Career Averages - Sean Woodson
Career Averages - Dennis Buzukja
Sean Woodson
Dennis Buzukja
Sean Woodson - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Ige | 0 | 44 of 107 | 41% | 53 of 116 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:33 |
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 51 of 115 | 44% | 57 of 121 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Ige | 0 | 9 of 37 | 24% | 9 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 26 of 51 | 50% | 26 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Dan Ige | 0 | 15 of 41 | 36% | 17 of 43 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 18 of 49 | 36% | 24 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 3 | Dan Ige | 0 | 20 of 29 | 68% | 27 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 7 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Ige | 44 of 107 | 41% | 28 of 78 | 11 of 20 | 5 of 9 | 41 of 104 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Woodson | 51 of 115 | 44% | 36 of 98 | 7 of 9 | 8 of 8 | 51 of 115 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Ige | 9 of 37 | 24% | 4 of 25 | 1 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 9 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Woodson | 26 of 51 | 50% | 15 of 39 | 6 of 7 | 5 of 5 | 26 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Dan Ige | 15 of 41 | 36% | 9 of 30 | 5 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Woodson | 18 of 49 | 36% | 15 of 45 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 18 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Dan Ige | 20 of 29 | 68% | 15 of 23 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 17 of 26 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Woodson | 7 of 15 | 46% | 6 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Daniel Levi picked Sean Woodson but never got the price he wanted, so he passed. He emphasizes the importance of getting the best number and not forcing bets. He notes that even though Woodson lost, he saved money by not betting at unfavorable odds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 1 | 38 of 71 | 53% | 38 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:03 |
| Fernando Padilla | 0 | 22 of 69 | 31% | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 1 | 38 of 71 | 53% | 38 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:03 |
| Fernando Padilla | 0 | 22 of 69 | 31% | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 38 of 71 | 53% | 35 of 64 | 0 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 36 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Fernando Padilla | 22 of 69 | 31% | 14 of 59 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 61 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 38 of 71 | 53% | 35 of 64 | 0 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 36 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Fernando Padilla | 22 of 69 | 31% | 14 of 59 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 61 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Woodson due to his excellent range management and boxing background, which should allow him to dance around Padilla. He notes Woodson's 84% takedown defense and long reach, while Padilla has no wrestling and prefers pocket boxing. He expresses slight concern that Woodson's quiet win streak might end, but trusts what he sees.
Big Brady picks Fernando Padilla to win by second-round submission. He thinks Padilla has more power and a slick grappling game, and can match Woodson's length. He notes Woodson has zero power and has been finished by lengthier opponents. He expects Padilla to hurt Woodson on the feet and then submit him.
Cody picks Sean Woodson but with low confidence, citing his volume and reach advantage. He notes that Padilla has power and could catch Woodson, but Woodson's experience and ability to outpoint opponents should win. Cody is concerned about Woodson's chin after being dropped by Luis Saldana.
Connor also picks Woodson, noting that Woodson is comfortable in the pocket and has decent defense, while Padilla is only truly dangerous in close. He points out that Woodson has more reach and a better idea of how to use it, but Padilla's finishing ability and Woodson's tendency to invite brawls make it a risky pick. Connor thinks Woodson can be more functional at ranges where Padilla is not competitive.
Daniel Vreeland picks Sean Woodson to win by decision, citing his cleaner boxing and range management. He acknowledges Padilla's power and tenacity but believes Woodson will win the minutes and outpoint him. Vreeland notes Woodson has improved since his early UFC career and should be able to avoid big shots.
Woodson's height and reach advantage (6'2", 78 in reach) will allow him to touch up Padilla from distance with his jab and footwork, leading to another classic Woodson decision victory.
Paul leans towards Padilla by knockout, citing his power and Woodson's questionable chin. He notes that Padilla's win condition is a KO, and Woodson's tall man defense could be exploited. Paul prefers the under 2.5 rounds prop.
The MMA Guru picks Sean Woodson despite past doubts about his performances. He notes Woodson's composure as the fight progresses, particularly his body work in rounds two and three. He acknowledges Fernando Padilla's dangerous striking but believes Woodson is better in the pocket and at range. He predicts a close decision (29-28) rather than a finish.
Zane picks Woodson but acknowledges it's not easy. He notes that Woodson has a functional long-range game and is learning to lean into it, while Padilla is all about crashing into the pocket. However, Padilla is a fast finisher and Woodson tends to invite pocket exchanges, which could get him in trouble. Zane thinks Woodson's reach and better use of range should prevail, but Padilla has opportunities.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 82 of 197 | 41% | 85 of 200 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Alex Caceres | 0 | 101 of 226 | 44% | 101 of 226 | 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 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 18 of 49 | 36% | 18 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alex Caceres | 0 | 31 of 63 | 49% | 31 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 32 of 73 | 43% | 32 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Alex Caceres | 0 | 31 of 71 | 43% | 31 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 32 of 75 | 42% | 35 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Alex Caceres | 0 | 39 of 92 | 42% | 39 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 82 of 197 | 41% | 43 of 143 | 28 of 40 | 11 of 14 | 79 of 190 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Caceres | 101 of 226 | 44% | 61 of 171 | 19 of 28 | 21 of 27 | 98 of 222 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 18 of 49 | 36% | 11 of 36 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 5 | 18 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Caceres | 31 of 63 | 49% | 18 of 44 | 3 of 6 | 10 of 13 | 31 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 32 of 73 | 43% | 16 of 52 | 11 of 15 | 5 of 6 | 31 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Caceres | 31 of 71 | 43% | 16 of 51 | 9 of 13 | 6 of 7 | 29 of 69 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 32 of 75 | 42% | 16 of 55 | 13 of 17 | 3 of 3 | 30 of 71 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Alex Caceres | 39 of 92 | 42% | 27 of 76 | 7 of 9 | 5 of 7 | 38 of 90 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Sean Woodson, citing his excellent boxing, reach management, and 84% takedown defense. He notes Woodson uses his length well and is a clean boxer. He expects Woodson to win a decision, as Alex Caceres is durable but not powerful. He is confident in Woodson's ability to keep the fight at distance.
Big Brady picks Sean Woodson by decision, citing his height and reach advantage, volume advantage, and the hometown crowd in St. Louis. He notes that Caceres has a black belt but rarely uses it, so this will be a striker vs. striker matchup. He expects Woodson to do more work over 15 minutes and not have to worry about takedowns, which should give him confidence to throw more volume.
Cody picks Woodson but is hesitant due to Woodson's inconsistency. He notes that Woodson has shown improvements in wrestling and cardio in recent fights, and his length is a major advantage at 145. Cody believes Woodson can outpoint Caceres on the feet and has the takedown defense to avoid submissions. However, he acknowledges that Caceres is a savvy veteran and Woodson has been chinny in the past. Cody ultimately sides with Woodson but is not confident.
Daniel Vreeland picks Sean Woodson, emphasizing his physical attributes (6'2" with 78-inch reach) and his ability to come back from adversity, as seen in the Luis Saldana fight. He believes Woodson's length and jab will be too much for Caceres, and that Woodson is ready to crack the top 15. He predicts a decision win.
The host confidently picks Woodson due to his length, jab, and distance management, which should neutralize Caceres' unorthodox striking. He notes Woodson's improved takedown defense and discipline, expecting him to outpoint Caceres over three rounds. He sees Caceres' grappling as a threat but doubts he can get the fight to the ground. The pick is confident, with a decision victory expected.
