Career Averages - Uroš Medić
Career Averages - Omar Morales
Uroš Medić
Omar Morales
Uroš Medić - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoff Neal | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Uroš Medić | 1 | 10 of 19 | 52% | 10 of 19 | 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 | Geoff Neal | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Uroš Medić | 1 | 10 of 19 | 52% | 10 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoff Neal | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 of 6 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Uroš Medić | 10 of 19 | 52% | 4 of 10 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geoff Neal | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 of 6 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Uroš Medić | 10 of 19 | 52% | 4 of 10 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Geoff Neal despite recent knockout loss, citing his overall experience and well-rounded skill set. He acknowledges Uroš Medić's power and finishing ability but notes Medić's questionable chin. He is hesitant because Neal is 35 and coming off a KO, but believes Neal is the better fighter.
Big Brady picks Geoff Neal to defeat Uroš Medić, citing Medić's suspect chin and Neal's heavy hands. He notes that Medić has been dropped by lesser punchers like Gilbert Urbina, while Neal hits like a truck. He predicts a first-round knockout, possibly requiring a stretcher for Medić. He acknowledges Neal was knocked out in his last fight but calls that a fluke spinning elbow that would KO most of the division.
Cody buys into Neal's sobriety narrative and thinks this is his easiest fight in a while. He notes Medić is an under machine who either finishes or gets finished, and expects Neal to win by KO early. He recommends under 1.5 rounds.
Connor picks Neal confidently, stating that Medić is a glass cannon who gets hurt easily and sells out on his shots, leaving him vulnerable to counters. He notes that Neal has been tested against much better competition and has always been competitive, while Medić's wins have aged poorly. He believes Neal's composure and athleticism will be too much for Medić.
The host rules out betting on Neal due to red flags from an interview where Neal discussed past issues with drugs, alcohol, and diet, making him unreliable at -225. He is tempted by Medic as a +178 underdog, noting Medic's dynamic striking and power, but passes because Medic has slowed in past fights and Neal has excellent cardio. He concludes it's an easy pass on both sides.
James picks Geoff Neal to win by first-round KO, citing Neal's experience against elite competition and the step down in competition for Medic. He notes that Medic is volatile and prone to getting knocked out early, and that Neal's power and boxing should be enough to finish him. James also likes the under 1.5 rounds and doesn't go to decision props.
Neal is a crafty striker with good power and range management, and he has fought tougher competition. Medic is a Muay Thai specialist but has durability issues and poor grappling defense. Neal should be able to land a big shot and finish Medic, likely in the first round. The line is fair given Neal's experience and home crowd.
Paul thinks Neal's step up in competition is significant and that Medić's chin is suspect. He notes Neal has fought top welterweights and held his own, while Medić has been knocked out by lesser opponents. He expects Neal to win by KO, possibly in the first round.
The MMA Guru hesitantly picks Geoff Neal, despite concerns about his chin and motivation after a KO loss. He believes Medić makes mistakes and is explosive but can be caught coming in. He predicts Neal will find a way to put Medić away in round two after Medić expends his energy.
Zane agrees with Connor, calling Medić a 'one hitter quitter' who is extremely vulnerable on the counter. He notes that Medić has no defense and gets hurt easily, even in fights he wins. He believes Neal is significantly better in the pocket and should be able to weather Medić's early power and then take over.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muslim Salikhov | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Uroš Medić | 1 | 8 of 13 | 61% | 9 of 14 | 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 | Muslim Salikhov | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Uroš Medić | 1 | 8 of 13 | 61% | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muslim Salikhov | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Uroš Medić | 8 of 13 | 61% | 5 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muslim Salikhov | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Uroš Medić | 8 of 13 | 61% | 5 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Medic (-180); Salikhov (+150)
Round 1
If rankings and relevant pairings do not litter the lineup, at least the matchmakers have lined up a few bangers. At 41, Salikhov (22-5, 9-4 UFC) may be looking as good as ever, with three wins in a row including two knockouts making his twilight years quite something. He will have to contend with brick-fisted Serb Medic (11-3, 5-3 UFC), who has come from Alaska to train down in California at Kings MMA. The two welterweights will be joined in the Octagon by referee Kerry Hatley, who has already donned his proverbial hard hat, fully cognizant that this one could be a doozey. There is a touch of gloves to open things up.
Medic tries early to swat away Salikhov’s staging left hand, stomping his way forward to threaten with strikes to the lead knee. Both men lash out with blows at the same time, and they need some time before re-engaging. They kick simultaneously, with Medic putting a scare in the Dagestan native by going upstairs. Medic tosses one out with his other leg, wrapping it around the back of the Russian’s melon.
Salikhov has to back off, and Medic rifles off a straight left hand that puts Salikhov on his seat. Salikhov tries to scoot around to grab hold of the leg of “The Doctor,” but Medic slams him in the side of the head with his angry Alaskan fist a few times until Salikhov shells up.
Hatley sees that Salikhov has physically surrendered at that point and steps in to save the Russian from any further harm. That is two knockouts in a row for Medic right around one minute, as he iced Gilbert Urbina in August in 63 seconds. The 100% finish rate remains intact as well, as Medic calls for bigger opportunities in the future.
The Official Result
Uros Medic def. Muslim Salikhov R1 1:03 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Uros Medic because he is younger, faster, and more technical, but he is not confident. He notes that Muslim Salikhov hits extremely hard and has wrestling, making him a phenomenal underdog. He acknowledges that Medic was almost finished by Gilbert Urbina, which raises concerns about his chin.
