Career Averages - Aoriqileng
Career Averages - Johnny Muñoz Jr.
Aoriqileng
Johnny Muñoz Jr.
Aoriqileng - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Haddon (-350); Aori (+280)
Round 1
Aussie bantamweight prospect Haddon (8-1; 1-0 UFC) looks to follow up on his debut win against Aoriqileng (26-12, 1 NC; 4-4, 1 NC UFC), who will attempt to turn things around for the host country, as Chinese fighters are 0-2 on the evening thus far. Jason Herzog is the referee on duty. Both fighters are orthodox and Aoriqileng looks a full weight class larger than Haddon. It’s Haddon pushing the action, however, sliding forward into the pocket and exchanging glancing punch combinations with the “Mongolian Murderer.” Neithen man lands anything clean, but Haddon steps into the pocket again, tries a knee pick, and then uses a body lock to hoist and slam Aori. He slides to the back and pounds his foe’s head with both fists as they sink to the canvas. Haddon is in complete control, mindful of his postur and position as he continues to hammer the near-helpless Aori. Making things worse, Aori’s right arm becomes pinned under his body for a moment, and the Australian takes full advantage, pounding away with elbows and punches. Herzog is hovering nearby, but letting Aori work his way out of danger, and his patience is vindicated as Aori rolls and frees his arm. It’s still 100% Haddon, however, and with under a minute to go he pauses the unending storm of punches to try for a rear-naked choke. Aori spins out of back mount, forcing Haddon to give up the choke, but he continues to pour on the punishment until the horn sounds. Complete thrashing in Round 1 by the younger man.
10-8 Haddon.
Round 2
Aori looks much recovered to start Round 2, and he comes forward right away, swinging hooks with both hands. Haddon drops for a takedown and gets absolutely pancaked, recovers and enters again, only for Aori to catch him in a front headlock and snap him down. Aori looks for the guillotine and is legitimately threatening Haddon’s neck, but Haddon eventually extricates himelf from the choke and they return to their feet. From there, he is quick to enter once again, dropping for a smooth-looking double leg.
Aori stands him up with underhooks, at which point Haddon hits him with two knees to the liver, the second of which absolutely melts him. Haddon follows Aori back to the mat and pours on the punches at the base of the fence, and it’s clear that Aori is cooked.
Herzog steps in for the save and the domination is complete. Brutal, brutal work by the man from Western Australia.
The Official Result
Cody Haddon def. Qileng Aori R2 2:21 via TKO (Knees to the Body and Punches)
AJ confidently picks Haddon, praising his clean boxing, combinations, and forward pressure. He thinks Haddon's striking is faster and more powerful than Aoriqileng's, and expects a finish, possibly by KO. AJ notes Haddon is a blue-chip prospect and Aoriqileng is a tough but less technical veteran.
AJ is a fan of Cody Haddon as a prospect, praising his hands, boxing pressure, high output, and slickness. He thinks Haddon's volume and speed will overwhelm Aoriqileng, who has dangerous offense but is hittable. AJ believes Haddon will outwork him, possibly with a finish, and that Haddon's talent is superior. He notes Haddon is coming off a layoff but expects the best version.
Angelo picks Cody Haddon but is hesitant due to the two-year layoff and major surgery. He acknowledges Cody is the better fighter and if he is even 80% of what he was, he should win. However, he cannot touch the odds due to the uncertainty.
Angelo picks Cody Haddon, praising his pressure, pace, and well-rounded skills. He is concerned about Haddon's long layoff due to injury but still believes he is the better overall fighter. However, he plans to fade Haddon in DraftKings due to high price and potential scoring issues.
Angelo picks Cody Haddon based on his skills and performance against Dan Argueta, but he is hesitant due to Haddon's two-year layoff from a torn ligament. He questions what version of Haddon will show up and notes the risk of fighting in enemy territory. He cannot bet on Haddon at -350 given the uncertainty, but he is rooting for him.
Big Brady picks Cody Haddon by decision, praising his clean boxing, fast hands, volume, and wrestling. He notes Haddon is good everywhere and has been out with injuries but is only 27. He acknowledges Aoriqileng is tough and durable but believes Haddon will outland him and mix in takedowns if needed.
Cody is high on Haddon, calling him a legitimate prospect with crisp boxing, good volume, durability, and improving wrestling. He notes Haddon's takedown defense and scrambling looked good against Dan Argueta. Richie Lang is an older, slower fighter who struggles with volume and has been knocked out by lesser punchers. Cody expects Haddon to outwork and potentially finish Lang.
Connor picks Cody Haddon, praising his lazy but effective style: a calm, flat-footed fighter with a long jab, good head movement, and combinations to the body. He notes Haddon's poise is a strength, though it could later lead to a fight being ripped away.
Jacob picks Cody Haddon and is confident despite the layoff. He notes that Cody has a boxing background and wrestling as a backup plan. He thinks Cody should use wrestling early to take the pop out of Aoriqileng's shots. He acknowledges the risk but believes Cody is the better fighter.
Lucrative James is high on Cody Haddon, calling him 'championship material' with superior boxing, volume, and body work. He notes Aoriqileng's only path is power punches, but Haddon's chin and defensive skills should prevail. He expects Haddon to win a beatdown decision, possibly with late finish attempts, but Aori is tough. He mentions Haddon's injury history but believes in his skill level.
The host picks Haddon to win inside the distance, citing his technical superiority in all aspects and speed advantage. He believes Haddon's slick striking and grappling will cause Aoriqileng problems, and that Aoriqileng's overaggression will open up finishing opportunities. He cannot decide between knockout or submission but is confident in a finish.
The host is a big Cody Haddon fan and believes this is a perfect matchup for him. He expects Haddon to showcase sharper striking and good grappling, eventually finding a big shot to finish Aoriqileng inside the distance.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Haddon's well-rounded skills and volume. He mentions that Lang's wins are over low-level opponents and that Haddon's pace will be too much. Paul sees Haddon as a strong play.
The Guru picks Haddon due to superior well-roundedness. He notes Haddon has good striking with body work, combinations, and leg kicks, plus solid grappling and scrambling. Aoriqileng has forward pressure and power but poor defense and takedown defense. Experience favors Aoriqileng but skill favors Haddon.
The Guru picks Cody Hadden over Iori (Aoriqileng), citing Hadden's well-rounded skills, high volume, and durability. He believes Hadden's technical striking and cardio will outwork Iori, who is an explosive pocket brawler. He notes Iori's limited ceiling and Hadden's potential.
The MMA Guru picks Cody Haddon to win by finish. He notes that Haddon is younger, faster, and has good hand speed, while Aoriqileng is slower and can be pressured. He believes Haddon can keep the fight on the feet or take it down if he wants, and that Haddon's speed and pressure will lead to a finish.
Zane picks Cody Haddon as a young prospect coming off a strong debut against a seasoned veteran. Aoriqileng is a midcard action fighter who can be outwrestled and outgrappled. Zane calls it a squash match but a useful one against a tough veteran.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Gibson | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Aoriqileng | 1 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Gibson | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Aoriqileng | 1 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Gibson | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Aoriqileng | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Gibson | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Aoriqileng | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gibson (-160); Aori (+130)
Round 1
Previously on the main card, this bantamweight battle between two men below .500 in the promotion has slid down into the prelims. A win will be crucial for either man here, with backs likely against the wall. Gibson (21-11, 3-6 UFC) is a ways away from evening things out, while Aori (25-12, 1 NC; 3-4, 1 NC UFC) could hit that precious midpoint win rate by prevailing. The third man in the Octagon for the two athletes will be referee Mitch Cadlick. A fist bump is shared.
Gibson opens up with a massive right hand to say hello, skimming the side of the Chinese fighter’s cheek. When he offers a leg kick behind it, Aori says “two can play that game” and launches back a missile of a right that jacks Gibson cleanly on the jaw.
Gibson takes a step back to gather his thoughts, his cheek already swelling up from the one blow absorbed, and he walks face-first into another when pitching a naked leg kick. This one nearly shuts the lights out and puts Gibson down for the count.
“The Mongolian Murderer” leaps on top to batter Gibson with ground strikes, and Cadlick watches on to see how Gibson is defending himself. Gibson’s hands are not where Cadlick thinks they should be to intelligently defend himself, and the Donkey Kong-esque hammerfists do the job and force Cadlick to wave the fight off. The defeated “Renegade” sits up and issues a protest, his cheek growing in size by the second, and his cries fall on deaf ears as the fight is over and he has lost. Aori runs over to his team to embrace them, and he dons a glorious hat that is a brilliant shade of blue. When it comes time for the post-fight interview, the promotion drops the ball completely by bringing in his coach, Eddie Cha, as the translator. Cha is, unfortunately, a Korean man who promptly explains that he cannot speak Chinese.
The Official Result
Qileng Aori def. Cody Gibson R1 0:21 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Cody Gibson, citing his length, striking, and takedown ability. He expects Gibson to use a similar game plan as against Anne Hallegren, with multiple takedowns and control time. He notes Aori Qileng's vulnerability to takedowns, as seen against Raul Rosas.
Big Brady sees a clear grappling edge for Gibson, noting Qileng's poor takedown defense. He compares it to Gibson's win over Chad Anheliger where he controlled the fight with takedowns. He questions Gibson's fight IQ and cardio but picks him by decision.
Cody picks Gibson, citing his size, wrestling background, and durability. He notes Gibson has never been knocked out and has high volume. Qileng lacks power and has poor takedown defense. Cody expects Gibson to outwork Qileng and win by decision or late stoppage.
Connor picks Gibson, noting his improved boxing and technical proficiency. He points out that Gibson works hard on the technical side and showed sharp combinations against Blackshear. However, Connor notes Gibson's tendency to overpush and tire, which could be a problem against Aoriqileng's durability. He still favors Gibson's more purposeful game.
James sees Gibson's wrestling as a clear path to victory, but worries about his age (38) and Qileng's improvements in takedown defense. He expects Gibson to grind out a decision with takedowns and top control, though Qileng's striking could be dangerous if the fight stays on the feet.
The host believes Gibson is a better striker and wrestler than Qileng. As long as Gibson can muzzle Qileng's aggressive style, he should mix the martial arts well and win on the scorecards.
Paul picks Gibson, agreeing with Cody. He notes Qileng's low volume and questionable takedown defense. Gibson's wrestling and pressure will be key. Paul sees Gibson winning about 70% of the time and thinks the line is fair.
