to come back with an elbow, and knees fly from both men effectively after. Simon steps in with a sharp elbow, and both fighters unload their gas tanks and swing for the bleachers. Simon takes a kick in the face and screams for Barcelos to keep engaging, and they bang it out to the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-27 Barcelos)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Barcelos)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-27 Barcelos)
The Official Result
Raoni Barcelos def. Ricky Simon via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Ricky Simon because of his non-stop wrestling pace and power in his hands. He believes even if Raoni Barcelos has early takedown defense, Simon's relentless pressure will eventually get takedowns. He notes that Barcelos is aging and that wrestlers are not spectacular off their backs.
Big Brady struggles with this pick, noting Simón has looked awful in recent fights and may be slowing down due to accumulated damage. He thinks Barcelos has better striking and both have questionable chins. He leans with the 38-year-old Barcelos to win by decision, but admits it's a sketchy pick.
Cody picks Barcelos, citing his takedown defense, BJJ black belt, and superior boxing volume. He thinks Simón's wrestling will be neutralized and Barcelos will outwork him over three rounds.
Lucrative James is confident in Ricky Simón, going against the market. He believes Simón's wrestling and cardio advantage will be key, as Barcelos ages and has shown a deteriorating chin and gas tank. He expects Simón to mix takedowns and land big overhands, possibly finishing Barcelos. He also notes Barcelos has been hurt in recent fights.
The host acknowledges Barcelos is the better striker on paper, but believes Simón's wrestling, athleticism, speed, and power will be decisive. He expects Simón to find a big shot and knock Barcelos out.
Paul sees it as a 50/50 fight but likes Barcelos at plus money. He thinks if Simón can't get takedowns, Barcelos's striking and experience will carry him.
The Guru picks Ricky Simón to win by first-round TKO. He believes Simón's well-rounded game and explosiveness will overwhelm the aging Barcelos, who relies on exploiting specific weaknesses. He notes Simón has no glaring holes in his grappling or pressure defense, unlike Barcelos's previous opponents.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 0 | 34 of 74 | 45% | 50 of 94 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 9:13 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 29 of 99 | 29% | 33 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 19 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:27 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 16 of 31 | 51% | 20 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:56 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 11 of 37 | 29% | 12 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 11 of 30 | 36% | 11 of 30 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 1:50 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 17 of 56 | 30% | 18 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 34 of 74 | 45% | 22 of 62 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 8 | 28 of 62 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 6 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 29 of 99 | 29% | 23 of 89 | 5 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 25 of 94 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 7 of 13 | 53% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 3 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 16 of 31 | 51% | 8 of 23 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 14 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 11 of 37 | 29% | 9 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 11 of 30 | 36% | 9 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 17 of 56 | 30% | 14 of 49 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 52 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Simon (-440), Smotherman (+340)
Round 1
On short notice, Simon (21-6, 9-5 UFC) now stands across the cage from high-flying Fury FC product Smotherman (12-5, 1-1 UFC). Simon was initially expected to battle Charles Jourdain, but it is what it is now. The bantamweights will be joined in the cage by referee Blake Grice, who claps them in as they choose to tap their gloves together. Smotherman jabs and low kicks, and Simon does the same. Simon turns his hips into one thudding kick, and he suddenly goes high with a kick that Smotherman barely blocks in time. Both swipe at the other with hooks, and Simon drops levels, stutter-steps and shoots for a single-leg takedown. Simon lifts Smotherman all the way in the air and chucks him to the mat, where Smotherman is quick to sit up against the wire. Simon hooks one leg in and starts peppering Smotherman with free left hands, and Smotherman is stuck unable to get back up. When Smotherman attempts to stand, Simon wrenches him back down again. Simon isolates Smotherman’s left arm in pursuit of a kimura, and Smotherman gives up position to defend against it. Simon takes advantage of this to step into full mount, and he allows Smotherman to turn over so he can start fishing for a rear-naked choke. Simon cannot get his hooks in, so Smotherman is able to fight back to his feet with about 30 seconds left in the round. Simon leans on him against the wire, kneeing him in the side of the head while trying to drag Smotherman back down. Simon rides out the round squeezing.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Round 2
