Career Averages - André Muniz
Career Averages - Jacare Souza
No career stats available
André Muniz
Jacare Souza
André Muniz - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 1 | 25 of 50 | 50% | 26 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| André Muniz | 0 | 15 of 38 | 39% | 17 of 40 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 1 | 25 of 50 | 50% | 26 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| André Muniz | 0 | 15 of 38 | 39% | 17 of 40 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 25 of 50 | 50% | 20 of 45 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 21 |
| André Muniz | 15 of 38 | 39% | 6 of 20 | 2 of 10 | 7 of 8 | 15 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 25 of 50 | 50% | 20 of 45 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 21 |
| André Muniz | 15 of 38 | 39% | 6 of 20 | 2 of 10 | 7 of 8 | 15 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Shahbazyan (-290), Muniz (+235)
Round 1
It’s submission vs. striking in this next phrase of the prelims, with both athletes sporting finish rates north of 75% in this middleweight affair. Still just 27 years of age with a few camps behind him at Xtreme Couture, Shahbazyan (15-5, 8-5 UFC) is ready to turn the corner and become “The Golden Boy.” To get there, he will have to surpass grappling ace Muniz (24-7, 6-3 UFC), who no one will forget when he snapped the arm of “Jacare” Souza with a stellar armbar. Referee Mark Smith will be here for the match wherever it takes place, and the 185ers bump gloves to introduce themselves.
Shahbazyan moves to the center of the Octagon and blocks a quick head kick that leads things off, and he hops away from a subsequent sweeping calf kick. Muniz goes high with another kick, and Shahbazyan pitches a calf kick back his way. They jab at one another, and Muniz misses on a short combination of punches. Shahbazyan scores a body kick and takes a low kick on the way out, with the two seemingly trading blows one after the other. Muniz spins with a wheel kick, and when he plants his feet, he shoots for a takedown. Shahbazyan forces him to stand up and knees him in the torso, bullying the grappler against the fence and staying tight to him. Muniz falls to the ground to pursue a leglock, and Shahbazyan steps out of it and makes Muniz stand. Muniz gets back up and is ready to throw hands, and his head kick after bangs into the guard. Shahbazyan responds with a single solid left hook, and he splits the gloves with a right.
Muniz stays committed to body kicks, and he uses one to close the distance only for the younger fighter to push him towards the fencing. Muniz separates without much effort, and he defends a high kick he knows is coming. The Brazilian plants his heel on Shahbazyan’s side from a back kick, and his swinging hooks miss the mark by a matter of feet. Muniz catches a kick and tries to trip Shahbazyan up, but he abandons that and just slugs his way closer. Muniz goes after the calf and swings it out for a moment with Shahbazyan, who takes a right hand and is shaken up for a moment. Shahbazyan plants his feet and takes a body kick, so he backpedals as Muniz puts it on him. Muniz manages to drag Shahbazyan to the floor, and although he cannot keep him there, he does land a kick. Muniz opens up with big punches, and Shahbazyan clips him with a left hook that puts the Brazilian on ice skates.
The sheer momentum of Shahbazyan and his swinging left hands bowl Muniz to the floor, and he starts battering the downed man with punches and elbows. Muniz turns to his side to defend the beating, but Smith is watching closely and not seeing much intelligent defense. As Muniz appears to lose consciousness from the drubbing, Smith steps in to call a halt to the match before the buzzer
. It takes some time for Muniz to come to, but he manages to sit and stand up, and his team and medical professionals seat him on a stool to further recover. Meanwhile, that is three wins in a row for Shahbazyan, who may be knocking on the door of the top 15 again.
The Official Result
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Andre Muniz R1 4:58 via KO (Punches and Elbows)
Angelo sees this as a striker vs grappler matchup. He believes Edmen's striking advantage is wider than André's grappling advantage, and that Edmen can win by keeping the fight on the feet. He notes André's chin is starting to fail and that Edmen has good takedown defense when not tired. He also thinks the fight will not go the distance.
Big Brady believes André Muniz has a weak chin, citing his recent knockout losses and a delayed reaction to a shot. He notes that Muniz has been knocked out six times and all his losses are inside the distance. He thinks Shahbazyan has power and will knock out Muniz, likely in the first round. He predicts a first-round knockout for Shahbazyan.
Connor picks Muniz to keep it interesting, seeing a path where Muniz sucks Shahbazyan into a grappling hell early on, making Shahbazyan fight well but have a miserable time, leading to his typical panic and collapse. He notes that Muniz's aggressive grappling could overwhelm Shahbazyan, especially if Muniz commits to wrestling from the start.
The host is skeptical of Shahbazyan as a chalky favorite due to gas tank issues, but still expects him to walk Munz onto a big shot and win by knockout.
The MMA Guru picks Edmen Shahbazyan, believing his youth, power, and takedown defense will be key. He notes André Muniz's vulnerability to strikes and poor decision-making. He predicts a first-round TKO.
Zane picks Shahbazyan because he believes Muniz is a pure grappler who is not good at staying in control of a fight, unlike the fighters who have previously broken Shahbazyan (e.g., Derek Brunson, Jack Hermansson). He notes that Muniz is a risky, chancy grappler who can get a quick submission but is a mess standing, and Shahbazyan is a rangy, sharp shooter with good striking. However, he acknowledges the potential for Shahbazyan to meltdown.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ikram Aliskerov | 1 | 44 of 68 | 64% | 55 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| André Muniz | 0 | 16 of 36 | 44% | 16 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ikram Aliskerov | 1 | 44 of 68 | 64% | 55 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| André Muniz | 0 | 16 of 36 | 44% | 16 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ikram Aliskerov | 44 of 68 | 64% | 26 of 46 | 10 of 13 | 8 of 9 | 25 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 23 |
| André Muniz | 16 of 36 | 44% | 6 of 23 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 16 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ikram Aliskerov | 44 of 68 | 64% | 26 of 46 | 10 of 13 | 8 of 9 | 25 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 23 |
| André Muniz | 16 of 36 | 44% | 6 of 23 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 16 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aliskerov (-650), Muniz (+470)
Round 1
At long last, the main card is here for six matchups that hopefully promise violence for the packed arena. We kick things off in it with middleweight pairing that could get quite middleweighty when it is all said and done. Dagestan native Aliskerov (15-2, 2-1 UFC) hit a clear ceiling when Robert Whittaker pasted him last year, and he gets a bounce-back opportunity against armbar aficionado Muniz (24-6, 6-2 UFC). The Brazilian will present danger on the feet or the mat, so the KHK MMA fighter will need to be on his best behavior. Referee Jason Herzog will take charge of the proceedings, and the combatants bop gloves together. Aliskerov immediately assumes the center of the cage, where he says hello with a low kick. The two hand-fight in their alternating stances, even clasping their fingers together a few times. Aliskerov’s kicks land with thuds and not slaps, and Muniz eventually responds with one. Aliskerov kicks him to the side, and them midsection. Muniz answers with the latter, only to be bounced back with a straight right to the ribs. Muniz gets some space by offering out a right hand, and the two try to find their respective range. Aliskerov gets through with a clubbing right hand, and Muniz rebounds off the fence and tells Herzog that Aliskerov is about to poke him in the eye with his outstretched fingers. Aliskerov aims to the body with punches and a side kick, and he reaches Muniz with a right hand and gets caught in a clinch. Aliskerov elects to remain tied up, pushing the Brazilian to the wall and leaning on him heavily when not ramming knees into his gut. Aliskerov pushes out, and Muniz shoots for a single. Aliskerov pitches him to the side and fires off a head kick, and Muniz is out of the way. Muniz reaches with a low kick and a pair of punches, and Aliskerov skips his left hand over the guard and pushes a front kick down the middle. Aliskerov goes to the body with a heavier right hand, and he does the same a second time and ducks the counter that he sees coming. Muniz reaches his target with a left upstairs, and he jabs the body with a kick.