Paul picks Caceres as a slight underdog, citing his veteran savvy and ability to win scrambles. He notes that Caceres knocked out Julian Rosa, while Woodson lost to Rosa. Paul thinks the fight will be competitive and that Caceres has value at plus money. However, he is not confident enough to bet it, calling it a 'dog or pass' situation. He mentions that Woodson's improvements could make it close, but he leans towards Caceres.
The MMA Guru picks Sean Woodson over Alex Caceres, citing Caceres' age (35) and recent losses. He notes Woodson's height and reach advantage (4.5 inches) and believes Woodson has looked better recently. He predicts a decision win, possibly with body shots against the cage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 60 of 156 | 38% | 78 of 175 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:58 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 80 of 168 | 47% | 102 of 193 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 18 of 51 | 35% | 20 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 31 of 72 | 43% | 39 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 22 of 46 | 47% | 27 of 51 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 28 of 51 | 54% | 41 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 20 of 59 | 33% | 31 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:45 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 21 of 45 | 46% | 22 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 60 of 156 | 38% | 19 of 98 | 20 of 32 | 21 of 26 | 52 of 147 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 80 of 168 | 47% | 59 of 143 | 10 of 13 | 11 of 12 | 70 of 156 | 8 of 9 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 18 of 51 | 35% | 5 of 35 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 14 | 18 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 31 of 72 | 43% | 19 of 60 | 6 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 28 of 68 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 22 of 46 | 47% | 8 of 29 | 9 of 11 | 5 of 6 | 18 of 42 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 28 of 51 | 54% | 23 of 44 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 23 of 46 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 20 of 59 | 33% | 6 of 34 | 10 of 19 | 4 of 6 | 16 of 54 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 21 of 45 | 46% | 17 of 39 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jourdain (-190), Woodson (+145)
Round 1
It’s a likely firefight at featherweight as Jourdain and Woodson take to the cage, with Jerin Valel there to make sure things stay nice and clean. Jourdain immediately goes for a head kick, perhaps to give the tallest man in the division something to think about. Woodson switches stances constantly in the opening moments, sticking out a fast, long jab from both sides. A minute and a half in, neither man has committed to much in the way of full-speed power shots. Woodson catches Jourdain cleanly with a straight from each side. Jourdain comes in with a low stance, shoulder-rolling, but can’t get off any punches before he is forced to retreat. Jourdain lands a hard leg kick, then a solid punch upstairs. Woodson goes southpaw and snaps Jourdain’s head back with a right straight. Jourdain moves in and tries to corner Woodson against the fence, but Woodson puts his hands on his foe and pushes him aside as he slides out of the pocket. Jourdain steps in and runs right into an intercepting knee from Woodson. Jourdain lands a slapping spin kick at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Round 2
Jourdain wades forward behind a trio of punches but Woodson steps back, evades and lands a clean counter on the end of it. Jourdain comes in with another combo that clatters off the guard of the taller man. Woodson lands an outside leg kick. Jourdain responds with one of his own a second later. Two minutes in, Woodson is beginning to flow, waving his hands and switching stances before launching long single punches. Jourdain drops for a single-leg and gets it, but can’t finish the takedown even after running Woodson to the fence. They end up in a stalemate, with Jourdain trying to hoist the leg as Woodson counters with an overhook. They disengage and Jourdain lands a glancing spinning strike on the break. Jourdain is back to stalking, but continues to have trouble getting inside against the lanky boxer. Jourdain drops for another takedown attempt, getting onto Woodson’s hips and driving him into the fence. Woodson defends calmly, and Jourdain gives it up, launching another spin kick in an attempt to surprise Woodson on the break. Jourdain lands a head kick right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Round 3
Woodson stands his ground as Jourdain advances, tagging him with a couple of glancing short punches, before circling out. Jourdain, looking perhaps to change things up, rushes forward with a flurry of hooks, then throws a spinning back elbow that comes up short. They collide and clinch, and it’s Woodson who ends up on Jourdain’s back standing against the fence. Jourdain hits him with a hard shot on the break, then immediately pursues and charges forward. He’s landing more, his relentless forward pressure clearly making Woodson uncomfortable. At the midpoint of the round, Woodson is back on the outside, and he counters a kick with a long uppercut to the body. Jourdain throws a spinning back kick, then another, but he’s out of range both times. He throws a third, with similar lack of success. Woodson hits his man with a body punch. Jourdain grabs a snatch single-leg, but cannot finish, and the takedown shutout by Woodson continues. With 45 seconds to go, Jourdain is throwing haymakers and spinning attacks, looking for a moment of fight-changing offense. Woodson goes for a reactive takedown and Jourdain grabs a guillotine, falling to his back and closing his guard as he does so. The choke is tight but time is short, but Woodson pops his head out at the 10-second clapper and is throwing punches from top position at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-28 Woodson)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
The Official Result
Sean Woodson def. Charles Jourdain via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo picks Jourdain despite acknowledging Woodson's reach and takedown defense. He believes Jourdain's pressure, chin, and ability to keep the fight ugly will be key. He notes that Woodson showed grappling in his last fight but Jourdain's takedown defense is poor, yet still favors Jourdain's doggedness.
Big Brady picks Jourdain, noting that Woodson is a boxer who won't take Jourdain down, and if he does, he risks getting submitted. He compares the fight to Woodson's loss to Julian Erosa, where Erosa pressured and broke Woodson. He believes Jourdain's power, grappling, and third-round mythical status will lead to a late submission.
Cody picks Jourdain, citing his power, cardio, and home-field advantage. He notes Woodson's lack of power and wrestling, and believes Jourdain will overwhelm him with volume and power. He sees Jourdain winning by KO or decision.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Charles Jourdain in a fight he sees as a 50-50 banger. He notes both fighters build into fights and have opportunistic submissions. He gives a slight edge to Jourdain's aggressiveness and the Canadian crowd possibly influencing judges. He expects a back-and-forth war with a close decision or finish.
This fight is not discussed in the transcript. The host does not mention Woodson vs Jourdain.
I'm picking Woodson to win this fight on the scorecards. He is the better technical striker with a significant height and reach advantage. If he can stick with his jab and stay on the outside, he can outvolume Jourdain from distance. Jourdain's unorthodox striking could allow him to crash the pocket, but Woodson's chin might be suspect. However, I think Woodson does a good enough job rolling with shots and sticking to his game plan. I don't think Jourdain can successfully take a grapple-heavy approach either.
Paul picks Jourdain but is hesitant due to the -220 price. He thinks the fight could be close and Woodson's reach could pose problems. He notes the line movement suggests sharp money on Jourdain but still sees value in the Canadian favorite.
