Career Averages - Jared Gordon
Career Averages - Leonardo Santos
Jared Gordon
Leonardo Santos
Jared Gordon - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Miller | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 10 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 8 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Miller | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 10 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 8 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Miller | 9 of 17 | 52% | 5 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jared Gordon | 7 of 16 | 43% | 4 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Miller | 9 of 17 | 52% | 5 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jared Gordon | 7 of 16 | 43% | 4 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gordon (-325), Miller (+260)
Round 1
It’s Jim Miller (38-19, 1 NC; 27-18, 1 NC UFC) fight day, the first one of these this year. Coming up on 43 years of age, the New Jersey native still has a ways to go to reach 50 UFC bouts. He can get to 47 tonight once the cage doors close and referee Keith Peterson says go, when he battles Gordon (21-8, 1 NC; 9-7, 1 NC UFC). This lightweight clash kicks off with no nonsense and no fist bump either.
Miller stalks Gordon down slowly and cautiously, keeping his gloves up to defend a high kick. Miller leaps forward and catches Gordon with a shovel uppercut. Gordon has to take a quick count of his teeth and absorbs a knee from up close. Miller breaks off and takes a body kick. Miller throws a low kick that bangs into Gordon’s cup, and Gordon tries to take him down and abandons it to adjust his groin. Peterson calls time and gives Gordon as much time as he needs to recover. After 80 seconds, Gordon is good to go, and Miller apologizes for the accidental foul. Gordon strikes first with a high kick that harmlessly bangs into the guard, and Miller crowds him behind a pair of hooks. Miller kicks the side again and is driven back with a right hand.
Gordon jabs the body with the ball of his foot, and he catches a Miller body kick to shoot for a takedown.
This reckless shot is just traveling down the road to perdition for Gordon, as Miller snatches up a guillotine choke and cinches both legs around the waist, gripping the submission with everything he has. Miller rolls Gordon to the side, squeezing with his self-describes "old man strength." Miller arches his back and has Gordon dead to rights. Gordon surrenders so he does not go out on his shield, and the victorious Miller leaps atop the cage to let loose a roar of victory.
In less than four minutes, the OG Miller has notched his 28th victory in the Octagon, extending his own record. He has now finished 20 opponents as a UFC fighter, one shy of organizational leader Charles Oliveira. In victory, Miller gives it up to his son for beating cancer, declaring that anything he does in combat pales in comparison to what his offspring went through.
The Official Result
Jim Miller def. Jared Gordon R1 3:29 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Angelo picks Jared Gordon, stating his hands are better and his takedown defense should be good enough. He dismisses Gordon's last loss due to being hit by a car. He notes Gordon is a touch younger and faster. However, he thinks the 3-to-1 odds are crazy and will not bet on it. He acknowledges Jim Miller's home advantage and toughness.
Angelo picks Jared Gordon but is not fully confident. He notes that Jim Miller is tough and experienced, and that the age difference might only be half a second faster. He thinks the fight is competitive and that Jim Miller plus 3.5 is not the worst bet. He mentions that Jim Miller has been finished in all his losses in New Jersey.
Big Brady picks Jared Gordon, assuming he wasn't hit by a car before this fight. He notes Gordon fights at a high level and should be the minute winner everywhere. Brady expects Gordon to win by decision, though he acknowledges Jim Miller has power and a guillotine. He is rooting for Miller but thinks Gordon gets it done on the scorecards.
Cody picks Gordon, citing his youth and well-rounded skills. He thinks Gordon's striking and grappling are a step ahead of Miller, who is older and less active. Cody expects Gordon to win by decision.
Connor also picks Gordon, focusing on directionality: Gordon has a clear process of pressuring and putting out volume, while Miller never has. Connor notes that Miller has no ability to be the one pressuring and will just accept the fight Gordon wants. He adds that Gordon is a little too fast and put together with his hands for Miller to take him out of his game.
Daniel picks Gordon, predicting a 29-28 decision where Miller wins the first round but Gordon edges out the last two with top control. He respects Miller's legacy but sees Gordon's youth and grappling as decisive.
Predicted method: KO/TKO Round 3. Gordon is the younger, more active fighter with superior striking volume (5.64 SLpM) and accuracy (53%) compared to the 41-year-old Miller. Miller's takedown defense (48%) is a liability, and Gordon has solid takedown defense (60%) to keep the fight standing. Gordon's recent KO win over Thiago Moises shows his power, while Miller has been knocked out multiple times. Gordon's pace and pressure should overwhelm Miller, leading to a late stoppage or clear decision.
Jacob picks Jared Gordon but is not betting on him out of respect for Jim Miller, who has been dealing with his son's cancer. He thinks Gordon should win but sees weird paths to victory for Miller. He might play Jim Miller in some capacity on Saturday.
The host picks Gordon, citing his pressure, pace, and power striking. He believes Gordon's grappling is good enough to keep Miller from grinding, and that Gordon's durability and cardio will allow him to dictate the fight. He expects a decision win, though he notes Miller's hometown crowd and power could pose a threat.
Paul picks Gordon, citing his technical striking and Miller's decline. He notes Miller's age and distractions, and thinks Gordon is simply better everywhere. Paul expects Gordon to win.
The MMA Guru picks Jared Gordon but calls him a 'risky pick'. He notes Gordon's inconsistency but believes Jim Miller has lost his pop and recent performances have declined. He thinks Gordon should figure out the 55-year-old Miller and get a finish, though he initially says decision then corrects to finish.
Zane picks Gordon, citing his improved boxing and ability to dictate the fight with pressure and volume. He notes that Jim Miller lacks a clear process and is not a strategic thinker, while Gordon has a clear game plan. However, Zane acknowledges Miller's power and finishing ability, making Gordon vulnerable despite being the favorite.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafa García | 1 | 91 of 162 | 56% | 107 of 179 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 | 1 | 2:01 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 65 of 186 | 34% | 80 of 201 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafa García | 0 | 22 of 41 | 53% | 23 of 42 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 23 of 64 | 35% | 24 of 65 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Rafa García | 0 | 33 of 61 | 54% | 48 of 77 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 1 | 1:12 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 31 of 86 | 36% | 45 of 100 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 3 | Rafa García | 1 | 36 of 60 | 60% | 36 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:25 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 11 of 36 | 30% | 11 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafa García | 91 of 162 | 56% | 74 of 144 | 7 of 7 | 10 of 11 | 70 of 137 | 10 of 11 | 11 of 14 |
| Jared Gordon | 65 of 186 | 34% | 55 of 171 | 8 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 65 of 186 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafa García | 22 of 41 | 53% | 15 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 6 | 20 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jared Gordon | 23 of 64 | 35% | 16 of 55 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 23 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rafa García | 33 of 61 | 54% | 26 of 54 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 27 of 55 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Jared Gordon | 31 of 86 | 36% | 29 of 82 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 86 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rafa García | 36 of 60 | 60% | 33 of 57 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 23 of 43 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 14 |
| Jared Gordon | 11 of 36 | 30% | 10 of 34 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gordon (-240); Garcia (+200)
Round 1
Kerry Hatley is the referee. Garcia opens with a low kick. Gordon steps in and lands a left. Gordon crashes forward and they exchange. Garcia fires right back. They trade leg kicks but Garcia is more impactful. Gordon probes with a lead hook and a jab. He follows up with a 1-2. A straight right connects for Garcia. A hard leg kick lands for Garcia. A short right by Garcia buckles Gordon’s knees momentarily, but he’s still in the fight. Gordon lands a body kick and then a striaght right. Garcia catches a kick and tags his foe with a right. Gordon stumbles to the floor but pops right back up. Garcia is hunting for that right and finds the range on another one. A stiff jab backs Gordon up. Gordon sticks a jab of his own. A counter right by Gordon makes an impact. He strings some punches together to back Garcia up. As Gordon gains momentum, Garcia changes levels and gets a takedown. Gordon gets to the fence and stands. They stay in the clinch, and Garcia lands a left on the break. Gordon lands a left hook before the end of the period.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Round 2
Garcia makes Gordon stumble backward with a left at the outset. They’re trading and Gordon gets the better of it. Garcia jumps a guillotine and then rolls into mount. Gordon gets out of it and now must defend Garcia from his back. Gordon moves to the fence and works his way up. Garcia tries to drag Gordon down but it’s unsuccessful. They get back to boxing in the center of the cage. Plent of shots are landing. Gordon has Garcia covering up after landing a couple big rights. Garcia clinches and lands some uppercuts in close. Gordon jabs and then touches his foe with a right. Garcia with a stiff jab, but a counter left hook by Gordon has Garcia backing up. They’re trading in the pocket, but Gordon is landing combinations with more volume. However, Garcia cuts his opponent with an elbow. Gordon with a front kick down the middle. Garcia stumbles after eating a left hook. Garcia with a hard elbow in close quarters late and concludes the round with a takedown as time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Round 3
Garcia opens with a 1-2. He follows with an inside leg kick. Gordon responds with a combination in the pocket. They clinch and Garcia lands a couple of slashing elbows. Gordon pumps his jab. A left hook from Garcia stops Gordon. A heavy 1-2 finds the mark for Garcia, who then rips the body. GArcia is upping the volume as Gordon seems to be slowing. A right by Gordon lands on the side of the head, but Garcia is still attacking. Garcia rips the body with a left. A clean short right to the chin sends Gordon tumbling to the floor. Garcia tees off with punches on his reeling opponent before locking in a modified rear-naked choke. It’s pretty tight, but
he gives up on the submission to pummel Gordon with elbows from top position. He batters a bloodied Gordon with several more elbows before Hatley intervenes.
