Career Averages - Luis Saldaña
Career Averages - Bruno Souza
Luis Saldaña
Bruno Souza
Luis Saldaña - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 73 of 157 | 46% | 86 of 170 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Luis Saldaña | 2 | 91 of 176 | 51% | 96 of 181 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 3:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 34 of 55 | 61% | 34 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Luis Saldaña | 2 | 44 of 80 | 55% | 44 of 80 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 15 of 38 | 39% | 23 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 18 of 33 | 54% | 20 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:22 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 24 of 64 | 37% | 29 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 29 of 63 | 46% | 32 of 66 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 73 of 157 | 46% | 53 of 133 | 17 of 19 | 3 of 5 | 70 of 154 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 91 of 176 | 51% | 46 of 108 | 14 of 24 | 31 of 44 | 85 of 166 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 34 of 55 | 61% | 23 of 41 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 33 of 54 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 44 of 80 | 55% | 22 of 49 | 6 of 11 | 16 of 20 | 39 of 72 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 5 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 15 of 38 | 39% | 12 of 34 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 15 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 18 of 33 | 54% | 9 of 19 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 9 | 18 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 24 of 64 | 37% | 18 of 58 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 62 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 29 of 63 | 46% | 15 of 40 | 5 of 8 | 9 of 15 | 28 of 61 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Sean Woodson over Luis Saldaña. He praises Woodson's boxing and range management, noting that he actually knows how to use his reach effectively. He acknowledges Saldaña is a versatile striker with good movement, but doubts his 20% takedown accuracy will be enough to get the fight to the ground. Without the takedown threat, Angelo sees this as a kickboxing match where Woodson is the superior striker. He mentions Woodson's 81% takedown defense and recent power showcase.
Big Brady is confident in Sean Woodson. He notes that Luis Saldaña has a horrendous gas tank, gassing out in the second round in multiple fights, and puts his hands on his hips or knees when tired. Woodson has a huge reach advantage (79 vs 73 inches) and excellent cardio. Brady expects Woodson to mix in body shots and finish Saldaña in the second or third round by knockout. He believes Saldaña's cardio issues will be his downfall.
Cody picks Woodson, emphasizing his reach and boxing. He thinks Woodson's jab and range control will be key, and that Saldaña's kicks will be countered. He notes Woodson's output and thinks Saldaña will drown under the pace.
Daniel Levi picks Sean Woodson to win, citing Woodson's massive physical advantages (6'2" with 78-inch reach at featherweight). He notes that Luis Saldaña has cardio issues even at sea level, and in the elevation of Salt Lake City, Saldaña will fade in the second and third rounds. Levi believes Woodson will pull away down the stretch and has been paying his dues against good competition.
Woodson's long-range boxing and takedown defense should be too much for Saldaña, who has poor cardio and is not a strong grappler. Woodson will work the body and likely finish late or win a decision. The host likes Woodson inside the distance at +175 or decision at +130.
Paul picks Woodson, citing his reach advantage and boxing. He thinks Woodson can counter Saldaña's kicks and dictate range. He notes Woodson's output and thinks Saldaña's cardio will be an issue. He likes Woodson as a parlay piece.
