Career Averages - Claudio Puelles
Career Averages - Jordan Leavitt
Claudio Puelles
Jordan Leavitt
Claudio Puelles - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 21 of 63 | 33% | 58 of 102 | 4 of 16 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 7:25 |
| Joaquim Silva | 1 | 25 of 66 | 37% | 95 of 136 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 37 of 44 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 4:22 |
| Joaquim Silva | 0 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 29 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 6 of 31 | 19% | 6 of 31 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 |
| Joaquim Silva | 0 | 11 of 29 | 37% | 13 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:18 | |
| 3 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 12 of 24 | 50% | 15 of 27 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 2:08 |
| Joaquim Silva | 1 | 14 of 33 | 42% | 53 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 21 of 63 | 33% | 14 of 56 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 56 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 5 |
| Joaquim Silva | 25 of 66 | 37% | 12 of 50 | 9 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 52 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 3 of 8 | 37% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 |
| Joaquim Silva | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Claudio Puelles | 6 of 31 | 19% | 3 of 28 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Joaquim Silva | 11 of 29 | 37% | 2 of 18 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Claudio Puelles | 12 of 24 | 50% | 8 of 20 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Joaquim Silva | 14 of 33 | 42% | 10 of 28 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 19 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 9 |
Angelo is torn on this fight. He calls Puelles a 'butt scooter' who looks like a puppy cleaning a dingleberry, but acknowledges his takedowns looked improved in his last fight. He says if Puelles' takedowns look as good as they did last time, he wins. He admits his gut won't let him say it out loud, but he's leaning Puelles. He notes Silva is a BJJ guy with big power and explosive striking, always looking for the knockout.
Big Brady leans toward Silva because Puelles is one-dimensional and has no plan B if his grappling fails. He notes Silva has a BJJ base, power on the feet, and has hurt top competition. He predicts Silva wins by second-round knockout, as Puelles has been knocked out before and Silva has the power to do it.
Silva is a big fan favorite and the host is surprised he is an underdog. He notes Silva has never been submitted and has a striking advantage. He expects Silva to fend off takedowns, walk Puelles down, and win by knockout in the second or third round.
The MMA Guru picks Joaquim Silva, expressing disdain for Claudio Puelles' jiu-jitsu style. He describes Silva as a strong, powerful, explosive lightweight who can cause problems on the feet. He criticizes Puelles as a 'martial artist, not a fighter' and recalls his quit against Dan Hooker. He believes Silva's power will be a big factor.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 17 of 27 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 0 | 0 | 7:14 |
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 31 of 48 | 64% | 58 of 82 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 2 | 4:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 6 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 3:21 |
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 18 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:38 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 4 of 11 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 14 of 20 | 70% | 23 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:06 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 7 of 7 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 2:14 |
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 8 of 11 | 72% | 17 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 2 | 1:46 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Claudio Puelles | 31 of 48 | 64% | 23 of 38 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 24 of 30 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Claudio Puelles | 9 of 17 | 52% | 8 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Claudio Puelles | 14 of 20 | 70% | 11 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 12 of 12 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Claudio Puelles | 8 of 11 | 72% | 4 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 9 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ziam (-218), Puelles (+180)
Round 1
Former training partners will put any friendship they formed aside from their time under the Kill Cliff FC roof, as grappler Puelles (12-3, 5-2 UFC) reps Peru against French striker Ziam (14-4, 4-2 UFC). The former holds the record for the most kneebars performed in UFC history, while the latter’s primary method of defeat is via submission, but anything is possible in the fight game. The gloves are touched in front of referee Herb Dean, and Ziam leads off with a stern low kick. Puelles shoots in for a single-leg takedown, and although Ziam defends the first attempt, a second effort for “Prince of Peru” gingerly sets Ziam down on his back. Ziam scrambles with all his muster, ultimately getting Puelles back to his butterfly guard. Ziam continues to buck and moves, and he works his way back up as Puelles follows him and nearly takes his back. Puelles forces a mat return, where he lands hard in half guard while hanging on with heavy chest pressure. Ziam nearly kicks him off, and Puelles hooks his foe’s legs beneath his own to keep him stuck. The Frenchman moves to his knees and wall-walks his way back up, and Puelles drags him right back down with his arm interlocked around Ziam’s. Ziam explodes back upright, and Puelles stays tightly pressed to him like a cheap suit until Ziam turns the corner and throws him aside. Puelles whiffs on a pair of chasing punches, and Ziam crowds him with a right up top and a left to the body. Puelles fakes for a takedown and lands a left hand, and as he throws a high kick, Ziam jacks him in the jaw with a jab that sends Puelles down like a sack of potatoes. Ziam rains down ground-and-pound until Puelles recovers enough to start scrambling, and Ziam backs off. Puelles gives chase and shoots for a desperate single, and Ziam stuffs it and walks away. Puelles keeps going after him, and he scoops “Smile Killer” up and makes him frown by slamming him to the mat with a high-amplitude double. Puelles jumps over the top to hunt for a kimura, isolating Ziam’s left arm while sitting on Ziam’s head. Ziam sees it coming and defends it, and Puelles steps all the way over and fishes for a leg lock that does not come before time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Round 2
The fighters bump fists before getting to it, and Ziam leads the dance early with jabs while not letting Puelles get close. Ziam succeeds in fighting off takedown setups, until Puelles desperately pursues one that ultimately ends up with him landing on his back thanks to a Ziam sweep at the last second. Puelles turns over to his back and leans back to set up a leglock, and Ziam abandons ship before anything is remotely close to coming together. Both men stand up, and Puelles fires off a head kick that bounces off the raised guard. Ziam paws out a low kick, and he steps in with a knee and follows it with a second on the dome. Puelles shoots from afar, and Ziam stops the first effort and fails to halt the second. Puelles slings his man to the mat, and he sits on top in an odd position with Ziam turned partially to his side. This allows Puelles to easily moves into full mount, and Ziam bucks him back to half guard. Puelles frames off to smack Ziam with an elbow, and he smothers from on top to disallow Ziam from escaping. As Ziam turns to his side, Puelles lets him do this so he can jump on Ziam’s back like a malicious backpack. Puelles wraps up a rear-naked choke, and Ziam falls to the ground and turns over to break up the choke. Ziam slows down and tags Puelles with an elbow, and he jumps to the other side to stop Puelles from setting up some maneuver. Ziam briefly unloads with ground-and-pound, mixing in elbows and posturing up at the right moments to not expose him to submission danger. The big punches keep coming until the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Round 3
There is a final glove touch before engagement, and Ziam is quick to flick out his jab to get his range again. Puelles tries to punch his way into a single, and Ziam stops him in his tracks and stands him up. Puelles pushes him back to the wall and knees him in the chest, and Ziam spins around to drive in some knees of his own. Puelles shoots in low for a double, and Ziam keeps his arms locked beneath Puelles groin before snatching up a guillotine choke to threaten with his own offense. Puelles does not seem remotely flustered, turning his neck to the right way before sliding himself out and getting upright again. Puelles shoots and secures a takedown, landing in full guard and otherwise stalling out. When Puelles does try for some offense, Ziam stifles it. The crowd grows restless at Puelles’ damage-free approach, and Ziam sits up and goes for another guillotine. Puelles shakes it off and continues his smothering top control. An awkward scramble results in Puelles sitting on Ziam’s face for a moment, and Ziam keeps moving and pushes “Prince of Peru” to his back. Puelles ties up his guard, and Ziam elbows him in the ribs. Puelles sits up and attempts a reversal, and Ziam nullifies it and postures up to rain down punishment. Ziam delivers some hammering punches and elbows, and Puelles gets to his knees right before time expires. The crowd showers the fighters with boos when it is all over.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
The Official Result
Fares Ziam def. Claudio Puelles via Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Ziam, citing his range control and technical striking. He believes Puelles will struggle to get the fight to the ground and may resort to pulling guard. He expresses frustration with Puelles' style but acknowledges his danger on the ground.
Big Brady picks Claudio Puelles to win by second-round submission, but with low confidence due to Puelles' terrible performance against Dan Hooker. He notes that Ziam is the better striker but has low volume and no power, so Puelles isn't in much danger on the feet. On the mat, Puelles is an incredible grappler with a BJJ black belt, and Ziam has been submitted in three of his four losses. Brady worries about Puelles' wrestling but thinks he can find ways to get the fight down.
Cody picks Ziam, noting Puelles is a one-trick pony with leg locks and hasn't evolved. Ziam has shown improvements in takedown defense and striking volume. He thinks Ziam keeps the fight upright, lands shots, and tires Puelles out. He acknowledges the leg lock threat but believes Ziam can avoid it.
