Career Averages - Phil Hawes
Career Averages - Jacob Malkoun
Phil Hawes - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunno Ferreira | 0 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 13 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Phil Hawes | 1 | 19 of 43 | 44% | 24 of 49 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brunno Ferreira | 0 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 13 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Phil Hawes | 1 | 19 of 43 | 44% | 24 of 49 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunno Ferreira | 13 of 27 | 48% | 8 of 18 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 24 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Phil Hawes | 19 of 43 | 44% | 18 of 38 | 0 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 33 | 0 of 3 | 4 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brunno Ferreira | 13 of 27 | 48% | 8 of 18 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 24 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Phil Hawes | 19 of 43 | 44% | 18 of 38 | 0 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 33 | 0 of 3 | 4 of 7 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ferreria (-118), Hawes (-102)
Round 1
With 20 finishes across the 22 wins of Hawes (12-5, 4-3 UFC) and Ferreira (10-1, 1-1 UFC), this might be another occasion where judges can pull out their Game Boys. All of the losses of the two fighters have come by stoppage as well, so bettors looking at various unders very well might cash soon. Referee Chris Tognoni takes charge of the middleweight affair that could end in the blink of an eye. There is no interest in the glove touch, with Hawes marching forward fearlessly and leaning back to get out of the way of a sudden head kick. Hawes flicks out a power jab, and he allows Ferreira to throw so hard that he stumbles. Hawes leans through a high kick and stuffs a takedown, but he absorbs a right hand from the Brazilian. Ferreira shoots in for a double, and he gets stood up and popped with a short right hook. Ferreira sits down on a right hand of his own, and Hawes absorbs it without flinching. Ferreira overswings again, and Hawes knees him in the chest. The power of “The Hulk” allows him to fling Hawes over his shoulder to put him down on the ground with emphasis. Ferreira lands on top of him in side control, where he presses down on his shoulder before lifting his arm to hack with an elbow. Ferreira stifles his man with top control, and he sits up to slug Hawes in the face with power punches. Hawes times an explosion to get up, and the two tie up and start blasting one another with uppercuts. Hawes backs off and intercepts an advancing Ferreira with a left hand, but Ferreira reaches him with his own straight left. Ferreira scores and eats one on the retreat, and he jumps with a knee that is feet away from his intended target. Ferreira lets go with a head kick that catches Hawes behind the ear, and the two land glancing power strikes. Ferreira buzzes the hair with another kick, and he follows with several big punches that hurt his opponent. Hawes shakes it off and tries to retaliate, but Ferreira grabs him and throws him to the ground. Ferreira lets him back up and gives chase, with a spinning back fist and a high kick that makes him topple over. Ferreira races in with his fists flying, and Hawes takes them on the chin. Hawes is in a bad way, and “The Hulk” is not about to let him off the hook even with mere seconds left in the round.
Ferreira unloads a straight left hand that collides with Hawes’ temple, and Hawes collapses to the ground. Ferreira hammers him with two hammerfists to completely shut the American’s lights out, and he pulls back during Tognoni’s intervention and lets out a bellow.
“The Hulk” exclaims that he is back, and Hawes comes to and is crestfallen about his devastating defeat.
The Official Result
Brunno Ferreira def. Phil Hawes R1 4:55 via KO (Punches)
Angelo leans Phil Hawes despite his suspect chin, believing he is the better fighter overall with superior wrestling and athleticism. He fears Hawes will get caught striking with Brunno Ferreira, who hits hard. He hopes Hawes uses his wrestling to take Ferreira down. He advises not betting on this fight due to volatility.
Big Brady acknowledges Phil Hawes is better in every skill except durability. He notes Hawes has a questionable chin and has been knocked out brutally. Ferreira has power, and Brady fears Hawes will get caught despite likely winning early. He picks Ferreira by first-round knockout, unable to trust Hawes' chin.
Cody picks Hawes despite historically fading him, because he sees a path to victory via wrestling. He notes that both fighters have similar power and durability issues, but Hawes has a wrestling background that could allow him to take Ferreira down and maul him. He admits it's a risky pick and expects Hawes might still find a way to lose.
Daniel Vreeland picks Brunno Ferreira to knock out Phil Hawes. He praises Hawes's athleticism and skills but notes his weak chin, predicting Hawes will school Ferreira until he gets caught. Vreeland believes Ferreira's power and Judo background will be enough to finish Hawes, as Hawes has been knocked out repeatedly.
James does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
Brunno Ferreira is a BJJ black belt with power in his hands, but he was knocked out in his last fight against Nursulton Ruziboev. Phil Hawes has durability issues and has been finished in his last two fights, but he starts fast with explosive power. Both fighters have knockout power and questionable chins, making this a coin flip. I lean slightly to Ferreira because I trust his durability a bit more, but this fight likely ends in the first round. I'm passing on a moneyline bet and might play the 'fight doesn't start round 2' prop.
Paul picks Ferreira by first-round KO, noting that Hawes has a weak chin and Ferreira has devastating power. He believes the fight will end early, either by Ferreira knockout or Hawes taking him down, but he prefers the KO prop. He took the bet at +275 early in the week.
The MMA Guru picks Brunno Ferreira, focusing on Phil Hawes' weak chin. He lists Hawes' KO losses to Chris Curtis, Roman Dolidze, and Ikram Aliskerov, noting that one clean shot puts him out. He believes Ferreira can land at least five clean punches and one will knock Hawes out cold.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ikram Aliskerov | 0 | 17 of 28 | 60% | 17 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Phil Hawes | 1 | 20 of 33 | 60% | 20 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ikram Aliskerov | 0 | 17 of 28 | 60% | 17 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Phil Hawes | 1 | 20 of 33 | 60% | 20 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ikram Aliskerov | 17 of 28 | 60% | 4 of 14 | 10 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Phil Hawes | 20 of 33 | 60% | 13 of 24 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ikram Aliskerov | 17 of 28 | 60% | 4 of 14 | 10 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Phil Hawes | 20 of 33 | 60% | 13 of 24 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aliskerov (-210), Hawes (+180)
Round 1
On home soil for the first time in his career, Hawes (12-4, 4-2 UFC) will have the full support of the New Jersey crowd at his back for this middleweight tilt. He welcomes Dagestan’s Aliskerov (13-1, 0-0 UFC) to the Octagon in this preliminary affair, and finish rates of 69% or higher for the two men means that referee Gasper Oliver could be busy. There is a sporting glove touch, and Hawes leads the dance with a jab and a low kick. When Aliskerov looks to counter, Hawes goes over the top with a pair of sharp punches. Hawes jabs at the body and ignores one coming back at him so that he can let loose a high body kick. Hawes swings and misses with a few fastballs, and he cannot get out of the way from a leg kick from the Dagestan-based fighter. Hawes retaliates with one of his own, and he doubles up on it. When Aliskerov advances, Hawes greets him with a right hand over the top and a slamming kick to the liver. Hawes bears down on his man, sensing he might have some damage with the combo, and he repeats it to decent effect. Aliskerov backs off, and Hawes is on him with another ripping kick to the body. Aliskerov cracks his foe with a three-punch salvo, but Hawes gives him a couple punches right back. Hawes throws a body kick, and Aliskerov slips and drops to his knee. Aliskerov lets him back up, and the two start brawling. Aliskerov sneaks a head kick up that stings Hawes, and Aliskerov looks to follow it with a slashing elbow.
When Hawes dips down, the Dagestan native fires off a piston-like one-two that crashes perfectly into the chin of “No Hype,” and Hawes is out cold before he hits the canvas. Knowing his work here is done, Aliskerov does not follow his wrecked opponent to hammer any nails.
What a way to make your UFC debut, posterizing out a solid fighter with a blistering blow. Aliskerov maximizes his time on the microphone, calling out the heavily hyped Bo Nickal, while claiming that Nickal needs to take on someone from Dagestan.
The Official Result
Ikram Aliskerov def. Phil Hawes R1 2:10 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Phil Hawes but admits it's probably a bad pick. He bases his decision on Hawes' Division I national champion wrestling background and superior striking power and speed. The key question is whether Hawes can defend Aliskerov's relentless wrestling; if he does, he should win clearly. Angelo is concerned about Hawes' suspect chin and Aliskerov's non-stop pressure. He threw 0.2 units on Hawes at +175 for patriotic reasons, noting it's easier to finish a takedown than defend one.
Big Brady picks Hawes but with low confidence, noting Hawes has a questionable chin and cardio. He believes Hawes has the wrestling to stuff Aliskerov's takedowns and the striking advantage. He predicts a first-round knockout for Hawes, but admits he's not betting this fight because Hawes is unreliable.
Cody sees Aliskerov as the pick but suggests live betting after the first round for a better price. He notes Hawes has explosive power but poor cardio and durability, and tends to fade. Aliskerov is a Russian grappler who can drag Hawes into deep waters. He expects Aliskerov to win by taking over in later rounds.
Connor picks Aliskerov more confidently, arguing that Hawes' main problem is he doesn't think during fights and gets surprised. Aliskerov's pressure and grappling will force Hawes to think, which breaks his flow. He notes Hawes has not solved his core issue.
The host picks Ikram Aliskerov to win inside the distance, likely in round two. He believes Aliskerov's wrestling and cardio will wear down Phil Hawes, who has durability and cardio issues. He notes Hawes' only chance is an early knockout, but expects Aliskerov to take over as the fight progresses.
Paul picks Aliskerov but is not confident enough to bet at -210. He notes Hawes has a wrestling background and power, but his chin and cardio are suspect. He thinks Aliskerov's path is to survive the first round and then take over.
The Guru picks Aliskerov, citing Hawes' terrible chin and recent leg injury from Roman Dolidze. He believes Aliskerov will have a wrestling advantage as the fight goes on, targeting Hawes' compromised leg. He notes Hawes hasn't looked good since the injury and is 34-35 years old.
Zane picks Aliskerov hesitantly, citing Hawes' tendency to get caught and his mindless flow state. He notes Aliskerov's pressure and takedown threat could break Hawes' rhythm. However, he worries Aliskerov's striking is limited and he may not be able to finish Hawes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Dolidze | 0 | 11 of 26 | 42% | 15 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Phil Hawes | 1 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 29 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Dolidze | 0 | 11 of 26 | 42% | 15 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Phil Hawes | 1 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 29 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Dolidze | 11 of 26 | 42% | 5 of 15 | 5 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Phil Hawes | 18 of 42 | 42% | 15 of 38 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 36 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Dolidze | 11 of 26 | 42% | 5 of 15 | 5 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Phil Hawes | 18 of 42 | 42% | 15 of 38 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 36 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 |
Big Brady picks Phil Hawes to win by decision, but expresses concern about Hawes' chin. He believes Hawes is the better fighter and will stuff Dolidze's takedowns and have success on the feet, but notes that Dolidze hits hard and Hawes has been knocked out before. He says Hawes should be the minute winner but cannot be overly confident due to durability issues.
