Career Averages - Josiane Nunes
Career Averages - Zarah Fairn
Josiane Nunes
Zarah Fairn
Josiane Nunes - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 31 of 67 | 46% | 31 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Priscila Cachoeira | 1 | 37 of 76 | 48% | 39 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josiane Nunes | 0 | 31 of 67 | 46% | 31 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Priscila Cachoeira | 1 | 37 of 76 | 48% | 39 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiane Nunes | 31 of 67 | 46% | 17 of 49 | 7 of 11 | 7 of 7 | 31 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Priscila Cachoeira | 37 of 76 | 48% | 31 of 70 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 37 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josiane Nunes | 31 of 67 | 46% | 17 of 49 | 7 of 11 | 7 of 7 | 31 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Priscila Cachoeira | 37 of 76 | 48% | 31 of 70 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 37 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nunes (-185), Cachoeira (+154)
Round 1
Keeping to the women’s weight categories, bantamweights take center stage next in a must-win for either lady. Stout, power-punching Nunes (10-3, 3-2 UFC) has dropped two straight, while Cachoeira (12-6, 4-6 UFC) should have been released with prejudice after repeatedly gouging
Gillian Robertson
’s eyes in 2021. One of these two struggling fighters has to win, and referee Chris Tognoni will know first who that is. They touch gloves before getting down to business, and Cachoeira keeps a wide stance as she walks to the middle of the Octagon and punches Nunes square in the face. Nunes loves this idea, and she does the same. The fight immediately devolves into an all-offense fist frenzy, where the two countrywoman blast one another with unguarded power punches. They trade blows without concern for health or well-being, but as the strikes continue to mount, it is the fiery Nunes who is getting the worst of it. Nunes shoots for a desperate double after getting stung, and Cachoeira shuts it down and backs her off with a one-two. Nunes changes things up with a couple heavy low kicks, and she uses the leg kicks to try to open up one to the head. The more compact Nunes cannot quite get her foot up high enough, so she settles for brawling. Cachoeira tags Nunes, Nunes swings back, and the pendulum keeps swinging. With more range on her side, Cachoeira is able to occasionally land and circle away. Nunes keeps her guard up after taking a few especially damaging blows, and she rushes in with a swarm of fists.
Cachoeira dances out of the way, bounces off the fence and plants a one-two on the mug. Seeing that Nunes is stunned, “Zombie Girl” opens up with a monstrous uppercut that completely separates Nunes from her senses. “Josi” hits the ground on her face like a sack of bricks, and Cachoeira knows her work her is done and strides away
, pounding her chest and raising her arms in the air. It takes a couple seconds for Nunes to come to, and Tognoni has to let her know that she got knocked the heck out. The night is two for two in sweet knockouts from the ladies, and post-fight bonus checks could already be in the mail.
The Official Result
Priscila Cachoeira
def.
Josiane Nunes
R1 2:46 via KO (Punch)
Angelo picks Josiane Nunes over Priscila Cachoeira. He notes both are similar power-punchers, but Nunes hits harder, is tougher, and doesn't absorb as many strikes. He suggests the under 2.5 rounds as a potential bet since Cachoeira could get finished.
Big Brady picks Josiane Nunes but with very low confidence, stating he would never bet on this fight. He acknowledges Priscila Cachoeira's toughness and durability but notes she absorbs a lot of strikes (43% striking defense) and is very hittable. Brady thinks Nunes is the better fighter, younger, and will land more significant shots, possibly hurting Cachoeira. However, he does not trust either fighter and expects a competitive brawl. He predicts Nunes wins by decision, calling it a potential Fight of the Night.
Cody picks Eric McConico as a dog, citing Cody Brundage's tendency to quit and his uncoachable nature. He notes that Brundage has low volume and poor cardio, while McConico has a deep gas tank and can take over late. He believes McConico can survive early rounds and win by decision or late finish.
Daniel does not make a clear pick for this fight. He discusses the matchup briefly but does not state a preference or bet.
The host leans with Cachoeira, citing she has more tools in the shed, especially in striking, and her durability is good. He expects her to land nasty strikes and win on the scorecards.
Paul also picks McConico, noting that Brundage has a history of quitting and is moving up to 205, which may affect his cardio. He believes McConico's body work and volume will wear on Brundage. He sees value in the dog price and expects McConico to win if he can avoid an early knockout.
