Career Averages - Brandon Moreno
Career Averages - Deiveson Figueiredo
Brandon Moreno
Deiveson Figueiredo
Brandon Moreno - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 79 of 168 | 47% | 134 of 229 | 0 of 8 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 7:20 |
| Lone'er Kavanagh | 0 | 97 of 205 | 47% | 136 of 245 | 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 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 19 of 40 | 47% | 19 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Lone'er Kavanagh | 0 | 18 of 45 | 40% | 18 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 24 of 54 | 44% | 24 of 54 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Lone'er Kavanagh | 0 | 42 of 83 | 50% | 42 of 83 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 31 of 56 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
| Lone'er Kavanagh | 0 | 17 of 44 | 38% | 20 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 31 of 42 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:08 |
| Lone'er Kavanagh | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 29 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 11 of 19 | 57% | 29 of 37 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:51 |
| Lone'er Kavanagh | 0 | 12 of 19 | 63% | 27 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 79 of 168 | 47% | 51 of 133 | 15 of 21 | 13 of 14 | 69 of 154 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Lone'er Kavanagh | 97 of 205 | 47% | 60 of 160 | 18 of 24 | 19 of 21 | 92 of 198 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 19 of 40 | 47% | 14 of 34 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 19 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Lone'er Kavanagh | 18 of 45 | 40% | 10 of 33 | 3 of 7 | 5 of 5 | 18 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 24 of 54 | 44% | 13 of 40 | 6 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 23 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Lone'er Kavanagh | 42 of 83 | 50% | 30 of 70 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 7 | 39 of 78 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 16 of 40 | 40% | 13 of 35 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Lone'er Kavanagh | 17 of 44 | 38% | 11 of 37 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 17 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Brandon Moreno | 9 of 15 | 60% | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Lone'er Kavanagh | 8 of 14 | 57% | 4 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Brandon Moreno | 11 of 19 | 57% | 6 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 14 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Lone'er Kavanagh | 12 of 19 | 63% | 5 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo hesitantly picks Brandon Moreno, acknowledging that Lone'er Kavanagh is fast and accurate and could give Moreno trouble early. He notes Moreno's five-round experience and toughness as key advantages, expecting him to outlast Kavanagh who may fade. He admits if it were a three-round fight with a full camp, he would pick Kavanagh.
Big Brady picks Brandon Moreno, citing his hometown advantage, experience as a former champion, and step down in competition. He notes Kavanagh looked good in the first round against Charles Johnson but faded and got knocked out. Brady believes Moreno's cardio, pressure, and minute-winning ability will lead to a decision win, possibly a late finish if Kavanagh slows down.
Cody points out Moreno's recent stylistic changes, lack of wrestling, and potential decline. He highlights Kavanagh's speed and power, and the danger of an early knockout. Despite these concerns, he picks Moreno due to the difficulty of betting against him, but strongly advises live betting or hedging.
Connor agrees with Zane that Moreno should win, but he is slightly less confident due to Moreno's recent inconsistent performances. He notes that Moreno sometimes makes weird mistakes and that Kavanagh is a dangerous counterpuncher with speed and accuracy. However, Connor ultimately believes Moreno's experience and ability to pressure will be too much for Kavanagh, especially given Kavanagh's stamina concerns.
Daniel picks Brandon Moreno to win, citing his well-rounded skills and fight IQ. He notes Moreno's takedown advantage against Royval's poor takedown defense, but acknowledges Royval's danger on the feet with unorthodox strikes. He expects Moreno to exploit takedown defense and control the fight on the ground, though he warns that Moreno has been dropped in recent fights.
The host is betting on Moreno despite his decline, because the circumstances heavily favor him. Moreno has experience fighting in Mexico City, excellent cardio, and has never been knocked out. Kavanagh is inexperienced (10 pro fights), a volume striker with no knockout power, and is fighting on short notice at high altitude. The host believes Kavanagh would need to finish Moreno or win a clear decision, both unlikely. He plans to parlay Moreno with Zellhuber.
James believes Kavanagh is one of the best flyweights despite his loss to Charles Johnson, citing his speed, footwork, and counter-striking. He questions Moreno's consistency and recent performance, noting Moreno's age and potential decline. James sees value in Kavanagh at +210 odds, predicting Moreno may not push the pace needed to exploit Kavanagh's cardio concerns.
The host picks Brandon Moreno inside the distance, expecting a round 4 or 5 finish. He notes Moreno's experience, cardio, and durability, and believes Kavanagh will fade in the later rounds due to altitude and short notice. He is surprised the line moved to -225 and considers it a great value. He predicts a late TKO or submission.
Paul acknowledges Moreno's experience and cardio advantage, especially at altitude. He notes Moreno's wrestling and submission game are superior, and expects Moreno to take over in later rounds. He is puzzled by the money coming in on Kavanagh and recommends Moreno as a parlay piece, but suggests live betting for better value.
The MMA Guru picks Brandon Moreno, noting that Lone'er Kavanagh has a cardio issue and gasses after about 7 minutes. He argues that Moreno is hard to finish early and that Kavanagh's only path to victory is a first-round TKO, which is unlikely at Mexico City altitude. He predicts a late-rounds TKO for Moreno, possibly in rounds 4 or 5.
Zane picks Moreno because Kavanagh is not ready for this level of competition, especially on short notice and at altitude. He notes that Kavanagh's gas tank was a problem against Charles Johnson, and Moreno's experience and ability to set a comfortable tempo will likely overwhelm him. Zane also mentions that Moreno has a reach advantage and is fighting at home, which should help him make better decisions.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 28 of 48 | 58% | 45 of 65 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 4:27 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 18 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 3:33 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 0 | 26 of 39 | 66% | 27 of 40 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 9 of 17 | 52% | 8 of 14 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 28 of 48 | 58% | 23 of 42 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 19 | 2 of 4 | 19 of 25 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 2 of 9 | 22% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 4 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 7 of 13 | 53% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tatsuro Taira | 26 of 39 | 66% | 22 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 23 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Taira (-142), Moreno (+120)
Round 1
Mark Smith is the referee. Taira opens up with a quick and powerful right hand in what is a largely deliberate opening minute. Taira thinks about a shot, then resets and gets reversed on his takedown attempt. Moreno is on his back with a triangle locked in early. This is bad news for Taira to be trapped in this maneuver so early in the fight. Fortunately for the Japanese prospect, Moreno doesn’t quite have the position he needs to really apply the squeeze. Taira has Moreno stacked and he lifts and slams his foe down. That might have allowed Moreno to adjust the hold and tighten it. Taira seems to be OK with a little more than a minute remaining. Taira tries to fire some punches while in the awkward position. Moreno finally loses the hold in the waning seconds. Taira grabs a front headlock and they separate before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Round 2
Moreno pumps a jab but Taira answers with an uppercut. Moreno with a low kick and he follows that with a combination, landing a crafty lead hook. Taira drops low for a takedown, but Moreno sprawls effectively and counters. Taira doesn’t give up, and he closes the distance ands a trip takedown moments later. The Japanese prospect takes the back, locks in a body triangle and begins to tee off with ground-and-pound from back control. Taira flattens the former champ out and continues to unload with unanswered punches. Moreno is still moving from the bottom, but Smith has seen enough. As Taira tosses his mouthguard in celebration, Moreno questions if the stoppage might have been premature. It won’t matter, as Taira becomes the first person to finish Moreno in professional MMA competition.
The Official Result
Tatsuro Taira def. Brandon Moreno via TKO (Punches) R2 2:24
Angelo picks Brandon Moreno, citing his experience, well-rounded skills, and relentless pace. He believes Moreno's striking will be a problem for Taira and that Taira's takedowns are not good enough to keep Moreno down. He notes that Alex Perez outstruck Taira before his knee injury. Angelo is surprised that Moreno is an underdog and considers betting if the odds become favorable.
Big Brady picks Tatsuro Taira, citing his elite grappling and control, and believes he will take Moreno down and win rounds. He acknowledges Moreno's striking advantage but expects Taira's takedowns to be decisive. He predicts Taira wins by decision.
Cody picks Moreno, highlighting his experience, durability, and scrambling ability. He notes that Moreno has never been finished as a pro and has fought the best in the division. He believes Taira is not a refined product and relies on getting the back, which Moreno's scrambling will neutralize. He expects Moreno to outwork Taira and win by decision.
Connor picks Moreno, citing his experience and technical edge. He notes that Taira struggles to set up takedowns and relies on opponents overextending, while Moreno has strong wrestling defense and can hit his own takedowns. Connor acknowledges that Moreno sometimes fights stupidly, but even then he has a good chance. He believes Moreno's methodical pressure and straight punches will be effective against Taira's limited striking arsenal.
Daniel picks Taira, impressed by his back-taking ability and heart shown in the Royval fight. He believes Taira's grappling is elite and that Moreno may struggle with it, similar to how Pantoja took Moreno's back. He sees Taira's standup improving and thinks he can win a competitive fight, possibly by controlling rounds with back takes.
Lucrative James favors Moreno on the feet and believes his takedown defense is better than Brandon Royval's, which will help him avoid Taira's grappling. He notes Moreno's preparation with Mikey Musumeci and thinks Moreno's experience in five-round fights gives him an edge in a three-round contest. He expects a close split decision but picks Moreno to edge it.
The host believes Taira will continue his winning ways by putting Moreno in bad positions. He notes that Moreno is not as good a scrambler as Brandon Royval, which will keep him in bad positions for at least two rounds, allowing Taira to win on the scorecards.
Paul agrees with Cody, citing Moreno's advantages in striking, experience, durability, and cardio. He notes that Taira's only top-tier fight was against Brandon Royval, where he lost and was outstruck. He believes Moreno's leg kicks and scrambling will be key, and he picks Moreno by decision.
The Guru picks Tatsuro Taira over Brandon Moreno, citing Taira's back-taking ability and Moreno's recent decline. He notes Taira's grappling and range striking will be effective in a three-round fight. The Guru predicts a 29-28 decision win for Taira.
