Career Averages - Makhmud Muradov
Career Averages - Bryan Barberena
Makhmud Muradov
Bryan Barberena
Makhmud Muradov - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aliaskhab Khizriev | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 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 | Aliaskhab Khizriev | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aliaskhab Khizriev | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aliaskhab Khizriev | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Aliaskhab Khizriev, describing him as a powerful grappler with relentless wrestling and top pressure. He acknowledges Muradov's boxing and wrestling but believes Khizriev is a different animal who will grind him down. He is very confident in Khizriev to win.
Big Brady picks Aliaskhab Khizriev to win by first-round submission. He notes that Khizriev is undefeated (14-0) and very skilled in wrestling and grappling, while Muradov has been submitted four times and struggles with grapplers. The main concern is Khizriev's inactivity, as he rarely fights. Brady expects Khizriev to take down Muradov and find a submission early, as he typically finishes fights quickly.
Cody picks Khizriev, citing his wrestling advantage and Muradov's grappling deficiencies. He notes Khizriev's long layoff and injury concerns but believes his style is a nightmare for Muradov, who has shown poor takedown defense and cardio. He expects a submission win.
Khizriev has a solid wrestling base and good enough striking to set up takedowns. Muradov is the better striker but has cardio issues that have cost him in the past. Khizriev's pace and pressure should allow him to take over in deep waters, either getting a late finish or winning by decision.
Paul picks Khizriev, agreeing with Cody. He notes Muradov's struggles against wrestlers and Khizriev's grappling pedigree. He thinks Khizriev will get takedowns early and possibly submit Muradov, though he acknowledges the size difference and Khizriev's inactivity.
The MMA Guru picks Aliaskhab Khizriev over Makhmud Muradov, despite noting Khizriev has become 'morbidly obese' during his layoff. He believes Khizriev's grappling will be the difference, as Muradov struggled against Brian Barbarena, who has no muscle. He warns that if Khizriev shows up in shape, he will take Muradov down and submit him, but acknowledges Muradov could win if Khizriev is out of shape.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makhmud Muradov | 2 | 54 of 97 | 55% | 68 of 114 | 13 of 16 | 81% | 0 | 0 | 5:10 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 28 of 81 | 34% | 81 of 138 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 9 of 22 | 40% | 16 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 2:34 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 6 of 22 | 27% | 28 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Makhmud Muradov | 1 | 16 of 28 | 57% | 21 of 34 | 6 of 6 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 8 of 22 | 36% | 30 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Makhmud Muradov | 1 | 29 of 47 | 61% | 31 of 50 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 14 of 37 | 37% | 23 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makhmud Muradov | 54 of 97 | 55% | 39 of 77 | 15 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 46 of 79 | 5 of 11 | 3 of 7 |
| Bryan Barberena | 28 of 81 | 34% | 13 of 56 | 2 of 4 | 13 of 21 | 27 of 79 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makhmud Muradov | 9 of 22 | 40% | 4 of 14 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 17 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
| Bryan Barberena | 6 of 22 | 27% | 1 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 8 | 6 of 21 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Makhmud Muradov | 16 of 28 | 57% | 15 of 26 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Bryan Barberena | 8 of 22 | 36% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 7 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Makhmud Muradov | 29 of 47 | 61% | 20 of 37 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 37 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 3 |
| Bryan Barberena | 14 of 37 | 37% | 8 of 28 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo thinks Muradov is the better fighter with cleaner technique and should win by decision, but he is hesitant to lay -275 due to Barberena's toughness and never-say-die attitude. He picks Muradov but will likely leave the bet out.
Big Brady picks Makhmud Muradov to knock out Bryan Barberena in the second round. He questions Barberena's move up to middleweight, noting he was small for welterweight and is now massively undersized. He thinks Barberena's durability has declined and Muradov is the better striker. He calls the matchup 'weird' and thinks Barberena is on a three-fight skid.
Cody picks Muradov, noting Barberena moving up to 185 is a big disadvantage. He thinks Muradov's size and power will be too much, and he can mix in wrestling. He mentions Barberena's takedown defense is poor and he takes a lot of damage.
Daniel bet Muradov at -250 to win 2 units (risking 5 units). He believes Muradov is a real middleweight in the best shape of his life, while Barberena is moving up from welterweight and will be slower and more hittable. He notes Barberena's takedown defense is poor and Muradov has good footwork and power. He expects Muradov to win by knockout or decision, and thinks the line should be closer to -350 to -400. He is confident Muradov bounces back after a tough loss.
The host picks Makhmud Muradov, citing his technical striking, speed, and discipline as keys. He notes Barberena is moving up in weight and Muradov will be much bigger. He thinks Muradov should be closer to -200/-230 but still expects a win by decision, unless Barberena lands a Hail Mary.
Paul picks Muradov, citing Barberena's age, fight style, and inability to grapple. He thinks Muradov can win by KO or decision using his jab and takedowns. He notes Barberena's chin may be fading.
The MMA Guru picks Makhmud Muradov by TKO, criticizing Bryan Barberena's decision to move up to middleweight. He calls Barberena a 'fat unathletic welterweight' with no grappling or knockout power, and questions his career move. The Guru notes Muradov's improved takedown defense against Caio Borralho and believes his explosiveness, reach, and striking advantage will lead to a finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caio Borralho | 0 | 14 of 35 | 40% | 76 of 103 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 4:44 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 19 of 32 | 59% | 57 of 77 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 3 | 5:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caio Borralho | 0 | 7 of 20 | 35% | 25 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 17 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 | |
| 2 | Caio Borralho | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 29 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 2:45 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 12 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 2 | 0:46 | |
| 3 | Caio Borralho | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 22 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 28 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 3:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caio Borralho | 14 of 35 | 40% | 10 of 28 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 15 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 19 of 32 | 59% | 13 of 23 | 1 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caio Borralho | 7 of 20 | 35% | 5 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 13 of 18 | 72% | 9 of 13 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 7 | |
| 2 | Caio Borralho | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Caio Borralho | 6 of 10 | 60% | 5 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 5 of 11 | 45% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo picks Caio Borralho, noting his slick grappling, well-timed takedowns, and solid submissions. He references that Gerald Meerschaert took down and submitted Muradov, and believes Borralho can do the same. He calls Borralho a contender at 185 and likes the -200 price.
