Career Averages - Tracy Cortez
Career Averages - Melissa Gatto
Tracy Cortez
Melissa Gatto
Tracy Cortez - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 52 of 116 | 44% | 65 of 134 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 1 | 2:43 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 46 of 104 | 44% | 50 of 108 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 43 of 92 | 46% | 43 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 32 of 76 | 42% | 33 of 77 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 9 of 24 | 37% | 22 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 1 | 2:43 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 14 of 28 | 50% | 17 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 52 of 116 | 44% | 38 of 100 | 6 of 8 | 8 of 8 | 51 of 115 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 46 of 104 | 44% | 35 of 88 | 7 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 45 of 100 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 43 of 92 | 46% | 32 of 80 | 5 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 42 of 91 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 32 of 76 | 42% | 25 of 64 | 4 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 31 of 72 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 9 of 24 | 37% | 6 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 14 of 28 | 50% | 10 of 24 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Erin Blanchfield despite considering Tracy Cortez's wrestling. He values Blanchfield's relentless pressure and scrambling ability. He notes Cortez is often at events and may not be training enough. He suggests over 2.5 rounds and a plus 3.5 bet on Cortez as possibilities.
Big Brady leans Erin Blanchfield, believing her grappling advantage will be decisive. He notes Tracy Cortez has only 62% takedown defense and has been taken down multiple times by Rose Namajunas and others. Brady thinks Blanchfield's top control and submission skills are superior once the fight hits the ground, and predicts a decision win. He acknowledges the line is wide and a case can be made for Cortez.
Cody picks Blanchfield, noting that she has improved significantly since their first fight six years ago, especially her striking. He points out that Cortez has not evolved and has been inactive. Cody believes Blanchfield's wrestling and pressure will be too much, and she will win by decision. He also mentions that Blanchfield is younger and more motivated.
Connor also leans toward Cortez, agreeing with Zane. He notes that Cortez is an inch taller than Blanchfield, which is surprising, and that Blanchfield's aggressive style may lead to her giving things away. He thinks Cortez can win out scrambles and that Blanchfield's one-size-fits-all approach may not work.
Daniel sees Blanchfield as the more evolved fighter since their first fight, with relentless pressure and a never-quit attitude. He notes that Cortez struggles when she is the nail, while Blanchfield has shown she can overcome adversity. He expects Blanchfield to avenge her loss and continue her rise.
Lucrative James picks Erin Blanchfield to win, citing her superior grappling and submission skills. He believes Cortez will engage in wrestling, which plays into Blanchfield's strengths, as she is a better MMA grappler and dangerous from top position. He notes Blanchfield's ability to submit opponents from any position, as seen in her previous win over Cortez. He expects Blanchfield to win via submission or dominant decision.
Blanchfield lands bigger shots on the feet and eventually lands takedowns for control and BJJ superiority. Cortez may be the better wrestler on paper, but Blanchfield gets her hand raised on the scorecards.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing that Blanchfield's striking has improved the most. He notes that Cortez's takedown defense is not great and that Blanchfield will likely control the fight. Paul also mentions that Blanchfield has a home-field advantage and that the fight will likely go to decision. He likes the over 2.5 rounds prop.
The Guru picks Erin Blanchfield to win by 29-28 decision. He believes Blanchfield's grappling and physicality will be decisive, though she may lose the first round. He criticizes Cortez's focus on appearance (fake eyelashes) and notes Blanchfield's win over Rose Namajunas as a better benchmark. Blanchfield should mix in takedowns and control later rounds.
Zane leans toward Cortez, noting that Cortez has a win over Blanchfield and is a very good scrambler and grappler. He thinks Blanchfield's aggressive style might play into Cortez's hands, as Cortez is comfortable in scrambles. However, he admits it's hard to get a grip on Cortez and that she is still developing.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viviane Araújo | 0 | 22 of 51 | 43% | 39 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:43 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 65 of 103 | 63% | 102 of 143 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 1 | 8:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viviane Araújo | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 15 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:43 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 15 of 20 | 75% | 23 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 1 | 2:52 | |
| 2 | Viviane Araújo | 0 | 12 of 29 | 41% | 17 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 20 of 43 | 46% | 25 of 49 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:15 | |
| 3 | Viviane Araújo | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 30 of 40 | 75% | 54 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viviane Araújo | 22 of 51 | 43% | 16 of 45 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 19 of 48 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 65 of 103 | 63% | 53 of 82 | 8 of 14 | 4 of 7 | 24 of 53 | 2 of 5 | 39 of 45 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viviane Araújo | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 15 of 20 | 75% | 10 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 13 | |
| 2 | Viviane Araújo | 12 of 29 | 41% | 8 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 20 of 43 | 46% | 15 of 33 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 3 | 15 of 36 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | |
| 3 | Viviane Araújo | 5 of 9 | 55% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 30 of 40 | 75% | 28 of 35 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 28 |
Angelo slightly picks Tracy Cortez because he expects her grappling to wear down Viviane Araújo as the fight goes on, given Araújo's cardio fades and she is 38 years old. He acknowledges that Araújo is the better striker and has good takedown defense, but thinks Cortez can grind out a win. He also suggests the over on the round line is a safe bet, noting that women's fights often go over.
Big Brady thinks Cortez is the better striker and younger, and expects the fight to take place at distance where Cortez will outland Araújo. He notes Araújo has been outlanded at distance in recent fights and is 38 years old. Brady believes Cortez can also mix in takedowns. However, he is surprised by the -230 line, thinking it's too wide, but still picks Cortez to win by decision.
The host is leaning Cortez, believing her wrestling will break down Araújo and lead to dominant second and third rounds, winning on the scorecards.
