Career Averages - Gregory Rodrigues
Career Averages - Duško Todorović
Gregory Rodrigues
Duško Todorović
Gregory Rodrigues - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Rodrigues | 1 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brunno Ferreira | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 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 | Gregory Rodrigues | 1 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brunno Ferreira | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Rodrigues | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brunno Ferreira | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gregory Rodrigues | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brunno Ferreira | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo notes that both fighters are similar with heavy hands and poor cardio, but Gregory is larger and has better fight IQ. He expects Gregory to wrestle early to avoid another knockout, as Bruno knocked him out in their first fight when Gregory was ill-prepared. He believes Gregory will slow the pace and win on the scorecards.
Big Brady picks Gregory Rodrigues over Brunno Ferreira in a rematch. He notes Ferreira knocked out Rodrigues in the first fight, but Rodrigues has elite jiu-jitsu that he underutilizes. Brady believes if Rodrigues fights smart, mixes in takedowns, and uses his grappling, he can submit Ferreira, who gassed badly against Abus Magomedov. He predicts a second-round submission, warning that if Rodrigues stands and bangs, he could get knocked out again.
Cody also picks Ferreira, highlighting Rodrigues' defensive flaws and tendency to gas. He notes Ferreira's speed and power, and that Rodrigues has been knocked out before. He expects Ferreira to land a big shot and finish.
Connor picks Rodrigues despite the first loss, noting that Rodrigues was styling on Ferreira before getting caught. He believes Rodrigues's improved grappling and willingness to test Ferreira's submission defense will be key. However, he acknowledges that Ferreira's one-punch power and Rodrigues's tendency to fade late make this a risky pick. Connor sees it as a well-matched rematch where either outcome is possible.
Daniel Vreeland picks Brunno Ferreira as a plus-170 underdog, believing the odds should be closer. He notes that Ferreira knocked out Rodrigues in their first fight and has power that can end the fight early. Vreeland acknowledges both fighters have cardio issues and one-shot power, but he likes the value on Ferreira.
James picks Brunno Ferreira as the value side, noting that Ferreira already knocked out Rodrigues in their first fight and has the power to do it again. He highlights Rodrigues' poor chin and tendency to get hit, while Ferreira's leaping left hook is a dangerous weapon. James admits he is not confident but cannot trust Rodrigues at minus-200 odds due to his chin issues. He expects Ferreira to win by KO, likely early.
Rodrigues has a height and reach advantage and will play it safe early before finding a knockout as Ferreira slows. He learned from the first fight and should be more assertive. The fight finishes inside the distance. Waiting for a better line is advised.
Paul picks Ferreira as a dog, citing Rodrigues' durability issues and poor head movement. He notes Ferreira's speed and power, and that he already knocked out Rodrigues. He sees value at plus money and expects a knockout.
The MMA Guru picks Brunno Ferreira, citing his previous KO win over Rodrigues. He believes Ferreira's power and finishing ability will be too much, and that Rodrigues is chinny. He predicts a KO win, possibly in a scrappy fight.
Zane picks Rodrigues, echoing Connor's reasoning. He notes that Rodrigues has become more willing to grapple and can use ground-and-pound to finish. Zane points out that Ferreira's game is limited to wild overhands and sacrificial submissions, and Rodrigues should be able to avoid the big shot if he fights smart. However, he admits that Ferreira's power makes it a dangerous fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Kopylov | 0 | 52 of 105 | 49% | 54 of 109 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 90 of 173 | 52% | 91 of 174 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:24 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Kopylov | 0 | 9 of 16 | 56% | 11 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 20 of 35 | 57% | 20 of 35 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Roman Kopylov | 0 | 23 of 36 | 63% | 23 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 37 of 70 | 52% | 38 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:24 | |
| 3 | Roman Kopylov | 0 | 20 of 53 | 37% | 20 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 33 of 68 | 48% | 33 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Kopylov | 52 of 105 | 49% | 35 of 80 | 9 of 16 | 8 of 9 | 51 of 103 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 90 of 173 | 52% | 59 of 133 | 28 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 84 of 164 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Kopylov | 9 of 16 | 56% | 2 of 5 | 2 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 20 of 35 | 57% | 12 of 25 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Roman Kopylov | 23 of 36 | 63% | 20 of 32 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 37 of 70 | 52% | 26 of 55 | 10 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 32 of 62 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Roman Kopylov | 20 of 53 | 37% | 13 of 43 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 20 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 33 of 68 | 48% | 21 of 53 | 11 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 33 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rodrigues (-166), Kopylov (+140)
Round 1
Marc Goddard is the referee. Rodrigues probes with a right to the body. The Brazilian counters a kick with a crisp straight right. Another straight right splits the guard of Kopylov. Rodrigues follows a right hand with a hard body kick. Rodrigues continues to fire off his right hand and now he tries a takedown, which Kopylov defends. Kopylov with a straight left to the body, his first meaningful offense of the fight. Rodrigues with a hard body kick and then a right to the body as well. Every punch from Rodrigues is taking effect so far. Kopylov attacks the lead leg and Rodrigues answers with an inside leg kick. Rodrigues just misses a head kick. The Brazilian steps in with a knee to the body and he shoots for a takedown. Kopylov reverses it with a hip toss. He stands over Rodrigues as time ticks down, but he doesn’t land anything of note before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues
Round 2
Rodrigues opens with a 1-2. Kopylov lands a left, but Rodrigues answers. They go to the ground and Kopylov scrambles out of a leg lock. Rodrigues shoots again against the fence, but Kopylov shoves him away. Rodrigues backs up Kopylov with a knee to the body. Kopylov sticks a jab. Rodrigues with a jab of his own. Rodrigues stalks his opponent, drawing mbig movements with feints. Rodrigues with a solid jab. Kopylov catches a kick and fires off a series of right hands before releasing the limb. Rodrigues moves in behind a right hand. Rodrigues marches forward, throwing straight punches, sometimes mixing in body shots. Kopylov with a left to the body. Rodrigues follows a knee with a series of hard right hands. “Robocop” keeps the pressure on as Kopylov remains on his bike. Rodrigues lands a jab followed by a right to the body. Kopylov remains on the defensive. Rodrigues lands a body kick. Kopylov catches it and shoves his foe down. A right by Rodrigues makes Kopylov stumble. Rodrigues stalks the Russian, landing heavy blows along the way. Kopylov unleashes a quick head kick, but it can’t quite find the mark. They clinch late in the round. Rodrigues lands a knee and misses a spinning attack as time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues
Round 3
Rodrigues pumps his jab. Kopylov probes with a leg kick. Another jab lands for the Brazilian. Kopylov flicks out a jab but eats a right hand. Kopylov leaps in with a left that briefly buckles Rodrigues. Rodrigues recovers quickly, but that was Kopylov’s best attack so far. Rodrigues goes back to the well with a powerful 1-2. “Robocop” follows up with a right to the body, then a high kick that slams off Kopylov’s arm. Kopylov presses forward and lands a left to the body. Kopylov is on the attack, and he leaps in with another left. Rodrigues fires a right to the body. They trade on the inside and both men land. Rodrigues chops away with low kicks. Rodrigues stays busy with 1-2s, but Kopylov with another rapid left hand that finds the mark. Rodrigues continues to attack the body with his right hand while also throwing 1-2s upstairs. Kopylov is still hunting for that left hand. Kopylov fires another head kick, but Rodrigues blocks it. A quick right hand finds the mark for the Russian. Kopylov can’t get through with a head kick but ends the contest with a spinning backfist.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov (29-28 Rodrigues)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov (29-28 Rodrigues)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov (29-28 Rodrigues)
The Official Result
Gregory Rodrigues def. Roman Kopylov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Gregory Rodrigues, citing his well-rounded skills, power, and BJJ black belt. He believes Rodrigues will use takedowns to control the fight, similar to his win over Christian Leroy Duncan. He notes Roman Kopylov is a good kickboxer but vulnerable to grappling. Angelo's only concern is Rodrigues' tendency to bleed easily.
