Career Averages - Dooho Choi
Career Averages - Kyle Nelson
Dooho Choi
Kyle Nelson
Dooho Choi - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dooho Choi | 1 | 72 of 138 | 52% | 79 of 145 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Daniel Santos | 0 | 72 of 182 | 39% | 74 of 186 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dooho Choi | 0 | 28 of 59 | 47% | 29 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Daniel Santos | 0 | 47 of 106 | 44% | 48 of 109 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 | |
| 2 | Dooho Choi | 1 | 44 of 79 | 55% | 50 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Daniel Santos | 0 | 25 of 76 | 32% | 26 of 77 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dooho Choi | 72 of 138 | 52% | 56 of 122 | 13 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 67 of 133 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
| Daniel Santos | 72 of 182 | 39% | 54 of 156 | 15 of 22 | 3 of 4 | 64 of 172 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dooho Choi | 28 of 59 | 47% | 20 of 51 | 6 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 26 of 57 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Daniel Santos | 47 of 106 | 44% | 35 of 89 | 12 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 40 of 97 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Dooho Choi | 44 of 79 | 55% | 36 of 71 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 41 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Daniel Santos | 25 of 76 | 32% | 19 of 67 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 24 of 75 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Daniel Santos, calling it the toughest pick on the card. He notes Choi looked great in his last fight but attributes that to an old opponent. He trusts Santos to stay dangerous late and create scrambles. He expects a close fight with Santos winning.
Big Brady leans toward Daniel Santos, citing his durability and youth. He expects a war and favors the younger, more durable fighter. He predicts a decision win, though he is not thrilled with the price.
Cody picks Daniel Santos, citing his physical strength, pressure, and ability to mix takedowns with striking. He notes that Santos has been active and improving, while Dooho Choi has been inactive and has shown vulnerability to wrestlers like Kyle Nelson. He believes Santos can pressure Choi, land heavy blows, and use takedowns to neutralize him, especially as Choi is not physically strong and has been rocked before.
Both are aggressive with poor defense. Santos is more durable and throws higher volume, while Choi has more power. Lean Santos due to durability, but odds are fair. Under 2.5 rounds is interesting.
Lucrative James picks Daniel Santos, favoring his relentless pace, takedown volume, and durability over Dooho Choi. He notes Santos's improvement at featherweight and Choi's defensive vulnerabilities. He predicts a decision win for Santos, though acknowledges a knockout is possible.
The host is surprised the line has moved in Santos' favor, as he believes Choi is the better striker with improved grappling and a size advantage. He expects Choi to outpoint Santos over three rounds, winning by decision. He may look to bet Choi at the current plus money.
The host picks Doo Ho Choi over Daniel Santos, expecting Choi to use his grappling defensively and outstrike Santos. He notes that Santos will likely look to grapple, but if Choi's durability holds up, he will put together a better body of work to win on the scorecards.
Paul is confident in Daniel Santos, having parlayed him earlier in the week at -143. He likes Santos's activity and wrestling, and believes he can lean on that to get out of tight situations. He notes that Dooho Choi is too inactive and that Santos has been his guy since entering the UFC.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dooho Choi | 0 | 25 of 67 | 37% | 32 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Nate Landwehr | 0 | 78 of 116 | 67% | 114 of 157 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 7:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dooho Choi | 0 | 9 of 25 | 36% | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Nate Landwehr | 0 | 40 of 66 | 60% | 40 of 66 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 | |
| 2 | Dooho Choi | 0 | 12 of 30 | 40% | 16 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Nate Landwehr | 0 | 23 of 29 | 79% | 26 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:00 | |
| 3 | Dooho Choi | 0 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nate Landwehr | 0 | 15 of 21 | 71% | 48 of 59 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:49 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dooho Choi | 25 of 67 | 37% | 13 of 47 | 9 of 15 | 3 of 5 | 15 of 55 | 10 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
| Nate Landwehr | 78 of 116 | 67% | 61 of 98 | 9 of 9 | 8 of 9 | 62 of 99 | 4 of 4 | 12 of 13 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dooho Choi | 9 of 25 | 36% | 2 of 11 | 4 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 20 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Nate Landwehr | 40 of 66 | 60% | 32 of 57 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 38 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Dooho Choi | 12 of 30 | 40% | 7 of 24 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 23 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Nate Landwehr | 23 of 29 | 79% | 15 of 21 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 18 of 24 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Dooho Choi | 4 of 12 | 33% | 4 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nate Landwehr | 15 of 21 | 71% | 14 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 10 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Landwehr (-142), Choi (+120)
Round 1
Strange card placement aside, this featherweight brawl was one the UFC brass considered guaranteed fireworks. It’s not a bird or a plane, it’s “The Train” Landwehr (18-5, 5-3 UFC). Standing across the cage from him will be “The Korean Superboy” Choi (15-4-1, 4-3-1 UFC), and referee Chris Tognoni is as ready as anyone else for this one to go down. Before they swing for the bleachers, the strikers touch ‘em up. Landwehr practically runs into Choi’s hand, coming out so fired up. It is Choi who lands first, blasting Landwehr in the face with a surprise uppercut. Choi wraps a right hand around the guard, and he knocks Landwehr to a knee with a massive left hook. Landwehr bounces back and is in front of Choi, but Choi is attacking while Landwehr’s first strike of the fight is a stomping kick to the knee. Choi scores a leg kick and puts a few punches behind it, shaking “The Train” up. Landwehr tries to get a little space with a front kick as blood trickles from the inside corners of both eyebrows, and Choi crashes towards him with a blistering uppercut. Choi backs off with a leg kick, and he digs a left to the body and allows Landwehr to shoot on him so he can push Landwehr to his knees. Choi takes his back but does not try to get his hooks in. When Landwehr adjusts, Choi suddenly wraps his legs around his foe’s waist and to keep him on the canvas. Choi sits down comfortably and allows his opponent to spin around so they can stand up together. Choi drives a knee to the midsection when Landwehr stands, and he walks the Tennessee native down to hurt him with a right hand and then an uppercut. Landwehr tries to pitch another front kick, and Choi rings his bell with a painful uppercut. Choi drops down, absorbs a knee and stands up tall and bangs the top of his head off Landwehr’s chin. Choi marches forward fearlessly, landing punches on either side of the head while Landwehr is stuck keeping his guard up most of the time. Choi goes to the body, and Landwehr strikes back with a right hand. Choi knocks Landwehr’s head back like a Pez dispenser with a nasty uppercut, and Landwehr closes in to clinch and get his bearings. Landwehr scores a short strike on the inside, and he pushes out of the tie-up using a knee. Choi dings him with one last left, and the one-sided round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Round 2
Choi offers a glove touch when Landwehr rushes at him to begin the second stanza, and they trade hands early with Choi landing first, last and much faster. Choi hammers the front leg with a kick, throwing Landwehr off-balance, and he uses his jab to set up power strikes. Choi connects with a low kick, and Landwehr ties him up and leans against him on the cage for a time. Choi spins him about, takes an elbow and breaks off. Choi boxes him up, mixing up the straight punches to the head and body. When Landwehr comes at him, Choi chops down his front leg. Landwehr keeps moving after taking the kick, bopping the South Korean in the nose with a spinning back elbow. Choi allows him to complete his rotation so he can hurl “The Train” to the floor like side of beef. Choi steps into full mount with ease, and he thinks about gripping a choke and lets it go to hit Landwehr in the back of the head. Landwehr scrambles to escape the precarious position, but he ends up getting flattened out on his stomach while Choi smacks him upside the head. Landwehr does not settle for staying flat for long, and Choi stretches him out but is not attempting much else in the way of submissions. Choi gets both hooks in and does not want to set up the body triangle so he can back out of this, and he lets Landwehr follow him so he can suddenly tackle the former M-1 champ down to the canvas. Choi lands in half guard and decides against taking advantage of the position, instead bailing on it and standing up. Landwehr follows immediately and pushes Choi to the fencing, but the South Korean is quick to turn him about. Two clubbing strikes from Landwehr land right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Round 3
The fighters clap hands, and Landwehr throws caution to the wind immediately. Landwehr hurls huge punches, with haymakers that land flush on the side of Choi’s dome. Choi laughs them off and swings back just as hard, but faster. Landwehr backs himself up to the fence in hopes of goading Choi towards him, but he has to settle for following Choi. As Landwehr gets as reckless as can be, Choi hits an easy takedown and advances immediately to side control. Choi wraps up Landwehr’s left arm between his legs to lock down a crucifix, and he hammers down a few elbows before Landwehr sits up. Choi uses his body weight to keep Landwehr stuck in the bad place, and he pounds on Landwehr’s face with fists when elbows are not the right strike. Choi draws further blood as he bludgeons “The Train,” with Landwehr’s bucks and twists thwarted each and every turn. Choi slashes down with methodical elbows, and Tognoni asks for Landwehr to improve his position. Choi punches Landwehr several times in the mouth, and Landwehr groans and grunts. With Tognoni watching on closely, Choi hammers the nail with a final barrage of elbows. Tognoni waves the fight off, and Landwehr is disappointed but not about to cry foul after getting beaten up for the better part of three rounds. Winner of two in a row, “The Korean Superboy” announces himself as a renewed force in the talent-rich featherweight division.
The Official Result
Doo Ho Choi def. Nate Landwehr R3 3:21 via TKO (Elbows)
Angelo picks Nate Landwehr, citing his relentless pressure and takedowns against Choi's poor takedown defense. He expects Landwehr to shoot a million takedowns and grind out a win. However, he notes Landwehr is chinny and 36, and Choi has power, so he will probably avoid betting on this fight due to red flags.