Big Brady picks Borralho to win by decision. He praises Borralho's fight IQ and game plan, expecting him to take Muradov down repeatedly as he did against Petrosian. Muradov has been submitted four times and gassed early in his last fight. Borralho has the cardio and grappling to control the fight, though a submission is possible.
Cody is high on Borralho, calling him a solid prospect with high ring IQ. He notes Borralho's effective grappling and ability to take down and control opponents. Cody thinks Muradov has cardio issues and is not a mega prospect. He expects Borralho to win by decision or submission.
Daniel Levi picks Makhmud Muradov as an underdog, citing recency bias from Muradov's loss to Gerald Meerschaert. He thinks Muradov's volume, technique, and takedown defense (stuffed two D1 wrestlers) will be too much for Caio Borralho. Levi notes Borralho fights with his hands down and may get jabbed up, and that Borralho has not faced someone with Muradov's striking. He bet 2 units at +190.
Borralho has a karate-style stance and blitzing movement that can keep him safe from Muradov's power. He can pressure Muradov, drain his gas tank, and grind in the clinch. Muradov is the better technical striker but has a sketchy gas tank. Borralho by decision is the pick, but the line at -200 is not sexy enough to bet heavily.
Paul is confident in Borralho, citing his slick ground game and ability to take down and submit opponents. He notes Muradov's poor takedown defense and cardio. Paul expects Borralho to get a rear-naked choke finish in round 2 or 3.
The MMA Guru picks Caio Borralho over Makhmud Muradov, citing Muradov's weakness against grapplers. He expects Borralho to tease stand-up early then blast a double leg and secure a rear-naked choke in the first round. He notes Borralho's training with Khamzat Chimaev and Darren Till as positives.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 40 of 99 | 40% | 41 of 100 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 32 of 56 | 57% | 39 of 65 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 | 0 | 0:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 29 of 68 | 42% | 30 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 23 of 37 | 62% | 30 of 46 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 | |
| 2 | Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 11 of 31 | 35% | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 9 of 19 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 40 of 99 | 40% | 27 of 81 | 8 of 13 | 5 of 5 | 36 of 92 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 32 of 56 | 57% | 23 of 45 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 32 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 29 of 68 | 42% | 20 of 55 | 6 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 26 of 64 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 23 of 37 | 62% | 14 of 27 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 23 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Gerald Meerschaert | 11 of 31 | 35% | 7 of 26 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 28 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Makhmud Muradov | 9 of 19 | 47% | 9 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Once more tonight, our classic overmentioned matchup rears its head again as the dangerous submission skills of Meerschaert (32-14, 7-6 UFC) come up against the high-flying Muradov (25-6, 3-0 UFC). This middleweight battle most expect will end inside the distance receives oversight from referee Mark Smith, and gloves are touched before violence is waged. Meerschaert rushes ahead and connects with a solid left hand, forcing Muradov to back off. “GM3” slams a high kick on the chest, and in the melee, Meerschaert’s finger jabs into Muradov’s eye. Muradov needs less than 30 seconds to recover, and Meerschaert is apologetic as they get back to business. Meerschaert surprises his foe with a right hand, and Muradov cracks him in response to hurt Meerschaert. Meerschaert falls to the ground, and he looks to set up a leg lock. When there is nothing there, Muradov tells his foe to stand back up. Muradov stings his man with a right hand when he gets back up, and Meerschaert again goes to the canvas to consider submissions. This too is ignored, when Muradov backs up to tell him to get up. Muradov times a crisp head kick that rocks Meerschaert, and Smith tells him to fight back. Meerschaert shoots in for a desperate takedown, and he is several feet away from landing it as Muradov signals for him to stand back up. Muradov continues to tee off on Meerschaert on the feet, and a leg kick from “GM3” slides up to bounce off the cup. Meerschaert just dodges a spinning kick by inches, and he comes in to attack and pops Muradov with a solid left hand. Meerschaert gets off a high kick, and Muradov catches the leg and fires a similar kick to the pectorals. Meerschaert lunges in with long punches, and he follows it with a few leg kicks. One such kick clacks right into the bottom of the cup, and Muradov collapses to the ground in pain. No points are deducted for multiple fouls, although Meerschaert is sternly warned to own his weapons and not let any more happen. Once more, Meerschaert offers an apologetic glove touch, and Muradov accepts it. Meerschaert presses forward, and he nails Muradov with a left hand. Meerschaert connects with a clean head kick, and Muradov shakes it off and then eats another one right on the button. Muradov fires back with his own salvo of strikes, and a clubbing right hand from Muradov nearly sends Meerschaert falling to the ground. A blistering left hand from the American sends Muradov falling back towards the cage, and Meerschaert dives towards him to go after a takedown that he lands. Meerschaert looks for a submission but there is nothing to be found, so he exerts heavy pressure on his foe’s back until the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Muradov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Muradov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Muradov
Round 2
The action resumes right where they left off, with Meerschaert crashing forward and getting dropped. “GM3” gets back to his feet, where he pursues a low single, and there is nothing to be had. The two middleweights start trading recklessly, and Meerschaert pushes the pressure and scores a single left hook. Meerschaert catches a kick and sends Muradov to the ground, but Muradov springs back up when he kicks off the chest. Both men drill the other with big punches, and Meerschaert scores the best of the exchange with a huge right hand. Meerschaert puts everything he has into a left hand, and Muradov takes it on the chin and fights back. Meerschaert skillfully trips Muradov’s legs out and drags him to the ground, where he instantly takes Muradov’s back.
“GM3” gets one hook in, and he snags hold of a rear-naked choke in the blink of an eye. The forearm of the American slides underneath the chin, and Muradov is in big, big trouble. Meerschaert knows he has his man where he wants him, and as he wrenches the choke, Muradov can resist no longer and taps out on the top of Meerschaert’s head.
What a huge win for Meerschaert, earning his 25th career submission victory and scoring the biggest betting upset of the night as he snaps Muradov’s 14-fight win streak.
The Official Result
Gerald Meerschaert def. Makhmud Muradov R2 1:49 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Muradov, citing his clean boxing, takedown defense, and ability to survive on the ground. He notes Meerschaert lacks offensive wrestling and relies on others to take him down. He spent the 9300 on Muradov in DraftKings and thinks he's worth it.