Aliskerov connects with a long left hand, and Muniz appears to need a second to register that his legs have buckled and awkwardly collapses to his back. Aliskerov pounces, hammering “Sergipano” with Donkey Kong-esque hammerfists and clobbering punches
. The Russian continues dropping down bombs, hearing the 10-second clapper and not slowing down. Herzog is cognizant of the time remaining in the round, but it does not matter, as he has seen enough with Aliskerov pounding on the wounded Muniz. Herzog gave the Brazilian every chance he could to survive, but the damage continued to accumulate and crossed the threshold for a good stoppage. In a daze, Muniz lays on his back for a time, but he eventually recovers and returns to his feet much to the delight of his team and the crowd.
The Official Result
Ikram Aliskerov def. Andre Muniz R1 4:54 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo is very confident in Ikram Aliskerov, expecting him to dominate with wrestling and pressure. He notes that Aliskerov's loss to Robert Whittaker was a quality loss and that he has strong takedowns and top control. André Muniz is a BJJ specialist who gets beaten up when facing wrestlers who aren't afraid of his jiu-jitsu.
Big Brady is confident in Ikram Aliskerov, questioning André Muniz's heart, cardio, and durability. He notes Muniz has been finished in all six losses, five by KO. He expects Aliskerov's power to end the fight early, predicting a first-round knockout.
Connor picks Aliskerov because he believes Aliskerov's striking power and finishing ability will catch Muniz, who has terrible striking defense. Muniz's wild overhands and crashing style leave him open to clean shots. Connor notes that Aliskerov has shown he can knock out opponents with one good strike, as seen against Phil Hawes and Warlley Alves. However, if Muniz makes it a grappling battle, Aliskerov could gas.
The host believes Aliskerov's wrestling will shut down Muniz's jiu-jitsu, keeping the fight standing where Aliskerov will find a big shot as Muniz slows down in the second or third round.
The MMA Guru picks Ikram Aliskerov to win by TKO in round two. He considers Aliskerov a much better fighter, slicker and more dynamic than Muniz. He notes Muniz's takedowns are obvious and slow, and expects Aliskerov to shut down grappling early and land clean shots. He references Aliskerov's short-notice loss to Whittaker as not indicative of his level.
Zane picks Muniz as the more proven quantity, noting that Aliskerov is still an unknown with a prospect game at age 32. Muniz's aggressive grappling and submission skills could overwhelm Aliskerov if the fight goes to the ground. Zane also mentions that Aliskerov's gas tank is questionable and he has been submitted before (Kimura losses). However, Muniz's striking is terrible and he could get knocked out.
Angelo picks Ikram Aliskerov confidently, stating that outside of a Hail Mary submission, André Muniz has no path to victory. He notes that Aliskerov is a strong wrestler with improving striking, while Muniz has been exposed by fighters who pressure him. He believes Aliskerov will dominate on the feet and can defend takedowns.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| André Muniz | 0 | 27 of 60 | 45% | 52 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 2:58 |
| JunYong Park | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 35 of 60 | 11 of 14 | 78% | 0 | 1 | 9:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | André Muniz | 0 | 13 of 17 | 76% | 20 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:45 |
| JunYong Park | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 10 of 11 | 5 of 6 | 83% | 0 | 0 | 3:07 | |
| 2 | André Muniz | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 16 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| JunYong Park | 0 | 9 of 16 | 56% | 21 of 37 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:16 | |
| 3 | André Muniz | 0 | 8 of 31 | 25% | 16 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:10 |
| JunYong Park | 0 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 4 of 12 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 2:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| André Muniz | 27 of 60 | 45% | 21 of 54 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 35 |
| JunYong Park | 14 of 30 | 46% | 10 of 25 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | André Muniz | 13 of 17 | 76% | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 15 |
| JunYong Park | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | André Muniz | 6 of 12 | 50% | 3 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| JunYong Park | 9 of 16 | 56% | 9 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | André Muniz | 8 of 31 | 25% | 7 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 20 |
| JunYong Park | 2 of 10 | 20% | 1 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Cody picks Park Jun-yong, citing his tenacity and cardio. He notes that Park is a go-getter who keeps coming forward and has solid striking and grappling. Cody is concerned about Park's tendency to give up his back when taken down, but he thinks Muniz's heart is questionable. He points out that Muniz has looked terrible in his last two fights and was outworked by Paul Craig. Cody believes Park will outwork Muniz and get a late TKO or decision.
Lucrative James believes the market is too low on Muniz after his recent losses, which he attributes to Paul Craig's unpredictability and a competitive fight against Brendan Allen. He highlights Muniz's powerful double-leg takedown and elite submission skills, noting that Park gets taken down in every fight and has given up his back. He sees a good chance of a submission in rounds 1-2, but acknowledges that if Muniz doesn't finish, Park's cardio could be a problem in later rounds. He agrees with the line movement and picks Muniz outright.