Zane also picks Moreno, emphasizing that Taira's takedown entries are telegraphed and that Moreno's wrestling is far superior to Royval's, who still managed to defend takedowns. He notes that Taira's striking is limited to a 1-2 with occasional kicks, while Moreno can apply pressure from range. Zane worries about Moreno's tendency to fight recklessly but believes his advantages in experience and grappling outweigh that risk.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 89 of 176 | 50% | 95 of 182 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 116 of 279 | 41% | 119 of 282 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 21 of 40 | 52% | 21 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 25 of 68 | 36% | 25 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 21 of 46 | 45% | 21 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 27 of 48 | 56% | 27 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 10 of 24 | 41% | 10 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 20 of 50 | 40% | 20 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 19 of 35 | 54% | 21 of 37 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 25 of 57 | 43% | 26 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 18 of 31 | 58% | 22 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 19 of 56 | 33% | 21 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 89 of 176 | 50% | 59 of 138 | 18 of 25 | 12 of 13 | 87 of 174 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 116 of 279 | 41% | 90 of 237 | 11 of 24 | 15 of 18 | 115 of 278 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 21 of 40 | 52% | 14 of 33 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 25 of 68 | 36% | 18 of 57 | 1 of 4 | 6 of 7 | 25 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 21 of 46 | 45% | 14 of 37 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 20 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 27 of 48 | 56% | 20 of 39 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 26 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 10 of 24 | 41% | 3 of 15 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 20 of 50 | 40% | 16 of 42 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 5 | 20 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Brandon Moreno | 19 of 35 | 54% | 15 of 29 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 25 of 57 | 43% | 19 of 49 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Brandon Moreno | 18 of 31 | 58% | 13 of 24 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 18 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 19 of 56 | 33% | 17 of 50 | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Moreno (-238), Erceg (+195)
Round 1
The only ranked matchup—meaning, fight between two fighters with numbers next to their names—is in the main event, and it should be a fun one. Former champ Moreno (22-8-2, 10-5-2 UFC) turned things around with a decision over Amir Albazi a few months ago, while Erceg (12-3, 3-2 UFC) has still not shaken the dust off after unsuccessfully vying for the flyweight strap. The triumphant man may position himself better towards another championship opportunity, while the defeated’s stock will take a serious hit. Referee Herb Dean brings the two 125ers to the center of the cage to issue final instructions and have the two bump their fists. They do. It’s on with the show. Jabs are outstretched to one another’s general direction, and Moreno commits first with a looping left hand. When the first misses, he fires it again and bangs it into Erceg’s temple. Moreno gets behind his jab, and he checks a kick aimed at his front leg. The lunging left gets through again, and he follows it with a left to the liver and a kick to the same spot. Moreno’s left side continues to get through, as he again blitzes with a left. Erceg sticks him with a few jabs and a right hand, and the low kick at the end of the combo is checked. Moreno pecks out a jab and a left hook, and Erceg walks him down to throw hands for a moment before splitting off. Moreno’s leaping left hand sends Erceg staggering off to the side, and he gathers his thoughts and pins a few punches on the raised guard. When Moreno’s left is established, he hurls out a right to surprise his opponent. Erceg drills him in the ribs with a pair of punches, and he comes up an inch or two shy of a snappy front kick. Chants in support of Moreno practically do not cease, with the crowd excited to celebrate each and every moment of success for their fighter. Moreno gets in again, and the audience booms in delight. Erceg gets off jabs and low kicks, but the power is firmly in the favor of the former champ. Erceg sneaks in a left shovel uppercut, and Moreno sits down with a body kick in response. Erceg flashes his jab a few more times, planting it at the top of the head. Moreno clacks him with another big overhand right, and a second shakes him up and forces him to jump away and shake it out. Moreno uses the opportunity to chop down the front leg, and jabs are where the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Round 2
Erceg rushes out of his corner to take the center of the Octagon, where he paws away jabs from his opponent and pitches a head kick up high. Moreno blocks and blasts Erceg with a right hand, and Erceg scoots away to not stay on the gunnery range. They crash together, and Erceg drives home a right hand and steps in with a knee. Erceg slips a punch to deliver an uppercut on the chin, and he tries to skirt away but takes two nasty leg kicks. Moreno steps in to fake like he will kick a third time, and goes up top with a left hand. Moreno dings Erceg with a second left, thwarting any attempt for Erceg to tie things up. Moreno times a counter right to knock Erceg back from a kick, and both men chain solid combinations together on one another. Moreno kicks the leg, and Erceg peppers out a jab. Moreno’s own jab allows him to get in and get off two left hooks, and he ducks down to mess with Erceg by grabbing his ankle. Erceg regains his balance and flicks the jab out, and he just misses a right hand and rushes away but gets kicked on the way out. Moreno drills Erceg with two clean hooks, and Erceg stands straight up and wonders what the number was of that bus. When he blinks out the damage, Erceg sticks his fists to the guard of his foe a few times. Moreno beats his man to the punch with a jab, and he lets a front kick go by so he can rip a left hand up top. Moreno capitalizes on the success with a low kick, and both men score single heavy hooks. Chins have been tested and answered the call well, with Erceg trying his foe’s out with a few punches and a high kick. Erceg hits a fade-back right hand, and the round closes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 3
The round opens with Moreno faking to reach down for a level change. Erceg is not buying it, and jabs him in the face. Moreno lunges forward with a left hook, and he raises his guard just in time to block a kick. Moreno hits air on a pair of looping punches, with Erceg starting to see the power strikes coming. Moreno jabs the body and ignores a front kick that goes by, bobbing and weaving to move with jabs and not take anything flush. Erceg drives his opponent back with an uppercut, and Moreno reaches and barely lands at the end of his right hand. Erceg is slicker and more elusive than the last two rounds, but he still gets reached with kicks that are actively targeting him. Moreno flirts with checking kicks when Erceg kicks low, and he kicks the former challenger in the side. Erceg plants his fists on Moreno’s nose, kicking him in the front leg to mix things up. The fighters slip when trying to dodge one another, and then regain their footing as Erceg plants his feet to put a few punches together. Erceg sets up a knee to the body and backs off to avoid the counter, and he surprises Moreno with a front kick up the middle. Moreno fakes high to kick low, and he reaches with a few left hooks that continue to miss the mark. Erceg is more content to touch while Moreno loads up, but neither man is connecting at a particular high volume. One solid strike from Erceg comes in the form of a knee to the body, and as the round time expires, Moreno shrugs his shoulders.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Round 4
Having reached the championship rounds, the two pick up where they left off with jab attacks and kicks. Erceg aims to split the guard while Moreno wants to dig beneath or around it. Moreno successfully loops a single left around the defense of his opponent, and he pops Erceg with a second to force Erceg to stumble away. The Aussie is no worse for wear, wide-eyed to watch out for Moreno walking him down. Erceg forces Moreno to stay honest, keeping the jab in his face when not backing off to defend himself. Erceg times a front kick on the belly, hurting Moreno for a moment as the Mexican staggers back and forth confusedly. Moreno bites down on his mouthpiece and lunges into action, landing flush until Erceg kicks him upside the head. Another front kick from Erceg gives him a moment to breathe, as Moreno bears down on him looping heavy shots at him. Erceg jabs, follows the jabs and has to guard the oncoming fire from the former champ. Moreno starts talking to him, and Erceg grins when taking a few punches on the chin. Moreno goes high and then to the ribs, with his left hook drawing blood on the side of Erceg’s right eye. Erceg pays it no mind and kicks Moreno in the melon. Moreno laughs it off and swings back, and he keeps talking while throwing hands. Erceg defends from an overhand right, and he has his head kick pushed back while Moreno chases him around the cage. Moreno jabs the body, and the fans in the building start booing the fighters for their lack of heavy engagement after three rounds. Moreno shoots in for a single to quiet the masses momentarily, and he pulls Erceg to his seat and forces Erceg to scramble right before the bell. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Round 5
The crowd is largely on its feet as the fighters signal to them to give it up. The athletes are all smiles, and they get down to business by punching one another in the face in the final period of the fight. Moreno loads up on big right and lefts, and he lets Erceg try to do the same so he can make the Aussie hit air. Moreno sways and moves from a combo to let fly a left hand, torqueing his body in unusual ways to keep from being struck. Moreno winds up with a nasty leg kick, and a second is checked. Moreno jumps forward and possibly goes for a level change, but Erceg is having none of it and puts his hands in the former champ’s face. Erceg lifts up a kick that bangs into the raised guard, and when Moreno stings him, Erceg slips back. Moreno charges, ripping punches and hammering Erceg with a high kick. Erceg shells up and bounces off the fencing to reset, but he finds that Moreno is still right in front of him like always. An Erceg head kick mildly bumps into the guard, and Moreno reaches him with a right hook. Doubled jabs from the former beltholder lead to a right hand, and Erceg steels himself and drills Moreno in the chin. Erceg pushes out his jab, and Moreno does not budge an inch even when tagged. Moreno gives a bit of ground to lure Erceg in towards him, and when Erceg does not bite, he meanders forward. Erceg looses a head kick, and Moreno grabs it and hurls the former title challenger to his back. With 50 seconds to go, Moreno looks for a guard pass, positioning Erceg in an uncomfortable posture nearly doing a split on his back. Moreno successfully leaps over to the side with seconds to spare, and he jams down elbows until the horn concludes this five-round entanglement. Moreno stands and screams, waving off the doctor and pacing back and forth in anticipation of the result. Barring something unusual, Mexican fighters will end the night way ahead of foreign adversaries. Meanwhile, Moreno is about to pick up his first win in the Octagon on home soil. The former champion, who is now officially on a win streak, calls for an opportunity to compete at UFC 320 in Guadalajara, Mexico, this September. If he makes it on that event, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Moreno (49-46 Moreno)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno (49-46 Moreno)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno (49-46 Moreno)
The Official Result
Brandon Moreno def. Steve Erceg via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Connor argues that Steve Erceg has been rushed into tough fights, facing Pantoja, Kai Kara-France, and now Moreno without proper development. He highlights Erceg's defensive boxing flaws, particularly his lack of head movement and tendency to overcommit. Connor believes Moreno's experience and technical superiority will exploit these weaknesses, leading to a Moreno win.
James picks Brandon Moreno to win, citing Moreno's vast experience advantage (over 30 fights vs 15 for Erceg), superior durability, better cardio, and higher fight IQ. He notes Erceg has been knocked out recently and has shown poor decision-making in late rounds, as seen against Pantoja. James acknowledges the elevation factor but believes Moreno's gas tank is more reliable, especially late. He predicts a late stoppage or more likely a decision win for Moreno, and mentions that if there's value, it lies with Erceg as an underdog.
Zane agrees with Connor that Erceg is being mishandled by the UFC, taking too many high-level fights in a row. He notes that Erceg's takedown attempt against Pantoja was a rookie mistake, and that he hasn't had time to develop. Zane sees Moreno as a tough test that Erceg isn't ready for, and picks Moreno to win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 132 of 317 | 41% | 132 of 317 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Amir Albazi | 0 | 63 of 235 | 26% | 63 of 236 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 18 of 36 | 50% | 18 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Amir Albazi | 0 | 16 of 39 | 41% | 16 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 29 of 67 | 43% | 29 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Amir Albazi | 0 | 6 of 33 | 18% | 6 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 31 of 68 | 45% | 31 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Amir Albazi | 0 | 12 of 43 | 27% | 12 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 22 of 70 | 31% | 22 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Amir Albazi | 0 | 20 of 66 | 30% | 20 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 32 of 76 | 42% | 32 of 76 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Amir Albazi | 0 | 9 of 54 | 16% | 9 of 55 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 132 of 317 | 41% | 113 of 284 | 12 of 22 | 7 of 11 | 128 of 309 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Amir Albazi | 63 of 235 | 26% | 50 of 207 | 6 of 14 | 7 of 14 | 63 of 234 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 18 of 36 | 50% | 16 of 33 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Amir Albazi | 16 of 39 | 41% | 12 of 30 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 6 | 16 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 29 of 67 | 43% | 25 of 58 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 5 | 29 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Amir Albazi | 6 of 33 | 18% | 4 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 31 of 68 | 45% | 23 of 59 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 28 of 64 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Amir Albazi | 12 of 43 | 27% | 9 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Brandon Moreno | 22 of 70 | 31% | 19 of 64 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 22 of 70 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Amir Albazi | 20 of 66 | 30% | 16 of 60 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 20 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Brandon Moreno | 32 of 76 | 42% | 30 of 70 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 72 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Amir Albazi | 9 of 54 | 16% | 9 of 52 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Amir Albazi to pull off the upset, citing Moreno's recent flat performances and loss of aura. He thinks Albazi can time takedowns and sneak out a win if Moreno looks flat-footed again. He wishes Albazi were more active with pressure and volume, like Brandon Royval. He notes the year layoff for Albazi and uncertainty about Moreno's form, so he will avoid betting on this fight.
Big Brady picks Brandon Moreno to win by decision. He questions Albazi's resume, noting his best win is a controversial decision over Kai Kara-France. Brady thinks Moreno's scrambling will neutralize Albazi's takedowns, and on the feet, Moreno is the better striker with better volume and cardio. He also cites Moreno's activity and experience in five-round fights.
Cody picks Brandon Moreno, citing his wrestling advantage over Albazi, who has only 33% takedown accuracy and 40% takedown defense. He notes Moreno's volume striking and five-round experience, but acknowledges the risk of Moreno being unmotivated after his partial retirement. He believes Moreno's reinvigorated version will win a decision.
Daniel Vreeland picks Amir Albazi to upset Brandon Moreno. He believes Moreno is at a crossroads after losing the belt twice and showing signs of decline, while Albazi is in his prime and has improved significantly since his neck surgery. Vreeland notes that Albazi is a plus-150 underdog and expects a close, competitive fight where he favors the younger, hungrier fighter. He also mentions that betting against Moreno at dog odds has historically worked for him.
Lucrative James picks Amir Albazi to win by decision, citing Moreno's decline in recent fights and Albazi's control time advantage. He notes Moreno looked washed against Pantoja and Royval, while Albazi is undefeated in the UFC and has strong grappling. He believes Albazi's trajectory is higher and that Moreno's best days are behind him.
Moreno looked un-Moreno-like in his last performance, but the layoff will do wonders. He has good defensive work against wrestlers, which will allow him to keep the fight standing where he has the striking and cardio advantage, battering Albazi in three or four of the five rounds and winning on the scorecards.
Paul agrees with Cody, pointing out that Albazi's takedown defense is a red flag after being taken down twice by Kai Kara-France. He emphasizes Moreno's superior competition and durability, and believes Moreno's volume and wrestling will lead to a decision win. He also notes that Moreno's chin has held up and he's fought the best in the division.
The Guru picks Brandon Moreno over Amir Albazi, citing Albazi's long layoff and severe injuries (broken spine, neck surgery). He believes Moreno's experience and five-round cardio will be key, and he doubts Albazi can hold Moreno down or out-strike him. He predicts a close decision win for Moreno, 3-2 rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Royval | 0 | 112 of 211 | 53% | 119 of 219 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 2:54 |
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 145 of 510 | 28% | 177 of 556 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Royval | 0 | 15 of 23 | 65% | 15 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 12 of 43 | 27% | 12 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Brandon Royval | 0 | 22 of 45 | 48% | 22 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 18 of 87 | 20% | 22 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Brandon Royval | 0 | 17 of 31 | 54% | 17 of 31 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 25 of 79 | 31% | 26 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Brandon Royval | 0 | 29 of 58 | 50% | 29 of 58 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 49 of 161 | 30% | 60 of 179 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:33 | |
| 5 | Brandon Royval | 0 | 29 of 54 | 53% | 36 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:50 |
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 41 of 140 | 29% | 57 of 162 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Royval | 112 of 211 | 53% | 48 of 127 | 37 of 51 | 27 of 33 | 103 of 191 | 7 of 17 | 2 of 3 |
| Brandon Moreno | 145 of 510 | 28% | 97 of 437 | 38 of 54 | 10 of 19 | 142 of 504 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Royval | 15 of 23 | 65% | 6 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 6 | 14 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Brandon Moreno | 12 of 43 | 27% | 6 of 31 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 4 | 11 of 42 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brandon Royval | 22 of 45 | 48% | 13 of 34 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 6 | 20 of 43 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Brandon Moreno | 18 of 87 | 20% | 7 of 66 | 8 of 16 | 3 of 5 | 18 of 87 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Brandon Royval | 17 of 31 | 54% | 7 of 20 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 15 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Brandon Moreno | 25 of 79 | 31% | 13 of 61 | 8 of 12 | 4 of 6 | 24 of 76 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Brandon Royval | 29 of 58 | 50% | 7 of 27 | 13 of 20 | 9 of 11 | 28 of 54 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Brandon Moreno | 49 of 161 | 30% | 37 of 147 | 11 of 11 | 1 of 3 | 48 of 159 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Brandon Royval | 29 of 54 | 53% | 15 of 34 | 10 of 16 | 4 of 4 | 26 of 46 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Brandon Moreno | 41 of 140 | 29% | 34 of 132 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 41 of 140 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is very confident in Moreno, citing his pace, toughness, and improvement since their last fight. He believes Moreno is better everywhere and will eventually break Royval, likely in the fourth or fifth round. He notes Moreno already won this fight once and will do it again at home.