The MMA Guru picks Cody Gibson over Aori Qileng. He likes Gibson's pressure and volume, noting Qileng has been walked down before. He believes Gibson will throw twice as many shots and win a decision if neither finishes. He admits neither has great wins but trusts Gibson's output.
Zane picks Gibson, citing his more functional game and ability to bank early momentum. He notes that Gibson's boxing has improved and he fights with purpose, while Aoriqileng is a scrappy but less purposeful fighter. Zane worries about Gibson's tendency to fade in round three, but believes he will build a two-round lead before tiring.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raul Rosas Jr. | 0 | 41 of 94 | 43% | 98 of 158 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 7:32 |
| Aoriqileng | 0 | 22 of 54 | 40% | 80 of 118 | 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 | Raul Rosas Jr. | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 41 of 55 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:13 |
| Aoriqileng | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 18 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Raul Rosas Jr. | 0 | 17 of 49 | 34% | 17 of 49 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Aoriqileng | 0 | 17 of 42 | 40% | 17 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Raul Rosas Jr. | 0 | 13 of 23 | 56% | 40 of 54 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:19 |
| Aoriqileng | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 45 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raul Rosas Jr. | 41 of 94 | 43% | 21 of 59 | 7 of 20 | 13 of 15 | 27 of 70 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 24 |
| Aoriqileng | 22 of 54 | 40% | 12 of 43 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raul Rosas Jr. | 11 of 22 | 50% | 5 of 10 | 1 of 7 | 5 of 5 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 |
| Aoriqileng | 4 of 10 | 40% | 1 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Raul Rosas Jr. | 17 of 49 | 34% | 9 of 35 | 2 of 6 | 6 of 8 | 17 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Aoriqileng | 17 of 42 | 40% | 11 of 36 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Raul Rosas Jr. | 13 of 23 | 56% | 7 of 14 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 18 |
| Aoriqileng | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rosas Jr. (-850), Aori (+575)
Round 1
It’s time for something new. It’s time for something different. Out of the UFC Apex, and not even posted up in its standard haunt of the T-Mobile Arena, instead the UFC is putting on a night of combat inside of the vaulted Sphere in Las Vegas. While some have seen snippets of previews, the occasional Twitter leak and some other sneak peeks, this will be fresh to fans and media alike. We don’t quite know what to expect, and that makes it exciting. This 10-fight showcase that celebrates Mexican fighters on Mexican Independence Day—along with a spangly-haired kid from Montana against a robot from Georgia, not to mention Saudi Arabia thrown in for good measure—and as a result, Mexican combatants will be the focus and betting favorites almost every step of the way. The matchup of the evening will also serve as the one with the widest betting lines, as grappling wunderkind Rosas Jr. (9-1, 3-1 UFC) comes in with odds in his favor around -1000 against well-traveled China export Aori (25-11, 1 NC; 3-3, 1 NC UFC). Although referee Chris Tognoni signed up to officiate this event like any other, even he is surprised at the spectacle unfolding around them. The bantamweights touch gloves, and it’s time for something new. Rosas lashes out first with a low kick, and he is warned for outstretched fingers. He switches stances and kick Aori two more times on the lead leg. Rosas goes to the body with a kick, and chants for “chiwiwis” rain down in support of Rosas. Aori springs into action with a lunging combination, and the Mexican youngster bats them out of the way and circles off. Rosas whiffs on a pair of looping shots, and he gets caught with a right hand and just misses on the counter. Rosas attacks the front leg a few more times, and when he stands still, Aori potshots him with a solid right hand. Rosas jumps back and forth between stances, and he is once more warned for his fingers pointing out. Rosas charges in from a distance to go after a takedown, and after they bounce off the wall, he succeeds in dragging the Chinese competitor down. Rosas opens up with several loud body shots while Aori looks for sweeps and butterfly hooks, but he elects instead to pass to half guard. Rosas climbs over to side control, and he moves to mount in a hurry. Aori times the guard pass to buck and sit up, but this only allows Rosas to circle around him and take his back. Aori is warned for pulling his toes in the cage as additional chants for “chiwiwis” loudly call for Rosas. Rosas grips a brief face crank, but he bails on it when the grip is not tight. As Aori turns to his side, Rosas punches him in the side of the head a few times. With seconds to spare, Rosas slides over to the mount position to rain down elbows, and the horn sounds.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rosas
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rosas
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rosas
Round 2
The bantamweights touch ‘em up to get going, and Rosas opens up with a kick or two before Aori surges at him with punches outstretched. Aori reaches his foe with a right hand amidst an exchange, and he hops away when Aori jumps at him with a knee. Rosas paws with a few more low kicks, and one slides up and bumps into the cup apparently. Aori waves it off, and he winds up with a massive right hand that brushes past the hair of the youngster. Rosas shoots for a takedown, and Aori tosses it aside. Aori jabs his way in but misses on the overhand right, and he stops another takedown effort coming his way. Rosas peppers the lead leg with kicks, keeping to the outer edge to not allow Aori to reach him with anything of significance. When Aori does connect, Rosas fires back angrily. The warning comes for Rosas again for pointing his fingers out, and Aori loads up on an overhand right to smash the kid in the chops. Aori chambers and fires another big overhand right, and Rosas wears it well and keeps moving and switching stances. Aori goes for a right hand to the body, and he tries for two more wide hooks. Rosas walks towards him and wants to brawl, and Aori happily obliges him. Aori tags him during an exchange, and he fights off a takedown up close. Aori stalks after the younger fighter and flicks out a jab or two, and he goes to the body with a right hand. Aori parries a kick and gives a loud one back to the body, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rosas
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Round 3
The fighters come together to hug it out before the last round commences, with Rosas showing a little trickle of blood on his lip. When they disengage, Aori is quick to pick up where he left off, walking the 19-year-old down and kicking him in the ribs. To fire up Rosas, the crowd chants “chiwiwis” again, and this results in him charging in for a tackling takedown that puts Aori to his seat. Aori wall-walks, and Rosas quickly mat returns him with a body lock, landing in side control. Aori scrambles, and in the process, he gives up his back when turning to his knees. Rosas reaches way back to slam down knees to the shoulder, landing several until Aori sells out by somersaulting. This forces “Mongolian Murderer” to his back once more, with Rosas comfortably on top of him in the guard. Rosas stays busy on top with ground-and-pound, more of the frustrating variety than with anything individually damaging. Tognoni asks for more activity from on top, and Rosas sits up to fling one right hand down. It’s “chiwiwis” again for the audience, but Rosas does not take any additional chances or let anything special fly. At 19 years of age, the young Rosas has not let the surroundings or his hype get the better of him, as he smothers the power puncher and keeps him flat on his back. Rosas drops down an elbow and a left hand, and Aori responds with an elbow from his back. As seconds tick off the clock, both fighters swing at one another, and the less-than-thrilling match comes to an end. Barring something unusual, Mexico is on the board, and the audience may hope that things spice up a bit.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rosas (29-28 Rosas)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rosas (30-27 Rosas)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rosas (29-28 Rosas)
The Official Result
Raul Rosas Jr. def. Qileng Aori via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Raul Rosas Jr. but with caution. He notes Rosas is young (19), a relentless grappler with 12 takedowns in 5 fights, but his striking is still raw and he can be reckless. Angelo points out that Rosas lost the first round in his last fight and gassed out badly two fights ago against CR Rod. He warns against overexposure on the -700 line, suggesting Rosas could still make mistakes. The pick is Rosas, but Angelo advises betting conservatively.
Big Brady sees this as a clear mismatch, with Raul Rosas Jr. being a massive favorite. He notes Aoriqileng's poor takedown defense and history of submissions, predicting Rosas will get a takedown and finish quickly. He expects a first-round submission win.
Daniel picks Raul Rosas Jr., noting his size, grappling, and relentless pressure. He expects Rosas to take down Qileng and submit him, possibly in the second round. He mentions Qileng's counter right hand but believes Rosas' grappling will be too much.
The transcript does not discuss this fight.
Rosas Jr. is a phenom who will get the fight to the ground as he always does. Aoriqileng has shown decent grappling defense but will struggle with Rosas Jr.'s aggression. Expects Rosas Jr. to get him out in the first round, likely by submission.