Big Brady picks Gregory Rodrigues, highlighting his elite jiu-jitsu and ground game, which he believes will be too much for Roman Kopylov, who has poor grappling. He notes Kopylov was submitted by a kickboxer and dominated on the ground by Albert Duraev. However, Brady worries about Rodrigues's tendency to stand and trade, given his questionable chin (four knockout losses). He predicts a first-round submission if Rodrigues uses his grappling, but acknowledges the risk of a knockout loss if he brawls.
Cody picks Rodrigues, citing his power, wrestling, and aggression. He notes that Kopylov has struggled against grapplers and has poor takedown defense. Cody believes that Rodrigues will pressure Kopylov, take him down, and either finish or win a decision. He also mentions that Rodrigues has looked good in recent fights and is a reliable favorite.
Connor picks Kopylov but calls it a coin flip. He notes that Kopylov is a sharpshooter who can target all levels and that Rodrigues gives openings for low kicks and head kicks. However, he acknowledges that Rodrigues has excellent wrestling and top game, and that Kopylov's only way to stop the pressure is to kill Rodrigues on the counter.
Daniel favors Rodrigues despite disliking his unsportsmanlike follow-up punch in his last fight. He believes Rodrigues has more ways to win, with power in his hands and world-class jiu-jitsu, while Kopylov has been submitted by lesser grapplers. He also questions Kopylov's chin and ability to handle pressure.
Lucrative James picks Roman Kopylov to win by knockout, going against the grain. He believes Kopylov's fast boxing and head kicks can exploit Rodrigues' poor chin and cardio. He notes Rodrigues' grappling advantage but thinks Kopylov's takedown defense will hold up early, allowing him to land a knockout. He acknowledges this is a risky pick but sees value in the underdog.
Rodriguez is surprisingly not a bigger favorite. He walks Kopylov down like Paulo Costa did, throws big shots, gets his respect, and closes the show with a knockout.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Rodrigues is a BJJ black belt with power and that Kopylov has gassed when taken down. He points out that Kopylov's last win was against a faded Paulo Costa and that he has been submitted by grapplers. Paul thinks Rodrigues will control the fight and win by decision or TKO.
The Guru picks Gregory Rodrigues to win by TKO in round one or two. He highlights Rodrigues' pressure, power, and body work, which should overwhelm Kopylov, who has shown vulnerability to pressure. Kopylov's long torso makes him susceptible to body shots, and Rodrigues' recent KO win over Jack Hermansson shows his form. The Guru expects an early finish.
Zane picks Rodrigues, citing his relentless pressure and power. He acknowledges that Kopylov is a sharpshooter who can stop Rodrigues with counters, but believes Rodrigues will likely get the driver's seat and crush Kopylov. Zane notes that Kopylov falls apart when pressured hard enough.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Hermansson | 0 | 30 of 55 | 54% | 30 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 1 | 18 of 63 | 28% | 18 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Hermansson | 0 | 30 of 55 | 54% | 30 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 1 | 18 of 63 | 28% | 18 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Hermansson | 30 of 55 | 54% | 24 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 30 of 54 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 18 of 63 | 28% | 11 of 54 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Hermansson | 30 of 55 | 54% | 24 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 30 of 54 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 18 of 63 | 28% | 11 of 54 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo leans Gregory Rodrigues because he believes Rodrigues's power and early success will carry him in a three-round fight, despite his cardio issues. He compares it to Jack Hermansson's win over Joe Pyfer, where Hermansson survived early and took over, but notes that Rodrigues's loss to Jared Cannonier was in the fourth round and Cannonier hits harder. He is cautious because Rodrigues is a -180 favorite with cardio concerns, and he suggests the over 1.5 rounds might be a good bet.
Big Brady likes Rodrigues stylistically, noting his power advantage over Hermansson. He thinks Hermansson's best path is wrestling, but Rodrigues has good takedown defense and is a BJJ black belt. Brady expects the fight to stay standing, where Rodrigues will land harder shots. He references Marvin Vettori knocking down Hermansson as evidence of his chin vulnerability, and picks Rodrigues by second-round knockout.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Rodrigues. He notes that Hermansson's wins come against limited fighters, while Rodrigues is a well-rounded athlete who can offer problems everywhere. Hermansson's long layoff and injuries are concerns, and Rodrigues' aggression and durability should carry him.
The host notes Hermansson's long layoff and believes Rodrigues will dictate the pace with power punching and ground control, winning on the scorecards.
The host picks Gregory Rodrigues, citing his activity and more intricate striking compared to Hermansson's last opponent. He believes Rodrigues' grappling is good enough to neutralize Hermansson's, and that Hermansson's long layoff is a concern. He predicts a TKO win for Rodrigues in the first or second round.
Zane picks Gregory Rodrigues because he sees Hermansson as a fighter who struggles against well-rounded athletes. Rodrigues is competent everywhere and can land bigger shots, while Hermansson needs time to establish his jab and lacks finishing power. Over three rounds, Rodrigues should be able to put it on Hermansson and win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Cannonier | 2 | 98 of 201 | 48% | 109 of 215 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:09 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 2 | 93 of 221 | 42% | 95 of 225 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jared Cannonier | 0 | 22 of 38 | 57% | 31 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 2 | 25 of 66 | 37% | 26 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 | |
| 2 | Jared Cannonier | 0 | 33 of 72 | 45% | 35 of 74 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 25 of 68 | 36% | 26 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jared Cannonier | 1 | 34 of 78 | 43% | 34 of 79 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 43 of 87 | 49% | 43 of 87 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Jared Cannonier | 1 | 9 of 13 | 69% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Cannonier | 98 of 201 | 48% | 59 of 157 | 20 of 23 | 19 of 21 | 69 of 161 | 20 of 25 | 9 of 15 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 93 of 221 | 42% | 65 of 188 | 21 of 25 | 7 of 8 | 85 of 208 | 8 of 12 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jared Cannonier | 22 of 38 | 57% | 10 of 25 | 5 of 5 | 7 of 8 | 15 of 30 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 25 of 66 | 37% | 16 of 53 | 8 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 19 of 56 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Jared Cannonier | 33 of 72 | 45% | 15 of 50 | 11 of 14 | 7 of 8 | 28 of 65 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 25 of 68 | 36% | 16 of 59 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 25 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jared Cannonier | 34 of 78 | 43% | 27 of 71 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 22 of 59 | 3 of 4 | 9 of 15 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 43 of 87 | 49% | 33 of 76 | 8 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 41 of 85 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Jared Cannonier | 9 of 13 | 69% | 7 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Gregory Rodrigues | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Gregory Rodrigues over Jared Cannonier, citing Cannonier's age (40) as a key factor. He notes that Cannonier's chin and speed are declining, and while Cannonier may have early success, Rodrigues has enough power and grappling to turn the fight. Angelo also mentions he might bet the under on 4.5 rounds if the prop is available.
Big Brady picks Rodrigues by second-round knockout, noting Cannonier's decline in durability and performance. Cannonier was outclassed by Caio Borralho and wobbled by Vettori. Rodrigues is younger and has power, though his own chin is questionable. He expects Rodrigues to land a big shot and finish Cannonier.
Connor picks Jared Cannonier, though hesitantly. He acknowledges Cannonier has lost a step and is on a slide, but believes this is a level of fight Cannonier can still win. He points to Cannonier's hand speed, counter-punching, and ability to time counters against Rodrigues' defensive liabilities. Connor also notes that Cannonier has been competitive with top fighters like Imavov and Bahaio, and that Rodrigues' tendency to get caught by surprise makes him susceptible to Cannonier's power. However, he admits the version of Cannonier that gets big finishes might be gone, and he can also envision Cannonier getting crushed.