Cody leans toward Roman Dolidze as an underdog, believing he can land a big shot in the clinch. He notes Dolidze's power and the fact that Phil Hawes has durability issues. Cody mentions Dolidze by knockout at +500 as a possible small sprinkle, but is not confident overall.
Connor picks Phil Hawes confidently, arguing that Hawes's single-minded offense and ability to recover from being hurt are key. He notes that Dolidze is not a good striker and relies on clinching and grinding, but Hawes has the strength to stall in clinch situations. Connor believes Hawes's recent improvements at Sanford MMA and his proven durability against tough opponents give him the edge.
Daniel Levi picks Phil Hawes but is hesitant due to Hawes' questionable chin. He praises Hawes' physical attributes, wrestling, and power, but notes he has been knocked out before. He expects Hawes to win unless he gets knocked out. He does not mention a bet.
Jacob picks Phil Hawes, believing he should be the better striker with a quick jab and can withstand Dolidze's grappling. He acknowledges Dolidze's relentless pressure and scrambling ability but thinks Hawes can win on the feet. He mentions possibly looking at Hawes by points.
Hawes has improved his pacing and cardio, using grappling to grind out opponents. Dolidze is durable and aggressive, but Hawes is the better wrestler and should be able to control the fight. However, there are still questions about Hawes going the full 15 minutes. The decision prop at +210 is interesting but the moneyline is the safer play.
Paul picks Phil Hawes, noting his improved cardio, wrestling pedigree, and recent smarter fighting. He criticizes Dolidze's low volume, poor ring IQ, and reliance on leg locks. Paul believes Hawes can stuff takedowns and win a striking battle, though he admits he rarely picks Hawes and may curse him.
The MMA Guru picks Phil Hawes over Roman Dolidze, believing Hawes' strength and wrestling will prevent Dolidze from controlling him against the cage. He notes Hawes' improved striking in his last fight against Roman, where he showed great defense. He thinks Dolidze loads up his shots, making them easier to see, and predicts Hawes will finish Dolidze in the third round as Dolidze slows down.
Zane picks Phil Hawes but is hesitant, acknowledging Hawes's tendency to get hurt and his single-minded offense. He notes that Hawes has lost only to good fighters and that Dolidze's style is clingy and boring, but Hawes's lack of defense and tendency to get chin-checked are concerns. Zane ultimately trusts Hawes's offensive output and durability recovery over Dolidze's grinding approach.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Hawes | 1 | 118 of 175 | 67% | 126 of 191 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Deron Winn | 0 | 32 of 111 | 28% | 34 of 114 | 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 | Phil Hawes | 1 | 55 of 87 | 63% | 56 of 88 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Deron Winn | 0 | 17 of 44 | 38% | 17 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Phil Hawes | 0 | 63 of 88 | 71% | 70 of 103 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Deron Winn | 0 | 15 of 67 | 22% | 17 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Hawes | 118 of 175 | 67% | 99 of 152 | 17 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 89 of 138 | 14 of 18 | 15 of 19 |
| Deron Winn | 32 of 111 | 28% | 24 of 101 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 29 of 100 | 3 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phil Hawes | 55 of 87 | 63% | 43 of 71 | 10 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 49 of 77 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 4 |
| Deron Winn | 17 of 44 | 38% | 13 of 40 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 41 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Phil Hawes | 63 of 88 | 71% | 56 of 81 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 40 of 61 | 11 of 12 | 12 of 15 |
| Deron Winn | 15 of 67 | 22% | 11 of 61 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 59 | 1 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Phil Hawes despite acknowledging Deron Winn's superior offensive wrestling stats (almost 5 takedowns per fight, 52% accuracy vs Hawes' 33%). He compares it to the Brendan Allen vs Jacob Malkoun fight, where the more talented fighter (Hawes) can lose if he doesn't initiate takedowns first. He notes Hawes is the better mixed martial artist but Winn has a clear path if he shoots first.
Big Brady picks Phil Hawes to win by first-round knockout. He acknowledges Hawes has a questionable chin and cardio, but believes Hawes is much bigger with a six-inch height and 7.5-inch reach advantage, and has 100% takedown defense to stuff Winn's wrestling. He expects Hawes to knock out Winn early, likely in the first round.
Cody picks Hawes but is cautious due to Hawes' chin and cardio. He thinks Hawes' striking and power are advantages, and Winn's weight cuts and cardio issues are problematic. He suggests waiting for weigh-ins to see Winn's condition.
Daniel Levi picks Phil Hawes confidently, stating Hawes has everything except a chin: D1 wrestling, one-punch power, and physicality. He believes Deron Winn is too short (5'4") and will struggle to take Hawes down. Levi thinks Hawes wins everywhere unless he gets knocked out, which is possible given his suspect chin. He expects Hawes to dominate and win, possibly by knockout.
Paul leans toward Hawes but is not confident. He notes both fighters are untrustworthy and the fight could be ugly. He thinks Hawes' reach and power are key, but Winn's wrestling could be a factor if he makes weight.
The MMA Guru picks Phil Hawes despite worrying about his weak chin, as seen in the Chris Curtis fight. He believes Hawes is much bigger and stronger than Deron Winn, who is too small for middleweight. He predicts Hawes will neutralize Winn's wrestling and land a knockout via a knee to the face in the second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Curtis | 0 | 48 of 90 | 53% | 49 of 91 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Phil Hawes | 1 | 21 of 36 | 58% | 22 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Curtis | 0 | 48 of 90 | 53% | 49 of 91 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Phil Hawes | 1 | 21 of 36 | 58% | 22 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Curtis | 48 of 90 | 53% | 24 of 63 | 15 of 18 | 9 of 9 | 46 of 85 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Phil Hawes | 21 of 36 | 58% | 15 of 27 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Curtis | 48 of 90 | 53% | 24 of 63 | 15 of 18 | 9 of 9 | 46 of 85 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Phil Hawes | 21 of 36 | 58% | 15 of 27 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Phil Hawes, highlighting his wrestling, power, and improved cardio. He notes that Hawes turned down a short-notice fight earlier, showing he takes his career seriously. He believes Hawes should win by using his wrestling to control Curtis, who is a welterweight moving up. He also mentions that Curtis has poor takedown defense and fades against wrestlers.
Cody picks Curtis as a dog, citing his excellent cardio, technical boxing, and defensive wrestling. He notes Hawes is a fast starter who tires, and Curtis specializes in taking opponents into deep waters. He expects Curtis to win by late TKO, possibly round 3.
Daniel Levi picks Phil Hawes to win, stating that Hawes is on a different level than Chris Curtis. He notes that Hawes has knockout power, D1 wrestling, and has improved significantly since his early losses. Levi believes Curtis's only path to victory is a lucky knockout, and that Hawes can win by decision or knockout. He mentions that Curtis is a welterweight moving up and that historically, Curtis loses to UFC-caliber opponents.
Jacob picks Phil Hawes, emphasizing that Curtis has awful takedown defense and is a pure boxer. He urges Hawes to wrestle rather than strike, as Curtis has real power. He believes Hawes will take Curtis down and get a TKO finish in the first round. He also likes Hawes in DraftKings for takedowns.
The host picks Hawes to win by decision, but he is not confident enough to bet him at -320. He notes Hawes gets hurt in fights and Curtis has knockout power. He considers a small sprinkle on Curtis round 3 at +1800-2500.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Curtis as a dog. He mentions Curtis's story and motivation, and believes Hawes is vulnerable if the fight goes past the first round. He also likes Curtis round 3 as a prop.
