Career Averages - Luis Saldaña
Career Averages - Jordan Griffin
Luis Saldaña
Jordan Griffin
Luis Saldaña - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 73 of 157 | 46% | 86 of 170 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Luis Saldaña | 2 | 91 of 176 | 51% | 96 of 181 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 3:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 34 of 55 | 61% | 34 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Luis Saldaña | 2 | 44 of 80 | 55% | 44 of 80 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 15 of 38 | 39% | 23 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 18 of 33 | 54% | 20 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:22 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 24 of 64 | 37% | 29 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 29 of 63 | 46% | 32 of 66 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 73 of 157 | 46% | 53 of 133 | 17 of 19 | 3 of 5 | 70 of 154 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 91 of 176 | 51% | 46 of 108 | 14 of 24 | 31 of 44 | 85 of 166 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 34 of 55 | 61% | 23 of 41 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 33 of 54 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 44 of 80 | 55% | 22 of 49 | 6 of 11 | 16 of 20 | 39 of 72 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 5 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 15 of 38 | 39% | 12 of 34 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 15 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 18 of 33 | 54% | 9 of 19 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 9 | 18 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 24 of 64 | 37% | 18 of 58 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 62 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 29 of 63 | 46% | 15 of 40 | 5 of 8 | 9 of 15 | 28 of 61 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Sean Woodson over Luis Saldaña. He praises Woodson's boxing and range management, noting that he actually knows how to use his reach effectively. He acknowledges Saldaña is a versatile striker with good movement, but doubts his 20% takedown accuracy will be enough to get the fight to the ground. Without the takedown threat, Angelo sees this as a kickboxing match where Woodson is the superior striker. He mentions Woodson's 81% takedown defense and recent power showcase.
Big Brady is confident in Sean Woodson. He notes that Luis Saldaña has a horrendous gas tank, gassing out in the second round in multiple fights, and puts his hands on his hips or knees when tired. Woodson has a huge reach advantage (79 vs 73 inches) and excellent cardio. Brady expects Woodson to mix in body shots and finish Saldaña in the second or third round by knockout. He believes Saldaña's cardio issues will be his downfall.
Cody picks Woodson, emphasizing his reach and boxing. He thinks Woodson's jab and range control will be key, and that Saldaña's kicks will be countered. He notes Woodson's output and thinks Saldaña will drown under the pace.
Daniel Levi picks Sean Woodson to win, citing Woodson's massive physical advantages (6'2" with 78-inch reach at featherweight). He notes that Luis Saldaña has cardio issues even at sea level, and in the elevation of Salt Lake City, Saldaña will fade in the second and third rounds. Levi believes Woodson will pull away down the stretch and has been paying his dues against good competition.
Woodson's long-range boxing and takedown defense should be too much for Saldaña, who has poor cardio and is not a strong grappler. Woodson will work the body and likely finish late or win a decision. The host likes Woodson inside the distance at +175 or decision at +130.
Paul picks Woodson, citing his reach advantage and boxing. He thinks Woodson can counter Saldaña's kicks and dictate range. He notes Woodson's output and thinks Saldaña's cardio will be an issue. He likes Woodson as a parlay piece.
The Guru predicts Sean Woodson wins by early second-round TKO. He describes Woodson beating Saldaña with a jab and leg kicks, threatening submissions, and landing body shots and knees. He sees Woodson finishing Saldaña with body shots against the cage in round two.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 84 of 168 | 50% | 88 of 173 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 66 of 178 | 37% | 68 of 180 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 26 of 57 | 45% | 27 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 15 of 48 | 31% | 15 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 24 of 53 | 45% | 25 of 54 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 28 of 70 | 40% | 30 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 3 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 34 of 58 | 58% | 36 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Bruno Souza | 0 | 23 of 60 | 38% | 23 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Saldaña | 84 of 168 | 50% | 41 of 109 | 14 of 22 | 29 of 37 | 78 of 161 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 3 |
| Bruno Souza | 66 of 178 | 37% | 37 of 134 | 17 of 30 | 12 of 14 | 64 of 174 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Saldaña | 26 of 57 | 45% | 9 of 33 | 3 of 7 | 14 of 17 | 23 of 54 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Bruno Souza | 15 of 48 | 31% | 6 of 31 | 4 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 15 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Luis Saldaña | 24 of 53 | 45% | 16 of 41 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 7 | 22 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Bruno Souza | 28 of 70 | 40% | 13 of 52 | 9 of 12 | 6 of 6 | 27 of 68 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Luis Saldaña | 34 of 58 | 58% | 16 of 35 | 8 of 10 | 10 of 13 | 33 of 56 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Bruno Souza | 23 of 60 | 38% | 18 of 51 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 59 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Luis Saldaña but calls it razor thin. He likes Saldaña's volume and pressure, noting that Bruno Souza's lack of urgency could cost him another decision. He acknowledges Souza's karate-style striking and countering ability but thinks Saldaña's volume will win him a decision if he picks his shots while applying pressure.