It’s a violent finish and just Garcia’s second career win via KO or TKO.
The Official Result
Rafa Gacia def. Jared Gordon via TKO (Elbows) R3 2:27
Angelo picks Jared Gordon, calling him the better overall fighter and more well-rounded. He notes Gordon is a good wrestler with high volume striking, tough and busy. He says he has seen Rafa Garcia get decisions that weren't his, and Jared Gordon not get decisions that should have been his. He is surprised to see Gordon as a 3-to-1 favorite. He suggests Rafa Garcia plus 3.5 as a possible bet.
Big Brady picks Gordon due to his pace, volume, and recent power. He worries about corrupt judges but expects Gordon to win a decision. He notes Garcia is tough and has only been knocked out by Grant Dawson, so a finish is unlikely.
Connor picks Jared Gordon, emphasizing Gordon's technical boxing and ability to impose his game plan. He notes that García's loss to Chris Gruetzemacher shows he can be outworked, and Gordon is a more dangerous fighter than Gruetzemacher. Connor believes Gordon's pressure and sharper striking will overcome García's durability and lack of strategy.
Gordon is a big fan favorite and the host believes Garcia's lack of knockout threat allows Gordon to dictate the pace. He expects Gordon to stay on the gas, put Garcia against the cage, land takedowns, and win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Jared Gordon, calling him the most underrated lightweight on the roster. He argues Gordon's boxing is superior to Garcia's and that Garcia lacks power. He criticizes Garcia's wins as unimpressive and believes Gordon should be a bigger favorite. He predicts a dominant performance with a TKO in the late second round, possibly including a 10-8 round.
Zane picks Jared Gordon, citing Gordon's improved boxing form and power, which should allow him to land the bigger shots. He notes that García is durable but lacks power and a strategic approach, often floating through fights. Zane believes Gordon's consistent pressure and sharper striking will win a three-round war, as García's lack of imposition makes him vulnerable.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Gordon | 1 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 21 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:36 |
| Thiago Moises | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 11 of 16 | 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 | Jared Gordon | 1 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 21 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:36 |
| Thiago Moises | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Gordon | 7 of 13 | 53% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Thiago Moises | 5 of 9 | 55% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jared Gordon | 7 of 13 | 53% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Thiago Moises | 5 of 9 | 55% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gordon (-110), Moises (-110)
Round 1
Lightweight veterans with technically equal records in the UFC—although one has a no contest—come to blows, with plans of remaining highly regarded in the talent-rich division. Gordon (20-7, 1 NC; 8-6, 1 NC UFC) is the one who also has the grey mark on his pace thanks to a clash of heads with Bobby Green, and has otherwise alternated wins and losses for a few years. The same can be said for Brazil’s Moises (19-8, 8-6 UFC), who is ready to continue the rivalry of his team of American Top Team against regional adversarial team Kill Cliff FC and its rep of Gordon. Referee Kerry Hatley will keep things on the up-and-up, but they are fine with one another and clap hands. The first strike thrown is a Moises body kick, which Gordon uses to easily sling his opponent to his back. Gordon practically walks into top control, and Moises wraps up his arms in an unorthodox armlock attack. Moises lets go of the lockup and lashes out with a short elbow off his back that opens a tiny cut on the top of Gordon’s forehead. Gordon responds with ample ground-and-pound of his own, smearing his blood all over the Brazilian’s head and chest. Moises works his way back up to his feet, ignoring the strikes lobbed at him so he can fight his way back up and away. They proceed to smack one another with low kicks, and Gordon darts in with a pair of punches that bounce off the guard. Leg kicks continue to fly, and they tag one another with single strikes. When Gordon ducks in to throw, Moises counters with a clean right hand over the top. “Flash” does not bat an eye, and instead lets Moises pitch a left hand at him.
This is exactly what he wants, as Gordon times a picture-perfect right hand that smashes into the American Top Team fighter’s chin and puts him down for the count. Moises’ head clatters off the mat when he collapses to the ground like a bird that’s had its wings clipped, and Gordon hammers the nail with a leaping right hand that gives commentator Michael Bisping flashbacks of when he took on Dan Henderson, cleanly separating Moises from his consciousness.
Before Hatley can get to them, Gordon gets one or two off that wake Moises back up, but they are merely academic as Gordon has dropped the hammer. Blood streaming down his face, Gordon stands up and shrugs, as if he knew he was going to do this all along. When Moises comes to, the two hug it out, but it is unclear if Moises knows the license plate number of the bus that just ran him over.
The Official Result
Jared Gordon def. Thiago Moises R1 3:37 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Thiago Moises after going back and forth. He acknowledges that Jared Gordon has been screwed on scorecards and could be on a win streak, but trusts Moises's training and activity. He notes that Moises is a slick grappler with technical striking and that Gordon is inactive and not on as good a team. Angelo says likely no bets for this fight.
Big Brady picks Jared Gordon, citing his volume and cardio. He notes Gordon's losses are to tough competition in close decisions, and he thinks Gordon's takedown defense and chin hold up. He expects a close competitive decision win for Gordon.
The host finds this a tough puzzle but leans with Gordon's pace and pressure. He notes Moises has looked good against certain opponents but doesn't do well against guys who set the pace, and Gordon is exactly that. He expects Gordon to grind out a high pace, possibly get a late finish, but mostly win on the scorecards, provided his durability holds up.
The Guru picks Jared Gordon, citing a rule of thumb that beating Thiago Moises means you're good. He thinks Gordon has been robbed in recent decisions (Bobby Green, Nazareno Malegarie) and is better than his record. He acknowledges grappling concerns from the Grant Dawson loss but believes Gordon's fundamental grappling defense is strong. He predicts Gordon wins by decision.
Angelo leans towards Kauê Fernandes as an underdog, arguing that the odds are too wide. He notes that Jared Gordon's only real path to victory is wrestling, and Fernandes has solid takedown defense (62%) and dangerous striking. He worries about Fernandes' takedown defense but thinks Fernandes can win if he uses leg kicks to take away Gordon's wrestling.