The Guru picks Phil Hawes, citing his size, reach, and power advantages over Chris Curtis, who is moving up from welterweight on short notice. He notes Hawes' KO wins and believes Curtis is not ready for this matchup. The Guru predicts a first-round KO for Hawes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Hawes | 0 | 66 of 101 | 65% | 157 of 210 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 5:34 |
| Kyle Daukaus | 0 | 28 of 82 | 34% | 52 of 113 | 0 of 7 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 4:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phil Hawes | 0 | 16 of 22 | 72% | 32 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:33 |
| Kyle Daukaus | 0 | 5 of 21 | 23% | 18 of 37 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:56 | |
| 2 | Phil Hawes | 0 | 29 of 45 | 64% | 48 of 65 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Kyle Daukaus | 0 | 22 of 51 | 43% | 30 of 60 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:17 | |
| 3 | Phil Hawes | 0 | 21 of 34 | 61% | 77 of 106 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:26 |
| Kyle Daukaus | 0 | 1 of 10 | 10% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Hawes | 66 of 101 | 65% | 42 of 75 | 23 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 33 of 57 | 18 of 19 | 15 of 25 |
| Kyle Daukaus | 28 of 82 | 34% | 20 of 68 | 6 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 26 of 78 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phil Hawes | 16 of 22 | 72% | 10 of 15 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 11 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Daukaus | 5 of 21 | 23% | 2 of 15 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Phil Hawes | 29 of 45 | 64% | 15 of 30 | 14 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 37 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Daukaus | 22 of 51 | 43% | 17 of 44 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 21 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Phil Hawes | 21 of 34 | 61% | 17 of 30 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 25 |
| Kyle Daukaus | 1 of 10 | 10% | 1 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The new main card opener sees a middleweight clash between representatives of rival states New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as Hawes (10-2, 2-0 UFC) will ply his knockout-friendly trade against submission specialist Daukaus (10-1, 1-1 UFC). The third man in the cage for a fight that may not last long is referee Mark Smith, and there is no serious glove touch before the two get down to business. The blonde-haired Hawes comes out aggressively, throwing bombs and backing Daukaus up immediately. Hawes has a kick clip the cup, and there is a pause for just a second or two. Daukaus adjusts himself and throws back with heavy leather, and Hawes is either hurt or off-balance, as he slips back. Hawes interrupts an advancing Daukaus with a front kick, and he goes back to stalking the Philadelphia native down and throwing big strikes. Out of nowhere, Hawes ducks down, scoops Daukaus up and slams him down. Daukaus defends off his back with a guillotine choke, but he is immediately in danger for the Von Preux choke. Hawes recognizes this and presses his shoulder down, but he cannot finish it. Instead, Daukaus uses pure power to roll Hawes over and put him on his back. “Megatron” slides right into danger with a choke attempt from Daukaus, but he scrambles and gets out of harm’s way. When he gets to his knees, Daukaus takes his back. Hawes defends the hooks, powers back to his feet, and is quick to fight off a single leg takedown attempt from Daukaus. When he does not land it, Daukaus drops to his knees for a double, and that too comes up short. Hawes, while keeping himself upright, is landing short strikes to the body and head to make Daukaus think twice about his position. Hawes lifts Daukaus up with a knee to the chest, but he cannot get the Pennsylvanian off of him. Daukaus embraces the grind, pressing Hawes into the wire and putting his full body weight on his man. Both men try to get off elbows, but neither are successful. Daukaus sells out for a double, and Hawes sprawls against the cage and keeps his balance to fight off this attempt. Hawes introduces his knee to Daukaus’ torso, and the two separate with seconds to spare. Neither throw anything of note until the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Daukaus
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Daukaus
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Daukaus
Round 2
The middleweights rush out of their corners to meet in the middle, but it does not take long for Hawes to push the pace and start backing Daukaus up against the fence. Daukaus tries to spring forward with a kick to the body, and Hawes interrupts him and lands a few punches. Daukaus swings a spinning strike, and Hawes does not completely avoid it. “Megatron” is suddenly rocked, and Daukaus lays into him with a salvo of punches to try to finish the job. Hawes gains the wherewithal to embrace the grappling, and even though he cannot get the takedown, he gains valuable time clearing his head. The two clinch briefly, and push off, where both men trade heavy shots. Daukaus gets the better of an exchange, and Hawes bends over and slams his right hand into the torso. A cracking right hand puts Daukaus on roller skates for a moment, and the Philadelphia native crashes in to clinch and try to take the fight down. Daukaus looks to trip his man down, attack singles or otherwise plant Hawes on his back, but the Sanford MMA fighter stands tall and looks frustrated. Hawes frames off to nail Daukaus with a stern elbow, and this forces Daukaus to backpedal quickly. Hawes parries a strike to fire back at Daukaus, and he mixes things up with body strikes and head shots. “Megatron” notices his body work is starting to make a difference, and he lifts up a knee to the body. The knee does not rise high enough, and it clunks straight into Daukaus’ cup. Thirty seconds are all Daukaus needs to catch his breath, and Hawes picks up where he left off with body shots. As he targets the body and again with impunity, Daukaus shoots in low for a takedown to stop this. Hawes stuffs it and pushes Daukaus back, where he drills Daukaus with a right hand and a front kick that nails Daukaus in the head when Daukaus bends over. Hawes hunts Daukaus down with strikes until the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hawes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hawes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hawes
Round 3
Smith calls in the doctor between rounds to check a cut around Daukaus’ eye, but there is no concern and the fight clocks in normally. Hawes loads up on several big shots to begin the round, alternating between the head and body with punches and kicks. Hawes works the body, catches a body kick, and puts Daukaus on his back. Daukaus throws up his legs quickly to defend with a triangle choke off his back, but “Megatron” laughs it off, breaks the position and postures up in Daukaus’ guard. There may have been an eye poke for Hawes, but he is warned in passing as Daukaus complains. Daukaus opens and closes his guard to try to find a better way out, all while Hawes pounds on him with short strikes. Individually, they may not be especially damaging, but they are adding up quickly as time ticks off the clock. Daukaus punches the back of the head a few times in passing, and he grimaces when his own blood trickles into his eye. Hawes steps into half guard, where he begins to unleash a series of punches to try to pound Daukaus out. Daukaus twists and nearly climbs to his feet, but Hawes pushes him back over and continues to work him over with left hands. Smith asks for Daukaus to keep moving and defend himself, and Hawes uses this as an opportunity to start slamming down elbows. Hawes continues to batter Daukaus with punches and elbows, and once more, Hawes appears to scrape the eye with his fingers. Daukaus appears miserable as blood is in his eyes, Hawes relentlessly punches him, and he cannot do anything but get Hawes back to his full guard. The 10-second clapper leads Daukaus to close his guard to lock Hawes down, where he survives and does not take much more punishment until the fight is over.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Hawes (29-27 Hawes)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Hawes (29-27 Hawes)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Hawes (29-27 Hawes)
The Official Result
Phil Hawes def. Kyle Daukaus via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
Big Brady picks Hawes but is not confident, noting Hawes is typically first-round-or-bust. He thinks Hawes needs to land an early knockout, otherwise Daukaus will take over. Brady likes the prop 'fight doesn't go to decision' and suggests live betting Daukaus if Hawes doesn't finish in the first round. He mentions Hawes's last fight went to decision but that was an anomaly. He picks Hawes by first-round knockout.
Daniel Levi picks Phil Hawes, arguing that Hawes is underappreciated and has been rushed against tough competition. He notes Hawes' D1 wrestling, freak athleticism, and one-punch knockout power. He believes Hawes learned from his past mistakes and will win a decision, as he did against Imavov. He views Daukaus as an average athlete and black belt, and thinks Hawes can lean on him and get takedowns.
The host favors Kyle Daukaus, believing his jiu-jitsu and cardio will be the difference. He expects Daukaus to survive Hawes' early power and then submit him later. He likes the under 2.5 rounds and Daukaus by submission prop.
The MMA Guru picks Kyle Daukaus over Phil Hawes, noting that Daukaus is the slight favorite. He believes Daukaus's smothering clinch game and technical stand-up will overwhelm Hawes, who showed a hole in his last fight against the cage. He predicts a 29-28 unanimous decision, with Daukaus winning the second and third rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Hawes | 0 | 31 of 54 | 57% | 101 of 128 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 11:06 |
| Nassourdine Imavov | 0 | 57 of 93 | 61% | 87 of 124 | 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 | Phil Hawes | 0 | 16 of 24 | 66% | 41 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:38 |
| Nassourdine Imavov | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 20 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Phil Hawes | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 36 of 44 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 4:15 |
| Nassourdine Imavov | 0 | 16 of 25 | 64% | 30 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Phil Hawes | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 24 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:13 |
| Nassourdine Imavov | 0 | 32 of 49 | 65% | 37 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Hawes | 31 of 54 | 57% | 13 of 31 | 7 of 9 | 11 of 14 | 23 of 42 | 7 of 11 | 1 of 1 |
| Nassourdine Imavov | 57 of 93 | 61% | 39 of 71 | 14 of 17 | 4 of 5 | 29 of 62 | 27 of 30 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phil Hawes | 16 of 24 | 66% | 5 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 8 | 11 of 18 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
| Nassourdine Imavov | 9 of 19 | 47% | 3 of 11 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 14 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Phil Hawes | 6 of 11 | 54% | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Nassourdine Imavov | 16 of 25 | 64% | 8 of 17 | 6 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 17 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Phil Hawes | 9 of 19 | 47% | 5 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 16 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Nassourdine Imavov | 32 of 49 | 65% | 28 of 43 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 31 | 16 of 18 | 0 of 0 |
Daniel Levi argues that Phil Hawes's early career was mismanaged, being thrown in with tough opponents too soon, but now he has matured and learned to pace himself. He highlights Hawes's D1 wrestling, one-punch knockout power, and improved defense. Levi believes Hawes will be too physical and explosive for Imavov, who fights with his hands down. He predicts a first-round knockout, noting that Imavov was pushed around by the smaller Jordan Williams.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Hawes | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 1 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phil Hawes | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 1 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Hawes | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 7 of 11 | 63% | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phil Hawes | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 7 of 11 | 63% | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In a matchup that might seem out of place on the main card among other bouts containing top-ranked fighters, exciting prospects Hawes (8-2, 0-0 UFC) and Malkoun (4-0, 0-0 UFC) nevertheless make their UFC debuts against one another at middleweight. Watching on to see which one pans out will be referee Jason Herzog, and a respectful glove touch begins the fight. Hawes pushes the pace early, chasing after Malkoun and landing a few serious punches. A right hand hurts Malkoun, and “Megatron” smells blood and unleashes a thunderous barrage of strikes. When Malkoun falls back to the fence, a right and a left hook put the Aussie not just down, but out cold as he falls face-first to the canvas. What a way to introduce yourself to the organization in your debut, doing so on one of the biggest of stages imaginable in lightning-quick fashion. Wow.
The Official Result
Phil Hawes def. Jacob Malkoun R1 0:18 via KO (Punches)
Big Brady picks Phil Hawes, citing his power and finishing ability (75% of wins by KO). He notes Malkoun's lack of experience (4-0) and that Hawes has faced better competition. He predicts a first-round knockout, but advises staying away from betting at -260.
Daniel Levi slightly leans with Phil Hawes based on experience and athleticism, noting that Hawes has paid his dues with tough fights against Luis Taylor and Julian Marquez. He questions Malkoun's level of competition, as he is only 4-0 against subpar opponents. Levi thinks it might be a dog-or-pass situation at the betting window, but as a pure pick he goes with Hawes.
The host picks Phil Hawes but with low confidence, citing his athleticism and power. He notes that Hawes has cardio and durability concerns, while Malkoun is inexperienced. He prefers the under 2.5 rounds if the line is favorable.
Jacob Malkoun - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 36 of 82 | 43% | 54 of 103 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:17 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 32 of 76 | 42% | 53 of 100 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 3 | 2 | 4:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 11 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 15 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 3:56 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 30 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:23 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 18 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 12 of 28 | 42% | 13 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 12 of 39 | 30% | 20 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 2 | 1 | 0:27 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 36 of 82 | 43% | 30 of 74 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 36 of 81 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 32 of 76 | 42% | 23 of 66 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 31 of 74 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 6 of 12 | 50% | 5 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 4 of 5 | 80% | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 18 of 42 | 42% | 16 of 40 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 16 of 32 | 50% | 11 of 26 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jacob Malkoun | 12 of 28 | 42% | 9 of 23 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 12 of 39 | 30% | 9 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Malkoun (9-3; 5-3 UFC) enters the cage as a massive favorite against the reeling and overweight Meerschaert (37-21; 12-13 UFC), with Mike Beltran drwaing his first ref assignment of the evening. Malkoun is orthodox, Meerschaert southpaw, and it’s Malkoun connecting first with a solid right hand that backs the American off. Malkoun is the much faster man on the feet in the early going. Malkoun, bizarrely, changes levels for a takedown attempt against the fence and Meerschaert counters with his trademark guillotine. Malkoun is in real danger for a moment, but manages to extricate his neck. Meerschaert is in top position, in Malkoun’s half guard, looking perhaps to try for another guillotine. Half the round is down, and Meerschaert is still on top, in control. Malkoun manages to stick him back into full guard, but Meerschaert passes to half guard again near the base of the fence. Beltran is talking to them, presumably telling them to keep working, but it’s far from a static position, as they are moving and exchanging short shots. Meerschaert postures up and drops an elbow to the face. Meerschaert wraps up a guillotine from top position but can’t make a serious attempt out of it before the horn. 10-9 Meerschaert.