The host picks Tracy Cortez but is hesitant, expecting a close competitive decision. He notes that Cortez has crisper boxing while Araújo is more well-rounded, and that the fight is likely to be a 29-28 decision. He is tempted by Araújo's underdog odds but ultimately goes with Cortez, believing the judges will favor her in a close fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 1 | 96 of 180 | 53% | 119 of 215 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 6:36 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 58 of 198 | 29% | 85 of 233 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 1 | 26 of 50 | 52% | 30 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 12 of 43 | 27% | 14 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 26 of 46 | 56% | 27 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 11 of 41 | 26% | 12 of 42 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 15 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:47 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 17 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 12 of 44 | 27% | 15 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 28 of 44 | 63% | 30 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 21 of 61 | 34% | 36 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 96 of 180 | 53% | 66 of 146 | 17 of 20 | 13 of 14 | 93 of 175 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 58 of 198 | 29% | 31 of 162 | 14 of 17 | 13 of 19 | 52 of 189 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 26 of 50 | 52% | 16 of 39 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 26 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 12 of 43 | 27% | 4 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 10 | 12 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 26 of 46 | 56% | 16 of 33 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 25 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 11 of 41 | 26% | 7 of 36 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 40 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 5 of 12 | 41% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 2 of 9 | 22% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 11 of 28 | 39% | 8 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 12 of 44 | 27% | 7 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 40 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 28 of 44 | 63% | 21 of 37 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 28 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 21 of 61 | 34% | 12 of 50 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 19 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Rose Namajunas, citing her superior striking and overall skill. He believes Tracy Cortez's path to victory is through wrestling, but doubts she can take Rose down for 25 minutes, especially since Cortez was training for a three-round fight and now faces five rounds at elevation. He notes that Rose was taken down four times by Amanda Ribas, but Ribas used clinch tosses rather than traditional shots, which are easier to defend. Angelo plans to have multiple bets on Rose.
Cody picks Rose Namajunas, citing her experience at altitude, full camp, and superior striking. He notes Tracy Cortez's inactivity and short notice, and believes Rose's wrestling defense and offensive takedowns will be key. He expects a decision win for Rose.
Daniel Vreeland picks Tracy Cortez to upset Rose Namajunas. He argues that Cortez has a legitimate wrestling background, which historically gives Rose trouble, and that Rose is a 'hot and cold' fighter who struggles when faced with adversity. He notes Cortez's 11-fight win streak and that she was already preparing for a fight next week, so short notice isn't a major issue. He also mentions Rose's age and mileage, suggesting she may be slowing down. He calls it a 'dog or pass' situation and prefers the plus 185 underdog.
Rose Namajunas has the striking advantage and the cardio edge, especially at altitude. Cortez will land some takedowns, but over 25 minutes, Namajunas will land better strikes and even some takedowns of her own late, cruising to a decision. The line is a bit wide, but the former champion reigns supreme.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing Rose's full camp, altitude advantage, and five-round experience. He points out that Cortez's wrestling has been neutralized by upper-echelon opponents and that Rose's scrambling ability will nullify takedowns. He sees Rose winning by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 103 of 212 | 48% | 116 of 225 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 0 | 77 of 206 | 37% | 95 of 225 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 3:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 39 of 75 | 52% | 39 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 0 | 24 of 63 | 38% | 25 of 64 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 28 of 61 | 45% | 29 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 0 | 18 of 56 | 32% | 32 of 71 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:52 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 36 of 76 | 47% | 48 of 88 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 0 | 35 of 87 | 40% | 38 of 90 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 103 of 212 | 48% | 63 of 164 | 16 of 23 | 24 of 25 | 91 of 198 | 12 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 77 of 206 | 37% | 43 of 148 | 25 of 47 | 9 of 11 | 58 of 176 | 19 of 30 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 39 of 75 | 52% | 20 of 55 | 6 of 6 | 13 of 14 | 34 of 70 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 24 of 63 | 38% | 14 of 47 | 6 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 20 of 57 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 28 of 61 | 45% | 16 of 46 | 7 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 22 of 53 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 18 of 56 | 32% | 11 of 40 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 14 of 48 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 36 of 76 | 47% | 27 of 63 | 3 of 7 | 6 of 6 | 35 of 75 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 35 of 87 | 40% | 18 of 61 | 14 of 22 | 3 of 4 | 24 of 71 | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cortez (-120), Jasudavicius (+100)
Round 1
Women’s flyweights step into the spotlight, as Cortez (10-1, 4-0 UFC) looks to build on a 10-fight winning streak and continue her climb on the 125-pound ladder. Jasudavicius (9-2, 3-1 UFC) steps into the Octagon on the strength of back-to-back victories over Gabriella Fernandes and Miranda Maverick. Jason Herzog serves as the referee. Jasudavicius turns down the glove tap, preferring to get right down to business. They paw at one another with jabs, as Cortez unleashes an inside leg kick and eats a counter right hand from the Canadian. Cortez connects in combination, setting up her attacks with the jab. Jasudavicius lands with a heavy outside leg kick and nearly spins around the Arizonan. Cortez’s hands look considerably sharper. Jasudavicius lands on occasion but lacks the necessary oomph to give her opponent pause. Cortez sneaks in a right hand over the top, fires more punches and finishes a combination with a clean left hook. Cortez shuts down a takedown attempt, threatens the neck and delivers a knee on the exit. Jasudavicius clinches but gets nowhere, and the flyweight separate. Cortez continues to connect in combination until the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Round 2
Cortez re-asserts herself with a sharp one-two to start the middle stanza. She keeps a safe distance with a push kick to the body, scores with a leg kick and exits into open space. Cortez delivers a knee up the middle at close range and snaps the Canadian’s head sideways with a searing left hook. Jasudavicius needs a change of pace. She backs up Cortez with a pair of head kicks, then throw punches down the middle. Cortez goes headhunting and leaves herself open for a takedown. Jasudavicius takes top position midway through the second round. Cortez, however, wall walks to an upright position but allows her opponent to sneak behind her. Jasudavicius powers her way to another takedown and moves to half guard before chipping away with punches. Cortez builds a base again and gets back to her feet, bracing herself against the fence. Jasudavicius lingers in the clinch for too long and ends up with her back to the cage. They move into open space with 20 seconds left and exchange.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius
Round 3
It looks to be anyone’s fight as Round 3 gets underway. Cortez connects with a right hand over the top and follows it with a leg kick. Jasudavicius presses forward, shoots on the hips and clinches. She works hard for a takedown, only to fail initially. The Canadian pesters Cortez with knees to the head in close quarters but allows her to move to the center of the cage. A clean one-two from Cortez backs up Jasudavicius, energizing the crowd with her efforts. They exchange in the center of the cage. Jasudavicius moves into clinch once more and connects with a knee on the break. Cortez spending too much time moving backward but continues to land, especially with her right hand. Fatigue becoming a factor for both women. Jasudavicius follows a knee with a partially blocked head kick and punches. Trash talk ensues after Jasudavicius gets away with pulling the hair in the center of the cage. Cortez keeps her hands busy in the waning seconds. This one could go either way.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius (29-28 Jasudavicius)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (29-29 Cortez)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (29-28 Cortez)
The Official Result
Tracy Cortez def. Jasmine Jasudavicius—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Jasmine Jasudavicius, citing her superior wrestling credentials and ability to keep the fight standing. He notes Tracy Cortez has poor striking and relies on takedowns, but Jasmine's wrestling defense is strong. He acknowledges Cortez could win if she initiates takedowns, but favors Jasmine's toughness and recent form. He has a half-unit bet on her at +100.