Smotherman takes the center of the cage and marches forward to start off the second round, looking for a hook that he cannot find yet. Simon loops a right hand around the guard and plunks the front leg with a kick, and he dodges the counter to weave a right hand up top. Simon kicks the front leg and keeps his guard up to block the right hand aimed down the pipe, and he walks into a pair of punches but does not budge. Instead, Simon leaps in the air with a knee, and he lands and grabs hold of a double. Simon tackles Smotherman to his back, placing himself in half guard while exerting heavy shoulder pressure. Simon flattens his man out when Smotherman tries to buck and twist to get out, and he slashes down with a pair of elbows. Simon leans back a slight amount to wrap his arm around Smotherman’s neck, either for a guillotine setup or to push Smotherman down. Simon spins around to grab his foe from behind, and Smotherman stands back up in the process. Simon leans on Smotherman from the back while jamming Smotherman against the wall, and Smotherman starts chattering towards the grapple-heavy adversary. Simon ignores it and continues to embrace the grind, transitioning a single to a double and back to a single. Smotherman looks for a standing ninja choke, but Simon wriggles his neck out without concern. “The Baby-Faced Killer” drives a knee down the middle, and when it succeeds, he goes for another. Simon shrugs them off and loops a right hand up top and a left to the liver. Simon narrowly avoids a looping right hand as he scores a low kick, and Smotherman’s final strike of the round is a front kick to the chest. Grice has to get between the two when the horn sounds, ushering them back to their corners. Smotherman does not appear to be a happy man right now.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Round 3
Smotherman is fired up between rounds, and he starts throwing hands and grins when Simon obliges him. Simon takes a jab on the forehead and showboats while dodging the two follow-ups, looking away from the swinging Texan. Simon clips Smotherman with a right hand on the temple, and he grabs hold of Smotherman in a body lock and throws him to his knees. Smotherman powers back up to his feet, but Simon is a dog with a bone as he tries to go from a double to a single to a body lock. Simon pursues a double again when the other efforts fail, and Smotherman’s defense holds up even as he is stuck against the wire. Smotherman pushes off a knee, forcing Simon to wing two punches and shoot in for a double that finally succeeds. Smotherman is placed on his seat, and Simon holds him down and keeps his arms wrapped around a single to keep him in place. Smotherman still gets back to his feet, and he shakes Simon up with an elbow. Smotherman walks him down, firing a left to the body and a right to the head. When Simon counters, Smotherman hits him with a step-in knee. Simon eats a left hook to fire one back, and his right hand gets Smotherman’s attention and tells him it will not be as easy as walking through him with heavy fists. Simon shoots hard for a single, and Smotherman responds with a ninja choke and backs himself to the fencing. Simon is completely unfazed by the submission attempt, not budging and instead pressing on Smotherman until Smotherman bails on it. Smotherman breaks out of the takedown attempt and clinch to drive a pair of lefts to the liver and temple. Simon jabs to beat him to the punch a few times, and Smotherman is winding up with everything he has with his right hand. Simon is able to intercept him when he launches those missiles, slipping the most dangerous of the punches and hitting Smotherman back. Smotherman jabs to the body with the ball of his foot, winging a left to the same spot and a right up top. Simon shrugs at him, but he got stung with the power strikes. Smotherman unloads with pure power, tagging Simon a few times and eating some responsive blows until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon (30-27 Simon)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman (29-28 Simon)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman (29-28 Simon)
The Official Result
Ricky Simon def. Cameron Smotherman via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
The Guru picks Ricky Simón, noting he is 'barely a favorite' and sees value. He highlights Simón's momentum from a KO win over Javid Basharat and his power in the pocket. He criticizes Smotherman's quick turnaround after a loss where he took damage, and trusts Simón's fundamentals and grappling options.
Angelo picks Ricky Simón because of his relentless wrestling and cardio. He believes Charles does not have good enough takedown defense to stop multiple shots. He notes that Ricky's losses are to top competition and he is consistent.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 1 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 18 of 29 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 21 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 1 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 18 of 29 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 21 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 11 of 21 | 52% | 9 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Javid Basharat | 20 of 36 | 55% | 12 of 27 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 20 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 11 of 21 | 52% | 9 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Javid Basharat | 20 of 36 | 55% | 12 of 27 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 20 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Javid Basharat but is hesitant because of Javid's frustratingly passive performance in his last fight. He acknowledges Ricky Simón's relentless wrestling pressure and cardio could sway judges if Javid is too patient. He trusts Javid's takedown defense and superior striking, but admits it's hard to be confident given Javid's tendency to stare.
Big Brady picks Javid Basharat despite not loving the -300 price tag. He notes that Ricky Simón looks washed at only 32, with poor recent performances against Vinicius Oliveira, Mario Bautista, and Song Yadong. He believes Simón needs to wrestle for 15 minutes but doubts he can take down or hold down Basharat. He predicts Basharat wins by decision.
The host notes Simón is on a three-fight losing streak and faces a tough opponent in Basharat, who has stellar takedown defense and superior striking. He expects Basharat to pick Simón apart from distance and win on the scorecards.
The Guru feels Ricky Simón has lost his mojo, citing recent losses where he was walked down. He believes Basharat is at a level similar to Victor Henry and will outpoint Simón in a striking fight. He doesn't see Simón overpowering Basharat in grappling or striking, predicting a decision win for Basharat.
