Career Averages - Matheus Nicolau
Career Averages - David Dvořák
Matheus Nicolau
David Dvořák
Matheus Nicolau - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asu Almabayev | 0 | 16 of 42 | 38% | 38 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 1 | 22 of 54 | 40% | 55 of 112 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 5:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asu Almabayev | 0 | 5 of 15 | 33% | 5 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 9 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Asu Almabayev | 0 | 10 of 24 | 41% | 12 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 6 of 22 | 27% | 11 of 27 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 | |
| 3 | Asu Almabayev | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 21 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 1 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 35 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 4:09 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asu Almabayev | 16 of 42 | 38% | 8 of 26 | 5 of 9 | 3 of 7 | 12 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 22 of 54 | 40% | 7 of 36 | 8 of 9 | 7 of 9 | 17 of 46 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asu Almabayev | 5 of 15 | 33% | 1 of 8 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 9 of 21 | 42% | 1 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 6 | 9 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Asu Almabayev | 10 of 24 | 41% | 6 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 5 | 6 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 6 of 22 | 27% | 1 of 17 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 19 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Asu Almabayev | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 7 of 11 | 63% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Almabaev (-175), Nicolau (+145)
Round 1
A ranked flyweight encounter will wrap up the prelims, as Nicolau (19-4-1, 7-3 UFC) wishes to save his place among the top 10 while on a skid. To do so, he will have to break the 16-fight win streak for the aggressive Kazakhstan native Almabaev (20-2, 3-0 UFC). Referee Keith Peterson will have hands full to keep up with these speedy competitors, although they show plenty of respect for another and not a lick of nonsense as they clap hands before engaging. Almabaev moves to the center of the cage, pawing out his jab, while Nicolau is more jittery on the outside feinting and faking. It takes 30 seconds for the first strike to land, a low kick from Almabaev. When Almabaev tries a second, Nicolau whizzes a right hand over the top just past Almabaev’s head. Almabaev kicks low and then chains another to the body, and Nicolau cannot make him pay for the blows. Almabaev darts in, missing the mark with a booming uppercut. Almabaev jabs the body, and Nicolau is singularly focused on counters. Almabaev spins with a wheel kick that buzzes the Brazilian’s noggin, and Nicolau is still stuck without any ideas. When Nicolau lashes out, Almabaev is there to catch him with a check left hook. Almabaev lands a spinning back kick to the ribs, and Nicolau backs off and eventually aims a left up top and a jab to the body. Almabaev lands another jab to the ribs and gets off a low kick before having to block a counter. Almabaev slams his shin in the midsection of his opponent, and he attempts a Superman punch that is just shy of the mark. Nicolau jabs out with a front kick, misses with a high kick and the tepid round draws to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev
Round 2
There is a clap of hands to get things going, and Almabaev is quick to crowd his opponent with a right hook and a head kick on the other side. Nicolau delivers a clean calf kick, but it is one-and-done. Almabaev steps in with a knee to the body, and Nicolau catches it and thinks of taking the fight down. They land in 50-50 position and get out of it to reset, where Almabaev scores a spinning back kick to the sternum. Almabaev overswings and gets countered, and he prods out a front kick that brushes past the cheek of his adversary. They time short hooks at the same time, neither man willing to give much grown or commit to a great deal of offense. Nicolau watches an overhand right soar past him, pushing Almabaev away without landing his own. Almabaev shoots in for a single, and Nicolau hops back to the wall, grabs the fence and is dragged to a knee briefly. Nicolau pulls out of the attempt and catches Almabaev with a left hand, and when Almabaev dives after a single, Nicolau hammers him with elbows to the side of the head. Almabaev drags him down, and Nicolau pops up and threatens with a guillotine choke. Almabaev lifts his opponent’s leg up, and Nicolau snatches hold of a guillotine choke and has it locked down. Nicolau rolls to the side and nearly into mount, and Almabaev toughs it out and turns enough to survive. Nicolau gets to his feet, and Almabaev stands too, his shorts nearly down by his waist. Nicolau allows his opponent to pull his shorts back up before engaging, and he surges into action with a few lunging strikes. The round ends with Almabaev tossing out a left hand and a high kick.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Round 3
The last round kicks off with a glove touch, and Almabaev wants to get things going by tossing out a number of low kicks. Nicolau hand-fights and parries punches from up top, and Almabaev sits down on an uppercut that splits the guard at the same time as Nicolau fires. Nicolau stumbles, and Almabaev tackles him over and claims full mount. Under fire, the Brazilian takes further punishment as Almabaev tries to drum him out, and Nicolau pushes his feet off the fence and grabs hold of a leglock. Almabaev turns through what becomes a heel hook to reestablish himself on top, and he sits down heavily in half guard. Nicolau attempts another leglock, and once more Almabaev easily spins through it to never find himself in danger. Nicolau scrambles, turning to his knees, and Almabaev bowls him over to his back again. Almabaev in half guard smothers the Brazilian, nullifying his offense other than the occasional submission setup. Nicolau uses butterfly hooks on the hips to push Almabaev off of him, and he hacks at the Kazakhstani fighter with elbows from his back but is taking heavier strikes from the man on top of him. Nicolau scoots his way towards the fence but Almabaev turns him the right direction to stifle him from wall-walking. Almabaev remains busy while on top, landing punches and elbows without fear of reprisal. Nicolau gets up with seconds to spare, frustrated at himself for being shut down and likely on the losing end of a decision. Time expires, and Nicolau punches the cage wall.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev (29-28 Almabaev)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev (29-28 Almabaev)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev (29-28 Almabaev)
The Official Result
Asu Almabaev def. Matheus Nicolau via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo is very confident in Asu Almabayev, calling the -162 line a bargain. He highlights Nicolau's declining chin and striking vulnerability, while Almabayev is a dominant grappler with flashy striking and phenomenal control on top. He believes Almabayev wins 9 out of 10 times, either by knockout or wrestling dominance. He sees no path to victory for Nicolau if his chin fails or if he gets taken down.
Big Brady leans toward Matheus Nicolau by decision. He notes Almabayev's hype is based on weak competition, while Nicolau has elite takedown defense (93%) and good striking, though he lacks volume and has a questionable chin. He doubts Almabayev can take Nicolau down or knock him out, so he expects Nicolau to stuff takedowns and win a close decision.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Nicolau. He emphasizes that Nicolau is a pure counter puncher who is difficult to close down, and that Almabayev's game may not serve him well if he can't get early takedowns. Connor also notes that Almabayev's recent wins are over slower, less focused fighters, and that Nicolau represents a big step up. He doubts Almabayev can knock out Nicolau, as Almabayev rarely finishes fights.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript.
Nicolau is the veteran but will have a hard time against the grappler and relentless style of Almabayev. Almabayev will do a good job closing the distance and keeping Nicolau on the defensive, allowing him to grind out a win on the scorecards.
The Guru picks Nicolau despite acknowledging he gets chinned sometimes. He believes Nicolau has elite takedown defense and will stuff Almabayev's takedowns, pointing out that Almabayev's wins came against lesser competition like Jose Johnson and CJ Vergara. He sees Nicolau as more well-rounded and expects a split decision win.
Zane picks Nicolau because he sees Nicolau as a pure counter puncher who will be difficult for Almabayev to close down. He notes that Almabayev struggles when he can't hit takedowns on demand, as seen in his fight with Jose Johnson where he got reversed and stuck in a triangle. Zane also points out that Nicolau has never been soundly outwrestled in the UFC and that Almabayev's striking is busy but focused entirely on gaining clinches, leaving him vulnerable to intercepting shots.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Perez | 0 | 22 of 55 | 40% | 22 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 1 | 28 of 71 | 39% | 28 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Perez | 0 | 10 of 31 | 32% | 10 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 13 of 35 | 37% | 13 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Alex Perez | 0 | 12 of 24 | 50% | 12 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 1 | 15 of 36 | 41% | 15 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Perez | 22 of 55 | 40% | 13 of 44 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 22 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 28 of 71 | 39% | 11 of 50 | 8 of 11 | 9 of 10 | 28 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Perez | 10 of 31 | 32% | 6 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 13 of 35 | 37% | 4 of 23 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 13 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alex Perez | 12 of 24 | 50% | 7 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 15 of 36 | 41% | 7 of 27 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Mark Smith will referee the main event. Perez takes the center of the cage and starts poking with his jab. Nicolau is patient and not firing back. Perez fires a straight right and connects with a low kick. Nicolau eats another leg kick. Perez fires off a series of body punches. Perez lands a nice uppercut and then a right to the body. Nicolau lands a huge counter with a left hook, but it's really his only punch this round, so he needs a lot more than just that. Perez lands a leg kick and then eats one from Nicolau.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Round 2
Perez comes out pumping his jab and eats a leg kick. An uppercut slips past Nicolau's guard. Perez lands two leg kicks and is still the much more active fighter. Nicolau throws a 1-2 that goes off the guard of Perez. Nicolau eats a step-in right hand but fires off a leg kick. Perez lands two hooks and finishes the combination with a leg kick. Nicolau lands a push kick.
Perez hurts Nicolau with an overhand right. Perez follows up with a right hook, and Nicolau is out cold.
What a KO!
The Official Result
Alex Perez def. Matheus Nicolau via KO (Punch); R2, 2:16.