The MMA Guru picks Raul Rosas Jr. to win by submission in the first or second round. He notes that Aoriqileng has lost to fighters he wouldn't describe as extremely talented, and that Rosas Jr. is a rising prospect with good grappling and pace. He trusts Rosas Jr. to get the grappling going early and secure a submission.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 81 of 126 | 64% | 84 of 129 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Aoriqileng | 0 | 45 of 95 | 47% | 45 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 36 of 63 | 57% | 38 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Aoriqileng | 0 | 22 of 54 | 40% | 22 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 45 of 63 | 71% | 46 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Aoriqileng | 0 | 23 of 41 | 56% | 23 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 81 of 126 | 64% | 50 of 84 | 12 of 19 | 19 of 23 | 69 of 113 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 7 |
| Aoriqileng | 45 of 95 | 47% | 26 of 71 | 10 of 12 | 9 of 12 | 43 of 93 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 36 of 63 | 57% | 20 of 41 | 6 of 9 | 10 of 13 | 33 of 60 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Aoriqileng | 22 of 54 | 40% | 13 of 41 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 7 | 22 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 45 of 63 | 71% | 30 of 43 | 6 of 10 | 9 of 10 | 36 of 53 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 7 |
| Aoriqileng | 23 of 41 | 56% | 13 of 30 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marcos (-250), Aori (+205)
Round 1
If the reports and claims are accurate, a billionaire will be in the stands at the UFC Apex this afternoon. Within a matter of minutes, it will be apparent if the tech mogul and personality of the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Elon Musk, has received the Mark Zuckerberg treatment of renting the entire place out for himself. If not, a few hundred fans plus the controversial figure will be in the building for this jam-packed 14-fight showcase. The first match of the day comes in the bantamweight division, as flashy undefeated Peruvian Marcos (15-0, 2-0 UFC) aims to keep his spotless record intact at the expense of Inner Mongolia’s Aori (25-11, 3-3 UFC). Referee Jason Herzog will need to be on high alert right out of the gate to keep track of these two quick competitors. The gloves are touched, and it’s on with the show. Aori flicks out an early front kick to measure his range, and he sits back and waits to see if a counter comes his way. It does not. Marcos watches from afar, and he surges into action with a single overhand right that gets Aori’s attention. The two trade low kicks, and they both let their hands go with big, winging punches. In the midst of an exchange, Marcos changes things up with a stern knee on the jaw, and Aori shakes it off. Both men land flush and back off to not get sucked into a brawl. Aori paws out a front kick, and blood trickles down the temple from the power lefts from the Peruvian. Aori leaps forward with a knee, and uses his momentum to press into a clinch. Marcos meets him with a strike that busts Aori’s mouth open, and Aori cannot keep the tie-up and is forced to back off and reset. Marcos comes up short with a front kick, but his looping punches continues to bust up the Chinese competitor, smashing Aori’s nose in the process. Blood leaks from several places on Aori’s face like the Doomguy low on health, but he is very much still in the fight as he lets Marcos have it with a quick combination. Marcos keeps his guard high, so Aori kicks low repeatedly. Marcos retaliates after absorbing one particularly stern low kick, and he whips his right hand into action. Marcos prods out a jab and draws out some oncoming fire from Aori, taking advantage of this by blasting Aori with an uppercut. Aori tanks it and moves forward, and the horn signals the end of the first round.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Round 2
The fighters touch ‘em up before getting back to it, and Marcos is ready to engage first as he clubs Aori with a short right hand. The unbeaten Peruvian presses forward into a clinch, and he presses Aori against the fence. When circling away, Marcos lines up a low kick that disrupts the balance of his opponent. Aori hits the deck, and Marcos pounces in an effort to finish the fight with a flurry of heavy firsts. Aori survives the worst of it and gets back to his feet, and crimson fluid trickles from additional places on his face after taking serious damage. Marcos spins with a back elbow that misses the mark, and he continues assaulting Aori’s lead calf with gnarly kicks. Aori tries valiantly to throw back and even catches Marcos with a two-punch salvo, but Marcos’ volume and power is breaking Aori. “Soncora” sits down on a left to the liver that lands with an audible thud, and he appears to find his mark almost every time he throws a strike. Aori swings backs, and his fingers stretch out as one drifts into Marcos’ eye. Marcos needs just a few seconds to recover, and when they get back to business, Marcos aims a front kick to the body but ends up glancing it off the cup. Aori takes 30 seconds to catch his wind before resuming, and he gets right in Marcos’ face and throws a few punches. Aori concludes his combination with a kick square on Marcos’ cup that looks to be a bit of payback, and Marcos groans as Herzog pauses the action for the third time in a few seconds after a trio of unfortunate fouls. Herzog warns Aori for his strike, and Marcos is ready to go after about 45 seconds of recovery. Marcos lets loose with a kick, and Aori responds with one that slaps into his inner thigh and draws a reaction from Marcos. Aori jumps in the air with an attempted strike, and Marcos meets him in the air with a front kick to the groin. Herzog rolls his eyes and calls time, and informs both fighters through their translators that there are to be no more accidents, and that points will be deducted for any additional fouls. Aori drops to his knees and dry heaves from the groin strike, and Herzog allows Aori to recover for a minute before calling in the doctor. Aori pulls himself back to his feet after two minutes elapse, but he is clearly compromised and not having a good time right now. Not wanting to cool down, Marcos shadowboxes and jogs in his corner, but Aori crouches down and drops back to a knee. Time continues to tick off the clock, and Aori reaches the five-minute mark. Herzog asks him if he is able to continue, and Aori does not say anything and bends over. Herzog recognizes that Aori is in no shape to fight another professional combatant aiming to take his head off, and he waves the fight off. Due to the inadvertent groin strike—Aori was in the air when Marcos caught him with a front kick, a total accident—and the fact that it did not reach Round 3, this fight should be declared a no contest. When the result is read, Marcos breaks into tears, with his stellar performance invalidated due to a fluke kick. On the other side of the equation, Aori is assisted out of the cage, with the damage of two direct groin shots too much to bear on his own.
The Official Result
Daniel Marcos vs. Qileng Aori is Ruled a No Contest (Accidental Groin Kick) R2 3:28
Angelo acknowledges that Daniel Marcos looked poor in his last fight against Davey Grant, with low volume and a lack of pressure. However, he emphasizes looking at the broader body of work, where Marcos has shown effective striking, power, and takedown defense. He believes Marcos should be more technical and busy, and should win, but the recent performance makes him hesitant. He notes the odds are -200, which he finds a bit rich given the last fight.
Big Brady picks Daniel Marcos to win by decision. He notes that Marcos is a much more skilled striker with a lot of tools on the feet, while Aoriqileng is a brawler who is very hittable. He expects the fight to go 15 minutes and Marcos to outpoint Aoriqileng, though he mentions a slight concern about corrupt judges.
Cody picks Marcos, noting he is a superior fighter with good volume. Aoriqileng is fun but often falls behind on the scorecards and has takedown defense issues. Marcos should outpoint him. Cody suggests a prop on Marcos by decision or by KO at +300.
Marcos has a solid all-around game with good calf kicks and the ability to mix in grappling. He should be able to batter Aoriqileng's lead leg and eventually look for takedowns. Aoriqileng has struggled against better competition and his wins are against subpar opponents. Marcos is undefeated and should continue his run with a decision victory.
Paul also picks Marcos, calling it a massive mismatch. He notes Aoriqileng's low output and poor takedown defense. Marcos is a volume striker who should pick him apart. Paul likes Marcos by KO at +300 as a prop.
The MMA Guru picks Daniel Marcos because he believes Aoriqileng is a worse version of Davey Grant, who Marcos already faced. He notes that Marcos showed good striking defense against Grant's unorthodox style and expects Aoriqileng to slow down after the first round, allowing Marcos to win a decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aoriqileng | 1 | 44 of 66 | 66% | 120 of 159 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 5:39 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 7 of 36 | 19% | 31 of 73 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 3 | 0 | 4:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aoriqileng | 0 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 23 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 1 of 10 | 10% | 10 of 28 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 2:56 | |
| 2 | Aoriqileng | 0 | 13 of 19 | 68% | 51 of 61 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:33 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:27 | |
| 3 | Aoriqileng | 1 | 24 of 36 | 66% | 46 of 66 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:03 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 5 of 21 | 23% | 16 of 35 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 1:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aoriqileng | 44 of 66 | 66% | 24 of 41 | 8 of 11 | 12 of 14 | 28 of 45 | 1 of 3 | 15 of 18 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 7 of 36 | 19% | 5 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 3 | 7 of 33 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aoriqileng | 7 of 11 | 63% | 5 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 1 of 10 | 10% | 1 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Aoriqileng | 13 of 19 | 68% | 5 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Aoriqileng | 24 of 36 | 66% | 14 of 25 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 14 of 23 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 12 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 5 of 21 | 23% | 3 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aori (-112), Munoz (-108)
Round 1
When the dust settles after this bantamweight battle, one of the two competitors will likely be back in the win column – barring something strange or a draw. Additionally, the victor will move back to a .500 record with the promotion, while the defeated may find themselves on the chopping block. Whether that is China’s Aori (24-11, 2-3 UFC) or “Kid Kvenbo” Munoz Jr. (12-3, 2-3 UFC), they will have 15 minutes or less to decide that. Referee Keith Peterson draws the charge for this nonsense-free matchup, and the fighters do not have time for a touch of gloves first. Instead, Aori wants to stalk straight forward and fire off a leg kick. The pace wanes as they try to find their distances, with Aori’s occasional low kick the only strikes after about 90 seconds. Aori suddenly sprints into action with a left to the body and a hard right to the head, and Munoz has to shake it off and shoots for a takedown in response. Aori easily stops it and delivers a stern leg kick. Munoz whips a right hand over the top, stinging his opponent and backing him to the fence. Instead of taking advantage of the situation with more strikes, “Kid Kvenbo” settles to shoot in for a double-leg takedown. Munoz gets his man down momentarily, and Aori powers back up. Although Munoz gets a mat return, Aori again has little issue standing, but he does give up his back. Munoz uses this to trip up Aori from behind, and he gets his hooks in and secures back control when Aori hits the ground. The Chinese fighter is quick to hand-fight to not allow any submission attempt get anywhere close to completion, and Munoz tries to soften him up with a few body shots and slide his right arm around the chin. Aori looks to push his feet off the fence to get a bit of leverage, and he spins around quickly. This allows Munoz to snatch up an armbar, and Aori struggles momentarily but breaks the grip and stands up. One big kick from Aori to Munoz’ thigh concludes the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Munoz
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Munoz
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Munoz
Round 2
Aori immediately starts the round aggressively, putting hands on Munoz and hurting him early. Munoz responds with a few strikes but is bowled over, and Aori moves himself into the guard of his opponent. Munoz protests that Aori is clawing his eyes or sticking fingers up his nose, and Peterson tells Aori to keep it clean. Munoz considers a submission attempt from his back, and he slides his leg up and around to set up an armbar. Aori wrenches his limb free from the sub, and he lowers himself back down to the guard. Munoz uses his active guard to force Aori to think twice and stand back up, and when Aori gets up, he starts slapping his feet into Munoz’ legs. Aori times a diving right hand to smash Munoz in the face, and Munoz smiles at him. Aori gets back to his feet, and Peterson has Munoz stand after a few awkward moments. Aori nails his man with a calf kick, and he clips Munoz with a few punches. Munoz shakes it off and backpedals, loosing a head kick that sails past his opponent. Munoz shoots for a takedown, and although Aori stops it, Munoz succeeds in jamming Aori up to the fencing. Munoz quickly goes for a body lock takedown, looking for some way to leverage Aori down, but Aori is strong and not only stops it but turns Munoz around. Aori sneaks in an elbow, and Munoz does not like this, so the American decides to jump for a guillotine choke while he wraps his legs around Aori’s waist. With Munoz’ back to the wall, there is nothing to the submission, so he releases it right before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Round 3
The bantamweights race to meet one another, throwing big right hands one after the other. Aori walks into a jab, and he digs a right hand to the belly. Aori looks for a jump knee when Munoz ducks down, and Munoz eats part of it and laughs, offering a glove touch for the solid blow. Munoz circles to the side, and when he aims a left hand over the top, Aori counters him with two punches as he slides away. Munoz shoots in low for a takedown, and “The Mongolian Murderer” kills the setup and pins Munoz against the wall. Peterson tells the fighters not to grab the fence, and the fighters break away and return to striking distance. A Munoz kick grazes the cup, and Aori adjusts his groin when there is no stoppage. Munoz shoots for a takedown, and Aori perfectly times a body shot that ultimately nails Munoz in the chin and sets him down. Munoz stands back up, and fails on another takedown. When the attempt fails, he gets cracked with another right and flops to his back. Aori jumps down into the open guard of his foe, looking for ground-and-pound. Aori gets some strikes off, racking up the points while not allowing Munoz to get in on a submission. Munoz sells out for a leglock when Aori tries to pass guard, and Munoz finds himself in a strange position that is a partial calf slicer. Aori lays to his back and is not overly concerned about the maneuver, and he drives several hammerfists on the side and back of the head. Peterson is watching closely, warning Aori for a few illegal blows, but Munoz toughs them out and explodes for one last takedown try. Aori staves it off, is pressed to the cage, and the fight comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aori (29-28 Aori)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Aori (29-28 Aori)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Aori (29-28 Aori)
The Official Result
Qileng Aori def. Johnny Munoz Jr. via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Johnny Muñoz Jr. with low confidence, calling him a 'squirt' but acknowledging his BJJ and power. He notes that Aoriqileng is tough but can be out-grappled. He is waiting for prop bets like a +3.5 spread on Aoriqileng, as Muñoz could be dangerous early but fade. He emphasizes this is a low-confidence pick.
