Career Averages - Victor Henry
Career Averages - Raoni Barcelos
Victor Henry
Raoni Barcelos
Victor Henry - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Henry | 1 | 73 of 151 | 48% | 139 of 227 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 3 | 4:10 |
| Pedro FalcĂŁo | 0 | 57 of 117 | 48% | 69 of 133 | 4 of 13 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 2:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Henry | 1 | 22 of 53 | 41% | 50 of 87 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:38 |
| Pedro FalcĂŁo | 0 | 20 of 43 | 46% | 26 of 52 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 | |
| 2 | Victor Henry | 0 | 23 of 54 | 42% | 38 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 0:56 |
| Pedro FalcĂŁo | 0 | 24 of 45 | 53% | 28 of 50 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 1:30 | |
| 3 | Victor Henry | 0 | 28 of 44 | 63% | 51 of 70 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 1:36 |
| Pedro FalcĂŁo | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 15 of 31 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Henry | 73 of 151 | 48% | 44 of 115 | 21 of 27 | 8 of 9 | 57 of 127 | 9 of 14 | 7 of 10 |
| Pedro FalcĂŁo | 57 of 117 | 48% | 34 of 91 | 11 of 13 | 12 of 13 | 55 of 114 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Henry | 22 of 53 | 41% | 13 of 44 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 7 |
| Pedro FalcĂŁo | 20 of 43 | 46% | 12 of 34 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 20 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Victor Henry | 23 of 54 | 42% | 9 of 35 | 11 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 19 of 47 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Pedro FalcĂŁo | 24 of 45 | 53% | 14 of 33 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 7 | 22 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Victor Henry | 28 of 44 | 63% | 22 of 36 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 23 of 36 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 3 |
| Pedro FalcĂŁo | 13 of 29 | 44% | 8 of 24 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Henry (-218), Falcao (+180)
Round 1
It’s all speed and action for this next bantamweight contest, as Henry (24-7, 1 NC; 3-2, 1 NC UFC) constantly defies his age—currently 37—every time he hits the cage. His Nova Uniao-trained foe Falcao (16-4, 0-1 UFC) will come in five years the younger, but not nearly as much combat experience on his ledger. Referee Keith Peterson drew nonsense-free straws and was picked for this matchup, one that kicks off with a fist bump before they are released into the wild. Falcao gets right in Henry’s face with a jab early, peppering him with mixed-in low kicks. Henry fires back with his own leg kick, and he sees a takedown coming and turns the corner to lean himself against the fencing. Falcao hangs on from behind, where he turns Falcao’s aggression against him and hits a trip to put the Brazilian on his back. Henry smacks up Falcao’s leg and posterior with deceptively heavy kicks, talking to him all the while. Falcao decides he should stop eating kicks and should stand up, and he does that without any resistance. Falcao gets back behind the driver’s seat and surges forward behind his right hand, and his follow-up left reddens Henry’s temple. “La Mangosta” unleashes a bomb of a right hand that detonates on the chin of the Brazilian, who falls to his back as Henry gives chase with a barrage of hammerfists. Falcao keeps himself safe enough to force Henry back to standing, and he again hangs out too long on his back while Henry chops at his legs. They may not be as effective as Donald Cerrone’s mean-spirited kicks on Myles Jury, but they add up fast until again Falcao decides to just get back up. Henry allows him to do this so he can punch his man in the liver. Falcao stays pressing forward, Henry slipping his left hook a few times but getting caught with a third. Falcao punches his way into a single-leg takedown, and the catchwrestler trained by Josh Barnett does not budge and regains his footing. They separate, and Henry parries a few jabbing kicks to get into his preferred throwing range. Falcao dips in and out with a combination, and he has a kick checked and eats a few punches at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Round 2
Henry comes out of his corner loaded for bear, and after he gets off a few punches, Falcao hammers his front leg and trips him up. Henry awkwardly climbs back up, fighting to wake his leg back up, and Falcao slams his front leg with another. Henry lands two back, and Falcao’s to the calf is more effective and accurate. Falcao misses with a pair of haymakers, and he scores a left but is driven back by a pair of punches. Henry jumps in the air with a knee, and Falcao catches his leg and looks for a takedown. When Henry hops out of it, Falcao follows him and completes a high-amplitude takedown. Falcao advances to half guard, pressing his chest down until Henry explodes to his feet. Falcao follows him, slams him down from behind, and cannot quite keep a tight grip on his man. Henry rolls all the way through it, and Falcao hits his back and latches onto an armbar. Henry elbows his way out of it, and he drills Falcao with a few kicks before Falcao stands back up and tries to grapple. They sit down on single hooks, and Henry’s lands cleaner and forces Falcao to reset. The Brazilian works his way forward, walking through a body shot so he can give Henry one back to ponder. Falcao drops down to a knee and hits another takedown to dump Henry on his back. Henry turns to his knees and gives up his back, and he somersaults through a scramble to wrap up a scarf hold position on the Brazilian. Falcao scrambles with this furiously, and the two work their way back to their feet. Falcao lands first in an exchange, and Henry scores last. Henry walks Falcao down and slugs him in the face and midsection, and the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Falcao
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Falcao
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Falcao
Round 3
A clap of hands leads to a huge, which leads to a takedown try from Falcao. Henry scrambles to flip him over, only to find himself having to keep moving as Falcao has suddenly taken his back. Henry turns to his side and a knee, hoping to go all the way over. He succeeds, fighting off an armbar while putting Falcao on his back. Henry jams down short strikes until he gets a little space when Falcao kicks him off. Falcao shoots naked for a takedown, and “La Mangosta” shuts him down and knees him in the jaw. Falcao fails on another shot, and he bails on it to reset. Two jabs from Falcao are answered with a clean right hand, and Henry stands in front of him and kicks him in the lower body. Three overhand rights get over the guard, and Henry manages to score a fourth before Falcao fires back. Henry nods at him, and the two trade hands and feet. Falcao shoots for a takedown, and Henry tackles him over to the mat. Falcao starts fishing for a leglock before Henry can escape the grappling, and Falcao rolls over and hooks his knees around Henry’s foot. Henry continues to twist until his leg is free, and Falcao presses him tightly against the wall, both men upright again. Henry pushes off and drills Falcao with a right hand, and his left hand wobbles the Brazilian. A desperate takedown from Falcao is met with a sprawl and several annoying left hands. Henry loads up with an uppercut, and he catches “Pedrinho” at the end of a hooking right. Falcao cannot buy a takedown at this stage in the fight, and Henry walks off and starts doing the Running Man. Falcao shrugs at him, takes a few kicks to the gut, and the horn sounds. The Brazilian practically falls over to his seat from exhaustion, while Henry appears to still be able to go two more rounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Henry (29-28 Henry)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Henry (29-28 Henry)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Henry (29-28 Henry)
The Official Result
Victor Henry def. Pedro Falcao via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo initially wanted to pick Pedro FalcĂŁo due to Victor's age and sloppiness, but after tape study he notes Victor still has juice left and got takedowns in his last fight. He sees Victor as an established UFC guy who doesn't suck at anything, while Pedro has gaps and hasn't proven himself at this level. Angelo picks Victor but acknowledges Pedro could be a decent underdog.
Big Brady likes Victor Henry despite the line moving against him. He believes Henry has underrated BJJ, good takedown defense, and a significant striking advantage. He expects Henry to stuff most of FalcĂŁo's takedowns and win via late knockout, specifically a third-round KO.
Connor picks Henry, noting that FalcĂŁo is a brute with a wrestle-boxer game but lacks technical wrestling. He believes Henry's volume striking and ability to mix in takedowns will be too much. He mentions that Henry has a tendency to let opponents hang around due to lack of power, but still expects him to win.
Henry is loved in this spot as he can shut down FalcĂŁo's BJJ black belt and put on a pace and pressure that FalcĂŁo is uncomfortable with in the striking realm. Henry is expected to win on the scorecards.
The Guru picks Victor Henry, citing his sprawl-and-pitter-patter style and ability to keep the fight standing. He notes Pedro FalcĂŁo spammed takedowns against Victor Hugo and failed most, and Henry is good at stuffing takedowns and out-voluming opponents. He expects a decision win, likely 29-28, with Henry winning the second and third rounds due to superior cardio.
Zane picks Henry, citing his well-rounded craft and experience. He notes that Henry has many ways to deal with an over-aggressive opponent like FalcĂŁo, including keeping him at range with kicks and using his wrestling. He expects a fun fight but a clear win for Henry.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 39 of 73 | 53% | 50 of 87 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 24 of 54 | 44% | 39 of 75 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Jourdain | 0 | 28 of 46 | 60% | 38 of 59 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 18 of 34 | 52% | 28 of 45 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 | |
| 2 | Charles Jourdain | 0 | 11 of 27 | 40% | 12 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 6 of 20 | 30% | 11 of 30 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:31 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 39 of 73 | 53% | 19 of 49 | 14 of 18 | 6 of 6 | 31 of 62 | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 24 of 54 | 44% | 8 of 30 | 11 of 17 | 5 of 7 | 22 of 51 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Jourdain | 28 of 46 | 60% | 12 of 27 | 13 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 21 of 36 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 18 of 34 | 52% | 5 of 15 | 8 of 12 | 5 of 7 | 16 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Charles Jourdain | 11 of 27 | 40% | 7 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 6 of 20 | 30% | 3 of 15 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jourdain (-125), Henry (+105)
Round 1
Meeting in the middle after plenty of time in different divisions, ex-featherweight Jourdain (15-8-1, 6-7-1 UFC) shifts gears down to 135 pounds in hopes of keeping that explosiveness. He greets former flyweight Henry (24-6, 1 NC, 3-1, 1 NC UFC) at bantamweight, with the two drawing oversight from referee Black Grice. Speed will be the name of the game in this one, and they intend on showing it off just as soon as they complete their expected glove touch. Jourdain slowly plods forward, hand-fighting Henry’s probing jabs. Henry lands a pair of low kicks as Grice issues a warning for outstretched fingers. Jourdain whips a kick up high that is barely blocked, and Henry gets busy with low and body kicks. Henry secures a body kick that splits the guard, and he absorbs a clean low kick that makes him recoil his limb. Jourdain leaps in the air with a knee, and Henry swats it away. The two trade low kicks, and Jourdain prods out a front kick that knocks Henry back a step. A Jourdain jab is met with a leg kick, and Henry walks his foe down and connects with a left hook. Jourdain looses another quick head kick, and he races forward and puts as right hand on the jaw of “La Mangosta.” Henry keeps striding forward, but Jourdain is pecking at him with low kicks and longer punches. Henry attacks the body and lead leg with kicks, and Jourdain comes out firing with a pair of looping hooks. Henry gets off a body kick, and Jourdain trips Henry up and dumps him to the floor. The well-schooled Henry does not show any concern when Jourdain grips hold of a guillotine choke, and he escapes and resets. Henry walks him down and trips him out, putting Jourdain on his back thanks to sheer pressure. Jourdain posts off an arm to sit up, and Henry slickly shuts him down. Jourdain still explodes to his feet despite Henry’s wishes, and he trips Henry to a knee but does not complete it. Jourdain stands, wraps up a guillotine, and releases it to nails Henry with a flush elbow on the forehead. Henry blinks it out and loads up on a pair of right hands, and he gets countered and clips. Jourdain’s power shakes Henry up briefly, but Henry keeps marching onward throwing punches. Jourdain uses a sharp front kick and a head kick to slow Henry, and he tries to time a jump knee but Henry is wise to it and waits to press forward into a clinch. As Jourdain looks to frame off of Henry’s face, Henry trips his legs out. Henry no-sells a guillotine choke until the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Round 2
The two touch gloves before getting going, and Henry is quick to assert heavy pressure. Jourdain is lighter on his feet, swinging harder and landing cleaner. Jourdain clips Henry, forcing Henry to close in on him and trying to clinch. Jourdain shucks him off and rips an uppercut up the middle, and he chews up Henry’s lead leg and strafes to the side. Henry gives chase, pushing out a front kick and a body kick, and he gets caught with an uppercut moving forward. Henry keeps his guard high, allowing Jourdain’s offense to throw him off-balance. Henry wrangles Jourdain to the floor, and he wraps up his opponent with a body lock while fishing for a rear-naked choke. Henry rolls when Jourdain scrambles, and he hunts for a choke any time he can spot an opening. Jourdain defends well and keeps turning, eventually settling to lean his side against the cage. Henry is warned for an elbow to the spine, and he lets Jourdain turn over so he can slip an arm on the side of the chin. Henry moves into top position, but he is dragged back to the guard of “La Mangosta.” Jourdain snatches up a guillotine choke on his back, and Henry pays it no mind as it is not locked up. The Canadian hacks with elbows off his back, and he sits up and nearly works his way up. Henry stifles a guillotine choke without issue by remaining calm, and Jourdain uses the grip to work to his feet.
The choke is still wrapped around Henry’s neck, and Jourdain jumps guard to set up and lock down the guillotine. This time, it is exceptionally tight, and Henry does not have a way out. With no more options, Henry frantically taps out, surrendering for the first time in his lengthy career.
Jourdain sends a message to his new division with his stoppage win, while also showing off his new, impressive back tattoo.
The Official Result
Charles Jourdain def. Victor Henry R2 3:43 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Angelo is confident Victor Henry wins, calling Charles Jourdain 'just not that good' despite being fun. He thinks Henry has better technique and cardio, and will outwork Jourdain. He notes Henry is 37 but still looks good and fights smart. He placed a half unit bet on Henry at even money (minus 110). He acknowledges Jourdain has a fanbase but insists he is not an upper echelon fighter.
Big Brady picks Victor Henry to win by decision. He likes Henry's nonstop volume (8.5 significant strikes per minute) and notes that Jourdain is a slow starter and has struggled with wrestling recently. Brady thinks Jourdain won't be able to take Henry down and that Henry's pace will overwhelm Jourdain over 15 minutes. He is picking against another Canadian.
Cody picks Victor Henry, citing his volume, wrestling, and experience. He questions Jourdain's weight cut to bantamweight and notes his recent KO loss and poor performances. He believes Henry's well-rounded game and durability will allow him to outwork Jourdain, especially if Jourdain struggles with the cut. He expects a close decision but favors Henry.