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Simon (-115), Song (-105)
Round 1
This bantamweight clash was supposed to be a co-main event one week ago before UFC Fight Night 223 lost its originally scheduled headliner. Now Song and Simon get two extra rounds with which to work. Herb Dean gets the final officiating assignment of the night. Simon tests the waters with a high kick and front kick. Song defends without issue. Simon lands a leg kick as both fighters remain patient. Song sidesteps a takedown and lands a leg kick. Song steps in with a knee and misses a right hand. Song blocks a body kick and then lands a hard one of his own. Song catches a kick and Simon spins out of it. A 1-2 connects for Simon and Song responds with a leg kick. Simon doubles up on his jab and follows with a right. They clinch against the fence and battle for position before Simon shakes his foe off. Simon lands a clubbing right. A leg kick connects for Simon and Song smiles. A left lands for Song and then Simon can’t finish a takedown. Song avoids a level change and fires off punches as Simon moves out of danger. Another three-punch combo lands for Simon and Song answers with a leg kick. Simon sticks a jab before the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Round 2
Song opens with a front kick to the midsection. He follows up with a leg kick and Simon backs him up with a combination. Simon lands another jab. Another jab for Simon gets through. Song backs up Simon with a powerful combination and Simon briefly falls to the canvas after a clash of heads. He quickly transitions to a double leg takedown, giving him time to recover. Song is able to scramble up in a hurry. Simon sticks his jab and Song responds with a hard right to the body. Song with a push kick down the middle and Simon circles away. A clean left hook catches Simon. Another hard left lands for Song, who seems to have found his timing. Simon backs up his foe with multiple jabs. Song pressures and swings heavy leather. Simon continues to work his jab, but Song is undeterred. Song lands a leg kick. Simon evades some jabs but Song lands a left to the liver. Simon eats a right but gets a takedown in the waning moments of the round. He unloads with a flurry of hammerfists from above while Song attacks from his back in a frantic final exchange.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Song
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Song
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Song
Round 3
Song kicks the lead leg and avoids a hook. Simon shoots for a takedown but Song stuffs it and they’re back at distance. Song tries to land another body shot during an exchange but it lands below the belt, and time is called. Simon needs less than a minute to recover and the fight resumes. Simon just dodges a head kick but Song does connect with a leg kick. Song with two more leg kicks. Simon jabs and follows with a takedown but Song easily evades it. Song misses a pair of high kicks but he digs a left hook to the body moments later. A right lands clean for Song. A left from Song puts Simon on wobbly legs, and he circles away. A right to the body finds a home for Simon. Song pressures with punches and Simon circles away. A right uppercut lands to the body for Song. Song misses a high kick followed by a spinning back fist. The round concludes with Song being warned by Dean for leading with his head.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Song
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Song
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Song
Round 4
Simon fires off a combination but Song dodges it. Song lands a leg kick. Simon hits a low kick of his own. Simon attempts a flying knee but Song shoves him back. Song then puts together a nice combination, landing to the body and head. Song sticks a jab then sprawls on a takedown. Simon resets and tries again, but yet again Song denies it. Song moves in with a left hook to the head, and Simon circles away. Song backs up Simon with a combination and then digs a hook to the body. Simon fires off a right hand and then a pair of leg kicks. Another right for Song. Song again lands a combination, but Simon answers with a jab. Song has a low kick checked. Simon moves forward behind his jab and Song answers with a body kick. Simon thinks about a takedown but Song is wise to it. Song with a right hook. Simon moves in with a straight left. Another jab lands for Simon. Song doubles up on his jab and follows with a right hand. Son lands a leg kick and sits Simon down with a left hand right at the horn. Song dives into top position as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Song
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Song
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Song
Round 5
Simon will likely need something big to get the win. Simon jabs forward. Song lands a left hook to the body. A nicely timed overhand right stops Simon in his tracks. Shortly thereafter,
Song drops Simon with a left hook during an exchange. Song pounces on his reeling foe, unloading with heavy punches. Simon tries to scramble out of danger, but the barrage continues and he falls back to the canvas, still absorbing damage.
Finally, Dean has seen enough and steps in to wave off the bout.
The Official Result
Yadong Song def. Ricky Simon via TKO (Punches) R5 1:10
Connor is impressed with Simón's rapid improvement, especially his boxing and wrestling integration since the Rob Font loss. He notes Simón's flexibility, ability to counter off the back foot, and scrambling prowess. However, he acknowledges Song's power and chin, and the risk of a knockout. He ultimately favors Simón due to Song's stagnation and Simón's adaptability.
Zane agrees with Connor, citing Simón's improvement and Song's plateau. He highlights Simón's wrestling threat and pace, and Song's tendency to throw everything hard and get tracked down. He notes Song's potential to knock Simón out but leans on Simón's recent performances and adaptability.
Javid Basharat - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javid Basharat | 1 | 59 of 97 | 60% | 85 of 132 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 5:38 |
| Gianni Vazquez | 0 | 24 of 108 | 22% | 41 of 132 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 1 | 0:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Javid Basharat | 1 | 31 of 50 | 62% | 35 of 54 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Gianni Vazquez | 0 | 7 of 32 | 21% | 8 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 26 of 41 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:50 |
| Gianni Vazquez | 0 | 14 of 43 | 32% | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 3 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 12 of 20 | 60% | 24 of 37 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:50 |
| Gianni Vazquez | 0 | 3 of 33 | 9% | 9 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:14 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javid Basharat | 59 of 97 | 60% | 33 of 64 | 13 of 17 | 13 of 16 | 44 of 78 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 17 |
| Gianni Vazquez | 24 of 108 | 22% | 13 of 87 | 4 of 9 | 7 of 12 | 23 of 98 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Javid Basharat | 31 of 50 | 62% | 13 of 27 | 9 of 12 | 9 of 11 | 19 of 35 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 13 |
| Gianni Vazquez | 7 of 32 | 21% | 4 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 7 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Javid Basharat | 16 of 27 | 59% | 12 of 23 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Gianni Vazquez | 14 of 43 | 32% | 7 of 34 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 13 of 41 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Javid Basharat | 12 of 20 | 60% | 8 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Gianni Vazquez | 3 of 33 | 9% | 2 of 28 | 0 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 8 |
Angelo picks Javid Basharat, calling him the overall better fighter with offensive and defensive wrestling and good striking. He notes that Javid has been struggling lately with a loss and a robbery, but he breaks it down fresh. He thinks Javid can get the fight to the ground if needed and stay safe. He is not confident enough to bet on him but suggests over 2.5 rounds as a solid play.
Big Brady picks Javid Basharat despite considering him overrated, because he thinks opponent Sad Magomedov is even more overrated with poor cardio and takedown defense. He believes Basharat can mix in takedowns to tire Magomedov and win a decision on volume striking.
Cody agrees, highlighting Vazquez's low volume and tendency to tire. He notes Basharat's wrestling and striking should be enough to win rounds. Cody expects a decision win for Basharat, possibly with a live bet opportunity.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Basharat. He notes that Nurmagomedov is a tricky striker but lacks the wrestling to dominate Basharat, and that Basharat's pressure and boxing will be too much. Connor also mentions that Nurmagomedov's guillotine submissions often come from losing positions.