The MMA Guru picks Josiane Nunes, describing her as a 'menacing little Goblin' with dangerous punching power. He expects her to either knock out Priscila Cachoeira or beat her down over three rounds. He criticizes Cachoeira's chin and recent losses, including to Molly McCann, and notes she missed weight against Robertson. He doesn't see Cachoeira effectively outgrappling Nunes, so he's confident in Nunes getting the win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 0 | 91 of 171 | 53% | 91 of 171 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 52 of 153 | 33% | 52 of 153 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 0 | 34 of 62 | 54% | 34 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 20 of 52 | 38% | 20 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 0 | 31 of 60 | 51% | 31 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 18 of 48 | 37% | 18 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 0 | 26 of 49 | 53% | 26 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 14 of 53 | 26% | 14 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 91 of 171 | 53% | 49 of 119 | 11 of 19 | 31 of 33 | 91 of 171 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Josiane Nunes | 52 of 153 | 33% | 33 of 126 | 11 of 19 | 8 of 8 | 50 of 149 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 34 of 62 | 54% | 17 of 42 | 6 of 8 | 11 of 12 | 34 of 62 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Josiane Nunes | 20 of 52 | 38% | 8 of 37 | 6 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 20 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 31 of 60 | 51% | 15 of 41 | 4 of 7 | 12 of 12 | 31 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Josiane Nunes | 18 of 48 | 37% | 12 of 39 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 26 of 49 | 53% | 17 of 36 | 1 of 4 | 8 of 9 | 26 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Josiane Nunes | 14 of 53 | 26% | 13 of 50 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cavalcanti (-192), Nunes (+160)
Round 1
Two Brazilian strikers with deceptively high knockout rates meet in the center of the cage in this next endeavor. Much taller and longer, Cavalcanti (6-1, 1-0 UFC), who now fights out of Portugal but was born on Sao Paulo, will maintain ample natural advantages against the diminutive brawler Nunes (10-2, 3-1 UFC). Even though she measures around 5-foot-2 and short arms to match, it is “Josi” who comes into this fight having knocked out foe in seven of 10 wins, much like a Mark Hunt-esque women’s bantamweight. The countrywomen tap their gloves together to start the fight, with referee Mark Smith watching on with bated breath. Cavalcanti paws out her jab repeatedly right out of the gate, and she sticks out a few low kicks until Nunes counters her over the top. Nunes swarms forward but is out of range, and Cavalcanti peppers her with distant strikes. They trade low kicks, and Nunes just misses with a reaching left hand. Cavalcanti boots her in the head with a kick, and she slides away from the swarming Nunes. Cavalcanti keeps her foe at arm’s reach, not allowing Nunes to get inside to bop her in the chops with any number of winging strike. Cavalcanti jabs and keeps lateral footwork to avoid danger, and she sticks out a one-two to get Nunes’ attention. As Nunes races forward, she does manage to connect with a few punches, and she bites down on her mouthpiece and knows she has to eat a few shots to get inside. She does just that, shrugging off a straight right hand so she can blast Cavalcanti in the side of the head. Nunes keeps slugging, and a particularly effective right hand draws some swelling on Cavalcanti’s temple. Cavalcanti slows things down with a few front kicks to stay at her preferred range, and she sticks a body kick under the guard while moving. Cavalcanti reaches with a jab and a right, and she hops away from a few looping shots that miss the mark. Cavalcanti scores a low kick and slides away when Nunes grabs her leg, and she intercepts Nunes with a stern right hand. Nunes keeps plowing forward, and she runs at Cavalcanti throwing hands until the horn sounds.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Round 2
Gloves get touched, and Cavalcanti pokes and prods from her safe distance early. A few twos from Cavalcanti have reddened up Nunes’ left eye, and she uses her jab to set that strike up time and again. Nunes chambers and partially fires her huge left hook to no avail, and she even jumps forward winging one but hits nothing but air. Cavalcanti drives home a one-two on the cheek as Nunes rushes after her, hand-fighting and keeping Nunes from hitting her. Nunes finds her range with a big left hand, bouncing Cavalcanti off the wall, and she connects with another after a serious wind-up. Nunes paws out a right hook that wobbles Cavalcanti, and she blocks a body kick instead of pouncing. Cavalcanti shakes it off and flicks a low kick and a right hand, and she gets back to a jab with a solid two behind it. Cavalcanti’s low kick is caught, and she just gets away when Nunes loads up on pure power. Cavalcanti watches Nunes run at her to crack her with a preemptive right hand, and Nunes tries to pay her back but is just taking damage. Cavalcanti picks her shots and uses her serious reach advantage to disallow Nunes from denting her forehead with huge power strikes. Cavalcanti nails her foe with a right hand, and she gets punched back and claims it was an eye poke. Smith calls time and allows Cavalcanti to recover, but it appears to be a fist that irritated her and not outstretched fingers. When they resume after about 25 seconds, Cavalcanti is on her bike with Nunes fired up, and her long punches open a cut on the cheek of her adversary. Nunes tries to cut Cavalcanti off but is following her around, allowing Cavalcanti to piece her up. Nunes gets off two left hands before Cavalcanti can skirt away, and Cavalcanti looks for a step-in knee when they get up close. Nunes scores with another hook, and a front kick from Cavalcanti makes her think twice about swinging recklessly before the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Round 3
There is one final fist bump to get going, and Nunes charges forward like before. Nunes has a big left hand soar past her opponent, with Cavalcanti deftly avoiding the worst of almost every blow. Nunes briefly draws her foe into a slugfest, and Cavalcanti takes a few and makes the decision to not give Nunes the only chance to put her down. Cavalcanti digs a body shot amidst several jabs, circling away from the power and letting a left brush past her. Nunes walks into several fists, and she grits it out to launch her left twice. Nunes gets into range, but Cavalcanti exits and dodges a haymaker on the way out. Nunes tries to feint and fake her way in, but Cavalcanti is not biting, rather jabbing her in the face. When Nunes bull-rushes her, Cavalcanti clips her with an uppercut, causing Nunes to crash into the wall. Nunes gathers a full head of steam and keeps her guard up, blocking a head kick that makes Cavalcanti topple to the mat. Nunes tries to pounce, but Cavalcanti pushes her off and climbs back to her feet. Cavalcanti gets on her bike, seemingly cruising with jabs and the occasional front kick while Nunes is walking straight into everything. Cavalcanti smacks her in the side of the head with a lead hook, swelling up Nunes’ right eye a bit. Nunes ignores any damage she has sustained and is loaded for bear, but Cavalcanti is faster and longer. Nunes throws caution to the wind, with a few lefts getting in before Cavalcanti evades the rest of the blitz. Cavalcanti jabs with a front kick to the knee, allowing her to take some of the sting out of Nunes’ lunging hook. Cavalcanti slaps the instep of her foot on the midsection of the shorter woman, and she bounces away from further danger. Nunes walks her down, tagging her with two left hands but not flustering Cavalcanti one bit. Cavalcanti picks out a few jabs and right hands, and Nunes no-sells every blow so she can try for one final power strike. That blow does not come because Cavalcanti kicks her in the belly, and the bantamweight bout draws to a close. It could go either way, depending on how judges value Nunes power strikes vs. her foe’s accuracy and activity.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (30-27 Cavalcanti)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (29-28 Cavalcanti)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (30-27 Cavalcanti)
The Official Result
Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Josiane Nunes via Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo picks the underdog Josiane Nunes, describing her as a bowling ball who only moves forward and throws bombs. He thinks the odds are too wide in favor of Cavalcanti due to recency bias, and that Cavalcanti doesn't like pressure. He notes that Nunes lost her last fight because a giant held her against the cage, but doesn't see that happening here. He suggests a plus 3.5 bet on Nunes, similar to the Dan Hooker bet.