The host sees this as a grappler vs. striker matchup, with Puelles being a knee-bar specialist but a sitting duck on the feet. He believes Ziam has shown enough improvement to keep the fight upright and use his kickboxing advantage to outbox and outkick Puelles en route to a decision win.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Ziam. He echoes that Puelles is a one-trick pony with no evolution in his game. Ziam has improved takedown defense and striking. He thinks Ziam will box him up on the feet and avoid the leg locks. He notes Puelles' only path is a leg lock, which is low percentage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Hooker | 1 | 29 of 63 | 46% | 37 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 2:08 |
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 5 of 18 | 27% | 5 of 18 | 0 of 8 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Hooker | 0 | 10 of 27 | 37% | 16 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Dan Hooker | 1 | 19 of 36 | 52% | 21 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 5 of 13 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Hooker | 29 of 63 | 46% | 8 of 34 | 13 of 16 | 8 of 13 | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Claudio Puelles | 5 of 18 | 27% | 1 of 12 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Hooker | 10 of 27 | 37% | 2 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 11 | 10 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Claudio Puelles | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Dan Hooker | 19 of 36 | 52% | 6 of 21 | 11 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Claudio Puelles | 5 of 13 | 38% | 1 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo likes Hooker's striking and believes he can keep the fight standing. He notes that Puelles has poor takedown defense and Hooker has only been submitted once in his career. He picks Hooker to win the striking exchanges and get his mojo back. He plans to bet on Puelles inside the distance (decision no action) because he sees Hooker winning by decision or Puelles by submission, not Hooker by stoppage.
Big Brady picks Dan Hooker to win by knockout in the first or second round. He argues Hooker's competition has been much tougher (Islam, Arnold Allen, Chandler, Poirier) and that Puelles is a big step down. He praises Hooker's takedown defense (78%) and notes he has beaten good grapplers like Gilbert Burns and Jim Miller. He criticizes Puelles' striking and believes Hooker will beat him up on the feet, though he acknowledges Puelles' knee bar threat.
Cody picks Dan Hooker, arguing that Hooker's losses have come against elite competition and that Puelles has not impressed him. He notes that Puelles' wins are against lower-level opponents and that his striking is not dangerous. Cody believes Hooker's takedown defense and striking volume will allow him to dominate on the feet and win a decision, as Puelles is durable but not a finisher.
Daniel Levi picks Dan Hooker, citing Hooker's superior striking volume, variety, and experience against top competition. He notes that Puelles is a submission specialist, but Hooker has shown he can defend leg locks (e.g., against Ian Entwistle and Al Iaquinta). Levi is concerned about Hooker's durability after recent knockdowns but believes Puelles doesn't have the power to exploit that. He sees this as a test for Puelles to see if he's ready for the top 15, and he's not convinced yet. Levi expects Hooker to win via striking or top control.
The host believes Hooker is the far superior striker and BJJ player, and that Puelles' only path is a submission like a kneebar, which won't work against Hooker. He dismisses Hooker's 1-4 run because the losses were to elite fighters (Poirier, Chandler, Islam, Allen), while Puelles is not at that level. He expects Hooker to win easily, possibly by KO or submission, and recommends the moneyline or inside the distance.
Paul also picks Dan Hooker, agreeing that Puelles' stand-up is not a threat and that Hooker should dominate on the feet. He notes that if the fight goes to the ground, Puelles could grab a leg, but on the feet it should not be competitive. Paul believes Hooker's durability is slightly compromised but still enough to beat Puelles.
The MMA Guru picks Dan Hooker, believing he will stuff takedowns and expose Puelles' stand-up. He notes Puelles' struggles against strikers and Hooker's takedown defense against elite grapplers like Al Iaquinta and Gilbert Burns. He predicts a vintage Hooker KO at the end of the first round, citing Hooker's comfort at lightweight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 4 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:10 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 4 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:10 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:14 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Clay Guida | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Clay Guida | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Claudio Puelles to win a decision via grappling. He notes Puelles is young, hungry, and dangerous, and that it's easier to finish a bad takedown than defend one. He says Puelles will entertain striking but ultimately push a grappling game plan, get takedowns, and ride out a decision. He mentions Clay Guida only has two wins in 35 UFC fights against opponents who took him down.
Big Brady picks Claudio Puelles to win by submission, citing his youth, size advantage, and BJJ brown belt. He notes that Puelles is 15 years younger and has a four-inch height and two-inch reach advantage. He thinks Puelles can submit Guida if the fight goes to the mat, especially since Guida has been submitted 10 times. However, he acknowledges Guida's cardio advantage and that the fight is close, so he won't bet on it.
Cody leans Guida, citing Puelles' poor takedown defense and Guida's grinding style. He notes Puelles is young and improving but has been taken down by non-wrestlers. Guida's submission defense has improved, and his cardio should wear on Puelles. He suggests live betting Guida after the first round.
The host picks Clay Guida to win, betting 1.07 units at -107. He expects the fight to go the full 15 minutes with Guida getting his hand raised. He also includes Guida in a parlay with Andrade and Barriault.
Paul agrees with Cody, highlighting Guida's durability and activity. He thinks Guida's wrestling and pressure will be key, and that Puelles may tire. He mentions Guida's recent grappling improvements and suggests a decision win or live betting opportunity.
The MMA Guru picks Clay Guida, expressing shock that 70% of tipsters are picking Puelles. He argues Puelles is mediocre and had a tough fight with Chris Gruetzemacher. He highlights Guida's submission defense from Quintet and his wrestling pace that prevents submissions. He believes Puelles has no power or technique on the feet to worry Guida. He predicts Guida will grind out a win, possibly a third-round finish, and notes Guida's recent activity. He hopes the public money on Puelles will make Guida an underdog.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 43 of 68 | 63% | 72 of 103 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 1 | 0 | 6:20 |
| Chris Gruetzemacher | 0 | 38 of 55 | 69% | 96 of 123 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 18 of 25 | 72% | 38 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:26 |
| Chris Gruetzemacher | 0 | 9 of 11 | 81% | 23 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 17 of 30 | 56% | 21 of 35 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
| Chris Gruetzemacher | 0 | 12 of 23 | 52% | 37 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:46 | |
| 3 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 8 of 13 | 61% | 13 of 19 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Chris Gruetzemacher | 0 | 17 of 21 | 80% | 36 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 43 of 68 | 63% | 31 of 48 | 11 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 19 of 32 | 5 of 11 | 19 of 25 |
| Chris Gruetzemacher | 38 of 55 | 69% | 15 of 28 | 16 of 20 | 7 of 7 | 22 of 33 | 10 of 14 | 6 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 18 of 25 | 72% | 14 of 20 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 21 |
| Chris Gruetzemacher | 9 of 11 | 81% | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | |
| 2 | Claudio Puelles | 17 of 30 | 56% | 11 of 18 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 12 of 19 | 3 of 9 | 2 of 2 |
| Chris Gruetzemacher | 12 of 23 | 52% | 3 of 11 | 6 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 14 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Claudio Puelles | 8 of 13 | 61% | 6 of 10 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Chris Gruetzemacher | 17 of 21 | 80% | 6 of 9 | 9 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 12 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 |
Angelo picks Puelles, citing his grappling and takedown volume. He notes Gruetzemacher has power and showed toughness against Garcia, but his wrestling defense is a hole. Angelo wishes Gruetzemacher were a bigger underdog to bet him, but goes with Puelles.
Big Brady picks Claudio Puelles to win by submission. He notes Puelles is 10 years younger, has a height and reach advantage, trains at a better camp (Sanford MMA), and is a BJJ black belt with excellent control. He criticizes Gruetzemacher's takedown defense (61%) and notes he has been submitted in losses. Brady also mentions Gruetzemacher is training in a garage, not at ATT as listed. He expects Puelles to take the fight down and submit him.
Cody picks Gruetzemacher, emphasizing his cardio and pressure. He thinks Puelles has looked awful in recent fights and that Gruetzemacher's experience and durability will win out. Cody believes Gruetzemacher will march forward and beat Puelles over three rounds.
Daniel Levi picks Chris Gruetzemacher to win, citing his toughness, durability, and ability to absorb punishment and keep coming forward. He notes that Gruetzemacher is economical and efficient, with good boxing and calf kicks. He questions whether Claudio Puelles is ready for a dog fight and thinks Gruetzemacher will put it on him down the stretch, possibly losing the first round but winning the last two.
