Career Averages - Josh Culibao
Career Averages - SeungWoo Choi
Josh Culibao
SeungWoo Choi
Josh Culibao - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricardo Ramos | 1 | 70 of 127 | 55% | 92 of 150 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:30 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 27 of 118 | 22% | 39 of 134 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricardo Ramos | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 20 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 2 of 31 | 6% | 3 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 2:41 | |
| 2 | Ricardo Ramos | 1 | 34 of 61 | 55% | 36 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:28 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 10 of 33 | 30% | 12 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ricardo Ramos | 0 | 26 of 45 | 57% | 36 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 15 of 54 | 27% | 24 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:28 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricardo Ramos | 70 of 127 | 55% | 40 of 91 | 9 of 10 | 21 of 26 | 58 of 112 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 14 |
| Josh Culibao | 27 of 118 | 22% | 16 of 92 | 6 of 11 | 5 of 15 | 25 of 116 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricardo Ramos | 10 of 21 | 47% | 3 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Josh Culibao | 2 of 31 | 6% | 1 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 8 | 2 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ricardo Ramos | 34 of 61 | 55% | 19 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 16 | 23 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 14 |
| Josh Culibao | 10 of 33 | 30% | 5 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ricardo Ramos | 26 of 45 | 57% | 18 of 35 | 6 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 25 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Josh Culibao | 15 of 54 | 27% | 10 of 43 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 4 | 13 of 52 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Josh Culibao but is hesitant, acknowledging that Ricardo Ramos is dangerous everywhere and a live underdog. He thinks Culibao is a bit chinny and has mediocre takedown defense, but trusts his cardio and toughness to survive early chaos and find his rhythm. He notes that Ramos was just submitted in the first round but is still very good, and suggests the under 2.5 rounds might be a good bet.
Big Brady picks Ricardo Ramos to win by decision, but is hesitant. He believes skill-for-skill Ramos can hang on the feet and has all the grappling upside, as he is a BJJ black belt and Culibao has made mistakes on the mat. However, he is terrified because Ramos has a history of quitting and has been finished in all five of his UFC losses, including back-to-back guillotine submissions. He notes Culibao seems tough as nails. He expects a close, competitive fight with Ramos mixing in takedowns, but says he might not bet this one.
Cody sees Ramos as the more skilled fighter with good wrestling and BJJ, and notes that Culibao has poor takedown defense and has been controlled in recent fights. He acknowledges Ramos has been submitted in his last two but believes Culibao doesn't have the same submission threat. Cody calls it a dogger pass and takes the plus money.
Daniel Vreeland picks Ricardo Ramos as an underdog, believing he has a clear path to victory via grappling and back takes. He notes that Culibao gives up his back and that Ramos is the more talented fighter, though durability and mental toughness are concerns. Vreeland sees this as a dog-or-pass situation and thinks the line should be closer to pick'em.
The host picks Ramos but with very low confidence, noting his gritty style and ability to dictate pace. He questions Ramos' technical advantages and recent performances, and also doubts Culibao's ability to thrive in wars. He expects a decision win for Ramos, but hopes Culibao wins.
Paul likes Culibao's brawling style and forward pressure, and questions Ramos' weight cut and recent performances. He notes that Culibao has been competitive in losses and that Ramos has been submitted quickly in his last two fights. Paul believes Culibao's volume and pressure will be enough to win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Josh Culibao over Ricardo Ramos. He criticizes Ramos as a quitter who makes dumb decisions, such as rolling for legs and ending up on bottom, or jumping into guillotines. He praises Culibao as consistently good, with a good chin, pace, and rarely getting caught. He notes Culibao doesn't gas out or put himself in bad positions. He expects Ramos to make a mistake and get finished.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Silva | 0 | 87 of 202 | 43% | 89 of 205 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 45 of 107 | 42% | 56 of 119 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 | 0 | 5:28 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danny Silva | 0 | 32 of 80 | 40% | 32 of 80 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 12 of 29 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:25 | |
| 2 | Danny Silva | 0 | 27 of 55 | 49% | 28 of 57 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 11 of 30 | 36% | 13 of 32 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:59 | |
| 3 | Danny Silva | 0 | 28 of 67 | 41% | 29 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 23 of 49 | 46% | 31 of 58 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Silva | 87 of 202 | 43% | 59 of 168 | 20 of 26 | 8 of 8 | 86 of 199 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Josh Culibao | 45 of 107 | 42% | 28 of 82 | 11 of 18 | 6 of 7 | 44 of 106 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danny Silva | 32 of 80 | 40% | 23 of 69 | 7 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 32 of 80 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Josh Culibao | 11 of 28 | 39% | 6 of 22 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Danny Silva | 27 of 55 | 49% | 17 of 44 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 27 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Josh Culibao | 11 of 30 | 36% | 10 of 25 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Danny Silva | 28 of 67 | 41% | 19 of 55 | 7 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 27 of 64 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Josh Culibao | 23 of 49 | 46% | 12 of 35 | 7 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is surprised the line is -170 for Culibao, but he thinks Culibao is the much better fighter everywhere. Culibao is a solid, aggressive striker who throws with heat and is always live for a knockout, while Silva has clean technique but is not dangerous and can be taken down. He notes Culibao looked terrible in his last loss but still expects him to win, and advises jumping on the line early as it may widen.
Big Brady picks Danny Silva to win by third-round knockout. He likes Silva's relentless pressure and high volume, and thinks he can break Culibao, who has been finished before. He acknowledges Culibao's power but believes Silva's chin and pace will be too much.
Cody picks Danny Silva as the underdog, citing his high volume and durability. He notes Culibao has low output (career high 53 significant strikes) and no takedowns in the UFC. Silva throws volume and can outwork Culibao, though he may get caught. He sees Silva's activity swaying the judges.
The host expects a firefight on the feet but believes Culibao will eventually drag the fight to the ground and implement a submission-heavy game. He predicts Culibao will snatch a submission and mentions that the under 2.5 rounds is likely the best value.
Paul picks Josh Culibao, citing his experience and power. He is not impressed by Silva's regional competition and thinks Culibao can intercept Silva's recklessness with his own power. He acknowledges Silva's volume but believes Culibao's power and experience give him the edge.
The Guru picks Danny Silva, impressed by his contender series performance and pace. He criticizes Culibao's recent wins as unimpressive, noting he was manhandled by Jai Herbert and struggled against low-level opponents. He believes Silva's body shots and power will be key, and that Culibao is 'soft-bodied' and vulnerable. He also mentions Culibao took a beating from Lerone Murphy.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lerone Murphy | 1 | 59 of 109 | 54% | 87 of 144 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 | 0 | 7:38 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 23 of 59 | 38% | 40 of 77 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lerone Murphy | 0 | 18 of 37 | 48% | 18 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:13 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 11 of 34 | 32% | 20 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Lerone Murphy | 0 | 12 of 23 | 52% | 24 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:39 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 14 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 | |
| 3 | Lerone Murphy | 1 | 29 of 49 | 59% | 45 of 69 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 | 0 | 3:46 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lerone Murphy | 59 of 109 | 54% | 37 of 81 | 15 of 18 | 7 of 10 | 24 of 61 | 12 of 14 | 23 of 34 |
| Josh Culibao | 23 of 59 | 38% | 16 of 48 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 5 | 19 of 53 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lerone Murphy | 18 of 37 | 48% | 8 of 25 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 15 of 33 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Josh Culibao | 11 of 34 | 32% | 7 of 26 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 5 | 10 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Lerone Murphy | 12 of 23 | 52% | 6 of 15 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
| Josh Culibao | 7 of 16 | 43% | 5 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Lerone Murphy | 29 of 49 | 59% | 23 of 41 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 10 | 6 of 7 | 21 of 32 |
| Josh Culibao | 5 of 9 | 55% | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo favors Lerone Murphy's fluid striking and power, noting that Josh Culibao gets hit often. He mentions Murphy's takedown defense is low but he scrambles well, and the judges seem to favor him. He has a half-unit bet on Murphy at -145.
