Career Averages - Farès Ziam
Career Averages - Jamie Mullarkey
Farès Ziam - Fight History
The host picks Ziam, stating that he is the more technical striker and expects the fight to stay on the feet. He believes Ziam will land the better shots and be able to stay safe from Nolan's offense. He notes that Ziam has good takedown defense and uses his long limbs well defensively.
AJ picks Farès Ziam as a level above Tom Nolan, citing Ziam's superior footwork, technical kickboxing, and double the pro experience. He believes Ziam can win by finish, possibly a counter shot KO, or outwork Nolan on the mat. AJ notes Nolan gets hit a lot and Ziam is surgical.
AJ picks Ziam by KO, citing his surgical kickboxing, improved Muay Thai, and veteran savvy. He views Nolan as a step behind in technical striking and believes Ziam's precision and counter-punching will be too much. AJ expects a finish, possibly by KO or club-and-sub, and notes Ziam's experience advantage.
Angelo picks Farès Ziam despite being a self-proclaimed hater. He acknowledges Ziam has evolved, becoming more aggressive and technical. He believes Ziam is cleaner and can fight at range or in the pocket, taking advantage of Tom Nolan's recklessness. He notes the fight is closer than the -300 odds suggest.
Big Brady picks Farès Ziam to win by decision. He notes that Ziam has improved rapidly, showing finishing ability and better grappling. He is not impressed with Tom Nolan, who got knocked out quickly and has been dropped. He thinks Ziam is the better fighter overall but doesn't love the price.
Tom Nolan is a young, maturing fighter with good takedown defense and volume. He will outwork Farès Ziam over three rounds, pushing the pace and landing more strikes. Nolan is likely a slight underdog but has a bright future.
Cody is confident in Ziam, citing his technical striking, improved wrestling, and Tom Nolan's poor durability. He notes Nolan has been hurt by lesser fighters and has weak takedown attempts. Ziam's growth and Nolan's chin issues make Ziam a strong pick.
Connor picks Farès Ziam, agreeing that Nolan is a violent but flawed fighter who is hittable and hurtable. He notes that Ziam is like a better version of Nolan, with a more technical and diverse wrestling game. Connor expects Ziam to handle Nolan easily, calling it a squash match.
Farès Ziam is picked to win inside the distance because he is the better MMA fighter with improved takedown defense and striking. Tom Nolan is hittable, has poor takedown accuracy (22%), and struggled against Charlie Campbell. Ziam's calculated striking and grappling upgrades make a finish likely, possibly by knockout or submission. The host agrees with the line.
Ziam is on a six-fight win streak against better competition, including wins over Mike Davis and Nazim Sadykhov. Nolan has been fed weaker opponents and hasn't faced anyone of Ziam's caliber. Ziam should outpoint him on the feet and win a decision.
Lucrative James picks Farès Ziam, citing his well-rounded skill set, improved fight IQ, and experience. He believes Ziam is one level above Tom Nolan in MMA and will win via decision, as Nolan is durable but likely outclassed over 15 minutes. He notes Nolan's X-factor finishing ability but thinks Ziam's technical striking and clinch game will be too much.
Ziam has improved takedown defense and a sniper-like striking game. Nolan has poor striking defense and cardio issues. Ziam should pick Nolan apart and finish him in the third round as Nolan slows down. Ziam by third round TKO.
Paul picks Ziam by knockout, noting Ziam's well-rounded skills and Nolan's questionable durability. He likes Ziam's sneaky strikes and in-between fighting, and sees Nolan's chin as a major liability. He plans to bet Ziam by KO at +290.