Cody picks Cavalcanti because of her reach, speed, and striking technique. He notes that Nunes is short and has to close distance, which plays into Cavalcanti's range game. He also uses MMA math: Cavalcanti dominated Zara Fairn, while Nunes had a competitive fight with Fairn. He thinks Cavalcanti will outpoint Nunes and win a decision.
Daniel Vreeland picks Jacqueline Cavalcanti, citing her significant size and reach advantage over the much shorter Nunes. He notes Cavalcanti's high volume and well-rounded skills, while Nunes is too small for the division and will be bullied.
Brevin picks Cavalcanti by decision, noting she is the bigger fighter and a better striker with range. He dismisses Nunes due to her loss to Chelsea Chandler, which he finds disqualifying. JP agrees, adding that Nunes is much smaller and Cavalcanti is a good striker who is very rangy. Both expect the fight to go the distance.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Nunes was outworked by Chelsea Chandler. He thinks Cavalcanti's volume will be the difference. He also mentions that women's favorites have been winning at a high rate this year, so he's comfortable backing the favorite here.
The MMA Guru picks Josiane Nunes because he believes she is stronger and has more grit than Jacqueline Cavalcanti. He criticizes Cavalcanti's wins over Zara Fairn and Melissa Gatto as unimpressive, implying Nunes has a better mentality and will dig deeper. He relies on a subjective assessment of who wants it more.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 47 of 105 | 44% | 49 of 108 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 58 of 130 | 44% | 100 of 176 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 7:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 13 of 32 | 40% | 15 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 20 of 40 | 50% | 29 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:27 | |
| 2 | Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 9 of 13 | 69% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 15 of 33 | 45% | 46 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:11 | |
| 3 | Chelsea Chandler | 0 | 25 of 60 | 41% | 25 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 23 of 57 | 40% | 25 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Chandler | 47 of 105 | 44% | 37 of 85 | 9 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 43 of 101 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Josiane Nunes | 58 of 130 | 44% | 43 of 107 | 13 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 43 of 106 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 21 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Chandler | 13 of 32 | 40% | 7 of 25 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 29 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Josiane Nunes | 20 of 40 | 50% | 14 of 32 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 29 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 8 | |
| 2 | Chelsea Chandler | 9 of 13 | 69% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Josiane Nunes | 15 of 33 | 45% | 13 of 29 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 13 | |
| 3 | Chelsea Chandler | 25 of 60 | 41% | 21 of 47 | 4 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 25 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Josiane Nunes | 23 of 57 | 40% | 16 of 46 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 23 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nunes (-135), Chandler (+114)
Round 1
The second catchweight affair comes next, as ex-featherweight Chandler (5-2, 1-1 UFC) could not quite reach the 136-pound limit, clocking in a pound heavy and giving up 20% of her purse to her opponent. Also a featherweight in the past, the 5-foot-2 Nunes (10-1, 3-0 UFC) had no issue making weight. There will be a size disparity in the cage, and referee Chris Tognoni will make sure nothing problematic comes from it. Nunes is intense and has no interest in touching gloves, and she walks out of her corner calm as a cucumber while knowing it is about to get messy. Nunes slowly moves forward, until she lets her hands go. Nunes clubs Chandler on the side of the head with a huge left hand in the midst of a combination, and she draws Chandler into an early brawl. Nunes gets the better of the exchange to force Chandler to separate and strafe to the side, and Nunes gives chase and engages another slugfest. Chandler takes a few shots and ties the Brazilian up, but it does not take long for the shorter Nunes to turn her around perhaps thanks to her lower center of gravity. Nunes gets off a high knee, and she breaks off and just misses taking a hard elbow. Nunes swarms her opponent with a flurry of punches, clipping Chandler on the temple with a wild left. Chandler backs off and moves away from the small ball of power and fury, but Nunes catches up with her. Chandler attempts to slow her down again, clinching up and setting up a trip on the outside. Chandler succeeds in tripping Nunes to the mat, where she imposes her body weight on top of the slugger. Nunes tries to kick off, and Chandler opens up with a few punches. Nunes sets up a high guard, and she hacks with elbows while not letting Chandler throw much else. Nunes looks to lift one leg up high to set up a potential triangle, and she goes all the way over with her legs to hook up an armbar. Chandler lifts her up in the air and powerbombs her down, and Nunes lets it go instead of letting it sink it deeper. Chandler connects with several punches, and Nunes fights her way back up and absorbs a risky body kick on the way. Nunes lashes out with a blitz of punches, knocking Chandler back until Chandler stands her ground and fires back. The two measure one another with power strikes until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nunes
Round 2
Nunes loads up on vicious punches as soon as the round begins, and she stings Chandler in a flurry of blows. Nunes knocks Chandler down to a knee, and Chandler works her way back up. Nunes backs Chandler up again, laying into her with fiery fists, and Chandler swings back with bad intentions including a few body kicks. Nunes’ punches smash Chandler’s nose wide open, and blood leaks out of both nostrils. As they both trade, Nunes considers a level change, but Chandler tackles her over and shifts to full mount. Nunes turns to her side while maintaining wrist control, and Chandler takes her back and gets both hooks in. Nunes turns in an effort to escape, and Chandler follows her every step of the way to remain on top, although no longer in dominant position. Chandler opens up with a few strikes but would prefer to remain in top control, and Nunes closes her guard around the waist. Chandler slams a few elbows down to stay busy, dishing out damage as time ticks off the clock. Nunes hangs on tight to prevent any serious offense from mounting, as a small cut on the bridge of her nose drips blood into her eye. Chandler winds up with a few more elbows, and she stands back up with seconds to go before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chandler