Big Brady picks Lerone Murphy by decision. He notes this is a different matchup than Murphy's last fight against a grappler, as Culibao has zero takedowns in the UFC. He thinks Murphy's striking and volume will be key, and he has hometown advantage in London. He believes even if it's close, the judges will favor the undefeated fighter in London.
Cody picks Murphy, noting his well-roundedness, accurate striking, and wrestling. He thinks Murphy's volume and home crowd advantage will secure a decision. He is surprised by the line movement and thinks Murphy is being disrespected.
Daniel leans toward Lerone Murphy, primarily due to potential hometown judging bias in London. He acknowledges Josh Culibao is a tough, scrappy fighter who finds ways to win, but thinks Murphy's volume and well-roundedness give him a slight edge. He notes that if the fight were in neutral territory, he'd view it as a pick'em, but in the UK, he gives Murphy a slight advantage. He expects a close fight, possibly a split decision.
James leans towards Josh Culibao as the underdog side. He thinks the fight is close and likely to go to a split decision. He notes that Culibao may have some advantages like takedowns but is open on the feet. He mentions that Murphy has power but Culibao has good recovery. James says whoever is the underdog is probably the side, and at +130, Culibao has value.
The host leans with Lerone Murphy, citing his physical advantages, explosiveness, speed, and power. He expects Murphy to land big shots and possibly knockdowns to thwart Culibao's pressure. He predicts a decision win but says he'll likely stay off the fight for betting.
Paul picks Murphy, citing his heart and ability to overcome adversity in his last fight. He thinks Murphy's jab and accuracy will win rounds, and that Culibao's level of opposition is low. He expects Murphy to chip away and win.
The MMA Guru picks Lerone Murphy, initially considering Josh Culibao but reasoning that Murphy's poor performance against Gabriel Santos was due to short notice and injuries. He believes Murphy's composure and technical striking will outpoint Culibao, and notes the UK crowd advantage. The Guru also mentions Murphy's ability to find top position and his difficulty to finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 16 of 45 | 35% | 16 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Melsik Baghdasaryan | 0 | 26 of 44 | 59% | 26 of 44 | 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 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 11 of 31 | 35% | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Melsik Baghdasaryan | 0 | 18 of 30 | 60% | 18 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Melsik Baghdasaryan | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 8 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Culibao | 16 of 45 | 35% | 3 of 24 | 3 of 8 | 10 of 13 | 15 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Melsik Baghdasaryan | 26 of 44 | 59% | 6 of 19 | 8 of 10 | 12 of 15 | 24 of 41 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Culibao | 11 of 31 | 35% | 1 of 15 | 1 of 5 | 9 of 11 | 11 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Melsik Baghdasaryan | 18 of 30 | 60% | 3 of 12 | 5 of 7 | 10 of 11 | 18 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Josh Culibao | 5 of 14 | 35% | 2 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Melsik Baghdasaryan | 8 of 14 | 57% | 3 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Culibao (-120), Baghdasaryan (+100)
Round 1
Featherweights take center stage next in a matchup where neither man has ever landed a submission, so fists and feet are sure to fly. Repping his home country, Culibao (10-1-1, 2-1-1 UFC) collides with one of Glendale Fighting Club’s few remaining members in a major organization, Baghdasaryan (7-1, 2-0 UFC). Chins are sure to be tested early and often, so referee Peter Hickmott has strapped on his hard hat and is ready for the action. Despite the bad blood that developed on fight week, fists are bumped before they are swung. Baghdasaryan leads off with a leg kick, and he fires off a second in rapid succession. Culibao loops a head kick back in response, and he comes up short. Baghdasaryan pokes at the calf with his shin again, and Culibao winds up to make him pay with two of his own. The two trade low kicks one after the other, and Culibao changes stances after taking a particularly solid one. Culibao goes up high with a kick that is blocked, and he gets spun around from a chopping kick from “The Gun.” Culibao tries to close in and swipe out with a left hook, but Baghdasaryan is out of the way before it reaches him. Baghdasaryan digs a kick right to the liver, and Culibao winds up with one up high to respond but is just short. Baghdasaryan kicks the body again, and he settles down with a right hand when recoiling. Baghdasaryan gest off a low kick before Culibao can catch him back, and Culibao peppers him with three more as Baghdasaryan nods and smiles at him. The two get fired up and launch big left hooks, and Culibao begins to start checking the kick. Baghdasaryan goes up top with a kick and pulls back before Culibao can reach him in a reply. The two are trapped in a form of a mirror match, where one lands and the other tries to give the same blow back almost immediately. Baghdasaryan connects with a clean right hand to draw a stream of blood out of the nose, and he checks an oncoming low kick to follow. Baghdasaryan times a low kick to launch a left hand over the top, and Culibao just barely rolls it. Baghdasaryan spins with a back kick, and the heel smashes square into the cup and Culibao hits the mat in excruciating pain. Hickmott splits them up and informs Culibao he has five minutes to recover. Baghdasaryan tries to signal that it was not a groin shot, but on replay, he is informed of the foul. Baghdasaryan goes to apologize, and Culibao, still in agony, recognizes it was not at all intentional and holds no ill will. Culibao signals that after about two minutes, he is good to go, and the doctor is ushered out of the cage. Upon restart, Culibao lets fly a head kick, Baghdasaryan does the same, and the latter uses the momentum to fire off a tornado kick right before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Baghdasaryan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Baghdasaryan
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Baghdasaryan
Round 2
Baghdasaryan offers a fist bump, and Culibao accepts it. Baghdasaryan comes up short by a matter of inches with an axe kick, and they crash together in an exchange and clash heads. Culibao protests, and Hickmott to tells them to fight on as Culibao reels. Baghdasaryan does not give chase, and instead appears to take a little time to clear his own head. Baghdasaryan reaches out with his right hand outstretched to hand-fight, and Culibao winds up with two kicks that make Baghdasaryan nod at him. They trade low kicks, and Baghdasaryan targets the body with his shin. Baghdasaryan kicks low, and
Culibao stabs out a jab and tackles him over to the floor to grab hold of his man in an instant. Baghdasaryan turns to his knees to stand back up, but this is the worst decision he can make, as Culibao takes his back and latches on to a rear-naked choke. The forearm begins to crush Baghdasaryan’s bottom jaw with the Californian’s mouth open, and Culibao sneakily slides it under the chin to cinch it up completely. Baghdasaryan does not need more than a second or two before he surrenders,
and Culibao has now landed the first submission of his career. The crowd goes wild, and Culibao leaps atop the cage and motions to the crowd to give him a beer. “Kuya” does not end up getting one in time, but he will likely be treated to many on the way out and more celebrating tonight.
The Official Result
Joshua Culibao def. Melsik Baghdasaryan R2 2:02 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo leans towards Josh Culibao, citing his impressive striking defense in his last fight and speed advantage. He notes that Melsik Baghdasaryan has raw power but struggled against a short-notice opponent. He expects a close fight and suggests betting on the plus 3.5 points line for the underdog, as it's likely a 29-28 decision.
Big Brady thinks this is a close fight and has no strong lean. He picks Baghdasaryan as the better striker with more tools on the feet, but notes Baghdasaryan's cardio issues. He expects a close decision, possibly split, and acknowledges Culibao's underrated skills.
Cody picks Culibao, noting he is young (28) and has shown power and wrestling. He thinks Culibao can mix in takedowns and pressure, and has the crowd on his side. He is not confident because Culibao is even money and he doesn't like betting him at that price. He sees Baghdasaryan as one-dimensional and injury-prone.