Paul also picks Park Jun-yong. He notes that Park is looking better than ever and mixes in submission skills. Paul is a little worried about Park giving up his back against a grappler like Muniz, but he thinks Park's volume and cardio will be decisive. He mentions that Uriah Hall survived Muniz's grappling for three rounds, and Park is a better striker. Paul believes the fight on the feet is not close and Park will win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Craig | 0 | 40 of 82 | 48% | 54 of 101 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:56 |
| André Muniz | 0 | 24 of 40 | 60% | 31 of 47 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:47 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Craig | 0 | 9 of 25 | 36% | 10 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| André Muniz | 0 | 13 of 23 | 56% | 15 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 | |
| 2 | Paul Craig | 0 | 31 of 57 | 54% | 44 of 75 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:56 |
| André Muniz | 0 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 16 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Craig | 40 of 82 | 48% | 31 of 66 | 8 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 50 |
| André Muniz | 24 of 40 | 60% | 15 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 7 | 15 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 12 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Craig | 9 of 25 | 36% | 1 of 10 | 7 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| André Muniz | 13 of 23 | 56% | 4 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 7 | 13 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Paul Craig | 31 of 57 | 54% | 30 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 50 |
| André Muniz | 11 of 17 | 64% | 11 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 12 |
Angelo is split between gut and brain. His gut leans toward Paul Craig's toughness and power, but his brain says Muniz has better wrestling and control. He notes Muniz looked old in his last fight but still gives a slight lean to Muniz because he can control with wrestling. He disagrees with the 2-1 odds on Muniz.
Big Brady picks André Muniz to win by first-round submission. He notes Muniz is a much better grappler than Craig, who relies on triangles off his back. He thinks Muniz can take Craig down and submit him, or knock him out on the feet. He mentions Craig's move to middleweight may affect his chin. He is confident Muniz has multiple paths to victory.
Cody thinks Muniz is a terrible matchup for Craig, with superior BJJ and better striking. He questions Craig's weight cut to 185 and notes Craig's wins often come from being dominated then catching a submission. He expects Muniz to roll.
Daniel is uncertain about this fight but sides with Muniz due to his experience at middleweight and his high-level jiu-jitsu. He acknowledges Paul Craig's dangerous guard and submission ability, noting Craig has submitted top light heavyweights. However, he is concerned about Craig dropping to 185 and thinks Muniz's grappling is a level above. He mentions that Muniz's last loss was due to fatigue, not skill, and that Craig's weight cut is a risk. He says he usually takes the dog when unsure but goes with the favorite here.
James picks Muniz to win by KO. He has a strong read on Muniz, having bet on him multiple times successfully. He believes Muniz is an elite jiu-jitsu player and that Craig won't be able to submit him. He thinks Muniz will crack Craig's chin, as Craig has a bad chin and Muniz hits hard. James notes that Muniz is dropping down in weight, which often doesn't go well, but he still expects a KO. He mentions that Muniz by KO is +350 on BetOnline and he hopes to find better odds elsewhere.
The host picks André Muniz, believing his BJJ black belt will keep him safe on the ground and that he is the better striker. He notes Craig's danger off his back but thinks Muniz can grind him out from top position. He predicts a decision win for Muniz.
Paul agrees, citing Muniz's superior Jiu-Jitsu and improved striking. He notes Craig's striking volume is very low and his wrestling is poor. He thinks Muniz will take Craig down and control him, though he doesn't love it as a lock.
The MMA Guru picks André Muniz, arguing that Paul Craig's wins come from opponents taking him down, and Craig has poor stand-up. He believes Muniz will stuff takedowns and keep the fight standing, where he has a striking advantage. The Guru recalls Muniz wobbling Uriah Hall and predicts a KO win. He also notes Craig's chinny nature and lack of submission threats from top position.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan Allen | 0 | 43 of 112 | 38% | 45 of 114 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| André Muniz | 0 | 42 of 102 | 41% | 64 of 129 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 4:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brendan Allen | 0 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 16 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| André Muniz | 0 | 19 of 47 | 40% | 19 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Brendan Allen | 0 | 11 of 34 | 32% | 13 of 36 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| André Muniz | 0 | 12 of 28 | 42% | 25 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:44 | |
| 3 | Brendan Allen | 0 | 16 of 38 | 42% | 16 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| André Muniz | 0 | 11 of 27 | 40% | 20 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 1:28 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan Allen | 43 of 112 | 38% | 25 of 88 | 8 of 13 | 10 of 11 | 43 of 111 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| André Muniz | 42 of 102 | 41% | 21 of 76 | 12 of 16 | 9 of 10 | 40 of 98 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brendan Allen | 16 of 40 | 40% | 7 of 28 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 16 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| André Muniz | 19 of 47 | 40% | 8 of 32 | 6 of 9 | 5 of 6 | 19 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brendan Allen | 11 of 34 | 32% | 7 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| André Muniz | 12 of 28 | 42% | 6 of 22 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | |
| 3 | Brendan Allen | 16 of 38 | 42% | 11 of 30 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| André Muniz | 11 of 27 | 40% | 7 of 22 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Muniz (-205), Allen (+175)
Round 1
A place among the top 10 at middleweight may loom for the victor of this match now serving as the main event. Muniz (23-4, 5-0 UFC) has yet to taste defeat since making his UFC debut in 2019, and he is fast approaching the company’s armbar record. Against him will be fellow willing grappler Allen (20-5, 8-2 UFC), and thrilling ground exchanges may ensue should this one hit the mat – although sometimes, the ground games cancel out and the two get things done with kickboxing instead. No matter where the fight ends up, referee Jason Herzog will be right there on top of the action. All class, the two 185ers touch gloves ahead of their scheduled melee. The two fighters in opposing stances gauge the range without throwing much of merit, other than a single leg kick on either side. Allen offers another low kick, and Muniz picks his leg up to give a partial check in time. Allen walks into a body kick as he chambers a right hand, and he shrugs it off and fires off another right over the top. Muniz front kicks the knee, and he backs off from a hook kick that whizzes past his face. Allen connects with a one-two that knocks the Brazilian back to the wall, shaking Muniz up briefly. Muniz fires back with a vengeance, swinging hard enough to make Allen think twice about coming in with an exchange. Muniz has two hooks bounce off the guard, and Allen catches him with a straight left and smiles. Allen absorbs a spinning kick to the midsection and bounces back, with Muniz’ corner loudly cheering from the audible impact. Allen recovers and strides forward to back Muniz up to the wall, where he lets go with a left hand and a body kick. Muniz replies with a trio of punches, driving Allen back briefly before Allen steps forward with a low kick and a pair of strikes up top. Muniz lines up a right hand that cracks Allen right on the temple, and Allen wears it well and looks for counters. When Allen scores a kick to the body, he ducks a huge right hand coming back from the Brazilian. Muniz pushes forward, ducking a punch, and he pursues a single and lifts Allen’s leg up to drag him away from the wall. Allen hops away and sprints to the fence to get his balance, and he keeps things upright. Allen overextends on a punch, and he just barely dodges oncoming fire aimed at his head. Muniz releases a body kick, and he pushes his hands out and his fingers scrape on Allen’s right eye. Herzog recognizes the accidental foul immediately, and Allen takes 30 seconds to blink it out before he is good to go. Allen strikes first with a fierce right hand, and he throws two more and has one of those blocked off the guard. Allen spins with a back kick to the body, Muniz answers with a flying knee, and Allen gathers his thoughts and strikes back with a superman punch before the bell sounds to end the close round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Round 2