Lucrative James picks Javid Basharat to win by decision. He expects Basharat to use his wrestling and cardio to take over in rounds two and three, as Saif Magomedov tends to gas out. James notes that Basharat has trained with elite fighters and has better fight IQ and grappling.
The host picks Basharat, noting he is the more skilled fighter but has questions about his mentality after a knockout loss. He believes Basharat's submission defense will hold up against Nurmagomedov's early threats, and that Basharat can mix martial arts well to win on the scorecards. He likes the line movement from -160 to -115, making it a better value.
Paul picks Javid Basharat, noting his wrestling advantage and the discount after his KO loss. He expects Basharat to use takedowns and control to win a decision. Paul believes Basharat's durability is fine and that he can outwork Vazquez.
The host picks Javid Basharat over Gianni Vazquez (referred to as Johnny Vasquez). He notes Vazquez has no UFC wins and missed weight, suggesting short notice. Basharat has won most of his UFC fights except a KO loss to Ricky Simon. He predicts a decision win for Basharat.
Zane picks Basharat, noting that he is more reliable and has a more winning style. He argues that Basharat's pressure will break Nurmagomedov, who tends to crumble when attacked repeatedly. Zane also notes that Nurmagomedov is unlikely to finish Basharat with strikes and that Basharat is a more nuanced boxer.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 1 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 18 of 29 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 21 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 1 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 18 of 29 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 21 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 11 of 21 | 52% | 9 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Javid Basharat | 20 of 36 | 55% | 12 of 27 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 20 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 11 of 21 | 52% | 9 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Javid Basharat | 20 of 36 | 55% | 12 of 27 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 20 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Javid Basharat but is hesitant because of Javid's frustratingly passive performance in his last fight. He acknowledges Ricky Simón's relentless wrestling pressure and cardio could sway judges if Javid is too patient. He trusts Javid's takedown defense and superior striking, but admits it's hard to be confident given Javid's tendency to stare.
Big Brady picks Javid Basharat despite not loving the -300 price tag. He notes that Ricky Simón looks washed at only 32, with poor recent performances against Vinicius Oliveira, Mario Bautista, and Song Yadong. He believes Simón needs to wrestle for 15 minutes but doubts he can take down or hold down Basharat. He predicts Basharat wins by decision.
The host notes Simón is on a three-fight losing streak and faces a tough opponent in Basharat, who has stellar takedown defense and superior striking. He expects Basharat to pick Simón apart from distance and win on the scorecards.
The Guru feels Ricky Simón has lost his mojo, citing recent losses where he was walked down. He believes Basharat is at a level similar to Victor Henry and will outpoint Simón in a striking fight. He doesn't see Simón overpowering Basharat in grappling or striking, predicting a decision win for Basharat.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiemann Zahabi | 0 | 75 of 174 | 43% | 77 of 176 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 67 of 205 | 32% | 67 of 205 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aiemann Zahabi | 0 | 12 of 38 | 31% | 12 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 14 of 56 | 25% | 14 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Aiemann Zahabi | 0 | 26 of 58 | 44% | 26 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 28 of 73 | 38% | 28 of 73 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Aiemann Zahabi | 0 | 37 of 78 | 47% | 39 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 25 of 76 | 32% | 25 of 76 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiemann Zahabi | 75 of 174 | 43% | 51 of 130 | 16 of 26 | 8 of 18 | 74 of 172 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Javid Basharat | 67 of 205 | 32% | 33 of 147 | 27 of 44 | 7 of 14 | 67 of 203 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aiemann Zahabi | 12 of 38 | 31% | 5 of 27 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 7 | 12 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Javid Basharat | 14 of 56 | 25% | 4 of 35 | 7 of 15 | 3 of 6 | 14 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Aiemann Zahabi | 26 of 58 | 44% | 19 of 44 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 3 | 26 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Javid Basharat | 28 of 73 | 38% | 15 of 57 | 10 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 28 of 71 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Aiemann Zahabi | 37 of 78 | 47% | 27 of 59 | 6 of 11 | 4 of 8 | 36 of 76 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Javid Basharat | 25 of 76 | 32% | 14 of 55 | 10 of 17 | 1 of 4 | 25 of 76 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Basharat (-700), Zahabi (+500)
Round 1
When the dust settles, one of these bantamweights’ momentum will come to a conclusive halt. Once known best as on the receiving end of an all-time highlight reel knockout, Zahabi (10-2, 4-2 UFC) has reeled off three straight victories including two concussive knockouts. On the other side of the equation, Basharat (14-0, 1 NC; 3-0, 1 NC UFC) did encounter his first career blemish when an accidental groin kick ended his last fight, but he maintains a 15-fight unbeaten streak. Before the red falls on someone’s ledger, referee Chris Tognoni is there to keep things clean. The fighters touch gloves, and Basharat prances forward with his kick leg outstretched. Basharat tosses out a few body kicks and one low, and he checks one coming back. Zahabi attempts to retaliate, but Basharat is able to reach him with slightly longer legs. Zahabi overswings with a huge right hand, and Basharat dances out of the way and continues to prod with kicks to the low midsection and thigh. Zahabi attempts to close the distance, only for Basharat to be able to dodge everything thrown at him as he zips back and to the side. Zahabi reaches out with a left hand, and Basharat pops his lead leg with a loud kick. Basharat jabs with the ball of his foot, and he spins with a kick that misses the mark. Zahabi catches Basharat darting in with a left hand, but it is one-and-done before Basharat gets back to his preferred kicking range. Basharat ducks down, landing a few punches and going to the ribs with a resounding kick. On his way in, Basharat may have clashes head with his opponent, but it goes uncalled. Zahabi swats away a one-two and gives a calf kick back, but he takes a shovel uppercut on the cheek. Basharat jumps in the air with a kick, and as soon as Zahabi is about to counter him, Basharat puts him on his seat with a side kick to the sternum. Zahabi climbs back up without issue, and he aims his kick at Basharat’s lead wheel. Basharat misses with two wide hooks, but his high kick does bounce off the guard. Zahabi replies with two blocked body kicks, and he guards against a front kick aimed at his nose. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Round 2