Big Brady picks Brandon Moreno to win by decision. He notes that Moreno has never been finished in 30 fights, which is crucial against a finisher like Royval. He believes Moreno has more paths to win, especially by taking the fight to the mat where Royval has poor takedown defense (40%). He thinks Moreno can control Royval on the ground and potentially submit him, but leans toward a decision. He questions Royval's ability to win a decision or finish Moreno.
Cody picks Moreno, citing Moreno's cast-iron chin, takedown ability, and the fact that Royval is coming in on short notice after a five-round war with Pantoja eight weeks ago. He notes Royval's takedown defense is a serious problem and that Moreno already beat him once. He acknowledges the line is justifiable and is not playing contrarian.
The host expects Moreno to replicate his first fight strategy by using his wrestling advantage to control Royval on the ground. He notes Moreno's good submission defense against Royval's aggressive style. Even if the fight stays standing, Moreno is the more technical striker. He predicts Moreno will grind out a decision victory.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Moreno. He highlights Moreno's cast-iron durability as kryptonite to Royval's game, and notes that Moreno's ability to mix in takedowns will secure rounds in front of a hometown crowd. He also mentions Royval's short-notice turnaround and the altitude disadvantage, though Royval trains in Denver.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 147 of 245 | 60% | 167 of 265 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 3 | 4:01 |
| Brandon Moreno | 1 | 129 of 274 | 47% | 161 of 323 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 0 | 0 | 8:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 22 of 32 | 68% | 36 of 46 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Brandon Moreno | 1 | 28 of 50 | 56% | 42 of 75 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:04 | |
| 2 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 41 of 77 | 53% | 41 of 77 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:23 |
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 33 of 74 | 44% | 36 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 26 of 47 | 55% | 29 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 0:37 |
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 23 of 48 | 47% | 25 of 52 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:01 | |
| 4 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 31 of 48 | 64% | 34 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:24 |
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 20 of 50 | 40% | 23 of 56 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:04 | |
| 5 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 27 of 41 | 65% | 27 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 25 of 52 | 48% | 35 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:17 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja | 147 of 245 | 60% | 133 of 231 | 13 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 128 of 220 | 12 of 14 | 7 of 11 |
| Brandon Moreno | 129 of 274 | 47% | 106 of 247 | 20 of 22 | 3 of 5 | 104 of 239 | 13 of 21 | 12 of 14 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandre Pantoja | 22 of 32 | 68% | 20 of 30 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 29 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Brandon Moreno | 28 of 50 | 56% | 23 of 43 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 19 of 37 | 4 of 8 | 5 of 5 | |
| 2 | Alexandre Pantoja | 41 of 77 | 53% | 37 of 73 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 38 of 72 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 4 |
| Brandon Moreno | 33 of 74 | 44% | 27 of 67 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 72 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Alexandre Pantoja | 26 of 47 | 55% | 24 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 5 |
| Brandon Moreno | 23 of 48 | 47% | 14 of 39 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 38 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 8 | |
| 4 | Alexandre Pantoja | 31 of 48 | 64% | 27 of 44 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 39 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 2 |
| Brandon Moreno | 20 of 50 | 40% | 18 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 41 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Alexandre Pantoja | 27 of 41 | 65% | 25 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 25 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Brandon Moreno | 25 of 52 | 48% | 24 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Moreno but disagrees with the 2-to-1 odds, thinking Pantoja has a clear striking advantage. He notes Moreno's pace, wrestling improvements, and takedowns as key factors. Pantoja is durable and a good grappler, but has been beaten by wrestlers. He expects a dogfight and advises against parlaying Moreno.
Big Brady picks Alexandre Pantoja to win a close decision. He notes that Pantoja is 2-0 against Moreno, but those fights were years ago. He believes Pantoja is the better striker with more power and better grappling, and he expects Pantoja to win the early rounds. However, he is concerned about Pantoja's cardio in a five-round fight, as Moreno has proven he can go 25 minutes. He thinks Pantoja wins rounds 1-3 and loses 4-5, making it a split decision. He says the line makes no sense and that Pantoja is live.
Cody picks Pantoja as an underdog, noting he has beaten Moreno twice before. He believes Pantoja's superior ground game and power shots can be effective early, while Moreno is hittable and gets rocked. He thinks Pantoja's takedown defense is poor but his submission threat is real. He prefers a live bet on Moreno later if he survives early rounds.
Connor picks Moreno but with hesitation, noting that Pantoja has won twice before and is a dangerous mauler. He acknowledges Moreno's development, especially his jab, but worries about Moreno's tendency to get into scrappy fights. Connor thinks Moreno's best path is to use his reach and avoid grappling exchanges, but he's not fully confident given Pantoja's proven ability.
Daniel Levi picks Pantoja, primarily because he values the plus-170 odds as a betting opportunity against any flyweight. He acknowledges that Moreno has improved his composure and had big moments in recent fights, but believes Pantoja's jiu-jitsu is the nastiest in the division and that he has never been finished. Levi notes that Pantoja has beaten Moreno twice before (submission and 30-26 decision), though those fights were years ago. He expresses concern about Pantoja's potential to fade in championship rounds due to his aggressive style, but is willing to take that risk at the underdog price.
James picks Pantoja at plus money, disagreeing with Moreno being a -200 favorite. He argues that skill-for-skill Pantoja is the favorite, and the perceived cardio disadvantage is overblown. He notes Pantoja has beaten Moreno twice, including a submission, and has pushed a hard pace in striking fights like against Figueiredo. He thinks the line is too wide and Pantoja has value.
Moreno has improved boxing, footwork, and cardio, which will be key in a five-round fight. Pantoja is dangerous early with power and BJJ, but fades late. Moreno will survive the early onslaught and overwhelm Pantoja in deep waters, likely getting a finish. Fight doesn't go to decision is the best prop.
Paul leans toward Moreno but is not confident at -190. He notes Moreno's experience in five-round fights and better cardio, while Pantoja has never gone five rounds. He thinks Moreno's volume and leg kicks will pay off in later rounds. He suggests waiting to bet Moreno live after the first round or two for a better price.
The MMA Guru picks Alexandre Pantoja to win by submission (rear-naked choke) late in the first round. He believes Pantoja's forward pressure and grappling will force Moreno to be hesitant and defensive. He notes that Moreno builds into fights and may be afraid of Pantoja's submission threat. He cites Pantoja's striking improvements and ability to take the back.
Zane picks Moreno, highlighting his improved jab and patience compared to their previous fights. He believes Moreno can use his reach and stick-and-move strategy to break Pantoja down, exploiting Pantoja's tendency to surge forward in straight lines. Zane is concerned about Moreno's occasional tendency to fight down to his opponent but thinks his technical evolution gives him the edge.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 19 of 43 | 44% | 24 of 48 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 48 of 74 | 64% | 85 of 111 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 6:52 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 17 of 24 | 70% | 18 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:13 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 14 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 17 of 25 | 68% | 19 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:10 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 14 of 25 | 56% | 48 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:29 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 19 of 43 | 44% | 8 of 30 | 8 of 9 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 48 of 74 | 64% | 37 of 61 | 7 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 34 of 52 | 3 of 6 | 11 of 16 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 5 of 11 | 45% | 1 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 17 of 24 | 70% | 13 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 10 of 20 | 50% | 6 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 17 of 25 | 68% | 13 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 4 of 12 | 33% | 1 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 14 of 25 | 56% | 11 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 14 |
Big Brady switches to Moreno after picking Figueiredo in the previous three fights. He cites Figueiredo's age (35), brutal weight cuts, and not training at Fight Ready as concerns. Moreno is younger, has better cardio, and has never been finished. He notes Moreno was winning minutes in the third fight before Figueiredo's knockdowns. He needs to see Figueiredo's weigh-in to decide on betting, but leans Moreno by decision.
Cody is confident in Brandon Moreno, citing Moreno's better wrestling, cardio, and ability to mix striking and grappling. He notes Figueiredo is older, has a tough weight cut, moved away from a great training camp, and has a year-long layoff. He believes Moreno's pace and pressure will be too much, and Figueiredo's best chance is counter-punching early. He also mentions Moreno's resilience and Mexican grit.
Connor picks Figueiredo, calling it a 'sadness hedge'—expecting the worst so it doesn't crush him. He thinks Figueiredo will find ways to sneak out rounds in a five-round fight, as he has done before. Connor notes Figueiredo's ability to land hard low kicks and his natural counter-punching, but acknowledges Moreno's dominance in the second fight and the uncertainty.
Paul leans towards Brandon Moreno but is cautious, noting he made a rule to bet the underdog in this series. He is very curious about Figueiredo's weight cut and age (35), and thinks speed and cardio are key at flyweight. He says he will wait for weigh-ins before betting, but ever so slightly leans Moreno. He acknowledges Figueiredo's power and toughness but thinks Moreno is the better fighter at this point.
The Guru picks Moreno for the quadrilogy, noting he won most of the minutes in the trilogy. Moreno has better striking, gas tank, and scrambles, while Figueiredo relies on explosive moments. Figueiredo is 35 with a tough weight cut and has been inactive for a year, while Moreno is younger and more active. The Guru predicts a clear decision win for Moreno, 49-46.
Zane picks Moreno, believing he looked like the better fighter in the third fight and lost mainly due to overconfidence. He thinks Moreno's adjustments are straightforward: stay busier with the jab, use footwork to avoid low kicks, and bring back his wrestling. Zane notes Figueiredo's defensive issues and psychological decline, and that Moreno's youth and resilience give him an edge.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 1 | 58 of 151 | 38% | 59 of 153 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
| Kai Kara-France | 0 | 53 of 110 | 48% | 66 of 123 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 7 of 26 | 26% | 7 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Kai Kara-France | 0 | 10 of 23 | 43% | 10 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 16 of 49 | 32% | 16 of 49 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Kai Kara-France | 0 | 15 of 36 | 41% | 23 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 1 | 35 of 76 | 46% | 36 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Kai Kara-France | 0 | 28 of 51 | 54% | 33 of 56 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 58 of 151 | 38% | 43 of 133 | 12 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 47 of 132 | 0 of 3 | 11 of 16 |
| Kai Kara-France | 53 of 110 | 48% | 24 of 71 | 3 of 4 | 26 of 35 | 48 of 104 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 7 of 26 | 26% | 5 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kai Kara-France | 10 of 23 | 43% | 3 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 10 | 10 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 16 of 49 | 32% | 10 of 40 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 46 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Kai Kara-France | 15 of 36 | 41% | 6 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 13 | 15 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 35 of 76 | 46% | 28 of 69 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 24 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 16 |
| Kai Kara-France | 28 of 51 | 54% | 15 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 12 | 23 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 |
Big Brady picks Kai Kara-France to win by decision as a dog. He thinks the line is too wide and favors Kara-France's striking volume, accuracy, and takedown defense. He notes Moreno has been dropped before and Kara-France has power. He expects a close fight that could go either way but leans toward the underdog.
Cody picks Moreno, citing his durability, fantastic cardio, and proven five-round ability. He notes that Kai Kara-France relies on power and early success, but Moreno can take his best shots and keep coming. He expects Moreno's volume, wrestling, and championship-round experience to be key advantages. He also mentions that Moreno has a grappling advantage and that Kai's takedown defense is solid but Moreno can mix in wrestling. He thinks the fight will be competitive early but Moreno will take over.
Daniel leans Moreno because he believes Moreno's Mexican heart and toughness will carry him down the stretch, especially in deep waters. He notes that Moreno already beat Kara-France once via decision and that Kara-France has historically faded when fights get tough. He acknowledges Kara-France's improvements, especially his takedown defense against Askar Askarov, and his one-punch knockout power. However, he questions Moreno's motivation after losing the belt and changing camps. He sees value on Kara-France at +170 but ultimately picks Moreno to become interim champion.
Preet made Moreno his biggest play of the night with five units at -187, believing Moreno is on another level. He argues the first fight was not close after round one, with Moreno beating Kara-France to the punch and flexing on him. He expects Moreno to edge a five-round kickboxing match, with potential grappling success. He dismisses Kara-France's takedown defense improvements as irrelevant.
Paul also picks Moreno, agreeing that it's a bad matchup for Kai Kara-France. He notes that Kai relies on power and early success, but Moreno is incredibly durable with fantastic cardio. He thinks Moreno has an advantage on the mat and that Kai's takedown defense is solid but Moreno can get it there. He mentions that the -210 price is not great but the fight is likely to be competitive and go five rounds. He suggests live betting after the first round if Kai has early success.
The MMA Guru picks Brandon Moreno by 48-47 decision. He expects Kara-France to win the first two rounds with big shots and leg kicks, but Moreno will take over in rounds three through five with his jab, combinations, and pressure. Moreno's durability and volume will be key as Kara-France fades.
