Career Averages - Duško Todorović
Career Averages - Maki Pitolo
Duško Todorović
Maki Pitolo
Duško Todorović - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Daniel Medina | 0 | 9 of 25 | 36% | 13 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 16 of 24 | 66% | 27 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:16 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | José Daniel Medina | 0 | 9 of 25 | 36% | 13 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 16 of 24 | 66% | 27 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:16 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Daniel Medina | 9 of 25 | 36% | 5 of 17 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 16 of 24 | 66% | 10 of 18 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 18 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | José Daniel Medina | 9 of 25 | 36% | 5 of 17 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 16 of 24 | 66% | 10 of 18 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 18 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Todorovic (-300); Medina (+250)
Round 1
Dan Miragliotta is the referee. Both fighters working behind their jabs. Todorovic pressures and clinches behind a left hand. Todorovic grinds away here, but Medina is able to free himself. Both men land jabs. A straight right from Todorovic counters a Medina low kick. Todorovic shoves Medina back into the fence, where he lands a shoulder strike. Medina is already cut as they’re back at range. Medina lands a combination. Todorovic clinches behind a right, then shoves his foe away. A right connects for Medina, but Todorovic answers with a combination to the body. Todorovic follows another hard right into the clinch. He presses Medina into the wire, landing some short shots. A knee to the midsection lands for Todorovic, who takes Medina down. The Bolivian stands and Todorovic wants to take the back.
They go back to the floor and Todorovic gets both hooks in and slides his arm under the chin. The choke is tight and Medina has no choice but to tap out.
That snaps a three-fight skid for the Serbian.
The Official Result
Dusko Todorovic def. Jose Media via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 4:21
Angelo picks Dusko because he is the more well-rounded guy and has fought better competition. He calls the odds 'stupid as hell' and says there's no way Dusko wins 74 out of 100 times. He notes Medina is a ground-and-pound fighter with decent striking but not particularly fast or powerful, while Dusko is a technical striker with power and takedowns, though his chin is questionable. He says neither guy is very good.
Big Brady picks Todorović despite his poor chin and striking defense, because Medina is even worse. He notes Todorović has good wrestling and ground-and-pound, while Medina has 31% takedown defense and no ground game. He predicts Todorović wins by second-round TKO via ground-and-pound.
Connor also picks Todorović but is hesitant because Todorović's technique doesn't survive resistance. He notes that Medina is tough but has no power, and Todorović has been one-shot KO'd before. He says it's a testament to how low-level the matchup is that he isn't 100% certain.
Despite Todorovic's durability issues, the host sees this as a winnable matchup. He expects Todorovic to utilize his grappling, control Medina from top position, and eventually secure a submission.
The MMA Guru confidently picks Duško Todorović, noting he is a -325 favorite in 2025, which he sees as a clear sign. He dismisses José Medina as lacking power, athleticism, grappling, and jiu-jitsu, calling him a 'flabby big Latin guy' who shouldn't be in the UFC. He believes Todorović is more well-rounded and a better fighter.
Zane picks Todorović but acknowledges that Medina's toughness could be a factor. He notes that Todorović has poor technique and can't sustain control, but Medina is so slow and uncoordinated that Todorović should win. He mentions that Medina's only chance is landing a big shot, but Medina lacks power.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 50 of 108 | 46% | 73 of 135 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 35 of 65 | 53% | 73 of 109 | 4 of 13 | 30% | 1 | 1 | 5:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 19 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 31 of 38 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 1 | 3:01 | |
| 2 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 17 of 30 | 56% | 25 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 18 of 29 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:10 | |
| 3 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 27 of 67 | 40% | 29 of 70 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 24 of 42 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 50 of 108 | 46% | 21 of 72 | 20 of 23 | 9 of 13 | 43 of 98 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 35 of 65 | 53% | 22 of 50 | 8 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 22 of 50 | 6 of 6 | 7 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 6 of 11 | 54% | 3 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 10 of 15 | 66% | 8 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 8 | |
| 2 | Zachary Reese | 17 of 30 | 56% | 7 of 19 | 7 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 27 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 8 of 16 | 50% | 2 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Zachary Reese | 27 of 67 | 40% | 11 of 46 | 10 of 12 | 6 of 9 | 26 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 17 of 34 | 50% | 12 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Reese (-238), Todorovic (+195)
Round 1
The prelims were short at just four bouts, and the main card kicks off with a middleweight action fight that practically promises that referee Herb Dean will get involved before too long. Reese (8-2, 2-2 UFC) and Todorovic (12-5, 3-5 UFC) combine for 18 stoppages in their 20 pro wins, with knockouts their preferred method of victory. Before they try to lop one another’s head off, the two 185ers bump fists. Reese introduces himself with a body kick, and Todorovic does the same. Todorovic doubles up on a kick with another and shoots for a takedown. Reese scrambles and finds his way on top, with Todorovic sitting up for a guillotine choke. Reese lifts Todorovic up and tosses him down, and Todorovic mounts him with the guillotine intact. Reese fights his way through it, his neck still in jeopardy, and he works his way to his feet. Todorovic uses the choke to maintain control and impose his weight, and lowers Reese down to the ground to knee him in the side. When Reese gets up, Todorovic muscles him back to his knees. The Texan explodes back to his feet, kneeing his man in the gut and fighting off a trip to thump “Thunder” with a hard shoulder strike. Reese backs off and avoids a pair of hooks, fires off a head kick that misses the mark and resets. Todorovic charges at him with a swarm of fists, and Reese blocks most of them and gives one back until he gets clinched. Todorovic trips Reese out, and when Todorovic stands above him, Reese searches for a leglock. Todorovic fights it off, and he ignores an upkick on the side of the dome so he can lower himself down to top position. Reese closes his guard, and he hacks with elbows off his back. Todorovic responds with a few right hands from above, and he elbows down to club “Savage” a few times. Todorovic stacks his man up and unleashes nasty hammerfists that drill into his foe’s jaw again and again. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Todorovic
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Todorovic
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Todorovic
Round 2