Round 2
They go back to work on the feet and once again, Malkoun’s edge in speed and accuracy is stark. Malkoun bounces into range against the taller man, pops him with a two or three-punch combo, then exits untouched, several times in a row. Meerschaert appears to be looking for the right moment to shoot for a takedown, but through 90 seconds he has not made a serious attempt. Malkoun backs him up to the fence and belts him with a right to the body. Meerschaert lands a glancing head kick, and Malkoun tags him with two punches. They collide in the pocket and Meeerschaert pulls guard. He controls Malkoun’s posture with a shoulder lock, but Malkoun pulls his right arm out of danger, sets up in Meerschaert’s half guard and throws a flurry of ground strikes. With under a minute to go, Malkoun throws a final series of punches and stands up out of his foe’s guard. Beltran motions Meerschaert to stand, and Malkoun quickly tags him with another series of punches. The round ends. 10-9 Malkoun.
Round 3
It’s anyone’s fight—on our scorecard, at least—as these two go back to work for Round 3. Malkoun stalks forward, sticking out his left jab, backing Meerschaert off. Malkoun is getting much the better of the orthodox vs. southpaw hand fight. A minute in, neither man has really committed to a power strike on the feet, but Malkoun has been the more active, more accurate man. Malkoun steps into the pocket and lands a clean three-piece combination that makes Meerschaert blink and back off. Malkoun hits him with a lead left. He is landing nearly at will, but not forcing the issue at all despite his clear superiority on the feet. Malkoun steps into the pocket and Meerschaert falls to guard in the ensuing collision. Malkoun follows him down, settles into his guard, but lets him back up a moment later. They return to the center of the cage and exchange strikes. Meerschaert is the aggressor, stalking forward and throwing single strikes. They collide and Meerschaert throws on a guillotine choke, shoving Malkoun to the canvas and trying for the last-second finish. It’s pretty obvious he won’t get it, but the round ends with the American on top and in control. The horn sounds on a strange, frankly lousy fight. 10-9 Malkoun (29-28 Malkoun).
The Official Result
Jacob Malkoun def. Gerald Meerschaert via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo is extremely confident in Jacob Malkoun, calling Gerald Meerschaert washed and stating he has no chance. He criticizes Meerschaert's poor takedown defense and chin, and believes Malkoun's wrestling will dominate. He even threatens to ban anyone who picks Meerschaert by submission.
Cody picks Malkoun by TKO, noting Meerschaert's recent knockout losses and Malkoun's improved striking. He believes Malkoun will finish him early, possibly in the first round.
Connor agrees with Zane, calling Malkoun a smart technician who uses his jab and single-leg effectively. He notes that Meerschaert is a slow, aging fighter who relied on opponents being bad, and now faces a composed fighter who won't make those mistakes. He sees it as a clear win for Malkoun.
Daniel Vreeland picks Jacob Malkoun to knock out Gerald Meerschaert in the first round. He believes Malkoun's high pace and power will overwhelm Meerschaert, who he thinks is past his prime and likely to cover up when hit.
Malkoun is a massive favorite with an implied probability of 92%, but the odds offer no value. He is a solid MMA grappler with better wrestling, striking, cardio, and home advantage. Meerschaert is old, missed weight, and only has a Hail Mary submission path. The over 1.5 rounds at 1.64 is interesting because Malkoun is a decision eater and Meerschaert is tough, but not super confident due to Meerschaert's decline.
Lucrative James picks Jacob Malkoun to win via TKO. He believes Malkoun is a much better fighter and that Meerschaert is washed up. He notes Malkoun's wrestling and improved striking should be enough to finish Meerschaert, though he is not super confident on the method.
The host expects Malkoun to run through Meerschaert, citing Malkoun's superior BJJ, youth, and striking. He thinks Malkoun will get a TKO or submission inside the distance, as Meerschaert is on a four-fight losing streak and his durability is fading. The host does not like betting minus 1000 but expects a finish.
Paul picks Malkoun, citing his improved boxing and wrestling. He believes Malkoun will knock out Meerschaert, who has been knocked out repeatedly in the first round.
The MMA Guru picks Jacob Malkoun, noting he is a -1100 favorite but thinks the odds are too high. He praises Malkoun's skills and recent performances, while criticizing Gerald Meerschaert's recent losses and age. He acknowledges Meerschaert's submission threat but believes Malkoun is too good.
Zane picks Malkoun confidently, stating that Meerschaert is done—slow, old, and has been finished in three of his last four fights. He notes that Malkoun is a smart, strategic fighter with a good jab and single-leg takedown, which will be too much for Meerschaert's limited skills. He calls it a gentle send-off for Meerschaert.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 1 | 117 of 181 | 64% | 151 of 219 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 3 | 0 | 5:16 |
| Torrez Finney | 0 | 27 of 77 | 35% | 42 of 95 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 61 of 98 | 62% | 72 of 111 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Torrez Finney | 0 | 7 of 26 | 26% | 12 of 33 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 1 | 37 of 53 | 69% | 58 of 76 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 2:29 |
| Torrez Finney | 0 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 11 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 19 of 30 | 63% | 21 of 32 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:27 |
| Torrez Finney | 0 | 12 of 30 | 40% | 19 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 117 of 181 | 64% | 115 of 179 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 97 of 153 | 4 of 5 | 16 of 23 |
| Torrez Finney | 27 of 77 | 35% | 25 of 73 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 25 of 74 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 61 of 98 | 62% | 59 of 96 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 55 of 88 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 9 |
| Torrez Finney | 7 of 26 | 26% | 6 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 37 of 53 | 69% | 37 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 36 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 14 |
| Torrez Finney | 8 of 21 | 38% | 8 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jacob Malkoun | 19 of 30 | 63% | 19 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Torrez Finney | 12 of 30 | 40% | 11 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Malkoun (-166), Finney (+140)
Round 1
Aussies continue to populate the Octagon, as Malkoun (8-3, 4-3 UFC) reps Straya against one of the only Americans on the billing in undefeated fireplug Finney (11-0, 1-0 UFC). Two of the shorter 185ers will toe the line in this one, both a far cry from the 6-foot-5 Nursultan Ruziboev who towers over much of their division. While they might need a stepstool to reach the top shelf where Mama hides the cookies, they will handle their business under the oversight of referee Steve Perceval. Fists are not bumped first.
Finney charges forward, and stops before engaging. He pushes out jabs that are far out of range, while Malkoun is much closer even if he too is not yet hitting his target. After 30-ish seconds of shadowboxing, Malkoun reaches Finney with a few jabs, and the audience is not pleased. Malkoun brings life to the bored stands by shooting for a single, and Finney spins around and gets out of it. Malkoun probes out his jab, and he leans back as two looping hooks brush his beard. Malkoun drives home a one-two on the jaw, and Finney does not like it and needs a moment to collect himself. Finney fakes changing levels, and Malkoun ignores it and puts three punches on his jaw. Malkoun beats his man to the punch with another brief exchange, leading Finney to bullrush him and swing for the fences. Malkoun wears them well, and he stuffs a takedown and hurts him with a one-two.
Finney backs off, and Malkoun dings him with another offering of fists. Finney loads up on counters, even catching Malkoun with a left hook, but Malkoun hurts him repeatedly. Finney’s takedown is stuffed without issue, and Malkoun makes him pay with a combination of punches. Finney overswings his counters, loading up and firing out of range, all while Malkoun is teeing off on him. Malkoun busts open Finney’s nose as he proceeds to beat on him like a rented mule, forcing Finney to shoot again feebly so he can punch him square in the face. Finney is out of sorts and not sure what to do, backing off as Malkoun is able to hit him without fear of reprisal. Malkoun slugs Finney in the face, grabbing the hulking American and tossing him to the floor like a side of beef. Rather than go after ground strikes, Malkoun pursues a modified arm-in guillotine choke, and the beefy Finney turns him around and secures top position. Malkoun lands more off his back than Finney does when standing, and when time expires, Finney clutches his knee and struggles to get back to his corner.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Round 2
Finney informs Perceval that he can continue after going down strangely on his leg during the takedown in the previous round, and the fighters resume. Malkoun pushes off when Finney tries to engage him, and Finney hops back with his right knee clearly compromised. Malkoun stays back, allowing Finney to swing wildly and inaccurately so he can measure the American and land any time he chooses. Finney stands still, and he jumps forward to attack and stings Malkoun with a huge hook. Malkoun blinks it out and pushes Finney away, where he gets to his preferred range to jab “The Punisher” up. Finney overswings on a hook, and Malkoun puts a jab in his face repeatedly. Malkoun’s strikes slash open Finney’s left eyebrow, and he gladly stays on the outside jabbing away. Finney closes the distance briefly, only to get driven back after landing with a few strikes. Malkoun splits the guard with a one-two, setting Finney down like sack of bricks.
Malkoun jumps down in hopes of finishing the job, but the defense of Finney holds up to allow him to drag himself to the wall and protect his mug. Malkoun punches the side and under the armpit when seeing an opening, punishing “The Punisher” with ground strikes while imposing his weight on the shorter man. Malkoun has his arms clasped around the waist and attempts to pull Finney down from behind, looping a hook in to further control his man. Malkoun attempts a vice-like face crank squeeze, crushing his grip on the jaw and putting everything into it. Finney, thanks in part to a bloody nose, slides his head out of the submission and fights back to his feet without getting struck again before the one-sided round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Round 3
Replays between rounds show how Finney aggravated his hamstring or knee mid-fight, but Finney toughs it out and starts the last round aggressively after a stern talking-to from his team. Finney swings with everything he has, and Malkoun keeps out of range from the worst of the blows. Malkoun shoots for his own single, and he ties the American up and bullies him to the fencing, where he proceeds to aggressively go after another single. Finney defends both efforts but gets cracked by two hooks, and Malkoun is able to feast on his defense by scoring at will. Malkoun’s jab consistently gives the walking tree stump of a fighter issues, and he ducks a Finney swing to bully him to the wall.
Malkoun grinds out the heavily muscled man and imposes his full weight upon him, leaning and kneeing Finney as his own countrymen and women boo his strategy. Finney wriggles out, and he gets popped with a left hook. Finney throws back hard, forcing Malkoun to rub his nose uncomfortably. The jab from Malkoun is booping Finney on the schnoz time and again, disrupting wide swings and keeping him safe. Finney lets his hands go and manages to connect on Malkoun, who answers with a rushing single that drags Finney to a knee. The moment Finney walks himself up with the fence behind him, Malkoun effortlessly hurls him back down. “Mamba” holds on top until the round ends, speaking to commentator Daniel Cormier outside the cage by remarking the Finney is better than he thought. The one-sided bout ends, and Finney can barely stand, needing to get carried back to his stool after three less-than-stellar rounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (30-27 Malkoun)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (30-27 Malkoun)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (30-27 Malkoun)
The Official Result
Jacob Malkoun def. Torrez Finney via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Angelo picks Torrez Finney, stating he is the better wrestler and will take Jacob Malkoun down repeatedly. He notes Malkoun's takedown defense is not great and he hasn't fought in a long time. He bet on Finney at plus 140 and expects the line to tighten. He acknowledges Finney's boring style but thinks he will step it up.