Connor picks Culibao, emphasizing that Baghdasaryan's kicks are not a great way to maintain distance and that Culibao can pressure him, put a pace on him, and work his boxing. He notes that Baghdasaryan resets after every strike, giving Culibao opportunities to counter. Connor also points out that Culibao has remarkable poise and determination, and that Baghdasaryan's fights often look closer than they should because he doesn't finish people.
Baghdasaryan has heavy hands and good power. Culibao's pressure style could walk into a knockout. Baghdasaryan has shown discipline and patience, finishing Colin England in round two. Culibao is durable but has been hurt before. Baghdasaryan's power should be the difference early. If it goes longer, Culibao's pressure could cause issues, but Baghdasaryan likely lands a big shot in the first round.
Paul slightly leans Baghdasaryan if the fight becomes a 15-minute standup battle, citing his more complex striking and higher volume. He notes Culibao's low output in recent fights. However, he is not betting the fight and rates neither fighter's wrestling highly.
The MMA Guru picks Melsik Baghdasaryan over Josh Culibao, noting that Culibao's success comes from opponents getting wild, while Baghdasaryan is composed and fundamental. He expects a tactical fight with Baghdasaryan winning by decision 29-28, landing more strikes without getting into scrambles.
Zane picks Culibao because he is a prepared and disciplined fighter who sticks to his game plan. He notes that Culibao has a knack for creating gritty wins and that Baghdasaryan's kicking-heavy style is vulnerable to pressure and clinch work. Zane believes Culibao can crash through Baghdasaryan's range, take him down, or grind him against the fence, and that Baghdasaryan's finishing ability has dried up at the UFC level.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 46 of 163 | 28% | 64 of 184 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 2 | 51 of 111 | 45% | 69 of 132 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 17 of 62 | 27% | 18 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 23 of 47 | 48% | 35 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 | |
| 2 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 16 of 59 | 27% | 16 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 19 of 43 | 44% | 19 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 13 of 42 | 30% | 30 of 62 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:05 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 15 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Culibao | 46 of 163 | 28% | 29 of 137 | 6 of 14 | 11 of 12 | 39 of 147 | 4 of 10 | 3 of 6 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 51 of 111 | 45% | 40 of 97 | 7 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 40 of 95 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Culibao | 17 of 62 | 27% | 13 of 56 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 58 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 23 of 47 | 48% | 20 of 42 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 17 of 36 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 7 | |
| 2 | Josh Culibao | 16 of 59 | 27% | 10 of 50 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 15 of 56 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 19 of 43 | 44% | 16 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Josh Culibao | 13 of 42 | 30% | 6 of 31 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 33 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 6 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 9 of 21 | 42% | 4 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Choi, expecting him to keep the fight technical and avoid a brawl. He notes Culibao is tough and has power but is willing to fight dirty, which could be dangerous. However, he believes Choi's technical striking and ability to mix in takedowns will secure a decision win.
Big Brady picks SeungWoo Choi to win by decision. He notes that Choi is a very good Muay Thai striker with power, while Culibao has zero takedown accuracy in the UFC and is unlikely to take Choi down. He expects the fight to stay on the feet, where Choi has the advantage.
Cody picks Choi, citing his length, Muay Thai background, and improved takedown defense. He thinks Choi's striking will be too much for Culibao, who is shorter and less technical. He expects Choi to win by decision or late stoppage.
Daniel Levi picks SeungWoo Choi, citing his physicality, knockout power, and technical striking. He is not fully convinced about Josh Culibao's ceiling and sees Choi as the better athlete. He notes that Culibao's best chance is to win competitive striking exchanges, but Choi's advantages should prevail. He is not betting the fight.
Choi is the better striker with range and power. Culibao wants to brawl, but Choi can stay on the outside and pick him apart. Culibao's chin is granite, so a decision is likely. Choi is a solid parlay piece. I think Choi wins by decision.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Choi's length and striking advantage. He thinks Culibao's takedowns won't be effective and that Choi will control the distance. He sees Choi as the rightful favorite.
The MMA Guru picks SeungWoo Choi by 29-28 decision, but warns not to sleep on Josh Culibao. He acknowledges Culibao's skills and close fight with Jordan, but believes Choi's superior stand-up, reach advantage, and Muay Thai credentials will give him the edge. He expects Choi to win the first two rounds clearly, with Culibao possibly taking the third due to volume. He rates Choi's chances at 6.5-7 out of 10, not higher.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 53 of 104 | 50% | 87 of 140 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 0 | 17 of 63 | 26% | 23 of 71 | 2 of 14 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 6:06 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 11 of 14 | 78% | 21 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 0 | 6 of 18 | 33% | 9 of 21 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 3:40 | |
| 2 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 21 of 44 | 47% | 34 of 58 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 0 | 5 of 21 | 23% | 5 of 22 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 | |
| 3 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 21 of 46 | 45% | 32 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 0 | 6 of 24 | 25% | 9 of 28 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Culibao | 53 of 104 | 50% | 34 of 82 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 21 | 51 of 101 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 17 of 63 | 26% | 13 of 55 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 4 | 12 of 53 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Culibao | 11 of 14 | 78% | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 6 of 18 | 33% | 4 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 12 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Josh Culibao | 21 of 44 | 47% | 12 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 11 | 20 of 43 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 5 of 21 | 23% | 4 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Josh Culibao | 21 of 46 | 45% | 16 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 45 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 6 of 24 | 25% | 5 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Culibao based on superior competition and a strong performance against Charles Jourdain (a draw he thought Culibao won). He expects a decision win but notes a knockout wouldn't shock him. He acknowledges Nuerdanbieke's solid wrestling and striking but questions his level of opposition.
Cody Saftic picks Josh Culibao, noting that Nuerdanbieke's record is built on low-level Chinese competition and that he looked out of place in his UFC debut. He believes Culibao's boxing and takedown defense will be enough to win, likely by knockout. Saftic is interested in the under 2.5 rounds at plus money, as he expects a finish.
Daniel Levi picks Josh Culibao, noting that Culibao has faced tough competition in the UFC (Jalin Turner, Charles Jourdain) and has paid his dues training with Volkanovski. He believes Shayilan Nuerdanbieke is not ready for the UFC, citing the poor performances of Chinese male prospects and the difficulty of the long flight from China. He expects Culibao to get his first UFC win.
Matt picks Josh Culibao by KO, but is not betting the fight due to the high price (-250). He thinks Culibao's toughness and pressure will be too much for Shayilan, who has faced weak competition. He notes Chinese fighters have not performed well in the UFC recently. He sees Culibao landing better strikes and possibly mixing in takedowns, and likes the KO prop at +350.
Paul Shaughnessy picks Culibao, echoing Saftic's concerns about Nuerdanbieke's level of competition. He notes that Culibao has fought tougher opponents and that his boxing looked improved in his last fight. He believes Culibao will win by knockout or decision, but prefers the under 2.5 rounds as a bet.