Big Brady has a hot take predicting Salikhov wins by spinning wheel kick knockout in the first round. He highlights Salikhov's patented spinning wheel kick, which he has used to knock out multiple opponents, including Carlos Leia. He questions Medić's durability, noting he got knocked down by Gilbert Urbina, which is a bad sign. He expects an early knockout.
Cody picks Salikhov, noting his power and counter-striking ability. He thinks Medić's aggressive, forward-moving style plays into Salikhov's hands, and that Salikhov will land a knockout early.
Lucrative James picks Muslim Salikhov despite acknowledging the volatility of the matchup. He notes Salikhov's higher level of competition and experience, as well as his recent training camp improvements. However, he admits both fighters have poor chins and heavy hands, making it a coin flip. He predicts Salikhov wins by knockout in round one, but also considers betting on the under or 'doesn't go to decision'.
The host expects a firecracker fight and loves the under 1.5 rounds. He believes Medic will snipe Salikhov from distance and win by knockout within five minutes.
Paul also picks Salikhov, calling the fight a 'car crash' and expecting a knockout. He likes the plus money on the older fighter and thinks Medić's durability issues will be exposed.
The Guru picks Muslim Salikhov to win by first-round KO. He believes Uroš Medić is too easily hit and erratic, lunging in with punches, while Salikhov has powerful spinning attacks and counters. He expects Salikhov to catch Medić coming in and finish him early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 1 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Gilbert Urbina | 1 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 1 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Gilbert Urbina | 1 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 5 of 9 | 55% | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Gilbert Urbina | 5 of 10 | 50% | 3 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 5 of 9 | 55% | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Gilbert Urbina | 5 of 10 | 50% | 3 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Uroš Medić but hates the odds at -350. He notes Medić is a technical striker with 100% finish rate and killer instinct, but his takedown defense is low. Gilbert Urbina is a grappler with high output but poor striking defense. Angelo thinks Medić will win because strikers are having more success, but the odds are too wide for his liking.
Big Brady is confident in Uroš Medić, citing his 100% finish rate and legitimate striking power. He criticizes Gilbert Urbina's chin, noting he was dropped multiple times by Tawn Gore and knocked out by Charles Raki. Brady believes Medić is a much better striker than Raki and will knock out Urbina early. He predicts a first-round knockout for Medić.
Despite not being a big fan of Medic, the host sees this as a winnable fight and expects it to be violent. He thinks Medic will consistently crash the pocket and produce car crashes that could result in a finish, leading him to pick Medic by knockout.
The MMA Guru picks Uroš Medić over Gilbert Urbina, noting that Urbina's height is likely misreported and he lacks presence. He believes Medić has better offensive skills and finishing potential, and that his losses are to higher-level opponents. He predicts a TKO win for Medić.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punahele Soriano | 1 | 13 of 17 | 76% | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Uroš Medić | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punahele Soriano | 1 | 13 of 17 | 76% | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Uroš Medić | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punahele Soriano | 13 of 17 | 76% | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 9 |
| Uroš Medić | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punahele Soriano | 13 of 17 | 76% | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 9 |
| Uroš Medić | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Uroš Medić, citing his superior striking, speed, and power. He notes that Punahele Soriano's only path to victory is wrestling, but Medić's takedown defense is a concern. However, he believes Medić is the better striker and will land clean shots. He has Medić in a parlay with César Almeida, though he expresses some nervousness about the bet.
Big Brady sees a clear path for Soriano: take Medić down. He notes Medić's takedown defense and ground game are questionable, and Soriano looked dominant at welterweight against Baeza, landing 331 strikes. He worries Soriano might strike instead of wrestle, but believes if he uses his wrestling, he can win by TKO or decision. He picks Soriano to win, possibly by TKO via ground and pound.
Cody picks Medić, questioning Soriano's one good performance at 170 against a shot Miguel Baeza. He believes Medić's power and pace will cause Soriano to fatigue. He notes Medić's finishing ability and Soriano's history of gassing.
Connor picks Soriano because he believes Soriano's wrestling and physicality will be effective at welterweight. He notes that Soriano showed a grinding game against Miguel Baeza, and Medić is bad at dealing with sustained pressure and takedowns. While Soriano is uncreative and has shown little improvement, Connor thinks his size and strength advantage will allow him to control the fight. He acknowledges it's not a smart pick but sees a path.
Daniel notes Medić is more technically sound on the feet with better volume and diversity, while Soriano has big power in his left hand but shaky in-between and cardio concerns at welterweight. He thinks Medić will win the minutes, but Soriano could land a big shot or use wrestling. He picks Medić but is not interested in betting.
Lucrative James picks Uroš Medić to win, citing Medić's superior striking and cleaner kickboxing. He acknowledges Soriano's wrestling advantage and power, but believes Medić's skill on the feet will prevail over three rounds. He notes Soriano's cardio issues and that Medić has decent takedown defense. He also mentions that Soriano moved down from 185 and Medić moved up from 155, but still favors Medić's higher ceiling.
Soriano is a solid wrestler as shown in his welterweight debut against Miguel Baeza. He will get to his grappling, keep Medić on his back, and grind out a decision win as long as he doesn't get finished early.