Zane picks Farès Ziam confidently, stating that Tom Nolan is not a good athlete and is very hurtable, and that his wins have come against terrible fighters. He notes that Ziam has become a potent, aggressive space-controlling fighter with good takedowns, and that he should blow Nolan out of the water. Zane is surprised the odds are not wider, saying it should be a -500 to -600 fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nazim Sadykhov | 0 | 4 of 16 | 25% | 7 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Farès Ziam | 1 | 31 of 49 | 63% | 76 of 96 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 | 0 | 5:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nazim Sadykhov | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Farès Ziam | 0 | 8 of 10 | 80% | 49 of 53 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 4:22 | |
| 2 | Nazim Sadykhov | 0 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Farès Ziam | 1 | 23 of 39 | 58% | 27 of 43 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 1:36 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nazim Sadykhov | 4 of 16 | 25% | 1 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Farès Ziam | 31 of 49 | 63% | 21 of 36 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 10 | 18 of 31 | 4 of 5 | 9 of 13 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nazim Sadykhov | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Farès Ziam | 8 of 10 | 80% | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 | |
| 2 | Nazim Sadykhov | 4 of 15 | 26% | 1 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Farès Ziam | 23 of 39 | 58% | 18 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 6 | 16 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 9 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ziam (-135), Sadykhov (+114)
Round 1
Jason Herzog is the referee. Ziam follows a leg kick with a body kick, and Sadykhov ties him up and pushes his foe to the fence. Ziam reverses the position and lands some knees to the thighs. Ziam lifs his foe and briefly dumps him on the mat. The Frenchman continues to control the clinch, punching the body. Ziam lifts Sadykhov, pulls him away from the fence and taked him down. Ziam transitions nicely to an arm-triangle choke attempt before moving to the back as Sadykhov attempts to scramble to his feet. Ziam is on Sadykhov’s back, and he drags him down to a seated position. “Smile Killer” has his hooks in, and he switches to a body triangle as he peppers Sadykhov with short shots. Ziam is looking to create opening for a rear-naked choke, but Sadykhov is defending well. Ziam elbows the shoulder of his opponent while still attached to the back. Sadykhov continues to fight the hands of his opponent as time ticks down, and he’ll survive to see another five minutes.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Round 2
Sadykhov looks to find punching range and Ziam backs him up with a high kick. The Frenchman lands some long punches, taking advantage of his reach. A jab from Ziam appears to briefly stun Sadykhov. Ziam moves in and lands a jab. A front kick makes Sadykhov stumble backwards momentarily. Ziam targets the lead leg of Sadykhov. Sadykhov is strugglling to find openings on the feet. Ziam lands a long right hand before changing levels against the fence. Sadykhov reverses the position and presses his foe into the fence. Ziam reverses and works for a high crotch takedown, punishing the leg of his opponent with a kick. Moments later, Ziam pulls Sadykhov off the fence and lands a takedown. The Frenchman is quickly working to take the back while hunting for a choke. Sadykhov scrambles but he can’t free himself from Ziam’s clutches. Sadykhov gets to a knee and then attempts to stand. But with time winding down in the frame,
Ziam creates some space and rocks Sadykhov with a pair of nasty elbows behind the ear. Sadykhov tumbles to the floor and covers up as Ziam unloads with unanswered ground-and-pound before the horn sounds.
Herzog has been taking a close look at the final salvo, and he elects to wave off the fight. It appears to be the right call because Sadykhov is on wobbly legs as he protests the stoppage. That's six straight victories for Ziam.
The Official Result
Fares Ziam def. Nazim Sadykhov via TKO (Elbows and Punches) R2 4:59
Angelo picks Nazim Sadykhov, acknowledging he has never correctly picked a Farès Ziam fight. He describes Ziam as a technical but boring fighter who sneaks out wins, while Sadykhov is a solid kickboxer with speed, power, and the ability to mix in wrestling. Angelo notes Sadykhov's comeback win over Nicholas Motta and believes his skills will overcome Ziam's style. He bet on Sadykhov at better odds earlier.
Big Brady picks Nazim Sadykhov as a dog, calling him a 'madman' with a dog in him. He acknowledges Ziam is more technical and has improved his grappling, but expects Sadykhov to push a pace and make it a dog fight. He predicts Sadykhov wins by decision.
Cody picks Ziam, noting his improved takedown defense and technical striking. He believes Ziam's length and Muay Thai will be effective against Sadykhov, who is prone to being outworked. He mentions that Ziam has shown durability and has never been knocked down. He thinks Ziam will win a decision.
Connor picks Farès Ziam, noting that Ziam has improved his striking and wrestling, becoming a more aggressive and dangerous fighter. He believes Ziam's well-rounded game and ability to control range will be too much for Sadykhov, who is a brute but has blank spaces in his game. Connor warns that Sadykhov is dangerous and can turn a fight around.
Daniel picks Ziam, citing his technical striking, reach advantage, and maturity. He expects Ziam to stay disciplined at range and outpoint Sadykhov, though he acknowledges Sadykhov's durability and power. He predicts a unanimous decision for Ziam.
Lucrative James finds this a tough fight to call. He notes that Nazim Sadykhov often gets outmaneuvered early but lands comeback finishes, while Ziam is more technical and durable. He thinks Ziam's fight IQ and ability to avoid big moments will allow him to win a decision. However, he is not confident and would not bet on either fighter at close odds.
