Career Averages - Melissa Gatto
Career Averages - Victoria Leonardo
Melissa Gatto
Victoria Leonardo
Melissa Gatto - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dione Barbosa | 0 | 30 of 67 | 44% | 108 of 154 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 1 | 6:06 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 33 of 67 | 49% | 64 of 109 | 3 of 12 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 4:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dione Barbosa | 0 | 16 of 37 | 43% | 35 of 58 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:15 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 21 of 48 | 43% | 27 of 59 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 | |
| 2 | Dione Barbosa | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 34 of 51 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 23 of 30 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 | |
| 3 | Dione Barbosa | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 39 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 2:31 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 14 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:42 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dione Barbosa | 30 of 67 | 44% | 19 of 53 | 9 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 49 | 5 of 7 | 9 of 11 |
| Melissa Gatto | 33 of 67 | 49% | 14 of 40 | 9 of 15 | 10 of 12 | 30 of 62 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dione Barbosa | 16 of 37 | 43% | 12 of 31 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 30 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 2 |
| Melissa Gatto | 21 of 48 | 43% | 7 of 26 | 7 of 13 | 7 of 9 | 20 of 45 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Dione Barbosa | 9 of 20 | 45% | 6 of 17 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 |
| Melissa Gatto | 5 of 7 | 71% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Dione Barbosa | 5 of 10 | 50% | 1 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Melissa Gatto | 7 of 12 | 58% | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barbosa (-145); Gatto (+125)
Round 1
The night presses on as a pair of women’s flyweights meet in hopes of keeping or lifting their respective promotional record above .500. Barbosa (8-4, 2-2 UFC) would like a victory to elevate it over that midpoint mark, while bantamweight part-timer Gatto (9-2-2, 3-2 UFC) is looking for success back in her natural weight class. Referee Chris Tognoni draws the charge for this preliminary contest, one that does not open with a glove touch.
The ladies measure one another in the early going, testing out their jabs while not committing to much else. Gatto opens up a bit more with her overhand right, and when she finally scores one, she has to back off when a one-two pinpoints her nose. Gatto slings her right hand down the pipe, faking a takedown shot and ultimately walk into a spinning back kick counter. Barbosa gets her attention with a left hand after the kick connects, and she is greeted with a stern right hand. Barbosa shakes it off and offers a low kick followed by two punches, and the two start trading hands in a brief exchange with Barbosa landing at the beginning and ending. Gatto works her way behind her right hand, and she shoots in for takedown that is shut down before it can come close to materializing.
Barbosa bullies the taller woman to the wall, pressing her shoulder tightly before kneeing her a couple times to the stomach. Barbosa trips Gatto up to drag her to the floor, and Gatto springs back up with the fencing behind her. Barbosa stomps Gatto’s toes, and Gatto breaks off with a knee. Gatto takes a punch and times the spin she sees coming to grab Barbosa from behind and wrangle her to the mat. Gatto advances to an awkward position that places her in leglock danger, but she is close to securing the mount position. Barbosa hacks with elbows off her back, and she uses butterfly hooks to stave Gatto from claiming a dominant posture. Gatto lowers herself down maintain control, and Barbosa’s leg slides up an around to snatch up an armbar. Gatto leans to her side to free the pressure on her limb, and she drills Barbosa with a number of hammerfists as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gatto
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gatto
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gatto
Round 2
Gatto assumes control of the center of the cage to get going first, pushing out her jab a few times before snatching up a Barbosa low kick to trip her up and take her to the mat. Barbosa flips her all the way over to wind up on top, and Gatto is stuck flat on her back. Gatto keeps a high guard when Barbosa postures up, but Barbosa does not fall into a trap and stands back up. Gatto turns to her knees to stand back up, and Barbosa blasts her with an illegal soccer kick to the neck and chin that knocks Gatto completely out. Barbosa walks off celebrating, as if she thinks that she has won the fight, while Gatto is splayed out lifelessly in an eerie scene reminiscent of Maycee Barber getting knocked out last week. As a medical professional or two rush in to tend to Gatto, she comes to and has to be told what happened. The replay official flips the light to signal that they are going to use instant replay to review the footage, but it appeared that Gatto’s knee was down right before she took the soccer kick that rendered her unconscious. Tognoni discusses his options with the officiating team, and he deducts one point from Barbosa for the foul. Shockingly, the fight somehow continues, even though Gatto was knocked unconscious from the strike. This is complete nonsense. This fight should be over, period. What happened to fighter safety being the primary concern of officials? Gatto, who apparently is back with her wits again, runs forward at the restart to take the fight down. Barbosa is grounded for a time before fighting her way back up, and she turns the tables to take Gatto down.
Gatto works her way up after absorbing some hammerfists, and she breaks out of the clinch to take a spinning back fist on the chin. Gatto shakes it out and tackles Barbosa to the floor. Thankfully, with Gatto on top, it means she is not currently absorbing much brain trauma after being knocked out from the illegal soccer kick that only resulted in a single point being deducted. Barbosa fights off her back with a high guard in hopes of catching Gatto in something, and she grips hold of a triangle armbar but is punched out of it. The round somehow ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 9-9
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 9-9
Tyler Treese scores the round: 9-9
Round 3
Between rounds, it is explained that the officials and medical staff determined Gatto was able to continue a fistfight despite already getting knocked all the way out. What are rules anymore? It does not take long for the ladies to go for grappling, and Barbosa succeeds in taking Gatto to the mat. Gatto keeps her left leg wrapped on the side in hopes of setting something up, and Barbosa ignores it and starts elbowing her in the side. Gatto turns to her side with a two-on-one wrist control of Barbosa, who counters her by rolling all the way over to snatch up an armbar.