The MMA Guru picks Charles Jourdain, despite Woodson's 9-inch reach advantage. He questions Woodson's chin and level of competition, calling his opponents not UFC-level. He praises Jourdain's improved shot selection, patience, and submission skills. He predicts a TKO win for Jourdain in Canada.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 71 of 126 | 56% | 163 of 229 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 5:52 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 42 of 116 | 36% | 46 of 121 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 35 of 63 | 55% | 72 of 102 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 15 of 49 | 30% | 16 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:22 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 55 of 69 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:14 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 10 of 30 | 33% | 10 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:42 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 23 of 37 | 62% | 36 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 17 of 37 | 45% | 20 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 71 of 126 | 56% | 36 of 77 | 18 of 32 | 17 of 17 | 61 of 113 | 8 of 11 | 2 of 2 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 42 of 116 | 36% | 24 of 85 | 11 of 17 | 7 of 14 | 32 of 96 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 12 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 35 of 63 | 55% | 15 of 37 | 5 of 11 | 15 of 15 | 32 of 60 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 15 of 49 | 30% | 8 of 34 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 8 | 15 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 13 of 26 | 50% | 4 of 14 | 8 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 22 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 10 of 30 | 33% | 8 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 23 of 37 | 62% | 17 of 26 | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 31 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 17 of 37 | 45% | 8 of 25 | 7 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 30 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Woodson (-175), Buzukja (+145)
Round 1
Justin Brown will officiate this matchup. Buzukja is the fourth proposed opponent for Woodson. Buzukja jabs forward agains the lanky Woodson. Woodson probes with a front kick and leg kick. Another leg kick spins Buzukja around. Buzukja lands a big right and follows with a combination. He pressures Woodson against the fence and ties his man up. Woodson spins him around and breaks free. They trade punches before Woodson slides away. Woodson goes back to working the low kicks. Buzukja stalks his man, but Woodson uses his array of kicks and long punches well. Woodson kicks the body, then lands a jab. Woodson stops Buzukja with a stiff jab. Buzukja follows a body kick with a right hand and they clinch against the fence. Woodson turns his foe around and drops for a takedown. Buzukja denies the shot and reverses for a takedown attempt of his own. Buzukja brings a knee to the midsection before Woodson frees himself. Buzukja pressures with a low kick and a right to the body. Woodson responds with a rapid fire combination to the body. Now Woodson is finding a rhythm, and he lands another multi-punch combination near the fence before Buzukja shifts gears for a takedown try. Woodson breaks free. They trade before the horn, with a body shot from Buzukja being the most notable offense.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Round 2
Buzukja pressures with punches but can’t find the range. Woodson with a front kick and a jab. Woodson lands a clean 1-2 moments later. Buzukja lands a right near the fence then changes levels. Woodson defends with his back to the cage, then spins the Longo-weidman product around. A pair of knees and a flurry of body shots hurts Buzukja, and Woodson stays on the assault before grounding his adversary. Woodson punches the ribs and hunts for a choke with Buzukja in a crouched position. Woodson switches from an anaconda to a guillotine choke, but thus far Buzukja is defending. Woodson continues to alternate chokes, but Buzukja is wise to it and works his way up. Woodson drags him back down immediately. Buzukja defends with a kimura, but Woodson spins around and hunts for a kimura of his own in north-south. Buzukja frees himself but he finds himself ensnared in a front headlock. Woodson transitions to the back, but he falls to his back, which allows Buzukja to tee off with a salvo of punches. Woodson returns to his feet and urges his opponent onward. Buzukja attacks again before the horn, but nothing substantial lands.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Round 3
Back at range, Woodson sticks a jab and a stiff combination. Buzukja moves forward and eats a left hand. Woodson lands a combination to the body and briefly gets a takedown. Buzukja scrambles up and drives Woodson into the fence. Woodson deftly transitions to Buzukja’s back, but he can’t fully take back control. Woodson backs away from the clinch and throws a jab in the center of the Octagon. Buzukja lands a body shot but eats a hook in return. Buzukja misses on some punches and looks for a takedown enar the fence. Woodson reverses and drags his foe down. He laces up one leg and makes Buzukja carry his weight. Buzukja gets to a knee, then stands. Woodson snaps him back down with a front headlock. Buzukja defends against potential chokes on all fours, then stands. Woodson punishes him with a knee as they stand and then a clean right lands. Buzukja is still moving forward despite absorbing plenty of punishment. A front kick by Woodson lands clean on his foe’s chin. Woodson steps in and lands a nice knee to the chin, then dodges a Buzukja offering before the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
The Official Result
Sean Woodson def. Dennis Buzukja via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00
Cody picks Buzukja as an underdog, citing Woodson's poor takedown defense, questionable chin, and weight cut issues. He notes Buzukja's training at Longo/Weidman and his power. He believes Woodson is prime for an upset due to multiple opponent changes and potential fatigue.
Daniel Levi picks Sean Woodson, citing his size (6'2", 80-inch reach) and striking advantages. He notes that Woodson is a matchup problem for most featherweights and has sneaky submissions. Levi is not fully confident because the matchup was announced last minute and he hasn't done deep research. He acknowledges Buzukja's solid all-around game and wrestling potential, but leans toward Woodson's physical attributes.
James acknowledges Buzukja is on short notice and facing a tough stylistic matchup against Woodson's length. However, he doesn't rate Woodson highly, citing limited offense and a chin issue. He thinks Woodson will probably win but wouldn't bet him due to Buzukja's takedown threat. He picks Woodson on the moneyline but is not confident.
Woodson has durability questions after his last fight, and Buzukja's aggressive striking could give him problems. However, Buzukja had a tough weight cut, missing weight by half a pound, which is a big question mark. Despite that, I'm not a fan of Woodson anymore and think Buzukja can land big shots and win by decision.
Paul also picks Buzukja, citing Woodson's vulnerabilities and the short-notice advantage for Buzukja. He notes Woodson's history of being taken down and his poor durability. However, he is not confident due to Buzukja's own short notice and low-level competition.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 73 of 157 | 46% | 86 of 170 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Luis Saldaña | 2 | 91 of 176 | 51% | 96 of 181 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 3:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 34 of 55 | 61% | 34 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Luis Saldaña | 2 | 44 of 80 | 55% | 44 of 80 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 15 of 38 | 39% | 23 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 18 of 33 | 54% | 20 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:22 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 24 of 64 | 37% | 29 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 29 of 63 | 46% | 32 of 66 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 73 of 157 | 46% | 53 of 133 | 17 of 19 | 3 of 5 | 70 of 154 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 91 of 176 | 51% | 46 of 108 | 14 of 24 | 31 of 44 | 85 of 166 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 34 of 55 | 61% | 23 of 41 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 33 of 54 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 44 of 80 | 55% | 22 of 49 | 6 of 11 | 16 of 20 | 39 of 72 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 5 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 15 of 38 | 39% | 12 of 34 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 15 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 18 of 33 | 54% | 9 of 19 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 9 | 18 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 24 of 64 | 37% | 18 of 58 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 62 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 29 of 63 | 46% | 15 of 40 | 5 of 8 | 9 of 15 | 28 of 61 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Sean Woodson over Luis Saldaña. He praises Woodson's boxing and range management, noting that he actually knows how to use his reach effectively. He acknowledges Saldaña is a versatile striker with good movement, but doubts his 20% takedown accuracy will be enough to get the fight to the ground. Without the takedown threat, Angelo sees this as a kickboxing match where Woodson is the superior striker. He mentions Woodson's 81% takedown defense and recent power showcase.
Big Brady is confident in Sean Woodson. He notes that Luis Saldaña has a horrendous gas tank, gassing out in the second round in multiple fights, and puts his hands on his hips or knees when tired. Woodson has a huge reach advantage (79 vs 73 inches) and excellent cardio. Brady expects Woodson to mix in body shots and finish Saldaña in the second or third round by knockout. He believes Saldaña's cardio issues will be his downfall.
Cody picks Woodson, emphasizing his reach and boxing. He thinks Woodson's jab and range control will be key, and that Saldaña's kicks will be countered. He notes Woodson's output and thinks Saldaña will drown under the pace.
Daniel Levi picks Sean Woodson to win, citing Woodson's massive physical advantages (6'2" with 78-inch reach at featherweight). He notes that Luis Saldaña has cardio issues even at sea level, and in the elevation of Salt Lake City, Saldaña will fade in the second and third rounds. Levi believes Woodson will pull away down the stretch and has been paying his dues against good competition.