Cody picks Landwehr, believing his aggressive pressure will overwhelm Choi. He notes Choi's finesse style and vulnerability to pressure fighters. He expects a violent fight and suggests it won't go to decision.
Connor picks Landwehr based on confidence and momentum. He notes that Choi went eight years without a win and looked mentally fragile, while Landwehr is a dog who thrives on chaos. Connor believes Landwehr will force a war and that Choi's defense and confidence are not up to the task.
Daniel picks Choi to upset Landwehr, citing Choi's improved cardio and technique since his return. He believes Choi's clean boxing and experience in wars will overcome Landwehr's attrition style. He predicts a knockout, noting Landwehr gets hurt in every fight.
Daniel Vreeland picks Nate Landwehr, citing that Dooho Choi's best days are behind him and his chin may be compromised after getting knocked out by Charles Jourdain. He notes Landwehr is solid everywhere, especially on the feet, and has underrated submission skills with two of his last four wins by submission. He likes the number on Landwehr and sees him as a good candidate for a club-and-sub.
Jeff Fox agrees with Vreeland, emphasizing that people sleep on Landwehr's submission skills, noting his nice darce chokes and front headlock game. He also points out that Dooho Choi's best days are behind him and his chin may not be as good as it used to be, as evidenced by getting knocked out by Charles Jourdain. Fox believes Choi is a one-dimensional power puncher without a steel chin, so he takes Landwehr all day.
Lucrative James picks Nate Landwehr to win inside the distance, citing his grappling upside, cardio advantage, and higher level of competition. He acknowledges the volatility due to both fighters being hittable, but believes Landwehr's experience and durability will prevail. He suggests looking at props like TKO or submission in rounds 2 or 3.
Choi has the technical striking advantage and confidence from knocking out Bill Algeo earlier this year. He will counter Landwehr off his back foot and find a big shot within one and a half rounds to get a knockout victory.
Paul picks Landwehr, citing his relentless pressure and ability to break opponents. He notes Choi's accuracy but thinks Landwehr's chaos will be too much. He expects a fun fight and believes Landwehr wins more often than not.
The MMA Guru picks Nate Landwehr, believing pressure breaks Dooho Choi. He notes Choi can be pressured and broken, and while Choi could catch Landwehr early, Landwehr's recovery is good. He expects Landwehr to mix in grappling in the second and third rounds, leading to a TKO win or a D'Arce choke.
Zane agrees, citing Landwehr's self-belief and Choi's lack of confidence. He notes that Choi's defense has always been poor and that Landwehr will bring the chaos that Choi struggles with. Zane also points out that Choi's win over Bill Algeo was against a fading opponent, while Landwehr is a proven tough out.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dooho Choi | 0 | 21 of 35 | 60% | 32 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 3 | 0 | 1:33 |
| Bill Algeo | 0 | 17 of 49 | 34% | 38 of 74 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 1 | 3:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dooho Choi | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 13 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 3 | 0 | 1:02 |
| Bill Algeo | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 23 of 33 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 1 | 3:02 | |
| 2 | Dooho Choi | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 19 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Bill Algeo | 0 | 11 of 37 | 29% | 15 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dooho Choi | 21 of 35 | 60% | 15 of 28 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 17 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
| Bill Algeo | 17 of 49 | 34% | 11 of 36 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 8 | 14 of 45 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dooho Choi | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Bill Algeo | 6 of 12 | 50% | 5 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Dooho Choi | 16 of 27 | 59% | 10 of 21 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Bill Algeo | 11 of 37 | 29% | 6 of 27 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 7 | 10 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Algeo (-166), Choi (+140)
Round 1
Action is on the menu for this potential featherweight brawl—good luck living up to the match that preceded this one—with Choi (14-4-1, 3-3-1 UFC) aiming for his first win since 2016 while Algeo (18-8, 5-4 UFC) tries to keep himself above .500 in the Octagon. Both men do not shy away from a slugfest, and referee Herb Dean will hope to keep a lid on things and not get hit with any errant blows. The two touch gloves before swinging for the bleachers, and Choi positions himself in the center of the cage ready to advance. Algeo pushes forward and lets fly a body kick, and he jumps forward and swings his way into a single-leg takedown entry. Choi jumps guard with a guillotine choke to defend it, and Algeo fights it by pushing off Choi’s face. As Algeo bucks, he manages to get out of the choke, and his red face turns back to its standard shade. The two find themselves in the clinch, with Choi landing soft knees to the inner thigh. Choi hits a hip toss and lands in side control, keeping his arm draped around the chest like a seatbelt as Algeo tries to get up. Choi latches on with a rear-naked choke, and when Algeo stands up, he wags his finger to signal that the choke is not at the right angle and will not catch him. “Senor Perfecto” bucks Choi off of him and dumps him to the ground, where he establishes top position. The South Korean does not stay grounded for long, working his way up to his feet thanks to the fence behind him. Choi looks to trip Algeo out, and Algeo tosses him aside. They touch gloves when separating, and Algeo is fired up and ready to trade. Algeo cracks “The Korean Superboy” with a huge right hand and spins with an elbow that smashes Choi right in the face, but his balance does not falter. Algeo changes levels and sets Choi on his seat, keeping Choi down for a few seconds before Choi fights back to his feet and gets upright. Choi drives two knees to the forehead before Algeo drops to one knee, and Choi lands an illegal knee that is not called. Choi jumps guard for another guillotine, and Algeo pops his head out with 10 seconds to spare in the wild round. Algeo concludes the first frame on top.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Algeo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Round 2
The fighters touch gloves before resuming the madness, and Algeo quickly darts forward twice and pulls back as many times. Choi reaches his man with a right hand, and Algeo comes over the top with an overhand right. Choi counters with a big right, and Algeo cocks his head to the side to acknowledge the blow. They trade leg kicks, and Choi walks face-first into a check left hook. Choi blinks it out several times and wipes his eye, and he dips back to dodge a head kick. Algeo pushes off with a side kick, and they hand-fight until Algeo crashes the pocket throwing hands. Choi escapes the worst of the blows and snaps off a quick jab. Leg kicks are once more traded, and Choi digs a right hand to the midsection. Algeo scores a side kick and has a sudden spinning hook kick bounce off the raised guard. Choi catches his man with a right hand, and Algeo shakes it off and tosses back two head kicks. Algeo looks to counter a jab with two looping hooks, and he spins with a back fist that grazes the cheek and results in a clinch. Choi turns him around and chucks Algeo to the mat like a side of beef, and Algeo stands right back up and drops to a knee to prevent knees from catching him on the chin. Choi holds on from above, and the two scramble until Algeo tags him with an elbow. Choi makes him pay with two crisp punches, and Algeo returns fire. Choi splits Algeo open with a one-two, and it appears to have damaged Algeo’s eye socket or otherwise compromised “Senor Perfecto.”
Choi races towards his opponent, and he is met with a spinning back elbow that bounces off the shoulder. Choi slugs the Pennsylvanian in the face with a brutal left hand, and Algeo turns and the pain suddenly overtakes him. Algeo turns, wags his finger as if to say enough is enough, and drops to a knee.
Dean sees that Algeo’s goose is cooked, and he rushes in between the fighters to call a halt to the hard-swinging contest. Choi sprints away to celebrate with his corner, including the beloved “Korean Zombie,” having picked up his first win since 2016.
The Official Result
Doo Ho Choi def. Bill Algeo R2 3:38 via TKO (Submission to Punch)
Angelo picks Bill Algeo because he is far more active than Dooho Choi, who hasn't won in eight years. He acknowledges that Algo has burned bettors before and advises staying away from betting. He is not confident but chooses Algeo due to activity and experience.
Cody also picks Algeo, emphasizing Choi's one-round style and the fact that he gave up five takedowns to Kyle Nelson. He thinks Algeo can take Choi down and control him, and that Choi's chin is compromised after multiple knockouts. He suggests live betting Algeo after the first round if Choi doesn't finish.
Daniel Vreeland picks Bill Algeo, stating that Dooho Choi has never been the same since the Cub Swanson fight in 2016. He notes Choi's inactivity and lack of confidence, while Algeo is more active and skilled. Vreeland acknowledges Choi's power but believes Algeo can outwork him over three rounds.
Algeo is a -160 favorite. He has an unorthodox striking style and excellent cardio, which should cause problems for Choi, who is inactive and has a questionable chin. Algeo can land big shots and potentially finish Choi within the first two rounds. Choi hasn't won since 2016 and inactivity works against him.
Paul picks Algeo, citing Choi's decline since the Cub Swanson fight, his inability to win outside the first round, and his poor takedown defense. He notes Algeo has a wrestling background, a BJJ black belt, and can mix in takedowns. He expects Algeo to outwork Choi as the fight goes on.