Jacob picks Puelles, emphasizing he must get open-mat takedowns and not gas against the cage. He notes Gruetzemacher is hard to take down against the cage but Puelles can succeed with open-mat shots. Jacob thinks Puelles is the pick but needs to avoid striking exchanges.
I lean Puelles. He has a slight technical striking advantage and should be able to land takedowns. His grappling is solid and he can control the fight on the ground. However, Gruetzemacher is durable and tough to finish. I expect Puelles to grind out a decision, and the decision prop at plus 210 is appealing.
Paul picks Gruetzemacher, citing his cardio, pressure, and recent win over Ralphy Garcia. He thinks Puelles is a one-dimensional grappler who gasses out, and that Gruetzemacher's volume and durability will be too much. Paul notes that Gruetzemacher has fought tougher competition.
The MMA Guru picks Claudio Puelles to win by 29-28 unanimous decision. He believes Puelles will secure enough positional control and takedowns in the first two rounds, despite losing some stand-up exchanges. He notes Puelles' good hips and control on the mat, but expects Gruetzemacher to win the third round as Puelles tires. The fight will be decided by the early rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 20 of 33 | 60% | 71 of 100 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 10:01 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 21 of 34 | 61% | 170 of 213 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 1 | 2:06 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 11 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 12 of 16 | 75% | 38 of 53 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 2:06 | |
| 2 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 23 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:41 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 35 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 13 of 17 | 76% | 37 of 53 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:37 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 97 of 118 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 20 of 33 | 60% | 6 of 14 | 12 of 14 | 2 of 5 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 18 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 21 of 34 | 61% | 4 of 14 | 5 of 8 | 12 of 12 | 19 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 3 of 9 | 33% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 12 of 16 | 75% | 0 of 2 | 3 of 5 | 9 of 9 | 12 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Claudio Puelles | 4 of 7 | 57% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 7 of 13 | 53% | 3 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Claudio Puelles | 13 of 17 | 76% | 3 of 6 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 14 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
After a very important week to recover, the UFC is back with a stuffed card packed with 14 fights. We begin this marathon evening with a matchup in the lightweight division between promising prospects Puelles (9-2, 2-1 UFC) and “The Monkey King” Leavitt (8-0, 1-0 UFC). The first fight of the night sees a glove touch in front of referee Chris Tognoni, and the fun begins! Leavitt sticks out a long jab and reaches low with a leg kick, and another sticks the calf. Puelles responds with his own kick, and the two stand in front of the other striking with body kicks. Leavitt takes a heavy kick to the torso, and he reaches his arm out before shooting in low for a takedown. Puelles rolls through to scramble, and he stuffs one attempt only to wind up going to the ground on the second try. When the Peruvian gets back up, Leavitt doggedly continues to pursue his single, and they roll to get back to their feet. Leavitt continues to hold on to Puelles’ right leg, where he grinds his foe into the fence. After a stalemate, he trips Puelles’ leg out and gets him down, but only for a moment before Puelles pops back up. The two lightweights break apart, and Puelles chops at Leavitt’s lead leg repeatedly until shooting low for his own takedown. Leavitt reverses the position, but at the end of an exchange, Puelles puts him on his back. Leavitt throws his legs up for a high rubber guard as Puelles looks to advance position, and this forces the Peruvian to stand up and nearly get nailed with an upkick. Puelles lowers himself into his opponent’s guard, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt
Round 2
The lightweights cautious touch gloves to clock in the second round, and Puelles goes over the top with a left hand and a body kick. The two come together, with Puelles moving into the clinch, and he gets backed off with a sharp elbow from “The Monkey King.” A few jabs from both men come out as they try to reestablish their range, and Leavitt keeps his right elbow reached out until changing levels suddenly for a single. Puelles sprawls and aims to step over to gain advantageous position, but Leavitt sees it coming and changes angles to get down. Puelles takes Leavitt’s back for a second, but in the ensuing scramble, Leavitt defends with a kneebar or ankle lock setup. The Peruvian makes his way to take top position, and Leavitt throws his legs up for a shoulder lock and then another kneebar try, but Puelles sees them setting up and breaks them up with a stern elbow from on top. Leavitt responds with elbows from his back, and he backs Puelles off with an upkick. “El Nino” storms down with a left hand that surprises Leavitt, and he uses the momentum to circle around and take Leavitt’s back. Puelles hammers away with his fist as he swings it back and forth, all while looking to assume full control of the American’s back. Puelles secures a body triangle to lock up the position, and he starts methodically fishing for a choke. Leavitt keeps wrist control to stop any choke from being locked up, and Puelles elects to slap Leavitt in the face a few times and land heel kicks to the kidney before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Puelles
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Puelles
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Puelles
Round 3
One last glove touch checks in the final round, and Puelles immediately hits a takedown. Leavitt bucks and kicks, but Puelles stays composed and keeps him trapped on the canvas. Puelles postures up to nail his foe with an elbow, and Leavitt puts his legs up only to get smacked in the face by several fierce punches. Leavitt appears no worse for wear, but precious seconds are quickly ticking off the clock as he is stuck on his back. “The Monkey King” tries to kick off the cage, and his legs snatch Puelles’ neck with an inverted triangle, but the grip is not tight so he lets it go in north-south position. Puelles decides to sit flat on Leavitt’s face and pound at his body, and Tognoni asks for the Peruvian to stay busy in this uncomfortable position. Leavitt once more looks for an inverted triangle choke, and when nothing comes from it. Tognoni stands up. Puelles protests, and Leavitt is energized and rushes in to strike. Puelles shoots in for a reactive single, and he hits it with ease, leaving Leavitt frustrated and flat on his back. Leavitt throws hands from his back, but when Puelles sits or stands up with long punches, they are much more impactful than anything Leavitt can muster. The Peruvian ignores Leavitt’s submission setups and slaps on the ear, and he stays busy and advances his position. A few light ground strikes from both concludes this full-length bout.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Puelles (29-28 Puelles)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Puelles (29-28 Puelles)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Puelles (29-28 Puelles)
The Official Result
Claudio Puelles def. Jordan Leavitt via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Big Brady struggles with this fight, calling it a tough call. He notes that Jordan Leavitt's striking is poor and his takedowns are not set up well, but when Leavitt gets on top he looks good. He acknowledges Claudio Puelles is a brown belt and may have improved training at Sanford MMA, but ultimately favors Leavitt's grappling on the mat. He says he will have zero action on this fight due to the line being too wide.
Cody picks Leavitt, noting his grappling advantage and Puelles' long layoff. He thinks Leavitt's jiu-jitsu will be too much. Cody is confident but notes the price is high.
Daniel picks Leavitt via close decision, citing his superior ground game and transitions. He notes that Puelles has improved and trains at Sanford MMA, but Leavitt's jiu-jitsu is a step ahead in scrambles. Daniel believes Leavitt will get top control and win rounds, possibly by submission if Puelles makes a mistake. He acknowledges Puelles could survive and grind out a win, but favors Leavitt's experience and grappling edge.
I'm not sold on Jordan Leavitt; he's one-dimensional with poor striking. Puelles has a striking advantage and can nullify Leavitt's grappling. I expect Puelles to win, possibly by knockout or decision.
Paul picks Leavitt confidently, citing his superior grappling and youth. He notes Puelles has been out for three years and looked poor in the UFC. Paul thinks Leavitt will dictate where the fight goes and win via submission or decision.