A glove touch begins the second round, where Reese wants to start off hot and cracks Todorovic with a three-punch combo. Reese reaches his man with a fierce right hand, forcing Todorovic to engage a clinch. Reese breaks away and slaps his foe in the ribs with a kick. When Todorovic shoots for a takedown, Reese counters him with an uppercut but does not break his stride. They share short strikes on one another, and Reese leans back and drives a knee to the stomach that allows him to break off. Todorovic fakes a right hand to shoots for an awkward takedown, and Reese ignores it and counters with an overhand right. Reese stands firm with a one-two on the chin, walking through a body kick to jump at him with a knee. When he misses, Todorovic offers him a high-five. Reese leans back to avoid an overhand right, and Todorovic grabs hold of him and bullies him to the wall. Reese breaks free and catches Todorovic coming in with a short left, but it is one-and-done as he chambers and fires a body kick. What follow is a front kick, and an evasive maneuver when Todorovic rushes him. Todorovic fakes high for a level change, and Reese tosses him aside and wings a right hand and puts a front kick on the chest. Todorovic shoots for and lands a takedown, and Reese defends with a guillotine choke, only to find himself in Von Preux choke danger. Todorovic stacks him up rather than looking for the counter sub, and this lets Reese burst upright to get up. Todorovic stays pressed to him, ripping the body with a few punches and getting uppercutted for his handiwork. The two clinch up and end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Round 3
The fighters walk towards one another cautiously to start off the final frame, offering a glove touch and getting back to swinging. Reese loops wider shots, but when they land, they do with audible thuds. Todorovic gets him back with a couple of calf kicks, and Reese splits his guard with a long left hand. Reese twirls Todorovic around when the Serbian fighter shoots in on the hips, and he chains a few punches behind it. When Todorovic scores, Reese clubs him with a right on the ear. Reese spins with a kick to the body, and Todorovic smiles and high-fives him. Reese gathers himself and boots his man in the body and tries one up high, while Todorovic’s volume has plummeted. Reese stays on the outside potshotting his foe with body kicks, and when Todorovic charges him, Reese is light on his feet popping him here and there. Todorovic lashes out with a right hand that busts open Reese’s nose, and Reese responds with a leaping takedown shot that is stonewalled. Todorovic sweeps the leg and connects with another power right hand, using the strikes to set up a takedown. Reese gets pushed to the wall and spins out, sneaking a knee to the body on his way out. Todorovic looks for one final takedown, and Reese stops it and uppercuts him a few times before the grueling match concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
The Official Result
Zachary Reese def. Dusko Todorovic via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Zachary Reese but is hesitant due to Reese's tendency to play jiu-jitsu off his back and give up positions. He acknowledges Reese's power and size advantages and Todorović's questionable chin, but worries Reese might make bad decisions. He rates it as medium confidence on the website.
Big Brady fades Zachary Reese despite being a favorite, citing Reese's poor takedown defense (33%) and tendency to get finished. He notes Todorović has good ground-and-pound and can take Reese down. Although Todorović has terrible striking defense, Brady thinks Reese lacks the power to knock him out. He picks Todorović by second-round TKO.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Reese because Todorović is a technical mess and easy to hit. He notes that Reese is also flawed but has more aggression and power. Connor emphasizes that this is a low-level fight and hard to pick with confidence.
Matt picks Zachary Reese to win by knockout in round one. He expects a short fight, noting that Reese is explosive and violent with 7 of 8 wins in the first round, while Todorović has deteriorating durability and often gets finished. Matt likes the under 1.5 rounds and Reese round one knockout prop, and also mentions Reese by submission round one as a long shot.
The MMA Guru picks Zachary Reese by first-round TKO, very confident. He notes Reese's size advantage (6'4") and Todorović's poor durability and chin. He mentions Todorović has been KO'd many times and Reese's pace is strong. He also had a PrizePicks bet on Reese under 5.25 minutes.
Zane picks Reese because he thinks Reese still has unchecked aggression and faith in his game, whereas Todorović seems to have lost confidence after a brutal loss. He notes that both fighters are low-level, but Todorović's tendency to knock himself out and his poor technical game make him the riskier pick.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansur Abdul-Malik | 1 | 29 of 51 | 56% | 31 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mansur Abdul-Malik | 1 | 29 of 51 | 56% | 31 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansur Abdul-Malik | 29 of 51 | 56% | 27 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 22 of 37 |
| Duško Todorović | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mansur Abdul-Malik | 29 of 51 | 56% | 27 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 22 of 37 |
| Duško Todorović | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Abdul-Malik (-375), Todorovic (+295)
Round 1
A dentist should be on standby, because one of these middleweights might lose some teeth after the expected slugfest ensues. With six wins, all finishes, on his ledger, Abdul-Malik (6-0, 0-0 UFC) knows one speed coming into his organizational debut. He will engage a man whose stoppage rate is only slightly lower than his, 92% for Todorovic (12-4, 3-4 UFC) compared to the neophyte’s 100%. Referee Mike Beltran dons his proverbial hard hat ahead of what could be a violent one, one that opens with a fist bump. Abdul-Malik assumes control of the center of the cage immediately, switching stances and looking for a jab on either side. Todorovic tosses out a single leg kick, and he works his way forward with a one-two. Abdul-Malik responds by bouncing off the cage and blasting “Thunder” in the face with a combination that sends Todorovic crashing to the mat. The lights are still in for Todorovic as he lands on his back and hunts for a leglock, but Abdul-Malik drills him with a number of heavy hammerfists to make him think twice. Abdul-Malik smashes his man in the face with a fierce right hand, and the two scramble while Todorovic still hangs onto the unbeaten fighter’s right leg. Abdul-Malik yanks his leg out of danger while beating on the man from Serbia, but Todorovic works his way back to his feet and walks through a knee while escaping. Swelling develops on his forehead like he is sprouting a third eye, and Abdul-Malik is aiming at it with lunging, looping strikes.
Todorovic defends against the punches, but Abdul-Malik blows him out of the water with a flush knee. Todorovic crumbles to the mat, and he still has the wherewithal to hunt for a leglock. Abdul-Malik wants nothing to do with that grappling, unleashing a flurry of standing-to-ground punches to knock Todorovic in and out of consciousness. A particularly potent right hand from the newcomer changes Todorovic’s expression and makes him turn to his side and shell up, and it only takes a few more hammerfists before Beltran has to step in.
Statement made for the now 7-0 Abdul-Malik, who celebrates all seven of his victories by stoppage.
The Official Result
Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Dusko Todorovic R1 2:44 via TKO (Knee and Punches)
Angelo is very confident in Mansur Abdul-Malik despite it being his UFC debut. He loves his high-level D1 wrestling, explosiveness, and ground work. He notes Todorović is a technical striker with chin questions. He has Mansur in a parlay but warns against overexposure, advising not to put him in multiple parlays.