Paul picks Soriano as a plus-money underdog, citing his impressive wrestling at 170 in his last fight. He expects fireworks and has bet under 1.5 rounds. He acknowledges Medić's danger but likes Soriano's path via takedowns.
The Guru picks Medić, noting his size as a big lightweight at welterweight, his KO of Tim Means, and his better technique and speed. He criticizes Soriano's recent performances, including losses to Dustin Stoltzfus and a poor showing against Miguel Baeza. He predicts an early TKO for Medić.
Zane picks Medić because he is a more dangerous finisher and expects Soriano to struggle to impose his game plan. Medić's movement and kicks could frustrate Soriano, who is hittable and plotting. Zane notes that Soriano's win over Baeza was more about Baeza's poor performance than Soriano's skill. Medić's ability to keep the fight in open space and avoid being clinched gives him the edge.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 0 | 7 of 17 | 41% | 10 of 21 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Tim Means | 1 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 11 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 0 | 7 of 17 | 41% | 10 of 21 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Tim Means | 1 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 11 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 7 of 17 | 41% | 1 of 10 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Tim Means | 7 of 12 | 58% | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 7 of 17 | 41% | 1 of 10 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Tim Means | 7 of 12 | 58% | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo is very confident Uroš Medić wins, citing his youth, speed, power, and superior striking. He notes Medić has a 100% finish rate and killer instinct. The only concern is Medić's 46% takedown defense, but he thinks Tim Means at 40 years old may not be able to exploit it. He expects a finish and suggests waiting for prop bets, hoping for a 2.5 round line to bet the under.
Cody picks Means as a dog, citing his experience and cleaner striking. He notes Means' body work and straight left, and believes he can hurt Medić, who has been rocked before. However, he admits Means' age and cardio are concerns, making it a doger pass.
Daniel thinks Means is durable but at 40 may not dig deep when hurt. He notes Medić is younger, more dangerous, and showed heart in the Semelsberger fight. He leans Medić but won't bet at -310, though he might take Means as a dog if the price gets better.
Medić is younger, faster, and more powerful. Means is 40 with a lot of mileage. Medić's Muay Thai and power should overwhelm Means as the fight goes on. I expect Medić to finish Means, possibly by knockout. The inside distance prop is a good option.
Paul also picks Means, highlighting his experience against better competition and his opportunistic submission game. He thinks Means' grappling advantage could be key, as Medić has poor takedown defense. He calls it a clear doger pass.
The MMA Guru picks Uroš Medić, calling him more explosive and dangerous on the feet. He criticizes Tim Means as hitting a veteran decline and notes his loss to Matt Semelsberger. He highlights Medić's good cardio and nasty body kicks, predicting a TKO via liver shot. He also mentions Medić's near-finish of Orolbai and his ability to handle Means' grinding style.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myktybek Orolbai | 0 | 14 of 27 | 51% | 17 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Uroš Medić | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 16 of 31 | 7 of 10 | 70% | 1 | 0 | 7:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Myktybek Orolbai | 0 | 14 of 25 | 56% | 15 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Uroš Medić | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 6 of 14 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 0 | 0 | 3:49 | |
| 2 | Myktybek Orolbai | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Uroš Medić | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 10 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myktybek Orolbai | 14 of 27 | 51% | 10 of 20 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 14 | 8 of 12 | 1 of 1 |
| Uroš Medić | 8 of 20 | 40% | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 11 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Myktybek Orolbai | 14 of 25 | 56% | 10 of 20 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 8 of 12 | 1 of 1 |
| Uroš Medić | 5 of 13 | 38% | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 9 | |
| 2 | Myktybek Orolbai | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Uroš Medić | 3 of 7 | 42% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
Angelo picks Uroš Medić, expecting his technical striking and patience to light up the brawler Johnny Parsons. He notes Medić has speed, footwork, and a killer instinct. He warns that Parsons is always live for a knockout but does not think he will find it here.
Big Brady was impressed with Orolbai's skills but notes he's coming in on short notice, which affects his cardio for a wrestling-heavy game plan. He thinks Medić is dangerous, has shown three-round cardio, and can finish fights late. He picks Medić by third-round knockout, but says on a full camp he would pick Orolbai. He doesn't see himself betting this fight.
Cody does not make a clear pick due to lack of information on Orolbai. He notes the fight was added late and he hasn't studied it. He mentions Orolbai looks like a 'bad man' but is on short notice. He leans towards passing or taking the favorite but is uncertain.
Orolbai has relentless grappling and crushing top pressure, with improved striking leading to knockouts. Medić is a striker with questionable ground game. Orolbai will dictate the pace with wrestling, land big shots, and find a finish in the second round. The fight doesn't go to decision is a favorite prop.
Paul also does not make a clear pick, stating he hasn't looked into Orolbai enough. He mentions Medić's toughness and power but cannot confidently pick a side. He suggests the fight will be violent but passes on betting.