The Guru predicts Sean Woodson wins by early second-round TKO. He describes Woodson beating Saldaña with a jab and leg kicks, threatening submissions, and landing body shots and knees. He sees Woodson finishing Saldaña with body shots against the cage in round two.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 84 of 168 | 50% | 88 of 173 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 66 of 178 | 37% | 68 of 180 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 26 of 57 | 45% | 27 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 15 of 48 | 31% | 15 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 24 of 53 | 45% | 25 of 54 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 28 of 70 | 40% | 30 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 3 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 34 of 58 | 58% | 36 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 23 of 60 | 38% | 23 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Saldaña | 84 of 168 | 50% | 41 of 109 | 14 of 22 | 29 of 37 | 78 of 161 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 3 |
| Bruno Souza | 66 of 178 | 37% | 37 of 134 | 17 of 30 | 12 of 14 | 64 of 174 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Saldaña | 26 of 57 | 45% | 9 of 33 | 3 of 7 | 14 of 17 | 23 of 54 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Bruno Souza | 15 of 48 | 31% | 6 of 31 | 4 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 15 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Luis Saldaña | 24 of 53 | 45% | 16 of 41 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 7 | 22 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Bruno Souza | 28 of 70 | 40% | 13 of 52 | 9 of 12 | 6 of 6 | 27 of 68 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Luis Saldaña | 34 of 58 | 58% | 16 of 35 | 8 of 10 | 10 of 13 | 33 of 56 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Bruno Souza | 23 of 60 | 38% | 18 of 51 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 59 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Luis Saldaña but calls it razor thin. He likes Saldaña's volume and pressure, noting that Bruno Souza's lack of urgency could cost him another decision. He acknowledges Souza's karate-style striking and countering ability but thinks Saldaña's volume will win him a decision if he picks his shots while applying pressure.
Big Brady picks Luis Saldaña to win a greasy decision. He notes that Souza has very low volume and doesn't do enough to win minutes, while Saldaña is the better striker with more tools. However, he is concerned about Saldaña's gas tank, as he slows down after the first round. He thinks Saldaña will still throw more volume than Souza and win a close decision.
Cody picks Saldaña, disagreeing with Paul. He criticizes Souza's low volume and lack of impressive wins. He thinks Saldaña's reach and kicks will be effective. He expects Saldaña to outpoint Souza in the first two rounds and survive the third.
Daniel Levi picks Luis Saldaña hesitantly, giving him one last chance. He notes Saldaña looks great early but fades, but thinks Souza's low-output karate style may not push the pace and cause Saldaña to gas. He is not betting the fight but picks Saldaña to win a decision if his cardio holds.
The host likes Saldaña slightly, noting that Souza tends to fight on the back foot, which will allow Saldaña to set the pace. He expects Saldaña's leg kicks and blitzing to be effective, and thinks Saldaña's durability will hold up. However, he acknowledges Saldaña's gas tank issues when pressured, but believes Souza won't pressure him. He predicts a decision win.
Paul picks Souza as an underdog, citing his karate style and ability to stay on the outside. He thinks Saldaña's cardio and takedown defense are concerns. He expects Souza to frustrate Saldaña and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Bruno Souza over Luis Saldaña, citing Saldaña's fundamental issues with takedown defense and lack of strength for the featherweight division. He notes that Souza kept it competitive against a much better striker in Melcik Magnussarian, while Saldaña tends to slow down as fights progress. The Guru believes Souza's grappling advantage and ability to build into fights will earn him a split decision win, with Saldaña's only path being a TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Lingo | 1 | 73 of 181 | 40% | 74 of 185 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 77 of 160 | 48% | 81 of 165 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Lingo | 0 | 24 of 56 | 42% | 24 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 34 of 66 | 51% | 34 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Austin Lingo | 0 | 33 of 81 | 40% | 33 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 29 of 61 | 47% | 29 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Austin Lingo | 1 | 16 of 44 | 36% | 17 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 14 of 33 | 42% | 18 of 38 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Lingo | 73 of 181 | 40% | 45 of 143 | 23 of 32 | 5 of 6 | 73 of 179 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 77 of 160 | 48% | 34 of 111 | 26 of 31 | 17 of 18 | 75 of 158 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Lingo | 24 of 56 | 42% | 16 of 46 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 24 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 34 of 66 | 51% | 16 of 45 | 11 of 13 | 7 of 8 | 34 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Austin Lingo | 33 of 81 | 40% | 20 of 64 | 10 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 33 of 79 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 29 of 61 | 47% | 12 of 43 | 10 of 11 | 7 of 7 | 27 of 59 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Austin Lingo | 16 of 44 | 36% | 9 of 33 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 14 of 33 | 42% | 6 of 23 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Austin Lingo as a dog, but with low confidence. He likes Lingo's pressure and power, and notes both fighters are finishers. He thinks the fight will end in a knockout and picks Lingo to close the distance and land a hard shot. He also mentions the under 2.5 rounds as a solid bet.