The middleweights greet in the middle with a quick tap of fingers, and Allen reaches out with a right hand to start only to get countered with a body kick. The two trade shins to the midsection, and Muniz goes high with a pair of kicks. Allen rolls with both of them, and he steps through with a one-two down the pipe. The Brazilian measures another body kick, and he lunges with a subsequent right straight to surprise Allen. Allen steps through to spin with a back fist, grazing off the top of Muniz’ head, and Muniz answers with a few punches to the head in response. Allen steps in with a stomp kick to the knee, and Muniz lets three fists fly. Allen backs Muniz up to the wire to engage in a slugfest, and he pops Muniz and mixes in a knee for good measure. Muniz gathers his bearings and sneaks a right hand over the top, and they trade heavy strikes down the middle until “Sergipano” changes levels to take the fight down. When they hit the ground, Allen continues moving, and he manages to sweep Muniz over and put him on his back. Allen postures up to land an elbow, and Muniz wraps him up to prevent any additional blows. Allen pops up again to get off another cheeky elbow, picking his spots and damaging the bridge of Muniz’ nose a little to draw a thin trickle of blood. Allen continues to sneak in elbows as Muniz defends from the rest of the offense, and he uses them to step over into side control. Allen calmly uses presses his elbow on Muniz’ throat to hold him down, frustrating the Brazilian and landing a few punches before the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Round 3
There is a respectful bow and an embrace between the two sudden headliners, who are ready for one final round. Muniz spins with a back kick, and when it grazes off Allen’s forearm, Allen motions to it to poke fun at him. Muniz lets his hands go, drilling Allen in the head with a right hook. Allen takes it flush and fires back, and Muniz keeps throwing and marking Allen’s face up. The Brazilian backs off to measure his range, and he scores with a one-two and a body kick in rapid succession. Muniz kicks low and swings a left hand with a wide arc when Allen advances, and he knocks Allen off-balance in a combination. Allen gains his footing and shakes his finger at him. Muniz strings together a few punches, and Allen lands one square on the button. Muniz does not budge and instead throws back with a vengeance until Allen disengages. Muniz throws a kick, and Allen snatches it out of the air, scoops him up and throws him to the mat. The American lands in side control, and he quickly moves to full mount and pursues an arm-triangle choke. Muniz rolls to give up his back, and Allen changes to get both hooks in and pursue a rear-naked choke. Muniz hand-fights to keep himself safe from choke danger, and Allen switches his grip and goes for a rear-naked choke on the other side.
Incredibly, the forearm of “All In” slides all under the chin, and Muniz is in serious jeopardy. Allen squeezes with all his might with both hooks in, and Muniz realizes his goose is cooked. For the first time in his professional career, the Brazilian taps out, surrendering to the choke with less than a minute to go in the fight.
What a spectacular win for Allen, who catapults himself up the middleweight rankings by doing what very few expected. In his victorious post-fight interview, Allen calls for the UFC to travel to Louisiana, and he is ready for the final question by calling for fights against Sean Strickland, Chris Curtis, Jack Hermansson or Dricus Du Plessis. Whether any of those matches materialize, we will be there for them. Next week, however, we have a massive pay-per-view UFC event in Las Vegas, featuring the return of Jon Jones against Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight strap. We will undoubtedly be here for UFC 285, and we hope you are too.
The Official Result
Brendan Allen def. Andre Muniz R3 4:25 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Muniz because he is a little too good for Allen. He notes that Allen has gotten lucky battling through bad positions, but this is where that luck runs out. Connor emphasizes Muniz's technical grappling and ability to force submissions, and while Allen is a confident grappler, Muniz's pressure and chain wrestling will be decisive.
Zane picks Muniz because of his superior positional grappling and chain wrestling. He notes that Muniz is a much better back-taker than Jacob Malcolm, who repeatedly took Allen down with single legs. Zane highlights Muniz's ability to cut through guards and create pressure, and while Allen is a tough grappler who scrambles well, Muniz's technical edge should prevail. He also mentions Muniz's tendency to gas in the third round but believes his early dominance will be enough.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| André Muniz | 0 | 6 of 26 | 23% | 24 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 0:18 |
| Uriah Hall | 0 | 17 of 39 | 43% | 99 of 185 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 10:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | André Muniz | 0 | 0 of 8 | 0% | 1 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Uriah Hall | 0 | 7 of 17 | 41% | 29 of 58 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:41 | |
| 2 | André Muniz | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 14 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:07 |
| Uriah Hall | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 52 of 86 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 3:28 | |
| 3 | André Muniz | 0 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:11 |
| Uriah Hall | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 18 of 41 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| André Muniz | 6 of 26 | 23% | 6 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 |
| Uriah Hall | 17 of 39 | 43% | 11 of 31 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 5 | 12 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | André Muniz | 0 of 8 | 0% | 0 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Uriah Hall | 7 of 17 | 41% | 5 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | |
| 2 | André Muniz | 6 of 15 | 40% | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 |
| Uriah Hall | 5 of 13 | 38% | 4 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | André Muniz | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Uriah Hall | 5 of 9 | 55% | 2 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo leans toward Muniz, highlighting his dangerous BJJ and clean striking entries. He worries that Uriah Hall may be timid and slow to let his hands go, giving Muniz openings. He notes that Hall has never been submitted but Muniz broke Jacare's arm, and calls the odds wide at 3-to-1, suggesting Hall could be a live underdog.
Big Brady is confident in André Muniz, citing his impressive submission wins over Jacare Souza and others. He believes Muniz will submit Uriah Hall in the first round, despite Hall never being submitted. He notes Muniz's suspect cardio and chin, but thinks the fight ends early on the mat.
Cody thinks Muniz's BJJ is world-class and he will submit Hall if he gets top position. He notes Muniz's striking is poor and he's been knocked out before, so he prefers the submission prop over the moneyline.