Woodson's long-range boxing and takedown defense should be too much for Saldaña, who has poor cardio and is not a strong grappler. Woodson will work the body and likely finish late or win a decision. The host likes Woodson inside the distance at +175 or decision at +130.
Paul picks Woodson, citing his reach advantage and boxing. He thinks Woodson can counter Saldaña's kicks and dictate range. He notes Woodson's output and thinks Saldaña's cardio will be an issue. He likes Woodson as a parlay piece.
The Guru predicts Sean Woodson wins by early second-round TKO. He describes Woodson beating Saldaña with a jab and leg kicks, threatening submissions, and landing body shots and knees. He sees Woodson finishing Saldaña with body shots against the cage in round two.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 1 | 50 of 98 | 51% | 59 of 107 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Collin Anglin | 0 | 8 of 40 | 20% | 8 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 1 | 50 of 98 | 51% | 59 of 107 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Collin Anglin | 0 | 8 of 40 | 20% | 8 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 50 of 98 | 51% | 23 of 61 | 17 of 26 | 10 of 11 | 48 of 95 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Collin Anglin | 8 of 40 | 20% | 4 of 26 | 2 of 10 | 2 of 4 | 8 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 50 of 98 | 51% | 23 of 61 | 17 of 26 | 10 of 11 | 48 of 95 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Collin Anglin | 8 of 40 | 20% | 4 of 26 | 2 of 10 | 2 of 4 | 8 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Sean Woodson, emphasizing his excellent boxing and eight-inch reach advantage. He notes that Woodson manages range well and has solid takedown defense. Angelo thinks Woodson will win by decision but considers the odds a bit wide.
Big Brady picks Sean Woodson but is hesitant, noting Woodson's takedown defense is good but he was controlled by Terrence McKenney. He questions whether Collin Anglin will wrestle, as Anglin only attempted one takedown against Melsik Baghdasaryan. Even if Anglin gets takedowns, Brady doubts his control and cardio, so he leans Woodson by decision.
Cody is a Woodson fan but admits it's always a sweat. He thinks Woodson's length and boxing should win, but worries about Anglin's wrestling and Woodson's cardio. He advises checking weigh-ins because Woodson has missed weight before. He picks Woodson but won't put him high in parlays.
Daniel Levi picks Sean Woodson, highlighting his massive reach advantage (79 inches) and experience against tougher competition. He believes Woodson's boxing clinic will be too much for Anglin, who was exposed by Melsik Baghdasaryan. Levi notes that Woodson has shown improvement in stuffing takedowns and expects him to keep the fight standing and win decisively.
Jacob picks Sean Woodson, agreeing that his length and range management will be key. He mentions that Woodson fights long and pumps his jab, making it hard for Anglin to close distance. Jacob also notes Anglin's part-time job as a potential distraction.
Paul is not confident at -335. He notes Woodson's reach advantage but worries about his lack of power and potential cardio issues. He thinks Anglin could wrestle and grind out a win. He picks Woodson but won't bet him.
The Guru picks Sean Woodson by first-round TKO via a knee as Anglin shoots a takedown. He describes Woodson defending takedowns, landing knees to the body, and eventually catching Anglin with a knee to the face during a panic takedown, finishing with ground and pound.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 40 of 116 | 34% | 104 of 204 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 1:03 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 42 of 89 | 47% | 55 of 112 | 2 of 17 | 11% | 0 | 0 | 6:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 11 of 38 | 28% | 28 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 17 of 31 | 54% | 20 of 37 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:46 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 15 of 46 | 32% | 24 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 15 of 34 | 44% | 19 of 42 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:46 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 14 of 32 | 43% | 52 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 10 of 24 | 41% | 16 of 33 | 0 of 8 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:49 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 40 of 116 | 34% | 23 of 88 | 6 of 12 | 11 of 16 | 33 of 107 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 42 of 89 | 47% | 18 of 62 | 9 of 11 | 15 of 16 | 40 of 85 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 11 of 38 | 28% | 4 of 26 | 2 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 11 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 17 of 31 | 54% | 6 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 8 | 17 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 15 of 46 | 32% | 7 of 35 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 14 of 44 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 15 of 34 | 44% | 8 of 26 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 14 of 32 | 43% | 12 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 8 of 25 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 10 of 24 | 41% | 4 of 17 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 9 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
We move along to the featherweight division with a match between sharp strikers as “The Sniper” Woodson (7-1, 1-1 UFC) takes on “The Moroccan Devil” Zalal (10-4, 3-2 UFC). Keeping his head on a swivel is referee Keith Peterson, who destroys all the nonsense in the building. A touch of gloves to start things off, and Woodson reaches out with several long strikes and takes advantage of his sharp jab early. Zalal returns fire with a calf kick, and Woodson changes stances and walks face-first into a punch. “The Sniper” snipes at Zalal’s legs with his own calf kicks, and the preeminent strike thus far is a kick down low. Zalal advances and looks to close the distance, crowding Woodson and getting past his reaching jabs. Zalal gets off a few punches on the outside, and “The Sniper” chases after him but is reaching and lunging recklessly. Zalal corners his foe into the cage, and he starts to rip into Woodson, only to eat a stiff counter. Zalal backs off, rushes back in and ducks low for a double. The Glory MMA & Fitness representative stuffs the takedown, and he gets a break to fire off a few distance kicks. Woodson clocks Zalal with a one-two, and he just whiffs with a high kick. Zalal takes a kick to the body as he stays loose and on his bike, trying to find his way back in. Both men fire off spinning kicks, but it is Zalal that connects with one to the body. “The Sniper” snipes with a left hand, only to be greeted with a takedown attempt. Like before, Woodson defends it well, and hacks at Zalal’s head with a couple elbows. Woodson punches the thigh and body as he is pinned to the wire, and he makes Zalal pay for the attempt with a few strikes on the inside before breaking. Zalal backs off, and he attacks one final takedown right before the 10-second clapper. When he lands it, Woodson stands up, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Round 2
Woodson marches out of his corner to engage, and Zalal is right there to meet him. A few reaching punches from Woodson score, and Zalal fires back with some calf kicks and a clubbing right hand. Woodson does not let him of the hook, as he pressures Zalal towards the cage, landing a few punches to varying targets. Zalal looks to brawl, and Woodson eats a right hand while trying to jab his way out of danger. “The Moroccan Devil” throws hands until ducking down for a takedown attempt, and Woodson keeps his wits and balance about him as he pushes away and shakes his head. Zalal answers this with another double, forcing the striker to defend with his back on the cage wall. Zalal turns it into a single, and he elevates Woodson in a moment only to set him back down where there is nothing to it. Woodson fires off an elbow to get Zalal to back off, and he tattoos Zalal’s body with a kick on the way out. Woodson goes up high with a kick, and Zalal ducks and weaves with a counter right hand. Zalal dodges another looping high kick, and Woodson grabs hold of him to clinch up on his own terms. Woodson lands an elbow and loads up on a few shots, but Zalal dances out of the way as he escapes. Zalal swipes with a left hand on the way in, and Woodson responds with three punches up top. Both men trade hacking calf kicks, and Woodson catches Zalal coming in with a stiff knee. Zalal eats it like a traditional Moroccan dish and gathers himself, only to take a few jabs on the chin. The momentum shifts keep occurring as one lands in volume, and the other answers with their own salvo. Zalal pushes in to grab hold of Woodson’s right leg, and Woodson snatches up a guillotine choke and pulls guard to fall to his back and secure it. Time expires before he can get a tap.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Round 3
There is a glove touch to begin the last round, and there is immediate action as Zalal goes low with a kick. Woodson tags him with a left hand, and he follows it with a solid one-two. Zalal lands a few of his own, only to duck down to pursue a single leg takedown. Woodson keeps his back on the fencing and splits his legs to stuff the attempt, where he stands Zalal back up and turns him about. Woodson tries to get off a few knees, and Zalal does not like these so he bails and backs off. Woodson rushes after him to push the pace, and Zalal drops down for a double. “The Sniper” is forced to stave off the try instead of getting strikes off, and he keeps his hand pressed on the back of Zalal’s neck to stop the takedown from succeeding. Woodson pushes off and lands a knee to the liver, and he flicks out a front kick to follow suit. Zalal scores a leg kick, and he whiffs on a huge left hook. Zalal’s hands are by his waist as he escapes, and Woodson is chasing him down with strikes. Zalal breaks up this advancement with a double that turns into a single, and Woodson stands tall and keeps it from succeeding. With Woodson stuck against the fence, he signals to Peterson that he is being held and not doing anything with it. Zalal answers with a single, and Woodson latches on to a guillotine choke to defend the position. “The Moroccan Devil” notices this, and he lets go, where Woodson thanks him with a body kick. When Zalal shoots in for a takedown, Woodson meets him in the middle and snags on to a guillotine choke. Zalal squirms his neck out, escapes a potential triangle setup, and rolls through. Woodson follows him, but the two stand up to bang it out to the final bell. Both men flail wildly and recklessly, and they laugh as they largely do not connect. The round ends, and the featherweights embrace after an exhausting battle.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (29-28 Woodson)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (29-28 Woodson)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (29-28 Woodson)
The Official Result
Sean Woodson def. Youssef Zalal via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Big Brady thinks the line is off and the fight should be a pick'em. He notes Woodson has a big reach advantage but Zalal has a strong ground game, averaging 2.5 takedowns per 15 minutes. He points out Woodson's takedown defense is inflated by facing poor wrestlers, and that Terence McKinney had success controlling Woodson on the mat. He believes if Zalal mixes in takedowns he can win a decision, as Zalal is not a finisher.
