Career Averages - Zac Pauga
Career Averages - Jordan Wright
Zac Pauga
Jordan Wright
Zac Pauga - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bogdan Guskov | 0 | 17 of 26 | 65% | 19 of 28 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:04 |
| Zac Pauga | 1 | 10 of 29 | 34% | 25 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bogdan Guskov | 0 | 17 of 26 | 65% | 19 of 28 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:04 |
| Zac Pauga | 1 | 10 of 29 | 34% | 25 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bogdan Guskov | 17 of 26 | 65% | 7 of 13 | 2 of 5 | 8 of 8 | 14 of 22 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Zac Pauga | 10 of 29 | 34% | 10 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bogdan Guskov | 17 of 26 | 65% | 7 of 13 | 2 of 5 | 8 of 8 | 14 of 22 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Zac Pauga | 10 of 29 | 34% | 10 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo criticizes Zac Pauga for lacking urgency and a game plan in the cage, despite having skills. He notes Pauga has become a striker in the UFC and hasn't shown his pre-UFC wrestling. Bogdan Guskov is described as heavy-handed, with good footwork and combinations, and patience on top. Angelo believes Guskov is the more dangerous fighter and picks him, though he will monitor the odds.
Big Brady picks Bogdan Guskov to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Pauga is the worst finisher in UFC history and has poor striking defense and chin, while Guskov is a one-round banger who will try to take his head off. He calls it a 50-50 fight but favors Guskov's power and aggression.
Cody picks Pauga, noting Guskov is a one-dimensional power puncher with poor cardio and takedown defense. Pauga has decent cardio and can grind out a win by controlling against the cage. Cody thinks Pauga will survive the early storm and take over in later rounds, possibly by knockout.
Pauga is more well-rounded and should be able to grind Guskov up against the cage, similar to his fight against Jordan Wright. Guskov relies heavily on early knockout power and has poor durability if he doesn't get the finish. Pauga's grinding style should wear on Guskov, leading to a late finish or decision. However, Pauga's chin is a concern if he eats early shots.
Paul also picks Pauga, agreeing that Guskov is a can crusher with no chin. He notes Pauga's experience against bigger men and his ability to implement a grinding game plan. Paul expects Pauga to wear on Guskov and get a finish or decision.
The MMA Guru picks Bogdan Guskov because he is fighting Zac Pauga, who he considers a low-level fighter from The Ultimate Fighter. He notes Guskov's good hands and delivery systems, and expects him to have an intimidation advantage on the feet. He predicts a first-round KO win, as Guskov is a finisher who gets most of his fights done in the first round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 67 of 117 | 57% | 72 of 123 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:17 |
| Zac Pauga | 0 | 56 of 112 | 50% | 62 of 120 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 20 of 35 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
| Zac Pauga | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 14 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 27 of 48 | 56% | 27 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Zac Pauga | 0 | 23 of 40 | 57% | 23 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 3 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 25 of 40 | 62% | 25 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Zac Pauga | 0 | 20 of 43 | 46% | 25 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 67 of 117 | 57% | 35 of 80 | 25 of 30 | 7 of 7 | 58 of 105 | 7 of 10 | 2 of 2 |
| Zac Pauga | 56 of 112 | 50% | 42 of 96 | 10 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 50 of 102 | 5 of 9 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 15 of 29 | 51% | 11 of 23 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Zac Pauga | 13 of 29 | 44% | 9 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Modestas Bukauskas | 27 of 48 | 56% | 14 of 33 | 10 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 26 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Zac Pauga | 23 of 40 | 57% | 18 of 35 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 37 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Modestas Bukauskas | 25 of 40 | 62% | 10 of 24 | 13 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 34 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Zac Pauga | 20 of 43 | 46% | 15 of 36 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 37 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bukauskas (-200), Pauga (+170)
Round 1
Welcome to another installment of Dana White’s Saturday Night Contender Series, also known as UFC on ESPN 47 or UFC Vegas 75. This dozen-fight show in the Apex is extremely light on star power, with just three ranked competitors on the whole billing, and two of those are in the main attraction. Sometimes, fight cards less desirable on paper can deliver in a big way, so all hope is not lost. Starting low in the standings at 205 pounds, either one of these men will reach .500 or pass it with a win today. The latter can be said for Pauga (6-1, 1-1 UFC), while the former is available for Bukauskas (14-5, 2-3 UFC) on his second stint with the promotion. The third man in the cage for the first fight of the night is referee Mark Smith, and the two fighters choose la violencia and proceed without a glove touch. Bukauskas takes the middle of the fence, and Pauga practically runs at his opponent. Swinging his fists wildly, Pauga clips Bukauskas with windmilling overhand right, and Bukauskas bangs into the wall and is seeing stars. Pauga closes the distance and grabs hold of his opponent to dump him to the mat. Bukauskas recovers to full guard, and he hacks with elbows off his back until he fights to his feet. Pauga presses heavily on him, but Bukauskas shakes him off and returns to kickboxing range. Pauga sticks out a jab that snaps the head back, and Bukauskas absorbs a subsequent low kick and barely dodges a looping right hook. Pauga attacks the body, and Bukauskas sits down on a thudding leg kick. Pauga dings Bukauskas with a pair of hooks, and he uses the momentum to press “The Baltic Gladiator” to the fencing. Pauga hunts for a trip as he tangles up Bukauskas’ legs, and Bukauskas is able to stifle the attempt and a redoubled effort from the former NFL player. Bukauskas shoves him away, and Pauga springs back away from a straight left hand. Bukauskas follows it with a high kick and a jab, and Pauga ignores it to double up his jabs. Pauga swings too hard with a right hand, and Bukauskas catches him with a right hand counter. Pauga shakes it out, and the two trade heavy leather in an exchange. Chins remain intact, and Bukauskas swipes out with a left hook that grazes the chin. Bukauskas counters an advancing Pauga with a right hand, and Pauga is rocked and shoots for an emergency takedown. Bukauskas stands him up and pushes him away, but he does not empty his gas tank hunting for a finish. Instead, Bukauskas tags him with a big right hand, and the horn blares right after Pauga gets one back.