The MMA Guru predicts Josh Culibao will win by first-round TKO via a straight right hand. He believes Culibao will be too fast and powerful in the opening round, and that Nuerdanbieke's only chance is a first-round finish. Culibao will land a straight right down the pipe to put Nuerdanbieke down and finish him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 44 of 101 | 43% | 68 of 126 | 0 of 0 | --- | 3 | 0 | 2:51 |
| Josh Culibao | 1 | 46 of 124 | 37% | 51 of 130 | 0 of 7 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:28 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Jourdain | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Josh Culibao | 1 | 10 of 34 | 29% | 10 of 34 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:10 | |
| 2 | Charles Jourdain | 0 | 16 of 43 | 37% | 23 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 21 of 55 | 38% | 21 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Charles Jourdain | 0 | 21 of 44 | 47% | 37 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 1:59 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 15 of 35 | 42% | 20 of 41 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 44 of 101 | 43% | 17 of 63 | 10 of 19 | 17 of 19 | 34 of 81 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 20 |
| Josh Culibao | 46 of 124 | 37% | 19 of 78 | 22 of 40 | 5 of 6 | 40 of 115 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Jourdain | 7 of 14 | 50% | 0 of 4 | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Josh Culibao | 10 of 34 | 29% | 4 of 17 | 3 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 30 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Charles Jourdain | 16 of 43 | 37% | 4 of 24 | 5 of 11 | 7 of 8 | 15 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Josh Culibao | 21 of 55 | 38% | 9 of 37 | 12 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 21 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Charles Jourdain | 21 of 44 | 47% | 13 of 35 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 6 | 12 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 19 |
| Josh Culibao | 15 of 35 | 42% | 6 of 24 | 7 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Churning right along to a featherweight contest between two men hungry for a win, massive favorite “Air” Jourdain (10-3, 1-2 UFC) takes on Culibao (8-1, 0-1 UFC) in a scrap that has only seen them go the distance three times across their 18 wins. Referee Jason Herzog is charge of the cage for this one, and a glove touch precedes the action. Jourdain embraces his nickname by flying out of his corner with a flying kick that would make Liu Kang proud. Culibao evades it and backs off, and Jourdain is on him throwing kicks and a flying knee. Culibao grabs hold of him as he blocks part of the knee, pushing the Canadian into the cage and pursuing a trip takedown. Jourdain keeps his balance as he hops around while Culibao locks up a knee, and the two push off. Culibao throws up a head kick that gets blocked, and “Air” Jourdain slaps the lead leg with his own kick. They punch at the same time, and Jourdain targets the leg again. Culibao fires back with kicks to the body and head, and Jourdan walks through them but takes another kick to his waist. Jourdain hammers a leg kick that makes Culibao stumble, and Culibao blasts Jourdain in the face with a right hand to send the Canadian crashing to the ground. When Jourdain stands up, he gives up his neck and Culibao snatches on with a choke. Jourdain stands up as his nose is busted, and Culibao pushes him to the cage. Jourdain defends it by sprawling and fishing for a guillotine choke of his own, and Culibao pulls his head out and falls back into the same place. Jourdan wrenches him down and locks up the mounted guillotine choke before rolling to north-south position. Culibao scrambles wildly, bucking and yanking his neck out of danger. Jourdain gets up and allows his foe to stand, where he fires off one last kick to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Culibao
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Culibao
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Culibao
Round 2
Jourdain attacks the body in the early going, landing a few shots and avoiding a flying strike from the Aussie. Culibao connects with a right hand, and then a left-right catches Jourdain on the chin. Jourdain lures him in and leaps forward with a knee, but Culibao evades it in time. Jourdain switches to a pair of body kicks, and Culibao comes back at him with a lunging left hand. Culibao sticks out a few jabs and gets kicked in the leg, where Jourdain follows through with a left to the gut. Jourdain fires off a head kick and ducks a left hand, and he commits to another left head kick. Jourdain pushes off, and Culibao clutches his eye. When the action pauses as Culibao rubs his eye, Culibao admits that he poked himself in the eye. A surprised Herzog restarts the fight immediately, and Williams charges in and throws a few kicks. Culibao is ready waiting for him with a few thumping body kicks, and Jourdain presses forward but gets countered coming in. “Air” Jourdain lands another leg kick, and he barely blocks a one-two that comes screaming at his face. Culibao jumps forward with a few punches, and Jourdain slings a wild left hook. Three punches from Culibao end with a punch to the body, and Culibao stumbles and falls forward. Trying to turn this into a takedown, Jourdain latches on to the neck and turns Culibao over. Jourdain cannot sink the choke in as Culibao gets back to his knees, so Jourdain stays content to work the body until the horn halts the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Culibao
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Round 3
When the third round begins, Culibao kicks the body and pushes forward to press Jourdain into the cage wall. The Aussie pursues a body lock takedown, but he cannot secure it and the Canadian frees himself from his grip. Jourdain bites down on his mouthpiece and wings a right hand, where he hurts Culibao. Jourdain pours it on as he swings with reckless abandon in the form of wild punches and flying knees. Culibao backs to the fence and turtles up, where he waits for Jourdain to stop striking so he can unleash a few punches. Culibao manages to get him backed off, but Jourdain kicks at him a few times. Culibao lands a kick to the groin, but Jourdain is amped up and asks to keep going. Culibao shoots in low for a takedown, and Jourdain goes hunting for the guillotine choke again. The Canadian jumps down with the choke on top, but it is not tight, so he breaks the grip and lands some punches from half guard. When Jourdain tries to get off some more strikes from on top, Culibao recovers full guard and defends against most of the strikes that come his way. Jourdain postures up after scoring a few punches to the body by landing some huge shots. Culibao rolls over in pain, and Herzog thinks it might have been an illegal blow so he does not stop the fight. Jourdain hops on top to grab hold of an armbar, and while he is looking to secure it, he hammers Culibao on the top of the head with elbows. Jourdain tightens up his legs to turn the submission into a triangle armbar, and Culibao powers his way out and miraculously gets to his feet. Jourdain stumbles a little as he might have gassed his legs, and Culibao comes out firing. Jourdain leaps and misses with a pair of flying knees as Culibao points to the center of the cage to embody Max Holloway. The two oblige, trading right to the final bell to end this close fight with a flourish.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-28 Culibao)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-28 Jourdain)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-28 Jourdain)
The Official Result
Charles Jourdain vs. Joshua Culibao is ruled a Split Draw (30-27, 28-29, 28-28)
Big Brady confidently picks Charles Jourdain to win by knockout. He highlights Jourdain's durability, power, and technical striking, while noting Culibao was dominated by Jalen Turner and is not UFC caliber. He sees Jourdain as better everywhere.
Daniel picks Jourdain, citing his higher level of competition and flashy striking style. He expects Jourdain to either stop Culibao or style on him, noting that Culibao will look better at featherweight but Jourdain's pace and spirit will take over late. He mentions Jourdain's wrestling defense is shaky but believes his striking will be the difference.
The host acknowledges Jourdain's skill advantage but is concerned about his poor takedown defense, which could be exploited by Culibao. He predicts a first or second-round KO for Jourdain but finds the -440 line too steep to bet. He suggests inside the distance at -140 as a better option.
The Guru picks Charles Jourdain, praising his last performance against Andre Fili and his improved wrestling defense. He criticizes Culibao's competition and believes Jourdain will win in dominant fashion, predicting a TKO in the second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalin Turner | 0 | 55 of 91 | 60% | 90 of 129 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 3 | 0 | 4:21 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 12 of 28 | 42% | 12 of 30 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jalin Turner | 0 | 22 of 39 | 56% | 25 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 2:53 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 8 of 20 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 2 | Jalin Turner | 0 | 33 of 52 | 63% | 65 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:28 |
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalin Turner | 55 of 91 | 60% | 38 of 65 | 17 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 14 of 37 | 9 of 15 | 32 of 39 |
| Josh Culibao | 12 of 28 | 42% | 7 of 21 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 23 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jalin Turner | 22 of 39 | 56% | 9 of 19 | 13 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 19 | 6 of 11 | 9 of 9 |
| Josh Culibao | 8 of 18 | 44% | 4 of 12 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jalin Turner | 33 of 52 | 63% | 29 of 46 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 23 of 30 |
| Josh Culibao | 4 of 10 | 40% | 3 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Daniel Levi picks Josh Culibao for the upset, citing Jalin Turner's questionable chin and takedown defense. He notes that Turner has been knocked out multiple times and takes unnecessary hard shots. Levi believes Culibao, despite being undersized, has knockout power and can exploit Turner's defensive flaws. He predicts Culibao will get a knockout win and possibly a Performance of the Night bonus.