Big Brady is not high on either fighter and calls this his least favorite fight on the card. He criticizes Johnny Muñoz Jr. for quitting in his last fight and notes that Aoriqileng has shown decent takedown defense and the ability to get back to his feet. He believes Aoriqileng can stuff takedowns and keep the fight standing, leading to a decision win. He is not betting this fight.
Cody picks Aoriqileng, citing his physicality, pressure, and power. He notes that Muñoz lacks power and has unimpressive wrestling. Aoriqileng should land the bigger shots and win a decision or late stoppage.
Daniel Levi picks Aoriqileng, citing his heavy hitting and durability. He notes that Johnny Muñoz has suspect striking and doesn't like to get hit, and that Aoriqileng can crack him. He acknowledges Muñoz's jiu-jitsu threat but thinks Aoriqileng's power and grit will be the difference.
Lucrative James believes Aoriqileng has a massive advantage on the feet and will hurt Muñoz to the body. He thinks Muñoz is flaky and will get finished on the feet, predicting a knockout. He also likes the under 2.5 rounds at even money, noting that Muñoz's wrestling is not good enough to get the fight to the ground consistently.
Aoriqileng has improved his takedown defense and trains with strong wrestlers. He should be able to keep the fight standing and use his volume striking to overwhelm Muñoz. Muñoz has struggled to get fights to the ground and relies on BJJ, but his striking and wrestling have been poor. Aoriqileng should win by decision, possibly with some ground and pound.
Paul leans toward Aoriqileng, expecting him to land the more punishing strikes over 15 minutes. He is unsure about the wrestling matchup but believes Aoriqileng's pressure will be effective. He would not bet this fight with his own money.
The MMA Guru picks Johnny Muñoz Jr. over Aoriqileng. He notes Muñoz didn't look bad against Daniel Santos, who is a good finisher, and that Muñoz showed enough striking defense to avoid being finished. He believes Aoriqileng is dangerous only in round one and then fades, while Muñoz is consistently okay throughout the fight. He suggests a betting strategy: if Aoriqileng wins the first round, bet on Muñoz Jr. as Aoriqileng tends to gas.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiemann Zahabi | 1 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Aoriqileng | 0 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 5 of 5 | 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 | Aiemann Zahabi | 1 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Aoriqileng | 0 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiemann Zahabi | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Aoriqileng | 5 of 5 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aiemann Zahabi | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Aoriqileng | 5 of 5 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aori (-125), Zahabi (+105)
Round 1
In his sixth year with the company, Tristar Gym’s own Zahabi (9-2, 3-2 UFC) will remarkably be entering into only bout no. six in the Octagon. This is a far cry from Chinese combatant Aori (24-9, 2-2 UFC), who is about to have five outings under his belt in a little over two years when referee John Cooper clocks them in. The bantamweight combatants do not touch ‘em up to start, and Aori instead walks forward and fires off several kicks to the body. Zahabi blitzes with a few punches, and Aori parries them effectively. From afar, Aori chips with a few kicks, including a thudding leg kick. The Chinese fighter does not recoil his leg fast enough to get his guard up, and Zahabi reaches out with a takedown to threaten.
As Aori leans back, Zahabi swarms him with a right hand that hits air, and a left hand that smashes Aori square on the chin. Aori drops to the mat like a sack of potatoes, and Zahabi raises his arms in the air to celebrate what he thinks is a walk-off knockout. Cooper does not actually call the fight off, as Aori lands and turns to his side in a daze. The Canadian, learning he has to keep hitting the defeated fighter, reluctantly goes over to Aori and lowers himself to slug Aori with two more left hands to conclude the match once and for all.
This is a huge win for Zahabi, and the crowd goes wild. When Aori comes to, he squares up like he wants to keep fighting, seemingly not knowing that he was knocked out cleanly. So far, the home fans have had plenty to cheer about tonight.
The Official Result
Aiemann Zahabi def. Qileng Aori R1 1:04 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Aiemann Zahabi as an underdog. He notes that Zahabi is well-rounded with big power, and that his performance against Ricky Turcios was impressive. He believes Zahabi will be more technical and a step ahead of Aoriqileng. He plans to monitor line movement and may bet if Zahabi becomes a larger underdog.
Big Brady picks Aiemann Zahabi because he is the more active striker, landing 6.07 significant strikes per minute compared to Aoriqileng's 3.01. He notes that Aoriqileng has low volume, doesn't use his BJJ, and has poor takedown attempts. Zahabi is younger, more experienced, and has never been knocked out. He expects Zahabi to outwork Aoriqileng over three rounds and win a decision.
Cody picks Aoriqileng, citing his volume and pressure style. He notes that Zahabi is a low-volume counter puncher who doesn't wrestle much, and Aoriqileng will come forward with blitzes and constant pressure. He believes Zahabi's wrestling is not good enough to neutralize Aoriqileng, and the volume difference should win rounds. He acknowledges the risk of a bad Canadian decision but still picks Aoriqileng.
Connor also picks Aoriqileng, noting that Zahabi's wins came against fighters who wouldn't engage or lacked physicality, while his losses to Vince Morales and Ricardo Ramos were not close. He points out that Aoriqileng is a little slow-paced but has more promise in his fights with Jeff Molina and Cody Durden, where a method was visible. Connor suggests it would be a good time for Zahabi to show wrestling, but Aoriqileng is not easy to keep down.
Daniel Levi does not make a pick for this fight, stating he has no interest in betting it. He notes that Aoriqileng has power but questionable takedown defense, while Zahabi has low activity and is older. He defers to the co-host who has a teammate in the fight.
James picks Aoriqileng, noting his momentum with two straight wins and improved takedown defense and striking. He contrasts Aoriqileng's aggressive pressure and volume with Zahabi's technical but low-volume outside fighting style. James believes Aoriqileng can land heavier shots and push the pace to win on the scorecards. He warns that if Aoriqileng reverts to a brawler style, Zahabi could catch him with straight shots, but overall he likes Aoriqileng's spot and the even-money price.
Aoriqileng has shown improved defensive grappling since moving to bantamweight and has a volume and output advantage. Zahabi is a technical striker but often too timid, and his low activity is a concern. Aoriqileng's pressure and accuracy should earn him a decision, though Zahabi could win if he uses his jiu-jitsu. Low confidence due to Zahabi's potential grappling edge.
Paul picks Aoriqileng, emphasizing the volume disparity: Aoriqileng averages 6.07 strikes per minute vs Zahabi's 3.01. He notes that Zahabi's fights are low-output, and Aoriqileng's constant pressure should win rounds. He expects a close fight but believes Aoriqileng's output will be enough, though a bad Canadian decision is possible.
The MMA Guru picks Aiemann Zahabi over Aoriqileng, praising Zahabi's fight IQ and game planning. He notes Aoriqileng is predictable with big power shots and telegraphs his moves, while Zahabi can figure out opponents and mix things up. He believes Zahabi's size and heat behind his shots will keep Aoriqileng honest, predicting a 30-27 decision.