Cody picks Muradov, citing his speed advantage and technical boxing. He notes that Muradov has shown finishing ability in later rounds, which is good if Meerschaert survives early. Cody thinks Meerschaert is chinny and will get knocked out. He prefers Muradov inside the distance and likes the over 1.5 rounds as a bet.
Jacob picks Muradov, calling Meerschaert a poor man's Michael Chiesa without the wrestling. He believes Muradov will run through Meerschaert and get a TKO/KO. He has Muradov in his lineup and thinks 9300 is good value.
Lock picks Muradov to win inside the distance, believing his speed and striking will be too much for Meerschaert. He notes Muradov is a big favorite and expects a finish, though he's unsure of the round. Lock likes round props for Muradov (round 2 +450, round 3 +900) rather than method of victory due to juiced lines. He acknowledges Meerschaert's size and clinch potential but thinks Muradov's speed is the difference.
Paul picks Muradov, agreeing that Meerschaert is chinny and that Muradov's boxing will find the chin. He notes that Muradov has finished fights in the third round, showing cardio and power. Paul thinks Meerschaert's only path is submission, but he doesn't see it happening. He says Muradov by knockout is -175 and inside the distance is -200.
The Guru picks Makhmud Muradov, criticizing Gerald Meerschaert's fight IQ and tendency to fold against hyped contenders. He expects Muradov to stuff takedowns, land body knees, and pour on pressure for a second-round TKO. The Guru notes Meerschaert's grappling is based on opponents' mistakes, which Muradov won't make.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 48 of 141 | 34% | 50 of 144 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Andrew Sanchez | 0 | 79 of 174 | 45% | 82 of 177 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 18 of 39 | 46% | 18 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrew Sanchez | 0 | 33 of 68 | 48% | 34 of 69 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 2 | Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 18 of 64 | 28% | 20 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Andrew Sanchez | 0 | 26 of 55 | 47% | 28 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 12 of 38 | 31% | 12 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrew Sanchez | 0 | 20 of 51 | 39% | 20 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makhmud Muradov | 48 of 141 | 34% | 34 of 118 | 8 of 15 | 6 of 8 | 48 of 141 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrew Sanchez | 79 of 174 | 45% | 52 of 139 | 16 of 22 | 11 of 13 | 72 of 165 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makhmud Muradov | 18 of 39 | 46% | 11 of 28 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 5 | 18 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrew Sanchez | 33 of 68 | 48% | 13 of 46 | 10 of 12 | 10 of 10 | 29 of 62 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Makhmud Muradov | 18 of 64 | 28% | 13 of 55 | 3 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrew Sanchez | 26 of 55 | 47% | 20 of 46 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 3 | 24 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Makhmud Muradov | 12 of 38 | 31% | 10 of 35 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrew Sanchez | 20 of 51 | 39% | 19 of 47 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Makhmud Muradov, citing his striking advantage and Sanchez's poor striking defense (50%). He notes Muradov's 100% takedown defense (small sample) and Sanchez's cardio issues. He predicts Muradov wins by knockout, as Sanchez has been knocked out three times. He likes the line at -135 but hasn't bet yet.
Daniel Levi picks Makhmud Muradov, praising his boxing, footwork, and takedown defense. He notes Muradov's 13-fight win streak and ability to find openings, especially to the body. Levi respects Sanchez's improvements but believes Muradov's striking difference is too big, predicting a knockout or decision win.
Muradov is more technical on the feet, has good counter striking, and has solid takedown defense with underhooks. Sanchez showed improved striking in his last fight, but that was only one fight and against a lower-level opponent. Sanchez has cardio issues and may gas if he can't get an early finish. Muradov is experienced and should be able to pick Sanchez apart over 15 minutes. I like Muradov at -135, as the market may be skewed by Sanchez's flashy win.
The MMA Guru picks Makhmud Muradov to win by unanimous decision, citing his reach, size, youth, and volume striking. He notes that Andrew Sanchez struggles against higher-level strikers and has been KO'd before. He expects Muradov to outland Sanchez for three rounds, similar to how Marvin Vettori overwhelmed Sanchez with volume. He does not see a finish but thinks Muradov will control the fight on the feet.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makhmud Muradov | 1 | 91 of 183 | 49% | 91 of 183 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Trevor Smith | 0 | 39 of 96 | 40% | 39 of 96 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 24 of 57 | 42% | 24 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Trevor Smith | 0 | 9 of 24 | 37% | 9 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 35 of 71 | 49% | 35 of 71 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Trevor Smith | 0 | 17 of 39 | 43% | 17 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 3 | Makhmud Muradov | 1 | 32 of 55 | 58% | 32 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Trevor Smith | 0 | 13 of 33 | 39% | 13 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makhmud Muradov | 91 of 183 | 49% | 59 of 143 | 32 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 91 of 182 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Trevor Smith | 39 of 96 | 40% | 20 of 71 | 5 of 8 | 14 of 17 | 38 of 95 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makhmud Muradov | 24 of 57 | 42% | 14 of 46 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Trevor Smith | 9 of 24 | 37% | 5 of 16 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 6 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Makhmud Muradov | 35 of 71 | 49% | 22 of 54 | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 35 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Trevor Smith | 17 of 39 | 43% | 10 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 6 | 16 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Makhmud Muradov | 32 of 55 | 58% | 23 of 43 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 32 of 54 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Trevor Smith | 13 of 33 | 39% | 5 of 25 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 13 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 36 of 113 | 31% | 37 of 114 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Alessio Di Chirico | 0 | 54 of 169 | 31% | 56 of 171 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 7 of 32 | 21% | 7 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alessio Di Chirico | 0 | 12 of 43 | 27% | 12 of 43 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 2 | Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 6 of 29 | 20% | 6 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alessio Di Chirico | 0 | 23 of 60 | 38% | 23 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 23 of 52 | 44% | 24 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Alessio Di Chirico | 0 | 19 of 66 | 28% | 21 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makhmud Muradov | 36 of 113 | 31% | 31 of 100 | 0 of 4 | 5 of 9 | 30 of 104 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Alessio Di Chirico | 54 of 169 | 31% | 32 of 133 | 19 of 32 | 3 of 4 | 49 of 160 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makhmud Muradov | 7 of 32 | 21% | 6 of 28 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 30 