Lucrative James picks Gregory Rodrigues despite acknowledging his suspect chin, because Jared Cannonier is 40 years old and has taken severe damage in recent fights, especially the brutal KO loss to Caio Borralho just five and a half months ago. He believes Cannonier's age and accumulated punishment make him vulnerable to Rodrigues' power and pressure. However, he notes that Rodrigues gets hit often and has been knocked out by lesser fighters, so he is not fully confident. He also mentions that Cannonier is live for a KO and may play a small prop on Cannonier by KO. He strongly recommends betting 'fight doesn't go to distance' at -250, seeing value there.
Cannonier is on a downward slope at nearly 41 years old. Rodrigues will use pace, pressure, and power to take advantage of Cannonier's diminishing durability and speed. Cannonier has been hurt in recent fights, and Rodrigues finishes him in the second or third round.
The MMA Guru picks Gregory Rodrigues over Jared Cannonier, citing Cannonier's age (40), recent damage, and lack of recent knockouts. He highlights Rodrigues' size, grappling advantage, power, and youth. He believes Rodrigues has multiple paths to victory: knockout, takedown and ground control, or submission, while Cannonier has fewer options.
Zane picks Gregory Rodrigues because he believes Cannonier has lost a step and no longer has the finishing ability to capitalize on Rodrigues' defensive lapses. He notes that Cannonier's tactical, non-strategic style means he gives opponents infinite chances, and with age and declining durability, those chances are now breaking against him. Zane also highlights Rodrigues' improved wrestling and strategic approach, as seen in the Brad Tavares fight, as key factors. He acknowledges Cannonier could still catch Rodrigues, but trusts the math less for Cannonier now.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 29 of 48 | 60% | 53 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:45 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 45 of 79 | 56% | 78 of 120 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 8:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 12 of 21 | 57% | 21 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:01 | |
| 2 | Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 13 of 17 | 76% | 24 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 26 of 43 | 60% | 40 of 58 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 | |
| 3 | Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 20 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 17 of 28 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:40 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Rodrigues | 29 of 48 | 60% | 13 of 28 | 7 of 10 | 9 of 10 | 23 of 40 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 45 of 79 | 56% | 37 of 69 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 55 | 12 of 18 | 5 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gregory Rodrigues | 9 of 19 | 47% | 3 of 10 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 12 of 21 | 57% | 9 of 16 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | |
| 2 | Gregory Rodrigues | 13 of 17 | 76% | 8 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 10 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 26 of 43 | 60% | 21 of 38 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 27 | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Gregory Rodrigues | 7 of 12 | 58% | 2 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 7 of 15 | 46% | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo picks Christian Leroy Duncan but with very low confidence, calling it a 51% lean. He cites Duncan's sharp striking and hometown advantage, but acknowledges that Gregory Rodrigues is incredibly durable and dangerous. Angelo warns that Duncan can get too comfortable and showboat, potentially getting caught. He describes this as a very tough fight to pick.
Cody picks Christian Leroy Duncan, citing his superior striking, footwork, and precision. He notes that Gregory Rodrigues has a suspect chin and has been knocked out multiple times when standing. Cody believes Duncan can knock him out if Rodrigues chooses to brawl, but acknowledges that Rodrigues could win by grappling. However, he thinks Rodrigues is likely to engage in a striking battle, which favors Duncan.
Daniel picks Gregory Rodrigues (RoboCop), impressed by his knockout of Brad Tavares and his takedown ability. He questions Duncan's competition (exhausted Claudio Ribeiro, Dennis Tiuliulin) and notes that Duncan struggled against Armen Petrosyan. He trusts Rodrigues' power and wrestling, and notes Rodrigues has four knockouts in his last five fights.
Daniel acknowledges Christian Leroy Duncan's athleticism and flashy style but thinks Gregory Rodrigues has more paths to victory: decision, submission, or knockout. He notes Rodrigues' power, durability, and Jiu-Jitsu, while Duncan may be 'kill or bust.' He is hesitant due to Rodrigues' defensive flaws and stiff movement.
Jeff picks Christian Leroy Duncan, believing he will knock out Rodrigues. He notes that Rodrigues gets hurt in every fight and Duncan has shown power. He cites Duncan's four-inch reach advantage and thinks Duncan's striking will be the difference.
Paul also picks Duncan, noting that the fight ending inside the distance is likely. He points out that Rodrigues' chin has been checked many times and that Duncan has never been finished. Paul believes Duncan will knock out Rodrigues, but he also considers the possibility of Rodrigues using grappling, which could expose Duncan's wrestling. He plans to bet on the fight ending inside the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Gregory Rodrigues, citing his grappling edge and KO power. He notes that Rodrigues has better takedowns and can out-grapple Christian Leroy Duncan, who may struggle with grappling defense. The Guru also believes Rodrigues has more punching power and that Duncan hasn't faced someone with that level of power. He references Duncan's fight against Arman Petrosyan, where he was taken down, and suggests Rodrigues can replicate that success.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 37 of 84 | 44% | 42 of 90 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brad Tavares | 0 | 71 of 123 | 57% | 79 of 135 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 19 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brad Tavares | 0 | 25 of 49 | 51% | 29 of 55 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:56 | |
| 2 | Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 18 of 39 | 46% | 18 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brad Tavares | 0 | 22 of 40 | 55% | 26 of 46 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:22 | |
| 3 | Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 5 of 15 | 33% | 5 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brad Tavares | 0 | 24 of 34 | 70% | 24 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Rodrigues | 37 of 84 | 44% | 28 of 70 | 4 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 36 of 83 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Tavares | 71 of 123 | 57% | 53 of 102 | 8 of 9 | 10 of 12 | 64 of 114 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gregory Rodrigues | 14 of 30 | 46% | 10 of 24 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Tavares | 25 of 49 | 51% | 19 of 41 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 20 of 43 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Gregory Rodrigues | 18 of 39 | 46% | 14 of 32 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Tavares | 22 of 40 | 55% | 13 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 7 | 20 of 37 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Gregory Rodrigues | 5 of 15 | 33% | 4 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Tavares | 24 of 34 | 70% | 21 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 24 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo describes Gregory Rodrigues as a powerful striker with a BJJ black belt and good takedown defense, and notes he is a threat everywhere. Brad Tavares is tough and experienced but not dangerous, with only two finishes in 15 UFC wins. Angelo believes Rodrigues' forward pressure and power will win the fight, likely by decision due to Tavares' durability.
Big Brady picks Gregory Rodrigues to win by second-round knockout. He notes that Rodrigues has power and durability issues, but Tavares has no finishing ability and is getting older. He expects Rodrigues to march forward and land a big shot, knocking out Tavares. He mentions that Tavares couldn't finish 41-year-old Matt Wyman, which was a terrible look.
Cody picks Rodrigues, noting Tavares lacks power and has not knocked anyone out in years. He thinks Rodrigues' size and pressure will be too much, and that Tavares' low volume and lack of finishing ability play into Rodrigues' hands. Cody expects a decision win for Rodrigues, possibly 29-28 or 30-27.
Tavares has a striking advantage and solid takedown defense. He should be able to control the fight with leg kicks and counter striking. Rodrigues may strike himself exhausted trying to finish. Tavares' durability is a non-issue, and his losses are to top-tier competition. At +195, this is a no-brainer spot for the veteran to win by decision.
Paul agrees, calling Tavares a gatekeeper who doesn't pose many threats. He notes Tavares' lack of knockout power and that Rodrigues is huge for the weight class. Paul thinks Rodrigues' grappling and pressure will be decisive, and that Tavares' takedown defense may not hold up. He expects a clear decision for Rodrigues.