Cody leans toward Saldaña, citing his flashy striking, mobility, and ability to stay at range. He notes Lingo's power but questions his cardio and experience in longer fights. He expects a close decision and sees value on Saldaña.
Saldana is a great striker with good combinations and kicks, and he can fight off his back foot. Lingo has knockout power but tends to follow opponents rather than cut off the cage, which plays into Saldana's matador style. I think Saldana cruises to a decision unless Lingo lands a clean shot early.
Paul picks Saldaña, highlighting his kick-heavy range game and ability to matador Lingo. He notes Lingo's tendency to load up and tire, and believes Saldaña can maintain distance and outpoint him. He expects the fight to go the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Austin Lingo as an underdog. He sees red flags in Saldaña's game, especially poor takedown defense and losses to lower-level opponents. Lingo is well-rounded with good cardio, grappling, and a good chin. He believes Lingo can exploit Saldaña's holes and get an upset win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 36 of 88 | 40% | 40 of 94 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 2:18 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 33 of 69 | 47% | 39 of 77 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 2 | 1 | 6:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 19 of 48 | 39% | 19 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 20 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:13 | |
| 2 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:30 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 4 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:17 | |
| 3 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 8 of 25 | 32% | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:48 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 15 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 0:48 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Saldaña | 36 of 88 | 40% | 19 of 67 | 8 of 10 | 9 of 11 | 30 of 79 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 33 of 69 | 47% | 22 of 55 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 27 of 60 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Saldaña | 19 of 48 | 39% | 10 of 37 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 7 | 17 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 18 of 42 | 42% | 14 of 36 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 16 of 39 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Luis Saldaña | 9 of 15 | 60% | 4 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 4 of 10 | 40% | 2 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Luis Saldaña | 8 of 25 | 32% | 5 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 22 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 11 of 17 | 64% | 6 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
Big Brady picks Griffin to win by decision, leaning on the underdog. He notes that Saldaña has limited available tape and has faced poor competition, while Griffin has more UFC experience and a solid grappling game. Brady expects Griffin to use takedowns and grind out a close decision, though he is not overly confident. He thinks the line should be closer to a pick'em.
Cody leans Griffin as a dog, citing his experience and grappling advantage. He notes Saldaña's wins are over lower competition and that Griffin has fought tougher opponents. He thinks Griffin can win if he gets takedowns.
Daniel Levi picks Luis Saldaña, citing the 'Fight Ready' gym effect and Saldaña's improved kickboxing. He notes that Jordan Griffin makes questionable mistakes and has poor wrestling defense. Levi thinks Saldaña will separate himself in the later rounds with his kickboxing and win a close decision. He acknowledges that Griffin could be a live dog but goes with Saldaña.
The host thinks Griffin's best path is to make it a grinding, dirty fight by clinching and taking Saldaña down. He notes that Saldaña looked great on the Contender Series but that Griffin has more UFC experience and a better chance of getting the fight to the ground. He picks Griffin to win by decision, though he acknowledges that Saldaña is a flashy striker who could land a head kick.
Paul leans Griffin, noting his grappling advantage and Saldaña's lack of notable wins. He thinks Griffin's experience and ability to take rounds could be key. He calls it a dogger pass.
The MMA Guru picks Luis Saldaña but expresses doubt. He notes Saldaña has been submitted before but has improved his takedown defense with Henry Cejudo's help. He thinks Saldaña's front kicks to the body will be effective against Griffin, who is a great grappler. He predicts Saldaña will lose the first round but win the next two for a 29-28 decision.