Gatto turns over to stack Barboza up, squeezing her elbow and forearm on the throat while exerting as much pressure down as she can to stifle the submission. Barbosa cannot hold the submission much longer as she is getting squished, and Gatto breaks out of it and busts her in the chops with a strong right hand. Barbosa sits up and flips her opponent over to her back, and she starts hunting for a leglock. Gatto sits up to stop it, and she tries to muscle Barbosa over and use a kimura grip to reverse position. She succeeds in turning Barbosa over and keeps control of the limb, and she steps over the body with her rear leg to establish herself in top control. As the ladies roll around on the mat looking for positional advantages, Gatto snags hold of the left arm of her opponent to hunt for her own armbar. Barbosa elbows Gatto on the back of the calf, and this fight somehow makes it 15 minutes. This is not a good day for the Nevada State Athletic Commission. A draw may be in play, but that depends on the scoring of the first round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barbosa (28-28)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barbosa (28-28)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barbosa (28-28)
The Official Result
Dione Barbosa def. Melissa Gatto via Majority Decision (28-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Angelo picks Dione Barbosa, citing her superior takedown ability as a judoka. He notes that Melissa Gatto has poor takedowns and that Barbosa can close the distance, take her down, and control on top. He worries about potential judging bias similar to Barbosa's last loss but believes Barbosa will win a close decision.
Big Brady picks Melissa Gatto as a slight underdog. He notes Barbosa has power and can get takedowns early, but fades as the fight goes on. He likes Gatto's cardio, volume, and kicks, and expects her to take over in later rounds. He predicts a close decision win for Gatto.
Cody picks Gatto, citing her youth, improved skills, and ability to scramble and strike. He expects her to win a decision, as Barbosa's grappling-heavy style may not score well.
Connor leans toward Barbosa, agreeing that she is more disciplined. He notes that Gatto's footwork is worse and she tends to collapse when pressured, leading her to wrestle. Barbosa is as big as Gatto and a better grappler, which should neutralize Gatto's advantages.
James leans toward Melissa Gatto as the underdog, citing her striking kicks and cardio advantage, while noting Barbosa's tendency to tire. He admits he hasn't done tape study and is unsure about the grappling dynamics. He predicts a decision win for Gatto but emphasizes low confidence and the need for further analysis.
The host picks Gatto as a dog, citing her damage-based striking and grappling advantage. He notes Barbosa's recent loss where control wasn't enough, and trusts Gatto's volume and damage to win on the scorecards despite a two-year layoff. He sees a good stylistic matchup for Gatto.
Paul leans towards Gatto, noting her two-year layoff may have helped her improve. He expects her to win a close decision due to her striking and scrambling.
The MMA Guru picks Dione Barbosa but seems hesitant, acknowledging that her win over Diana Belbita isn't impressive. He notes that Melissa Gatto has a body kick KO win but lost to Tracy Cortez. He thinks Barbosa is slightly more well-rounded but doesn't sound fully convinced.
Zane leans toward Barbosa, noting she is more disciplined and has better footwork. He thinks Gatto has good tools but doesn't stick to them, and tends to win when opponents make catastrophic mistakes. Barbosa's boxing footwork and grappling should allow her to keep the fight in her favor.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 50 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Tamires Vidal | 0 | 30 of 52 | 57% | 120 of 163 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 6:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 32 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tamires Vidal | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 72 of 85 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:33 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 11 of 20 | 55% | 17 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Tamires Vidal | 0 | 21 of 35 | 60% | 45 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:25 | |
| 3 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tamires Vidal | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 15 of 29 | 51% | 7 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 6 | 14 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tamires Vidal | 30 of 52 | 57% | 13 of 30 | 16 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 22 of 40 | 1 of 5 | 7 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tamires Vidal | 6 of 9 | 66% | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 11 of 20 | 55% | 5 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tamires Vidal | 21 of 35 | 60% | 9 of 21 | 11 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 25 | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 | |
| 3 | Melissa Gatto | 1 of 6 | 16% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tamires Vidal | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is shocked that Melissa Gatto is the biggest favorite on the card at -820 despite being on a two-fight losing streak, moving up in weight, and having poor takedown accuracy (0 for 7 in her last fight). He believes Tamires Vidal is big, strong, and has a grappling advantage. He plans to bet on Vidal, watching the line movement to decide when to place the bet.
Cody views this as a clear bounceback fight for Gatto, who has lost two close decisions to top competition. He notes Vidal has massive limitations in every area: poor footwork, no head movement, low volume, and no power. Gatto is stronger, more technical, and a better wrestler. Cody believes Gatto will dominate on the ground and get back in the win column.
Vidal is reckless with wide hooks and was out-grinded in her last fight. Gatto is the toughest opponent Vidal has faced and should provide a ton of resistance. Expects Gatto to pressure Vidal, use the clinch, take her down, and eventually find a finish. The line should be closer to -400 or -500.