Daniel Vreeland picks Charles Jourdain to win his bantamweight debut, citing the size advantage after dropping down. He believes Jourdain's movement, kicks, and range will trouble Victor Henry, who has been outclassed by faster opponents. Vreeland notes Henry's toughness but thinks Jourdain's experience at higher weight classes and finally being the bigger fighter will lead to a win, though he wants to see the weigh-ins first.
Henry is a very experienced and difficult opponent who has never been finished in his 30-fight career. He will put a pace, pressure, and volume that Jourdain is not used to, allowing Henry to grind out a win on the scorecards.
Paul also picks Henry, noting his superior volume and wrestling. He is concerned about Jourdain's weight cut and recent knockout loss, and believes Henry's pressure and grappling will be too much. He sees the fight as close but expects Henry to edge it out, possibly by split decision.
The Guru picks Charles Jourdain over Victor Henry, citing Jourdain's physicality and dynamic striking. He believes Jourdain's clinch work and knees to the body will be key, and he predicts a TKO finish from the clinch. He notes that if Jourdain makes bantamweight effectively, he will have a significant advantage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Henry | 0 | 54 of 109 | 49% | 56 of 111 | 0 of 10 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Rani Yahya | 2 | 109 of 205 | 53% | 150 of 260 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Henry | 0 | 21 of 39 | 53% | 23 of 41 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Rani Yahya | 0 | 19 of 30 | 63% | 26 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:00 | |
| 2 | Victor Henry | 0 | 24 of 51 | 47% | 24 of 51 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rani Yahya | 1 | 56 of 115 | 48% | 70 of 136 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 | |
| 3 | Victor Henry | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 9 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rani Yahya | 1 | 34 of 60 | 56% | 54 of 83 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Henry | 54 of 109 | 49% | 28 of 76 | 6 of 9 | 20 of 24 | 51 of 105 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Rani Yahya | 109 of 205 | 53% | 84 of 176 | 21 of 24 | 4 of 5 | 89 of 173 | 2 of 5 | 18 of 27 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Henry | 21 of 39 | 53% | 7 of 19 | 3 of 5 | 11 of 15 | 18 of 36 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Rani Yahya | 19 of 30 | 63% | 13 of 24 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 26 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Victor Henry | 24 of 51 | 47% | 15 of 41 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 7 | 24 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rani Yahya | 56 of 115 | 48% | 43 of 98 | 11 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 48 of 103 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 11 | |
| 3 | Victor Henry | 9 of 19 | 47% | 6 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rani Yahya | 34 of 60 | 56% | 28 of 54 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 16 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Yahya comes out throwing leg kicks. Henry looks to counter with punches and catches Yahya with a left hook. Yahya goes for a takedown and gets a waistlock. Henry gets thrown on the floor, but Henry gets back up. They separate. Henry lands a straight right to the body. Yahya goes for another takedown, but Henry gets up again immediately afterward. Henry can't get his offense off, as he has to keep defending against Yahya. The round ends with Yahya wildly throwing punches.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yahya
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Yahya
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yahya
Round 2
Yahya lands a nice overhand right. Yahya wildly dives for a leg but can't get it. Leg kick lands for Yahya. Henry pumping out his jab but isn't putting much power behind it. Yahya goes for a takedown, but it is stuffed. Henry eats a left hook. A right hook lands for Yahya. Henry sneaks in an elbow that hurts Yahya, and a left hand comes shortly afterward. Nice straight right by Henry. Yahya is getting backed up against the fence. Henry finding much more success this round. Henry uses his kicks to determine the distance. Henry lands a thudding right hand. Yahya's head is snapping back due to jabs. Henry throws Yahya off him and lets him back up. Henry is overwhelming Yahya with punches, who falls to the ground. Henry unloads with punches and landing hammerfists. Yahya survives the round.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-8 Henry
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Round 3
Henry comes out working his jab. Yahya is eating a lot of shots and dives for a takedown. Yahya looks for a leg. Henry is willing to go down to the ground and lands a nice punch. Henry allows his opponent back up. Yahya looks exhausted. Henry lands a push kick and follows up with a right hook that puts Yahya down. Yahya turtles up. Henry lands punches, but Yahya is able to get half-guard. Henry gets back up and starts punishing the body with punches.
A head kick lands for Henry. Yahya turtles up on the feet and the fight is waved off.
Yahya had nothing left after the beating he took in Round 2.
The Official Result
Victor Henry def. Rani Yahya via TKO (Head Kick and Punches); R3, 2:36.
Angelo is confident Victor Henry wins but refuses to touch the -500 line, calling it 'kick rocks.' He notes Rani Yahya looked old and slow in his last fight, getting knocked out, and that good things don't happen after that in MMA. He points out Henry has lost to a 40-year-old before (Raphael Assunção), making him unreliable at such short odds. He picks Henry but says if he were -150 he'd love it.
Cody picks Henry, calling him the best favorite on the card. He notes Yahya's one-dimensional BJJ and poor striking, and believes Henry's wrestling and grappling will neutralize Yahya. He expects a dominant decision or late finish.
Daniel notes Henry has never been finished in 29 fights and has a catch wrestling background. He thinks Henry's output and striking will overwhelm Yahya, who is 42 and relies on jiu-jitsu. He expects Henry to look like a -400 favorite and win comfortably.
Henry has good defensive grappling and should be able to keep the fight upright, using his movement and output to chip away at Yahya. Yahya is dangerous on the ground but Henry's takedown defense is high level. I expect Henry to win on the scorecards. The over 2.5 rounds is also a good prop.
Paul agrees, citing Yahya's age (40), inactivity, and lack of wrestling. He thinks Henry can mimic Ricky Simon's game plan of stuffing takedowns and landing strikes. He considers Henry a solid favorite despite the poor line.
The MMA Guru picks Victor Henry as one of the locks of the card. He criticizes Rani Yahya as very old at 39 and notes his recent losses to Montel Jackson and weak competition. He praises Henry's consistency, difficulty to finish, and ability to survive on the ground. He predicts a unanimous decision or late TKO, and says he would be very shocked if Henry loses.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 30 of 43 | 69% | 33 of 46 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 25 of 36 | 69% | 30 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 29 of 42 | 69% | 32 of 45 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 25 of 36 | 69% | 30 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 | |
| 2 | Javid Basharat | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javid Basharat | 30 of 43 | 69% | 8 of 21 | 8 of 8 | 14 of 14 | 26 of 39 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 25 of 36 | 69% | 3 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 20 | 23 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Javid Basharat | 29 of 42 | 69% | 8 of 21 | 8 of 8 | 13 of 13 | 25 of 38 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 25 of 36 | 69% | 3 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 20 | 23 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Javid Basharat | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Basharat (-535), Henry (+400)
Round 1
Referee Lukasz Bosacki will need to go into overdrive if he hopes to keep up with this next bout in the bantamweight division. With 14 wins opposite zero defeats, Basharat (14-0, 3-0 UFC) rockets his way into his pairing with proud UWF USA rep Henry (23-6, 2-1 UFC). Whether the victor needs 15 seconds or 15 minutes to get things done, one man may put himself in prime position at the talent-rich 135-pound category by prevailing. There is no glove touch to get this one started. Basharat walks through a leg kick and parries two jabs to get his own range. Henry kicks the leg, sweeping it out, and Basharat falls to the ground and climbs back up while wagging his finger. Both men trade leg kicks, and Henry breaks it up with a front kick. Basharat digs another kick on the calf, and Henry greets him with one back while ducking two looping punches. Basharat connects with another front kick, and he checks a kick. Henry swats out with multiple low kicks while Basharat crowds him, and when Basharat backs off, he plants a side kick on Henry’s waist. Basharat sneaks in a jab and follows it with an inside low kick, and Henry defends against a head kick while kicking low. Basharat gets off a left hand, and when he kicks the body, Henry catches it. Henry releases it after landing a few punches, and his own kick gets caught. This forces a scramble that results in both fighters hitting the mat, but the two are active enough to spring back up while still tied up. Basharat attempts a single, and he abandons it to go up high with a left hand on the break. Basharat chops with a kick and lands two punches, but it is his spinning back kick that finds its target with emphasis. Basharat scores kicks, and Henry does the same while getting one more checked. Henry doubles up on a kick from each leg, and he pecks away while Basharat slowly meanders towards him. Henry kicks the waist and closes in to hunt for an inside trip. The round ends with the two trading knees from up close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Basharat
Round 2
The 135ers meet one another in the middle of the cage,
Basharat kicks his opponent square in the groin to start off the round. Henry falls straight on his face and rolls around, moaning in agony.
Basharat tries to apologize, and Bosacki tells him to stay in the neutral corner. Henry shows no sign of improvement after 90 seconds, still on the ground in pain. There is a brief bit of discussion as to whether the strike landed on his groin, and Henry yells that it was all his genitals. After over three minutes, Henry is helped to his feet, but he is still totally compromised. Five full minutes elapse, and Bosacki waves the fight off, much to the displeasure of the crowd. The doctor incredulously tries to tell Henry that the strike should not have hurt him like it did, or that it was not a direct shot on his groin, but Henry is no actor and his reaction is quite legitimate. Henry’s corner, the legendary Josh Barnett, carries Henry out of the cage, as Henry is struggling to stay on his feet. As the foul was accidental and the time was early into Round 2, it should be declared a no contest.
The Official Result
Victor Henry vs. Javid Basharat is Ruled a No Contest (Accidental Groin Kick) R2 0:15
Angelo is confident Javid Basharat dominates this fight with his wrestling. He notes Victor Henry's win over a Brazilian national champion wrestler (Him Barcelos) but thinks Javid's timing, control, and flow from striking to grappling will be too much. He has Javid in parlays.
Big Brady picks Javid Basharat to win by decision, but expects a competitive fight. He notes that Victor Henry is being disrespected by the odds, as he has good cardio, toughness, and takedown defense. However, Basharat is younger, improving, and the UFC is pushing him. Brady believes Basharat can use wrestling to control the fight and win a close decision, possibly aided by judging in Abu Dhabi.
Cody picks Basharat but is hesitant, noting that Basharat is talented but untested. He acknowledges Henry's wrestling and volume could make it close, but believes Basharat's speed and mixing of takedowns will edge him a decision. Cody does not love the price.
Daniel picks Javid Basharat to win but considers the -625 line too high. He praises Basharat's skills and youth but notes that Victor Henry has never been finished in 30 fights and has incredible volume, as seen in his fight against Barcelos. He expects a competitive fight where Basharat edges out a decision rather than dominating. He calls it a 'dog or pass' situation and suggests a small bet on Henry might be worthwhile.
Basharat is one of the best strikers with elite footwork and pull counters. He will touch up Henry whenever Henry crashes the pocket with volume. Basharat stays within himself and sticks to the game plan, likely winning by decision. This is a horrible stylistic matchup for Henry.
Paul picks Henry as a dog, arguing that Basharat is overvalued and has not faced tough competition. He notes that Henry has excellent volume, takedown defense, and durability, and has fought higher-level opponents. Paul believes Henry's pressure and output will make the fight close, and at plus money, he sees value.