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pauga
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Pauga
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pauga
Round 2
The light heavyweights come together in the center of the Octagon, ready to trade, but they are somewhat cautious of the other’s power. Bukauskas lands first with a chipping calf kick, and Pauga walks into a counter right hand. Bukauskas strafes to the side, and they both snap out powerful jabs. Pauga takes the worst of it when they land at the same time, but he does not seem concerned as he races forward with a swinging hook and a level change for a double. Bukauskas avoids the former and shrugs off the latter, and he circles away to aim a left hand at the chest. Pauga splits the guard with a left hand, and he surges forward and hits nothing but air with Bukauskas out of harm’s way. Pauga plants his shin on Bukauskas’ raising leg, and he jabs, ducks and bangs a right hand off Bukauskas’ chin. Pauga lunges, and Bukauskas reacts by jumping away from him. Bukauskas sits down on a thudding low kick, and Pauga comes at him throwing haymakers. Bukauskas prepares a right hand counter but does not release it as Pauga is rushing at him. They trade low kicks, and Bukauskas’ foot goes up to bump off the cup. Pauga waves off Smith, and he raises his guard right in the nick of time when Bukauskas zooms a high kick at him. Pauga keeps plodding forward, jabbing his way in, and he telegraphs a big right hand on the way. Pauga dips and scores a short right hook, and Bukauskas replies with the fall of his foot on the chest. Pauga strides forward, right hand ready for bear, and he knocks Bukauskas back and digs punches to the body. Bukauskas tries to keep circling away and respond with a few punches, but he is more intent on dodging the wide arcing blows aimed at his chin. Pauga steps through with a straight right hand, wobbling Bukauskas and sending him ricocheting off the fencing. Pauga ends up clinched, but he moves back so he can unload power punches. Bukauskas avoids the worst of it but his face is swelling from the blows. Bukauskas ends the round with a few hooks of his own.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pauga
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Pauga
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pauga
Round 3
The last round begins with Bukauskas trying to keep a slugging Pauga at bay. He cannot do so, as Pauga runs him down and busts him in the chops. Bukauskas responds with a big body kick, and Pauga bites down on his mouthpiece to throw bombs. Bukauskas closes the distance to stop Pauga from reaching him with these winging punches, and he presses the American against the fence. Smith tells Bukauskas to work as the two do little in the position, and Bukauskas answers this by gripping his hands around the back. Pauga fights off the potential takedown setup, and he ignores a few knees to the thigh. Pauga explodes to turn him around, and the two end up splitting with three minutes left on the clock. Bukauskas misses with a check left hook, as Pauga throws him off with feints and fakes now. Bukauskas connects with a clean right hand as Pauga sits still for too long, and Pauga blinks it out and flicks out a jab. The two clash together when throwing hands, and Pauga backs Bukauskas away with a sprinting right hand. Pauga kicks the ribs, and Bukauskas stands him up with a long punch. Pauga, not discouraged, throws another kick to the same spot, and this time he is not answered the same. Pauga winds up on a power right hand, and Bukauskas wears it well and is forced to eat a second one right after. Pauga aims another body kick, and he times a takedown when Bukauskas comes at him. Pauga ducks a punch to unloads a hefty right hand, and he absorbs a flush one-two without batting an eye. Pauga nearly falls over when swinging for the fences, and he clips Bukauskas with an overhand right. Bukauskas tries to counter, and he spins with a back kick but Pauga is too close. Bukauskas pops him with a jab, and he spins with a back kick that finds its mark. Pauga rushes headlong into a punch, and the two engage in one last mighty slugfest before the final bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pauga (30-27 Pauga)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Pauga (30-27 Pauga)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas (29-28 Pauga)
The Official Result
Modestas Bukauskas def. Zac Pauga via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Modestas Bukauskas because he is the more technical striker and this is mostly a striking matchup. He notes that if Zac Pauga could wrestle effectively, he'd be the easy pick, but Pauga hasn't shown that wrestling in the UFC. However, Angelo acknowledges there is a world where Pauga holds Bukauskas against the cage for 15 minutes and wins a decision, so he does not place a bet.
Big Brady picks Zac Pauga to win by decision, but he is very low on both fighters. He criticizes Bukauskas for low volume and power, and Pauga for taking Jordan Wright to a decision, which he calls a terrible look. However, Pauga throws more volume and has solid cardio. Brady thinks Pauga can hold Bukauskas against the cage and potentially take him down, as Bukauskas has struggled with takedown defense in the past. He expects a boring fight with Pauga winning a close decision.