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Alessio Di Chirico | 12 of 43 | 27% | 6 of 34 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Makhmud Muradov | 6 of 29 | 20% | 2 of 21 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 7 | 6 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alessio Di Chirico | 23 of 60 | 38% | 13 of 48 | 10 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Makhmud Muradov | 23 of 52 | 44% | 23 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 45 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Alessio Di Chirico | 19 of 66 | 28% | 13 of 51 | 3 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 57 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Bryan Barberena - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 30 of 36 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 2 | 0 | 5:03 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 12 of 37 | 32% | 25 of 50 | 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 | Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 12 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:15 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 13 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 18 of 18 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 2 | 0 | 2:48 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 2 of 12 | 16% | 12 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 11 of 17 | 64% | 7 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 12 of 37 | 32% | 9 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 10 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 7 of 13 | 53% | 4 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 10 of 25 | 40% | 7 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 8 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | |
| 2 | Gerald Meerschaert | 4 of 4 | 100% | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 2 of 12 | 16% | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Meerschaert (-245), Barberena (+200)
Round 1
The prelims kick off with a stylistically opposite middleweight matchup pitting a submission magician against a burly brawler. Meerschaert (35-17, 10-9 UFC) will be the rare betting favorite in a match, because it comes against former welterweight Barberena (18-11, 9-9 UFC). This fight may not need the judges at its conclusion, but referee Herb Dean is on call for what comes next. The grizzled veterans touch gloves, and Meerschaert crowds forward and paws out a low kick. Barberena replies with one as he hops from side to side, not letting himself get cornered or stay too long in one spot. Barberena misses with another leg kick, and he reaches out with a swatting right hook. Meerschaert loads up on a right hand that skims the bears, and he digs a left to the body before backing away to dodge a counter. Barberena chips at the lead leg with a kick, and Meerschaert ducks a punch to tie him up. Barberena frantically escapes the clinch, not allowing the grappler to get hold of him for more than a second or two. Barberena keeps sliding to the side until Meerschaert shoots in on a double, and he takes “Bam Bam” off his feet. Barberena posts off his arm to remain upright, and Meerschaert jumps on top of him to secure the position. Meerschaert clings to the side of his opponent, with one hook in, as Barberena fights to maintain wrist control and keep Meerschaert from establishing a dominant position. Barberena climbs back to his feet, and he threatens with an overhand right but misses the mark. Meerschaert walks straight into a one-two, and Barberena charges into him and bowls him over. Meerschaert absorbs a few low kicks from on his back before popping back up, and he reaches out with a right hand when upright again. Meerschaert slips a few punches and shoot for a double, and he lands in the guard before quickly advancing to half guard. “GM3” slides into side control, and he isolates Barberena’s left arm to pursue a kimura. Meerschaert steps over and wrenches on the kimura behind his foe’s back, but Barberena leans up against the wall to defend it. Meerschaert drops down to snatch up a guillotine choke, but the leverage is not there from his angle to get it set. Meerschaert lets Barberena up and lands a few punches before backing up, and Barberena lumbers towards him throwing inaccurate hands until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert
Round 2
Meerschaert accepts a fist bump to get started, but he is on a mission as he crowds Barberena and chases him around the cage. Barberena keeps moving, and he swings a right hand that is ducked by a shooting “GM3.” Barberena defends the single and pushes off with a left hook, and he reaches out with a pair of punches to back Meerschaert off for a moment. Barberena just misses with a windmilling left hand, and Meerschaert shoots for a single that is stuffed. Meerschaert kicks the ribs and parries a one-two, and he sticks out a jab. Meerschaert prods out another jab, and Barberena answers with his own. Meerschaert shoots, turns the corner and succeeds in putting Barberena on his back. Barberena maintains butterfly hooks to defend from anything, until Meerschaert steps over to half guard. Meerschaert grabs hold of an arm-triangle choke and presses down while his body is draped on the alternate side, and Barberena grits his teeth and scoots his way to the fencing. Meerschaert hangs on from the side and hunts for a rear-naked choke, and Barberena hand-fights to stop it. When Barberena attempts to stand back up, Meerschaert gets the hook in on the other side and acts as a mean-spirted backpack. “GM3” locks up a rear-naked choke while standing, but Barberena is tough as a two-dollar steak and fights it out as he drops to his knee.
Meerschaert grips the rear-naked choke grip on the chin, squeezing with all power on the face crank. Meerschaert does not adjust his grip, and Barberena searches for options and suddenly loses consciousness—from a face crank. The forearm never slid under the chin, and yet Barberena is out cold!
When Dean gets between them, the sportsman Meerschaert rushes over the lift Barberena’s legs up to force the blood to flow back to the head, while Dean tends to the groggy, defeated fighter. The victorious Meerschaert now ties Anderson Silva for the most finishes in the UFC’s middleweight division, and when asked what he wants next, he calls for a beer and a nap.
The Official Result
Gerald Meerschaert def. Bryan Barberena R2 4:23 via Technical Submission (Face Crank)
Angelo notes that Meerschaert is a very good grappler always live for a submission, though he has a questionable chin and poor takedown accuracy. Barberena is a fun brawler who doesn't use his wrestling and has been taken down 18 times in his last three fights. Angelo thinks the more likely outcome is Meerschaert gets a takedown and snatches a submission, but warns he cannot be trusted as a 2-to-1 favorite.
Big Brady picks Gerald Meerschaert to win by second-round submission. He notes Barberena's poor takedown defense and submission losses, and expects Meerschaert to get the fight to the mat and submit him. He is wary of Meerschaert's chin but thinks Barberena's recent form is too poor.
Cody picks Gerald Meerschaert, emphasizing the size advantage. He notes Barberena is undersized at middleweight, having ballooned to 240 lbs and struggled to make 170. He points out Barberena was taken down 13 times in his last fight and lacks the power to hurt Meerschaert. He sees Meerschaert's size and grappling as decisive.
Lucrative James picks Gerald Meerschaert to win by submission, likely in round two or three. He believes Barberena is on a downward trajectory and lacks the power to knock out Meerschaert. He notes that Barberena has a significant grappling disadvantage and that Meerschaert is opportunistic with submissions. He mentions that he won't play the moneyline but might bet on a round prop.