The second round begins where the two men left off, with Basharat keeping his distance with long kicks while Zahabi largely comes up short with punches. Basharat puts a few punches on the reddening face of his opponent, and Zahabi reaches him back with two right hooks. Basharat ignores them and sticks out a jab, and he breaks up Zahabi’s offense with the jab. Zahabi has a low kick checked, and he swarms his man with several punches until Basharat turns to the side to get away. Basharat resets and marks up Zahabi’s nose with jab after unanswered jab, and he follows a few with a right hand or a front kick. Basharat reaches out with a high kick, and when that does not connect, he plants a knee on the chest and cracks Zahabi with an uppercut. The Canadian takes it flush and swings back with bad intentions. Basharat sees the big strikes coming and stays light on his feet to avoid them. Basharat pushes off with a pair of teep kicks, and he nearly gets decked with a huge right hand from Zahabi. Zahabi continues to swing for the fences, and Basharat backs him off with jabs and his diverse kicking game. “The Snow Leopard” charges for a takedown, and Zahabi stands him up but absorbs an elbow on the break. Zahabi plants his feet and winds up with a stern right hand that collides with the temple, and Basharat shakes it off and continues to move forward. Zahabi goes after a body kick and a left hand, and the latter misses. Basharat races in with a takedown, and Zahabi intercepts him with a jump knee and lands to set up a guillotine choke. Basharat continues to spam takedowns, and every time they fail, he is ready to stand up and land at least one big strike. Zahabi opens up with a huge haymaker of a right, and Basharat’s balance nearly gives way as he wobbles to the side and then gets his sea legs beneath him. As Basharat advances to end the round, Zahabi pops him again, and the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi
Round 3
The last round kicks off with Basharat appearing no worse for wear after the rough ending to the round, with long jabs and a spinning back kick to the side. The distance Basharat keeps disallows Zahabi from reaching him, and he peppers and chips away at a wide berth. Zahabi finally lands his own punch after a minute, and it is a right hand that gets Basharat’s attention. During the ensuing exchange, Basharat leaves his fingers out, and he jabs Zahabi in the eye. Tognoni calls time briefly, but Zahabi is good to go. Basharat apologizes and then gets back into his groove of rangy strikes. Zahabi continues to find his range with right hands, and he swipes out with a left as Basharat nods at him. Zahabi plods forward looping punches, and Basharat hops in and out with body shots and an escape. The two start trading leather, with Basharat less concerned about his defense than before, and this allows Zahabi to touch him back. Zahabi lands three hooks, and Basharat slides to the side to snipe his foe with one that makes the Canadian backpedal. Basharat eats a left hand coming forward, and Zahabi belts him upside the head with a kick. Basharat no-sells it, but Zahabi chains several punches after it. Basharat tags him with a right hand in response, and the two continue to lay into one another with heavy punches. Basharat leans down and gets caught with an uppercut, and they clinch together. Basharat attempts a hip toss, and Zahabi keeps his balance and he keeps chasing after his opponent. Zahabi lands the flusher strikes, and the two swing wildly right to the bitter end. Basharat gets off a final knee to punctuate the fight, and they hug it out when the final horn sounds. It could go either way, and it is entirely possible the unbeaten fighter is undefeated no more.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi (29-28 Zahabi)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi (29-28 Zahabi)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi (29-28 Zahabi)
The Official Result
Aiemann Zahabi def. Javid Basharat via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Javid Basharat, noting he has incredible offensive and defensive wrestling and can also kickbox. He believes Basharat should avoid Aiemann Zahabi's power and win likely by decision. He mentions he has picked and bet on both Basharat brothers before and is confident in Javid.
Big Brady picks Basharat, noting Zahabi's low-volume counter-striking style and reliance on a knockout. He thinks Basharat is a much higher-level fighter and will cruise to a decision, winning minutes. He acknowledges Zahabi has power but believes Basharat's chin will hold up.
Cody picks Basharat by decision, noting his superior volume and wrestling. He points out that Zahabi's career-high in significant strikes is 54, which would be a career low for Basharat. Cody believes Basharat will outwork Zahabi on the feet and take him down, winning a clear unanimous decision. He mentions the price is inflated but still sees Basharat as a safe pick.
Basharat is one of the best prospects at 135 lbs, with smooth striking, excellent footwork and distance management, and improving grappling. Zahabi is 36 and past his prime, while Basharat is much closer to his. Basharat's striking defense should keep him safe from Zahabi's power, and he may even take the fight to the ground. Basharat likely wins by decision, but the line is too high to bet straight; parlay value may exist.
Paul picks Basharat, noting his high volume and well-rounded skills. He mentions Zahabi's low output and reliance on a single counter punch, which won't work against Basharat's pressure. Paul believes Basharat will double Zahabi's strike output and mix in takedowns for a clear decision win. He acknowledges the minus-900 price is tough but sees Basharat as safe.