Big Brady picks Luis Saldaña to win a greasy decision. He notes that Souza has very low volume and doesn't do enough to win minutes, while Saldaña is the better striker with more tools. However, he is concerned about Saldaña's gas tank, as he slows down after the first round. He thinks Saldaña will still throw more volume than Souza and win a close decision.
Cody picks Saldaña, disagreeing with Paul. He criticizes Souza's low volume and lack of impressive wins. He thinks Saldaña's reach and kicks will be effective. He expects Saldaña to outpoint Souza in the first two rounds and survive the third.
Daniel Levi picks Luis Saldaña hesitantly, giving him one last chance. He notes Saldaña looks great early but fades, but thinks Souza's low-output karate style may not push the pace and cause Saldaña to gas. He is not betting the fight but picks Saldaña to win a decision if his cardio holds.
The host likes Saldaña slightly, noting that Souza tends to fight on the back foot, which will allow Saldaña to set the pace. He expects Saldaña's leg kicks and blitzing to be effective, and thinks Saldaña's durability will hold up. However, he acknowledges Saldaña's gas tank issues when pressured, but believes Souza won't pressure him. He predicts a decision win.
Paul picks Souza as an underdog, citing his karate style and ability to stay on the outside. He thinks Saldaña's cardio and takedown defense are concerns. He expects Souza to frustrate Saldaña and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Bruno Souza over Luis Saldaña, citing Saldaña's fundamental issues with takedown defense and lack of strength for the featherweight division. He notes that Souza kept it competitive against a much better striker in Melcik Magnussarian, while Saldaña tends to slow down as fights progress. The Guru believes Souza's grappling advantage and ability to build into fights will earn him a split decision win, with Saldaña's only path being a TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Lingo | 1 | 73 of 181 | 40% | 74 of 185 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 77 of 160 | 48% | 81 of 165 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Lingo | 0 | 24 of 56 | 42% | 24 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 34 of 66 | 51% | 34 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Austin Lingo | 0 | 33 of 81 | 40% | 33 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 29 of 61 | 47% | 29 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Austin Lingo | 1 | 16 of 44 | 36% | 17 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 14 of 33 | 42% | 18 of 38 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Lingo | 73 of 181 | 40% | 45 of 143 | 23 of 32 | 5 of 6 | 73 of 179 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 77 of 160 | 48% | 34 of 111 | 26 of 31 | 17 of 18 | 75 of 158 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Lingo | 24 of 56 | 42% | 16 of 46 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 24 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 34 of 66 | 51% | 16 of 45 | 11 of 13 | 7 of 8 | 34 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Austin Lingo | 33 of 81 | 40% | 20 of 64 | 10 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 33 of 79 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 29 of 61 | 47% | 12 of 43 | 10 of 11 | 7 of 7 | 27 of 59 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Austin Lingo | 16 of 44 | 36% | 9 of 33 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Saldaña | 14 of 33 | 42% | 6 of 23 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Austin Lingo as a dog, but with low confidence. He likes Lingo's pressure and power, and notes both fighters are finishers. He thinks the fight will end in a knockout and picks Lingo to close the distance and land a hard shot. He also mentions the under 2.5 rounds as a solid bet.
Cody leans toward Saldaña, citing his flashy striking, mobility, and ability to stay at range. He notes Lingo's power but questions his cardio and experience in longer fights. He expects a close decision and sees value on Saldaña.
Saldana is a great striker with good combinations and kicks, and he can fight off his back foot. Lingo has knockout power but tends to follow opponents rather than cut off the cage, which plays into Saldana's matador style. I think Saldana cruises to a decision unless Lingo lands a clean shot early.