The Guru picks Jordan Leavitt, citing his nasty jiu-jitsu transitions and grinding style. He notes that lesser grapplers have had success against Puelles on the ground, referencing the Felipe Silva fight where Silva controlled Puelles before getting caught. He believes Leavitt's grappling will be too much and predicts a late first-round arm triangle submission.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 22 of 34 | 64% | 101 of 116 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 2 | 0 | 13:20 |
| Marcos Rosa Mariano | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 23 of 24 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:41 |
| Marcos Rosa Mariano | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 | |
| 2 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 51 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:51 |
| Marcos Rosa Mariano | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 8 of 15 | 53% | 27 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:48 |
| Marcos Rosa Mariano | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 22 of 34 | 64% | 21 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 29 |
| Marcos Rosa Mariano | 2 of 9 | 22% | 0 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 4 of 5 | 80% | 4 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Marcos Rosa Mariano | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Claudio Puelles | 10 of 14 | 71% | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 13 |
| Marcos Rosa Mariano | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Claudio Puelles | 8 of 15 | 53% | 7 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 12 |
| Marcos Rosa Mariano | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 16 of 49 | 32% | 16 of 49 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 | 0 | 1:29 |
| Felipe Silva | 1 | 70 of 130 | 53% | 103 of 171 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:52 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:29 |
| Felipe Silva | 0 | 12 of 28 | 42% | 21 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 | |
| 2 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 8 of 26 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Silva | 0 | 39 of 73 | 53% | 55 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:10 | |
| 3 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 2 of 13 | 15% | 2 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Silva | 1 | 19 of 29 | 65% | 27 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 16 of 49 | 32% | 11 of 41 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Felipe Silva | 70 of 130 | 53% | 48 of 101 | 12 of 17 | 10 of 12 | 30 of 75 | 4 of 6 | 36 of 49 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 6 of 10 | 60% | 5 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Felipe Silva | 12 of 28 | 42% | 7 of 21 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 13 | |
| 2 | Claudio Puelles | 8 of 26 | 30% | 5 of 20 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Felipe Silva | 39 of 73 | 53% | 28 of 58 | 4 of 7 | 7 of 8 | 19 of 47 | 1 of 2 | 19 of 24 | |
| 3 | Claudio Puelles | 2 of 13 | 15% | 1 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Felipe Silva | 19 of 29 | 65% | 13 of 22 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 12 |
Jordan Leavitt - Fight History
The host picks Jordan Leavitt, believing that Leavitt's grappling will be the key. He notes that on the feet, Brito wins 99 out of 100 times, but Leavitt can get takedowns and once on top, Brito will have a hard time getting back to his feet. He expects Leavitt to win, though he's not sure if it will be by finish or decision.
AJ picks Brito to win by submission, citing Brito's superior striking power, Muay Thai, and dangerous jiu-jitsu (ninja choke). He believes Leavitt's wrestling will be neutralized and that Brito will catch a neck as Leavitt leaves it exposed. AJ expects Brito to finish inside the distance, possibly in the later rounds.
Angelo picks Joanderson Brito, calling himself a Jordan Leavitt hater. He argues that Brito is dangerous both on the feet and on the ground, while Leavitt's striking is subpar and his wrestling isn't good enough to get the fight to the ground consistently. He dismisses Leavitt's recent win over Yadier Delval as beating a 'scam artist'.
Big Brady picks Joanderson Brito to win by submission in the second round. He acknowledges Leavitt's path with wrestling but notes Brito's dangerous front chokes and power on the feet. He thinks Brito's cardio is good and that Leavitt's cardio is suspect, leading to Brito catching Leavitt with a submission or big shot.
Jordan Leavitt is the underdog but has a smart game plan: take Joanderson Brito down and do pitter-patter shots. Brito's grind game has been exposed, and Leavitt can win by decision if he avoids boxing in the pocket. Leavitt's recent win over Jair Delval was dominant.
Cody picks Brito, citing his power and aggression. He notes Leavitt's wrestling is not as effective as it appears, and Brito's physicality and scrambling should prevail. He expects Brito to land bigger shots and win.
Jordan Leavitt is picked as an underdog because his pressure grappling and strength should overwhelm Joanderson Brito, who has struggled with wrestling in recent fights. Brito's gas tank is questionable, and Leavitt's relentless takedowns and top control are a recipe for success. The host already has action on Leavitt at better odds and expects a dominant decision or submission.
Brito has power and should be able to defend takedowns from Leavitt. Leavitt struggles when taken down or controlled. Brito should eventually break Leavitt and get a late second-round TKO.
Lucrative James picks Joanderson Brito, believing Jordan Leavitt's win over Yaddel Val was more due to Val underperforming than Leavitt's elite skill. He notes Brito's athleticism, cardio, and danger on the feet, and expects Brito to avoid being dominated on the ground. He predicts a knockout win for Brito.
Leavitt's persistent grappling and body-lock game should be difficult for Brito, who has poor takedown defense and tends to slow down. Leavitt's strength at featherweight and ability to hold on to takedowns should edge out a decision. This is an odds-based pick, as Brito's finishing ability diminishes in deeper water.
Paul picks Leavitt by decision, noting Leavitt's grappling could neutralize Brito. He is not confident and does not plan to bet it, but sees Leavitt's path to a grinding decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 17 of 45 | 37% | 45 of 86 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 7:57 |
| Yadier Del Valle | 0 | 13 of 42 | 30% | 76 of 112 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 20 of 33 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 4:04 |
| Yadier Del Valle | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 32 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 15 of 33 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:02 |
| Yadier Del Valle | 0 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 10 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 3 | Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 3 of 12 | 25% | 10 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
| Yadier Del Valle | 0 | 5 of 18 | 27% | 34 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Leavitt | 17 of 45 | 37% | 7 of 18 | 3 of 19 | 7 of 8 | 12 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 9 |
| Yadier Del Valle | 13 of 42 | 30% | 4 of 26 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 8 | 7 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Leavitt | 7 of 14 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Yadier Del Valle | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jordan Leavitt | 7 of 19 | 36% | 2 of 5 | 1 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Yadier Del Valle | 5 of 17 | 29% | 4 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 4 | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Jordan Leavitt | 3 of 12 | 25% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Yadier Del Valle | 5 of 18 | 27% | 0 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Kerry Hatley is the referee. Del Valle leaps in with a front kick, and Leavitt catches it, shoves his foe into the fence and drags him to the mat. Del Valle scoots to a seated position against the cage. He posts and gets to his feet, and Leavitt maintains his body lock. However, a knee from Leavitt lands below the belt and the bout is paused so Del Valle can recover. Del Valle takes about 30 seconds and he’s good to go. Leavitt with a series of front kicks, then an inside leg kick. Del Valle moves in with a heavy combination, but that allows Leavitt to secure the clinch. Moments later, he takes “The Cuban Problem” down. Leavitt passes to side control, and the Houston crowd is booing already. Del Valle stands, but Leavitt trips him down immediately. Del Valle has full guard and Leavitt responds with a mini slam. Another short slam for Leavitt, as he tries to open up his foe’s guard. Leavitt hovers over Del Valle and drops a few punches before diving back into guard. A heavy elbow lands for Leavitt from above. Del Valle prevents Leavitt from passing guard, but “The Monkey King” peppers him with a few shots. Leavitt drops back for a leg lock in the waning seconds, but nothing comes of it.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt
Round 2
Leavitt lands a pair of leg kicks. Leavitt extends both arms in an awkward fighting stance. Del Valle counters a kick and sprawls on a takedown. Leavitt kicks the body twice and then fires off a series of push kicks. Del Valle rips the body with a right. Leavitt changes levels, but Del Valle sprawls. However, the Houston-based Cuban gambles for a guillotine and ends up surrendering top position instead. Now Leavitt goes to work in half guard and the boo birds are out again. Leavitt postures up and lands a short elbow. Del Valle is doing well to neutralize much of Leavitt’s offense with his guard. Leavitt passes to half guard again. Del Valle scoots to a seated position and Leavitt drives a shoulder into his chin. Leavitt shoves Del Valle to his back as he continues to impose his will. Leavitt periodically creates openings for ground-and-pound while continuing to control position. With about 15 seconds left, Del Valle lands an illegal upkick while Leavitt is still on his knees. They resume in the same position, with Dal Valle on his back. Leavitt again finishes the round by dropping back for a leg lock.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt
Round 3
Del Valle likely needs a finish. Leavitt goes back to work, controlling the range with a variety of kicks. Del Valle is still struggling to connect with his punches. Leavitt circles away then kicks his foe’s legs. Hatley calls for action about 90 seconds in. Del Valle stalks Leavitt and then throws his arms out in frustration. Leavitt follows a right with a takedown. He eats a knee from Del Valle but pulls the Cuban into his guard. Now it’s Del Valle in half guard. Leavitt is hanging on, hoping to force a standup. Del Valle lands a few short strikes to the body. Leavitt continues to cling to Del Valle, who nearly achieves full mount against the fence. Leavitt is content to try and neutralize Del Valle, as he realizes he is likely up on the scorecards. Del Valle stands and lands a few shots, before Leavitt reverses position and puts his opponent on his back with less than a mintue remaining. Leavitt gathers the leg and throws some hammerfists to Del Valle’s rear. Leavitt ends with a heavy elbow from side control.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Del Valle (29-28 Leavitt)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt (30-27 Leavitt)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt (30-27 Leavitt)
The Official Result
Jordan Leavitt def. Yadier Del Valle via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Yadier Del Valle, noting his solid grappling and striking, while criticizing Jordan Leavitt as a one-dimensional jiu-jitsu nerd with poor takedowns. He dismisses Del Valle's last fight as illegitimate and focuses on his prior work. He believes Del Valle's strength and grappling will prevail.
