Career Averages - Joanderson Brito
Career Averages - Andre Fili
Joanderson Brito
Andre Fili
Joanderson Brito - Fight History
The host picks Jordan Leavitt, believing that Leavitt's grappling will be the key. He notes that on the feet, Brito wins 99 out of 100 times, but Leavitt can get takedowns and once on top, Brito will have a hard time getting back to his feet. He expects Leavitt to win, though he's not sure if it will be by finish or decision.
AJ picks Brito to win by submission, citing Brito's superior striking power, Muay Thai, and dangerous jiu-jitsu (ninja choke). He believes Leavitt's wrestling will be neutralized and that Brito will catch a neck as Leavitt leaves it exposed. AJ expects Brito to finish inside the distance, possibly in the later rounds.
AJ mentions Joanderson Brito as an honorable mention, believing he is too physical for Jordan Leavitt and could potentially stop him, maybe by submission in later stages. He notes Brito's slick jiu-jitsu and sees a potential round three submission.
Angelo picks Joanderson Brito, calling himself a Jordan Leavitt hater. He argues that Brito is dangerous both on the feet and on the ground, while Leavitt's striking is subpar and his wrestling isn't good enough to get the fight to the ground consistently. He dismisses Leavitt's recent win over Yadier Delval as beating a 'scam artist'.
Big Brady picks Joanderson Brito to win by submission in the second round. He acknowledges Leavitt's path with wrestling but notes Brito's dangerous front chokes and power on the feet. He thinks Brito's cardio is good and that Leavitt's cardio is suspect, leading to Brito catching Leavitt with a submission or big shot.
Jordan Leavitt is the underdog but has a smart game plan: take Joanderson Brito down and do pitter-patter shots. Brito's grind game has been exposed, and Leavitt can win by decision if he avoids boxing in the pocket. Leavitt's recent win over Jair Delval was dominant.
Cody picks Brito, citing his power and aggression. He notes Leavitt's wrestling is not as effective as it appears, and Brito's physicality and scrambling should prevail. He expects Brito to land bigger shots and win.
Jordan Leavitt is picked as an underdog because his pressure grappling and strength should overwhelm Joanderson Brito, who has struggled with wrestling in recent fights. Brito's gas tank is questionable, and Leavitt's relentless takedowns and top control are a recipe for success. The host already has action on Leavitt at better odds and expects a dominant decision or submission.
Brito has power and should be able to defend takedowns from Leavitt. Leavitt struggles when taken down or controlled. Brito should eventually break Leavitt and get a late second-round TKO.
Lucrative James picks Joanderson Brito, believing Jordan Leavitt's win over Yaddel Val was more due to Val underperforming than Leavitt's elite skill. He notes Brito's athleticism, cardio, and danger on the feet, and expects Brito to avoid being dominated on the ground. He predicts a knockout win for Brito.
Leavitt's persistent grappling and body-lock game should be difficult for Brito, who has poor takedown defense and tends to slow down. Leavitt's strength at featherweight and ability to hold on to takedowns should edge out a decision. This is an odds-based pick, as Brito's finishing ability diminishes in deeper water.
Paul picks Leavitt by decision, noting Leavitt's grappling could neutralize Brito. He is not confident and does not plan to bet it, but sees Leavitt's path to a grinding decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 33 of 57 | 57% | 66 of 93 | 8 of 12 | 66% | 2 | 1 | 7:59 |
| Isaac Thomson | 0 | 21 of 47 | 44% | 127 of 164 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 1 | 3:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 16 of 19 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:29 |
| Isaac Thomson | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 26 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 2:23 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 13 of 21 | 61% | 32 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 1 | 2:59 |
| Isaac Thomson | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 27 of 39 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 | |
| 3 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 18 of 31 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 3:31 |
| Isaac Thomson | 0 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 74 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 33 of 57 | 57% | 16 of 36 | 7 of 10 | 10 of 11 | 19 of 36 | 7 of 10 | 7 of 11 |
| Isaac Thomson | 21 of 47 | 44% | 14 of 33 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 4 | 14 of 37 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 4 of 7 | 57% | 1 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 4 |
| Isaac Thomson | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 7 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 13 of 21 | 61% | 9 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 7 |
| Isaac Thomson | 7 of 16 | 43% | 3 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 13 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Joanderson Brito | 16 of 29 | 55% | 6 of 16 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 5 | 13 of 26 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Isaac Thomson | 8 of 21 | 38% | 5 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 2 | 8 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brito (-230); Thomson (+205)
Round 1
Initially planning on battling Melsik Baghdasaryan tonight, Brito (17-5-1, 5-3 UFC) shifts his focus to Octagon newcomer Thomson (9-2, 0-0 UFC), who is coming in on short notice. With his last eight victories coming before the final bell, Brito will be aiming to hand the Team Alpha Male product his second career stoppage loss. Referee Eric McMahon will follow along for as long as this match lasts, and it starts with an awkward clap of hands.
Thomson backs off and jabs the body, aiming a kick to the same spot in rapid succession. Brito pitches out a body kick of his own, and Thomson grabs it and immediately counters over the top to knock the Brazilian to his back. Thomson climbs into top position, but Brito scoots to the fence in hopes of wall-walking. Brito turns his back while standing up, allowing Thomson to climb on his back so he can knee him in the face. Thomson loops one of his legs between Brito’s to trip him up, leaning on him against the wall in hopes of dragging the hard-swinging Brazilian down. Brito leans his shoulder on the wire, biding his time and ignoring short shots around the back of his head. Thomson jumps onto the back, and he drags Brito down while still maintaining partial back control.
Brito scrambles wildly to get out of the grip, and Thomson elbows him on both sides behind his back. Thomson grips a kimura in hopes of sweeping, so Brito lifts him up like a sack of potatoes and throws him down to the floor on his head. Thomson practically springboards off and back upright, and he charges at Brito and hits a clean double to put him on his back. Brito slowly works his way up without absorbing anything of note, and he grips hold of Thomson and hurls him to the floor. Brito looks to take his back, but Thomson slides out and puts Brito on his seat while attacking a one-armed guillotine choke. Brito breaks out of it without concern and pursues his own takedown, slowly dragging the Aussie to his knee and then seat. Thomson muscles his way upright, and Brito knees him in the thigh a few times until Thomson rolls. Brito follows him and knees him in the chest right before the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Round 2
Brito walks out of his corner ready to go, and Thomson is the first to land in the round when he rips a kick to the ribs. Brito blasts his inner thigh with a heavy kick that makes Thomson take a funny step, and he spins for a back fist that puts him in jeopardy. Thomson ducks it and shoots for a takedown, only for Brito to flip him over and establish top position. Thomson climbs back up with the wall at his back, and Brito disengages. Thomson sticks out a few jabs and nails Brito with a front kick, and he follows it with a body kick. Brito retaliates with a crisp right hand, and Thomson chomps his teeth at him like Iceman from “Top Gun.” Thomson fails on a shot, and Brito pushes him to his knees and sets up a brabo choke. Brito jumps guard to complete the submission, rolling him over and wrapping it up. Thomson turns his torso the proper direction to escape the sub, and he scrambles faster than his opponent and gets hold of Brito’s back.
Thomson jumps on the Brazilian’s back, who starts shimming and wriggling to get Thomson off of him. Brito finds himself taking Thomson’s back, and he knees him hard on the back of the thigh and stomps the calf viciously. Thomson’s no-look elbows keep landing too, and Brito tries for another high-amplitude slam but does not have the juice to do it. Brito settles for something smoother, tripping Thomson’s leg out from beneath him and dropping the Aussie on his face. From there, Brito clubs his foe with short, powerful left hands as he gets his hooks in to take Thomson’s back. Brito’s punches have an impact when they land, and Thomson rolls over only for Brito to cinch up the body triangle. Brito isolates Thomson’s shoulder, abandoning it to grip hold of a rear-naked choke that is over Thomson’s face. The face crank is broken up by the hand-fighting of the Team Alpha Male fighter, who rides out the round with “Tubarao” on his back.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Round 3
Jogging out of his corner, Brito knows that Thomson is about to kick him when he gets in close proximity, so he dodges it before it gets to him. When Thomson loops a head kick at him, Brito clubs him with a pair of huge right hands that Thomson eats like lamingtons. Brito appears unafraid of what comes back his direction, walking the Aussie down with impunity while swinging for the fences. Thomson is reeling, and a left hand damages his eye as he paws at it. Thomson motions to McMahon that he may have been poked, but McMahon does not see it so he has to shield up to avoid a couple heavy blows. Brito shoots in for a double, transitioning to a single as he puts Thomson’s back to the wall. Thomson responds with elbows to the side of the head, and Brito trips him up and puts him on his knees. While Brito looks to complete his takedown, Thomson continues to spam the short, effective elbows to the dome.
Thomson uses a kimura setup to work back to his feet, and he starts elbowing Brito’s forearm in hopes of breaking the grip around his waist. Brito holds him from behind, tripping him up and otherwise flustering him with an aggressive controlling position that results him Brito briefly getting him down. Thomson climbs back up and elbows any target he can find, but Brito completely ignores them while in pursuit of a dominant position. This results in a stalemate until Brito uses his remaining energy reserves to dump Thomson to the ground. Thomson bounces back up to his feet, but it is a hollow victory as Brito promptly drags him back down. The horn sounds, and Thomson helps Brito back to his feet as they embrace.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brito (30-27 Brito)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Brito (30-27 Brito)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Brito (30-27 Brito)
The Official Result
Joanderson Brito def. Isaac Thomson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Brito. He emphasizes that Brito is impossibly durable, never submitted, and fights like a 'honey badger.' He notes that Thompson would need a perfect performance to win, and that Brito's chaotic style makes him difficult to beat without a lockdown game plan.