The MMA Guru picks Gregory Rodrigues with high confidence, criticizing Brad Tavares for not finishing a compromised Chris Weidman. He believes Tavares is not high-level and lacks punch power. He expects Rodrigues to find a TKO win on the feet, as he does not think Tavares can put him away.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 5 of 6 | 83% | 6 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Denis Tiuliulin | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gregory Rodrigues | 0 | 5 of 6 | 83% | 6 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Denis Tiuliulin | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Rodrigues | 5 of 6 | 83% | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Denis Tiuliulin | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gregory Rodrigues | 5 of 6 | 83% | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Denis Tiuliulin | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Gregory Rodrigues but with low confidence, noting that the fight should be closer to a pick'em than the current odds. He believes Rodrigues has a significant ground advantage and can submit Tiuliulin if he shoots takedowns. However, he worries that Rodrigues might choose to slug it out, which could lead to another knockout loss. He notes Tiuliulin's power fades over three rounds and he has nothing on the ground.
Big Brady confidently picks Gregory Rodrigues to win by first-round submission, emphasizing Rodrigues' elite jiu-jitsu against Denis Tiuliulin's poor ground game. He notes Tiuliulin has been submitted in four of his seven losses and looked lost on the mat against Jun Yong Park. Brady worries Rodrigues might stand and bang, but if he grapples, the fight ends quickly.
Cody expects Rodrigues to take the fight to the ground and submit Tiuliulin, who has poor grappling defense. He notes Rodrigues has questionable ring IQ and may stand and trade, but if he wrestles, he wins easily. He predicts a rear-naked choke submission in the first or second round.
Daniel Levi picks Gregory Rodrigues, expecting him to grapple more after his last knockout loss. He notes that Rodrigues has heavy hands and a dangerous submission game, and that Tiuliulin is vulnerable on the ground, having been submitted before. Levi thinks Rodrigues will submit Tiuliulin in round one or two, but acknowledges that Tiuliulin is dangerous on the feet and has a better chin. He played under 1.5 rounds and submission props.
Lucrative James picks Gregory Rodrigues to win, likely by finish from top position. He acknowledges Rodrigues' poor chin but believes he will overwhelm Tiuliulin. He also likes a prop bet on Tiuliulin by KO due to Rodrigues' chin issues, calling it a system play.
Rodrigues is a high-level BJJ black belt with improving striking. Tiuliulin struggles with grapplers, as seen in his recent losses. Rodrigues will take him down and dominate from top position, likely finishing inside the distance. The moneyline is worth the chalk, but the finish prop offers a discount.
The MMA Guru picks Gregory Rodrigues, though he notes if the odds become ridiculous, betting on Tiuliulin might not be bad. He thinks Rodrigues can win on the feet or by taking the fight to the ground if needed. He criticizes Tiuliulin's hittable style and compares it unfavorably to Diaz/Covington at higher weights. He predicts a KO win for Rodrigues.
Duško Todorović - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Daniel Medina | 0 | 9 of 25 | 36% | 13 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 16 of 24 | 66% | 27 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:16 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | José Daniel Medina | 0 | 9 of 25 | 36% | 13 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 16 of 24 | 66% | 27 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:16 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Daniel Medina | 9 of 25 | 36% | 5 of 17 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 16 of 24 | 66% | 10 of 18 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 18 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | José Daniel Medina | 9 of 25 | 36% | 5 of 17 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 16 of 24 | 66% | 10 of 18 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 18 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Todorovic (-300); Medina (+250)
Round 1
Dan Miragliotta is the referee. Both fighters working behind their jabs. Todorovic pressures and clinches behind a left hand. Todorovic grinds away here, but Medina is able to free himself. Both men land jabs. A straight right from Todorovic counters a Medina low kick. Todorovic shoves Medina back into the fence, where he lands a shoulder strike. Medina is already cut as they’re back at range. Medina lands a combination. Todorovic clinches behind a right, then shoves his foe away. A right connects for Medina, but Todorovic answers with a combination to the body. Todorovic follows another hard right into the clinch. He presses Medina into the wire, landing some short shots. A knee to the midsection lands for Todorovic, who takes Medina down. The Bolivian stands and Todorovic wants to take the back.
They go back to the floor and Todorovic gets both hooks in and slides his arm under the chin. The choke is tight and Medina has no choice but to tap out.
That snaps a three-fight skid for the Serbian.
The Official Result
Dusko Todorovic def. Jose Media via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 4:21
Angelo picks Dusko because he is the more well-rounded guy and has fought better competition. He calls the odds 'stupid as hell' and says there's no way Dusko wins 74 out of 100 times. He notes Medina is a ground-and-pound fighter with decent striking but not particularly fast or powerful, while Dusko is a technical striker with power and takedowns, though his chin is questionable. He says neither guy is very good.
Big Brady picks Todorović despite his poor chin and striking defense, because Medina is even worse. He notes Todorović has good wrestling and ground-and-pound, while Medina has 31% takedown defense and no ground game. He predicts Todorović wins by second-round TKO via ground-and-pound.
Connor also picks Todorović but is hesitant because Todorović's technique doesn't survive resistance. He notes that Medina is tough but has no power, and Todorović has been one-shot KO'd before. He says it's a testament to how low-level the matchup is that he isn't 100% certain.
Despite Todorovic's durability issues, the host sees this as a winnable matchup. He expects Todorovic to utilize his grappling, control Medina from top position, and eventually secure a submission.
The MMA Guru confidently picks Duško Todorović, noting he is a -325 favorite in 2025, which he sees as a clear sign. He dismisses José Medina as lacking power, athleticism, grappling, and jiu-jitsu, calling him a 'flabby big Latin guy' who shouldn't be in the UFC. He believes Todorović is more well-rounded and a better fighter.