The MMA Guru picks Javid Basharat by decision, but notes that Victor Henry is a live underdog worth betting. He compares their common opponent Tony Gravely, noting Basharat had a clearer win. He cites Basharat's youth (28 vs 36), reach, and height advantages. He expects a competitive fight with a swing round, but thinks Basharat will do a little more to win a decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Henry | 0 | 154 of 244 | 63% | 190 of 281 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 1 | 1:20 |
| Tony Gravely | 0 | 75 of 154 | 48% | 90 of 169 | 3 of 17 | 17% | 0 | 0 | 3:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Henry | 0 | 29 of 53 | 54% | 41 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Tony Gravely | 0 | 22 of 42 | 52% | 25 of 45 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 1:33 | |
| 2 | Victor Henry | 0 | 71 of 107 | 66% | 90 of 127 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:55 |
| Tony Gravely | 0 | 17 of 37 | 45% | 18 of 38 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:26 | |
| 3 | Victor Henry | 0 | 54 of 84 | 64% | 59 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 1 | 0:24 |
| Tony Gravely | 0 | 36 of 75 | 48% | 47 of 86 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Henry | 154 of 244 | 63% | 92 of 176 | 55 of 60 | 7 of 8 | 102 of 183 | 46 of 55 | 6 of 6 |
| Tony Gravely | 75 of 154 | 48% | 44 of 113 | 20 of 29 | 11 of 12 | 52 of 127 | 18 of 22 | 5 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Henry | 29 of 53 | 54% | 11 of 35 | 14 of 14 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 44 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Tony Gravely | 22 of 42 | 52% | 9 of 24 | 5 of 9 | 8 of 9 | 17 of 36 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Victor Henry | 71 of 107 | 66% | 42 of 76 | 28 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 45 of 74 | 20 of 27 | 6 of 6 |
| Tony Gravely | 17 of 37 | 45% | 14 of 31 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 30 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Victor Henry | 54 of 84 | 64% | 39 of 65 | 13 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 35 of 65 | 19 of 19 | 0 of 0 |
| Tony Gravely | 36 of 75 | 48% | 21 of 58 | 13 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 23 of 61 | 9 of 10 | 4 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Henry (-140), Gravely (+120)
Round 1
Well-traveled bantamweights Henry (22-6, 1-1 UFC) and Gravely (23-8, 4-3 UFC) come to blows in the next fight on the prelims. Referee Mark Smith laces his running shoes, as this one could take place anywhere and everywhere over the next three rounds if needed. There is a clap of hands to initiate the matchup, and Gravely leads the dance with a body kick. As their legs collide, a foot may have grazed the cup as Smith warns the fighters to stay careful. Gravely steps back and boots Henry in the lower leg as Henry is kicking higher, sweeping Henry off his feet and dumping him to the mat, Thai style. Henry climbs back up, and Gravely tries to do the same again. Henry gathers himself and walks forward with jabs, backing the shorter man up but not able to stop the inside calf kicks from popping him. Henry doubles up on a jab and kicks the side, and he catches Gravely coming in with a straight right hand. Henry connects with a front kick to the chest, and he has a lower body kick graze off the cup to elicit a warning but not draw a stoppage. Henry shucks off a possible level change and lets loose a head kick, and the two up close sling punches and kicks without budging. They break apart, and proceed to trade leather one after the other. Gravely pushes the pace in pursuit of a takedown, and he jams Henry back to the wall. Gravely works the body with knees while pressing on his opponent, and Henry breaks off and takes the center of the cage. Gravely scores two punches including a sharp uppercut, and Henry changes things up to blast the body with a side kick. Gravely pulls back on a low kick try, and Henry decides to follow through with his own, and he chains that kick into a few punches including an uppercut that splits the guard. Gravely sits down on a right hand that just misses, and a left that does connect as Henry tries to shoulder roll. Gravely crashes the pocket with a double, tripping Henry out and putting him on his seat for a second. “La Mangosta” powers back up thanks to the wall behind him, and Gravely circles around to take his back standing and slide a hook in for a trip. Gravely elects to lift Henry up in the air and drop him back down, and Henry springs back up. The two tumble to the mat as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Round 2
The bantamweights slap hands to get things started again, and they immediately engage recklessly and wildly. Henry lets off a few kicks, Gravely slings leather, and as Gravely takes a few punches, he changes levels and hits the deck on his face. Henry lets him back up and lays into him with a few punches, forcing Gravely to shoot in for an ill-advised takedown. Henry threatens with a front choke, and he lets it go to allow Gravely to stand up, so that he can continue working Gravely over. Henry slips punches and moves, frustrating Gravely and landing flush while Gravely responds hitting little more but air. Henry gets caught with an overhand right, but he grits his teeth and throws back with a vengeance. As Gravely gets teed off on, he looks to tie Henry up and take the fight down. Henry pushes him back and gets away with glove grabs to keep Gravely pinned to the wire. As Gravely looks to explode, Henry slashes with an elbow and chains a few punches together. Gravely leaps forward to take the fight down, and he successfully puts Henry on the floor. Henry tries to burst upright, and he manages to work his way up walking off the cage. Henry spins around, rips a knee to the body and makes Gravely back off. Henry continues assaulting Gravely’s body as Gravely backs off, and he strings punches and elbows together as he has Gravely on the ropes. Henry pounds knees to the body, and one makes Gravely drop down for a failed takedown entry. Henry’s pace is sky-high as he batters Gravely with everything and the kitchen sink, driving Gravely back to the wall. Gravely slows him down by clinching up and dropping down for a double, and Henry intercepts him with a barrage of elbows to the side of the head. The angle is very close, and Smith is watching closely to make sure the elbow strikes are legal, and Gravely drops to his knees from the damage. Gravely musters whatever energy he has to force Henry to the mat, but they land in a 50-50 position. Henry climbs right back up and knees Gravely repeatedly in the midsection. Gravely pushes off and aims a body kick, and Henry backs him off and continues striking until the bell and Smith’s intervention as the round has ended.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Round 3
The bantamweights meet in the middle to high five, and they pick up immediately where they left off. Gravely has a bit more space to throw hands back, but Henry’s pace drives him back to the wall and draws a takedown from Gravely. Gravely abandons it and throws hands with his opponent, and Henry welcomes this type of technical slugfest. Gravely drops down to his knees for another takedown effort, and Henry’s defense is immaculate as he keeps himself upright. Henry breaks off and takes a kick to his ribs, as Gravely unloads with a series of punches including a solid right hand that chin-checks Henry. “La Mangosta” does not bat an eye as he continues to throw caution to the wind, trading fists with his opponent and staying active with head movement. Gravely swings and misses with high-arcing strikes that Henry dodges, and Henry intercepts a takedown with a calf kick and a few knees to the dome. Gravely releases the grip and throws haymakers, and Henry staggers him with a few right back. Fighting in a phone booth, they trade ferocious leather one after the other, and strike totals are likely to be quite high at the fight’s conclusion. Henry backs off to measure a body kick, and Gravely throws hammers while Henry marks him up with a consistent and accurate salvo of blows. Henry connects with a few more strikes until he decides to go after a single, but this might be to catch his breath and not because he wants to change levels. Gravely belts him with a few looping shots, and as he moves down for a takedown, Henry drops down to hit the ground in pursuit of a leglock. Henry attacks a heel hook, and he bails on it to grab hold of a kneebar. Gravely defends with several solid punches to the body, and he slides his knee to a safer place and continues to beat on Henry. Henry loses the grip, and Gravely drops down on top of him to grab hold of an arm-triangle choke. Henry explodes upright, taking the back of his opponent but letting it go so they can keep trading. Henry knees him in the body as they are close up, and the wild fight comes to an end with the two tied up. The first and third rounds could be close on the scorecards, so this one might go either way.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Henry (30-27 Henry)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gravely (29-28 Henry)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gravely (29-28 Henry)
The Official Result
Victor Henry def. Tony Gravely via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo leans toward Tony Gravely because of his wrestling and power, but acknowledges uncertainty about Victor Henry's takedown defense. He notes that if Henry's defense holds up like it did against Hani Barcelos, he could win dominantly, but if he performs as he did against Assunção, Gravely will take him down. He suggests a live bet if Gravely gets an early takedown.
Big Brady slightly leans Victor Henry in a close fight. He notes Henry's takedown defense is very good and his get-up game is incredible, which will be a problem for Gravely who tends to slow down. Brady thinks Henry will keep the fight on the feet for a good chunk, using volume and cardio to outwork Gravely, but he has low confidence and expects a close decision.
Cody picks Henry, emphasizing his experience and wrestling defense. He thinks Henry can survive Gravely's early wrestling and take over in later rounds. He likes Henry by decision at +210.
Connor picks Henry confidently, noting that Henry is a builder who constantly increases pressure and output, while Gravely is a starter who fades. He compares it to the Bosch-Rott fight, where Gravely struggled with a similar style. Henry's length, jab, and ability to find openings should lead to a clear decision or late finish.
I believe Henry's forward pressure, volume, and ability to work back to his feet will overwhelm Gravely. Gravely relies on wrestling, but Henry has good takedown defense and an active guard. Henry's striking output will break Gravely down as the fight goes on. I expect Henry to win by decision, with a possible late finish.
Paul picks Henry, citing his volume and ability to outwork Gravely, who tends to fade after the first round. He likes the over 63.5 significant strikes prop for Henry on Prize Picks.
The MMA Guru picks Victor Henry, believing he won't be held down by Tony Gravely. He thinks Henry will do more damage in between takedown attempts and out-hustle Gravely to a decision win. He notes Gravely lacks the slickness of Assunção and the power to earn respect.
Zane picks Henry, agreeing that his constant pressure and building offense will overwhelm Gravely, who tends to start well but fade. He notes that Gravely's wrestling is not dominant enough to control Henry, and Henry's striking is more sophisticated. He sees it as a similar matchup to Gravely's loss to Bosch-Rott.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raphael Assunção | 0 | 60 of 91 | 65% | 78 of 110 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 4:29 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 55 of 126 | 43% | 61 of 134 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raphael Assunção | 0 | 23 of 32 | 71% | 23 of 32 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 22 of 48 | 45% | 25 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Raphael Assunção | 0 | 17 of 29 | 58% | 35 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:16 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 17 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Raphael Assunção | 0 | 20 of 30 | 66% | 20 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 18 of 51 | 35% | 19 of 52 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raphael Assunção | 60 of 91 | 65% | 40 of 65 | 8 of 12 | 12 of 14 | 42 of 70 | 15 of 16 | 3 of 5 |
| Victor Henry | 55 of 126 | 43% | 23 of 85 | 22 of 26 | 10 of 15 | 51 of 120 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raphael Assunção | 23 of 32 | 71% | 13 of 21 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 7 | 17 of 26 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 22 of 48 | 45% | 10 of 32 | 11 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 20 of 46 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Raphael Assunção | 17 of 29 | 58% | 11 of 20 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 9 of 18 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 5 |
| Victor Henry | 15 of 27 | 55% | 4 of 13 | 5 of 5 | 6 of 9 | 14 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Raphael Assunção | 20 of 30 | 66% | 16 of 24 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 26 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 18 of 51 | 35% | 9 of 40 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 17 of 48 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Henry (-345), Assuncao (+285)
Round 1
At the ripe age of 40, some believe the book on longtime bantamweight contender Assuncao (27-9, 11-6 UFC) is coming towards its conclusion soon. In hopes of snapping a career-long rough patch of four losses in a row, Assuncao will try to show there are still more pages to be written as he takes on the well-traveled Henry (22-5, 1-0 UFC). The 135ers clap hands ahead of their scheduled melee, and referee Kerry Hatley is prepped and ready for what is about to go down. Henry strikes first with a kick to the thigh, and Assuncao responds with the exact same strike. Henry stalks down the UFC vet and lines up a right hand, but he misses the mark. Assuncao is tentative and switching stances, with his own attack largely muted as he seems coiled to wait for a response. Henry rips the body with a kick, and Assuncao catches it, leading to them both trading punches while Henry’s right leg is in the air. Henry pulls his leg out and resets, and he advances while tossing out a front kick. Assuncao sits down on a heavy left hand that graces the chin, and Henry takes note and feints and fakes multiple times. Henry ducks this telegraphed punch and stings his man with a left, and his body kick lands again solidly. Assuncao pushes a front kick up the middle, and he swings a left hook when Henry bears down on him. Henry gets his leg grabbed again, and Assuncao once more cannot set him down, but Assuncao releases it and strings together a solid one-two. Henry blinks it out and continues his constant forward pressure, and they end up clinching him until he can shake off the grip. Assuncao throws with bad intentions, and “La Mangosta” dodges the worst of them and releases a right hand that pops Assuncao in the chops. The Brazilian evades the second such hook, and he snatches Henry and turns him to the wall. Henry shoves him away and gains some space, and he marches on while Assuncao backs himself to the cage on the other side. They trade heavy punches, and a body kick from Henry bounces off the cup. Assuncao shakes his cup and they do not pause, so Henry boots Assuncao upside the head. Assuncao shrugs it off so that he can throw heavy hands, and he fires off alternating punches while Henry is backed up on the fencing. Henry slides out of the way and pushes the action, mixing in body kicks, low kicks and punches. As Henry gets fancy with a crescent kick, Assuncao snipes him with a right hand. Henry wades forward to engage, but the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Round 2
The bantamweights take the center of the cage and begin trading low kicks, and as if they both got the same memo, they switch to front kicks. Henry spins with a back kick, and Assuncao does the same, while neither lands flush. Henry pressures his man while spamming low kicks, softening the Brazilian up and dodging the right hook that wings by him. Assuncao connects with that heavy blow when he tries again, and Henry shakes his head and spins with a wheel kick. Assuncao capitalizes on this and jumps on top to take top position. Henry defends with an armbar setup off his back, but the veteran savvy of Assuncao pays off and allows him to move through it and keep striking. After a handful of powerful fists land on the dome, Henry explodes and gets back to his feet, only to be met with a head kick. Henry shrugs it off and gets out of the close range so he can initiate the offense. Henry swipes out with a left hand, and some swelling has developed on both cheeks of Assuncao. The bantamweights throw hammers at one another in close range, and Henry tries for a kick only for it to get caught. Henry tries to slug it out, but Assuncao lines up several clean right hands to knock Henry from one side of the cage to the other, all while hopping away. Assuncao uses this awkward situation to hit a takedown, and he finds himself in early submission danger. Assuncao punches his way out of it to open a cut on the left side of Henry’s face, but Henry doggedly pursues an armbar. The longtime contender fights off various submission setups including a shoulder lock and a toe hold, and Henry works his way to his feet right before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Assuncao
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Assuncao
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Assuncao
Round 3
A touch of gloves commences the final frame, and Henry walks his opponent down and gets slugged in the face with a right hand. Henry tries to make him may, but he gets clubbed with a left hook. Assuncao is connecting with clean, heavy counters, and Henry is taking a beating but still coming forward. Henry has kicks blocked and checked, but he slings a right hand that wobbles Assuncao. Henry strings several punches together, and Assuncao fires back with reckless abandon and far more power. Assuncao scoops up a leg and dumps Henry to the mat, and like the last two rounds, Henry threatens with a submission when landing. Assuncao turns through the possible triangle, but this allows Henry to stand back up. Henry walks Assuncao down and gets punched in the face for his effort, but not before landing a few shots of his own. Henry lashes out with an elbow, and Assuncao backs off and gives him a thumbs-up for the effective blow. Assuncao catches a body kick and drives Henry from wall to wall, but this time, there is no takedown to be had. Henry springs away and walks into a crisp right hand, and Henry shakes it out and eats a follow-up right hand. Henry slides out of the way from a power punch, but they are not one-and-done for the grizzled veteran. Henry absorbs a pair of knees up the middle as they get too close, and he resets and rushes forward with a right hand and a body kick. Assuncao clinches him up, and Henry attempts to dump him down but settles to release him and line up a solid one-two. Assuncao dives down for a double, where he switches to a single and picks Henry’s right leg up but cannot get the leverage to ground him. Henry tries to sneak in short shots on the inside while Assuncao is still hanging on to the leg, and he manages to keep his balance with his back against the wire. Henry sets it down with 10 seconds to spare, and Assuncao cracks him with a left hand. Henry races after him in hopes of one last ditch effort, but the bell rings to conclude the close match before he can reach his aging but very game opponent.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Assuncao (29-28 Assuncao)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Assuncao (29-28 Assuncao)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Assuncao (29-28 Assuncao)
The Official Result
Raphael Assuncao def. Victor Henry via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Victor Henry, citing his impressive UFC debut over Honey Barcelos where he landed 222 strikes and defended six takedowns. He notes that Assunção is on a four-fight losing streak and older, but warns that the line (3-to-1) is wide and that Honey Barcelos looked bad in that fight. He thinks Victor wins but cautions that the odds may be too high for a confident bet.
Big Brady confidently picks Victor Henry to win by decision. He notes that Assunção is 40, on a four-fight skid, and has very low volume, while Henry throws a ton of strikes (352 in his last fight). He believes Henry's pressure and output will overwhelm Assunção, and that Assunção's only path is wrestling, but Henry's takedown defense looked good against Barcelos. Brady sees a potential late finish but calls it a decision.
Cody picks Victor Henry confidently, citing his impressive performance against Ronnie Barcelos where he landed 180 significant strikes. He notes Henry has volume, wrestling, and has fought tough competition in Japan. He thinks Assunção is old, slow, and has declined, and Henry should win by decision or TKO.