The MMA Guru picks Bill Algeo over Dooho Choi. He describes Algeo as tricky and unorthodox, and believes Choi's style works best against aggressive opponents. He notes Choi's long layoff and recent draw with Kyle Nelson, while Algeo has a win over Joe Anderson Brito. He predicts Algeo will survive Choi's early power and take over in rounds two and three with volume and cage work.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dooho Choi | 0 | 50 of 78 | 64% | 79 of 114 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 3:58 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 20 of 58 | 34% | 39 of 80 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 5:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dooho Choi | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 15 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:24 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 11 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:56 | |
| 2 | Dooho Choi | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 30 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 16 of 49 | 32% | 16 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Dooho Choi | 0 | 23 of 25 | 92% | 34 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:59 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 12 of 15 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:35 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dooho Choi | 50 of 78 | 64% | 11 of 37 | 23 of 24 | 16 of 17 | 27 of 54 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 22 |
| Kyle Nelson | 20 of 58 | 34% | 10 of 41 | 7 of 10 | 3 of 7 | 17 of 54 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dooho Choi | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Kyle Nelson | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Dooho Choi | 24 of 46 | 52% | 10 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 13 | 23 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Nelson | 16 of 49 | 32% | 8 of 35 | 5 of 8 | 3 of 6 | 14 of 46 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Dooho Choi | 23 of 25 | 92% | 1 of 3 | 21 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 21 |
| Kyle Nelson | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Choi (-190), Nelson (+160)
Round 1
“The Korean Superboy” will look to come back from a three-year hiatus and a three-fight losing streak against Canada’s Nelson, with Chris Tognoni set to officiate. Both men are in orthodox stance as they feel out the distance in the opening moments. Choi lands a hard low kick. Nelson rushes in, hoists Choi by the hips and slams him down, despite a fence grab by the Korean. Nelson wraps up the legs of the seated Choi at the base of the fence. Choi posts his right arm and braces against the cage to try and stand, but Nelson is persistent. Nelson hops onto Choi’s back as Choi stands, sinking a hook as he does. Choi spins and explodes up, but Nelson is right with him. Choi explodes up again, and sweeps to top position, trapping Nelson’s right arm in a crucifix. Nelson frees the arm, but Choi looks for an arm-triangle choke, and is close to moving to side control. Choi gets it and swings out to the side, looking to pin an arm once again. Nelson stuffs Choi back to half-guard. Nelson locks his arms and gets a half-guard lockdown to control Choi’s posture in the final seconds. The round expires.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Round 2
Choi lands a hard low kick, which Nelson answers with a kick to the body. Nelson rocks Choi with a big right hand, then chases down the reeling Choi with a flying knee against the cage. Choi comes forward with a takedown attempt from way outside, then lands a sharp one-two. Nelson shoots a takedown from a mile away and Choi sprawls easily. Choi spins to the back, then disengages and lets Nelson up. They clinch against the fence for a moment as the action slows. Choi lands another chopping low kick, then another. Nelson comes forward with a left kick to the body. Choi goes to the leg again, then sticks Nelson with a right hand up top. Under 90 seconds left and Choi’s low kicks are taking their toll. Choi lands a left to the body. Nelson lends a sweeping, glancing right hook. Nelson comes back with a leg kick of his own. Nelson whiffs on a big right hand as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Round 3
Nelson comes in for a takedown and Choi meets him with a nasty uppercut to the body. Nelson drags Choi down momentarily, but Choi springs right back up. Nelson drives Choi into the fence, trying to lift him at the waist. Choi posts with his right arm once again, foiling the takedown. Choi stands back up and Nelson stays right on him. Nelson tries for a rear waistlock and as Choi spins, Nelson elevates and slams him down. Nelson is wrapped around Choi’s legs at the base of the cage. Ref Tognoni immediately exhorts them to work. Choi manages to stand back up and Nelson turns to a single-leg. Choi pulls his leg out and drives Nelson onto his back. Tognoni jumps in and calls time, saying that there was a headbutt, and replay bears him out on the fact if not the intention of the collision. Tognoni deducts a point from Choi and restarts them with a minute and a half to go. They resume action on the feet after a touch of gloves, and Nelson shoots again within seconds. Nelson has a loose single-leg, but Choi spreads his stance, lowers his center of gravity and throws a series of nasty punches and elbows to the ribs as Nelson clings. The final horn sounds with them still in that position.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Choi)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Choi)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Choi)
The Official Result
The judges rule Doo Ho Choi vs. Kyle Nelson a Majority Draw (29-27 Choi, 28-28, 28-28)
Big Brady is wary of Choi's long layoff and recent losses. He thinks Nelson has power and a chance to knock out Choi early. He picks Nelson by first-round knockout but says he is not betting on the moneyline, only interested in the under.
Cody picks Choi, citing his superior skill set and speed. He notes that Choi's four-year layoff may actually benefit him by allowing his body to heal from previous damage. He believes Choi is a better striker, grappler, and wrestler than Nelson. He expects Choi to win by knockout or clear decision, and likes the under 2.5 rounds at -175.
Connor picks Dooho Choi, citing more concrete reasons to distrust Kyle Nelson. He notes that Nelson is self-defeating, with a tendency to fade after an initial burst, and that Choi is a good scrambler who won't be held down. However, he acknowledges Choi's long layoff and chin concerns, making this a low-confidence pick.
Paul picks Choi, emphasizing his skill advantage and the fact that Nelson is being fed as an easy opponent. He notes that Choi has always looked good early in fights but faded, and the layoff may help. He thinks Nelson's only path is to grind, but Choi's speed and accuracy should prevail. He also mentions the time zone advantage for Asian fighters.
Zane picks Dooho Choi, but is more concerned than Connor. He notes that Nelson is dangerous early and has a reach advantage, and that Choi is an unknown after a long layoff. However, he trusts Choi's durability and believes Nelson's anxiety will cause him to fade. Zane sees a serious chance of Nelson winning by KO or TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 1 | 42 of 94 | 44% | 44 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Dooho Choi | 2 | 64 of 129 | 49% | 75 of 140 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Jourdain | 1 | 29 of 57 | 50% | 31 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Dooho Choi | 1 | 28 of 56 | 50% | 39 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 2 | Charles Jourdain | 0 | 13 of 37 | 35% | 13 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dooho Choi | 1 | 36 of 73 | 49% | 36 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 42 of 94 | 44% | 30 of 80 | 9 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 36 of 80 | 3 of 8 | 3 of 6 |
| Dooho Choi | 64 of 129 | 49% | 38 of 84 | 23 of 37 | 3 of 8 | 52 of 115 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Jourdain | 29 of 57 | 50% | 20 of 48 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 23 of 43 | 3 of 8 | 3 of 6 |
| Dooho Choi | 28 of 56 | 50% | 13 of 32 | 12 of 16 | 3 of 8 | 19 of 45 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 7 | |
| 2 | Charles Jourdain | 13 of 37 | 35% | 10 of 32 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dooho Choi | 36 of 73 | 49% | 25 of 52 | 11 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 33 of 70 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Choi stalks his foe right away and he fires off a one-two. The featherweights clinch and Jourdain lands some body shots before they separate. Choi lands a powerful uppercut to the body. Choi steps in with a knee and Jourdain responds with a jump knee which the South Korean avoids. They clinch after a Jourdain leaping knee, and Jourdain digs to the body again. Choi wobbles Jourdain with a counter left hook, but Jourdain seems to have recovered. A low kick from Choi makes his man stumble, and “The Korean Super Boy” drops his opponent with a punch. Choi follows his opponent to the canvas. He stands and looks to land some ground-and-pound. Choi clears the legs and works to take Jourdain’s back. They separate and Choi follows a front kick with a spinning back fist. Choi continues to pressure and absorbs a body kick. Jourdain with a jumping knee, but Choi eats it with no problem. Choi forces a tie up but misses a punch on the break. They clinch again and Jourdain lands a knee. Jourdain drops Choi late in the frame. Choi hangs on until the horn sounds. 10-9 Choi.
Round 2
Choi again comes with the forward pressure and absorbs a body kick and a jab to the body from Jourdain. The featherweights both land right hands. Jourdain goes back to the body kick and then follows up with an overhand left. Choi lands a couple solid rights in an exchange. Choi marches forward with another straight right followed by an uppercut. Jourdain circles away and then attacks with an effectively combination. Choi is unsuccessful on a flying knee. Choi catches Jourdain coming forward with a short right. A quick left jab connects for Choi. Jourdain pressures and lands a glancing uppercut, while Choi counters with a spinning back fist. A straight left from Jourdain lands directly on the chin and buckles Choi’s legs. A follow-up right hook to the side of the head sends “Korean Super Boy” to the canvas, and Jourdain punctuates his victory with a few follow-up punches on the mat.
The Official Result
Charles Jourdain def. Doo Ho Choi via TKO (Punches) R2 4:32
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Stephens | 1 | 49 of 133 | 36% | 49 of 133 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Dooho Choi | 0 | 44 of 79 | 55% | 45 of 80 | 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 | Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 22 of 73 | 30% | 22 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dooho Choi | 0 | 30 of 57 | 52% | 30 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Jeremy Stephens | 1 | 27 of 60 | 45% | 27 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Dooho Choi | 0 | 14 of 22 | 63% | 15 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Stephens | 49 of 133 | 36% | 32 of 111 | 6 of 6 | 11 of 16 | 42 of 124 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 6 |
| Dooho Choi | 44 of 79 | 55% | 24 of 51 | 3 of 7 | 17 of 21 | 42 of 76 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremy Stephens | 22 of 73 | 30% | 13 of 59 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 12 | 20 of 71 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Dooho Choi | 30 of 57 | 52% | 14 of 34 | 2 of 5 | 14 of 18 | 28 of 54 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jeremy Stephens | 27 of 60 | 45% | 19 of 52 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 6 |
| Dooho Choi | 14 of 22 | 63% | 10 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Referee Keith Peterson is the third man in the cage for tonight's 145-pound main event, scheduled for five rounds. Stephens whiffs on his opening leg kick and takes one in return from Choi, who backs up when the veteran threatens to charge forward. Stephens is swinging some heavy punches in the opening minute, but Choi is able to dodge or deflect most of them. The lightweights exchange low kicks before Choi grabs Stephens in the Thai clinch to deliver a knee. Stephens checks a leg kick but eats a straight right hand down the center. Choi rips into Stephens' lead leg with another chop; this time, "Lil Heathen" is waiting with a right-handed counter. Choi backs up Stephens to the fence, feints an uppercut but doesn't unleash the punch. Now it's Stephens driving forward, getting too aggressive and being spun against the fence. Stephens breaks free from the clinch with an elbow, but now it's Choi with a clean right uppercut-left hook. Thirty seconds left in round one as the fighters trade jabs, then Choi tacks on another heavy leg kick. Stephens answers with a loud kick to the body, then counters Choi's final kick with a straight right.