Paul sees Gatto as much more powerful and technical than Vidal. He notes Vidal's only UFC win came via flying knee against a low-level opponent, and she was dominated by Montserrat Ruiz. Paul expects Gatto to manhandle Vidal with her grappling and physicality, despite moving up a weight class.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Gatto over Tamires Vidal, despite going against his rule of picking 'thems' in women's MMA. He notes that Gatto had a close fight with Tracy Cortez and that Vidal was taken down three times by a smaller opponent in her last fight. He expects Gatto to use her reach and grappling to control Vidal and win by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariane da Silva | 0 | 66 of 149 | 44% | 81 of 166 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 85 of 186 | 45% | 100 of 201 | 0 of 7 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:57 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ariane da Silva | 0 | 16 of 49 | 32% | 18 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 28 of 53 | 52% | 28 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 | |
| 2 | Ariane da Silva | 0 | 26 of 46 | 56% | 39 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 33 of 66 | 50% | 45 of 78 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:16 | |
| 3 | Ariane da Silva | 0 | 24 of 54 | 44% | 24 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 24 of 67 | 35% | 27 of 70 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariane da Silva | 66 of 149 | 44% | 28 of 101 | 27 of 36 | 11 of 12 | 53 of 131 | 12 of 15 | 1 of 3 |
| Melissa Gatto | 85 of 186 | 45% | 39 of 117 | 34 of 50 | 12 of 19 | 70 of 165 | 15 of 21 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ariane da Silva | 16 of 49 | 32% | 3 of 30 | 9 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 45 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Melissa Gatto | 28 of 53 | 52% | 13 of 31 | 10 of 15 | 5 of 7 | 25 of 49 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ariane da Silva | 26 of 46 | 56% | 10 of 27 | 12 of 14 | 4 of 5 | 18 of 37 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Melissa Gatto | 33 of 66 | 50% | 11 of 37 | 17 of 21 | 5 of 8 | 23 of 52 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ariane da Silva | 24 of 54 | 44% | 15 of 44 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 21 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 3 |
| Melissa Gatto | 24 of 67 | 35% | 15 of 49 | 7 of 14 | 2 of 4 | 22 of 64 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Ariane Lipski (da Silva) based on her last performance against JJ Aldrich, where her hands and wrestling looked great. He acknowledges the logical pick is Melissa Gatto due to Lipski's history of being outgrappled, but he goes against logic. He suggests a plus 3.5 point buy on the scorecard for Lipski as a safer bet.
Big Brady picks Melissa Gatto to win by first-round submission. He notes Gatto has improved significantly, with better striking and takedown defense, and has power. He points out that Ariane da Silva (Lipski) has been dominated on the ground by fighters like Montana De La Rosa and Antonina Shevchenko, and Gatto's top game is dangerous. He expects Gatto to get on top and finish early.
Cody sees Lipski as a live underdog. He notes Gatto's low volume (17 significant strikes in nearly 3 rounds against Eubanks) and poor defensive wrestling. Lipski showed improved wrestling at ATT and has high volume (101 significant strikes against Aldrich). Cody thinks if Lipski can stuff takedowns, she wins the striking battle. He also notes Lipski is only 29 and improving.
Daniel confidently picks Gatto, citing her superior heart, durability, and grappling. He notes Lipski's history of quitting when pressured and her poor defensive grappling, while Gatto showed toughness against Tracy Cortez, reversing positions and landing takedowns. He believes Gatto's chin and submission threat are key, and that Lipski's recent win over JJ Aldrich is overrated. However, he missed the opening line (-150) and won't bet at -230, but expects Gatto to win.
Paul is tempted by the CF dog model. He notes Lipski's last performance against Aldrich was impressive and that Gatto's wins are over low-level competition. He questions if Lipski has turned the corner and thinks the line is off. Paul believes Lipski has a legitimate chance.
The Guru picks Melissa Gatto, noting her impressive win over Ariane Lipski via front kick to the body and her submission win over Karol Rosa. He acknowledges her loss to Tracy Cortez but believes she has improved during her year off. He predicts a submission off her back, possibly an armbar.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 36 of 66 | 54% | 70 of 102 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 1 | 7:54 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 30 of 73 | 41% | 49 of 95 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 1 | 3:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 11 of 16 | 68% | 23 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 3:16 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 7 of 20 | 35% | 14 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 9 of 23 | 39% | 20 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:35 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 15 of 35 | 42% | 25 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 2:04 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 27 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:03 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:35 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 36 of 66 | 54% | 25 of 51 | 6 of 9 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 27 |
| Melissa Gatto | 30 of 73 | 41% | 25 of 61 | 3 of 7 | 2 of 5 | 27 of 69 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 11 of 16 | 68% | 8 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 |
| Melissa Gatto | 7 of 20 | 35% | 6 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 9 of 23 | 39% | 4 of 16 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
| Melissa Gatto | 15 of 35 | 42% | 13 of 30 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 14 of 33 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 16 of 27 | 59% | 13 of 22 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 14 |
| Melissa Gatto | 8 of 18 | 44% | 6 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo picks Tracy Cortez based on her wrestling, expecting her to grind out a decision. However, he admits his bet will be on Melissa Gatto to win inside the distance (decision no action), indicating a lack of full confidence in Cortez. He notes Cortez's layoff and Gatto's submission threat.