Big Brady is very confident in Abdul-Malik, citing Todorović's poor striking defense, low takedown defense, and susceptibility to being knocked out. He highlights Abdul-Malik's wrestling background and devastating ground-and-pound. He predicts a first-round knockout but notes slight cardio concerns if the fight extends.
Cody is confident in Abdul-Malik due to Todorović's glaring holes: poor takedown defense and a weak chin. He notes Abdul-Malik's Division I wrestling background and athleticism, and expects him to take Todorović down and finish him. Cody sees this as a favorable matchup for the prospect.
Connor picks Abdul-Malik, noting he is a big favorite. He describes Abdul-Malik as a great prospect from MMA Masters with natural tools but lacking interstitial skills. He contrasts this with Todorović, who has bad habits and bad defense from a weak regional scene. Connor thinks Abdul-Malik's athleticism will overcome Todorović's flaws.
Daniel Vreeland picks Mansur Abdul-Malik, praising his athleticism, power, and potential. He notes Duško Todorović's defensive flaws (hands down, chin up) and believes Abdul-Malik's physicality will overwhelm him. Vreeland expects Abdul-Malik to get his first UFC win, possibly by knockout.
Todorović is returning from back surgeries and may struggle with ring rust against the large, explosive Abdul-Malik. Despite Todorović's experience, Abdul-Malik's physicality should lead to a knockout victory.
Paul agrees, pointing out Todorović's poor decision-making and chin. He mentions Todorović's leg injury in his last fight and his tendency to walk into danger. Paul thinks Abdul-Malik's wrestling and striking will be too much, but acknowledges the banana peel pricing risk.
The Guru picks Mansur Abdul-Malik but is hesitant, noting that Todorović is a good underdog value. He criticizes Abdul-Malik's contender series performance against Wes Schultz, but believes Todorović's long layoff and ACL tear make him vulnerable. He expects Abdul-Malik's offensive wrestling and ground and pound to be the difference, but warns that if the fight goes past round one, Todorović could make it competitive.
Zane agrees with Connor, picking Abdul-Malik. He describes Abdul-Malik as a big, powerful, fast athlete from MMA Masters, but notes his game lacks structure. He criticizes Todorović as hateable with bad defense and a wrestling game that only works against weak opponents. Zane thinks Abdul-Malik's physical advantages will prevail.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 14 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 14 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 9 of 14 | 64% | 3 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 9 of 14 | 64% | 3 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Duncan (-215), Todorovic (+185)
Round 1
A whole 17 finishes in the 19 total wins for the debuting Duncan (7-0, 0-0 UFC) and heavy-handed Serbian Todorovic (12-3, 3-3 UFC) lead many to believe this one will not last long. There is little time to waste, as referee Lukasz Bosacki has already started the middleweight match. A quick fist bump leads to a series of stance switches for the newcomer, who looks to fluster Todorovic early. Todorovic sits down on a leg kick that almost buckles Duncan’s leg, so Duncan responds with one of his own. Duncan gives chase and hammers the lead of his opponent once more, and Todorovic is already wearing it. Duncan spears out with a side kick to the chest, and he easily blocks a counter high kick under his armpit. Duncan attempts to check a low kick, and he shrugs off a front kick to tie up “Thunder” against the wall. Duncan thumps some knees to the midsection, and Todorovic muscles out of the clinch.
As the Serbian fighter turns the corner, his knee visibly pops and he falls down on his back in agony. Duncan does not follow him to the ground to strike, and instead recognizes the injury and backs off as Bosacki waves the fight off.
While Todorovic does manage to get back to his feet, it might be due to adrenaline and he should probably not be standing on it. It is an unfortunate situation for both fighters, but Duncan is now a perfect 8-0 as a pro with the technical knockout on his ledger, and hopefully Todorovic is not on the mend for too long from that knee injury.
The Official Result
Christian Leroy Duncan def. Dusko Todorovic R1 1:52 via TKO (Knee Injury)
Angelo thinks Christian Leroy Duncan will win by coming forward and bombing on Todorović, who has a questionable chin. He notes Duncan is a powerful striker with pressure and creativity, while Todorović is more technical but can be chinny. He is not betting but likes the does not go the distance prop.
Big Brady picks Duncan, noting his power and Todorović's poor striking defense and chin. He acknowledges Todorović has good top game but poor wrestling (12% takedown accuracy). He believes Duncan can get back up if taken down and find a knockout. He predicts a second-round KO, calling Todorović's wins unimpressive.
Cody picks Todorović as a dog, noting his top game and ground-and-pound are strong if he can get takedowns. He thinks Duncan's takedown defense is questionable and he may get taken down. He acknowledges Todorović's chin is a liability and he could get knocked out, but he's taking a small sniff at the dog. He says the fight likely doesn't go the distance.
Connor picks Duncan, describing him as a big bully with powerful striking but poor grappling. He notes that Todorović is hittable and has struggled against aggressive fighters. Connor expects a messy fight where Duncan's power and durability will overcome Todorović's wrestling, as Duncan is comfortable in chaotic exchanges.
Jacob placed this as his first moneyline bet on the card, getting early value for premium members. He thinks Duncan has a huge advantage in striking and cardio, while Todorović needs to wrestle but has poor takedown control and gasses. He expects Duncan to dominate in front of the home crowd and likely finish.
Duncan is an unorthodox striker with power and a good gas tank, able to conserve energy early and explode later. Todorović has a grappling-heavy approach but tends to slow down if he doesn't get a finish. Duncan's speed and striking should be too much, and he will likely pull away in the second and third rounds. A knockout victory is predicted, possibly in the third round.
Paul picks Duncan, noting he looks good on tape as a Cage Warriors champion with training in Thailand. He thinks Duncan's striking and finishing ability are real, and Todorović's chin is a massive liability. He says if Todorović can't get wrestling going, he gets knocked out. He initially bet Todorović by mistake but cashed out after realizing it was the wrong Duncan.
The MMA Guru picks Christian Leroy Duncan to win by TKO, highlighting his impressive prospect pedigree and experience against tough competition. He notes Todorović has not beaten any UFC-level opponents and has been finished by everyone still in the UFC. Duncan's size, stand-up, and takedown defense are key advantages, and he predicts a highlight-reel finish via head kick or flying knee.