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chandler
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chandler
Round 3
The last round kicks off with a body kick from the American. Nunes ducks down, swinging a right hand to the body, but she misses. Chandler digs another kick to the ribs, prompting Nunes to load up with a left hand that gets Chandler’s attention. Nunes unloads another overhand left, and she forces Chandler to retreat with her surge of punches. Chandler uses jabs to keep her distance until Nunes charges her, and the Brazilian’s strikes land as Chandler keeps moving. Nunes walks through a body kick and rocks Chandler with a left hook. Chandler bites down on her mouthpiece and slings back, and Nunes racks her again with a massive left. Chandler tries to tie her up with a clinch, and Nunes shakes her off and resets so she can race forward swinging her mighty fists. Chandler turns away from an exchange, and she gets to the center of the cage and sticks out a jab. Nunes passes the jab so she can wing her left, and her momentum allows Chandler to grab hold of her and slow her down. Chandler presses her full body weight and drives a few knees to the chest, but Nunes wants to break and throw hands. Nunes smacks her foe with a few more punches, and Chandler still has some bounce on her feet as she moves. Nunes connects with two heavy left hands, and Chandler tanks them and is no worse for wear. Nunes crowds her with a swarm of punches, and Chandler turns her back and lifts up a back kick that smacks into Nunes’ cheek. Nunes darts forward, leading with her left, and she gets driven back by a front kick to the ribs. Nunes continues to spam her left, and Chandler eats it like a slice of avocado toast and remains in the fight. Chandler pokes out a jab and starts taunting her opponent, who responds by punching her square in the face. Nunes leaps forward with two left hooks, and the fight ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nunes (29-28 Nunes)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nunes (29-28 Nunes)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nunes (29-28 Nunes)
The Official Result
Chelsea Chandler def. Josiane Nunes via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo argues that Nunes looked worse in her last fight (barely beating a 40-year-old) than Chandler did (losing to a top-five opponent). He thinks Chandler is tough, powerful, and will be giant in this fight. He notes the over 2.5 rounds line is only -120 and expects a decision, as both are tough and Nunes is not a finisher. He may bet on Chandler if she becomes an even bigger dog, and also consider the over.
Big Brady picks Josiane Nunes to win by decision, but is not confident. He notes Nunes' size disadvantage but thinks her striking and power will be enough if she stuffs takedowns. He does not trust either fighter and will not bet on this fight.
Cody picks Chelsea Chandler, citing her size and physicality advantage. He notes Nunes is one-dimensional with an overhand left and has been taken down by lesser wrestlers. He expects Chandler to use her ground game and win by decision, but warns about Chandler's weight cut to 135 lbs.
The host sees this as striker vs grappler, with Chandler being much bigger and stronger. He expects Chandler to use her strength to bully Nunes against the cage, drag her to the ground, and assert top pressure to open up a TKO opportunity.
Paul also leans toward Chandler, noting Nunes will be dwarfed. He compares Nunes to a female version of Ilir Latifi, with no neck and a one-dimensional style. He thinks Chandler can press her against the cage and make it ugly, but emphasizes the weigh-ins are important for both fighters.
The Guru picks Josiane Nunes by TKO in round two. He notes Chandler's poor standup, throwing punches with eyes closed, and that Nunes has wicked power. He believes the bantamweight weight class favors Nunes, and that Chandler is too open on the feet. He references Chandler's loss to Norma Dumont where she looked lost.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 102 of 211 | 48% | 107 of 216 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:02 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 117 of 251 | 46% | 122 of 256 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josiane Nunes | 0 | 41 of 87 | 47% | 44 of 90 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 48 of 90 | 53% | 49 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Josiane Nunes | 0 | 27 of 49 | 55% | 28 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 35 of 64 | 54% | 38 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 3 | Josiane Nunes | 0 | 34 of 75 | 45% | 35 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 34 of 97 | 35% | 35 of 98 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiane Nunes | 102 of 211 | 48% | 58 of 150 | 38 of 52 | 6 of 9 | 82 of 180 | 20 of 31 | 0 of 0 |
| Zarah Fairn | 117 of 251 | 46% | 89 of 220 | 17 of 20 | 11 of 11 | 107 of 238 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josiane Nunes | 41 of 87 | 47% | 22 of 59 | 16 of 23 | 3 of 5 | 34 of 77 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Zarah Fairn | 48 of 90 | 53% | 31 of 73 | 9 of 9 | 8 of 8 | 43 of 83 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Josiane Nunes | 27 of 49 | 55% | 11 of 28 | 13 of 17 | 3 of 4 | 20 of 39 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Zarah Fairn | 35 of 64 | 54% | 29 of 58 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 31 of 59 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Josiane Nunes | 34 of 75 | 45% | 25 of 63 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 64 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Zarah Fairn | 34 of 97 | 35% | 29 of 89 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 33 of 96 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady is very confident in Nunes, calling it one of the lowest level fights he's seen. He notes Fairn has been finished in both UFC losses in the first round, has no takedown defense, no ground game, and terrible striking defense with low hands and no head movement. Nunes is much better and should win by first-round knockout, either by walking forward and landing big shots or by grappling. He expects violence and a quick finish.