Big Brady picks Yadier Del Valle to defeat Jordan Leavitt, citing Del Valle's superior skills everywhere and Leavitt's poor takedown defense. He notes Leavitt has been submitted by better grapplers like Chase Hooper and Paddy Pimblett. He believes Del Valle will take Leavitt down and finish him, predicting a first-round submission. He mentions the controversy around Del Valle's last fight but says it doesn't change his opinion of Del Valle's talent.
Cody thinks Del Valle is a legitimate prospect with power and grappling. He notes Leavitt is a one-round fighter who gets outmuscled. He expects Del Valle to win by submission or decision.
Connor picks Del Valle, agreeing that Leavitt is a 'meme fighter' who gets trick submissions on non-grapplers but loses to actual grapplers. Del Valle is a potent athlete with a coherent game. Connor notes that Leavitt sacrifices position for wacky moves and will lose scrambles to a better athlete.
James picks Yadier Del Valle to win by submission, citing his superior grappling and toughness. He notes that Leavitt is one-dimensional and will likely get reversed and submitted after an initial takedown. James believes Del Valle's cardio and jiu-jitsu will be too much for Leavitt.
Del Valle is better everywhere except maybe pure jiu-jitsu, but fights start on the feet where he has a huge advantage. He is strong, pressures forward, and has good wrestling to defend takedowns. Leavitt will try to create chaos to get to the ground, but Del Valle's strength and striking should overwhelm him. Expect a TKO finish inside the distance.
Paul agrees, calling Del Valle a top prospect. He thinks Leavitt's physicality and cardio are lacking. He expects Del Valle to win by submission or dominant decision.
The MMA Guru picks Yadier Del Valle, noting his physical strength, athleticism, and powerful striking. He believes Del Valle can stuff takedowns and deal with Leavitt's sticky grappling style. He also mentions that Leavitt has been out-scrambled and submitted by jiu-jitsu guys before, and predicts a first round TKO or submission for Del Valle.
Zane picks Del Valle, noting that Leavitt is a terrible striker and not athletic. Del Valle is a strong positional grappler and a solid slugger who pressures and isn't afraid of the pocket. Zane acknowledges Del Valle's UFC wins are against low-level opponents, but he still looks technically coherent and athletic.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kurt Holobaugh | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 0 | 1:27 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kurt Holobaugh | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 0 | 1:27 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kurt Holobaugh | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kurt Holobaugh | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Leavitt (-192), Holobaugh (+160)
Round 1
Sticking to the lightweight division, two men who have alternated wins and losses in their last four could use the W to reverse their fortunes a bit. Holobaugh (21-9, 1 NC; 2-6 UFC) may need this one to stick around in his second stint with the promotion, while “The Monkey King” Leavitt (11-3, 4-3 UFC) could have a little wiggle room should he not prevail. With Dana White’s Contender Series right around the corner, who knows how many defeated competitors will be off the roster come Monday. Referee Mike Beltran will take charge of the cage for as long as this one lasts, and it commences with a swift glove touch. Leavitt springs from side to side as Holobaugh advances towards him, and he pushes out a front kick to set up a takedown. Within seconds, “The Monkey King” wrangles Holobaugh to the mat, where he climbs from side control to half guard to exert heavy top pressure. Holobaugh scoots his way to the fence and gets to a knee, and Leavitt wrenches him back down to the mat and takes his back in a hurry. Holobaugh tries to scramble, and Leavitt slams him down on his face. Holobaugh looks to turn the corner by going after a single on Leavitt, but
Leavitt counters with a guillotine choke and transitions it to an anaconda choke and wraps it up tight. Holobaugh relaxes, possibly too much, and this allows Leavitt to turn him to his back and grip the choke all the way. Leavitt wraps his left leg up and around Holobaugh’s arm to prevent him from defending the submission, and Holobaugh’s efforts are quickly in vain as he goes out cold.
Beltran sees this and intervenes, and Holobaugh wakes up and is upset with Beltran until he learns that he got choked out. This was quick work for the returning Leavitt, who gets his hand raised for the first time in over two years.
The Official Result
Jordan Leavitt def. Kurt Holobaugh R1 1:39 via Technical Submission (Anaconda Choke)
Angelo picks Kurt Holobaugh, calling Jordan Leavitt a one-dimensional jiu-jitsu nerd with poor striking and wrestling setups. He believes Holobaugh's forward pressure, power, and better all-around skills will prevail, though he notes Holobaugh's age (38) and subpar takedown defense as concerns. He placed a half-unit bet on Holobaugh at plus 140.
Big Brady picks Jordan Leavitt due to Kurt Holobaugh's terrible takedown defense, which he describes as a huge gaping hole. He notes that Holobaugh was easily taken down by lesser wrestlers like Hernandez and Trey Ogden. Leavitt is a good grappler with improving striking, and Brady expects him to take Holobaugh down and win a decision.
Matt picks Jordan Leavitt to win by decision. He notes that Holobaugh has poor takedown defense and is too accepting of being on his back, which plays into Leavitt's strength as a top-position grappler. Leavitt is not great on the feet but should be able to grind out a decision. Matt likes the over 2.5 rounds and Leavitt by decision prop.
The MMA Guru picks Kurt Holobaugh to finish Jordan Leavitt by TKO in the first or second round. He believes Holobaugh's striking and timing will be too much for Leavitt, and that Leavitt won't get an early submission. He notes Holobaugh's ability to get back up from takedowns and work in the clinch, and that the Apex environment benefits Holobaugh.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:59 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:59 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 3 of 4 | 75% | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 3 of 4 | 75% | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hooper (-230), Leavitt (+190)
Round 1
Styles make fights, and these two lightweights appear to have the same one. These two grapplers may treat fans with fun exchanges, or they could nullify the other and result in a kickboxing match. Hooper (12-3-1, 4-3 UFC) and Leavitt (11-2, 4-2 UFC) are ready to go wherever is needed over the next three rounds, as is referee Mike Beltran. Two of the more convivial fighters on the roster share a light-hearted clap of hands, and then prepare to hurt each other. Hooper rushes out hoping to strike, and Leavitt hunts for a takedown. Hooper turns him over and fights off a single attempt from Leavitt, and the two spin one another around in the clinch. A scramble leads to the two hitting the mat, and Leavitt considers a guillotine and then a triangle choke into an omoplata. Leavitt uses these attempts to sweep his opponent, and he maintains a can opener only to fall into an armbar setup. Hooper turns over and leans to his back to try to lock the submission down, and Leavitt turns and stands up to stack Hooper up and break up the submission. Hooper chains a leglock into an armbar, and Leavitt smashes him in the face with big right hand that stuns Hooper. “The Dream” attempts a leglock, and Leavitt drops down to do the same, and the 50/50 position persists until Hooper drills Leavitt in the face.
Hooper turns over, and Leavitt sits up and is a bit too slow to spin around. Hooper takes his back during the scramble, and he fastens the body triangle around the waist and locks down a rear-naked choke. The forearm slides beneath the chin, and Hooper starts celebrating the submission before he even gets a tap. Leavitt ultimately does surrender instead of going out
, and Hooper lets go and stands to release a guttural celebratory shriek.
The Official Result
Chase Hooper def. Jordan Leavitt R1 2:58 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Jordan Leavitt, expecting him to be more physical and have slightly better wrestling. He notes both are similar grapplers with poor striking, but thinks Leavitt's power in his hands and ability to get takedowns will be the difference. He may bet if Leavitt becomes a bigger dog.
Big Brady likes Hooper, noting he's putting it together with incredible pace and cardio, as seen in his wins over Felipe Colares and Nick Fiore. He thinks Leavitt has solid wrestling and striking but slows down, as in the Claudio Puelles fight. He predicts Hooper will push a pace Leavitt can't keep up with and finish him late in the third round by TKO.
Cody picks Chase Hooper, noting his high volume striking and improved grappling. He mentions Hooper's durability and ability to win by submission or decision. Cody sees Leavitt as one-dimensional with low output and believes Hooper's size and skill advantage will prevail.
Hooper has improved his pressure fighting and can get the fight to the ground where he has a slick submission game. Leavitt has a weird submission game but questionable cardio and striking. Hooper can land better damage and control on top, winning by decision. However, both fighters are flaky, so confidence is low.