Henry is younger and in his prime, while Assunção is 40 and on a four-fight losing streak, with three finishes. Henry's pressure and volume should overwhelm Assunção, who may have declined durability. Henry is not a big power puncher, so a decision is likely. The host recommends parlaying Henry or taking the decision prop at +120.
Paul is confident in Victor Henry, noting his extensive career in Japan with wins over multiple UFC veterans. He thinks Henry's volume and wrestling will be too much for Assunção, who is 40 years old and has been knocked out in his last two fights. He picks Henry by decision but notes a TKO is possible.
The MMA Guru picks Victor Henry as a no-brainer, citing his impressive short-notice win over Hani Barcelos. He notes that Assunção has shown a chin change after KO losses and may be hesitant. He believes Henry's pressure, size, and reach advantage will break Assunção over three rounds, winning by unanimous decision 30-27.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Henry | 0 | 134 of 277 | 48% | 134 of 277 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 181 of 352 | 51% | 222 of 397 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Henry | 0 | 40 of 79 | 50% | 40 of 79 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 54 of 113 | 47% | 61 of 120 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 | |
| 2 | Victor Henry | 0 | 39 of 92 | 42% | 39 of 92 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 58 of 115 | 50% | 60 of 117 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 3 | Victor Henry | 0 | 55 of 106 | 51% | 55 of 106 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 69 of 124 | 55% | 101 of 160 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Henry | 134 of 277 | 48% | 107 of 244 | 10 of 14 | 17 of 19 | 125 of 267 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 2 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 181 of 352 | 51% | 102 of 252 | 64 of 83 | 15 of 17 | 163 of 325 | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Henry | 40 of 79 | 50% | 32 of 71 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 6 | 38 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 54 of 113 | 47% | 28 of 75 | 22 of 34 | 4 of 4 | 44 of 99 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Victor Henry | 39 of 92 | 42% | 31 of 81 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 37 of 90 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 58 of 115 | 50% | 32 of 85 | 18 of 21 | 8 of 9 | 57 of 111 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Victor Henry | 55 of 106 | 51% | 44 of 92 | 5 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 50 of 101 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 69 of 124 | 55% | 42 of 92 | 24 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 62 of 115 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
For the first time on the card – and in the preliminary headliner, no less – a fighter will come in with a winning UFC record. Brazilian bantamweight Barcelos (16-2, 5-1 UFC) is responsible for that record above .500, and he will be taking on the debuting Henry (21-5, 0-0 UFC) in what has been a theme for the evening thus far. Lacing up his running shoes is referee Jason Herzog, who may be needed for 15 seconds or 15 minutes, as these two gentlemen move fast. They do not bother touching hands, and get things going in a hurry as Henry throws out a front kick. Barcelos comes back with a few punches and an inside leg kick, but he gets clipped with an overhand right from the newcomer. Henry chops at the lead leg of the Brazilian, and he follows it with one to the outside. Barcelos delivers the ball of his foot to Henry’s chest, and they proceed to slip and trade blistering uppercuts without budging. Both men wear it well, and Barcelos gets the better of the exchange as he walks through and staggers Henry with a follow-up combo. Henry comes forward to slow the momentum down of his foe, and he walks forward with a knee to the chest. Barcelos backs off and sits down on a right hand, and it snaps Henry’s head back but does not appear to hurt him. Henry is loading up on responsive strikes, but Barcelos is quicker, slipping strikes and countering effectively. Barcelos lands flush with another right hand, and Henry comes back at him with one of his own that appears to rock the Brazilian. Barcelos comes forward with a possible chin-saving takedown, and Henry pushes him away and the both reset. They come together in a flurry, and Henry takes a hard right hand and stumbles. Barcelos comes after him with a few more strikes, but he does not get overaggressive and proceeds to technically work Henry off from a distance. Henry is still game, as he throws back hard and gets Barcelos’ attention. They both land flush on the other, and Henry goes up high with a kick that grazes off the head. Henry does not allow Barcelos to breathe, constantly sticking strikes in his opponent’s face, but Barcelos is able to use head movement to evade the shots. Henry throws a body kick, and Barcelos catches it and throws Henry to the mat. Barcelos lets him back up and suddenly finds Henry coming at him like a bat out of hell. “La Mangosta” throws everything he has at Barcelos, stinging him and doing enough damage to hurt Barcelos and back him up. Henry does not let him off the hook, laying into him with powerful uppercuts until the bell sounds to end the thrilling round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Round 2
The second round starts about as furious as the first ended, only Barcelos appears recovered and wiling to throw back even with his nose busted up. They throw down, and Barcelos sits down on an uppercut that tags Henry about as cleanly as it could, but the Josh Barnett disciple is not fazed. Henry continues to pressure Barcelos, and he slips a few punches as Barcelos’ movement and evasiveness is not what it was in the last round. Henry gains a little space to score a front kick up the middle, and chains it into several punches. Henry turns the power down and his volume up, landing flush but not swinging with everything he has. Barcelos winds up with power, and Henry partially deflects it but it still had a major impact. Barcelos lands an inside leg kick or two, and Henry appears to be struggling with it as he anticipatorily picks it up when Barcelos is going to kick. Henry bites down on his gumshield and starts throwing with bad intentions, and Barcelos backs away to gather his bearings as a few of them hurt. Barcelos’ nose is a mess as he continues to get peppered with punches, and Henry sneaks strikes around and through the guard. Barcelos uncorks several bombs that detonate on the chin of his opponent, and Henry takes them all cleanly and fires right back. Barcelos wings a left hand and a right, and several more as Henry tries to counter. Henry clips him with a short elbow, and Barcelos rushes in and secures a quick takedown. Henry pops right back up and the two begin to trade recklessly again, with little concern for defense as they keep connecting on one another. Henry sticks him with a punch, ducks back and narrowly evades a spinning wheel kick, and he comes back in to land as Barcelos sets his foot down. The close round ends with a tense exchange.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Henry
Round 3
The bantamweights meet in the middle and are not afraid to engage, with them reintroducing themselves to one another with front kicks up the middle. Barcelos leans forward with punches, and Henry ducks back and lands a popping kick to the body. Barcelos clubs him back with a few punches, and Henry will not back down and give ground. Barcelos scores a leg kick that makes Henry turn around, and Barcelos cracks him with an overhand right that stuns him momentarily. Henry comes right back, ready to brawl it out in very close proximity. They both land flush, and Barcelos gets off a front kick and fakes for a takedown. He succeeds to get Henry off-balance to crack him with a right hand, and Henry laughs it off and proceeds to brawl it out. The pace is astounding, as are the strike totals at this point, and they are evenly matched and giving it all they have. Henry catches Barcelos with a left, a right and an uppercut, and Barcelos is hurt and staggering back. Barcelos chomps down on his mouthpiece and wings a right hand that nails Henry on the side of the head, only for Henry to completely disregard it and continue his assault. Henry bullies Barcelos back to the wall, and he starts working Barcelos’ thighs with powerful knees. Henry is able to make Barcelos lean face-first into the wall so he can grip his hands around him from behind, and he lands a few more strikes until Barcelos spins out. When the Brazilian turns, Henry greets him with a knee right down Broadway. Barcelos eats it like a bowl of Acai so that he can try to return fire, and Henry ducks down face-first into a head kick. Henry appears in danger, and Barcelos senses this and winds up with a barrage of power shots that knock Henry around but do not rock him. Henry is able to keep his wits about him to avoid dangerous blows and ducks away, and Barcelos follows him with a frenzied attack. Henry surprises him with preemptive counters, and they back off to gather themselves with seconds to go, and they throw a few more punches at one another right to the final bell. What a battle, and what an impressive debut from Henry on short notice against an established name like Barcelos.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Henry (29-28 Henry)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Henry (30-27 Henry)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Henry (30-27 Henry)
The Official Result
Victor Henry def. Raoni Barcelos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Raoni Barcelos, praising his well-rounded skills including power, speed, striking, wrestling, and BJJ. He expects Barcelos to have a tough time on the feet but then move to grappling where he has a solid advantage. He likes the under on rounds as a prop bet, predicting a finish.
Big Brady picks Raoni Barcelos to win by decision, citing Barcelos being on another level compared to Henry. He notes Henry's takedown defense and get-up game are not great, and Barcelos has a black belt in BJJ to control Henry on the ground. He expects Barcelos to win the first two rounds comfortably and notes Henry has never been finished in 26 fights, so decision is likely. The only concern is Barcelos' gas tank, but he still sees Barcelos winning easily.
Cody picks Raoni Barcelos, stating that Barcelos is better than Victor Henry in every facet: boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and cardio. He notes that Barcelos has a wrestling background and is a BJJ black belt. However, Cody warns that Barcelos sometimes fights bad game plans, as seen in his last fight. He considers Barcelos a second-ticket play rather than a top-ticket due to the high price.
Daniel Levi confidently picks Raoni Barcelos to win. He praises Barcelos' boxing and jiu-jitsu, calling him a black belt under a red belt. Levi believes Barcelos is undefeated in the UFC (disputing the loss to Timur Valiev) and that Victor Henry, while tough and never finished, is outmatched. He expects Barcelos to dominate everywhere and predicts a first-round submission or knockout. Levi criticizes Barcelos' management for taking risky fights with little reward.
The host believes Barcelos is the better fighter in all areas: striking, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu. He thinks Henry's only path to victory is if Barcelos has a poor performance like he did against Timur Valiev. He expects Barcelos to win by decision but also likes the submission prop at +455. He plans to use Barcelos in parlays.
Paul picks Raoni Barcelos, agreeing with Cody that Barcelos is the superior fighter. He notes that the line has moved from -375 to -500, indicating public support. Paul believes Barcelos should win but acknowledges the high price makes it less attractive for a large bet.
The MMA Guru picks Raoni Barcelos, calling him a missed gem of the UFC. He notes Barcelos' delayed career due to cancellations but trusts his skills, including leg kicks and takedown defense. He predicts a dominant 30-26 decision, as Victor Henry is tough but not at Barcelos' level.
Raoni Barcelos - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montel Jackson | 1 | 35 of 66 | 53% | 72 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 21 of 38 | 55% | 33 of 51 | 6 of 18 | 33% | 2 | 0 | 7:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montel Jackson | 1 | 14 of 24 | 58% | 46 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 7 of 8 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:49 | |
| 2 | Montel Jackson | 0 | 13 of 19 | 68% | 15 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 15 of 25 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 | 0 | 2:14 | |
| 3 | Montel Jackson | 0 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 11 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 10 of 17 | 58% | 11 of 18 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 2:42 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montel Jackson | 35 of 66 | 53% | 26 of 57 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 53 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 8 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 21 of 38 | 55% | 7 of 18 | 8 of 11 | 6 of 9 | 13 of 30 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montel Jackson | 14 of 24 | 58% | 10 of 20 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 13 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 8 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Montel Jackson | 13 of 19 | 68% | 9 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 8 of 17 | 47% | 2 of 7 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Montel Jackson | 8 of 23 | 34% | 7 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 10 of 17 | 58% | 5 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jackson (-175); Barcelos (+140)
Round 1
The fighters in this next main card offering weigh roughly half of what the two heavyweights in the last bout amassed, and speed kills at 135 pounds. “Quik” Jackson (15-3, 9-3 UFC) saw his mighty six-fight win streak come to a halt last year when Deiveson Figueiredo narrowly outpointed him, so he is in search of getting back in the green. Ageless wonder Barcelos (21-5, 10-4 UFC), who turns 39 next Friday, has won four in a row and could be poised to make a run. Referee Jason Herzog will make sure everything is copacetic.
The longer Jackson takes a few seconds to measure his opponent, and with his long reach, he clips Jackson with a head kick that shakes the elder statesman to his core. Barcelos hits the ground, and Jackson proceeds to hammer him with concussive blows. Barcelos takes them mostly on the chin, surviving and moving enough to stave off Herzog, all while huge strikes collide with his head time and again. Barcelos gets through the initial assault and turns to his knees in pursuit of a takedown, pushing the longer fighter against the wall. When there is no takedown to come from it, he spins out and ducks knowing that Jackson will—and does—swing at him. Jackson’s jab is money, and his follow-up left is destroying Barcelos’ face. Barcelos right eye is swelling and badly damaged halfway through the round.
Ignoring the pain, Barcelos closes in and trips Jackson to the floor. Barcelos climbs on top, and when Jackson tries to set something up off his back, Barcelos powerslams him. Jackson scrambles upon the impact, and Barcelos grabs his shorts in hopes of hanging on. Herzog admonishes him for the foul, and Jackson squirms his way out. Barcelos looks to jab his way in, but the range is a seemingly insurmountable task for the older man when he tries to box. Barcelos has to sell out and rush forward to swing, but when he gets close enough, he grabs hold of “Quik” and hurls him to the mat like a junior high wrestling coach against a new recruit. Jackson turns to his side, and Barcelos starts fishing for rear-naked choke. On the third attempt, it is under the chin, but Jackson is not about to give up. Time is up before the submission is complete.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Round 2
Herzog informs Barcelos between rounds to not grab the shorts or commit any position-changing fouls lest he deduct a point. They engage again, with Barcelos slowly, methodically working his way in. He looks to counter even with Jackson the far longer man, and he does not sell out or get reckless to advance. When he finds his openings, he draws ever closer, until he is near enough to crash the pocket and go for a level change. Jackson keeps his balance with his back to the cage, and he works his way out and resets.
Barcelos stays pressing the pace, walking through the fire that Jackson swings at him with every single effective blow. Barcelos takes the strikes on the chin and looks to engage his grappling. He does not force the action or put himself off-balance, instead measuring his blows efficiently to set up and further open up offense. Barcelos beats on his opponent until Jackson turns around to give up his back, and with seconds to spare, Barcelos once again goes for the rear-naked choke. The Brazilian wraps his left arm under the chin, and Jackson keeps his hand ready to tap but hears his corner saying he can make it to the bell and does just that.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Round 3
The grizzled veteran—14 UFC fights to Jackson’s 12—Barcelos goes right after Jackson in the final frame, looking to take the offense out of his opponent and prevent him from landing hard on him. As he controls Jackson against the cage for a prolonged time, he cannot secure a level change. Jackson works his way out, and Barcelos chases him and gives him a right hand on the jaw to think about. Jackson appears surprise, and he fires big punches at Barcelos that Barcelos ducks. Barcelos gets his hands on Jackson, and he sweeps the leg and puts Jackson down.