Big Brady picks Tracy Cortez to win by decision, but he is hesitant. He acknowledges that Gatto has shown impressive striking and grappling, but her takedown defense is poor. Cortez will look to take Gatto down and control her, and Brady believes she will succeed in getting takedowns. However, Gatto is dangerous off her back with submissions, so Cortez will have to fight off submissions for 15 minutes. Brady thinks Cortez will win by controlling the fight on the ground, but he would not count out Gatto completely.
Cody picks Tracy Cortez, but emphasizes monitoring the scales. He notes Cortez's wrestling advantage and that she trains at Fight Ready MMA. Cody believes Cortez can get takedowns and stay on top, avoiding Gatto's submissions. He thinks Gatto's guard is active but Cortez's wrestling and pace will prevail. Cody is confident if Cortez makes weight.
Daniel Levi leans toward Melissa Gatto as an underdog, citing her cleaner striking, power, and opportunistic submissions. He expects Cortez to have early wrestling success but thinks Gatto can survive and turn the fight in later rounds. He is worried about Cortez's top control but sees value in Gatto at plus money. He has not bet yet, noting he missed better lines.
The host picks Melissa Gatto but is not betting the fight due to volatility. He notes Cortez's strong wrestling but concerns about her weight miss and cardio. He highlights Gatto's impressive UFC performances, her ability to work from bottom, and her vicious striking. He expects Gatto to pressure, attack the body, and possibly find a submission or win via striking. He acknowledges Cortez will land takedowns but thinks Gatto will do enough to win.
Paul picks Melissa Gatto as an underdog at +147. He believes the fight is more 50/50 and that Gatto's grappling is legit, with an active guard and submission threats. He fears Cortez's wrestling could control the fight, but thinks Gatto's strength and jiu-jitsu could lead to a submission. Paul acknowledges the Arizona home cooking factor but took the dog shot.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Gatto as an underdog, citing her underrated skills, youth, and physical advantages. He notes Gatto has a reach advantage, submission ability, and finishing power, as seen in her wins over Carol Rosa and Sijara Eubanks. He criticizes Cortez for pitter-patter striking and lack of finishing ability. He predicts Gatto will win on the feet and then secure a submission, possibly an armbar in the second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 14 of 45 | 31% | 32 of 68 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 6:05 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 1 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 64 of 91 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 3:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 23 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 4:30 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 20 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 7 of 15 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:35 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 0 | 9 of 13 | 69% | 37 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:53 | |
| 3 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 2 of 16 | 12% | 2 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 1 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 7 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 14 of 45 | 31% | 10 of 37 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 10 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 17 of 34 | 50% | 11 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 13 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 8 of 18 | 44% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 10 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 4 of 11 | 36% | 1 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 9 of 13 | 69% | 7 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Melissa Gatto | 2 of 16 | 12% | 1 of 13 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sijara Eubanks | 6 of 16 | 37% | 3 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
Angelo picks Melissa Gatto with a half-unit bet at +190. He believes Gatto is a young up-and-comer with real potential, while Eubanks is a .500 fighter whose cardio issues may not be fully resolved. He notes that Gatto has good striking, can set up takedowns, and is aggressive on top. However, he cautions that if Eubanks' cardio holds up, she is a giant beast at 125 and could be a problem. He emphasizes that Gatto must stay on top and not pull guard.
Big Brady picks Sijara Eubanks by decision, citing her experience, BJJ black belt, and path to victory via takedowns and ground control. He has concerns about Eubanks' age (36) and cardio if the fight extends. He notes Gatto's poor takedown defense and submission-over-position style, but acknowledges Gatto looked improved in her last fight. He says he may not bet Eubanks due to cardio worries.
Cody leans Eubanks due to her BJJ, size, and physicality. He notes her wrestling is solid for the division and she is aggressive. However, he worries about her cardio and weight cuts. Gatto is more wily and could pressure late. Cody says it's not a high-confidence play and wants to see weigh-ins.
Daniel Levi picks Melissa Gatto as an underdog. He likes Gatto's scrappiness, aggression, and improvement, especially her arm submissions. Levi is concerned that Eubanks's jiu-jitsu could neutralize Gatto's sub attempts, but he believes Gatto's tenacity and desire to prove herself after a layoff will carry her. He thinks Gatto can make it close if she doesn't get held down for two rounds, and sees value in the plus money.
Jacob is extremely confident in Melissa Gatto, calling it his lock of the week. He placed 5 units on her moneyline at +146, 4 units on her inside the distance (decision no action) at +170, and 2 units on under 2.5 rounds at +165. He believes Eubanks cannot bully Gatto, who has good striking and aggressive grappling. He compares it to the Miranda Maverick fight where the favorite was dominated. Jacob thinks Gatto will finish Eubanks, possibly by submission, and that the odds are moving fast.
The host picks Eubanks by decision, highlighting her superior wrestling and jiu-jitsu. He notes that Gatto plays off her back and Eubanks should be able to control her on top. He likes the decision prop at +150, as Eubanks is not a proactive finisher.