Zane picks Aoriqileng, criticizing Zahabi's last fight as extremely technical but aimless, with fighters standing too far apart. He notes that Zahabi is a brawler who doesn't understand fighting without chaos, while Aoriqileng has a clear method: he works his way forward, applies pressure, and punishes mistakes with quick counters. Zane thinks Aoriqileng is better in a brawl and also better when it's not a brawl, making him the pick.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aoriqileng | 0 | 72 of 132 | 54% | 102 of 163 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Jay Perrin | 0 | 88 of 167 | 52% | 106 of 188 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 5:59 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aoriqileng | 0 | 18 of 31 | 58% | 24 of 37 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Jay Perrin | 0 | 20 of 49 | 40% | 25 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:04 | |
| 2 | Aoriqileng | 0 | 29 of 43 | 67% | 47 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Jay Perrin | 0 | 20 of 49 | 40% | 24 of 55 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:04 | |
| 3 | Aoriqileng | 0 | 25 of 58 | 43% | 31 of 65 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jay Perrin | 0 | 48 of 69 | 69% | 57 of 79 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:51 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aoriqileng | 72 of 132 | 54% | 51 of 107 | 14 of 17 | 7 of 8 | 61 of 119 | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
| Jay Perrin | 88 of 167 | 52% | 63 of 135 | 20 of 25 | 5 of 7 | 73 of 148 | 13 of 16 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aoriqileng | 18 of 31 | 58% | 15 of 26 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 16 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jay Perrin | 20 of 49 | 40% | 10 of 35 | 8 of 10 | 2 of 4 | 17 of 44 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 | |
| 2 | Aoriqileng | 29 of 43 | 67% | 19 of 33 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 26 of 39 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jay Perrin | 20 of 49 | 40% | 15 of 41 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Aoriqileng | 25 of 58 | 43% | 17 of 48 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 51 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Jay Perrin | 48 of 69 | 69% | 38 of 59 | 9 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 36 of 56 | 12 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aori (-175), Perrin (+130)
Round 1
Former W.A.R.S champion Aori locks horns with ex-Cage Titans ruler Perrin in a bantamweight clash that will be overseen by Tyler Tomlinson. Gloves are touched and we’re underway. Perrin misses the mark on a combination early and a “USA” chant breaks out. Perrin with a quick leg kick. A left hook to the body lands for Perrin and Aori catches the ensuing kick. He releases the grip and sticks a straight right hand. Perrin pressures with a combination, but Aori moves out of danger. It’s a very measured beginning for Aori, who tags Perrin with another straight right. Perrin rushes forward and gets staggered with a short, counter left hook. Aori looks for an opening, backs his man up and launches a flying knee. That allows Perrin to force the clinch and turn Aori into the cage. Aori breaks free and swings heavy punches, including an uppercut he sneaks under Perrin’s left. Aori stalks his foe and lands a couple heavy punches. Perrin looks to clinch, but Aori quickly breaks free. A nice two-punch combination finds the mark for “The Mongolian Murderer.” A leg kick connects for Perrin. Aori lands a hard leg kick and avoids Perrin’s rush. Perrin lands a leaping knee but eats a left hook on the exit. Perrin changes levels, connects the hands and plants Aori on the mat with 20 seconds left. Perrin passes to half guard and then stands to land a few punches before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Noah Gagnon scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Round 2
Perrin just misses a snap kick up the middle. Aori steps in with a body-head combo. Perrin shakes off a jumping knee from Aori and waggles his finger. Perrin catches a low kick fro Aori and capitalizes with a takedown. He dives into top position about a minute in, working from half guard. Aori recovers full guard and slides to the cage, where he wall walks to his knees. Perrin still has his hands locked, but he moves Aori to his feet. Aori reverses position and separates, which prompts a glove touch from Perrin halfway through the round. A short counter right clips Perrin, who seems to recover quickly. Another counter right lands following a Perrin combination. A glancing right lands for Aori and Perrin shakes his head before blitzing forward. Aori is economical with his offense, but is doing the most damage. A hard calf kick lands for Aori, but Perrin keeps the pressure on and gets in on a single leg. Aori defends nicely with his back to the cage. Aori breaks and dodges an elbow. A straight to the body lands for Aori and then a counter right moments later. Perrin keeps wading forward and throwing punches unitl the horn, and a few find the mark.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Noah Gagnon scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Round 3
The combatants touch gloves again before the final stanza. Perrin pressures with a kick to the body, but then gets tagged with a short counter right. They’re trading early, and then it’s Aori who shoots. Perrin stuffs it and shoves his foe into the fence. Perrin with a short elbow in close as he grinds away. Aori separates and returns to the center of the Octagon. Perrin lands a glancing jab. Perrin switches stances and steps in with a left hook. Perrin keeps the pressure on and lands a knee in close. He doesn’t give Aori any space and he gets a takedown. Aori hustles to his feet in a hurry and Perrin presses him into the fence, landing a knee to the body. Perrin drops for a double leg and briefly gets Aori to a knee. He keeps the pressure on and lands a couple short punches and a knee in close quarters. Perrin drops low for another takedown, but Aori stuffs it. Perrin creates an opening to land a short elbow. Aori is staying stuck on the fence this round, allowing Perrin to impose his will a little more than in previous frames. Perrin again thinks about a takedown, but Aori isn’t having it. Finally Aori breaks free with about a minute to go. Perrin pressures with punches and eats a counter right. Perrin lands a leg kick and then tries his luck with a spinning back fist. A straight right lands for Aori, but Perrin answers with a front kick down the middle. Aori stuffs an ensuing takedown shot, but he’s pressed into the fence, and Perrin separates and is teeing off with punches in the waning moments of the round. It’s spirited action in the final seconds, and Perrin appears to have Aori reeling as several solid punches land. The Chinese fighter survives the assault, but it’s a strong finish for Perrin.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Perrin (29-28 Aori)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Perrin (29-28 Aori)
Noah Gagnon scores the round: 10-9 Perrin (29-28 Aori)
The Official Result
Qileng Aori def. Jay Perrin via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Aoriqileng (Corey Lang) over Jay Perrin. He describes Lang as a well-rounded fighter with incredible pressure and pace, solid footwork, and a sturdy chin. He notes that Perrin is primarily a wrestler who almost never gets his first takedown and spends time against the cage. Angelo believes Lang's superior striking and ability to work off the cage will earn him his second UFC win. He thinks the -190 line is about right and might try to beat the curve if it moves further.
Big Brady is siding with the underdog Jay Perrin. He notes that Aoriqileng (Richie Long) is a powerful striker but is hittable and has cardio concerns. Perrin fights with a process, relentlessly pursuing takedowns and has excellent cardio. Brady believes Perrin will take Aoriqileng down, wear on him, and win minutes on the mat across three rounds, likely by decision. He trusts Perrin's game plan and sees a clear path to victory.
Cody picks Perrin, citing his wrestling advantage and physicality. He notes Aoriqileng has been taken down before and thinks Perrin can replicate that. He hopes the training with top wrestlers pays off.
Daniel Levi leans toward Aoriqileng (the Mongolian Murderer) but is not confident. He notes that Aoriqileng has one-hitter-quitter power and has faced better competition, but the blueprint to beat him is established (out-volume or out-grapple). Levi is concerned about Aoriqileng's cardio and the effects of travel and elevation if he trained overseas. He thinks if Aoriqileng lands big shots, he wins, but if not, Jay Perrin's solid all-around game could make it competitive.
Jay Perrin is the dog of the night play with 2 units at +132. He expects Perrin to use a grapple-heavy approach similar to Cody Durden's blueprint against Aoriqileng, landing takedowns and controlling the fight on the ground. Perrin has solid durability and has been training at Syndicate MMA, which should help his development. Aoriqileng is the better striker but can be beaten by wrestlers, as seen in the Durden fight.
Paul picks Perrin, citing his wrestling advantage and training with Merab and Aljamain Sterling. He thinks Perrin can take down Aoriqileng and grind out a win. He notes the line has moved and he may have missed the best value.
The Guru predicts Aoriqileng wins by first-round KO. He describes both fighters exchanging shots, with Perrin taking a big shot and shooting a takedown that Aoriqileng stuffs. He sees Aoriqileng landing elbows, body shots, and a big overhand that rocks Perrin, finishing him against the cage via TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aoriqileng | 1 | 37 of 64 | 57% | 49 of 85 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
| Cameron Else | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aoriqileng | 1 | 37 of 64 | 57% | 49 of 85 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
| Cameron Else | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aoriqileng | 37 of 64 | 57% | 28 of 55 | 7 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 43 |
| Cameron Else | 6 of 12 | 50% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aoriqileng | 37 of 64 | 57% | 28 of 55 | 7 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 43 |
| Cameron Else | 6 of 12 | 50% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
There is no need to adjust your set: the last time you saw Aori (22-11, 0-2 UFC) in the cage, his record listed at 18-9 after his defeat to Cody Durden. Since then, the diligent Sherdog Fight Finder team has unearthed a number of unlisted performances earlier in his career, so his tally may not match what the UFC displays. No matter the discrepancy, what will not change is that British finisher Else (10-5, 0-1 UFC) will be standing across from him with a 100% stoppage rate. The bantamweights will be accompanied in the Octagon by referee Keith Peterson, and aware that they will not get away with any nonsense tonight, the fighters touch gloves to seal the cage around them. Else slowly makes his way forward, backing Aori against the wall, and then trading leg kicks but little else. A solid calf kick from Aori gets his foe’s attention, and Aori charges forward with a pair of looping hooks. They trade heavy shots, and a left from Else clubs Aori on the side of the head. From there, Else pursues a takedown, and Aori spins him around to trip him to the mat. Else scurries back up to his feet, and Aori pressures him tightly on the wall before breaking and loosing an uppercut. Else gets rocked with a few punches, and Aori leaps in the air with a knee. Aori drills his fist into Else’s liver, and Else is reeling from the blow but he gathers himself to throw back hard.
As he does, Aori targets the same spot with a vicious left hand, bending Else over in pain and sending him crashing into the wall behind him. Aori lords over him and punches the body a few more times for good measure after Else crumples to the mat, and Else rolls to give up his back when shelling up to protect himself. “The Mongolian Murderer” continues his bombardment of right hands as he flattens Else out, and Peterson tells the Brit to defend himself. Else holds on to the sides of his heads to block the blows, and Aori will not stop smashing him.
The punches continue until Peterson calls an end to the fight, and Aori has now earned the first win of his UFC career after his third try.
The Official Result
Qileng Aori def. Cameron Else R1 2:48 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo is leaning Cameron Else here, calling it a razor thin fight. He notes Else has real power and is a submission threat, while Aoriqileng is more technical. He factors in Else's short notice loss to Kyler Phillips and quarantine issues. He says he will be watching the scales closely because Else is coming off a long layoff.
Big Brady picks Aoriqileng to finish Cameron Else in the second round by knockout. He notes that Else is a kill-or-be-killed fighter who fades badly after the first round, while Aoriqileng has better durability and cardio. He thinks Aoriqileng can survive the early storm and break Else in the second round.
Cody picks Aoriqileng, citing his physical strength and durability. He notes Else's poor UFC debut and lack of wrestling. He thinks Aoriqileng will clip Else and finish him. He sees Aoriqileng as a good parlay piece.
The host picks Aoriqileng to win, but his bet is on the fight not going to decision. He believes Cameron Else is dangerous early, but if he doesn't get it done, Aoriqileng takes over and finishes later. He prefers the 'fight doesn't go to decision' prop over the moneyline.
Paul agrees, noting Aoriqileng's never been KO'd and Else's lack of grappling. He expects Aoriqileng to press forward and land a knockout. He thinks Else is knockout or bust.
The MMA Guru picks Aoriqileng over Cameron Else, citing Else's padded record and poor competition. He notes Else's submissions come from bad shots, not enforced grappling, and that Aoriqileng has good takedown defense and a great chin. He predicts Else will fall in love with striking and get knocked out late in the first round. He believes Aoriqileng is better in all areas except jiu-jitsu, but Else won't be able to get it to the ground.