Zane agrees with Connor, noting that Duncan's disdain for grapplers and his counter-striking will be effective. He points out that Todorović is not a great athlete and has been exposed by similar fighters. Zane believes Duncan's power and willingness to trade will be too much for Todorović.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 25 of 41 | 60% | 66 of 83 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 5:03 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 61 of 80 | 76% | 107 of 132 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duško Todorović | 0 | 17 of 20 | 85% | 58 of 62 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:24 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 4 of 4 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 | |
| 2 | Duško Todorović | 0 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 8 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 58 of 77 | 75% | 103 of 128 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duško Todorović | 25 of 41 | 60% | 20 of 35 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 18 | 7 of 9 | 11 of 14 |
| Jordan Wright | 61 of 80 | 76% | 49 of 68 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 29 | 28 of 31 | 14 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duško Todorović | 17 of 20 | 85% | 16 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 11 of 14 |
| Jordan Wright | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Duško Todorović | 8 of 21 | 38% | 4 of 17 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 17 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 58 of 77 | 75% | 48 of 67 | 10 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 28 | 26 of 29 | 14 of 20 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Todorovic (-205), Wright (+175)
Round 1
One of these two middleweights now in the “featured fight of the night” slot should record their first win since 2021 – barring something strange – and it’s anyone’s guess if Wright (12-3, 1 NC; 2-3 UFC) or Todorovic (11-3, 2-3 UFC) will get it done when the dust settles. Combined, they have exactly one decision win among their 23 victories, so scorekeepers may be able to take a break for this one. Referee Chris Tognoni will not, however, be so lucky, as a fast finish could crop up out of nowhere with these two. They touch gloves before trying to lop the other’s head off, and Todorovic leads the dance and corners Wright. The American immediately has to fight off a takedown entry, and Wright shucks off the first attempt and turns Todorovic around. “The Beverly Hills Ninja” lands his own takedown, and he moves to half guard and starts punching Todorovic upside the head. Todorovic clings to him to stifle most of the offense, only to absorb an elbow on the forehead. Wright stays heavy even while Todorovic scrambles and gets butterfly hooks in to buck Wright off of him, and he transitions to a heel hook to give Wright a scare. The American rolls all the way through it, and Todorovic moves to set up a possible kneebar. As Todorovic’s attention is paid to the leglock, Wright smashes him in the face several times to make Todorovic’s face turn quite red. Wright knees Todorovic in the chest when pinning him to the wall, and he snags a single and deposits the Serbian fighter down to the canvas. Wright, in half guard, fastens an arm-triangle choke, and he hops over to side control to lock it down. Instead of securing the submission, however, Wright jumps to mount and slugs Todorovic in the face repeatedly. Todorovic bucks him at the right moment to get back to his feet, and Wright follows him in pursuit of a double-leg takedown. With 10 seconds to spare, Wright lands a takedown, and the round ends with “Thunder” on the mat.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wright
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Wright
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wright
Round 2
To the surprise of some, the two middleweights have reached the second round. They high-five to start off the round, and Todorovic is the aggressor as he backs Wright back. Todorovic tags Wright with a right hand over the top, and he lets loose a fury of punches to knock Wright’s head around. Wright defends himself well enough from a brawl, but Todorovic is teeing off on him and hurting Wright badly. Wright responds with a few punches, and he tries to kick Todorovic in the dome, but he gets elbowed right in the face. Todorovic tosses Wright to the mat, and Wright appears totally spent already. Just six minutes into the fight, and Wright is in full defensive mode. A labored takedown effort from Wright slows the offense from Todorovic, but not for long, as Todorovic shakes it off. Todorovic batters the body as Wright takes gasping breaths, and he blasts Wright with a long string of unanswered fists. Wright attempts to respond every so often, but he is more intent on clinching up to save himself from a further drubbing. A spent Wright gets pushed down to the floor, and Todorovic steps right into mount and rains down punches.
Wright gets elbowed repeatedly and turns to his side, and Todorovic is not letting up. Todorovic continues to bombard Wright, knowing the finish is around the corner, and the elbows start to pile up from the Serbian striker. As the elbows do not appear to be ceasing any time soon, Tognoni has seen enough, and he saves a defeated Wright from any further harm.
This roller coaster battle somehow made it past the midpoint of Round 2, but Todorovic dug deep, came back from adversity and recorded the finish to earn his 11th stoppage across 12 career wins.
The Official Result
Dusko Todorovic def. Jordan Wright R2 3:12 via TKO (Punches and Elbows)
Angelo picks Duško Todorović, believing he is the much better striker. He notes that Jordan Wright is a kill-or-be-killed fighter with big power but a karate style that can be exploited. He is confident in Duško but acknowledges that Jordan is always live and could push a wrestling-heavy game plan, as Duško has 50% takedown defense.
Big Brady picks Duško Todorović to win by first-round ground-and-pound finish. He notes that Jordan Wright is dangerous offensively but has terrible defense and chin, while Todorović has more paths to victory including takedowns and ground-and-pound. He expects Todorović to take the fight to the mat and dominate. He calls this his favorite fight on the card and mentions he has a bet on it.
Cody is very confident in the under 1.5 rounds, calling it his biggest bet in a while. He notes Jordan Wright has never been past 7.5 minutes in any fight, and Todorović has chin issues. He expects Todorović to take Wright down and finish him in the first round. He also likes the under as a standalone bet and in a parlay.
Connor picks Todorović, citing his love for fighting and aggression that will break Wright over time. He notes that Wright panics and gets exhausted, and Todorović's pressure will contribute to that. He acknowledges Todorović is very hittable but believes his durability and passion give him the edge in a longer fight.
Both fighters have power and suspect chins, making this a likely early finish. Todorović has poor striking defense, keeping his hands down, while Wright is explosive but fragile. The host leans Todorović to land the big strike first, but the under 1.5 rounds is the preferred play. Wright is a live underdog, and the fight is closer than the odds suggest.
Paul considers Jordan Wright as a PRP pick, noting Wright is a fast starter with decent power, as shown in his knockout of Jamie Pickett. He points out Todorović is hittable and has a questionable chin, and Wright could catch him early. However, he acknowledges Wright's own flaws and the under is the safer play.
The MMA Guru picks Jordan Wright as a juicy underdog, leaning towards him despite acknowledging his inconsistency. He notes that Wright has been training at Jackson Wink and is settling in. He believes Wright's size and reach advantage will allow him to manipulate the clinch and land knees to finish Todorović, calling it a 50/50 fight.