Paul does not give a clear pick for this fight. He mentions that Eubanks is the rightful favorite but notes concerns about her cardio and weight cuts. He says to pay attention to weigh-ins. He does not commit to a pick.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Gatto as an upset winner, predicting a first-round armbar submission. He notes Gatto has good jiu-jitsu and submitted Carol Rosa with a kimura. He thinks Eubanks is getting older and may entertain the ground game too much. He sees Eubanks ending up on top but getting caught in an armbar from bottom.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 43 of 91 | 47% | 59 of 110 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 2 | 2:27 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 70 of 121 | 57% | 96 of 148 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 1 | 1:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 27 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 2 | 1:59 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 13 of 21 | 61% | 36 of 45 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 1:48 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 30 of 64 | 46% | 32 of 66 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 57 of 100 | 57% | 60 of 103 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 43 of 91 | 47% | 14 of 58 | 13 of 17 | 16 of 16 | 38 of 84 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 70 of 121 | 57% | 42 of 83 | 12 of 19 | 16 of 19 | 63 of 110 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 13 of 27 | 48% | 4 of 17 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 9 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 13 of 21 | 61% | 7 of 12 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 14 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 30 of 64 | 46% | 10 of 41 | 10 of 13 | 10 of 10 | 29 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 57 of 100 | 57% | 35 of 71 | 10 of 14 | 12 of 15 | 54 of 96 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Leonardo, citing Gatto's long layoff (2.5 years due to USADA suspension) and that Gatto is a grappler who likes to fight off her back. He thinks Leonardo will be on top and win a decision. He calls Leonardo a solid underdog pick.
Big Brady is hesitant on this fight due to many question marks. He thinks Melissa Gatto is sub-or-bust and has poor takedown defense, while Victoria Leonardo is more active and likely the better striker. He picks Leonardo to win by decision but warns that Gatto could pull off an armbar from guard. He advises staying away from betting this fight.
Cody picks Gatto, citing the narrative of Brazilian fighters improving after long layoffs. He notes her BJJ skills and potential improvements in wrestling. He thinks she can get the fight to the ground and submit Leonardo.
Daniel Levi picks Melissa Gatto to win by opportunistic submission, citing that Victoria Leonardo is a punching bag on the feet and has been stopped multiple times. He notes that Gatto is young and may have improved during her USADA suspension, and that Leonardo's takedown attempts could lead to submissions. He does not put much stock into the suspension for a young fighter and believes Gatto has the skills to finish.
Gatto is a BJJ specialist who relies on takedowns, but Leonardo has a purple belt and good enough grappling to nullify submissions. Leonardo is stronger, has better striking, and better cardio. The longer the fight goes, the more success Leonardo will have, likely finishing Gatto in the third round via ground and pound.
Paul does not make a clear pick. He is surprised by the pick'em line and notes the lack of tape on both fighters.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Gatto to win by first-round submission. He highlights Gatto's undefeated record (6-0 with two draws) and her win over Carol Rosa, who is now on a four-fight win streak in the UFC. He criticizes Victoria Leonardo's lack of technical skill and poor chin, noting she has been knocked out twice recently. He predicts Gatto will submit Leonardo, possibly off her back.
Victoria Leonardo - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wang Cong | 1 | 10 of 26 | 38% | 10 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 1 of 9 | 11% | 1 of 9 | 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 | Wang Cong | 1 | 10 of 26 | 38% | 10 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 1 of 9 | 11% | 1 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wang Cong | 10 of 26 | 38% | 4 of 16 | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 1 of 9 | 11% | 0 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wang Cong | 10 of 26 | 38% | 4 of 16 | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 1 of 9 | 11% | 0 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Wang Cong, calling her the biggest favorite on the card at 8-to-1 odds. He notes her high-level kickboxing background, including a win over Valentina Shevchenko, and her striking speed and power. He thinks she is light years ahead of Leonardo in striking and should win, potentially by stoppage. However, he warns against betting the moneyline because the odds are too far gone and she is an untested UFC debut. He considers a bet on the under 2.5 rounds if the line is juiced.
Cody picks Wang Cong because of her striking pedigree, including a kickboxing win over Valentina Shevchenko. He notes that Leonardo is 1-3 in the UFC and has been finished by lesser strikers. He thinks Wang Cong's power and precision will be too much. He also mentions that the UFC is building her up as a potential contender.
Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Wang Cong, noting her kickboxing background and Leonardo's history of being finished by UFC-caliber opponents. He expects a dominant performance, possibly by head kick or other finish.
Brevin picks Wang Cong by KO, citing her strong wrestling and grappling, and noting that Leonardo is a terrible striker with no striking ability. He is confident Wang will get the job done on Saturday. JP piggybacks, also taking Wang by KO, emphasizing Leonardo's poor record of 1-4 with KOs.
Paul picks Wang Cong, noting her kickboxing background and the UFC's intention to build a Chinese star. He thinks Leonardo is a gatekeeper who will be used to propel Wang Cong. He also mentions that Wang Cong showed grappling skills on Road to the UFC. He says he's willing to pay the chalk.
The MMA Guru picks Wang Cong because she is undefeated and Victoria Leonardo is 'garbage' and should not be in the UFC. He dismisses Leonardo's skills entirely, suggesting she has no business being signed. He does not elaborate on Wang's specific strengths but is confident in her victory.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natália Silva | 1 | 20 of 45 | 44% | 21 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 7 of 18 | 38% | 7 of 18 | 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 | Natália Silva | 1 | 20 of 45 | 44% | 21 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 7 of 18 | 38% | 7 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natália Silva | 20 of 45 | 44% | 16 of 41 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 7 of 18 | 38% | 6 of 14 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natália Silva | 20 of 45 | 44% | 16 of 41 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 7 of 18 | 38% | 6 of 14 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is very confident in Natália Silva winning, citing her superior striking, grappling, power, and athleticism. He acknowledges Victoria Leonardo may be the better wrestler and could get takedowns, but believes Silva will work back up and potentially get a finish. However, he is undecided on betting due to the juiced line and past burns on women's MMA favorites.