Daniel Levi confidently picks André Muniz, citing his improved wrestling and submission game. He notes that Muniz has shown blast doubles and submissions, including submitting Jacare. Levi believes Muniz will take Hall down and become the first to submit him in the UFC. He acknowledges Hall's explosive power but notes his low output and inconsistency.
Hall has never been submitted and showed great grappling defense against ACJ. Muniz's cardio looked poor in the Antonio Arroyo fight. Hall has knockout power and could put Muniz away early. The line is too wide; Hall's submission defense and striking give him a live dog shot.
Paul agrees with Cody that Muniz by submission is the play. He notes Hall has never been submitted in the UFC but thinks Muniz's BJJ is on another level. He has a half unit on Muniz by sub at -110.
The MMA Guru picks André Muniz to win by submission in the first round via rear-naked choke. He emphasizes Uriah Hall's inconsistency and poor grappling defense, noting that Sean Strickland took Hall down four times. He believes Muniz's power on the feet and athleticism will set up takedowns, and once on the ground, Muniz's submission game will be too much for Hall.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| André Muniz | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 12 of 20 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Eryk Anders | 0 | 3 of 13 | 23% | 3 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | André Muniz | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 12 of 20 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Eryk Anders | 0 | 3 of 13 | 23% | 3 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| André Muniz | 8 of 16 | 50% | 6 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Eryk Anders | 3 of 13 | 23% | 0 of 8 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | André Muniz | 8 of 16 | 50% | 6 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Eryk Anders | 3 of 13 | 23% | 0 of 8 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Eryk Anders as an underdog, but with low confidence. He notes that Muniz is a phenomenal grappler with a wizard-like BJJ, but his striking is poor and he has been knocked out in all four losses. Anders has good takedown defense (76%) and power, and if he can stuff takedowns and extend the fight, he can finish Muniz by knockout. However, if the fight hits the mat, Muniz is extremely dangerous. Brady is concerned about Muniz's cardio and Anders' fight IQ.
Daniel Levi picks Eryk Anders to upset André Muniz. He argues that Muniz will have difficulty taking Anders down due to Anders' size and strength, and that Anders' jiu-jitsu is good enough to survive on the mat. Levi notes that Anders has never been submitted and rarely taken down. On the feet, he believes Anders throws more and has knockout power. Levi acknowledges Muniz's elite jiu-jitsu but thinks Anders can sprawl-and-brawl to a decision or KO.
The MMA Guru picks André Muniz to win by first-round submission (rear-naked choke). He highlights Muniz's dangerous grappling, as seen in his armbar win over Jacaré. He notes Anders is taking the fight on short notice and has been taken down before. He suggests a live bet on Anders if the fight goes to the third round, as Muniz has slowed down in the past.
Jacare Souza - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| André Muniz | 0 | 11 of 19 | 57% | 15 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 19 of 26 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 1:10 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | André Muniz | 0 | 11 of 19 | 57% | 15 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 19 of 26 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 1:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| André Muniz | 11 of 19 | 57% | 5 of 13 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 |
| Jacare Souza | 7 of 12 | 58% | 3 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | André Muniz | 11 of 19 | 57% | 5 of 13 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 |
| Jacare Souza | 7 of 12 | 58% | 3 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Souza has fought much better competition and is levels above Muniz. Muniz has poor takedown defense and has been knocked out in all four losses. Souza is a BJJ black belt who won't get submitted, and he has power. I think Souza takes Muniz down and finishes him by knockout, as Muniz's chin is suspect.
Cody picks Souza, arguing that Muniz's takedown defense is poor and Souza can take him down. He notes that Muniz's striking is not good enough to knock out Souza, and Souza has the advantage in both striking and grappling. Cody believes Souza will win by controlling the fight on the ground.
Daniel Levi picks André Muniz, citing Jacare's age (41) and recent decline, especially the Kevin Holland loss. He notes that Muniz is a credentialed jiu-jitsu player and younger (31), and believes Muniz can attack off his back and outgrapple the older Jacare. Levi thinks Jacare's durability and ability to break opponents have diminished, and expects Muniz to win by decision or submission.
The host picks Jacare Souza, giving him the jiu-jitsu advantage and noting his heavy strikes should get the fight to the ground. He acknowledges Souza is 41 and has a questionable chin after the Holland KO, but thinks he still has enough to grind out Muniz. He predicts a decision win and says he is not going to the betting window on this one.
Paul picks Souza, believing he still has one good fight left. He notes that Souza's grappling is elite and Muniz's striking is poor. Paul thinks Souza can dictate where the fight takes place and has the advantage on the ground. He acknowledges Souza's recent KO loss but points out that prior to that, Souza was competitive with top guys.
The MMA Guru picks André Muniz to win by submission in the first round. He believes Jacare is too old and has declined significantly, as evidenced by Kevin Holland making his grappling look good. He thinks Muniz's athleticism on the ground will be too much for the slower Jacare, and predicts Muniz will catch Jacare on the feet or in a scramble and secure an armbar.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Holland | 0 | 15 of 18 | 83% | 21 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Holland | 0 | 15 of 18 | 83% | 21 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Holland | 15 of 18 | 83% | 14 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 14 |
| Jacare Souza | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Holland | 15 of 18 | 83% | 14 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 14 |
| Jacare Souza | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In a potential middleweight passing of the torch match – see also the previous bout – Holland (20-5, 7-2 UFC) will look to earn his fifth UFC win of the year against “Jacare” Souza (26-8, 1 NC; 9-5, 1 NC UFC). Thirteen years separate these two contenders, and referee Mark Smith will keep charge of the cage in this one. They touch gloves, and Holland lets loose a huge overhand right and a leg kick. Souza grabs his leg and hits a takedown, where Holland pulls his leg up to trap Souza and elbow him in the head like Anderson Silva did to Travis Lutter. Souza turns to try to get out of this position, and Holland powers back to his feet. Souza grips hold of a double, and then a single as Holland elbows his way out of danger. Holland latches on to a guillotine choke, and Souza pulls his head out and drops his opponent down. Holland starts talking trash while on his back, and Souza laughs and punches him in the face. Holland from his back nails Souza in the face with a huge right hand, and Souza falls to his back and gets blasted with another big right hand. “Jacare” leans backward as he is incredibly hurt while on his knees, and Holland springs up and drills Souza in the face with three lethal punches to completely shut Souza’s lights out. A few moments later, Souza manages to slump to his stool, and he nearly passes out again from the massive damage he received. Incredible! Holland has now won five fights this year, and done so in just seven impressive months. In his post-fight interview, Holland calls out Khamzat Chimaev to come up to greet him at 185 pounds next week.