Bruno Souza - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 84 of 168 | 50% | 88 of 173 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 66 of 178 | 37% | 68 of 180 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 26 of 57 | 45% | 27 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 15 of 48 | 31% | 15 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 24 of 53 | 45% | 25 of 54 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 28 of 70 | 40% | 30 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 3 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 34 of 58 | 58% | 36 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 23 of 60 | 38% | 23 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Saldaña | 84 of 168 | 50% | 41 of 109 | 14 of 22 | 29 of 37 | 78 of 161 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 3 |
| Bruno Souza | 66 of 178 | 37% | 37 of 134 | 17 of 30 | 12 of 14 | 64 of 174 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Saldaña | 26 of 57 | 45% | 9 of 33 | 3 of 7 | 14 of 17 | 23 of 54 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Bruno Souza | 15 of 48 | 31% | 6 of 31 | 4 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 15 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Luis Saldaña | 24 of 53 | 45% | 16 of 41 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 7 | 22 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Bruno Souza | 28 of 70 | 40% | 13 of 52 | 9 of 12 | 6 of 6 | 27 of 68 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Luis Saldaña | 34 of 58 | 58% | 16 of 35 | 8 of 10 | 10 of 13 | 33 of 56 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Bruno Souza | 23 of 60 | 38% | 18 of 51 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 59 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Luis Saldaña but calls it razor thin. He likes Saldaña's volume and pressure, noting that Bruno Souza's lack of urgency could cost him another decision. He acknowledges Souza's karate-style striking and countering ability but thinks Saldaña's volume will win him a decision if he picks his shots while applying pressure.
Big Brady picks Luis Saldaña to win a greasy decision. He notes that Souza has very low volume and doesn't do enough to win minutes, while Saldaña is the better striker with more tools. However, he is concerned about Saldaña's gas tank, as he slows down after the first round. He thinks Saldaña will still throw more volume than Souza and win a close decision.
Cody picks Saldaña, disagreeing with Paul. He criticizes Souza's low volume and lack of impressive wins. He thinks Saldaña's reach and kicks will be effective. He expects Saldaña to outpoint Souza in the first two rounds and survive the third.
Daniel Levi picks Luis Saldaña hesitantly, giving him one last chance. He notes Saldaña looks great early but fades, but thinks Souza's low-output karate style may not push the pace and cause Saldaña to gas. He is not betting the fight but picks Saldaña to win a decision if his cardio holds.
The host likes Saldaña slightly, noting that Souza tends to fight on the back foot, which will allow Saldaña to set the pace. He expects Saldaña's leg kicks and blitzing to be effective, and thinks Saldaña's durability will hold up. However, he acknowledges Saldaña's gas tank issues when pressured, but believes Souza won't pressure him. He predicts a decision win.
Paul picks Souza as an underdog, citing his karate style and ability to stay on the outside. He thinks Saldaña's cardio and takedown defense are concerns. He expects Souza to frustrate Saldaña and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Bruno Souza over Luis Saldaña, citing Saldaña's fundamental issues with takedown defense and lack of strength for the featherweight division. He notes that Souza kept it competitive against a much better striker in Melcik Magnussarian, while Saldaña tends to slow down as fights progress. The Guru believes Souza's grappling advantage and ability to build into fights will earn him a split decision win, with Saldaña's only path being a TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melsik Baghdasaryan | 0 | 75 of 124 | 60% | 77 of 126 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 46 of 103 | 44% | 47 of 104 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melsik Baghdasaryan | 0 | 21 of 36 | 58% | 23 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 11 of 24 | 45% | 12 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 | |