Big Brady picks Natália Silva to knock out Victoria Leonardo in the second round. He is very confident, noting Silva's striking is elite and her takedown defense has improved significantly. He sees Leonardo's only path to success being clinch control, but doubts she can get takedowns. He expects Silva to dominate on the feet and finish Leonardo, who has been finished in all her losses.
Cody is very confident in Silva, citing her impressive debut and well-rounded skills. He notes Leonardo's poor durability and record. He expects Silva to win easily, possibly by finish.
Connor is also very confident in Silva, agreeing that she is much better technically, harder hitting, and more dynamic everywhere. He notes that Leonardo is slow and that Silva will dominate. Connor mentions that Silva has lost fights early in her career but has used that experience to hit the UFC very ready.
Daniel Levi is extremely confident in Natália Silva, calling her a future star. He praises her striking, takedown defense, and highlight-reel potential (spinning back kick KO). He views Victoria Leonardo as a stepping stone and expects Silva to make a statement. He notes Leonardo has been susceptible to high kicks in the past. He says Silva is ready for the top 15 and this is a showcase fight.
The host is confident Natália Silva will win, but notes the -1000 moneyline is prohibitive. He prefers the under 2.5 rounds prop, expecting Silva's speed and power to be too much for Leonardo. He thinks Silva will find a finish, possibly by knockout or club and sub, as Leonardo slows down and eats damage.
Paul also picks Silva, but notes the heavy price. He thinks Silva is much more skilled and should win, but acknowledges the risk of betting such a short favorite. He takes a prop bet on Silva inside the distance.
The MMA Guru calls this the lock of the card, praising Natália Silva's well-rounded game including submissions off her back and excellent striking. He notes she schooled Jasmine Jasudavicius and finished Teresa Blader with a spinning back kick. He dismisses Victoria Leonardo as mediocre in every realm, despite her win over Mandy Böhm. He expects Silva to win decisively.
Zane is very confident in Silva, describing her as aggressive, fast, and technical with good wrestling and grappling. He notes that Leonardo is terribly slow and that Silva will absolutely flex on her. Zane believes Silva is a borderline finished product and will crush Leonardo.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 52 of 93 | 55% | 83 of 124 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:55 |
| Mandy Böhm | 0 | 39 of 110 | 35% | 85 of 166 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 7:06 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 15 of 26 | 57% | 25 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
| Mandy Böhm | 0 | 9 of 30 | 30% | 25 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 | |
| 2 | Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 18 of 36 | 50% | 29 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Mandy Böhm | 0 | 20 of 43 | 46% | 35 of 60 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:15 | |
| 3 | Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 19 of 31 | 61% | 29 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Mandy Böhm | 0 | 10 of 37 | 27% | 25 of 60 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:21 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Leonardo | 52 of 93 | 55% | 26 of 66 | 14 of 15 | 12 of 12 | 35 of 75 | 17 of 17 | 0 of 1 |
| Mandy Böhm | 39 of 110 | 35% | 21 of 80 | 18 of 26 | 0 of 4 | 25 of 94 | 13 of 15 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victoria Leonardo | 15 of 26 | 57% | 6 of 17 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 12 of 23 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Mandy Böhm | 9 of 30 | 30% | 5 of 22 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 2 | 6 of 27 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Victoria Leonardo | 18 of 36 | 50% | 11 of 29 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 29 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Mandy Böhm | 20 of 43 | 46% | 10 of 30 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 2 | 13 of 35 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Victoria Leonardo | 19 of 31 | 61% | 9 of 20 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 12 of 23 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 1 |
| Mandy Böhm | 10 of 37 | 27% | 6 of 28 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 32 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Mandy Böhm as the more talented fighter overall, despite her inexperience and loss in her UFC debut. He notes Victoria Leonardo has fought higher competition but needs to get the fight to the ground, and Mandy defended all takedown attempts in her last fight. He calls it a no-bet situation and advises saving money.
Big Brady picks Victoria Leonardo as an underdog. He was unimpressed with Mandy Böhm, calling her performance 'horrible' and couldn't find a positive. He thinks Leonardo is physically stronger, can push Böhm against the cage, and take her down. He expects Leonardo to grind out a decision win.
Cody picks Victoria Leonardo, noting her bully style might work against Mandy Böhm, who is not physically strong. He thinks Böhm looked poor in her UFC debut. Cody says it's a dogger pass and he is taking the slight underdog.
Daniel Levi treats this fight as a coin flip, acknowledging that both fighters are low-level. He notes that Leonardo has fought better competition but lost badly, while Böhm had a poor UFC debut but has since moved to a new gym. He decides to go with Böhm because everyone else is on Leonardo, but admits it's not a confident pick.
Leonardo has the grit and fighting nature to will herself to a win. She can drag Böhm to the ground and rough her up. Böhm lacks power and distance management, and needs a kickboxing match to succeed. Leonardo at underdog odds is good value.
Paul picks Victoria Leonardo at plus money, calling it a dogger pass. He has no intention to bet on this fight. He notes both fighters have poor records but thinks Leonardo's bully style might work against Böhm, who is not physically strong. Paul says it's women's MMA and passes.