The host is surprised Meerschaert is a big favorite, as he believes Barberena has good enough defensive grappling to deal with Meerschaert's less-than-average wrestling. He notes Barberena has shown improvements in getting back to his feet and letting his hands go, and expects Barberena to have the striking advantage, leading to a knockout in the third round as Meerschaert fails on his grappling attempts.
Paul also picks Meerschaert but with hesitation. He acknowledges Barberena's toughness and grit, but notes Meerschaert's inconsistency and tendency to lose rounds before pulling off a finish. He warns that this could be a 'pie in the sky' situation where Meerschaert's flaws are overlooked. Still, he expects Meerschaert to win due to size.
The Guru picks Gerald Meerschaert by submission in round three. He notes Barberena was outgrappled by Makhmud Muradov, whom Meerschaert submitted. He expects Meerschaert to get dominant position and submit the 'melting vanilla ice cream' Barberena. He mentions Meerschaert's typical third-round finishes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makhmud Muradov | 2 | 54 of 97 | 55% | 68 of 114 | 13 of 16 | 81% | 0 | 0 | 5:10 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 28 of 81 | 34% | 81 of 138 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 9 of 22 | 40% | 16 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 2:34 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 6 of 22 | 27% | 28 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Makhmud Muradov | 1 | 16 of 28 | 57% | 21 of 34 | 6 of 6 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 8 of 22 | 36% | 30 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Makhmud Muradov | 1 | 29 of 47 | 61% | 31 of 50 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 14 of 37 | 37% | 23 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makhmud Muradov | 54 of 97 | 55% | 39 of 77 | 15 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 46 of 79 | 5 of 11 | 3 of 7 |
| Bryan Barberena | 28 of 81 | 34% | 13 of 56 | 2 of 4 | 13 of 21 | 27 of 79 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makhmud Muradov | 9 of 22 | 40% | 4 of 14 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 17 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
| Bryan Barberena | 6 of 22 | 27% | 1 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 8 | 6 of 21 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Makhmud Muradov | 16 of 28 | 57% | 15 of 26 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Bryan Barberena | 8 of 22 | 36% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 7 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Makhmud Muradov | 29 of 47 | 61% | 20 of 37 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 37 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 3 |
| Bryan Barberena | 14 of 37 | 37% | 8 of 28 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo thinks Muradov is the better fighter with cleaner technique and should win by decision, but he is hesitant to lay -275 due to Barberena's toughness and never-say-die attitude. He picks Muradov but will likely leave the bet out.
Big Brady picks Makhmud Muradov to knock out Bryan Barberena in the second round. He questions Barberena's move up to middleweight, noting he was small for welterweight and is now massively undersized. He thinks Barberena's durability has declined and Muradov is the better striker. He calls the matchup 'weird' and thinks Barberena is on a three-fight skid.
Cody picks Muradov, noting Barberena moving up to 185 is a big disadvantage. He thinks Muradov's size and power will be too much, and he can mix in wrestling. He mentions Barberena's takedown defense is poor and he takes a lot of damage.
Daniel bet Muradov at -250 to win 2 units (risking 5 units). He believes Muradov is a real middleweight in the best shape of his life, while Barberena is moving up from welterweight and will be slower and more hittable. He notes Barberena's takedown defense is poor and Muradov has good footwork and power. He expects Muradov to win by knockout or decision, and thinks the line should be closer to -350 to -400. He is confident Muradov bounces back after a tough loss.
The host picks Makhmud Muradov, citing his technical striking, speed, and discipline as keys. He notes Barberena is moving up in weight and Muradov will be much bigger. He thinks Muradov should be closer to -200/-230 but still expects a win by decision, unless Barberena lands a Hail Mary.
Paul picks Muradov, citing Barberena's age, fight style, and inability to grapple. He thinks Muradov can win by KO or decision using his jab and takedowns. He notes Barberena's chin may be fading.
The MMA Guru picks Makhmud Muradov by TKO, criticizing Bryan Barberena's decision to move up to middleweight. He calls Barberena a 'fat unathletic welterweight' with no grappling or knockout power, and questions his career move. The Guru notes Muradov's improved takedown defense against Caio Borralho and believes his explosiveness, reach, and striking advantage will lead to a finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunnar Nelson | 0 | 10 of 11 | 90% | 20 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:13 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 18 of 23 | 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 | Gunnar Nelson | 0 | 10 of 11 | 90% | 20 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:13 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 18 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunnar Nelson | 10 of 11 | 90% | 8 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 7 |
| Bryan Barberena | 7 of 12 | 58% | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 6 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 | Gunnar Nelson | 10 of 11 | 90% | 8 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 7 |
| Bryan Barberena | 7 of 12 | 58% | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Nelson but is not betting. He thinks Nelson's ground game is far superior and Barberena is tough but not technical. He notes Nelson's takedowns are telegraphed but Barberena will close distance and get clinched. He worries Nelson might not be motivated and could be a parlay buster.
Big Brady picks Nelson confidently, citing Barberena's atrocious takedown defense (taken down multiple times by lower-level fighters). He believes Nelson will take him down and submit him early. He predicts a first-round submission, noting Barberena was just submitted by RDA.
Cody picks Nelson, emphasizing Barberena's poor takedown defense and tendency to give up his back. He notes Nelson's elite back-taking and body triangle control. He thinks Nelson wins by decision or submission, but after Nelson's last fight where he didn't chase submissions, he's less sure about a finish. He says the line is reflective of what should happen but feels trappy due to Nelson's inactivity and age.
Connor picks Nelson based on his wrestling and grappling advantage. He notes that Barberena is slow-footed and vulnerable to takedowns, as shown by RDA easily taking him down. Nelson has a quick shot and good clinch trips. Connor acknowledges that Nelson's striking defense is poor and he can be shocked standing, but believes Nelson's path to victory is clear via takedowns and control. He also mentions that Barberena's scrambling is solid but Nelson's control grappling is superior.
Jacob calls Nelson his most confident play on the card. He thinks Barberena is not a powerful puncher and will struggle with Nelson's range. He expects Barberena to close distance and get taken down via body clinch. He notes everyone takes Barberena down and Nelson should dominate on the ground.
Nelson is a high-level grappler with a karate-style striking base, but has struggled against top competition. Barberena is a durable brawler who has been finished by technically better fighters. Nelson should be able to take the fight to the ground and submit Barberena, though the submission prop may not offer value at the expected line.
