Career Averages - Movsar Evloev
Career Averages - Diego Lopes
Movsar Evloev
Diego Lopes
Movsar Evloev - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 0 | 86 of 189 | 45% | 124 of 234 | 9 of 10 | 90% | 0 | 0 | 3:54 |
| Lerone Murphy | 0 | 89 of 239 | 37% | 89 of 239 | 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 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 11 of 31 | 35% | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Lerone Murphy | 0 | 14 of 49 | 28% | 14 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 17 of 37 | 45% | 17 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Lerone Murphy | 0 | 24 of 57 | 42% | 24 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 25 of 50 | 50% | 26 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Lerone Murphy | 0 | 23 of 48 | 47% | 23 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 21 of 35 | 60% | 30 of 45 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Lerone Murphy | 0 | 16 of 39 | 41% | 16 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 12 of 36 | 33% | 40 of 69 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:12 |
| Lerone Murphy | 0 | 12 of 46 | 26% | 12 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 86 of 189 | 45% | 47 of 134 | 33 of 44 | 6 of 11 | 80 of 178 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 9 |
| Lerone Murphy | 89 of 239 | 37% | 45 of 175 | 24 of 38 | 20 of 26 | 89 of 238 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 11 of 31 | 35% | 3 of 21 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Lerone Murphy | 14 of 49 | 28% | 6 of 35 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 6 | 14 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 17 of 37 | 45% | 9 of 24 | 7 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 17 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Lerone Murphy | 24 of 57 | 42% | 12 of 41 | 7 of 10 | 5 of 6 | 24 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 25 of 50 | 50% | 12 of 34 | 11 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 25 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Lerone Murphy | 23 of 48 | 47% | 12 of 35 | 8 of 9 | 3 of 4 | 23 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Movsar Evloev | 21 of 35 | 60% | 16 of 29 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 15 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 8 |
| Lerone Murphy | 16 of 39 | 41% | 6 of 24 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 7 | 16 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Movsar Evloev | 12 of 36 | 33% | 7 of 26 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Lerone Murphy | 12 of 46 | 26% | 9 of 40 | 0 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 45 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Lerone Murphy because he is the better overall fighter with superior striking and scrambling ability. He notes Movsar Evloev is a boring wrestler who doesn't do damage or seek finishes. He believes Murphy can scramble back to his feet and win rounds with striking, especially with English judges. He bet a small amount on Murphy at +220.
Big Brady confidently picks Movsar Evloev, citing his wrestling advantage and Murphy's poor takedown defense (51%). He notes that Murphy has been taken down multiple times by various opponents, including Gabriel Santos (five times). He thinks Evloev's striking is underrated and that he will mix in takedowns to win a decision. He also mentions that Evloev has had a layoff and visa issues but expects the best version of him.
Cody sees value in Murphy as a plus-money underdog, citing Evloev's cardio issues in five-round fights and Murphy's ability to scramble and land strikes. He expects Murphy to win a decision or late stoppage.
Connor agrees with Zane that Evloev is the right pick due to Murphy's poor takedown defense, but he is more hesitant because of the five-round factor. He notes that Murphy is impossible to break with pace and pressure, and Evloev has never fought five rounds. Connor points to the Arnold Allen fight where Evloev struggled when takedowns stopped working, and suggests Murphy could get a read on Evloev's entries in later rounds. However, he ultimately picks Evloev because Murphy's takedown defense is worse than Allen's and Evloev is a good takedown artist who maintains position.
Daniel leans Evloev as a pure pick, citing his elite athleticism and takedown numbers. He acknowledges Murphy's resilience and gritty comebacks but thinks Evloev can secure a takedown in the fifth round if it's close. He notes Evloev doesn't finish fights and Murphy is hard to put away.
Daniel Vreeland picks Movsar Evloev to win by unanimous decision. He believes Evloev will dominate the first two rounds with takedowns, but Murphy will rally in rounds 3 and 4. However, Evloev will regain control in the fifth round to secure a 48-47 decision.
Evloev's wrestling should be the difference, but Murphy's home advantage and ability to get up make it less certain. Evloev may struggle to hold Murphy down, but his chain wrestling and volume striking could win rounds. On neutral territory, Evloev wins easily; in London, it's closer.
James picks Movsar Evloev to win via decision, citing Evloev's relentless pressure, volume takedowns, and cardio over 25 minutes. He notes that Lerone Murphy has historically struggled with grapplers who shoot volume takedowns, as seen in fights against Zubaira Tukhugov and Gabriel Santos. James also mentions that Murphy's takedown defense is poor, though he has good get-ups. He considers the layoff and illness for Evloev but still favors him.
The host is confident in Movsar Evloev winning by decision. He highlights Evloev's superior grappling, cardio, and pressure, while Murphy is seen as well-rounded but likely to be worn down by takedowns and mat returns. He expects Evloev to dictate the fight on the ground and win decisively on the scorecards.
Paul thinks Evloev will get takedowns repeatedly and grind out a decision, though he acknowledges the risk of home cooking for Murphy. He's confident Evloev wins but not betting heavily.
The MMA Guru picks Movsar Evloev to win by fourth or fifth round finish. He notes Murphy has been taken down easily by lesser wrestlers and Evloev's grappling is elite. He believes Evloev will ragdoll Murphy and eventually find a finish as Murphy tires. He also mentions Evloev's improved physique and that Murphy lacks finishing power.
Zane picks Evloev based on Murphy's poor takedown defense (51% in UFC) and Evloev's consistent wrestling and top control. He notes that while Murphy is a good scrambler and learns during fights, Evloev's relentless pressure and ability to win scrambles will likely overwhelm Murphy over three rounds. Zane acknowledges the five-round question but believes Evloev's gas tank is fine, though his lack of adaptability could be an issue if Murphy figures out his entries late.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 0 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 136 of 165 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 1 | 6:09 |
| Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 45 of 67 | 6 of 8 | 75% | 0 | 2 | 6:16 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 16 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 |
| Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 7 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:49 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 48 of 58 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:25 |
| Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 25 of 30 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 2 | 0:48 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 72 of 81 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 1:49 |
| Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 13 of 19 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:39 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 8 of 26 | 30% | 6 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
| Aljamain Sterling | 12 of 26 | 46% | 7 of 16 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 2 | 9 of 23 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Aljamain Sterling | 3 of 11 | 27% | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 3 of 9 | 33% | 2 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Aljamain Sterling | 5 of 8 | 62% | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 4 of 11 | 36% | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Aljamain Sterling | 4 of 7 | 57% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Evloev (-265), Sterling (+215)
Round 1
Surprising many paying attention, this likely featherweight title eliminator is situated firmly on the prelims despite several lower-ranked contests at 145 playing out later on the billing. Evloev (18-0, 8-0 UFC) is not complaining, as he noted—likely accurately at that—that more people will be watching the ESPN-broadcasted prelims than tuning into the paid portion later. Sterling (24-4, 16-4 UFC) is not buying it and feels disrespected by his promotion, but that is nothing unusual for him given his history at bantamweight. This potentially fascinating grappling match will play out under the oversight of referee Jason Herzog, and it opens up with a glove touch. Sterling stalks his way forward, jabbing his way in and kicking with the ball of his foot. Evloev hops out of the way from a body kick, and one to his lead leg lands. Sterling catches him at the end of a right hand, and the Russian shrugs it off. Evloev kicks the front leg, and Sterling tries to time a head kick when Evloev ducks. Sterling connects with another big right hand, and he shoots in and drags Evloev down to force Evloev to put his hands on the mat. Chants of “USA” boom through the arena, and Sterling channels this energy and knees Evloev hard in the side. Sterling hangs on from the side and nearly back, and he complains that Evloev is grabbing his glove. Evloev adjusts and scoots his way to the wall, with Sterling following him every scoot of the way. Sterling has his hands clasped around Evloev’s waist, and he gets in a hook to take the back. “Funk Master” slides the second hook in, and he holds on tight while trying to free his right hand to set something up. Sterling again mentions that his glove is being grabbed, and Evloev elbows behind him on either side. Evloev stands up, and Sterling is still wrapped around him. The former bantamweight king lifts Evloev off the ground and slams him down, and the ensuing scramble allows Evloev to take his back. Sterling ducks a strike and is taken to the floor, and he sets up a guillotine choke but is in the wrong angle to get it. Evloev turns the corner as Sterling sits up, and he lowers himself down and wraps Sterling up in a crucifix as he drops to his back. The close round ends with Sterling taking punches upside the head.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sterling
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sterling
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sterling
Round 2
Sterling is the initial aggressor in the second round, pushing out a front kick, dropping back to avoid a few punches and crashing through to put Evloev on his seat. Evloev scrambles well enough to get to 50/50 position, and he stands up as Sterling holds onto his single leg. Evloev flips him around and lowers himself down in side control, hooking his legs around Sterling’s arm to go for a crucifix. Evloev takes the back, but Sterling pulls his hook out and turns. Evloev lands a few hammerfists to the side of the head as Herzog says “ears” a few times to let Evloev know that he needs to aim for the ears and not hit the back of the head. Sterling explodes around to get out of harm, and he wraps up Evloev and tries to slam him down on his face in what would have been a pro wrestling-style move. Evloev does not fall victim to it, turning around to shoot for a single. Sterling stifles it and loads up on a right hand, and Evloev backs him off with a right hand and a kick. Evloev wings a spinning wheel kick, and when planting his foot, he drills “Funk Master” in the face with a strong right hand. The success of the strike allows the Russian to shoot in and put Sterling on his back. Evloev looks to assert himself in half guard, even briefly considering an arm-triangle choke only to get elbowed in the side of the head a few times. Evloev takes Sterling’s back, and Sterling does not appear concern and instead scrambles out of it without much concern. Evloev again sets up a crucifix, and Sterling counters with a single and briefly gets top position. This back-and-forth grappling match is living up to the hype, and Sterling pursues a double when Evloev gets away. The horn sounds with Sterling in the midst of the shot.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Round 3
Having reached the final round, both men clap hands. Sterling flashes out a front kick and a long jab, and he is able to escape the lunging Evloev from landing on him. Sterling ducks a big punch and gets off an uppercut, and he dips down low to evade a spinning back fist and tackles the Russian to the floor. Evloev returns to a knee, and Sterling remains busy pursuing the takedown. Evloev wraps an arm around Sterling’s head, and Sterling takes advantage of this by slinging Evloev down on his face. Evloev pushes off the floor to stand, and Sterling is leaning on him imposing his will while the crowd is in full support of the American. Sterling jams Evloev against the fence, allowing Evloev to knee him so he can move around to partially take Evloev’s back standing. Sterling drags Evloev to the floor, and as they slide around in a furious series of scrambles, Evloev flips his man over and resides on top. Evloev slugs Sterling in the chops a few times while they are both seated, and Sterling explodes back to his feet. Evloev whips Sterling around and back down, and he gets one hook in but is dropped on his head. Sterling does not escape the downed position, on both knees as Evloev punches him on the side of the head. Evloev turns Sterling to his back, and he opens up with punches. Sterling gets his hooks in and briefly holds the back, and when he scrambles, Evloev hooks his leg around Sterling’s shoulder. The final bell sounds while the two are in the midst of grappling, and it could be anyone’s game.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Evloev (29-28 Evloev)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Evloev (29-28 Evloev)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Evloev (29-28 Evloev)
The Official Result
Movsar Evloev def. Aljamain Sterling via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Movsar Evloev confidently, stating Evloev is a better wrestler than Sterling and has superior striking. He dismisses Sterling's unorthodox striking as not intentionally effective. Angelo believes Evloev will take Sterling down at will and control the fight, similar to how he beat Arnold Allen. He expects a dominant performance.