Cody picks Woodson, noting his size and reach. He thinks Zalal's takedowns won't be effective and that Woodson will outpoint him. Cody likes Woodson by decision as a prop.
Daniel picks Woodson, believing he has cleaner hands and more output. He notes that Woodson's length (6'2", 79" reach) will be a problem for Zalal, and that Zalal is a jack-of-all-trades without a standout skill. Daniel acknowledges Zalal's smarts and calf kicks, but thinks Woodson will pick him apart on the feet and avoid takedowns. He expects Woodson to win a decision, possibly a split, but is confident in his striking advantage.
Woodson has superior boxing and range, and he gets up quickly if taken down. Zalal's takedowns won't keep him down, and Woodson will out-strike him for a decision win.
Paul picks Woodson, citing his reach and boxing advantage. He notes Zalal's low output and reliance on takedowns, which Woodson can defend. Paul thinks Woodson will win a decision. He likes Woodson by decision as a prop.
The Guru picks Sean Woodson, emphasizing his significant reach advantage (6'2" with 78-inch reach at featherweight). He believes Woodson will keep Zalal at range and pick him apart for three rounds, similar to how Sung Woo Choi did. He notes Zalal's tendency to take fights too frequently without enough time to improve, and thinks Zalal's two-fight losing streak may lead to a cut. He predicts a unanimous decision with Woodson outlanding Zalal every round.
Dennis Buzukja - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Márcio Barbosa | 1 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 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 | Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Márcio Barbosa | 1 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Buzukja | 5 of 13 | 38% | 0 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Márcio Barbosa | 4 of 8 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dennis Buzukja | 5 of 13 | 38% | 0 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Márcio Barbosa | 4 of 8 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barbosa (-450); Buzukja (+350)
Round 1
The prelims wrap up with a featherweight affair pitting a struggling New Yorker in Buzukja (12-5, 1-3 UFC) against brick-fisted Brazilian Barbosa (17-2, 0-0 UFC) getting his sea legs on the largest stage possible. Before the fists fly, the featherweights are checked in by referee Herb Dean. There is a quick fist bump that precedes the action.
Buzukja moves directly to the center of the cage to apply light pressure, pawing out with a front kick and a jab. Buzukja smacks the front leg with a kick as he pushes forward, rifling off a one-two after it. Barbosa responds when taking a hard body kick with an overhand right. Buzukja no-sells it and jabs the head and body back. Buzukja chips at the front leg when it is available to him, doubling up on his jab to keep Barbosa on the back foot.
As if Barbosa was just charging up the entire time without telling us, he walks forward confidently. Buzukja slings two punches at him, and he slips them and unloads with a consciousness-destroying left hand. Buzukja is out before his head clatters lifelessly off the canvas
, and Barbosa walks off raising his arms in the air knowing his work here is done. Dean races in just in case Buzukja needs to be protected, but Barbosa is not about to do any unnecessary damage. Bukuja eventually comes to, and he has to be told what happened because his short-term memory and parts of his third-grade education have just been forcefully ejected from his skull. With 15 career knockouts to his credit, “Ticoto” has authored all 15 of them in the first round. He may only know one speed, but it is borderline ludicrous.
The Official Result
Marcio Barbosa def. Dennis Buzukja R1 1:20 via KO (Punch)
Angelo picks Márcio Barbosa in his UFC debut, impressed by his power, pressure, and striking. He notes that Dennis Buzukja is a credentialed wrestler but doesn't wrestle enough, and if Barbosa has decent takedown defense, he should win. He thinks Barbosa could even find a finish.
Big Brady is confident in Márcio Barbosa, praising his power and finishing ability. He notes Barbosa has 16 first-round KOs and compares him to Lerone Murphy. He criticizes Dennis Buzukja's hittability and sub-50% striking defense, predicting a first-round knockout.
Cody picks Dennis Buzukja as a live betting underdog. He notes that Barbosa is a one-round fighter with cardio issues and that Buzukja has improved during his time off. He suggests betting Buzukja live if he survives the first round.
Daniel is high on Barbosa's knockout power and believes Buzukja is hittable and lacks top-15 potential. He thinks Barbosa will finish Buzukja early, likely in the first round. He predicts a first-round knockout and a performance bonus.
Buzukja is a value underdog due to his cardio, toughness, and ability to survive early rounds. Barbosa relies on first-round power against lower-level opponents and may fade. Buzukja has faced tougher UFC competition and shown he can go the distance. Even though Barbosa is more likely to win, Buzukja has at least a 35-40% chance, making the odds favorable.
James picks Barbosa to win via round one knockout. He notes Barbosa's aggressive style and power, and that if he doesn't finish early, he tends to gas out. He expects Barbosa to overwhelm Buzukja quickly.
The host expects Barbosa to win by knockout in the first round, sticking to his trend of finishing guys early. He recommends the under 1.5 rounds instead of the chalk on Barbosa, as it covers the possibility of Buzukja countering and putting Barbosa out. He notes that Buzukja is a Muay Thai specialist who won't be intimidated, but Barbosa's power should prevail.