Zane picks Todorović but acknowledges that Medina's toughness could be a factor. He notes that Todorović has poor technique and can't sustain control, but Medina is so slow and uncoordinated that Todorović should win. He mentions that Medina's only chance is landing a big shot, but Medina lacks power.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 50 of 108 | 46% | 73 of 135 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 35 of 65 | 53% | 73 of 109 | 4 of 13 | 30% | 1 | 1 | 5:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 19 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 31 of 38 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 1 | 3:01 | |
| 2 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 17 of 30 | 56% | 25 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 18 of 29 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:10 | |
| 3 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 27 of 67 | 40% | 29 of 70 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 24 of 42 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 50 of 108 | 46% | 21 of 72 | 20 of 23 | 9 of 13 | 43 of 98 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 35 of 65 | 53% | 22 of 50 | 8 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 22 of 50 | 6 of 6 | 7 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 6 of 11 | 54% | 3 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 10 of 15 | 66% | 8 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 8 | |
| 2 | Zachary Reese | 17 of 30 | 56% | 7 of 19 | 7 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 27 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 8 of 16 | 50% | 2 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Zachary Reese | 27 of 67 | 40% | 11 of 46 | 10 of 12 | 6 of 9 | 26 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 17 of 34 | 50% | 12 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Reese (-238), Todorovic (+195)
Round 1
The prelims were short at just four bouts, and the main card kicks off with a middleweight action fight that practically promises that referee Herb Dean will get involved before too long. Reese (8-2, 2-2 UFC) and Todorovic (12-5, 3-5 UFC) combine for 18 stoppages in their 20 pro wins, with knockouts their preferred method of victory. Before they try to lop one another’s head off, the two 185ers bump fists. Reese introduces himself with a body kick, and Todorovic does the same. Todorovic doubles up on a kick with another and shoots for a takedown. Reese scrambles and finds his way on top, with Todorovic sitting up for a guillotine choke. Reese lifts Todorovic up and tosses him down, and Todorovic mounts him with the guillotine intact. Reese fights his way through it, his neck still in jeopardy, and he works his way to his feet. Todorovic uses the choke to maintain control and impose his weight, and lowers Reese down to the ground to knee him in the side. When Reese gets up, Todorovic muscles him back to his knees. The Texan explodes back to his feet, kneeing his man in the gut and fighting off a trip to thump “Thunder” with a hard shoulder strike. Reese backs off and avoids a pair of hooks, fires off a head kick that misses the mark and resets. Todorovic charges at him with a swarm of fists, and Reese blocks most of them and gives one back until he gets clinched. Todorovic trips Reese out, and when Todorovic stands above him, Reese searches for a leglock. Todorovic fights it off, and he ignores an upkick on the side of the dome so he can lower himself down to top position. Reese closes his guard, and he hacks with elbows off his back. Todorovic responds with a few right hands from above, and he elbows down to club “Savage” a few times. Todorovic stacks his man up and unleashes nasty hammerfists that drill into his foe’s jaw again and again. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Todorovic
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Todorovic
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Todorovic
Round 2
A glove touch begins the second round, where Reese wants to start off hot and cracks Todorovic with a three-punch combo. Reese reaches his man with a fierce right hand, forcing Todorovic to engage a clinch. Reese breaks away and slaps his foe in the ribs with a kick. When Todorovic shoots for a takedown, Reese counters him with an uppercut but does not break his stride. They share short strikes on one another, and Reese leans back and drives a knee to the stomach that allows him to break off. Todorovic fakes a right hand to shoots for an awkward takedown, and Reese ignores it and counters with an overhand right. Reese stands firm with a one-two on the chin, walking through a body kick to jump at him with a knee. When he misses, Todorovic offers him a high-five. Reese leans back to avoid an overhand right, and Todorovic grabs hold of him and bullies him to the wall. Reese breaks free and catches Todorovic coming in with a short left, but it is one-and-done as he chambers and fires a body kick. What follow is a front kick, and an evasive maneuver when Todorovic rushes him. Todorovic fakes high for a level change, and Reese tosses him aside and wings a right hand and puts a front kick on the chest. Todorovic shoots for and lands a takedown, and Reese defends with a guillotine choke, only to find himself in Von Preux choke danger. Todorovic stacks him up rather than looking for the counter sub, and this lets Reese burst upright to get up. Todorovic stays pressed to him, ripping the body with a few punches and getting uppercutted for his handiwork. The two clinch up and end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Round 3
The fighters walk towards one another cautiously to start off the final frame, offering a glove touch and getting back to swinging. Reese loops wider shots, but when they land, they do with audible thuds. Todorovic gets him back with a couple of calf kicks, and Reese splits his guard with a long left hand. Reese twirls Todorovic around when the Serbian fighter shoots in on the hips, and he chains a few punches behind it. When Todorovic scores, Reese clubs him with a right on the ear. Reese spins with a kick to the body, and Todorovic smiles and high-fives him. Reese gathers himself and boots his man in the body and tries one up high, while Todorovic’s volume has plummeted. Reese stays on the outside potshotting his foe with body kicks, and when Todorovic charges him, Reese is light on his feet popping him here and there. Todorovic lashes out with a right hand that busts open Reese’s nose, and Reese responds with a leaping takedown shot that is stonewalled. Todorovic sweeps the leg and connects with another power right hand, using the strikes to set up a takedown. Reese gets pushed to the wall and spins out, sneaking a knee to the body on his way out. Todorovic looks for one final takedown, and Reese stops it and uppercuts him a few times before the grueling match concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
The Official Result
Zachary Reese def. Dusko Todorovic via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Zachary Reese but is hesitant due to Reese's tendency to play jiu-jitsu off his back and give up positions. He acknowledges Reese's power and size advantages and Todorović's questionable chin, but worries Reese might make bad decisions. He rates it as medium confidence on the website.
Big Brady fades Zachary Reese despite being a favorite, citing Reese's poor takedown defense (33%) and tendency to get finished. He notes Todorović has good ground-and-pound and can take Reese down. Although Todorović has terrible striking defense, Brady thinks Reese lacks the power to knock him out. He picks Todorović by second-round TKO.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Reese because Todorović is a technical mess and easy to hit. He notes that Reese is also flawed but has more aggression and power. Connor emphasizes that this is a low-level fight and hard to pick with confidence.
Matt picks Zachary Reese to win by knockout in round one. He expects a short fight, noting that Reese is explosive and violent with 7 of 8 wins in the first round, while Todorović has deteriorating durability and often gets finished. Matt likes the under 1.5 rounds and Reese round one knockout prop, and also mentions Reese by submission round one as a long shot.
The MMA Guru picks Zachary Reese by first-round TKO, very confident. He notes Reese's size advantage (6'4") and Todorović's poor durability and chin. He mentions Todorović has been KO'd many times and Reese's pace is strong. He also had a PrizePicks bet on Reese under 5.25 minutes.
Zane picks Reese because he thinks Reese still has unchecked aggression and faith in his game, whereas Todorović seems to have lost confidence after a brutal loss. He notes that both fighters are low-level, but Todorović's tendency to knock himself out and his poor technical game make him the riskier pick.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansur Abdul-Malik | 1 | 29 of 51 | 56% | 31 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mansur Abdul-Malik | 1 | 29 of 51 | 56% | 31 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mansur Abdul-Malik | 29 of 51 | 56% | 27 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 22 of 37 |
| Duško Todorović | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mansur Abdul-Malik | 29 of 51 | 56% | 27 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 22 of 37 |
| Duško Todorović | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Abdul-Malik (-375), Todorovic (+295)
Round 1
A dentist should be on standby, because one of these middleweights might lose some teeth after the expected slugfest ensues. With six wins, all finishes, on his ledger, Abdul-Malik (6-0, 0-0 UFC) knows one speed coming into his organizational debut. He will engage a man whose stoppage rate is only slightly lower than his, 92% for Todorovic (12-4, 3-4 UFC) compared to the neophyte’s 100%. Referee Mike Beltran dons his proverbial hard hat ahead of what could be a violent one, one that opens with a fist bump. Abdul-Malik assumes control of the center of the cage immediately, switching stances and looking for a jab on either side. Todorovic tosses out a single leg kick, and he works his way forward with a one-two. Abdul-Malik responds by bouncing off the cage and blasting “Thunder” in the face with a combination that sends Todorovic crashing to the mat. The lights are still in for Todorovic as he lands on his back and hunts for a leglock, but Abdul-Malik drills him with a number of heavy hammerfists to make him think twice. Abdul-Malik smashes his man in the face with a fierce right hand, and the two scramble while Todorovic still hangs onto the unbeaten fighter’s right leg. Abdul-Malik yanks his leg out of danger while beating on the man from Serbia, but Todorovic works his way back to his feet and walks through a knee while escaping. Swelling develops on his forehead like he is sprouting a third eye, and Abdul-Malik is aiming at it with lunging, looping strikes.
Todorovic defends against the punches, but Abdul-Malik blows him out of the water with a flush knee. Todorovic crumbles to the mat, and he still has the wherewithal to hunt for a leglock. Abdul-Malik wants nothing to do with that grappling, unleashing a flurry of standing-to-ground punches to knock Todorovic in and out of consciousness. A particularly potent right hand from the newcomer changes Todorovic’s expression and makes him turn to his side and shell up, and it only takes a few more hammerfists before Beltran has to step in.
Statement made for the now 7-0 Abdul-Malik, who celebrates all seven of his victories by stoppage.
The Official Result
Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Dusko Todorovic R1 2:44 via TKO (Knee and Punches)
Angelo is very confident in Mansur Abdul-Malik despite it being his UFC debut. He loves his high-level D1 wrestling, explosiveness, and ground work. He notes Todorović is a technical striker with chin questions. He has Mansur in a parlay but warns against overexposure, advising not to put him in multiple parlays.