Cody picks Sterling as a live underdog, citing his superior striking and wrestling. He notes Sterling's wins over top competition and believes his volume and back-taking ability will trouble Evloev. He expects a decision win for Sterling.
Connor picks Sterling because he believes Sterling has more tools to win if he can keep Evloev from wrestling. He notes that Evloev's pressure-based style can be shut down, and that Sterling's high-output striking and grappling are well-suited to a three-round fight. Connor also points out that Evloev has been walking a fine line and has been hurt in fights, while Sterling has shown improvement in his striking. He acknowledges that Sterling's cardio could be an issue but thinks over three rounds it might be enough.
Daniel believes Evloev is ahead in every area, with better grappling and striking. He criticizes Sterling's cardio, striking technique, and takedown entries. He notes Evloev's ability to survive submission attempts and his punching power, citing damage done to Arnold Allen.
Evloev's grappling ability and scrambling will keep him out of bad positions from Sterling. He can remain in dominant position or use defensive grappling to stay upright and touch up Sterling, who doesn't look comfortable striking. Evloev will put together a good body of work through grappling and striking to win on the scorecards.
Paul picks Sterling, calling it a lock. He highlights Sterling's technical skills, wrestling, and ability to win rounds. He thinks Evloev's takedowns won't be as effective and Sterling's striking advantage will be key. He expects a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Evloev, believing he is too much for Sterling on the feet. He notes Evloev's improved standup, quicker punches, and ability to mix in takedowns. He trusts Evloev to win close rounds by shooting takedowns in the last 30 seconds to sway judges. He predicts a 29-27 decision with all rounds competitive.
Zane picks Evloev, citing that he does not fully trust Sterling as a featherweight. He notes that Sterling's style, which relies on volume and wrestling, may not work against a bigger, aggressive grappler like Evloev. Zane points out that Evloev has shown he can handle high-level grappling, as seen in his fight with Diego Lopez, and that Sterling has a history of gassing. He also mentions that Sterling has never faced a fighter like Evloev who is eager to grapple and pressure.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 0 | 59 of 140 | 42% | 61 of 143 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 51 of 118 | 43% | 72 of 141 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 0 | 0 | 3:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 12 of 40 | 30% | 13 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 22 of 38 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 0 | 0 | 1:31 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 18 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 21 of 47 | 44% | 25 of 52 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:59 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 29 of 58 | 50% | 30 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 17 of 43 | 39% | 25 of 51 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 59 of 140 | 42% | 41 of 115 | 17 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 46 of 124 | 9 of 12 | 4 of 4 |
| Arnold Allen | 51 of 118 | 43% | 35 of 101 | 12 of 13 | 4 of 4 | 45 of 110 | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 12 of 40 | 30% | 9 of 36 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 13 of 28 | 46% | 9 of 24 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 18 of 42 | 42% | 13 of 35 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 36 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Arnold Allen | 21 of 47 | 44% | 15 of 40 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 29 of 58 | 50% | 19 of 44 | 9 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 48 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 4 |
| Arnold Allen | 17 of 43 | 39% | 11 of 37 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 39 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Evloev (-180), Allen (+150)
Round 1
The five-fight main card of UFC 297 is not playing around, as we kick things off with Top 10 featherweights Allen and Evloev. This fight will have a direct impact on the 145-pound title picture, and as a couple of the best fighters under 30 in the division, it’s entirely possible that these two will meet again sometime in the next few years with a belt on the line. Allen, the Brit but longtime Tristar Gym exponent, gets the adoptive native pop from the crowd. Marc Goddard is the third man in the cage. They go right to work, Allen southpaw, Evloev orthodox. Evloev lands a right body kick to the open side. He goes upstairs with a kick next, but Allen evades it easily. Allen’s right jab and hand fighting are on point early, giving Evloev trouble getting his left hand working. Evloev comes forward and runs into a body punch from Allen. Allen gives chase and lands another left to the body. Evloev changes levels and grabs a single-leg, briefly getting Allen to the ground, but they pop back up with Evloev still holding the leg. Allen escapes a moment later and they return to the middle to the cage. With two minutes to go, Evloev tries another head kick, which glances off the raised arms of Allen. Allen’s jab is a constant presence, but Evloev ducks under one and gets a clean takedown. He can’t secure top position, however, as Allen hits a gorgeous Granby roll and spins to his feet. Evloev re-shoots, hauls him down again, and Allen uses another Granby roll. What a scramble. Evloev follows Allen, takes his back standing and lifts and dumps him on the canvas right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Round 2
Allen’s righty jab is pumping right from the get-go, working to keep Evloev on the outside. Evloev paws out at the hand with his right, trying his own jab. Allen throws a murderous-looking high kick that bounces off the guard of Evloev. Allen throws another high kick, again off of the Russian’s arms, but the cumulative impact to the arms can’t be disregarded at this point. Evloev shoots a single-leg, switches to a double and plows Allen to the ground in the middle of the cage. Allen stands, with Evloev stuck to his back, and goes to the cage. Allen turns toward Evloev, briefly considers a front headlock, but gives it up and uses underhooks to shove Evloev away from his hips. They disengage and move back to the center of the cage, where Evloev meets him with a jumping knee. Allen comes back with another body punch. With under a minute to go, Allen lands another left to the body. Evloev catches him with a right to the chest, then clocks him with a crushing jab that rocks Allen badly. Allen stumbles away, bleeding from a cut under the left eye. Evloev gives chase, but stays measured—or doesn’t realize how badly he has his man hurt. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Round 3
Between rounds, Allen’s corner more or less tells him he needs a finish, and he comes out aggressively. He backs Evloev up with a flurry of punches, then catches him with a clean, hard three-punch combination. Evloev throws a right cross and tries to shoot a takedown behind it, but Allen is wise to it and steps out of the way, nailing him with a left hand as he does. Evloev changes levels and Allen uses a front headlock to drive him across the cage, throwing knees to the head all along the way. Some of them look as though they might be illegal, as Evloev’s hand is on the canvas intermittently, while Allen tries to elevate him and knee him at the same time. Referee Goddard stops the action, has the cageside doctor examine a cut created by one or more of the knee strikes, and issues a “hard warning” to Allen without taking a point. They go back to work and, with half the round gone, Allen is on the front foot once again. Allen’s jab is there, but Evloev counters him with a kick up the middle. Allen lands another body punch. Evloev shoots right into a front headlock. Allen locks up a ninja choke, then gator rolls to top position. Evloev somehow spins through and ends up on top in north-south, having broken the grip. Another incredible ground sequence from these two standouts. They return to the feet and go careening into the fence, where Evloev is on Allen’s back. Allen throws a nice blind elbow behind him, but can’t land any Hail Marys, and the final horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Allen (29-28 Evloev)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen (29-28 Evloev)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Allen (29-28 Evloev)
The Official Result
Movsar Evloev def. Arnold Allen via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Evloev, believing his wrestling will be the difference. He notes Allen's excellent takedown defense (not taken down since 2018) but thinks Evloev's chain wrestling and volume will eventually get takedowns. He compares the fight to Fares Ziam vs. Terrance McKinney, expecting a 30-27 decision. He is unsure about including Evloev in the safety parlay.
Big Brady picks Evloev, citing his undefeated record and high takedown volume. He notes Allen's takedown defense is good but not great, and that Allen has been taken down multiple times in the past by wrestlers. He believes Evloev will control the fight with wrestling and win a decision, unless Allen lands a knockout which he doesn't see happening.
Cody picks Evloev by decision, emphasizing his elite wrestling and ability to control the fight. He notes Allen's struggles against wrestlers like Mads Burnell and believes Evloev will replicate that game plan. He sees Evloev's decision prop as good value.
Vreeland picks Evloev, citing his well-rounded game and solid striking. He believes Evloev is a slightly better all-around fighter than Allen, and that his grappling will be a key factor. Vreeland notes that Allen hasn't faced a grappler of Evloev's caliber recently, and that Evloev's takedowns could decide the fight. He suggests watching the first minute to see if Evloev can get takedowns, which would indicate his path to victory.
Daniel Vreeland picks Movsar Evloev to win a comfortable decision. He believes Evloev's relentless wrestling and pressure will neutralize Allen over three rounds, especially in the later rounds. He notes Evloev's takedown volume and ability to mix striking with takedowns. He bet two units on Evloev at -175.
Fox picks Allen, arguing that his striking is sharper than Evloev's. He points to Evloev's close fight with Diego Lopes on short notice and Allen's competitive fight with Max Holloway as evidence. Fox believes the key question is whether Evloev can get takedowns; if not, Allen wins the striking exchanges. He suggests it may be a live bet opportunity after the first minute.
This fight is not discussed in the transcript. The host does not mention Evloev vs Allen.
I love Evloev in this spot. Even if he doesn't land takedowns, his volume and output advantage should be enough to win on the scorecards if it becomes a striking battle. Allen's takedown defense has been good recently, but the level of wrestlers he faced is not as high as Evloev. Evloev is well-rounded enough to mix up his game and combat Allen's low output. I think Evloev wins by decision and possibly puts himself in a number one contender fight.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Evloev by decision. He thinks Evloev's wrestling will be the difference and the fight will be ugly. He notes the best price on Evloev by decision is -117.