| 2 | Melsik Baghdasaryan | 0 | 31 of 43 | 72% | 31 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 16 of 37 | 43% | 16 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Melsik Baghdasaryan | 0 | 23 of 45 | 51% | 23 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 19 of 42 | 45% | 19 of 42 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melsik Baghdasaryan | 75 of 124 | 60% | 26 of 63 | 25 of 32 | 24 of 29 | 68 of 117 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Bruno Souza | 46 of 103 | 44% | 27 of 70 | 13 of 24 | 6 of 9 | 41 of 96 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melsik Baghdasaryan | 21 of 36 | 58% | 4 of 14 | 8 of 10 | 9 of 12 | 18 of 33 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Bruno Souza | 11 of 24 | 45% | 5 of 14 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Melsik Baghdasaryan | 31 of 43 | 72% | 13 of 21 | 8 of 11 | 10 of 11 | 29 of 41 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Bruno Souza | 16 of 37 | 43% | 12 of 27 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 14 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Melsik Baghdasaryan | 23 of 45 | 51% | 9 of 28 | 9 of 11 | 5 of 6 | 21 of 43 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Bruno Souza | 19 of 42 | 45% | 10 of 29 | 6 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 38 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Just like the last fight, a newcomer trying to introduce themselves to the promotion misses weight, as Souza (10-1, 0-0 UFC) clocked in at 148.4 pounds for his featherweight tilt against Baghdasaryan (6-1, 1-0 UFC). The young man out of Glendale Fighting Club will undoubtedly try to make the Brazilian pay for coming in heavy, but there is still a slight sign of respect when they touch gloves. Referee Todd Anderson takes charge of the cage, and Baghdasaryan starts off with a sweeping leg kick. The two strikers get back to kicking range, with Baghdasaryan swiping out low with leg kicks. Souza leads off with a right hand and ducks away before getting countered. The Brazilian lets loose with a body kick, and he loudly kiais after throwing it. Baghdasaryan targets the calf of his opponent with a thudding kick, and he ducks when Souza swings a right hand at him. Baghdasaryan calmly walks towards his opponent, making the newcomer circle around the cage as the crowd is not enjoying the lack of action. Out of nowhere, Souza leaps in the air with a flying knee, and it gets blocked and he returns to circling away. As Souza throws a body kick, Baghdasaryan counters him with a clean left hand. Baghdasaryan’s advancement has led to him dropping his hands, not afraid of what Souza throws at him. Baghdasaryan gets off a single punch to the body, and he just misses with a high kick. Souza fires a pair of kick at his opponent to back him away, but Baghdasaryan continues stalking him and slings a spinning back kick. “The Gun” shoots off a leg kick, and Souza’s lead leg is showing some serious damage. A big leg kick from Baghdasaryan makes Souza shoot in for a single, and he picks Baghdasaryan’s leg up in the air while Baghdasaryan tries to defend with a choke attempt. Souza ties his foe’s leg up but he cannot hit the trip he is seeking, and instead eats a few knees for his effort. Baghdasaryan gets away with a fence grab, and Anderson slaps his hand away from it to let go. This forces them to break apart, and Souza scores a stabbing body kick and a right hand on his way outside. Souza spins with a wheel kick, and although it gets blocked, the impact of the strike knocks Souza into the wall as he stumbles back. Souza gets back up and lands a body kick, and he fires a right hand that misses. Baghdasaryan slaps him in the face – open-handed strikes are so hot right now – and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Baghdasaryan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Baghdasaryan
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Baghdasaryan
Round 2
They think to touch gloves, but instead, Baghdasaryan is ready to throw a kick at him. This allows Souza to preemptively tag him in the face with a right hand and wobble his legs. Souza pushes through a kick to knock Baghdasaryan on his back, but he lets him up instead of pursuing any ground strikes of merit. A kick from Baghdasaryan makes Souza take several steps back, as if he is hurt, but the Brazilian is quick to get back to his active movement and circling. The strategic nature of Souza’s style has grown ire from the crowd, as the lack of engagement is boring to their eyes. The chess match continues as Souza keeps circling and taking potshots, while Baghdasaryan swings and misses. A low kick grazes into Souza’s cup, but he does not want to slow down. Instead, he swarms Baghdasaryan