The MMA Guru leans towards Mandy Böhm, citing her size advantage and reach. He notes that Victoria Leonardo is coming off a broken arm and should be a strawweight. Böhm has a 71-inch reach and will use it on the feet. He doesn't see Leonardo outgrappling her and expects Böhm to win by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 43 of 91 | 47% | 59 of 110 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 2 | 2:27 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 70 of 121 | 57% | 96 of 148 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 1 | 1:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 27 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 2 | 1:59 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 13 of 21 | 61% | 36 of 45 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 1:48 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 0 | 30 of 64 | 46% | 32 of 66 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 57 of 100 | 57% | 60 of 103 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Gatto | 43 of 91 | 47% | 14 of 58 | 13 of 17 | 16 of 16 | 38 of 84 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 70 of 121 | 57% | 42 of 83 | 12 of 19 | 16 of 19 | 63 of 110 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Gatto | 13 of 27 | 48% | 4 of 17 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 9 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 13 of 21 | 61% | 7 of 12 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 14 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Melissa Gatto | 30 of 64 | 46% | 10 of 41 | 10 of 13 | 10 of 10 | 29 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 57 of 100 | 57% | 35 of 71 | 10 of 14 | 12 of 15 | 54 of 96 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Leonardo, citing Gatto's long layoff (2.5 years due to USADA suspension) and that Gatto is a grappler who likes to fight off her back. He thinks Leonardo will be on top and win a decision. He calls Leonardo a solid underdog pick.
Big Brady is hesitant on this fight due to many question marks. He thinks Melissa Gatto is sub-or-bust and has poor takedown defense, while Victoria Leonardo is more active and likely the better striker. He picks Leonardo to win by decision but warns that Gatto could pull off an armbar from guard. He advises staying away from betting this fight.
Cody picks Gatto, citing the narrative of Brazilian fighters improving after long layoffs. He notes her BJJ skills and potential improvements in wrestling. He thinks she can get the fight to the ground and submit Leonardo.
Daniel Levi picks Melissa Gatto to win by opportunistic submission, citing that Victoria Leonardo is a punching bag on the feet and has been stopped multiple times. He notes that Gatto is young and may have improved during her USADA suspension, and that Leonardo's takedown attempts could lead to submissions. He does not put much stock into the suspension for a young fighter and believes Gatto has the skills to finish.
Gatto is a BJJ specialist who relies on takedowns, but Leonardo has a purple belt and good enough grappling to nullify submissions. Leonardo is stronger, has better striking, and better cardio. The longer the fight goes, the more success Leonardo will have, likely finishing Gatto in the third round via ground and pound.
Paul does not make a clear pick. He is surprised by the pick'em line and notes the lack of tape on both fighters.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Gatto to win by first-round submission. He highlights Gatto's undefeated record (6-0 with two draws) and her win over Carol Rosa, who is now on a four-fight win streak in the UFC. He criticizes Victoria Leonardo's lack of technical skill and poor chin, noting she has been knocked out twice recently. He predicts Gatto will submit Leonardo, possibly off her back.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manon Fiorot | 0 | 17 of 81 | 20% | 18 of 82 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 53 of 100 | 53% | 58 of 105 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manon Fiorot | 0 | 10 of 51 | 19% | 11 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 32 of 55 | 58% | 33 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:32 | |
| 2 | Manon Fiorot | 0 | 7 of 30 | 23% | 7 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 0 | 21 of 45 | 46% | 25 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manon Fiorot | 17 of 81 | 20% | 7 of 59 | 3 of 11 | 7 of 11 | 15 of 76 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 53 of 100 | 53% | 31 of 72 | 14 of 19 | 8 of 9 | 42 of 82 | 10 of 15 | 1 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manon Fiorot | 10 of 51 | 19% | 4 of 39 | 3 of 7 | 3 of 5 | 8 of 47 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 32 of 55 | 58% | 14 of 34 | 12 of 15 | 6 of 6 | 22 of 42 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Manon Fiorot | 7 of 30 | 23% | 3 of 20 | 0 of 4 | 4 of 6 | 7 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Victoria Leonardo | 21 of 45 | 46% | 17 of 38 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 20 of 40 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In the middle of this short stint on Fight Island, the UFC comes at fans with a Wednesday card that will be going on at the same time as some other thing people are watching. We’re here for the fights, with a 14-fight card that requires fans to get out some coffee for this match starting in the women’s flyweight division. A pair of newcomers battle it out to begin the day, as Contender Series signee Leonardo (8-2, 0-0 UFC) comes to blows with French kickboxer Fiorot (5-1, 0-0 UFC). The referee for this opening bout is Lukasz Bosacki, and the two flyweights do not touch gloves before coming out swinging. Instead, Fiorot is ready with kicks to the body and legs, and Leonardo absorbs them and tries to fire back. “Fury” throws with early fury, but the Frenchwoman dances out of the way as she paws out side kicks to the body. Leonardo aims a low kick to the knee, and looks to time an overhand right, but she falls short. Fiorot stays in distinct kickboxing range, booting Leonardo in the face with a kick. The American wears it well, and Fiorot tees off on her from afar with long reaching kicks. Leonardo cannot find her range, so she charges into a clinch and narrowly avoids a brief punch combination. Leonardo crashes the pocket