Johnny Muñoz Jr. - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aoriqileng | 1 | 44 of 66 | 66% | 120 of 159 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 5:39 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 7 of 36 | 19% | 31 of 73 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 3 | 0 | 4:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aoriqileng | 0 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 23 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 1 of 10 | 10% | 10 of 28 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 2:56 | |
| 2 | Aoriqileng | 0 | 13 of 19 | 68% | 51 of 61 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:33 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:27 | |
| 3 | Aoriqileng | 1 | 24 of 36 | 66% | 46 of 66 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:03 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 5 of 21 | 23% | 16 of 35 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 1:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aoriqileng | 44 of 66 | 66% | 24 of 41 | 8 of 11 | 12 of 14 | 28 of 45 | 1 of 3 | 15 of 18 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 7 of 36 | 19% | 5 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 3 | 7 of 33 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aoriqileng | 7 of 11 | 63% | 5 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 1 of 10 | 10% | 1 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Aoriqileng | 13 of 19 | 68% | 5 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Aoriqileng | 24 of 36 | 66% | 14 of 25 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 14 of 23 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 12 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 5 of 21 | 23% | 3 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aori (-112), Munoz (-108)
Round 1
When the dust settles after this bantamweight battle, one of the two competitors will likely be back in the win column – barring something strange or a draw. Additionally, the victor will move back to a .500 record with the promotion, while the defeated may find themselves on the chopping block. Whether that is China’s Aori (24-11, 2-3 UFC) or “Kid Kvenbo” Munoz Jr. (12-3, 2-3 UFC), they will have 15 minutes or less to decide that. Referee Keith Peterson draws the charge for this nonsense-free matchup, and the fighters do not have time for a touch of gloves first. Instead, Aori wants to stalk straight forward and fire off a leg kick. The pace wanes as they try to find their distances, with Aori’s occasional low kick the only strikes after about 90 seconds. Aori suddenly sprints into action with a left to the body and a hard right to the head, and Munoz has to shake it off and shoots for a takedown in response. Aori easily stops it and delivers a stern leg kick. Munoz whips a right hand over the top, stinging his opponent and backing him to the fence. Instead of taking advantage of the situation with more strikes, “Kid Kvenbo” settles to shoot in for a double-leg takedown. Munoz gets his man down momentarily, and Aori powers back up. Although Munoz gets a mat return, Aori again has little issue standing, but he does give up his back. Munoz uses this to trip up Aori from behind, and he gets his hooks in and secures back control when Aori hits the ground. The Chinese fighter is quick to hand-fight to not allow any submission attempt get anywhere close to completion, and Munoz tries to soften him up with a few body shots and slide his right arm around the chin. Aori looks to push his feet off the fence to get a bit of leverage, and he spins around quickly. This allows Munoz to snatch up an armbar, and Aori struggles momentarily but breaks the grip and stands up. One big kick from Aori to Munoz’ thigh concludes the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Munoz
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Munoz
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Munoz
Round 2
Aori immediately starts the round aggressively, putting hands on Munoz and hurting him early. Munoz responds with a few strikes but is bowled over, and Aori moves himself into the guard of his opponent. Munoz protests that Aori is clawing his eyes or sticking fingers up his nose, and Peterson tells Aori to keep it clean. Munoz considers a submission attempt from his back, and he slides his leg up and around to set up an armbar. Aori wrenches his limb free from the sub, and he lowers himself back down to the guard. Munoz uses his active guard to force Aori to think twice and stand back up, and when Aori gets up, he starts slapping his feet into Munoz’ legs. Aori times a diving right hand to smash Munoz in the face, and Munoz smiles at him. Aori gets back to his feet, and Peterson has Munoz stand after a few awkward moments. Aori nails his man with a calf kick, and he clips Munoz with a few punches. Munoz shakes it off and backpedals, loosing a head kick that sails past his opponent. Munoz shoots for a takedown, and although Aori stops it, Munoz succeeds in jamming Aori up to the fencing. Munoz quickly goes for a body lock takedown, looking for some way to leverage Aori down, but Aori is strong and not only stops it but turns Munoz around. Aori sneaks in an elbow, and Munoz does not like this, so the American decides to jump for a guillotine choke while he wraps his legs around Aori’s waist. With Munoz’ back to the wall, there is nothing to the submission, so he releases it right before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Aori
Round 3
The bantamweights race to meet one another, throwing big right hands one after the other. Aori walks into a jab, and he digs a right hand to the belly. Aori looks for a jump knee when Munoz ducks down, and Munoz eats part of it and laughs, offering a glove touch for the solid blow. Munoz circles to the side, and when he aims a left hand over the top, Aori counters him with two punches as he slides away. Munoz shoots in low for a takedown, and “The Mongolian Murderer” kills the setup and pins Munoz against the wall. Peterson tells the fighters not to grab the fence, and the fighters break away and return to striking distance. A Munoz kick grazes the cup, and Aori adjusts his groin when there is no stoppage. Munoz shoots for a takedown, and Aori perfectly times a body shot that ultimately nails Munoz in the chin and sets him down. Munoz stands back up, and fails on another takedown. When the attempt fails, he gets cracked with another right and flops to his back. Aori jumps down into the open guard of his foe, looking for ground-and-pound. Aori gets some strikes off, racking up the points while not allowing Munoz to get in on a submission. Munoz sells out for a leglock when Aori tries to pass guard, and Munoz finds himself in a strange position that is a partial calf slicer. Aori lays to his back and is not overly concerned about the maneuver, and he drives several hammerfists on the side and back of the head. Peterson is watching closely, warning Aori for a few illegal blows, but Munoz toughs them out and explodes for one last takedown try. Aori staves it off, is pressed to the cage, and the fight comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aori (29-28 Aori)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Aori (29-28 Aori)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Aori (29-28 Aori)
The Official Result
Qileng Aori def. Johnny Munoz Jr. via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Johnny Muñoz Jr. with low confidence, calling him a 'squirt' but acknowledging his BJJ and power. He notes that Aoriqileng is tough but can be out-grappled. He is waiting for prop bets like a +3.5 spread on Aoriqileng, as Muñoz could be dangerous early but fade. He emphasizes this is a low-confidence pick.
Big Brady is not high on either fighter and calls this his least favorite fight on the card. He criticizes Johnny Muñoz Jr. for quitting in his last fight and notes that Aoriqileng has shown decent takedown defense and the ability to get back to his feet. He believes Aoriqileng can stuff takedowns and keep the fight standing, leading to a decision win. He is not betting this fight.
Cody picks Aoriqileng, citing his physicality, pressure, and power. He notes that Muñoz lacks power and has unimpressive wrestling. Aoriqileng should land the bigger shots and win a decision or late stoppage.
Daniel Levi picks Aoriqileng, citing his heavy hitting and durability. He notes that Johnny Muñoz has suspect striking and doesn't like to get hit, and that Aoriqileng can crack him. He acknowledges Muñoz's jiu-jitsu threat but thinks Aoriqileng's power and grit will be the difference.
Lucrative James believes Aoriqileng has a massive advantage on the feet and will hurt Muñoz to the body. He thinks Muñoz is flaky and will get finished on the feet, predicting a knockout. He also likes the under 2.5 rounds at even money, noting that Muñoz's wrestling is not good enough to get the fight to the ground consistently.
Aoriqileng has improved his takedown defense and trains with strong wrestlers. He should be able to keep the fight standing and use his volume striking to overwhelm Muñoz. Muñoz has struggled to get fights to the ground and relies on BJJ, but his striking and wrestling have been poor. Aoriqileng should win by decision, possibly with some ground and pound.
Paul leans toward Aoriqileng, expecting him to land the more punishing strikes over 15 minutes. He is unsure about the wrestling matchup but believes Aoriqileng's pressure will be effective. He would not bet this fight with his own money.
The MMA Guru picks Johnny Muñoz Jr. over Aoriqileng. He notes Muñoz didn't look bad against Daniel Santos, who is a good finisher, and that Muñoz showed enough striking defense to avoid being finished. He believes Aoriqileng is dangerous only in round one and then fades, while Muñoz is consistently okay throughout the fight. He suggests a betting strategy: if Aoriqileng wins the first round, bet on Muñoz Jr. as Aoriqileng tends to gas.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Santos | 0 | 50 of 91 | 54% | 134 of 198 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 1 | 10:47 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 18 of 39 | 46% | 64 of 101 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 1 | 0 | 1:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Santos | 0 | 7 of 28 | 25% | 21 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:54 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 25 of 38 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:21 | |
| 2 | Daniel Santos | 0 | 29 of 41 | 70% | 65 of 92 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:01 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 19 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 | |
| 3 | Daniel Santos | 0 | 14 of 22 | 63% | 48 of 60 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 3:52 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 20 of 34 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:33 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Santos | 50 of 91 | 54% | 30 of 62 | 15 of 19 | 5 of 10 | 10 of 38 | 6 of 7 | 34 of 46 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 18 of 39 | 46% | 8 of 26 | 8 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 15 of 30 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Santos | 7 of 28 | 25% | 3 of 18 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 8 of 17 | 47% | 3 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Daniel Santos | 29 of 41 | 70% | 18 of 27 | 8 of 8 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 33 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 6 of 15 | 40% | 3 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Daniel Santos | 14 of 22 | 63% | 9 of 17 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 12 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 4 of 7 | 57% | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Santos (-205), Munoz (+175)
Round 1