Lucrative James picks Joanderson Brito confidently, citing his elite durability and relentless grappling. He notes that Melik Baghdasaryan (the opponent) is a kickboxer with poor takedown defense and cardio issues, and believes Brito will dominate on the mat. He projects Brito as a -250 favorite.
Zane picks Brito confidently, noting that Thompson is a young, reckless fighter who lacks control and leaves himself in awkward positions. He believes Brito's durability and relentless pressure will be too much for Thompson, who has not shown he can handle this level of athlete. He also notes that Brito is not the kind of fighter who benefits from a short-notice opponent change.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 24 of 31 | 77% | 135 of 158 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 1 | 0 | 13:47 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 27 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 12 of 14 | 85% | 22 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:43 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 10 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 6 of 8 | 75% | 52 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:34 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 13 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 61 of 71 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:30 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 24 of 31 | 77% | 22 of 28 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 23 |
| Joanderson Brito | 3 of 9 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 12 of 14 | 85% | 12 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 12 |
| Joanderson Brito | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 6 of 8 | 75% | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Joanderson Brito | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Pat Sabatini | 6 of 9 | 66% | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brito (-205), Sabatini (+170)
Round 1
It is a grappler against a wild man in the co-main event, one where the winner might potentially have a number next to their name on Monday. Philly-based grappler Sabatini (19-5, 6-2 UFC) will present danger for as long as the bout is on the mat, but every fight starts on the feet. Brito (17-4-1, 5-2 UFC) is no slouch when grappling, so fun exchanges could come early and often. Referee Keith Peterson will have his hands full with these featherweights, although he is able to take a breath as the fighters look to collide with no nonsense in the building. Fists are bumped before they are traded, and Brito gest right to walking the American down. Sabatini springs from side to side, tossing out one kick and having Brito respond with a kick. Sabatini follows the Brazilian’s kick with a single, which he uses to deposit Brito on the canvas easily. Brito defends with the guillotine off his back, opening himself up to Von Preux choke danger as Sabatini traps him with an arm-triangle at the same time. Brito scoots his way to the wall to take a bit of pressure off of him, and he follows the moving legs of his opponent to maintain half guard or guard. Sabatini tries again for the Von Flue, and he pulls his own head out of Brito’s sub. Sabatini stays flat on his man, squeezing down with an arm-triangle setup while Brito smacks him with short but frustrating strikes off his back. Sabatini gets off the heavier of the blows while above, but Brito still manages to put his back on the wire. Sabatini pulls him away from the fence, and Brito sits to stand while Sabatini threatening with a guillotine choke. Sabatini lands a single knee before letting go of the choke, and he lifts Brito in the air and slams him down to the floor. With Brito hanging on with the guillotine, the Von Preux counter is troubling him as Sabatini clings to his neck with his left arm. Sabatini uses his weight to push Brito against the wall and hope for the leverage to be right for a submission. Brito stays calm and wriggles his neck out of danger, and Sabatini climbs into half guard and assaults him with punches and elbows. Brito attacks off his back, and again Sabatini’s are far more effective. The one-sided round ends with both men flailing at one another.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Round 2
Sabatini motions awkwardly to his opponent, offering the glove touch while also wanting to stay far away from the grappler. Brito kicks, and Sabatini sells out for a takedown. Brito hits his seat searching for a front choke, and Sabatini laughs it off and pushes Brito to his back. Sabatini establishes himself on top in half guard, smothering Brito and preventing the expected explosions thanks in part to heavy chest pressure. Sabatini looks to hook up a crucifix with his knee, and he opens things up to try to pass guard, only for Brito to drag him back. Sabatini strikes when he finds openings, irritating the dangerous “Tubarao” while energy is drained from his tank. Brito uses butterfly hooks to push off, and Sabatini is so singularly focused on the top control that he is not budging. Sabatini scores several left hands on the chin, and he times Brito sitting up to flatten him back out in an instant. The Brazilian is out of ideas, with Sabatini two steps ahead of him at every turn. Sabatini renders his foe fairly powerless until the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Round 3
Brito jogs out of his corner to touch gloves, and he dodges a spin strike to come up top with a huge right hand. Sabatini rolls with the punch and switches stances to work his way forward. Brito absorbs a spinning back fist to swing back a right hand, and he jumps guard with a guillotine choke when Sabatini shoots in for a single. Sabatini issues the thumbs-up a few times as the submission is not under his chin, and he threatens with another Von Preux until Brito releases the grip. Sabatini resides in the half guard, where he has spent most of this fight, and he bludgeons Brito every so often. When Brito goes for broke swinging with his back stuck on the floor, Sabatini postures up to drill him with some ground-and-pound. The smothering continues for the Renzo Gracie Philly fighter, displaying that there are levels to this grappling thing. Brito, a savvy submission artist in his own right, has been blanked tonight, with a ceiling that is very clear above him. Sabatini circles around to take Brito’s back, getting his hooks in, and he starts hunting for a kneebar. When Brito turns over, he gives up mount, and Sabatini starts whaling on him. Brito gets to a knee despite taking strikes on the sides of the head, and Sabatini takes any remaining hope and deposits it in the local trash can with dominant control and grappling wizardry. It might not have been the most scintillating to watch, but Sabatini sends a message that the fearsome marauder Brito has met his match.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini (30-25 Sabatini)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini (30-26 Sabatini)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini (30-26 Sabatini)
The Official Result
Pat Sabatini def. Joanderson Brito via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Angelo acknowledges this fight has trap written all over it. He notes Joanderson Brito has power and Pat Sabatini is chinny, but also that Brito's BJJ off his back is poor while Sabatini is phenomenal on top. He predicts the fight won't go the distance, with Brito likely knocking out Sabatini or Sabatini submitting Brito. He picks Brito due to cardio improvements and power, but warns Sabatini could sneak a win as a dog.
Big Brady picks Joanderson Brito, citing Pat Sabatini's questionable chin and Brito's power. He believes Sabatini needs a perfect 15-minute grappling performance to win, but Brito will eventually land a big shot and knock him out, likely in the first round.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Brito. He highlights Brito's dangerous athleticism and Sabatini's stiffness on the feet. Connor notes that Brito's chaotic style often leads to finishes, and while Sabatini could win by grinding him down, Brito's ability to create scrambles and his durability make him the pick. He also mentions Brito's tendency to put himself in bad positions but believes Sabatini is too breakable.
Sabatini could have success with his chain wrestling and BJJ, but Brito's striking and power are favored. Brito is expected to land big power shots that Sabatini cannot handle, leading to a knockout in the first or second round.
The Guru picks Joanderson Brito, calling him too powerful, fast, and dangerous on the feet. He notes Brito's win over Diego Lopez and believes he will stuff Sabatini's takedowns and land strikes for a TKO. He expects a first-round finish, possibly within two minutes, and considers the matchup a mismatch.