The host believes Sadykhov's reliance on power will be exposed. He views Ziam as the superior technical striker who can handle Sadykhov's big shots and nullify his grappling, leading to a decision win.
Paul agrees, citing Ziam's reach advantage and technical striking. He notes that Sadykhov loses chunks of fights and relies on one big shot. He believes Ziam's durability and improved grappling will allow him to outpoint Sadykhov. He picks Ziam by decision.
The Guru picks Farès Ziam over Nazim Sadykhov, citing Ziam's reach advantage and slick striking. He notes Sadykhov's wins have asterisks and he struggled against lower-level opponents. The Guru predicts a clean 30-27 decision for Ziam.
Zane picks Farès Ziam, agreeing that Ziam's game is more coherent and that he has improved significantly. He notes that Sadykhov is a strange fighter who can make bad decisions but turn fights around with athleticism. Zane believes Ziam can stay ahead and control the fight, but must be careful throughout.
Angelo picks Kauê Fernandes confidently, criticizing the hype around Ziam. He believes Fernandes' aggression, grappling, and well-rounded skills will be too much for Ziam's point-fighting style. He notes that Ziam's wins are not as impressive as they seem. He plans to bet on Fernandes via a +3.5 round handicap when available, as he only needs Fernandes to win one round for that bet to cash.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 0 | 35 of 56 | 62% | 58 of 83 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 2 | 7:11 |
| Mike Davis | 0 | 20 of 35 | 57% | 30 of 49 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 1 | 3 | 3:59 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 16 of 24 | 66% | 20 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:23 |
| Mike Davis | 0 | 8 of 15 | 53% | 10 of 18 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 10 of 18 | 55% | 23 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 2 | 2:31 |
| Mike Davis | 0 | 6 of 8 | 75% | 8 of 10 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 1 | 2 | 1:38 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 15 of 21 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:17 |
| Mike Davis | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 12 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:47 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 35 of 56 | 62% | 29 of 50 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 33 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 17 |
| Mike Davis | 20 of 35 | 57% | 13 of 26 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 16 of 24 | 66% | 12 of 20 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Mike Davis | 8 of 15 | 53% | 3 of 8 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 10 of 18 | 55% | 8 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 13 |
| Mike Davis | 6 of 8 | 75% | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 9 of 14 | 64% | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Mike Davis | 6 of 12 | 50% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Lightweights are first up on the main card, where Davis (11-2, 4-1 UFC) tackles Ziam (16-4, 6-2 UFC) in an under-the-radar 155-pound appetizer. Tognoni serves as the third man in the cage. They touch gloves and get started. Davis follows a leg kick to the body with a left hook to the body, then shoots on a takedown and pulls guard. He scrambles to his feet and backs Ziam to the fence. They separate. Ziam fires a two-piece combo and again pulls guard. He stands behind an upkick. Ziam backs him to the cage with punches and scores with knees to the body. Jab to the head and another to the body from Ziam. The Frenchman rips a left hook to the body and a right hand over the top. Davis looks out of sorts. Ziam sticks him with a left uppercut, resets and then slams home jab. Davis shoots on a takedown but goes nowhere. He resets, scrambles behind Ziam and slams him to the mat. Davis climbs to full mount with 50 seconds to go. Ziam reclaims half guard. Davis feeds him an elbow and a knee to the body, then another. Strong close for Davis.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Round 2
They greet each other in the center. Jabs from Ziam. Davis plows forward behind a burst of power punches and connects with a left hook. Ziam clinches to protect himself, and they jockey for position along the fence. Ziam lands a knee with Davis crouched and opens a cut. Ziam scoops up the American and dumps him to the floor in the center of the cage. Blood streaming from the wound. Davis threatens with a heel hook, then positions himself for a calf slicer and uses it to take top position. He scrambles into a bid for an arm-triangle but loses position. Ziam scores with standing-to-ground punches. He flirts with an anaconda choke after sprawling on a takedown attempt, then frames an arm-triangle. Too much blood, and Davis slips free. Ziam closes on top with punches and elbows.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Round 3
Back at it. Davis crashes forward with a right hand over the top. Ziam circles off the fence and shoots on the hips. He eventually dumps Davis to the mat. Ziam works in full guard. He stands, hovers above Davis and moves to north-south, firing punches to the body. Ziam stands again and scores with punches and an elbow. Davis gets to his knees. Ziam threatens with an anaconda choke, then settles in half guard. Davis looks spent—and understandably so. Davis gets back to his feet and presses the Frenchman into the cage. They separate. Two punch volley from Ziam, followed by an elbow over the top. He shoots on the hips and dumps Davis to the canvas yet again. Davis goes for a leg lock, but Ziam slips free. Davis gets to top position, in full guard, and opens a serious cut above Ziam’s left eye with a vicious elbow strike. Dark red blood pours from the wound as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
The Official Result
Fares Ziam def. Mike Davis—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Mike Davis, citing his speed, power, athleticism, and well-rounded skills. He notes that Farès Ziam has improved but Davis is a more dangerous striker with better wrestling. He expresses concern about Davis's long layoff due to a bicep injury and his age (32), but still believes Davis wins. He includes Davis in a parlay with Shamil Gaziev.