Big Brady is very confident in Abdul-Malik, citing Todorović's poor striking defense, low takedown defense, and susceptibility to being knocked out. He highlights Abdul-Malik's wrestling background and devastating ground-and-pound. He predicts a first-round knockout but notes slight cardio concerns if the fight extends.
Cody is confident in Abdul-Malik due to Todorović's glaring holes: poor takedown defense and a weak chin. He notes Abdul-Malik's Division I wrestling background and athleticism, and expects him to take Todorović down and finish him. Cody sees this as a favorable matchup for the prospect.
Connor picks Abdul-Malik, noting he is a big favorite. He describes Abdul-Malik as a great prospect from MMA Masters with natural tools but lacking interstitial skills. He contrasts this with Todorović, who has bad habits and bad defense from a weak regional scene. Connor thinks Abdul-Malik's athleticism will overcome Todorović's flaws.
Daniel Vreeland picks Mansur Abdul-Malik, praising his athleticism, power, and potential. He notes Duško Todorović's defensive flaws (hands down, chin up) and believes Abdul-Malik's physicality will overwhelm him. Vreeland expects Abdul-Malik to get his first UFC win, possibly by knockout.
Todorović is returning from back surgeries and may struggle with ring rust against the large, explosive Abdul-Malik. Despite Todorović's experience, Abdul-Malik's physicality should lead to a knockout victory.
Paul agrees, pointing out Todorović's poor decision-making and chin. He mentions Todorović's leg injury in his last fight and his tendency to walk into danger. Paul thinks Abdul-Malik's wrestling and striking will be too much, but acknowledges the banana peel pricing risk.
The Guru picks Mansur Abdul-Malik but is hesitant, noting that Todorović is a good underdog value. He criticizes Abdul-Malik's contender series performance against Wes Schultz, but believes Todorović's long layoff and ACL tear make him vulnerable. He expects Abdul-Malik's offensive wrestling and ground and pound to be the difference, but warns that if the fight goes past round one, Todorović could make it competitive.
Zane agrees with Connor, picking Abdul-Malik. He describes Abdul-Malik as a big, powerful, fast athlete from MMA Masters, but notes his game lacks structure. He criticizes Todorović as hateable with bad defense and a wrestling game that only works against weak opponents. Zane thinks Abdul-Malik's physical advantages will prevail.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 14 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 14 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 9 of 14 | 64% | 3 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 9 of 14 | 64% | 3 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Duncan (-215), Todorovic (+185)
Round 1
A whole 17 finishes in the 19 total wins for the debuting Duncan (7-0, 0-0 UFC) and heavy-handed Serbian Todorovic (12-3, 3-3 UFC) lead many to believe this one will not last long. There is little time to waste, as referee Lukasz Bosacki has already started the middleweight match. A quick fist bump leads to a series of stance switches for the newcomer, who looks to fluster Todorovic early. Todorovic sits down on a leg kick that almost buckles Duncan’s leg, so Duncan responds with one of his own. Duncan gives chase and hammers the lead of his opponent once more, and Todorovic is already wearing it. Duncan spears out with a side kick to the chest, and he easily blocks a counter high kick under his armpit. Duncan attempts to check a low kick, and he shrugs off a front kick to tie up “Thunder” against the wall. Duncan thumps some knees to the midsection, and Todorovic muscles out of the clinch.
As the Serbian fighter turns the corner, his knee visibly pops and he falls down on his back in agony. Duncan does not follow him to the ground to strike, and instead recognizes the injury and backs off as Bosacki waves the fight off.
While Todorovic does manage to get back to his feet, it might be due to adrenaline and he should probably not be standing on it. It is an unfortunate situation for both fighters, but Duncan is now a perfect 8-0 as a pro with the technical knockout on his ledger, and hopefully Todorovic is not on the mend for too long from that knee injury.
The Official Result
Christian Leroy Duncan def. Dusko Todorovic R1 1:52 via TKO (Knee Injury)
Angelo thinks Christian Leroy Duncan will win by coming forward and bombing on Todorović, who has a questionable chin. He notes Duncan is a powerful striker with pressure and creativity, while Todorović is more technical but can be chinny. He is not betting but likes the does not go the distance prop.
Big Brady picks Duncan, noting his power and Todorović's poor striking defense and chin. He acknowledges Todorović has good top game but poor wrestling (12% takedown accuracy). He believes Duncan can get back up if taken down and find a knockout. He predicts a second-round KO, calling Todorović's wins unimpressive.
Cody picks Todorović as a dog, noting his top game and ground-and-pound are strong if he can get takedowns. He thinks Duncan's takedown defense is questionable and he may get taken down. He acknowledges Todorović's chin is a liability and he could get knocked out, but he's taking a small sniff at the dog. He says the fight likely doesn't go the distance.
Connor picks Duncan, describing him as a big bully with powerful striking but poor grappling. He notes that Todorović is hittable and has struggled against aggressive fighters. Connor expects a messy fight where Duncan's power and durability will overcome Todorović's wrestling, as Duncan is comfortable in chaotic exchanges.
Jacob placed this as his first moneyline bet on the card, getting early value for premium members. He thinks Duncan has a huge advantage in striking and cardio, while Todorović needs to wrestle but has poor takedown control and gasses. He expects Duncan to dominate in front of the home crowd and likely finish.
Duncan is an unorthodox striker with power and a good gas tank, able to conserve energy early and explode later. Todorović has a grappling-heavy approach but tends to slow down if he doesn't get a finish. Duncan's speed and striking should be too much, and he will likely pull away in the second and third rounds. A knockout victory is predicted, possibly in the third round.
Paul picks Duncan, noting he looks good on tape as a Cage Warriors champion with training in Thailand. He thinks Duncan's striking and finishing ability are real, and Todorović's chin is a massive liability. He says if Todorović can't get wrestling going, he gets knocked out. He initially bet Todorović by mistake but cashed out after realizing it was the wrong Duncan.
The MMA Guru picks Christian Leroy Duncan to win by TKO, highlighting his impressive prospect pedigree and experience against tough competition. He notes Todorović has not beaten any UFC-level opponents and has been finished by everyone still in the UFC. Duncan's size, stand-up, and takedown defense are key advantages, and he predicts a highlight-reel finish via head kick or flying knee.