Sherdog Scores
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Stephens
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Choi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Choi
Round 2
Stephens dodges one front kick from Choi, but the second lands right on the jaw, snapping back the head of the veteran. Stephens wakes up and tries to take off Choi's head with a knee, then lands a blistering right hand. Choi grimaces but stays right in the pocket, now seemingly measuring Stephens, waiting for a chance to counter and reclaim some ground. Stephens gives Choi some of his own medicine with a few hard leg kicks. Stephens counters Choi's low kick with another massive right hand that knocks the "Korean Superboy" backward a few steps. Choi goes to the body with a left, sucks in a deep breath and backs up as Stephens continues to march forward. Stephens jabs his way into range and then floors Choi with a massive right hand to the temple. Stephens comes crashing down on top of Choi with a heavy elbow, then stands and continues to pour on the punishment with punches. Referee Peterson is taking a close look; Choi is covering up, rolling onto his side, and the ref decides he's seen enough. Jeremy Stephens scores a minor upset with a hard-hitting second-round stoppage of Doo Ho Choi.
The Official Result
Jeremy Stephens def. Doo Ho Choi via TKO (Punches) R2 2:36
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 111 of 210 | 52% | 122 of 226 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 1 | 2:31 |
| Dooho Choi | 0 | 77 of 160 | 48% | 87 of 170 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cub Swanson | 0 | 19 of 53 | 35% | 22 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Dooho Choi | 0 | 24 of 47 | 51% | 27 of 50 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 | |
| 2 | Cub Swanson | 0 | 46 of 80 | 57% | 50 of 85 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:09 |
| Dooho Choi | 0 | 37 of 62 | 59% | 37 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 3 | Cub Swanson | 0 | 46 of 77 | 59% | 50 of 85 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 1:11 |
| Dooho Choi | 0 | 16 of 51 | 31% | 23 of 58 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cub Swanson | 111 of 210 | 52% | 75 of 155 | 29 of 40 | 7 of 15 | 82 of 175 | 22 of 26 | 7 of 9 |
| Dooho Choi | 77 of 160 | 48% | 61 of 140 | 16 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 54 of 131 | 21 of 27 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cub Swanson | 19 of 53 | 35% | 8 of 33 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 12 | 14 of 46 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Dooho Choi | 24 of 47 | 51% | 17 of 38 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 14 of 35 | 10 of 12 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Cub Swanson | 46 of 80 | 57% | 32 of 59 | 12 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 36 of 67 | 9 of 10 | 1 of 3 |
| Dooho Choi | 37 of 62 | 59% | 31 of 54 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 52 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Cub Swanson | 46 of 77 | 59% | 35 of 63 | 11 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 32 of 62 | 8 of 9 | 6 of 6 |
| Dooho Choi | 16 of 51 | 31% | 13 of 48 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 44 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Swanson steps inside to tie up and gets a hard knee to the gut, then another. Swanson drops levels momentarily, comes back up and gets two or three hard knees to the head before Choi releases him. Choi pumps piston jabs at Swanson, forcing him to circle around the outside. Swanson tries to fend off the young Korean with low and spinning kicks but can't quite connect. Swanson eats a jab, tries to blitz Choi with an uppercut and gets caught with a body kick. Choi snipes over Swanson's guard with a nifty right hand; Swanson gets caught leaning forward and takes an uppercut on the jaw. Swanson tries to clinch, gets his head pulled down and kneed again by Choi, who puts the veteran's back against the wall with about two minutes remaining. Swanson reverses to the outside and throws some knees at Choi's thighs, then steps back and separates. Choi's lightning fast jab is in and out before Swanson can react, and now the "Korean Superboy" steps forward with another right hand. Now it's Swanson's turn to stick a jab that bloodies Choi's nose, but the California native misses on his follow-up kicks. Swanson shoots for a late takedown, but Choi keeps his balance until the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Choi
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Choi
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Choi
Round 2
Both featherweights come out swinging, but it's Swanson pressuring Choi with clubbing hooks, followed by a clinch in the center of the cage. Choi disengages and flashes his jab, but it's Swanson clipping Choi with a right hand on the temple. Choi is wobbling all over the cage, dropping to his knees at one point as Swanson tries to polish him off with punches. In a flash, Choi has Swanson hurt with a volley of punches, and now it's Choi swinging for the fences and a finish. Swanson gets hold of him and trips him to the ground, then tries to take Choi's back in the scramble. Choi puts his back on the ground and puts Swanson in half guard, and now the 145er work back to their feet after a brief rest on the mat. Both guys are still looking for the knockout, both swinging head kicks and big right hands. Choi presses forward but walks into a right hand from Swanson, and now the Korean wobbles back to the fence. Swanson tries to take off Choi's head with follow-up punches, but Choi somehow stays standing under the assault. They fight back to the center in the closing seconds, where Choi hurts Swanson with a Thai clinch knee to the face just before time runs out.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Swanson
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Swanson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Swanson
Round 3
Swanson backs Choi away with a kick to the body, but Choi stiffs him on the follow-up takedown attempt and then slams the veteran with a nasty right hand. Choi keeps coming with a knee to the body, another right hand before wrapping up Swanson by the waist and pulling him to the ground. Before Choi can establish back-mount, Swanson rolls over into top position. Choi tries to hit the sweep, winds up holding Swanson in butterfly guard and drilling the top of his head with elbow strikes. Swanson stands up and Choi trips him up with an ankle pick, then scrambles to his feet. Swanson marches him down with punches, gets him against the fence and uses a head-and-arm throw to hurl Choi to the mat. Choi escapes from the bulldog choke position and gets to his feet, where he clinches with Swanson in the middle of the cage. Swanson lands a punch to the body, disengages and takes a deep breath. Choi is still swinging punches with his mouth wide open, and still eating punches, too. Choi ducks under a Swanson punch and gets a waistlock then rolls him to the ground, but Swanson is back on his feet within seconds. Swanson knocks Choi backward with a right hook, then slams Choi with a straight right on the fence. Choi is somehow still standing as Swanson decks him with another right hand, now an uppercut. Swanson finishes the fight by running Choi to the ground and landing some heavy ground punches.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Swanson (29-28 Swanson)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Swanson (29-28 Swanson)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Swanson (29-28 Swanson)
The Official Result
Cub Swanson def. Doo Ho Choi via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dooho Choi | 1 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Thiago Tavares | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 13 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dooho Choi | 1 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Thiago Tavares | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 13 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dooho Choi | 4 of 7 | 57% | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Thiago Tavares | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dooho Choi | 4 of 7 | 57% | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Thiago Tavares | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Tavares shoots in early and completes a takedown at the fence; Choi nearly regains his footing, but the Brazilian sucks out his legs and keeps him on the mat. Tavares isn’t doing much with the position, and now Choi finds the angle to land some short punches while his back is pressed against the cage. It’s all pressure from Tavares in the first two minutes, but little in the way of offense. Choi posts and stands, but he’s taken down again almost immediately. Back up comes Choi, now creating some space from Tavares at the midway point of the round. Tavares stands with his back to the wall as Choi melts him with a perfect straight right hand. Tavares hits the deck in a heap, and one more punch from Choi is all that referee Herb Dean needs to see to stop the fight.
The Official Result
Doo Ho Choi def. Thiago Tavares via KO (Punches) R1 2:42
Kyle Nelson - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrance McKinney | 0 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 15 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 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 | Terrance McKinney | 0 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 15 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrance McKinney | 13 of 27 | 48% | 12 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 22 |
| Kyle Nelson | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terrance McKinney | 13 of 27 | 48% | 12 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 22 |
| Kyle Nelson | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Terrance McKinney despite acknowledging his cardio and chin issues. He believes McKinney is the better striker, wrestler, and more powerful, and hopes he puts on a show at home. He admits he went against his own rule of not betting on McKinney and placed a half-unit bet at -141.
Big Brady picks Terrance McKinney to win by first-round knockout. He expects a car crash of a fight, noting both fighters lack durability and have been finished often. He believes McKinney's early pressure and power will be too much for Kyle Nelson, who has been finished in four losses. He thinks McKinney will knock him out in the first few minutes.
Cody picks Nelson, believing McKinney's early explosiveness will fade and Nelson's durability and cardio will take over. He also mentions inside information from Nelson's training partner.
Connor picks Nelson, noting that McKinney is only dangerous in the first round and concedes when he can't get an immediate finish. He points out that McKinney has only won one fight outside the first three minutes in his entire career. Nelson is susceptible early but if he survives, McKinney gives up. Connor says you can't pick a competent fighter to lose to McKinney.
Daniel acknowledges McKinney's first-round finishing ability but is wary of his tendency to fade if he doesn't get the early KO. He picks McKinney but suggests live betting Nelson if the fight goes past two minutes.