Cody is confident in Bukauskas, citing his speed, striking advantage, and improved cardio since returning to the UFC. He notes that Pauga's only notable win is a decision over Jordan Wright, which was uninspiring, and that Pauga is 35 with only three years of pro experience. Cody thinks Bukauskas will outwork Pauga and possibly get a TKO in the second or third round.
Connor picks Bukauskas, acknowledging his limited boxing but noting his athleticism and size. He believes Bukauskas has improved his aggression and output, as seen in the Tyson Pedro fight. Connor expects Bukauskas to use his reach and movement to outwork Pauga, who lacks dynamic speed. He thinks Bukauskas will win by decision or late stoppage.
Daniel Levi leans toward Modestas Bukauskas, citing his size, length, and experience. He notes Pauga's greenness and that the UFC may be setting up Bukauskas as a prospect. He thinks Bukauskas could win by knockout. However, he is not interested in betting at -200 and sees it as a pass at current odds.
Pauga has a good enough striking and overall MMA game to tie up Bukauskas in the clinch, drag him to the ground, and do damage from top. He has good cardio to maintain this for 15 minutes. Bukauskas is overhyped due to recency bias from his win over Tyson Pedro. Pauga is a solid underdog at plus 165. Pauga wins by decision.
Paul agrees, noting that Pauga's win over Jordan Wright was terrible and that he will be picking against Pauga for the rest of eternity. He thinks Bukauskas is younger, more experienced, and has rebuilt himself after a knee injury. Paul expects Bukauskas to win, possibly by late stoppage or decision.
The MMA Guru picks Modestas Bukauskas, citing a massive advantage at range on the feet against Zac Pauga. He notes Pauga was on one of the worst seasons of TUF and lacks skill at range, while Bukauskas is technical with good footwork. He also mentions Bukauskas has improved since his first UFC stint, with a win over Tyson Pedro on short notice and a controversial loss to Khalil Rountree. He believes Bukauskas is reborn and will continue his momentum.
Zane picks Bukauskas, noting his improved output and good frame for light heavyweight. He throws long strikes and has power that can be decisive. Zane criticizes Pauga as not dynamic, lacking speed, and only beating Jordan Wright by clinching. He expects Bukauskas to move around, make Pauga look slow, and land consistent one-twos for a clear decision or late TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zac Pauga | 0 | 29 of 78 | 37% | 199 of 261 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 59 of 85 | 69% | 85 of 114 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 8:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zac Pauga | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 55 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 22 of 26 | 84% | 43 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 4:32 | |
| 2 | Zac Pauga | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 105 of 122 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 15 of 22 | 68% | 20 of 30 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:27 | |
| 3 | Zac Pauga | 0 | 17 of 52 | 32% | 39 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 22 of 37 | 59% | 22 of 37 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zac Pauga | 29 of 78 | 37% | 15 of 55 | 13 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 18 of 65 | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 59 of 85 | 69% | 31 of 54 | 21 of 24 | 7 of 7 | 21 of 42 | 38 of 43 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zac Pauga | 5 of 7 | 71% | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 22 of 26 | 84% | 8 of 11 | 11 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 21 of 24 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Zac Pauga | 7 of 19 | 36% | 5 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 13 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 15 of 22 | 68% | 10 of 16 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 8 | 12 of 14 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Zac Pauga | 17 of 52 | 32% | 9 of 36 | 7 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 49 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 22 of 37 | 59% | 13 of 27 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 32 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is confident in Pauga, citing his strong wrestling and low stance. He notes Pauga went up to heavyweight for TUF but is a natural light heavyweight. Jordan Wright has a 100% finish rate but is on a three-fight losing streak by stoppage and has a weak chin. Angelo thinks Pauga will wrestle and win, but there's no value in the betting line so he won't bet.
Big Brady is picking Jordan Wright for the upset, despite never picking him before. He notes that Pauga was knocked out by Muhammad Usman, who is not a power puncher, and that Pauga has only a 20% finish rate. He believes Wright is dangerous in the first two minutes and should come out aggressively rather than wrestling, as his cardio is poor. He predicts a first-round knockout for Wright.
Cody picks Pauga but is terrified of the -270 line. He notes Jordan Wright has only 5-6 minutes of cardio and is an under machine, but Pauga isn't a big finisher. He says Wright can absolutely get finishes early, so he'll watch weigh-ins closely. He compares Wright to Terence McKinney as a 50/50 fighter who either finishes early or gets pieced up. He also mentions Pauga got knocked out in his last fight and has been hurt before, so he's not confident.
Connor picks Wright because he thinks the move to light heavyweight could benefit Wright's speed and power, and Pauga is inexperienced and slow. However, he acknowledges Wright's mental fragility and tendency to panic. He picks Wright to win by first-round KO, but says he wouldn't bet on it.
Jacob picks Pauga but is a Jordan Wright fan. He thinks Wright's chin is gone and his blitzing style leaves him open. Pauga's wrestling and power at 205 should be too much. Jacob played the under 1.5 rounds and feels good about it, though he cautions both are coming off knockout losses. He expects Wright to get knocked out again.
Pauga has better cardio and a more complete MMA game, while Wright fades after the first round and has durability issues. Pauga can survive the early storm and then take over with grappling and pressure, finishing Wright via ground and pound in the second or third round.