Zane agrees with Connor, noting that Duncan's disdain for grapplers and his counter-striking will be effective. He points out that Todorović is not a great athlete and has been exposed by similar fighters. Zane believes Duncan's power and willingness to trade will be too much for Todorović.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 25 of 41 | 60% | 66 of 83 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 5:03 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 61 of 80 | 76% | 107 of 132 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duško Todorović | 0 | 17 of 20 | 85% | 58 of 62 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:24 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 4 of 4 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 | |
| 2 | Duško Todorović | 0 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 8 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Jordan Wright | 0 | 58 of 77 | 75% | 103 of 128 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duško Todorović | 25 of 41 | 60% | 20 of 35 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 18 | 7 of 9 | 11 of 14 |
| Jordan Wright | 61 of 80 | 76% | 49 of 68 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 29 | 28 of 31 | 14 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duško Todorović | 17 of 20 | 85% | 16 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 11 of 14 |
| Jordan Wright | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Duško Todorović | 8 of 21 | 38% | 4 of 17 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 17 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Wright | 58 of 77 | 75% | 48 of 67 | 10 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 28 | 26 of 29 | 14 of 20 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Todorovic (-205), Wright (+175)
Round 1
One of these two middleweights now in the “featured fight of the night” slot should record their first win since 2021 – barring something strange – and it’s anyone’s guess if Wright (12-3, 1 NC; 2-3 UFC) or Todorovic (11-3, 2-3 UFC) will get it done when the dust settles. Combined, they have exactly one decision win among their 23 victories, so scorekeepers may be able to take a break for this one. Referee Chris Tognoni will not, however, be so lucky, as a fast finish could crop up out of nowhere with these two. They touch gloves before trying to lop the other’s head off, and Todorovic leads the dance and corners Wright. The American immediately has to fight off a takedown entry, and Wright shucks off the first attempt and turns Todorovic around. “The Beverly Hills Ninja” lands his own takedown, and he moves to half guard and starts punching Todorovic upside the head. Todorovic clings to him to stifle most of the offense, only to absorb an elbow on the forehead. Wright stays heavy even while Todorovic scrambles and gets butterfly hooks in to buck Wright off of him, and he transitions to a heel hook to give Wright a scare. The American rolls all the way through it, and Todorovic moves to set up a possible kneebar. As Todorovic’s attention is paid to the leglock, Wright smashes him in the face several times to make Todorovic’s face turn quite red. Wright knees Todorovic in the chest when pinning him to the wall, and he snags a single and deposits the Serbian fighter down to the canvas. Wright, in half guard, fastens an arm-triangle choke, and he hops over to side control to lock it down. Instead of securing the submission, however, Wright jumps to mount and slugs Todorovic in the face repeatedly. Todorovic bucks him at the right moment to get back to his feet, and Wright follows him in pursuit of a double-leg takedown. With 10 seconds to spare, Wright lands a takedown, and the round ends with “Thunder” on the mat.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wright
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Wright
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wright
Round 2
To the surprise of some, the two middleweights have reached the second round. They high-five to start off the round, and Todorovic is the aggressor as he backs Wright back. Todorovic tags Wright with a right hand over the top, and he lets loose a fury of punches to knock Wright’s head around. Wright defends himself well enough from a brawl, but Todorovic is teeing off on him and hurting Wright badly. Wright responds with a few punches, and he tries to kick Todorovic in the dome, but he gets elbowed right in the face. Todorovic tosses Wright to the mat, and Wright appears totally spent already. Just six minutes into the fight, and Wright is in full defensive mode. A labored takedown effort from Wright slows the offense from Todorovic, but not for long, as Todorovic shakes it off. Todorovic batters the body as Wright takes gasping breaths, and he blasts Wright with a long string of unanswered fists. Wright attempts to respond every so often, but he is more intent on clinching up to save himself from a further drubbing. A spent Wright gets pushed down to the floor, and Todorovic steps right into mount and rains down punches.
Wright gets elbowed repeatedly and turns to his side, and Todorovic is not letting up. Todorovic continues to bombard Wright, knowing the finish is around the corner, and the elbows start to pile up from the Serbian striker. As the elbows do not appear to be ceasing any time soon, Tognoni has seen enough, and he saves a defeated Wright from any further harm.
This roller coaster battle somehow made it past the midpoint of Round 2, but Todorovic dug deep, came back from adversity and recorded the finish to earn his 11th stoppage across 12 career wins.
The Official Result
Dusko Todorovic def. Jordan Wright R2 3:12 via TKO (Punches and Elbows)
Angelo picks Duško Todorović, believing he is the much better striker. He notes that Jordan Wright is a kill-or-be-killed fighter with big power but a karate style that can be exploited. He is confident in Duško but acknowledges that Jordan is always live and could push a wrestling-heavy game plan, as Duško has 50% takedown defense.
Big Brady picks Duško Todorović to win by first-round ground-and-pound finish. He notes that Jordan Wright is dangerous offensively but has terrible defense and chin, while Todorović has more paths to victory including takedowns and ground-and-pound. He expects Todorović to take the fight to the mat and dominate. He calls this his favorite fight on the card and mentions he has a bet on it.
Cody is very confident in the under 1.5 rounds, calling it his biggest bet in a while. He notes Jordan Wright has never been past 7.5 minutes in any fight, and Todorović has chin issues. He expects Todorović to take Wright down and finish him in the first round. He also likes the under as a standalone bet and in a parlay.
Connor picks Todorović, citing his love for fighting and aggression that will break Wright over time. He notes that Wright panics and gets exhausted, and Todorović's pressure will contribute to that. He acknowledges Todorović is very hittable but believes his durability and passion give him the edge in a longer fight.
Both fighters have power and suspect chins, making this a likely early finish. Todorović has poor striking defense, keeping his hands down, while Wright is explosive but fragile. The host leans Todorović to land the big strike first, but the under 1.5 rounds is the preferred play. Wright is a live underdog, and the fight is closer than the odds suggest.
Paul considers Jordan Wright as a PRP pick, noting Wright is a fast starter with decent power, as shown in his knockout of Jamie Pickett. He points out Todorović is hittable and has a questionable chin, and Wright could catch him early. However, he acknowledges Wright's own flaws and the under is the safer play.
The MMA Guru picks Jordan Wright as a juicy underdog, leaning towards him despite acknowledging his inconsistency. He notes that Wright has been training at Jackson Wink and is settling in. He believes Wright's size and reach advantage will allow him to manipulate the clinch and land knees to finish Todorović, calling it a 50/50 fight.
Zane picks Wright, acknowledging it's a coin flip. He notes that Wright hits very hard and has technical striking from his Anthony Hardonk disciple background, but his mentality is fragile. He thinks Wright's power could catch Todorović early, as Todorović is extremely hittable.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chidi Njokuani | 1 | 14 of 17 | 82% | 19 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 9 of 11 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 0 | 3:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chidi Njokuani | 1 | 14 of 17 | 82% | 19 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 9 of 11 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 0 | 3:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chidi Njokuani | 14 of 17 | 82% | 3 of 4 | 8 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 7 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 5 of 7 | 71% | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chidi Njokuani | 14 of 17 | 82% | 3 of 4 | 8 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 7 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 5 of 7 | 71% | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Njokuani (-190), Todorovic (+160)
Round 1
Mark Smith will be the third man in the cage for this middleweight scrap. Njokuani enters the matchup on the heels of a 16-second knockout of Marc-Andre Barriault in his UFC debut. Todorovic ducks under a punch for a takedown, but Njokuani sprawls nicely. He has a front headlock secured and he rolls over, briefly securing a nifty brabo choke. Njokuani has to bail on the choke as Todorovic gets top position. Njokuani tries to use the cage to his advantage and work his way up, but Todorovic is relentless as he moves to his foe’s back. Njokuani is standing with Todorovic hanging onto a waist lock. Njokuani works to break his opponent’s grip. Todorovic shoves his man into the fence and lands some short right hands to the head. It’s a grueling style of fight, with Todorovic giving Njokuani no room with which to work. Todorovic drops for a single leg. Njokuani sprawls and hits Todorovic with a knee on the exit. Njokuani lands a series of knees to the body in close, and now it’s Njokuani with a waist lock. They tie up and Njokuani lands another knee to the body. With time running out in the round,
Njokuani creates just enough space to unleash a vicious right elbow to the temple of his adversary. Todorovic drops like a sack of potatoes and this one is over in sudden fashion.
The Official Result
Chidi Njokuani def. Dusko Todorovic via KO (Elbow) R1 4:48
Angelo picks Chidi Njokuani because of his power, speed, and distance control. He notes that Todorović has questions about his chin and that Njokuani has solid takedown defense. He suggests a prop bet on Njokuani winning inside the distance, as he expects a finish.
Big Brady picks Chidi Njokuani to win by first-round knockout, citing Todorović's horrendous striking defense and tendency to keep his hands down. He notes Njokuani has power and improved takedown defense. He acknowledges Njokuani has been finished in the past but believes he has improved. He expects the fight to stay standing and Njokuani to land a knockout early.