The MMA Guru picks Basharat, citing his unorthodox striking, movement, and dynamic attacks (spinning attacks, low kicks, stance switching). He thinks Zahabi is too simple and that Basharat's dynamic style will be the difference, though the boxing may be even.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 30 of 43 | 69% | 33 of 46 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 25 of 36 | 69% | 30 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 29 of 42 | 69% | 32 of 45 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 25 of 36 | 69% | 30 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 | |
| 2 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javid Basharat | 30 of 43 | 69% | 8 of 21 | 8 of 8 | 14 of 14 | 26 of 39 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 25 of 36 | 69% | 3 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 20 | 23 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Javid Basharat | 29 of 42 | 69% | 8 of 21 | 8 of 8 | 13 of 13 | 25 of 38 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 25 of 36 | 69% | 3 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 20 | 23 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Javid Basharat | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Basharat (-535), Henry (+400)
Round 1
Referee Lukasz Bosacki will need to go into overdrive if he hopes to keep up with this next bout in the bantamweight division. With 14 wins opposite zero defeats, Basharat (14-0, 3-0 UFC) rockets his way into his pairing with proud UWF USA rep Henry (23-6, 2-1 UFC). Whether the victor needs 15 seconds or 15 minutes to get things done, one man may put himself in prime position at the talent-rich 135-pound category by prevailing. There is no glove touch to get this one started. Basharat walks through a leg kick and parries two jabs to get his own range. Henry kicks the leg, sweeping it out, and Basharat falls to the ground and climbs back up while wagging his finger. Both men trade leg kicks, and Henry breaks it up with a front kick. Basharat digs another kick on the calf, and Henry greets him with one back while ducking two looping punches. Basharat connects with another front kick, and he checks a kick. Henry swats out with multiple low kicks while Basharat crowds him, and when Basharat backs off, he plants a side kick on Henry’s waist. Basharat sneaks in a jab and follows it with an inside low kick, and Henry defends against a head kick while kicking low. Basharat gets off a left hand, and when he kicks the body, Henry catches it. Henry releases it after landing a few punches, and his own kick gets caught. This forces a scramble that results in both fighters hitting the mat, but the two are active enough to spring back up while still tied up. Basharat attempts a single, and he abandons it to go up high with a left hand on the break. Basharat chops with a kick and lands two punches, but it is his spinning back kick that finds its target with emphasis. Basharat scores kicks, and Henry does the same while getting one more checked. Henry doubles up on a kick from each leg, and he pecks away while Basharat slowly meanders towards him. Henry kicks the waist and closes in to hunt for an inside trip. The round ends with the two trading knees from up close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Round 2
The 135ers meet one another in the middle of the cage,
Basharat kicks his opponent square in the groin to start off the round. Henry falls straight on his face and rolls around, moaning in agony.
Basharat tries to apologize, and Bosacki tells him to stay in the neutral corner. Henry shows no sign of improvement after 90 seconds, still on the ground in pain. There is a brief bit of discussion as to whether the strike landed on his groin, and Henry yells that it was all his genitals. After over three minutes, Henry is helped to his feet, but he is still totally compromised. Five full minutes elapse, and Bosacki waves the fight off, much to the displeasure of the crowd. The doctor incredulously tries to tell Henry that the strike should not have hurt him like it did, or that it was not a direct shot on his groin, but Henry is no actor and his reaction is quite legitimate. Henry’s corner, the legendary Josh Barnett, carries Henry out of the cage, as Henry is struggling to stay on his feet. As the foul was accidental and the time was early into Round 2, it should be declared a no contest.
The Official Result
Victor Henry vs. Javid Basharat is Ruled a No Contest (Accidental Groin Kick) R2 0:15
Angelo is confident Javid Basharat dominates this fight with his wrestling. He notes Victor Henry's win over a Brazilian national champion wrestler (Him Barcelos) but thinks Javid's timing, control, and flow from striking to grappling will be too much. He has Javid in parlays.
Big Brady picks Javid Basharat to win by decision, but expects a competitive fight. He notes that Victor Henry is being disrespected by the odds, as he has good cardio, toughness, and takedown defense. However, Basharat is younger, improving, and the UFC is pushing him. Brady believes Basharat can use wrestling to control the fight and win a close decision, possibly aided by judging in Abu Dhabi.
Cody picks Basharat but is hesitant, noting that Basharat is talented but untested. He acknowledges Henry's wrestling and volume could make it close, but believes Basharat's speed and mixing of takedowns will edge him a decision. Cody does not love the price.
Daniel picks Javid Basharat to win but considers the -625 line too high. He praises Basharat's skills and youth but notes that Victor Henry has never been finished in 30 fights and has incredible volume, as seen in his fight against Barcelos. He expects a competitive fight where Basharat edges out a decision rather than dominating. He calls it a 'dog or pass' situation and suggests a small bet on Henry might be worthwhile.
Basharat is one of the best strikers with elite footwork and pull counters. He will touch up Henry whenever Henry crashes the pocket with volume. Basharat stays within himself and sticks to the game plan, likely winning by decision. This is a horrible stylistic matchup for Henry.
Paul picks Henry as a dog, arguing that Basharat is overvalued and has not faced tough competition. He notes that Henry has excellent volume, takedown defense, and durability, and has fought higher-level opponents. Paul believes Henry's pressure and output will make the fight close, and at plus money, he sees value.