The MMA Guru picks Arnold Allen as an underdog, despite acknowledging Evloev's grappling. He cites Evloev's recent ACL injury and poor striking defense, noting openings in his punches. He praises Allen's lateral movement, defensive wrestling, and ability to counter. He predicts a close decision win for Allen, 29-28.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 0 | 88 of 129 | 68% | 183 of 228 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 8:30 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 37 of 69 | 53% | 48 of 82 | 0 of 0 | --- | 4 | 1 | 0:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 16 of 22 | 72% | 65 of 74 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:34 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 17 of 27 | 62% | 28 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:25 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 39 of 66 | 59% | 79 of 107 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 10 of 24 | 41% | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 33 of 41 | 80% | 39 of 47 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:36 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 10 of 18 | 55% | 10 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 3 | 1 | 0:16 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 88 of 129 | 68% | 76 of 116 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 10 | 45 of 81 | 11 of 11 | 32 of 37 |
| Diego Lopes | 37 of 69 | 53% | 29 of 57 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 27 of 55 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 11 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 16 of 22 | 72% | 14 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 11 |
| Diego Lopes | 17 of 27 | 62% | 13 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 10 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 39 of 66 | 59% | 37 of 63 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 22 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 20 |
| Diego Lopes | 10 of 24 | 41% | 7 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 33 of 41 | 80% | 25 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 8 | 17 of 25 | 10 of 10 | 6 of 6 |
| Diego Lopes | 10 of 18 | 55% | 9 of 15 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Evloev (-900), Lopes (+600)
Round 1
On extremely short notice, unbeaten Russian Evloev (16-0, 6-0 UFC) will no longer be facing Bryce Mitchell in a major featherweight collision. Instead, he battles late replacement and unsuccessful Dana White’s Contender Series vet Lopes (20-5, 0-0 UFC), who springboarded into the organization on the heels of a pair of knockouts last year. Evloev will serve as the highest betting favorite of the evening by a wide margin, with odds around -1000 in his favor, and he may need to demonstrate that level of perceived dominance to move up in his crowded division. Thankful to be competing tonight, the fighters touch gloves, and referee Keith Peterson is ready for however the match plays out from here. There will be no nonsense. Lopes takes the center of the cage, and he slaps out a low kick early. The Russian replies immediately with the same kick, and Lopes loops a right hand over the top. The Brazilian follows it with a calf kick, and Evloev ducks back and catches the newcomer with a left hand. The strikes landing from Lopes draw a reaction from Evloev immediately, who starts slinging punches. A mighty brawl ensues, and Evloev manages to trip Lopes out and drop him to the mat after they trade fists. Lopes falls to his back in search of a leglock, and Evloev spins out of it and shuts down a subsequent triangle choke attempt. Evloev begins to open up with his strikes, until Lopes turns to his side to lock one leg over and around Evloev’s shoulder. Evloev fights out of it before it transforms into an armbar, and Lopes is quick to set up one on the other side. Lopes rolls to his back and locks the armbar down, and Evloev brilliantly survives it, turns into it and winds up on top. Evloev breaks out of another possible submission setup to lower himself flat on top, and he drills the neophyte with a clean right hand. Lopes looks for another armbar, and he rolls all the way to his face on the ground, and Evloev stops this by smashing him in the face. Lopes returns to his back, and he sets up a triangle choke with seconds to spare. The round ends, and judges might see this one going either way.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Round 2
The featherweights greet in the middle of the cage with a clap of hands to reintroduce themselves to one another, and Evloev is the initial aggressor. The Russian lands a right hand behind the ear, and Lopes catches him and staggers him with a left hook. Evloev gets backed off from a stream of punches, and he retaliates with a right hand that wraps around the guard. Lopes sneaks a right hand in when trading, and Evloev takes a few steps back to get out of range and stick out a jab. The unbeaten fighter fires off a head kick, and he spins with a wheel kick that misses the mark. Evloev strings three punches together on the chin, and Lopes loads up on his punches. Evloev’s sharp strikes start to connect more frequently, and Lopes is keener on unloading single dangerous blows. Evloev backs him off with a few punches in a row, and Lopes tags him with one back. Evloev shoots in for a takedown, and he succeeds in putting the Brazilian on his back. Lopes gets pummeled with a series of punches to the head and body, and Lopes briefly boots him with an upkick to back him off. Evloev climbs back down into the guard without fear, as the submission attempts from the short-notice replacement are fewer and farther between. Evloev alternates his right hands to the ribs and temple, and Lopes cannot defend against them before the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Evloev
Round 3
The last round kicks off with Lopes pushing the pace, and he connects with a few looping strikes before Evloev counters to shut him down. Evloev attacks from angles while Lopes plods straight forward, and Lopes eats a few body shots and blocks a head kick in the nick of time. Evloev launches a huge right hand that slams into the side of his foe’s head, and he lands a few punches and an elbow before Lopes can muster a response. Lopes loads up on his punches, and Evloev sees them coming and dodges and weaves. Evloev evades a swing to elbow his man in the face, and he scoops Lopes off the ground and dumps him to the mat. Evloev opens up immediately with ground-and-pound, and Lopes pushes him off with his feet and works his way up to his feet. The quick mat return from Evloev puts the newcomer back down again, and Evloev hangs onto him from behind while Lopes stands once more. From an unusual angle from the back, Evloev whips several kicks to the leg and even one up high, further frustrating a fatiguing Lopes. Evloev knees the inner thigh, and he hits a takedown. Lopes instantly threatens with a kimura, and he succeeds in sweeping Evloev over while still hanging onto the sub. Lopes considers a triangle choke to keep Evloev downed, but Evloev musters all of his energy to power back up and out of the submission. Evloev fights off an armlock, and Lopes quickly dives after a kneebar. The knee hyperextends, and Evloev rolls over through it and shakes his head that he will not tap out. Evloev’s poker face is incredible, as the damage to his tendons and ligaments must be severe. Evloev grits out the pain as Lopes torques on his limb with all his might, and the bell sounds before the submission can be completed. Even in likely defeat, Lopes likely impressed the masses with his promotional debut, threatening the undefeated fighter several times from bell to bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Evloev (29-28 Evloev)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Evloev (29-28 Evloev)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Evloev (29-28 Evloev)
The Official Result
Movsar Evloev def. Diego Lopes via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo picks Movsar Evloev confidently, comparing this fight to Bryce Mitchell's loss to Ilia Topuria. He argues that Mitchell is a one-dimensional wrestler with mediocre wrestling by international standards (Arkansas wrestling), while Evloev is an international-level wrestler with excellent chain wrestling and takedown setups. Angelo believes Evloev's wrestling will dominate Mitchell, as Mitchell only wrestles and will be outclassed. He dismisses Mitchell's previous success as being against lower-level competition.
Big Brady picks Evloev but is cautious about the wide odds. He notes Evloev has been taken down before (by Mike Grundy) and Mitchell has good top control. However, he trusts Evloev's scrambling, get-up game, and cardio to outwork Mitchell over three rounds. He expects Evloev to get takedowns and win a decision, though Mitchell might win the first round.
Cody sees this as a massive mismatch, with Evloev being a huge favorite. He notes that Lopes was taken down three times by Joanderson Brito on the Contender Series and had no ability to get up. Evloev has superior wrestling, striking, and cardio. He expects Evloev to dominate via wrestling and win easily, possibly by decision since he's not a big finisher.
Connor also picks Evloev, emphasizing that Lopes' style of stepping into the pocket to brawl is takedown fodder and that Evloev is a composed fighter who will exploit that. He notes that Lopes has struggled on the regional scene against good opponents and that Evloev is a terrible matchup on short notice.
The host picks Movsar Evloev, citing his well-rounded game and striking improvements. He believes Evloev's defensive grappling will keep the fight standing, where he can land significant damage. He expects Evloev to win a dominant decision and sees him as a future title contender.
Paul agrees completely, saying the only chance for Lopes is a flying knee or a sloppy takedown. He notes Lopes is tall with poor base and wild striking, making him easy to take down. Evloev should win cleanly, and Paul suggests looking at prop bets like Evloev by decision or inside distance.
The Guru picks Evloev, stating he is better in every area and won't fear Mitchell's grappling. He expects Evloev to outgrapple Mitchell, take his back, and control the fight, though it may be boring. He predicts a 29-28 decision, with Mitchell possibly having a moment in round three but Evloev winning 2-1.
Zane picks Evloev confidently, noting that Evloev is extremely well-rounded, composed, and has a multifaceted takedown game. He points out that Lopes' brawling style leaves him open to takedowns and that Evloev's jab and ability to sniff out openings will be too much. Zane also mentions that Lopes has struggled against composed, high-level opponents in the past.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 0 | 42 of 106 | 39% | 47 of 114 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 68 of 129 | 52% | 144 of 213 | 9 of 16 | 56% | 0 | 0 | 6:47 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 17 of 44 | 38% | 19 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 23 of 45 | 51% | 28 of 50 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 20 of 52 | 38% | 20 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 30 of 66 | 45% | 54 of 93 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 15 of 18 | 83% | 62 of 70 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 0 | 0 | 4:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 42 of 106 | 39% | 25 of 85 | 14 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 38 of 102 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 |
| Dan Ige | 68 of 129 | 52% | 50 of 109 | 12 of 14 | 6 of 6 | 51 of 110 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 17 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 17 of 44 | 38% | 11 of 36 | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 43 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Dan Ige | 23 of 45 | 51% | 14 of 34 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 23 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 20 of 52 | 38% | 11 of 41 | 7 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dan Ige | 30 of 66 | 45% | 23 of 59 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 5 of 10 | 50% | 3 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Dan Ige | 15 of 18 | 83% | 13 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 13 |
Angelo praises Movsar Evloev's wrestling and striking setups, noting his chain wrestling and takedown averages. Dan Ige is well-rounded but Angelo is confident Evloev will win via decision, as he has in his previous five UFC wins. He bet on Evloev by decision at -155.
Big Brady picks Movsar Evloev to win by decision. He thinks Evloev will implement his game plan of takedowns and control, similar to how Korean Zombie took down Ige. He notes Ige is a good striker but Evloev won't give him many opportunities on the feet. He believes Evloev is a black belt in BJJ and can stay safe on top, grinding out a decision. He sees this as a bad matchup for Ige and expects Evloev to go 16-0.
Cody provides a detailed breakdown, noting Evloev's wrestling and back-taking ability, and Ige's struggles against wrestlers. He references Ige's losses to Korean Zombie and Josh Emmett as a blueprint for Evloev. He picks Evloev by decision and plans to bet that prop.
Daniel Levi picks Movsar Evloev, viewing him as a future top-5 fighter with relentless wrestling and a strong chin, as shown in the Mike Grundy fight. He believes Dan Ige is a tough but fringe top-15 gatekeeper who will struggle with Evloev's chain wrestling and pressure. He expects a decision win for Evloev and suggests the decision prop at -175 as a parlay piece.
Paul picks Evloev but doesn't love the moneyline price. He notes Evloev's undefeated record and wrestling advantage, and suggests Evloev by decision as a better bet. He acknowledges Ige's durability and toughness but thinks Evloev's grappling will be the difference.
The MMA Guru picks Movsar Evloev to win by 29-28 unanimous decision. He highlights Evloev's grappling ability to take the back and maintain dominant positions, similar to what Korean Zombie did to Ige. He worries about Evloev's chin but believes Ige lacks the power to finish. He expects Evloev to win the first two rounds via grappling, with Ige possibly taking the third. He notes featherweight fights rarely end in finishes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 0 | 42 of 90 | 46% | 193 of 266 | 9 of 13 | 69% | 2 | 0 | 8:55 |
| Hakeem Dawodu | 0 | 39 of 92 | 42% | 60 of 129 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:16 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 11 of 13 | 84% | 69 of 74 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 3:36 |
| Hakeem Dawodu | 0 | 7 of 18 | 38% | 15 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 14 of 15 | 93% | 91 of 109 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:34 |
| Hakeem Dawodu | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:11 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 17 of 62 | 27% | 33 of 83 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
| Hakeem Dawodu | 0 | 31 of 70 | 44% | 32 of 75 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 42 of 90 | 46% | 37 of 83 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 21 of 63 | 5 of 9 | 16 of 18 |
| Hakeem Dawodu | 39 of 92 | 42% | 26 of 70 | 7 of 14 | 6 of 8 | 37 of 89 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 11 of 13 | 84% | 10 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Hakeem Dawodu | 7 of 18 | 38% | 6 of 14 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 14 of 15 | 93% | 14 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 14 |
| Hakeem Dawodu | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 17 of 62 | 27% | 13 of 56 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 52 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 1 |
| Hakeem Dawodu | 31 of 70 | 44% | 20 of 54 | 7 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 29 of 67 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Movsar Evloev, highlighting his well-rounded skills, including solid striking and excellent takedown game. He acknowledges Dawodu has a striking advantage but believes Evloev's takedowns and control time will edge out a decision win. He notes Evloev's undefeated record and impressive cardio.
Cody leans towards Dawodu as an underdog, citing his striking pedigree and takedown defense improvements. He thinks if Dawodu can keep the fight standing, he has the advantage. He notes Evloev's wrestling is not elite and that Dawodu's style is tailored to upset grapplers.
Daniel Levi picks Movsar Evloev by decision, citing his relentless pace and clinch grappling. He acknowledges Dawodu's technical striking and calf kicks but believes Evloev's work rate and takedowns will be the difference. He notes that Evloev has shown championship qualities by escaping deep submissions. He thinks the line is a bit wide but still favors Evloev.
Evloev has a strong wrestling and grappling base, which should neutralize Dawodu's Muay Thai. The threat of takedowns will limit Dawodu's striking output, and Evloev's volume and cardio give him an edge. Dawodu is durable, so Evloev likely wins a decision. The value is on Dawodu, but Evloev is the safer pick.
Paul passes on this fight. He acknowledges Dawodu's chances but is not confident either way. He notes Evloev has been a cash cow but the style clash makes it a live underdog situation.