The MMA Guru picks Jared Gordon to win by finish in the second or third round. He heavily criticizes Kauê Fernandes' competition level, noting his opponents have poor records and he has not fought anyone decent. He believes Gordon's well-rounded skills and consistency will overwhelm Fernandes, who likely needs an early finish to win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasrat Haqparast | 0 | 146 of 316 | 46% | 156 of 330 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 141 of 299 | 47% | 170 of 338 | 0 of 13 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nasrat Haqparast | 0 | 35 of 64 | 54% | 35 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 16 of 56 | 28% | 21 of 63 | 0 of 7 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:13 | |
| 2 | Nasrat Haqparast | 0 | 37 of 80 | 46% | 47 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 55 of 88 | 62% | 79 of 120 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 | |
| 3 | Nasrat Haqparast | 0 | 74 of 172 | 43% | 74 of 173 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 70 of 155 | 45% | 70 of 155 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasrat Haqparast | 146 of 316 | 46% | 122 of 288 | 23 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 133 of 298 | 8 of 10 | 5 of 8 |
| Jared Gordon | 141 of 299 | 47% | 125 of 275 | 12 of 19 | 4 of 5 | 128 of 274 | 13 of 25 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nasrat Haqparast | 35 of 64 | 54% | 27 of 55 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 8 |
| Jared Gordon | 16 of 56 | 28% | 11 of 48 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 50 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nasrat Haqparast | 37 of 80 | 46% | 27 of 68 | 10 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 71 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Jared Gordon | 55 of 88 | 62% | 49 of 81 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 44 of 70 | 11 of 18 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Nasrat Haqparast | 74 of 172 | 43% | 68 of 165 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 73 of 171 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jared Gordon | 70 of 155 | 45% | 65 of 146 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 70 of 154 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Haqparast (-238), Gordon (+195)
Round 1
Haqparast and Gordon do not touch gloves before going at it. Rich Mitchell is your referee. Haqparast is southpaw, Gordon orthodox, and Gordon shoves Haqparast to the fence, picking up a single-leg. He elevates the leg, but instead of finishing the takedown, uses his free hand to punch Haqparast’s face. Gordon lets the leg go, but scoops up another single-leg seconds later, and again uses the chance to land strikes rather than bring the fight to the floor. He loses the leg and Haqparast sticks him with a hard left. Haqparast lands another hard left, and Gordon drops levels for a takedown. This time it looks like a serious attempt, as he runs Haqparast to the fence, but Haqparast keeps his feet under him. They disengage and return to the center of the Octagon. Gordon shoots for another takedown, and again they end up against the fence. Haqparast again defends ably, and after they break, he nails Gordon with a solid right jab. Gordon shoves Haqparast to the fence and they trade shots up the middle. Haqparast gets the better of it, smacking Gordon with a three-piece that hurts him. Gordon seems to recover, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Haqparast
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Haqparast
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Haqparast
Round 2
Haqparast scores first, with a hard overhand left that glances off the shoulder but still gets some of Gordon’s head. Gordon marches forward, but his face is showing the wear of trying to get past Haqparast’s righty jab. Gordon drops for a takedown, but Haqparast defends capably. Gordon marches forward, backing Haqparast to the cage, and nails him with two good punches before Haqparast can slide out the side. Gordon walks Haqparast down against the fence and mugs him with punches again. Haqparast is bleeding from under the left eye. There is a brief break in the action as Gordon’s left glove is losing tape. They go back to work, and Gordon feints a level change to open him up for a pair of punches upstairs. Haqparast returns fire, and both men are getting their shots in. Gordon backs Haqparast up to the fence and blasts him with punches to the body. Haqparast tries to get back to space, but Gordon’s pressure is stifling him. With 30 seconds to go, they clinch against the fence. They separate and Haqparast lands a good right to the chin before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Round 3
Haqparast and Gordon do not touch gloves before going at it. Rich Mitchell is your referee. Haqparast is southpaw, Gordon orthodox, and Gordon shoves Haqparast to the fence, picking up a single-leg. He elevates the leg, but instead of finishing the takedown, uses his free hand to punch Haqparast’s face. Gordon lets the leg go, but scoops up another single-leg seconds later, and again uses the chance to land strikes rather than bring the fight to the floor. He loses the leg and Haqparast sticks him with a hard left. Haqparast lands another hard left, and Gordon drops levels for a takedown. This time it looks like a serious attempt, as he runs Haqparast to the fence, but Haqparast keeps his feet under him. They disengage and return to the center of the Octagon. Gordon shoots for another takedown, and again they end up against the fence. Haqparast again defends ably, and after they break, he nails Gordon with a solid right jab. Gordon shoves Haqparast to the fence and they trade shots up the middle. Haqparast gets the better of it, smacking Gordon with a three-piece that hurts him. Gordon seems to recover, and the horn sounds. Haqparast scores first, with a hard overhand left that glances off the shoulder but still gets some of Gordon’s head. Gordon marches forward, but his face is showing the wear of trying to get past Haqparast’s righty jab. Gordon drops for a takedown, but Haqparast defends capably. Gordon marches forward, backing Haqparast to the cage, and nails him with two good punches before Haqparast can slide out the side. Gordon walks Haqparast down against the fence and mugs him with punches again. Haqparast is bleeding from under the left eye. There is a brief break in the action as Gordon’s left glove is losing tape. They go back to work, and Gordon feints a level change to open him up for a pair of punches upstairs. Haqparast returns fire, and both men are getting their shots in. Gordon backs Haqparast up to the fence and blasts him with punches to the body. Haqparast tries to get back to space, but Gordon’s pressure is stifling him. With 30 seconds to go, they clinch against the fence. They separate and Haqparast lands a good right to the chin before the round ends. Neither man gives any quarter in the opening moments, standing toe-to-toe and swinging away. Haqparast’s fast hands show out, as he tags Gordon with a clean southpaw one-two. Gordon changes levels and drags Haqparast to the floor, but Haqparast refuses to concede the takedown, popping right back to his feet. Gordon marches forward, landing his jab on Haqparast and backing him up. Gordon is relentless, walking down the younger man, and mixing in level changes to keep him guessing. Haqparast lands a clean jab and Gordon returns fire with a hook to the head. Haqparast hits Gordon with a short punch to the body. Gordon comes back with a left hand upstairs. Under a minute to go and it still feels like anyone’s fight. Both men are battered and exhausted. They clinch and Haqparast scores with a short elbow inside. They separate and exchange a flurry of punches. The final horn sounds on what is, so far, easily the best fight of the night.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gordon (29-28 Gordon)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Haqparast (29-28 Haqparast)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Gordon (29-28 Gordon)
The Official Result
Nasrat Haqparast def. Jared Gordon via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Angelo picks Nasrat, highlighting his high volume striking (6 significant strikes per minute) and solid takedown defense (78%). He notes Nasrat has power, durability, and can push a pace. He thinks Jared Gordon is sneaky good but Nasrat is the better overall fighter. He is confident in Nasrat winning straightforwardly.
Big Brady picks Nasrat Haqparast to win by second-round knockout, citing his volume and sneaky power. He questions Jared Gordon's chin, noting he has been knocked out multiple times. Brady believes Haqparast's striking will overwhelm Gordon, and if Gordon's durability holds, it could be close, but he expects a finish before that.
Cody picks Haqparast, citing his size, boxing, and ability to keep the fight standing. He notes Gordon's wrestling is less effective at 155 and that Haqparast should outpoint him. However, he warns that the line is steep and the fight could be close.
Daniel Vreeland picks Nasrat Haqparast confidently, highlighting his improved output and power in his left hand. He notes Gordon's durability and top control but believes Haqparast's speed, power, and athleticism will be the difference. He sees Haqparast as hitting his peak and winning a decision or knockout.
Jacob picks Nasrat, calling him better everywhere with superb striking and defensive wrestling. He believes Nasrat can weather Gordon's storm and that the -240 moneyline is good value. He respects Gordon's journey but thinks Nasrat is the better fighter.
JP picks Nasrat, noting his 3-fight win streak and better competition, though he worries about Nasrat's decision-making on the feet. He expects a close fight but favors Nasrat's clinch game and pressure. Brevan is more confident, predicting a KO/TKO via Nasrat's powerful overhand left. He criticizes Gordon's recent performances and believes Nasrat will out-strike him and get a finish. Both see Nasrat winning, with Brevan specifically calling for a stoppage.
Paul picks Haqparast but is hesitant due to the price. He notes Haqparast's takedown defense is okay and his striking is solid, but Gordon could make it competitive with wrestling. Paul expects a close decision.