Wrapping up the prelims is a fight previously scheduled for May. Suffering an injury a month ago, Santos (11-2, 2-1 UFC) is ready to go this time around, and ready to represent his team of Chute Boxe Diego Lima. He will throw down with California’s Munoz (12-2, 2-2 UFC), who is hoping to lift his UFC record above .500. The two will battle it out under the oversight of referee Herb Dean, and the fight kicks off with a half-hearted touch of gloves. The two immediately kick at the same time, and Santos’ shin spits the upright and smashes square into Munoz’ cup. Munoz collapses to the ground in agony from the brutal but accidental kick, and he rolls around trying to recover from the blow. After a minute, Munoz manages to stand up, and he leans on the cage as Dean tells him to take his time. Munoz paces back and forth, shaking it out, and he tells Dean that he is good to go after two minutes. Dean tells Santos to watch his weapons, and the two fighters get back to it with a glove touch. Santos thinks about a low kick, and he pulls back on it. Munoz strides forward with a right hand, and he rushes the Brazilian fighter to the wall. Santos attempts to trip his foe to the mat, and then both drop a knee. Munoz stands up and pulls guard to drag “Willycat” on top of him, and he fastens a body triangle around Santos’ waist on top of him. Santos breaks it up courtesy of a few body shots, and Munoz rolls for an armbar. Santos climbs back to his feet, and he gets belted with an upkick on the way. Santos lowers himself back in, and he finds himself in immediate triangle choke danger. Munoz locks it up, but Santos is able to stack him up and break the grip just enough to get some breathing room, and he stands back up. Santos allows Munoz to follow him, and he is greeted by a step-in knee. Santos thanks him for this by spinning with a kick to the body, and Munoz drills a left hand to the dome and kicks low only to catch Santos in the cup. Santos gets ample time to recover, and Munoz gets the warning this time around. After 30 seconds, Santos is ready to roll out, and he starts by kicking. Santos then decides to jump with a strike, and he takes a front kick to the body and dodges a spinning back fist that flies past him. Munoz shoots in for a double out of nowhere, and Santos stands him up and knees him in the groin. There is no break this time, and instead they explode out of the clinch position with a knee from Munoz. Munoz gets thrown to the floor and may welcome the takedown, and Santos stands and swats away an upkick before letting Munoz back up. When both up again, Santos rips the body with a kick. Munoz dives at him for a takedown, and when that fails, he attempts a flying leglock that misses the mark and ends with him flopping on his back. Before he can stand, Santos leaps at him to take top position. Santos lets the guard close around him to slow things down. Santos postures up with seconds to go, and Munoz kicks off the chest to make Santos get up. When Munoz follows him, he blocks a jumping switch kick, and the dramatic round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Munoz
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Round 2
The fighters touch ‘em up to start the second round, and Munoz jumps with a knee and is intercepted midair with a front kick. Santos sits down on a left hook as Munoz crashes the pocket, and Munoz ends up pulling guard when he cannot secure his own takedown. Santos lets him close the guard so that he can work the body and head with punches and an elbow, and Munoz looks for a body triangle off his back. Santos breaks it up with a straight right hand, and he swats away an upkick and stands up to look for a way back in. Santos chips at the left leg with kicks as he stands with Munoz his back, and Munoz occasionally kicks back to the knee. Santos wades back into the guard, and Munoz fastens the body lock again to keep Santos pinned on top of him. This allows Santos to pound away from on top, as the submission threats have slowed while Santos is doing some work courtesy of solid ground-and-pound. Dean asks Santos to work during a lull, and Santos rains down punches and hurts Munoz to make him turn to his side. Santos opens his foe’s nose up with ground strikes, and he stands up to drive a left hand to the jaw. Santos kicks the leg a few times before letting Munoz up. Munoz punches his way into a desperate takedown attempt, and Santos stuffs him and sets up a front choke. Munoz rolls to his back before the submission can be set up, and he starts hunting for upkicks until Dean has him stand up. They let front kicks do again at the same time, and Munoz kicks a second time and gets knocked to his back with a right hand while off-balance. Santos pounds on his opponent right to the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Round 3
The last round begins with a glove touch, and Santos kicks Munoz in the thigh and it bounces up to the cup. Munoz drops to a knee, and he leans against the wall as he figuratively licks his wounds. Munoz holds his midsection because of the pain he endured from the second powerful groin strike. Dean has someone bring the bucket in case Munoz is forced to vomit, but the fouled fighter signals that he is not going to do so. Munoz stands after about two minutes, and Dean has no choice but to deduct one point from Santos for the second foul of its type. Munoz is ready to go again, and Santos is enraged. Munoz starts off looking for a takedown, and Santos throws him to the ground angrily like a sack of potatoes. Munoz allows this so he can open his guard up and try to lock Santos down or look for a submission, but it only results in him staying on his back for a time. Santos lets the body triangle clamp around him so that he can start up with ground-and-pound, and Santos does exactly this for a time. Santos jumps back to his feet, and Munoz fires off upkicks and trips Santos to his back. Munoz climbs back upright and gives chase, throwing haymakers at his opponent until they are driven to the fence. Munoz, getting pushed to the wall, jumps guard with a guillotine choke. Santos keeps tightly pressed against the fencing to prevent any leverage for the sub, and he lowers Munoz to the mat and breaks out of the grip. Santos gets pulled into the closed guard when he goes horizontal, and he opens up with punches to the body and head. Santos sneaks an elbow up top, prompting Munoz to throw his legs up for an armbar. When Santos scampers away, Munoz implores him to test his wares there again. Dean stands them up before this give-and-take ensues, and Munoz answers this by sprinting at Santos and sweeping him off his feet with a successful takedown. Munoz looks to get off strikes, only to get swept and dumped to his back. With seconds to spare, Munoz explodes back to his feet, and Santos leaps at him with a flying cartwheel kick out of the capoeira playbook. Munoz dodges it, and he crashes forward with a flying knee. The fight ends, and it will all hinge on if any judges scored the first round in favor of Munoz.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 9-9 (28-28)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Santos)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Santos)
The Official Result
Daniel Santos def. Johnny Munoz Jr. via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Angelo picks Daniel Santos confidently, noting his dangerous striking and BJJ, though he has low grappling IQ. He is slightly less confident due to the fight being canceled previously for an abscess, but still believes Santos should win. He thinks Santos' pressure and power will be too much for Muñoz, who doesn't like being crowded. Angelo has bets on Santos but not in the safety parlay.
Cody also picks Santos, calling him a big fan. He notes Santos's forward pressure and aggressive style, and that Muñoz has cardio issues and low volume. Cody expects Santos to win by knockout or decision as Muñoz fades. He thinks the -220 line is a bit stiff but still picks Santos.
Connor picks Muñoz for consistency, having picked him previously. He acknowledges that Santos' pressure is a major threat, but believes Muñoz's jab will be effective early, similar to how Shabazian used his jab against Santos. Connor admits Muñoz is not creative, but thinks he can land enough jabs to win rounds, though he recognizes Santos' wildness makes this a risky pick.
Daniel picks Daniel Santos, noting that he is the more aggressive and technical fighter, though he takes risks. He believes Santos can overwhelm Muñoz with pressure and chaos, and that Muñoz doesn't like being backed up. He mentions Santos' grappling is underrated, having tapped out a high-level grappler in training.
Jacob picks Santos, citing his high-pressure Muay Thai style and ability to get dropped and bounce back. He thinks Muñoz doesn't like being crowded and lacks the takedowns to keep Santos down. Jacob notes Muñoz's only path to victory is an early takedown and grind, but Santos' scrambling and offensive wrestling should prevent that. He is confident Santos wins.
Santos is an aggressive forward-pressure fighter with power and BJJ. He will crash the pocket and land big shots. Muñoz is live for a submission if he can get it to the ground, but Santos' power and pace will be too much. Santos will knock him out in the second round.
Paul picks Daniel Santos confidently. He loves Santos's forward pressure and aggression, especially in the small Apex cage. He notes Santos is hittable but has a heart of a lion and will break opponents down over time. Paul contrasts Muñoz's questionable cardio and low volume, expecting Santos to take over in later rounds. He acknowledges Santos's loss to Julio Arce but sees that as a tough debut matchup.
The MMA Guru picks Daniel Santos, citing a lack of talent in Johnny Muñoz Jr.'s game. He notes Santos has skill in how he throws shots, pressures fighters, and cuts off the octagon, despite having striking defense issues. He criticizes Muñoz for being well-rounded but unremarkable, and points to his loss to Tony Gravely. The Guru predicts Santos will win by TKO against the cage, but if it goes to decision, it will be close.
Zane picks Santos, sticking with his previous analysis that Santos' relentless pressure and volume will overwhelm Muñoz's one-dimensional jab. He notes that Muñoz's game is built almost entirely around his jab, and Santos' wild, high-output style will break Muñoz's footwork and force him into exchanges where he is vulnerable. Zane believes Santos' aggression and durability will be too much for Muñoz to handle over three rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 56 of 152 | 36% | 70 of 166 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:30 |
| Liudvik Sholinian | 0 | 78 of 227 | 34% | 114 of 270 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 21 of 54 | 38% | 21 of 54 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Liudvik Sholinian | 0 | 38 of 94 | 40% | 38 of 94 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 9 of 29 | 31% | 15 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:30 |
| Liudvik Sholinian | 0 | 19 of 51 | 37% | 39 of 74 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 | |
| 3 | Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 26 of 69 | 37% | 34 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Liudvik Sholinian | 0 | 21 of 82 | 25% | 37 of 102 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:20 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 56 of 152 | 36% | 42 of 137 | 12 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 46 of 142 | 7 of 7 | 3 of 3 |
| Liudvik Sholinian | 78 of 227 | 34% | 55 of 196 | 16 of 20 | 7 of 11 | 72 of 221 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 21 of 54 | 38% | 14 of 47 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Liudvik Sholinian | 38 of 94 | 40% | 23 of 76 | 11 of 12 | 4 of 6 | 38 of 94 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 9 of 29 | 31% | 7 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Liudvik Sholinian | 19 of 51 | 37% | 14 of 42 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 2 | 15 of 47 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 26 of 69 | 37% | 21 of 63 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 60 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 3 |
| Liudvik Sholinian | 21 of 82 | 25% | 18 of 78 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 19 of 80 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo gives a slight lean to Muñoz because he has more ways to win, citing his BJJ black belt and harder strikes. However, he calls it a razor-thin fight, noting Sholinian has better takedowns and relentless pressure, and is very live as an underdog. He mentions Muñoz can be low volume and slow with kicks.
Big Brady highlights Muñoz's elite grappling and BJJ black belt, expecting a significant advantage on the mat. He notes Sholinian's wrestling background but unimpressive striking and grappling. He believes the fight will hit the mat at some point, and when it does, Muñoz will be very live for a submission. He predicts a second-round submission.
Cody picks Johnny Muñoz Jr., noting his superior BJJ and wrestling compared to Sholinian. He thinks Muñoz showed promise in his debut against Nate Maness (outstruck him 49-21, got two takedowns) and finished Jamie Simmons. He acknowledges Muñoz got knocked out by Tony Gravely, but Gravely is explosive. Sholinian has been inactive (14 months) and showed nothing against Jack Shore, landing only 19 significant strikes. Cody thinks Muñoz can take him down and control him, but he hates the -235 price and may consider Sholinian as a dog.
Connor picks Sholinian, believing he can shut down Munoz's wrestling better than Shore did. Munoz is not as deft a wrestling threat as Shore, and Sholinian's aggression and striking volume should carry him. Connor notes that Munoz's boxing is basic and he gets hit often.
Daniel Levi leans Johnny Muñoz Jr., citing his jiu-jitsu black belt and ability to land takedowns. He notes Sholinian is tough but not physically imposing, lacks power and submission threat, and Muñoz should be able to dominate positionally. He passed on betting due to the price (-225).
The host is high on Sholinian as a dog, citing his pressure style, takedown defense (6/8 against Jack Shore), and grit. He notes Muñoz Jr. struggles to land takedowns (4/20 in UFC) and relies on kicks, while Sholinian will stay in his face and outwork him. He expects Sholinian to stuff takedowns and win via decision, possibly with a late finish.