The host picks Josh Culibao, initially unsure but after learning Culibao is a featherweight, he sticks with him. He calls Jalin Turner 'complete trash' with an 8-5 record, and believes Culibao will get the job done despite being smaller.
SeungWoo Choi - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 16 of 44 | 36% | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kevin Vallejos | 1 | 14 of 27 | 51% | 26 of 39 | 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 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 16 of 44 | 36% | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kevin Vallejos | 1 | 14 of 27 | 51% | 26 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 16 of 44 | 36% | 4 of 20 | 1 of 8 | 11 of 16 | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kevin Vallejos | 14 of 27 | 51% | 4 of 12 | 3 of 6 | 7 of 9 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 16 of 44 | 36% | 4 of 20 | 1 of 8 | 11 of 16 | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kevin Vallejos | 14 of 27 | 51% | 4 of 12 | 3 of 6 | 7 of 9 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Kevin Vallejos over Choi Seung-woo. He is very confident in Vallejos, citing his power, speed, and the fact that Choi has been knocked out recently. He notes that UFC debuts can be nerve-wracking but believes Vallejos is the real deal. He expects the odds to move further in Vallejos' favor.
Big Brady picks Kevin Vallejos, calling Choi Seung-woo very hittable and chinny. He notes that Choi has been knocked down or finished by lesser strikers like Michael Trizano and Josh Culibao, and that his style of standing and banging when hurt will backfire against Vallejos. Brady expects Vallejos to land a brutal first-round knockout, predicting he 'pipes up' Choi on sight.
Cody picks Christian Leroy Duncan, citing his speed, movement, and ability to finish. He notes that Eric Anders has been knocked down in his last three fights and is 38 years old. He believes Duncan can land a knockout, possibly in the first round, and considers the KO prop at plus 200.
Connor agrees, noting that Vallejos is a much more natural puncher inside and that Choi will relegate himself to brawling. He compares Vallejos to Jack Della Maddalena without a jab, but still fearsome. He also mentions that Vallejos looks for ways in off his opponent's offense and is a damn good combination puncher once he gets you out of position.
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 believes this is a horrible matchup for Choi, who may have an output advantage but will eventually be caught by Vallejos crashing the pocket with big shots that put him clean out.
Paul also picks Duncan, noting that Anders is a low-volume fighter who has been dropped early in recent fights. He believes Duncan's speed and athleticism will be too much, and he expects a finish. He is considering the KO prop as well.
The MMA Guru is very high on Kevin Vallejos, calling him the 'people's Main Event' and a real deal prospect. He praises his striking, head movement, and defensive responsibility, noting he took Jean Silva to a decision on the Contender Series at age 21. He criticizes Choi Seung-woo's bad chin and knockout losses, including to Mike Trizano. He predicts Vallejos will get a TKO finish in the second round, possibly late first, and believes he will go far in the division.
Zane picks Vallejos because he believes Vallejos has a good chin (going three rounds with John Silva) and that Choi will eventually brawl, which favors Vallejos' natural pocket punching. He notes that Vallejos is a good combination puncher with defense, and that Choi cannot fight from distance forever. He acknowledges the competition level concern but thinks Vallejos has the tools.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 1 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 18 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 9 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 | Steve Garcia | 1 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 18 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 9 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 15 of 27 | 55% | 10 of 19 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 6 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 9 of 15 | 60% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 15 of 27 | 55% | 10 of 19 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 6 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 9 of 15 | 60% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Garcia (-148), Choi (+124)
Round 1
Finding himself in the unexpected situation of serving as the co-main event after the cancelation of Brad Tavares vs. Jun Yong Park, “Mean Machine” Garcia (15-5, 4-2 UFC) is ready to rise the occasion and lock down his fourth win in a row. The Jackson-Wink fighter will try to hand Choi (11-6, 4-5 UFC) his fourth loss in five fights, and the two featherweights will likely meet in the middle and throw down. When they do, referee Herb Dean will be hanging on tight. There is a touch of gloves, and Garcia is the initial aggressor as he gets into the center of the cage and lands a stomp kick to the knee. Garcia ducks back to avoid two looping hooks, only to race forward and bump into Choi’s forehead to tie him up. Garcia ties up a leg but is unable to put the South Korean down, and when Choi escapes, he throws hands. Garcia welcomes the exchange, and when things settle down, he lands another kick to the knee. Choi chambers and fires a low kick that puts Garcia down to a knee, and Garcia climbs back up and gets swept with another kick. Garcia wades forward, thinks about throwing a front kick and lets it go to stand and bang. Stand and bang is exactly what “Mean Machine” does, rocking Choi and getting clipped in a destructive exchange.
Garcia lands the cleaner of the blows as he continues to slug it out, and he knocks Choi off-balance with a left hand and floors him with another bomb of a left. Choi turns to his side and then knees in an effort to shell up and survive, but Garcia is a man possessed at getting the win. Garcia stings “Sting” repeatedly with hammerfists, raining down a seemingly unending onslaught of fists until Dean has no choice but to stop the fight.
Choi looks up at Dean quizzically as blood streams from his mouth, and Garcia runs to the cage wall to scream and then scales it to shout even louder. This is a big moment for Garcia, who has now picked up four straight knockout victories. The triumphant Garcia calls for an MMA fight against Dan Ige, a popular name lately, while also calling out commentator Daniel Cormier for a golf match.
The Official Result
Steve Garcia def. Seung Woo Choi R1 1:36 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Steve Garcia because he is sneaky good with five UFC wins all by KO/TKO. He believes Garcia's striking and wrestling are there, and that Choi Seung-woo has been finished before. He has placed a bet on Garcia at -140 and expects the line to move.
Cody also picks Garcia but with less confidence, noting Garcia's own durability issues and the fact that both fighters have been dropped. He sees the fight as close to 50/50 and suggests taking Choi if plus money is available. He emphasizes the under 2.5 rounds as the best bet, expecting a violent finish.
Daniel Vreeland picks Steve Garcia by knockout, comparing the fight to a coin flip but ultimately choosing Garcia. He notes both fighters have high knockdown rates and can be dropped, but Garcia's size (6'0", 75" reach) and recent form (5 knockdowns in last 3 fights) give him the edge. He expects a stand-up war ending in a Garcia knockout.
Garcia is a -140 favorite. He relies on his knockout power and has a three-fight KO streak. Choi is more technical but has been finished before. Garcia can survive early pressure and land a big shot to get the KO. I prefer Garcia by knockout rather than moneyline, as his KO line is around +130.
Paul likes Garcia's momentum and power, noting his three-fight winning streak with five knockdowns. He questions Choi's durability, pointing out Choi has been knocked down five times in his last three fights. Paul thinks Garcia's power is the difference and expects a knockout, though he acknowledges both have shaky chins.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Garcia, noting he has doubted Garcia before but he keeps winning. He highlights Garcia's recent finishes over Malik El Kousa, Shannon Nurnbeck, and Chase Hooper, and his training at Jackson Wink. He points out Choi Seung-woo's questionable chin, getting wobbled in most fights, and believes Garcia's power and size at 145 will be too much.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 56 of 115 | 48% | 108 of 179 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 5:21 |
| Jarno Errens | 1 | 30 of 76 | 39% | 40 of 88 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 26 of 52 | 50% | 29 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:55 |
| Jarno Errens | 0 | 18 of 41 | 43% | 18 of 41 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 | |
| 2 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 28 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:34 |
| Jarno Errens | 1 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 14 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:17 | |
| 3 | SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 21 of 44 | 47% | 51 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:52 |
| Jarno Errens | 0 | 8 of 27 | 29% | 8 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 56 of 115 | 48% | 22 of 69 | 8 of 15 | 26 of 31 | 51 of 107 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 5 |
| Jarno Errens | 30 of 76 | 39% | 13 of 47 | 6 of 14 | 11 of 15 | 30 of 73 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 26 of 52 | 50% | 10 of 32 | 4 of 6 | 12 of 14 | 24 of 49 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jarno Errens | 18 of 41 | 43% | 9 of 25 | 3 of 6 | 6 of 10 | 18 of 39 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | SeungWoo Choi | 9 of 19 | 47% | 5 of 13 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 |
| Jarno Errens | 4 of 8 | 50% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | SeungWoo Choi | 21 of 44 | 47% | 7 of 24 | 3 of 7 | 11 of 13 | 21 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jarno Errens | 8 of 27 | 29% | 2 of 16 | 3 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo acknowledges Choi's three-fight losing streak and recent TKO loss, but notes that his losses came against solid competition. He highlights Choi's technical striking, leg kicks, and takedown setups. Despite the losing streak, he believes Choi is the better fighter and picks him, but with no bet due to the streak.