The Official Result
Kevin Holland def. Ronaldo Souza R1 1:45 via KO (Punches)
Big Brady picks Jacare Souza to win by submission. He is concerned about Holland's poor takedown defense and submission history, and believes if Souza gets the fight to the mat, it's over. He notes Souza's superior competition and Holland's negative fight IQ. He passes on betting due to line movement but leans Souza.
Daniel is torn, acknowledging Holland's youth, reach, and hunger, but worried about his takedown defense and submission vulnerability. He notes Jacare's age and potential decline, but respects his jiu-jitsu. He picks Holland as a contrarian play since the line flipped, but calls it a very unconfident pick.
Souza is a high-level jiu-jitsu player who should be able to take Holland down and submit him. Holland has shown poor takedown defense and was submitted by Brendan Allen. Souza is older but still competitive, and his grappling is a huge threat. The line should be flipped; Souza is the better fighter here.
The MMA Guru picks Jacare Souza as an underdog, despite liking Kevin Holland. He believes Souza's chin, experience, and full camp will be key. He expects Holland to have a good first round but Souza to wear on him and get a submission win in the third round. He criticizes Holland's rapid fight schedule and lack of improvement.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan Błachowicz | 0 | 71 of 170 | 41% | 105 of 205 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 20 of 48 | 41% | 56 of 88 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 8:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan Błachowicz | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 17 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 7 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:30 | |
| 2 | Jan Błachowicz | 0 | 15 of 38 | 39% | 21 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 16 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:28 | |
| 3 | Jan Błachowicz | 0 | 16 of 44 | 36% | 22 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 14 of 21 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:26 | |
| 4 | Jan Błachowicz | 0 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 23 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 1 of 9 | 11% | 15 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:22 | |
| 5 | Jan Błachowicz | 0 | 15 of 38 | 39% | 22 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan Błachowicz | 71 of 170 | 41% | 38 of 121 | 13 of 20 | 20 of 29 | 59 of 154 | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 20 of 48 | 41% | 8 of 28 | 3 of 10 | 9 of 10 | 18 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan Błachowicz | 8 of 16 | 50% | 2 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jan Błachowicz | 15 of 38 | 39% | 8 of 29 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 15 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 9 of 15 | 60% | 3 of 7 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jan Błachowicz | 16 of 44 | 36% | 7 of 30 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 13 of 40 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 7 of 14 | 50% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Jan Błachowicz | 17 of 34 | 50% | 10 of 24 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 14 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 1 of 9 | 11% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Jan Błachowicz | 15 of 38 | 39% | 11 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 8 | 13 of 34 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
We have reached our main event of the evening, as Blachowicz (24-8, 7-5 UFC) looks to spoil the light heavyweight debut of Souza (26-7, 1 NC; 9-4 UFC) like he did to Luke Rockhold in his last bout. With Brazilian fighters 3-3-1 throughout the night against foreign opponents, this one is for all the proverbial marbles. The headlining bout is under the watchful eye of referee Kevin MacDonald, and with two sportsmanlike shakes of the hands and glove touch to boot, we are underway! Souza starts out feinting and ducking down, but Blachowicz is the one who strikes first with a low leg kick. As he goes after another, Souza shoots in for an early takedown, and Blachowicz stuffs it and stands up with his back against the cage. Souza looks for a trip when they are clinched, but the Pole keeps his balance and defends from persistent attacks. Souza lands a couple foot stops, and a short body shot as he leans heavy on his man. Blachowicz pushes off and they get back to the center of the cage, where "Jacare" throws a long punch to the body and a leg kick as he circles around in herky-jerky fashion. Another low kick finds its home from Blachowicz, but he is largely throwing single strikes as to not overcommit and risk getting planted on his back. A quick head kick comes up from Blachowicz, but the Brazilian is able to block it in time. Souza leaps forward with a right hand to close the distance, and is clipped with an uppercut coming in but gets back to grinding Blachowicz against the cage wall. Blachowicz slams in a solid knee to the midsection, and even briefly tries to hit a trip, before bailing on it and throwing an upward elbow. Blachowicz punches to the thigh and then brings up a short knee, and Souza cannot get him down as the time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Souza
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Souza
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Souza
Round 2
A touch of gloves clock in the second round, and Blachowicz starts out with a kick to his opponent's knee. He then lands a body kick, and as Souza rushes in, he tries to counter with an uppercut but the Brazilian backs off in time. A low kick from Blachowicz is followed by a few jabs, and they both clank solid right hands off each other’s' jaws and disengage. "Jacare" slaps Blachowicz with a heavy leg kick, so the Pole returns fire as the crowd grows increasingly restless. Souza comes at him from a great distance with a double leg takedown attempt, and Blachowicz sees it from a mile away and stuffs it, but he is stuck with his back against the cage wall like much of the opening frame. Souza changes levels to go after a takedown, and Blachowicz is wise to it and pulls him back up, and brings up a knee for good measure. If Mike Goldberg were calling this fight, he would have almost undoubtedly let his "embrace the grind" catchphrase fly by now. Blachowicz separates and takes the center of the Octagon, and Souza is quick to follow. They trade single body kicks, and Souza slowly walks his opponent down but Blachowicz throws a few jabs to back him off. A sweeping low kick comes from Souza, and this time Blachowicz retires with a right to the body and left to the head that makes "Jacare" dart away briefly. The low kick lands again from Souza, and he follows it with a crisp right hand that makes Blachowicz nearly bounce off the fence, but he comes back and throws a spinning wheel kick that is several feet away from his target. This slow round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Souza
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Souza
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Souza
Round 3
This round, like the first two, starts with a glove touch and then a leg kick from Blachowicz. "Jacare" returns fire with one that is much heavier, and Blachowicz tries to respond with one but the power difference in these kicks is substantial. Souza just misses with a right hand, and Blachowicz doubles up with a jab before charging in with a series of punches that only partially land. Souza counters with a right over the top, and barely misses with another right as he pushes in for the clinch. Souza leans heavy, and throws a few mild body shots while Blachowicz responds with some short knees. The Pole breaks free and then turns into a leg kick, and as he throws another, Souza checks it. The Brazilian throws one back and Blachowicz lifts his leg up. A jab comes from Blachowicz, and then a low kick, followed by a jab, and while they land, they are hardly showing an effect. Souza presses forward and wings a right hand, while changing levels to hit a double leg takedown. Souza nearly sweeps the leg but Blachowicz recovers underhooks and reverses the position, lands a shot and breaks free. The two stand in front of one another for a good 30 seconds, until Souza explodes with a right hand that lands, leading to a quick reply from Blachowicz that ends the round. Each of these three so far have been very uneventful and difficult to score.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Blachowicz
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Souza
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Souza
Round 4
A half-hearted head kick comes from Souza to begin the round, and the pace has waned to a crawl. Blachowicz scores a few jabs, and "Jacare" looks to come back but it is nothing doing. As he lands a few more, Souza tries to fire back with heavy shots, and Blachowicz backs off. As Souza rushes in to engage the clinch, Blachowicz catches him on the way in with a few sharp punches, but the Brazilian ignores them to hang on to his opponent. The crowd groans, and lights start to appear in the darkness and begin waving back and forth, voicing and displaying their disapproval for this drag of a fight. Blachowicz separates with a left hand, and then snaps out a jab, but does not do more. A low kick nearly makes Blachowicz trip over, and then he throws one back that causes Souza to stumble. Another few kicks from Blachowicz land, and Souza has started to limp while Blachowicz grins at him. Blachowicz comes up high with a head kick and Souza blocks it, before throwing a low kick that the Brazilian attempts to check it. An inside kick comes up high and Souza complains about a groin shot, but Blachowicz cries foul and the referee says it was not a low blow. Blachowicz comes at him with a body kick and is walking Souza down, and the fourth period ends while we can see the visible damage and swelling of Blachowicz' left foot -- it is transforming into a "balewn."