Zane picks Brito, emphasizing Sabatini's stiff striking and vulnerability to being overwhelmed. He notes Brito's athleticism and tendency to finish fights, but also his recklessness. Zane believes Sabatini's anxious, structured style will struggle with Brito's chaotic, high-pressure approach, and that Brito's athleticism will create a moment where Sabatini can't secure a takedown and gets caught.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Gomis | 0 | 43 of 71 | 60% | 69 of 101 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 3:52 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 29 of 67 | 43% | 57 of 105 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 6:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Gomis | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 22 of 33 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 3:07 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 20 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:08 | |
| 2 | William Gomis | 0 | 11 of 20 | 55% | 22 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 16 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:34 | |
| 3 | William Gomis | 0 | 23 of 34 | 67% | 25 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 12 of 27 | 44% | 21 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Gomis | 43 of 71 | 60% | 16 of 35 | 18 of 27 | 9 of 9 | 30 of 57 | 13 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Joanderson Brito | 29 of 67 | 43% | 9 of 39 | 5 of 8 | 15 of 20 | 23 of 60 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Gomis | 9 of 17 | 52% | 3 of 8 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Joanderson Brito | 9 of 19 | 47% | 3 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 5 | 7 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | William Gomis | 11 of 20 | 55% | 4 of 9 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Joanderson Brito | 8 of 21 | 38% | 4 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | William Gomis | 23 of 34 | 67% | 9 of 18 | 10 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 26 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Joanderson Brito | 12 of 27 | 44% | 2 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 11 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Paris native and MMA Factory staple Gomis (13-2, 3-0 UFC) is firmly in the hearts and minds of the majority of the fans in the building in this “featured fight of the night” slot. However, he stands across from Brito (17-3-1, 5-1 UFC), a veritable featherweight wrecking machine who has crushed his last five foes. Keeping his head on a swivel for this one will be referee Rich Mitchell, although the fighters touch gloves before the ferocity begins. Brito advances rapidly, parrying a few front kicks so he can crowd the local. Gomis sticks out a jab and slides away from a winging right hand, and he boots the Brazilian in the side. Brito swings his way into a clinch, with Gomis glad to turn him about so he can lean on him and take some of the sting out of his offense. Brito decides he does not want to deal with this and he scoops Gomis up and flips him over. Brito attempts to take back control while they are shifting, but he falls the wrong direction and lands on his back. Gomis resides in the guard of his foe, smothering and looking for positional improvements over inflicting damage thus far. Brito sits up, but he is unable to get upright. Gomis drags him back down flat, and Brito hooks his toes in the cage to turn himself over. Brito pursues an armbar off his back, and Gomis fights out of it and flattens his chest down on top of Brito’s. When Gomis advances, Brito scrambles at that exact moment to fight to his feet. Brito looks for a single of his own, and he bails on it to go for a sneaky right hand up top. Gomis ducks it, and Brito ties him up again. The two jockey for position, and Brito is smiling and laughing while watching video of himself on the big screen. Gomis tries and fails to toss Brito down, and Brito knees him flush in the belly before being warned for grabbing his opponent’s shorts. Gomis turns him around and knees him repeatedly, and Mitchell asks for more activity from the Frenchman. Gomis elevates Brito but cannot deposit him to the mat, with Brito’s balance keeping him upright. When they separate, Brito is frantic, lashing out with big punches and kicks. A massive right hand from “Tubarao” hurts Gomis, and he hunts him down and jumps guard for a guillotine choke. Before he can complete it, the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Round 2
Unsurprisingly, the two fighters go right after it as soon as Mitchell says “fight.” Brito swarms Gomis, throwing with everything and the kitchen sink until he gets so close to Gomis that he elects to pursue a takedown. The Brazilian wrestles the underdog to the mat, where he lands in side control raining down right hands. Brito keeps swinging until Gomis turns to the side, and Brito latches on with an arm-triangle choke from an odd angle. Brito lowers himself down to try to complete the submission, and Gomis signals a thumbs-up to indicate he is fine. Brito changes angles, and he moves himself to half guard while squeezing with all his might. Once more, Gomis shows Mitchell a thumbs-up, and Brito looks surprised that he cannot choke his foe out. Gomis is still fine, so Brito bails on it. Brito pounds on Gomis with free left hands, and Gomis sits up and gets to his knees. Brito belts him in the chops with a left hand, and Gomis explodes upright. Brito leans heavily until Gomis bursts out of the position, and Brito walks him down. Brito connects with a few hard calf kicks, and he winds up his right hand to get the French fighter’s attention. Gomis takes it on the chin and retains his composure, and Brito tightly presses himself against his opponent instead of getting completely reckless. Mitchell tells Brito he needs to do more than hold, and it is Gomis who completes the break with a knee on the chin. Gomis backs off and boots Brito in the face with his foot, and he targets the body with a kick and nearly takes Brito’s head off with his shin. Brito responds with his own kicks, and the two trade vicious leg strikes until the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Round 3
The featherweights clap hands after 10 minutes of action, and then resume kicking one another mercilessly. Gomis catches Brito on the way in with a right hand, and he backs away and raises his guard when Brito whips a kick at him. Brito plods forward and hammers the front calf with a kick, and he sprints his way in to land another. Gomis counters him with a left hand, and Brito has to shake it off. The Frenchman lets go with is hands and a kick, and he sneaks in another power punch to intercept his marauding opponent. Brito walks through it and loads up with even bigger, more telegraphed power, and Gomis is sniping him and keeping him from hurting him. A Brito leg kick gets his adversary’s attention, and Gomis pushes him to the fence. Brito smiles to Mitchell as he takes a breath with his back on the cage, and he wriggles out of the grasp and into a front kick. Brito scores a low kick and eats a left, and he walks square into a thudding body kick. Brito keeps chasing and missing, with few strikes but his leg kicks landing cleanly. Brito stops an ankle pick from getting anywhere, jamming Gomis against the wire and going after a single. Brito wrangles Gomis down to his seat, and Gomis tugs on the fence to prevent himself from going to his back. With Brito at the right angle, he slugs Gomis in the side of the head and moves around to the back to load up with high-amplitude knees to the thigh. Brito has his hands clasped around the waist, not giving Gomis a modicum of space, all while working on him with any offense he can muster. Gomis gets in a knee before Brito dives after a single, and Gomis defends with a guillotine that he uses to drag Brito to the floor. Brito climbs up with 10 seconds to spare, and Gomis kicks him square in the head. One more high kick from the French fighter punctuates a tense and exciting battle.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gomis (29-28 Brito)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gomis (29-28 Brito)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gomis (29-28 Brito)
The Official Result
William Gomis def. Joanderson Brito via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo picks Joanderson Brito, calling him the most dangerous guy at this weight class. He notes Brito's ability to finish by KO, submission, or leg kicks. He worries about Brito's cardio since he hasn't been to a decision in a long time, but believes his insane pressure will overwhelm Gomis, who is low volume and may not handle the pace.
Big Brady picks Joanderson Brito by first-round submission, calling him a killer with dangerous striking and a huge grappling advantage. He criticizes Gomis for doing nothing in fights and having poor submission defense. He expects Brito to take Gomis down and submit him quickly.
Cody picks Brito due to his physicality, power, and grappling advantage. He notes that Brito is always aggressive and finishes fights early. However, he expresses concern about Brito's cardio and the possibility of Gomis evading him with footwork. Despite the trap potential, Cody believes Brito's strength and pressure will overwhelm Gomis.
Connor picks Brito because he believes Brito's overwhelming physicality and pressure will be too much for Gomis, who relies on a range striking game without a jab. He notes that Gomis has struggled against fighters who simply storm forward, as seen in his close fights with Yannis Ghemmouri and Frank Marshall. Connor points out that Brito is a game-breaking athlete who has crushed technically superior fighters like Jack Shore. He sees no clear path to victory for Gomis.
Daniel Vreeland picks William Gomis for the upset. He believes Gomis is better than he has shown, with good footwork, speed, and takedown defense. He thinks the big cage and home crowd will help Gomis frustrate Brito at distance. He notes Brito's cardio issues and that Gomis has a path to victory if he avoids getting bullied.
JP picks Joanderson Brito because he thinks Brito has more paths to victory, including power and submissions. He notes Gomis is a one-trick pony kickboxer and Brito has impressive wins over Diego Lopes and Chape. He thinks Brito's pressure and grappling will be too much.
Paul picks Brito, citing his physicality and power. He notes that Gomis is a low-volume point striker who may struggle with Brito's pressure. However, Paul acknowledges the risk of Gomis using movement to frustrate Brito, especially in a big cage in Paris. He still expects Brito to find a takedown or land a big shot.
The MMA Guru picks Joanderson Brito over William Gomis, praising Brito's power and explosiveness. He notes Brito's wins over Diego Lopez and Shep Mariscal. He believes Gomis' rangey, low-threat style will not work against Brito's pressure. He predicts a TKO win for Brito.
Zane picks Brito because he sees Gomis as a limited range striker who lacks a jab and has poor defensive wrestling. He notes that Brito is a powerful, athletic fighter who has dominated better opponents. Zane points out that Gomis's wins have been close decisions against lower-level competition, while Brito has crushed fighters like Jack Shore. He believes Brito's crude but effective pressure will overwhelm Gomis.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 24 of 40 | 60% | 31 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Jack Shore | 0 | 30 of 56 | 53% | 57 of 86 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 5:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 13 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Jack Shore | 0 | 15 of 31 | 48% | 29 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:31 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 15 of 23 | 65% | 18 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jack Shore | 0 | 15 of 25 | 60% | 28 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:38 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 24 of 40 | 60% | 16 of 32 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 25 | 14 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Jack Shore | 30 of 56 | 53% | 4 of 29 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 23 | 20 of 46 | 10 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 9 of 17 | 52% | 5 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 13 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jack Shore | 15 of 31 | 48% | 1 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 13 | 11 of 27 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 15 of 23 | 65% | 11 of 19 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Jack Shore | 15 of 25 | 60% | 3 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 10 | 9 of 19 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brito (-148), Shore (+124)
Round 1
A place in the top 15 at the talent-rich featherweight division may loom for the victor between Welshman Shore (17-1, 6-1 UFC) and the ultraviolent Chute Boxe fighter Brito (16-3-1, 4-1 UFC). Finish rates of 76% for the former and 87% for the latter mean that the judges might be able to take off this preliminary headliner, while referee Joao Claudio Soares should be ready to step in at a moment’s notice. Before they try to lop the other’s head off at the neck, the heavy hitters bump fists. Brito is the initial aggressor, landing long strikes and finding his range early. Shore throws back to back him away, and he checks a low kick. Brito jabs his way in, and he has another calf kick checked hard. Brito swings for the bleachers, and Shore barely dodges it. The low kick that follows separates Shore from his balance, and he drops to a knee and pops back up. Shore gathers himself and ties the Brazilian up to slow him down, and Brito is quick to turn him around and pepper him with knees. Brito breaks off to throw big hands, and Shore slides away but cannot get away from a heavy leg kick. Brito shreds the front leg again and loads up on power punches, and Shore clinches him up as Brito smiles and sticks his tongue out. Brito pursues a single when turning his man around, kneeing the inner thighs when the takedown is not there. Shore chucks him to the side and looks for a takedown, but Brito hip-checks him and pushes him back to the wire. Shore attempts another level change and hangs on tight to slow Brito down, and they both lower themselves to the ground in a minute when locked up. Brito gets up first and pursues a double, and Shore elbows him in the side of the head to have him knock it off. Brito shoulder strikes his foe while up close and personal in the clinch, and he takes a knee to the belly as the grinding round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Round 2
Brito offers a glove touch that is accepted, and he gets right back to his forward momentum. Brito lands a couple leg kicks, completely no-sells getting kicked in the head by the Welshman, and clinches him up. Brito hammers knees on the legs of his opponent and slings him to the mat, and Shore climbs back up without issue. Brito remains stuck to him like he was made of Saran wrap, and Shore pushes him away with a knee up the middle. Brito scores a couple calf kicks, and he ducks when punches are aimed at his face. Shore tries to check a kick and the skin tears open from the impact, as the swelling and welting makes that left leg a horror show less than halfway through the match. Brito sells out for a takedown, and Shore defends it with elbows on the sides of the head. Brito lands a few more short knees as blood leaks out of Shore’s shin. Brito doggedly presses ahead, and he punches the shin several times to further rip open the cut. The apparent damage is so significant that Soares calls in the doctor, who examines the roughly inch-long wound that is at this point gaping. The physician wipes the blood away and feels the bone beneath it, and determines that the bout should not continue. Soares waves the fight off. It is unclear if there is a broken bone, or what the specific reason for the stoppage is, but it will go down as a technical knockout victory for the Brazilian—who hands Shore his first loss by knockout, however unusual.