The MMA Guru picks Nasrat Haqparast over Jared Gordon, believing Haqparast is the better boxer and will stuff takedowns. He notes that Gordon is not a dominant grappler and that Haqparast's recent first-round TKO shows his power. He expects Haqparast to box Gordon up as the fight goes on, possibly losing the first round but winning the next two.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Gordon | 1 | 36 of 66 | 54% | 54 of 87 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Mark Madsen | 0 | 35 of 57 | 61% | 46 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jared Gordon | 1 | 36 of 66 | 54% | 54 of 87 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Mark Madsen | 0 | 35 of 57 | 61% | 46 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Gordon | 36 of 66 | 54% | 27 of 57 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 51 | 10 of 11 | 4 of 4 |
| Mark Madsen | 35 of 57 | 61% | 23 of 44 | 12 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 37 | 19 of 20 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jared Gordon | 36 of 66 | 54% | 27 of 57 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 51 | 10 of 11 | 4 of 4 |
| Mark Madsen | 35 of 57 | 61% | 23 of 44 | 12 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 37 | 19 of 20 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo leans Gordon, reasoning that Gordon's striking is better and he can outwrestle Madsen by implementing his own game plan. He notes Madsen is one-dimensional and older, and Gordon trains with good wrestlers. He is not fully confident due to Gordon's age.
Big Brady picks Jared Gordon by decision. He thinks Gordon has a significant striking advantage, with fast hands and high volume, and better cardio. He notes Madsen is 39 and may need to resort to wrestling, but Gordon has solid takedown defense and get-up game. Brady worries about Gordon's chin but doesn't think Madsen can knock him out.
Cody picks Gordon but is hesitant, suggesting a live bet might be better. He thinks Madsen will win the first round with wrestling but gas out, allowing Gordon to take over. He notes Gordon's durability and pace, but doesn't like the pre-fight line.
Gordon's pace, pressure, and ability to dictate the fight will be the difference. Madsen may have early grappling success, but Gordon's BJJ background will allow him to get back to his feet and overwhelm Madsen with better striking. Expects a close fight early but Gordon to put together a better body of work in the last two rounds and win by decision.
Paul leans Madsen as a dog, having taken him at +167. He thinks Madsen's wrestling pedigree will allow him to get takedowns and control early rounds. He acknowledges Madsen's cardio issues but believes he can win the first two rounds. He notes Gordon isn't a potent finisher.
The MMA Guru picks Jared Gordon, calling Mark Madsen awful. He thinks Gordon is underrated and showed improved striking against Bobby Green before the headbutt. He believes Gordon is more versatile and better on the feet, and that Madsen has no offensive grappling or striking threat.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Green | 0 | 23 of 69 | 33% | 23 of 69 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 17 of 53 | 32% | 17 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King Green | 0 | 23 of 69 | 33% | 23 of 69 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 17 of 53 | 32% | 17 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Green | 23 of 69 | 33% | 15 of 56 | 6 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 17 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 6 |
| Jared Gordon | 17 of 53 | 32% | 9 of 34 | 5 of 11 | 3 of 8 | 17 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King Green | 23 of 69 | 33% | 15 of 56 | 6 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 17 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 6 |
| Jared Gordon | 17 of 53 | 32% | 9 of 34 | 5 of 11 | 3 of 8 | 17 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Bobby Green confidently, citing his superior striking and 72% takedown defense. He notes that Green has been tested by top lightweights and even in his recent loss to Drew Dober, he won the first round. He thinks Jared Gordon is undersized for lightweight and lacks one-punch knockout power, making Green a safe parlay piece.
Big Brady picks Bobby Green to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Green is a much better striker than Gordon, who has only fought grapplers in his career. Green has incredible takedown defense and good wrestling, so Gordon's path to victory is limited. Brady expects Green to put a ton of volume on Gordon, hurt him, and knock him out early. He also mentions that Gordon has been knocked out five times before and that the judges could screw up a decision, so he prefers the finish.
Cody picks Bobby Green despite the high price, praising his elite boxing, wrestling, and cardio. He notes Green's ability to outwork opponents and his durability, having only been knocked out by top power punchers. Cody believes Green's volume and pressure will be too much for Jared Gordon, who has a questionable chin and has been knocked out by lesser power punchers. He even suggests a Green by KO prop, as Gordon tends to get hit a lot.
Connor picks Green, emphasizing that Green is a superior athlete and technician. He notes that Gordon's best win was against Danny Chavez, but Green is a much tougher puzzle. He points out that Green has been schooling tough opponents and that Gordon's lack of speed and power will be exposed. He also mentions that Gordon's mental game might be off after the Pimblett fight.
Bobby Green is the better striker with a significant speed advantage. His takedown defense is good enough to keep the fight standing, where he can pick apart Jared Gordon with combinations. Gordon may have success pushing Green against the cage, but Green's footwork and movement should allow him to escape and land shots at distance. Green is motivated after a knockout loss to Drew Dober and could finish Gordon, who has shown durability issues. Green by knockout in round 2 or 3.
Paul also picks Bobby Green, arguing he should be an even bigger favorite. He highlights Green's elite boxing, footwork, and ability to avoid takedowns, noting that no one has submitted him in the UFC. Paul believes Green's volume and pressure will overwhelm Gordon, who has a weak chin and has been knocked out by lesser punchers. He thinks Green could even get a knockout.
The MMA Guru picks Bobby Green despite his recent KO loss. He argues Green's takedown defense is good and he is levels above Paddy Pimblett on the feet, whom Gordon struggled with. He thinks Green will stuff takedowns and land at will, dominating on the feet. He predicts a decision win, possibly 30-27 or 30-26.
Zane picks Green confidently, noting that Green is a slick, creative striker with excellent defensive wrestling. He points out that Gordon's best chance is to pressure and grind, but Green has shown he can handle that and counter effectively. He also mentions that Gordon lacks knockout power and that Green's recent performances show he's assertive and accurate.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy Pimblett | 0 | 63 of 155 | 40% | 97 of 194 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 60 of 103 | 58% | 100 of 143 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 6:28 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paddy Pimblett | 0 | 29 of 70 | 41% | 29 of 70 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 32 of 53 | 60% | 40 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 | |
| 2 | Paddy Pimblett | 0 | 28 of 70 | 40% | 47 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 39 of 61 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:07 | |
| 3 | Paddy Pimblett | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 21 of 35 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 21 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:53 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy Pimblett | 63 of 155 | 40% | 33 of 122 | 13 of 16 | 17 of 17 | 54 of 139 | 8 of 15 | 1 of 1 |
| Jared Gordon | 60 of 103 | 58% | 32 of 62 | 14 of 27 | 14 of 14 | 53 of 94 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paddy Pimblett | 29 of 70 | 41% | 16 of 55 | 2 of 4 | 11 of 11 | 28 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jared Gordon | 32 of 53 | 60% | 17 of 28 | 7 of 17 | 8 of 8 | 30 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | |
| 2 | Paddy Pimblett | 28 of 70 | 40% | 13 of 54 | 11 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 24 of 64 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Jared Gordon | 24 of 46 | 52% | 13 of 32 | 5 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 20 of 41 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Paddy Pimblett | 6 of 15 | 40% | 4 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 6 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Jared Gordon | 4 of 4 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pimblett (-250), Gordon (+210)
Round 1