Big Brady picks Cortez but acknowledges the fight could be close. He believes Cortez has better striking and grappling, especially top control, and that Jasudavicius has been outlanded at distance. He expects a decision and notes the crowd support for Cortez. However, he is hesitant due to the close line and the possibility of a wrestling stalemate.
Cody picks Jasudavicius, noting her wrestling base, grit, and improvement. He points out Cortez's inactivity, weight issues, and vulnerability in recent fights. He believes Jasudavicius can stuff takedowns and outwork Cortez on the feet.
Daniel Levi picks Jasmine Jasudavicius, citing her relentless pace and 'dog' mentality. He worries about Tracy Cortez's long layoff and mental health issues, and believes Jasmine will push the pace and potentially break Cortez in the later rounds. Levi acknowledges Cortez's technical wrestling advantage but thinks Jasmine's pressure and volume can win two rounds if she avoids being neutralized.
Cortez is one of the best wrestlers in the division, with excellent takedowns and top pressure. Jasudavicius is coming off an upset win over Miranda Maverick, but I think there's recency bias; Cortez is a step up in wrestling. Cortez should close the distance and impose her will, winning by decision. I've already bet her at minus 170 and think she's still a good spot up to that range.
Paul leans toward Jasudavicius as an underdog, citing her wrestling, durability, and recent wins as a dog. He notes Cortez's inactivity, weight cut issues, and close fights. He likes Jasudavicius's pace and thinks she can outwork Cortez.
The MMA Guru picks Jasmine Jasudavicius over Tracy Cortez, despite most people favoring Cortez. He believes Jasudavicius is more game, stronger, and tougher. He notes Cortez's split decision win over Justine Kish as a poor performance and highlights Jasudavicius's recent grappling dominance over Miranda Maverick. He expects Jasudavicius to win in the second and third rounds via stand-up fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 36 of 66 | 54% | 70 of 102 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 1 | 7:54 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 30 of 73 | 41% | 49 of 95 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 1 | 3:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 11 of 16 | 68% | 23 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 3:16 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 7 of 20 | 35% | 14 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 9 of 23 | 39% | 20 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:35 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 15 of 35 | 42% | 25 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 2:04 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 27 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:03 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:35 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 36 of 66 | 54% | 25 of 51 | 6 of 9 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 27 |
| Melissa Gatto | 30 of 73 | 41% | 25 of 61 | 3 of 7 | 2 of 5 | 27 of 69 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 11 of 16 | 68% | 8 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 |
| Melissa Gatto | 7 of 20 | 35% | 6 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 9 of 23 | 39% | 4 of 16 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
| Melissa Gatto | 15 of 35 | 42% | 13 of 30 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 14 of 33 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 16 of 27 | 59% | 13 of 22 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 14 |
| Melissa Gatto | 8 of 18 | 44% | 6 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo picks Tracy Cortez based on her wrestling, expecting her to grind out a decision. However, he admits his bet will be on Melissa Gatto to win inside the distance (decision no action), indicating a lack of full confidence in Cortez. He notes Cortez's layoff and Gatto's submission threat.
Big Brady picks Tracy Cortez to win by decision, but he is hesitant. He acknowledges that Gatto has shown impressive striking and grappling, but her takedown defense is poor. Cortez will look to take Gatto down and control her, and Brady believes she will succeed in getting takedowns. However, Gatto is dangerous off her back with submissions, so Cortez will have to fight off submissions for 15 minutes. Brady thinks Cortez will win by controlling the fight on the ground, but he would not count out Gatto completely.
Cody picks Tracy Cortez, but emphasizes monitoring the scales. He notes Cortez's wrestling advantage and that she trains at Fight Ready MMA. Cody believes Cortez can get takedowns and stay on top, avoiding Gatto's submissions. He thinks Gatto's guard is active but Cortez's wrestling and pace will prevail. Cody is confident if Cortez makes weight.
Daniel Levi leans toward Melissa Gatto as an underdog, citing her cleaner striking, power, and opportunistic submissions. He expects Cortez to have early wrestling success but thinks Gatto can survive and turn the fight in later rounds. He is worried about Cortez's top control but sees value in Gatto at plus money. He has not bet yet, noting he missed better lines.
The host picks Melissa Gatto but is not betting the fight due to volatility. He notes Cortez's strong wrestling but concerns about her weight miss and cardio. He highlights Gatto's impressive UFC performances, her ability to work from bottom, and her vicious striking. He expects Gatto to pressure, attack the body, and possibly find a submission or win via striking. He acknowledges Cortez will land takedowns but thinks Gatto will do enough to win.