The Official Result
Joanderson Brito def. Jack Shore R2 3:35 via TKO (Doctor Stoppage)
Angelo picks Brito due to his danger on the feet, but feels the fight is closer to 50/50 than the 2-1 odds suggest. He notes Brito's 50% takedown defense and that Shore could win if he avoids power and gets takedowns. He does not bet on this fight.
Big Brady calls Brito a 'moment winner' with power and finishing ability. He notes Shore's vulnerability to being hurt and questions his takedown success at featherweight. He predicts Brito will land a big shot and knock Shore out in the first round.
Cody picks Brito, citing his physical strength, power, and Brazilian crowd advantage. He notes Shore struggled with physical wrestlers at bantamweight and hasn't looked great at featherweight. Cody expects Brito to land bigger shots and potentially submit Shore.
Daniel Vreeland picks Brito, emphasizing his physicality, power, and multiple finishing threats. He notes that Shore's best wins are against lower-level competition and that Brito has fought tougher opponents. He believes Brito's grappling and striking are superior and that Shore may struggle at featherweight. He considers Brito underpriced and expects him to look like a -600 favorite after the fight.
Shore is the underdog but will put the grind on Brito and win by decision. Brito is dangerous with knockout power and choking ability, but Shore won't make the same mistakes as Jonathan Pearce and will wear on Brito over 15 minutes.
Paul picks Brito, highlighting his power and physicality. He notes Shore's takedown defense and durability are questionable, and Brito's damaging blows will impress judges. Paul expects Brito to win the first two rounds and hold on.
The MMA Guru picks Joanderson Brito, citing his physicality, fast-twitch athleticism, and momentum. He doubts Jack Shore's strength at featherweight and believes Brito will revel in the pay-per-view moment. He also notes Brito's win over Lucas Alexander has aged well, and that Shore was finished by Ricky Simon.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 14 of 16 | 87% | 81 of 96 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 6:15 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 33 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 12 of 14 | 85% | 43 of 48 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:28 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 8 of 19 | 42% | 21 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 38 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:47 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 12 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 14 of 16 | 87% | 6 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 4 of 4 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 8 of 20 | 40% | 4 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 12 of 14 | 85% | 4 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 2 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 8 of 19 | 42% | 4 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 4 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pearce (-130), Brito (+110)
Round 1
A potentially violent featherweight encounter rounds out this long preliminary slate. Winner of five straight, “JSP” Pearce (14-4, 5-1 UFC) will be in for a fight against the hard-charging Brito (15-3-1, 3-1 UFC). Referee Herb Dean may have his hands full for this one, although there is a sporting glove touch before it begins. Pearce lets loose with a kick to start things off, and Brito slings a right hand in response. Pearce shoots for a takedown, and Brito defends the double with a guillotine choke. Brito turns his foe around and keeps tightly pressed against him, and he starts digging right hands to the body as Pearce shakes his head. Brito lifts Pearce clean off the ground and slams him down, and he instantly lands in side control and starts slugging Pearce in the face with left hands. A bit too excited, Brito jumps over and looks to take a scrambling Pearce’s back, but he falls off the back and lands on his own back. Pearce lines him up for a solid right hand, and he attempts to set up a guillotine choke when Brito fights his way up. Brito clubs Pearce in the temple on the break, and he chases after Pearce throwing haymakers. Pearce responds with a body kick and a double, and Brito stops it and backs himself against the wall. Pearce redoubles his effort to take the fight down, and he is stonewalled but pressing the Brazilian against the wall. Brito slugs Pearce in the belly a few times as they turn one another around while clinched. Pearce claims that Brito grabbed his cup, as Brito tried to defend from a takedown. Pearce falls to his back in search of an armbar, and Brito stacks Pearce up to break out of the submission setup. “JSP” hunts for a triangle, and Brito lifts him up and slams him down to stop that as well. Pearce jumps back to his feet and looks for a takedown, and he sneaks in two uppercuts and dodges a windmilling right hand before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Round 2
The fists are bumped, and Pearce dives forward to hit a single in the opening seconds. Pearce lands on half guard and starts slamming down elbows. Pearce steps over into mount for a moment, and Brito bucks and fights off an arm-triangle set up to drag Pearce back to guard. Brito twists and bucks, but Pearce gladly grinds on his opponent to wear him down. “JSP” continues holding Brito down, landing sporadic shots, and the two start talking to one another. Pearce tells him to get up and do something, and Brito tries to explode out but his power is not what it was in the previous round. Pearce rides and lands right hands, and Brito laughs at him for his feeble strikes while irritated he is being held down. Brito scoots his way to the wall on one knee, and he works his way up.
Out of nowhere, “Tubarao” snatches up a ninja choke with his back still against the wall, and it is shockingly tight. Pearce falls to his side to wriggle out, and Brito cranks down hard on it with his chest pressed tightly. Pearce starts tapping as Brito completes the submission
, and the stunning comeback has been completed by the powerhouse Brazilian.
The Official Result
Joanderson Brito def. Jonathan Pearce R2 3:54 via Submission (Ninja Choke)
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, citing his insane wrestling pressure and ability to take down Joanderson Brito. He notes Brito is a dangerous striker but expects Pearce to dive at legs immediately. He expresses some hesitation due to the Grant Dawson knockout, but still picks Pearce.
Big Brady calls this his favorite fight on the card. He thinks Brito is very live for a first-round knockout or submission because Pearce is very hitable and leaves himself in bad spots on the mat. He notes Pearce has great pressure and cardio but Brito has power and submission skills. He predicts Brito wins by first-round knockout, but acknowledges if it goes to the second round, Pearce takes over.
Cody picks Joanderson Brito as a slight underdog, calling it a 50/50 fight. He notes Brito's power and physicality, and believes he can catch Pearce with something. He acknowledges Pearce's wrestling and cardio but thinks Brito's power and submission threat early make him the value play.
Brito is a relentless pressure fighter who doesn't give opponents room to breathe. He has good takedown defense and gets back to his feet quickly. Pearce is a wrestler who may get takedowns early, but Brito's ability to scramble and return to striking will break Pearce. Brito will land big punches and eventually find a knockout in the third round.
Paul also picks Brito, citing his power and the danger he poses early. He notes that Pearce has been hurt before and Brito hits hard. Paul thinks Brito's submission threat, especially a guillotine, is real early. He sees this as a dog or pass and takes the plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Joanderson Brito to finish Jonathan Pearce in round one. He criticizes Pearce's competition and notes that Pearce struggled against Darren Elkins, Makwan Amirkhani, and Christian Rodriguez. He highlights Brito's finishing potential with first-round wins over Lucas Alexander, Andre Fili, and Weston Wilson, and believes Brito's run will continue.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 22 of 30 | 73% | 24 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:08 |
| Westin Wilson | 0 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 22 of 30 | 73% | 24 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:08 |
| Westin Wilson | 0 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 22 of 30 | 73% | 21 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 17 |
| Westin Wilson | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 22 of 30 | 73% | 21 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 17 |
| Westin Wilson | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brito (-1400), Wilson (+850)
Round 1
The biggest betting favorite on the card by a country mile, Brito (14-3-1, 2-1 UFC) at -1400 odds is widely expected to blaze through his short-notice replacement foe. Rather than fighting Khusein Askhabov, the well-traveled Wilson (16-7, 0-0 UFC) steps in for his UFC debut as around a +800 underdog. The sport is a wild one and even massive favorites can lose – just look at Kutateladze earlier tonight – and Wilson does celebrate a 100% finish rate across his 16 pro victories. Referee Chris Tognoni will need to be on his A-game for what should be a fast and furious affair for as long as it lasts. Before the two featherweights engage, they touch gloves to signal they are glad to be competing tonight. Brito is the one to push the pace early, and Wilson fades back and eats a right hand. Brito wings another overhand right, and Wilson is out of the way in time. The karate style and stance from Wilson works against him, as Brito busts him in the chops with a pair of furious hooks. Wilson wobbles back to the fence, and Brito is so aggressive that Wilson grabs him to slow him down. Brito wings a right hand over the top, and Wilson responds with a potential trip attempt. Brito presses Wilson tightly on the fence, and he takes a knee to the chest. Brito slings him to the mat, and Wilson pulls on the cage with his toes. Brito lands in side control, keeping his shoulder pressed tightly on the Utah native. Wilson is again warned for grabbing the fence, and Brito stands up and grabs it to fight off a sudden, unexpected leglock. Tognoni swats his fingers out of the fence, and Brito drops down and busts Wilson in the face with a right hand.