Paul leans towards Barbosa but prefers the round 1 knockout prop. He acknowledges Barbosa's power but also his cardio issues. He suggests avoiding the moneyline and instead betting Barbosa by KO in round 1.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 66 of 145 | 45% | 76 of 156 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 57 of 150 | 38% | 82 of 175 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 5:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 6 of 19 | 31% | 25 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:56 | |
| 2 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 30 of 52 | 57% | 33 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 23 of 56 | 41% | 28 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 | |
| 3 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 30 of 77 | 38% | 32 of 79 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 28 of 75 | 37% | 29 of 76 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Marshall | 66 of 145 | 45% | 46 of 110 | 14 of 27 | 6 of 8 | 65 of 143 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 57 of 150 | 38% | 53 of 144 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 53 of 144 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Marshall | 6 of 16 | 37% | 2 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 6 of 19 | 31% | 6 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Francis Marshall | 30 of 52 | 57% | 22 of 37 | 4 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 30 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 23 of 56 | 41% | 21 of 53 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 52 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | |
| 3 | Francis Marshall | 30 of 77 | 38% | 22 of 63 | 7 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 29 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 28 of 75 | 37% | 26 of 72 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 73 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Buzukja (+116), Marshall (-136)
Round 1
Originally expecting to throw down with Danny Silva, Buzukja (12-4, 1-2 UFC) instead whips out his fire extinguisher to try to quell the flames of “Fire” Marshall (7-2, 1-2 UFC). With both men typically competing at featherweight, this shift to lightweight allowed them a chance to cut less weight, and it remains to be seen who that will benefit more. Referee Keith Peterson is ready to follow the competitors every step of the way, while putting up with no nonsense. The match opens with a fist bump. Marshall practically sprints forward, swinging his way to a takedown effort. Buzukja tries to counter him on the way in, but Marshall ducks and clasps his hands. Buzukja turns to the side to keep himself upright, sprawling his hips and hand-fighting to not let Marshall leverage him down. Marshall hangs on and laces his leg around Buzukja’s in an effort to trip him up, and Buzukja keeps his balance and kicks his leg free. Marshall lowers his man to a knee for a moment while staying on his back, and he forces Buzukja down again while imposing his weight as much as he can. Buzukja smacks him once as he posts off the floor, but Marshall clubs him with a few more powerful right hands from around the back. Marshall succeeds in tripping Buzukja up again, and his control time is high while his offense is largely limited. Buzukja spins out with about a minute left in the round, and he lands a low kick and a body kick while getting jabbed away. Marshall sticks him with a jab and a right hand, intercepting a kicking Buzukja. Buzukja does go for a calf kick, and they give off alternating jabs. Marshall flicks out a left, a right, and he pushes Buzukja to the fence once more. Buzukja spins out and is knocked to his seat with a right hand, and he climbs back up to absorb a one-two on the chin before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 2
Gloves are clapped together before they are traded, with Marshall leading off the round with swinging fists. Marshall decides against going for a takedown, instead loading up on shots concluding with a booming right that knocks Buzukja off his feet. Marshall climbs into top position, hooking his legs around Buzukja until Buzukja explodes to his feet. Marshall backs off, and he measures his way in and has his lead leg kicked. Marshall swings for the bleachers and misses the mark, and he counters a right hand to knock Buzukja down when Buzukja kicks. Marshall finds the home of his right hand again, stinging Buzukja, and he uses the moment to shove Buzukja to the fencing. Before they split, Marshall sneaks in a knee. Buzukja jabs the body with a push kick, and they trade punches. Marshall reaches the mark with a right and a scooping left, and he gets countered with a left up top and right to the body. Marshall is drawn into a slugfest, and a few Buzukja strikes get Marshall’s attention but he gets tagged with a power right hand. Marshall shoots for a takedown that is rebuffed, and Buzukja resets and kicks the front leg hard. Marshall darts forward with a heavy right hand, and Buzukja knocks him back with a power hook that busts open Marshall’s nose. Buzukja connects and gets countered with a right hand, allowing Marshall to tie him up and bully him to the wall. The right hand rips open a cut on the eyebrow of Buzukja, but he is able to muscle his way out of the clinch. Marshall lands a right and ducks away from a zooming lead left hook, and Buzukja fires a bazooka of a right hand back his way. Marshall takes three clean punches on the chin, and the round ends with his head getting snapped back courtesy of a mean left from Buzukja.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 3
The two lightweights clap hands together before engaging. Buzukja moves to the center of the cage, and he strikes out with a left hook. Marshall answers him with a flailing left and a big right, and Buzukja sees a subsequent punch and connects cleanly with a right hand. Buzukja lands a low kick to chain a left behind it, and Marshall pops him in the chops with a short but effective left hook. They clash together with simultaneous strikes, and Buzukja rings his bell with two punches. Marshall gives him right back with a power hook, and both men are busted up again and leaking. Marshall slams a shin on the front leg of his opponent, and they stand in the pocket and slug it out. Buzukja gets the better of one exchange, and Marshall meets him in the middle to make sure he gives it right back. They both nail one another with all power, and Buzukja’s lunging left leads to a takedown shot. Marshall turns him around and gets off a single knee before splitting. Buzukja walks forward behind his jab, and he ducks a right hand and wipes his eye. Buzukja scores a one-two and a follow-up left to snap the head back, and he counters a lunging strike with a right hand around the guard. Buzukja times a right hand as Marshall advances, and he loads up with big, winging punches that Marshall dodges. Marshall steps in with a right hand, and he dances away from the counters. Three punches from Marshall find the target, and they both clip one another with power. Buzukja goes to the liver and Marshall makes him pay with a right hand, and the latter shoots for a single and lifts Buzukja in the air while taking him from one side of the cage to the other. Marshall drags a leg out but does not ground him, hanging on until the bloody battle concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja (29-28 Marshall)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
The Official Result
Francis Marshall def. Dennis Buzukja via Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Danny Silva (note: transcript says Danny Silva but fight card says Francis Marshall vs Dennis Buzukja; likely a mix-up, but he refers to Dennis Buzukja as the opponent). He calls Silva a 'very low confidence pick' because Buzukja doesn't wrestle as much as he should. He notes that Silva is a solid striker with clean technique and movement, but gets hit a lot. He mentions that the AI on the website has a knack for picking underdogs and suggests checking it.
Cody picks Silva because of his high volume and wrestling ability. He notes that Buzukja is a generalist who isn't particularly good at anything and has poor cardio. He thinks Silva can outwork Buzukja on the feet or take him down. He also mentions that Silva's performance on Contender Series showed he can throw 200 significant strikes and mix in takedowns.
Daniel Vreeland picks Dennis Buzukja for the upset, citing Marshall taking the fight on short notice and Buzukja's better competition and volume. He admits both fighters are average and not confident, but thinks Buzukja can edge a decision if he keeps it standing.
Brevin picks Buzukja, citing his resilience after overcoming illness, his confidence after his last win, and his experience against tough competition like Sean Woodson. He believes Buzukja is back to his true form. JP disagrees, picking Silva by KO, noting Buzukja's two UFC losses to good competition and Silva's better striking. JP fades Brevin on this one.
Paul agrees with Cody, liking Silva's volume and ability to mix in wrestling. He thinks Silva is fairly priced at -240 and should win. He notes that Buzukja has looked poor in the UFC and doesn't have a clear path to victory.