Paul picks Melissa Gatto as an underdog at +147. He believes the fight is more 50/50 and that Gatto's grappling is legit, with an active guard and submission threats. He fears Cortez's wrestling could control the fight, but thinks Gatto's strength and jiu-jitsu could lead to a submission. Paul acknowledges the Arizona home cooking factor but took the dog shot.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Gatto as an underdog, citing her underrated skills, youth, and physical advantages. He notes Gatto has a reach advantage, submission ability, and finishing power, as seen in her wins over Carol Rosa and Sijara Eubanks. He criticizes Cortez for pitter-patter striking and lack of finishing ability. He predicts Gatto will win on the feet and then secure a submission, possibly an armbar in the second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 66 of 112 | 58% | 84 of 138 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 6:26 |
| Justine Kish | 1 | 55 of 119 | 46% | 72 of 140 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 20 of 30 | 66% | 34 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:11 |
| Justine Kish | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 12 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 22 of 44 | 50% | 24 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Justine Kish | 0 | 29 of 57 | 50% | 38 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 24 of 38 | 63% | 26 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:22 |
| Justine Kish | 1 | 21 of 54 | 38% | 22 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 66 of 112 | 58% | 40 of 78 | 19 of 24 | 7 of 10 | 39 of 73 | 7 of 7 | 20 of 32 |
| Justine Kish | 55 of 119 | 46% | 30 of 86 | 8 of 14 | 17 of 19 | 50 of 111 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 20 of 30 | 66% | 18 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 25 |
| Justine Kish | 5 of 8 | 62% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 22 of 44 | 50% | 9 of 26 | 8 of 10 | 5 of 8 | 19 of 41 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Justine Kish | 29 of 57 | 50% | 15 of 38 | 4 of 8 | 10 of 11 | 27 of 54 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 24 of 38 | 63% | 13 of 24 | 9 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 7 |
| Justine Kish | 21 of 54 | 38% | 12 of 42 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 19 of 51 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Big Brady picks Tracy Cortez to win by decision. He highlights Cortez's excellent wrestling (3 takedowns per 15 minutes) against Kish's poor takedown defense (55%). He notes that Kish has not faced a wrestler of Cortez's caliber and that Cortez should have no problem getting takedowns and controlling the fight. He expects a dominant decision with multiple takedowns and top control. He suggests the decision prop at -120 as a better value than the moneyline.
Cody believes Cortez will secure takedowns and grind Kish down. He notes Kish is raw, makes mistakes, and has poor takedown defense. He thinks Cortez's wrestling is her bread and butter and that she will win by decision. He is confident in the pick.
Daniel Levi picks Tracy Cortez, citing her disciplined style and takedown ability. He notes that Justine Kish is aggressive but leaves openings for takedowns, and Cortez will stay true to her game plan. Levi believes Cortez will take Kish down and control the fight, winning a unanimous decision. He also mentions that Cortez has a higher ceiling and is working with a good team.
Manpreet is confident Cortez will win by decision, citing her superior wrestling and top control. He notes that Kish is durable but has poor takedown defense and struggles off her back, as seen in the Felice Herrig fight. He believes Cortez will grind out a decision, making the decision prop a safe play.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Kish has lost to grapplers and has not improved. He thinks Cortez's wrestling will be even better at 125 lbs. He expects a 29-28 decision for Cortez.
The MMA Guru picks Tracy Cortez to win by unanimous decision. He notes Cortez is younger, has a reach advantage, and a better record with good competition. He criticizes Justine Kish's recent losses and lack of impressive wins. He expects Cortez to secure takedowns at the end of rounds to win close rounds, possibly 30-27.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 20 of 42 | 47% | 66 of 109 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 9:58 |
| Stephanie Egger | 0 | 10 of 32 | 31% | 27 of 70 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 1 | 2:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 13 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:43 |
| Stephanie Egger | 0 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 12 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:34 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 31 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:16 |
| Stephanie Egger | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 7 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 8 of 15 | 53% | 22 of 36 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:59 |
| Stephanie Egger | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 8 of 19 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 20 of 42 | 47% | 11 of 28 | 3 of 6 | 6 of 8 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 11 of 16 |
| Stephanie Egger | 10 of 32 | 31% | 6 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 6 | 8 of 29 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 6 of 14 | 42% | 2 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Stephanie Egger | 6 of 16 | 37% | 2 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 6 of 13 | 46% | 3 of 8 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Stephanie Egger | 2 of 9 | 22% | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 8 of 15 | 53% | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 7 |
| Stephanie Egger | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks the underdog Egger, citing her size advantage (3-inch height), legitimate ground game, and takedown ability. He notes Cortez has been reversed and put in bad spots on the mat, and that Egger is the bigger woman. He believes the fight should be closer to a pick'em and expects Egger to win by decision or submission.
Daniel leans with Tracy Cortez, believing her wrestling is better suited for MMA than Egger's judo. He notes that pulling guard in MMA is risky against a wrestler. He expects Cortez to get takedowns and win a decision. However, he cautions that Cortez is still green and wouldn't bet heavily on her.
Egger has size, strength, and judo advantages; she can reverse clinch positions and control on the ground. Cortez is undersized and may struggle to get takedowns. Egger's cardio is a concern, but she should win the first two rounds and survive the third for a decision.
The Guru picks Cortez, citing her better competition, experience, and record. He notes Egger is taking the fight on short notice and expects Cortez to grind out a unanimous decision by winning the second and third rounds.
Melissa Gatto - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dione Barbosa | 0 | 30 of 67 | 44% | 108 of 154 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 1 | 6:06 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 33 of 67 | 49% | 64 of 109 | 3 of 12 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 4:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dione Barbosa | 0 | 16 of 37 | 43% | 35 of 58 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:15 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 21 of 48 | 43% | 27 of 59 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 | |
| 2 | Dione Barbosa | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 34 of 51 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 23 of 30 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 | |
| 3 | Dione Barbosa | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 39 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 2:31 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 14 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:42 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dione Barbosa | 30 of 67 | 44% | 19 of 53 | 9 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 49 | 5 of 7 | 9 of 11 |
| Melissa Gatto | 33 of 67 | 49% | 14 of 40 | 9 of 15 | 10 of 12 | 30 of 62 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dione Barbosa | 16 of 37 | 43% | 12 of 31 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 30 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 2 |
| Melissa Gatto | 21 of 48 | 43% | 7 of 26 | 7 of 13 | 7 of 9 | 20 of 45 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Dione Barbosa | 9 of 20 | 45% | 6 of 17 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 |
| Melissa Gatto | 5 of 7 | 71% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Dione Barbosa | 5 of 10 | 50% | 1 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Melissa Gatto | 7 of 12 | 58% | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barbosa (-145); Gatto (+125)
Round 1
The night presses on as a pair of women’s flyweights meet in hopes of keeping or lifting their respective promotional record above .500. Barbosa (8-4, 2-2 UFC) would like a victory to elevate it over that midpoint mark, while bantamweight part-timer Gatto (9-2-2, 3-2 UFC) is looking for success back in her natural weight class. Referee Chris Tognoni draws the charge for this preliminary contest, one that does not open with a glove touch.