Paul picks Saldaña, highlighting his kick-heavy range game and ability to matador Lingo. He notes Lingo's tendency to load up and tire, and believes Saldaña can maintain distance and outpoint him. He expects the fight to go the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Austin Lingo as an underdog. He sees red flags in Saldaña's game, especially poor takedown defense and losses to lower-level opponents. Lingo is well-rounded with good cardio, grappling, and a good chin. He believes Lingo can exploit Saldaña's holes and get an upset win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 36 of 88 | 40% | 40 of 94 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 2:18 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 33 of 69 | 47% | 39 of 77 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 2 | 1 | 6:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 19 of 48 | 39% | 19 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 20 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:13 | |
| 2 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:30 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 4 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:17 | |
| 3 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 8 of 25 | 32% | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:48 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 15 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 0:48 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Saldaña | 36 of 88 | 40% | 19 of 67 | 8 of 10 | 9 of 11 | 30 of 79 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 33 of 69 | 47% | 22 of 55 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 27 of 60 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Saldaña | 19 of 48 | 39% | 10 of 37 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 7 | 17 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 18 of 42 | 42% | 14 of 36 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 16 of 39 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Luis Saldaña | 9 of 15 | 60% | 4 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 4 of 10 | 40% | 2 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Luis Saldaña | 8 of 25 | 32% | 5 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 22 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 11 of 17 | 64% | 6 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
Big Brady picks Griffin to win by decision, leaning on the underdog. He notes that Saldaña has limited available tape and has faced poor competition, while Griffin has more UFC experience and a solid grappling game. Brady expects Griffin to use takedowns and grind out a close decision, though he is not overly confident. He thinks the line should be closer to a pick'em.
Cody leans Griffin as a dog, citing his experience and grappling advantage. He notes Saldaña's wins are over lower competition and that Griffin has fought tougher opponents. He thinks Griffin can win if he gets takedowns.
Daniel Levi picks Luis Saldaña, citing the 'Fight Ready' gym effect and Saldaña's improved kickboxing. He notes that Jordan Griffin makes questionable mistakes and has poor wrestling defense. Levi thinks Saldaña will separate himself in the later rounds with his kickboxing and win a close decision. He acknowledges that Griffin could be a live dog but goes with Saldaña.
The host thinks Griffin's best path is to make it a grinding, dirty fight by clinching and taking Saldaña down. He notes that Saldaña looked great on the Contender Series but that Griffin has more UFC experience and a better chance of getting the fight to the ground. He picks Griffin to win by decision, though he acknowledges that Saldaña is a flashy striker who could land a head kick.
Paul leans Griffin, noting his grappling advantage and Saldaña's lack of notable wins. He thinks Griffin's experience and ability to take rounds could be key. He calls it a dogger pass.
The MMA Guru picks Luis Saldaña but expresses doubt. He notes Saldaña has been submitted before but has improved his takedown defense with Henry Cejudo's help. He thinks Saldaña's front kicks to the body will be effective against Griffin, who is a great grappler. He predicts Saldaña will lose the first round but win the next two for a 29-28 decision.
Jordan Griffin - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Saldaña | 0 | 36 of 88 | 40% | 40 of 94 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 2:18 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 33 of 69 | 47% | 39 of 77 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 2 | 1 | 6:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 19 of 48 | 39% | 19 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 20 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:13 | |
| 2 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:30 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 4 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:17 | |
| 3 | Luis Saldaña | 0 | 8 of 25 | 32% | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:48 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 15 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 0:48 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Saldaña | 36 of 88 | 40% | 19 of 67 | 8 of 10 | 9 of 11 | 30 of 79 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 33 of 69 | 47% | 22 of 55 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 27 of 60 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Saldaña | 19 of 48 | 39% | 10 of 37 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 7 | 17 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 18 of 42 | 42% | 14 of 36 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 16 of 39 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Luis Saldaña | 9 of 15 | 60% | 4 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 4 of 10 | 40% | 2 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Luis Saldaña | 8 of 25 | 32% | 5 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 22 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 11 of 17 | 64% | 6 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
Big Brady picks Griffin to win by decision, leaning on the underdog. He notes that Saldaña has limited available tape and has faced poor competition, while Griffin has more UFC experience and a solid grappling game. Brady expects Griffin to use takedowns and grind out a close decision, though he is not overly confident. He thinks the line should be closer to a pick'em.
Cody leans Griffin as a dog, citing his experience and grappling advantage. He notes Saldaña's wins are over lower competition and that Griffin has fought tougher opponents. He thinks Griffin can win if he gets takedowns.