Deiveson Figueiredo - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Song (-550); Figueiredo (+425)
Round 1
Help us, Song Yadong, you’re China’s only hope for a win on home soil. The main event sees “The Kung Fu Kid” (22-9-1, 1 NC; 11-4-1 UFC) trying to make the elusive step up to true title contention against former flyweight great Figueiredo (25-6-1; 14-6-1 UFC). For those keeping track at home, we’re also sitting at a blistering seven first-round finishes in 12 fights. The final referee assignment of the evening falls to Jason Herzog. Song is orthodox, Figueiredo as well, but the Brazilian is switching stances constantly in the early going. Subjectively, Figueiredo gives up some size to the burly Song, but it’s far from the biggest size disparity we’ve seen tonight. I’m writing these side notes because, through 90 seconds, neither man has really committed to more than a single probing strike here and there. Song bursts forward into the pocket with a big right cross, but Figueiredo slips and most of the impact misses him. Song reaches out with a jab to the midsection, then an outside calf kick. Figueiredo is still moving laterally, switching stances, and remaining well within range, but through three minutes, he’s still barely throwing. Figrueiredo changes levels for a takedown attempt, but Song slides out of range without even needing to sprawl. With under a minute to go, Song is stalking forward at a deliberate pace, reaching out with his jab anytime he gets within range. Song throws a strike and slips on an Octagon decal. The savvy Figueiredo takes advantage instantly, diving into Song’s guard, but there’s less than 30 seconds left and he can’t get anything going before the horn sounds on a frankly weird and tentative round.
10-9 Song
Round 2
Figueiredo comes out in southpaw to open Round 2, and he flicks out a left high kick that clatters off of Song’s arm and shoulder. Song steps back out of range of a spinning attack, and the two grin briefly and slap hands before returning to work. Song lands an overhand right, then touches the lead right leg of southpaw Figueiredo with a slapping calf kick. Figueiredo enters the pocket, possibly looking for a takedown, and they practically tumble past each other. They reset in the middle of the cage (and the middle of the round) and Song lands a calf kick that buckles his foe’s left leg. Figueiredo tries to change levels and Song, again, is just not there. There’s a minute left in the round, and Figueiredo simply hasn’t gotten off much offense of the feet.
Figueiredo drops for a double-leg, shooting right into Song’s front headlock. There might be a tear in Urijah Faber’s eye as Song drops to his seat with an airtight guillotine choke that is vintage Team Alpha.
Figueiredo is tapping frantically in seconds, and the Galaxy Arena explodes with jubilation as its favorite fighting son jumps up to celebrate.
The Official Result
Yadong Song def. Deiveson Figueiredo R2 4:42 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
AJ picks Song Yadong, citing his hand speed, explosiveness, and youth (10 years younger). He thinks Figueiredo is past his prime and hasn't looked good since 2024, with a split decision win over Montel Jackson. Song's only recent losses are to Sean O'Malley and Petr Yan. AJ believes Song will outwork Figueiredo over five rounds, possibly with a TKO, but notes Figueiredo is durable. He sees Song winning in all phases.
AJ calls Song a lock, citing his youth, speed, power, and well-rounded game. He thinks Figueiredo is past his prime, with recent weight misses and a decline in performance. AJ expects Song to win by KO, possibly later in the fight, as Figueiredo's chin may not hold up.
AJ picks Song Yadong as a confident pick, citing age advantage (28 vs 38), physicality, and hand speed. He notes Figueiredo's power hasn't translated well to bantamweight and that Song is an underrated wrestler. AJ expects a stoppage or dominant decision, especially with Figueiredo missing weight previously and fighting in China.
Angelo picks Song Yadong, citing his superior striking speed, power, and offensive wrestling. He believes Figueiredo, a former flyweight moving up, will be the smaller fighter and unable to bully Song. Angelo notes Song's finishing upside and experience in five-round fights, making him a strong DraftKings play.
Angelo picks Song Yadong, citing his size, speed, and power advantages over the aging Figueiredo. He notes that Figueiredo's success comes from bullying opponents, but Song is bigger and hits harder. He believes Song will win, possibly by decision, and mentions that a decision prop could provide extra value. He is surprised the odds are widening in Figueiredo's favor.
Angelo picks Song Yadong because he is a technical striker with power and can mix in wrestling. He notes that Figueiredo is 38 and declining, and that Song is too big and strong. He thinks Figueiredo is being used as a gatekeeper for the local star.
Big Brady is confident in Song Yadong, citing Figueiredo's age (38), weight cut struggles at bantamweight, and poor performance against Umar Nurmagomedov where he landed only seven strikes in 15 minutes. He notes Song has never been dropped, has good takedown defense and getup game, and believes Figueiredo is washed. He predicts a decision win for Song, acknowledging Figueiredo's toughness and lack of official KO losses.
Cody is fully confident in Song Yadong, citing his higher trajectory, superior skills, cardio, durability, and striking volume. He notes Figueiredo's power hasn't translated to 135, his cardio is poor, and he's on a 1-4 slide. Cody sees no path for Figueiredo except a puncher's chance, which he dismisses due to Figueiredo's low volume and one-and-done style.
Daniel Levi picks Song Yadong, citing his exceptional boxing, underrated durability, and improved grappling. He believes Figueiredo's best path is via submission but doubts his cardio to sustain grappling over five rounds. Levi notes Song's momentum and timing, and suggests a potential knockout.
Jacob picks Song Yadong because he is good enough to win and Figueiredo slows down as the fight goes. He notes that Song has a tendency to be cocky and put himself in bad positions, but overall he should win. He warns that Figueiredo is always live for a submission or knockout.
Lucrative James picks Song Yadong primarily due to the 10-year age advantage and being in his prime versus Figueiredo who is 38 and past his prime. He emphasizes Song's superior cardio, speed, durability, and youth, noting that Figueiredo has changed his style to be less aggressive and lacks the physicality he once had. He acknowledges Figueiredo's guillotine threat but believes Song's improved grappling and overall athleticism will be too much. He predicts a knockout, citing Song's point to prove after a close loss to Sean O'Malley.
The host picks Song Yadong, citing his youth, speed, power, and cardio advantage. He believes Song's grappling is good enough to halt Figueiredo's takedowns and that he will outstrike and outpoint Figueiredo over five rounds. He expects a decision win and doesn't mind the chalky price.
The host believes Song Yadong has all advantages: more power, speed, youth, better wrestling, and good defensive grappling. He acknowledges Figueiredo's durability and cardio but expects Yadong to win convincingly by decision, barring a Hail Mary submission.
Paul agrees with Cody, calling Song Yadong a clear play across the board. He emphasizes Song's trajectory, hometown advantage, and Figueiredo's decline. Paul notes Figueiredo's low output (e.g., 8 significant strikes in 15 minutes vs Umar) and that he needs high volume to beat Song, which he can't provide.
The Guru picks Song Yadong over Deiveson Figueiredo, citing Yadong's youth, speed, and technical boxing. He believes Yadong's takedown defense and crisp combinations will overwhelm the aging Figueiredo, who has lost to top contenders. He expects Yadong to control the fight and win a decision or late finish.
The Guru picks Song for the pick but notes Figueiredo is the value side. He thinks Song's volume and movement on the feet will win most minutes, and he has a geographical advantage. Figueiredo has power and grappling but may be slowing slightly. He expects a competitive decision and says the line is too wide.
The MMA Guru picks Song Yadong to win by finish in the third round. He notes that Song is a good boxer with leg kicks and pressure, and Figueiredo needs to get the fight to the ground to win. He believes Song's takedown defense is proven against better wrestlers, and he will overwhelm Figueiredo with volume and boxing, finishing him in the third round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 34 of 72 | 47% | 103 of 167 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:50 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 8 of 27 | 29% | 28 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 28 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 1 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 19 of 40 | 47% | 19 of 40 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 8 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 3 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 56 of 81 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:05 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 19 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umar Nurmagomedov | 34 of 72 | 47% | 19 of 50 | 11 of 17 | 4 of 5 | 28 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 11 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 8 of 27 | 29% | 4 of 18 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 9 of 19 | 47% | 3 of 11 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 6 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 19 of 40 | 47% | 12 of 28 | 5 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 18 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 8 of 20 | 40% | 4 of 14 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 6 of 13 | 46% | 4 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nurmagomedov (-1450), Figueiredo (+850)
Round 1
One more catchweight contest sits on tonight’s lineup, as former flyweight kingpin Figueiredo (25-5-1, 14-5-1 UFC) blew past the 136-pound limit of his relatively new division by two and a half pounds. Like Perez before, Figueiredo will give up 25% of his purse. Nurmagomedov (19-1, 7-1 UFC) will gladly pocket that as he closes as a monumental betting favorite of -1600 or higher depending on the book, which could very well end the year as the widest discrepancy between fighters. Referee Herb Dean draws the charge for this pairing, one that opens up without a glove touch.
Nurmagomedov moves directly to the center of the Octagon and aims his low kick out to get his range. Figueiredo responds with a faked takedown attempt, and he hops back to avoid another leg kick. Nurmagomedov bounces back and forth on his heels switching stances, and he misses with a high kick. The Russian catches Figueiredo with a front kick to the chest, knocking him back but not appearing to otherwise harm him. Nurmagomedov calmly works his way in, with a kick aimed up high before he checks one coming back his direction. Figueiredo just misses on a big right hand, and he dodges a kick aimed at his face. The two crash together, and Nurmagomedov connects with a pair of short uppercuts on the inside that back “Daico” up. Nurmagomedov plants another front kick on the midsection to drive his man back.
Legs clash together when kicked at the same time, and Nurmagomedov just misses a front-leg high kick and shoots in for a double. Figueiredo defends with a guillotine choke to force the two back to their feet seconds later. Nurmagomedov sells out for a body lock and trip takedown, landing successfully in half guard to put Figueiredo flat on his back. Nurmagomedov smothers from above as Figueiredo drags him back to his closed guard, and Nurmagomedov promptly punches him to open it back up. They both swing at one another until the bell and a bit beyond, and it remains to be seen if Figueiredo connected with a single significant strike after the five-minute period.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Round 2
The fighters touch gloves as the second round begins, and Nurmagomedov is quick to get his foot in Figueiredo’s face. Figueiredo tries to swing back with a right hand, but when he bounces back, his face shows his visible frustration. The Brazilian scores a right to the body, and he dodges a number of kicks that whiz past him. Nurmagomedov lands at the end of a high kick, and he hurls another from the other leg that Figueiredo catches and uses to put the Russian down. Nurmagomedov easily escapes from being stuck on his back, and they resume back in the center of the cage. Figueiredo ducks and works his way in, but Nurmagomedov reaches him first. Figueiredo loads up with a body kick, and the Russian bookends it with two kicks of his own to the abdomen. Figueiredo just leans back enough to evade a few high kicks, and he flashes a grin after one buzzes the tower.
Figueiredo has still yet to fully engage, and he prepares to defend a double-leg entry that he stuffs. Figueiredo keeps moving on the outside, backing away and not attacking with any thing of merit. They both land single punches, but in that similar stretch of time, Nurmagomedov has landed a few more before and after. Figueiredo grabs a kick from out of the air but cannot take the fight down this time. Nurmagomedov sets up a body lock with a one-one-two, and he grapples Figueiredo but cannot get him down. Figueiredo clips his foe with a right hand, and Nurmagomedov is surprised by the power that just hit him. Figueiredo sees that he has his man finally paying attention, and he loads up on a few more and scores them hard. Nurmagomedov hurls a few back, and he lands cleanly when he does, but is largely defending himself when the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Round 3
Nurmagomedov strikes first in the final frame with a front kick, and he tosses one from the other side to make Figueiredo defend it. Nurmagomedov blasts the body with a fierce kick, and he skims one off the red-dyed stripe of the Brazilian’s melon. Nurmagomedov slaps his foe with a light high kick, and Dean asks for more from the two. The Russian scores another head kick, and he channels it into a takedown. Figueiredo defends with his guillotine, but this time, Nurmagomedov easily slides out of it to establish himself on top. When landing some ground strikes, Nurmagomedov is warned for landing them to the back of the head.
Nurmagomedov embraces the grind, in Figueiredo’s closed guard with no need to advance. Precious seconds tick off the clock for the former flyweight champ, who is stuck flat with no answers as he gets pummeled with elbows. Figueiredo tries to use butterfly hooks to push off, but this only allows Nurmagomedov to pass to half. Fans shower the athletes with boos while Nurmagomedov further makes Figueiredo’s life miserable with his ground attack. When Nurmagomedov looks to pass, Figueiredo uses that motion against him to drag him back to the guard—but in doing so, keeps him trapped. Figueiredo is relegated to elbow strikes from his back to stay busy, and he explodes back up with seconds to go and throws so hard that he falls over again. When the match ends, they hug it out.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov (30-27 Nurmagomedov)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov (30-27 Nurmagomedov)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov (30-27 Nurmagomedov)
The Official Result
Umar Nurmagomedov def. Deiveson Figueiredo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Umar Nurmagomedov with extreme confidence, calling minus 500 understated. He argues Umar is better in every aspect: striking, wrestling, speed, and strength. He questions how Figueiredo can win given his 57% takedown defense and lack of power. He believes Umar has way more paths to victory.
Big Brady sees this as a brutal matchup for Figueiredo, who is 38 and coming off a poor performance against Sandhagen. He expects Umar to take him down easily and submit him, likely by rear-naked choke in the second round. He notes Figueiredo's only chance is a guillotine or big shot, but both are unlikely.