The ladies measure one another in the early going, testing out their jabs while not committing to much else. Gatto opens up a bit more with her overhand right, and when she finally scores one, she has to back off when a one-two pinpoints her nose. Gatto slings her right hand down the pipe, faking a takedown shot and ultimately walk into a spinning back kick counter. Barbosa gets her attention with a left hand after the kick connects, and she is greeted with a stern right hand. Barbosa shakes it off and offers a low kick followed by two punches, and the two start trading hands in a brief exchange with Barbosa landing at the beginning and ending. Gatto works her way behind her right hand, and she shoots in for takedown that is shut down before it can come close to materializing.
Barbosa bullies the taller woman to the wall, pressing her shoulder tightly before kneeing her a couple times to the stomach. Barbosa trips Gatto up to drag her to the floor, and Gatto springs back up with the fencing behind her. Barbosa stomps Gatto’s toes, and Gatto breaks off with a knee. Gatto takes a punch and times the spin she sees coming to grab Barbosa from behind and wrangle her to the mat. Gatto advances to an awkward position that places her in leglock danger, but she is close to securing the mount position. Barbosa hacks with elbows off her back, and she uses butterfly hooks to stave Gatto from claiming a dominant posture. Gatto lowers herself down maintain control, and Barbosa’s leg slides up an around to snatch up an armbar. Gatto leans to her side to free the pressure on her limb, and she drills Barbosa with a number of hammerfists as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gatto
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gatto
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gatto
Round 2
Gatto assumes control of the center of the cage to get going first, pushing out her jab a few times before snatching up a Barbosa low kick to trip her up and take her to the mat. Barbosa flips her all the way over to wind up on top, and Gatto is stuck flat on her back. Gatto keeps a high guard when Barbosa postures up, but Barbosa does not fall into a trap and stands back up. Gatto turns to her knees to stand back up, and Barbosa blasts her with an illegal soccer kick to the neck and chin that knocks Gatto completely out. Barbosa walks off celebrating, as if she thinks that she has won the fight, while Gatto is splayed out lifelessly in an eerie scene reminiscent of Maycee Barber getting knocked out last week. As a medical professional or two rush in to tend to Gatto, she comes to and has to be told what happened. The replay official flips the light to signal that they are going to use instant replay to review the footage, but it appeared that Gatto’s knee was down right before she took the soccer kick that rendered her unconscious. Tognoni discusses his options with the officiating team, and he deducts one point from Barbosa for the foul. Shockingly, the fight somehow continues, even though Gatto was knocked unconscious from the strike. This is complete nonsense. This fight should be over, period. What happened to fighter safety being the primary concern of officials? Gatto, who apparently is back with her wits again, runs forward at the restart to take the fight down. Barbosa is grounded for a time before fighting her way back up, and she turns the tables to take Gatto down.
Gatto works her way up after absorbing some hammerfists, and she breaks out of the clinch to take a spinning back fist on the chin. Gatto shakes it out and tackles Barbosa to the floor. Thankfully, with Gatto on top, it means she is not currently absorbing much brain trauma after being knocked out from the illegal soccer kick that only resulted in a single point being deducted. Barbosa fights off her back with a high guard in hopes of catching Gatto in something, and she grips hold of a triangle armbar but is punched out of it. The round somehow ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 9-9
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 9-9
Tyler Treese scores the round: 9-9
Round 3
Between rounds, it is explained that the officials and medical staff determined Gatto was able to continue a fistfight despite already getting knocked all the way out. What are rules anymore? It does not take long for the ladies to go for grappling, and Barbosa succeeds in taking Gatto to the mat. Gatto keeps her left leg wrapped on the side in hopes of setting something up, and Barbosa ignores it and starts elbowing her in the side. Gatto turns to her side with a two-on-one wrist control of Barbosa, who counters her by rolling all the way over to snatch up an armbar.
Gatto turns over to stack Barboza up, squeezing her elbow and forearm on the throat while exerting as much pressure down as she can to stifle the submission. Barbosa cannot hold the submission much longer as she is getting squished, and Gatto breaks out of it and busts her in the chops with a strong right hand. Barbosa sits up and flips her opponent over to her back, and she starts hunting for a leglock. Gatto sits up to stop it, and she tries to muscle Barbosa over and use a kimura grip to reverse position. She succeeds in turning Barbosa over and keeps control of the limb, and she steps over the body with her rear leg to establish herself in top control. As the ladies roll around on the mat looking for positional advantages, Gatto snags hold of the left arm of her opponent to hunt for her own armbar. Barbosa elbows Gatto on the back of the calf, and this fight somehow makes it 15 minutes. This is not a good day for the Nevada State Athletic Commission. A draw may be in play, but that depends on the scoring of the first round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barbosa (28-28)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barbosa (28-28)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barbosa (28-28)
The Official Result
Dione Barbosa def. Melissa Gatto via Majority Decision (28-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Angelo picks Dione Barbosa, citing her superior takedown ability as a judoka. He notes that Melissa Gatto has poor takedowns and that Barbosa can close the distance, take her down, and control on top. He worries about potential judging bias similar to Barbosa's last loss but believes Barbosa will win a close decision.
Big Brady picks Melissa Gatto as a slight underdog. He notes Barbosa has power and can get takedowns early, but fades as the fight goes on. He likes Gatto's cardio, volume, and kicks, and expects her to take over in later rounds. He predicts a close decision win for Gatto.
Cody picks Gatto, citing her youth, improved skills, and ability to scramble and strike. He expects her to win a decision, as Barbosa's grappling-heavy style may not score well.
Connor leans toward Barbosa, agreeing that she is more disciplined. He notes that Gatto's footwork is worse and she tends to collapse when pressured, leading her to wrestle. Barbosa is as big as Gatto and a better grappler, which should neutralize Gatto's advantages.
James leans toward Melissa Gatto as the underdog, citing her striking kicks and cardio advantage, while noting Barbosa's tendency to tire. He admits he hasn't done tape study and is unsure about the grappling dynamics. He predicts a decision win for Gatto but emphasizes low confidence and the need for further analysis.