The MMA Guru picks Hakeem Dawodu, questioning Evloev's grappling offense and power. He notes Dawodu's reach advantage and technical striking, and criticizes Evloev's close fights with Enrique Barzola and Nick Lentz. He predicts Dawodu wins a 29-28 decision by taking the first two rounds and surviving the third.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 0 | 46 of 127 | 36% | 50 of 137 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 2 | 1 | 1:26 |
| Nik Lentz | 0 | 82 of 170 | 48% | 137 of 235 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:36 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 8 of 17 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 0:46 |
| Nik Lentz | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 37 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:22 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 20 of 45 | 44% | 20 of 50 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:33 |
| Nik Lentz | 0 | 28 of 55 | 50% | 34 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:59 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 19 of 67 | 28% | 22 of 70 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Nik Lentz | 0 | 47 of 100 | 47% | 66 of 122 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 46 of 127 | 36% | 24 of 100 | 15 of 20 | 7 of 7 | 41 of 120 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Nik Lentz | 82 of 170 | 48% | 70 of 153 | 7 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 78 of 165 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 7 of 15 | 46% | 3 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Nik Lentz | 7 of 15 | 46% | 6 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 20 of 45 | 44% | 9 of 33 | 7 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 41 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Nik Lentz | 28 of 55 | 50% | 25 of 48 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 3 | 28 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 19 of 67 | 28% | 12 of 56 | 5 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 19 of 66 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Nik Lentz | 47 of 100 | 47% | 39 of 91 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 47 of 100 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Movsar Evloev by decision, citing his striking and wrestling advantages. He notes Evloev is 13-0 and younger, while Lentz has eye problems and is coming off a layoff. He warns about Lentz's guillotine but believes Evloev can keep the fight standing or control on the ground. He thinks Evloev is a fine parlay piece at -450.
Daniel Levi picks Movsar Evloev, calling him a top prospect with elite scrambling and improving boxing. He notes Evloev's impressive performance against Mike Grundy, where he survived a deep choke and dominated. Levi believes Evloev is better in every category and will win by decision, possibly 30-26 or 30-27.
Evloev is a huge prospect with championship potential, and he has been improving on a fight-to-fight basis. He has a solid striking game, good grappling, and has shown he can get back to his feet if taken down. Lentz is durable and has underrated power, but he is outmatched in terms of trajectory and skill. Evloev should be able to grind out a decision, though he may have trouble finishing Lentz. I'm a huge Evloev fan and think he wins this fight.
The MMA Guru picks Movsar Evloev to win by 30-27 unanimous decision. He praises Evloev's takedown defense and reach, which will neutralize Nik Lentz's wrestling. He notes that Lentz is tough but will be out-struck on the feet. He does not see a finish due to Lentz's durability. He expects Evloev to keep the fight standing and pick Lentz apart for three rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 0 | 79 of 150 | 52% | 96 of 173 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Mike Grundy | 0 | 20 of 66 | 30% | 25 of 80 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 1 | 0 | 2:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 19 of 34 | 55% | 25 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mike Grundy | 0 | 3 of 16 | 18% | 3 of 20 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 1:40 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 31 of 55 | 56% | 35 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Mike Grundy | 0 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 8 of 21 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 0 | 29 of 61 | 47% | 36 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Mike Grundy | 0 | 11 of 34 | 32% | 14 of 39 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movsar Evloev | 79 of 150 | 52% | 53 of 120 | 13 of 14 | 13 of 16 | 72 of 142 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Mike Grundy | 20 of 66 | 30% | 11 of 53 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 18 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movsar Evloev | 19 of 34 | 55% | 12 of 24 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 6 | 18 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Mike Grundy | 3 of 16 | 18% | 0 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Movsar Evloev | 31 of 55 | 56% | 20 of 44 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 26 of 49 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Mike Grundy | 6 of 16 | 37% | 4 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Movsar Evloev | 29 of 61 | 47% | 21 of 52 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 28 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Mike Grundy | 11 of 34 | 32% | 7 of 27 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Big Brady picks Evloev, impressed by his striking improvement and wrestling. He thinks Grundy is overhyped after the Nad Narimani KO and notes Grundy doesn't throw enough volume. He expects the wrestling to cancel out and Evloev to win by decision based on volume. He plans to bet if the line gets closer to -175.
Daniel picks Grundy for the upset, citing his size, power, and physicality. He believes Evloev may struggle with Grundy's strength and could tire in later rounds. He notes Evloev's volume but thinks Grundy's power and wrestling could be the difference. He thinks the line should be closer.
Evloev has superior chain wrestling and cardio, and his striking is improving. Grundy is a one-dimensional wrestler who may struggle to get takedowns against Evloev's wrestling. Evloev can outwork Grundy over three rounds, mixing in takedowns and striking. A late finish is possible but decision is more likely.
The MMA Guru picks Movsar Evloev due to his undefeated record, better competition, youth, and size advantage. He questions Mike Grundy's level of competition and notes that Grundy's win over Nad Narimani was not dominant and had an early stoppage. He predicts a close decision, 29-28, with Grundy stealing a round.
Diego Lopes - Fight History
AJ is leaning towards Steve Garcia, citing Garcia's terrifying hands and cardio to go three hard rounds. He thinks Garcia could outstrike Lopes and notes that Lopes is not a grapple smotherer, making it hard for him to control Garcia. He also mentions Garcia's chin and finishing ability.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 98 of 160 | 61% | 112 of 178 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 | 0 | 2:49 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 70 of 158 | 44% | 74 of 162 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 12 of 27 | 44% | 17 of 32 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 12 of 28 | 42% | 12 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 19 of 30 | 63% | 20 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 16 of 34 | 47% | 19 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 21 of 35 | 60% | 21 of 35 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 17 of 38 | 44% | 17 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 25 of 44 | 56% | 25 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 22 of 48 | 45% | 22 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 21 of 24 | 87% | 29 of 34 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:22 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 4 of 11 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 98 of 160 | 61% | 72 of 118 | 3 of 6 | 23 of 36 | 88 of 149 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 7 |
| Diego Lopes | 70 of 158 | 44% | 33 of 98 | 17 of 33 | 20 of 27 | 66 of 152 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 12 of 27 | 44% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 14 | 12 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Diego Lopes | 12 of 28 | 42% | 3 of 15 | 2 of 5 | 7 of 8 | 12 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 19 of 30 | 63% | 13 of 20 | 0 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 19 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Diego Lopes | 16 of 34 | 47% | 9 of 23 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 6 | 15 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 21 of 35 | 60% | 21 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 21 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Diego Lopes | 17 of 38 | 44% | 8 of 24 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 6 | 15 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Alexander Volkanovski | 25 of 44 | 56% | 15 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 9 | 25 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Diego Lopes | 22 of 48 | 45% | 10 of 29 | 7 of 13 | 5 of 6 | 22 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Alexander Volkanovski | 21 of 24 | 87% | 18 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 7 |
| Diego Lopes | 3 of 10 | 30% | 3 of 7 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
Angelo picks Volkanovski to win the rematch, citing his insane cardio, high fight IQ, and ability to game plan. He believes Volkanovski will wrestle more this time to take away Diego's distance, where he landed his best shots. Angelo acknowledges Diego's dangerous grappling and striking, and notes that Diego was close to finishing Volkanovski in the first fight. He suggests a prop bet on Diego Lopes winning inside the distance, as you get a refund if he doesn't and get paid if he does.
Big Brady leans toward Diego Lopes for the upset, citing that Lopes needs to be more aggressive and make it a 'car crash' to touch Volkanovski's chin, which has been cracked. He notes Lopes dropped Volkanovski in the first fight and started turning it on in the later rounds. However, he acknowledges Volkanovski wins a decision 90% of the time if it goes the distance, so Lopes must finish. Brady predicts a second-round knockout for Lopes.
Cody believes Volkanovski will win a decision similar to the first fight, citing his superior striking volume and takedown defense. He notes that Volkanovski landed 158 significant strikes in the first fight and that Lopes' ground game was ineffective. He acknowledges Volkanovski's age and potential decline but sees no evidence of regression yet. He picks Volkanovski by decision.
Connor picks Diego Lopes because he believes that Volkanovski is older and more vulnerable, and that Lopes has a puncher's chance that becomes more likely the more times they fight. He notes that Lopes is insanely fast and durable, and that Volkanovski's defensive decisions have worsened. However, he acknowledges that Volkanovski is still the more technical fighter and that Lopes could easily lose.
Daniel Vreeland picks Volkanovski to outclass Lopes again, citing his superior fight IQ, feinting game, and all-around skills. He notes that Lopes needs a finish to win, as he has a negative record in decisions, but Volkanovski is tough to put away and has already proven he can handle Lopes' best shots. Vreeland acknowledges Lopes' dangerous finishing ability but believes Volkanovski's adjustments and experience will prevail.
James picks Diego Lopes to win the rematch, citing Lopes' momentum from his KO of Jean Silva, improved camp, and admission of ego issues in the first fight. He believes Lopes will push a higher pace and force pocket exchanges where he can land a knockout. James notes Volkanovski's age and potential decline, and that the close odds (Volk -155) suggest the fight is a toss-up. He also mentions Lopes' durability and submission threat.
Volkanovski's fight IQ and tactical approach will allow him to execute a game plan similar to their first fight: jab, leg kick, takedowns to disrupt Lopes' rhythm. He out-struck Lopes 158 to 63 in their first bout, landing at 61% in rounds three and five. Lopes may be more aggressive this time, but Volkanovski's submission defense and ability to stick and move should neutralize that. The host notes that if Lopes wins, it likely comes by knockout, but he favors the better overall fighter. He suggests waiting for better odds on Volkanovski during fight week.
Paul argues that Volkanovski clearly won the first fight 4-1 and that the line is too close given that result. He acknowledges Lopes' improvements and Volkanovski's age but believes the champion's skills and experience will prevail. He sees a similar outcome, possibly a 48-47 decision.
The Guru picks Diego Lopes by TKO in round two, citing his performance in the first fight where he dropped Volkanovski. He believes Volkanovski's age, layoff, and lack of motivation will be factors, while Lopes has improved and has a lottery ticket mentality. He expects Lopes to finish him this time.