Cody agrees with Paul, noting Umar's wrestling and Figueiredo's decline. He mentions Figueiredo's poor cardio and lack of activity, making Umar a strong favorite. Cody is not betting the money line but considers the over 2.5 rounds or Umar by decision as alternatives.
Connor argues that Figueiredo has adapted well at bantamweight by slowing pace and relying on wrestling, but Umar is a superior wrestler and grappler who won't be outwrestled. He notes that Figueiredo's slow pace won't work against Umar's high volume of kicks and pressure, and that Figueiredo struggled on the ground against Corey Sandhagen. Connor believes the odds are disrespectful to Figueiredo, but still picks Umar confidently.
Daniel Vreeland picks Umar Nurmagomedov to dominate. He notes that Umar is younger, taller, and a massive favorite. Vreeland respects Figueiredo's power and experience but believes Umar will outwork him and possibly secure a finish. He advises passing on betting due to the steep odds.
James is confident in Nurmagomedov, citing his elite training camp with Islam Makhachev and Figueiredo's apparent lack of focus (posting guns and weightlifting). He predicts a submission win, possibly a rear-naked choke, and notes the odds reflect the disparity.
The host is confident in Nurmagomedov, expecting him to take Figueiredo down and wear him out for a late finish. He notes Figueiredo's only chance is a puncher's shot or guillotine, but doubts he can outwrestle or outstrike Nurmagomedov. He finds the -500 line amusing but sees it as justified, predicting a third-round finish.
Paul picks Umar Nurmagomedov but is not betting the money line due to the steep price. He believes Umar's wrestling and control will be too much for Figueiredo, who has declined at bantamweight. Paul notes Figueiredo's lack of cardio and recent performances, making Umar a safe pick for parlays.
The MMA Guru picks Umar Nurmagomedov, noting his constant pressure and grappling advantage over Figueiredo's 'small moments'. He believes Umar will survive Figueiredo's tricks and finish him via TKO in round two.
Zane agrees with Connor that Umar is the clear pick, emphasizing that Figueiredo's adjusted style of low output and wrestling won't work against Umar's wrestling and pressure. He notes that Umar will be happy to throw thousands of kicks from range and that Figueiredo's slow pace will be countered. Zane also comments on the odds being lopsided but still picks Umar.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 23 of 43 | 53% | 23 of 44 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Montel Jackson | 0 | 30 of 70 | 42% | 30 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 8 of 13 | 61% | 8 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Montel Jackson | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 8 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 7 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:10 |
| Montel Jackson | 0 | 14 of 32 | 43% | 14 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 8 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Montel Jackson | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 8 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 23 of 43 | 53% | 4 of 19 | 9 of 11 | 10 of 13 | 22 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Montel Jackson | 30 of 70 | 42% | 14 of 51 | 7 of 8 | 9 of 11 | 28 of 67 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 8 of 13 | 61% | 0 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Montel Jackson | 8 of 20 | 40% | 4 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 7 of 16 | 43% | 2 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Montel Jackson | 14 of 32 | 43% | 7 of 24 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 8 of 14 | 57% | 2 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Montel Jackson | 8 of 18 | 44% | 3 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jackson (-300); Figueiredo (+250)
Round 1
On his first career losing streak, Figueiredo (24-5-1, 13-5-1 UFC) at the tender age of 37 would like nothing more than to turn things around at the expense of “Quik” Jackson (15-2, 9-2 UFC). Both bantamweights have plenty of firepower, so referee Jason Herzog will need to don his proverbial hard hat. Fists are bumped before they are traded.
Figueiredo lets loose first with a low kick, and he ducks a huge right hand to clinch up. They split before anything of merit lands, and Figueiredo resets and reaches with another low kick. Jackson plants a one-two on the Brazilian’s jaw, who responds with a heavier-than-expected body kick. Figueiredo kicks low and ducks the anticipated counter, and he looks for a body lock to muscle the longer man to the floor. “Daico” manages to leverage Jackson to the mat, where he starts hunting for a way to pass the guard. Jackson uses butterfly hooks to keep the former flyweight king at bay, and he briefly gives up his back when scrambling. Figueiredo takes it, and he has to let it go when Jackson explodes to his feet. Figueiredo drives a knee to the chest on the way up, and he retreats.
Jackson smacks him with an inside calf kick, and he doubles up on jabs to the body. Figueiredo turns his hips to a hard leg kick, and he swipes out with a right hand when Jackson advances towards him. The calf kicks land from both sides, and Figueiredo sprints in and ducks down to clip Jackson with a big right hand. Jackson fires back on the way back, catching the Brazilian as well but off-balance so his weight is not behind it. The two hand-fight, and Figueiredo boots his foe in the sternum. Jackson catches the leg, but when he cannot do anything with it, he releases it and bops Figueiredo in the nose with a jab. Figueiredo runs towards Jackson and cracks him with a right hand that makes Jackson’s knees buckle, and one final body kick from the former champ ends the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Round 2
Figueiredo jogs out of his corner looking to throw hands, and he uses the punches to set up a takedown. Less than 20 seconds into the round, and Figueiredo has secured full mount. Jackson turns to escape, and Figueiredo uses the opportunity to snatch up an arm-triangle choke. “Deus da Guerra” jumps to the side to complete the sub, and rather than wait around for it to be over, Jackson somehow busts out of it and stops the choke from materializing. Figueiredo smoothly slides around to take the back, and he fishes for something but does not have any openings. Jackson works to his feet before long, and he stabs out a jab that bloodies up the bridge of the former flyweight champ’s nose. Figueiredo motions low to fake a takedown, and he kicks where he reached towards instead.
The feints of the Brazilian draw out reactions, allowing him to rip kicks to the body when not pump-faking. Jackson swats out with a single right hook, and Figueiredo does the same. Volume is low and both men are tentative to engage, and even more cautious committing to much. Figueiredo hops away from a couple half-hearted jabs and pitches a kick to the midsection. Jackson sticks and moves, and he just evades a looping right hand intent on lopping his head off at the stem. Jackson peppers the reddened nose of his foe with a few more jabs, and he takes a low kick on the way out. Jackson sits down on two punches and a knee, and Figueiredo is fired up and lets go with his own punches. A right hand from the Brazilian appears to wobble Jackson with seconds to spare, and the two duke it out until the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Round 3
Bounding out of his corner ready for five more minutes of bantamweight melee, Figueiredo strikes first with a jumping stomp kick to the knee. The Brazilian goes high with his lead leg, and he sways to take the brunt out of a jab. Figueiredo backs his man up with surging punches, and he takes a flush jab on the forehead. Figueiredo drills the front leg with a kick, and he races forward and slips. Jackson does not capitalize on this, instead allowing Figueiredo to stand up so he can push out one single jab. Jackson chambers and fires off a hard low kick, and Figueiredo grins at him and briefly switches stances before recovering and loosing a body kick that just misses.
Jackson tags Figueiredo walking in with a left and then a right, and he times the bounces of the Brazilian to moderate effect. Jackson scores a body kick, and Figueiredo grimaces at him. Jackson kicks the same spot once more, resulting in a clinch and some knees from the Brazilian. Jackson uses a body lock to elevate the former champ and dump him on his back, and Figueiredo bounces off the mat as if he had springs in his shorts without taking a strike. Jackson backs off his opponent, but all he can muster is a low kick that is answered harder by the ex-champ. The crowd is completely out of the fight, disappointed by four straight losses for the locals, even though one might win this lackluster match. Figueiredo waves Jackson on with 10 seconds to go, and he boots Jackson in the belly with a kick. Pointing down again, he tricks Jackson to engage and shoots for a single. The bummer of a bout ends with Figueiredo looking for a hug.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jackson (29-28 Figueiredo)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (30-27 Figueiredo)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (30-27 Figueiredo)
The Official Result
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Montel Jackson via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Montel Jackson, believing he will rise to the occasion. He notes Figueiredo is a shell of his former self, older and slower. He acknowledges Figueiredo's past success but thinks Montel's wrestling and power will be enough. He also mentions Figueiredo plus 3.5 as a possible bet.
Big Brady picks Montel Jackson to win by first-round knockout. He notes Jackson's significant size advantage (5-inch height, 7.5-inch reach) and power, having many knockdowns in the UFC. He believes Figueiredo has taken too much damage and is now 37, and that Jackson will keep the fight standing and land a knockout. He expects Jackson to stuff takedowns easily.
Cody also picks Figueiredo, calling it a 'dog or pass' fight. He highlights Jackson's low output and susceptibility to takedowns, while Figueiredo's experience and power make him live. He suggests waiting for a better price or live betting.
Lucrative James picks Montel Jackson but is not confident. He notes Figueiredo's age and declining durability, but also his takedown and jiu-jitsu advantage. He believes Jackson's wrestling is a weakness, but Figueiredo may not be able to exploit it. He sees Jackson winning by decision, but wouldn't bet at -305.
James picks Figueiredo as a value underdog, citing Figgy's superior jiu-jitsu and wrestling as a path to victory via submission or control. He notes Montel Jackson's wrestling vulnerability exposed in past fights and Figueiredo's ability to get takedowns. However, he admits low confidence due to Figueiredo's recent losses and age, and says he would not bet on Montel at -275.
Manpreet leans towards Jackson but is not confident enough to bet the moneyline at -300. He believes Jackson's reach and height advantages will be key, and that Jackson's power will find a knockout as Figueiredo slows down. However, he acknowledges Figueiredo's grappling threat and notes that if Figueiredo can get control time, he could win. He considers the KO prop for Jackson and the submission prop for Figueiredo at +800 as alternatives.
Paul picks Figueiredo as a dog, arguing that Montel Jackson's -300 price is unjustified. He points out Jackson's low volume striking and lack of elite wins, while Figueiredo has faced top competition and has the wrestling and power to win a close fight in Brazil. He sees value in the underdog.
The MMA Guru picks Montel Jackson over Deiveson Figueiredo, believing Figueiredo is past his prime and looked poor against Sandhagen. He notes Jackson has a reach advantage and is durable. He predicts a decision win for Jackson.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 54 of 87 | 62% | 92 of 149 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 5:07 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 8 of 11 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 1 | 0:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 31 of 39 | 79% | 53 of 78 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:37 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 3 of 3 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Cory Sandhagen | 0 | 23 of 48 | 47% | 39 of 71 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 1:30 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:27 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 54 of 87 | 62% | 33 of 65 | 2 of 2 | 19 of 20 | 24 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 44 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 6 of 9 | 66% | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Sandhagen | 31 of 39 | 79% | 22 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 8 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 26 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Cory Sandhagen | 23 of 48 | 47% | 11 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 12 | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 18 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 4 of 7 | 57% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sandhagen (-500), Figueiredo (+380)
Round 1
The final bout to grace Wells Fargo Arena on this Saturday features Sandhagen, a longtime bantamweight contender who has picked up an impressive collection of scalps while not-so-patiently waiting his chance at UFC gold, against a man in Figueiredo who has already worn the flyweight version of that hardware twice, and hopes a win over “The Sandman” will allow him to skip the line at age 38. Overseeing this ultra-high stakes clash will be veteran referee Dan Miragliotta, who thankfully has shown no sign of the clapper-versus-horn confusion that plagued him at UFC Kansas City last week. Both contenders are in orthodox stance, and it is the taller Sandhagen who takes the front foot in the early going. Figueiredo scores with a calf kick, and Sandhagen clinches and moves his foe to the fence. They jockey for position there, punctuated by a few short strikes, before disengaging. Figueiredo lands a solid uppercut on the break. They move back to the center of the Octagon and Figueiredo lands another uppercut, then changes levels and pulls the action to the canvas. Figueiredo moves to Sandhagen’s back in a flash, and looks close to securing back mount before Sandhagen tripods and elevates his hips, trying to get the Brazilian to slide off the top. He succeeds, but Figueiredo tries to hop back onto his back and actually threatens to do so for a moment. He bails and Sandhagen lands on top. Figueiredo looks for a heel hook, but Sandhagen gets to a safe spot and smashes Figueiredo with hammerfists. Figueiredo gives up the leglock and scrambles to get up, but Sandhagen ends up on top again in half guard. Figueiredo again attacks a leg, and again Sandhagen crushes the space, gets his leg out of danger and punishes “Deus da Guerra” with some thudding ground-and-pound. The round ends with Sandhagen above Figueiredo, calmly looking for openings to punch.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sandhagen
Round 2
Sandhagen claims the center of the cage to open Round 2 and Figueiredo meets him there. They exchange low kicks that land and punching combinations that mostly glance or miss. Figueiredo changes levels for a slick single-leg, dragging Sandhagen to the floor. There, they briefly find themselves in a “leglock race” position that must have Ryan Hall shaking his head in Sandhagen’s corner. They return to their feet and moments later, it’s Sandhagen who times his man nicely for a level change, depositing the former flyweight champ on his rear and setting up in his guard. Sandhagen throws a salvo of punches with both hands, but loses top position a few moments later and ends up with Figueiredo standing over him out of half guard.
Sandhagen reaches for a leglock from the bottom and their legs become entwined as Sandhagen jumps back into his opponent’s guard. Sandhagen sweeps to top position and throws a couple of punches before it becomes apparent that Figueiredo is done fighting. Figueiredo taps in obvious pain as Miragliotta jumps in and waves off the fight. Replay shows that the entanglement of Sandhagen’s right leg and Figuereido’s left resulted in a knee injury to the Brazilian.
It surely isn’t how they drew it up in the gym, but as Sandhagen stands alone to have his hand raised while his stricken opponent is helped back to the locker rooms, he has made a solid case for at shot at the belt in his next fight.