The host picks Gatto as a dog, citing her damage-based striking and grappling advantage. He notes Barbosa's recent loss where control wasn't enough, and trusts Gatto's volume and damage to win on the scorecards despite a two-year layoff. He sees a good stylistic matchup for Gatto.
Paul leans towards Gatto, noting her two-year layoff may have helped her improve. He expects her to win a close decision due to her striking and scrambling.
The MMA Guru picks Dione Barbosa but seems hesitant, acknowledging that her win over Diana Belbita isn't impressive. He notes that Melissa Gatto has a body kick KO win but lost to Tracy Cortez. He thinks Barbosa is slightly more well-rounded but doesn't sound fully convinced.
Zane leans toward Barbosa, noting she is more disciplined and has better footwork. He thinks Gatto has good tools but doesn't stick to them, and tends to win when opponents make catastrophic mistakes. Barbosa's boxing footwork and grappling should allow her to keep the fight in her favor.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 50 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Tamires Vidal | 0 | 30 of 52 | 57% | 120 of 163 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 6:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 32 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tamires Vidal | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 72 of 85 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:33 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 11 of 20 | 55% | 17 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Tamires Vidal | 0 | 21 of 35 | 60% | 45 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:25 | |
| 3 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tamires Vidal | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 15 of 29 | 51% | 7 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 6 | 14 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tamires Vidal | 30 of 52 | 57% | 13 of 30 | 16 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 22 of 40 | 1 of 5 | 7 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tamires Vidal | 6 of 9 | 66% | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 11 of 20 | 55% | 5 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tamires Vidal | 21 of 35 | 60% | 9 of 21 | 11 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 25 | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 | |
| 3 | Melissa Gatto | 1 of 6 | 16% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tamires Vidal | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is shocked that Melissa Gatto is the biggest favorite on the card at -820 despite being on a two-fight losing streak, moving up in weight, and having poor takedown accuracy (0 for 7 in her last fight). He believes Tamires Vidal is big, strong, and has a grappling advantage. He plans to bet on Vidal, watching the line movement to decide when to place the bet.
Cody views this as a clear bounceback fight for Gatto, who has lost two close decisions to top competition. He notes Vidal has massive limitations in every area: poor footwork, no head movement, low volume, and no power. Gatto is stronger, more technical, and a better wrestler. Cody believes Gatto will dominate on the ground and get back in the win column.
Vidal is reckless with wide hooks and was out-grinded in her last fight. Gatto is the toughest opponent Vidal has faced and should provide a ton of resistance. Expects Gatto to pressure Vidal, use the clinch, take her down, and eventually find a finish. The line should be closer to -400 or -500.
Paul sees Gatto as much more powerful and technical than Vidal. He notes Vidal's only UFC win came via flying knee against a low-level opponent, and she was dominated by Montserrat Ruiz. Paul expects Gatto to manhandle Vidal with her grappling and physicality, despite moving up a weight class.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Gatto over Tamires Vidal, despite going against his rule of picking 'thems' in women's MMA. He notes that Gatto had a close fight with Tracy Cortez and that Vidal was taken down three times by a smaller opponent in her last fight. He expects Gatto to use her reach and grappling to control Vidal and win by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariane da Silva | 0 | 66 of 149 | 44% | 81 of 166 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 85 of 186 | 45% | 100 of 201 | 0 of 7 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:57 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ariane da Silva | 0 | 16 of 49 | 32% | 18 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 28 of 53 | 52% | 28 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 | |
| 2 | Ariane da Silva | 0 | 26 of 46 | 56% | 39 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 33 of 66 | 50% | 45 of 78 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:16 | |
| 3 | Ariane da Silva | 0 | 24 of 54 | 44% | 24 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 24 of 67 | 35% | 27 of 70 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariane da Silva | 66 of 149 | 44% | 28 of 101 | 27 of 36 | 11 of 12 | 53 of 131 | 12 of 15 | 1 of 3 |
| Melissa Gatto | 85 of 186 | 45% | 39 of 117 | 34 of 50 | 12 of 19 | 70 of 165 | 15 of 21 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ariane da Silva | 16 of 49 | 32% | 3 of 30 | 9 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 45 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Melissa Gatto | 28 of 53 | 52% | 13 of 31 | 10 of 15 | 5 of 7 | 25 of 49 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ariane da Silva | 26 of 46 | 56% | 10 of 27 | 12 of 14 | 4 of 5 | 18 of 37 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Melissa Gatto | 33 of 66 | 50% | 11 of 37 | 17 of 21 | 5 of 8 | 23 of 52 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ariane da Silva | 24 of 54 | 44% | 15 of 44 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 21 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 3 |
| Melissa Gatto | 24 of 67 | 35% | 15 of 49 | 7 of 14 | 2 of 4 | 22 of 64 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Ariane Lipski (da Silva) based on her last performance against JJ Aldrich, where her hands and wrestling looked great. He acknowledges the logical pick is Melissa Gatto due to Lipski's history of being outgrappled, but he goes against logic. He suggests a plus 3.5 point buy on the scorecard for Lipski as a safer bet.
Big Brady picks Melissa Gatto to win by first-round submission. He notes Gatto has improved significantly, with better striking and takedown defense, and has power. He points out that Ariane da Silva (Lipski) has been dominated on the ground by fighters like Montana De La Rosa and Antonina Shevchenko, and Gatto's top game is dangerous. He expects Gatto to get on top and finish early.
Cody sees Lipski as a live underdog. He notes Gatto's low volume (17 significant strikes in nearly 3 rounds against Eubanks) and poor defensive wrestling. Lipski showed improved wrestling at ATT and has high volume (101 significant strikes against Aldrich). Cody thinks if Lipski can stuff takedowns, she wins the striking battle. He also notes Lipski is only 29 and improving.
Daniel confidently picks Gatto, citing her superior heart, durability, and grappling. He notes Lipski's history of quitting when pressured and her poor defensive grappling, while Gatto showed toughness against Tracy Cortez, reversing positions and landing takedowns. He believes Gatto's chin and submission threat are key, and that Lipski's recent win over JJ Aldrich is overrated. However, he missed the opening line (-150) and won't bet at -230, but expects Gatto to win.