The co-main event for this pay-per-view card is an unranked lightweight affair between boisterous Liverpudlian Pimblett (19-3, 3-0 UFC) and his relatively soft-spoken counterpart Gordon (19-5, 7-4 UFC). The UFC wants a star out of Pimblett, and they are building him up in a measured manner instead of throwing him to the top-ranked wolves. Many view Gordon as the next step up in competition. The third man in the Octagon for this pairing is referee Herb Dean, and they do decide to touch gloves even after some back-and-forth between the two. Pimblett crowds the American and kicks the side early, and he fires off a head kick and strings several punches together as Gordon shells up. Gordon, seemingly the smaller man by a wide margin, leaps forward to belt Pimblett in the face with a left hand. Pimblett wears it well and gets rocked with a left hand, and he is retreating as Gordon advances. Pimblett, with his head high and a tall stance, absorbs another left hand and a low kick to mix things up. The two trade leg kicks, with Gordon putting his hips into them as Pimblett resets and fires one off to respond. Gordon sticks “The Baddy” with two more left hooks, and Pimblett darts away and recovers to score two punches. In a flash, “Flash” rocks Pimblett with an overhand right, and he walks through a calf kick to get off another left. Pimblett lines several punches up one after the other, and Gordon blocks some while others split his guard. Pimblett ducks low to avoid a looping punch buzzing his way, and he swats away the arms before Gordon can slug him again. Pimblett jabs and flips out two high kicks in rapid succession, and Gordon keeps his guard high to defend the rest that follows. Gordon absorbs part of a jumping high kick, and he responds with a body kick and a left hook. Pimblett has two punches and a kick bounce off the guard, but his left hand gets through. Gordon does not slow, connecting with a big left and a calf kick. Pimblett pushes Gordon back with a head kick that is blocked, only for Gordon to respond with power. Gordon gets stung with a counter and ducks down for a single, but Pimblett slithers his leg away in time. Gordon marches his man down and lands a left hand, and he counters a takedown by push Pimblett flat on his back. Pimblett threatens with a high guard that does not turn into anything, while Gordon lands a few punches before the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Round 2
Gordon claims the center of the cage and advances to throw hands, while Pimblett keeps his range and tosses out high kicks. Pimblett lobs a right hook that skims off the guard, and Gordon chips at the calf a few times. Pimblett gets a head kick through, and he is answered by two swarming punches from his foe. Gordon absorbs a body kick and then takes a front kick so he can close in and club Pimblett in the face with a left, but Pimblett sticks and moves. The Brit sneaks in an uppercut as Gordon gives chase, and Gordon checks a kick and tries to initiate a brawl. Pimblett gets the worst of the exchange and tries to escape out the back door, and he gets his chin checked with a powerful left hook. Gordon grabs hold of a single, and when he puts Pimblett down, Pimblett defends with an arm-triangle choke that is a sort of a side-naked choke, but Gordon is calm and does not fall into danger. Pimblett walks up the cage wall, and short offense on the inside opens a cut on the hairline of “Flash.” Gordon attempts another takedown, and Pimblett stuffs it and punches Gordon in the back of the head repeatedly. Gordon stays pressed tightly to his man before suddenly breaking free and blasting Pimblett in the face with two punches. Gordon gets cracked with a right, but he fires off a left to back Pimblett off. A few Pimblett punches collide with the guard, and they trade low kicks until Gordon pushes forward in pursuit of a takedown. Pimblett defends against the wall and elbows the side of the head until Gordon bails on it, and Gordon grinds his man until Pimblett shoves him away. Pimblett unloads with two punches and sneaks up a head kick, but Gordon is right there to brawl away with him. Pimblett pushes off with his fingers out, and one jams into Gordon’s eye to cause a pause with 15 seconds left in the round. Pimblett receives a hard warning for his fingers stretching out or poking out, and they resume with a slugfest. Pimblett catches Gordon at the end of a right hand, and he loads up on a few punches and a front kick until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Round 3
The lightweights touch gloves to initiate the final frame, and Gordon advances while Pimblett defends a potential takedown. Gordon clasps his hands and dumps the Brit on his face, and Pimblett defends with a kimura. Pimblett climbs back up and is lifted with a knee, and he puts his hands on the mat to take knees on the jaw out of the equation. Gordon aggressively pursues a double, and Pimblett considers a front choke but cannot find the neck when Gordon switches things up for a single. The grind is firmly embraced by “Flash,” who settles for heavy shoulder pressure and takedown tries, while Pimblett is stifled to little more than an elbow or a knee. Gordon suddenly changes levels for a double, and this fails as Pimblett elbows him in the back of the head. Dean calls for the fighters to work, and Pimblett explodes to break away. Gordon scores a left hook, and he powers forward with a second before jamming Pimblett up against the wire. Gordon squeezes and clings to the Brit, and he trips Pimblett out to his knees but cannot ground him. Gordon pursues a double, and he ends up settling to trip Pimblett out and dump him to the floor. Pimblett slides out the back door and looks to take dominant position, but Gordon bursts back upright as Pimblett holds onto him. Pimblett lands a short knee on the inside and gets wrenched to his knees, and Pimblett jumps on to take his back as the fight ends. We have reached the judges’ scorecards for the first time of the night, and scores could definitely go either way depending on how the second and third rounds were evaluated. Either way, the meteoric rise of Pimblett has definitely hit a speed bump in the form of “Flash” Gordon, win or lose.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gordon (30-27 Gordon)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gordon (30-27 Gordon)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gordon (30-27 Gordon)
The Official Result
Paddy Pimblett def. Jared Gordon via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Pimblett, believing he is the better striker and grappler. He notes that Pimblett outgrappled Jordan Leavitt, who was considered a better grappler. However, he warns that Gordon has legit wrestling and could take Pimblett down and hold him there, as Leavitt took him down three times. He suggests the best bet is Pimblett inside the distance (decision no action) if the odds are reasonable.
Big Brady picks Paddy Pimblett, citing his power and dangerous grappling, while noting Jared Gordon's poor durability and lack of finishing ability. He expects Pimblett to hurt Gordon on the feet or lock in a submission, likely in the second round. He does not agree with the -250 price but sees Pimblett as the more likely finisher.
Cody picks Paddy despite acknowledging he has been fading him in previous fights. He thinks Paddy's wrestling, back-taking, and rear-naked choke are key, and that Paddy has a massive reach advantage. He notes Paddy's durability and wild style but believes Jared Gordon is not the guy to expose him. He expects Paddy to use grappling to grind out a decision or late submission.
Connor picks Pimblett, reasoning that Gordon is not a powerful striker and will fall into clinch scrambles where Pimblett is dangerous. He notes Gordon repeatedly gives up his back on the mat, and Pimblett is a skilled backtake artist. Connor is hesitant but believes Gordon's flaws will lead to a submission loss.
Daniel Levi picks Paddy Pimblett to win inside the distance, though he expects Jared Gordon to be competitive early. He notes Gordon's superior volume and top control, but believes Pimblett is a 'big moment fighter' who can turn the tide with a knockdown or submission. Levi thinks Gordon may win the first round or two, but Pimblett will eventually find a finish. He does not bet this fight, preferring to watch.
Lock picks Jared Gordon as his dog of the night, believing his style will give Paddy fits. He thinks Gordon will keep his foot on the gas, push the pace, box, and grind out a decision, as long as he stays conscious. He notes that Paddy has faced adversity in every UFC fight but Gordon is the best fighter he's faced. Lock likes the betting line at +217 and sees a possible pump and dump on PredictionStrike at 80 cents, though he acknowledges Gordon has a ceiling.
Paul leans towards Jared Gordon as a dog, having faded Paddy in all his UFC fights. He thinks Paddy's wrestling defense is suspect and he has been hurt in fights. He notes Gordon's skills and value at plus money, but is hesitant because Paddy has won close fights before. He is pot-committed to fading Paddy but acknowledges the risk.
The MMA Guru picks Paddy Pimblett over Jared Gordon by rear-naked choke. He expects Gordon to be winning early with cage pressure, but Pimblett's speed and power will catch Gordon, leading to a scramble where Pimblett takes the back and chokes him out. He notes the odds are too wide and considers it a close fight, but believes Pimblett's finishing ability prevails.
Zane reluctantly picks Pimblett, agreeing with Connor that Gordon will give up his back in scrambles. He notes Gordon is a better wrestler but Pimblett will let himself be taken down to create grappling exchanges. Zane is not confident, saying if Gordon loses it's his own fault.