The Official Result
Cory Sandhagen def. Deiveson Figueiredo R2 4:08 via TKO (Knee Injury)
Angelo is very confident in Cory Sandhagen, citing his superior striking, footwork, and durability. He believes Figueiredo's improved cardio and wrestling at bantamweight will not be enough to overcome Sandhagen's skills. He expects Sandhagen to win eight out of ten times and would bet if the odds drop to -300 or better.
Big Brady is confident in Cory Sandhagen, citing a rough matchup for Figueiredo. He notes that Figueiredo is undersized at bantamweight, his power hasn't translated, and he struggles with volume. Sandhagen has a great chin, cardio, and volume advantage, and will outland Figueiredo significantly. Figueiredo relies on moments, but Sandhagen is durable and hard to take down. Brady expects Sandhagen to pick Figueiredo apart over five rounds.
Connor agrees with Zane, emphasizing that Sandhagen can beat Figueiredo in every phase, including on the ground. He highlights Sandhagen's calmness in grappling positions, similar to Yan's ability to stall Figueiredo's back takes. Connor notes that Figueiredo's power is real but his speed is declining, and Sandhagen's size and durability make him a tough target. He calls it a straightforward pick but expects a competitive fight.
This is a perfect stylistic matchup for Sandhagen. Figueiredo may grapple early but can't keep it up for more than two rounds. Sandhagen's output, cardio, volume, and grappling will allow him to win at least three of the last four rounds and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Cory Sandhagen to win by TKO in round four, possibly due to a doctor stoppage from swelling. He believes Sandhagen's range, footwork, and jab will frustrate Figueiredo, who struggles with taller opponents. He compares it to Moreno's performance but expects Sandhagen to do more damage. He notes that Sandhagen has a good chin and can survive knockdowns. He thinks the odds are crazy and Sandhagen should be a -250 favorite.
Zane sees Sandhagen as a steady, adaptable technician who can fight well wherever the fight goes. He notes that Figueiredo's low output and reliance on singular moments of offense won't work against Sandhagen over five rounds. Zane also points out that Sandhagen's size and calm grappling defense will neutralize Figueiredo's takedowns, similar to how Yan handled them. He acknowledges Figueiredo's power but believes Sandhagen's consistency and volume will carry him to a decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petr Yan | 0 | 121 of 193 | 62% | 190 of 263 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 3:21 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 53 of 119 | 44% | 53 of 119 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 3:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petr Yan | 0 | 6 of 6 | 100% | 42 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:21 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 | |
| 2 | Petr Yan | 0 | 32 of 49 | 65% | 32 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 10 of 30 | 33% | 10 of 30 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Petr Yan | 0 | 21 of 36 | 58% | 28 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 13 of 25 | 52% | 13 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 4 | Petr Yan | 0 | 25 of 40 | 62% | 50 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 | |
| 5 | Petr Yan | 0 | 37 of 62 | 59% | 38 of 63 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 15 of 33 | 45% | 15 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petr Yan | 121 of 193 | 62% | 78 of 142 | 18 of 21 | 25 of 30 | 103 of 172 | 13 of 15 | 5 of 6 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 53 of 119 | 44% | 23 of 75 | 24 of 36 | 6 of 8 | 49 of 112 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petr Yan | 6 of 6 | 100% | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Petr Yan | 32 of 49 | 65% | 12 of 26 | 6 of 6 | 14 of 17 | 31 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 10 of 30 | 33% | 6 of 21 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Petr Yan | 21 of 36 | 58% | 16 of 28 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 5 | 18 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 13 of 25 | 52% | 4 of 15 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Petr Yan | 25 of 40 | 62% | 19 of 33 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 21 of 35 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 14 of 30 | 46% | 4 of 15 | 8 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 26 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Petr Yan | 37 of 62 | 59% | 26 of 50 | 6 of 7 | 5 of 5 | 32 of 56 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 15 of 33 | 45% | 9 of 24 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
A big one at 135 pounds wraps up this fight card, with a possible title challenger emerging depending on the result. Former beltholder Yan (17-5, 9-4 UFC) has struggled as of late but did right the ship in March with a decision over Yadong Song. On the other side of the cage stands ex-flyweight kingpin Figueiredo (24-3-1, 13-3-1 UFC), whose run at the new division has gone swimmingly thus far with three wins in three appearances. Whether he makes it four in the next 25 minutes or less, referee Mike Beltran and his outstanding moustache will be here for it every step of the way. As he brings them to the center of the cage to issue final instructions, the combatants eagerly bump their fists together. Yan starts aggressively, backing the Brazilian off early. Figueiredo strikes first with a body kick and shoots for a takedown, and Yan defends the double but falls victim to an inside trip takedown. Figueiredo lands in the guard, with Yan smacking him off his back. Yan tries to elevate and sweep his opponent, and Figueiredo hangs on from above when Yan turns to his knees. Figueiredo looks to keep Yan grounded, staying heavy on Yan’s back and following Yan when he rolls. Yan elbows from behind, bopping Figueiredo on the nose a few times as the bantamweights keep twisting and turning. Yan uses elbows to the thigh to break up a partial leg grip around him, and this results in Figueiredo getting both hooks in and taking the back. Figueiredo looks for a body triangle, and Yan maintains a two-on-one wrist lock so he can explode and twist around to claim top position. Yan gets off a single elbow before Figueiredo grips hold of him with all of his might, and Yan drags him to put his neck on the corner of the fence and the floor. Yan covers the Brazilian’s mouth when not driving his elbow into his face, and he postures up every so often to land a strike. Yan drills his man with a solid right hammerfist and an elbow with his other arm, forcing Figueiredo to turn to his side in an escape attempt. Figueiredo bucks and kicks, but Yan stays above him scoring a solid right hand. As Figueiredo leaps back to his feet, Yan knees him hard, and he kicks the front leg while Figueiredo circles away to end the round. 10-9 Yan.
Round 2
The bantamweights re-engage after five minutes of largely grappling, with Yan setting up punches and a head kick with a low kick. Figueiredo walks through a stomping kick to his knee to fire off his own head kick, and Yan blocks it and blasts the front leg with his shin. Figueiredo sits down on a clubbing right hand that sends Yan backpedaling, and it is one-and-done so Yan recovers without issue. Yan strikes again with a low kick, and he kicks high. Yan is warned for outstretched fingers, and he belts the Brazilian in the body with his foot. A level change from Figueiredo is easily thwarted, and Yan chops at his front leg when his foe backs off. Figueiredo absorbs a head kick, blocks a second and retaliates with one to the ribs. Yan steps in with a right hook, and he brings up a knee shield to defend a body kick. Figueiredo whizzes past his man to connect a right hand, and he spins with a wheel kick and misses the mark. A second power right from Figueiredo wobbles Yan’s legs, and he spins with a back kick that pounds into the ribcage. Yan bounces off the wall and gets his bearings, with Figueiredo not committing to anything additional. Yan kicks the lead leg and then reaches out with a left hand, and Figueiredo trips and hits the floor but climbs up without concern. A jumping switch kick from Figueiredo bounces off the guard, and he lunges in with a right hand and checks a leg kick. Yan plants a left hand on the cheek, stuffs a takedown and does it again. Two clean punches from Yan make Figueiredo blink it out, and his fingers are pointed towards his opponent and draw another warning. They clash shins together with simultaneous kicks, and Figueiredo’s hooks get his foe’s attention. Yan pays him back with an elbow up close, and his kicks pepper “Daico” on the way out. Figueiredo wraps two hooks around the guard, and Yan keeps his fist outstretched to back Figueiredo off. Yan hits a clean trip and throw, and Figueiredo throws his legs up for a triangle as the bell sounds. 10-9 Figueiredo.
Round 3
The fighters are revved up and excited to get back to hitting one another in the face, so much so that Beltran has to back them off. When they start, it takes nearly 20 seconds before they strike. Yan jabs and kicks with his front leg, and Figueiredo hammers the body with a left hand. Yan chips at the front leg, backing away to block a body kick. Both fighters switch stances time and again directly in front of one another, and Figueiredo kicks his way into a tackling double-leg takedown. Yan’s scramble allows him to grab hold of one leg, and he is able to escape before long. Yan slams home a low kick, and he connects with a short but explosive uppercut that stuns and sends Figueiredo falling to his back. Yan climbs into the guard in hopes of finishing the job, but “Deus da Guerra” is hanging tight to protect himself from further damage. Figueiredo wall-walks and shoves Yan away, and Yan walks him down and boots him in the front leg. Figueiredo switches stances immediately, and Yan kicks him in the ribs but eats a right hand up top for his handiwork. The two crash together, and the impact sounds like they clacked heads. Figueiredo breaks out of the clinch and throws a haymaker from downtown, one that does not hit the broad side of a barn. Figueiredo hunts for a step-in trip, and he hand-fights Yan who is trying to box his way in. Figueiredo connects with a body kick, and he reaches out with a right hand as Yan shakes it off. Yan times a head kick, and Figueiredo boots him in the chest right back. Figueiredo splits the guard with a one-two, and a body shot makes Yan take a second to think about things. Figueiredo closes in on him and digs several uppercuts up the middle, and he appears to find a strike that is doing some serious damage. A few more uppercuts ring Figueiredo’s bell, and Yan leaps in the air to knee Figueiredo on the chin. Figueiredo gets his mouthpiece knocked out, and Beltran has him replace it. When Figueiredo puts the gumshield back in, he looses one final combination of strikes that lead him to the horn. 10-9 Yan.
Round 4
It is championship round time, and both men still appear to have a full head of steam. Figueiredo rushes out of his corner to engage, lobbing kicks from both legs. Yan attempts a trip and throw, and he disrupts Figueiredo’s footwork to make him hit the floor. Figueiredo’s mad scramble gets him upright in seconds, and they resume from striking range. They hand-fight until Figueiredo kicks his man in the ribs. Figueiredo shoots for a double, and he leverages Yan to the wall when the first try fails. Figueiredo tries with a single, lifting Yan’s leg but not going anywhere. Yan pushes him away, and they reset. Yan times a powerful uppercut that knocks Figueiredo’s mouthpiece out, and he follows it with a head kick that is just blocked in time. Beltran waits until he has an opening to give the Brazilian back his mouthpiece, and he replaces it. Yan slaps Figueiredo in the face with his toes, and he slides back when Figueiredo bears down on him. The boxing of Yan allows him to slip a huge punch and uppercut Figueiredo cleanly, and when they are in close range, Figueiredo claims about glove grabs. Figueiredo dips down and fires off a body shot, and two punches go up top. Yan jabs and steps in with an elbow, and a piece of his tape on his thumb comes off. Figueiredo blasts the body with a ferocious left hand, and he ducks a looping strike for a takedown shot. Yan stifles the effort and just misses with a booming head kick, but he does connect with uppercuts and a flying knee when the two let loose. Figueiredo tries his own uppercut, and he blocks a head kick and comes over the top with a left. Figueiredo strides forward to unleash a right hand, and Yan goes flying. When Yan gets up, Figueiredo hurts his man in the body with follow-up strikes, and Yan steels himself and unloads a series of uppercuts until time expires. 10-9 Yan.
Round 5
Five minutes left to work, and the fighters touch ‘em up one last time. Yan hand-fights on his way into attack, and Figueiredo catches him with an uppercut. Yan tries to escape, but one left hand to the body gets his attention again. Yan attempts a big knee when Figueiredo is ducking, and it grazes off the red line on Figueiredo’s dome. Figueiredo gets clinched, eats a knee and an uppercut without landing anything before getting shoved back. Yan goes into boxer mode, pinning his punches on Figueiredo’s chin again and again. Figueiredo throws back with bad intentions, shaking his foe up with an elbow and a few mighty left hands. Figueiredo digs a kick to the body, and he watches as body kick soar past him. Figueiredo shoots, Yan sprawls and they reset. Yan steps in with a left hand, slides away and does not get tagged on the counter. Yan rifles off a left hand, and Figueiredo decides to pay him back with a clubbing right hook. Yan bounces off the fencing and absorbs a flush body shot, and he just misses with a huge uppercut. Yan spins with an elbow, and Figueiredo grins and tells him good work. Figueiredo points to the ground in what has been a gesture repeated frequently today, and Yan shrugs it off and times another spinning strike. Yan scores an elbow, and Figueiredo drives an elbow into the torso. Another elbow forces Figueiredo to back off, if only for a second, and Yan smacks him cleanly with a flying switch kick. Figueiredo boots him in the head with a question-mark kick, and he hurts the Russian with two huge right hands. Figueiredo rushes forward to attack, and both fighters duck down and crash together. Figueiredo goes hind quarters-over-tea kettle and falls off the back, and he jumps back up and walks Yan down, throwing everything he has at his opponent. Yan looks for a knee up the middle, and he belts the Brazilian’s body with his shin. Figueiredo swings hard, and he stops a takedown. Yan scores with one more left hand, and this terrific 25-minute engagement comes to a close. A few rounds were close, but one fighter appeared to outwork the other over the course of their “Fight of the Night”-worthy battle. Both men climb to the top of the cage to celebrate their handiwork, hugging it out and taking time to enjoy the crowd showering them with love. 10-9 Yan (49-46 Yan).