The host sees this as a coin flip: McKinney is explosive and dangerous early but has terrible cardio and has never been to a decision; Nelson is slow and hittable but has power and can survive the first round. The implied probabilities (65-40) offer no margin on either side, so the host passes entirely.
The host expects McKinney's explosive power and early aggression to overwhelm Nelson, leading to a first-round knockout. He notes McKinney's tendency to finish early and that all his UFC fights have ended under 1.5 rounds. He is less confident in betting McKinney straight due to his style's volatility but likes the under 1.5 rounds prop.
Paul agrees, noting McKinney's history of gassing and Nelson's ability to survive early storms. He expects Nelson to win after the first round.
The MMA Guru picks Kyle Nelson using reverse psychology, as he often picks McKinney to win by first-round TKO but McKinney fumbles. He believes McKinney will wobble Nelson early but then fade, allowing Nelson to take over in the second and third rounds with elbows and pressure. He notes McKinney's inconsistency.
Zane agrees, stating that McKinney's pattern is clear: he comes in keyed up and if he doesn't finish early, he gives up. He compares McKinney to the ID of fighters like McGregor and Pyfer. Nelson is a competent fighter who can survive the early storm. Zane notes that Nelson could lose if he gets caught early, but otherwise McKinney has no answer.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Nelson | 1 | 63 of 135 | 46% | 92 of 170 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 3:11 |
| Matt Frevola | 0 | 43 of 136 | 31% | 60 of 155 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 1 | 1:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Nelson | 1 | 23 of 55 | 41% | 30 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Matt Frevola | 0 | 15 of 54 | 27% | 19 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 | |
| 2 | Kyle Nelson | 0 | 29 of 57 | 50% | 32 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matt Frevola | 0 | 21 of 69 | 30% | 22 of 70 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 | |
| 3 | Kyle Nelson | 0 | 11 of 23 | 47% | 30 of 46 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:43 |
| Matt Frevola | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 19 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Nelson | 63 of 135 | 46% | 41 of 103 | 14 of 23 | 8 of 9 | 46 of 106 | 7 of 14 | 10 of 15 |
| Matt Frevola | 43 of 136 | 31% | 23 of 103 | 10 of 20 | 10 of 13 | 39 of 129 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Nelson | 23 of 55 | 41% | 17 of 47 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 37 | 1 of 3 | 10 of 15 |
| Matt Frevola | 15 of 54 | 27% | 7 of 37 | 4 of 10 | 4 of 7 | 13 of 51 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kyle Nelson | 29 of 57 | 50% | 18 of 39 | 6 of 12 | 5 of 6 | 27 of 51 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Matt Frevola | 21 of 69 | 30% | 13 of 58 | 3 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 20 of 66 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kyle Nelson | 11 of 23 | 47% | 6 of 17 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 18 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Matt Frevola | 7 of 13 | 53% | 3 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Frevola (-115); Nelson (+100)
Round 1
To kick off the main card now, two flamethrowing lightweights in desperate need of a win will collide, and referee Dan Miragliotta better don his proverbial hard hat when these two let loose. The finish rates for Nelson (16-6-1, 4-5-1 UFC) and Frevola (11-5-1, 5-5-1 UFC) do not do justice what they have accomplished—and suffered—in the cage. A quick fist bump opens the melee.
Frevola starts things off with a few punches and a leg kick, and the Canadian counters with a right hand over the top. Frevola fires off the same combination, and he stays out of danger from the subsequent right hand aimed at his melon. Frevola swings up a couple head kicks that slide off the guard, and he races in with a looping right hand. Nelson drives him back with a sharp left, and he stabs his foot to Frevola’s torso. When Frevola spins, Nelson sits down on a right hand counter. Both fighters end up slipping on one another and climb back to their feet sheepishly, and it is Frevola who marches down his man and swings two hearty overhand rights. Nelson tanks them well but does not give the American much to think about coming back, allowing Frevola to open up with big, looping strikes. Nelson jabs him back, and slaps “The Steamrolla” in the chin with the ball of his foot.
Frevola advances recklessly, scoring a punch but taking a hard low kick on the way out. Frevola bashes the Canadian in the brainstem with a high kick, and he pump-fakes a knee to hurl a right hand at his man. Nelson sticks his fist out to catch Frevola coming in, so Frevola ducks under, lifts Nelson in the air and slams him down like a sack of potatoes. Nelson hits his knees and looks to stand, so Frevola counters with a guillotine choke setup and a knee to the ribs. Nelson gives his back up, and Frevola takes it and then jumps off so he does not slide off and end up in the wrong spot. Leaning on Nelson, he exudes heavy pressure and knees him in the guts. Nelson spins him around and smacks him with an uppercut, only for Frevola to meet it with a knee. Nelson wings a huge right hand that shakes Frevola up, and this results in a furious brawl where Nelson catches his man a second time and puts him on the canvas. Nelson starts hammering Frevola with his free right hand, and as damage mounts, Miragliotta starts to lean in. The Canadian keeps clubbing Frevola with his same fist again and again, and it appears that Frevola is knocked out and knocked back into consciousness. Miragliotta steps in with seconds to spare, and the fight is over. Until it isn’t. In what may be a worse failure of officiating than the recent Magny-Matthews UFC Perth debacle, somehow the fight is still on, and Frevola gets a minute to recover on his stool. The fight, somehow, continues.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Nelson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Nelson
Round 2
The arena is filled with chants cursing out Miragliotta for stealing a knockout win from their fighter, and Round 2 is upon us. Frevola is still stung from the concussive blows he received at the end of the first round, and Nelson takes advantage of that with crisp combinations and a head kick. Every second Frevola remains in this match that should already be over is one more second that he could steal a win. Frevola gathers his thoughts and replies back from the offense with some body work. Nelson has the upper hand with Frevola still wobbled, and he chases him around the Octagon and connects hard on him. Frevola scampers away, so the Canadian gives chase.
Frevola starts to get his bearings more as time progresses, with Nelson’s power appearing to fade a bit, and Frevola does work to the midsection. Nelson chews up the front leg with his kicks, and he stings Frevola with power punches. Frevola gets more comfortable and launches high-amplitude attacks at his adversary. Nelson beats Frevola to the punch frequently and repeatedly, popping Frevola with straight punches and distant kicks. Once more, the round ends, even though this fight should already be over given that the replay clearly showed three seconds on the clock at the end of the first round when Miragliotta put hands on the fighters to separate them. According to the referee, he heard the horn, but it never blew. It does this time.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
Round 3
Nelson, with a full head of steam, wants to punish his opponent for still being in this match all this time. Brutalizing the body like a side of beef, Nelson kicks him again and again as Frevola doubles over. Nelson’s kicks open up one to the head, and he rocks Frevola badly. Frevola stumbles around, and Nelson pops him in the chops with a front kick and several power punches. The New Yorker is tough as nails but has been knocked out at least once tonight and has likely received a great deal of brain damage from this mess of a fight. Frevola steels himself, takes everything Nelson throws at him and tries to swing back valiantly. Frevola’s swings have a lot less mustard on them, but he breaks things up by shooting in for a takedown and putting the Canadian on his back.
Nelson has a lot more energy than his adversary, allowing him to scramble out of the bad position and work to his feet. Nelson batters Frevola to the wire, and he uses his momentum to drag Frevola to the floor. Nelson sits up on top in a high mount position, smacking Frevola around any time he can find an opening, and as he does, Frevola miraculously manages to sneak out the back door. The two are slippery and fatigued, to say the least, but they still throw punches and elbows at one another. Nelson manages to turn his man over, and when Frevola is about to get up, Nelson mat returns him. Nelson laces his foe’s legs beneath his own, and Frevola scrambles with every bit of energy he last left. Standing up at the 10-second clapper, Frevola spins with an elbow to ding Nelson. Nelson retreats, and the fight finally ends for real this time. It might be time to have a serious conversation about the state of officiating in our sport, as fighters are being robbed of their livelihoods in new, frustrating ways that seemed not to happen until recently.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nelson (30-26 Nelson)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Nelson (30-27 Nelson)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nelson (30-26 Nelson)
The Official Result
Kyle Nelson def. Matt Frevola via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo leans Matt Frevola as the better fighter with good wrestling and power, but acknowledges Kyle Nelson's durability and power. He expects a finish either way and calls it a 50/50 fight. He picks Frevola but with low confidence.
Big Brady doubts Frevola will wrestle and expects a stand-up brawl. He questions both fighters' chins but thinks Nelson has the better chin and power. He predicts Nelson lands a big shot in the first round, picking a first-round KO.
Cody picks Frevola, citing his wrestling advantage and power. He notes Nelson is moving up from 145 and has struggled against wrestlers. Frevola can take Nelson down and ground-and-pound. Cody believes Frevola's size and grappling will be decisive, but admits low conviction.
Connor picks Nelson, agreeing that Frevola has shown bad signs recently. He notes that Frevola has not looked like he wants to fight in his last few outings. Connor believes Nelson's composure and range fighting will be effective, but acknowledges that Nelson has a history of melting down. He thinks Nelson should be a slight favorite.
James favors Frevola due to his wrestling, cardio, and natural lightweight frame, while Nelson is moving up from featherweight. He acknowledges Frevola's chin issues but believes his wrestling and pace will overwhelm Nelson. James predicts a decision win for Frevola.
The host thinks this fight could be a car crash, but if Frevola plays it safely and avoids Nelson's power, he can easily take the fight to the ground and rinse and repeat that style. He expects Frevola to win by submission or on the scorecards.
Paul picks Nelson, but with zero conviction. He notes both fighters love to brawl and have power. Paul thinks it's a pick'em and expects a finish. He leans Nelson but says it's a coin flip.