Zane picks Volkanovski, arguing that Lopez has atrocious defense and poor footwork, and that Volkanovski will walk him into jabs and overhand rights. He notes that Lopez might win with a puncher's chance due to his durability and speed, but believes Volkanovski's technical superiority will prevail. He also points out that Lopez is an opportunist who starts hot but fades if he doesn't get an early finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 1 | 74 of 135 | 54% | 86 of 154 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 2:40 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 43 of 91 | 47% | 43 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 0 | 43 of 77 | 55% | 50 of 86 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Diego Lopes | 1 | 31 of 58 | 53% | 36 of 68 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 33 of 71 | 46% | 33 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 74 of 135 | 54% | 63 of 118 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 16 | 31 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 42 of 68 |
| Jean Silva | 43 of 91 | 47% | 26 of 67 | 10 of 17 | 7 of 7 | 42 of 90 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 43 of 77 | 55% | 36 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 10 | 14 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 29 of 53 |
| Jean Silva | 10 of 20 | 50% | 5 of 11 | 2 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Diego Lopes | 31 of 58 | 53% | 27 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 17 of 41 | 1 of 2 | 13 of 15 |
| Jean Silva | 33 of 71 | 46% | 21 of 56 | 8 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 32 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Silva (-270); Lopes (+220)
Round 1
Mike Beltran is the referee. Lopes alnds an outside leg kick. Silva with a front kick close to Lopes’ chin. Lopes is attacking with low kicks. Another front kick up high for Silva, just missing the mark. Lopes with another low kick. Silva working the front kick. Silva throws a couple leg kicks of his own. Lopes gets a takedown to counters a Silva spinning back kick. Lopes wants to take the back. Silva gives up full mount instead. Silva wants to buck him off. Lopes cuts his foe with a downward elbow. He smiles and drops more elbows. Lopes alternates between elbows and punches and Silva gives up his back. Silva is in defensive mode. More elbows and punches for Lopes, who isn’t giving up mount. Lopes drops elbows on the smiling mug of Silva. He switches to punches and Silva rolls. Lopes continues the beating, but finally Silva breaks free. He is bloodied but ready to get to work. Silva jabs and rocks Lopes with a snap kick to the chin. Lopes goes bck to the leg kick and Silva lands a jab. Lopes avoids the snap kick this time. Lopes pumps his jab and Silva lands a left hook to the body. Silva with a right. Silva wipes the blood off his head and smiles as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Lopes
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Lopes
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-8 Lopes
Round 2
Silva comes out with a couple leg kicks. Silva with a right to the body. Silva steps in with a solid one-two. Lopes counters with a right during an exchange. Silva with a right hook and he smiles. Silva goes body-head, and he does it again. Lopes is eating heavy shots. That propels Lopes to fire back. Silva steps in with an elbow and he just misses a spinning back elbow. Lopes lands a calf kick and he advances. Silva rocks his foe with a counter right. Silva touches the chin of Lopes again, and now he’s opening up, landing punches in bunches. Silva is mixing in some elbows to his offense. They trade low kicks. Silva digs to the body, but Lopes counters with a right. A big right lands for Silva. Lopes is still in Silva’s face. Silva over extends and Lopes gets a takedown. He lands a series of rights from Silva’s back as he laces the right leg. Lopes slams Silva, but “Lord” rolls. Lopes is able to transition to side control during a scramble. Silva uses a single-leg to stand and he’s unloading now. They’re both trading heavy punches and a finish seems like it could be imminent. Silva kicks the body and is in pursuit of his opponent. A spinning elbow from Lopes — virutally the same one “Lord” has been using repeatedly — drops Silva near the fence.
The Fighting Nerds product is stunned, and Lopes tees off with ground-and-pound. Silva isn’t recovering, and the assault continues. Beltran has finally seen enough, and he waves off the fight to save a badly bloodied Silva.
In the aftermath of the stoppage, an upset Silva attempts to go after Lopes, but he’s held back by security. The slump for the Fighting Nerds continues, but there’s no shame in this defeat: This is a “Fight of the Year” candidate.
The Official Result
Diego Lopes def. Jean Silva via TKO (Spinning Back Elbow and Punches) R2 4:48
Angelo picks Jean Silva, calling him the fighting nerds' last hope. He says Silva is a powerful striker, loose, creative, and composed. He notes Diego Lopez has dangerous BJJ and power, but his technique goes out the window as the fight goes on, and he is too busy coaching others. He thinks Silva will beat the hell out of Lopez, and the odds reflect that accurately.
Big Brady picks Silva because of his exceptional power and Lopes's poor striking defense. He notes Lopes has only two takedowns in the UFC and Silva has good takedown defense, so the fight stays standing. He predicts Silva knocks out Lopes, who has been knocked out twice before, in the third round.
Connor picks Jean Silva, emphasizing Silva's superior positioning and distance management, which he compares to Anderson Silva. He notes that Silva's natural feel for the fight and ability to remain unanxious will allow him to handle Lopes's pressure. Connor acknowledges Lopes's power and durability but believes Silva's style is better suited for an unstructured fight, where his innate skills shine.
The host believes people are realizing Lopes is not as good as he seemed. He expects Silva to dictate the pace, take the center, land big shots, break Lopes down, fend off takedowns, and eventually find a knockout, cementing himself as a top contender.
The MMA Guru picks Diego Lopes, arguing that Jean Silva is being overhyped and that the 'Fighting Nerds' mystique has faded. He notes Lopes has championship experience, having gone five rounds with Volkanovski, and crashes well, which will trouble Silva. He believes Silva's loose, goofy style will be shut down when Lopes lands power. He predicts a second-round finish.
Zane picks Jean Silva, citing Silva's natural positioning and ability to evolve over rounds, which allows him to time opponents better as the fight progresses. He notes that Silva's lack of anxiety and tendency to stay composed under pressure will be key against Lopes's aggressive but unstructured style. Zane acknowledges Lopes's finishing ability and toughness but believes Silva's natural gifts and adaptability will prevail in an unstructured fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 158 of 259 | 61% | 165 of 266 | 1 of 11 | 9% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Diego Lopes | 1 | 63 of 194 | 32% | 71 of 203 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 27 of 44 | 61% | 31 of 48 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 8 of 22 | 36% | 11 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 24 of 52 | 46% | 27 of 55 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Diego Lopes | 1 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 17 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 25 of 45 | 55% | 25 of 45 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 9 of 37 | 24% | 9 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 39 of 57 | 68% | 39 of 57 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 16 of 43 | 37% | 16 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 43 of 61 | 70% | 43 of 61 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 14 of 59 | 23% | 18 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 158 of 259 | 61% | 136 of 225 | 8 of 14 | 14 of 20 | 142 of 237 | 7 of 11 | 9 of 11 |
| Diego Lopes | 63 of 194 | 32% | 49 of 171 | 7 of 13 | 7 of 10 | 59 of 185 | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 27 of 44 | 61% | 21 of 34 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 6 | 14 of 27 | 4 of 6 | 9 of 11 |
| Diego Lopes | 8 of 22 | 36% | 5 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 8 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 24 of 52 | 46% | 18 of 42 | 0 of 3 | 6 of 7 | 24 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Diego Lopes | 16 of 33 | 48% | 15 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 25 of 45 | 55% | 21 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 5 | 25 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Diego Lopes | 9 of 37 | 24% | 7 of 33 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Alexander Volkanovski | 39 of 57 | 68% | 36 of 53 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 39 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Diego Lopes | 16 of 43 | 37% | 13 of 37 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 39 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Alexander Volkanovski | 43 of 61 | 70% | 40 of 58 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 40 of 56 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Diego Lopes | 14 of 59 | 23% | 9 of 53 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 13 of 55 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Volkanovski (-155), Lopes (+130)
Round 1
In the UFC 314 headliner in April 2025, Volkanovski (27-4, 14-3 UFC) took Lopes (27-7, 6-2 UFC) to task across 25 minutes, with the Brazilian claiming one round on two official scorecards when it all wrapped up. With promotional matchmakers seemingly out of ideas or options, the Lobo Gym MMA product only needed a single win to get another crack at gold, while it serves as an immediate rematch for the Aussie. No matter the thoughts on the pairing, it is here now, and fans should appreciate “The Great” for as long as we have him. Walking out to “Down Under” by Men at Work, he holds the arena in the palm of his hand. Referee Marc Goddard receives the final assignment today and brings the two 145ers to the center of the cage, issuing their instructions and setting them loose after their respectful fist bump. It’s all up to them now.
Volkanovski moves directly to the center of the cage, circling towards the power right hand of Lopes. Volkanovski lands first with a low kick, and Lopes answers back. Chants in favor of the Aussie boom through the building. Volkanovski stays light on his feet, never staying on one place, and he switches stances a few times and absorbs a kick to the liver. Lopes intercepts him with a low kick, and he takes one in response. Volkanovski connects with a hard low kick, and Lopes retaliates with a head kick that gets blocked. Volkanovski shoots, and Lopes tosses him aside and tags him with a right hand while Volkanovski resets. Lopes bounces on his heels and absorbs a low kick and one to the midsection, and neither man seems ready to fully commit after two minutes. Volkanovski loads up on a right hand, and he rushes at Lopes to toss out two more big right hands. The Aussie checks a kick, and he parries a jab.
Lopes constantly changes stances, firing off his high kick while in southpaw. Volkanovski kicks him on the inner calf, and he chips away on the other side before Lopes can get to him. Volkanovski gets in and out with his low kick, and Lopes tries and fails to counter him back. Volkanovski pecks out with a jab, and he shoots for a speedy double and presses Lopes to the wall. “The Great” clasps his hands and looks to elevate Lopes, and he releases his grip and starts slugging Lopes with his right hand. Lopes frames off with his knee, and he breaks off and gets sideswiped with a right hand. Volkanovski clips Lopes with a flush right hand, who shakes his head at him. Volkanovski connects with another right, and Lopes flashes a grin but cannot deny he got tagged. Lopes drills the champ with a stern body kick right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Round 2
The fighters touch gloves to get started again, and this time, Lopes positions himself in the center of the cage right off the bat. Volkanovski measures with a jab out of range, and he leans back as a high kick soars past him. Volkanovski slips to the side when taking a kick, and he dings Lopes twice and has a kick bounce into the cup. Lopes does not cry foul, and they continue fighting. Volkanovski works both sides of the lead leg, and he jabs to keep Lopes busy. Lopes chambers and fires a leg kick to the back leg, and they whip additional leg kicks at one another. Lopes slowly pressures forward, scoring a low kick and crashing the pocket to sneak in a right hand.
Lopes charges in, and Volkanovski ducks away and gets off a left hand on the way. Lopes lands a hard leg kick and a right hand, and Volkanovski counters him as he takes a side step. Lopes flashes his own jab, forcing Volkanovski to rush him and start trading. Lopes hits him back, and he cuts Volkanovski’s right cheek. Volkanovski pays it no mind and rails Lopes with a ferocious right hand, and Lopes comfortably tanks a blow that would fell lesser men. Lopes draws Volkanovski into a brief slugfest, and he takes a few but manages to land at the end of his long right. Volkanovski bashes Lopes in the jaw with a one-two, and Lopes steels himself and races in for a takedown. Volkanovski jumps guard with a flying guillotine choke, and he falls to his back and laughs when Lopes and his slippery hair slide out of the submission. Volkanovski scrambles, and Lopes climbs on his back and wraps his arm around the chin. Lopes hangs on until the horn sounds, and the two high-five after 10 close minutes of combat.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Round 3
Round 3 The athletes once more greet with a glove touch, and Lopes leads off with a chopping kick. As Volkanovski is moving and listening to his corner, Lopes wags his finger at them and laughs. Lopes strides forward behind an elbow, skimming it off the raised guard. Lopes jabs to the head and body, and he skirts away from a calf kick. Lopes goes to the body when Volkanovski aims high, and the Aussie checks a low kick that zips towards him. Volkanovski reestablishes his jab, peppering the challenger to open up a right hand. Lopes pops him with his own to make Volkanovski take a few steps back, and he absorbs a flush right hand up top. They clash together, and Lopes gets the better of the exchange with an elbow on the break.
Volkanovski sits down on two fierce right hands, stumbling Lopes and transitioning to a takedown. Lopes stops the first try, knees Volkanovski in the belly and stops a second subsequent effort. Volkanovski resets and kicks the lead leg to open up his right hand, and Lopes answers with a single kick to the ribcage. Lopes just misses a huge right hand, and he avoids a similar one as the champ smiles. Both of these two are having a blast in the cage together, and they are not afraid to show it. Volkanovski leads with his jab, constantly moving to not get pinned down by the larger man. Volkanovski races in with a right hand, and he stumbles possibly from taking a counter right but he might have thrown himself off-balance. The champ pops right back up, and he proceeds to slam his fists in the sides of Lopes’ melon. Lopes drives home a knee to the liver, and he takes a jab as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Round 4
The two have reached the championship rounds again, and it has been remarkably close. Volkanovski comfortably jabs out and tosses his leg kick to disrupt Lopes’ forward movement, and he turns his lead leg to check an oncoming kick. Lopes scores an inside thigh kick, and he aims another to the same spot. The Brazilian fakes a takedown and eats a right hand, but not before landing an inside low kick. Volkanovski chops at the front leg and doubles up on a jab, and he uses that jab to come over the top with an oddly timed right hand. Volkanovski parries the jabs and steps in with a knee to the body, and he slides back just out of range of the counter. Volkanovski sinks in a crisp right on the nose, and Lopes is stuck jabbing him. Volkanovski clubs him with a pair of hooks on either side of the head, and Lopes grits his teeth and doubles up on an outside leg kick.