The MMA Guru picks Uroš Medić to finish Myktybek Orolbai with a body kick. He notes Medić's size at welterweight and his win over Matthew Semelsberger, where he survived a knockdown and finished him in the third round at altitude. He criticizes Orolbai for making Danny Roberts look competitive and believes Medić's reach and height advantage will lead to a finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 1 | 52 of 120 | 43% | 53 of 121 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:13 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 1 | 69 of 128 | 53% | 76 of 135 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 1 | 17 of 36 | 47% | 18 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 18 of 31 | 58% | 19 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 2 | Uroš Medić | 0 | 24 of 58 | 41% | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 25 of 55 | 45% | 26 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Uroš Medić | 0 | 11 of 26 | 42% | 11 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 1 | 26 of 42 | 61% | 31 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 52 of 120 | 43% | 31 of 91 | 8 of 14 | 13 of 15 | 42 of 106 | 3 of 5 | 7 of 9 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 69 of 128 | 53% | 49 of 98 | 17 of 27 | 3 of 3 | 50 of 104 | 13 of 18 | 6 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 17 of 36 | 47% | 10 of 29 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 9 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 18 of 31 | 58% | 12 of 22 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 24 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Uroš Medić | 24 of 58 | 41% | 12 of 40 | 3 of 8 | 9 of 10 | 23 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 25 of 55 | 45% | 16 of 43 | 7 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 24 of 53 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Uroš Medić | 11 of 26 | 42% | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 26 of 42 | 61% | 21 of 33 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 27 | 7 of 9 | 6 of 6 |
Angelo picks Semelsberger because he believes Semelsberger has enough chin to weather Medić's striking and can then work in his grappling advantage. He notes that Semelsberger has solid leg kicks, body work, and power, but can be sloppy. He trusts Semelsberger to close the gap and drag the fight into later rounds, where his grappling should take over. He already placed a half-unit bet at -150.
Big Brady picks Matthew Semelsberger to win by second-round knockout. He argues that Semelsberger has more paths to victory: better durability, cardio, wrestling, and grappling, plus massive power (nine knockdowns in eight fights). He expects Medić, coming up in weight on short notice at elevation, to fade after an early onslaught, and Semelsberger's chin will hold up to finish him.
Cody picks Semelsberger but is hesitant at -200. He notes Medić's power and early finishing ability but questions his cardio. Semelsberger has good volume and takedown defense issues but can survive early onslaughts. He suggests a live bet on Semelsberger if he survives the first round.
James believes Medić is a cleaner striker with better timing and technique, while Semelsberger has more power but an elite chin that may eventually crack. He notes the line has moved heavily toward Semelsberger, creating value on Medić as an underdog. He thinks the fight is fairly even and that Medić's striking prowess gives him the edge.
Semelsberger has more knockdowns than fights and his forward pressure and power punching will be too much for Medić. Medić is a glass cannon with a hand injury history and doesn't have the grappling to exploit Semelsberger's weakness. Semelsberger will land a big punch and knock him out. Fight doesn't go to decision is a great play.
Paul also picks Semelsberger, citing his superior cardio and volume. He notes Medić's limited cardio and tendency to fade after the first round. Semelsberger has faced wrestlers and power punchers but has shown durability. He advises a live bet if Medić doesn't finish early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 0 | 33 of 85 | 38% | 33 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Omar Morales | 2 | 47 of 86 | 54% | 47 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 0 | 17 of 52 | 32% | 17 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 24 of 50 | 48% | 24 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Uroš Medić | 0 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 16 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Omar Morales | 2 | 23 of 36 | 63% | 23 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 33 of 85 | 38% | 18 of 64 | 8 of 14 | 7 of 7 | 32 of 82 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 47 of 86 | 54% | 21 of 57 | 13 of 16 | 13 of 13 | 45 of 83 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 17 of 52 | 32% | 6 of 37 | 7 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 24 of 50 | 48% | 11 of 35 | 8 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 23 of 48 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Uroš Medić | 16 of 33 | 48% | 12 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 23 of 36 | 63% | 10 of 22 | 5 of 6 | 8 of 8 | 22 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Omar Morales because he believes Morales's strength and ability to mix in grappling will be the difference. He notes that Uroš Medić is a kill-or-be-killed first-round striker who has shown poor grappling defense. Morales needs to survive the first round and work takedowns to avoid danger. Angelo expects a decision win for Morales.
Big Brady picks Omar Morales to win by second-round submission, but expresses low confidence due to Morales' poor fight IQ. He notes Morales has a BJJ black belt and should take the fight to the mat to exploit Medić's weak ground game and cardio. However, he worries Morales might stand and trade, which would give Medić a knockout chance. He says he cannot trust Morales at -160.
Cody picks Morales, citing his durability, experience, and return to lightweight where he performed best. He notes Medić's tendency to fade after the first round and lack of deep fight experience. He expects Morales to weather an early storm and take over as Medić tires, possibly winning by decision or late finish.
The host does not make a clear pick for this fight. He mentions it as a potential live bet spot (Medic after round one) and includes it in a totals parlay (under 2.5 rounds), but does not state a winner.
Paul agrees with Cody, saying Morales' durability and return to lightweight should be key. He notes Medić's early explosiveness but thinks Morales can survive and take over. He is confident in Morales.
The MMA Guru picks Omar Morales, citing his toughness and durability. He worries about Uroš Medić's cardio and thinks Morales can survive the early storm and take over in later rounds. He notes Morales has a reach advantage and can pressure Medić in the second and third rounds. He predicts a 29-28 unanimous decision for Morales.