The MMA Guru picks Matt Frevola over Kyle Nelson. He acknowledges both are coming off losses but believes Frevola's competition has been tougher and his good moments are better. He thinks Frevola can mix in grappling and takedowns, and that Nelson is too rigid and simple. He predicts a decision win, 30-27.
Zane picks Nelson, citing his improved composure and range fighting. He notes that Nelson has become a cautious, consistent range fighter with good defense. Zane points out that Frevola has looked gun-shy and lacks a fight outside the pocket. He believes Nelson can win by using his jab and staying at range.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 0 | 22 of 37 | 59% | 39 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:36 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 31 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 0 | 22 of 37 | 59% | 39 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:36 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 31 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 22 of 37 | 59% | 20 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 34 |
| Kyle Nelson | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 22 of 37 | 59% | 20 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 34 |
| Kyle Nelson | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Garcia (-192), Nelson (+160)
Round 1
Garcia (16-5, 5-2 UFC) is hungry, and he wants to share his lunch of knuckle sandwiches as the short-notice substitute against Nelson (16-5-1, 4-4-1 UFC). Both men come into this pairing on win streaks, so someone’s momentum is about to come to a grinding halt. Garcia has notably recorded four straight knockouts, a rarity for the weight class. This bout will officially take place at 149 pounds due to the Canadian missing weight, but that should not preclude the two from slugging it out as expected. Gloves are not touched under the watchful eye of referee Mark Smith, and instead they want to fight. Garcia lets fly a kick and a few punches, and he gets pushed back to the wall and trips. Nelson jumps on top to take Garcia’s back in a hurry, and he gets both hooks in without effort. Garcia hand-fights to prevent Nelson from setting up a submission, so the Canadian smacks him in the forehead several times. Nelson tries to set up the body triangle, but Garcia is able to fight off the first setup while he twists to one side and uses two-on-one wrist control. Garcia explodes to spin around, and he falls into an armbar. Garcia unloads with punches with his free arm, and he strikes his way out of the submission and lets Nelson have it with an onslaught of punches and elbows. Nelson turns to his side and shells up, and he slows Garcia down. Garcia elects to grind his elbow on the cheek, and he thumps it down every so often. Garcia slams down a few punches, and he nails Nelson with an elbow that makes Nelson turn to turtle up. As Garcia unleashes a fury, Nelson keeps his wits about him and kicks off Garcia to force him upright. Garcia leaps down and elbows Nelson in the back of the head, and a lump develops in a hurry. Nelson sits up with his back to the cage, and Garcia rails him with an elbow that makes Nelson crumble to his side. Garcia releases a final flurry of elbows and punches, and Smith sees that Nelson is no longer defending himself and intervenes. Nelson tries to stand back up after the fight has been called off, and Smith is there to make sure he does not fall over. This is a statement performance for the ultraviolent Garcia, who has earned five straight knockouts and pounds his way into contender status.
The Official Result
Steve Garcia def. Kyle Nelson R1 3:59 via TKO (Elbows and Punches)
Angelo picks Steve Garcia because he hits very hard, has good wrestling, and is on a four-fight knockout streak. However, he is hesitant because Kyle Nelson has been looking good lately and has power and toughness. He plans to have very little exposure on this fight if he bets.
Big Brady picks Steve Garcia to win by knockout in round one. He highlights Garcia's four-fight knockout streak and his dog mentality, but acknowledges Garcia gets dropped often. Brady thinks Garcia will get dropped but get back up and finish Nelson. He favors Garcia more as the fight goes into later rounds.
Cody picks Nelson on the moneyline, citing Garcia's poor chin and tendency to get dropped, while Nelson has improved cardio, wrestling, and durability. He notes Garcia's wins are often against tired or compromised opponents, and that Nelson's pressure and pace can overwhelm Garcia. He sees value at plus money and is confident Nelson can win.
Daniel acknowledges Kyle Nelson's improved style but thinks Garcia's kill-or-be-killed pressure will force Nelson to fight, potentially bringing back his old issues. He admits he hasn't been good at predicting the new Kyle Nelson, but he picks Garcia to extend his knockout streak. He notes Garcia is a killer who either knocks you out or gets knocked out.
Garcia is on a four-fight KO streak and has awkward angles that could trouble Nelson. Nelson is also on a roll but Garcia's power is a threat. The under 1.5 rounds is the preferred bet, as Garcia tends to finish early. Garcia by first-round KO is the pick.
Paul likes the over 1.5 rounds at +140, believing Nelson's improved cardio and fight IQ will avoid an early knockout. He thinks Nelson can make it competitive and potentially win a decision. He is not confident in betting Garcia at nearly -200, so he leans Nelson but prefers the over prop.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Garcia over Kyle Nelson, citing a bias against Canadian men. He notes Garcia's weird look as an advantage and his training at Jackson Wink and Soul Focus. He mentions Garcia has beaten good opponents like Melquizael Costa and Saimon Oliveira, but was finished by Chase Hooper. He predicts a decision or KO win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 30 of 58 | 51% | 44 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bill Algeo | 0 | 32 of 59 | 54% | 40 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Nelson | 0 | 30 of 58 | 51% | 44 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bill Algeo | 0 | 32 of 59 | 54% | 40 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Nelson | 30 of 58 | 51% | 11 of 34 | 11 of 11 | 8 of 13 | 30 of 55 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Bill Algeo | 32 of 59 | 54% | 20 of 45 | 6 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 28 of 52 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Nelson | 30 of 58 | 51% | 11 of 34 | 11 of 11 | 8 of 13 | 30 of 55 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Bill Algeo | 32 of 59 | 54% | 20 of 45 | 6 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 28 of 52 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 1 |
Angelo leans Bill Algeo but is not very confident. He highlights Algeo's karate-style striking, high volume, and BJJ black belt, but notes he gets hit a lot. He thinks Kyle Nelson's forward pressure could be tricky. He suggests the over 2.5 rounds as a safer bet, expecting a decision.
Big Brady picks Bill Algeo to win by third-round finish. He notes Algeo is a fast-paced striker who lands over six significant strikes per minute, and expects him to push a pace that Kyle Nelson cannot keep up with. Brady believes Nelson's recent fights have been slow and boring, but Algeo will force him to work and break him late.
Cody likes Algeo's volume, cardio, and durability, believing he can outwork Nelson. He notes Nelson's improved cardio but thinks Algeo's pace and output will be too much, likely winning by decision or late finish.
Daniel Vreeland picks Bill Algeo, citing his high volume and pace. He thinks Algeo's pressure and output will overwhelm Nelson, who has a history of gassing. He notes Nelson's recent style change but believes Algeo won't give him space to rest. He predicts Algeo by decision or late finish.
Algeo is on a 4-1 run with unorthodox movement and effective leg kicks. He picks opponents apart from distance and has solid BJJ. Nelson has improved but still relies on crashing the pocket; Algeo's lateral movement and counters should cause Nelson to chase and slow down. Algeo by decision is likely, with potential for a late finish.
Paul compares this fight to Algeo's win over Corano, expecting Algeo to overwhelm Nelson with volume. He mentions a potential round 3 prop for Algeo but sees decision as most likely.
The host picks Bill Algeo, calling him underrated and tricky. He likes Algeo's win over Joe Anderson Brito and his performance against Andre Fili. He thinks Algeo has more options and will 'weird' Nelson with unorthodox techniques. He predicts a decision win for Algeo.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 72 of 208 | 34% | 73 of 209 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Fernando Padilla | 0 | 82 of 184 | 44% | 83 of 185 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Nelson | 0 | 26 of 82 | 31% | 26 of 82 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Fernando Padilla | 0 | 25 of 50 | 50% | 25 of 50 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Kyle Nelson | 0 | 22 of 59 | 37% | 23 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Fernando Padilla | 0 | 30 of 58 | 51% | 31 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Kyle Nelson | 0 | 24 of 67 | 35% | 24 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Fernando Padilla | 0 | 27 of 76 | 35% | 27 of 76 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Nelson | 72 of 208 | 34% | 42 of 168 | 17 of 22 | 13 of 18 | 65 of 198 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Fernando Padilla | 82 of 184 | 44% | 43 of 143 | 19 of 20 | 20 of 21 | 80 of 176 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Nelson | 26 of 82 | 31% | 17 of 68 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 6 | 24 of 77 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Fernando Padilla | 25 of 50 | 50% | 12 of 36 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 9 | 25 of 48 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kyle Nelson | 22 of 59 | 37% | 11 of 46 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 7 | 19 of 56 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Fernando Padilla | 30 of 58 | 51% | 16 of 43 | 8 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 29 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kyle Nelson | 24 of 67 | 35% | 14 of 54 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 5 | 22 of 65 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Fernando Padilla | 27 of 76 | 35% | 15 of 64 | 6 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 26 of 71 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Fernando Padilla, noting his accuracy and clinch work will be the difference. He mentions both fighters like gritty pocket fights, which favors Padilla. He wishes the value were better at -241 and plans to monitor the line movement before betting.
Big Brady is confident in Padilla, criticizing Nelson's recent inactivity and poor performances. He believes Padilla will force the action and that Nelson will revert to his old ways of gassing and getting finished. He notes Padilla's power, cardio, and grappling skills, and predicts a third-round knockout.
Cody considers Nelson a live dog due to his durability, wrestling, and experience. He notes Nelson's low volume is a concern but thinks he can make fights close and has power. However, he is not confident enough to bet and may pass, preferring Giagos as a better dog play.