Cody picks Josiane Nunes confidently, expecting her to smash Zarah Fairn. He notes Nunes' power and aggression, and says Fairn has been finished early in both UFC fights. He thinks Nunes will finish early, possibly by TKO. He mentions Nunes' size disadvantage but says her pressure will be too much. He bet the under 1.5 rounds and under 2.5 rounds.
Connor picks Nunes, believing her aggression and power will overwhelm Fairn. He notes Fairn is measured and slow-paced, and may not handle Nunes' pressure. He expects a ugly clinch fight where Nunes lands devastating shots.
Paul picks Josiane Nunes but with some hesitation, noting the trap line feel. He says Fairn has a reach and height advantage and could potentially strike. He mentions Nunes' limited grappling and that she might not take Fairn down. He thinks Nunes should win but wouldn't put her on a parlay. He says Fairn is not very good but could cause problems.
The Guru is confident Nunes will starch Fairn by KO. He highlights Nunes' punching power, saying she 'throws punches like a man,' and notes she showed good cardio and grappling escapes against Ramona Pascal. Fairn hasn't fought since February 2022 and is coming off a TKO loss. The Guru also points out that taller female fighters often leave their chin up against shorter opponents, making them vulnerable to Nunes' power. He predicts a first-round KO.
Zane picks Fairn as an upset, citing her height and reach advantage. He notes Nunes is a short overhand-reliant brawler who may struggle to close distance. Fairn's jab and range could keep Nunes at bay, though Fairn is a poor grappler and may get overwhelmed.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiane Nunes | 2 | 98 of 222 | 44% | 119 of 245 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Ramona Pascual | 0 | 52 of 100 | 52% | 71 of 121 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 3:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josiane Nunes | 1 | 28 of 73 | 38% | 37 of 83 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Ramona Pascual | 0 | 25 of 44 | 56% | 30 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:28 | |
| 2 | Josiane Nunes | 1 | 39 of 65 | 60% | 51 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Ramona Pascual | 0 | 9 of 18 | 50% | 20 of 31 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:00 | |
| 3 | Josiane Nunes | 0 | 31 of 84 | 36% | 31 of 84 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ramona Pascual | 0 | 18 of 38 | 47% | 21 of 41 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiane Nunes | 98 of 222 | 44% | 83 of 205 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 11 | 79 of 192 | 12 of 17 | 7 of 13 |
| Ramona Pascual | 52 of 100 | 52% | 25 of 71 | 20 of 22 | 7 of 7 | 43 of 89 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josiane Nunes | 28 of 73 | 38% | 20 of 63 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 28 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 |
| Ramona Pascual | 25 of 44 | 56% | 6 of 25 | 14 of 14 | 5 of 5 | 20 of 38 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Josiane Nunes | 39 of 65 | 60% | 35 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 25 of 46 | 7 of 10 | 7 of 9 |
| Ramona Pascual | 9 of 18 | 50% | 4 of 13 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | |
| 3 | Josiane Nunes | 31 of 84 | 36% | 28 of 81 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 26 of 77 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Ramona Pascual | 18 of 38 | 47% | 15 of 33 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Josiane Nunes to win by first-round knockout. He notes Nunes has power and aggression, and that Pascual's competition has been very low level. However, he is hesitant because Pascual has improved training at Syndicate MMA and is much bigger. He also flags that Nunes has been taken down and gassed out in the past. He calls the fight 'sketchy' and says he doesn't know enough about Pascual to be confident.
Cody picks Nunes confidently, citing her pressure, power, and durability. He notes Pascual's low level of competition and poor takedown defense. Cody expects Nunes to win by knockout or decision, but hesitates due to women's MMA volatility.
Daniel Levi picks Josiane Nunes to win. He notes Nunes has one-hitter-quitter power rare for women's divisions, and that Pascual has not faced that level of competition. Levi acknowledges Pascual's size and ground game as potential threats, but believes Nunes' power and experience will be too much. He expects a spectacular finish.
The host leans with Pascual as an underdog, believing her grappling will be the key. He notes that Nunes has been taken down easily in the past and that Pascual should be able to drag the fight to the ground and control her there. However, he has concerns about Pascual's level of competition and is not confident enough to bet, but he considers the decision prop at +350.
Paul picks Nunes, noting her nuclear left hand and aggressive style. He believes Pascual is a warm body taking the fight on short notice and expects Nunes to finish her. Paul considered the knockout prop but found it juiced to -110.
The MMA Guru picks Josiane Nunes to win by first-round KO. He describes Nunes as a 'lab experiment' with monstrous power, noting her first-round KO of Bea Malecki and her regional knockouts. He believes Pascual is outmatched and that Nunes will land the KO blow early. He mentions that Pascual has been TKO'd before by ground and pound, and trusts Nunes' brutal hands to finish the fight in the first round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 35 of 82 | 42% | 35 of 82 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bea Malecki | 1 | 52 of 129 | 40% | 52 of 129 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josiane Nunes | 0 | 35 of 82 | 42% | 35 of 82 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bea Malecki | 1 | 52 of 129 | 40% | 52 of 129 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiane Nunes | 35 of 82 | 42% | 13 of 53 | 12 of 19 | 10 of 10 | 35 of 82 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bea Malecki | 52 of 129 | 40% | 26 of 89 | 15 of 26 | 11 of 14 | 45 of 118 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josiane Nunes | 35 of 82 | 42% | 13 of 53 | 12 of 19 | 10 of 10 | 35 of 82 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bea Malecki | 52 of 129 | 40% | 26 of 89 | 15 of 26 | 11 of 14 | 45 of 118 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Bea Malecki, citing a massive size advantage (7 inches height and reach). He notes Malecki has fought better competition and has a solid ground game, while Nunes is very small for the division with poor takedown defense. He believes the size will be the key factor and predicts a decision win.