Omar Morales - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Duncan | 0 | 53 of 83 | 63% | 62 of 92 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 0 | 0 | 6:31 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 47 of 80 | 58% | 53 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Duncan | 0 | 24 of 40 | 60% | 24 of 40 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 26 of 42 | 61% | 27 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Chris Duncan | 0 | 14 of 24 | 58% | 20 of 30 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:42 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 7 of 17 | 41% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Chris Duncan | 0 | 15 of 19 | 78% | 18 of 22 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 3:37 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 14 of 21 | 66% | 16 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Duncan | 53 of 83 | 63% | 12 of 25 | 17 of 21 | 24 of 37 | 43 of 73 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 7 |
| Omar Morales | 47 of 80 | 58% | 32 of 64 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 10 | 41 of 73 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Duncan | 24 of 40 | 60% | 6 of 13 | 6 of 8 | 12 of 19 | 21 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 26 of 42 | 61% | 18 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 6 | 22 of 37 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Chris Duncan | 14 of 24 | 58% | 1 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 8 of 13 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Omar Morales | 7 of 17 | 41% | 4 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Chris Duncan | 15 of 19 | 78% | 5 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Omar Morales | 14 of 21 | 66% | 10 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo likes Chris Duncan because of his toughness and ability to recover from being dropped. He thinks Omar Morales' chin is effectively gone after back-to-back stoppage losses. He placed a half-unit bet on Duncan at -108 and expected the line to move. He believes Duncan will take damage but get the win.
Big Brady picks Chris Duncan as a slight underdog, citing his youth (29 vs 37), power, and toughness despite terrible striking defense. He notes Morales has not shown finishing ability at UFC level and is getting older. He predicts a second-round knockout, but admits he could care less about this fight and finds it hard to call.
Cody picks Morales, despite his low volume and recent KO loss. He notes Duncan is a brawler who gets hit a lot and has poor defense. He thinks Morales has power and can land a big shot, especially with his training at Kill Cliff. He says Morales needs to show aggression and pounce if he hurts Duncan. He admits it's a risky pick but sees value.
Connor picks Morales but with alarm bells, noting that Morales has mentally deteriorated after three hard losses and a failed weight cut. He believes the matchup is winnable because Duncan is a brawler who will trade at Morales's preferred range. However, he worries that Morales may break if frustrated, as seen in his last fight where he brawled wildly.
Jacob picks Omar Morales, citing experience and technical striking. He thinks Chris Duncan is slower than Uros Medic and not as relentless a wrestler as Jonathan Pearce, who beat Morales. He believes Morales can touch up Duncan on the feet and that Duncan will default to wrestling, where Morales is no joke on the ground.
Morales is a disciplined striker with good distance management and kicks, while Duncan is a brawler who leaves himself open to counters. Morales should use his technical advantage to pick Duncan apart from range, likely winning a decision. If Duncan gets reckless, Morales could even get a knockout.
Paul picks Morales, echoing that Duncan is not UFC caliber. He notes Morales used to be durable but questions his chin after the KO. He thinks Morales has a better camp and can win, but if it goes to decision, the UK crowd might favor Duncan. He says it's a pick'em price and expects fireworks.
The MMA Guru picks Chris Duncan over Omar Morales, citing Duncan's youth and toughness. He notes Duncan had a rough weight cut before his contender series loss but has since recovered. Morales is 37 and coming off a KO loss, and his competition outside the UFC is not impressive. He predicts a fun scrap with Duncan winning a 29-28 decision, having more in the tank.
Zane also picks Morales but is cautious. He notes that Duncan is a wild brawler who gets hurt often, and Morales has the counter ability and sharpness to exploit that. However, he acknowledges that Morales's recent performances have been poor and that the fight is a referendum on where Morales is mentally.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 0 | 33 of 85 | 38% | 33 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Omar Morales | 2 | 47 of 86 | 54% | 47 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 0 | 17 of 52 | 32% | 17 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 24 of 50 | 48% | 24 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Uroš Medić | 0 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 16 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Omar Morales | 2 | 23 of 36 | 63% | 23 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 33 of 85 | 38% | 18 of 64 | 8 of 14 | 7 of 7 | 32 of 82 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 47 of 86 | 54% | 21 of 57 | 13 of 16 | 13 of 13 | 45 of 83 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 17 of 52 | 32% | 6 of 37 | 7 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 24 of 50 | 48% | 11 of 35 | 8 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 23 of 48 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Uroš Medić | 16 of 33 | 48% | 12 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 23 of 36 | 63% | 10 of 22 | 5 of 6 | 8 of 8 | 22 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Omar Morales because he believes Morales's strength and ability to mix in grappling will be the difference. He notes that Uroš Medić is a kill-or-be-killed first-round striker who has shown poor grappling defense. Morales needs to survive the first round and work takedowns to avoid danger. Angelo expects a decision win for Morales.
Big Brady picks Omar Morales to win by second-round submission, but expresses low confidence due to Morales' poor fight IQ. He notes Morales has a BJJ black belt and should take the fight to the mat to exploit Medić's weak ground game and cardio. However, he worries Morales might stand and trade, which would give Medić a knockout chance. He says he cannot trust Morales at -160.
Cody picks Morales, citing his durability, experience, and return to lightweight where he performed best. He notes Medić's tendency to fade after the first round and lack of deep fight experience. He expects Morales to weather an early storm and take over as Medić tires, possibly winning by decision or late finish.
The host does not make a clear pick for this fight. He mentions it as a potential live bet spot (Medic after round one) and includes it in a totals parlay (under 2.5 rounds), but does not state a winner.
Paul agrees with Cody, saying Morales' durability and return to lightweight should be key. He notes Medić's early explosiveness but thinks Morales can survive and take over. He is confident in Morales.