Paul is high on Chase Hooper, citing his youth, size advantage at lightweight, and improved wrestling. He notes Hooper's legitimate jiu-jitsu and cardio, and believes Leavitt is one-dimensional with no standout skills. Paul expects Hooper to drown Leavitt with pressure and volume.
The MMA Guru picks Jordan Leavitt over Chase Hooper, believing Leavitt is further along in his MMA career. He notes Leavitt's improved striking since 2021 and his competitive grappling with Claudio Puelles, which he thinks Leavitt won. He believes Leavitt's grappling is good enough to stop Hooper and that Hooper's win over Nick Fiore is not impressive.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Leavitt | 1 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 18 of 38 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Victor Martinez | 0 | 7 of 28 | 25% | 9 of 31 | 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 | Jordan Leavitt | 1 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 18 of 38 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Victor Martinez | 0 | 7 of 28 | 25% | 9 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Leavitt | 17 of 35 | 48% | 8 of 21 | 6 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 22 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 6 |
| Victor Martinez | 7 of 28 | 25% | 4 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 7 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Leavitt | 17 of 35 | 48% | 8 of 21 | 6 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 22 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 6 |
| Victor Martinez | 7 of 28 | 25% | 4 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 7 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Martinez (-115), Leavitt (-105)
Round 1
Styles make fights, and this one is about as different as they could get. At lightweight, submission aficionado Leavitt (10-2, 3-2 UFC) comes to blows with UFC neophyte Martinez (13-4, 0-0 UFC). In their respective careers, “The Monkey King” has only landed one knockout in the form of a slam, while Martinez has never before forced an opponent to tap. Skills will be tested right after referee Jason Herzog checks the two lightweights in, and they introduce themselves to one another with a clap of hands. Leavitt strides forward, closing distance with multiple front kicks. Martinez looks for a left-hand counter, but Leavitt is out of harm’s way from most of the strikes that come back. Leavitt continues to work the sternum with teep kicks, and he bats away a Martinez right hand to dive forward for a single. Martinez sprawls against the fencing to keep his balance, and he smacks Leavitt upside the head with an elbow to make him think twice. Leavitt stays glued to his man despite no takedown in sight, until Martinez follows his coach’s instructions and gets off the fence and gets some space. They trade front kicks at range, and Martinez chops at the lead leg once before Levitt advances throwing punches. Leavitt counters a Martinez left hook with a kick that splits the uprights and forces a pause in the action. Martinez takes about 20 seconds before getting back to it, and Leavitt is not discouraged to kick. Leavitt keeps working the midsection with front kicks before pushing forward into the clinch to smash his fading foe with knees up the middle.
Blasting the body and crashing into the jaw, Leavitt’s knees do noticeable damage one after the other until Martinez’ knees crumble. Herzog is watching on but not stepping in, so “The Monkey King” makes sure to finish the job with a swarm of punches until Herzog has seen enough.
Leavitt strides off and releases an outpouring of emotions to get his first stoppage win due to strikes in his career. In his post-fight interview, Leavitt comically remarks, “I’ve never rocked anyone before!”
The Official Result
Jordan Leavitt def. Victor Martinez R1 2:33 via TKO (Knees and Punches)
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Leavitt. He emphasizes that Leavitt is a strategic thinker who keeps opponents at range and clings to them when they get close. He notes that Martinez's striking game would fit a better athlete, but he is not that athlete. He also mentions that Leavitt's style is specifically crafted to take advantage of regional-level opponents like Martinez.
Zane picks Leavitt, describing him as a dysfunctional but frustrating fighter who knows how to win rounds with awkward distance management, kicks, and opportunistic grappling. He notes that Martinez has a slick boxing game but is not a good athlete, and that Leavitt's style will be very difficult for Martinez to handle. He compares Leavitt to Elias Theodorou and Ryan Hall in terms of being awkward and frustrating.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy Pimblett | 0 | 17 of 39 | 43% | 30 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 4 | 0 | 1:44 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 16 of 22 | 72% | 41 of 48 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paddy Pimblett | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 18 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 1:01 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 7 of 8 | 87% | 26 of 27 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 3:32 | |
| 2 | Paddy Pimblett | 0 | 7 of 18 | 38% | 12 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 15 of 21 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paddy Pimblett | 17 of 39 | 43% | 14 of 34 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 22 | 8 of 9 | 5 of 8 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 16 of 22 | 72% | 5 of 8 | 9 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 12 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paddy Pimblett | 10 of 21 | 47% | 9 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 8 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 7 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 7 of 8 | 87% | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Paddy Pimblett | 7 of 18 | 38% | 5 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Jordan Leavitt | 9 of 14 | 64% | 2 of 4 | 5 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 10 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pimblett (-245), Leavitt (+205)
Round 1
Dan Movahedi will oversee what is one of the most anticipated bouts of the evening. Pimblett, as expected, gets a huge pop from the crowd. Pimblett takes the center of the cage and pressures with punches. Leavitt responds with a single leg. “The Monkey King” briefly gets his foe down and maintains the clinch when Pimblett stands. Pimblett defends with a guillotine, but Leavitt lifts him up and executes a big slam. “The Baddy” maintains his hold on the choke and he has Leavitt trapped in his full guard. Leavitt is able to pop his head free and Pimblett stands up. Leavitt presses his foe into the fence and Pimblett jumps guard for a guillotine. Leavitt avoids the submission and maintains a body lock as the Cage Warriors vet stands. Leavitt continues to grind away in the clinch, making Pimblett work to defend takedowns against the fence. Leavitt clings to a single leg before Pimblett lands a couple hard elbows to the side of the head. Pimblett finally gets some space at about 45 seconds. Pimblett uses the opportunity to land a jumping kick before threatening with a guillotine. Pimblett takes the back in the waning seconds and drops a few punches from above before the horn. 10-9 Leavitt.
Round 2
Pimblett gets to work right away but can’t find the range on his initial combination. Leavitt answers with a front kick. Pimblett again blitzes forward with punches, but Leavitt is doing well to move away thus far. A right hand lands for Leavitt before he secures a single leg and shoves his foe into the fence. Pimblett defends with his back to the fence and lands an elbow. Leavitt drops low but Pimblett frames a choke and then lands a knee to the had that seems to hurt Leavitt, who falls to his knees. The maneuver allows Pimblett to take his foe’s back, and he’s got Leavitt’s right arm trapped in the body triangle.
With Leavitt having just one arm free to defend, Pimblett is able to lock in a tight rear-naked choke. Leavitt can only resist for a few seconds before he’s forced to tap.
Like Molly McCann before him, Pimblett leaps from the Octagon to celebrate his victory in the arena with the fans.
The Official Result
Paddy Pimblett def. Jordan Leavitt via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 2:46
Angelo picks Paddy Pimblett, noting he is getting favorable matchups and will likely win a fun decision. He highlights Paddy's striking volume and smooth grappling, but acknowledges he is hittable and has zero percent takedown defense (though small sample size). He suggests a moneyline bet or a prop on Jordan Leavitt inside distance decision no action if Leavitt is tough enough to not get finished.
Big Brady picks Paddy Pimblett to win by second-round knockout. He notes Pimblett has improved significantly, especially in striking and power. Leavitt is one-dimensional and slows down as the fight goes on. Pimblett should have advantages on the feet and in cardio, and he expects a knockout in the second or third round.
Cody confidently picks Paddy Pimblett, stating he can win wherever the fight goes. He notes Pimblett has superior striking, better boxing, good chin, and solid submission defense. Cody points out that Leavitt's wrestling is not good enough to take Pimblett down, and his striking lacks power. He believes Pimblett can take Leavitt down if he wants and ground and pound him. Cody acknowledges the line is inflated but thinks Pimblett's skills are clearly better.
Daniel Levi confidently picks Paddy Pimblett, viewing this as another showcase fight. He believes Pimblett can keep the fight standing and overwhelm Leavitt, who he sees as one-dimensional with poor stand-up. Levi notes that Leavitt's best chance is early success, but if that doesn't happen, he expects Leavitt to gas out. He also mentions the crowd factor and Leavitt's questionable mentality, saying he doesn't see a grown man that twerks beating Pimblett.
Leavitt doesn't have the wrestling, striking, or cardio to beat Pimblett. Paddy will show dominance with big strikes and finish him. This is a step down in competition for Pimblett. No doubt about it.
Paul picks Jordan Leavitt by decision at +800, calling it an outlier in the market. He admits he is a Paddy Pimblett hater and thinks Leavitt might be able to get top position and hold on. Paul acknowledges the line is wide and that Leavitt would need clear rounds to win a decision, especially in the UK. He says he doesn't have to lose much money to potentially win.