Cody picks Malecki, citing her size, reach, and Muay Thai background. He notes Nunes' lack of grappling and believes Malecki can keep the fight standing and land strikes at range. He acknowledges Malecki's cardio issues but thinks she will be too big.
Malecki has advantages in striking, size, and strength. Nunes is flat-footed and relies on opponents gassing, but Malecki has a solid gas tank. I think Malecki can finish Nunes, especially in the clinch with knees. I'm picking Malecki inside the distance, and the under 2.5 rounds is a good spot.
Paul leans toward Nunes as a dog, noting her toughness and pressure. He questions Malecki's takedown defense and overall MMA game, but admits the size difference is a major concern. He ultimately suggests passing on the fight.
The MMA Guru picks Bea Malecki due to her massive size advantage. He notes Malecki is 5'9" with 74-inch reach, while Nunes is 5'2". Malecki has power and grappling, and will be about 15 pounds heavier. He acknowledges Nunes has KO power but believes Malecki's size will be decisive.
Zarah Fairn - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 0 | 39 of 259 | 15% | 39 of 259 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 126 of 221 | 57% | 127 of 222 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 0 | 5 of 86 | 5% | 5 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 36 of 62 | 58% | 36 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 0 | 10 of 80 | 12% | 10 of 80 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 46 of 81 | 56% | 46 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 0 | 24 of 93 | 25% | 24 of 93 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 44 of 78 | 56% | 45 of 79 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 39 of 259 | 15% | 25 of 241 | 8 of 12 | 6 of 6 | 39 of 258 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Zarah Fairn | 126 of 221 | 57% | 43 of 127 | 20 of 22 | 63 of 72 | 116 of 209 | 10 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 5 of 86 | 5% | 2 of 82 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 86 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Zarah Fairn | 36 of 62 | 58% | 4 of 26 | 8 of 8 | 24 of 28 | 36 of 62 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 10 of 80 | 12% | 6 of 74 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 80 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Zarah Fairn | 46 of 81 | 56% | 19 of 48 | 4 of 6 | 23 of 27 | 41 of 74 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jacqueline Cavalcanti | 24 of 93 | 25% | 17 of 85 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 24 of 92 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Zarah Fairn | 44 of 78 | 56% | 20 of 53 | 8 of 8 | 16 of 17 | 39 of 73 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cavalcanti (-375), Fairn dos Santos (+295)
Round 1
Come l’enfer ou hautes eaux, the promotion was going to put on more than 10 fights on this card, no matter what it had to do with the matchups already on the table. With eight of the 11 pairings on the billing containing at least one French fighter, the deck is stacked for local fight fans to get their money’s worth. We begin with a catchweight contest of 140 pounds, between two women who could not safely reach the bantamweight limit in time. After a bit of struggle, Paris-based Fairn (6-5, 0-3 UFC) managed to make the 140-pound cap, while her debuting Portuguese opponent Cavalcanti (5-1, 0-0 UFC) was all smiles on the scales. Someone here has to earn their first UFC victory, and referee Rich Mitchell will be there every step of the way. The first fight of the early afternoon card – for stateside audiences on the east coast – kicks off with a touch of gloves. Fairn takes to the center of the cage, where she paws out jabs and a right hand to follow one in order to find her range. The newcomer skirts along the outside, and she slaps a few leg kicks out while also swiping with a jab or two. The crowd booms in favor of Fairn, making sure to voice support for the French woman, and she continues moving forward aggressively. Cavalcanti chops at her from the outer edge of the cage, and she swats away the two-punch combos that aim her way. Neither woman engages with much of note, as they are tossing out pitter-patter strikes with very little on them. Fairn continues to plod forward, and Cavalcanti stays on her bike, poking out with low kicks here and there. Fairn follows her and swings, but she cannot find her target cleanly. Cavalcanti parries the punches and kicks the lead leg, and she mixes things up with a front kick. Fairn struggles to reach her foe with her fists, and Cavalcanti hand-fights to defend the majority of the punches that come her way. The Portuguese fighter turns her hips into a few heavier leg kicks, and the former kickboxer Fairn is doing nothing to check or counter them. Cavalcanti connects with a pair of punches, and Fairn pushes off to break up the combination and her fingers jam into both eye sockets of Cavalcanti at the same time. Mitchell calls time to allow Cavalcanti to recover from the Three Stooges-esque double eye poke, and he calls in the doctor to bring in a towel to allow her to wipe her eyes out. Cavalcanti is taking the time she needs to recover instead of rushing things, ignoring the jeers and whistles from the partisan crowd. After about half the time of the five-minute recovery period elapses, the doctor clears her to continue, and Cavalcanti is good to go. There is no apology glove touch offered from the French woman, who instead engages out of the gate by putting her foot on the gas. Mitchell warns Fairn again for her outstretched fingers, and Cavalcanti darts away from the flurries and largely avoids them until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
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Round 2