Wilson latches on to a sudden kneebar, and Brito pushes off and batters Wilson with thunderous right hands. As Wilson hangs on, rolled to his side with the submission no longer a serious option, Brito does not let him off the hook. “Tubarao” concludes his bombardment with fierce flurry of fists, and Tognoni jumps in to stop the fight as Wilson’s lights go out.
The enormous favorite made short work of the late replacement, having now performed three first-round finishes in a row. An energized Brito loudly and angrily calls out Dan Ige for a future fight, flipping off double birds and calling for a main event spot. If not Ige, he will also take Alex Caceres, as he is very interested in a ranked adversary.
The Official Result
Joanderson Brito def. Westin Wilson R1 2:54 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Joanderson Brito to win inside the distance. He describes Brito as an absolute savage with fast, athletic striking and solid top pressure. He believes Westin Wilson, despite high fight IQ, is outmatched by Brito's size, strength, and aggression. He plans to parlay Brito if under -400 or bet the finish prop.
Big Brady picks Joanderson Brito to win by first-round knockout, calling it one of the most lopsided matchups he's ever seen. He notes Wilson has no takedown defense, poor striking defense, and has been knocked out several times. Brito is a black belt in BJJ with power and can finish anywhere. Brady expects a finish within the first 60 seconds.
Cody is very confident Brito wins, likely by submission. He notes Brito's significant advantages in striking, wrestling, and grappling. Wilson is a regional fighter making his UFC debut at 34, with losses to lower-level competition. Cody thinks Brito will take him down and submit him, possibly by rear-naked choke. He prefers the submission prop at +200.
Daniel confidently picks Brito to finish Wilson, predicting a first-round submission. He notes Brito's high ceiling, as praised by UFC matchmakers, and his dangerous grappling. He sees Wilson as a 'kill or be killed' fighter who will be outmatched physically and technically. He expects Brito to dominate wherever the fight goes, and calls it a mismatch.
Paul agrees Brito wins inside the distance, likely by KO. He notes the huge disparity in experience and skill, with Wilson being a career regional fighter. Paul thinks Brito will knock him out by backing him up and landing a big shot. He mentions Brito's cauliflower ears as a sign of his toughness.
The Guru picks Joanderson Brito, noting his momentum with two wins in a row over decent competition, including a KO and a submission. He believes Brito's grappling will be too much for Westin Wilson, who trains at Upstate Karate with Stephen Thompson but has a tendency to give up his back. He predicts a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 7 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Lucas Alexander | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 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 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 7 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Lucas Alexander | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 4 of 8 | 50% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Lucas Alexander | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 4 of 8 | 50% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Lucas Alexander | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brito (-350), Alexander (+255)
Round 1
The action ticks up one notch as we move to the featherweight division. After a veritable revolving door of opponents, heavy-handed Brazilian finisher Brito (13-3-1, 1-1 UFC) now squares off against fellow countryman Alexander (7-2, 0-0 UFC) in the latter’s UFC debut. While both are the same age, Brito holds greater high-level experience, having fought up through the LFA to DWCS and then the UFC. Meanwhile, his opponent comes in on a five-fight win streak, with most of those victories coming in Florida-based leagues. The third man in the Octagon is referee Chris Tognoni, and there is a touch of gloves to get things started. Brito immediately starts racing forward, and he wings a low kick that comes up short. Alexander responds with one that lands, but he already finds himself backed up to the cage and ducking a haymaker. Brito bears down on him and loads up on right hands, and he ducks a head kick by a matter of millimeters and allows Alexander to fall to the mat. Brito lifts his man up and slams him down, and then does this a second time when Alexander gets to his knees. Brito knees the thigh a few times before scooping “The Lion” up and dropping him down once more. When Alexander moves back to his feet, Brito jumps on his back to serve as a malicious backpack, while setting up some form of a rear-naked choke.
Brito tightens his legs around the waist and switches his arms to sink his right forearm under the chin. The choke is instantly tight and Brito has plenty of energy to crush it like a vice, and he drags the newcomer from behind down to the ground to make the submission purely academic. Barely one second after they hit the mat, and Alexander taps out frantically from the maneuver, as he would likely go out if the grip remained tight for too much longer.
Tubular work for "Tubarao" Brito, who now posts an even number of knockouts and submissions on his ledger while lifting his finish rate above 85%.
The Official Result
Joanderson Brito def. Lucas Alexander R1 2:02 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Cody picks Brito confidently, noting he is a powerhouse and coming off a career-best win. He points out that Alexander has missed weight multiple times and is taking the fight on short notice, which could affect his performance. He expects Brito to press forward and score takedowns.
Paul also picks Brito, noting he is a solid prospect and Alexander is a late replacement with questionable credentials. He thinks Brito's aggression and takedowns will be too much, and Alexander may struggle to make weight.
The MMA Guru picks Joanderson Brito by first-round KO, citing his full camp and the short-notice replacement Lucas Alexander. He believes Alexander will be overly aggressive early, which will be his downfall against Brito. He notes that Brito's win over Andre Fili has aged well, and he trusts Brito's power and timing.
Andre Fili - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 0 | 62 of 141 | 43% | 70 of 154 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 1 | 0:59 |
| Jose Delgado | 0 | 94 of 169 | 55% | 103 of 179 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 0 | 19 of 39 | 48% | 19 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Jose Delgado | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 26 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 0 | 18 of 39 | 46% | 19 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:11 |
| Jose Delgado | 0 | 30 of 62 | 48% | 34 of 66 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 0 | 25 of 63 | 39% | 32 of 74 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
| Jose Delgado | 0 | 41 of 61 | 67% | 43 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 62 of 141 | 43% | 46 of 121 | 11 of 13 | 5 of 7 | 61 of 139 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Jose Delgado | 94 of 169 | 55% | 37 of 99 | 34 of 47 | 23 of 23 | 83 of 153 | 9 of 14 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 19 of 39 | 48% | 15 of 32 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 19 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jose Delgado | 23 of 46 | 50% | 7 of 26 | 7 of 11 | 9 of 9 | 23 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 18 of 39 | 46% | 16 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 18 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jose Delgado | 30 of 62 | 48% | 9 of 35 | 15 of 21 | 6 of 6 | 22 of 49 | 6 of 11 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 25 of 63 | 39% | 15 of 53 | 7 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 24 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Jose Delgado | 41 of 61 | 67% | 21 of 38 | 12 of 15 | 8 of 8 | 38 of 58 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Jose Delgado, praising his spectacular striking and talent. He acknowledges Delgado's takedown defense issues but dismisses them because 'Las Vegas doesn't care about wrestling.' He notes that Andre Fili has been wrestling more lately but chooses not to warn viewers, implying that wrestling won't be scored heavily.
Big Brady picks Jose Delgado to win by first-round knockout. He loves Delgado's power and aggression, and criticizes Fili's chin and striking defense (51%). He believes Delgado will come forward with reckless abandon and knock Fili out early, calling it the best fight on the card.
Cody picks Delgado confidently, citing his knockout power and improved cardio. He notes Fili's path is wrestling, but Delgado's knees and takedown defense are deterrents. He expects Delgado to catch Fili eventually.
Connor picks Delgado, agreeing that Fili will get caught taking pictures. He notes Delgado's flow state striking and that Fili's defensive habits make him vulnerable to being timed.
James picks Rolando Delgado to win by first-round knockout. He believes Delgado's dynamic striking, speed, and power will be too much for the older Fili, who has been knocked out early in recent fights. He notes that if Delgado doesn't finish early, Fili can compete over three rounds, but his prediction is a round one stoppage.
The host picks Delgado to win by knockout, citing his power and speed. He believes Delgado's striking will be too much for Fili, who is inconsistent and aging. However, he is hesitant about the high price and would prefer a line closer to -185. He suggests looking at the KO prop if it offers value.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Delgado's power and the old guard being replaced. He thinks Fili's wrestling path is possible but Delgado is working on it. He expects Delgado to win.
The Guru picks Jose Delgado, citing his finishing ability and size. He thinks Fili is finishable and may switch off in clinch exchanges, where Delgado can land elbows or knees. He predicts a nasty finish, noting Delgado's previous wins over Connor Matthews and Destroyer.