Paul does not make a clear pick. He discusses the trap potential: Nelson has had one fight in four years, is a small welterweight, and may not be the same fighter. He notes Barberena's ability to get back to his feet and that Nelson could get outstruck if he doesn't get a submission. He says he doesn't have the cojones to pick Barberena but has zero confidence in Nelson at the price.
The MMA Guru picks Gunnar Nelson to win by rear-naked choke, citing Barberena's short notice and defensive flaws exposed by Rafael dos Anjos. He notes Barberena repeatedly made the same mistake of lowering his stance, allowing inside trips. Nelson is a technical grappler who will exploit that and find a finish. He does not see Barberena having success on the feet either.
Zane agrees with Connor, emphasizing that Barberena's takedown defense is poor and Nelson's wrestling is a major threat. He notes that Barberena has been taken down multiple times by lesser wrestlers. Zane also points out that Nelson's striking is vulnerable but his grappling is elite. He thinks Nelson will likely get the fight to the ground and control it. Zane adds that Barberena's best chance is to keep it standing and land a big shot, but Nelson's speed and shot selection should prevail.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 14 of 29 | 48% | 61 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 20 of 25 | 80% | 36 of 41 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 2 | 0 | 6:36 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 25 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 16 of 20 | 80% | 30 of 34 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 4:06 | |
| 2 | Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 36 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 6 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 0 | 2:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael dos Anjos | 14 of 29 | 48% | 6 of 18 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 10 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Bryan Barberena | 20 of 25 | 80% | 3 of 8 | 17 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 14 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael dos Anjos | 9 of 19 | 47% | 1 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 8 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 16 of 20 | 80% | 2 of 6 | 14 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 12 | |
| 2 | Rafael dos Anjos | 5 of 10 | 50% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Bryan Barberena | 4 of 5 | 80% | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo picks Rafael dos Anjos, calling him the better fighter everywhere: more technical striking, much better grappling, higher fight IQ, and higher level of competition. He notes RDA is 38 and coming off a KO loss, but trusts him to grapple early and often. He thinks Barberena's 44% takedown defense and lack of one-punch KO power (except against Lawler) make RDA the pick.
Big Brady is extremely confident in RDA, citing a massive step down in competition and a favorable stylistic matchup. He notes Barberena's poor takedown defense (55%) and defensive irresponsibility, and RDA's advantage everywhere. He expects RDA to win however he wants, predicting a decision but noting a finish is possible.
Cody agrees RDA wins handily, citing his elite wrestling and Barberena's poor takedown defense. He notes RDA hasn't finished anyone recently but expects multiple takedowns and control. He prefers the over 2.5 takedowns prop over significant strikes.
Daniel Levi picks RDA to win by decision, mixing in takedowns. He acknowledges Barberena's durability and power (dropped Leon Edwards) but believes RDA's wrestling and blending of attacks will be too much. He is not interested in betting at the heavy price (-550) and calls it a pass.
The host is very confident in dos Anjos, calling him a 'lock of the night' essentially. He believes dos Anjos is far superior and will mix his striking and takedowns to control Barberena. He notes Barberena's struggles against grapplers like Jason Witt. He expects dos Anjos to win by decision but says he wouldn't bat an eye at parlaying him at the price.
Paul sees RDA as dominant everywhere and expects a straightforward win. He notes Barberena's durability but thinks RDA can finish him, especially inside the distance. He mentions RDA's takedown-heavy style and Barberena's poor takedown defense.
The MMA Guru picks Rafael dos Anjos, noting Barberena struggles when opponents mix up attacks. He believes RDA's body work and leg kicks will be effective, and that Barberena's losses to Jason Witt and Randy Brown show vulnerability. He predicts RDA will win a clear decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 81 of 141 | 57% | 81 of 141 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Robbie Lawler | 0 | 147 of 316 | 46% | 148 of 317 | 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 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 39 of 65 | 60% | 39 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Robbie Lawler | 0 | 67 of 171 | 39% | 68 of 172 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 42 of 76 | 55% | 42 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Robbie Lawler | 0 | 80 of 145 | 55% | 80 of 145 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Barberena | 81 of 141 | 57% | 65 of 124 | 15 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 78 of 137 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Robbie Lawler | 147 of 316 | 46% | 116 of 280 | 18 of 20 | 13 of 16 | 138 of 304 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryan Barberena | 39 of 65 | 60% | 27 of 53 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 38 of 63 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Robbie Lawler | 67 of 171 | 39% | 46 of 148 | 12 of 13 | 9 of 10 | 64 of 166 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bryan Barberena | 42 of 76 | 55% | 38 of 71 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 40 of 74 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Robbie Lawler | 80 of 145 | 55% | 70 of 132 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 6 | 74 of 138 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Barberena, emphasizing his forward pressure, volume, and durability. He notes that Lawler is declining and didn't look great against Nick Diaz. Barberena's high strike output (186 vs Matt Brown, 195 vs Vicente Luque) is seen as the difference-maker.
Big Brady hesitantly picks Bryan Barberena, citing his youth and volume, but admits neither fighter looks great. He notes Lawler's recent win over Nick Diaz was his first in years, and Barberena has taken damage. He expects a close decision and advises against betting.
Cody thinks Lawler's power and experience will be too much for Barberena, who has shown poor wrestling defense and bad decision-making. He expects Lawler to mix in takedowns and win a gritty fight.
Daniel Levi slightly leans toward Bryan Barberena as the underdog, citing that Lawler is 40 years old and may not have the same ferocity. He notes that Barberena can still dig deep and throw high output, while Lawler has recently resorted to old habits like shadowboxing. Levi acknowledges that Lawler could win if the old 'Ruthless' version shows up, but he sees it as a dog-or-pass situation and prefers the underdog price.
This is a great stylistic matchup for Lawler; Barberena will stand and trade. Lawler's power and experience should prevail. The only concern is Lawler's age (40), but his power is the last thing to go. Lawler by decision or KO is likely.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Lawler's significant strikes over 73.5 on PrizePicks is a good play. He expects a brawl and thinks Lawler will get the job done.