Angelo picks Matheus Nicolau, citing his technical striking, accuracy, and grappling chops. He acknowledges Alex Perez is a dog who looked good against Muhammad Mokaev, but notes Perez didn't let his hands go in that fight. He worries about Nicolau coming off a knockout loss, which could affect his chin or aggression. He expects Nicolau to be calculated and patient, using his speed and technique to win.
Cody picks Nicolau as the more well-rounded fighter, better suited for five rounds. He notes Perez's weight cut issues and short notice, and believes Nicolau's efficiency and durability will carry him to a decision or late stoppage.
Daniel believes Nicolau has no technical weaknesses, with excellent boxing, takedown defense from Nova União, and strong jiu-jitsu. He notes Nicolau's chin is a concern but thinks Perez is overrated and that Nicolau will control the tempo and outpoint him. He picks Nicolau to win and take the next step toward title aspirations.
Perez has a wrestling and grappling advantage over Nicolau. He should be able to take the fight to the ground and control Nicolau from top position. Nicolau is the better striker, but Perez's wrestling should be the difference. I expect Perez to win on the scorecards, possibly with a TKO if he batters the lead leg.
Paul agrees with Cody, citing Nicolau's cleaner, more efficient work over five rounds. He highlights Perez's durability issues and low volume, and expects a decision win for Nicolau with a possible late stoppage if Perez tires.
The MMA Guru picks Matheus Nicolau, calling him the more technical and well-rounded fighter. He notes that Nicolau has only been beaten by flash KOs (head kick from Dustin Ortiz, knee from Brandon Royval) and is otherwise undefeated since 2012. He criticizes Alex Perez as basic and lacking dynamic finishing ability. He predicts a decision win for Nicolau, possibly 4-1.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Royval | 1 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 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 | Brandon Royval | 1 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Royval | 13 of 22 | 59% | 13 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 13 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Royval | 13 of 22 | 59% | 13 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 13 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Matheus Nicolau, citing his technical striking and methodical grappling. He believes Nicolau's technical striking will overcome Royval's chaos, and that Royval won't be able to take Nicolau down, making it a kickboxing match where Nicolau shines. He notes Royval was dropped badly by Schnell. He has a half-unit moneyline bet on Nicolau at -155.
Big Brady picks Brandon Royval to win by first-round knockout. He describes Royval as a wild, unique fighter who thrives in chaos, while Nicolau is calm and composed. He believes Royval's style will force a brawl, and notes Nicolau has been knocked out before. He expects fireworks and a finish.
Cody thinks Nicolau is technically sound and should weather Royval's early chaos. He notes Royval is dangerous early but tends to fade and is injury-prone. He likes the under 2.5 rounds prop as well.
Connor agrees with Zane, emphasizing that Nicolau's counter striking is excellently timed and that he has the wrestling to handle Royval's scrambles. He also notes that Nicolau is a solid positional grappler and can be the one with key switch-ups.
Royval's chaos and output will overwhelm Nicolau, who tends to have close fights and low output. Royval's scrambling and submission threat create opportunities. Nicolau's discipline may crack under pressure. Royval can finish inside the distance, as his style leads to finishes. Under 2.5 rounds is a strong play.
Paul agrees, calling Royval 'frail' and noting his tendency to get finished. He thinks Nicolau's accurate counter-striking and durability will lead to a finish or clear decision. He also likes the under 2.5 rounds.
The MMA Guru picks Matheus Nicolau, praising his technical, composed style and BJJ background. He believes Nicolau will read Royval's wild, tornado-like approach and make him pay, potentially by submission or KO. He notes Royval's size and unpredictability but thinks Nicolau's polish and 93% takedown defense will be decisive.
Zane picks Nicolau because he is a cleaner fighter and a better counter puncher. He notes that Nicolau has the wrestling component to his counter game, which gives him an option to interrupt Royval's relentless pressure. He also mentions that Nicolau is a bigger striker with excellent timing and can handle Royval's grappling.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matheus Nicolau | 2 | 32 of 42 | 76% | 40 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Matt Schnell | 0 | 20 of 59 | 33% | 29 of 68 | 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 | Matheus Nicolau | 1 | 19 of 27 | 70% | 19 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Matt Schnell | 0 | 14 of 43 | 32% | 14 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Matheus Nicolau | 1 | 13 of 15 | 86% | 21 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Matt Schnell | 0 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 15 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matheus Nicolau | 32 of 42 | 76% | 23 of 31 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 18 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 17 |
| Matt Schnell | 20 of 59 | 33% | 16 of 50 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 20 of 59 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matheus Nicolau | 19 of 27 | 70% | 13 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 9 |
| Matt Schnell | 14 of 43 | 32% | 12 of 37 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Matheus Nicolau | 13 of 15 | 86% | 10 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 8 |
| Matt Schnell | 6 of 16 | 37% | 4 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nicolau (-380), Schnell (+310)
Round 1
As the flyweight division keeps churning out rematch after rematch for Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno, contenders has started to emerge and cement themselves in the division once that logjam finally ends. Both Nicolau (18-2-1, 6-1 UFC) and the cleanly shaven Schnell (16-6, 1 NC; 6-4, 1 NC UFC) aim to upset the apple cart and become the next possible challenger, and a place among the top five in the weight class might be for the taking here. The 125ers touch gloves while referee Keith Peterson laces his nonsenseless running shoes, and instead Schnell starts off the fight with instant aggression. Schnell throws a kick and spins around to reset when it misses, and Nicolau is relegated to outside movement. Schnell pushes in with a low kick, and Nicolau eventually responds with one as Schnell swipes at him with two punches. Schnell looks to get on the inside with short left hooks, and Nicolau retreats. The crowd has already grown restless less than two minutes in due to the lack of activity from either fighter. Nicolau kicks the body, and Schnell comes out swinging with four punches that mostly come up hitting air. The Brazilian gets off a single low kick, and the short punches that Schnell has landed have marked up the temple of his opponent. Nicolau darts for with a left hand, and Schnell takes it on the chin and continues to cut Nicolau off. Out of nowhere, Nicolau rushes in with a left hook that knocks Schnell over, and he leaps on top to try to finish the job with elbows, Schnell gathers his thoughts and explodes back to his feet, and Nicolau aims another left hand on the dome. The Brazilian kicks low while Schnell blinks it out, and he dings Schnell with two massive punches as Schnell bears down on him. Schnell gets off four punches after dodging a home-run left hook, and Nicolau spins with a back kick and turns around to kick the side. Nicolau slaps a single calf kick home, and he circles away until the bell sounds and the crowd hammers them with boos.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Round 2
They touch gloves to start off the round, and Schnell is a little more aggressive as he comes out faster towards his opponent. This requires Nicolau to move away quicker as well, and Schnell cannot quite pin him down. Nicolau steps in with a left hand like the last round, and this would have likely dropped Schnell again but for Nicolau’s simultaneous tackle to push Schnell to the canvas. Schnell closes his guard, with his wits about him again, and Nicolau lands a few shots before bailing on the position and standing up. Schnell advances, and once more he walks into a blistering left hand that dumps him to the ground. “The Danger” is in the danger zone, but he wills himself back into the fight and jumps back up once more. Schnell looks to get one back, and he wings a looping left hand.
As he does, Nicolau beats him to the punch with an overhand right that clonks his foe on the side of his head and puts Schnell down, likely once and for all. Nicolau leaps down to pummel the grounded Schnell, with powerful and unrelenting punches to the side of the head until Schnell collapses to his stomach.
This is the sign that Peterson needs to intervene, as Schnell is done and possibly out after a rough go of it tonight. The Brazilian flyweight contender has now won six in a row, including four straight inside the Octagon, and he is in prime position for a top fight in his division.
The Official Result
Matheus Nicolau def. Matt Schnell R2 1:44 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Matheus Nicolau as the more well-rounded fighter. He notes Nicolau has technical striking and competent grappling, while Schnell is a tough counter-striker with slick BJJ but struggles to get takedowns. He acknowledges Schnell's incredible comeback win but says he can't assume Schnell will rise from the dead every fight. He will wait for prop bets.
Big Brady is confident in Nicolau, citing Schnell's poor chin (finished five times) and Nicolau's power (five knockdowns in UFC) and excellent takedown defense (93%). He expects Schnell to fight recklessly and get knocked out in the first round, though he notes Nicolau hasn't finished anyone in the UFC recently but believes the finish is very live.
Cody picks Nicolau but strongly dislikes the -380 line. He highlights Nicolau's low output and close fights, and Schnell's chin but also his volume. He thinks the line is trappy and sees Schnell as a live dog.
Daniel Levi picks Nicolau, citing his better boxing technique, Jiu-Jitsu, and maturity compared to Schnell. He notes Schnell's chin is a weakness and that Nicolau will either finish or ride out a decision. He is not interested at the minus-400 price.
The host picks Nicolau to win inside the distance, noting that Schnell has durability issues and Nicolau has enough power to finish him. He is wary of the minus 365 moneyline but likes the under 2.5 rounds or Nicolau inside the distance. He acknowledges Schnell is often overlooked but believes Nicolau will get his hand raised.
Paul picks Nicolau but is hesitant due to the price. He notes Nicolau's low output and close decisions, and Schnell's chin issues. He thinks Nicolau will win but won't bet it, and sees value on Schnell as a dog.