Paul is tempted by the CF dog model. He notes Lipski's last performance against Aldrich was impressive and that Gatto's wins are over low-level competition. He questions if Lipski has turned the corner and thinks the line is off. Paul believes Lipski has a legitimate chance.
The Guru picks Melissa Gatto, noting her impressive win over Ariane Lipski via front kick to the body and her submission win over Karol Rosa. He acknowledges her loss to Tracy Cortez but believes she has improved during her year off. He predicts a submission off her back, possibly an armbar.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 36 of 66 | 54% | 70 of 102 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 1 | 7:54 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 30 of 73 | 41% | 49 of 95 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 1 | 3:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 11 of 16 | 68% | 23 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 3:16 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 7 of 20 | 35% | 14 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 9 of 23 | 39% | 20 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:35 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 15 of 35 | 42% | 25 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 2:04 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 27 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:03 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:35 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 36 of 66 | 54% | 25 of 51 | 6 of 9 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 27 |
| Melissa Gatto | 30 of 73 | 41% | 25 of 61 | 3 of 7 | 2 of 5 | 27 of 69 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 11 of 16 | 68% | 8 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 |
| Melissa Gatto | 7 of 20 | 35% | 6 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 9 of 23 | 39% | 4 of 16 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
| Melissa Gatto | 15 of 35 | 42% | 13 of 30 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 14 of 33 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 16 of 27 | 59% | 13 of 22 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 14 |
| Melissa Gatto | 8 of 18 | 44% | 6 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo picks Tracy Cortez based on her wrestling, expecting her to grind out a decision. However, he admits his bet will be on Melissa Gatto to win inside the distance (decision no action), indicating a lack of full confidence in Cortez. He notes Cortez's layoff and Gatto's submission threat.
Big Brady picks Tracy Cortez to win by decision, but he is hesitant. He acknowledges that Gatto has shown impressive striking and grappling, but her takedown defense is poor. Cortez will look to take Gatto down and control her, and Brady believes she will succeed in getting takedowns. However, Gatto is dangerous off her back with submissions, so Cortez will have to fight off submissions for 15 minutes. Brady thinks Cortez will win by controlling the fight on the ground, but he would not count out Gatto completely.
Cody picks Tracy Cortez, but emphasizes monitoring the scales. He notes Cortez's wrestling advantage and that she trains at Fight Ready MMA. Cody believes Cortez can get takedowns and stay on top, avoiding Gatto's submissions. He thinks Gatto's guard is active but Cortez's wrestling and pace will prevail. Cody is confident if Cortez makes weight.
Daniel Levi leans toward Melissa Gatto as an underdog, citing her cleaner striking, power, and opportunistic submissions. He expects Cortez to have early wrestling success but thinks Gatto can survive and turn the fight in later rounds. He is worried about Cortez's top control but sees value in Gatto at plus money. He has not bet yet, noting he missed better lines.
The host picks Melissa Gatto but is not betting the fight due to volatility. He notes Cortez's strong wrestling but concerns about her weight miss and cardio. He highlights Gatto's impressive UFC performances, her ability to work from bottom, and her vicious striking. He expects Gatto to pressure, attack the body, and possibly find a submission or win via striking. He acknowledges Cortez will land takedowns but thinks Gatto will do enough to win.
Paul picks Melissa Gatto as an underdog at +147. He believes the fight is more 50/50 and that Gatto's grappling is legit, with an active guard and submission threats. He fears Cortez's wrestling could control the fight, but thinks Gatto's strength and jiu-jitsu could lead to a submission. Paul acknowledges the Arizona home cooking factor but took the dog shot.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Gatto as an underdog, citing her underrated skills, youth, and physical advantages. He notes Gatto has a reach advantage, submission ability, and finishing power, as seen in her wins over Carol Rosa and Sijara Eubanks. He criticizes Cortez for pitter-patter striking and lack of finishing ability. He predicts Gatto will win on the feet and then secure a submission, possibly an armbar in the second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 14 of 45 | 31% | 32 of 68 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 6:05 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 1 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 64 of 91 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 3:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 23 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 4:30 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 20 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 7 of 15 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:35 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 0 | 9 of 13 | 69% | 37 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:53 | |
| 3 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 2 of 16 | 12% | 2 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 1 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 7 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 14 of 45 | 31% | 10 of 37 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 10 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 17 of 34 | 50% | 11 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 13 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 8 of 18 | 44% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 10 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 4 of 11 | 36% | 1 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 9 of 13 | 69% | 7 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Melissa Gatto | 2 of 16 | 12% | 1 of 13 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 6 of 16 | 37% | 3 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
Angelo picks Melissa Gatto with a half-unit bet at +190. He believes Gatto is a young up-and-comer with real potential, while Eubanks is a .500 fighter whose cardio issues may not be fully resolved. He notes that Gatto has good striking, can set up takedowns, and is aggressive on top. However, he cautions that if Eubanks' cardio holds up, she is a giant beast at 125 and could be a problem. He emphasizes that Gatto must stay on top and not pull guard.
Big Brady picks Sijara Eubanks by decision, citing her experience, BJJ black belt, and path to victory via takedowns and ground control. He has concerns about Eubanks' age (36) and cardio if the fight extends. He notes Gatto's poor takedown defense and submission-over-position style, but acknowledges Gatto looked improved in her last fight. He says he may not bet Eubanks due to cardio worries.
Cody leans Eubanks due to her BJJ, size, and physicality. He notes her wrestling is solid for the division and she is aggressive. However, he worries about her cardio and weight cuts. Gatto is more wily and could pressure late. Cody says it's not a high-confidence play and wants to see weigh-ins.
Daniel Levi picks Melissa Gatto as an underdog. He likes Gatto's scrappiness, aggression, and improvement, especially her arm submissions. Levi is concerned that Eubanks's jiu-jitsu could neutralize Gatto's sub attempts, but he believes Gatto's tenacity and desire to prove herself after a layoff will carry her. He thinks Gatto can make it close if she doesn't get held down for two rounds, and sees value in the plus money.