Jackson works back to his feet and lifts Barcelos off the ground with a knee in the clinch. Barcelos throws one back, and they trade hands up close until Jackson gets the space he was seeking. Jackson doubles up on a jab to the temple, whipping a rear-leg high kick at him that Barcelos blocks in time. Barcelos walks through the offense to wrap his hands around Jackson, where he takes him for a ride with a trip and throw. Jackson bounces back up, and Barcelos looks for a mat return with a single. Barcelos boots Jackson right in the face, bloodying his nose with it, and he lets Jackson charge him to turn that against him. Like the previous two rounds, Barcelos takes the back position and is fishing for a choke. Also like those rounds, there is no truly deep submission, so time expires and it’s all up to the judges. It could go either way.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Barcelos)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Barcelos)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Barcelos)
The Official Result
Raoni Barcelos def. Montel Jackson via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo leans on Montel Jackson, noting his power and wrestling background. He points out that Jackson's three UFC losses came when he couldn't defend takedowns, but believes Raoni Barcelos's age may prevent him from getting takedowns. He worries that Jackson might be gunshy due to wrestling concerns, which could allow Barcelos to win with empty takedowns. He says Montel should win but the fight could get weird.
Big Brady picks Montel Jackson but with hesitation. He acknowledges Jackson's talent and power but notes his inconsistency and lack of effort in some fights. He believes if Jackson shows up, he can knock out Barcelos, who is older and has a questionable chin. However, he warns that Jackson could lose if he doesn't try.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Barcelos. He highlights that Jackson has a mental block and doesn't do enough, relying on his size to intimidate opponents. Barcelos, however, is not intimidated and will wrestle him. Connor notes that Jackson's losses all come from opponents who out-wrestled him, and Barcelos fits that mold. He thinks Barcelos's pressure and takedowns will lead to a win.
The host notes Jackson has many physical advantages but is mentally inconsistent, often passive and inactive. Barcelos is mentally strong, high output, and aggressive. He believes Barcelos has a good chance if Jackson is not at his best. He prefers Barcelos +3.5 because Jackson lacks killer instinct and often goes to decision, and Barcelos should win at least one round.
James picks Barcelos as an underdog, believing his veteran skills and pocket boxing will overcome Jackson's power. He thinks Barcelos can follow the blueprint from Figueiredo's win over Jackson, using takedowns and pressure to win a decision or late submission.
Barcelos is on a four-fight winning streak with improved durability and a well-rounded game. He can use lateral movement, kicks, and wrestling to neutralize Jackson's power. Jackson is gun-shy and struggles against wrestlers. Barcelos has more paths to victory and should win a decision, though he risks getting knocked out if he gets caught clean.
Zane picks Barcelos, noting that Jackson's losses come against wrestlers who take him down, and Barcelos is a good wrestler. He also observes that Barcelos's losses are to high-volume strikers, which Jackson is not. He thinks Jackson's tendency to coast and not do enough will be exploited by Barcelos's pressure and grappling. He acknowledges Barcelos is 38 but believes his style matches up well.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky SimĂłn | 0 | 67 of 181 | 37% | 77 of 191 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:25 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 82 of 187 | 43% | 86 of 194 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky SimĂłn | 0 | 24 of 52 | 46% | 34 of 62 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:45 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 19 of 39 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 2 | Ricky SimĂłn | 0 | 16 of 47 | 34% | 16 of 47 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 32 of 71 | 45% | 33 of 72 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ricky SimĂłn | 0 | 27 of 82 | 32% | 27 of 82 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 34 of 83 | 40% | 34 of 83 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky SimĂłn | 67 of 181 | 37% | 57 of 165 | 9 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 58 of 170 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 7 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 82 of 187 | 43% | 53 of 150 | 19 of 24 | 10 of 13 | 80 of 184 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky SimĂłn | 24 of 52 | 46% | 20 of 46 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 7 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 16 of 33 | 48% | 9 of 26 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ricky SimĂłn | 16 of 47 | 34% | 13 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 32 of 71 | 45% | 21 of 57 | 8 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 32 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ricky SimĂłn | 27 of 82 | 32% | 24 of 75 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 27 of 82 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 34 of 83 | 40% | 23 of 67 | 8 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 33 of 82 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Simon (-160); Barcelos (+130)
Round 1
Sticking to the bantamweight division but flipping over to men, a pair of relative elder statesmen in the promotion come to blows with hopes of pushing their unlikely win streaks one step forward. Some six and a half years after getting wasted by Urijah Faber and totally written off, Simon (22-6, 10-5 UFC) has gone on a pair of respectable runs since then. The same can be said for 38-year-old Barcelos (20-5, 9-4 UFC), who once had a rough patch where he dropped four of five. Someone’s fortuitous stretch is about to crash into the proverbial wall, and referee Keith Peterson will follow the athletes every step of the nonsense-free way. Fists are bumped before they are traded.
Simon sprints to the center of the cage and looses a head kick that goes wide. He pushes out a front kick, and Barcelos whizzes past him with a fireball of a right hand. Barcelos jabs the body and allows Simon to leap at him, staying out of range so there is no strike to come from it. Simon sticks the Brazilian and moves, and Barcelos strides forward and is belted with an uppercut. Barcelos takes it well, and the two consider grappling but bail on it to brawl it out. Both men are putting everything into their swings, and Barcelos clips Simon and then shoots in for a double. Simon scrambles wildly and flips Barcelos over, where he starts smacking Barcelos around with high-arcing hammerfists.
Simon lashes out with elbows while Barcelos keeps him contained with butterfly hooks, and both men trade while in a horizontal position until Barcelos kicks off to stand up. Simon reaches him at the end of a right hand, and Barcelos wings on the overhand right counter. Simon dings the Brazilian with a one-two, and his jab is money. Barcelos smashes Simon in the face with a ruthless right hand, and somehow Simon not only sticks with it but returns fire with an uppercut that nearly lifts his man off the ground. Both men are no worse for wear from the mighty exchange, and Simon tries to sneak in a head kick that is blocked in time. Barcelos opens up upstairs with a pair of punches, and Simon backs him off with jabs. Barcelos tries to take the fight down, and he abandons it to slash out with an elbow up top. A final Simon takedown is blocked to end what was a close, tense round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Round 2
Barcelos starts off the round with a double jab and a right hand up top. Simon swings back with a huge overhand right, and Barcelos ducks it and plants a right on the jaw. Barcelos times a thumping calf kick and overswings on a right hand while chasing the man, and Simon knees him in the jaw. Barcelos digs a left to the body, and Simon’s quick kick and right hand greet him in rapid succession. Barcelos scrapes the side of his uppercut off the head, and he drops down for a low single and hurls Simon to a knee. Simon scrambles out of reach and gets back to his feet, only for Barcelos to ring his bell with a crisp uppercut and a power right hand. Barcelos crashes into his foe with a leaping uppercut, and Simon tries to time a double when he lands. Simon pushes Barcelos up against the wire, but the sprawl of Barcelos prevents the Washington native from going anywhere. Barcelos escapes with little more than a knee to the belly, and he allows Simon to circle all the way around him so he can find his angle in. Simon lands first with a right, but Barcelos connects last and the heavier of the two.
Barcelos goes to the body and then head, and he scoops Simon up and deposits him gingerly on the canvas. Simon jumps right back up, and Barcelos does not mind as he can trade hands with his foe. Simon scores an uppercut, and Barcelos reaches him with three punches over the guard. A naked leg kick from Simon is met with a two-punch salvo, and Barcelos rips a right to the body to punctuate the combo. Simon counters a low kick with a right hand, and Barcelos stands firm and jacks him in the jaw with a right hand and an uppercut. Simon dances and keeps Barcelos guessing with awkward movement, entries and exits that rely on speed and potshots with evasive movement. They both shoot at the same time and clash heads like bulls, and proceed to trade punches and kicks to end what is another tight round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Round 3
The final round opens with the Brazilian pushing the pace. He watches Simon attack and sways to dodge everything but an uppercut, and he storms back to nail Simon with a one-two that forces a takedown shot. Barcelos sits down on a right hand, Simon replies, and Barcelos comes over the top. Barcelos leaps in and lands a right after Simon’s strike connects on him, and Simon’s jab has bloodied the bridge of the Brazilian’s beak. Barcelos rubs his nose and busts Simon in the chops with a stiff right hand. Simon’s one-two also scores, but Barcelos still has the power edge and is putting more strikes together.
Both men go back and forth with their offensive offerings, with Simon just missing an uppercut when Barcelos ducked down. Barcelos jams a knee to the body, and he plants his shin on the side of Simon’s lead leg. Barcelos drops down for a snatch single, and he releases it and busts open Simon’s nose with power punches. Barcelos follows a punch with a high kick, and then goes back to a one-two. Simon’s stabbing jab is effective, as is his overhand right and uppercut to follow, but Barcelos stuns him when landing flush. Barcelos’ rights have Simon’s attention, and Simon tries to walk him down to attack the liver but finds himself in a slugfest. Barcelos goes after a double and bails on it to come back with an elbow, and knees fly from both men effectively after. Simon steps in with a sharp elbow, and both fighters unload their gas tanks and swing for the bleachers. Simon takes a kick in the face and screams for Barcelos to keep engaging, and they bang it out to the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-27 Barcelos)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Barcelos)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-27 Barcelos)
The Official Result
Raoni Barcelos def. Ricky Simon via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Ricky Simon because of his non-stop wrestling pace and power in his hands. He believes even if Raoni Barcelos has early takedown defense, Simon's relentless pressure will eventually get takedowns. He notes that Barcelos is aging and that wrestlers are not spectacular off their backs.
Big Brady struggles with this pick, noting SimĂłn has looked awful in recent fights and may be slowing down due to accumulated damage. He thinks Barcelos has better striking and both have questionable chins. He leans with the 38-year-old Barcelos to win by decision, but admits it's a sketchy pick.
Cody picks Barcelos, citing his takedown defense, BJJ black belt, and superior boxing volume. He thinks SimĂłn's wrestling will be neutralized and Barcelos will outwork him over three rounds.
Lucrative James is confident in Ricky SimĂłn, going against the market. He believes SimĂłn's wrestling and cardio advantage will be key, as Barcelos ages and has shown a deteriorating chin and gas tank. He expects SimĂłn to mix takedowns and land big overhands, possibly finishing Barcelos. He also notes Barcelos has been hurt in recent fights.
The host acknowledges Barcelos is the better striker on paper, but believes SimĂłn's wrestling, athleticism, speed, and power will be decisive. He expects SimĂłn to find a big shot and knock Barcelos out.
Paul sees it as a 50/50 fight but likes Barcelos at plus money. He thinks if SimĂłn can't get takedowns, Barcelos's striking and experience will carry him.