The MMA Guru picks Matheus Nicolau, considering him underrated. He notes Nicolau has beaten higher-level opponents like David Dvorak and Tim Elliott, while Schnell has taken damage and had close fights. He predicts Nicolau will find a finish in the second round with a body-head combo.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matheus Nicolau | 1 | 36 of 81 | 44% | 46 of 94 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 39 of 110 | 35% | 60 of 134 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 12 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Matheus Nicolau | 1 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 26 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 19 of 48 | 39% | 20 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 14 of 33 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 8 of 36 | 22% | 28 of 59 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matheus Nicolau | 36 of 81 | 44% | 21 of 62 | 10 of 13 | 5 of 6 | 33 of 77 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
| David Dvořák | 39 of 110 | 35% | 25 of 87 | 6 of 13 | 8 of 10 | 33 of 99 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matheus Nicolau | 6 of 16 | 37% | 4 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| David Dvořák | 12 of 26 | 46% | 10 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Matheus Nicolau | 17 of 35 | 48% | 9 of 26 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| David Dvořák | 19 of 48 | 39% | 10 of 36 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 17 of 44 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Matheus Nicolau | 13 of 30 | 43% | 8 of 24 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| David Dvořák | 8 of 36 | 22% | 5 of 30 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 31 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
Angelo picks Matheus Nicolau but says his brain and gut are split. He notes that while David Dvořák is more comfortable everywhere, Nicolau has better wrestling and solid grappling, giving him more ways to win. He calls it razor thin.
Big Brady picks Matheus Nicolau as an underdog to win a close decision. He notes that Nicolau has fought better competition and is more well-rounded, with solid wrestling and BJJ. He is concerned about Nicolau's chin, as he has been knocked out twice, but believes he can mix in takedowns and win a competitive fight. He thinks the line should be closer to a pick'em.
Cody agrees with Nicolau, noting his adaptability and wrestling. He thinks Dvořák is talented but untested. He expects Nicolau to implement a good game plan and win a decision.
Daniel Levi leans David Dvořák, citing Nicolau's questionable chin and confidence since the Dustin Ortiz KO. He thinks Dvořák's pressure and wrestling will grind out a close decision. He acknowledges Nicolau is a live dog and the fight could go either way, but slightly favors Dvořák.
The host favors Dvořák, praising his disciplined striking, combination punching, and takedown defense. He believes Nicolau will be outgunned on the feet and will need to take the fight to the ground to have success, but Dvořák's takedown defense looks good. He expects Dvořák to win a decision, noting that Nicolau has a good chin but will be put on his back foot.
Paul picks Nicolau as an underdog, citing his talent and game planning. He notes Dvořák's lower level of opposition and potential grappling issues. He thinks Nicolau can expose Dvořák's weaknesses and win a close fight.
The MMA Guru picks Matheus Nicolau as an underdog over David Dvořák, arguing that Nicolau is more well-rounded and has better performances against common opponents. He compares Nicolau's close decision loss to Manel Kape (who had a close fight with Alexandre Pantoja) to Dvořák's close decision win over Jordan Espinoza, favoring Nicolau's resume. The Guru also notes Nicolau's recent activity and age parity, predicting a decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 70 of 215 | 32% | 105 of 255 | 1 of 10 | 10% | 0 | 0 | 2:28 |
| Tim Elliott | 0 | 64 of 109 | 58% | 128 of 176 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 24 of 62 | 38% | 26 of 64 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
| Tim Elliott | 0 | 19 of 29 | 65% | 23 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 29 of 101 | 28% | 31 of 105 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Tim Elliott | 0 | 31 of 56 | 55% | 31 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 17 of 52 | 32% | 48 of 86 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Tim Elliott | 0 | 14 of 24 | 58% | 74 of 87 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matheus Nicolau | 70 of 215 | 32% | 39 of 160 | 11 of 28 | 20 of 27 | 62 of 207 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 |
| Tim Elliott | 64 of 109 | 58% | 28 of 63 | 31 of 38 | 5 of 8 | 64 of 107 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matheus Nicolau | 24 of 62 | 38% | 10 of 42 | 4 of 7 | 10 of 13 | 20 of 58 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Tim Elliott | 19 of 29 | 65% | 9 of 16 | 9 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Matheus Nicolau | 29 of 101 | 28% | 19 of 82 | 3 of 10 | 7 of 9 | 26 of 98 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Tim Elliott | 31 of 56 | 55% | 12 of 31 | 16 of 20 | 3 of 5 | 31 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Matheus Nicolau | 17 of 52 | 32% | 10 of 36 | 4 of 11 | 3 of 5 | 16 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tim Elliott | 14 of 24 | 58% | 7 of 16 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Flyweights with energy for days come up in what the UFC calls the “featured fight of the night,” as former title challenger Elliott (17-11-1, 6-9 UFC) tries to make it three in a row against Brazil’s Nicolau (16-2-1, 4-1 UFC). Referee Jason Herzog has his work cut out for him in what should be a speedy one from start to finish, and the gloves are touched before they are traded furiously. Nicolau is the first to engage with a heavy leg kick, and Elliott runs after him while lifting his leg in the air to avoid another such kick. He sprints forward, throws a right hand, and backs off to start up his herky-jerky style. Elliott points at his opponent, shouts, and then pump-fakes before landing a left hand. He follows Nicolau around the cage, and they clash heads. Elliott swarm him with a few punches, and when Nicolau falls down to the ground, Elliott fires off a soccer kick that just misses being illegal, and instead connects to the body. Elliott allows his man to stand, and points at him again for landing a successful strike. Nicolau sticks Elliott with a punch and moves away when Elliott comes at him with a standing back fist and a few more unorthodox strikes. Nicolau just comes up short with a spinning kick, and he gets kicked with a push kick to the knee. Elliott hops at him with one leg air in the air, and Nicolau appears a little confused by the antics of his opponent. Elliott, hands down, throws up a head kick and avoids the counter. Elliott charges ahead with a right hand and a diving takedown, and when he in unsuccessful in his first attempt, he manages to ground Nicolau on his second try. The Brazilian pops back up and takes several knees to the gluteus maximus, until Elliott spins around and pursues a takedown. The fighter that some call “Awkward” presses Nicolau into the wire when he cannot trip him down, and the pace slows down significantly as they jockey for position. Nicolau pushes off to break free, and Elliott stands in front of him with his hands at his waist and chin left out in the open. Nicolau pops him with a strike, and he glances with a left hand. The distance is too great for Nicolau to close in on him, but he does score a pair of hooks before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Round 2
The flyweights are ready to scrap to start off the second round, and Elliott ducks a few looping punches so that he can go after a takedown. He does not ground Nicolau, but he takes his back and pushes him against the wall. Elliott gets blasted with a right hand, and it shakes him up as he falls towards the cage. His antics and lack of defense could be an extreme liability should Nicolau continue to find his chin, and Nicolau is starting to pick up on his oddball movements. Nicolau marks Elliott up with punches, and he shucks Elliott off of him when the American tries to engage. They clash heads, but no serious damage comes from it. Elliott swings heavily for punches, and he points around to various places on the floor as Nicolau ignores it. The Brazilian tags Elliott with a few punches, and he decides to aim to the body when Elliott moves his head out of the way. Elliott rushes in for a takedown try, clinching Nicolau up and pushing him into the fence. Like earlier in the round, Nicolau stops it and pushes off, where he can work the body again. Elliott’s midsection has turned into a heavy bag as his defense is firmly out the window, as Nicolau tees off on him without taking anything else coming back at him. The takedown entries are unsuccessful as Nicolau ducks out of the way and showboats a little in response. Elliott grins at him, gets punched in the face, and continues to wobble and hop around strangely. When Nicolau drills Elliott in the chin with a right hand, Elliott smiles and nods, but his subsequent takedown try comes up short. Elliott takes a few more body shots, and his elbow drops to defend these strikes. The American marches forward relentlessly, only to take punches and a head kick. When Elliott lands one, Nicolau strings three together and stuffs a takedown attempt as they drop to their knees. Nicolau stays away until the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Round 3
They clap hands to start off the last round, and Nicolau comes out firing with a blitzing combination. Nicolau blocks a high kick and watches as Elliott awkwardly hops towards him with his leg in the air. Elliott stings his opponent with a left hand, and Nicolau gives him one back and then another for good measure. Elliott crowds Nicolau and cracks him with a left hand, and he backs off just in time to avoid a home run punch. An effective front kick touches the chin of Nicolau, who avoids three more that come at him one after the other. Elliott punches his way towards a takedown of some sort, and Nicolau works the body only to get pressed into the wire. Elliott begins to knee the thigh while Nicolau is intent on breaking apart, and after a few right hands. The hopping around of Elliott leads to his liver getting pounded by the Brazilian, and when his leg is in the air, Nicolau blasts through to hit a double leg takedown of his own. Elliott closes with a high guard, and Nicolau lifts him up and slams him down to break the grip. A few punches from Nicolau land behind the head, and he adjusts his angle as Elliott turns his head. Nicolau continues to lift Elliott up and slam him on the mat again and again until the tight grip that the American holds is released. Nicolau lands some ground-and-pound until Elliott closes his guard again, and Herzog asks them to keep working. Elliott holds on for dear life, until he doesn’t, and Nicolau lands some shots. The Brazilian punches his way out, but Elliott kicks off and gets back to his feet. Elliott tries to get his foe to throw down with seconds to go before the final bell, but Nicolau largely defends himself and backs away to cruise to what he thinks is a decision win.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau (29-28 Nicolau)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau (29-28 Nicolau)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau (29-28 Nicolau)
The Official Result
Matheus Nicolau def. Tim Elliott via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Tim Elliott, loving his grit, pressure, and volume. He thinks Elliott's dirty style and grappling can overwhelm Nicolau. He notes Elliott's recent wins and considers the money line at plus 167. He acknowledges Elliott's tendency to make stupid decisions but feels he's on a rebirth.