The thriller in the books, the victorious Yan is joined in the cage by his son, who it appears may be watching his father fight live for the very first time. Like the winner of the co-main event, Yan calls for another title shot, although he is two fights removed from the championship bout and not one like the strawweight from earlier. Even in defeat, Figueiredo is all smiles, appreciating Yan's handiwork and generally a happy camper. With that, UFC Macau is in the books, and there is no UFC next week as it is Thanksgiving week in America. Instead, PFL runs its championship event on Friday, which contains a remarkable 10 title fights. We will be there for each and every one, and we hope you are too.
The Official Result
Petr Yan def. Deiveson Figueiredo via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Angelo picks Petr Yan, citing his superior striking and takedown defense. He acknowledges Figueiredo's improved wrestling and cardio at bantamweight but believes Yan's five-round experience and size advantage will be key. He admits a weird feeling about Figueiredo and may not bet.
Big Brady picks Petr Yan to win by decision. He thinks it's a bad matchup for Figueiredo, who is older (36), smaller, and a low-volume striker relying on power that likely won't hurt Yan. Yan is younger, has better cardio and volume, and is durable. Brady doesn't believe Figueiredo has the wrestling to take Yan down, as even Merab was unsuccessful. He expects Yan to outwork Figueiredo over five rounds, possibly with a late finish.
Cody picks Petr Yan because of his superior cardio and volume striking over five rounds. He notes Figueiredo is a power puncher with a limited gas tank who relies on early knockdowns and takedowns, but Yan's takedown defense and endless motor will allow him to outwork Figueiredo in the later rounds. He expects Yan to win by decision and sees a live betting opportunity if Yan starts slow.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Yan because Figueiredo's cautious, low-output style and declining speed play into Yan's strengths. He notes that Yan's confidence may be shaken but Figueiredo won't pressure him early like Merab did. Connor also highlights that Figueiredo's gas tank is worse and he may be content to lose a quiet decision, which suits Yan's late-round surge.
Daniel Vreeland believes Petr Yan will win despite being a slow starter. He expects Figueiredo to have early success with calf kicks and submission attempts, but as Yan makes his reads and gets his timing down, he will take over. Vreeland notes Yan's superior boxing and timing-based takedowns, and thinks Yan can either finish late or win a decision. He is confident Yan dictates the pace and pulls away.
James picks Petr Yan to win but is hesitant due to the -300 price tag, which he considers too wide. He acknowledges Yan's superior striking volume and five-round experience, but notes Figueiredo's one-punch power and athleticism could cause an upset. He believes the fight is likely a 48-47 decision for Yan, but may take a small position on Figueiredo based on value.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing that Figueiredo would be a live dog in a three-round fight but cannot maintain the pace over five rounds. He highlights Yan's endless gas tank and the fact that Figueiredo cannot replicate Merab's takedown volume. Paul thinks Yan wins on volume and suggests a live bet if Yan starts slow, but warns the line may move quickly.
The MMA Guru picks Petr Yan over Deiveson Figueiredo, emphasizing the five-round advantage. He argues Figueiredo is explosive early but fades, while Yan's cardio and boxing improve as the fight goes on. He predicts Yan will weather early storms, then take over in later rounds with takedowns and ground and pound, finishing Figueiredo in round four or five. He compares it to Yan's fight against Jose Aldo. He notes Figueiredo's wins over Cody Garbrandt, Rob Font, and Marlon Vera but believes Yan's boxing is crisper than Moreno's.
Zane picks Petr Yan, arguing that Yan's process-oriented fighting style, which builds through rounds, will overcome Figueiredo's declining speed and output. He notes that Figueiredo has lost some speed and relies on strength and caution, but Yan's ability to adapt and pressure late in fights gives him the edge. Zane also mentions that Yan's confidence issues stem from the Merab fight, but Figueiredo's style won't exploit that as effectively.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 52 of 117 | 44% | 67 of 136 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Marlon Vera | 1 | 45 of 90 | 50% | 59 of 104 | 2 of 14 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 21 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Marlon Vera | 0 | 10 of 12 | 83% | 22 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:20 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 18 of 40 | 45% | 19 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Marlon Vera | 0 | 14 of 28 | 50% | 14 of 28 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 26 of 59 | 44% | 27 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Marlon Vera | 1 | 21 of 50 | 42% | 23 of 52 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 52 of 117 | 44% | 15 of 67 | 15 of 22 | 22 of 28 | 46 of 108 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Marlon Vera | 45 of 90 | 50% | 18 of 57 | 15 of 20 | 12 of 13 | 42 of 84 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 8 of 18 | 44% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 7 | 6 of 14 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Marlon Vera | 10 of 12 | 83% | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 18 of 40 | 45% | 1 of 17 | 5 of 9 | 12 of 14 | 17 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Marlon Vera | 14 of 28 | 50% | 4 of 15 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 13 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 26 of 59 | 44% | 12 of 40 | 9 of 12 | 5 of 7 | 23 of 55 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Marlon Vera | 21 of 50 | 42% | 11 of 37 | 8 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Figueiredo (-155), Vera (+130)
Round 1
Set in the “featured fight of the night” slot instead of the co-main event as would be reasonable, bantamweight strikers Vera (23-9-1, 15-8 UFC) and Figueiredo (23-3-1, 12-3-1 UFC) do not care much about card position as long as they can hit someone today. Vera has never been finished as a pro, while “Daico” has not lost since relocating to 135 pounds. “Fight of the Night” could be right around the corner, and referee Keith Peterson is will make sure no nonsense comes between them. Eager to throw leather, they ignore a glove touch and meet in the middle of the cage. Vera measures his range with a low kick, and he lands another on the calf to briefly disrupt the balance of his foe. Figueiredo fires one right back, leading Vera to punch the ball of his foot at Figueiredo’s knee. Figueiredo kicks the inner thigh and may have grazed the cup, but there is no pause. Figueiredo strikes his way into distance, and Vera uses a solid left hand to back him off. Figueiredo chops at the front leg, and he digs a right to the body and dips a punch to hit a takedown. Vera closes his guard and keeps tight wrist control to stop the Brazilian from striking him from above. Figueiredo frees his arms for a moment and drops down a heavy hammerfist, stacking Vera up so he can attempt to break out of the leg grip around his waist. Vera lifts his guard up higher, and this allows Figueiredo to land some ground strikes. Figueiredo stands back up to find a better way in, and Vera smacks him in the face with an upkick. This results in a furious scramble where Vera works his way back to his feet, and Figueiredo follows. Vera starts stalking the former flyweight king down, whipping out a high kick and protecting his jaw from a leaping left hand. Figueiredo winds up with a fierce low kick, and Vera flinches when Figueiredo fakes a second. Vera scores a jab and leaps forward with a knee, and Figueiredo scoops him off his feet and dumps him to the ground, landing in half guard and opening up with elbows right off the bat. Figueiredo drives home an elbow or two before the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Round 2
The second round begins with a low kick from Figueiredo, and he checks a kick back his way and whips one to the ribs. Vera clashes forward with a left hand, and he doubles up on leg kicks. Figueiredo hops back and forth, swatting Vera with a left hook. Vera attempts a head kick, and Figueiredo ducks down to go for a takedown, so Vera recoils it. Vera pushes out front kicks to the leg, and Figueiredo retaliates with a liver kick. Vera overswings, and Figueiredo threatens a takedown, abandons it and comes over the top with a right hand. Vera sticks a front kick to the solar plexus, and he low kicks his way in with a jab. Figueiredo ducks low for a takedown, and the Ecuadorian shoves him away and delivers a heavy low kick as Figueiredo backs off. Vera pierces the guard with a left hand, and Figueiredo punches him in the body. Vera does not like it, giving him a rude gesture because he thought it landed low. Figueiredo attempts a takedown, and Vera hops away and resets with a jab. Figueiredo zings a left over the top, and they trade leg kicks. Vera scores a front kick after checking a kick, and Figueiredo connects with a right hook. Figueiredo doubles up on a jab and comes out firing with a right hand, and Vera is ready for it. They go tit-for-tat with strikes, neither having a serious advantage, and Figueiredo tries for a takedown that results in him banging his forehead on his opponent’s. Vera kicks his way into a tie-up, and he connects with a body shot before the bell. Figueiredo protests about something after the bell, and Peterson gets between them to usher them back to their corners.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vera
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Vera
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Vera
Round 3
Figueiredo starts the last round aggressively, shooting in for a takedown that is rebuffed by his opponent courtesy of a guillotine. Vera kicks at him, and Figueiredo grabs the leg and hops back to the fence to defend it. Vera breaks free, and he flicks out a few jabs. Figueiredo jabs him right back, and he shrugs off a calf kick to deliver a similar response. Figueiredo stabs a right hand to the body, leans back and takes a low kick. Vera follows a ducking Figueiredo with an uppercut, and he blitzes forward to land a pair of punches. Figueiredo triples up on strikes, and Vera parries and escapes. Vera comes up short on a head kick, and Figueiredo kicks him in the ribs before aiming a right to the lower chest. Figueiredo aims a left to the body and another, and he has a front kick push him back and gets picked at from a leg kick. Figueiredo sits down on a straight right hand, shaking the Ecuadorian to his core and setting him on his seat. Vera climbs back up to his feet, and Figueiredo beans him with a right up top and a left to the ribcage. The Brazilian has a fire lit under his belly, aiming single accurate strikes that land flush, and Vera aims to quell that fire with his own body shot response. Figueiredo takes his time rather than selling out on offense, and he rifles a right hand to the sternum. Vera connects with a heavy leg kick, and Figueiredo does the same in response. Figueiredo ducks a looping left hand in pursuit of a takedown, and Vera stands him up and is caught with a right hand. Figueiredo shoots in on the hips, and Vera sprawls effectively, backs the Brazilian off and kicks him in the body. Vera jabs his way in and spins with a wheel kick that buzzes past his opponent, and Figueiredo flirts with two takedowns that both fail thanks to Vera’s stalwart defense. The attempts shut down Vera’s combinations, and “Daico” fakes another that makes Vera drop to his knees. Figueiredo grins and starts throwing hands in the pocket, catching Vera and eating a right hand back. Vera goes to the liver, and Figueiredo waves him on. This initiates a brief brawl, and they end up in a Thai clinch and think about knees. Vera finds another way in with a knee, and when he lands on the mat, Figueiredo times an uppercut to sting Vera right at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (29-28 Figueiredo)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (29-28 Figueiredo)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (29-28 Figueiredo)
The Official Result
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Marlon Vera via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo picks Figueiredo because he expects him to use wrestling to neutralize Vera's durability and momentum. He notes Vera is a slow starter and Figueiredo only needs to win one of the first two rounds. He thinks Figueiredo saw Vera eat a huge knee and will avoid striking exchanges.
Big Brady thinks this fight could go either way and has split decision written all over it. He notes both fighters are low-volume moment winners, but Vera has never been finished while Figueiredo has been finished in two of three losses. He mentions Vera often loses the first round, suggesting a live bet opportunity, but ultimately picks Vera to win by split decision.
Cody picks Marlon Vera as a slight underdog, citing Figueiredo's tendency to gas and Vera's pressure and pace. He notes that Figueiredo has low volume and relies on takedowns, but Vera is a larger bantamweight who scrambles well and can break him. Cody worries about Vera giving up the first round but thinks he can take over in the second and third. He also mentions that Figueiredo's last flyweight fight was poor and he's been out struck at 135.
Daniel picks Chito Vera but with hesitation due to Vera's inconsistency. He notes that Vera performs best against shorter opponents and has the durability and toughness to outlast Figueiredo. However, he worries about Vera's tendency to not let his hands go. He thinks Figueiredo has slowed down on the feet and that Vera can win if he shows up, but acknowledges it's a hit-or-miss proposition.
Figueiredo's overall style will triumph. He will use calf kicks to open up takedowns and land enough damage to grind out a decision win.
Paul picks Deiveson Figueiredo, noting that Vera gives up first rounds and in a three-round fight that's hard to overcome. He thinks Figueiredo can mix in wrestling and win the first two rounds. Paul acknowledges Vera's pressure could break Figueiredo but leans toward the former champion's early output. He also mentions the line has moved and that Vera was a bigger underdog earlier.