Paul agrees with Cody, calling Jordan Wright a lost fighter with no cardio or durability. He details Wright's pattern of starting fast but fading and getting finished. He notes Pauga has excellent cardio, trains at altitude, and has enough striking to pressure Wright. However, he says the -270 line is too high for a guy with one UFC win who got knocked out. He prefers the under 2.5 rounds at -350 as a parlay piece.
The MMA Guru picks Zac Pauga, citing his takedown defense from The Ultimate Fighter and his size advantage. He criticizes Jordan Wright's poor decision-making and quick turnaround after a KO loss. He believes Pauga is patient and can catch Wright with a counter shot after Wright gets reckless in round two, predicting a KO. He notes the possibility of an upset but trusts Pauga's chin more.
Zane picks Pauga because Jordan Wright has a history of panicking and losing focus when he doesn't finish early. Wright is dangerous early but fades and makes defensive mistakes. Pauga is raw but has a takedown game and can survive the initial storm. Zane notes that Wright's move to light heavyweight seems desperate and may not fix his mental issues.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Usman | 1 | 12 of 40 | 30% | 13 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Zac Pauga | 0 | 32 of 50 | 64% | 33 of 51 | 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 | Mohammed Usman | 0 | 9 of 35 | 25% | 10 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Zac Pauga | 0 | 31 of 46 | 67% | 32 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Mohammed Usman | 1 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Zac Pauga | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Usman | 12 of 40 | 30% | 11 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 35 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
| Zac Pauga | 32 of 50 | 64% | 14 of 29 | 9 of 10 | 9 of 11 | 31 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohammed Usman | 9 of 35 | 25% | 8 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Zac Pauga | 31 of 46 | 67% | 14 of 26 | 8 of 9 | 9 of 11 | 30 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Mohammed Usman | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Zac Pauga | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo has a slight lean towards Mohammed Usman due to his size, power, and physicality. He notes that Pauga is the better overall fighter but his size disadvantage at heavyweight could be decisive. He references Pauga being dropped by Terence Jacquez and believes a similar shot from Usman could finish him. However, he acknowledges Usman has had issues with wrestlers in the past.
Big Brady picks Zac Pauga, noting his speed and cardio advantages over Mohammed Usman. He criticizes Usman's low volume and poor cardio, and praises Pauga's takedown defense and improved striking. He predicts Pauga will stuff takedowns and win a decision, though he notes Pauga is undersized for heavyweight. He also mentions Pauga's training at Elevation Fight Team with Curtis Blaydes.
Cody also picks Pauga, highlighting his undefeated record and clean performances on TUF. He notes that Pauga is a natural 205-pounder who moved up for the show and will likely move back down. Cody contrasts Pauga's refined skills with Usman's poor losses and questionable wins, including a controversial decision. He believes Pauga's speed and output will overwhelm Usman.
Paul picks Pauga, noting that Pauga is a former football player with good mobility and athleticism. He mentions that Pauga looked impressive on The Ultimate Fighter, throwing spinning attacks and showing improvement. Paul is wary of laying -250 on a debuting heavyweight but sees Pauga as the clear pick.
The MMA Guru picks Zac Pauga by third-round ground-and-pound TKO. He praises Pauga's technique and undefeated record, and criticizes Mohammed Usman's lack of commitment and poor performances. He believes Pauga's Samoan chin will allow him to take shots and break Usman down.
Jordan Wright - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zac Pauga | 0 | 29 of 78 | 37% | 199 of 261 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 59 of 85 | 69% | 85 of 114 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 8:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zac Pauga | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 55 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 22 of 26 | 84% | 43 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 4:32 | |
| 2 | Zac Pauga | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 105 of 122 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 15 of 22 | 68% | 20 of 30 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:27 | |
| 3 | Zac Pauga | 0 | 17 of 52 | 32% | 39 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 22 of 37 | 59% | 22 of 37 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zac Pauga | 29 of 78 | 37% | 15 of 55 | 13 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 18 of 65 | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 59 of 85 | 69% | 31 of 54 | 21 of 24 | 7 of 7 | 21 of 42 | 38 of 43 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zac Pauga | 5 of 7 | 71% | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 22 of 26 | 84% | 8 of 11 | 11 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 21 of 24 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Zac Pauga | 7 of 19 | 36% | 5 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 13 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 15 of 22 | 68% | 10 of 16 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 8 | 12 of 14 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Zac Pauga | 17 of 52 | 32% | 9 of 36 | 7 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 49 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 22 of 37 | 59% | 13 of 27 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 32 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is confident in Pauga, citing his strong wrestling and low stance. He notes Pauga went up to heavyweight for TUF but is a natural light heavyweight. Jordan Wright has a 100% finish rate but is on a three-fight losing streak by stoppage and has a weak chin. Angelo thinks Pauga will wrestle and win, but there's no value in the betting line so he won't bet.
Big Brady is picking Jordan Wright for the upset, despite never picking him before. He notes that Pauga was knocked out by Muhammad Usman, who is not a power puncher, and that Pauga has only a 20% finish rate. He believes Wright is dangerous in the first two minutes and should come out aggressively rather than wrestling, as his cardio is poor. He predicts a first-round knockout for Wright.
Cody picks Pauga but is terrified of the -270 line. He notes Jordan Wright has only 5-6 minutes of cardio and is an under machine, but Pauga isn't a big finisher. He says Wright can absolutely get finishes early, so he'll watch weigh-ins closely. He compares Wright to Terence McKinney as a 50/50 fighter who either finishes early or gets pieced up. He also mentions Pauga got knocked out in his last fight and has been hurt before, so he's not confident.