Cody picks Nicolau confidently, noting Elliott's cardio issues and tendency to fade after 7-8 minutes. He points out that Elliott's wins are against low-level competition who have been cut, while Nicolau is a young, improving prospect with elite training. He believes Nicolau's skills and durability will be too much for Elliott.
Daniel Levi favors Matheus Nicolau due to his cleaner hands, black belt jiu-jitsu, and 100% takedown defense, which he attributes to training at Nova União. He acknowledges Tim Elliott's improved cardio and scrambles but believes Nicolau is the more talented fighter in all areas. His only concern is Nicolau's chin, but he notes Elliott is not a knockout threat, so he picks Nicolau to win.
Jacob picks Matheus Nicolau, calling him the better fighter. He thinks this is a changing of the guard fight. He initially thought Tim Elliott would be the lock of the week but changed his mind after seeing Nicolau's girlfriend is still with him. He believes Nicolau's skills will prevail.
The host confidently picks Matheus Nicolau, calling him the better fighter everywhere. He praises Nicolau's technical striking and BJJ, and expects him to win striking exchanges and potentially submit Elliott when Elliott gets wild. He notes Elliott's awkward style but believes Nicolau can nullify his takedowns and find a submission in the third round.
Paul picks Nicolau, citing Elliott's improved cardio under James Krause but still limited. He notes Nicolau is on a different level, with wins over rising prospects. He believes Elliott's best days are behind him and Nicolau's youth and skill set will prevail.
The MMA Guru picks Matheus Nicolau to win by close 29-28 decision. He trusts Nicolau's grappling and believes Elliott's only path is takedowns, but Nicolau's grappling is good enough to defend. He notes Nicolau's strong regional record and power at flyweight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 61 of 150 | 40% | 73 of 165 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Manel Kape | 0 | 55 of 102 | 53% | 76 of 132 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 1 | 0 | 2:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 10 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Manel Kape | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 27 of 39 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 2:24 | |
| 2 | Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 28 of 69 | 40% | 28 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Manel Kape | 0 | 21 of 38 | 55% | 21 of 38 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 31 of 71 | 43% | 35 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Manel Kape | 0 | 27 of 51 | 52% | 28 of 55 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matheus Nicolau | 61 of 150 | 40% | 37 of 120 | 10 of 16 | 14 of 14 | 58 of 145 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
| Manel Kape | 55 of 102 | 53% | 27 of 66 | 21 of 26 | 7 of 10 | 50 of 96 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matheus Nicolau | 2 of 10 | 20% | 0 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Manel Kape | 7 of 13 | 53% | 3 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | |
| 2 | Matheus Nicolau | 28 of 69 | 40% | 19 of 57 | 6 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 27 of 67 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Manel Kape | 21 of 38 | 55% | 10 of 26 | 10 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Matheus Nicolau | 31 of 71 | 43% | 18 of 56 | 3 of 5 | 10 of 10 | 29 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Manel Kape | 27 of 51 | 52% | 14 of 32 | 10 of 13 | 3 of 6 | 26 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Kape (15-5, 0-1 UFC) will try to make good on his second appearance inside the UFC cage against the returning Nicolau (15-2-1, 3-1 UFC) at flyweight. The former Rizin champ dropped a decision to Alexandre Pantoja in his last time out, while Nicolau saw his unexpected release in 2019 after a single knockout loss. As both aim for a solid performance to put them in prime position to rise up the flyweight division, they will do so before referee Mark Smith. Nicolau scores a big early leg kick that almost sweeps Kape’s leg out from beneath him. Both flyweight swat at one another with single strikes but come up short, and Nicolau rushes in and gets kicked to the cup. Nicolau walks through it, and he kicks Kape in the body. Kape looks to throw bombs, and Nicolau ducks out of the way to avoid them as the two measure one another. The Brazilian targets the leg again with a fierce kick, and Kape can do nothing but take it flush. Nicolau darts in, throws a punch, and gets out before he gets countered. When Kape swings hard, Nicolau charges in for a takedown. The Brazilian clings on with a body lock, and when the first attempt is not successful, the second one is. Nicolau puts Kape on his back, and Kape scoots his way to the fence as he gets hit in the face repeatedly. Kape sits up to try to get out, and Nicolau threatens with a guillotine choke. Kape rolls through and winds up in a guillotine choke, and Nicolau pulls guard to secure it. As Kape is still standing, he bounces up and down to free himself from the danger, and Nicolau aims for a shoulder lock while he slides off. Nicolau is allowed to stand back up, and Kape backs away to find his range. As Kape comes in again, Nicolau hits a picture-perfect single to put Kape on the ground again. While the Brazilian lands strikes from above, Kape threatens with an armbar that Nicolau practically ignores. Nicolau targets the body and head with his ground-and-pound, and Kape again tries to aim for a submission only to get shoved aside. Nicolau grinds out the round on top.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nicolau
Round 2
Kape comes out of his corner pushing the pace, and he walks Nicolau down and tries to get off a jumping front kick. Nicolau sees it coming and circles away, and Kape chases after him with a heavy uppercut. Nicolau is hurt, and he shoots for a desperation takedown but gets stuffed. Kape swarms him with powerful punches, and Nicolau falls to a knee as he takes an uppercut on the chin only to spring back up. A big left hook makes Nicolau topple over and somersault backwards, and Kape stalks him down calmly to do more damage. Nicolau turns a takedown attempt into a two-punch combination, and Kape eats it about as cleanly as one can and does not flinch. Kape rips the body with a left hand, and he aims with another shortly after as Nicolau is reeling. Kape rushes after Nicolau and gets clipped with a right hand, but Kape completely ignores it as he hunts his prey. A step-in knee leads to a right hand from Kape, and Nicolau wobbles but does not fall. The Brazilian jabs a few times to the body, and Kape pushes him away and does not let any strike from Nicolau get to him. Nicolau goes for a takedown, and Kape rolls through it and stands to his feet, only to get kneed in the chest. Kape stands confidently before his foe, and even when Nicolau lands, he does not let it register and instead puts power punches on him. Nicolau chains a punch into a takedown attempt, and Kape shucks him off and gets right back to his aggressive march in sight of a finish. Nicolau kicks the lead leg and falls over, and Kape lets him stand back up so he can continue chasing him. Kape eats a body shot so that he can counter, and Nicolau lands a few times while avoiding the replies. “Prodigio” leaps forward with a flying knee, and Nicolau dances out of the way. When Kape leaps and attacks again, he falls to his back, only for time to expire before the Brazilian can capitalize.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kape
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Kape
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kape
Round 3
There is a glove touch to start off the second round, and the tide may have seriously changed from Round 1 to 2. Kape plants his fist on the jaw of his adversary, and he chops at the lead leg a few times from range. Nicolau takes an inside leg kick that may have bounced off the cup, but he does not let this slow him down as he is measuring for a takedown. Nicolau sprints forward with two punches and backs away when Kape loops a big shot back at him. Nicolau steps in and cracks Kape with a stiff left hand, and he beats Kape to the punch with a follow-up strike while not getting struck back. Nicolau works a couple leg kicks, and he gets off a solid left hand that Kape laughs off. Nicolau rushes in with a single leg takedown, and Kape defends it and pushes Nicolau over to his back. Kape stands above him and kicks the leg a few times, and when Nicolau sits up, Kape swats at him. Nicolau butt-scoots at him to engage, but when Kape backs off, he hops back to his feet. Nicolau steps in and scores a solid right hand and a head kick; like a villain in a James Bond movie, Kape does not flinch. Nicolau tattoos his fists on Kape’s face, and he finally gets Kape’s attention with power shots. Kape tries to land back, and he does at a lower volume. Nicolau charges in with a leg kick and looks for a trip, but there is nothing there. Instead, Nicolau circles and digs to the body with a few punches. Kape takes a fierce one-two square on the jaw, and Nicolau patiently backs away to get off a sweeping leg kick. Kape looses a head kick, and Nicolau blocks it and steps in to start throwing bombs. Kape throws back at him, and when he does, Nicolau times a takedown attempt that gets rebuffed. Nicolau throws heavy leather and gets rocked with a flying knee. Kape jumps forward with a ferocious knee, and Nicolau eats and responds with a spinning back elbow. The final round ends, and this is about as close as it could be.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kape (29-28 Kape)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Kape (29-28 Kape)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kape (29-28 Kape)
The Official Result
Mateus Nicolau def. Manel Kape via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Big Brady picks Matheus Nicolau as an underdog, citing his well-rounded skills including good wrestling and ground game. He notes that Kape looked poor in his UFC debut, doing more dancing than striking. He expects Nicolau to out-volume Kape on the feet and mix in takedowns, winning a decision. He acknowledges Kape has knockout power but believes Nicolau can avoid getting knocked out.