Zane picks Delgado, citing his fluid combination punching and ability to catch Fili when he gets predictable. He notes Fili tends to get finished when facing dynamic finishers, and Delgado is a natural puncher.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 0 | 64 of 182 | 35% | 74 of 193 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 83 of 174 | 47% | 95 of 190 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 1:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 0 | 22 of 63 | 34% | 27 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 29 of 64 | 45% | 29 of 66 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 0 | 23 of 69 | 33% | 23 of 69 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 29 of 56 | 51% | 30 of 57 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 0 | 19 of 50 | 38% | 24 of 56 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 25 of 54 | 46% | 36 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 64 of 182 | 35% | 52 of 164 | 6 of 10 | 6 of 8 | 62 of 179 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 83 of 174 | 47% | 49 of 130 | 8 of 13 | 26 of 31 | 69 of 157 | 13 of 16 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 22 of 63 | 34% | 19 of 56 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 22 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 29 of 64 | 45% | 13 of 43 | 4 of 6 | 12 of 15 | 28 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 23 of 69 | 33% | 18 of 62 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 23 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 29 of 56 | 51% | 17 of 40 | 3 of 5 | 9 of 11 | 27 of 54 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 19 of 50 | 38% | 15 of 46 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 25 of 54 | 46% | 19 of 47 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 14 of 40 | 11 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rodriguez (-250); Fili (+200)
Round 1
With eight years separating the two, this featherweight contest could be considered one of the “passing of the torch” variety. Fili (24-12, 1 NC; 12-11, 1 NC UFC), 35, needs a win badly, as he has alternated them with defeats for his seven outings and is a loss away from a .500 UFC record. Rodriguez (12-3, 5-3 UFC) is a bit above the midpoint line, but he can scarcely afford coming up short as well given that he has dropped two of three. Something’s gotta give, and referee Mike Beltran will be there for it every step of the way. The 145ers touch ‘em up.
Rodriguez says hello with a long one-two, and Fili gets right behind jabbing and low kicks. Rodriguez gets in his face and busts Fili in the chops with a few punches, and a second combination backs Fili off. Fili replies with a crisp right hand over the top, but Rodriguez does not retreat for long and continue to pursue the taller man. Fili uses his range to keep Rodriguez at bay, coming up missing with a head kick and wiping his nose after. Fili keeps his jab going, and he reddens the nose of the younger man and kicks him under the armpit to boot. Rodriguez gets right in Fili’s face and punches him, and Fili changes stances and re-enters the pocket. Both men lob big punches at one another, with Fili clipping “CeeRod” with a few left hands.
Fili gives chase and wings a head kick, and Rodriguez shakes out the cobwebs and re-engages. Fili snaps out his powerful jab, and some damage is showing on Rodriguez’ face on several places. Fili styles on Rodriguez with his jab and short hook, staying out of the range of the biggest power. Fili’s jab is his best weapon, breaking up Rodriguez attacks. Rodriguez catches a body kick and rushes forward to take the vet down, hurling him to the mat like a sack of potatoes with 15 seconds to spare. Rodriguez rides out the remainder of the round on top.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Round 2
Both fighters get right back to business when the second round kicks off, as Fili opens up with his jab to get going with high kicks. Rodriguez throws back and ducks down to grab hold of a single, and when that fails, he spins with an elbow that goes wide. Rodriguez reaches his man with a head kick, and Fili takes it cleanly without flinching. Rodriguez stomps at the front leg, and when he comes out swinging, Fili is there to chew him up with jabs and calf kicks. Rodriguez sits down on a hard right hand, and his low kick after further gets Fili’s attention. Fili kicks his foe in the front leg, which is welding up and turning colors fast. Rodriguez wades in to brawl, and Fili meets him with his fists until Rodriguez gloms onto him and looks for a body lock.
Fili escapes to reset, and they bang it out for a few seconds, with Rodriguez nodding after taking heavy blows and getting his nose busted open. Rodriguez does land his own power punches, but Fili is more fluid and appears to be putting out a higher volume. Rodriguez swarms forward and misses the mark, allowing Fili to jack him in the jaw with a pair of straight punches. Fili chains a jab into a leg kick that freezes Rodriguez for a second, and “CeeRod” gathers his thoughts and returns to his own leg-based assault. Fili probes and prods with effective jabs, forcing blood to smear on the younger fighter’s visage. Fili clubs Rodriguez with a left hook, and he takes a jab to put two punches on the cheeks. Fili swaps stances and shoots for a takedown, with Rodriguez stonewalling him and kneeing him on the break. Rodriguez goes way wide with a spin, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Round 3
The featherweights bump fists and promptly punch one another square in the face. There are no feelers, with the jabs from both sides coming with some fire behind them. Rodriguez takes one or two and decides to tie the Californian up, where he knees him in the thigh several times while controlling him against the wire. Rodriguez lets loose with some punches before Fili strikes back, and the jab from Fili ends the exchange as they both gather steam for a second. Rodriguez leaps at Fili, and Fili lets him land so he can tee off on him with fast fists. Fili times a picture-perfect takedown to scoop “CeeRod” off his feet, putting the younger man down to the floor. Rodriguez scrambles, and Fili gladly hangs onto him from behind while looking for trips. Fili lifts Rodriguez up and slams him down with emphasis, although Rodriguez is still with it after bouncing his melon off the floor. Rodriguez scrambles well, getting to his knees in a hurry, and he spins out to split.
Rodriguez walks Fili down, looping punches at him that set up a head kick. Fili pecks with repetitive, painful jabs, and Rodriguez has no answer to them but tries to counter with a wheel kick that is so far away, Fili could have taken a picture of it on a Polaroid and developed it by the time Rodriguez was good to go again. Rodriguez gets mad, and he starts swinging up close and personal. Fili fires back with a vengeance, only to get clipped with a left hand that changes his course. “Touchy” grabs Rodriguez and bowls him over to the mat, landing some ground-and-pound until Rodriguez explodes to his knees. Fili tries a mat return with Rodriguez leaned up against the wire, and Rodriguez breaks off and just misses a slashing elbow. Fili’s jab is turning Rodriguez’ face to hamburger, and Rodriguez just nods at him looking for more. Rodriguez walks Fili down, briefly clinching only to let go so he can let his hands go. Fili intercepts two spinning moves, with Rodriguez tries to initiate a crazy final brawl but not getting it from the veteran. Fili ends the match by landing some shots, and when the dust settles, Fili plants a kiss on the defeated man’s forehead.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fili (30-27 Fili)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Fili (30-27 Fili)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fili (30-27 Fili)
The Official Result
Andre Fili def. Christian Rodriguez via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Angelo leans Andre Fili, believing he is the more skilled fighter with better speed and cleaner striking. He notes Christian Rodriguez is a prospect killer but struggles against experienced, well-rounded fighters. However, Fili is unreliable and his chin is questionable. Angelo may change his pick later in the week.
Big Brady picks Christian Rodriguez, noting Andre Fili's recent decline and tendency to get submitted. He highlights Rodriguez's guillotine threat and believes he can snatch a neck if Fili shoots for takedowns. Brady predicts a second-round submission for Rodriguez.
Connor picks Fili because Rodriguez struggles against veterans who don't run into his defensive wall. He notes that Fili will stay at range, use jabs and high kicks, and not get drawn into a wrestling match. Connor points out that Rodriguez has shown an inability to adjust when his plan A fails, as seen against Melquizael Costa. He acknowledges Fili's tendency for catastrophic errors but believes Rodriguez won't capitalize consistently.
The host is a big C-rod fan but thinks he is being overappreciated, making him a chalky favorite. He notes a size advantage for Rodriguez fighting at 145 when he should be at 135, which gives some concern, but believes it's a matter of time before Rodriguez finds a submission opportunity and forces the tap.
The MMA Guru picks Andre Fili as an underdog, despite acknowledging Christian Rodriguez should win. He believes Fili's size, reach, and veteran savvy will be too much, and that Rodriguez can't finish him. He predicts a close 29-28 decision win for Fili.
Zane agrees with Connor, noting that Rodriguez's game is built for opponents who make mistakes, but Fili is a veteran who won't just run into his defense. He highlights that Fili's wrestling is tough to out-grapple and that Rodriguez hasn't proven he can beat a veteran like Fili. Zane is concerned about Fili's age and recent wins over older fighters, but still sees Rodriguez as unproven at this level.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 0 | 7 of 24 | 29% | 7 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 27 of 56 | 48% | 27 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 0 | 7 of 24 | 29% | 7 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 27 of 56 | 48% | 27 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 7 of 24 | 29% | 4 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 27 of 56 | 48% | 3 of 25 | 10 of 13 | 14 of 18 | 26 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 7 of 24 | 29% | 4 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 27 of 56 | 48% | 3 of 25 | 10 of 13 | 14 of 18 | 26 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
A veritable chasm of UFC-level experience separates the next two featherweights, with grizzled Team Alpha Male product Fili (24-11, 1 NC; 12-10, 1 NC UFC) looking to hold the line and remind folks he is still very much a factor. Like Fili, Costa’s (21-7, 2-2 UFC) tenure thus far has been somewhat inconsistent but fairly violent. Referee Jeff Hoiby draws the charge between the two, and the local man Fili has no time for a glove touch as he wants to get going immediately. Fili chases his foe around the cage, looking for his jab. Costa backs him off briefly with a pair of high kicks, and he doubles up on leg kicks as well. Fili walks through everything pitched at him to sling leather, including a right left hand that zips through his guard. “Let’s go Fili” chants boom through the building, and they both fire off head kicks. Fili’s gets his foe’s attention, with Costa smiling at him. They decide to throw caution to the wind for a moment and brawl with no interest in defense, and they tag one another cleanly but do not budge. Costa backs off and fires off a wheel kick, and he settles himself to chop at the Washington-based fighter’s knee with oblique kicks. Costa rips a kick to the ribs as Fili is marching ever forward, and he narrowly evades getting his chin checked with a low kick but still walks into a left hook. Fili blocks a high kick but cannot stop a body kick, and he plods forward, energized by “USA” chants. Fili whiffs on a head kick, unable to lock his foe down, and he brushes his shoulder when Costa misses as well. Fili blocks a kick and hurls one right back, and Costa breathes a sight of relief and strikes back with a high kick. Fili motions that he protected himself from it, and Costa stays on his bike prodding with oblique kicks. Fili connects with a heavy body kick, dodges one that comes back and makes a matador motion. Fili takes a kick and shoots in for a takedown, and when he hits it,
Costa wraps up a guillotine choke and wrenches with all his might. The Brazilian clings to the choke, which is not going anywhere as he has it tight as a drum with his right leg wrapped around Fili’s waist. Fili is fine until suddenly he is not, and he frantically taps out.