Zane picks Wright, acknowledging it's a coin flip. He notes that Wright hits very hard and has technical striking from his Anthony Hardonk disciple background, but his mentality is fragile. He thinks Wright's power could catch Todorović early, as Todorović is extremely hittable.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chidi Njokuani | 1 | 14 of 17 | 82% | 19 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 9 of 11 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 0 | 3:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chidi Njokuani | 1 | 14 of 17 | 82% | 19 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 9 of 11 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 0 | 3:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chidi Njokuani | 14 of 17 | 82% | 3 of 4 | 8 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 7 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 5 of 7 | 71% | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chidi Njokuani | 14 of 17 | 82% | 3 of 4 | 8 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 7 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 5 of 7 | 71% | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Njokuani (-190), Todorovic (+160)
Round 1
Mark Smith will be the third man in the cage for this middleweight scrap. Njokuani enters the matchup on the heels of a 16-second knockout of Marc-Andre Barriault in his UFC debut. Todorovic ducks under a punch for a takedown, but Njokuani sprawls nicely. He has a front headlock secured and he rolls over, briefly securing a nifty brabo choke. Njokuani has to bail on the choke as Todorovic gets top position. Njokuani tries to use the cage to his advantage and work his way up, but Todorovic is relentless as he moves to his foe’s back. Njokuani is standing with Todorovic hanging onto a waist lock. Njokuani works to break his opponent’s grip. Todorovic shoves his man into the fence and lands some short right hands to the head. It’s a grueling style of fight, with Todorovic giving Njokuani no room with which to work. Todorovic drops for a single leg. Njokuani sprawls and hits Todorovic with a knee on the exit. Njokuani lands a series of knees to the body in close, and now it’s Njokuani with a waist lock. They tie up and Njokuani lands another knee to the body. With time running out in the round,
Njokuani creates just enough space to unleash a vicious right elbow to the temple of his adversary. Todorovic drops like a sack of potatoes and this one is over in sudden fashion.
The Official Result
Chidi Njokuani def. Dusko Todorovic via KO (Elbow) R1 4:48
Angelo picks Chidi Njokuani because of his power, speed, and distance control. He notes that Todorović has questions about his chin and that Njokuani has solid takedown defense. He suggests a prop bet on Njokuani winning inside the distance, as he expects a finish.
Big Brady picks Chidi Njokuani to win by first-round knockout, citing Todorović's horrendous striking defense and tendency to keep his hands down. He notes Njokuani has power and improved takedown defense. He acknowledges Njokuani has been finished in the past but believes he has improved. He expects the fight to stay standing and Njokuani to land a knockout early.
Cody is impressed with Njokuani's improvements in grappling and cardio, noting his recent knockout of Marc-André Barriault. He highlights Todorović's poor head movement and susceptibility to getting hit, as seen in the Punahele Soriano fight. He believes Njokuani's striking acumen and upgraded ground game will lead to a finish, likely in the first two rounds.
The host predicts Duško Todorović via decision. He expects Todorović to control the fight by keeping Njokuani still and against the cage, leading to a potentially boring fight with a lot of control time. He is not fully confident, as he questions the pick slightly when discussing totals, but his official prediction is Todorović by decision.
Paul agrees with Cody, saying Njokuani's striking and improved cardio should be enough. He notes Todorović's defensive liabilities and that Njokuani likely lands a big strike in the first two rounds. He hates the moneyline at -220 but still picks Chidi.
The MMA Guru is very confident in Chidi Njokuani, citing his reach advantage and experience. He notes Duško Todorović leaves his chin up when exiting exchanges, and Njokuani's reach will allow him to land cleanly. He predicts a first-round KO for Njokuani.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 13 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 30 of 53 | 56% | 67 of 91 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:46 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duško Todorović | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 13 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 30 of 53 | 56% | 67 of 91 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:46 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duško Todorović | 13 of 29 | 44% | 5 of 20 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 30 of 53 | 56% | 28 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 21 of 30 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duško Todorović | 13 of 29 | 44% | 5 of 20 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 30 of 53 | 56% | 28 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 21 of 30 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Finish rates above 75% for each fighter in this preliminary headliner make it one to watch at 185 pounds, even if the stakes are not as high as some other matchups on the card. Pitolo (13-8, 1-4 UFC) will try to throw his patented “Coconut Bombz” at Serbian striker Todorovic (10-2, 1-2 UFC), and referee Mark Smith will need to keep his head on a swivel for as long as these two trade leather. The gloves do get touched before the bombs drop, and Pitolo is the immediate aggressor coming forward but not the first to throw a strike. That comes as a front kick for Todorovic, and Pitolo sticks his hand out in response only to get warned for extended fingers. When Pitolo closes his fists and winds them up, Todorovic shoots in low for a takedown. The attempt is stuffed, and Todorovic backs off to let fly a pair of head kicks that get blocked. The Serbian fighter leaps forward with a punch, and Pitolo lands at the same time. Pitolo bears down on him and connects with a few punches and a knee. Pitolo nails his man with a right hand and a few leg kicks that make Todorovic spin around, and he has already marked Todorovic up in just 90 seconds. As Pitolo continues to attack the lead leg, Todorovic pursues a takedown. Todorovic gets it on the second attempt, only for him to fall into guillotine choke danger. Pitolo grabs hold of the choke and keeps it tight, keeping Todorovic stuck in this position without being able to pass guard. Todorovic escapes the submission danger but elects to go into Pitolo’s guard, which closes around him. Todorovic clubs Pitolo with a left hand, and he grinds down with an elbow to try to get some ground-and-pound going. When Todorovic elbows his foe a few times, the guard opens up, until Pitolo can close it back again to stifle the offense coming. “Thunder” strikes as he steps over to half guard, and he isolates an arm for a moment so he can distract Pitolo and continue to pass. Todorovic manages to turn the half guard position into a partial crucifix, which allows him to belt Pitolo a few more times before slicing over to full mount.
Todorovic sits up and nails Pitolo with ferocious ground-and-pound, and Smith asks Pitolo to keep moving only for the Hawaiian to get flattened out on his stomach. “Thunder” unleashes the thunder and lightning as he persistently pounds on Pitolo with powerful punches, until Smith has no choice but to stop the fight, thus saving “Coconut Bombz” from any further harm.
Todorovic successfully snaps a two-fight skid with a dominant win over a dangerous opponent.