Big Brady is a fan of Mike Davis but notes his inactivity and injury issues. He thinks Davis has a clear path to victory via wrestling and BJJ, as Farès Ziam has been taken down easily in the past, including seven times by Claudio Puelles. Brady predicts Davis will submit Ziam in the second round, citing Davis's black belt and Ziam's submission losses.
Connor picks Ziam, believing his recent performance against Matt Frevola showed significant improvement. He notes that Ziam displayed excellent striking combinations, body work, and clinch transitions, and that he now looks like a complete fighter. Connor thinks Mike Davis, while powerful, makes poor decisions under pressure and relies on wrestling as a crutch, which Ziam can exploit.
James picks Ziam to win, but is not confident due to Davis's grappling upside. He notes Ziam has improved recently while Davis may have declined. He thinks Ziam can defend takedowns and win on the feet, possibly by knockout. However, he acknowledges Davis's athleticism and wrestling could be a problem, as seen in Ziam's loss to McKinney. He is undecided on betting.
Davis is far superior to Ziam, with a tremendous grappling advantage that will lead to a submission. Despite Ziam's recent improvements, Davis has the striking to be competitive and will eventually get the submission. The line around -140 to -150 is surprising value.
The MMA Guru picks Mike Davis despite initially leaning toward Ziam. He notes Davis has good entries on takedowns and wicked stand-up, but worries about Ziam's improvements and the takedowns he gave up to Claudio Puelles. He trusts Davis's inactivity means he shows up at 100% and believes Davis is the better fighter overall.
Zane picks Ziam, agreeing that his last fight showed a new level of maturity and consistency. He notes that Davis has stagnated and often makes desperate moves when uncomfortable, while Ziam now has the tools to capitalize. Zane acknowledges the risk that Ziam's performance could be a one-off, but believes the improvement is real and that Ziam's well-rounded game will be too much for Davis.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 1 | 58 of 94 | 61% | 69 of 107 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 4:43 |
| Matt Frevola | 0 | 16 of 59 | 27% | 25 of 72 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 1 | 2:47 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 18 of 29 | 62% | 24 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:20 |
| Matt Frevola | 0 | 9 of 22 | 40% | 12 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 1 | 1:49 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 34 of 55 | 61% | 37 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:10 |
| Matt Frevola | 0 | 7 of 32 | 21% | 12 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:58 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 1 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 8 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:13 |
| Matt Frevola | 0 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 58 of 94 | 61% | 44 of 77 | 11 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 45 of 75 | 7 of 9 | 6 of 10 |
| Matt Frevola | 16 of 59 | 27% | 7 of 44 | 7 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 49 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 18 of 29 | 62% | 12 of 22 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 21 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 4 |
| Matt Frevola | 9 of 22 | 40% | 2 of 14 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 17 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 34 of 55 | 61% | 28 of 47 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 30 of 48 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 4 |
| Matt Frevola | 7 of 32 | 21% | 5 of 25 | 1 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 27 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 6 of 10 | 60% | 4 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Matt Frevola | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The UFC chose violence in practically every one of these main card tilts, and the carnage starts in the lightweight division. While he has earned all five of his UFC wins at the hands of the judges, Ziam (15-4, 5-2 UFC) is no stranger to the “just scrap” mentality. Frevola (11-4-1, 5-4-1 UFC) would love nothing more than for the two to go buckwild, attacking with everything they have to let the chips fall where they may. Referee Loic Pora steels himself for just such an encounter, as “The Steamrolla” has not left the first round in his last five trips to the Octagon. There is a speedy glove touch before fists fly. Frevola takes the center of the cage, bobbing to the side to let a front kick fly past him. Frevola swings his way into a takedown setup, and this results in a clinch with a number of knees traded on both sides. The Frenchman bails on the tie-up, avoiding two looping hooks to pay Frevola back with a hard overhand right. Frevola digs deep and shoots for a