Big Brady picks Jacob Malkoun, citing his superior grappling skills. He notes Malkoun took down Brendan Allen seven times and controlled him for over seven minutes. He thinks Finney is physically strong but less skilled, and Malkoun will win a decision.
Cody is leaning toward Finney, citing his friendship with the fighter and the fact that Malkoun is coming off a long layoff and back surgery. He notes that both are decision machines and expects a grappling-heavy fight. He prefers the over 2.5 rounds as a bet but picks Finney for the show.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Malkoun. He notes that Malkoun is a good technician with a nuanced wrestling game, and Finney is a one-dimensional blanket. Connor is curious to see Malkoun's wrestling against superior physicality but believes Malkoun's skill will prevail.
Daniel Vreeland picks Malkoun but is hesitant due to his long layoff and injury concerns. He believes Malkoun's cardio and pace will overwhelm Finney in the later rounds, but worries that Finney's strength and wrestling could win the first two rounds. Vreeland thinks Malkoun can take over in the second and third rounds if he is the same fighter as before.
James picks Finney as an underdog, citing his physical strength, durability, and wrestling. He believes Malkoun's long layoff and back injury are concerns, and that Finney can match him in grappling and striking. James sees Finney's power and explosiveness as key, and expects a close fight or a Finney KO.
Malkoun has a smothering grappling style with good cardio, but he has durability concerns and a long layoff due to a bulging disc. Finney is a strong grappler but lacks damage output, as shown in his debut where he landed only four significant strikes. Malkoun should outscramble Finney and land more effective damage over 15 minutes. However, Finney's power and the layoff make this a tough fight to predict. The host leans Malkoun by decision.
Paul also picks Finney, noting that he hits harder and has better striking. He questions Malkoun's stand-up and believes Finney's wrestling and durability will be key. He also likes the over 2.5 rounds.
The Guru picks Jacob Malkoun, calling him underrated and highlighting his grappling skills, nearly beating Brendan Allen. He notes Malkoun's fundamental striking and shorter stature as advantages against Finney's style. He predicts a third-round submission as Finney slows down.
Zane picks Malkoun because he is a better technician and game planner than Finney. He notes that Finney relies on blanketing top game and has no offensive part to his game, and Malkoun's crafty wrestling and ability to outfox from the bottom should allow him to get on top. Zane is intrigued by the matchup but feels Malkoun deserves better opponents.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 13 of 42 | 30% | 13 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 20 of 40 | 50% | 21 of 41 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 10 of 33 | 30% | 10 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 15 of 32 | 46% | 16 of 33 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 3 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 13 of 42 | 30% | 6 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 6 | 12 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Petroski | 20 of 40 | 50% | 16 of 36 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 10 of 33 | 30% | 4 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 9 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Petroski | 15 of 32 | 46% | 12 of 29 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 3 of 9 | 33% | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Petroski | 5 of 8 | 62% | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Malkoun (-205), Petroski (+170)
Round 1
Middleweights Malkoun and Petroski go to work under the watchful eye of referee Gary Copeland. Both men are in orthodox stance and the crowd lets fly with its first “USA” chant of the evening for Philly native Petroski. Petroski switches stances frequently in the early going, frequently ending southpaw, but Malkoun catches him with a big jab mid-switch that has him stumbling away, hurt. Malkoun walks him down but does not overcommit to the chase. Petroski fires a righty jab from southpaw, which Malkoun counters with a hard left. Malkoun appears sharper on the feet in the first half of the first round, but Petroski catches him with a clean left that buckles his legs. Petroski changes levels and tries to take the Australian down, but can’t finish. Malkoun turns the tables and tries for a takedown of his own near the fence, but can’t get Petroski off his feet. Malkoun walks Petroski down, but walks right into a level change. Petroski hoists a single-leg and sweeps the other leg to complete the takedown. Malkoun hops right back up and the horn sounds a few seconds later.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Round 2
Malkoun comes forward and tries an immediate takedown, which Petroski snuffs out easily.
Petroski goes for a takedown of his own, then crumples to the ground on his hands and knees, obviously hurt. Malkoun gives him a single massive soccer kick to the ribs and with Petroski offering no resistance, Copeland steps in for the stoppage.
It takes a couple of runs through the replay footage to figure it out, but it appears Petroski’s head might have collided with the point of Malkoun’s hip during the takedown attempt. Whatever the case, it goes down as a win for the “Mamba.”
The Official Result
Jacob Malkoun def. Andre Petroski R2 0:39 via TKO (Soccer Kick to the Body)
Angelo slightly leans Andre Petroski, believing he is the better wrestler and more dangerous striker. He notes Petroski has looked poor in his last two fights but thinks he can win here. He warns that if Petroski loses, he should be cut and find a new gym.
Cody is high on Malkoun's relentless wrestling and cardio, believing he will drown Petroski with takedowns and ground pressure. He expects a finish via TKO or submission as Petroski gasses, and even makes a shoey bet on Malkoun winning inside the distance.
Daniel Vreeland picks Jacob Malkoun, citing his pace, durability, and ability to push the fight. He notes Petroski has a history of fading and being broken by pressure (e.g., Brian Battle). He thinks Malkoun's wrestling and cardio will overwhelm Petroski as the fight goes on, leading to a decision or late finish.
Malkoun's relentless pace and pressure will wear down Petroski, who has cardio issues and needs an early finish. Malkoun chains takedowns and stays busy, while Petroski slows in later rounds. Malkoun should dominate the second and third rounds, winning a decision. Petroski's submission threat is real early, but Malkoun's movement and never-settle style should avoid bad positions.
Paul expects Malkoun to win by decision, citing his wrestling volume and Petroski's tendency to gas. He plans to bet Malkoun by decision at plus money, seeing it as a reliable play.
The host picks Jacob Malkoun to win, citing that both fighters have similar styles but Petroski is more explosive and slows down more. He believes Malkoun's volume and output, both in strikes and takedowns, will make the difference. He predicts a third-round finish or a decision win for Malkoun.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 0 | 28 of 39 | 71% | 44 of 60 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:39 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Brundage | 0 | 28 of 39 | 71% | 44 of 60 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:39 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Brundage | 28 of 39 | 71% | 28 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 39 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cody Brundage | 28 of 39 | 71% | 28 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 39 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Malkoun (-485), Brundage (+370)
Round 1
After a round robin of opponent changes, Australia’s Malkoun (7-2, 3-2 UFC) will now settle for taking on late replacement Brundage (8-5, 2-4 UFC), with the latter dropping three straight over the last 10 months. The middleweights will be joined in the cage by referee Mark Smith, who checks them in without them touching gloves. Brundage comes out shot out of a cannon, where he attacks with a head kick before charging towards Malkoun and taking him down. Malkoun powers himself back to his feet, and he gets hold of a single and drags Brundage to his seat. Brundage turns the tables to flip Malkoun over, but the two ultimately scramble well enough to stand. Malkoun doggedly pursues the single, and after two additional tries, Malkoun finally pulls Brundage away from the wall and puts him to his knees. Malkoun slugs his man on the side of the head, and Smith is paying close attention to the proceedings as Brundage is taking fire. Brundage works his way to the fence, where he leans on his side as Malkoun lays into him with strong punches. Brundage looks frustrated, as Malkoun maintains a tough top position where he has his own leg entangled between Brundage’s to keep him grounded. Malkoun continues to beat down on Brundage, and Brundage leans over and puts his hands on the floor in some kind of desperate effort to escape. When Brundage gets a modicum of success, pulling the hook off of his side, Malkoun quickly replaces it and keeps beating on the American. Malkoun uses his left hand to bludgeon Brundage, who is taking punishment and not offering any offense of his own. Malkoun uses a palm-to-palm rear-naked choke to hunt for the choke with full power, and Brundage shakes his head out of it.
When Brundage is leaned over, Malkoun blasts Brundage in the back of the head with a mighty elbow. Smith calls time immediately, and he quickly brings in the doctor, as Brundage is in a bad way from the foul.
Brundage sits up against the cage, and Smith exits the cage to check replay footage to see the extent of the elbow landing. There is no specific time allotment for this type of foul, and Brundage asks how much time he has to recover when Smith inquires if Brundage can continue. The physician comes in to check on Brundage’s condition again, and Brundage is not ready to resume fighting. The fight is waved off, and due to the directly aimed blow clearly to the back of the head, it could be a disqualification if the strike is deemed intentional by Smith. This is an unfortunate ending to what at the time had been a potential 10-8 round for Malkoun, as 45 seconds remained on the clock with Malkoun in full control.
The Official Result
Cody Brundage def. Jacob Malkoun R1 4:15 via Disqualification (Illegal Elbow)
Angelo notes Brundage has power and wrestling but poor fight IQ and a tendency to lose fights he dominates. Malkoun has relentless takedowns and cardio, and if he avoids an early big right hand, he should dominate. Angelo is pretty confident in Malkoun.
Big Brady is confident in Jacob Malkoun, citing his phenomenal offensive wrestling, cardio, and control. He notes Cody Brundage has poor defensive wrestling and tends to stall on bottom. Malkoun must avoid Brundage's early power and guillotine attempts, but once he gets top position, he should dominate. Brady predicts a submission but is not fully sold on the method.
Cody picks Jacob Malkoun by decision, calling it play of the week. He highlights Malkoun's relentless takedowns and top control, while Brundage has terrible output and poor fight IQ (jumping guillotines). He expects Malkoun to dominate with wrestling and grind out a decision.
Daniel is very confident Malkoun dominates, calling Brundage a quitter with terrible output (3 strikes in last fight). He praises Malkoun's relentless takedown attempts and tenacity, noting he attempted 24 takedowns against Alhassan. He thinks Malkoun will break Brundage with pace and pressure, possibly getting a finish. He sees this as a massive mismatch.
Lucrative James picks Malkoun but is hesitant due to his chin issues. He expects Malkoun to wrestle and grind out a decision, but acknowledges Brundage's power and volatility could lead to an early KO. He suggests betting Brundage inside the distance or round 1 instead of Malkoun's moneyline at -500.
The host picks Malkoun at minus 600, calling him a safe parlay piece. He highlights Malkoun's refined wrestling and BJJ black belt, contrasting with Brundage's poor fight IQ and tendency to pull guillotine. He expects Malkoun to smother Brundage on the ground and win a decision, noting Brundage's 0-3 skid and likely cut if he loses.
Paul also picks Malkoun by decision, noting his consistent takedown numbers and Brundage's tendency to jump guillotine. He likes Malkoun's wrestling and thinks Brundage has no path to victory. He mentions Malkoun's decision prop at +135.