but gets tagged to the body and head by the newcomer from France. While Leonardo looks to strike her way in, Fiorot greets her with strikes but cannot keep Leonardo off of her. Instead, Fiorot works the body a few times, so the two separate, allowing Leonardo to reach with a right hand only to get smacked with a heavy elbow. Fiorot tattoos her foot on Leonardo’s body and head, leading “Fury” to charge in and clinch. Leonardo gets met with several knees up the middle as she does this, and a few punches knock her hair tie out. Fiorot stuns Leonardo with a combination, and Leonardo stumbles out of the way as she just avoids a spinning wheel kick that brushes by her loosed hair. Fiorot clinches up, scoring a stiff knee and a few punches that ring Leonardo’s bell. A single body kick from Leonardo scores, so Fiorot tries to give it back to her with a spinning back kick but she is too close. The two stare at each other to end the round, and Fiorot briefly puts her hands on her hips to take a deep breath as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
John Brannigan scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Round 2
Leonardo rushes out of her corner with strikes to begin the second frame, likely sensing she dropped the first five-minute period. Fiorot is ready to counter her with sharp strikes including a check right hook, and Leonardo is stuck hitting little but air as the Frenchwoman dances out of the way. Fiorot stabs her foot out to the midsection to push Leonardo away, and “Fury” tries to close the distance with strikes. Fiorot uses solid head movement to evade most strikes, brushing off high kicks and even thwarting a takedown attempt with ease. Leonardo lands a single right hand, and manages to avoid the counter strikes but it is one-and-done. Leonardo flips up a high kick that Fiorot slaps away, and it is the Frenchwoman who comes in to clinch up and pursue a takedown. Leonardo gets lifted up in the air and planted on her back, where Fiorot takes half guard with ease as she immediately starts dropping down elbows and punches. Leonardo kicks off the cage and is able to get her foe back to guard before pushing Fiorot away to stand back up. Fiorot blocks three punches and a head kick without any concern, and springs forward to land a few punches. When Leonardo blitzes her, Fiorot clips her with a check hook.
Fiorot unleashes a hellacious combination that has Leonardo hurt, and “Fury” turns away from this furious barrage. A head kick gets the damage started as Leonardo turns away, and a stream of punches overwhelms her until Bosacki has no choice but to step in.
A standing TKO is the call, and this was a spectacular debut for the French fighter on short notice.
The Official Result
Manon Fiorot def. Victoria Leonardo R2 4:08 via TKO (Head Kick and Punches)
Big Brady is very high on Manon Fiorot, praising her striking as fantastic and noting her power and accuracy. He criticizes Victoria Leonardo's striking defense, saying she got head kicked multiple times and has poor IQ. He believes Fiorot will have massive success on the feet and predicts a knockout in round two. He mentions that Fiorot opened at +115 and is now -190, and he would have loved to get her at the plus price.
The host believes Manon Fiorot's kickboxing and Muay Thai background will be too much for Victoria Leonardo. He notes Fiorot's improvements in grappling and ability to stay out of bad positions, while Leonardo's path to victory is on the ground. He predicts Fiorot will land a head kick or combination in the second round for a TKO finish.
The MMA Guru picks Manon Fiorot, citing her strong kickboxing and taekwondo background, and her ability to grapple as shown in her debut against Leah McCourt where she reversed positions and showed escapes. He believes Fiorot has a massive stand-up advantage over Leonardo, who relies on grappling. He predicts a unanimous decision win, noting that Leonardo has been TKO'd by a head kick before but expects Fiorot to control the fight on the feet and avoid trouble on the ground.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Leonardo, citing Gatto's long layoff (2.5 years due to USADA suspension) and that Gatto is a grappler who likes to fight off her back. He thinks Leonardo will be on top and win a decision. He calls Leonardo a solid underdog pick.
Big Brady is hesitant on this fight due to many question marks. He thinks Melissa Gatto is sub-or-bust and has poor takedown defense, while Victoria Leonardo is more active and likely the better striker. He picks Leonardo to win by decision but warns that Gatto could pull off an armbar from guard. He advises staying away from betting this fight.
Cody picks Gatto, citing the narrative of Brazilian fighters improving after long layoffs. He notes her BJJ skills and potential improvements in wrestling. He thinks she can get the fight to the ground and submit Leonardo.
Daniel Levi picks Melissa Gatto to win by opportunistic submission, citing that Victoria Leonardo is a punching bag on the feet and has been stopped multiple times. He notes that Gatto is young and may have improved during her USADA suspension, and that Leonardo's takedown attempts could lead to submissions. He does not put much stock into the suspension for a young fighter and believes Gatto has the skills to finish.
Gatto is a BJJ specialist who relies on takedowns, but Leonardo has a purple belt and good enough grappling to nullify submissions. Leonardo is stronger, has better striking, and better cardio. The longer the fight goes, the more success Leonardo will have, likely finishing Gatto in the third round via ground and pound.
Paul does not make a clear pick. He is surprised by the pick'em line and notes the lack of tape on both fighters.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Gatto to win by first-round submission. He highlights Gatto's undefeated record (6-0 with two draws) and her win over Carol Rosa, who is now on a four-fight win streak in the UFC. He criticizes Victoria Leonardo's lack of technical skill and poor chin, noting she has been knocked out twice recently. He predicts Gatto will submit Leonardo, possibly off her back.
both good, strange fight with the illegal strike,,, happy to pick either by finish in the future. Dione was on point. Tried an arm bar. Gatto good distance striking but was broken down by Dione everywhere. Good jiu jitsu from both. Steroid use from Gatto???