Cody is impressed with Njokuani's improvements in grappling and cardio, noting his recent knockout of Marc-André Barriault. He highlights Todorović's poor head movement and susceptibility to getting hit, as seen in the Punahele Soriano fight. He believes Njokuani's striking acumen and upgraded ground game will lead to a finish, likely in the first two rounds.
The host predicts Duško Todorović via decision. He expects Todorović to control the fight by keeping Njokuani still and against the cage, leading to a potentially boring fight with a lot of control time. He is not fully confident, as he questions the pick slightly when discussing totals, but his official prediction is Todorović by decision.
Paul agrees with Cody, saying Njokuani's striking and improved cardio should be enough. He notes Todorović's defensive liabilities and that Njokuani likely lands a big strike in the first two rounds. He hates the moneyline at -220 but still picks Chidi.
The MMA Guru is very confident in Chidi Njokuani, citing his reach advantage and experience. He notes Duško Todorović leaves his chin up when exiting exchanges, and Njokuani's reach will allow him to land cleanly. He predicts a first-round KO for Njokuani.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 13 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 30 of 53 | 56% | 67 of 91 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:46 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duško Todorović | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 13 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 30 of 53 | 56% | 67 of 91 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:46 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duško Todorović | 13 of 29 | 44% | 5 of 20 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 30 of 53 | 56% | 28 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 21 of 30 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duško Todorović | 13 of 29 | 44% | 5 of 20 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 30 of 53 | 56% | 28 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 21 of 30 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Finish rates above 75% for each fighter in this preliminary headliner make it one to watch at 185 pounds, even if the stakes are not as high as some other matchups on the card. Pitolo (13-8, 1-4 UFC) will try to throw his patented “Coconut Bombz” at Serbian striker Todorovic (10-2, 1-2 UFC), and referee Mark Smith will need to keep his head on a swivel for as long as these two trade leather. The gloves do get touched before the bombs drop, and Pitolo is the immediate aggressor coming forward but not the first to throw a strike. That comes as a front kick for Todorovic, and Pitolo sticks his hand out in response only to get warned for extended fingers. When Pitolo closes his fists and winds them up, Todorovic shoots in low for a takedown. The attempt is stuffed, and Todorovic backs off to let fly a pair of head kicks that get blocked. The Serbian fighter leaps forward with a punch, and Pitolo lands at the same time. Pitolo bears down on him and connects with a few punches and a knee. Pitolo nails his man with a right hand and a few leg kicks that make Todorovic spin around, and he has already marked Todorovic up in just 90 seconds. As Pitolo continues to attack the lead leg, Todorovic pursues a takedown. Todorovic gets it on the second attempt, only for him to fall into guillotine choke danger. Pitolo grabs hold of the choke and keeps it tight, keeping Todorovic stuck in this position without being able to pass guard. Todorovic escapes the submission danger but elects to go into Pitolo’s guard, which closes around him. Todorovic clubs Pitolo with a left hand, and he grinds down with an elbow to try to get some ground-and-pound going. When Todorovic elbows his foe a few times, the guard opens up, until Pitolo can close it back again to stifle the offense coming. “Thunder” strikes as he steps over to half guard, and he isolates an arm for a moment so he can distract Pitolo and continue to pass. Todorovic manages to turn the half guard position into a partial crucifix, which allows him to belt Pitolo a few more times before slicing over to full mount.
Todorovic sits up and nails Pitolo with ferocious ground-and-pound, and Smith asks Pitolo to keep moving only for the Hawaiian to get flattened out on his stomach. “Thunder” unleashes the thunder and lightning as he persistently pounds on Pitolo with powerful punches, until Smith has no choice but to stop the fight, thus saving “Coconut Bombz” from any further harm.
Todorovic successfully snaps a two-fight skid with a dominant win over a dangerous opponent.
The Official Result
Dusko Todorovic def. Maki Pitolo R1 4:34 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Maki Pitolo but does not bet the moneyline; instead he takes inside the distance/decision no action at +140. He notes Maki has power, solid takedowns, and a tough chin, and that Dusko's chin is questionable. He believes Maki can win by stoppage, and if not, he gets a refund.
Big Brady picks Maki Pitolo as a dog, but with low confidence. He notes that neither fighter is reliable, but he likes Pitolo's game plan in his last fight against Julian Marquez, where he fought smart and used takedowns. He criticizes Todorović's terrible striking defense (48%) and poor takedown defense (50%), and believes Pitolo can exploit those weaknesses. However, he acknowledges Pitolo's inconsistency and loss to Callan Potter as red flags.
Cody also picks Pitolo, emphasizing Todorović's defensive flaws and Pitolo's sharper hands. He thinks Pitolo can beat him to the punch and potentially knock him out. Cody notes that Pitolo has cardio issues but believes he can win the first two rounds.
Daniel Levi leans towards Duško Todorović, citing his body work, clinch fighting, dirty boxing, and vicious ground and pound. He notes that Todorović fights with his hands down and relies on head movement, which could be exploited by Pitolo's power. He acknowledges that Pitolo can crack and that Todorović leaves his chin up, making him vulnerable. He thinks Todorović can make the right decisions in a close fight.
Jacob picks Dusko Todorovic, noting his striking confidence and head movement. He thinks Dusko can win by submission at +285, but the odds are too short. He believes Maki's path is wrestling but he will gas, and Dusko's guard is active. Jacob likes Dusko all the way.
I like Pitolo here. He is better on the feet, throws more volume, and has better striking stats across the board. Todorović has defensive issues and tends to lose minutes. Pitolo should win the striking exchanges and can mix in takedowns. I expect him to win a decision, and the decision prop at plus 450 offers great value.
Paul picks Pitolo, citing his cleaner boxing and power. He notes that Todorović is a defensive liability with poor head movement and has been rocked in recent fights. Paul thinks Pitolo can knock him out or win a decision, but worries about Pitolo's cardio in the third round.
The MMA Guru picks Maki Pitolo to win by split decision. He expects a back-and-forth war where Todorović may drop Pitolo in the first but uses too much energy. Pitolo will grind out the second and third rounds with better pacing, landing knees and takedowns. He calls it a close fight, 29-28 split decision.
Expert Picks (5)
Big Brady sees many red flags in Todorović's striking defense (45%) and notes he fights with his hands down and chin up. He points out Todorović was knocked out by Punahele Soriano after getting clipped repeatedly. He believes Rodrigues hits very hard and will knock Todorović out, likely in the first round. He acknowledges both have poor defense but favors Rodrigues' power.
Cody picks Dusko but is hesitant, noting his poor defense and tendency to get hit. He thinks Dusko's output and cardio could win if he survives the first round. Cody also mentions Gregory Rodrigues' BJJ background but notes he prefers striking. He likes the under 1.5 rounds as a live bet opportunity.
Daniel leans Todorović due to his UFC experience and full camp, but acknowledges the fight could go either way. He praises Todorović's boxing in the pocket, ground and pound, and athleticism, but criticizes his habit of fighting with his hands down and relying on head movement. Daniel notes that Gregory Rodrigues hits hard and has good jiu-jitsu, but questions his cardio and competition level. He expects a close fight, possibly a split decision, and is not confident enough to bet on Todorović at chalk.
Paul picks Dusko but is hesitant due to both fighters' suspect chins. He notes Dusko's output and cardio but worries about his durability after the Soriano knockout. Paul thinks Dusko can win if he survives the early exchanges. He also likes the under 1.5 rounds.
The Guru picks Duško Todorović but expresses worry about his defensive flaws, particularly the way he rears his head back. He thinks Gregory Rodrigues hasn't fought good competition and lost to Jordan Williams on the contender series. He believes Todorović will wear Rodrigues down and finish by TKO in the second round, but acknowledges a chance Rodrigues catches him early due to Todorović's weird striking defense.
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