The stunned audience is silenced in a second, as the hometown fighter surrenders from the submission and walks off disappointed that he got caught. Meanwhile, Costa has just earned the biggest win of his career, and he goes off to celebrate with teammate Joanderson Brito who previously put Fili away in the first round.
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Andre Fili R1 4:30 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Big Brady picks the underdog Melquizael Costa, noting that Andre Fili's durability is declining after many wars, and he was dropped and knocked out recently. He thinks Costa is younger, has more tools on the feet with hard kicks to head, legs, and body, and has solid grappling with seven takedowns in his last three fights. He expects a close fight going to decision, with Costa winning a close decision.
The host acknowledges the fight is close as odds indicate, but believes Fili's strength of schedule, experience, and unorthodox striking will shut down Costa's grappling. He expects Fili to win on the scorecards, possibly by split decision.
The Guru hesitantly picks Fili, noting he never likes picking him but sees Costa as getting 'fraud checked'. He values Fili's win over Cub Swanson and thinks Costa's loss to Thiago Moisés is a bad look. He expects Fili to mix in grappling in the second and third rounds and win a close decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 0 | 62 of 111 | 55% | 90 of 140 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 67 of 147 | 45% | 70 of 151 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 0 | 0 | 3:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 0 | 20 of 31 | 64% | 20 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 19 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 0 | 12 of 29 | 41% | 22 of 39 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 18 of 35 | 51% | 18 of 35 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:27 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 0 | 30 of 51 | 58% | 48 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 31 of 70 | 44% | 33 of 73 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:23 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 62 of 111 | 55% | 43 of 86 | 7 of 11 | 12 of 14 | 53 of 101 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 67 of 147 | 45% | 49 of 118 | 13 of 22 | 5 of 7 | 52 of 126 | 15 of 21 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 20 of 31 | 64% | 9 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 9 | 18 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 18 of 42 | 42% | 12 of 31 | 4 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 36 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 12 of 29 | 41% | 11 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 18 of 35 | 51% | 14 of 29 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 29 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 30 of 51 | 58% | 23 of 41 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 24 of 44 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 31 of 70 | 44% | 23 of 58 | 5 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 24 of 61 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Cody picks Fili but is not confident due to his recent knockout losses. He notes that Fili is younger and faster, but his chin is questionable. Cody believes Fili's volume and wrestling could give him an edge, but acknowledges that Swanson is a fan favorite who often gets close decisions. He warns that Fili needs to finish Swanson to avoid a controversial decision loss.
Daniel is picking Swanson as a plus 210 underdog, citing Swanson's path to victory via knockout and his strong performance against Hakim Dawodu at similar odds. He notes that Fili is hot and cold and can be chinned. He envisions a retirement moment for Swanson where he knocks out Fili and puts his gloves down in the Octagon.
The host does not discuss this fight at all in the transcript. The entire podcast is focused on the Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler fight, which is not on the provided fight card. Therefore, no pick is made for this fight.
The host picks Fili to win on the scorecards, but criticizes the -260 line as too high, saying Fili should be closer to -150 or -180. He expects a competitive striking battle that goes to decision, and recommends the over 2.5 rounds at -110. He notes Swanson is a live underdog at +210.
Paul picks Swanson, citing his experience and durability. He notes that Swanson has a history of winning close decisions and that Fili has been knocked out recently. Paul believes Swanson's volume and toughness will be key, and that he can win a decision or even catch Fili with a knockout. He also mentions that Swanson is a fan favorite, which may help in a close fight.
The Guru picks Andre Fili over Cub Swanson. He believes Fili is bigger, stronger, and more explosive at this stage. He notes Swanson's age (40) and size disadvantage. He likes Fili's low kicks and thinks he can finish Swanson by TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Ige | 1 | 11 of 19 | 57% | 11 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 8 of 33 | 24% | 8 of 33 | 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 | Dan Ige | 1 | 11 of 19 | 57% | 11 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 8 of 33 | 24% | 8 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Ige | 11 of 19 | 57% | 4 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Andre Fili | 8 of 33 | 24% | 7 of 28 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Ige | 11 of 19 | 57% | 4 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Andre Fili | 8 of 33 | 24% | 7 of 28 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo calls this a 50-50 fight. Dan Ige is a fantastic kickboxer with good BJJ and underrated wrestling, having defended 10 takedowns from Bryce Mitchell. Andre Fili has all the tools but a questionable chin and tends to brawl. Angelo thinks if Fili wrestles, he can win, but expects him to brawl, favoring Ige. He suggests this is a great live bet fight.
Big Brady picks Dan Ige to win by second-round knockout. He notes that Ige is durable (never knocked out or submitted), hits hard, and has fought top competition, while Fili has been knocked out multiple times and has questionable striking defense. He expects a stand-up fight where Ige's power and durability prevail, dropping and finishing Fili.
Cody picks Ige, expecting a close decision. He notes Ige's durability and power, while Fili has been knocked out before. He thinks the fight will likely go to decision, with Ige's superior hand speed and pressure being key. Cody also mentions the Apex environment may favor Ige's impactful strikes. He suggests a prop on Ige by decision or the over 2.5 rounds.
Ige has crisp boxing, high fight IQ, and a great game plan. He should be able to counter Fili's unorthodox striking and potentially mix in grappling to open up his boxing. Fili has a reach advantage but struggles to land big shots against disciplined strikers. Ige's experience and reliability should lead to a decision victory.
Paul also picks Ige, noting Fili's experience but questioning if his wrestling is enough to neutralize Ige. He thinks Ige's chin and power are key, and that Fili's volume may not be enough. Paul mentions a possible Ige knockout, but leans toward Ige on the moneyline. He also considers a sprinkle on Ige by KO in round 1 at +850.
The MMA Guru picks Dan Ige because he follows game plans well and performs against opponents just outside the rankings. He expects Ige to chop low kicks and work his way inside, finishing Fili in the second round. He notes Ige's wins over Damon Jackson and his competitive fight with Bryce Mitchell.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 1 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 25 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 25 | 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 | Andre Fili | 1 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 25 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 20 of 36 | 55% | 16 of 29 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 15 |
| Lucas Almeida | 10 of 25 | 40% | 1 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 9 of 13 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 20 of 36 | 55% | 16 of 29 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 15 |
| Lucas Almeida | 10 of 25 | 40% | 1 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 9 of 13 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Lucas Almeida as an underdog, citing his real power and killer instinct. He acknowledges Fili's talent but distrusts his chin and lack of wrestling usage. He does not bet because both fighters are unreliable.
Big Brady picks Lucas Almeida to win by second-round KO, despite acknowledging Fili's wrestling path. He notes Fili hasn't wrestled much recently and isn't a dominant grappler like Pat Sabatini, so he expects the fight to stay standing. Brady highlights Almeida's 100% finish rate and power, while Fili has been finished 5 times and has a questionable chin. He believes Almeida will land a knockout as an underdog.
Cody picks Fili, arguing that Almeida is hittable and walks in a straight line. He notes that Fili has good footwork, a jab, and can mix in wrestling. Cody believes Fili will outpoint Almeida by striking and using takedowns to secure rounds. He expects a decision win for Fili, as Almeida's takedown defense is suspect and Fili is the more well-rounded fighter.
Jeff Fox picks Lucas Almeida as his dog, explaining that Almeida is a better striker and is fighting a guy on a skid. He thinks Almeida is a worthy gamble at plus 145.
Lucrative James picks Lucas Almeida as the value side. He believes Andre Fili has clear deficiencies in striking defense and chin, getting hurt in almost every fight. He thinks Fili's path is via wrestling, but Fili often chooses to stand and bang. Almeida hits hard, has good durability, and Fili's tendency to get cracked makes Almeida the play at underdog odds.
The host leans toward Fili but is not confident due to the chalk. He believes Fili's experience and grappling advantage should be the difference, as he can take Almeida down and grind out a decision. However, he warns that if Fili chooses to strike, he could get knocked out. He expects Fili to shoot multiple takedowns and win a decision, avoiding his first losing streak in the UFC.
Paul picks Fili, agreeing that Fili is the more experienced and well-rounded fighter. He notes that Fili has faced much tougher competition and has multiple paths to victory. Paul believes Fili's wrestling and striking will be too much for Almeida, who is a banger but lacks defensive skills. He expects Fili to win by decision or potentially by submission.