The MMA Guru picks Javid Basharat by decision, but notes that Victor Henry is a live underdog worth betting. He compares their common opponent Tony Gravely, noting Basharat had a clearer win. He cites Basharat's youth (28 vs 36), reach, and height advantages. He expects a competitive fight with a swing round, but thinks Basharat will do a little more to win a decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 95 of 130 | 73% | 125 of 164 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 5:19 |
| Mateus Mendonça | 0 | 29 of 88 | 32% | 70 of 133 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 32 of 51 | 62% | 35 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Mateus Mendonça | 0 | 12 of 43 | 27% | 14 of 45 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:09 | |
| 2 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 35 of 45 | 77% | 53 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:28 |
| Mateus Mendonça | 0 | 7 of 24 | 29% | 20 of 39 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 | |
| 3 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 28 of 34 | 82% | 37 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 |
| Mateus Mendonça | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 36 of 49 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javid Basharat | 95 of 130 | 73% | 62 of 93 | 25 of 28 | 8 of 9 | 60 of 90 | 10 of 14 | 25 of 26 |
| Mateus Mendonça | 29 of 88 | 32% | 21 of 72 | 3 of 6 | 5 of 10 | 25 of 83 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Javid Basharat | 32 of 51 | 62% | 18 of 36 | 9 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 43 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 |
| Mateus Mendonça | 12 of 43 | 27% | 8 of 35 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 11 of 42 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Javid Basharat | 35 of 45 | 77% | 27 of 35 | 7 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 23 | 5 of 6 | 16 of 16 |
| Mateus Mendonça | 7 of 24 | 29% | 5 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | |
| 3 | Javid Basharat | 28 of 34 | 82% | 17 of 22 | 9 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 19 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 8 |
| Mateus Mendonça | 10 of 21 | 47% | 8 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo is very confident in Basharat, having placed a 3-unit bet at -309. He praises Basharat's well-rounded game, striking defense, and grappling. He believes Mendonça's competition is weak and his style is not suited for MMA. He expects Basharat to win comfortably.
Big Brady picks Javid Basharat confidently, praising his well-rounded skills and impressive win over Tony Gravely. He notes that Basharat outwrestled Gravely, a top wrestler, and has good striking, power, and cardio. He thinks Mendonça is talented but too inexperienced for this step up, and that Basharat will pull away as the fight goes on. He predicts a decision win for Basharat, though Mendonça may have early moments.
Cody picks Basharat but is less confident, noting Mendonça's potential and youth. He sees Basharat winning by decision and likes the 'Basharat by decision' prop at +150. He acknowledges Mendonça could be live if he lands a front kick.
Jacob picks Mendonça despite acknowledging Basharat is the better fighter. He believes Mendonça's aggression and power could overwhelm Basharat early. He notes Basharat's low guard and vulnerability to pressure. He is not betting the moneyline but may look at inside the distance props.
Paul is confident in Basharat, citing his wrestling, cardio, and experience against tougher opponents (Trevin Jones, Tony Gravely). He sees Mendonça as unproven and limited, and expects Basharat to win wherever the fight goes. He considers Basharat by decision at +150.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 33 of 113 | 29% | 39 of 119 | 2 of 13 | 15% | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
| Tony Gravely | 0 | 80 of 149 | 53% | 106 of 177 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 15 of 42 | 35% | 15 of 42 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:12 |
| Tony Gravely | 0 | 17 of 36 | 47% | 24 of 43 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 | |
| 2 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 5 of 22 | 22% | 11 of 28 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Tony Gravely | 0 | 21 of 31 | 67% | 40 of 52 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:42 | |
| 3 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 13 of 49 | 26% | 13 of 49 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Tony Gravely | 0 | 42 of 82 | 51% | 42 of 82 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javid Basharat | 33 of 113 | 29% | 17 of 84 | 2 of 11 | 14 of 18 | 30 of 106 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Tony Gravely | 80 of 149 | 53% | 50 of 113 | 24 of 30 | 6 of 6 | 69 of 134 | 6 of 10 | 5 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Javid Basharat | 15 of 42 | 35% | 7 of 30 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 8 | 14 of 39 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Tony Gravely | 17 of 36 | 47% | 7 of 24 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 31 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Javid Basharat | 5 of 22 | 22% | 3 of 15 | 0 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 19 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Tony Gravely | 21 of 31 | 67% | 14 of 23 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 5 | |
| 3 | Javid Basharat | 13 of 49 | 26% | 7 of 39 | 0 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 12 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tony Gravely | 42 of 82 | 51% | 29 of 66 | 12 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 41 of 80 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Basharat because he is more well-rounded, with excellent offensive and defensive wrestling and technical striking. He notes that Gravely is a dominant wrestler but has cardio issues and questionable submission defense. Angelo acknowledges that Gravely's pressure and takedown attempts could be a problem, but believes Basharat's footwork and striking advantage will carry him.
Big Brady picks Javid Basharat to win, but with hesitation. He acknowledges that Tony Gravely has fought much better competition and has a phenomenal wrestling resume, but Brady is concerned about Gravely's cardio, chin, and submission defense. Brady notes that Basharat is dangerous everywhere—striking, wrestling, and submissions—and thinks Basharat can catch Gravely in a submission as the fight goes on. He also mentions that Gravely has been finished six times (five by submission). However, Brady says he would not bet the moneyline due to question marks about Basharat's takedown defense, which hasn't been tested against a wrestler of Gravely's caliber.
Cody agrees, citing Basharat's size, cardio, and durability. He notes Gravely's tendency to get submitted when tired and that Basharat's wrestling and pressure will be key. He thinks Basharat can survive early adversity and win.
Daniel Levi leans Javid Basharat due to his output, length, and well-roundedness, but is not confident. He sees Tony Gravely as a tough prospect tester with power and wrestling, but prone to bonehead mistakes. He thinks Basharat projects higher but this is a tough test. He does not bet, preferring to watch.