The MMA Guru picks Dennis Buzukja with low confidence. He notes Buzukja trains at a good gym with Aljamain Sterling and has a win over Connor Matthews. He criticizes Francis Marshall's losses and gym, suggesting Marshall's camp is built around him while Buzukja gets better training partners. He seems unsure but leans toward Buzukja.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 83 of 201 | 41% | 84 of 202 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Connor Matthews | 0 | 60 of 138 | 43% | 62 of 140 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 38 of 85 | 44% | 38 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Connor Matthews | 0 | 24 of 58 | 41% | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 37 of 98 | 37% | 38 of 99 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Connor Matthews | 0 | 36 of 76 | 47% | 38 of 78 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 | |
| 3 | Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Connor Matthews | 0 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Buzukja | 83 of 201 | 41% | 44 of 145 | 18 of 34 | 21 of 22 | 77 of 186 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 12 |
| Connor Matthews | 60 of 138 | 43% | 37 of 101 | 14 of 27 | 9 of 10 | 57 of 134 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dennis Buzukja | 38 of 85 | 44% | 17 of 56 | 10 of 17 | 11 of 12 | 37 of 84 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Connor Matthews | 24 of 58 | 41% | 13 of 38 | 5 of 14 | 6 of 6 | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Dennis Buzukja | 37 of 98 | 37% | 21 of 73 | 7 of 16 | 9 of 9 | 36 of 96 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Connor Matthews | 36 of 76 | 47% | 24 of 59 | 9 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 33 of 72 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | |
| 3 | Dennis Buzukja | 8 of 18 | 44% | 6 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 12 |
| Connor Matthews | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Buzukja (-115), Matthews (-115)
Round 1
Buzukja is in orthodox, Matthews in southpaw as they engage under the supervision of referee Keith Peterson. Both men freely switch between stances, however, as they reach out with long kicks and one-twos. Matthews catches Buzukja coming in with a left hand. Buzukja lands a hard calf kick to the left leg of Matthews, then another. Matthews has switched to orthodox stance. Buzukja catches him with a nice left jab. Buzukja backs Matthews up with a hand one-two. A Matthews kick lands on the cup of Buzukja, and Peterson calls time. Buzukja proclaims himself ready to go after just a few seconds, and they go back to work. Under a minute to go in the round and Buzukja’s jab is dictating the pace of the fight. Buzukja goes upstairs with a right high kick that bounces off the guard of Matthews. Buzukja lands a low kick and a one-two at the clapper, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja
Round 2
Buzukja scores first with a jab, then a counter left hook. Matthews backs his man up to the fence, but Buzukja slides out the side and they return to the center of the Octagon. Matthews is game, coming forward, but Buzukja’s combination punching is really giving him trouble. Buzukja punctuates his punches with a series of calf kicks. Matthews continues to work to back Buzukja to the cage. Buzukja gives ground willingly, but is catching Matthews with almost everything he throws. Buzukja steps in with a big overhand right that lands cleanly, then a kick and another trio of punches. Buzukja steps in but Matthews slides behind, takes his back standing and hauls him to the canvas. With under a minute to work, Matthews lands a series of blows from the back, before Buzukja escapes to his feet. They flurry at close range and Matthews shoots a double-leg right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja
Round 3
Buzukja clips Matthews with a right cross and left hook, dropping him. Matthews covers up as Buzukja swarms with hammer fists.
With Matthews not offering any real defense, referee Peterson steps in for the stoppage.
The Official Result
Dennis Buzukja def. Connor Matthews R3 0:22 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo leans Dennis Buzukja, praising his wrestling and striking. He notes Connor Matthews is durable and can snatch submissions in scrambles. He is hesitant because Buzukja has back-to-back UFC losses and hasn't proven himself yet. He holds off on betting.
Cody picks Matthews due to Buzukja's low confidence, poor recent performances, and lack of power. He thinks Matthews' wrestling and volume will be enough, though he acknowledges the fight is close and the crowd could influence judges.
Daniel Vreeland picks Connor Matthews, citing his better output and stats in the UFC. He notes Buzukja has low output and hasn't impressed, while Matthews has shown more volume and takedowns. He admits low confidence but thinks the dog has value.
Buzukja is more talented all-around with better experience. Matthews is physical but has a questionable gas tank and struggles if takedowns are stuffed. Buzukja can counter effectively and mix in wrestling to wear on Matthews. The minus 125-130 line is reasonable. Prediction: Buzukja by decision.
Paul tails Cody, citing Buzukja's struggles and Matthews' hunger. He notes Matthews' takedown numbers and believes he can outwork Buzukja, though he admits the fight is a toss-up.
The host picks Connor Matthews, believing he is better than Dennis Buzukja. He liked Matthews' performance on the Contender Series, where he grappled hard and established dominant positions. He criticizes Buzukja's previous losses, saying he looked out of his depth. He thinks Matthews' grappling will be a factor and that he is closer to his prime.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamall Emmers | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 14 of 20 | 70% | 14 of 20 | 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 | Jamall Emmers | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 14 of 20 | 70% | 14 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamall Emmers | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 14 of 20 | 70% | 8 of 12 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamall Emmers | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 14 of 20 | 70% | 8 of 12 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Emmers (-258), Buzukja (+210)
Round 1
There’s not much like a live sporting event at Madison Square Garden. The UFC makes its annual pilgrimage to the world-famous arena with a show that took several huge hits but came back with a vengeance. The main card alone promises plenty of action, but before then, eight prelims play out on the various ESPN and streaming networks out there. The fights commence with a match scheduled at featherweight only to get a slight tweak on weigh-in day. Coming in one pound heavy, Emmers (19-7, 2-3 UFC) will hope that surrendering a percentage of purse is the only thing he loses today against New York’s own Buzukja (11-3, 0-1 UFC). Buzukja offers his hand outstretched, and the heavy fighter choose not to accept it under the nonsense-free gaze of referee Keith Peterson. It’s on with the show. Buzukja sticks out a few jabs early, and Emmers is on him with multiple low kicks. Emmers charges forward, getting in a right hand and slipping back from the counter. A second blitz from Emmers gets through the defense of his opponent, and Buzukja defends himself but gets cracked with a right hand in the midst of a flurry. “Pretty Boy” again dips back to evade the strikes coming back, and
he lines up a straight right hand down the pipe that smashes square into Buzukja’s chin. The New Yorker collapses in a heap, and Emmers pounces immediately. Emmers batters Buzukja with a number of mighty hammerfists, and as Buzukja turns to his side, Peterson steps in to call a halt to the action.
The victor immediately calls for “50Gs,” but due to his weight miss, a post-fight bonus is all but off the table. Nevertheless, Emmers earns his first finish in the Octagon while becoming the first fighter to ever stop “The Great” as a pro.
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The Official Result
Jamall Emmers def. Dennis Buzukja R1 0:49 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo leans Emmers despite acknowledging Buzukja's potential. He cites Emmers' finishing ability and power, but worries about Emmers' bad luck with judges. He plans to avoid betting on the moneyline and may bet on Buzukja's takedown props.
Big Brady picks Jamall Emmers by decision, but expresses low trust at the price. He believes Emmers is better everywhere except fight IQ and heart: better striker, better wrestler, better grappler. He notes Emmers has a history of losing fights he should win due to bad game plans. He thinks Buzukja's game plan of pushing opponents to the cage and attempting takedowns won't work against Emmers.
Cody picks Emmers, citing Buzukja's poor performances and lack of UFC-level skills. He notes Emmers' wrestling, size, and experience. He thinks Emmers will dominate wherever the fight goes and calls him a good parlay piece.
Emmers has all the skill set advantages over Buzukja except fight IQ. If he utilizes his grappling, it will be the path of least resistance. Expects Emmers to outwork Buzukja over 15 minutes and win by decision, but cautions about fight IQ. Notes the line has moved from -275 to -250 and believes it's generous for Emmers.
Paul picks Emmers, detailing Buzukja's struggles and management's careful matchmaking. He notes Emmers' wrestling and submission game, and thinks Buzukja's poor takedown defense and cardio will be exploited. He expects Emmers to win comfortably.