The MMA Guru picks Omar Morales, citing his toughness and durability. He worries about Uroš Medić's cardio and thinks Morales can survive the early storm and take over in later rounds. He notes Morales has a reach advantage and can pressure Medić in the second and third rounds. He predicts a 29-28 unanimous decision for Morales.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 12 of 35 | 34% | 55 of 83 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 1 | 0 | 5:33 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 12 of 25 | 48% | 27 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 0:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 10 of 29 | 34% | 28 of 48 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 2:22 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 21 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 27 of 35 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:11 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 12 of 35 | 34% | 9 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 3 | 11 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 12 of 25 | 48% | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 18 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 10 of 29 | 34% | 7 of 22 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 3 | 10 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 11 of 21 | 52% | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 15 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Omar Morales, citing his strong kickboxing, solid takedown defense, and forward pressure. He notes that Morales' only loss is to Giga Chikadze, which looks better after Giga's recent win. Angelo believes Morales' striking and ability to control the cage will be key, and he expects a stoppage win.
Big Brady picks Omar Morales to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Jonathan Pierce is very hittable and relies on his chin, while Morales has good takedown defense and is a black belt in BJJ. He believes Morales can take advantage of Pierce's sloppy striking and potentially finish him early, though he acknowledges Pierce's cardio could be a factor if the fight goes longer.
Cody picks Pearce as an underdog, citing his volume, pace, cardio, and wrestling. He notes Morales' low output and questions his power at UFC level. He worries about Morales' calf kicks but believes Pearce's pressure will overwhelm Morales over three rounds.
Daniel Levi picks Omar Morales because he believes Morales can slow the pace and fight at his own methodical rhythm. He notes that Jonathan Pearce absorbs too many strikes (upwards of seven per minute) and that Morales has a solid wrestling base and is in his prime at 35. Levi also mentions that Morales addressed medical issues that held him back previously, and expects a finish or decision win.
Jacob picks Jonathan Pearce, citing his wrestling, pace, and a quote from Pearce: 'I've never seen a striker out wrestle a wrestler.' Jacob believes Pearce will get takedowns and wear down Omar Morales. He also notes that Pearce has already beaten Morales once before.
The host believes Omar Morales will win via decision. He thinks Morales has a much more hard-nosed striking style that will march down Jonathan Pierce. He expects Pierce to struggle to close the distance and land takedowns due to the heavy onslaught from Morales. He notes that Pierce's grappling success is necessary for him to win, but he doubts Pierce can break Morales.
Paul does not have a clear pick. He is staying away from this fight, noting he has been burned by Pearce before (the Joe Lauzon loss). He respects others who like Morales but has no edge.
The MMA Guru picks Omar Morales over Jonathan Pearce, citing Morales' composed striking and takedown defense. He notes that Morales' only loss is to Giga Chikadze, which has aged well, and that Pearce, while looking good against Kaikamaka, is not at Morales' level. He expects Morales to win a unanimous decision, as he doesn't see the fight hitting the ground and believes Morales is a more versatile and dangerous striker.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 0 | 46 of 105 | 43% | 59 of 120 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 3:26 |
| Shane Young | 0 | 69 of 144 | 47% | 74 of 150 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 8 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Shane Young | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 11 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 0 | 18 of 37 | 48% | 18 of 37 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Shane Young | 0 | 28 of 61 | 45% | 28 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 0 | 20 of 54 | 37% | 33 of 69 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
| Shane Young | 0 | 34 of 69 | 49% | 35 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 46 of 105 | 43% | 17 of 65 | 19 of 26 | 10 of 14 | 40 of 99 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Shane Young | 69 of 144 | 47% | 48 of 120 | 7 of 10 | 14 of 14 | 59 of 133 | 9 of 10 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 8 of 14 | 57% | 2 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Shane Young | 7 of 14 | 50% | 2 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 18 of 37 | 48% | 5 of 20 | 9 of 11 | 4 of 6 | 17 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Shane Young | 28 of 61 | 45% | 19 of 50 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 7 | 27 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 20 of 54 | 37% | 10 of 40 | 7 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 18 of 52 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Shane Young | 34 of 69 | 49% | 27 of 61 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 6 | 29 of 64 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Omar Morales to win by second-round knockout, likely via head kick. He notes Morales' power and body kicks, and that Young is very hittable with poor striking defense (56% striking defense, absorbs 5.15 strikes per minute). He references Young's last fight where he was hurt by a head kick. He believes Morales is levels above Young technically and will put him away.
Cody leans towards Young as an underdog, noting that Morales is 35 and may have peaked. He thinks Young's volume and pace could be key, and that Morales was hesitant in his last fight. He is tentatively picking Young for the parlay, but is not fully confident.
The host is confident in Omar Morales to win by second-round KO. He notes Morales' power, pressure, and durability, and believes Shane Young will struggle with Morales' ferocity and size. He compares Young's losses to fighters who pressured him, like Volkanovski and Ludovit Klein, and expects Morales to do the same. He calls Morales his 'strongest lean' on the card and thinks he will overwhelm Young with strikes and possibly a takedown.