Big Brady acknowledges Choi Seung-woo's three-fight skid but believes he is much better than his record indicates, with good striking and power. He thinks Choi has improved his takedown defense enough to keep the fight standing. He is not a fan of Jarno Errens, citing a lackluster debut and disadvantages in volume and power. He expects Choi to outpoint Errens over 15 minutes.
Cody picks Errens as an underdog, noting his Dutch kickboxing style and volume. He thinks Choi's chin is deteriorating and Errens can outwork him. Cody likes the plus money value.
Daniel leans Choi Seung-woo, noting that he is the more skilled mixed martial artist. He mentions that Choi has a habit of dropping his right hand and getting countered with left hooks, and his chin may be damaged. He acknowledges that Errens has a good submission game and takedown defense issues. He is not confident and advises staying away from this fight.
James leans towards Jarno Errens as an underdog, citing Choi's poor durability and defensive technique after being dropped multiple times in recent fights. He believes the fight will be a 15-minute striking affair and trusts Errens' durability and technical striking over Choi's power. He notes the line has moved but originally Errens was at +180, which he sees as value.
The host notes that Choi Seung-woo is on a 0-3 slump, has been finished in two of those fights, and his durability is declining. He highlights Choi's poor striking defense and vulnerability to grappling. Jarno Errens has a judo background and decent power, and the host believes his power and grappling advantage will allow him to pull off the upset. The host mentions that Errens' odds have moved from +210 to +140/+150, indicating public support.
Paul picks Errens, noting Choi's low volume and defensive issues. He expects Errens to pressure and land more strikes. Paul is not confident but likes the underdog value.
The MMA Guru picks Choi Seung-woo over Jarno Errens, citing Errens' lack of skill and poor performance against William Gomez. He notes Choi's mixed results but highlights his experience at a high level, takedown defense, and composure. He believes Choi's striking and clinch strength will be decisive, predicting a TKO finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Trizano | 2 | 32 of 53 | 60% | 34 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 26 of 73 | 35% | 26 of 74 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Trizano | 2 | 32 of 53 | 60% | 34 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 26 of 73 | 35% | 26 of 74 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Trizano | 32 of 53 | 60% | 28 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 40 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 12 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 26 of 73 | 35% | 19 of 61 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 25 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Trizano | 32 of 53 | 60% | 28 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 40 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 12 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 26 of 73 | 35% | 19 of 61 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 25 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo sees this as a close firefight between two forward-pressure strikers. He thinks Trizano may be more technical, but Choi is more well-rounded, has higher volume, and is more durable. He notes that Choi's losses were close and he showed durability. He is not sure about betting because the odds are close, but he leans Choi to win.
Big Brady picks SeungWoo Choi to win by decision. He believes Choi is the better striker with more power, and that Trizano doesn't wrestle (only 1-2 takedowns in UFC). He notes Choi has struggled with grapplers but Trizano won't take him down. He criticizes Trizano's recent performances, being outlanded by Lucas Almeida and Chidi Njokuani. He expects a striking match where Choi's power and volume earn him a decision.
Cody picks Choi, arguing that Trizano looks washed and disinterested, with poor striking defense and low volume. He notes that Choi is long, rangy, and versatile with his Muay Thai, and that Trizano has been getting hit and knocked down recently. Cody believes Choi will pick Trizano apart from distance and win by decision or TKO.
Connor picks Choi, noting that Trizano's low output and discomfort in exchanges play into Choi's strengths as a sharp counter puncher. He points out that Choi is dangerous at range and Trizano struggles to force the kind of messy fight that would make Choi uncomfortable. Connor also mentions that Trizano's recent improvements in aggression are not natural, and he still looks uncomfortable in exchanges.
Daniel Levi picks SeungWoo Choi, believing he will land the bigger shots and potentially knock out Trizano. He notes that Trizano has a low-volume point-fighting style and may be on a losing streak, while Choi has faced tougher competition and shown resilience. Levi thinks Choi's power and experience will be too much for Trizano, who has confidence issues after recent losses.
The host sees Choi as the slicker striker with better range and combinations. He notes Trizano struggles when at a striking disadvantage, as seen in losses to L'Empereur and Almeida. Choi's size and reach should allow him to touch Trizano from the outside and win a decision. The host also likes the over 2.5 rounds if the price is right, expecting a kickboxing match without a finish.
Paul leans towards Trizano, noting that Choi's volume is low and that Trizano could mix in takedowns. He acknowledges that Trizano has looked bad recently but thinks the fight is close and that Trizano's wrestling could be the difference. Paul is not confident and calls it a stay-away fight.
The MMA Guru confidently picks SeungWoo Choi, reasoning that Trizano lacks takedown ability and Choi has great takedown defense. He criticizes Trizano's basic, goofy striking and notes that Choi has dealt with unorthodox fighters before. He predicts a 30-27 decision for Choi.
Zane picks Choi, agreeing that Trizano's low output and lack of comfort in exchanges make him vulnerable. He notes that Choi is sharp and dangerous in the first layer of striking, where Trizano tends to get stuck. Zane also points out that Trizano's jab and low kicks may have success, but he won't be able to make Choi uncomfortable enough to win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 46 of 163 | 28% | 64 of 184 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 2 | 51 of 111 | 45% | 69 of 132 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 17 of 62 | 27% | 18 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 23 of 47 | 48% | 35 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 | |
| 2 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 16 of 59 | 27% | 16 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 19 of 43 | 44% | 19 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 13 of 42 | 30% | 30 of 62 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:05 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 15 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Culibao | 46 of 163 | 28% | 29 of 137 | 6 of 14 | 11 of 12 | 39 of 147 | 4 of 10 | 3 of 6 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 51 of 111 | 45% | 40 of 97 | 7 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 40 of 95 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Culibao | 17 of 62 | 27% | 13 of 56 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 58 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 23 of 47 | 48% | 20 of 42 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 17 of 36 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 7 | |
| 2 | Josh Culibao | 16 of 59 | 27% | 10 of 50 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 15 of 56 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 19 of 43 | 44% | 16 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Josh Culibao | 13 of 42 | 30% | 6 of 31 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 33 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 6 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 9 of 21 | 42% | 4 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Choi, expecting him to keep the fight technical and avoid a brawl. He notes Culibao is tough and has power but is willing to fight dirty, which could be dangerous. However, he believes Choi's technical striking and ability to mix in takedowns will secure a decision win.
Big Brady picks SeungWoo Choi to win by decision. He notes that Choi is a very good Muay Thai striker with power, while Culibao has zero takedown accuracy in the UFC and is unlikely to take Choi down. He expects the fight to stay on the feet, where Choi has the advantage.
Cody picks Choi, citing his length, Muay Thai background, and improved takedown defense. He thinks Choi's striking will be too much for Culibao, who is shorter and less technical. He expects Choi to win by decision or late stoppage.