Connor picks Wright because he thinks the move to light heavyweight could benefit Wright's speed and power, and Pauga is inexperienced and slow. However, he acknowledges Wright's mental fragility and tendency to panic. He picks Wright to win by first-round KO, but says he wouldn't bet on it.
Jacob picks Pauga but is a Jordan Wright fan. He thinks Wright's chin is gone and his blitzing style leaves him open. Pauga's wrestling and power at 205 should be too much. Jacob played the under 1.5 rounds and feels good about it, though he cautions both are coming off knockout losses. He expects Wright to get knocked out again.
Pauga has better cardio and a more complete MMA game, while Wright fades after the first round and has durability issues. Pauga can survive the early storm and then take over with grappling and pressure, finishing Wright via ground and pound in the second or third round.
Paul agrees with Cody, calling Jordan Wright a lost fighter with no cardio or durability. He details Wright's pattern of starting fast but fading and getting finished. He notes Pauga has excellent cardio, trains at altitude, and has enough striking to pressure Wright. However, he says the -270 line is too high for a guy with one UFC win who got knocked out. He prefers the under 2.5 rounds at -350 as a parlay piece.
The MMA Guru picks Zac Pauga, citing his takedown defense from The Ultimate Fighter and his size advantage. He criticizes Jordan Wright's poor decision-making and quick turnaround after a KO loss. He believes Pauga is patient and can catch Wright with a counter shot after Wright gets reckless in round two, predicting a KO. He notes the possibility of an upset but trusts Pauga's chin more.
Zane picks Pauga because Jordan Wright has a history of panicking and losing focus when he doesn't finish early. Wright is dangerous early but fades and makes defensive mistakes. Pauga is raw but has a takedown game and can survive the initial storm. Zane notes that Wright's move to light heavyweight seems desperate and may not fix his mental issues.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 25 of 41 | 60% | 66 of 83 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 5:03 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 61 of 80 | 76% | 107 of 132 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duško Todorović | 0 | 17 of 20 | 85% | 58 of 62 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:24 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 4 of 4 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 | |
| 2 | Duško Todorović | 0 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 8 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 58 of 77 | 75% | 103 of 128 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duško Todorović | 25 of 41 | 60% | 20 of 35 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 18 | 7 of 9 | 11 of 14 |
| Jordan Wright | 61 of 80 | 76% | 49 of 68 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 29 | 28 of 31 | 14 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duško Todorović | 17 of 20 | 85% | 16 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 11 of 14 |
| Jordan Wright | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Duško Todorović | 8 of 21 | 38% | 4 of 17 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 17 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 58 of 77 | 75% | 48 of 67 | 10 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 28 | 26 of 29 | 14 of 20 |
Angelo picks Duško Todorović, believing he is the much better striker. He notes that Jordan Wright is a kill-or-be-killed fighter with big power but a karate style that can be exploited. He is confident in Duško but acknowledges that Jordan is always live and could push a wrestling-heavy game plan, as Duško has 50% takedown defense.
Big Brady picks Duško Todorović to win by first-round ground-and-pound finish. He notes that Jordan Wright is dangerous offensively but has terrible defense and chin, while Todorović has more paths to victory including takedowns and ground-and-pound. He expects Todorović to take the fight to the mat and dominate. He calls this his favorite fight on the card and mentions he has a bet on it.
Cody is very confident in the under 1.5 rounds, calling it his biggest bet in a while. He notes Jordan Wright has never been past 7.5 minutes in any fight, and Todorović has chin issues. He expects Todorović to take Wright down and finish him in the first round. He also likes the under as a standalone bet and in a parlay.
Connor picks Todorović, citing his love for fighting and aggression that will break Wright over time. He notes that Wright panics and gets exhausted, and Todorović's pressure will contribute to that. He acknowledges Todorović is very hittable but believes his durability and passion give him the edge in a longer fight.
Both fighters have power and suspect chins, making this a likely early finish. Todorović has poor striking defense, keeping his hands down, while Wright is explosive but fragile. The host leans Todorović to land the big strike first, but the under 1.5 rounds is the preferred play. Wright is a live underdog, and the fight is closer than the odds suggest.
Paul considers Jordan Wright as a PRP pick, noting Wright is a fast starter with decent power, as shown in his knockout of Jamie Pickett. He points out Todorović is hittable and has a questionable chin, and Wright could catch him early. However, he acknowledges Wright's own flaws and the under is the safer play.
The MMA Guru picks Jordan Wright as a juicy underdog, leaning towards him despite acknowledging his inconsistency. He notes that Wright has been training at Jackson Wink and is settling in. He believes Wright's size and reach advantage will allow him to manipulate the clinch and land knees to finish Todorović, calling it a 50/50 fight.