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Blachowicz
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Blachowicz
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Blachowicz
Round 5
The men touch gloves for one final time, and Blachowicz throws a jab and a low kick as he switches stances. Another kick from Blachowicz's back leg scores, and as Souza rushes in to land a takedown, like many times before, Blachowicz stuffs it and stands up him with his back pressed firmly against the fence. Souza tries to quickly change levels and hit a takedown and Blachowicz staves it off with a slew of punches. From a distance, "Jacare" races forward and goes after a double, but he cannot land it and we go back to the position from before. MacDonald finally separates the two, as he likely should have in the earlier rounds, halfway into Round 5. A head kick from Blachowicz comes up but it is short, and a low kick is also shy of the mark. Souza swings hard into a leg kick but misses, and Blachowicz tags him with a left hand. Souza storms in low for a takedown and gets blasted with an uppercut that makes him slip around like he is on ice skates. Whether a knockdown or a severe slip, Souza ate that on the chin and then took a few more punches along the way. "Jacare" regains his composure but has completely stopped throwing anything from any of his eight limbs. Blachowicz picks at him with a few leg kicks and jabs, misses with one last head kick, and this fight is mercifully over. Both men raise their arms in the air to celebrate their victory, but neither should be happy with that 25-minute display.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Blachowicz (48-47 Blachowicz)
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Blachowicz (48-47 Souza)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Blachowicz (48-47 Souza)
The Official Result
Jan Blachowicz def. Ronaldo Souza via Split Decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Hermansson | 0 | 90 of 175 | 51% | 120 of 205 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 148 of 372 | 39% | 256 of 496 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 | 0 | 6:51 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Hermansson | 0 | 7 of 17 | 41% | 26 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 26 of 44 | 59% | 29 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:32 | |
| 2 | Jack Hermansson | 0 | 8 of 12 | 66% | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 9 of 25 | 36% | 107 of 139 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:59 | |
| 3 | Jack Hermansson | 0 | 30 of 50 | 60% | 30 of 50 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 28 of 81 | 34% | 28 of 81 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 4 | Jack Hermansson | 0 | 19 of 40 | 47% | 22 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 50 of 123 | 40% | 50 of 123 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 | |
| 5 | Jack Hermansson | 0 | 26 of 56 | 46% | 32 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 35 of 99 | 35% | 42 of 106 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Hermansson | 90 of 175 | 51% | 65 of 141 | 24 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 74 of 154 | 15 of 20 | 1 of 1 |
| Jacare Souza | 148 of 372 | 39% | 96 of 313 | 32 of 36 | 20 of 23 | 120 of 339 | 24 of 29 | 4 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Hermansson | 7 of 17 | 41% | 5 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 26 of 44 | 59% | 9 of 25 | 10 of 10 | 7 of 9 | 18 of 36 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jack Hermansson | 8 of 12 | 66% | 7 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jacare Souza | 9 of 25 | 36% | 6 of 20 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | |
| 3 | Jack Hermansson | 30 of 50 | 60% | 21 of 37 | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 27 of 47 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 28 of 81 | 34% | 14 of 67 | 5 of 5 | 9 of 9 | 26 of 78 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Jack Hermansson | 19 of 40 | 47% | 16 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 33 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 50 of 123 | 40% | 41 of 112 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 44 of 113 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Jack Hermansson | 26 of 56 | 46% | 16 of 43 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 48 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 35 of 99 | 35% | 26 of 89 | 8 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 27 of 91 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 68 of 193 | 35% | 76 of 201 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Chris Weidman | 1 | 74 of 132 | 56% | 100 of 158 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacare Souza | 0 | 23 of 68 | 33% | 23 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Chris Weidman | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 15 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jacare Souza | 0 | 26 of 64 | 40% | 34 of 72 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Chris Weidman | 0 | 31 of 59 | 52% | 50 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jacare Souza | 0 | 19 of 61 | 31% | 19 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Chris Weidman | 1 | 29 of 43 | 67% | 35 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacare Souza | 68 of 193 | 35% | 52 of 171 | 14 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 61 of 182 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Chris Weidman | 74 of 132 | 56% | 42 of 89 | 24 of 31 | 8 of 12 | 57 of 109 | 15 of 21 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacare Souza | 23 of 68 | 33% | 21 of 65 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 66 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Chris Weidman | 14 of 30 | 46% | 5 of 16 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 11 of 27 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jacare Souza | 26 of 64 | 40% | 16 of 50 | 8 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 23 of 58 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Chris Weidman | 31 of 59 | 52% | 19 of 43 | 10 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 21 of 46 | 9 of 12 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Jacare Souza | 19 of 61 | 31% | 15 of 56 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Chris Weidman | 29 of 43 | 67% | 18 of 30 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 36 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelvin Gastelum | 0 | 64 of 115 | 55% | 78 of 129 | 1 of 9 | 11% | 1 | 1 | 3:28 |
| Jacare Souza | 1 | 53 of 145 | 36% | 57 of 149 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelvin Gastelum | 0 | 21 of 22 | 95% | 32 of 33 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 2:57 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 7 of 7 | 100% | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 | |
| 2 | Kelvin Gastelum | 0 | 24 of 56 | 42% | 24 of 56 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Jacare Souza | 1 | 24 of 73 | 32% | 24 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 | |
| 3 | Kelvin Gastelum | 0 | 19 of 37 | 51% | 22 of 40 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 22 of 65 | 33% | 24 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelvin Gastelum | 64 of 115 | 55% | 42 of 84 | 21 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 42 of 90 | 8 of 11 | 14 of 14 |
| Jacare Souza | 53 of 145 | 36% | 44 of 133 | 7 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 41 of 125 | 9 of 10 | 3 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelvin Gastelum | 21 of 22 | 95% | 14 of 14 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 7 | 14 of 14 |