Daniel Levi picks Matheus Nicolau as an underdog, citing his well-rounded game, 100% takedown defense, and superior jiu-jitsu. He believes if Nicolau doesn't get caught, he wins. He notes Nicolau's chin is a concern, but thinks Manel Kape is overrated and has been wobbled before. He also mentions Kape's excuse about slipping due to sweaty feet in the Pantoja fight, and thinks Nicolau's experience in the UFC octagon is an advantage.
Lock leans Nicolau, believing he was wrongfully cut from the UFC and is a legit fighter. He notes Nicolau's solid resume including wins over John Moraga and Louis Smolka, with his only UFC loss being a head kick KO to Dustin Ortiz. Lock is skeptical of Kape after his underwhelming UFC debut against Bruno Silva. He thinks Nicolau will make a statement. He calls Nicolau his most confident dog pick pre-tape.
The Guru initially leans towards a decision but changes to a KO pick for Manel Kape. He believes Kape suffered from octagon jitters in his debut against Alexandre Pantoja and will come out faster this time. He notes Nicolau's long layoff (since August 2019) and previous KO losses. The Guru expects Kape to put on pressure early and secure a TKO win at the end of the first round, citing Nicolau's inactivity and questionable chin.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Ortiz | 1 | 8 of 43 | 18% | 8 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Ortiz | 1 | 8 of 43 | 18% | 8 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Ortiz | 8 of 43 | 18% | 6 of 37 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 7 of 16 | 43% | 2 of 8 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Ortiz | 8 of 43 | 18% | 6 of 37 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Matheus Nicolau | 7 of 16 | 43% | 2 of 8 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
David Dvořák - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 53 of 114 | 46% | 56 of 117 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:57 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 54 of 140 | 38% | 56 of 142 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 0 | 1:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 20 of 46 | 43% | 20 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 16 of 56 | 28% | 16 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 23 of 49 | 46% | 23 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:10 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 18 of 51 | 35% | 18 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 3 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 10 of 19 | 52% | 13 of 22 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 20 of 33 | 60% | 22 of 35 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 53 of 114 | 46% | 26 of 77 | 10 of 19 | 17 of 18 | 46 of 102 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 5 |
| David Dvořák | 54 of 140 | 38% | 28 of 101 | 16 of 26 | 10 of 13 | 46 of 131 | 7 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 20 of 46 | 43% | 8 of 31 | 3 of 6 | 9 of 9 | 20 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| David Dvořák | 16 of 56 | 28% | 8 of 41 | 1 of 5 | 7 of 10 | 16 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 23 of 49 | 46% | 12 of 34 | 4 of 7 | 7 of 8 | 19 of 40 | 1 of 4 | 3 of 5 |
| David Dvořák | 18 of 51 | 35% | 11 of 40 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 48 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Steve Erceg | 10 of 19 | 52% | 6 of 12 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| David Dvořák | 20 of 33 | 60% | 9 of 20 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 27 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dvorak (-260), Erceg (+220)
Round 1
Across this $80 pay-per-view, just six of the 11 bouts on the billing feature at least one competitor with a number next to their name, with three on the main card. The first rankings-worthy bout tonight comes all the way down in the early prelims, as Dvorak (20-5, 3-2 UFC) looks to hold the line and turn things around at the expense of debuting Australian Erceg (9-1, 0-0 UFC). When the cage door closes, referee Mitch Cadlick takes charge. The fighters elect to clap hands to introduce themselves, and the fight begins with Erceg looking for his distance with range-finding jabs. Dvorak moves busily from side to side, and he lands a solid low kick to start his own tally. Erceg whips a head kick at his man that is circling away, and Dvorak is moving well enough to avoid the worst of it. Dvorak chops down the calf with a few more blows, and Erceg walks forward to throw hands and has his chin checked in an exchange. Erceg shakes it off and responds with a low kick of his own. Erceg dodges a punch and wings a left hand that tags Dvorak square on the temple, and Dvorak staggers to the side for a few steps before regathering his thoughts. Erceg does not overextend himself, and instead of makes Dvorak come at him. Dvorak cracks his foe with a solid right hand, and Erceg takes a funny step but is responds with two punches. Dvorak reaches him with a right hand over the top, and they keep hacking at one another’s calves. Dvorak dodges a big right hand and bounces off the fencing, and his calf gets kicked hard. “The Undertaker” does not let him off the hook, instead kicking right back at him. Dvorak whiffs on a heavy right hand and has his guard up just in time to block a head kick. Dvorak stutter-steps into a low kick and one to the body, and he feints and fakes to smack Erceg in the face with a pair of crisp fists. Erceg comes up short on a high kick, and he times a right hand as Dvorak is ducking. Dvorak goes back to the calf with another kick, and he spins with a kick that grazes the chest. The round ends as Erceg gives chase.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dvorak
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Dvorak
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dvorak
Round 2
In the start of the second round, Dvorak strides to the middle of the cage, but he gives ground and gets back to his circular movement. Dvorak digs a left to the body and a left to the head, and Erceg takes them both cleanly without issue. Dvorak is out of the way before he gets reached, and the two start trading jabs from a safe distance. Dvorak comes up short on a right hand and slams his shin on Erceg’s calf. Erceg checks it, but the damage is done as it landed with a thud. Dvorak gets tagged with a right hand when looking for a winding punch, and he gathers his thoughts and sticks Erceg with a straight right hand on the way out. Dvorak digs another left to the body and follows it with a head shot, and Erceg is just delayed enough to miss on the counter and get kicked when Dvorak escapes. Dvorak catches a body kick and knocks the newcomer back with a right hand, and Erceg gathers his balance and lashes out with a five-punch combo that is all guarded. Dvorak ducks into a left hand and dodges a subsequent blow, and he is low enough to allow him to stifle a double-leg entry from the Aussie. Erceg flicks out a jab, only to get met with a stern low kick. The kicks from Dvorak have forced Erceg to change stances, and he checks a kick and takes a funny step. Erceg misses the mark and eats a straight right hand, and he marches forward to cracks Dvorak with a right hand. Erceg follows it with a lightning-quick head kick, cracking Dvorak and hurting him badly. Dvorak is shaken up, and Erceg attacks for a standing guillotine choke to drag the Czech fighter to the mat. Dvorak drops down and slides his head out, so Erceg re-adjusts the position to lock it back down again. Dvorak again survives the choke, and he claims half guard with 30 seconds to spare. Erceg manages to get off an upkick as he finds some space, and he fights his way up to his feet and lands a right hand and a big left just before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 3
The last round kicks off with a glove touch, and the pace is not as frenetic as it was when the previous frame ended. Dvorak flicks out several jabs, and he slides around a left hand to land a straight right. Erceg loads up on power shots, and Dvorak’s movement is back and he is evasive enough to avoid the worst of it. Dvorak eats a jab and a right hand, and he checks a leg kick but cannot block a stabbing body kick. Erceg absorbs a front kick to the ribs in an answer, and the two meet in the middle and throw hands. Erceg throws himself off-balance, allowing Dvorak to kick him hard. As the two crash together, Dvorak falls to his knees and Erceg takes his back. Erceg abandons the position instead of overcommitting to it, and they both stand up. Dvorak is quick to catch a kick and drive the newcomer to the wall, and he starts kneeing Erceg with stern shots. Erceg powers his way out of the position and they return to the center of the cage to slug it out. Dvorak shoot in for a low sing-leg takedown, and he grabs the leg as Erceg defends with a guillotine choke. Dvorak bails on it and stands up, and he reaches with a right hand and changes levels quickly for a double. The Aussie throws up a guillotine, and he has nothing this time as Dvorak snatches his head out of it and drops down a few elbows. Erceg scrambles brilliantly and stands up before Dvorak can follow up, and he succeeds in bowling “The Undertaker” over and threatening the neck. Dvorak hits a sweep to roll Erceg over, and the two power back to their feet in the clinch. Dvorak meets him with a knee before they split, and he succumbs to a takedown and is quick to reach the fence and stand back up. Erceg lands the mat return, but Dvorak is only down for a matter of seconds. Dvorak works his way up once more, and he eats a knee while Erceg hangs on him from behind. Erceg lands a knee to the body, and a few punches on the side of the head right before the final bell sounds. The close fight ends, and it could go either way. Regardless of the winner, Erceg impressed the masses with his skills, taking a ranked fighter to the bitter end on short notice.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
The Official Result
Steve Erceg def. David Dvorak via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo picks David Dvořák, noting his solid striking, forward pressure, and takedown defense. He criticizes Steve Erceg's striking, calling it unimpressive with a wide stance and limited head movement. He believes Dvořák's experience and fundamentals will prevail, and mentions that if odds are around -175, he would bet on Dvořák.
Big Brady picks David Dvořák because he is a significant step up in competition for Steve Erceg, who is taking the fight on short notice. Dvořák has fought top flyweights and has good takedown defense and striking. Erceg has shown good grappling but is unlikely to take Dvořák down. Dvořák should win a decision by being the better striker and stuffing takedowns.