Daniel Levi picks Fernando Padilla but with low confidence, as he is still unsure what Padilla truly is at the UFC level. He notes Padilla's length and toughness but questions his durability over three rounds. Levi believes Kyle Nelson is a known quantity and that Padilla has the power and reach to win, but he did not bet the fight because the jury is still out on Padilla's long-term potential.
Padilla is a finisher with 13 of 15 wins inside the distance, showcasing pinpoint striking and accuracy. Nelson is on a resurgence but relies on striking and has been inconsistent. Padilla has advantages in reach, speed, and jiu-jitsu if the fight goes to the ground. I expect Padilla to utilize combination striking from distance and get a finish, likely by submission in the second round.
Paul picks Padilla but is not confident. He notes Padilla's dynamic offense and volume, but worries about unknowns and Nelson's durability and wrestling. He sees value in Nelson as a dog but ultimately sides with Padilla's speed and finishing ability.
The MMA Guru picks Fernando Padilla over Kyle Nelson, citing Padilla's dangerous striking and 76-inch reach advantage. He notes Padilla's quick TKO of Julian Erosa on short notice and believes he will look even better on a full camp. He mentions Padilla's takedown defense and that he is hard to finish, predicting a decision or finish by Padilla.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 59 of 126 | 46% | 83 of 150 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:21 |
| Blake Bilder | 0 | 45 of 120 | 37% | 84 of 159 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Nelson | 0 | 19 of 47 | 40% | 28 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Blake Bilder | 0 | 22 of 51 | 43% | 42 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 | |
| 2 | Kyle Nelson | 0 | 19 of 39 | 48% | 23 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Blake Bilder | 0 | 12 of 30 | 40% | 12 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 | |
| 3 | Kyle Nelson | 0 | 21 of 40 | 52% | 32 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:03 |
| Blake Bilder | 0 | 11 of 39 | 28% | 30 of 58 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:09 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Nelson | 59 of 126 | 46% | 24 of 76 | 20 of 31 | 15 of 19 | 57 of 124 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Blake Bilder | 45 of 120 | 37% | 26 of 96 | 2 of 4 | 17 of 20 | 45 of 119 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Nelson | 19 of 47 | 40% | 10 of 33 | 6 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 45 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Blake Bilder | 22 of 51 | 43% | 15 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 7 | 22 of 50 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kyle Nelson | 19 of 39 | 48% | 8 of 24 | 5 of 8 | 6 of 7 | 19 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Blake Bilder | 12 of 30 | 40% | 4 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 8 | 12 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kyle Nelson | 21 of 40 | 52% | 6 of 19 | 9 of 12 | 6 of 9 | 21 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Blake Bilder | 11 of 39 | 28% | 7 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 5 | 11 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Blake Bilder, citing his superior grappling and technical striking. He notes that Bilder is an aggressive grappler who doesn't take unnecessary risks, and that he should be able to control the fight. He acknowledges Kyle Nelson's decent losses and recent grappling improvements, but still believes Bilder gets the win. He considers Bilder for a safety parlay.
Big Brady picks Blake Bilder to win by third-round TKO. He notes that Bilder is extremely tough and has a high pace, while Kyle Nelson has cardio issues and tends to gas in fast-paced fights. Bilder often gets dropped early but comes back, and Nelson's best chance is wrestling, but his cardio will fail. He expects Bilder to take over late and finish.
Cody picks Blake Bilder, but suggests live betting him after the first round because Nelson may come out aggressively and could knock Bilder out early. He notes that Bilder has good cardio and a solid one-two, but his defense is shaky. He expects Bilder to take Nelson down and outwork him as Nelson tires. He also likes the under 2.5 rounds in this fight.
Connor picks Blake Bilder but is hesitant, noting that the test will come immediately while Bilder is still cold, which could be a prospect loss. He points out that Nelson is a very hard puncher with long reach, and that Bilder's only good sign was against Shane Young, who is not a high-level test. Connor acknowledges that Nelson's opponents tend to be fragile and get knocked out early, but since Bilder hasn't been knocked out yet, he won't pick against him. He thinks the odds movement toward Bilder is notable.
Daniel Levi picks Blake Bilder, citing that Bilder has better boxing, pace, and conditioning than Kyle Nelson. He notes that Nelson has low output and fades, while Bilder has shown a dog mentality and can push a high volume. He acknowledges that Bilder has a questionable chin and has been dropped before, but believes Nelson is too slow and telegraphed to capitalize. He warns against using Bilder as a heavy parlay piece.
James picks Blake Bilder to win but is not confident at -250. He thinks Bilder is more well-rounded and should get takedowns, possibly finding a submission in round two. However, he notes Kyle Nelson has more UFC experience, hits hard early, and is fighting for his job in Canada. James wouldn't be surprised if Nelson gets an early knockout or a split decision. He advises against laying -250 on Bilder as he's not a minus-250 type fighter.
Bilder has excellent lateral movement and a well-rounded game, while Nelson's only path is a puncher's chance. Nelson's attempts to grapple have failed due to poor cardio, and Bilder is the superior grappler. Expect Bilder to use his movement to set up takedowns, eventually finding a late submission. The stylistic matchup heavily favors Bilder.
Paul picks Blake Bilder, noting that Nelson has poor cardio and wrestling. He believes Bilder is the better wrestler and will take Nelson down, especially as Nelson fades. He expects a finish in the second or third round. He also mentions that Nelson's best chance is an early KO, but he thinks Bilder will survive and take over.
The MMA Guru picks Blake Bilder over Kyle Nelson, arguing that Nelson has shown his limit with poor performances and losses to low-level competition. He notes Bilder is undefeated and well-rounded, with a good ground and stand-up game. He believes Bilder's potential is unknown and worth gambling on, expecting him to outpoint Nelson.
Zane picks Blake Bilder, noting that Kyle Nelson is a heavy-handed puncher with good takedowns but tenses up and gasses quickly. He believes Bilder is not as breakable as Nelson's previous opponents, having shown grit against Shane Young by fighting back when pressured. Zane thinks Nelson's grappling safety valve won't work against Bilder, who is a good athlete with surprising power. He acknowledges that Bilder is raw and could face early scares, but trusts his durability.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dooho Choi | 0 | 50 of 78 | 64% | 79 of 114 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 3:58 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 20 of 58 | 34% | 39 of 80 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 5:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dooho Choi | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 15 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:24 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 11 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:56 | |
| 2 | Dooho Choi | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 30 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 16 of 49 | 32% | 16 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Dooho Choi | 0 | 23 of 25 | 92% | 34 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:59 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 12 of 15 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:35 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dooho Choi | 50 of 78 | 64% | 11 of 37 | 23 of 24 | 16 of 17 | 27 of 54 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 22 |
| Kyle Nelson | 20 of 58 | 34% | 10 of 41 | 7 of 10 | 3 of 7 | 17 of 54 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dooho Choi | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Kyle Nelson | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Dooho Choi | 24 of 46 | 52% | 10 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 13 | 23 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Nelson | 16 of 49 | 32% | 8 of 35 | 5 of 8 | 3 of 6 | 14 of 46 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Dooho Choi | 23 of 25 | 92% | 1 of 3 | 21 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 21 |
| Kyle Nelson | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Choi (-190), Nelson (+160)
Round 1
“The Korean Superboy” will look to come back from a three-year hiatus and a three-fight losing streak against Canada’s Nelson, with Chris Tognoni set to officiate. Both men are in orthodox stance as they feel out the distance in the opening moments. Choi lands a hard low kick. Nelson rushes in, hoists Choi by the hips and slams him down, despite a fence grab by the Korean. Nelson wraps up the legs of the seated Choi at the base of the fence. Choi posts his right arm and braces against the cage to try and stand, but Nelson is persistent. Nelson hops onto Choi’s back as Choi stands, sinking a hook as he does. Choi spins and explodes up, but Nelson is right with him. Choi explodes up again, and sweeps to top position, trapping Nelson’s right arm in a crucifix. Nelson frees the arm, but Choi looks for an arm-triangle choke, and is close to moving to side control. Choi gets it and swings out to the side, looking to pin an arm once again. Nelson stuffs Choi back to half-guard. Nelson locks his arms and gets a half-guard lockdown to control Choi’s posture in the final seconds. The round expires.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Round 2
Choi lands a hard low kick, which Nelson answers with a kick to the body. Nelson rocks Choi with a big right hand, then chases down the reeling Choi with a flying knee against the cage. Choi comes forward with a takedown attempt from way outside, then lands a sharp one-two. Nelson shoots a takedown from a mile away and Choi sprawls easily. Choi spins to the back, then disengages and lets Nelson up. They clinch against the fence for a moment as the action slows. Choi lands another chopping low kick, then another. Nelson comes forward with a left kick to the body. Choi goes to the leg again, then sticks Nelson with a right hand up top. Under 90 seconds left and Choi’s low kicks are taking their toll. Choi lands a left to the body. Nelson lends a sweeping, glancing right hook. Nelson comes back with a leg kick of his own. Nelson whiffs on a big right hand as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Round 3
Nelson comes in for a takedown and Choi meets him with a nasty uppercut to the body. Nelson drags Choi down momentarily, but Choi springs right back up. Nelson drives Choi into the fence, trying to lift him at the waist. Choi posts with his right arm once again, foiling the takedown. Choi stands back up and Nelson stays right on him. Nelson tries for a rear waistlock and as Choi spins, Nelson elevates and slams him down. Nelson is wrapped around Choi’s legs at the base of the cage. Ref Tognoni immediately exhorts them to work. Choi manages to stand back up and Nelson turns to a single-leg. Choi pulls his leg out and drives Nelson onto his back. Tognoni jumps in and calls time, saying that there was a headbutt, and replay bears him out on the fact if not the intention of the collision. Tognoni deducts a point from Choi and restarts them with a minute and a half to go. They resume action on the feet after a touch of gloves, and Nelson shoots again within seconds. Nelson has a loose single-leg, but Choi spreads his stance, lowers his center of gravity and throws a series of nasty punches and elbows to the ribs as Nelson clings. The final horn sounds with them still in that position.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Choi)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Choi)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Choi)
The Official Result
The judges rule Doo Ho Choi vs. Kyle Nelson a Majority Draw (29-27 Choi, 28-28, 28-28)
Big Brady is wary of Choi's long layoff and recent losses. He thinks Nelson has power and a chance to knock out Choi early. He picks Nelson by first-round knockout but says he is not betting on the moneyline, only interested in the under.