The MMA Guru picks Jacob Malkoun, criticizing Cody Brundage's recent performances, especially his loss to Cedric Dumas where he 'shelled up and accepted defeat.' He notes Brundage is on a three-fight losing streak and lacks finishing potential except against low-level opponents. He expects Malkoun to outgrind Brundage over three rounds, as Brundage doesn't have the skills to finish or compete effectively.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 34 of 102 | 33% | 56 of 124 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Nick Maximov | 0 | 83 of 164 | 50% | 129 of 214 | 9 of 13 | 69% | 0 | 0 | 7:37 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 19 of 61 | 31% | 19 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Nick Maximov | 0 | 36 of 75 | 48% | 38 of 77 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 0 | 0 | 1:10 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 7 of 24 | 29% | 12 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nick Maximov | 0 | 36 of 66 | 54% | 61 of 92 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:42 | |
| 3 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 25 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nick Maximov | 0 | 11 of 23 | 47% | 30 of 45 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:45 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 34 of 102 | 33% | 29 of 96 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 34 of 101 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Nick Maximov | 83 of 164 | 50% | 78 of 158 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 66 of 141 | 4 of 8 | 13 of 15 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 19 of 61 | 31% | 17 of 59 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Nick Maximov | 36 of 75 | 48% | 35 of 74 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 34 of 72 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 7 of 24 | 29% | 5 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nick Maximov | 36 of 66 | 54% | 33 of 62 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 29 of 58 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 7 | |
| 3 | Jacob Malkoun | 8 of 17 | 47% | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nick Maximov | 11 of 23 | 47% | 10 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 11 | 3 of 6 | 5 of 6 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Maximov (-135), Malkoun (+115)
Round 1
Two training partners-turned-UFC middleweights will grace the cage next, as Nick Diaz Academy product Maximov (8-1, 2-1 UFC) will aim to bounce back from his first career defeat at the expense of Robert Whittaker teammate Malkoun (6-2, 2-2 UFC). Ready for whatever happens next is referee Mark Smith, and the fighters do not touch ‘em up. They both measure their range with high kicks, but neither man lands with them. Instead, they switch things up to jabs, and they peck at one another from a distance. Maximov walks his opponent down and straight into repeated jabs, and he loads up on a huge left hand. When it misses, he doubles down with another, and it stuns the Aussie and drops him to his knees. Malkoun attempts to take the fight down when hurt, and after a brief grappling stalemate, they return to their feet. Maximov looks to get his feet beneath him again and work his jab once more, but Maximov has found his range with hooks. The Nick Diaz-trained fighter just misses with a spinning wheel kick, but he clips Malkoun coming in with a sharp left. Malkoun ducks down with a single, and he wrenches Maximov down to the mat. The American works his way to his knees and back to his feet, but Malkoun immediately secures a mat return. The grind continues for Malkoun, who yanks Maximov down any time he stands back up. Maximov wriggles out of the grip, and he backs off to the fence and gets popped with a left hook. Malkoun connects with a few punches that draw a grin out of his opponent, and he might have compromised Maximov when attacking. Maximov winces as he backs off, and Malkoun gives chase and connects with a few punches before setting him down with a snatch single. Maximov works his way back up, and Malkoun follows him every step of the way and sneaks a right hand around the guard. Maximov shells up and is defending, and he cannot back Malkoun off even when getting a left hand in. As soon as the horn sounds, Maximov reaches to his right leg in pain, and he lets out a yelp. It is unclear if he will be able to continue, and his corner calms him down and has him sit on his stool to recover. Smith calls in the doctor between rounds, but Maximov is cleared to keep fighting.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Round 2
Knowing his opponent is in trouble, Malkoun pushes his foot on the gas and rushes out of his corner to engage when Round 2 begins. He backs Maximov off and hits a single with ease, and this time, Maximov is not as eager or able to work right back up. Instead, Maximov closes his guard around the waist, and he is wincing greatly when trying to maneuver his right leg for the guard. Malkoun postures up and lines up with a right hand, but his foe keeps his gloves high to defend it. Maximov leans to his side but cannot get up, and Malkoun drops down left hands in the form of hammers. The pain is clear on Maximov’s face, and he is completely devoid of offense as he lays on his back. Malkoun comfortably moves to half guard, and he aims to drop down ground-and-pound while Maximov is doing anything in his power to show signs of life. With every bit of his energy, Maximov grits his teeth and explodes back to his feet. He immediately backs off, and Malkoun walks him down and lumps him up with heavy punches. Malkoun slips a few punches and plods forward, all while Maximov limps back. Malkoun has a right hand get through, and Smith tells Maximov to fight back. Maximov shells up and backpedals, and when he has a guard high, Malkoun rips the body. Practically every step from Maximov draws a physical reaction out of him, and Malkoun decides to kick the legs for good measure. The one-sided but hardly dominant round ends as Malkoun lands a few more punches.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Round 3
The doctors come to check on Maximov again between rounds, and despite the limp and obvious pain, Maximov is once more good to go. A few punches from Malkoun lead to a takedown, and he grabs a single and lowers Maximov to the mat gently. Malkoun searches for a rubber guard with his non-damaged leg, but Malkoun shrugs it off and continues holding on from above. A little light ground-and-pound is absorbed by the Californian before he jumps back up to his feet, and Malkoun is on him with his fists. Smith is paying close attention to the injured fighter, and Malkoun grips his man from behind and then slings leather at him. Maximov strings two punches together, but neither find their target as the Aussie is able to evade them. Maximov tumbles to the ground from a single-leg takedown, and Malkoun clings to his damaged opponent without landing much in the way of offense on his own right. Malkoun grinds from top position, preferring to rack up control time rather than deal damage. The heavy top pressure is not enough to keep even the injured Maximov down, and Maximov works his way back up and connects with a few punches to get the audience back in the fight. Malkoun takes any momentum away with a labored but simple single, and Maximov has no hope of defending it in his condition. Maximov turns to his knees, despite this, and wants to fight his way back up. Malkoun holds him down with a front choke that is more to hang on than to actually submit anyone, and the horn mercifully sounds to conclude this miserable fight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (30-27 Malkoun)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (30-27 Malkoun)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (30-27 Malkoun)
The Official Result
Jacob Malkoun def. Nick Maximov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo leans Nick Maximov in a razor-thin matchup between two grapplers. He notes that Maximov has better wrestling and BJJ, and that the fight will likely be decided by grappling. He acknowledges Malkoun has raw power but is not the better wrestler. This is a close fight and Angelo is not highly confident.
Big Brady leans slightly toward Nick Maximov to win a close decision. He notes both fighters are similar wrestlers, but gives Maximov advantages in size (height, reach), cardio, and quality of wins (over Soriano and Brundage). He thinks Maximov is the better wrestler and will grind out a decision, but calls it a tricky fight to call.
Cody leans towards Malkoun as a slight underdog, calling it a 50/50 fight. He notes both are wrestlers, but Malkoun may have a slight edge in striking and willingness to engage. He thinks Malkoun's takedown ability against strong opponents like Alhassan and Dobson is impressive.
Both fighters are similar grapplers, but Malkoun's pressure and ability to scramble from bottom positions give him an edge. He never settles and uses butterfly hooks to get back to his feet or reverse. Maximov is a higher belt but Malkoun's relentless style should make it competitive. At plus money, the host sees value on Malkoun, expecting a close decision.
Paul also leans Malkoun, noting the fight is a toss-up. He thinks Malkoun's wrestling and strength could be the difference, and he is more willing to strike than Maximov. He calls it a dog or pass fight.
The MMA Guru picks Nick Maximov, believing he will out-hustle Jacob Malkoun in grappling. He notes that Maximov's loss to Andre Petroski was a choke, not damage, and that he has less pressure now. He trusts Maximov's jiu-jitsu to secure positional advantage and potentially find the back, while Malkoun lacks submission or KO power.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan Allen | 0 | 45 of 74 | 60% | 89 of 122 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 2 | 3:24 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 33 of 55 | 60% | 66 of 96 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 7:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brendan Allen | 0 | 15 of 34 | 44% | 25 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 13 of 27 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:24 | |
| 2 | Brendan Allen | 0 | 12 of 16 | 75% | 25 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:39 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 12 of 19 | 63% | 32 of 43 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:58 | |
| 3 | Brendan Allen | 0 | 18 of 24 | 75% | 39 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 2:06 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 11 of 16 | 68% | 21 of 26 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:47 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan Allen | 45 of 74 | 60% | 36 of 62 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 28 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 17 of 18 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 33 of 55 | 60% | 29 of 50 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 29 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brendan Allen | 15 of 34 | 44% | 8 of 24 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 10 of 20 | 50% | 8 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brendan Allen | 12 of 16 | 75% | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 12 of 19 | 63% | 10 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | |
| 3 | Brendan Allen | 18 of 24 | 75% | 18 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 12 |
| Jacob Malkoun | 11 of 16 | 68% | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Allen (-280), Malkoun (+225)
Round 1
Moving right along, this next fight comes up at middleweight, when Allen (18-5, 6-2 UFC) drops back down to 185 pounds in hopes of defanging “Mamba” Malkoun (6-1, 2-1 UFC). The third man inside the Octagon will be gold-standard referee Jason Herzog, and he takes a step back when the fighters wade forward with no interest in touching gloves. Allen fires off a few high kicks and a jab to follow, and he catches Malkoun backing up with a leg kick. Allen goes over the top with a right hand, and Malkoun looks to stand firm and blast him back. They trade big punches on the inside, and Allen backs off and aims a kick low. Malkoun scores solidly with a jab, and Allen chomps down on his gumshield to throw heavy leather. “Mamba” is able to slither out of danger and answer Allen with a solid right hand, but Allen is on him giving chase. Allen loads up on power punches, darting forward and making the Aussie retreat. As Allen lands a low kick, Malkoun pursues a takedown. Malkoun takes Allen’s legs out beneath him as Allen pursues a possible guillotine choke setup, and he shrugs his neck out and they both stand up. Malkoun keeps his hands clasped behind Allen’s waist, and he elects to simply drag Allen down on top of him when he cannot otherwise take Allen down. Allen ends up giving his back up when unable to twist around, and Malkoun gets one hook in and holds him tight. Allen turns to his knees and powers back up with Malkoun on his back, and he lifts Allen up but cannot plant him down. Allen hops towards the cage and reverses Malkoun to throw him down to the mat with emphasis. “All In” goes all-in as he claims mount in a hurry, but before he can get off any noteworthy offense, Malkoun is scrambling wildly. Allen threatens with a submission, and they both power back up instead. Allen clings to a guillotine choke when Malkoun looks to tackle him back over, and the Aussie wriggles his neck out and gets on top. Allen scoots his way to the wall on a single knee, and he stands up with a few seconds to spare. Malkoun holds on, taking a short punch and elbow to the face, before the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Round 2
The middleweights do decide to touch gloves to start off the second round, and Allen starts off hot with a few power punches that get blocked. Malkoun responds with a looping right hand, and Allen kicks him in the head for good measure. Malkoun pushes out a few jabs, leading to Allen imploring him to strike with him. As Allen advances, Malkoun clips him with a straight left, getting stunned for a moment. They both land powerful hooks, and Allen chains the punch into a low kick. As soon as it lands, Malkoun attacks a single-leg takedown, and Allen fights off this try and a subsequent trip but gets pulled down to the mat. Allen cannot stay upright, even with a cheeky fence grab, and he falls to his back and closes his guard. The Aussie steps over to half guard, and he grinds with his forehead instead of striking. Allen slashes with elbows from his back, and he bucks Malkoun off to walk up the cage back to his feet. Malkoun lets him spin around so that he can wrench Allen down to the ground with a single. Malkoun jumps to half guard and gets off a couple short punches to the body, and he has one go over the top. Malkoun hangs on from on top, and he sits up to drop down a pair of elbows before glomming back down. Allen scrambles after these strikes, getting to a knee and ultimately surrendering his back. Allen times an explosion quickly to gain top position, and he leaps over to side control with about 30 seconds left in the round. Allen hammers down a few short elbows as the round comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Round 3
To start off the round in a reversal of fortunes, Allen shoots for a takedown early. Although he puts Malkoun on his back, the Aussie scrambles during a transition to get back to his feet. Allen lets his hands go, marking Malkoun up, and Malkoun tries to respond with a few jabs. Malkoun charges wildly forward to hunt for a single, and he grounds Allen momentarily. The American climbs back to his feet as Malkoun is holding his back standing, and Malkoun whips him back down to the canvas. Allen nails him with a couple elbows off his back, but this offense slows when Malkoun holds his own head on top of Allen’s. “All In” kicks off but cannot get Malkoun off of him, and Malkoun takes his back. Allen turns the tables to get on top, and Malkoun doggedly reverses him and goes for a single. Allen steps all the way through to get on top, as both men embark in a thrilling wrestling exchange. Malkoun will not let him into his guard, but Allen lowers himself in and lands a few strikes from above. Allen hacks with an elbow or two as he has Malkoun flat on his back, and he drops down a few punches to mix things up. Malkoun defends with a triangle off his back to tie his man up and reach the scorecards.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (29-28 Malkoun)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (29-28 Malkoun)
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (29-28 Malkoun)
The Official Result
Brendan Allen def. Jacob Malkoun via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Malkoun as an underdog, trusting his wrestling and takedown ability. He notes Allen is inconsistent and looked terrible against Sam Alvey despite winning. He believes Malkoun's grappling is as good or better than Allen's, and he likes the plus 3.5 round bet as a safer play.