The MMA Guru confidently picks Paddy Pimblett to win by first-round KO. He believes Pimblett's size, strength, and explosivity will be too much for Leavitt. Leavitt's stand-up is poor, and Pimblett will stuff takedowns and land big shots. He predicts a flying knee or uppercut combo leading to a vicious KO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 69 of 105 | 65% | 124 of 170 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 5:17 |
| Trey Ogden | 0 | 41 of 90 | 45% | 130 of 182 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 2 | 1 | 2:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 19 of 25 | 76% | 32 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Trey Ogden | 0 | 17 of 30 | 56% | 57 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 1 | 0:10 | |
| 2 | Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 46 of 68 | 67% | 52 of 74 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Trey Ogden | 0 | 16 of 46 | 34% | 17 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 | |
| 3 | Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 40 of 52 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:57 |
| Trey Ogden | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 56 of 64 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Leavitt | 69 of 105 | 65% | 6 of 21 | 11 of 25 | 52 of 59 | 69 of 102 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Trey Ogden | 41 of 90 | 45% | 10 of 46 | 23 of 29 | 8 of 15 | 38 of 87 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Leavitt | 19 of 25 | 76% | 0 of 1 | 6 of 10 | 13 of 14 | 19 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Trey Ogden | 17 of 30 | 56% | 2 of 10 | 8 of 10 | 7 of 10 | 17 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jordan Leavitt | 46 of 68 | 67% | 3 of 11 | 5 of 14 | 38 of 43 | 46 of 66 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Trey Ogden | 16 of 46 | 34% | 3 of 26 | 12 of 16 | 1 of 4 | 16 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jordan Leavitt | 4 of 12 | 33% | 3 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Trey Ogden | 8 of 14 | 57% | 5 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
It’s submission grappler vs. submission grappler in this lightweight contest up next, as Leavitt (9-1, 2-1 UFC) and newcomer Ogden (15-4, 0-0 UFC) combine for exactly one finish by TKO or KO while totaling 17 victories by tapout. The Octagon overseer for this one that will get interesting when it hits the ground is referee Chris Tognoni, and a sporting glove touch occurs before his eyes. Leavitt switches his stance several times, coming out awkward but not throwing anything of note. They reach at one another with long kicks, with Leavitt stretching out far for a push kick to the breadbasket. Ogden responds with a spinning back kick, and Leavitt connects with a few low kicks when he plants back down. Leavitt continues to jab with his foot, and Ogden catches him with a left hook as he lets one loose for too long. The single strikes continue to get lobbed at one another without bad intentions on them, and Leavitt goes inside with one to the knee. Ogden walks his foe down and lands a pair of punches to the body, and he nails Leavitt with a kick to the body as Leavitt’s back is against the wall. Ogden makes a dire mistake throwing a high kick, slipping to the ground, and Leavitt pounces immediately to put Ogden flat on his back. Ogden looks to keep an active guard off his back, trying to push his heels off Leavitt’s hips, but Leavitt is able to sneakily remain on top and shuck that off every time. “The Monkey King” pushes forward in the guard, stacking Ogden up and disallowing him from setting anything up. From on top, Leavitt does not do much of note offensively, with an occasional strike coming but far more of a focus on top control. Ogden snags hold of an arm-in guillotine choke, and Leavitt suddenly has to defend in a dangerous position. Ogden locks it up and rolls to mount, and Leavitt is firmly in the danger zone. Leavitt scrambles, fighting off the legs to try to loosen the grip, and he rolls Ogden back over. “Samurai Ghost” keeps the choke as tight as it can be, and Leavitt does not seem remotely concerned, riding out the round and letting the horn sound to force a release in the choke.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ogden
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ogden
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ogden
Round 2
The second round begins with both men throwing kicks, and they push towards one another. As Ogden shoots in low, he ends up getting lifted up and the crown of his head cracks straight into Leavitt’s jaw. Tognoni calls the accidental headbutt foul and lets Leavitt recover, and Leavitt appears compromised and in pain, rubbing his chin from the clash of heads. Leavitt signifies he is good to go, and he begins up with his distance-keeping front kick assault. They may be slow and sporadic, but they are effective at keeping Ogden at bay. When Ogden kicks back at him, Leavitt checks the strikes, forcing Ogden to readjust his approach. Ogden rushes forward with a few punches to the body, and Leavitt holds his guard in more of a Philly shell than a standard hand guard position. “The Monkey King” ambles forward in pursuit of a takedown, only for his attempt to get stuffed with ease. Ogden backs his foe up towards the wall with his pressure, punching his way into a possible double-leg takedown try. Leavitt remains upright without much concern, but Ogden does manage to press him into the fencing. They separate, and Leavitt kicks at Ogden’s knee a few times with a stomping side kick. Ogden plods forward, keeping Leavitt backpedaling, but Leavitt does not stop spamming low kicks. Every time Ogden backs him up to the wall, Leavitt somehow manages to clear him out with a few kicks and crafty circling. The chipping leg kicks of Leavitt do enough to keep Ogden from unloading on him, but he cannot get much else offense going. Leavitt attempts another telegraphed takedown, and Ogden pushes him down and stands back up. Leavitt throws to punches, a low kick, and he spins awkwardly with a back fist. The spinning back fist does not connect, and Leavitt shakes his head as the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ogden
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ogden
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ogden
Round 3
As soon as the third round opens, Leavitt charges for a takedown. Ogden bowls him over, pushing “The Monkey King” to his back and claiming top position in a hurry. With a quick sweep, Leavitt manages to gain enough distance to push away and stand back up, and the two resume their striking battle. Ogden punches a few times, before pushing shoulder-first into a clinch. With sheer muscle, Ogden rips Leavitt down to the ground. Leavitt does not give this up lightly, but a concerted effort from Ogden allows him to wrench Leavitt down and then turn him to his knees. Leavitt still fights his way back up from his knees, and he fights out of a clinch and stings Ogden with a right hand. Another clean right hand from Leavitt leads to a weak takedown try from Ogden, and Ogden falls over to his back when Leavitt tackles him to the mat. Leavitt lowers himself into Ogden’s guard, and Ogden closes it around him to tie his foe up. Leavitt tries to soften Ogden up a little with short punches, but he abandons punches to grab hold of a can opener by gripping both hands behind the back of Ogden’s head. This does enough to open the guard for Leavitt, but little else comes from “The Monkey King” besides some scrambling to pass guard. Ogden effectively nullifies the attack of Leavitt while punching off his back and pushing off the hips, and the ground exchange is constantly busy from a control perspective. Leavitt stays on top until the final horn calls a stop to this odd fight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt (29-28 Ogden)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt (29-28 Ogden)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt (29-28 Ogden)
The Official Result
Jordan Leavitt def. Trey Ogden via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Trey Ogden, but is a little worried because it's Ogden's UFC debut and Jordan Leavitt's ground game is dangerous. He notes that Ogden is more well-rounded with solid takedowns and power, while Leavitt is a one-dimensional grappler with subpar striking and wrestling. He thinks Ogden's timing and blast doubles will be key.
Big Brady picks Trey Ogden to win by third-round submission. He notes Ogden is the better striker, wrestler, and has better cardio. He expects Ogden to take Leavitt down and eventually break him, getting a late finish. He acknowledges Leavitt's submission threat but notes Ogden is a BJJ black belt and that Leavitt slows down as fights go on.
Cody picks Ogden, citing his improved striking and wrestling. He thinks Ogden can neutralize Leavitt's grappling and win a decision. He notes Leavitt's limited skillset and Ogden's camp advantage.
Daniel Levi leans Trey Ogden contingent on him surviving the early scrambles. He notes Leavitt is a one-trick pony with good scrambling and submissions but fades if he doesn't get a quick finish. Ogden is more well-rounded, has finished a current UFC fighter (TJ Brown), and trains under James Krause. Levi sees it as 50/50 early but favors Ogden as the fight progresses.
Paul leans towards Ogden, noting his more complete game and better wrestling. He thinks Ogden can out-strike Leavitt and avoid submissions. He also bet under 2.5 rounds, expecting a finish.