The MMA Guru picks Deiveson Figueiredo over Marlon Vera, believing Figueiredo is a level above in striking and will mix in grappling. He notes Vera's poor takedown defense and inability to get up. He expects Figueiredo to control the first two rounds on the ground and win a 29-28 decision. He mentions Figueiredo's improved cardio at bantamweight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 13 of 19 | 68% | 21 of 27 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 2 | 0 | 3:43 |
| Cody Garbrandt | 0 | 16 of 31 | 51% | 18 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 9 of 15 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Cody Garbrandt | 0 | 14 of 26 | 53% | 15 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 12 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 3:39 |
| Cody Garbrandt | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 13 of 19 | 68% | 9 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Cody Garbrandt | 16 of 31 | 51% | 6 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 11 | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 9 of 15 | 60% | 5 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Garbrandt | 14 of 26 | 53% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 11 | 14 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 4 of 4 | 100% | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Cody Garbrandt | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Figueiredo (-310), Garbrandt (+250)
Round 1
Tonight’s the night. And it’s going to happen again and again. Has to happen. Nice night. Las Vegas is a great town. I love the international food, bahn mi sandwiches, my favorite. But we’re hungry for something different now. Violence. It’s coming by the bucketful, and it starts with bantamweights that will almost certainly stand and bang. Former flyweight kingpin Figueiredo (22-3-1, 11-3-1 UFC) is putting some momentum together to make a run at his new weight class, while Garbrandt (14-5, 9-5 UFC) wishes to hold the line and prove he is not washed up at the tender age of 32. Fists are sure to fly, but before they do, referee Mark Smith checks them in. There is no touch of gloves, and it go time. Garbrandt introduces himself with a chopping calf kick, and he fires off another without concern. Garbrandt aims another on the inside, and then drops down on his knee to throw a sweeping kick out of the Mortal Kombat playbook. Figueiredo reaches out with a right hand that comes up short, and Garbrandt continues to work the lead leg. Figueiredo responds with one that he turns his hips into, and both men clash together and swing hard, while banging heads. Figueiredo backs off and gathers his thoughts, and he checks a kick coming at him. Figueiredo ducks an oncoming salvo and brings up a knee to the body, and he intercepts Garbrandt tossing a cartwheel kick by kicking Garbrandt in the face. The former bantamweight champ gets back up without issue, and he marches down “Daico.” Figueiredo lunges forward with an inaccurate swarm of punches, and Garbrandt hops in and out deliver a low kick. Garbrandt prods out with another calf kick, and he keeps his guard up to swat away a front kick aimed at his chin. Garbrandt leaps forward and catches the Brazilian with a left hand, and Figueiredo pulls guard and looks for a leglock. Garbrandt backs off before he is vulnerable, and he resets and dings a standing Figueiredo with a sharp one-two. Figueiredo meanders forward and lets go with a right hand, but it is one-and-done. Figueiredo does not quite reach with a front kick, but he elects to take the fight down and lifts Garbrandt’s leg up to drive him to the mat. Garbrandt jumps back up without taking any additional fire, and he lands a low kick before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garbrandt
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Garbrandt
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Round 2
The fighters get back to business, and Garbrandt reaches out first with a high body kick. Figueiredo rushes forward swinging leather, and Garbrandt answers him with a clubbing left hand. Figueiredo pursues a takedown from behind, where he strips the former bantamweight champ from his balance and lowers him down to the mat. Figueiredo shifts over to move into half guard, where he presses down for a potential arm-triangle choke. Garbrandt turns, and Figueiredo takes his back and flattens him out. Figueiredo wriggles his arm out and hammers Garbrandt in the side of the head with a right hand. When Garbrandt turns back over, Figueiredo assumes full mount and sets up an arm-triangle choke. “Deus da Guerra” jumps over to the side and locks down the arm-triangle choke, and he squeezes with all his might. Garbrandt struggles and keeps his wits about him, while Figueiredo lowers his chest down to complete the maneuver. Figueiredo sits up just slightly and punches him in the side of the head, and he gets back to mount. Garbrandt tries to kick off and explode back to his feet, but the Brazilian mightily shoves him flat on his back. Figueiredo drops down shoulder strikes to the jaw, and he smacks Garbrandt in the side of the head with his fists when he finds openings. Garbrandt bursts back to his feet, and Figueiredo follows him every step of the way to lock down back control, set up a body triangle and start fishing for a choke.
Figueiredo cinches up a rear-naked choke, and at this point it is just academic. “No Love” considers going out on his shield, but at the last minute, he taps out, and we have our first finish of the evening.
This marks the first time that Garbrandt has ever been submitted.
The Official Result
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Cody Garbrandt R2 4:02 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Cody Garbrandt as the underdog, citing his superior wrestling, clean boxing, and size advantage. He notes Figueiredo's power may not carry up to bantamweight and that Garbrandt's chin is a concern but his wrestling history and boxing should prevail. He acknowledges Garbrandt's tendency to chase knockouts and get caught, but believes his wrestling and boxing will be enough.
Cody is very confident in Figueiredo. He notes that Garbrandt's resurgence came against low-level opponents (Brian Kelleher, Trevin Jones) and that he still has a weak chin. Figueiredo is a big bantamweight with power in both hands and solid takedown defense. Cody points out that Garbrandt fights emotionally and tends to run into fire when hit. He expects Figueiredo to knock Garbrandt out, possibly in the first round. Cody calls this his favorite bet on the card.
Connor picks Figueiredo, agreeing that Garbrandt's chin and tendency to make mistakes will be exploited. He notes that Figueiredo's new patient style will allow him to get reads without putting himself in danger. Connor points out that Garbrandt only gets reads when pursued, and Figueiredo will not oblige. He expects Figueiredo to land a big shot eventually.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Deiveson Figueiredo, citing his power and guillotine choke. He acknowledges Garbrandt's chin issues and believes Figueiredo will land a knockout. However, he is hesitant due to Figueiredo's inconsistent performances and the high price (-300). Vreeland notes that Figueiredo can be gun-shy and Garbrandt has power, making this a risky bet.
Lucrative James does not make a pick for this fight. He calls it a banger and says it's impossible for the fight to be boring. He notes that the UFC has been trying to put it together for a while. No prediction is given.
Figueiredo is the bigger power puncher and will force Garbrandt to exchange. Garbrandt has been hesitant recently but will be forced to bite down on his mouthpiece and pay dearly. Figueiredo knocks him out within two rounds.
Paul agrees, noting that Garbrandt has all the skills but lacks durability. Figueiredo is a big flyweight who carries power up to bantamweight. Paul mentions that Garbrandt throws naked leg kicks in the pocket, leaving himself open to counters. Figueiredo has power in both hands and is relentless when he hurts opponents. Paul believes Garbrandt will get into a firefight and eventually get knocked out. He also notes that Figueiredo has good takedown defense and get-up game.
The MMA Guru envisions Cody Garbrandt knocking out Deiveson Figueiredo in the first round. He notes that Figueiredo is a straight-line puncher, while Garbrandt excels with hooks and keeping his head off the center line. He believes Garbrandt will make Figueiredo go first and time him with a devastating shot, citing Garbrandt's speed and momentum after recent wins.
Zane picks Figueiredo, reasoning that he is the biggest puncher Garbrandt has ever faced. He notes that Garbrandt is chinny and Figueiredo has 11 knockdowns at flyweight. Zane expects Figueiredo to be patient and not make reckless mistakes, while Garbrandt will likely back up to the cage and get hit. He predicts a stinky fight but a Figueiredo win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 46 of 94 | 48% | 48 of 96 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 45 of 74 | 60% | 53 of 84 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 4:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 22 of 37 | 59% | 22 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 10 of 20 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 15 of 33 | 45% | 17 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 15 of 22 | 68% | 15 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:09 | |
| 3 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 0 | 9 of 24 | 37% | 9 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Rob Font | 0 | 20 of 32 | 62% | 28 of 42 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deiveson Figueiredo | 46 of 94 | 48% | 39 of 85 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 44 of 92 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Rob Font | 45 of 74 | 60% | 35 of 64 | 7 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 33 of 60 | 6 of 7 | 6 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 22 of 37 | 59% | 20 of 34 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rob Font | 10 of 20 | 50% | 7 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 15 of 33 | 45% | 12 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Rob Font | 15 of 22 | 68% | 12 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 9 of 24 | 37% | 7 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rob Font | 20 of 32 | 62% | 16 of 28 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 22 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 7 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Font (-135), Figueiredo (+114)
Round 1
Business picks up with a bantamweight showcase pitting Font (20-7, 10-6 UFC) against Figueiredo (21-3-1, 10-3-1 UFC)—a two-time flyweight champion making the jump to 135 pounds. Figueiredo has not fought anyone other than archrival Brandon Moreno since November 2020.
For more on the Brazilian’s move to the bantamweight division, read “New Digs for Deiveson Figueiredo” from the aforementioned Stein
. Rexroad serves as the referee. Font moves to the center of the cage and stalks the Brazilian from range. He backs up Figueiredo with a clean one-two, shrugs off an attempted clinch and flicks out a few jabs. Figueiredo completes a takedown but cannot keep the New England Cartel rep down. Back on the feet, Font gets to work with his jab. Figueiredo lands an overhand right, ducks into takedown and again allows his opponent to get back to his feet. Font fires a long one-two and moves behind Figueiredo. He lifts the Brazilian off his feet but cannot finish the takedown. Round is still up in the air with a minute to go. Font counters with a right uppercut, and they trade jabs. Figueiredo staggers him with an overhand right but elects not to accelerate. He lures Font into a tie-up along the fence, stalls and then breaks into open space. Figueiredo looking more and more comfortable on the feet. They trad jabs at the close of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Round 2
Font gets busy with his jab but allows the Brazilian to close the distance and clinch along the fence. The action stalls briefly. Figueiredo lands a knee south of the equator, resulting in a brief pause. Font readjusts the jewels, and they resume their battle. Figueiredo connects with an uppercut and stays light on his feet. Font shuts off a takedown attempt, then walks into a clean right hand from the Brazilian. He pops Figueiredo with a leg kick and presses forward behind punches. Figueiredo ducks a punch and secures a takedown with two minutes left in the round. Font scrambles free, and they get back to business in the center of the cage. Figueiredo’s output has dwindled here. Font pounds home a jab, then follows with a leg kick. He circled out of a clinch from the Brazilian, marches forward and pumps out his jab. Figueiredo lands a clean two-punch volley and follows with a front kick up the middle.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo
Round 3
Figueiredo moves forward behind a front kick, initiates a tie-up and works for a takedown. Font’s defense holds up. Figueiredo steps into a right hand, then another and engages the Massachusetts native in the clinch. Nothing materializes. Font connects with a right hook to the body. Both men landing in single shots. Figueiredo dazes his counterpart with a wicked left hook, pushes him backward, fires a knee to the body and delivers another left hook upstairs. Font answers with a multi-punch volley, mixes in a jab and whiffs on an elbow over the top. They trade jabs midway through Round 3. Figueiredo ducks into a single-leg and completes a key takedown. He climbs to full mount, drops elbows and hammerfists, maintains his position and gets warned for grabbing the fence. Font reclaims half guard but struggles to control the Brazilian’s posture. With 30 seconds to go, this is slipping away from Font. Figueiredo slides to side control, applies heavy pressure and bleeds the remaining time off the clock.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (30-27 Figueiredo)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (30-27 Figueiredo)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Figueiredo (30-27 Figueiredo)
The Official Result
Deiveson Figueiredo def. Rob Font—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Big Brady picks Figueiredo as a dog, citing paths to victory via wrestling or landing big shots. He notes Font's poor takedown defense and get-up game, and thinks Figueiredo can mix in takedowns. He also thinks Figueiredo's power could be a factor, as Font gets rocked often. He predicts a decision win for Figueiredo.
Cody takes Figueiredo as an underdog. He cites Figueiredo's power, multiple paths to victory (knockdowns, takedowns), and Font's poor takedown defense as shown against Cory Sandhagen. He thinks Figueiredo can land bigger shots and mix in wrestling. He also notes Figueiredo moving up to 135 may help his cardio and power translation.
Lucrative James leans towards Rob Font, citing his size, reach, and experience against top bantamweights. He acknowledges Figueiredo's power and guillotine threat, and Font's questionable chin. However, he believes Font should be favored and may look to attack a prop rather than the moneyline due to volatility.
Figueiredo moves up to bantamweight and should carry power and strength. Font has been outgrappled and outdamaged in recent fights, with poor takedown defense and a tendency to lose rounds due to damage. Figueiredo's power and ability to land big shots could lead to a knockout, similar to Font's losses to Aldo and Vera. Font may win minutes, but Figueiredo will win moments and likely finish.
Paul sides slightly with Font based on volume. He thinks Font should box Figueiredo up and put up crazy volume over three rounds. He notes Figueiredo's power and Font's chinny history, but believes Font's volume will be enough. He says the line is accurate and he's not too confident.
The MMA Guru picks Rob Font by first-round KO, believing Figueiredo's power won't translate up a division and that Font's reach and jab will be decisive. He notes Figueiredo's defensive flaws and recent injuries. He predicts Font will catch Figueiredo early and put him away.
Expert Picks (6)
Big Brady picks Deiveson Figueiredo, citing his power advantage and the mitigating factors from the first fight (short notice, food poisoning, point deduction). He believes Figueiredo will land the harder shots and win a decision, though a finish is possible. He notes Moreno's toughness but expects Figueiredo to have a full camp this time.
Cody thinks Moreno's durability and cardio will be key, as he took Figueiredo's best shots in the first fight and started to take over in the later rounds. He notes Figueiredo's weight cut issues and tendency to foul, and believes Moreno can win by taking over in rounds 4 and 5 if he splits the early rounds.
Daniel Levi picks Figueiredo to defend the belt, possibly by knockout. He notes Figueiredo's power and well-rounded game, including underrated jiu-jitsu. He acknowledges Moreno's durability but thinks Figueiredo's firepower is different. He is concerned about Figueiredo's weight cuts but believes he is focused and ready.
Figueiredo's pressure, power, and stalking style should be too much for Moreno over five rounds. Moreno had success with his jab and takedowns in the first fight, but Figueiredo's improved cardio and takedown defense will nullify that. Figueiredo likely wins a decision, though a finish is possible with a full camp.
Paul picks Figueiredo but is hesitant due to weight cut concerns and the close nature of the first fight. He thinks Figueiredo landed the better strikes and would have won without the point deduction, but acknowledges Moreno's durability and the possibility of Figueiredo losing a point for a foul. He is not betting this fight.
The MMA Guru picks Deiveson Figueiredo, primarily because Figueiredo was hospitalized with food poisoning the night before the first fight. He believes a healthy Figueiredo will perform better, citing his power advantage and jab. He notes the odds are too wide in Moreno's favor, but still picks Figueiredo to win a close fight.
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