The Guru picks Andre Fili over Lucas Almeida, noting Fili has looked good even in losses and has a reach and range advantage. He believes Almeida lacks the KO power to finish Fili and that Fili's wrestling will be a factor. He predicts a 29-28 decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathaniel Wood | 1 | 84 of 148 | 56% | 108 of 174 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:47 |
| Andre Fili | 1 | 58 of 151 | 38% | 76 of 179 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nathaniel Wood | 1 | 37 of 69 | 53% | 37 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:23 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 17 of 49 | 34% | 20 of 52 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Nathaniel Wood | 0 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 34 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Andre Fili | 1 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 32 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:55 | |
| 3 | Nathaniel Wood | 0 | 37 of 64 | 57% | 37 of 64 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 24 of 68 | 35% | 24 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathaniel Wood | 84 of 148 | 56% | 38 of 90 | 10 of 18 | 36 of 40 | 71 of 123 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 25 |
| Andre Fili | 58 of 151 | 38% | 45 of 134 | 7 of 10 | 6 of 7 | 53 of 144 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nathaniel Wood | 37 of 69 | 53% | 21 of 48 | 4 of 7 | 12 of 14 | 24 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 25 |
| Andre Fili | 17 of 49 | 34% | 15 of 45 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nathaniel Wood | 10 of 15 | 66% | 4 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Fili | 17 of 34 | 50% | 14 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 27 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Nathaniel Wood | 37 of 64 | 57% | 13 of 33 | 5 of 10 | 19 of 21 | 37 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Fili | 24 of 68 | 35% | 16 of 58 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 24 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Nathaniel Wood, believing a healthy Wood beats an inconsistent Andre Fili. He notes Wood's injury was just a cut, not a knee issue, so he should be fine. He does not bet the moneyline but may explore props because Fili is better than the odds suggest.
Big Brady picks Nathaniel Wood by decision, citing hometown advantage and volume striking. He notes Wood is undersized with a reach disadvantage but throws high volume (6.34 sig strikes/min). He thinks Wood can mix in takedowns and that close decisions will favor the London fighter. He admits the line should be closer.
Cody picks Wood based on volume advantage, noting Wood lands over 97 significant strikes in recent fights while Fili's career high is 98. He thinks Wood's wrestling and pressure will overwhelm Fili, and that Wood's chin issues were due to weight cuts at 135. He expects a 30-27 decision.
Daniel made this his first bet of the card, taking Nathaniel Wood at -180 to win 2 units. He highlights Wood's pace and volume advantage, noting Fili has never landed 100 significant strikes in a UFC fight while Wood has exceeded 130 multiple times. He believes Wood's calf kicks and pressure will neutralize Fili's reach, and that Wood's improved chin at featherweight (no longer cutting to bantamweight) is a key factor. He acknowledges the threat of Fili's head kick but trusts Wood's game plan to close distance and outwork him.
James picks Nathaniel Wood to win, calling this a potential coming-out party for him. He notes that Wood has deserved a big win and that Fili doesn't always rise to the occasion. He mentions that Wood is fighting in his hometown of London and that he thinks Wood will rise to the occasion. James acknowledges his bias as he is friendly with Wood but still believes in his skills.
The host picks Nathaniel Wood, citing his improved cardio at featherweight, patient striking, and ground game. He believes Wood's overall game will be too much for Fili, who struggles against higher competition. He predicts a decision win for Wood.
Paul agrees with Cody on volume, noting Fili lacks knockout power and has durability issues. He thinks Wood's wrestling advantage and pace will be key. He also likes Wood by decision and the over on significant strikes.
The MMA Guru picks Nathaniel Wood, calling it a no-brainer. He praises Wood's leg kicks, noting he may hold the record for most leg kicks landed in a fight. He criticizes Andre Fili's recent decline and skinny legs, and believes Wood's high guard will defend against head kicks. The Guru expects Wood to bust up Fili's lead leg and win by decision or late TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 0 | 59 of 142 | 41% | 67 of 151 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 2 | 0 | 4:18 |
| Bill Algeo | 0 | 81 of 170 | 47% | 151 of 246 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 0 | 19 of 56 | 33% | 19 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Bill Algeo | 0 | 30 of 61 | 49% | 31 of 63 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 0 | 32 of 68 | 47% | 32 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Bill Algeo | 0 | 41 of 86 | 47% | 46 of 91 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 16 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 3:49 |
| Bill Algeo | 0 | 10 of 23 | 43% | 74 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 59 of 142 | 41% | 48 of 125 | 6 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 59 of 141 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Bill Algeo | 81 of 170 | 47% | 38 of 113 | 17 of 27 | 26 of 30 | 80 of 168 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 19 of 56 | 33% | 16 of 51 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Bill Algeo | 30 of 61 | 49% | 9 of 37 | 9 of 10 | 12 of 14 | 30 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 32 of 68 | 47% | 25 of 61 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 32 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bill Algeo | 41 of 86 | 47% | 21 of 59 | 7 of 13 | 13 of 14 | 40 of 84 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 8 of 18 | 44% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bill Algeo | 10 of 23 | 43% | 8 of 17 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Algeo as an underdog, citing his pressure, pace, and durability. He notes that Fili is talented but coming off a bad knockout and may be gun-shy. Angelo believes Algeo will push the pace and win a decision. He placed a moneyline bet at +115.
Big Brady picks Bill Algeo to win by decision, taking the dog. He acknowledges that Andre Fili is the better striker and has fought tougher competition, but Brady favors Algeo's high volume and cardio. He notes that Algeo has poor takedown defense but an excellent get-up game, so Fili likely won't hold him down. Brady expects Algeo to overwhelm Fili with output and win a close decision. He also mentions that Fili's output is low (3.82 significant strikes per minute) and his accuracy is 36%.
Cody agrees, noting Fili's wrestling and clinch work will exploit Algeo's takedown defense. He thinks Fili is smoother on the feet and will win a decision. He also mentions the prize picks line for Fili's significant strikes is 50.5, but he might avoid that due to potential wrestling-heavy game plan.
Daniel Levi picks Bill Algeo at plus 115 odds, placing one unit. He sees this as a coin flip fight and prefers the dog odds. He highlights Algeo's durability, volume, and ability to scramble back to his feet after takedowns. He notes Fili's long UFC career and tendency to have close fights, and thinks Algeo can pull away late with volume. He expects a competitive fight that could go either way.
Jacob picks Fili, believing he is the more talented and well-rounded fighter. He notes that Algeo is tough but lacks knockout power, so Fili can implement his game plan of bouncing in and out and mixing in takedowns. Jacob acknowledges that Fili has lost fights he should win but thinks this is a perfect matchup for him.
This is a 50-50 fight but Fili has more tools, mixing striking with takedowns. Algeo has good BJJ defensively but his takedown defense is a weakness. Fili is fighting with his back against the wall and should put together a full MMA game. Algeo's flashy striking can be dangerous but Fili's veteran experience and wrestling should edge him a decision.
Paul thinks Fili's wrestling advantage will be key, as Algeo has poor takedown defense. He notes Fili looked great against Pineda before the no-contest and that the flash KO loss to Brito is overblown. Paul expects Fili to mix in takedowns and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Andre Fili by decision. He notes Bill Algeo is on short notice and has a child due soon, which may affect his cardio. He thinks Algeo struggles against well-rounded, durable fighters who can go the distance, like Ricardo Ramos and Ricardo Lamas. He believes Fili has great cardio and won't have to worry about power since Algeo has no power. He expects Fili to win a decision, and advises betting on Fili if he becomes an underdog.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Andre Fili, emphasizing his well-roundedness and technical striking advantage. He thinks Fili can avoid submissions and grind out a win if he leans on his wrestling, similar to his fight against Charles Jordan where he had five takedowns. He notes Brito's grappling threat but believes Fili's experience will prevail.
Big Brady picks Andre Fili, citing his well-roundedness, durability, cardio, and experience against top competition. He believes Brito's cardio will fade after an early burst, and Fili's grappling and striking will take over. He predicts a decision win for Fili.
Cody also picks Fili but doesn't love the price. He thinks Brito is too green, with poor cardio and a wild style that wastes energy. Cody notes Fili's wrestling advantage and ability to dictate range, and expects Fili to exploit Brito's weaknesses. He mentions Fili's experience in deep waters as a key factor.
Daniel Levi picks Joanderson Brito at +250, noting that Brito's debut loss was due to a late tactical error that can be corrected. He believes Brito is a heavy hitter and that Fili is hittable and can be taken down. Levi questions the quality of Fili's last win over a faded Daniel Pineda and expects a close three-round fight, possibly 1-1 going into the third. He sees value at the odds he got earlier in the week.
The host picks Fili, citing his experience and technical striking. He notes Brito's hyper-aggressive style leads to overexertion and mistakes, as seen in his UFC debut. Fili's ability to stay on the outside, use combinations, and get back up if taken down will be key. He expects Fili to win a decision, as Brito's durability and Fili's own durability suggest the fight goes the distance.
Paul picks Andre Fili, noting his best performance against Pineda and overall experience. He struggles to find things to like about Brito, who is green and has cardio issues. Paul thinks Fili's wrestling and range control will be key, and he expects Fili to mix in takedowns to slow Brito down. He acknowledges the -260 price is steep but believes Fili wins.
The Guru is very confident in Andre Fili, calling him one of the locks of the card. He cites Fili's reach and height advantages, good scrambles, and takedown defense. He believes Fili's grappling has improved significantly, as shown in his last fight against Daniel Pineda. The Guru does not see Brito out-grappling Fili or winning exchanges on the feet. He references Fili's close fight with Bryce Mitchell as evidence of his high level.
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