The MMA Guru picks Bryan Barberena, arguing that Robbie Lawler has declined significantly, losing power and explosiveness due to age and accumulated damage. He believes Barberena will outwork Lawler with body shots and volume, predicting a 30-27 or 30-26 decision with a possible 10-8 round. He notes Lawler's recent performances have been weak and that Barberena has momentum.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 81 of 129 | 62% | 95 of 145 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 0 | 0 | 5:01 |
| Matt Brown | 0 | 111 of 211 | 52% | 186 of 289 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:57 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 23 of 37 | 62% | 25 of 39 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
| Matt Brown | 0 | 23 of 51 | 45% | 62 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 2 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 23 of 36 | 63% | 29 of 43 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 |
| Matt Brown | 0 | 35 of 60 | 58% | 59 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:30 | |
| 3 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 35 of 56 | 62% | 41 of 63 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Matt Brown | 0 | 53 of 100 | 53% | 65 of 113 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Barberena | 81 of 129 | 62% | 36 of 75 | 38 of 44 | 7 of 10 | 51 of 95 | 24 of 28 | 6 of 6 |
| Matt Brown | 111 of 211 | 52% | 82 of 170 | 12 of 18 | 17 of 23 | 78 of 164 | 28 of 42 | 5 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryan Barberena | 23 of 37 | 62% | 8 of 21 | 12 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 9 of 22 | 11 of 12 | 3 of 3 |
| Matt Brown | 23 of 51 | 45% | 13 of 36 | 2 of 4 | 8 of 11 | 19 of 46 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bryan Barberena | 23 of 36 | 63% | 9 of 20 | 12 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 29 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Matt Brown | 35 of 60 | 58% | 26 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 10 | 23 of 45 | 7 of 10 | 5 of 5 | |
| 3 | Bryan Barberena | 35 of 56 | 62% | 19 of 34 | 14 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 25 of 44 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 3 |
| Matt Brown | 53 of 100 | 53% | 43 of 87 | 8 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 36 of 73 | 17 of 27 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Bryan Barberena, citing his durability, impressive volume, and forward pressure. He notes Barberena landed 108 strikes in his last fight and 169 against Vicente Luque. He thinks Barberena's constant volume will be the difference and expects a decision win. He says he probably won't bet on this fight.
Big Brady picks Matt Brown to knock out Bryan Barberena in the first or second round. He believes Barberena is washed after the Luke fight, citing poor takedown defense and being dropped twice by Jason Witt. He notes that Brown still has power, as shown in his last fight against Lima, and that Barberena's chin is no longer reliable. Brady also mentions that Barberena has health issues and has been taken down frequently in recent fights.
Cody strongly favors Matt Brown, highlighting Barberena's declining durability and poor takedown defense. He notes Barberena's recent wars and losses, while Brown still has power and timing. He thinks Brown can win by KO or decision. He calls it his first bet of the week.
Daniel Levi picks Matt Brown, admitting he is biased as a fan. He believes Brown is the better fighter with more finishing ability and can mix in takedowns. He notes both fighters are on the decline but thinks Brown's power and hometown crowd will carry him. He is hesitant because of Brown's age and chin, and Barberena's durability. He also points out Barberena hasn't looked the same since the Luque fight.
The host picks Barberena, noting his youth, body punching (30% of strikes to body), and Matt Brown's known body vulnerability. He expects a striking battle and believes Barberena will get a knockout, possibly in round 3 as Brown slows down. He also likes the prop 'fight doesn't go to decision'.
Paul picks Matt Brown, citing his wrestling advantage and Barberena's inability to stop takedowns. He notes Brown's hometown crowd and experience. He thinks Brown can grind out a win or land a big shot. He expects the line to move and hopes for plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Matt Brown by second-round TKO over Bryan Barberena. He envisions Barberena slightly edging the first round before getting caught with a big overhand. The Guru trusts Brown's power and recent resurgence, noting his second-round finish of Diego Lima, while Barberena's wars may leave him vulnerable.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 108 of 217 | 49% | 134 of 243 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Darian Weeks | 0 | 118 of 209 | 56% | 125 of 217 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 21 of 40 | 52% | 24 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Darian Weeks | 0 | 26 of 45 | 57% | 29 of 49 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:20 | |
| 2 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 32 of 75 | 42% | 38 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Darian Weeks | 0 | 49 of 85 | 57% | 52 of 88 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:00 | |
| 3 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 55 of 102 | 53% | 72 of 119 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Darian Weeks | 0 | 43 of 79 | 54% | 44 of 80 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Barberena | 108 of 217 | 49% | 55 of 152 | 30 of 36 | 23 of 29 | 97 of 205 | 11 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
| Darian Weeks | 118 of 209 | 56% | 62 of 136 | 37 of 51 | 19 of 22 | 101 of 187 | 14 of 18 | 3 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryan Barberena | 21 of 40 | 52% | 4 of 17 | 4 of 5 | 13 of 18 | 17 of 36 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Darian Weeks | 26 of 45 | 57% | 5 of 19 | 12 of 16 | 9 of 10 | 19 of 38 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bryan Barberena | 32 of 75 | 42% | 20 of 60 | 6 of 8 | 6 of 7 | 30 of 73 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Darian Weeks | 49 of 85 | 57% | 28 of 56 | 14 of 21 | 7 of 8 | 42 of 77 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 | |
| 3 | Bryan Barberena | 55 of 102 | 53% | 31 of 75 | 20 of 23 | 4 of 4 | 50 of 96 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Darian Weeks | 43 of 79 | 54% | 29 of 61 | 11 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 40 of 72 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Jeremiah Wells via inside the distance/decision no action at +120. He notes Wells has power and BJJ, while Matthews has poor fight IQ. Angelo likes the safety net: if Wells wins by finish he gets paid, if Matthews wins by decision he gets a refund.
Big Brady picks Jeremiah Wells as a dog, noting that the line doesn't make sense to him. He highlights Wells' impressive debut win over Warlley Alves, his training at Renzo Gracie Philly with top guys, and his solid wrestling and takedown defense. He contrasts Wells' explosiveness and power with Jake Matthews' inconsistent performances and lower level of competition. Brady believes Wells can win a decision or even finish, and gives Wells the cardio advantage.
Cody picks Barberena but with low confidence, noting that Barberena's best days are behind him and he takes a lot of damage. He thinks Barberena could grind out a win but is not reliable as a favorite. Cody mentions that Weeks is inexperienced and that Barberena's toughness might carry him.