The Guru picks Ricky SimĂłn to win by first-round TKO. He believes SimĂłn's well-rounded game and explosiveness will overwhelm the aging Barcelos, who relies on exploiting specific weaknesses. He notes SimĂłn has no glaring holes in his grappling or pressure defense, unlike Barcelos's previous opponents.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Garbrandt | 0 | 28 of 94 | 29% | 45 of 111 | 0 of 7 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:46 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 37 of 85 | 43% | 43 of 93 | 1 of 11 | 9% | 0 | 0 | 2:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Garbrandt | 0 | 10 of 44 | 22% | 10 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 6 of 19 | 31% | 8 of 21 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 2 | Cody Garbrandt | 0 | 6 of 27 | 22% | 14 of 35 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 15 of 35 | 42% | 17 of 38 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 | |
| 3 | Cody Garbrandt | 0 | 12 of 23 | 52% | 21 of 32 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:33 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 16 of 31 | 51% | 18 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Garbrandt | 28 of 94 | 29% | 23 of 85 | 3 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 22 of 86 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 1 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 37 of 85 | 43% | 31 of 75 | 0 of 3 | 6 of 7 | 33 of 76 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Garbrandt | 10 of 44 | 22% | 10 of 42 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 6 of 19 | 31% | 5 of 15 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Cody Garbrandt | 6 of 27 | 22% | 4 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 15 of 35 | 42% | 14 of 33 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 28 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Cody Garbrandt | 12 of 23 | 52% | 9 of 19 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 16 of 31 | 51% | 12 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barcelos (-180), Garbrandt (+150)
Round 1
Of the three Codys competing tonight, Garbrandt (14-6, 9-6 UFC) is the last one to try to get on the board for his namesake. The former champ, who celebrates about 80% of his wins by knockout, takes on a man five years his elder but no less dangerous than ever in Barcelos (19-5, 8-4 UFC). Most notably, the Brazilian derailed the hype train of Payton Talbott in January, firmly ruling out that he was washed up and ready to get tucked into bed. Referee Mike Beltran draws the assignment to watch over the bantamweights, watching them bump fists together to start the match. Garbrandt starts fast, rushing forward with four punches and a head kick. Barcelos bounces off the fence, and Garbrandt surges towards him with a trio of flying fists. Another combo comes from the former champ, and Barcelos ducks it and tries to take him down. Garbrandt hops away and resets, already wary of the possible takedown in play. Garbrandt measures with a single body kick, and he rails Barcelos with three speedy punches. Barcelos drops to a knee, and Garbrandt points at him. As Barcelos stands, he goes after a takedown. Garbrandt ducks away from it, dodges an overhand right and falls to 50/50 when Barcelos looks for a takedown. When the takedown does not materialize, Barcelos leaps at him and splits open Garbrandt’s eyebrow with his knee. Garbrandt backs away, avoiding a flying switch kick as chants for “Let’s go, Cody” echo in the building. Barcelos lands first after they stop calling for the former champ, working the body with a left. Barcelos has a head kick slap off the raised guard, and he rolls with a right hand over the top. Garbrandt swings and misses with a pair of punches, and his second effort to the body gets in. “No Love” shows Barcelos no love by tossing him out of the way, although the Brazilian recovers and fires off an uppercut that gets through. Garbrandt knees up the middle and tags Barcelos with two fast punches, and Barcelos gets his attention with a strong overhand right. Garbrandt thinks about showboating or dancing but evaluates that the strike did some damage and plays it cool. Barcelos attacks a single, and Garbrandt pops out of it and partially checks a calf kick flying at him. Garbrandt has three or four punches land, and he does a little dance. Barcelos takes him down, and Garbrandt gets away with an illegal upkick while scrambling. Barcelos climbs into top position, lands a few hammerfists, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garbrandt
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Garbrandt
Round 2
The fighters high-five before getting after it, and Barcelos is quick to engage his wrestling. Garbrandt’s overhand right goes wide, and he plants his feet to defend the takedown effort. Another try also comes up short, and Garbrandt pushes off and loads up on quick punches. Barcelos chases Garbrandt around the outer edge of the cage, chambering and firing a right hand but missing with the follow-up. Barcelos chops down the front leg, and he ducks down and eats a right hand while looking for a single. When the takedown is not successful, Barcelos clips him with two right hands. Garbrandt defends a double, but a knee up the middle from the Brazilian tags him cleanly. Garbrandt puts out two punches that further develop some swelling on Barcelos’ right cheek, but Barcelos ignores it and shoots for a single. Garbrandt stuffs it, turns his man to the side and elbows him cleanly for it. Barcelos keeps the pressure up, walking through a low kick and a body shot to catch “No Love” with his overhand right. Barcelos times a crisp uppercut and drops down for a single, lifting Garbrandt’s leg way up in the air. Garbrandt still stays upright, takes a right hand and puts his leg down. Barcelos connects with another big right, and he reaches out with one to the midsection. Barcelos jabs his way forward, scooting back to avoid all but a left hand in a combination. Garbrandt rolls with a right hand on the way out, but the jab from the Brazilian is finding its home repeatedly. Barcelos loads up on a right hand and ducks down, before unleashing another right hand that nearly puts the champ down. The round ends with Garbrandt shooting for a desperation takedown.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Round 3
There is a final glove touch, and Barcelos gets right back to pressuring. Garbrandt keeps him at bay for less than a second with a body kick, as Barcelos walks him down behind his overhand right. Garbrandt shoots for a single, and Barcelos laughs it off. A second takedown from Garbrandt is nowhere near being successful, and Barcelos pays him back with a calf kick that turns Garbrandt’s knee. Garbrandt gives him back two low kicks to think about, and he absorbs a flush right hand when circling away. Barcelos kicks at his front leg again, setting up his jab and right hand. Garbrandt rushes forward but is out of range for his combo, and he gets sat down with a leg kick. The former champ shoots for a takedown and finds his way into a guillotine choke setup, but he breaks out of is as he leans against Barcelos. The Brazilian breaks free, and Garbrandt connects at the end of a right and a left. Barcelos clubs him with a one-two that forces the striker to shoot in on his hips, and he holds Garbrandt down and circles around to the side in hopes of taking the back. Barcelos manages to take the back after softening Garbrandt up, and he sneaks a hook in. “No Love” lands some no-look punches, but Barcelos is singularly focused on shutting down any hopes of escape. Garbrandt pushes his feet on the wall to turn himself around, where he drops down two punches before Barcelos explodes. The two fighters burst back to their feet and start slugging it out, with Garbrandt landing flush and Barcelos doing the same. Garbrandt waves him on, and Barcelos instead backs off. Garbrandt scores a right hand and is chucked out of the way like a child’s plaything when attempting a single. Garbrandt points to the ground to initiate a brawl, but Barcelos goes the opposite direction and evades him until the fight wraps. Barring something unexpected, all three Codys struck out tonight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Barcelos)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-27 Barcelos)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Barcelos)
The Official Result
Raoni Barcelos def. Cody Garbrandt via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo leans Cody because he is faster and has power, while Raoni lacks power in his hands. He warns that Cody must avoid getting taken down. He is not confident enough to bet on Cody given his recent struggles.
Big Brady picks Cody Garbrandt by second-round knockout. He believes Garbrandt's takedown defense is elite (80%) and that he can keep the fight standing. He notes Barcelos is 38 with a questionable chin, and Garbrandt has the power to knock him out. He acknowledges multiple outcomes but leans toward a knockout.
Connor picks Barcelos, emphasizing that Garbrandt's wrestling has declined and that Barcelos's chain wrestling and takedown variety will be a major threat. He notes that Garbrandt's tunnel vision when he feels confident often leads to him getting taken down, as seen against Figueiredo. Connor also points out that Barcelos is 38 and chinny, so Garbrandt could still knock him out, but Barcelos's wrestling should be the deciding factor.
Despite public love for Barcelos after his upset win, Garbrandt has good takedown defense and superior striking. He will chip away at Barcelos and win a decision.
The Guru picks Raoni Barcelos, stating he is 'done with Cody Garbrandt.' He criticizes Garbrandt's fundamental flaws in striking and grappling, such as giving up his back and poor low kicks. He notes Barcelos has faced tough competition and fraud-checked Payton Talbott. He expects Barcelos to win by decision or TKO in the second round.
Zane picks Barcelos, citing his deep wrestling game and ability to chain takedowns, which should be effective against Garbrandt's shaky takedown defense. He notes that Garbrandt has been taken down easily by lesser wrestlers and that Barcelos's wrestling has improved with age. However, Zane acknowledges that Barcelos's striking has become a liability and that Garbrandt still has one-punch power, making this a dangerous fight for both.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 49 of 84 | 58% | 59 of 95 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Payton Talbott | 0 | 62 of 85 | 72% | 91 of 115 | 8 of 15 | 53% | 2 | 0 | 9:43 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Payton Talbott | 0 | 8 of 11 | 72% | 19 of 23 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 0 | 4:51 | |
| 2 | Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 25 of 44 | 56% | 26 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Payton Talbott | 0 | 17 of 22 | 77% | 23 of 28 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 2:35 | |
| 3 | Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 22 of 38 | 57% | 31 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Payton Talbott | 0 | 37 of 52 | 71% | 49 of 64 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 2:17 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raoni Barcelos | 49 of 84 | 58% | 39 of 74 | 7 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 37 of 67 | 7 of 10 | 5 of 7 |
| Payton Talbott | 62 of 85 | 72% | 59 of 81 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 30 | 5 of 5 | 39 of 50 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raoni Barcelos | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Payton Talbott | 8 of 11 | 72% | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 11 | |
| 2 | Raoni Barcelos | 25 of 44 | 56% | 21 of 40 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Payton Talbott | 17 of 22 | 77% | 14 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | |
| 3 | Raoni Barcelos | 22 of 38 | 57% | 18 of 34 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 22 | 6 of 9 | 5 of 7 |
| Payton Talbott | 37 of 52 | 71% | 37 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 27 of 35 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Talbott (-1200), Barcelos (+750)
Round 1
A red-hot commodity in flashy, undefeated Talbott (9-0, 3-0 UFC) will serve as the preliminary headliner, hoping to wrest the torch from aging Brazilian Barcelos (18-5, 7-4 UFC) in a pivotal bantamweight affair. Talbott has only heard the final bell one time, while his opponent can say he has been involved with more decisions than Talbott has pro fights. Referee Herb Dean will serve as the arbiter of this bout, and the fighters acknowledge him and one another but do not tap their gloves together. Barcelos starts the fight by leaping at Talbott’s left leg, pursuing a single without letting the youngster get started. Talbott backs himself to the wall and sets up a guillotine choke, but the veteran trips him up and puts him on his seat without fear of the submission. Talbott is loudly warned by grabbing inside of Barcelos’ gloves, and he wall-walks to get back up and lean against the fence. Barcelos laces his legs between his opponent’s in hopes of snaking him down, and he jumps on Talbott’s back to further threaten him. Talbott shakes him off, and Barcelos tries again to be a malicious backpack but settles for pulling the unbeaten fighter face-first to the floor. Barcelos wraps his leg around the waist for a single hook, and Talbott is once more warned for foot grabs. Barcelos times a Talbott scramble perfectly to wrap his forearm around the neck, only to let it go so he can start slugging Talbott on the side of the head. Talbott turns to his side while under fire, and he fights off a choke and finds himself in a second. Barcelos does not have the choke under the chin and is more neck/face cranking him to make his life miserable, and he once more releases it to shift into full mount. The Brazilian drops down a powerful elbow and he moves to half guard to he can set up an arm-triangle choke, squeezing down hard but not going for broke to get it done. Talbott remains calm and composed despite getting dominated, and Barcelos leaps over him and holds him down from the other side while in half guard. Barcelos gets directly to full mount like a hot knife cutting through butter, and he lets Talbott give up his back so he can go for one final choke before time runs out in the round. The one-sided round ends before Barcelos can get it.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Barcelos
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Barcelos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Barcelos
Round 2
The fighters race towards one another to start the second round, and Talbott is the aggressor as he pushes jabs out to keep Barcelos honest. Barcelos scores a few low kicks, but one is met with a right hand over the top. Barcelos shoots, and Talbott shuts him down. As Talbott slides forward to strike, Barcelos deftly trips him up and places him flat on his back. Barcelos lands immediately in half guard, and he is active on top. Talbott scrambles to get to his knees, and he takes a knee on the chin while freeing himself. Talbott walks Barcelos down with long, straight punches, and Barcelos returns fire with a right hand that leads into a clean takedown. The Brazilian hits the mat on top in side control, and he leaps into full mount uncontested. Barcelos gets a little high, and before Talbott can buck him off or sneak out the back, he moves himself down a bit. This does not matter, as Talbott still escapes to get up, but not before taking a knee on the liver. Talbott is surprised by the strike, opening Barcelos up to nail him with a spinning back fist. The prospect walks forward ready to trade, and he connects with a few punches only to get nailed with a right hand on the way back. Talbott smiles and waves him on, as he is much more comfortable in a wild striking exchange than a grappling affair. Talbott shucks off a takedown and connects with a powerful uppercut, and he fights off another takedown try. On the third, Barcelos manages to wrangle Talbott to the floor, and he gets to half guard and hops to the side to drop down a powerful elbow. As Barcelos is about to set up a crucifix, the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Round 3
The bantamweights get right to it to start off the last round, with Talbott pressuring fully and clipping Barcelos with an uppercut. A few more punches are strung together, and Barcelos goes after a telegraphed takedown. Talbott sees it coming and hits a beautiful throw that reverses the Brazilian and puts him on the mat. As “USA” chants echo through the Intuit Dome, Barcelos worms his way to the fencing but absorbs some ground-and-pound to get there. Talbott scores a few punches, and Barcelos tosses his leg up to hook an omoplata shoulder lock. As he does this, he hooks his hand in the fence, and Dean sees it and pauses the fight. Dean offers to take away the position from the foul, and when Talbott says no, they resume in the position they left off. Barcelos explodes back to his feet and blasts the youngster with a flurry of punches, including a flying knee that does some damage. Talbott responds with a flying knee that rocks the Brazilian, and as they both hit the ground from wild strikes, they climb back up and trade again. Barcelos backs off to take some breathes, and Talbott drops his hands and marches forward like a Terminator. Barcelos fakes a level change, and Talbott answers with a spinning wheel kick that slaps him in the face. Barcelos grins and attacks another takedown, landing it and taking some of the wind out of the American’s sails. Talbott turns to his knees, and Barcelos follows him every step of the way and wraps his legs around his waist. Barcelos slides into full mount when Talbott turns to his back, and he sets up an arm-triangle choke. Barcelos releases the choke and sits up to wrench on the arm with an unorthodox straight armbar, and he switches gears for a rear-naked choke that is not under the chin. Talbott signals a thumbs-up, and Barcelos lets it go to pound on Talbott with punctuating ground-and-pound. Barcelos unleashes a fury of punches and elbows, laying down one final bombardment that only ends with 15 minutes elapsing—a few more seconds and he might have gotten the stoppage. The elder statesman put on a show here, shutting down the likely formerly unbeaten prospect and spring what may be “Upset of the Year” with Talbott closing with a betting line around -1200. What a performance, as Barcelos appears to have found the fountain of youth at the tender age of 37.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-26 Barcelos)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-26 Barcelos)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-26 Barcelos)
The Official Result
Raoni Barcelos def. Payton Talbott via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Angelo is extremely confident in Payton Talbott, citing his youth, speed, and striking ability. He believes the age and speed gap will be decisive and expects Talbott to potentially knock out Barcelos. He warns against betting Talbott at -1200, calling it too risky.
Cody picks Payton Talbott confidently, viewing him as a rising star. He notes Talbott's exceptional striking, athleticism, and rapidly improving takedown defense. Cody points out that Barcelos is 37 and has slowed down, with recent losses showing regression in wrestling, striking defense, and reflexes. He believes Talbott's speed and power will be too much, and that Barcelos's best days are behind him. Cody expects Talbott to win dominantly, possibly by knockout.
Daniel picks Talbott by knockout, citing his volume, power, and swag. He notes that Barcelos is almost 40 and has taken too much damage in recent fights. Daniel mentions that Barcelos is a savvy vet but Talbott is quicker, younger, and more durable. He says he cannot lay -1200 but expects Talbott to win by knockout.
The host is a huge Barcelos fan but acknowledges Talbott is a much slicker striker who uses speed and power to land big shots. He expects Talbott to put Barcelos away in under one and a half rounds.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Talbott. He notes that Talbott looks like he's in the Matrix and is a new-generation fighter. Paul believes Barcelos is too slow and past his prime, and that Talbott's speed and striking will be decisive. He also mentions that Barcelos has been taken down and outworked by younger fighters recently. Paul is not stepping in front of the Talbott train.