Big Brady picks Brendan Allen to win by first-round knockout. He highlights Allen's superior grappling, having submitted Kevin Holland and outgrappled Kyle Daukaus, and notes that Malkoun's wins came against lower-level competition. He believes Allen has the striking advantage and will finish Malkoun early, either by TKO or submission.
Cody confidently picks Allen, citing his superior striking and grappling. He dismisses Malkoun's credentials, noting he is a purple belt and not a high-level grappler. He thinks Allen's wrestling is good enough to keep the fight standing and win by TKO or decision.
Daniel Levi picks Brendan Allen, citing his superior athleticism, experience, and grappling. He respects Malkoun's relentless takedown style but believes Allen has the tools to reverse or submit him. He notes that Allen is better everywhere and that Malkoun's path to victory is narrow. He is confident Allen will find a way to win.
Allen is the more complete fighter and should have advantages on the feet and in submission grappling. However, Malkoun is a pure wrestler who can grind out a decision. Allen is overpriced at -320; the value is on Malkoun. I predict Allen wins but the best bet is over 2.5 rounds at plus money.
Paul leans Allen but is not confident due to the price. He thinks Allen is the rightful favorite but the juice is too high. He considers Malkoun by decision at +800 but likely passes.
The MMA Guru picks Brendan Allen to win by 30-27 decision. He believes Allen is bigger and stronger than Malkoun's previous opponents, and that Malkoun's grappling-heavy style won't work against Allen. He notes that Malkoun has relied on takedowns and control, but Allen builds as the fight goes on and won't be out-hustled. He sees no path for Malkoun unless he gets a finish, which he doubts due to lack of explosiveness. He cites Allen's youth and experience advantage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 52 of 90 | 57% | 68 of 110 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| A.J. Dobson | 0 | 80 of 128 | 62% | 183 of 255 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 9:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 41 of 69 | 59% | 46 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| A.J. Dobson | 0 | 24 of 48 | 50% | 26 of 50 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| A.J. Dobson | 0 | 25 of 37 | 67% | 82 of 108 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:45 | |
| 3 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 7 of 9 | 77% | 17 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| A.J. Dobson | 0 | 31 of 43 | 72% | 75 of 97 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 4:31 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 52 of 90 | 57% | 41 of 79 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 44 of 78 | 5 of 9 | 3 of 3 |
| A.J. Dobson | 80 of 128 | 62% | 70 of 118 | 9 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 29 of 57 | 4 of 7 | 47 of 64 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 41 of 69 | 59% | 33 of 61 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 37 of 62 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| A.J. Dobson | 24 of 48 | 50% | 22 of 46 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 4 of 12 | 33% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| A.J. Dobson | 25 of 37 | 67% | 23 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 21 of 28 | |
| 3 | Jacob Malkoun | 7 of 9 | 77% | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| A.J. Dobson | 31 of 43 | 72% | 25 of 37 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 26 of 36 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Training partners of fan-favorite ex-UFC champs will come to blows in this middleweight encounter, as Strong Style Fight Team’s Dobson (6-0, 1 NC; 0-0 UFC) – home of Stipe Miocic – meets PMA Super Martial Arts prospect Malkoun (5-1, 1-1 UFC), a teammate of headliner Robert Whittaker. The third man in the cage for what could be a quick one is referee Herb Dean, who is ready for whatever comes his way as he bears witness to a touch of gloves. Dobson quickly fires off a right hand, and he slips back to sling a right hand as Malkoun just dodges in time. Dobson cracks his foe with a right hand, forcing the Aussie to shoot for a desperation takedown. Dobson gets lifted up in the air, but he slithers his legs down to the mat so that he can keep his balance and not get taken down, in an impressive display of balance. “Mamba” grinds Dobson against the fence until Dobson breaks off, and he loose a quick one-two that connects cleanly on the beard of Malkoun. Dobson tries to time a right hand low when Malkoun attacks for a takedown, and Dobson once more keeps his balance when Malkoun elevates him. The newcomer manages to break the grip, pushes off and returns to his preferred boxing range. Malkoun lets go with a few punches, but Dobson grabs him to knee him in the body a few times. Malkoun flicks out a jab, but Dobson ignores them and answers with some of his own. A quick chain of punches come out as Malkoun retreats, and he connects with a solid leg kick at the end of a combination. Dobson snaps the head back with a punch and goes up high with a kick, and every strike that lands seems to draw a reaction out of his opponent. Malkoun sits down on a right hand, but Dobson does not even budge when it smacks into his cheek. Dobson stands firm, delivering a couple more one-twos and a body kick. When Malkoun lifts his man’s leg up in pursuit of a takedown, Dobson hops back and bounces off the cage wall to get free. Dobson gives chase when he lands a few punches, and Malkoun is rocked from an accumulation of damage. Dobson takes the center of the cage and swats at his shaky man, clipping him with a left hook and a one-two that bounces off the side of the head. Malkoun drops down low for a single, lifting Dobson’s leg up in the air and finally securing a takedown. He can only maintain top position for a few seconds before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dobson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dobson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dobson
Round 2
They clap hands to start of the second round, and Dobson, brimming with confidence, strides out with a few jabs. He gets off a right hand, and closes the distance to slam a knee into the Aussie’s midsection. As he lands a few more strikes, he draws out another takedown entry from “Mamba,” but that too fails as Dobson turns him around and knees him in the body. They jockey for position against the fence, and Malkoun stays doggedly in pursuit of a takedown but nothing presents itself. Dobson is able to get Malkoun to back off when he sets up a Thai clinch, and he misses a knee by an inch. Malkoun resets, crashes forward and secures a takedown. The American gets to his knees without much issue, stands back up, and gets wrenched back down with a mat return. Malkoun begins to smash Dobson in the side of the head with his fists, and Dobson is hurt and in trouble as cornerman Mark Coleman bellows for Dobson to get up. Malkoun does not let him up, raining down left hands as he keeps Dobson stuck on a knee. The strikes turn from damaging ones to more frustrating shots, but Malkoun is able to step over and sit down on Dobson’s thigh to ground him. Dobson thinks to explode, but Malkoun continues to grind and slug Dobson in the face with powerful left hands. Malkoun pursues a guillotine choke when working Dobson over, and he fails on that but does not let Dobson off the hook. Dobson bursts back to his feet with 10 seconds to go, and he pops Malkoun with a pair of punches before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Malkoun
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Round 3
The middleweights greet in the center of the cage, and Dobson appears energized when back upright again. He flicks out a jab that makes Malkoun blink it out a few times, and he catches Malkoun coming in with a right hand. The Aussie changes levels for a takedown, and the defense does not hold up for Dobson this time, as he gets pulled down to the mat. Dobson remains on his knees before jumping back up, and he succumbs to a mat return when Malkoun powers him back down. “Mamba” holds on from behind, landing sporadic right hands until the unbeaten fighter stands up. Malkoun continues his assault of takedown tries, and he sucks Dobson’s legs out beneath him and lands in half guard. Dobson wriggles himself to the corner between the floor and the wall, and Coleman’s encouragement is still somehow louder than all the boos raining down in the building combined. Malkoun does not register the crowd’s disappointment with his “embrace the grind” tactics, as he thumps down on Dobson with right hands. The fighters start talking to each other, with Dobson admitting his foe is stronger than he thought, and they continue to converse as Malkoun is pounding on him. Dobson tries to get into a slugfest from his back, with punches from his back, but Malkoun’s are considerably harder. Malkoun switches from punches to elbows as he staves off a standup from Dean, and precious seconds tick off the clock while Malkoun grinds him out. With just a few seconds left in the fight, Dobson somersaults backwards to get out of the position, stands up and wings a high kick, but it comes up short of the mark right before the fight ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (29-28 Malkoun)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (29-27 Malkoun)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (29-28 Malkoun)
The Official Result
Jacob Malkoun def. A.J. Dobson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks A.J. Dobson, citing his incredible hand speed and power. He worries that Malkoun could wrestle but believes Dobson's speed advantage will allow him to land three times for every one of Malkoun's looping strikes. He dismisses the 'fade the contender series' narrative and expects Dobson to laser down the middle and touch Malkoun up.