The MMA Guru picks Jamall Emmers, calling him underrated. He notes that Emmers took Giga Chikadze to a split decision and had a close fight with Jack Jenkins. He thinks Emmers has matured as a veteran and will beat Buzukja if he stays composed, predicting a win 8 times out of 10.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 71 of 126 | 56% | 163 of 229 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 5:52 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 42 of 116 | 36% | 46 of 121 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 35 of 63 | 55% | 72 of 102 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 15 of 49 | 30% | 16 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:22 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 55 of 69 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:14 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 10 of 30 | 33% | 10 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:42 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 23 of 37 | 62% | 36 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 17 of 37 | 45% | 20 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 71 of 126 | 56% | 36 of 77 | 18 of 32 | 17 of 17 | 61 of 113 | 8 of 11 | 2 of 2 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 42 of 116 | 36% | 24 of 85 | 11 of 17 | 7 of 14 | 32 of 96 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 12 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 35 of 63 | 55% | 15 of 37 | 5 of 11 | 15 of 15 | 32 of 60 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 15 of 49 | 30% | 8 of 34 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 8 | 15 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 13 of 26 | 50% | 4 of 14 | 8 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 22 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 10 of 30 | 33% | 8 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 23 of 37 | 62% | 17 of 26 | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 31 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 17 of 37 | 45% | 8 of 25 | 7 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 30 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Woodson (-175), Buzukja (+145)
Round 1
Justin Brown will officiate this matchup. Buzukja is the fourth proposed opponent for Woodson. Buzukja jabs forward agains the lanky Woodson. Woodson probes with a front kick and leg kick. Another leg kick spins Buzukja around. Buzukja lands a big right and follows with a combination. He pressures Woodson against the fence and ties his man up. Woodson spins him around and breaks free. They trade punches before Woodson slides away. Woodson goes back to working the low kicks. Buzukja stalks his man, but Woodson uses his array of kicks and long punches well. Woodson kicks the body, then lands a jab. Woodson stops Buzukja with a stiff jab. Buzukja follows a body kick with a right hand and they clinch against the fence. Woodson turns his foe around and drops for a takedown. Buzukja denies the shot and reverses for a takedown attempt of his own. Buzukja brings a knee to the midsection before Woodson frees himself. Buzukja pressures with a low kick and a right to the body. Woodson responds with a rapid fire combination to the body. Now Woodson is finding a rhythm, and he lands another multi-punch combination near the fence before Buzukja shifts gears for a takedown try. Woodson breaks free. They trade before the horn, with a body shot from Buzukja being the most notable offense.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Round 2
Buzukja pressures with punches but can’t find the range. Woodson with a front kick and a jab. Woodson lands a clean 1-2 moments later. Buzukja lands a right near the fence then changes levels. Woodson defends with his back to the cage, then spins the Longo-weidman product around. A pair of knees and a flurry of body shots hurts Buzukja, and Woodson stays on the assault before grounding his adversary. Woodson punches the ribs and hunts for a choke with Buzukja in a crouched position. Woodson switches from an anaconda to a guillotine choke, but thus far Buzukja is defending. Woodson continues to alternate chokes, but Buzukja is wise to it and works his way up. Woodson drags him back down immediately. Buzukja defends with a kimura, but Woodson spins around and hunts for a kimura of his own in north-south. Buzukja frees himself but he finds himself ensnared in a front headlock. Woodson transitions to the back, but he falls to his back, which allows Buzukja to tee off with a salvo of punches. Woodson returns to his feet and urges his opponent onward. Buzukja attacks again before the horn, but nothing substantial lands.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Round 3
Back at range, Woodson sticks a jab and a stiff combination. Buzukja moves forward and eats a left hand. Woodson lands a combination to the body and briefly gets a takedown. Buzukja scrambles up and drives Woodson into the fence. Woodson deftly transitions to Buzukja’s back, but he can’t fully take back control. Woodson backs away from the clinch and throws a jab in the center of the Octagon. Buzukja lands a body shot but eats a hook in return. Buzukja misses on some punches and looks for a takedown enar the fence. Woodson reverses and drags his foe down. He laces up one leg and makes Buzukja carry his weight. Buzukja gets to a knee, then stands. Woodson snaps him back down with a front headlock. Buzukja defends against potential chokes on all fours, then stands. Woodson punishes him with a knee as they stand and then a clean right lands. Buzukja is still moving forward despite absorbing plenty of punishment. A front kick by Woodson lands clean on his foe’s chin. Woodson steps in and lands a nice knee to the chin, then dodges a Buzukja offering before the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
The Official Result
Sean Woodson def. Dennis Buzukja via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00
Cody picks Buzukja as an underdog, citing Woodson's poor takedown defense, questionable chin, and weight cut issues. He notes Buzukja's training at Longo/Weidman and his power. He believes Woodson is prime for an upset due to multiple opponent changes and potential fatigue.
Daniel Levi picks Sean Woodson, citing his size (6'2", 80-inch reach) and striking advantages. He notes that Woodson is a matchup problem for most featherweights and has sneaky submissions. Levi is not fully confident because the matchup was announced last minute and he hasn't done deep research. He acknowledges Buzukja's solid all-around game and wrestling potential, but leans toward Woodson's physical attributes.
James acknowledges Buzukja is on short notice and facing a tough stylistic matchup against Woodson's length. However, he doesn't rate Woodson highly, citing limited offense and a chin issue. He thinks Woodson will probably win but wouldn't bet him due to Buzukja's takedown threat. He picks Woodson on the moneyline but is not confident.
Woodson has durability questions after his last fight, and Buzukja's aggressive striking could give him problems. However, Buzukja had a tough weight cut, missing weight by half a pound, which is a big question mark. Despite that, I'm not a fan of Woodson anymore and think Buzukja can land big shots and win by decision.
Paul also picks Buzukja, citing Woodson's vulnerabilities and the short-notice advantage for Buzukja. He notes Woodson's history of being taken down and his poor durability. However, he is not confident due to Buzukja's own short notice and low-level competition.
Expert Picks (5)
Cody picks Buzukja as an underdog, citing Woodson's poor takedown defense, questionable chin, and weight cut issues. He notes Buzukja's training at Longo/Weidman and his power. He believes Woodson is prime for an upset due to multiple opponent changes and potential fatigue.
Daniel Levi picks Sean Woodson, citing his size (6'2", 80-inch reach) and striking advantages. He notes that Woodson is a matchup problem for most featherweights and has sneaky submissions. Levi is not fully confident because the matchup was announced last minute and he hasn't done deep research. He acknowledges Buzukja's solid all-around game and wrestling potential, but leans toward Woodson's physical attributes.
James acknowledges Buzukja is on short notice and facing a tough stylistic matchup against Woodson's length. However, he doesn't rate Woodson highly, citing limited offense and a chin issue. He thinks Woodson will probably win but wouldn't bet him due to Buzukja's takedown threat. He picks Woodson on the moneyline but is not confident.
Woodson has durability questions after his last fight, and Buzukja's aggressive striking could give him problems. However, Buzukja had a tough weight cut, missing weight by half a pound, which is a big question mark. Despite that, I'm not a fan of Woodson anymore and think Buzukja can land big shots and win by decision.
Paul also picks Buzukja, citing Woodson's vulnerabilities and the short-notice advantage for Buzukja. He notes Woodson's history of being taken down and his poor durability. However, he is not confident due to Buzukja's own short notice and low-level competition.
Sean was a tricky customer running away, defended the takedown. Scorecards had it 2 nil dan Ige.