The Official Result
Dusko Todorovic def. Maki Pitolo R1 4:34 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Maki Pitolo but does not bet the moneyline; instead he takes inside the distance/decision no action at +140. He notes Maki has power, solid takedowns, and a tough chin, and that Dusko's chin is questionable. He believes Maki can win by stoppage, and if not, he gets a refund.
Big Brady picks Maki Pitolo as a dog, but with low confidence. He notes that neither fighter is reliable, but he likes Pitolo's game plan in his last fight against Julian Marquez, where he fought smart and used takedowns. He criticizes Todorović's terrible striking defense (48%) and poor takedown defense (50%), and believes Pitolo can exploit those weaknesses. However, he acknowledges Pitolo's inconsistency and loss to Callan Potter as red flags.
Cody also picks Pitolo, emphasizing Todorović's defensive flaws and Pitolo's sharper hands. He thinks Pitolo can beat him to the punch and potentially knock him out. Cody notes that Pitolo has cardio issues but believes he can win the first two rounds.
Daniel Levi leans towards Duško Todorović, citing his body work, clinch fighting, dirty boxing, and vicious ground and pound. He notes that Todorović fights with his hands down and relies on head movement, which could be exploited by Pitolo's power. He acknowledges that Pitolo can crack and that Todorović leaves his chin up, making him vulnerable. He thinks Todorović can make the right decisions in a close fight.
Jacob picks Dusko Todorovic, noting his striking confidence and head movement. He thinks Dusko can win by submission at +285, but the odds are too short. He believes Maki's path is wrestling but he will gas, and Dusko's guard is active. Jacob likes Dusko all the way.
I like Pitolo here. He is better on the feet, throws more volume, and has better striking stats across the board. Todorović has defensive issues and tends to lose minutes. Pitolo should win the striking exchanges and can mix in takedowns. I expect him to win a decision, and the decision prop at plus 450 offers great value.
Paul picks Pitolo, citing his cleaner boxing and power. He notes that Todorović is a defensive liability with poor head movement and has been rocked in recent fights. Paul thinks Pitolo can knock him out or win a decision, but worries about Pitolo's cardio in the third round.
The MMA Guru picks Maki Pitolo to win by split decision. He expects a back-and-forth war where Todorović may drop Pitolo in the first but uses too much energy. Pitolo will grind out the second and third rounds with better pacing, landing knees and takedowns. He calls it a close fight, 29-28 split decision.
Maki Pitolo - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 13 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 30 of 53 | 56% | 67 of 91 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:46 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duško Todorović | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 13 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 30 of 53 | 56% | 67 of 91 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:46 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duško Todorović | 13 of 29 | 44% | 5 of 20 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 30 of 53 | 56% | 28 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 21 of 30 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duško Todorović | 13 of 29 | 44% | 5 of 20 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 30 of 53 | 56% | 28 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 21 of 30 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Finish rates above 75% for each fighter in this preliminary headliner make it one to watch at 185 pounds, even if the stakes are not as high as some other matchups on the card. Pitolo (13-8, 1-4 UFC) will try to throw his patented “Coconut Bombz” at Serbian striker Todorovic (10-2, 1-2 UFC), and referee Mark Smith will need to keep his head on a swivel for as long as these two trade leather. The gloves do get touched before the bombs drop, and Pitolo is the immediate aggressor coming forward but not the first to throw a strike. That comes as a front kick for Todorovic, and Pitolo sticks his hand out in response only to get warned for extended fingers. When Pitolo closes his fists and winds them up, Todorovic shoots in low for a takedown. The attempt is stuffed, and Todorovic backs off to let fly a pair of head kicks that get blocked. The Serbian fighter leaps forward with a punch, and Pitolo lands at the same time. Pitolo bears down on him and connects with a few punches and a knee. Pitolo nails his man with a right hand and a few leg kicks that make Todorovic spin around, and he has already marked Todorovic up in just 90 seconds. As Pitolo continues to attack the lead leg, Todorovic pursues a takedown. Todorovic gets it on the second attempt, only for him to fall into guillotine choke danger. Pitolo grabs hold of the choke and keeps it tight, keeping Todorovic stuck in this position without being able to pass guard. Todorovic escapes the submission danger but elects to go into Pitolo’s guard, which closes around him. Todorovic clubs Pitolo with a left hand, and he grinds down with an elbow to try to get some ground-and-pound going. When Todorovic elbows his foe a few times, the guard opens up, until Pitolo can close it back again to stifle the offense coming. “Thunder” strikes as he steps over to half guard, and he isolates an arm for a moment so he can distract Pitolo and continue to pass. Todorovic manages to turn the half guard position into a partial crucifix, which allows him to belt Pitolo a few more times before slicing over to full mount.
Todorovic sits up and nails Pitolo with ferocious ground-and-pound, and Smith asks Pitolo to keep moving only for the Hawaiian to get flattened out on his stomach. “Thunder” unleashes the thunder and lightning as he persistently pounds on Pitolo with powerful punches, until Smith has no choice but to stop the fight, thus saving “Coconut Bombz” from any further harm.
Todorovic successfully snaps a two-fight skid with a dominant win over a dangerous opponent.
The Official Result
Dusko Todorovic def. Maki Pitolo R1 4:34 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Maki Pitolo but does not bet the moneyline; instead he takes inside the distance/decision no action at +140. He notes Maki has power, solid takedowns, and a tough chin, and that Dusko's chin is questionable. He believes Maki can win by stoppage, and if not, he gets a refund.
Big Brady picks Maki Pitolo as a dog, but with low confidence. He notes that neither fighter is reliable, but he likes Pitolo's game plan in his last fight against Julian Marquez, where he fought smart and used takedowns. He criticizes Todorović's terrible striking defense (48%) and poor takedown defense (50%), and believes Pitolo can exploit those weaknesses. However, he acknowledges Pitolo's inconsistency and loss to Callan Potter as red flags.
Cody also picks Pitolo, emphasizing Todorović's defensive flaws and Pitolo's sharper hands. He thinks Pitolo can beat him to the punch and potentially knock him out. Cody notes that Pitolo has cardio issues but believes he can win the first two rounds.
Daniel Levi leans towards Duško Todorović, citing his body work, clinch fighting, dirty boxing, and vicious ground and pound. He notes that Todorović fights with his hands down and relies on head movement, which could be exploited by Pitolo's power. He acknowledges that Pitolo can crack and that Todorović leaves his chin up, making him vulnerable. He thinks Todorović can make the right decisions in a close fight.