Paul also leans towards Young, citing Morales' poor game plan against Giga Chikadze and his reluctance to wrestle. He thinks Young's pressure and cardio could be too much for Morales, who has shown low volume. He is not fully confident but likes the underdog value.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giga Chikadze | 1 | 65 of 157 | 41% | 69 of 163 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 34 of 128 | 26% | 35 of 130 | 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 | Giga Chikadze | 0 | 23 of 50 | 46% | 23 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 11 of 31 | 35% | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 | |
| 2 | Giga Chikadze | 0 | 11 of 39 | 28% | 13 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 11 of 50 | 22% | 12 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:32 | |
| 3 | Giga Chikadze | 1 | 31 of 68 | 45% | 33 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 12 of 47 | 25% | 12 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giga Chikadze | 65 of 157 | 41% | 32 of 117 | 24 of 28 | 9 of 12 | 54 of 134 | 0 of 2 | 11 of 21 |
| Omar Morales | 34 of 128 | 26% | 23 of 111 | 7 of 11 | 4 of 6 | 34 of 125 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giga Chikadze | 23 of 50 | 46% | 10 of 35 | 7 of 7 | 6 of 8 | 23 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 11 of 31 | 35% | 8 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Giga Chikadze | 11 of 39 | 28% | 8 of 33 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 11 of 50 | 22% | 5 of 42 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Giga Chikadze | 31 of 68 | 45% | 14 of 49 | 14 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 20 of 45 | 0 of 2 | 11 of 21 |
| Omar Morales | 12 of 47 | 25% | 10 of 42 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Moving now to the 145-pound weight category, the recently nicknamed “Ninja” Chikadze (10-2, 3-0 UFC) looks to become the first man to beat the hard-charging Venezuelan Morales (10-0, 2-0 UFC). This interesting striker vs. grappler stylistic matchup will be overseen by referee Marc Goddard, and the two men have no interest in touch gloves to clock in their fight. Both stay at a distance to find their range in the early going, letting off heavy but sporadic kicks at the body while Chikadze attacks the calf as well. Morales closes in to land a few punches, and Chikadze fires back with some blazing fast kicks. The unbeaten fighter again lands a couple punches and breaks away, and Chikadze spins with a back kick to plant Morales on his backside. The Venezuelan fighter springs back up and engages, but Chikadze is the one to land in the exchange. Morales dodges a spinning strike and walks forward to clinch up, but Chikadze pushes off to gain a separation a few seconds later. Chikadze attacks the calf again and points at it to admire his work, and he goes after it again. Chikadze stomps the canvas a few times to draw a reaction, and winds up with another heavy low kick. Morales’ calf is swelling up already, and he walks forward and gets clipped with a right hand. When Morales kicks his opponent's leg, Chikadze laughs at him and taunts him to kick it again. Chikadze winds up and fires off a body kick that lands with an audible thud, and the two brawl it out for a moment. Another leg kick from Chikadze ends this tense round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Round 2
The two men pick up where they left off with the intensity, trash talking each other as they unload loud kicks. Morales closes in on him and hits a sudden takedown, and Chikadze looks surprised as he sits against the fence until deciding it is time to stand up again. When they get to their feet, Chikadze considers keeping the dominant position in the clinch but pushes off and fires a low kick. The two duck down to sling big overhand rights, and practically every strike is a home run shot as they put everything they have into their offense. Morales rushes in and his leg gives out, but he is able to stand back up as Chikadze stares at him from afar. “Ninja” swings and misses with a head kick, and he hops backwards and lands a right hand. Chikadze dances and hops around, and dodges a right hand from Morales to crack Morales with a huge left hand. When Morales swings and misses as a response, Chikadze goads him on to keep it coming. Chikadze slips in and out with shots, able to close the distance and disengage before absorbing any counter. Chikadze retreats as Morales gets in a one-two, and Chikadze makes him pay with a heavy right hand that bloodies the bridge of the undefeated fighter’s nose. Morales kicks Chikadze’s lead leg, and slams a body kick off Chikadze’s arm. Chikadze dips and wings a right hand, and his head movement helps him avoid the counter as he hammers home two nasty body kicks. The round ends as Morales gives chase.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Round 3
The two featherweights come charging out of their corners to unload big right hands, but they close the distance too quickly to connect. Chikadze backs away to chip away with a few kicks, and Morales follows after him. Chikadze obliges his opponent chasing him by zinging a head kick that just misses the mark. Instead of just walking straight towards Chikadze like earlier in the match, Morales tries to circle around but only manages to land a few jabs. Chikadze dances out of the way from the barrage of strikes that come from his undefeated adversary, and he sneaks in a quick leg kick. Morales is hobbled with his left leg swollen and bloodied, and Chikadze cracks him to the body with a kick as Morales walks in. Chikadze tries to follow the kick with two booming hooks, but Morales is barely able to get out of the way in time. Chikadze stings the body again and slings a left hand that catches Morales on the chin, but Morales eats it like a sandwich. Chikadze winds up with a huge right hand and puts Morales down hard, where the kickboxer leaps on top and starts raining down heavy shots. Morales takes everything on the chin and fights his way back to his feet, so Chikadze kicks him to the body again. Morales is on wobbled legs as Chikadze just misses a head kick. Chikadze looks away and slings a left hook, and the punch blows the hair back but comes up shy of the mark. Chikadze catches a kick and lets it go, before letting loose with an axe kick. Morales gets energized and starts throwing, but he cannot land flush with anything of note. Chikadze backs away and fires off a rolling thunder kick that clatters off the guard of his foe, and Morales stands over him until the final horn ends the fight and likely ends Morales' undefeated record.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze (30-27 Chikadze)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze (30-27 Chikadze)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze (30-27 Chikadze)
The Official Result
Giga Chikadze def. Omar Morales via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Big Brady picks Morales, noting he is not impressed with Chikadze's low volume (3.3 strikes per minute) and cardio issues. He believes Morales will press forward, land harder shots, and has a BJJ black belt advantage if the fight goes to the ground. He expects Morales to win a decision, especially winning the third round.