Daniel Levi picks Luis Saldaña, citing the 'Fight Ready' gym effect and Saldaña's improved kickboxing. He notes that Jordan Griffin makes questionable mistakes and has poor wrestling defense. Levi thinks Saldaña will separate himself in the later rounds with his kickboxing and win a close decision. He acknowledges that Griffin could be a live dog but goes with Saldaña.
The host thinks Griffin's best path is to make it a grinding, dirty fight by clinching and taking Saldaña down. He notes that Saldaña looked great on the Contender Series but that Griffin has more UFC experience and a better chance of getting the fight to the ground. He picks Griffin to win by decision, though he acknowledges that Saldaña is a flashy striker who could land a head kick.
Paul leans Griffin, noting his grappling advantage and Saldaña's lack of notable wins. He thinks Griffin's experience and ability to take rounds could be key. He calls it a dogger pass.
The MMA Guru picks Luis Saldaña but expresses doubt. He notes Saldaña has been submitted before but has improved his takedown defense with Henry Cejudo's help. He thinks Saldaña's front kicks to the body will be effective against Griffin, who is a great grappler. He predicts Saldaña will lose the first round but win the next two for a 29-28 decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 28 of 69 | 40% | 33 of 74 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 5:34 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 59 of 112 | 52% | 70 of 123 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 4:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youssef Zalal | 0 | 3 of 19 | 15% | 3 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:54 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 11 of 29 | 37% | 12 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:13 | |
| 2 | Youssef Zalal | 0 | 8 of 24 | 33% | 12 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:55 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 13 of 31 | 41% | 22 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:39 | |
| 3 | Youssef Zalal | 0 | 17 of 26 | 65% | 18 of 27 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 35 of 52 | 67% | 36 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youssef Zalal | 28 of 69 | 40% | 26 of 67 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 |
| Jordan Griffin | 59 of 112 | 52% | 42 of 85 | 11 of 18 | 6 of 9 | 47 of 98 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youssef Zalal | 3 of 19 | 15% | 3 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 11 of 29 | 37% | 7 of 18 | 0 of 4 | 4 of 7 | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Youssef Zalal | 8 of 24 | 33% | 7 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 |
| Jordan Griffin | 13 of 31 | 41% | 7 of 23 | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 26 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Youssef Zalal | 17 of 26 | 65% | 16 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 35 of 52 | 67% | 28 of 44 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 27 of 43 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
For this final card on a five-event stop at the UFC Apex, we will be on ESPN and ESPN+ all the way through. We kick things off in the featherweight division, when Roufusport’s Griffin (18-7, 1-2 UFC) takes on Factory X representative Zalal (8-2, 1-0 UFC) in a clash of high-level teams. Referee Herb Dean will oversee the action in this card-opening contest, and with a touch of gloves, away we go! Zalal takes the center of the cage, but it is Griffin that comes out swinging with a looping right hand. Zalal dances away, and Griffin chases him down with a string of reaching punches. Zalal lands a low kick to the calf, and then another as Griffin charges in. Griffin ducks down with his hands low, and is content to swarm Zalal. “The Moroccan Devil” evades most of the strikes, and calmly works the other leg with a slapping kick. Griffin rushes forward to swing wildly, and Zalal blocks the strikes, so Griffin changes levels to shoot in for a double. Zalal is able to keep his balance, but Griffin grabs hold of his back to try to muscle him down. Zalal fights off one wrist with both his hands to try to break the grip, and slowly and methodically turns his way out and gains separation. Griffin puts together a combination with a head kick to punctuate it, and when he closes in, Zalal grabs him to turn him against the fence. With Griffin’s back to the cage, Zalal leaps up with a flying knee that partially connects, and he is attempting to set up a body lock to possibly take the fight down. Zalal nearly hits a trip to wrench Griffin down, but “The Native Psycho” stays upright and turns him about. Griffin lifts him in the air, slams him down, and takes Zalal’s back with seconds to go in the round. Griffin looks to fish for a choke attempt, but with only one arm in, there is nothing there. The horn sounds to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Griffin