Jacob picks Basharat, agreeing with Angelo that Gravely will wrestle nonstop but that Basharat's footwork and technical striking give him a major advantage. He notes that Gravely's takedowns are not always successful and that Basharat can keep it standing. Jacob also mentions that the minus 150 odds are more appetizing than the initial two-to-one line.
Basharat has slick striking and excellent defensive grappling, which should neutralize Gravely's takedowns. Gravely may land takedowns but struggles to keep opponents down, and Basharat will work back to his feet and land bigger shots. Basharat's cardio and finishing ability are factors. I like Basharat by decision at +300 or a late finish. However, this is Basharat's toughest test, so I'm not betting the moneyline.
Paul thinks Basharat's cardio and durability will wear down Gravely, who tends to fade. He notes Gravely's losses come from being broken down over time. He expects Basharat to out-grapple and out-last Gravely.
The MMA Guru picks Javid Basharat by 29-28 decision. He thinks Tony Gravely is talented but perhaps overrated, noting his close fights and losses to Nate Maness and Brett Johns. He believes Basharat is on that level, trains at a great gym, and will out-strike Gravely on the feet, ripping the body and landing head shots. He expects Gravely to win the first round via grappling but Basharat to take over in rounds 2 and 3 based on damage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 62 of 178 | 34% | 62 of 178 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Trevin Jones | 0 | 89 of 164 | 54% | 89 of 164 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 18 of 47 | 38% | 18 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Trevin Jones | 0 | 31 of 57 | 54% | 31 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 20 of 59 | 33% | 20 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Trevin Jones | 0 | 27 of 44 | 61% | 27 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 24 of 72 | 33% | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Trevin Jones | 0 | 31 of 63 | 49% | 31 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javid Basharat | 62 of 178 | 34% | 33 of 142 | 16 of 23 | 13 of 13 | 61 of 177 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Trevin Jones | 89 of 164 | 54% | 52 of 119 | 21 of 28 | 16 of 17 | 79 of 154 | 10 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Javid Basharat | 18 of 47 | 38% | 9 of 33 | 7 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Trevin Jones | 31 of 57 | 54% | 18 of 40 | 10 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 25 of 51 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Javid Basharat | 20 of 59 | 33% | 10 of 48 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 58 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Trevin Jones | 27 of 44 | 61% | 15 of 29 | 3 of 5 | 9 of 10 | 25 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Javid Basharat | 24 of 72 | 33% | 14 of 61 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 7 | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Trevin Jones | 31 of 63 | 49% | 19 of 50 | 8 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 29 of 61 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Javid Basharat, praising his constant movement and ability to avoid power while getting his own takedowns. He notes that Trevin Jones is dangerous but Basharat's wrestling and distance management should be the difference. He acknowledges the Contender Series fade narrative but dismisses it.
Big Brady hesitantly picks Javid Basharat to win a close decision. He acknowledges Basharat's impressive Contender Series performance but has concerns about his level of competition. He notes Trevin Jones has power and a black belt in BJJ, but his UFC performances have been inconsistent (getting beaten up before scoring knockouts). He thinks Basharat can get takedowns and control the fight, but it's a tough call.
Cody is confident in Basharat, citing his well-rounded skills and Jones' limitations. He notes Jones' power but believes Basharat's distance and timing will prevail. He likes the under 2.5 rounds prop.
Daniel Levi picks Javid Basharat, praising his length, pace, and well-rounded skills. He notes that Basharat fights with his hands down a bit, which could be a concern against Trevin Jones's power, but believes Basharat will win the minutes and overwhelm Jones. Levi thinks Jones's last performance was poor and that Basharat will come forward and knock him out.
Basharat is a Contender Series alum with a diverse finishing ability and good takedown defense. He is a slick striker who uses range well and can scramble. Jones may land takedowns but will struggle to hold him down and has cardio issues. Basharat is predicted to win by second-round TKO or submission.
Paul is confident in Basharat, citing his well-rounded skills and Jones' limitations. He notes Jones' power but believes Basharat's distance and timing will prevail. He likes the under 2.5 rounds prop.
The MMA Guru picks Javid Basharat over Trevin Jones, favoring his grappling-heavy approach. He notes that Jones has knockout power but was swarmed in his last fight, and he trusts Basharat's grappling to control Jones for three rounds. He predicts a 30-27 decision, with Basharat outgrappling Jones and not getting finished. He acknowledges possible octagon jitters but believes Basharat's grappling will be the difference.
Expert Picks (4)
Angelo picks Javid Basharat but is hesitant because of Javid's frustratingly passive performance in his last fight. He acknowledges Ricky Simón's relentless wrestling pressure and cardio could sway judges if Javid is too patient. He trusts Javid's takedown defense and superior striking, but admits it's hard to be confident given Javid's tendency to stare.
Big Brady picks Javid Basharat despite not loving the -300 price tag. He notes that Ricky Simón looks washed at only 32, with poor recent performances against Vinicius Oliveira, Mario Bautista, and Song Yadong. He believes Simón needs to wrestle for 15 minutes but doubts he can take down or hold down Basharat. He predicts Basharat wins by decision.
The host notes Simón is on a three-fight losing streak and faces a tough opponent in Basharat, who has stellar takedown defense and superior striking. He expects Basharat to pick Simón apart from distance and win on the scorecards.
The Guru feels Ricky Simón has lost his mojo, citing recent losses where he was walked down. He believes Basharat is at a level similar to Victor Henry and will outpoint Simón in a striking fight. He doesn't see Simón overpowering Basharat in grappling or striking, predicting a decision win for Basharat.
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