Cody picks Choi, citing his superior skill set and speed. He notes that Choi's four-year layoff may actually benefit him by allowing his body to heal from previous damage. He believes Choi is a better striker, grappler, and wrestler than Nelson. He expects Choi to win by knockout or clear decision, and likes the under 2.5 rounds at -175.
Connor picks Dooho Choi, citing more concrete reasons to distrust Kyle Nelson. He notes that Nelson is self-defeating, with a tendency to fade after an initial burst, and that Choi is a good scrambler who won't be held down. However, he acknowledges Choi's long layoff and chin concerns, making this a low-confidence pick.
Paul picks Choi, emphasizing his skill advantage and the fact that Nelson is being fed as an easy opponent. He notes that Choi has always looked good early in fights but faded, and the layoff may help. He thinks Nelson's only path is to grind, but Choi's speed and accuracy should prevail. He also mentions the time zone advantage for Asian fighters.
Zane picks Dooho Choi, but is more concerned than Connor. He notes that Nelson is dangerous early and has a reach advantage, and that Choi is an unknown after a long layoff. However, he trusts Choi's durability and believes Nelson's anxiety will cause him to fade. Zane sees a serious chance of Nelson winning by KO or TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jai Herbert | 0 | 36 of 64 | 56% | 84 of 116 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 5:57 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 41 of 62 | 66% | 55 of 77 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:06 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jai Herbert | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 17 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 19 of 27 | 70% | 21 of 30 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 | |
| 2 | Jai Herbert | 0 | 24 of 36 | 66% | 35 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 17 of 29 | 58% | 21 of 33 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:59 | |
| 3 | Jai Herbert | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 32 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:28 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 5 of 6 | 83% | 13 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jai Herbert | 36 of 64 | 56% | 16 of 43 | 17 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 22 of 50 | 13 of 13 | 1 of 1 |
| Kyle Nelson | 41 of 62 | 66% | 15 of 34 | 11 of 13 | 15 of 15 | 28 of 47 | 13 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jai Herbert | 7 of 19 | 36% | 1 of 13 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Nelson | 19 of 27 | 70% | 8 of 14 | 4 of 6 | 7 of 7 | 12 of 20 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jai Herbert | 24 of 36 | 66% | 11 of 22 | 11 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 27 | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Nelson | 17 of 29 | 58% | 5 of 17 | 6 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 11 of 21 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jai Herbert | 5 of 9 | 55% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Kyle Nelson | 5 of 6 | 83% | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Herbert (-265), Nelson (+225)
Round 1
Both Herbert and Nelson have lost three of their last four promotional appearances, so jobs could be at stake in this lightweight affair, which will be governed by veteran official Herb Dean. They touch gloves and we’re underway, with Nelson moving up from featherweight. Nelson lands a hard body kick to start out. Herbert extends a long jab. Nelson with a body kick followed by a calf kick. Nelson lands another low kick. Nelson grabs a leg as Herbert lands a knee to the midsection. The Canadian is in on a takedown and he shoves Herbert into the fence. Herbert is defending well so far, but Nelson is persistent in his approach. Nelson lands a knee before Herbert reverses position. Nelson creates space and lands a big elbow with his back to the fence. They continue to battle in the clinch, with Herbert currently controlling position. Another elbow for Nelson, but not as powerful as the first. Nelson with a short elbow before breaking free. Nelson throws a high kick but it’s blocked. A calf kick from the Canadian finds its mark, though. Nelson ends the period with another low kick. 10-9 Nelson.
Round 2
Herbert opens up with a kick to the body as he circles on the outside of the cage. Nelson stalks his man and lands a body kick. Herbert answers with a jab. Nelson dodges a pair of high kicks and then attacks with the calf kick again. The action picks up as both men trade low kicks and Herbert opens up a little bit more. Herbert jab the body and then lands a left hook to the body. They clinch and Nelson drives a knee into the midsection before shoving his foe into the cage. Herbert circles off the fence, but Nelson reverses and goes high with a knee. Nelson defends a trip attempt by Herbert as the clinch battle wages on. Herbert connects with an elbow in close quarters, and he defends a hip toss and continues to control position. Herbert with a nice right hand on the break. Nelson appears to be slowing down somewhat. Herbert pressures and absorbs a low kick. Herbert tags Nelson with a right before clinching with Nelson. After a spirited exchange in close quarters, Herbert sprawls nicely on a Nelson shot, and the lightweights end the round in the clinch. 10-9 Herbert.
Round 3
They trade leg kicks early, but Herbert appeared to be more affected by the blow. Nelson with a body kick and Herbert answers with a combination. Herbert defends a takedown and powers his way into top position, where he sets up in Nelson’s half guard and drops a shoulder strike. Nelson holds Herbert close to neutralize his offense from above. Herbert seems content to remain in half guard rather than looking to advance to mount. A few short right hands land for the Englishman. Nelson recovers full guard. Nelson is able to work his way to a knee as Herbert attempts to circle his way to the Canadian’s back. Nelson is now up with a minute left. He turns off the fence and shoves Herbert into the cage. Nelson works for a takedown but Herbert defends all the way until the horn. A late shot from Nelson at the horn draws a displeased reaction from “The Black Country Banger.” 10-9 Herbert (29-28 Herbert).
The Official Result
Jai Herbert def. Kyle Nelson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Jai Herbert but expresses concern about Kyle Nelson's two-year layoff, noting it's hard to know what version of Nelson will show up. He highlights Herbert's technical striking and movement, and that he looked sharp before being knocked out by Ilia Topuria. He advises leaving Herbert out of parlays due to the uncertainty.
Big Brady picks Jai Herbert to win by first-round knockout. He loves Herbert's striking and power but notes his poor striking defense and chin. He thinks Kyle Nelson has power but a bad gas tank, and if the fight goes past the first round, Herbert takes over. He expects a knockout in the first round.
Cody picks Jai Herbert, citing his length, reach advantage, and excellent jab. He notes Nelson has been inactive for two years, moving up in weight, and has poor cardio and takedown defense. Cody thinks Herbert will dictate the outside and jab Nelson's face off. He predicts a first or second round knockout for Herbert.
Daniel Levi picks Jai Herbert, noting that this is a massive step down in competition for Herbert, who has been fighting tough opponents. He believes Herbert has better technique, length, and shot selection. Levi points out that Kyle Nelson is essentially knockout or bust, having only one KO since 2018, and questions Nelson's toughness relative to other UFC fighters.
Herbert is technically better, has a six-inch reach advantage, and should touch Nelson up. However, Herbert has a glass chin and Nelson has power. I think Herbert finishes him in the second or third round. The fight doesn't go to decision is a good parlay piece.
Paul picks Kyle Nelson at +235, calling it a dogger pass. He notes Nelson throws absolute hammers and Herbert's chin is questionable. Paul thinks the fight is high variance and Herbert has been rocked many times. He likes Nelson inside the distance at +350 or by KO at +600.
The MMA Guru confidently picks Jai Herbert to win by first-round TKO. He believes Herbert is a much better fighter than Kyle Nelson, who has been out since September 2020. Herbert has been active and will start fast. Nelson has power in the first round but fades, and Herbert can weather the storm and finish him.
Expert Picks (5)
Big Brady is wary of Choi's long layoff and recent losses. He thinks Nelson has power and a chance to knock out Choi early. He picks Nelson by first-round knockout but says he is not betting on the moneyline, only interested in the under.
Cody picks Choi, citing his superior skill set and speed. He notes that Choi's four-year layoff may actually benefit him by allowing his body to heal from previous damage. He believes Choi is a better striker, grappler, and wrestler than Nelson. He expects Choi to win by knockout or clear decision, and likes the under 2.5 rounds at -175.
Connor picks Dooho Choi, citing more concrete reasons to distrust Kyle Nelson. He notes that Nelson is self-defeating, with a tendency to fade after an initial burst, and that Choi is a good scrambler who won't be held down. However, he acknowledges Choi's long layoff and chin concerns, making this a low-confidence pick.
Paul picks Choi, emphasizing his skill advantage and the fact that Nelson is being fed as an easy opponent. He notes that Choi has always looked good early in fights but faded, and the layoff may help. He thinks Nelson's only path is to grind, but Choi's speed and accuracy should prevail. He also mentions the time zone advantage for Asian fighters.
Zane picks Dooho Choi, but is more concerned than Connor. He notes that Nelson is dangerous early and has a reach advantage, and that Choi is an unknown after a long layoff. However, he trusts Choi's durability and believes Nelson's anxiety will cause him to fade. Zane sees a serious chance of Nelson winning by KO or TKO.
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