Jacob picks Dusko Todorovic, noting his striking confidence and head movement. He thinks Dusko can win by submission at +285, but the odds are too short. He believes Maki's path is wrestling but he will gas, and Dusko's guard is active. Jacob likes Dusko all the way.
I like Pitolo here. He is better on the feet, throws more volume, and has better striking stats across the board. Todorović has defensive issues and tends to lose minutes. Pitolo should win the striking exchanges and can mix in takedowns. I expect him to win a decision, and the decision prop at plus 450 offers great value.
Paul picks Pitolo, citing his cleaner boxing and power. He notes that Todorović is a defensive liability with poor head movement and has been rocked in recent fights. Paul thinks Pitolo can knock him out or win a decision, but worries about Pitolo's cardio in the third round.
The MMA Guru picks Maki Pitolo to win by split decision. He expects a back-and-forth war where Todorović may drop Pitolo in the first but uses too much energy. Pitolo will grind out the second and third rounds with better pacing, landing knees and takedowns. He calls it a close fight, 29-28 split decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julian Marquez | 0 | 32 of 65 | 49% | 70 of 110 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 1 | 1 | 9:07 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 41 of 100 | 41% | 61 of 129 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 4 | 1 | 1:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julian Marquez | 0 | 10 of 16 | 62% | 18 of 29 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:24 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 8 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 2 | Julian Marquez | 0 | 11 of 23 | 47% | 41 of 54 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 1 | 3:02 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 11 of 40 | 27% | 17 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:57 | |
| 3 | Julian Marquez | 0 | 11 of 26 | 42% | 11 of 27 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 1:41 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 26 of 52 | 50% | 36 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:46 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julian Marquez | 32 of 65 | 49% | 16 of 46 | 12 of 14 | 4 of 5 | 22 of 52 | 7 of 8 | 3 of 5 |
| Maki Pitolo | 41 of 100 | 41% | 37 of 94 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 18 of 72 | 15 of 16 | 8 of 12 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julian Marquez | 10 of 16 | 62% | 5 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 3 |
| Maki Pitolo | 4 of 8 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Julian Marquez | 11 of 23 | 47% | 7 of 17 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Maki Pitolo | 11 of 40 | 27% | 11 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 11 | |
| 3 | Julian Marquez | 11 of 26 | 42% | 4 of 18 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 26 of 52 | 50% | 22 of 47 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 38 | 12 of 13 | 1 of 1 |
Big Brady picks Julian Marquez to win by finish, likely knockout in the second round. He thinks Marquez is the better fighter and that Pitolo has looked poor in the UFC, slowing down and being finished multiple times. He notes Marquez has a 100% finish rate and a sneaky ground game. He is concerned about Marquez's long layoff but thinks he will be prepared.
Daniel Levi leans toward Julian Marquez but calls it a 'dog or pass' situation. He notes Marquez's size and power, and that he can wear on Pitolo. However, he worries about Marquez's layoff and cardio, and thinks Pitolo could have improved training with Brad Tavares. He believes if Marquez doesn't finish early, Pitolo's volume and hands could take over. He ultimately says the lean is Marquez but it might be a pass.
The host leans toward Pitolo as an underdog, citing his better technical striking and hand speed. He notes that Marquez has been out for three years and relies on forward pressure and big shots, which Pitolo can counter with movement. He expects Pitolo to outpoint Marquez over three rounds, though he admits some hesitation.
The Guru picks Maki Pitolo as an underdog, citing Julian Marquez's long layoff and sloppy technique. He believes Pitolo's cardio and chin will allow him to survive Marquez's early power, then wear him down with body shots in the clinch and secure a third-round TKO. He notes that Marquez has never looked impressive and that Pitolo is more technical.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impa Kasanganay | 0 | 71 of 173 | 41% | 72 of 174 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 85 of 198 | 42% | 86 of 199 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Impa Kasanganay | 0 | 31 of 66 | 46% | 31 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 28 of 69 | 40% | 29 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 2 | Impa Kasanganay | 0 | 19 of 50 | 38% | 20 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 30 of 70 | 42% | 30 of 70 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 3 | Impa Kasanganay | 0 | 21 of 57 | 36% | 21 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 27 of 59 | 45% | 27 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impa Kasanganay | 71 of 173 | 41% | 54 of 141 | 13 of 27 | 4 of 5 | 71 of 172 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 85 of 198 | 42% | 68 of 164 | 12 of 29 | 5 of 5 | 82 of 190 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Impa Kasanganay | 31 of 66 | 46% | 21 of 52 | 7 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 31 of 65 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 28 of 69 | 40% | 20 of 55 | 5 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 27 of 66 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Impa Kasanganay | 19 of 50 | 38% | 15 of 42 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 30 of 70 | 42% | 27 of 61 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 66 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Impa Kasanganay | 21 of 57 | 36% | 18 of 47 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 21 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 27 of 59 | 45% | 21 of 48 | 4 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 27 of 58 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Kasanganay but is hesitant, acknowledging Pitolo is being disrespected by the odds and should be a slight favorite. He thinks Kasanganay can grind out a decision by using his size, takedowns, and top control, but worries about Pitolo's power and finishing ability in the first round. He notes Kasanganay has only one finish in seven fights.
Daniel Levi picks Impa Kasanganay, citing his heart and ability to dig deep in tough spots, as seen on Contender Series. He believes Kasanganay's wrestling and clinch work will tire Pitolo, and that Pitolo has a history of making mistakes and getting finished. He expects Kasanganay to win by decision, though the first round could be a sweat due to Pitolo's power.
Kasanganay is more well-rounded with better striking and can wrestle if needed. Pitolo has power but poor cardio and has been submitted recently. Kasanganay should avoid early bombs and take over later, winning by decision via grappling and clinch work.
The host picks Maki Pitolo, noting that Impa Kasanganay has not fought good competition and his legs were chewed up in his Contender Series fight. He believes Pitolo's experience and ability to build momentum as the fight goes on will lead to a finish in the third round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 12 of 31 | 38% | 14 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 13 of 38 | 34% | 14 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Stewart | 0 | 12 of 31 | 38% | 14 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 13 of 38 | 34% | 14 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Stewart | 12 of 31 | 38% | 7 of 22 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 13 of 38 | 34% | 9 of 32 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Stewart | 12 of 31 | 38% | 7 of 22 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 13 of 38 | 34% | 9 of 32 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Pitolo as an underdog, believing his volume striking and improved cardio at 185 will be key. He notes Stewart's power but thinks Pitolo can outwork him and possibly get a knockout, as Stewart has never been knocked out. He predicts a second-round knockout for Pitolo.