with punches, and Baghdasaryan greets him with a right hand counter to stop that salvo in its tracks. They come together, and Baghdasaryan just misses with a knee. Baghdasaryan continues to sporadically target the lead leg with kicks, and Souza’s leg appears badly damaged. One kick from “The Gun” makes Souza’s knee buckle, and he falls forward to try to take the fight down. When it is not there, he hops back and is limping. Baghdasaryan crashes the pocket, and he gets stopped when Souza defends with a standing guillotine choke. They resume distance kickboxing range, and Baghdasaryan clips his opponent with a left hand after Souza misses with strikes. Souza boots the body with his shin, and he sticks out a sharp jab to intercept a kicking Baghdasaryan. They both kick at the same time, and Souza lands and gets off a straight right hand. Baghdasaryan has his fingers outstretched, and Anderson has gotten tired warning him for it. This lights a fire under Souza, who starts throwing caution to the wind and tagging Baghdasaryan. The Californian by way of Armenia returns fire and staggers Souza with a right hand, but he does not follow it up and lets Souza get himself back in the fight. The round ends as Baghdasaryan retreats.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Baghdasaryan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Baghdasaryan
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Baghdasaryan
Round 3
Anderson gives Baghdasaryan one final warning for outstretched fingers before the start of the round, and they get after it. Souza throws kicks with body legs, and he eats a left hand and starts grinning. Two heavy punches slam into Baghdasaryan’s chin from a one-two, and Souza backs away before counters can reach him. Baghdasaryan goes over the top with a kick, and he misses by an inch. Souza chips away with leg kicks and stays elusive, as fans and Baghdasaryan are similarly frustrated by his approach. Souza darts in, lands a punch, and backs off. Suddenly, he sneaks in with a takedown try, but Baghdasaryan stops it standing and pushes him away. A big leg kick from Baghdasaryan draws a visible reaction out of his opponent, and Souza chomps on his gumshield to sling a pair of wide hooks. Baghdasaryan targets the lead leg again, and Souza takes it back before returning to southpaw for more punishment. The Brazilian steps in with a knee, and they exchange hands, with Baghdasaryan answering with a knee after they trade. Souza blitzes forward with punches, and they hit nothing but air. Baghdasaryan swings a kick to the body, and when it misses, Souza returns fire with one that connects. Souza is able to block a head kick, and he counters a subsequent kick try with a left hand over the top. Souza stays on his bike away from the more dangerous strikes that come at him, ducking and dodging strikes before ducking into a single. Souza lifts his foe’s leg up, but he cannot ground him, with Baghdasaryan hopping out of harm’s way and returning to the middle of the Octagon. Souza swings wildly, and Baghdasaryan sees the blows coming and avoids them. The number of inaccurate strikes by both men has drawn unease from the crowd, as they are giving it to them during inactive stretches. Souza swings a high kick and tags Baghdasaryan with a right hand, only to get nailed with one of his own on the way out. Souza eats a punch and returns with one of his own, and when the final horn bells and they hug it out, the crowd rains down boos.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Souza (29-28 Baghdasaryan)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Souza (29-28 Baghdasaryan)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Souza (29-28 Baghdasaryan)
The Official Result
Melsik Baghdasaryan def. Bruno Souza via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Bruno Souza, the counter-striker with a karate style, to weather Baghdasaryan's early storm and win a decision. He notes Souza's timing, takedowns, submissions, and champion experience. However, he admits he is not confident enough to place a moneyline bet, as Baghdasaryan's power and forward pressure are real threats. He sees this as a clash of styles where Souza's matador approach could work.
Big Brady is high on Melsik Baghdasaryan, praising his striking and power. He notes Baghdasaryan's takedown defense and get-up game are solid, and he doesn't think Bruno Souza will pose a threat on the feet. Brady watched four of Souza's fights and was unimpressed, calling him a low-volume, kick-heavy fighter who doesn't go for takedowns. He predicts Baghdasaryan will knock Souza out, as the line could be even wider.