Big Brady sees this fight going one of two ways: Dobson knocking out Malkoun early or Malkoun wrestling Dobson to a decision. He leans toward Dobson because of his power and finishing ability, but admits he's not confident due to lack of information on Dobson's takedown defense. He compares it to Malkoun's win over Abdul Razak Alhassan where Malkoun used wrestling. Brady picks Dobson by first round knockout but says he can't be too confident.
Cody leans Malkoun but is not confident. He notes Malkoun's grappling looked good against Alhassan, but his chin is a concern after the Phil Hawes KO. He thinks Dobson is explosive and could land a big shot, but Malkoun's path is via takedowns.
Daniel Levi picks Jacob Malkoun for an upset win, but is hesitant about the early going. He notes that A.J. Dobson is a freak athlete with power, but tends to overexert and fatigue. Malkoun's game plan of attempting many takedowns could work if he weathers the early storm. Levi mentions that Dobson was finished by a bum in amateurs, but that was years ago.
Dobson has power and trains with strong camps, but his grappling and cardio are unproven. Malkoun will shoot for takedowns early, and if Dobson can't stop them or finish early, Malkoun could take over in later rounds. Dobson's only decision win was against a low-level opponent. The pick is based on trusting Dobson's camp and power, but it's a slight lean.
Paul picks Malkoun, citing his grappling advantage and ability to grind out a win. He notes Dobson is wild and may gas. He expects Malkoun to take Dobson down and control him, but acknowledges the volatility.
The MMA Guru picks Jacob Malkoun, believing he has overcome his debut jitters and will use his grappling to control A.J. Dobson. He notes Dobson's debut pressure and Malkoun's experience against better competition like Abdul Razak Alhassan.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 21 of 47 | 44% | 32 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 0 | 27 of 55 | 49% | 91 of 135 | 8 of 24 | 33% | 2 | 0 | 11:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 15 of 30 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 0 | 0 | 3:45 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 0 | 13 of 24 | 54% | 33 of 46 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 3:59 | |
| 3 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 7 of 17 | 41% | 15 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 0 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 43 of 59 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 0 | 0 | 3:57 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 21 of 47 | 44% | 11 of 33 | 9 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 38 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 3 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 27 of 55 | 49% | 24 of 51 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 37 | 3 of 9 | 6 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 10 of 21 | 47% | 6 of 14 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 3 of 10 | 30% | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 2 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 13 of 24 | 54% | 12 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 15 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 6 | |
| 3 | Jacob Malkoun | 7 of 17 | 41% | 4 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 1 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 11 of 21 | 52% | 9 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Up now, we try to snap the streak of four split decisions with what should be a middleweight banger, as Alhassan (10-3, 4-3 UFC) comes to blows with fellow slugger Malkoun (4-1, 0-1 UFC). Referee Chris Tognoni needs to keep his head on a swivel for this one, and there is a glove touch before fists start flying. Alhassan lets go with a head kick that gets dodged, and the Aussie quickly drops down low for a single leg takedown. He puts Alhassan on his back, and Alhassan kicks around to get to the fence and back to a knee. Malkoun considers a guillotine choke as he has Alhassan pressed against the cage, but Alhassan stands up anyway. “Judo Thunder” begins to unload with vicious elbows to the side of the head, and Malkoun is hurt but still able to pursue a takedown. Malkoun tries to take the fight back down when they separate, but this time, Alhassan stuffs it and starts to wing bombs. Malkoun keeps his composure and pursues a takedown, and he trips Alhassan’s leg out beneath him. The Texan climbs back up with assistance from a fence grab, and Malkoun trips him back down again. Once more, Alhassan angles to stand up, and there is a near-successful mat return for the Aussie. Malkoun is content to grind Alhassan up against the fence to fatigue the ferocious striker before tripping the leg out and putting Alhassan on his back. As Alhassan tries to climb up, Malkoun’s pressure is overwhelming and he plants Alhassan back down one more time. Alhassan gets his hips suck out from beneath him as soon as he is standing, and “Judo Thunder” looks irritated as he continues to get grounded. Alhassan finally gets back up and breaks the grip, where he lets loose a pair of slapping body kicks. The two trade jabs, and Tognoni warns them for outstretched fingers. Alhassan targets the body a few more times with his kick, and a head kick misses the mark before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun
Round 2
The middleweights march to the center of the cage, greet one another with jabs, and it is Malkoun that makes Alhassan take a step back when he shoots in for a low single. He hits the takedown with ease, but he does not hold Alhassan there. When the Texan pops back up, Malkoun slams him back down in half guard. Alhassan defends with a guillotine choke, and as he tries to tighten it with his other hand, Malkoun slips his neck out. With no way for Alhassan to walk up the fence as they are square in the middle of the Octagon, Malkoun drops down a few punches. Alhassan circles his way around and tries to pop back up, and Malkoun pulls guard for a choke. Alhassan falls to his back as he survives the choke, and Malkoun repositions himself to return up on top. Once more, Malkoun rolls through for a guillotine choke attempt, and Alhassan defends it like before. Alhassan scrambles to his knees, and he falls into a potential anaconda choke. Alhassan breaks the grip and winds up giving up side control, and Malkoun lands a few shots before Alhassan scrambles once more. Malkoun drops down with the guillotine attempt to put Alhassan back down, and Alhassan is able to avoid the choke danger by grabbing his foe’s shorts and standing up. Malkoun does not give him a moment to breathe, pursuing a single leg takedown and then just pressing Alhassan into the cage. When they separate, Alhassan’s legs are wobbly possibly from fatigue, but he still wings power punches and huge head kicks. Malkoun stands him up with a pair of crisp punches, and he has Alhassan stuck against the fence before shooting in for a takedown. The Aussie cannot get the takedown before the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Malkoun
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Malkoun
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Malkoun
Round 3
The middleweights decide to touch gloves to begin the final round, and Malkoun slaps the leg with a kick. Alhassan takes a few punches on the chin, and one right hand snaps his head back. Alhassan overextends himself with a left hand, which puts him right in position to have to defend a takedown. Alhassan shucks it off, and Malkoun backs away to pursue a different angle. The Aussie crashes forward with his takedown, and this time, it puts Alhassan flat on his back. Malkoun sits comfortable in half guard, where he works on the spent Alhassan with right hands and elbows. Alhassan looks to sit up, and he rolls to a knee into the guillotine choke where Malkoun has tried before. Alhassan lifts Malkoun in the air to get out of the choke, and Malkoun lets go and chases him with big punches. “Mamba” squeezes Alhassan into the cage wall, but he cannot keep him trapped for long. Malkoun gives Alhassan a few seconds to reset before charging in for a takedown attempt, lather, rinse, repeat, but he cannot quite trip the leg. Malkoun circles around to take the back standing, and Alhassan keeps his balance. Malkoun tries to break the posture with foot stomps and knees up high, and Alhassan pushes him away and slips back into the fence. Malkoun follows him there, where he slings Alhassan to the canvas with a single. Malkoun decides to let go with ground-and-pound now that Alhassan closes his guard around him, and Alhassan decides it would be in his best interest to throw back instead of escape this position. Alhassan scoots into the corner of the fence and the floor, where he uses the angle to stand back up. Malkoun takes him from behind and looks to elevate him and slam him down, but he circles around to drop low for a single. When it fails, Malkoun drops down for one last takedown, and Alhassan pushes him away and tries to decapitate his foe with a diving right hand in the last seconds. Unlike Dan Henderson on Michael Bisping, the booming shot misses the mark, and the grind of a fight is mercifully over.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (30-26 Malkoun)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (30-26 Malkoun)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Malkoun (30-26 Malkoun)
The Official Result
Jacob Malkoun def. Abdul Razak Alhassan via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Big Brady picks Abdul Razak Alhassan to win by first-round knockout. He notes Alhassan has a 100% finish rate, all by knockout in the first round. He believes Malkoun is not ready for this level of competition, citing Malkoun's loss to Phil Hawes where he fell from the first punch. He suggests if Malkoun survives the first round, he could be a live betting opportunity, but he expects a brutal knockout within the first 60 seconds. He also mentions Alhassan's recent losses but considers this a favorable matchup.
Cody thinks Alhassan has tremendous power and will likely finish Malkoun in the first round. He notes that Malkoun is not a natural middleweight and was knocked out quickly by Phil Hawes. He acknowledges Alhassan's cardio issues but believes Malkoun is not physical enough to exploit them. He suggests live betting Alhassan or taking him by knockout.
Daniel Levi confidently picks Abdul Razak Alhassan, stating that this fight is about Razak, not Malkoun. He believes Malkoun does not belong in the UFC and is only there because he is Robert Whittaker's training partner. Levi notes that Razak has been through a lot mentally but expects him to knock Malkoun out in the first round. He also mentions that Razak is actually bigger than Malkoun in terms of height and reach.
Manpreet is confident Alhassan will win by first-round knockout, noting that all his UFC wins have come in round one and that Malkoun was knocked out quickly by Phil Hawes. He believes Alhassan's power and aggression will overwhelm Malkoun, who is a natural welterweight moving up and has questionable durability. He recommends the round one prop at plus money.
Paul calls this fight 'prime apple pie shit' because Alhassan has failed as a favorite multiple times. He notes that Alhassan has no cardio and his takedown defense disappears when tired. However, he thinks Malkoun is not good enough to take advantage. He is reluctant but leans Alhassan, and mentions a 20-1 prop on Malkoun by submission as a longshot.
The MMA Guru picks Abdul Razak Alhassan to win by unanimous decision, though he calls it risky due to Alhassan's recent rough patch. He criticizes Jacob Malkoun's rushed career and poor performance against Phil Hawes. He doubts Malkoun's ability to finish or outpoint Alhassan, and believes Alhassan will be patient and grind out a 30-27 decision.
Expert Picks (3)
Big Brady picks Phil Hawes, citing his power and finishing ability (75% of wins by KO). He notes Malkoun's lack of experience (4-0) and that Hawes has faced better competition. He predicts a first-round knockout, but advises staying away from betting at -260.
Daniel Levi slightly leans with Phil Hawes based on experience and athleticism, noting that Hawes has paid his dues with tough fights against Luis Taylor and Julian Marquez. He questions Malkoun's level of competition, as he is only 4-0 against subpar opponents. Levi thinks it might be a dog-or-pass situation at the betting window, but as a pure pick he goes with Hawes.
The host picks Phil Hawes but with low confidence, citing his athleticism and power. He notes that Hawes has cardio and durability concerns, while Malkoun is inexperienced. He prefers the under 2.5 rounds if the line is favorable.
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