The second round opens with a more aggressive Fairn, who keeps busy with jabs and reaching push kicks. Mitchell informs the Portuguese fighter to close her fists now, as both women are leading with their fingers pointed at their targets. Fairn catches her foe at the end of a right hand, countering a low kick. Fairn does not change her approach much, with the same patterns and movements that Cavalcanti has picked up on already. Cavalcanti continues to pepper her with frustrating leg kicks, and she strafes to the side to evade the lion’s share of what “Infinite” slings her way. Fairn walks forward swinging a right hand, and Cavalcanti responds with a slapping left hand. The most effective strikes of the fight so far are Cavalcanti’s kicks, as neither land with anything noteworthy with their fists. Cavalcanti closes the distance and suddenly tags Fairn with a crisp combination, and Fairn looks to bully her back but hits nothing but air. Cavalcanti pops the Frenchwoman with another few kicks, and Fairn’s methodical jab is not able to get any respect. Cavalcanti loops a right hand over the guard, and she stings Fairn and throws the same strike two more times. Fairn shakes it off and gets back into her slow, inaccurate groove, seemingly stuck in first gear. Cavalcanti strings a few punches into a leg kick, and Fairn grabs hold of her to set up a clinch or potential takedown. Cavalcanti shrugs it off and resets, and she chops down the lead leg of her opponent from both sides. The kicks force Fairn to preemptively raise her lead leg, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Round 3
Cavalcanti leads the dance in the third round, moving right to the middle of the Octagon to strike with jabs and leg kicks. Fairn flails back with impunity, and she ends up walking into the chopping kicks that continue to work on her lead wheel. As the commentary booth loses interest in the matchup, the three men of John Gooden, Michael Bisping and Paul Felder begin to discuss their favorite sandwich – ending up settling on breakfast sandwiches with bacon and chipotle sauce as their top idea. All the while, the 140-pound ladies continue their slow, unhazardous kickboxing match, where there seems to be very little zip on any strikes. Fairn does not change her strategy, allowing Cavalcanti to pick away at her and counter her with small but scoring strikes. When Fairn lunges with a jab, Cavalcanti has a right hand read to smack her in the cheek. Cavalcanti uses head movement to make Fairn miss, and the accuracy rate of the Frenchwoman is likely very low in this contest. Fairn, with little options, moves forward into a clinch. Cavalcanti allows her to do this so that she can bust Fairn in the chops with several clean uppercuts. Fairn lets go of the grip and rebounds off the cage wall, and she is stuck eating shots while Cavalcanti slips the responses. Fairn reaches her with a right hand, and Cavalcanti keeps her guard high as the crowd gives it up for the briefly aggressive Fairn. This surge slows, as Fairn’s left eye begins to swell from the constant right hands she eats. Fairn shoots in for an ill-advised takedown, and Cavalcanti stuffs it with ease and moves around to take her back standing. Fairn shucks her way out of the body control, and Cavalcanti lays into her with a few more punches. The fight ends, and barring an extreme miscarriage of justice, France will be down 0-1 against the world today.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (30-27 Cavalcanti)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (30-27 Cavalcanti)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (30-27 Cavalcanti)
The Official Result
Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Zarah Fairn via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Jacqueline Cavalcanti because Zarah Fairn is pushing 40 and fades as fights go on. He notes Fairn's striking is technical but age and cardio are issues. Cavalcanti can push pace and stay in Fairn's face, and even if Fairn has early success, she will tire. Angelo acknowledges Fairn would have been his pick a few years ago.
Big Brady is confident in Cavalcanti, citing her youth, size, and superior skills everywhere. He notes Fairn's age (36 or 39) and questionable UFC caliber, and expects Cavalcanti to dominate on the ground or on the feet. He predicts a finish within the first two rounds, specifically a second-round TKO. He also mentions Fairn's history of missing weight, casting doubt on the fight happening.
Cody picks Cavalcanti, citing her youth (26), improvements, and win over Melissa Croden. He notes Fairn is 40, has missed weight badly, and has poor striking and grappling. Cavalcanti has a striking advantage and can grapple if needed. However, he warns that betting heavy favorites on debut fighters is risky, comparing the card to Minesweeper.
Daniel Levi picks Jacqueline Cavalcanti, citing her physicality, power, and well-rounded skills. He notes that Fairn is 39 years old and has a history of slowing down, while Cavalcanti is younger and more athletic. Levi acknowledges the risk of a debutant stun but believes Cavalcanti should win if she doesn't suffer from stage fright. He is not laying chalk at this price.
I'm going with Fairn as a big underdog. She has better experience and can outwork Cavalcanti if the fight stays at range. Cavalcanti is a low-volume striker and may be too patient. Fairn has shown she can put up numbers even in losses. I only take a half unit shot because it's low-level women's MMA and Fairn has weight issues, but I think she wins by decision.
Paul picks Fairn as a contrarian underdog, noting that Fairn outstruck Josiane Nunes 117-102 in her last fight and is a boxer who can stand and trade. He thinks Cavalcanti's loss to Gendrova (who lost to Liv Rock) is concerning. He also mentions the French crowd could influence judges. He takes a three-to-one chewy bet challenge from Cody, betting Fairn.