Daniel Levi picks Maki Pitolo to win, citing that Pitolo is a different fighter at 185 pounds compared to 170, where he had brutal weight cuts. He notes Pitolo's improved durability, volume striking, and wrestling, and believes he is the better fighter across the board. Levi acknowledges the risk of Stewart's knockout power but thinks Pitolo can avoid it and win a decision or finish.
Stewart is the better striker with more power and technical kicking. Pitolo may try to grapple, but his takedowns are not as good as Stewart's previous opponents. Stewart's cardio is a question, but Pitolo has also gassed in the past. The fight likely ends inside the distance, but the line at -160 is a bit steep. Stewart by TKO in the second or third round.
The MMA Guru picks Darren Stewart because he is too big, strong, and dangerous in the clinch. He notes that Pitolo has dangerous body shots in the clinch, but Stewart has nasty elbows there. He expects Stewart to crack Pitolo with an elbow and win by unanimous decision, possibly a TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 16 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 2:54 |
| Charles Byrd | 0 | 29 of 59 | 49% | 33 of 65 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:52 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maki Pitolo | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 10 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 2:54 |
| Charles Byrd | 0 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 6 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:44 | |
| 2 | Maki Pitolo | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Charles Byrd | 0 | 27 of 49 | 55% | 27 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maki Pitolo | 11 of 25 | 44% | 10 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 |
| Charles Byrd | 29 of 59 | 49% | 20 of 48 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 39 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 15 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maki Pitolo | 5 of 10 | 50% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 |
| Charles Byrd | 2 of 10 | 20% | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | |
| 2 | Maki Pitolo | 6 of 15 | 40% | 5 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Byrd | 27 of 49 | 55% | 18 of 38 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 31 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 13 |
Big Brady picks Charles Byrd by first-round submission, confident that Byrd's superior ground game will overcome Pitolo's one-dimensional striking. He notes Pitolo hits hard but has no ground game, and Byrd should take him down early to avoid getting knocked out. He acknowledges Byrd's age and recent losses but believes he is the better fighter overall.
Daniel is not confident in Byrd, calling him basic and old, but still leans toward him as the more skilled fighter. He notes Pitolo is undefeated at 185 but has been knocked out badly at 170. He says he would not lay -170 on Byrd and that nothing would surprise him, but ultimately picks Byrd by decision.
Charles Byrd is a grappler who will look to take the fight to the ground, where he has a submission threat. Maki Pitolo has gas tank issues and has been submitted before. If Pitolo doesn't get a knockout in the first round, he tends to fade, and Byrd can exploit that. Byrd's takedowns and top control should wear on Pitolo. Byrd is a solid play at -170.
The MMA Guru picks Charles Byrd over Maki Pitolo. He notes that Byrd was doing well against Darren Stewart before getting KO'd, while Pitolo is a glider coming off a loss to Callum Potter. He expects Byrd to use his size advantage to bully Pitolo against the cage and win by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callan Potter | 0 | 48 of 96 | 50% | 127 of 198 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 1 | 8:25 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 60 of 155 | 38% | 103 of 198 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 1:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Callan Potter | 0 | 20 of 38 | 52% | 35 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 2:13 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 26 of 62 | 41% | 45 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:55 | |
| 2 | Callan Potter | 0 | 23 of 48 | 47% | 49 of 82 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:13 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 27 of 73 | 36% | 45 of 91 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 | |
| 3 | Callan Potter | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 43 of 57 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:59 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 7 of 20 | 35% | 13 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callan Potter | 48 of 96 | 50% | 44 of 91 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 41 of 89 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 |
| Maki Pitolo | 60 of 155 | 38% | 49 of 142 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 60 of 155 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Callan Potter | 20 of 38 | 52% | 20 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 26 of 62 | 41% | 21 of 56 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 62 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Callan Potter | 23 of 48 | 47% | 19 of 43 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 45 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 27 of 73 | 36% | 24 of 69 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 27 of 73 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Callan Potter | 5 of 10 | 50% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Maki Pitolo | 7 of 20 | 35% | 4 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks Maki Pitolo but does not bet the moneyline; instead he takes inside the distance/decision no action at +140. He notes Maki has power, solid takedowns, and a tough chin, and that Dusko's chin is questionable. He believes Maki can win by stoppage, and if not, he gets a refund.
Big Brady picks Maki Pitolo as a dog, but with low confidence. He notes that neither fighter is reliable, but he likes Pitolo's game plan in his last fight against Julian Marquez, where he fought smart and used takedowns. He criticizes Todorović's terrible striking defense (48%) and poor takedown defense (50%), and believes Pitolo can exploit those weaknesses. However, he acknowledges Pitolo's inconsistency and loss to Callan Potter as red flags.
Cody also picks Pitolo, emphasizing Todorović's defensive flaws and Pitolo's sharper hands. He thinks Pitolo can beat him to the punch and potentially knock him out. Cody notes that Pitolo has cardio issues but believes he can win the first two rounds.
Daniel Levi leans towards Duško Todorović, citing his body work, clinch fighting, dirty boxing, and vicious ground and pound. He notes that Todorović fights with his hands down and relies on head movement, which could be exploited by Pitolo's power. He acknowledges that Pitolo can crack and that Todorović leaves his chin up, making him vulnerable. He thinks Todorović can make the right decisions in a close fight.
Jacob picks Dusko Todorovic, noting his striking confidence and head movement. He thinks Dusko can win by submission at +285, but the odds are too short. He believes Maki's path is wrestling but he will gas, and Dusko's guard is active. Jacob likes Dusko all the way.
I like Pitolo here. He is better on the feet, throws more volume, and has better striking stats across the board. Todorović has defensive issues and tends to lose minutes. Pitolo should win the striking exchanges and can mix in takedowns. I expect him to win a decision, and the decision prop at plus 450 offers great value.
Paul picks Pitolo, citing his cleaner boxing and power. He notes that Todorović is a defensive liability with poor head movement and has been rocked in recent fights. Paul thinks Pitolo can knock him out or win a decision, but worries about Pitolo's cardio in the third round.
The MMA Guru picks Maki Pitolo to win by split decision. He expects a back-and-forth war where Todorović may drop Pitolo in the first but uses too much energy. Pitolo will grind out the second and third rounds with better pacing, landing knees and takedowns. He calls it a close fight, 29-28 split decision.
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