Cody picks David Dvořák, citing his experience and cardio advantage. He notes that Erceg has mostly first-round finishes and faded in his only decision win. Dvořák has gone the distance with top-10 opponents and has better striking and wrestling. He believes Erceg's short-notice debut and cardio issues will be his downfall.
Connor also picks David Dvořák, noting that Erceg is a good scrambler but his level of competition has been low. Dvořák is a much better striker and has solid takedown defense; Connor points out that Bruno Silva took Dvořák down three times but Dvořák spent only a minute and a half on the mat and had two sweeps. He thinks Erceg's awkward striking and tendency to get surprised by takedowns will be a problem against a well-rounded fighter like Dvořák.
Daniel Levi picks David Dvořák, arguing that Erceg is a first-round finish or bust fighter who gassed against a 2-0 opponent. He notes that Dvořák has fought top-5 competition and shown toughness, surviving a Kimura from Manel Kape. He believes Dvořák can win in multiple ways and will take over if the fight goes past the first round. He sees Erceg's cardio as a major liability.
James likes the value on Steve Erceg as a +235 underdog. He notes Erceg has good grappling, back takes, and submission ability, plus a height advantage and momentum with a 9-1 record. Dvořák is coming off two losses. James acknowledges Erceg might gas but showed he can push through. He thinks if it becomes a grindy grappling affair, it favors Erceg. However, he still believes Dvořák should win, so it's a value play rather than a strong conviction pick.
Dvořák is a solid all-around fighter with good striking combinations and underrated grappling, but his recent losses show he may have a ceiling. Erceg is a dangerous debutant with an 8-fight win streak and a black belt in BJJ, but the step up in competition is a question. The odds are too wide at -285; only a sprinkle on Erceg or a play on Dvořák if the line drops to -150/-160. Prediction is Dvořák by decision, but low confidence.
Paul leans toward Erceg as a dog, noting that he is tall for flyweight and a decent counterpuncher. He thinks Erceg's grappling is opportunistic and could give Dvořák problems. However, he is not confident enough to bet him, citing Erceg's cardio issues and short notice. He ultimately passes on betting but picks Erceg for the show.
The MMA Guru picks David Dvořák over debutant Steve Erceg, citing Dvořák's superior regional career and experience against top flyweights. He notes Dvořák submitted a dangerous opponent in the second round and has fought the best, keeping fights competitive. He believes Dvořák's experience will be the difference against a newcomer, predicting a 29-28 decision.
Zane picks David Dvořák, describing him as a very competent, well-rounded fighter with solid striking fundamentals (volume one-twos, low kicks) and good takedown defense. He notes that Erceg is a fun scrambling grappler but has poor wrestling and gets taken down easily early. Dvořák has never been submitted and is tough to outmaneuver on the ground. Zane thinks Erceg will have to outwrestle Dvořák to get the fight to the ground, which is unlikely given Dvořák's skills.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manel Kape | 0 | 33 of 94 | 35% | 55 of 122 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:42 |
| David Dvořák | 1 | 58 of 119 | 48% | 67 of 136 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 1 | 0:57 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manel Kape | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 16 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:59 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 7 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 1 | 0:17 | |
| 2 | Manel Kape | 0 | 14 of 33 | 42% | 25 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| David Dvořák | 1 | 37 of 63 | 58% | 38 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:40 | |
| 3 | Manel Kape | 0 | 13 of 46 | 28% | 14 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 19 of 47 | 40% | 22 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manel Kape | 33 of 94 | 35% | 17 of 68 | 6 of 12 | 10 of 14 | 31 of 91 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| David Dvořák | 58 of 119 | 48% | 33 of 85 | 19 of 26 | 6 of 8 | 44 of 99 | 5 of 5 | 9 of 15 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manel Kape | 6 of 15 | 40% | 2 of 9 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| David Dvořák | 2 of 9 | 22% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Manel Kape | 14 of 33 | 42% | 6 of 19 | 5 of 8 | 3 of 6 | 13 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| David Dvořák | 37 of 63 | 58% | 22 of 45 | 14 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 24 of 44 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 15 | |
| 3 | Manel Kape | 13 of 46 | 28% | 9 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 13 of 45 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| David Dvořák | 19 of 47 | 40% | 9 of 33 | 5 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 18 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Kape (-240), Dvorak (+200)
Round 1
Flyweights grace the cage next in a surprisingly important matchup for divisional relevance, surprising in how low this fight is placed for one that will determine a top-10 fighter at 125 pounds. Dvorak (20-4, 3-1 UFC) currently resides within that range, while Kape (17-6, 2-2 UFC) aims to break in and likely hunts for a dramatic finish to get there. With only five decisions across their 37 pro wins, referee Keith Peterson expects no nonsense here. There is no bad blood, as the contenders touch ‘em up before aiming to knock the other’s block off. The fighters are tentative to begin, heavily respecting the power of the other. Dvorak stays on the outside well out of striking range, and he scores one calf kick before darting away. Kape lines up his heavy overhand right but does not launch it, as Dvorak strafes away. Kape begins to showboat by putting his hands behind his back, hoping that he will draw Dvorak into an engagement, and he switches stances to give chase. Dvorak sinks in another powerful calf kick, and Kape is quick to changes stances to protect that lead wheel. Kape walks into a kick, and Dvorak continues to move and do circles around the cage. When Dvorak goes after another kick, Kape springs into action with a few punches, and Dvorak escapes in the nick of time. Kape charges and scores an uppercut, and as he attempts to follow it, Dvorak intercepts him and hits a speedy takedown to land in side control. When “The Undertaker” looks to pass to mount, Kape drags him back to his guard and closes it. Dvorak exerts heavy shoulder pressure and tries to weigh heavily, and Kape throws a few strikes from off his back. Kape gets stacked up and cracked with a left hand, and he fights off a Kape triangle or armbar setup. Kape isolates the left arm for a kimura, possibly looking to sweep his foe, and Dvorak settles for elbows to the thigh and side to answer. Kape keeps cranking the arm, and he gets it out and puts it behind Dvorak’s back and rolls his foe over. Dvorak fights with all his might to tough it out, and Kape torques it to a nasty angle but does not get the tap he seeks. The round ends before he can achieve the submission, but it might have won him the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kape
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kape
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Kape
Round 2
Doctors check Dvorak between rounds to make sure his left arm has not taken any serious damage, as he held it walking back to his corner. He shows the medical staff he can stretch his arms just fine, and he is cleared to continue. The second round begins cautiously again, as Dvorak does not throw much from that hurt wing, but he doubles down with right hands when Kape comes at him. Kape waits for the perfect shot, staying in the center of the cage without using much offense, and springing into action every so often. Dvorak sees the blitzes coming and circles away from the power, moving laterally when Kape changes stances to chase. Kape bears down on his man and cracks him with two short punches, and he hops away when “The Undertaker” wings a right hand at him. Dvorak times a big right over the top, but it is one-and-done as Kape counters and misses. Dvorak thumps a calf kick home to prompt a change in stances, and he walks straight into a flying knee. Kape lines up a right hook and ducks straight into a head kick, but he eats it without issue and plods forward. Kape points at his damaged opponent and staggers him with a short salvo, doing enough to make Dvorak falls to his back. Dvorak aims upkicks while Kape attempts to finish the job, and he survives and even throws a wild kick off his back to nearly slap Kape in the face. “Starboy” calls him to stand back up, and he marches forward to rip the body with a pair of punches, Kape knows his foe is in trouble, and he bust him up with punches to the head and ribcage. Dvorak is tough, and he absorbs a clean spinning back elbow on the jaw and times the movement perfectly to shove Kape over, move on top and take Kape’s back. Nearly able to reach for a rear-naked choke, Dvorak elects to heel kick the side and posterior until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kape
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kape
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Kape
Round 3
Fists get bumped to start off the last round, and Dvorak’s movement and footwork is back beneath him after having the minute to clear his head. Dvorak swings and misses with two lunging hooks, and he dips back when Kape swats at him with a left hook. Dvorak begins to press forward, and he reaches up with spinning high kick. Kape dodges and showboats to look around and away, and Dvorak lunges in to strike. Kape intercepts him with a low kick and a short left hand, but Dvorak continues to move and throw in response. Dvorak gets a right hand over the top, and he closes in and gets uppercutted for his work. Kape is in his element, sniping with strikes and busting the Czech fighter’s nose open. When Kape leaps in, Dvorak pushes off with his fingers out, and Kape calls an eye poke. Peterson sees the possible foul, assesses that it was a legal but odd push-off, and restarts them. Dvorak goes low with a calf kick and scores a left, and Kape begins to start dribbling an invisible basketball. Dvorak races in with a takedown, knowing he is likely down on the scorecards, and Kape is too slick to get hold of him for long. Dvorak comes in with a jab, and Kape puts his hands behind his back and leans forward. When Kape attempts to set up a knee, Dvorak catches him with a left hook, but Kape does not mind. Dvorak lands again, and Kape gets caught but still continues to motion and make fun of his opponent. Dvorak gets hit on the way in, but he connects with his own punches until they crash together. Peterson checks to make sure the two did not clash heads, and he resets them in the clinch. Dvorak pushes off and swings with all his might, tagging Kape with a left and a right. Kape dances out of the way and swaggers off, with “The Undertaker” unable to catch him before the final bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kape (30-27 Kape)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kape (30-27 Kape)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Kape (30-27 Kape)
The Official Result
Manel Kape def. David Dvorak via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks David Dvořák, believing his technical soundness and leg kicks will neutralize Manel Kape's explosiveness. He expects a somewhat boring fight similar to Dvořák's last one, with Dvořák chopping down the tree and taking a decision. He notes Kape can be hesitant and lets opponents set the pace.