The MMA Guru picks Payton Talbott to win by TKO. He notes Barcelos' chin is deteriorating with age (37), and Talbott is a big bantamweight with reach advantage. He worries about Talbott's activity and social media distractions but believes he will catch Barcelos on the feet. He predicts a KO late in the first or second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 29 of 82 | 35% | 43 of 99 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 0 | 3:13 |
| Cristian Quiñonez | 0 | 43 of 74 | 58% | 48 of 81 | 2 of 12 | 16% | 2 | 0 | 1:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 4 of 20 | 20% | 17 of 35 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:13 |
| Cristian Quiñonez | 0 | 12 of 16 | 75% | 13 of 18 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 2 | Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 18 of 49 | 36% | 19 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cristian Quiñonez | 0 | 20 of 44 | 45% | 22 of 46 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:15 | |
| 3 | Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cristian Quiñonez | 0 | 11 of 14 | 78% | 13 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:28 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raoni Barcelos | 29 of 82 | 35% | 17 of 67 | 3 of 6 | 9 of 9 | 26 of 75 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Cristian Quiñonez | 43 of 74 | 58% | 26 of 54 | 5 of 7 | 12 of 13 | 38 of 68 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raoni Barcelos | 4 of 20 | 20% | 2 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 17 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Cristian Quiñonez | 12 of 16 | 75% | 7 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Raoni Barcelos | 18 of 49 | 36% | 13 of 42 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 16 of 45 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Cristian Quiñonez | 20 of 44 | 45% | 15 of 36 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 16 of 40 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Raoni Barcelos | 7 of 13 | 53% | 2 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cristian Quiñonez | 11 of 14 | 78% | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 11 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barcelos (-175), Quinonez (+145)
Round 1
Wrapping up the preliminaries with a bantamweight clash, 27-year-old Mexico native Quinonez (18-4, 1-1 UFC) wants to usher in a new generation of fighters and boot out aging competitors like Barcelos (17-5, 6-4 UFC), age 36. To keep things on the up-and-up, referee Bladimir Puga will take charge in the cage. There is a quick glove touch to precede the action, and Quinonez reaches out with multiple jabs only to get pushed back by a front kick. Barcelos chops down the lead leg with a kick, and he shoots in for a single that gets stuffed. Quinonez reaches him with a long right hand, and he flicks out a jab and a right to follow. Barcelos lands a low kick and drills the Mexican in the side of the head with a right hand, and Quinonez reels and backs himself to the cage. Barcelos attempts a takedown, and Quinonez stops it and turns him around against the wall. Quinonez drives a knee to the solar plexus, and he hangs on Barcelos to take some of the sting out of his shots. Barcelos tries for a throw, and both men climb back up. Barcelos tags his man with a right hand, and Quinonez reels and retaliates with a quick left hook. Barcelos swings with bad intentions, and Quinonez smoothly dodges the offense and prepares his counters. When Barcelos lands a single low kick, Quinonez greets him with four punches to the body and head. Barcelos continues moving forward, landing a double and dragging Quinonez to the floor. Quinonez pops back up, and he succeeds in wrenching Barcelos to the mat briefly in response. Quinonez looks for a body lock takedown, and Barcelos grabs the fence to prevent himself getting taken down as Puga slaps his hand. Barcelos again tugs on the cage to stop a takedown, and Puga once more warns him loudly while slapping his hand. Barcelos takes a few knees to the head, and Barcelos gets pulled away from the cage briefly. Barcelos gets away with another fence grab, and he spins with an elbow that grazes off the head. Quinonez wrestles his man to the mat in a scramble, and Puga shouts to Barcelos to not grab the cage. Quinonez sits on top of his opponent in partial side control, and he rains down right hands and an elbow to conclude the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Quinonez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Quinonez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Quinonez
Round 2
The bantamweights touch gloves to get started in the second round, and Barcelos hops out with a leg kick. Quinonez flicks out a high kick and aims one low, and he pushes out a jab before Barcelos can meet him with a response. Barcelos charges with two right hands, and Quinonez shoulder rolls and keeps flowing to not eat any further strikes from the Brazilian. Quinonez kicks low and high, with the second shot blocked. Quinonez parries a strike coming his way, and he absorbs a low kick after missing a right hand. Barcelos lands a leg kick, and he backs his man off with two lunging punches. Quinonez resets and wings a right, and he prods the Brazilian’s nose with a few jabs. Barcelos comes up short on a shovel uppercut, and Quinonez keeps his range with jabs. Barcelos sits down on a leg kick, and he shrugs off a right hand so he can land two of his own. They both jab at the same time, and Barcelos reaches out to connect with a heavy right hand. Quinonez retaliates with a blistering right hand, and as he staggers the Brazilian, he finds himself getting taken down. Quinonez stands back up, and he gets rocked with a right hand coming his way. Quinonez drops to a knee, and Barcelos blasts him in the chest with a knee. Quinonez protests, and Puga says it was legal, so Barcelos sprints at him and hurts him with a combination. As Quinonez is in sudden danger, Barcelos grips hold of a standing guillotine choke to boot. Barcelos cannot complete the submission, and he backs off to take a breath. Both men start trading shots, and as Barcelos starts to fade, Quinonez stays in his face and tags Barcelos with a straight right hand. Barcelos goes for a single, and Quinonez springs to the side to stay on his feet. Both men land with right hands, and Barcelos gives chase to toss out two more. Quinonez dings his foe with a leg kick and two punches, and Barcelos walks him down and lands one punch behind the ear. The two crash together right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Quinonez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Quinonez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Quinonez
Round 3
The last round opens with Quinonez trying to keep his distance, popping an oncoming Barcelos with chipping kicks and jabs. Barcelos gives chase all the while, landing occasionally, but Quinonez connects more actively. Barcelos telegraphs with big right hands, and Quinonez sees them coming and sways just enough to avoid them. Barcelos kicks him in the ribs twice, and when Quinonez responds with his own body kick, Barcelos grabs the leg and tosses Quinonez down to the canvas. Barcelos shifts to get into half guard, and he ultimately takes Quinonez’ back in a scramble.
Barcelos fastens a rear-naked choke in the blink of an eye, and it is now academic at this point. Barcelos squeezes and exerts every remaining bit of his energy to complete the submission, and Quinonez has no choice but to surrender in a fight he had done well to that point.
This a crucial win for the 36-year-old, whose place on the UFC roster may have been at risk with a loss. As Barcelos celebrates his win, he also expresses a great deal of pain and hangs his left hand low, indicating that he may have sustained a shoulder injury early in the match.
The Official Result
Raoni Barcelos def. Cristian Quinonez R3 2:04 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Quiñonez as the underdog, citing Barcelos' age (36) and recent skid. He notes that Barcelos has lost to fighters he shouldn't have and that lower weight classes age out faster. He believes Quiñonez is younger, fresher, and more durable.
Big Brady picks Cristian Quiñonez to win by first-round knockout, but with low confidence. He notes that if this fight were three years ago, he would max bet Barcelos, but Barcelos is now 36, looks older, and has durability and cardio issues. Quiñonez has power and is nine years younger, and Barcelos has been finished multiple times. However, both fighters have questionable durability, and Brady expects someone to get finished.
Cody picks Barcelos, citing his superior boxing, wrestling, and experience. He notes Quiñonez has been finished in all his losses, has poor takedown defense, and gives up his back. Barcelos is a seven-time Brazilian national wrestling team member and has sharp counter-punching. He thinks Barcelos can make mistakes and still win.
The host believes Quiñonez's volume striking and footwork from distance will give Barcelos trouble. He notes Quiñonez's speed advantage and output, and his ability to stay away from pocket exchanges where Barcelos is dangerous. He also mentions Quiñonez's takedown defense and get-ups, and cautions that he must not get overzealous like in the Kong fight. He predicts a decision victory for Quiñonez.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Barcelos. He notes Quiñonez seems KO-robust but Barcelos has the skills to neutralize him. He mentions Barcelos completely neutralized Trevon Jones, outlanding him 73-11 in significant strikes. He thinks Barcelos is a fine parlay piece at -200.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 1 | 72 of 187 | 38% | 80 of 196 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 46 of 116 | 39% | 52 of 124 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 1 | 30 of 68 | 44% | 31 of 69 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 18 of 45 | 40% | 20 of 48 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 22 of 58 | 37% | 29 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 9 of 27 | 33% | 11 of 30 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 20 of 61 | 32% | 20 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 19 of 44 | 43% | 21 of 46 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 72 of 187 | 38% | 40 of 146 | 18 of 26 | 14 of 15 | 62 of 174 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 5 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 46 of 116 | 39% | 20 of 87 | 15 of 17 | 11 of 12 | 39 of 105 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 30 of 68 | 44% | 14 of 48 | 9 of 13 | 7 of 7 | 26 of 63 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 18 of 45 | 40% | 12 of 38 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 37 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 22 of 58 | 37% | 16 of 51 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 51 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 9 of 27 | 33% | 2 of 20 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 20 of 61 | 32% | 10 of 47 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 19 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 19 of 44 | 43% | 6 of 29 | 6 of 8 | 7 of 7 | 18 of 42 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Phillips (-198), Barcelos (+164)
Round 1
Kevin MacDonald will ref this bantamweight pairing. Phillips opens with a leg kick and a 1-2. Barcelos blocks a body kick. A right connects for the Brazilian. Phillips with a stiff jab and then he partially lands an overhand right. Barcelos catches a low kick and drives Phllips into the fence. Phillips jumps guard and hunts for an armbar. He kicks Barcelos off him and hustles back up. Barcelos with a right uppercut. They trade, and Barcelos eats a head kick but catches the leg. Phillips frees himself from the body lock. Phillips moves well, landing a 1-2. Phillips has a takedown stuffed and Barcelos tags him on the exit. Moments later, a right puts Barcelos on his seat. Barcelos recovers quickly, however. Barcelos is cut on the bridge ofhis nose. Barcelos stalks his man against the fence and lands some combinations. They tie up and Barcelos is still throwing heavy leather. Phillips fires back. Barcelos flicks out a nice jab then backs up Phillips with some heavy hooks. They clinch and Phillips shoves him off. Phillips lands a glancing head kick that Barcelos catches. They continue to trade until the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 2
Phillips lands a two-punch combo, catches a leg and takes Barcelos to the mat. Phillips drops some elbows while Barcelos is active with his guard. Barcelos eventually scrambles up. Barcelos blocks a high kick. Phillips with a leg kick. The pace has slowed from Round 1. Barcelos lands a right and a left hook, then shoots for a takedown. Phillips denies it. Phillips snaps his foe’s head back with a straight right. Another Phillips high kick is blocked, but he connects with a 1-2. Barcelos changes levels and has Phillips in a body lock. Phillips tries to use a kimura to defend, but Barcelos maintains his grip. He lifts Phillips and dumps him on the mat. Phillips rolls for a kneebar in a scramble and that allows him to stand. Phillips flicks out a couple of jabs. Barcelos pressures forward and they trade knees in close. Phillips fires off another jab and misses a combination at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 3
Phillips grabs a leg, lets it go and knees the midsection. Barcelos with a solid low kick. Phillips answers a high kick with a standing side kick to the gut. Phillips stays on the outside, but Barcelos partially lands a knee upstairs. Phillips kicks the body but it bounces off Barcelos’ elbow. Barcelos with an inside leg kick. He catches Phillips’ kick and dumps him to the canvas, but Phillips bounces right up. A Barcelos right uppercut digs to the body. Phillips is content to remain on the outside moving laterally. Barcelos stalks him and lands a jab. Barcelos just misses an uppercut through the guard of his foe. A front kick down the middle lands for Barcelos and he pressures with punches. Phillips lands a counter right in response. Barcelos shoots for a takedown against the fence and briefly pulls him down. Barcelos releases the body lock and deftly throws a kick upstairs. That draws a smile from Phillips before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Phillips)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Phillips)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Phillips)
The Official Result
Kyler Phillips def. Raoni Barcelos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Raoni Barcelos despite his recent skid, believing he is the better fighter everywhere except age and youth. He notes Barcelos has superior wrestling, technical striking, and BJJ. He warns that Kyler Phillips is sloppy and lacks one-punch power, so Barcelos should control the fight with wrestling. Angelo has a half-unit bet on Barcelos at +143 but says this is his last time betting on him and advises not to tail blindly.
Big Brady is very uncertain. He notes Barcelos has elite takedown defense, so Phillips' wrestling won't work. However, Barcelos is 36, on short notice, coming off a brutal KO loss, and has declined. Phillips is coming off a PED suspension. He thinks it will be a close striking match and picks Barcelos by split decision with little confidence, saying he'd rather be on the dog money.
Cody picks Barcelos as a plus-money underdog, citing his well-rounded skills, wrestling, and cardio. He notes Phillips' tendency to fade in later rounds and his questionable takedown defense. He believes Barcelos can survive the first round and take over as Phillips gasses. He also suggests a live bet on Barcelos after the first round.
Daniel Levi picks Raoni Barcelos, though he admits he has no strong read. He likes Barcelos' well-rounded skills (black belt in BJJ, Brazilian wrestling team, good striking) but is concerned about his age (36). Levi notes that Phillips is explosive but slows down badly in fights, and that Barcelos' output and durability could be factors. He is not worried about the Umar Nurmagomedov knockout, crediting Umar's skill. Levi sees this as a tough fight and prefers the dog price on Barcelos.
James thinks Barcelos is past his prime, citing recent wobbles and a knockout loss to someone with no KOs. He believes Phillips can knock him out and that the minus 200 line is about right. He also mentions Phillips could get takedowns to consolidate rounds.
Phillips has a style that gives Barcelos problems: he moves a lot, uses distance striking and kicks, and stays out of range. Barcelos has a better gas tank and could push into deep waters, but it will be too little too late. The fight is closer than the odds suggest, but Barcelos's time has passed and Phillips is a bad stylistic matchup. I'd rather pass on this matchup entirely.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Phillips' cardio issues and Barcelos' wrestling advantage. He mentions that Phillips has been taken down by lesser grapplers and that Barcelos is the toughest opponent he has faced. He sees value in the plus money.