Leonardo Santos - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Gordon | 0 | 36 of 81 | 44% | 41 of 86 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 116 of 174 | 66% | 203 of 265 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jared Gordon | 0 | 10 of 22 | 45% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 37 of 60 | 61% | 53 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:49 | |
| 2 | Jared Gordon | 0 | 13 of 24 | 54% | 16 of 27 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 29 of 43 | 67% | 51 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:54 | |
| 3 | Jared Gordon | 0 | 13 of 35 | 37% | 15 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 50 of 71 | 70% | 99 of 121 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Gordon | 36 of 81 | 44% | 21 of 60 | 11 of 16 | 4 of 5 | 29 of 74 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Leonardo Santos | 116 of 174 | 66% | 67 of 120 | 41 of 46 | 8 of 8 | 86 of 136 | 26 of 34 | 4 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jared Gordon | 10 of 22 | 45% | 3 of 11 | 5 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Leonardo Santos | 37 of 60 | 61% | 20 of 41 | 15 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 28 of 51 | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jared Gordon | 13 of 24 | 54% | 8 of 18 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 20 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Leonardo Santos | 29 of 43 | 67% | 12 of 23 | 15 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 26 | 11 of 17 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jared Gordon | 13 of 35 | 37% | 10 of 31 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Leonardo Santos | 50 of 71 | 70% | 35 of 56 | 11 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 40 of 59 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gordon (-305), Santos (+255)
Round 1
The 42-year-old Santos will look to turn things around after an 0-2 2021, while Gordon had a three-fight winning streak snapped by Grant Dawson in his first outing of 2022. Herb Dean will oversee the lightweight clash. Santos will enjoy a seven-inch reach edge here. Gordon beings with a two-punch combination. Santos responds with a body kick. Santos with an inside leg kick. It’s a measured beginning, with very little action in the first two minutes. Santos can’t find the range on a front kick, and Gordon pressures forward but eats a knee up the middle. Gordon is struggling to find the range more than halfway through the round, but he does land a leg kick. Gordon rushes forward and lands a right hand. Santos counters Gordon with a knee up the middle. Another low kick for Gordon. Santos kicks at the body. Santos blocks a high kick. Gordon is getting a little more aggressive. He tags Santos with an uppercut and flurries with body work against the fence. Gordon gets a body lock and presses Santos into the cage. More short shots to the body by Gordon in the linch. Gordon moves forward, digs to the body and ties up with Santos. He lands a few punches to the head in the clinch before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Noah Gagnon scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Round 2
Santos probes with a push kick, but it misses the mark. Gordon lands a leg kick and misses a combination to the head. Gordon closes the distance and shoves Santos into the fence. they separate quickly, but Gordon resets. Santos circles off and lands a knee down the middle. Gordon with a couple punches to the head as he wades forward. Gordon moves in with a combination, then backs away, a pattern that is repeating multiple times this round. Santos responds with a high kick on one of those entries, but mostly it’s Gordon moving forward and pressing the action. Santos shoots for a takedown and it drives Gordon into the fence. Santos is working his way to the back, but Gordon uses a couple fence grabs to his advantage and he turns the Brazilian into the fence. No it’s Gordon grinding away in the clinch. Gordon creates space to briefly dig to the body with punches before clinching with Santos again. Gordon with a couple punches to the head, then a few to the body. Finally, Santos turns and escapes. Gordon closes distance behind some right hands and shoves Santos into the fence yet again. Gordon rips the body as Santos seems content to hold his opponent’s head. Santos breaks free and Gordon moves forward. Santos lands a decent counter right hand in an exchange. The lightweights are content to stand at range in the last 15 seconds before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Noah Gagnon scores the round: 10-9 Gordon
Round 3
Santos lands a front kick and Gordon counters with a punching combination. Gordon goes upstairs with a right hand. He remains on the attack with a trio of kicks to the inside leg of Santos. Gordon remains on the offensive as he moves forward with a combination to the head. Santos backs up and eats another combination. Gordon jabs through Santos guard, then works the body. More combinations land for Gordon, who is in a rhythm, though not necessarily threatening to finish the fight. Gordon rips the body and clinches with Santos. Snatos is on the fence, eating body shots. Santos frees himself and eats a few jabs. Gordon with a body-head combination. Gordon remains in Santos face, pressuring with combinations. “Flash” forces the clinch and lands punches on the break. Moments later, it’s another body shot and brief clinch from Gordon. Santos times a level change under a Gordon punch, but his opponent sprawls nicely. Santos is just hanging on while on the mat. Gordon mixes up punches to the head and ribs while the Brazilian clings to his legs. Gordon with more hammerfists and Dean urges Santos to work. Santos gets to his feet and shoves Gordon into the cage as time winds down. Santos leans on Gordon and the crowd voices its displeasure. Santos attempts a spinning back elbow on the break, but Gordon responds with a punching combination just before the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gordon (30-27 Gordon)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gordon (30-27 Gordon)
Noah Gagnon scores the round: 10-9 Gordon (30-27 Gordon)
The Official Result
Jared Gordon def. Leonardo Santos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Jared Gordon over Leonardo Santos. He notes that Santos is a phenomenal BJJ practitioner with deceptive power, but at 41 and on a two-fight losing streak, his cardio and takedown accuracy (29%) are concerns. Gordon was taken down seven times by Grant Dawson, but Angelo believes Gordon's pressure and striking volume will be the difference, similar to his win over Joe Solecki. He thinks Gordon can stay tough and grind out a decision.
Big Brady picks Jared Gordon but is hesitant. He acknowledges that Leonardo Santos is more skilled everywhere and has a seven-inch reach advantage, but Santos is 42 years old with terrible cardio, gassing out after five minutes. Gordon has poor durability but excellent cardio. Brady expects Gordon to survive the first round and take over in the second and third, winning a decision. He mentions the first round will be a sweat and suggests the Santos first-round prop could be in play.
Cody picks Gordon, emphasizing Gordon's cardio and pressure. He notes Santos' history of gassing out and thinks Gordon can grind him down. He expects Gordon to win by decision but acknowledges the risk of Santos' early power.
Daniel Levi leans toward Leonardo Santos as a dog, but he is not confident. He notes that Santos is better everywhere technically, but at 42 years old he has only one round of gas left. Levi thinks Santos can hurt Gordon early, but if he doesn't finish, Gordon's pace will take over. He calls it a dog-or-pass situation and says if he were to bet, he would take Santos.
Gordon should outwork Santos and win a decision, but the -265 price is too steep for the host's liking. Santos has knockout power and could catch Gordon, especially early. The host prefers Gordon by decision at +125 as a prop, and notes Santos by KO at +700 is live. He is not betting Gordon at this price.
Paul picks Santos as a dog, citing his power and submission threat. He took a small sprinkle on Santos by submission at +900. He thinks Santos could catch Gordon early, but acknowledges Gordon's pressure and cardio could be factors.
The Guru predicts Jared Gordon wins by third-round submission via arm triangle. He describes Gordon pushing Santos against the cage, landing knees and punches, and threatening submissions. He sees Santos slowing down due to age (42), and Gordon taking mount and locking in the arm triangle on a gassed Santos.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Guida | 0 | 18 of 50 | 36% | 50 of 87 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 | 0 | 2:09 |
| Leonardo Santos | 1 | 41 of 60 | 68% | 65 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clay Guida | 0 | 8 of 30 | 26% | 34 of 57 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
| Leonardo Santos | 1 | 39 of 58 | 67% | 63 of 90 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:01 | |
| 2 | Clay Guida | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 16 of 30 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Guida | 18 of 50 | 36% | 8 of 39 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 7 of 38 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 11 |
| Leonardo Santos | 41 of 60 | 68% | 22 of 39 | 17 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 21 | 16 of 23 | 12 of 16 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clay Guida | 8 of 30 | 26% | 6 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 |
| Leonardo Santos | 39 of 58 | 67% | 21 of 38 | 16 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 19 | 16 of 23 | 12 of 16 | |
| 2 | Clay Guida | 10 of 20 | 50% | 2 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 8 |
| Leonardo Santos | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Leonardo Santos, though his heart says Guida. He notes Santos has better jiu-jitsu, power, and striking, but Guida's pace could be an issue. Angelo thinks Santos is the smarter pick but the odds are crazy.
Big Brady picks Leonardo Santos to win by first-round submission. He notes Santos has a massive height and reach advantage, superior striking, and is a BJJ black belt. He points out that Clay Guida has been submitted 10 times and is often finished. However, he warns that Santos has poor cardio (about 1.5 rounds), so if he doesn't finish early, Guida could take over. Brady is confident Santos will finish early, likely by submission after hurting Guida on the feet.
Cody also picks Santos but is not confident, citing Santos's age (41) and recent poor performances. He thinks Santos has the skills to win but his gas tank is a concern. Cody notes that Guida has a history of getting submitted and that Santos could catch him, but he's not sold on the -180 price.
Daniel Levi picks Leonardo Santos to win by submission, specifically a guillotine or rear-naked choke. He notes Santos's length, underrated hands, calf kicks, and elite jiu-jitsu, and points out that Guida has been submitted multiple times. He is concerned about Santos gassing but believes Santos can finish early if he gets Guida to the mat.