Daniel Levi picks Bryan Barberena to win, citing his veteran savvy and experience. He notes that Barberena has seen a different level than Weeks, who is a newcomer with only five pro fights. He acknowledges that Barberena may be in decline but thinks he still has enough in the tank to hand Weeks his first loss. He warns about the risk of a declining fighter taking on a young athletic kid with finishing power.
Jacob makes Jeremiah Wells the lock of the week, putting 4 units on him. He cites Wells' power, BJJ black belt, and Matthews' lack of KO power since 2013. Jacob notes if Wells gets tired or lunges, it's not his fault, but he loves Wells all the way.
I like Barberena. He is a veteran who has fought top competition and should be too much for Weeks, who is green and on short notice. Barberena has good durability and cardio, while Weeks tends to slow down. I expect Barberena to take over as the fight goes on and possibly finish in round three. The decision prop at plus 285 and round three finish at plus 1000 are both appealing.
Paul picks Weeks as an underdog, noting that Barberena is shot and takes too much damage. He thinks Weeks has power and could catch Barberena, but admits he doesn't know much about Weeks. Paul is not confident but sees value in the plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Darian Weeks to win by second-round TKO. He sees Weeks as a solid prospect with a good amateur career. He predicts Barberena will be dropped in the first round but survive, then Weeks will finish him with a big right hand in the second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Witt | 0 | 50 of 113 | 44% | 114 of 178 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:47 |
| Bryan Barberena | 1 | 35 of 83 | 42% | 56 of 105 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 1 | 0 | 5:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Witt | 0 | 5 of 18 | 27% | 38 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 17 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 | |
| 2 | Jason Witt | 0 | 12 of 37 | 32% | 32 of 57 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Bryan Barberena | 1 | 11 of 32 | 34% | 21 of 42 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 1:19 | |
| 3 | Jason Witt | 0 | 33 of 58 | 56% | 44 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:16 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 14 of 36 | 38% | 18 of 40 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Witt | 50 of 113 | 44% | 50 of 110 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 40 of 99 | 4 of 6 | 6 of 8 |
| Bryan Barberena | 35 of 83 | 42% | 27 of 71 | 8 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 25 of 67 | 6 of 10 | 4 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Witt | 5 of 18 | 27% | 5 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 10 of 15 | 66% | 8 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | |
| 2 | Jason Witt | 12 of 37 | 32% | 12 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 11 of 32 | 34% | 9 of 29 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Jason Witt | 33 of 58 | 56% | 33 of 57 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 44 | 4 of 6 | 6 of 8 |
| Bryan Barberena | 14 of 36 | 38% | 10 of 29 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 28 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Bryan Barberena, citing his much higher level of competition and Witt's poor chin. He notes Barberena's high volume and power, and that Witt has been knocked out in all his losses. Brady expects Barberena to find the chin or possibly get a submission, predicting a first-round knockout.
Cody hesitantly picks Bryan Barberena, acknowledging his experience and toughness but expressing major concerns about his recent form, injuries, and layoffs. He notes that Barberena has looked slow and out of shape, and his takedown defense has declined. Cody believes Witt could win by grinding out takedowns, but he still thinks Barberena's grit might pull through. He calls it a 'bad gut feeling' and does not have confidence commensurate with the -265 price.
Levi is confident Barberena will win by knockout. He praises Barberena's iron jaw, farm strength, and punching power, noting he has gone the distance with top welterweights like Leon Edwards, Colby Covington, and Vicente Luque. Levi criticizes Jason Witt's chin, implying it is weak, and believes Barberena will land a fight-ending shot. He acknowledges Witt's path to victory via takedowns but thinks Barberena's power will be too much.
Barberena has the power to knock out Witt, who is chinny. However, Barberena is coming off a long layoff and multiple surgeries, and he's not a one-punch KO artist. If he doesn't finish early, Witt's wrestling and top control could be problematic. The value is on Barberena by KO rather than the moneyline. He should get the job done early.
Paul leans towards Jason Witt as a live underdog, citing Barberena's decline and Witt's wrestling advantage. He notes that Witt has a better coach and game plan, and that Barberena's recent performances have been poor. Paul believes Witt can take Barberena down and control him, especially if Barberena's cardio is lacking. He is not fully confident but sees value in the plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Bryan Barberena over Jason Witt, citing Barberena's takedown defense and well-rounded skills. He notes that Witt is coming off a brutal KO loss and is turning around too quickly. He expects Barberena to push a pace and win a 30-27 decision by landing more significant strikes per round.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo thinks Muradov is the better fighter with cleaner technique and should win by decision, but he is hesitant to lay -275 due to Barberena's toughness and never-say-die attitude. He picks Muradov but will likely leave the bet out.
Big Brady picks Makhmud Muradov to knock out Bryan Barberena in the second round. He questions Barberena's move up to middleweight, noting he was small for welterweight and is now massively undersized. He thinks Barberena's durability has declined and Muradov is the better striker. He calls the matchup 'weird' and thinks Barberena is on a three-fight skid.
Cody picks Muradov, noting Barberena moving up to 185 is a big disadvantage. He thinks Muradov's size and power will be too much, and he can mix in wrestling. He mentions Barberena's takedown defense is poor and he takes a lot of damage.
Daniel bet Muradov at -250 to win 2 units (risking 5 units). He believes Muradov is a real middleweight in the best shape of his life, while Barberena is moving up from welterweight and will be slower and more hittable. He notes Barberena's takedown defense is poor and Muradov has good footwork and power. He expects Muradov to win by knockout or decision, and thinks the line should be closer to -350 to -400. He is confident Muradov bounces back after a tough loss.
The host picks Makhmud Muradov, citing his technical striking, speed, and discipline as keys. He notes Barberena is moving up in weight and Muradov will be much bigger. He thinks Muradov should be closer to -200/-230 but still expects a win by decision, unless Barberena lands a Hail Mary.
Paul picks Muradov, citing Barberena's age, fight style, and inability to grapple. He thinks Muradov can win by KO or decision using his jab and takedowns. He notes Barberena's chin may be fading.
The MMA Guru picks Makhmud Muradov by TKO, criticizing Bryan Barberena's decision to move up to middleweight. He calls Barberena a 'fat unathletic welterweight' with no grappling or knockout power, and questions his career move. The Guru notes Muradov's improved takedown defense against Caio Borralho and believes his explosiveness, reach, and striking advantage will lead to a finish.
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