The challenger is met with jabs, and when he tries to answer, he turns to avoid the worst of a right hand. Volkanovski snaps the head back with a jab, one so effective that Lopes nods at him as if to celebrate the strike. Chants for the champ rain down once more, as fans had been silent and one could hear a pin drop in the arena. Volkanovski busts Lopes in the chops with a blistering right hand, taking advantage of Lopes coming at him with his right. Volkanovski lets fly a body kick, and he goes low and bangs it into the cup. Volkanovski is upset by the foul and goes to apologize immediately, but Goddard gets between them and has the champ go to a neutral corner while Lopes recovers. Lopes is good to go after 35 seconds, and Volkanovski is full of apologies. Lopes accepts them, and he marches the champion down and lobs a head kick at him. Volkanovski dodges it and kicks low, and he evades a step-in elbow. Volkanovski sees right hands coming and disengages before taking them on the chin, and his jab is a masterclass and his follow-up right is money. Lopes draws him into a big exchange, and Lopes lands as much as Volkanovski does. Lopes falls over when missing on a head kick, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski
Round 5
Five minutes remain in this match, one with scores that could range from 4-0 Volkanovski to 2-2. It could potentially be all up for grabs in this last round, and Volkanovski is quick to get right behind his jab again. The snappy jab has an extra impact as Lopes hair moves when he absorbs the blow, and he remains elusive and hard to pin down. Volkanovski shoots for a single, and Lopes answers with an arm-in guillotine choke. Volkanovski rolls through it and Lopes follows him upright by clinging to it, kneeing the champ in the head. Volkanovski drops his man with a right hand, and he chains a body lock and trip takedown into it the moment Lopes recovers. Lopes posts off his hands to get up, and Volkanovski holds on from behind and keeps to Lopes when Lopes spins. Lopes explodes and manages to take the champion to the floor, and during the scramble, he takes the back.
Volkanovski stands up, with a body triangle around his waist, and he promptly breaks the leg grip and calmly shucks Lopes off. Lopes transitions to a double, and Volkanovski hacks down with elbows before reversing the position and putting Lopes to the fence. Volkanovski trips Lopes up with his feet, and he swirls around to take Lopes’ back and drags the fight down again. Lopes hits a kimura to sweep him, and he chains it into an armbar. Volkanovski sits up and his arm is still trapped, so he keeps tightly pressed to the challenger rather than lean back to possibly straighten it. Volkanovski yanks his arm out of danger and sits on Lopes’ face, and he pumps his fist to the crowd with 30 seconds left while they go wild for him. Lopes tries for a Hail Mary leglock, and Volkanovski stands up and shrugs to Goddard when he does. Volkanovski lowers himself down, and he commences one final bombardment of elbows to punish Lopes. The audience is so loud, the fighters are lucky that Goddard knows when time is up because it is practically impossible to hear the final horn.
The fighters are happy that it’s over, after a combined 50 minutes of combat with one another. Barring something extreme, there does not need to be a third match between the two. As expected, Volkanovski has the belt wrapped around his waist, further defying the age curse that many imposed on him. The masses in the building practically blow the roof off when the victorious Aussie’s arm is raised. The defending champion is all smiles after facing a wrecking machine in Lopes, and he is proud to have his moment in Sydney in front of his home country faithful. “The Great” lauds his grit, determination and many other factors for his success to this date, and he is not ready to call it quite yet. There is no clear-cut contender at the moment, with the potential for Lerone Murphy and Movsar Evloev to establish that in London soon. He welcomes the challenge. When Volkanovski fights again, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski (50-45 Volkanovski)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski (49-46 Volkanovski)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Volkanovski (50-45 Volkanovski)
The Official Result
Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45)
Connor picks Volkanovski, echoing Zane's reasoning about Lopes' lack of process. He emphasizes that Lopes' success is built on favorable matchups and short-notice opponents, and that Volkanovski has multiple paths to victory. Connor notes that Lopes' style is similar to Paddy Pimblett's but with better athleticism, and that Volkanovski's wrestling and fight IQ should be enough to overcome Lopes' early aggression. He acknowledges the risk of Volkanovski's chin but believes Lopes is not the same level as Topuria or Makhachev.
Daniel Levi picked Diego Lopes going into the fight, believing Lopes would catch Volkanovski and close the show as he normally does. He expected Volkanovski to be diminished from back-to-back knockout losses. However, he notes that Lopes was gunshy and hesitant after hurting Volkanovski, failing to pull the trigger enough, which cost him the fight.
Lucrative James picks Alexander Volkanovski to win, citing his superior skill set, cardio, fight IQ, and ability to win the minutes. He believes Volkanovski will dominate in rounds four and five, as Lopes has shown a tendency to fade late. He acknowledges the danger of Lopes' early finishing ability but thinks Volkanovski's experience and durability will carry him. He also notes that Volkanovski has taken a year off to recover, which should benefit him. The biggest worry is Volkanovski's age and potential decline, but he still sides with the former champion.
Zane picks Volkanovski because he believes Diego Lopes lacks a coherent process and relies on reckless aggression and counter-punching without controlling the initiative. He notes that Volkanovski has multiple paths to victory: pressuring, counter-fighting, or wrestling. Zane compares Lopes to Dricus du Plessis and Paddy Pimblett, suggesting his success is built on favorable matchups and short-notice opponents. He acknowledges Volkanovski's recent knockout losses and potential chin issues but sees Lopes as a step down from the elite fighters who beat Volk.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 63 of 195 | 32% | 69 of 201 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 106 of 206 | 51% | 113 of 214 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 0 | 15 of 45 | 33% | 21 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 29 of 57 | 50% | 34 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:03 | |
| 2 | Diego Lopes | 0 | 16 of 48 | 33% | 16 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 22 of 46 | 47% | 22 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 3 | Diego Lopes | 0 | 32 of 102 | 31% | 32 of 102 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 55 of 103 | 53% | 57 of 105 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 63 of 195 | 32% | 52 of 180 | 4 of 8 | 7 of 7 | 61 of 192 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Brian Ortega | 106 of 206 | 51% | 75 of 172 | 13 of 15 | 18 of 19 | 75 of 161 | 6 of 7 | 25 of 38 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 15 of 45 | 33% | 11 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Brian Ortega | 29 of 57 | 50% | 24 of 50 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 26 | |
| 2 | Diego Lopes | 16 of 48 | 33% | 12 of 42 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 22 of 46 | 47% | 11 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 10 | 20 of 43 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Diego Lopes | 32 of 102 | 31% | 29 of 97 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 31 of 101 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 55 of 103 | 53% | 40 of 87 | 10 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 41 of 87 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 12 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lopes (-175), Ortega (+145)
Round 1
A backdrop of the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral is the fighting area for this next bout, one that signals the victory of Mexico in winning its independence. A relatively short-notice matchup between these upcoming fighters turned into a spectacle at UFC 303, when Ortega (16-3, 1 NC; 8-3, 1 NC UFC) realized that he would not be anywhere close to reaching the featherweight limit. When the weight cut down to 155 pounds still sickened him to the point of withdrawing from the bout, Lopes (25-6, 4-1 UFC) made modern UFC history when Dan Ige stepped in just a few hours before the match. Rescheduled for this September showcase and neither man having issue making weight, the two elite featherweights will settle things. Referee Marc Goddard draws the assignment for this intense 145-pound contest, and he checks the fighters in. They clap hands, and proceed cautiously. Ortega leads off with his boxing, sticking out a few short strings of punches. Lopes responds with a low kick, and a remarkably powerful barrage of blows that knock Ortega off his feet. Ortega recovers to try to escape, and Lopes follows him, lifts him up and hurls him to the mat like a side of beef. Lopes decides to get into the guard so he can hammer Ortega with ground-and-pound, and he shrugs off a triangle choke to bust up Ortega’s eye. Lopes lowers himself down again to attack, once more pushing past a triangle, and the cut on Ortega’s left eye is even worse. Ortega turns over to give up his back, and the Brazilian leaps on top of him and lays into him with right hands. Ortega works his way off the fence and smacks Lopes with an upkick, so Lopes responds by grabbing hold of the ankle and lowering himself down to attack. Ortega’s snake-like offensive guard threatens every step of the way, and Lopes appears to want to make a point by either submitting Ortega or playing fearlessly in his guard. Lopes cannot find a way in, so he backs off and beckons Ortega back to his feet. Ortega thanks him for this by landing a pair of punches, and Lopes returns fire to that damaged eye. Ortega plants two kicks in the inside of his foe’s leg, and he connects with an uppercut and a left hand. Lopes jabs his way in, and Ortega’s is far more concussive as he knocks Lopes back. Lopes scoops a left hook around the guard and square into Ortega’s jaw, and Ortega responds with a blitz that is met with an elbow. Lopes sticks out his jab and follows it with a low kick, and he checks a kick coming back his way. Ortega catches a kick and winds up a right hand, but Lopes beats him to the punch when wrenching it back and clips Ortega with a three-fist bouquet. Lopes loops a left over the guard, and he connects with three punches before Ortega can give one back. “T-City” plants a kick to the ribs, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Round 2
The two men high-five before engaging again. Ortega leads off behind his jab, and Lopes sways as his mullet follows behind him. Ortega boxes his way in, and has his chin checked by powerful punches from the Brazilian. Lopes walks through a jab to load up on a right hand, and he tags a speeding Ortega with a right hand as Ortega comes by him. Ortega lets his right hand fly as well, and Lopes ducks and works the body. Lopes gets off a few leg kicks, and Ortega shoots in for a single and is uppercutted several times to stop his approach. Lopes keeps working on the front leg during the lulls, and Ortega loads up on a pair on his own side. Lopes wings a right hand that is easily parried, and he hops forward with a left hook that just misses the mark as well. The looping Lopes right hand knocks Ortega back, and he shakes it off and eats a subsequent head kick like a chile relleno. Lopes darts in with two punches, Ortega pays him back, and they trade power shots. Lopes blasts the former title challenger with a leg kick that knocks Ortega off his feet, and a huge welt has developed on and around his shin. Lopes lets him stand back up, and he kicks the same spot once before Ortega races at him. The two trade jabs, and Ortega follows one with a straight right hand. Lopes’ counter combo bounces off the guard, and he slaps a low kick as Ortega fails on checking it. Lopes plants a right hand on the jaw at the end of three punches, and Ortega counters with a right up top and a few jabs. Ortega partially checks a chopping kick, and his jab reddens the nose of the Brazilian. The round comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Round 3
The fighters clap hands one final time as the last round begins, and Ortega is not sure-footed as he slips on his front leg. Lopes scoops a left hand around the guard and nails Ortega’s swollen shin with another kick. Ortega jabs the body, and Lopes sits down on a left hook that clubs “T-City” on the side of the noggin. The featherweights trade jabs, and Ortega attacks his own leg kick. Lopes does the same with another kick, and he catches Ortega in the midst of a combination. Ortega stands in the pocket and trades leather, and Lopes clips him again but Ortega is right there to deliver punishment in response. Lopes absorbs several straight punches, and he loads up on responses. Lopes snaps the head back with bitter strikes, and Ortega remains right in front of him putting his hands in his face. Lopes chops the front leg and goes after a push kick, and Ortega catches the second but sets it down. Ortega sneakily works his way into a takedown attempt, and the Brazilian stops it in its tracks and pushes Ortega away. Lopes nails the front leg with his umpteenth kick, and Ortega pops Lopes in the chops with a big right hand. Lopes hurts Ortega with a right hand and a left, and Ortega wipes his eye as if he got poked, but it appeared to be a punch and not an outstretched digit. Lopes races at him throwing hands, but he ties him up and holds on instead of taking him down or otherwise attacking. They separate, and Lopes apologizes in case he was a poke after all. Ortega acknowledges it, and the two start slugging. Ortega fights behind his jab, and Lopes wobbles him twice with massive left hooks. Ortega’s chin is made of sterner stuff as he rarely backs off, but eventually Lopes’ left hook finds its home in the perfect way. Lopes sends “T-City” flying, and he runs after him and takes his back to try to submit the grappler. He bails from that submission setup to stand and bang for the remaining seconds, and he batters Ortega with a final flurry of fists.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lopes (30-27 Lopes)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lopes (30-27 Lopes)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lopes (30-27 Lopes)
The Official Result
Diego Lopes def. Brian Ortega via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Diego Lopes confidently, having placed a full unit on him at -175. He dismisses concerns about Lopes fading in the third round of his last fight, attributing it to the chaos of multiple opponent and weight class changes on short notice. He believes Lopes is the better striker and grappler, and that Ortega's takedown accuracy is poor. He criticizes Ortega for missing weight and calls him a 'fat slob', expecting Lopes to steamroll him again.