Jacob picks Clay Guida, citing his pressure and cardio. He notes Santos is a defensive striker and Guida can pressure him against the fence. Jacob thinks Guida's wrestling and jiu-jitsu are good enough to avoid submissions, and he will win a typical Guida fight.
I like Santos. He is the better striker with power and range, and he has good takedown defense. Guida's pace is not what it used to be, and he struggles against fighters who can keep him at distance. Santos can finish on the feet or via submission. I like Santos inside the distance at plus 200 and Santos by submission at plus 315.
Paul picks Santos but with low confidence, noting Santos's skill advantage but poor gas tank and lack of volume. He thinks Santos should win if he uses his reach and grappling, but worries about his cardio and tendency to underperform. Paul mentions that Santos by submission is tempting but he can't trust him to get the fight to the mat.
The MMA Guru picks Clay Guida to win by 29-28 unanimous decision. He expects Santos to win the first round with striking and takedown defense, but Guida's cardio will take over in the second and third. Guida will secure takedowns and land ground strikes as Santos fades, winning the last two rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Dawson | 0 | 30 of 67 | 44% | 74 of 115 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 46 of 84 | 54% | 75 of 132 | 1 of 13 | 7% | 0 | 0 | 8:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grant Dawson | 0 | 10 of 19 | 52% | 28 of 37 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 12 of 23 | 52% | 14 of 26 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:24 | |
| 2 | Grant Dawson | 0 | 16 of 39 | 41% | 40 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 23 of 42 | 54% | 27 of 46 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:44 | |
| 3 | Grant Dawson | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 11 of 19 | 57% | 34 of 60 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 4:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Dawson | 30 of 67 | 44% | 14 of 45 | 6 of 10 | 10 of 12 | 28 of 65 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Leonardo Santos | 46 of 84 | 54% | 16 of 48 | 23 of 27 | 7 of 9 | 33 of 68 | 9 of 11 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grant Dawson | 10 of 19 | 52% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 6 | 9 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Leonardo Santos | 12 of 23 | 52% | 3 of 11 | 7 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 18 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Grant Dawson | 16 of 39 | 41% | 6 of 25 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 16 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Leonardo Santos | 23 of 42 | 54% | 6 of 22 | 13 of 14 | 4 of 6 | 18 of 36 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Grant Dawson | 4 of 9 | 44% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Leonardo Santos | 11 of 19 | 57% | 7 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
At lightweight, two men averse to losing come to blows when the ageless Santos (18-3-1, 7-0-1 UFC) looks for his eighth win inside the Octagon against the surging “KGD” Dawson (16-1, 4-0 UFC). The third man in the cage is referee Chris Tognoni, and the contenders searching for a spot in the rankings touch gloves to start things off. Immediately, the two fighters are warned four reaching out their fingers. The Brazilian lands a leg kick, and he rushes forward with a pair of punches and lands a leg kick at the end of it. When Santos scores again, Dawson changes levels but gets stuffed. Santos bears down on him with shots, and he stuffs another takedown only to get kicked in the gut. Santos chops down the lead leg a few more times, leading Dawson to duck down and throw a big overhand right that Santos sees coming. Santos keeps working the leg from afar, and again there is a warning for outstretched fingers. Santos gets off a right hand that bounces off the side of Dawson’s head, and Dawson responds with a huge right hand that wobbles the Brazilian’s legs. Dawson takes advantage of this strike to aim for a takedown, and he lifts Santos in the air but cannot slam him down. Santos scrambles back to his feet and Dawson stays heavy, grinding him against the cage wall. Santos puts his hands up in frustration while Dawson drops in a few knees and foot stomps, and decides to get out of danger by hitting a quick trip to put Dawson on his back. Santos climbs into the guard, but “KGD” butt-scoots his way to the fencing. Santos cannot keep him down for long, and Dawson turns him around to hunt for a single leg takedown. Tognoni asks Dawson to stay busy, so Dawson obliges by changing levels for a double. Santos stops this move and slaps Dawson in the side of the head, and there is a cut on the back corner of Dawson’s head. Santos spins him into the cage and grinds out the remainder of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Round 2
The lightweights again touch gloves to seal the cage, and Tognoni angrily tells them both to close their fists. Santos walks forward with a jab and a follow-up right hand, and he backs off when Dawson kicks the leg. Santos returns fire with his own kick, and there is another warning for fingers. Dawson aims a leg kick and then second, leading Santos to kick him to the body and then fall over. Dawson stings his man with a right hand, and Santos steps in with a knee to the chest. The Brazilian throws two front kicks, and the second pounds off Dawson’s cup and the American falls to his knees in pain. Dawson takes a full minute before coming back, and Santos apologizes to begin the round again. Santos blocks a head kick and quickly responds with a calf kick. Dawson is on him with a quicker combination of a leg kick and an overhand right, and the two trade kicks one after the other. Dawson hacks at the lead leg and drops Santos to a knee, but the Brazilian stands back up and drills Dawson on the side of the head. Dawson rushes forward for a takedown, and he is greeted by a stern knee to the solar plexus. “KGD” continues his forward movement to press Santos into the cage wall, and he keeps Santos stuck against the fence while unable to ground his opponent. Dawson embraces the grind while failing to take the fight down, all while Santos palm strikes him in the face repeatedly until Tognoni separates the two. Santos charges forward with a string of strikes until Dawson shoots in on him. Santos sees this coming, and he swirls around to take Dawson’s back. Dawson is able to stand back up, but Santos is working him to the side of the head. The two break and start slugging it out with both landing with impunity. Santos tags Dawson and backs off, but “KGD” races after him and nails him in the face with a spinning wheel kick. Santos bounces off the fence, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dawson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dawson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dawson
Round 3
The final round begins with a glove touch, and both men trade big shots and walk them off. Dawson winds up and whiffs on a big right hand, and he marches forward to land a heavy leg kick. Santos eats a few punches, and when he tries to counter with an overhand right, Dawson ducks it to take the fight down. The Brazilian stuffs it and gets pressed into the fence, as Dawson changes levels for a single. Like every time in the fight so far, Santos defends the takedown. This time, Dawson lifts his opponent in the air, but he sets him down when Santos is able to keep his balance. Both men grab the fence, and Dawson redoubles his effort and finally is able to take Santos down. Santos drops to his knees, and Dawson is on his back and stays heavy when Santos rolls to his side. “KGD” steps over to three-quarter mount, and Santos keeps him there and pulls him back to half guard. Santos absorbs a right hand, and he defends his face from further punishment but precious seconds are ticking off the clock. Santos turns to sweep but Dawson pushes him back over, where the American uses his shoulder to keep Santos flat on his back. Santos bucks but Dawson’s top control is smothering him. Dawson starts to drop down left hands, and he ties up an arm-triangle choke from above only to let it go and drop down a few hammerfists. Dawson continues to re-introduce his fist into Santos’ face again and again, and Santos just takes them flush and does not show any concern. Dawson sits up, and Santos pulls for a heel hook as Dawson stands to his feet. “KGD” slams his right hand into Santos’ face, and as he keeps blasting him, Santos is suddenly in big trouble.
Another right hand lands, and Santos’ hands drop and his grip releases because he is out cold! Dawson keeps smashing, and Santos’ mouthpiece goes flying to let Tognoni know that the Brazilian is completely unconscious.
Unbelievable! Dawson could have been down on the scorecards in the last round, and he scores the literal last-second knockout to hand Santos his first defeat in over a decade!
The Official Result
Grant Dawson def. Leonardo Santos R3 4:59 via KO (Punches)
Big Brady picks Grant Dawson but is hesitant, acknowledging Santos' power and takedown defense. He notes Dawson is younger and has a wrestling advantage, but Santos has extreme power and has stuffed takedowns before. Brady worries about Dawson's hittability and the weight cut up to 155. He expects Dawson to win by decision through pressure and volume, but says it's a dog-or-pass fight and might look at Santos' KO prop.
Daniel Levi picks Grant Dawson, expecting him to overwhelm Santos with cardio and pace in the later rounds. He notes Dawson's ability to recover from big shots and sees Santos' cardio as a potential weakness. He mentions James Krause's confidence in Dawson's submission ability but doesn't necessarily predict a submission. He acknowledges the early rounds could be sketchy.