The host picks Kyler Phillips, citing his youth (28), diverse striking, and BJJ. He notes Barcelos is 36, coming off a knockout loss, and has slowed defensively. He believes Phillips will land fight-impacting shots and can capitalize on Barcelos' diminished chin and slower movement. He thinks Phillips may get a finish but is confident in a decision win. He finds the -200 line a bit high but still picks Phillips.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umar Nurmagomedov | 1 | 36 of 51 | 70% | 36 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 13 of 24 | 54% | 14 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 1 | 36 of 51 | 70% | 36 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 13 of 24 | 54% | 14 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umar Nurmagomedov | 36 of 51 | 70% | 20 of 32 | 12 of 13 | 4 of 6 | 35 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 13 of 24 | 54% | 6 of 17 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 21 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 36 of 51 | 70% | 20 of 32 | 12 of 13 | 4 of 6 | 35 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 13 of 24 | 54% | 6 of 17 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 21 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nurmagomedov (-610), Barcelos (+460)
Round 1
The main card kicks off with an important bantamweight tilt between an undefeated up-and-comer in Nurmagomedov (15-0, 3-0 UFC) and an aging but still dangerous Brazilian bomber Barcelos (17-3, 6-2 UFC), with a place in the top 15 on the line. The third man in the Octagon for this one is referee Jason Herzog, who clocks them in despite no touch of gloves. The two are tentative to begin, with 30 seconds of inactivity before Barcelos springs into action with a big right hand. Nurmagomedov shoulder-rolls it and changes stances, and he kicks with both legs. Barcelos sits down on a head kick, and the blocked impact echoes through the UFC Apex. Nurmagomedov looks to curl a right hand round the guard, and he plants a side kick on the breadbasket. Barcelos cuts him off while Nurmagomedov kicks away, and the Brazilian advances slowly and has a body kick connect. Nurmagomedov paws out front kicks like jabs, with the two fighting at safe kickboxing range. Barcelos kicks high and then to the body, and Nurmagomedov answers with one to the ribs of his own. The Brazilian catches his man with a quick right hand, and he crashes forward with two looping shots. Nurmagomedov counters to back him off, and he fires off a head kick that gets blocked. Barcelos defends it and swings a hammer, and Nurmagomedov barely avoids it. When they come together, they clack heads, and Barcelos appears to ask him not to do this. Barcelos shrugs off a pair of front kicks so that he can loose a kick to the side, and he takes a flush jab on the way in. Nurmagomedov chips away with kicks from both legs, and a left hand stuns Barcelos momentarily. Barcelos gathers his wits and continues to advance, throwing so hard that he crashes into the wall and ricochets off it. Nurmagomedov resettles for a small bouquet of kicks as Barcelos advances again.
The Russian lifts his knee up and turns it into a body kick, and he unloads a left hand on the same side to completely separate Barcelos from his consciousness. The Brazilian falls lifelessly to the mat on his back, with the back of his head clattering on the floor, and Nurmagomedov gives chase to drop down one single destructive hammerfist.
Realizing that his opponent is astral traveling, Nurmagomedov pulls back from any further damage, and actually puts his hand on the top of Barcelos' head to check on him like a mother and her child. Herzog sees that this fight is over, and he pulls Nurmagomedov off of the dozing Barcelos. Nurmagomedov appears genuinely concerned for his fallen opponent, and he confirms this by apologizing for destroying him in the post-fight interview. For only the second time of his career, Nurmagomedov has knocked an opponent out, and he is now a flawless 16-0 as a pro.
The Official Result
Umar Nurmagomedov def. Raoni Barcelos R1 4:40 via KO (Body Kick and Punch)
Angelo picks Umar but criticizes the -950 odds as absurd. He believes Umar's relentless wrestling will eventually get takedowns despite Barcelos' excellent takedown defense. He thinks Barcelos is more well-rounded and dangerous, but Umar's pressure wins a decision. He advises not betting at these odds.
Big Brady picks Umar Nurmagomedov confidently despite the steep odds, calling Barcelos 'not a bum' but noting signs of decline at 35. He believes Nurmagomedov's wrestling will be the toughest test Barcelos has faced, and that he can get the fight to the mat and control him. He expects Nurmagomedov to grind out a decision, as Barcelos has good submission defense and durability. He also notes that Nurmagomedov has competitive striking and flashy kicks, but the grappling advantage should be decisive.
Cody picks Umar but acknowledges Barcelos' takedown defense and wrestling credentials. He thinks Umar will get takedowns and win a decision, and likes the 'Umar by decision' prop at -200. He also mentions Umar over 2.5 takedowns on PrizePicks.
Connor picks Barcelos because he has excellent takedown defense (95% in the UFC) and is a good striker with power and speed. He notes that Nurmagomedov's wrestling may not be as effective against Barcelos, and that Nurmagomedov's striking lacks depth and consistency. Connor also points out that Barcelos has shown he can compete with wrestlers and that Nurmagomedov hasn't faced significant pushback. He acknowledges the coaching change for Nurmagomedov as a potential factor.
Jacob picks Umar but calls the line disrespectful to Barcelos. He notes Barcelos' elite takedown defense and striking, but thinks Umar's chain wrestling will eventually win. He warns that if Umar's first takedown is stuffed, bettors should sweat. He has a separate bet on the fight for premium members.
Paul is confident in Umar, calling him the future champion. He notes Umar's striking accuracy and wrestling pedigree, and believes he will win easily. He already parlayed Umar with Ige and Rębecki at -500. He also likes Umar over 2.5 takedowns on PrizePicks.
Zane picks Nurmagomedov because he believes the wrestling will be a factor and that Barcelos has trouble creating pace when his opponent succeeds with volume. He notes that Nurmagomedov's variety and pace could overwhelm Barcelos, who struggles to match high output. Zane also points out that Barcelos has failed when his wrestling game isn't working, while Nurmagomedov hasn't been tested in that way. He acknowledges the risk but leans on the 'prove it' side.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raoni Barcelos | 1 | 73 of 119 | 61% | 119 of 171 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 7:07 |
| Trevin Jones | 0 | 11 of 57 | 19% | 15 of 61 | 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 | Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 14 of 23 | 60% | 33 of 43 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:10 |
| Trevin Jones | 0 | 4 of 18 | 22% | 5 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Raoni Barcelos | 1 | 24 of 40 | 60% | 38 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:04 |
| Trevin Jones | 0 | 2 of 12 | 16% | 3 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 35 of 56 | 62% | 48 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| Trevin Jones | 0 | 5 of 27 | 18% | 7 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raoni Barcelos | 73 of 119 | 61% | 51 of 95 | 19 of 21 | 3 of 3 | 39 of 75 | 2 of 3 | 32 of 41 |
| Trevin Jones | 11 of 57 | 19% | 5 of 47 | 3 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raoni Barcelos | 14 of 23 | 60% | 8 of 16 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 6 |
| Trevin Jones | 4 of 18 | 22% | 1 of 12 | 0 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Raoni Barcelos | 24 of 40 | 60% | 18 of 34 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 21 |
| Trevin Jones | 2 of 12 | 16% | 1 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Raoni Barcelos | 35 of 56 | 62% | 25 of 45 | 9 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 14 |
| Trevin Jones | 5 of 27 | 18% | 3 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The “featured fight of the night” slot features two men that could really use a win to turn things around. Both Barcelos (16-3, 5-2 UFC) and Jones (13-8, 1 NC; 1-2, 1 NC UFC) have lost two fights in a row, which means that one man’s losing streak will be coming to an end in the next 15 minutes. The bantamweights calmly walk forward without touching gloves in front of referee Keith Peterson, and there are no fans in the building nor is there any nonsense. It takes 20 seconds for either fighter to engage, with a head kick coming from the Brazilian to lead things off. Jones responds with a swinging punch, and Barcelos is quicker with a few short strikes. Jones kicks low, and the two feint and fake at one another until a front kick from Barcelos impacts on the body. Another head kick gets blocked by Jones, and Barcelos spams a third to end up hitting air. Barcelos charges in forward for a takedown, and Jones gets pushed into the wall but ultimately prevents himself from getting grounded. Barcelos releases him and resets, and he unloads a pounding kick to the ribcage. Jones looks for his own kick, and it goes on the outside of the Brazilian’s lead leg. Dueling front kicks come from the bantamweights, with Barcelos the one that lands. Jones chips at the lead calf with his shin, and he ducks into a crisp right hook. Barcelos lets a head kick fly, and Jones is able to block it in the nick of time. Jones comes out throwing haymakers, but Barcelos’ high guard defends against the strikes and allows him to clip Jones with a left. Barcelos moves to take things down, and as soon as they hit the mat, Jones scrambles and gets to his knees. Barcelos fishes for a choke with his right arm around the neck, but he lets it go to slug Jones in the face and lower Jones to the ground. Barcelos, in half guard, works the side with punches as he softens Jones up and tries to pass guard as the same time. The Brazilian succeeds in passing to full mount, and he presses his forearm on the throat in the form of an Ezekiel choke that makes Jones twist and buck to protect his neck. Barcelos sits up and slashes down with elbows, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Round 2
Like the previous round, the two are cautious to engage with much to start the second round. Jones waits with his left hand cocked back, while Barcelos jabs with a few kicks. When Jones reaches out with a right hand, Barcelos loops his own hook around the high guard and dings Jones cleanly. Barcelos swarms him with three punches, and he leaps in the air with a knee that bounces off Jones’ dome. Barcelos lands and pushes Jones back to the wire, but there is no takedown to be had, so he scores a right hand on the break. Jones backs away when a right bears down on him, but he is not keeping Barcelos honest with his own offense. Barcelos strings several kicks together to the leg and body, and a head kick follows suit. Barcelos unloads with a huge right hand from up close, and “5 Star” crumbles to the floor. Barcelos swarms him and arcs down some elbows, while Jones clings to his man so that he does not get pounded out. The Brazilian manages to land a few more elbows before standing up, and he leaps down to get in a better position. As Jones scrambles, he gives up his neck, and Barcelos grabs a guillotine choke. The submission is used to push Jones down to his knees, and he considers a rear-naked choke while hanging on from above. Jones turns around to protect his neck, and as he does, Barcelos rains down several elbows. Multiple unanswered right hands slam into the face of Jones, and the strikes have opened a cut up on the scalp of Jones. The Guam native throws his legs up for a high guard into a triangle, but Barcelos ignores it so that he can beat down Jones with vicious elbows. Before Barcelos can get the finish, Jones is saved by the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Barcelos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Barcelos
Round 3
Barcelos is amped up to start off the final frame, and he cuts Jones off and tags him with a left hand. Jones fires back with a kick, but Barcelos is able to intercept him with a huge right hook. Jones reels and gathers his thoughts to launch a broad uppercut, and the Brazilian shifts his head just enough to avoid the blow. Barcelos leaps forward into a left hand, and Jones tries to roll with it but still takes the brunt of it flush. Jones gets his bearings back and walks into a left hand, and he tries to connect with a right hand but gets cracked with a pair of punches that buckle his knees. Jones desperately shoots for a takedown, and the Brazilian stuffs it and pushes him back to the wall. A pair of powerful right hands to the body bend Jones over, but Jones otherwise defends the remainder of Barcelos’ assault until Barcelos backs off. Jones sticks a left high, and the two punches he fires off after whiz past Barcelos’ head. A loud right hand to the body forces Jones to double over again, and Barcelos lets him get his steam back. Barcelos counters a looping left hand with a knee up the middle, and it collides square into the cup. Peterson halts the action immediately, but Jones only needs 20 seconds to catch his breath before he signals he is good to go. When they resume, Barcelos shoots in for a takedown, and he lands in full mount position. Jones hand-fights to protect himself from the oncoming strikes, and when Barcelos breaks the grip, he settles for wrapping his arms around Barcelos’ waist. Barcelos postures up and delivers a little ground-and-pound, and he moves from side control to the other side as he rains down brutal elbows. The elbow barrage continues while Jones shifts and attempts to stand up, and Barcelos does everything he can to go home early. The stoppage does not materialize as Jones keeps moving enough to show he is still intelligently defending himself, and he reaches the final bell in what may be a moral victory.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-27 Barcelos)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-26 Barcelos)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-26 Barcelos)
The Official Result
Raoni Barcelos def. Trevin Jones via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27)
Cody picks Trevin Jones by knockout, noting that Jones hits hard and Barcelos has been taking a lot of damage recently. He expects Barcelos to be winning the minutes until he gets caught. He is tempted by the +575 knockout prop but is not as confident as his Trinaldo bet. He suggests playing the moneyline instead of the prop to avoid a decision loss.
Paul picks Raoni Barcelos by unanimous decision, expecting him to outwork Trevin Jones with higher output, better footwork, and superior hand combinations. He acknowledges Barcelos has slowed down slightly but believes his technical boxing and well-rounded game will be enough to win rounds. He notes Jones has power but low volume, and Barcelos has never been knocked down, so a decision is likely.
The MMA Guru picks Raoni Barcelos, believing he is the more consistent and skilled fighter. He notes that Barcelos looks like his old self when allowed to fight at his own pace, and Trevin Jones lacks the volume and pressure to exploit Barcelos's cardio issues. He thinks Barcelos will win a clear decision, as Jones is sloppy and gets backed up easily. He includes Barcelos in his parlay and calls him a favorite double-up.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Raoni Barcelos, praising his well-rounded skills including power, speed, striking, wrestling, and BJJ. He expects Barcelos to have a tough time on the feet but then move to grappling where he has a solid advantage. He likes the under on rounds as a prop bet, predicting a finish.
Big Brady picks Raoni Barcelos to win by decision, citing Barcelos being on another level compared to Henry. He notes Henry's takedown defense and get-up game are not great, and Barcelos has a black belt in BJJ to control Henry on the ground. He expects Barcelos to win the first two rounds comfortably and notes Henry has never been finished in 26 fights, so decision is likely. The only concern is Barcelos' gas tank, but he still sees Barcelos winning easily.
Cody picks Raoni Barcelos, stating that Barcelos is better than Victor Henry in every facet: boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and cardio. He notes that Barcelos has a wrestling background and is a BJJ black belt. However, Cody warns that Barcelos sometimes fights bad game plans, as seen in his last fight. He considers Barcelos a second-ticket play rather than a top-ticket due to the high price.
Daniel Levi confidently picks Raoni Barcelos to win. He praises Barcelos' boxing and jiu-jitsu, calling him a black belt under a red belt. Levi believes Barcelos is undefeated in the UFC (disputing the loss to Timur Valiev) and that Victor Henry, while tough and never finished, is outmatched. He expects Barcelos to dominate everywhere and predicts a first-round submission or knockout. Levi criticizes Barcelos' management for taking risky fights with little reward.
The host believes Barcelos is the better fighter in all areas: striking, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu. He thinks Henry's only path to victory is if Barcelos has a poor performance like he did against Timur Valiev. He expects Barcelos to win by decision but also likes the submission prop at +455. He plans to use Barcelos in parlays.
Paul picks Raoni Barcelos, agreeing with Cody that Barcelos is the superior fighter. He notes that the line has moved from -375 to -500, indicating public support. Paul believes Barcelos should win but acknowledges the high price makes it less attractive for a large bet.
The MMA Guru picks Raoni Barcelos, calling him a missed gem of the UFC. He notes Barcelos' delayed career due to cancellations but trusts his skills, including leg kicks and takedown defense. He predicts a dominant 30-26 decision, as Victor Henry is tough but not at Barcelos' level.
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