The MMA Guru picks Jacqueline Cavalcanti, noting she looks decent as a prospect with a good record, while Zarah Fairn lacks technique and has been dominated. He acknowledges uncertainty with women's MMA prospects but believes Cavalcanti will win by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiane Nunes | 0 | 102 of 211 | 48% | 107 of 216 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:02 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 117 of 251 | 46% | 122 of 256 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josiane Nunes | 0 | 41 of 87 | 47% | 44 of 90 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 48 of 90 | 53% | 49 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Josiane Nunes | 0 | 27 of 49 | 55% | 28 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 35 of 64 | 54% | 38 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 3 | Josiane Nunes | 0 | 34 of 75 | 45% | 35 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 34 of 97 | 35% | 35 of 98 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiane Nunes | 102 of 211 | 48% | 58 of 150 | 38 of 52 | 6 of 9 | 82 of 180 | 20 of 31 | 0 of 0 |
| Zarah Fairn | 117 of 251 | 46% | 89 of 220 | 17 of 20 | 11 of 11 | 107 of 238 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josiane Nunes | 41 of 87 | 47% | 22 of 59 | 16 of 23 | 3 of 5 | 34 of 77 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Zarah Fairn | 48 of 90 | 53% | 31 of 73 | 9 of 9 | 8 of 8 | 43 of 83 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Josiane Nunes | 27 of 49 | 55% | 11 of 28 | 13 of 17 | 3 of 4 | 20 of 39 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Zarah Fairn | 35 of 64 | 54% | 29 of 58 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 31 of 59 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Josiane Nunes | 34 of 75 | 45% | 25 of 63 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 64 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Zarah Fairn | 34 of 97 | 35% | 29 of 89 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 33 of 96 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady is very confident in Nunes, calling it one of the lowest level fights he's seen. He notes Fairn has been finished in both UFC losses in the first round, has no takedown defense, no ground game, and terrible striking defense with low hands and no head movement. Nunes is much better and should win by first-round knockout, either by walking forward and landing big shots or by grappling. He expects violence and a quick finish.
Cody picks Josiane Nunes confidently, expecting her to smash Zarah Fairn. He notes Nunes' power and aggression, and says Fairn has been finished early in both UFC fights. He thinks Nunes will finish early, possibly by TKO. He mentions Nunes' size disadvantage but says her pressure will be too much. He bet the under 1.5 rounds and under 2.5 rounds.
Connor picks Nunes, believing her aggression and power will overwhelm Fairn. He notes Fairn is measured and slow-paced, and may not handle Nunes' pressure. He expects a ugly clinch fight where Nunes lands devastating shots.
Paul picks Josiane Nunes but with some hesitation, noting the trap line feel. He says Fairn has a reach and height advantage and could potentially strike. He mentions Nunes' limited grappling and that she might not take Fairn down. He thinks Nunes should win but wouldn't put her on a parlay. He says Fairn is not very good but could cause problems.
The Guru is confident Nunes will starch Fairn by KO. He highlights Nunes' punching power, saying she 'throws punches like a man,' and notes she showed good cardio and grappling escapes against Ramona Pascal. Fairn hasn't fought since February 2022 and is coming off a TKO loss. The Guru also points out that taller female fighters often leave their chin up against shorter opponents, making them vulnerable to Nunes' power. He predicts a first-round KO.
Zane picks Fairn as an upset, citing her height and reach advantage. He notes Nunes is a short overhand-reliant brawler who may struggle to close distance. Fairn's jab and range could keep Nunes at bay, though Fairn is a poor grappler and may get overwhelmed.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felicia Spencer | 0 | 40 of 64 | 62% | 68 of 98 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 14 of 29 | 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 | Felicia Spencer | 0 | 40 of 64 | 62% | 68 of 98 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 14 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felicia Spencer | 40 of 64 | 62% | 38 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 30 of 39 |
| Zarah Fairn | 13 of 28 | 46% | 12 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 26 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felicia Spencer | 40 of 64 | 62% | 38 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 30 of 39 |
| Zarah Fairn | 13 of 28 | 46% | 12 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 26 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Megan Anderson | 0 | 10 of 18 | 55% | 22 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:23 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 32 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Megan Anderson | 0 | 10 of 18 | 55% | 22 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:23 |
| Zarah Fairn | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 32 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:23 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Megan Anderson | 10 of 18 | 55% | 10 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 13 |
| Zarah Fairn | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Megan Anderson | 10 of 18 | 55% | 10 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 13 |
| Zarah Fairn | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Expert Picks (6)
Big Brady is very confident in Nunes, calling it one of the lowest level fights he's seen. He notes Fairn has been finished in both UFC losses in the first round, has no takedown defense, no ground game, and terrible striking defense with low hands and no head movement. Nunes is much better and should win by first-round knockout, either by walking forward and landing big shots or by grappling. He expects violence and a quick finish.
Cody picks Josiane Nunes confidently, expecting her to smash Zarah Fairn. He notes Nunes' power and aggression, and says Fairn has been finished early in both UFC fights. He thinks Nunes will finish early, possibly by TKO. He mentions Nunes' size disadvantage but says her pressure will be too much. He bet the under 1.5 rounds and under 2.5 rounds.
Connor picks Nunes, believing her aggression and power will overwhelm Fairn. He notes Fairn is measured and slow-paced, and may not handle Nunes' pressure. He expects a ugly clinch fight where Nunes lands devastating shots.
Paul picks Josiane Nunes but with some hesitation, noting the trap line feel. He says Fairn has a reach and height advantage and could potentially strike. He mentions Nunes' limited grappling and that she might not take Fairn down. He thinks Nunes should win but wouldn't put her on a parlay. He says Fairn is not very good but could cause problems.
The Guru is confident Nunes will starch Fairn by KO. He highlights Nunes' punching power, saying she 'throws punches like a man,' and notes she showed good cardio and grappling escapes against Ramona Pascal. Fairn hasn't fought since February 2022 and is coming off a TKO loss. The Guru also points out that taller female fighters often leave their chin up against shorter opponents, making them vulnerable to Nunes' power. He predicts a first-round KO.
Zane picks Fairn as an upset, citing her height and reach advantage. He notes Nunes is a short overhand-reliant brawler who may struggle to close distance. Fairn's jab and range could keep Nunes at bay, though Fairn is a poor grappler and may get overwhelmed.
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