| Jacare Souza | 7 of 7 | 100% | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kelvin Gastelum | 24 of 56 | 42% | 15 of 40 | 9 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 54 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 24 of 73 | 32% | 20 of 67 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | |
| 3 | Kelvin Gastelum | 19 of 37 | 51% | 13 of 30 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 35 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 22 of 65 | 33% | 21 of 63 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 62 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacare Souza | 1 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 9 of 21 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Derek Brunson | 0 | 8 of 34 | 23% | 8 of 34 | 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 | Jacare Souza | 1 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 9 of 21 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Derek Brunson | 0 | 8 of 34 | 23% | 8 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacare Souza | 9 of 21 | 42% | 7 of 10 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
| Derek Brunson | 8 of 34 | 23% | 5 of 28 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 8 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 | Jacare Souza | 9 of 21 | 42% | 7 of 10 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
| Derek Brunson | 8 of 34 | 23% | 5 of 28 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Whittaker | 0 | 9 of 36 | 25% | 13 of 40 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Jacare Souza | 1 | 55 of 110 | 50% | 57 of 112 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Whittaker | 0 | 5 of 24 | 20% | 8 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Jacare Souza | 0 | 18 of 39 | 46% | 19 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Robert Whittaker | 0 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 5 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jacare Souza | 1 | 37 of 71 | 52% | 38 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Whittaker | 9 of 36 | 25% | 6 of 31 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 32 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 55 of 110 | 50% | 47 of 97 | 7 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 40 of 85 | 1 of 4 | 14 of 21 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Whittaker | 5 of 24 | 20% | 4 of 21 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 18 of 39 | 46% | 15 of 34 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Robert Whittaker | 4 of 12 | 33% | 2 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacare Souza | 37 of 71 | 52% | 32 of 63 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 23 of 47 | 0 of 3 | 14 of 21 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Whittaker tests the range with some long left hands and denies the first attempt by "Jacare" to tie up near the fence. Ninety seconds in, Souza gets the clinch and pins Whittaker to the fence, hits the Australian with a few knees inside and then takes him down. Whittaker tries to roll into top position but Souza keeps hold of an ankle and maintains control on the ground. Whittaker gets back to his feet, gets taken down again and has to escape quickly as Souza tries to take the back. The middleweights are back to striking in the center of the cage with two minutes on the clock. A big left from Whittaker knocks an off-balance Jacare to the ground, but the Brazilian is back on his feet without absorbing damage. Whittaker is starting to find the range with his hands now, clipping Souza with another right hand, now an uppercut. Souza takes back some ground with a pair of blasting overhand rights of his own as they hit the final minute of round one. Whittaker counters a wild punch from Souza with a speedy left-handed counter, then backs up the BJJ black belt with a straight left at the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Whittaker
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Whittaker
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Whittaker
Round 2
A massive right hand from Whittaker floors "Jacare" in the first 30 seconds of the round. Whittaker tries to pounce and pound out his wounded opponent, but Souza ties him up in guard and limits the space for striking. Whittaker backs off, stands and wants Souza to do the same. Now it's Souza circling around the edge of the cage, circling directly into a right high kick from Whittaker. The tables have turned as Whittaker stalks from the center, picking his shots as Souza tries to clear the cobwebs. Souza remains on unsteady feet through the middle of the round, and Whittaker does not let up on the pressure. Another right high kick to the face puts "Jacare" on wobbly legs; Whittaker hustles him to the floor and begins punching away, though Souza is avoiding many of the strikes by using his legs to push the standing Whittaker away. Souza rolls to his knees, and referee Mario Yamasaki picks a strange time to step in for the stoppage. Souza, who was clearly hurt from the head kick and ate several punches on the ground, appeared to be moving toward a better position. Nonetheless, the ref's decision stands, and Robert Whittaker has pulled off the upset.
The Official Result
Robert Whittaker def. Ronaldo Souza via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) R2 3:28
Expert Picks (6)
Souza has fought much better competition and is levels above Muniz. Muniz has poor takedown defense and has been knocked out in all four losses. Souza is a BJJ black belt who won't get submitted, and he has power. I think Souza takes Muniz down and finishes him by knockout, as Muniz's chin is suspect.
Cody picks Souza, arguing that Muniz's takedown defense is poor and Souza can take him down. He notes that Muniz's striking is not good enough to knock out Souza, and Souza has the advantage in both striking and grappling. Cody believes Souza will win by controlling the fight on the ground.
Daniel Levi picks André Muniz, citing Jacare's age (41) and recent decline, especially the Kevin Holland loss. He notes that Muniz is a credentialed jiu-jitsu player and younger (31), and believes Muniz can attack off his back and outgrapple the older Jacare. Levi thinks Jacare's durability and ability to break opponents have diminished, and expects Muniz to win by decision or submission.
The host picks Jacare Souza, giving him the jiu-jitsu advantage and noting his heavy strikes should get the fight to the ground. He acknowledges Souza is 41 and has a questionable chin after the Holland KO, but thinks he still has enough to grind out Muniz. He predicts a decision win and says he is not going to the betting window on this one.
Paul picks Souza, believing he still has one good fight left. He notes that Souza's grappling is elite and Muniz's striking is poor. Paul thinks Souza can dictate where the fight takes place and has the advantage on the ground. He acknowledges Souza's recent KO loss but points out that prior to that, Souza was competitive with top guys.
The MMA Guru picks André Muniz to win by submission in the first round. He believes Jacare is too old and has declined significantly, as evidenced by Kevin Holland making his grappling look good. He thinks Muniz's athleticism on the ground will be too much for the slower Jacare, and predicts Muniz will catch Jacare on the feet or in a scramble and secure an armbar.
Cardio for Edmen didnt look great. Andre looked big, got caught on the ear and then Edmen swarmed, gnp finish ( nice elbows)