double, switching to a single and putting “Smile Killer” to his seat. Ziam stays defensive with his guard, not letting Frevola get off any offense, until he sits up. Frevola jumps into a guillotine choke, and he rolls to full mount as Ziam is briefly concerned about the submission and thinks about tapping. Instead, Ziam rides it out, and Frevola rides heavily on top while looking for offense. Ziam turns to his side, and Frevola snatches up an armbar. Ziam shifts through it, and Frevola responds with a triangle choke. Ziam lets him have it with three thunderous right hands, forcing Frevola to spin to his side and try to stand back up. Frevola gets his back to the cage, and he locks his hands around the waist to hurl Ziam to the floor. Ziam lands on his knees, stands up and tags Frevola with a right hand. A second power right hand from Ziam stings the New Yorker, and Frevola smiles and tries to go out guns blazing. “The Steamrolla” misses with a huge right hook, and he kicks his way off the fence to launch a Superman punch. Ziam dodges and counters with a right hand, and he scoops an uppercut to the body before hooking up the clinch and kneeing Frevola in the belly. Frevola gives him a pair of knees back to think about, and a third forces a break. Ziam pounds Frevola in the face with a left hand, and he digs hard to the body before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Round 2
Frevola comes out of his corner loaded for bear, and he lobs two right hands at the Frenchman to reintroduce himself. Ziam jumps back at him with a knee, and Frevola grins and waves his arms in the air. Ziam pins a one-two on the chin, and he doubles up on a jab and goes over the top with a right. Two punches from Ziam lead to a low kick, and he intercepts an advancing Frevola with a left hand. Frevola overswings with bombs, and Ziam is composed and light on his feet to dodge a spinning wheel kick. Frevola just misses with a right hand from his knees, and Ziam is there to jab him up and move well enough to not get tagged with anything of merit. Frevola slings his way into the clinch, and he drops down for a double. Ziam defends it and hacks Frevola in the face with an elbow to force a break, only for Frevola to belt him with an overhand right. Frevola backs Ziam against the wall and unloads with a few punches, and Ziam is unafraid to engage in response. Ziam hammers his man with an elbow, and he uses another to get in close and tie “The Steamrolla” up. Getting turned to the wall, Ziam stays busy with knees until he spins out and elbows Frevola. Frevola comes out swinging, but Ziam sees the strikes coming, dips and pops Frevola in the temple with a left hand. Frevola circles into a head kick and walks into a jab, and he eats three punches while missing with his own. Ziam splits the guard with a jab, and a one-two keeps Frevola guessing as Ziam closes in on him. Ziam tosses Frevola to the floor, where he gets hold of his back and fishes for a rear-naked choke with only one hook in. Frevola guts it out, fights off a subsequent neck crank and whips an elbow from behind his back. The round ends with Ziam landing shots to the side of Frevola’s dome.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Round 3
Frevola assumes the center of the cage in the final round, likely down on the scorecards with plenty of damage on his face. He leads off with an overhand right, and when Ziam avoids it, he goes for another. Ziam sticks him with a jab, charges at him and hits him with a jump knee. Ziam rushes forward and sweeps the New Yorker off his feet, and he pushes Frevola against the wall when Frevola stands. Ziam succeeds in hitting a mat return, dragging “The Steamrolla” away from the fencing. Frevola scrambles, and Ziam follows him and keeps him stuck on his knees. Frevola bursts back to his feet, and Ziam pulls him down to the floor and briefly takes his back. Frevola spins around and works back to his feet, but Ziam lifts him in the air with a single and puts him down like a little brother. Ziam’s hands are clasped around the waist, with Frevola trying to fight the grip but getting tossed around. Frevola spins around, desperate to get out of this bad spot and gain some space.
Ziam holds on with his right hand, pulling Frevola’s head down into the meanest knee one could ever see. His mouthpiece sent flying, Frevola collapses lifelessly to the mat, out well before his head clatters off the mat. Ziam does not need to do this, but before Pora can pull him off, he hammers Frevola with a few standing-to-ground punches to further seal the deal.
The French faithful erupt in favor of their victorious fighter, who has just authored one of the most brutal knockouts of the year. It takes some time, but Frevola manages to come to, getting to his stool and eventually back to his feet, as many witnessing it breathing a sigh of relief. Ziam has the crowd in the palm of his hands, and he calmly thanks his friends and family as he drinks in what will almost certainly be a $50,000-winning performance.