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Griffin
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Griffin
Round 2
They touch gloves again to begin the second frame, and Zalal presses forward and fires off a head kick. Using the kick as a way to close distance, Zalal pursues a flying knee that Griffin blocks. Griffin wings a high kick that is a little too high, and he falls to his back, but Zalal is too far away to capitalize on it. In an attempt to catch Griffin standing, he leaps forward with another flying knee, but nothing doing. Zalal nails Griffin to the body with a reaching right hand, and we can hear an audible exhale as Griffin is hurt. Zalal chases him down, and the two scramble around on the ground while Zalal tries to land ground-and-pound. Griffin continues to keep moving, and circles around to take Zalal’s back. He hops on like a backpack, but he does not the energy to stay on or get a choke, so Zalal pushes him off. Zalal breaks, and targets the body with a long right hand. Griffin appears to be heavily fatigued, so while he catches his breath, Zalal tags him up top with a stiff jab and a significant one-two. Zalal tries to hit another flying knee, but Griffin collides with him in midair and forces Zalal to his back. Having avoided upkicks, Griffin hops on top to try to rain down punches, but Zalal is crafty and spins out to stand back up. Griffin holds on tight to try to get him back down, and Zalal is out of submission danger while trying to get back up. When he stands, Zalal is immediately pursuing his own single leg takedown, and with it he has Griffin pressed against the wall. Griffin defends against it, so Zalal knees him in the gut for good measure. The two continue to jockey for position to the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Round 3
Griffin kicks off the final round aggressively, with long punches as he tries to bull rush his opponent. Zalal takes everything he has, and gives it right back to him. Griffin drops his hands as if to say his opponent’s strikes don’t hurt, so Zalal obliges him by teeing off on him until Griffin realizes he should probably stop allowing these free shots. Zalal pushes a little too aggressively, and Griffin manages to stave off a takedown to try to take Zalal’s back. As they both scramble at the same time, Zalal turns to allow Griffin on top, but only for a moment. “The Moroccan Devil” spins with a fury, and forces his way up before marking up Griffin with crisp punches. Griffin allows them to happen, trying to throw back with labored punches and a head kick that gets blocked. Griffin changes levels while Zalal is trying to hit him with a flying knee, and pursues a double leg takedown but Zalal stuffs it and separates. A string of jabs from Zalal is followed by a knee that lands right on the solar plexus, and Griffin visibly reacts, shooting low for a desperation takedown. Zalal stands him up, and after they go back and forth against the fence, Zalal drops down for a single. He transitions to a double while Griffin is fighting him off, but again “The Native Psycho” stays upright. When they break, Zalal knees him on the jaw, and rushes after him to land another and then a stern elbow. Griffin practically laughs them off, but Zalal presses him heavily against the cage. This featherweight match ends in the clinch, and Griffin raises his hands in the air to signal to the judges that he thinks he has done enough.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal (29-28 Zalal)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zalal (29-28 Zalal)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal (29-28 Zalal)
The Official Result
Youssef Zalal def. Jordan Griffin via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Big Brady picks Youssef Zalal by decision, citing his good BJJ, top control, and smart fight IQ. He thinks Zalal can keep the fight on the feet or control on top, and that Griffin is dangerous but often loses until he gets a submission. He is confident Zalal can avoid submissions and win a comfortable decision. He notes that if Zalal goes to underdog, he'd bet him.
Daniel Levi picks Jordan Griffin, citing his experience and ability to capitalize on Zalal's defensive flaws. He notes that Zalal fights with his hands down and Griffin's pressure could exploit that. Levi acknowledges Zalal's footwork and well-rounded skills but thinks Griffin's veteran savvy and submission threat will be key. He expects a close decision, possibly a back-and-forth fight, but leans Griffin due to his experience edge.