The MMA Guru picks Jordan Leavitt by submission, noting that three of Trey Ogden's four losses are by submission. He believes Ogden's grappling-first style plays into Leavitt's strengths, and expects a first-round submission, possibly an arm triangle or rear-naked choke.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 22 of 37 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 3 | 0 | 2:48 |
| Matt Sayles | 0 | 13 of 34 | 38% | 13 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 18 of 28 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 0 | 2:44 |
| Matt Sayles | 0 | 4 of 17 | 23% | 4 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:38 | |
| 2 | Jordan Leavitt | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 4 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Matt Sayles | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 9 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Leavitt | 9 of 20 | 45% | 4 of 12 | 1 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 7 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Matt Sayles | 13 of 34 | 38% | 2 of 14 | 8 of 12 | 3 of 8 | 13 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Leavitt | 5 of 11 | 45% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Matt Sayles | 4 of 17 | 23% | 0 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jordan Leavitt | 4 of 9 | 44% | 2 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Matt Sayles | 9 of 17 | 52% | 2 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 3 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
We’re here! The final UFC fight card of the year is upon us, and a lucky number of fights (13) will make it to the finish line. Fights from the heaviest weight class to the lightest on the roster will treat fans across UFC Fight Night 199. We begin in the lightweight division, when Leavitt (8-1, 1-1 UFC) and the returning Sayles (8-3, 1-2 UFC) aim for their second wins inside the Octagon in this fun grappler vs. striker battle. Referee Chris Tognoni will preside over the first match of the evening, and the 155ers touch gloves to start the night. They start hand-fighting early on to find their range, and Leavitt kicks at his foe a few times right at the knee. Sayles fakes a knee-tap, and Leavitt goes up high with a front kick that skims Sayles’ face and shakes him up a little. “Robo” gathers himself in time to stop a clinch attempt that could have turned into a takedown from Leavitt, and he cocks back his right hand but does not let it go. Leavitt keeps his distance, skirting around on the outside of the cage, and he gets off a few kicks. Sayles jumps forward with a clubbing right hand, and whether because it hurt him or because he was setting a trap, Leavitt falls to his knees to pursue a takedown. Sayles stands him back up, only to wind up in a clinch where Leavitt pursues an inside trip. Leavitt drops to his knees, and Sayles flirts with a standing guillotine choke and presses his opponent to the wire with it. Leavitt pops his head out, hits the trip he was searching for, and puts Sayles on his back. “The Monkey King” climbs into half guard when Sayles hits the mat, and he starts to soften Sayles up with a few hammerfists and elbows. For good measure, he drops down a knee to the body, and Sayles fights his way to the wall so he can walk up. When he attempts to scramble, Leavitt scales him into mount, but he gets bucked off when Sayles gets his neck up against the fence. Sayles turns, and Leavitt wraps his arms around his opponent’s neck to set up an anaconda choke. Sayles twists and turns, all while Leavitt has the neck tied up, and they continue to roll through positions. As Sayles fights off the grip, Leavitt chains through to tie up a guillotine choke, but Sayles frees himself and gets back up for a moment. The Syndicate MMA fighter circles around to take Sayles’ back, but Sayles pushes off and smacks Leavitt a few times with looping punches right before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Leavitt
Round 2
They touch gloves to start off the round again, and Sayles goes low right after with a punch to the body. Leavitt looks to kick him in the face in response, only for Sayles to duck out of the way and circle on the outside of the fence. Sayles paws out a few left hands and kicks the leg, and they start smiling as they land on one another. Leavitt tries to shoot in for a takedown in close range, but Sayles sprawls and gets back to his feet to throw hands at his opponent. Leavitt appears out of sorts when engaging in a striking battle, kicking instead of punching and flopping around a little. Sayles pushes them out of the way to lance him with an overhand right, and Leavitt grabs hold of him. Pulling guard, Leavitt hits the ground while tying up a guillotine choke, but it is not there.
As Sayles wrenches himself free, they both hit the mat, and Leavitt slaps on an inverted triangle choke while Sayles is on his knees. Leavitt keeps tightly squeezed as he cinches up his legs, and Sayles is suddenly in big trouble as he is stuck in an awkward position with Leavitt holding on to him from the side as well. With no way out, Sayles taps on Leavitt’s backside with his fingers.
In his post-fight interview, Leavitt claims it is a “Monkey King” specialty, as he pulled off a maneuver rarely seen inside the Octagon.
The Official Result
Jordan Leavitt def. Matt Sayles R2 2:05 via Submission (Inverted Triangle Choke)
Angelo picks Matt Sayles because he is more well-rounded, with solid power, footwork, and 81% takedown defense. He notes that Jordan Leavitt is one-dimensional with subpar striking and wrestling, and that his only path to victory is on the ground. However, Angelo is hesitant because Leavitt is dangerous in that one aspect, and he considers a prop bet on Leavitt inside the distance with decision no action.
Big Brady picks Jordan Leavitt, citing Matt Sayles' long layoff, weight gain up to 250 lbs, and move up to lightweight as major concerns. He notes Leavitt's ground game is strong and expects him to get the fight to the mat and secure a submission. However, he admits he's not high on either fighter and plans to fade Leavitt in the future.
Cody leans Leavitt, thinking his grappling is far superior to Sayles's. He notes that Sayles has been off for two years, has poor grappling, and may struggle with weight cut. Cody thinks Leavitt can get the fight to the ground and submit Sayles, but he wants to see weigh-ins first.
Daniel Levi leans toward Matt Sayles despite concerns about his two-year layoff and weight ballooning. He believes Sayles has superior striking and firepower, and that Jordan Leavitt's grappling is his only path to victory. Levi notes that Leavitt's striking is terrible and he was exposed in his last fight. He thinks Sayles can survive early takedown attempts and piece Leavitt up on the feet, potentially getting a knockout. However, he is sketched out by the layoff and weight class change.
Jacob immediately put two units on Jordan Leavitt, believing he should be a 2-to-1 favorite. He cites Matt Sayles' two-year layoff due to ACL surgery and weight gain, and notes that Sayles throws many kicks which Leavitt can catch for takedowns. Jacob thinks Leavitt's open-mat takedowns and quickness will get the fight to the ground, where he has a submission advantage. He acknowledges Leavitt's last fight was embarrassing but expects him to get the job done.
The host does not make a clear moneyline pick, instead focusing on the under 2.5 rounds. He believes Matt Sayles could knock out Leavitt if he looks like his old self, or Leavitt could submit Sayles. He took a shot on the under 2.5 at -118, expecting violence either way.
Paul leans Sayles, citing Leavitt's poor stand-up and one-dimensional grappling. He thinks Sayles's striking is much better and he can keep the fight standing. However, Paul is concerned about Sayles's weight cut and two-year layoff, so he wants to see weigh-ins before betting.
The MMA Guru picks Jordan Leavitt due to a big grappling advantage over Matt Sayles. He notes that Sayles was easily submitted by Bryce Mitchell with a twister in the first round and looked lost on the ground. Leavitt has good grappling and should be able to take Sayles down and finish him. He predicts a late first-round arm triangle submission.
Expert Picks (6)
Big Brady struggles with this fight, calling it a tough call. He notes that Jordan Leavitt's striking is poor and his takedowns are not set up well, but when Leavitt gets on top he looks good. He acknowledges Claudio Puelles is a brown belt and may have improved training at Sanford MMA, but ultimately favors Leavitt's grappling on the mat. He says he will have zero action on this fight due to the line being too wide.
Cody picks Leavitt, noting his grappling advantage and Puelles' long layoff. He thinks Leavitt's jiu-jitsu will be too much. Cody is confident but notes the price is high.
Daniel picks Leavitt via close decision, citing his superior ground game and transitions. He notes that Puelles has improved and trains at Sanford MMA, but Leavitt's jiu-jitsu is a step ahead in scrambles. Daniel believes Leavitt will get top control and win rounds, possibly by submission if Puelles makes a mistake. He acknowledges Puelles could survive and grind out a win, but favors Leavitt's experience and grappling edge.
I'm not sold on Jordan Leavitt; he's one-dimensional with poor striking. Puelles has a striking advantage and can nullify Leavitt's grappling. I expect Puelles to win, possibly by knockout or decision.
Paul picks Leavitt confidently, citing his superior grappling and youth. He notes Puelles has been out for three years and looked poor in the UFC. Paul thinks Leavitt will dictate where the fight goes and win via submission or decision.
The Guru picks Jordan Leavitt, citing his nasty jiu-jitsu transitions and grinding style. He notes that lesser grapplers have had success against Puelles on the ground, referencing the Felipe Silva fight where Silva controlled Puelles before getting caught. He believes Leavitt's grappling will be too much and predicts a late first-round arm triangle submission.
Watched the fight and couldnt tell you what happened. Cladio got some takedowns?
Both doing weight training. Joaquim loves to stiffen the shoulders and start swinging. Claudio comfortable being choked.