Cody picks Baghdasaryan, citing his power and finishing ability. He notes Souza's hittable karate style and lack of power. He expects Baghdasaryan to catch Souza and KO him inside the distance.
Daniel Levi picks Melsik Baghdasaryan, favoring his Muay Thai over Bruno Souza's karate style. He notes that Baghdasaryan is a K-1 striker with over 100 kickboxing matches, and that his left kick and straight left are powerful. Levi acknowledges that Souza is a Machida protege with good experience, but believes Baghdasaryan has a higher ceiling and can handle grappling. He expects a late knockout or decision win.
Jacob strongly disagrees with Angelo, picking Melsik Baghdasaryan. He calls Souza a 'weirdo' with a slow, awkward karate style, noting that three of his wins are split decisions and one is a DQ. He believes Baghdasaryan's aggression, power, and finishing ability will overwhelm Souza, especially if he pressures him against the fence where the karate stance becomes ineffective. Jacob expects an early finish.
The host likes Baghdasaryan's power and aggression but worries about his gas tank. He thinks Baghdasaryan will likely win by knockout early, but if it goes past the first round, Souza's elusiveness could cause problems. He prefers the KO prop at +150 or round 1 prop at +300 rather than the moneyline. He also considers a small sprinkle on Souza round 3 at +2000.
Paul picks Baghdasaryan, expecting a KO. He notes Souza's hittable style and Baghdasaryan's power. He bets under 2.5 rounds, fight doesn't go to decision, and Baghdasaryan by KO.
The Guru trusts Melsik Baghdasaryan, noting his kickboxing and boxing background, and his impressive Contender Series wins. He believes Baghdasaryan is superior on the feet and has adequate ground game to work back up. He also factors in Souza taking the fight on short notice, which may affect his cardio. The Guru predicts a TKO finish for Baghdasaryan.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Luis Saldaña but calls it razor thin. He likes Saldaña's volume and pressure, noting that Bruno Souza's lack of urgency could cost him another decision. He acknowledges Souza's karate-style striking and countering ability but thinks Saldaña's volume will win him a decision if he picks his shots while applying pressure.
Big Brady picks Luis Saldaña to win a greasy decision. He notes that Souza has very low volume and doesn't do enough to win minutes, while Saldaña is the better striker with more tools. However, he is concerned about Saldaña's gas tank, as he slows down after the first round. He thinks Saldaña will still throw more volume than Souza and win a close decision.
Cody picks Saldaña, disagreeing with Paul. He criticizes Souza's low volume and lack of impressive wins. He thinks Saldaña's reach and kicks will be effective. He expects Saldaña to outpoint Souza in the first two rounds and survive the third.
Daniel Levi picks Luis Saldaña hesitantly, giving him one last chance. He notes Saldaña looks great early but fades, but thinks Souza's low-output karate style may not push the pace and cause Saldaña to gas. He is not betting the fight but picks Saldaña to win a decision if his cardio holds.
The host likes Saldaña slightly, noting that Souza tends to fight on the back foot, which will allow Saldaña to set the pace. He expects Saldaña's leg kicks and blitzing to be effective, and thinks Saldaña's durability will hold up. However, he acknowledges Saldaña's gas tank issues when pressured, but believes Souza won't pressure him. He predicts a decision win.
Paul picks Souza as an underdog, citing his karate style and ability to stay on the outside. He thinks Saldaña's cardio and takedown defense are concerns. He expects Souza to frustrate Saldaña and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Bruno Souza over Luis Saldaña, citing Saldaña's fundamental issues with takedown defense and lack of strength for the featherweight division. He notes that Souza kept it competitive against a much better striker in Melcik Magnussarian, while Saldaña tends to slow down as fights progress. The Guru believes Souza's grappling advantage and ability to build into fights will earn him a split decision win, with Saldaña's only path being a TKO.
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