Daniel Levi picks SeungWoo Choi, citing his physicality, knockout power, and technical striking. He is not fully convinced about Josh Culibao's ceiling and sees Choi as the better athlete. He notes that Culibao's best chance is to win competitive striking exchanges, but Choi's advantages should prevail. He is not betting the fight.
Choi is the better striker with range and power. Culibao wants to brawl, but Choi can stay on the outside and pick him apart. Culibao's chin is granite, so a decision is likely. Choi is a solid parlay piece. I think Choi wins by decision.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Choi's length and striking advantage. He thinks Culibao's takedowns won't be effective and that Choi will control the distance. He sees Choi as the rightful favorite.
The MMA Guru picks SeungWoo Choi by 29-28 decision, but warns not to sleep on Josh Culibao. He acknowledges Culibao's skills and close fight with Jordan, but believes Choi's superior stand-up, reach advantage, and Muay Thai credentials will give him the edge. He expects Choi to win the first two rounds clearly, with Culibao possibly taking the third due to volume. He rates Choi's chances at 6.5-7 out of 10, not higher.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Caceres | 0 | 46 of 64 | 71% | 54 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:49 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 33 of 98 | 33% | 38 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Caceres | 0 | 29 of 39 | 74% | 29 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 19 of 65 | 29% | 22 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 | |
| 2 | Alex Caceres | 0 | 17 of 25 | 68% | 25 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:49 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 14 of 33 | 42% | 16 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Caceres | 46 of 64 | 71% | 22 of 33 | 13 of 17 | 11 of 14 | 37 of 54 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 33 of 98 | 33% | 18 of 78 | 11 of 16 | 4 of 4 | 26 of 85 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Caceres | 29 of 39 | 74% | 12 of 18 | 9 of 12 | 8 of 9 | 26 of 36 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 19 of 65 | 29% | 13 of 56 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 10 | |
| 2 | Alex Caceres | 17 of 25 | 68% | 10 of 15 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 11 of 18 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 14 of 33 | 42% | 5 of 22 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo thinks Choi is the more technical striker with better takedown entries, and should win the fight. However, he loves the value on Caceres as a +200 underdog and already grabbed a +3.5 bet on him at -115, meaning Caceres only needs to win one round. He thinks Caceres is tough enough to not get finished and can steal a round. He likes the more/more on the monkey knife fight.
Big Brady picks Choi as the younger, improving fighter who lands harder shots. He notes Caceres is durable but expects Choi to win a clear decision, though he warns that betting a -300 favorite to decision is risky due to poor judging. He sees Choi's takedown defense as a potential issue but believes he's worked on it.
Cody is confident in Seung Woo Choi, citing his size, reach, and striking acumen. He notes that Choi is a former Korean Muay Thai champion and has improved his takedown defense. Cody contrasts Choi's recent wins against solid competition with Alex Caceres's wins over lower-level opponents. He points out that Caceres has not scored a clean knockout since 2010 and lacks the wrestling to take Choi down. Cody believes Choi will out-strike Caceres and potentially finish him.
Lock picks Choi based on power and striking. He thinks Choi's power will be the difference and that Caceres will be outmatched on the feet. He expects Choi to win by decision, noting Caceres is experienced but may be on the decline.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Caceres is not used to facing opponents with reach and height advantages. He highlights Choi's cleaner, harder strikes and Caceres's lack of takedown threat. Paul mentions that Caceres's recent wins are over fighters who are no longer in the UFC or are fringe roster members. He believes Choi's size and striking will be too much for Caceres.
The MMA Guru picks SeungWoo Choi, citing his Muay Thai skills, reach, and physical advantages. He questions Alex Caceres' level of competition and believes Choi will out-strike him, particularly with leg kicks, winning by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Julian Erosa | 1 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Julian Erosa | 1 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 10 of 20 | 50% | 5 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Julian Erosa | 13 of 29 | 44% | 10 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 10 of 20 | 50% | 5 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Julian Erosa | 13 of 29 | 44% | 10 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 7 |
Angelo picks Julian Erosa, noting his violence, aggression, and multiple ways to win (KO or submission). He acknowledges Erosa relies on his chin but thinks he has more paths to victory than Choi, who can only win by KO. He has a bet on the fight going under 2.5 rounds at +125 and also bet on it not going the distance at +105.
Big Brady thinks Choi is the much better striker and that Erosa is very hittable with a weak chin. He expects a knockout, predicting Choi finishes Erosa in the second round. He considered betting but decided to pass.
Cody picks Choi, citing Choi's physical strength, excellent jab, and durability. He acknowledges Erosa's pressure and volume but believes Choi's jab and ability to stay on the outside will carry him to a competitive decision win. He notes Choi's fatigue in the third round of his last fight but thinks Erosa's pressure could be neutralized.
Daniel Levi picks SeungWoo Choi, citing his physicality, size, and technical striking. He notes that Choi has been improving and is now more comfortable in the UFC, while Erosa has a tendency to fight with his hands down and has been knocked out multiple times. He believes Choi's technique and strength will be too much for Erosa, and expects a dominant performance.
Jacob picks SeungWoo Choi, citing his speed and precise in-and-out striking. He believes Choi can stuff takedowns and keep the distance, avoiding Erosa's dirty boxing and submissions. He also mentions a pattern where Erosa alternates wins and losses, predicting a loss here. He has Choi in his lineup.
The host picks SeungWoo Choi, believing his Muay Thai and technical striking will overcome Julian Erosa's wild, loopy shots. He notes Choi's improving takedown defense and that Erosa's brawling style plays into Choi's counters. He expects Choi to keep the fight standing and outpoint Erosa over 15 minutes, possibly earning a decision. He mentions Choi's win over Youssef Zalal as evidence of his growth, and that Erosa's wrestling is not better than Gavin Tucker's, which Choi handled.
Paul picks Erosa by KO as a YOLO play, noting Erosa's recent knockout wins and Choi's history of being knocked out. He also bets under 2.5 rounds, expecting a finish. He acknowledges the risk but likes Erosa's pressure and volume.