Dawson is younger, faster, and has better cardio. He should use calf kicks and stay on the feet early to drain Santos' energy before taking him down. Santos has knockout power and solid takedown defense, but his cardio is lacking. Dawson's path is a decision win, but the price is too steep at -190. This is a no-bet due to the volatility.
The MMA Guru picks Grant Dawson over Leonardo Santos. He praises Dawson's wrestling and grappling, noting he is not a scrambly grappler and is content to rest in half guard and land total strikes. He expects Dawson to control Santos against the cage for the first two rounds and win by unanimous decision. He acknowledges Santos is dangerous and has KO power, but thinks the 41-year-old will slow down.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 66 of 119 | 55% | 116 of 181 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
| Roman Bogatov | 0 | 50 of 117 | 42% | 81 of 155 | 1 of 11 | 9% | 0 | 1 | 6:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leonardo Santos | 0 | 20 of 47 | 42% | 21 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Roman Bogatov | 0 | 19 of 50 | 38% | 19 of 50 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Leonardo Santos | 0 | 43 of 61 | 70% | 75 of 103 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Roman Bogatov | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 27 of 48 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:38 | |
| 3 | Leonardo Santos | 0 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 20 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Roman Bogatov | 0 | 18 of 37 | 48% | 35 of 57 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 3:29 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Santos | 66 of 119 | 55% | 56 of 106 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 42 of 89 | 10 of 12 | 14 of 18 |
| Roman Bogatov | 50 of 117 | 42% | 24 of 82 | 20 of 29 | 6 of 6 | 37 of 96 | 6 of 7 | 7 of 14 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leonardo Santos | 20 of 47 | 42% | 13 of 38 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 |
| Roman Bogatov | 19 of 50 | 38% | 7 of 34 | 7 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 18 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leonardo Santos | 43 of 61 | 70% | 41 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 37 | 7 of 8 | 13 of 16 |
| Roman Bogatov | 13 of 30 | 43% | 8 of 23 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 13 | |
| 3 | Leonardo Santos | 3 of 11 | 27% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Roman Bogatov | 18 of 37 | 48% | 9 of 25 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 30 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 |
Big Brady picks Leonardo Santos by submission in round 2, highlighting Santos' fourth-degree BJJ black belt and improved striking. He believes Bogatov's path to victory via takedowns plays into Santos' strength, and Santos can catch him in a submission or win on the feet.
Daniel Levi picks Leonardo Santos, calling him an underrated badass with world-class jiu-jitsu and knockout power. He acknowledges Bogatov's wrestling and pressure style could make it close, but believes Santos's experience, well-roundedness, and ability to capitalize on openings (submission or KO) will prevail. He notes Santos's age and layoffs but thinks his style keeps him fresh.
Santos is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist with improving striking, as shown by his knockout of Stevie Ray. Bogatov wants to wrestle, but that plays into Santos's strength. Expects Santos to win by submission, likely an armbar in the second round.
The Guru does not discuss this fight in the transcript. No pick is made.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Stevie Ray | 1 | 12 of 16 | 75% | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leonardo Santos | 0 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Stevie Ray | 1 | 12 of 16 | 75% | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Santos | 2 of 11 | 18% | 0 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Stevie Ray | 12 of 16 | 75% | 4 of 5 | 6 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leonardo Santos | 2 of 11 | 18% | 0 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Stevie Ray | 12 of 16 | 75% | 4 of 5 | 6 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 23 of 70 | 32% | 23 of 70 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Adriano Martins | 0 | 34 of 83 | 40% | 34 of 84 | 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 | Leonardo Santos | 0 | 4 of 22 | 18% | 4 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Adriano Martins | 0 | 3 of 18 | 16% | 3 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Leonardo Santos | 0 | 9 of 28 | 32% | 9 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Adriano Martins | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 12 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Leonardo Santos | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Adriano Martins | 0 | 19 of 39 | 48% | 19 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Santos | 23 of 70 | 32% | 9 of 47 | 7 of 16 | 7 of 7 | 22 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Adriano Martins | 34 of 83 | 40% | 8 of 48 | 6 of 10 | 20 of 25 | 34 of 83 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leonardo Santos | 4 of 22 | 18% | 0 of 11 | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Adriano Martins | 3 of 18 | 16% | 0 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leonardo Santos | 9 of 28 | 32% | 2 of 19 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 9 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adriano Martins | 12 of 26 | 46% | 2 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 9 | 12 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Leonardo Santos | 10 of 20 | 50% | 7 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adriano Martins | 19 of 39 | 48% | 6 of 24 | 3 of 5 | 10 of 10 | 19 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Santos | 1 | 32 of 48 | 66% | 32 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Kevin Lee | 0 | 10 of 46 | 21% | 10 of 46 | 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 | Leonardo Santos | 1 | 32 of 48 | 66% | 32 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Kevin Lee | 0 | 10 of 46 | 21% | 10 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Santos | 32 of 48 | 66% | 22 of 38 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 18 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 18 |
| Kevin Lee | 10 of 46 | 21% | 5 of 40 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leonardo Santos | 32 of 48 | 66% | 22 of 38 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 18 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 18 |
| Kevin Lee | 10 of 46 | 21% | 5 of 40 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 12 of 39 | 30% | 16 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:27 |
| Anthony Rocco Martin | 0 | 14 of 36 | 38% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leonardo Santos | 0 | 5 of 23 | 21% | 8 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Anthony Rocco Martin | 0 | 9 of 25 | 36% | 19 of 35 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:48 | |
| 2 | Leonardo Santos | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 8 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:07 |
| Anthony Rocco Martin | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Santos | 12 of 39 | 30% | 6 of 25 | 0 of 3 | 6 of 11 | 12 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Anthony Rocco Martin | 14 of 36 | 38% | 8 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 14 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leonardo Santos | 5 of 23 | 21% | 2 of 14 | 0 of 3 | 3 of 6 | 5 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Anthony Rocco Martin | 9 of 25 | 36% | 5 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leonardo Santos | 7 of 16 | 43% | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Anthony Rocco Martin | 5 of 11 | 45% | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Jared Gordon over Leonardo Santos. He notes that Santos is a phenomenal BJJ practitioner with deceptive power, but at 41 and on a two-fight losing streak, his cardio and takedown accuracy (29%) are concerns. Gordon was taken down seven times by Grant Dawson, but Angelo believes Gordon's pressure and striking volume will be the difference, similar to his win over Joe Solecki. He thinks Gordon can stay tough and grind out a decision.
Big Brady picks Jared Gordon but is hesitant. He acknowledges that Leonardo Santos is more skilled everywhere and has a seven-inch reach advantage, but Santos is 42 years old with terrible cardio, gassing out after five minutes. Gordon has poor durability but excellent cardio. Brady expects Gordon to survive the first round and take over in the second and third, winning a decision. He mentions the first round will be a sweat and suggests the Santos first-round prop could be in play.
Cody picks Gordon, emphasizing Gordon's cardio and pressure. He notes Santos' history of gassing out and thinks Gordon can grind him down. He expects Gordon to win by decision but acknowledges the risk of Santos' early power.
Daniel Levi leans toward Leonardo Santos as a dog, but he is not confident. He notes that Santos is better everywhere technically, but at 42 years old he has only one round of gas left. Levi thinks Santos can hurt Gordon early, but if he doesn't finish, Gordon's pace will take over. He calls it a dog-or-pass situation and says if he were to bet, he would take Santos.
Gordon should outwork Santos and win a decision, but the -265 price is too steep for the host's liking. Santos has knockout power and could catch Gordon, especially early. The host prefers Gordon by decision at +125 as a prop, and notes Santos by KO at +700 is live. He is not betting Gordon at this price.
Paul picks Santos as a dog, citing his power and submission threat. He took a small sprinkle on Santos by submission at +900. He thinks Santos could catch Gordon early, but acknowledges Gordon's pressure and cardio could be factors.
The Guru predicts Jared Gordon wins by third-round submission via arm triangle. He describes Gordon pushing Santos against the cage, landing knees and punches, and threatening submissions. He sees Santos slowing down due to age (42), and Gordon taking mount and locking in the arm triangle on a gassed Santos.
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