Zane picks Wright, acknowledging it's a coin flip. He notes that Wright hits very hard and has technical striking from his Anthony Hardonk disciple background, but his mentality is fragile. He thinks Wright's power could catch Todorović early, as Todorović is extremely hittable.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 12 of 13 | 92% | 16 of 17 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 13 of 17 | 76% | 17 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 12 of 13 | 92% | 16 of 17 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 13 of 17 | 76% | 17 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marc-André Barriault | 12 of 13 | 92% | 2 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 |
| Jordan Wright | 13 of 17 | 76% | 11 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 9 of 10 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marc-André Barriault | 12 of 13 | 92% | 2 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 |
| Jordan Wright | 13 of 17 | 76% | 11 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 9 of 10 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo leans Jordan Wright, calling it closer to a coin flip. He notes Wright is more dangerous but Barriault is the better fighter. He is concerned that Barriault may not have fully recovered from a KO loss less than 90 days ago, and that this is short notice. He mentions Wright's ridiculous striking differential (lands and gets hit over 8 strikes per minute).
Big Brady picks Marc-André Barriault to win by knockout, citing his durability and more paths to victory. He notes that Jordan Wright is a kill-or-be-killed fighter with poor defense and chin, while Barriault is typically durable and more defensively sound. He expects Barriault to weather the early storm and finish Wright late in the first round.
Cody picks Wright, citing Barriault's recent knockout loss and questionable chin. He notes Wright's early aggression and power, and that Barriault is taking the fight on short notice at a catchweight. He thinks Wright's best chance is a first-round KO and likes the knockout prop.
The host picks Marc-André Barriault to win, including him in a parlay with Guida and Andrade. He acknowledges that Jordan Wright could win but suggests playing Wright's KO line instead of a straight bet.
Paul leans Barriault but low priority. He acknowledges Wright's early KO threat but thinks if Barriault survives the first round, his grinding style will take over. He notes Barriault's durability before the last fight and expects him to wear on Wright.
The MMA Guru picks Jordan Wright, criticizing Barriault for fighting just two months after a brutal KO. He believes Wright is a fast starter and will finish Barriault early, especially at catchweight where Wright doesn't have to cut much. He notes Wright's size and reach advantage. He adds that if Wright doesn't finish in the first, Barriault might take over, but he expects an early KO. He calls Barriault's decision to fight again 'stupid'.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruno Silva | 0 | 20 of 26 | 76% | 22 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Jordan Wright | 1 | 19 of 29 | 65% | 22 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruno Silva | 0 | 20 of 26 | 76% | 22 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Jordan Wright | 1 | 19 of 29 | 65% | 22 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruno Silva | 20 of 26 | 76% | 9 of 15 | 10 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 16 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 19 of 29 | 65% | 18 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 13 | 3 of 5 | 8 of 11 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruno Silva | 20 of 26 | 76% | 9 of 15 | 10 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 16 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 19 of 29 | 65% | 18 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 13 | 3 of 5 | 8 of 11 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Violence is the main ingredient for this next dish also at 185 pounds, when “Blindado” Silva (21-6, 2-0 UFC) aims to secure his seventh knockout in a row at the expense of “The Beverly Hills Ninja” Wright (12-1, 1 NC; 2-1 UFC). Fists and feet will surely fly until one falls, and it is not expected that this one will go the distance – it is +400 on that line now. Strapped in is 2021 World MMA Award winner for best referee, Herb Dean, who will undoubtedly have his hands full for as long as it lasts. Silva immediately begins to stalk Wright down, but the American is staying at safe range on the outside with high and low kicks. Silva thumps one to the knee, and Wright fires back with a pair to the body. A head kick from Wright may have rattled Silva, leading Silva to charge in recklessly. The two start slugging it out, cracking each other with little interest in defense, until Wright ties him up and starts kneeing him in the chest. One may have bounced off the cup, and Silva protests but he does not get the stoppage. Silva gets angry, and suddenly in a rage he nails Wright with a short flurry of punches.
A few right hands behind the ear, and a brutal left-right combo rattle Wright, who falls back across the cage. Silva darts after him, knowing the finish is close, and he clubs Wright with a few blows to knock “The Beverly Hills Ninja” down to the canvas. Dean gives Wright every bit of leeway to recover and get his wits about him, as Wright rolls around to try to grab hold of Silva’s leg or do something on the ground in desperation. All the while, “Blindado” lords over him and continues to clobber Wright with vicious strikes until Dean has no choice to finally step in
, thereby making official Silva’s seventh knockout in a row.
The Official Result
Bruno Silva def. Jordan Wright R1 1:28 via TKO (Punches)
Big Brady is confident in Bruno Silva winning by first-round knockout. He highlights that both fighters have poor striking defense and high finish rates, but Silva has never been knocked out and hits extremely hard. Wright has a questionable chin and keeps his chin high, making him vulnerable. Brady expects Silva to pressure Wright against the cage and land heavy combinations. He also notes the fight doesn't go to decision line is minus 450, indicating high finish probability.
Daniel Levi picks Bruno Silva to knock out Jordan Wright. He praises Silva's body work, knees, and finishing ability, noting his wins over Alexander Shlemenko and Artem Frolov. Levi criticizes Wright's durability, saying he can give but not take shots. He expects Silva to land a body shot that puts Wright down. Levi is confident in Silva's power and pressure.