The MMA Guru picks Julian Erosa to win by submission (d'arce choke) in round three. He expects Choi to land good shots early, but Erosa will make it messy in round two, forcing clinches and takedowns. In round three, Erosa will lure Choi into a war, Choi will lose composure and shoot a bad takedown, allowing Erosa to latch on a d'arce choke.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 41 of 109 | 37% | 73 of 144 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:39 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 23 of 47 | 48% | 46 of 70 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 1 | 1 | 4:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 13 of 54 | 24% | 26 of 67 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 12 of 24 | 50% | 19 of 31 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:33 | |
| 2 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 19 of 37 | 51% | 34 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 14 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:52 | |
| 3 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 9 of 18 | 50% | 13 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 13 of 17 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 1 | 1:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 41 of 109 | 37% | 25 of 84 | 10 of 13 | 6 of 12 | 26 of 93 | 12 of 13 | 3 of 3 |
| Youssef Zalal | 23 of 47 | 48% | 12 of 34 | 9 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 21 of 44 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 13 of 54 | 24% | 7 of 42 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 9 of 50 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 12 of 24 | 50% | 5 of 16 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 23 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | SeungWoo Choi | 19 of 37 | 51% | 14 of 31 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 28 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Youssef Zalal | 6 of 14 | 42% | 4 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | SeungWoo Choi | 9 of 18 | 50% | 4 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Youssef Zalal | 5 of 9 | 55% | 3 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In yet another bout stung by opponent change after opponent change, “Sting” Choi (8-3, 1-2 UFC) finds himself glad to face anyone inside the cage, drawing a tough matchup against the recently surging Zalal (10-3, 3-1 UFC) also at featherweight. The third man inside the Octagon is referee Chris Tognoni, and the two men are so glad to be competing tonight that they practically hug when touching gloves. Choi opens up with a leg kick that comes up short, and Zalal walks around the outside and similarly misses with his own leg kick. Choi lets loose with a head kick, and he fires off a one-two that makes Zalal bounce off the cage wall. Choi’s punches are drawing reactions out of his opponent, and he just misses with a head kick that blows back Zalal’s hair. Zalal jabs to the body, and he hops forward with a left hand and ducks out of the way before a counter can find him. Zalal sticks his man with a jab, and is in and out with a body strike but he does take a high body kick. Zalal starts talking, and Choi slams him in the leg with a kick. Zalal’s jabs allow him to get out of danger as Choi is loading up on power strikes, and the South Korean does land with a solid right hand but Zalal rolls with it without issue. Choi scores a body kick and glances off with a pair of punches as he wings heavily, but the speed of Zalal is giving his foe issues as he jabs in and out. Zalal chains a strike into a takedown attempt, and he does not secure it but bullies “Sting” into the wire. Choi grinds his elbow on Zalal’s face while defending himself, and Tognoni asks them to stay busy as a stalemate has presented itself. Zalal pushes up high before changing levels for a low double, but Choi keeps his legs spread far enough apart to keep his balance and break the grip. Choi lands a couple heavy shoulder strikes, but Tognoni breaks them apart. Choi steps back and delivers a leg kick, and gets clipped with a left hand on the way in but he lands as well. As they come together and break, “Sting” stings him with an elbow. Choi tags Zalal with a quick counter, and presses Zalal into the fence before dragging Zalal down to punctuate the round right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Round 2
Both men jab at the same time to begin the second frame, and Choi walks Zalal down and works him with a left hand. An errant kick from Zalal clanks off the cup, but Choi assures that he is fine and darts forward to pursue a takedown. Zalal, with his back on the fence, jumps up to attack a guillotine choke. In the process, Zalal turns the two around, and he goes after his own takedown while Choi works him with short elbows to the side of the head. Zalal’s single leg takedown attempt ignores a solid elbow to lift Choi’s leg up, but Choi is still able to stay standing on one leg. “The Moroccan Devil” changes it up to a double leg takedown, and Choi keeps elbowing him to break it up. Zalal looks to elevate his opponent, and he does not have the ability to put Choi on his back, leading to Tognoni asking them to keep fighting. Zalal stays pressed on Choi against the cage until Tognoni splits them up. Choi lands a kick on the shoulder, and a few punches clatter off Zalal’s face. Zalal smiles and gets out of the way, but he takes a jab on the chin as he retreats. Choi powers forward with punches before latching on to his opponent for a body lock takedown attempt, but Zalal sees it coming and holds on tight without concern of hitting the canvas. Choi turns the attempt into a throw, and both end up on the ground but Choi cannot keep him there. Zalal looks for upkicks that do not score, and when he stands up, he goes after a flying knee. Choi brushes it aside and cracks him with a right hand. Zalal scores a knee when Choi tries to clinch up, and he connects with a jab but eats a right hand. Choi catches a kick and pushes Zalal down, but Zalal pops up. The two both leap with flying strikes at the same time, and they crash into the fence without landing much of note before the second round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Round 3
The glove touch commences the final round, and Choi is looking for knockout blows early as he slings head kick and big punches. He backs Zalal away with a kick and then follows it with a slapping leg kick, and his forward momentum bowls Zalal over. “The Moroccan Devil” is sly, and he rolls through to stand back up, where he re-presents his jab. Choi crashes forward with strikes to clinch, and this time, Zalal is not interested in engaging like this. Choi gathers himself and attempts this again, so Zalal jumps guard for a guillotine choke. As there is nothing to it, Zalal bails on it and spins around to attack a double leg takedown. Choi stands him back up, and for the first time, Zalal lifts him up and sets him down. Zalal immediately attacks a guillotine choke, and he rolls to mount as it is locked in fairly tight. Choi grits it out, and he puts Zalal on his back, so Zalal throws his legs up for a triangle choke. The South Korean is not remotely flustered, as he breaks the posture and sits down in Zalal’s guard. Choi drops down a shoulder strike to put Zalal flat on his back, and Zalal sits up only to get dropped back down. Zalal uses upkicks to back Choi off, and as Choi avoids them, he vaults back up. Zalal lands a quick jab but takes two punches for it, and he changes levels for a single leg takedown. Choi defends it by grabbing the fence, and Tognoni does not call it as Zalal is still pushing to try to complete it. Choi sits against the fence and stands up, but Zalal scoops him up and hits a double. “Sting” stands up once more without issue, and he allows Zalal to take his back for a moment. Zalal defends a takedown attempt with a guillotine choke, and he keeps his balance as Choi nearly has him down. Choi stays heavy, keeping his full body weight pressed on his opponent, so Zalal latches on to one final guillotine choke. It is not there, and time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal (29-28 Choi)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal (29-28 Zalal)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zalal (29-28 Choi)
The Official Result
Seung Woo Choi def. Youssef Zalal via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Big Brady picks the underdog SeungWoo Choi, disagreeing with the line that has Zalal as a heavy favorite. He notes that Zalal may struggle to take Choi down, and if the fight stays standing, Choi's striking is very impressive. He also mentions that Zalal is coming in on short notice, which adds to his uncertainty. He is not overly confident but likes the value at plus money.
Daniel Levi picks SeungWoo Choi as a dog-or-pass, viewing it as a close fight. He notes Choi's takedown defense (stuffed 11 vs Evloev, 8 vs Tucker) and believes his physical attributes and kickboxing make him live. He thinks the line moved too far in Zalal's favor and sees value on Choi.
Zalal is a well-rounded fighter with good cardio and a solid ground game. He should be able to mix in takedowns and grind out a decision. Choi has a tough run in the UFC and tends to fade as fights go on. Zalal's pace and pressure will be too much. I expect Zalal to win by decision, using his wrestling and volume striking.
The MMA Guru picks the underdog SeungWoo Choi, believing the odds should be even. He highlights Choi's Muay Thai background and reach advantage, and doubts Zalal's offensive grappling ability to expose Choi's ground game. He predicts Choi will piece Zalal up on the feet for two rounds, possibly slowing in the third, winning a 30-27 decision.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Choi, expecting him to keep the fight technical and avoid a brawl. He notes Culibao is tough and has power but is willing to fight dirty, which could be dangerous. However, he believes Choi's technical striking and ability to mix in takedowns will secure a decision win.
Big Brady picks SeungWoo Choi to win by decision. He notes that Choi is a very good Muay Thai striker with power, while Culibao has zero takedown accuracy in the UFC and is unlikely to take Choi down. He expects the fight to stay on the feet, where Choi has the advantage.
Cody picks Choi, citing his length, Muay Thai background, and improved takedown defense. He thinks Choi's striking will be too much for Culibao, who is shorter and less technical. He expects Choi to win by decision or late stoppage.
Daniel Levi picks SeungWoo Choi, citing his physicality, knockout power, and technical striking. He is not fully convinced about Josh Culibao's ceiling and sees Choi as the better athlete. He notes that Culibao's best chance is to win competitive striking exchanges, but Choi's advantages should prevail. He is not betting the fight.
Choi is the better striker with range and power. Culibao wants to brawl, but Choi can stay on the outside and pick him apart. Culibao's chin is granite, so a decision is likely. Choi is a solid parlay piece. I think Choi wins by decision.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Choi's length and striking advantage. He thinks Culibao's takedowns won't be effective and that Choi will control the distance. He sees Choi as the rightful favorite.
The MMA Guru picks SeungWoo Choi by 29-28 decision, but warns not to sleep on Josh Culibao. He acknowledges Culibao's skills and close fight with Jordan, but believes Choi's superior stand-up, reach advantage, and Muay Thai credentials will give him the edge. He expects Choi to win the first two rounds clearly, with Culibao possibly taking the third due to volume. He rates Choi's chances at 6.5-7 out of 10, not higher.
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