Jacob is extremely confident in Melissa Gatto, calling it his lock of the week. He placed 5 units on her moneyline at +146, 4 units on her inside the distance (decision no action) at +170, and 2 units on under 2.5 rounds at +165. He believes Eubanks cannot bully Gatto, who has good striking and aggressive grappling. He compares it to the Miranda Maverick fight where the favorite was dominated. Jacob thinks Gatto will finish Eubanks, possibly by submission, and that the odds are moving fast.
The host picks Eubanks by decision, highlighting her superior wrestling and jiu-jitsu. He notes that Gatto plays off her back and Eubanks should be able to control her on top. He likes the decision prop at +150, as Eubanks is not a proactive finisher.
Paul does not give a clear pick for this fight. He mentions that Eubanks is the rightful favorite but notes concerns about her cardio and weight cuts. He says to pay attention to weigh-ins. He does not commit to a pick.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Gatto as an upset winner, predicting a first-round armbar submission. He notes Gatto has good jiu-jitsu and submitted Carol Rosa with a kimura. He thinks Eubanks is getting older and may entertain the ground game too much. He sees Eubanks ending up on top but getting caught in an armbar from bottom.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 43 of 91 | 47% | 59 of 110 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 2 | 2:27 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 70 of 121 | 57% | 96 of 148 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 1 | 1:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 27 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 2 | 1:59 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 13 of 21 | 61% | 36 of 45 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 1:48 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 30 of 64 | 46% | 32 of 66 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 57 of 100 | 57% | 60 of 103 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 43 of 91 | 47% | 14 of 58 | 13 of 17 | 16 of 16 | 38 of 84 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 70 of 121 | 57% | 42 of 83 | 12 of 19 | 16 of 19 | 63 of 110 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 13 of 27 | 48% | 4 of 17 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 9 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 13 of 21 | 61% | 7 of 12 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 14 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 30 of 64 | 46% | 10 of 41 | 10 of 13 | 10 of 10 | 29 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 57 of 100 | 57% | 35 of 71 | 10 of 14 | 12 of 15 | 54 of 96 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Leonardo, citing Gatto's long layoff (2.5 years due to USADA suspension) and that Gatto is a grappler who likes to fight off her back. He thinks Leonardo will be on top and win a decision. He calls Leonardo a solid underdog pick.
Big Brady is hesitant on this fight due to many question marks. He thinks Melissa Gatto is sub-or-bust and has poor takedown defense, while Victoria Leonardo is more active and likely the better striker. He picks Leonardo to win by decision but warns that Gatto could pull off an armbar from guard. He advises staying away from betting this fight.
Cody picks Gatto, citing the narrative of Brazilian fighters improving after long layoffs. He notes her BJJ skills and potential improvements in wrestling. He thinks she can get the fight to the ground and submit Leonardo.
Daniel Levi picks Melissa Gatto to win by opportunistic submission, citing that Victoria Leonardo is a punching bag on the feet and has been stopped multiple times. He notes that Gatto is young and may have improved during her USADA suspension, and that Leonardo's takedown attempts could lead to submissions. He does not put much stock into the suspension for a young fighter and believes Gatto has the skills to finish.
Gatto is a BJJ specialist who relies on takedowns, but Leonardo has a purple belt and good enough grappling to nullify submissions. Leonardo is stronger, has better striking, and better cardio. The longer the fight goes, the more success Leonardo will have, likely finishing Gatto in the third round via ground and pound.
Paul does not make a clear pick. He is surprised by the pick'em line and notes the lack of tape on both fighters.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Gatto to win by first-round submission. He highlights Gatto's undefeated record (6-0 with two draws) and her win over Carol Rosa, who is now on a four-fight win streak in the UFC. He criticizes Victoria Leonardo's lack of technical skill and poor chin, noting she has been knocked out twice recently. He predicts Gatto will submit Leonardo, possibly off her back.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Tracy Cortez based on her wrestling, expecting her to grind out a decision. However, he admits his bet will be on Melissa Gatto to win inside the distance (decision no action), indicating a lack of full confidence in Cortez. He notes Cortez's layoff and Gatto's submission threat.
Big Brady picks Tracy Cortez to win by decision, but he is hesitant. He acknowledges that Gatto has shown impressive striking and grappling, but her takedown defense is poor. Cortez will look to take Gatto down and control her, and Brady believes she will succeed in getting takedowns. However, Gatto is dangerous off her back with submissions, so Cortez will have to fight off submissions for 15 minutes. Brady thinks Cortez will win by controlling the fight on the ground, but he would not count out Gatto completely.
Cody picks Tracy Cortez, but emphasizes monitoring the scales. He notes Cortez's wrestling advantage and that she trains at Fight Ready MMA. Cody believes Cortez can get takedowns and stay on top, avoiding Gatto's submissions. He thinks Gatto's guard is active but Cortez's wrestling and pace will prevail. Cody is confident if Cortez makes weight.
Daniel Levi leans toward Melissa Gatto as an underdog, citing her cleaner striking, power, and opportunistic submissions. He expects Cortez to have early wrestling success but thinks Gatto can survive and turn the fight in later rounds. He is worried about Cortez's top control but sees value in Gatto at plus money. He has not bet yet, noting he missed better lines.
The host picks Melissa Gatto but is not betting the fight due to volatility. He notes Cortez's strong wrestling but concerns about her weight miss and cardio. He highlights Gatto's impressive UFC performances, her ability to work from bottom, and her vicious striking. He expects Gatto to pressure, attack the body, and possibly find a submission or win via striking. He acknowledges Cortez will land takedowns but thinks Gatto will do enough to win.
Paul picks Melissa Gatto as an underdog at +147. He believes the fight is more 50/50 and that Gatto's grappling is legit, with an active guard and submission threats. He fears Cortez's wrestling could control the fight, but thinks Gatto's strength and jiu-jitsu could lead to a submission. Paul acknowledges the Arizona home cooking factor but took the dog shot.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Gatto as an underdog, citing her underrated skills, youth, and physical advantages. He notes Gatto has a reach advantage, submission ability, and finishing power, as seen in her wins over Carol Rosa and Sijara Eubanks. He criticizes Cortez for pitter-patter striking and lack of finishing ability. He predicts Gatto will win on the feet and then secure a submission, possibly an armbar in the second round.
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