The MMA Guru picks Jordan Griffin, praising his grappling and submission skills. He notes Griffin's win over TJ Brown and believes he will not stand with Zalal, instead working takedowns and securing a submission in the second round. He questions Zalal's competition level.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 15 of 23 | 65% | 20 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 3 | 0 | 0:05 |
| T.J. Brown | 0 | 32 of 47 | 68% | 91 of 119 | 7 of 7 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 7:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Griffin | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 7 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:05 |
| T.J. Brown | 0 | 18 of 24 | 75% | 56 of 70 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:30 | |
| 2 | Jordan Griffin | 0 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| T.J. Brown | 0 | 14 of 23 | 60% | 35 of 49 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Griffin | 15 of 23 | 65% | 13 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 17 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| T.J. Brown | 32 of 47 | 68% | 26 of 39 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 9 of 22 | 10 of 10 | 13 of 15 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan Griffin | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| T.J. Brown | 18 of 24 | 75% | 13 of 18 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 7 of 7 | 9 of 11 | |
| 2 | Jordan Griffin | 10 of 15 | 66% | 8 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 |
| T.J. Brown | 14 of 23 | 60% | 13 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chas Skelly | 0 | 21 of 59 | 35% | 80 of 125 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 3 | 1 | 8:35 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 37 of 87 | 42% | 66 of 122 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 2 | 2:57 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chas Skelly | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 24 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 2:49 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 10 of 27 | 37% | 10 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:55 | |
| 2 | Chas Skelly | 0 | 8 of 24 | 33% | 24 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:06 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 19 of 37 | 51% | 28 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:43 | |
| 3 | Chas Skelly | 0 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 32 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 3:40 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 28 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 1 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chas Skelly | 21 of 59 | 35% | 20 of 52 | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jordan Griffin | 37 of 87 | 42% | 36 of 84 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 32 of 81 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chas Skelly | 7 of 19 | 36% | 7 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 10 of 27 | 37% | 9 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Chas Skelly | 8 of 24 | 33% | 8 of 21 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jordan Griffin | 19 of 37 | 51% | 19 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | |
| 3 | Chas Skelly | 6 of 16 | 37% | 5 of 13 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jordan Griffin | 8 of 23 | 34% | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Ige | 0 | 56 of 107 | 52% | 86 of 144 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 1 | 6:55 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 56 of 107 | 52% | 71 of 123 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 3:59 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Ige | 0 | 28 of 48 | 58% | 35 of 58 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 3:24 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 11 of 23 | 47% | 14 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Dan Ige | 0 | 14 of 26 | 53% | 25 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 24 of 42 | 57% | 34 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 3:21 | |
| 3 | Dan Ige | 0 | 14 of 33 | 42% | 26 of 49 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:50 |
| Jordan Griffin | 0 | 21 of 42 | 50% | 23 of 45 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Ige | 56 of 107 | 52% | 46 of 95 | 7 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 20 of 53 | 4 of 4 | 32 of 50 |
| Jordan Griffin | 56 of 107 | 52% | 49 of 100 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 65 | 4 of 4 | 21 of 38 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Ige | 28 of 48 | 58% | 25 of 45 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 31 |
| Jordan Griffin | 11 of 23 | 47% | 10 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Dan Ige | 14 of 26 | 53% | 12 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 14 |
| Jordan Griffin | 24 of 42 | 57% | 23 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 31 | |
| 3 | Dan Ige | 14 of 33 | 42% | 9 of 27 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 24 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 5 |
| Jordan Griffin | 21 of 42 | 50% | 16 of 37 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 31 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 7 |
Expert Picks (6)
Big Brady picks Griffin to win by decision, leaning on the underdog. He notes that Saldaña has limited available tape and has faced poor competition, while Griffin has more UFC experience and a solid grappling game. Brady expects Griffin to use takedowns and grind out a close decision, though he is not overly confident. He thinks the line should be closer to a pick'em.
Cody leans Griffin as a dog, citing his experience and grappling advantage. He notes Saldaña's wins are over lower competition and that Griffin has fought tougher opponents. He thinks Griffin can win if he gets takedowns.
Daniel Levi picks Luis Saldaña, citing the 'Fight Ready' gym effect and Saldaña's improved kickboxing. He notes that Jordan Griffin makes questionable mistakes and has poor wrestling defense. Levi thinks Saldaña will separate himself in the later rounds with his kickboxing and win a close decision. He acknowledges that Griffin could be a live dog but goes with Saldaña.
The host thinks Griffin's best path is to make it a grinding, dirty fight by clinching and taking Saldaña down. He notes that Saldaña looked great on the Contender Series but that Griffin has more UFC experience and a better chance of getting the fight to the ground. He picks Griffin to win by decision, though he acknowledges that Saldaña is a flashy striker who could land a head kick.
Paul leans Griffin, noting his grappling advantage and Saldaña's lack of notable wins. He thinks Griffin's experience and ability to take rounds could be key. He calls it a dogger pass.
The MMA Guru picks Luis Saldaña but expresses doubt. He notes Saldaña has been submitted before but has improved his takedown defense with Henry Cejudo's help. He thinks Saldaña's front kicks to the body will be effective against Griffin, who is a great grappler. He predicts Saldaña will lose the first round but win the next two for a 29-28 decision.
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