Paul picks Sholinian as an underdog, but is hesitant. He notes that Muñoz's only UFC win is over Jamie Simmons, a layup, and he took until the second round to finish him. Sholinian is a big bantamweight and was only taken down twice by Jack Shore, a top British wrestler. Paul added 'Muñoz Jr. under 2.5 takedowns' to his PrizePicks card, thinking Muñoz may not get many takedowns. He is considering Sholinian but will watch weigh-ins.
The MMA Guru picks Johnny Muñoz Jr., citing Sholinian's poor performance against Jack Shaw, who fought with one arm. He notes Muñoz has a decent win over Jamie Simmons and is a big bantamweight with good jiu-jitsu. He predicts a submission finish, specifically a rear-naked choke, continuing his trend.
Zane leans Sholinian because he is more aggressive and has some power, and he may shut down Munoz's wrestling better than Jack Shore did. Munoz's boxing is rudimentary, and Sholinian's pressure could overwhelm him. However, Zane admits it's a coin flip and not a good fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Gravely | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 1 | 5 of 15 | 33% | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tony Gravely | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 1 | 5 of 15 | 33% | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Gravely | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 5 of 15 | 33% | 4 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tony Gravely | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 5 of 15 | 33% | 4 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
Angelo highlights Tony Gravely's relentless wrestling and high takedown average, but notes his questionable submission defense and cardio issues. Johnny Muñoz is a BJJ black belt with slick grappling. Angelo is split because five of Gravely's losses are by submission and seven of Muñoz's wins are by submission. He ultimately picks Gravely because he believes Gravely will dictate the fight with top control, but acknowledges the risk of getting caught.
Big Brady picks Johnny Muñoz Jr. as an underdog to win by submission, likely in the third round. He notes that while Gravely is a relentless wrestler, Muñoz is a black belt in BJJ who wants the fight on the mat. He compares it to the Bartosz-Swabinski vs. Gerald Meerschaert fight where the wrestler took down the grappler and got submitted. He thinks Gravely will get takedowns but Muñoz will capitalize on submission opportunities, especially as Gravely slows down. He also mentions Muñoz's size advantage.
Cody picks Gravely, noting his athleticism and wrestling. He thinks Muñoz's striking is poor and Gravely can win on the feet or via takedowns. He is confident but expects to sweat due to Gravely's past mistakes.
Daniel Levi picks Tony Gravely, acknowledging the submission threat from Muñoz but believing Gravely is the better fighter overall. He expects Gravely to win a decision if he avoids mistakes, but admits Muñoz has a clear path via submission. He will not bet the fight but may take small shots on Muñoz submission props.
Paul picks Gravely, citing his wrestling and striking advantage. He notes Muñoz's lack of striking and inactivity. He thinks Gravely can win via sprawl-and-brawl or wrestling, but acknowledges Gravely's tendency to make mistakes.
The MMA Guru picks Tony Gravely by 30-27 unanimous decision. He criticizes Muñoz's padded resume and notes that Gravely performed better than Muñoz against common opponent Nate Maness, nearly finishing him. He believes Gravely has superior striking and scrambling, and will mix up takedowns to dominate. He expects Muñoz to have some submission attempts but Gravely to escape.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 14 of 71 | 19% | 24 of 85 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 3 | 0 | 2:04 |
| Jamey Simmons | 0 | 7 of 37 | 18% | 10 of 40 | 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 | Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 11 of 56 | 19% | 15 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Jamey Simmons | 0 | 6 of 31 | 19% | 7 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 3 of 15 | 20% | 9 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 3 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Jamey Simmons | 0 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 14 of 71 | 19% | 6 of 61 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 13 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Jamey Simmons | 7 of 37 | 18% | 4 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 11 of 56 | 19% | 5 of 48 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 6 | 11 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jamey Simmons | 6 of 31 | 19% | 4 of 26 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 3 of 15 | 20% | 1 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Jamey Simmons | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Muñoz, noting his high ownership on DraftKings (38%). He thinks Muñoz is the better fighter and expects a finish, possibly by submission in round 2 or 3. He mentions Muñoz's smooth transitions on the ground.
Big Brady is very high on Johnny Muñoz Jr., praising his slick BJJ and noting he looked good in his UFC debut despite a point deduction. He believes Muñoz is better everywhere, including striking, and that Jamey Simmons doesn't belong in the UFC. He predicts an early finish, specifically a first-round submission, as Muñoz is a black belt and Simmons is a blue belt who will likely try to grapple.
Cody picks Muñoz, arguing that his BJJ is elite and that Simmons is not UFC caliber. He notes Muñoz's improved striking and wrestling, and expects a submission win. Cody thinks the price is steep but Muñoz should win.
Daniel Levi picks Johnny Muñoz Jr., but is sketched out by the wide line. He notes that Muñoz is a black belt in jiu-jitsu and should be able to get a submission, but acknowledges that Jamey Simmons is a former wrestler who could use his wrestling in reverse to keep the fight standing. He thinks the opener was more correct and that there is a path to victory for Simmons, but ultimately leans Muñoz.
Munoz is a high-level BJJ specialist with a strong grappling background. Simmons is a wrestler who wants to take the fight to the ground, but Munoz is confident in his grappling and can reverse or submit him. If Simmons strikes, Munoz has decent power and can invite takedowns to set up submissions. Munoz should find a submission in round two.
Paul picks Muñoz, citing his BJJ black belt and multiple submission wins. He notes that Simmons has poor durability and was finished quickly by lower-level opponents. Paul expects Muñoz to get the fight to the ground and submit Simmons.
The MMA Guru picks Johnny Muñoz Jr. over Jamey Simmons. He notes that Muñoz's loss to Nate Maness was controversial due to groin shots, and that Muñoz outlanded Maness in significant strikes. He believes Simmons will be hesitant after a first-round KO loss to Giga Chikadze, and that Muñoz has never been finished and has better composure. He predicts Muñoz will win a unanimous decision 29-28.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nate Maness | 0 | 49 of 78 | 62% | 129 of 168 | 2 of 16 | 12% | 1 | 0 | 9:42 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 21 of 50 | 42% | 158 of 194 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nate Maness | 0 | 19 of 38 | 50% | 51 of 78 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 3:16 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 2 of 15 | 13% | 12 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Nate Maness | 0 | 14 of 22 | 63% | 33 of 42 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 2:46 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 10 of 18 | 55% | 66 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:38 | |
| 3 | Nate Maness | 0 | 16 of 18 | 88% | 45 of 48 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 3:40 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 80 of 91 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nate Maness | 49 of 78 | 62% | 18 of 34 | 25 of 36 | 6 of 8 | 16 of 40 | 20 of 21 | 13 of 17 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 21 of 50 | 42% | 9 of 37 | 12 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 34 | 14 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nate Maness | 19 of 38 | 50% | 13 of 25 | 3 of 8 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 17 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 2 of 15 | 13% | 2 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nate Maness | 14 of 22 | 63% | 2 of 5 | 10 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 14 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 10 of 18 | 55% | 6 of 14 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Nate Maness | 16 of 18 | 88% | 3 of 4 | 12 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 6 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
| Johnny Muñoz Jr. | 9 of 17 | 52% | 1 of 8 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 7 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. The host did not mention Nate Maness vs Johnny Muñoz Jr. at all.
The host picks Ray Borg, stating that Borg is a much better grappler and that Maness has not faced high-level competition. He notes that Borg is only 26 and not on the decline, and that Maness will be hesitant to throw bombs due to Borg's takedown threat. He expects Borg to grind out a decision or possibly finish later in the fight. He also mentions the line is a steal and expects it to close higher.
The host picks Ray Borg (Nate Maness's opponent) to win by unanimous decision. He praises Borg's youth (26), grappling, and recent activity, and notes that Maness hasn't fought anyone of Borg's caliber. He believes Borg will grind out a win with takedowns and control, and that Maness lacks the experience against high-level grapplers.
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks Johnny Muñoz Jr. with low confidence, calling him a 'squirt' but acknowledging his BJJ and power. He notes that Aoriqileng is tough but can be out-grappled. He is waiting for prop bets like a +3.5 spread on Aoriqileng, as Muñoz could be dangerous early but fade. He emphasizes this is a low-confidence pick.
Big Brady is not high on either fighter and calls this his least favorite fight on the card. He criticizes Johnny Muñoz Jr. for quitting in his last fight and notes that Aoriqileng has shown decent takedown defense and the ability to get back to his feet. He believes Aoriqileng can stuff takedowns and keep the fight standing, leading to a decision win. He is not betting this fight.
Cody picks Aoriqileng, citing his physicality, pressure, and power. He notes that Muñoz lacks power and has unimpressive wrestling. Aoriqileng should land the bigger shots and win a decision or late stoppage.
Daniel Levi picks Aoriqileng, citing his heavy hitting and durability. He notes that Johnny Muñoz has suspect striking and doesn't like to get hit, and that Aoriqileng can crack him. He acknowledges Muñoz's jiu-jitsu threat but thinks Aoriqileng's power and grit will be the difference.
Lucrative James believes Aoriqileng has a massive advantage on the feet and will hurt Muñoz to the body. He thinks Muñoz is flaky and will get finished on the feet, predicting a knockout. He also likes the under 2.5 rounds at even money, noting that Muñoz's wrestling is not good enough to get the fight to the ground consistently.
Aoriqileng has improved his takedown defense and trains with strong wrestlers. He should be able to keep the fight standing and use his volume striking to overwhelm Muñoz. Muñoz has struggled to get fights to the ground and relies on BJJ, but his striking and wrestling have been poor. Aoriqileng should win by decision, possibly with some ground and pound.
Paul leans toward Aoriqileng, expecting him to land the more punishing strikes over 15 minutes. He is unsure about the wrestling matchup but believes Aoriqileng's pressure will be effective. He would not bet this fight with his own money.
The MMA Guru picks Johnny Muñoz Jr. over Aoriqileng. He notes Muñoz didn't look bad against Daniel Santos, who is a good finisher, and that Muñoz showed enough striking defense to avoid being finished. He believes Aoriqileng is dangerous only in round one and then fades, while Muñoz is consistently okay throughout the fight. He suggests a betting strategy: if Aoriqileng wins the first round, bet on Muñoz Jr. as Aoriqileng tends to gas.
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