Big Brady picks Lopes, citing his rapid improvement, youth, and hunger. He notes Lopes can win by decision or early finish, but expects Ortega's toughness to carry him to a decision loss. He predicts Lopes wins 29-28.
Daniel Vreeland picks Brian Ortega as a dog, citing his grappling advantage as the difference maker. He notes Ortega nearly submitted Alexander Volkanovski and controlled Yair Rodriguez on the mat. He believes Diego Lopez relies on scrambles, while Ortega catches people in scrambles. He trusts Ortega's grappling to hold up and likes the plus money.
Daniel picks Diego Lopes but with low confidence, citing Lopes' tendency to fade in third rounds and Ortega's legendary third-round finishing ability. He thinks Lopes will win a controversial split decision by taking the first two rounds, but worries about Ortega's durability and Lopes' cardio. He notes Lopes' dangerous hooks and Ortega's ability to weather storms.
Jeff Fox picks Diego Lopes because he is bigger, younger, and can grapple a bit. He took Lopes last time and is sticking with him, noting Lopes is on a roll.
The transcript does not discuss this fight. The host covers other fights but not Lopes vs Ortega.
Lopez's BJJ background will save him from the threat Ortega normally poses on the ground. Lopez also provides more threats in the striking realm. Expects Lopez to win inside the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Diego Lopes. He notes that Ortega is a slow starter and Lopes is more switched on currently. He believes Lopes has better takedown defense and grappling conditioning than Yair Rodriguez, and his striking is more consistent. He also mentions Ortega has taken a lot of damage and has had only one fight in over two years. He sees Lopes winning by finish or decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 42 of 77 | 54% | 67 of 103 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 49 of 100 | 49% | 90 of 143 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 4:06 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 0 | 9 of 24 | 37% | 9 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 22 of 47 | 46% | 23 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:23 | |
| 2 | Diego Lopes | 0 | 8 of 12 | 66% | 17 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 12 of 16 | 75% | 51 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:10 | |
| 3 | Diego Lopes | 0 | 25 of 41 | 60% | 41 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 15 of 37 | 40% | 16 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:33 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 42 of 77 | 54% | 34 of 67 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 24 of 53 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 20 |
| Dan Ige | 49 of 100 | 49% | 32 of 74 | 8 of 14 | 9 of 12 | 38 of 85 | 10 of 14 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 9 of 24 | 37% | 6 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Dan Ige | 22 of 47 | 46% | 16 of 38 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 37 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Diego Lopes | 8 of 12 | 66% | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Dan Ige | 12 of 16 | 75% | 6 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Diego Lopes | 25 of 41 | 60% | 22 of 37 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 18 |
| Dan Ige | 15 of 37 | 40% | 10 of 27 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 13 of 33 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogODDS: Lopes (-275), Ige (+220)
Round 1
The sport never fails to surprise. As recent as a few hours ago, two-time former featherweight title challenger Ortega was planning on facing surging 145er Lopes (24-6, 3-1 UFC). That fight came together on quite short notice, and as a result, Ortega was unable to make 146 pounds comfortably—transforming the matchup into a lightweight affair. However, on fight day, Ortega fell ill and was forced out of the fight. In a first for the UFC, Xtreme Couture product Ige (18-7, 10-6 UFC), who trains in Las Vegas, is stepping up to serve as the latest-notice replacement imaginable. Again, this has never happened before. Ige hit the scale at 164.5 pounds today, making the 165-pound catchweight affair official—the magnificently mulleted Lopes weighed 161 pounds on the other side of the equation. The two will give it their all while referee Jason Herzog keeps things clean, and they decide to touch ‘em up before swinging for the fences. Lopes starts right out in the center of the cage, keeping his guard up to parry early jabs from the Hawaiian. Lopes lands a quick leg kick, ducks down and lets go with two fast punches. Ige comes in to swing, and Lopes dips to drive a counter knee up the middle. Ige counters on the way out, and they reset with Lopes pawing with a front kick. Ige misses a huge left hand, and Lopes catches him with a knee that spins his man around. Ige twirls and recovers without issue, evading the worst of the rest that comes his way. Ige shells up to protect against a few punches and a step-in elbow, and he lets Lopes bounce punches off his guard. Lopes sneaks in a knee, and he strings three punches around the guard as well. Lopes slams his shin on the outside of Ige’s front leg and flashes a jab, and the two in alternating stances hand-fight on the outer edge. Ige swings and misses, and Lopes meets him with a right hand before Ige backs off. Lopes whiffs with a jump knee, and he lands lobbing hooks from both hand. Ige prevents them from getting to him and pushes Lopes away, keeping his guard up to defend against a head kick that follows. Lopes winds up on a power right hand, and it is one-and-done as Ige lets it harmless clatter off the guard. Ige ducks down to race forward and engage in a slugfest, and Lopes drives him back with a combination punctuated with an uppercut. Ige walks through a low kick to shoot for a takedown, and Lopes hits the ground and instinctively snatches up a guillotine choke. Ige turns to the right direction, and Lopes adjusts his grip to set up a brabo choke. Ige keeps twisting and returns to his feet, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Round 2
The fighters jog towards one another to start the second round, where they share a fist bump. Ige is the initial aggressor, sliding in to deliver a straight left hand and slipping away to not get countered. Lopes chambers and fires a calf kick that spurs Ige into movement, and Lopes is ready for him coming in and tags him with a right hand. Lopes works on the front leg again, forcing a stance switch. Lopes tries to jab and is caught with a right hand behind the ear, and he shakes it off and meanders forward to let go with a leg kick. Ige returns fire with his own calf kick, prompting Lopes to loose a few body shots. A few jabs have opened a cut on the bridge of Ige’s nose, and he pays it no mind and slings a head kick that bangs onto the man with the mullet. Lopes grabs hold of it and chucks the Hawaiian down to the ground, where Ige scrambles and is quick to recover back to his feet. Lopes follows him and gets hold of him from behind, and he allows Ige to roll through so he can maintain the back control while locking down a body triangle in a hurry. Lopes softens Ige up with short, frustrating right hands, and he searches for a rear-naked choke but does not have a free hand to get it. Ige turns over to his knees, and Lopes adjusts his leg lock around the waist to keep Ige stuck in his grasp. Lopes smacks Ige upside the head a few times, and his search for the choke is fruitless as Ige maintains smart two-on-one wrist control. Lopes keeps bopping Ige with minor strikes, and Ige turns to his side and start slugging Lopes in the face with surprisingly powerful blows. Lopes transitions to an armbar with seconds to spare, and Ige turns over and rides it out to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Round 3
Lopes offers a double glove touch and pats Ige on the side to initiate the final frame, and he backs away to commence offense. The Brazilian reaches out with a front kick while adjusting his gloves, and Ige walks through it and a low kick to back Lopes to the wall. Ige loops a left hand over the top that brushes Lopes’ hair, and he tries again and does the same. Lopes gets off six punches in a rapid flurry while Ige chucks one bomb, and Lopes is not concerned about the flamethrowing Hawaiian. Lopes gets out a jab, and Ige touches him with a right hand that briefly wobbles Lopes. Lopes fires back with an uppercut, and he appears to have his legs beneath him again in a hurry. Ige charges swinging punches, and he walks into a leg kick that disrupts his movement. Lopes rushes him and nearly completes a takedown, but Ige scrambles to burst back to his feet. Ige walks Lopes down, who may be flagging, and he has his right hand ready to release. Ige releases it. Lopes takes it on the temple and absorbs a subsequent uppercut, and he digs a left to the body and right to the head. A huge left hand from the Hawaiian knocks Lopes against the fencing, prompting a desperation single from the Brazilian. Lopes manages to turn the corner and drive Ige down to a knee, and Ige stands back up with a hook around him as Lopes tries to make him carry their body weight. Ige forces Lopes to slide off his back, and he lowers himself down to the guard to bust Lopes in the chops with fierce punches. Lopes ties him up with a closed guard to ride out the clock, and Ige sits up to nail him with a stiff right. Ige postures up to deliver a single elbow on the cheek, and he rains two more down and smiles. Ige drops right hands on the midsection, and he lets loose with a number of pounding left hands. Ige is pushed up to his feet from Lopes’ legs after Lopes gets tagged, and Lopes upkicks him and flusters him until the final horn sounds. No matter the result, these two men should be proud of their performances and simply the fact that the fight happened. History was made tonight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ige (29-28 Lopes)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ige (29-28 Lopes)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ige (29-28 Lopes)
The Official Result
Diego Lopes def. Dan Ige via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Cody fades the hype on Diego Lopes and picks Brian Ortega. He argues that Lopes' wins are over lower-level competition (Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, Sodi Yusuf) and that his takedown defense is poor. Ortega, on the other hand, has fought the elite of the division and has shown improved wrestling, taking down Yair Rodriguez, Alexander Volkanovski, and Max Holloway. Cody believes Ortega's experience, durability, and Jiu-Jitsu will neutralize Lopes' grappling, and that Ortega has multiple paths to victory including submission or decision.
Daniel Vreeland picks Brian Ortega as the underdog, arguing that people are writing him off too soon. He notes that Ortega was a whisper away from submitting Alexander Volkanovski, and his grappling is at another level. Vreeland believes Ortega can hold his own on the feet and will get the better of scrambles. He compares this fight to Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez, where Ortega proved doubters wrong. He also questions whether Diego Lopes is as good as Yair Rodriguez.
Daniel is leaning towards Ortega (Ige) by decision, citing Ortega's durability, offensive wrestling improvements, and experience against top competition. He notes that Lopes has a poor record when fights go to decision (2-4) and that Ortega is 5-1 in decisions with the only loss to Volkanovski. He expects Ortega to weather early adversity and accumulate top control.
Jeff Fox picks Diego Lopes, stating he is far more explosive on the feet, which is a concern for Ortega. He acknowledges Ortega's grappling is elite but notes that the Volkanovski fight was almost four years ago. Fox prefers the younger fighter who has been mowing through people and sees good value in the line. He admits it's a close matchup but leans Lopes.
The host does not discuss this fight at all in the transcript. The entire podcast is focused on the Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler fight, which is not on the provided fight card. Therefore, no pick is made for this fight.