Big Brady likes Kape to finish Dvořák, noting Kape's 94% finish rate as a flyweight. He acknowledges Kape can be low-volume and has lost decisions when he doesn't let his hands go, but in recent fights he's been more active. He thinks Kape's takedown defense has improved, and if he keeps it on the feet he'll land a big shot. He predicts a second-round knockout.
Cody picks Kape, noting his dynamic striking and power. He thinks Kape has turned a corner with his aggression and volume. He notes Dvořák is durable but low output, and Kape's shots will matter more. He expects Kape to get the job done.
Connor picks Kape, citing his fight-changing power and athleticism. He notes Dvořák got rocked multiple times by Nicolau and Kape is faster and more powerful. He thinks Kape's pressure will be effective and that Dvořák's consistency may not overcome Kape's danger.
Dvořák has many paths to victory if he stays safe. He was a -125 favorite against Nico last time, showing his potential. After one loss, Kape is now a big favorite, which doesn't make sense. If the fight goes the full 15 minutes, the +205 will look good. Dvořák needs to stay conscious.
Paul picks Kape but is not confident, noting both fighters are low volume. He thinks the minus 235 is scary if it goes to decision. He sees Dvořák as the value side but picks Kape for the show.
The MMA Guru picks Manel Kape over David Dvořák, believing Kape should have beaten Matheus Nicolau and has looked impressive against Zhalgas Zhumagulov and Ode' Osbourne. He questions Dvořák's level, noting his close fight with Nicolau and lack of explosiveness. He sees Kape as more explosive with higher finishing potential and good work on the outside, where Dvořák operates. He predicts a 29-28 or 30-27 decision win for Kape.
Zane picks Kape, noting he is a more dangerous, faster, harder-hitting fighter. He thinks Dvořák is consistent but Kape's power is rare at flyweight. He acknowledges Dvořák could find a back take in a scramble but expects Kape to hit him hard enough to prevent that.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matheus Nicolau | 1 | 36 of 81 | 44% | 46 of 94 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 39 of 110 | 35% | 60 of 134 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 12 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Matheus Nicolau | 1 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 26 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 19 of 48 | 39% | 20 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Matheus Nicolau | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 14 of 33 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| David Dvořák | 0 | 8 of 36 | 22% | 28 of 59 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matheus Nicolau | 36 of 81 | 44% | 21 of 62 | 10 of 13 | 5 of 6 | 33 of 77 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
| David Dvořák | 39 of 110 | 35% | 25 of 87 | 6 of 13 | 8 of 10 | 33 of 99 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matheus Nicolau | 6 of 16 | 37% | 4 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| David Dvořák | 12 of 26 | 46% | 10 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Matheus Nicolau | 17 of 35 | 48% | 9 of 26 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| David Dvořák | 19 of 48 | 39% | 10 of 36 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 17 of 44 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Matheus Nicolau | 13 of 30 | 43% | 8 of 24 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| David Dvořák | 8 of 36 | 22% | 5 of 30 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 31 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
Angelo picks Matheus Nicolau but says his brain and gut are split. He notes that while David Dvořák is more comfortable everywhere, Nicolau has better wrestling and solid grappling, giving him more ways to win. He calls it razor thin.
Big Brady picks Matheus Nicolau as an underdog to win a close decision. He notes that Nicolau has fought better competition and is more well-rounded, with solid wrestling and BJJ. He is concerned about Nicolau's chin, as he has been knocked out twice, but believes he can mix in takedowns and win a competitive fight. He thinks the line should be closer to a pick'em.
Cody agrees with Nicolau, noting his adaptability and wrestling. He thinks Dvořák is talented but untested. He expects Nicolau to implement a good game plan and win a decision.
Daniel Levi leans David Dvořák, citing Nicolau's questionable chin and confidence since the Dustin Ortiz KO. He thinks Dvořák's pressure and wrestling will grind out a close decision. He acknowledges Nicolau is a live dog and the fight could go either way, but slightly favors Dvořák.
The host favors Dvořák, praising his disciplined striking, combination punching, and takedown defense. He believes Nicolau will be outgunned on the feet and will need to take the fight to the ground to have success, but Dvořák's takedown defense looks good. He expects Dvořák to win a decision, noting that Nicolau has a good chin but will be put on his back foot.
Paul picks Nicolau as an underdog, citing his talent and game planning. He notes Dvořák's lower level of opposition and potential grappling issues. He thinks Nicolau can expose Dvořák's weaknesses and win a close fight.
The MMA Guru picks Matheus Nicolau as an underdog over David Dvořák, arguing that Nicolau is more well-rounded and has better performances against common opponents. He compares Nicolau's close decision loss to Manel Kape (who had a close fight with Alexandre Pantoja) to Dvořák's close decision win over Jordan Espinoza, favoring Nicolau's resume. The Guru also notes Nicolau's recent activity and age parity, predicting a decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Dvořák | 0 | 9 of 28 | 32% | 9 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Juancamilo Ronderos | 0 | 11 of 32 | 34% | 12 of 33 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Dvořák | 0 | 9 of 28 | 32% | 9 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Juancamilo Ronderos | 0 | 11 of 32 | 34% | 12 of 33 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Dvořák | 9 of 28 | 32% | 4 of 19 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Juancamilo Ronderos | 11 of 32 | 34% | 5 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 8 of 27 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Dvořák | 9 of 28 | 32% | 4 of 19 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Juancamilo Ronderos | 11 of 32 | 34% | 5 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 8 of 27 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Dvořák, citing his superior striking output and defense. He notes Dvořák's high finish rate (79%) compared to Paiva's 35%, and expects Dvořák to outland him over three rounds. He sees the fight staying standing and predicts a decision win, though he'd have interest if the line drops further.
Cody Saftic picks Juancamilo Ronderos as a dog, noting that Dvořák's competition level is questionable and that Ronderos has more experience against better opposition. He believes Ronderos's pressure and awkward striking will test Dvořák, and that the fight is closer to 50-50. He likes the plus money value.
Daniel Levi picks Juancamilo Ronderos (referred to as 'Holiyon Paiva' in transcript, likely a mispronunciation of Juancamilo Ronderos), citing his durability, brawling style, and training at Alpha Male. He acknowledges Dvořák's technical skills and positional advantages but is concerned about Dvořák's chin, noting he got wobbled in previous fights. He thinks Ronderos can edge it out but calls it a dog or pass situation.
Matt picks Juancamilo Ronderos (referred to as Holly and Paiva) as a strong dog pick. He believes Paiva's outside striking and movement will trouble Dvořák, who has fought more willing opponents. He notes Paiva should have won the Kai Kara-France fight and was competitive against Zhalgas Zhumagulov. He thinks Paiva's reach and technical striking will earn him a decision, and calls this one of his stronger dog leans.
Paul Shaughnessy does not make a clear pick for this fight. He discusses the matchup but does not state a preference, instead deferring to Saftic's analysis. He seems uncertain and does not offer a pick.
The MMA Guru predicts David Dvořák will win by third-round TKO. He expects Ronderos to come out aggressively in the first round looking for a finish, but Dvořák will defend and then invest in leg kicks in the second round. By the third round, Dvořák's cardio and accumulated damage from front kicks and leg kicks will lead to a TKO finish against the cage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Dvořák | 0 | 50 of 162 | 30% | 50 of 162 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jordan Espinosa | 0 | 68 of 146 | 46% | 69 of 147 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Dvořák | 0 | 15 of 48 | 31% | 15 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jordan Espinosa | 0 | 18 of 41 | 43% | 18 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | David Dvořák | 0 | 15 of 52 | 28% | 15 of 52 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jordan Espinosa | 0 | 19 of 54 | 35% | 19 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | David Dvořák | 0 | 20 of 62 | 32% | 20 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jordan Espinosa | 0 | 31 of 51 | 60% | 32 of 52 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Dvořák | 50 of 162 | 30% | 16 of 119 | 14 of 20 | 20 of 23 | 47 of 156 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Espinosa | 68 of 146 | 46% | 30 of 90 | 8 of 19 | 30 of 37 | 61 of 135 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Dvořák | 15 of 48 | 31% | 5 of 35 | 3 of 5 | 7 of 8 | 15 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Espinosa | 18 of 41 | 43% | 8 of 23 | 2 of 7 | 8 of 11 | 18 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | David Dvořák | 15 of 52 | 28% | 7 of 43 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 50 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Espinosa | 19 of 54 | 35% | 9 of 38 | 2 of 5 | 8 of 11 | 17 of 51 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | David Dvořák | 20 of 62 | 32% | 4 of 41 | 7 of 10 | 9 of 11 | 18 of 58 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Espinosa | 31 of 51 | 60% | 13 of 29 | 4 of 7 | 14 of 15 | 26 of 43 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks David Dvořák due to better cardio and a 14-fight win streak. He notes Espinosa tends to gas out and is chinny, while Dvořák has a good submission game. He expects Dvořák to win a decision, possibly with a submission if Espinosa shoots.