The MMA Guru picks Bruno Silva to win by third-round TKO. He believes Silva is more technically sound on the feet and has better cardio. He notes Wright's tendency to slow down after the first round and Silva's ability to pressure and land body shots. He predicts a war early, with Silva taking over in later rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Wright | 1 | 26 of 32 | 81% | 33 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Jamie Pickett | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Wright | 1 | 26 of 32 | 81% | 33 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Jamie Pickett | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Wright | 26 of 32 | 81% | 21 of 27 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 | 12 of 12 | 9 of 14 |
| Jamie Pickett | 4 of 5 | 80% | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Wright | 26 of 32 | 81% | 21 of 27 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 | 12 of 12 | 9 of 14 |
| Jamie Pickett | 4 of 5 | 80% | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Pickett is durable, never knocked out, and has a solid chin. Wright has terrible striking defense (40%), no chin, and has never been to decision. Pickett can pressure forward, land hard shots, and has good wrestling. I expect Pickett to finish Wright in the second round by knockout.
Daniel Levi picks Jamie Pickett, citing his physicality, speed, and strength advantage. He notes that Jordan Wright (Beverly Hills Ninja) has a suspect chin, as seen in the Anthony Hernandez fight, and was steamrolled by Joaquin Buckley. Levi thinks Pickett can knock out Wright or win by decision, and calls this Pickett's best chance to get a UFC win.
The host picks Pickett but wants no part of betting the fight. He notes Pickett has shown durability, eating big shots from Soriano and Chukwu, while Wright has a questionable chin. He thinks Pickett lands a big shot and finishes Wright in the second round. However, he acknowledges both fighters are low level and that Wright could win if he lands early.
The MMA Guru picks Jamie Pickett to win by TKO in round 2. He notes that Jordan Wright has spectacular finishes but against weak competition, and that Wright slows down after the first round. He believes Pickett can absorb Wright's early onslaught, as shown in his fight with Pannie Soriano, and then finish Wright late in the second round against the cage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joaquin Buckley | 2 | 43 of 80 | 53% | 59 of 96 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 18 of 47 | 38% | 36 of 66 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joaquin Buckley | 1 | 36 of 69 | 52% | 52 of 85 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 17 of 42 | 40% | 35 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 2 | Joaquin Buckley | 1 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joaquin Buckley | 43 of 80 | 53% | 31 of 63 | 12 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 33 of 67 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 10 |
| Jordan Wright | 18 of 47 | 38% | 5 of 32 | 12 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 44 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joaquin Buckley | 36 of 69 | 52% | 25 of 53 | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 26 of 56 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 10 |
| Jordan Wright | 17 of 42 | 40% | 5 of 28 | 11 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 39 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Joaquin Buckley | 7 of 11 | 63% | 6 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Hold on to your hats, ladies and gentlemen, for this next one at middleweight. Two spectacular finishers are up next, as Buckley (11-3, 1-1 UFC) makes a quick turnaround after his sure-fire “Knockout of the Year”-winning knockout against Wright (11-0, 1 NC; 1-0 UFC), with the latter posting a 100 percent finish rate of his own. Looking to not get knocked out by errant blows is referee Herb Dean, and the brawlers do not touch gloves before throwing down. Wright comes at him and quickly clinches up, and when Buckley breaks away, Wright tries to knee him in the head. Buckley backs away and rushes in with a pair of looping punches, and his forward momentum puts the two back in the clinch. Buckley holds him tight before dropping for a double leg takedown, and Wright stands him up until they separate again. Wright lands a right hand, and Buckley counters with his own left hook. This same combination occurs again, and Buckley is putting everything he has into these punches. Buckley slings a head kick, and “The Beverly Hills Ninja” blocks it and gets pushed into the fence with another clinch. Buckley holds him there by grabbing the fence and putting his hands over the top, and Dean won’t let it happen as he chides “New Mansa.” The separation once more leads into Buckley swinging too hard with punches, and Wright lets loose a head kick. Buckley charges like a runaway truck and throws bombs, but Wright stays composed, rolls with the strikes, and keeps kicking. The unbeaten fighter scores a head kick that wobbles Buckley, and counters a rampaging Buckley with a check knee that delays the attack for long enough to allow Wright to back away. Wright scores an uppercut as Buckle charges in, and he just misses a head kick. The telegraphed strike from “New Mansa” allow Wright to get out of harm’s way, and he times another knee when Buckley comes at him. Wright keeps his distance with a body kick, and he partially absorbs a few punches. Buckley lets loose with everything he has, hurting Wright with punches and sending the undefeated fighter tumbling to the canvas. Buckley unleashes a furious storm of heavy punches, but he cannot finish the fight before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Round 2
Buckley steps forward from his corner to land a straight left hand, and Wright has not yet recovered from the punishment he absorbed at the end of Round 1. Buckley notices this, and he plows forward with a long left as Wright kicks him in the body backing up.
As part of a combination, Buckley fires off a deadly left hook that snaps Wright’s head back, and a right hand that follows is unnecessary as Wright’s knees abandon him completely. The undefeated fighter falls to the canvas, and Dean knows he is done as Buckley walks off; Wright is no longer unbeaten.
Although not quite as spectacular as his performance that the promotion interrupted Bruce Buffer’s introduction to play, Buckley has now recorded another highlight reel knockout over an undefeated fighter in devastating fashion.
The Official Result
Joaquin Buckley def. Jordan Wright R2 0:18 via KO (Punch)
Big Brady picks Joaquin Buckley to win by first-round knockout. He notes Buckley has better experience and competition, while Wright's early wins were against low-level opponents. He thinks Buckley's pressure and the small cage will be key, and Wright doesn't like being hit.