The host gives a slight lean to Diego Lopes, citing his momentum, confidence, and striking improvements. He believes Lopes has good enough defensive jiu-jitsu to avoid Ortega's submissions and should have a striking advantage. He notes Ortega has more high-level experience but thinks Lopes' style is perfect to beat Ortega. He mentions the line has moved from -160 to -125 and says he might bet if Lopes becomes the underdog.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that the market loves Lopes but that Ortega has never been finished and has fought the best. He points out that Lopes has low striking volume and questionable takedown defense, while Ortega has a proven ability to win decisions or submissions. Paul also mentions that Ortega's experience against top competition gives him a clear edge, and that Lopes' hype is based on flashy finishes over lesser opponents.
The Guru picks Diego Lopes over Brian Ortega (note: transcript says Ortega vs Lopes, but fight card lists Lopes vs Ige; likely a mistake in transcript). He is confident in Lopes, citing his dangerous striking and submission skills. He believes Lopes will be aggressive from the start, while Ortega may be hesitant. He notes Lopes' short-notice advantage and year-round training. He predicts a first-round finish for Lopes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 2 | 26 of 32 | 81% | 29 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 2 | 26 of 32 | 81% | 29 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 26 of 32 | 81% | 21 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 18 of 21 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sodiq Yusuff | 26 of 32 | 81% | 21 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 18 of 21 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lopes (-135), Yusuff (+114)
Round 1
The hits keep right on coming, as well-schooled fist-fighter Yusuff (13-3, 6-2 UFC) would like to professionally break down the surging Lopes (23-6, 2-1 UFC) in front of a wild crowd at the T-Mobile Arena. The lion’s share of Yusuff’s wins have come via strikes, while Lopes is an equal opportunity destroyer. Referee Mark Smith will need to keep his head on a swivel when overseeing these featherweights, and it does not feature a glove touch. Yusuff reaches out with a long low kick, and when that misses, he tries again. Lopes meets him with one that is checked. The two fighters trade calf kicks and little else, until Lopes springs into action with a one-two and a checked low kick. Lopes unloads with an uppercut that knocks “Super Sodiq” off his feet, and Yusuff collapses down to the mat. Lopes gives chase, pounding on his man, and Yusuff fights back to his feet valiantly.
Lopes rushes after him and smashes him in the face with another uppercut, and Yusuff crashes to the ground, totally defeated. Lopes, his mullet waving majestically behind him, drums out a flattened Yusuff with punches to the side of the head, with a seemingly unending barrage of strikes that only concludes when Smith gets between them to call a halt to the one-sided bludgeoning.
This is a huge moment for the meteorically rising Lopes, who will likely be ranked come Monday.
The Official Result
Diego Lopes def. Sodiq Yusuff R1 1:29 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Sodiq Yusuff as the underdog, believing he is the much better striker with good fight IQ to avoid grappling. He notes Lopes has dangerous BJJ but will struggle to get the fight to the ground. He also likes the over 2.5 rounds prop.
Cody fades Diego Lopes again, noting Lopes' wrestling isn't great and he stands tall, leaving himself open to be hit. He points out that Lopes has been taken down by Movsar Evloev and Gavin Tucker. Yusuff is a sharpshooter with good Jiu-Jitsu from Team Lloyd Irvin, and he has cardio and decent power. Cody believes Yusuff can use a point-fight style, staying at range and picking Lopes apart. He also mentions that Yusuff has takedown defense to keep the fight standing. Cody picks Yusuff as an underdog.
Connor picks Lopes, arguing that his relentless chaos and willingness to keep trying different attacks will overwhelm Yusuff. He notes that Yusuff often starts strong but fades as opponents adjust, while Lopes just increases the intensity. Connor admits that Yusuff could win by controlling Lopes on the ground, but he believes Lopes' unpredictability and durability will carry him.
Daniel Vreeland picks Sodiq Yusuff, citing his superior boxing, output, and defensive skills. He believes Yusuff can outpoint Lopes and avoid submissions, noting that Lopes is opportunistic but limited. Vreeland acknowledges Lopes' finishing ability but trusts Yusuff's experience and durability.
Lucrative James does not make a pick for this fight. He calls it a banger and says he is very interested in it, but does not give a prediction. He notes that most people won't know about it unless they are hardcore fans, and that it will be on the prelims.
Yusuff has better experience and a higher level striking game. His takedown defense and ability to keep the fight upright will force Lopes to make mistakes on the feet, allowing Yusuff to counter and find a knockout in round two.
Paul sides with Cody, noting that Yusuff should have advantages at range. He acknowledges a red flag: Edson Barboza, not known for wrestling, took Yusuff down three times, so Lopes could get the fight to the ground. However, Paul believes Yusuff has enough takedown defense and ground skills to survive. He thinks the fight could go to decision and mentions the decision prop at +250. Paul expects Yusuff to keep the fight upright and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Diego Lopes to win by rear-naked choke, despite initially considering Sodiq Yusuff. He notes Yusuff struggled against Alex Caceres and that Lopes thrives under pressure. He believes Lopes's finishing ability and scrambling will be too much for Yusuff, who may be hesitant after a five-round war.
Zane picks Yusuff, believing his wrestling and clinch control will neutralize Lopes' chaotic style. He notes that Yusuff is a strong wrestler and physically powerful, and Lopes' car-crash approach often leads to him being controlled. Zane acknowledges that Lopes could catch Yusuff with a submission or knockout, but he trusts Yusuff's consistency and defensive grappling.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 1 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 10 of 16 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 1 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 10 of 16 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 13 of 18 | 72% | 11 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 7 |
| Pat Sabatini | 7 of 12 | 58% | 3 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 13 of 18 | 72% | 11 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 7 |
| Pat Sabatini | 7 of 12 | 58% | 3 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sabatini (-120), Lopes (+100)
Round 1
The main card is upon us, and it should provide a grappler’s delight as the two featherweights about to invade the Octagon combine for 23 submission victories without a single defeat via tapout. Aiming to prove he is not just a grappler, action-packed Brazilian contender Lopes (22-6, 1-1 UFC) will bring his 89% finish rate and try to threaten every step of the fight. With not a great deal of New Yorkers on the card, the UFC dipped into the Tri-State Area to pull Pennsylvanian Sabatini (18-4, 4-1 UFC) up onto the billing, and he too would like to showcase his jiu-jitsu chops when it counts. Referee Keith Peterson will draw the assignment for the pay-per-view opener, and the fighters quickly touch ‘em up. No nonsense will be permitted for the next 15 minutes or less. Both men bounce up and down while quite distant from one another, and Lopes tries to reach with a kick. Sabatini surges forward with a three-punch salvo that gets Lopes’ attention, and Lopes has to shake it off early. Sabatini jumps with a switch kick to the body, and Lopes looks to catch it but lets it go all while chants for “USA” rain down in support of Sabatini. The Pennsylvanian comes up short with another jump kick, and the two come together for a possible takedown effort of some sort. Lopes stands his man up with an uppercut as they try to get upright, and Sabatini is stunned when he tries to take a step back. The Brazilian immediately follows suit with a vicious right hand on the temple, and Sabatini might be out on his feet as he turns to another direction and his eyes go wide. Lopes will not let this fish get away, and he charges after Sabatini with powerful fists until pushing Sabatini down to his side. Lopes traps the Pennsylvania native’s arm behind his back and begins battering Sabatini with his free hand. Sabatini, unable to block his face and clinging to consciousness, gets knocked out, back in, and out again as Lopes punishes him with right hands. Peterson recognizes that Sabatini cannot defend himself at all, and he calls a stop to the beating. What a performance for Lopes, who likely catapults himself into featherweight contendership by wrecking a tough out in about a minute and a half.
The Official Result
Diego Lopes def. Pat Sabatini R1 1:30 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Sabatini, believing his takedowns and BJJ will neutralize Lopes. He criticizes Lopes' takedown defense and striking, and thinks Sabatini will control the fight on the ground. He plans to bet on Sabatini later in the week.
Big Brady picks Diego Lopes as the underdog, predicting a second or third round submission. He likes Lopes' evolving striking, power, and dangerous submission game off his back. He worries about Sabatini's durability on the feet, noting he has been dropped early in fights. Brady thinks Lopes has more ways to win and that Sabatini will have to fight off submissions for 15 minutes.
Cody picks Sabatini, expecting him to get takedowns and control the fight on top. He notes Sabatini's suffocating top game and ability to avoid submissions. He thinks Lopes' guard is dangerous but Sabatini's grappling is good enough to avoid trouble, and he sees value at even money.
James leans Diego Lopes because he believes Lopes has a clear advantage on the feet with more power and a better chin, while Sabatini's wrestling may not be sufficient to consistently control Lopes. He notes that Sabatini has been submitted before and is chinny, and Lopes has submission upside. However, he acknowledges Sabatini could have control time on top, making it a tricky matchup.
Sabatini is the better wrestler and will dictate where the fight takes place. He is a good enough BJJ artist to fend off Lopes' submission attempts. Sabatini will control positions and grind out a decision win. The line at -120 is a good value. Notes that recency bias from Lopes' highlight finishes is inflating his line.
Paul picks Sabatini, emphasizing his wrestling and top control. He notes Lopes has been taken down easily in the past and relies on submissions from guard. He thinks Sabatini's suffocating style will neutralize Lopes' offense and lead to a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Diego Lopes, noting his superior Jiu-Jitsu and comfort on the ground, which neutralizes Sabatini's back-taking game. He also highlights Lopes' striking advantage, size, and reach. He predicts a TKO win for Lopes, referencing his recent performances against Movsar Evloev and Gavin Tucker.
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks Movsar Evloev confidently, comparing this fight to Bryce Mitchell's loss to Ilia Topuria. He argues that Mitchell is a one-dimensional wrestler with mediocre wrestling by international standards (Arkansas wrestling), while Evloev is an international-level wrestler with excellent chain wrestling and takedown setups. Angelo believes Evloev's wrestling will dominate Mitchell, as Mitchell only wrestles and will be outclassed. He dismisses Mitchell's previous success as being against lower-level competition.
Big Brady picks Evloev but is cautious about the wide odds. He notes Evloev has been taken down before (by Mike Grundy) and Mitchell has good top control. However, he trusts Evloev's scrambling, get-up game, and cardio to outwork Mitchell over three rounds. He expects Evloev to get takedowns and win a decision, though Mitchell might win the first round.
Cody sees this as a massive mismatch, with Evloev being a huge favorite. He notes that Lopes was taken down three times by Joanderson Brito on the Contender Series and had no ability to get up. Evloev has superior wrestling, striking, and cardio. He expects Evloev to dominate via wrestling and win easily, possibly by decision since he's not a big finisher.
Connor also picks Evloev, emphasizing that Lopes' style of stepping into the pocket to brawl is takedown fodder and that Evloev is a composed fighter who will exploit that. He notes that Lopes has struggled on the regional scene against good opponents and that Evloev is a terrible matchup on short notice.
The host picks Movsar Evloev, citing his well-rounded game and striking improvements. He believes Evloev's defensive grappling will keep the fight standing, where he can land significant damage. He expects Evloev to win a dominant decision and sees him as a future title contender.
Paul agrees completely, saying the only chance for Lopes is a flying knee or a sloppy takedown. He notes Lopes is tall with poor base and wild striking, making him easy to take down. Evloev should win cleanly, and Paul suggests looking at prop bets like Evloev by decision or inside distance.
The Guru picks Evloev, stating he is better in every area and won't fear Mitchell's grappling. He expects Evloev to outgrapple Mitchell, take his back, and control the fight, though it may be boring. He predicts a 29-28 decision, with Mitchell possibly having a moment in round three but Evloev winning 2-1.
Zane picks Evloev confidently, noting that Evloev is extremely well-rounded, composed, and has a multifaceted takedown game. He points out that Lopes' brawling style leaves him open to takedowns and that Evloev's jab and ability to sniff out openings will be too much. Zane also mentions that Lopes has struggled against composed, high-level opponents in the past.
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