The host favors Jordan Espinosa's speed, mobility, and takedown defense, believing he will outpoint David Dvořák. He notes Dvořák's questionable competition and struggles against mobile fighters, while Espinosa has shown improved striking and defensive wrestling. He expects Espinosa to win a decision, using his quick jab and movement to frustrate Dvořák.
The host picks Jordan Espinosa over David Dvořák, citing Dvořák's lack of impressive wins on his record and Espinosa's experience and momentum from his last performance. He notes that Dvořák hasn't faced top competition and that Espinosa's recent win over Mark de la Rosa shows he's in good form. The host acknowledges he's rooting for Dvořák as a newcomer but doesn't see him getting past Espinosa.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Dvořák | 0 | 45 of 97 | 46% | 60 of 112 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Bruno Silva | 0 | 67 of 133 | 50% | 92 of 161 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 2 | 1:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Dvořák | 0 | 19 of 33 | 57% | 23 of 37 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
| Bruno Silva | 0 | 14 of 38 | 36% | 21 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | David Dvořák | 0 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 10 of 23 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Bruno Silva | 0 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 29 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:05 | |
| 3 | David Dvořák | 0 | 18 of 43 | 41% | 27 of 52 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Bruno Silva | 0 | 36 of 60 | 60% | 42 of 66 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Dvořák | 45 of 97 | 46% | 25 of 69 | 12 of 17 | 8 of 11 | 35 of 82 | 8 of 10 | 2 of 5 |
| Bruno Silva | 67 of 133 | 50% | 35 of 86 | 24 of 37 | 8 of 10 | 51 of 107 | 14 of 24 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Dvořák | 19 of 33 | 57% | 11 of 23 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 15 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 5 |
| Bruno Silva | 14 of 38 | 36% | 6 of 27 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 35 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | David Dvořák | 8 of 21 | 38% | 3 of 13 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Bruno Silva | 17 of 35 | 48% | 8 of 21 | 6 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 26 | 3 of 7 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | David Dvořák | 18 of 43 | 41% | 11 of 33 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 37 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Bruno Silva | 36 of 60 | 60% | 21 of 38 | 12 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 26 of 46 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Moving down to flyweight, Silva (10-4-2, 0-1 UFC) tries to put Brazil on the board today against the debuting Czech prospect Dvorak (17-3, 0-0 UFC). Serving as the referee is Julio Catarino, and a touch of gloves kicks off this contest. Silva begins the bout by whiffing on a low kick, while Dvorak is similarly short with a jab. Silva times it with a low kick after changing stances, and then races in and is tagged with a jab while faking a spin. When Silva scores a low kick, Dvorak comes over the top with a left that marks up Silva’s eye immediately. The two load up and come together, and they do not gauge the distance correctly as they clash bodies together so they miss their punches. They do again, and this time Silva lands a left on the break. The Czech fighter takes a kick and then a punch from Silva, and eats a spinning back kick flush without any issue. Silva rushes in and the two clash heads, so when he backs away, Dvorak lands a few punches on the break. Silva shoots in and gets stuffed, so Dvorak makes him pay with some heavy punches. “The Undertaker” scores a heavy body kick, forcing Silva to consider a takedown, but Dvorak shucks it off and we return to the center of the cage. Silva closes the distance and Dvorak greets him on the way in with a few quick punches, leading Silva to back off. The Brazilian stings Dvorak with a right hand in an exchange, and cracks him on the chin with a front kick. Dvorak stumbles and is in a bad way, allowing Silva to crash forward and hit the takedown by practically bull rushing Dvorak over. Silva passes to half guard, but Dvorak protects himself from worse position by backing himself against the fence. Silva chains together a few punches to conclude the round, possibly stealing it back.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Round 2
The two men both open up with front kicks to the body, and as Dvorak goes low with a kick, Silva considers taking a takedown. Dvorak fights it off and throws a body kick, before landing another that draws a reaction from the Brazilian. “The Undertaker” is pushing the pace now, and stuffs a quick takedown from Silva followed by some short knees up the middle. Silva rushes in, intent on landing a takedown, and Dvorak shoves him away. Silva tries to emulate the success of the previous round with a big front kick to the face, but Dvorak ducks out of the way. The Czech fighter stuffs another takedown, standing Silva up and landing a few punches on the way out. Silva spins himself into a fury as he misses with a spinning back fist, so Dvorak counters the momentum by scoring a front kick to the breadbasket. Silva lands a few punches that Dvorak shrugs off, and Dvorak loads up with a right hand and then a body kick. Silva returns fire with the similar combination, but only lands the kick. Dvorak commits to the body kick again, and this time Silva catches it and takes Dvorak down. Dvorak scrambles and reverses position, landing on top where he takes half guard while trying to smack him with elbows. The action stalls as Dvorak is unable to get punches off, but finally pulls his arm free to drop down two short elbows. Silva times the offense to shove Dvorak off of him, and the two trade quick punches until Dvorak leaps in the air with a flying knee. The knee glances off the target, and Silva clinches him up to ride out the remainder of the round against the cage wall.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dvorak
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dvorak
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Dvorak
Round 3
They touch gloves to clock in the final round, and Silva is the first to score in the round by thumping the body with a kick. Dvorak comes up short with an overhand left, while Silva aims at the legs with a few kicks. Dvorak nearly kicks the leg out, thereby forcing Silva to miss with a booming right hook. Silva tries to land a few more one-hitter quitters, and Dvorak is out of range so Silva changes tactics to pursue a takedown. He hits it, and immediately circles around to take Dvorak’s back. Silva tries to get his hooks in, but “The Undertaker” does not linger in the position as he spins about and gets on top. Silva kicks his way out of the position, and this wild exchange leads to the two back on the feet. They jab their way in, and Dvorak chains together a few punches ending with a right. They both target the body, and Dvorak lifts up a powerful knee and then a kick that Silva absorbs. Dvorak tags him with a left, and Silva is a standing target as Dvorak lands a few more punches and a kick right down the middle. They come together, and Dvorak scores a few knees before Silva has to push him away after eating them. Three solid punches knock the head back of Silva, but the Brazilian composes himself and shoots in for a takedown. He gets stuffed, but nails Dvorak on the break with a huge right hand. These guys are swinging ferociously with one minute left, and both score big hooks. A left from Dvorak hurts Silva, who appears stunned. He shakes out of it, and throws a few body kick but “Bulldog” is gassed. Dvorak nearly lands his own takedown, but they stay standing and clinch up. They throw wildly, with Dvorak intent on driving knees home while Silva is winging hooks in the clinch. The round ends, and again we may have a close one on our hands. Silva sports some mighty sunglasses with spikes covering them as we get to the official decision.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dvorak (29-28 Dvorak)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dvorak (29-28 Dvorak)
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Dvorak (29-28 Dvorak)
The Official Result
David Dvorak def. Bruno Silva via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Daniel picks the dog Dvořák, noting his size and length advantage. He thinks Bruno Silva has a suspect chin and that Dvořák might drop him. He also mentions the lack of crowd might help Dvořák think more smoothly in his debut.
The host picks David Dvořák over Bruno Silva. He notes that Dvořák lost his UFC debut at bantamweight on short notice but is now returning to flyweight, his natural division. He expects Dvořák to bring hype and win by finish in the second round.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Matheus Nicolau but says his brain and gut are split. He notes that while David Dvořák is more comfortable everywhere, Nicolau has better wrestling and solid grappling, giving him more ways to win. He calls it razor thin.
Big Brady picks Matheus Nicolau as an underdog to win a close decision. He notes that Nicolau has fought better competition and is more well-rounded, with solid wrestling and BJJ. He is concerned about Nicolau's chin, as he has been knocked out twice, but believes he can mix in takedowns and win a competitive fight. He thinks the line should be closer to a pick'em.
Cody agrees with Nicolau, noting his adaptability and wrestling. He thinks Dvořák is talented but untested. He expects Nicolau to implement a good game plan and win a decision.
Daniel Levi leans David Dvořák, citing Nicolau's questionable chin and confidence since the Dustin Ortiz KO. He thinks Dvořák's pressure and wrestling will grind out a close decision. He acknowledges Nicolau is a live dog and the fight could go either way, but slightly favors Dvořák.
The host favors Dvořák, praising his disciplined striking, combination punching, and takedown defense. He believes Nicolau will be outgunned on the feet and will need to take the fight to the ground to have success, but Dvořák's takedown defense looks good. He expects Dvořák to win a decision, noting that Nicolau has a good chin but will be put on his back foot.
Paul picks Nicolau as an underdog, citing his talent and game planning. He notes Dvořák's lower level of opposition and potential grappling issues. He thinks Nicolau can expose Dvořák's weaknesses and win a close fight.
The MMA Guru picks Matheus Nicolau as an underdog over David Dvořák, arguing that Nicolau is more well-rounded and has better performances against common opponents. He compares Nicolau's close decision loss to Manel Kape (who had a close fight with Alexandre Pantoja) to Dvořák's close decision win over Jordan Espinoza, favoring Nicolau's resume. The Guru also notes Nicolau's recent activity and age parity, predicting a decision win.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!