Daniel picks Buckley, citing his aggressive pressure and power. He notes the '50k curse' but believes Buckley's forward pressure will break Wright's karate style. He also mentions Buckley's wrestling and durability, though he expects a tougher fight than some anticipate.
The host picks Jordan Wright to win by first or second round KO, despite acknowledging it's a surprising pick. He thinks the line on Buckley is skewed by his viral knockout, and that Wright has a size advantage and better game plan. He recommends against parlaying Buckley.
The MMA Guru picks Joaquin Buckley to win by TKO (haymaker) in the first round. He notes Wright is moving down from light heavyweight and will have an adjustment period, and that Wright's competition has been weak. He expects Buckley to catch Wright with a big hook early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 7 of 7 | 100% | 23 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Ike Villanueva | 1 | 15 of 15 | 100% | 21 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Wright | 0 | 7 of 7 | 100% | 23 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Ike Villanueva | 1 | 15 of 15 | 100% | 21 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Wright | 7 of 7 | 100% | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Ike Villanueva | 15 of 15 | 100% | 10 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 12 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Wright | 7 of 7 | 100% | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Ike Villanueva | 15 of 15 | 100% | 10 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 12 | 2 of 2 |
Big Brady picks Jordan Wright to win by knockout, expecting an early finish. He is not impressed with Ike Villanueva, who looked awful against Chase Sherman, landing only 20 strikes before getting knocked out. Wright is faster and has power, though he has fought mostly nobodies. Wright is coming up from 185 to 205, but Brady likes his style and expects him to land a shot and finish Villanueva.
Daniel Levi picks Ike Villanueva to win by knockout. He notes that Jordan Wright is too small for light heavyweight, weighing in at 200 pounds, and lacks the toughness to compete in the UFC. Levi believes Villanueva has better size and experience, and that this is likely the only fight Villanueva will win in his UFC career. He expects a sloppy fight but sees Villanueva's power and durability as decisive.
Wright is explosive, fast, and has knockout power, while Villanueva is 36 and was just finished by Chase Sherman. Wright's speed and footwork should be too much for Villanueva, who has durability issues. Expect a first-round KO from Wright. If Wright comes out as an underdog, he might be worth a small bet.
The MMA Guru picks Jorge Gonzalez (Jordan Wright) over Ike Villanueva, criticizing Villanueva's poor UFC debut against Chase Sherman and his 16-10 record. He praises Gonzalez's competition, including a win over undefeated Marcos Rodriguez via first-round rear-naked choke, and predicts a first-round submission or TKO.
Expert Picks (9)
Angelo is confident in Pauga, citing his strong wrestling and low stance. He notes Pauga went up to heavyweight for TUF but is a natural light heavyweight. Jordan Wright has a 100% finish rate but is on a three-fight losing streak by stoppage and has a weak chin. Angelo thinks Pauga will wrestle and win, but there's no value in the betting line so he won't bet.
Big Brady is picking Jordan Wright for the upset, despite never picking him before. He notes that Pauga was knocked out by Muhammad Usman, who is not a power puncher, and that Pauga has only a 20% finish rate. He believes Wright is dangerous in the first two minutes and should come out aggressively rather than wrestling, as his cardio is poor. He predicts a first-round knockout for Wright.
Cody picks Pauga but is terrified of the -270 line. He notes Jordan Wright has only 5-6 minutes of cardio and is an under machine, but Pauga isn't a big finisher. He says Wright can absolutely get finishes early, so he'll watch weigh-ins closely. He compares Wright to Terence McKinney as a 50/50 fighter who either finishes early or gets pieced up. He also mentions Pauga got knocked out in his last fight and has been hurt before, so he's not confident.
Connor picks Wright because he thinks the move to light heavyweight could benefit Wright's speed and power, and Pauga is inexperienced and slow. However, he acknowledges Wright's mental fragility and tendency to panic. He picks Wright to win by first-round KO, but says he wouldn't bet on it.
Jacob picks Pauga but is a Jordan Wright fan. He thinks Wright's chin is gone and his blitzing style leaves him open. Pauga's wrestling and power at 205 should be too much. Jacob played the under 1.5 rounds and feels good about it, though he cautions both are coming off knockout losses. He expects Wright to get knocked out again.
Pauga has better cardio and a more complete MMA game, while Wright fades after the first round and has durability issues. Pauga can survive the early storm and then take over with grappling and pressure, finishing Wright via ground and pound in the second or third round.
Paul agrees with Cody, calling Jordan Wright a lost fighter with no cardio or durability. He details Wright's pattern of starting fast but fading and getting finished. He notes Pauga has excellent cardio, trains at altitude, and has enough striking to pressure Wright. However, he says the -270 line is too high for a guy with one UFC win who got knocked out. He prefers the under 2.5 rounds at -350 as a parlay piece.
The MMA Guru picks Zac Pauga, citing his takedown defense from The Ultimate Fighter and his size advantage. He criticizes Jordan Wright's poor decision-making and quick turnaround after a KO loss. He believes Pauga is patient and can catch Wright with a counter shot after Wright gets reckless in round two, predicting a KO. He notes the possibility of an upset but trusts Pauga's chin more.
Zane picks Pauga because Jordan Wright has a history of panicking and losing focus when he doesn't finish early. Wright is dangerous early but fades and makes defensive mistakes. Pauga is raw but has a takedown game and can survive the initial storm. Zane notes that Wright's move to light heavyweight seems desperate and may not fix his mental issues.
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