Daniel slightly edges Omar Morales, citing his toughness, strong fundamentals, and better cardio. He notes that Giga Chikadze tends to fade in the third round, while Morales gets better as the fight progresses. Daniel also thinks Morales might mix in takedowns if needed. He acknowledges Chikadze's dynamic kicking but believes Morales' pressure and durability will carry him.
Morales has higher output and fight IQ, and his leg kicks will be effective against Chikadze's wide karate stance. Chikadze is a skilled kickboxer but may be outworked. Morales' first cut to 145 is a concern, but he should win a decision.
The Guru picks Morales, expressing disdain for Chikadze's padded record against cans. He notes Morales has overperformed against good competition (e.g., Gabriel Benitez). He believes Chikadze struggles against anyone with a winning record and will lose by unanimous decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 0 | 50 of 179 | 27% | 50 of 179 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 63 of 215 | 29% | 63 of 215 | 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 | Omar Morales | 0 | 15 of 53 | 28% | 15 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 12 of 55 | 21% | 12 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 0 | 13 of 53 | 24% | 13 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 20 of 60 | 33% | 20 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 0 | 22 of 73 | 30% | 22 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 31 of 100 | 31% | 31 of 100 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 50 of 179 | 27% | 17 of 133 | 21 of 28 | 12 of 18 | 50 of 179 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 63 of 215 | 29% | 36 of 178 | 20 of 28 | 7 of 9 | 61 of 210 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 15 of 53 | 28% | 6 of 39 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 15 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 12 of 55 | 21% | 7 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 12 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 13 of 53 | 24% | 4 of 39 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 6 | 13 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 20 of 60 | 33% | 9 of 45 | 9 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 22 of 73 | 30% | 7 of 55 | 11 of 13 | 4 of 5 | 22 of 73 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 31 of 100 | 31% | 20 of 84 | 10 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 29 of 96 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Omar Morales due to Benítez moving up in weight, making Morales the much bigger fighter. He believes Morales can take Benítez down at will and win a comfortable decision, possibly by knockout. He notes Benítez has been knocked out before and that Morales is very green but should dominate due to the size difference.
Daniel Levi picks Omar Morales, predicting a knockout via right high kick or counter. He criticizes Benítez's predictable offense (straight left, left kick) and suspect chin, noting that Morales is a former kickboxer with cleaner technique and power. He believes Morales will move to 2-0 in the UFC.
The MMA Guru picks Gabriel Benítez, stating he is not sold on Omar Morales after his lackluster UFC debut against Dong Hyun Ma. He notes that Benítez is in his prime at 31 and has had good showings in the UFC, including rocking Sadiq Yusuf. He predicts Benítez will win by decision or TKO, calling Morales an 'old man' making his debut too late.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 0 | 15 of 56 | 26% | 21 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 1 | 32 of 89 | 35% | 60 of 123 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 6:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 0 | 4 of 13 | 30% | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 24 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:11 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 0 | 8 of 28 | 28% | 8 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 0 | 11 of 37 | 29% | 11 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 0 | 3 of 15 | 20% | 7 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 1 | 14 of 38 | 36% | 25 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 15 of 56 | 26% | 6 of 43 | 2 of 5 | 7 of 8 | 15 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 32 of 89 | 35% | 22 of 78 | 9 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 4 of 13 | 30% | 0 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 7 of 14 | 50% | 3 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 8 of 28 | 28% | 4 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 11 of 37 | 29% | 6 of 32 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 3 of 15 | 20% | 2 of 13 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 14 of 38 | 36% | 13 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 15 |
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Omar Morales because he believes Morales's strength and ability to mix in grappling will be the difference. He notes that Uroš Medić is a kill-or-be-killed first-round striker who has shown poor grappling defense. Morales needs to survive the first round and work takedowns to avoid danger. Angelo expects a decision win for Morales.
Big Brady picks Omar Morales to win by second-round submission, but expresses low confidence due to Morales' poor fight IQ. He notes Morales has a BJJ black belt and should take the fight to the mat to exploit Medić's weak ground game and cardio. However, he worries Morales might stand and trade, which would give Medić a knockout chance. He says he cannot trust Morales at -160.
Cody picks Morales, citing his durability, experience, and return to lightweight where he performed best. He notes Medić's tendency to fade after the first round and lack of deep fight experience. He expects Morales to weather an early storm and take over as Medić tires, possibly winning by decision or late finish.
The host does not make a clear pick for this fight. He mentions it as a potential live bet spot (Medic after round one) and includes it in a totals parlay (under 2.5 rounds), but does not state a winner.
Paul agrees with Cody, saying Morales' durability and return to lightweight should be key. He notes Medić's early explosiveness but thinks Morales can survive and take over. He is confident in Morales.
The MMA Guru picks Omar Morales, citing his toughness and durability. He worries about Uroš Medić's cardio and thinks Morales can survive the early storm and take over in later rounds. He notes Morales has a reach advantage and can pressure Medić in the second and third rounds. He predicts a 29-28 unanimous decision for Morales.
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