The Official Result
Fares Ziam def. Matt Frevola R3 2:59 via KO (Knee)
Angelo picks Farès Ziam as an underdog, surprised he is not the favorite. He believes Ziam's ability to avoid danger and fight a slow, technical fight will frustrate Frevola, who has cardio issues and is not technical enough to win a slow fight. He expects a boring fight where Ziam points his way to victory.
Big Brady picks Matt Frevola by decision, expecting him to use wrestling after seeing Ziam get taken down seven times by Claudio Puelles. He notes Frevola has better striking than Puelles and can mix in takedowns. He is concerned about Frevola's chin but thinks he can win a decision if he wrestles.
Cody picks Frevola as an underdog, citing Ziam's poor takedown defense (67%) and Frevola's strong wrestling from a high-level camp. He notes that Ziam has been taken down repeatedly by grapplers, and Frevola's path to victory is to take him down and control him. Frevola's durability is a concern, but Ziam lacks one-punch power.
Connor picks Frevola because he believes Frevola's pressure, scrambling, and power will overwhelm Ziam, who is a cautious range striker with poor wrestling. He notes that Frevola is dangerous in the pocket and can take down opponents, while Ziam tends to struggle when crowded. Connor also points out that Ziam lacks knockout power at this level and has been submitted by grapplers. He sees Frevola winning by decision or late finish.
Daniel Vreeland picks Matt Frevola to win, believing the line should be flipped. He thinks Frevola hits harder, has better wrestling, and can finish Ziam by KO or submission. He notes Ziam's takedown defense issues and that Frevola has fought taller opponents before. He sees value in Frevola at plus odds.
JP picks Matt Frevola because he thinks Farès Ziam is 'cheeks' and doesn't use his reach advantage well. He notes Frevola is a dog who comes forward and throws bombs. He also mentions Frevola is 34 but still has enough left. He thinks Frevola can get inside and land big shots.
Paul agrees, emphasizing that Frevola needs to use his wrestling to win, not chase bonuses. He notes that Ziam's takedown defense is a major red flag, and Frevola's camp (Serra-Longo) has a winning blueprint. Paul predicts Frevola by decision.
The MMA Guru picks Matt Frevola over Farès Ziam, citing Frevola's takedown entries and training partners. He criticizes Ziam's losses to Terrence McKinney and lack of finishes. He predicts Frevola will set up takedowns and then catch Ziam for a late first or early second-round KO.
Zane picks Frevola because he believes Frevola's pressure and grappling will be too much for Ziam, who is a cautious striker with poor wrestling defense. He notes that Frevola can start slow and warm up, then take over with his pace and power. Zane also points out that Ziam has been submitted by grapplers and lacks the power to keep Frevola off him. He sees Frevola winning a decision or possibly finishing Ziam late.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 17 of 27 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 0 | 0 | 7:14 |
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 31 of 48 | 64% | 58 of 82 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 2 | 4:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 6 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 3:21 |
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 18 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:38 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 4 of 11 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 14 of 20 | 70% | 23 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:06 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 7 of 7 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 2:14 |
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 8 of 11 | 72% | 17 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 2 | 1:46 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Claudio Puelles | 31 of 48 | 64% | 23 of 38 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 24 of 30 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Claudio Puelles | 9 of 17 | 52% | 8 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Claudio Puelles | 14 of 20 | 70% | 11 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 12 of 12 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Claudio Puelles | 8 of 11 | 72% | 4 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 9 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ziam (-218), Puelles (+180)
Round 1
Former training partners will put any friendship they formed aside from their time under the Kill Cliff FC roof, as grappler Puelles (12-3, 5-2 UFC) reps Peru against French striker Ziam (14-4, 4-2 UFC). The former holds the record for the most kneebars performed in UFC history, while the latter’s primary method of defeat is via submission, but anything is possible in the fight game. The gloves are touched in front of referee Herb Dean, and Ziam leads off with a stern low kick. Puelles shoots in for a single-leg takedown, and although Ziam defends the first attempt, a second effort for “Prince of Peru” gingerly sets Ziam down on his back. Ziam scrambles with all his muster, ultimately getting Puelles back to his butterfly guard. Ziam continues to buck and moves, and he works his way back up as Puelles follows him and nearly takes his back. Puelles forces a mat return, where he lands hard in half guard while hanging on with heavy chest pressure. Ziam nearly kicks him off, and Puelles hooks his foe’s legs beneath his own to keep him stuck. The Frenchman moves to his knees and wall-walks his way back up, and Puelles drags him right back down with his arm interlocked around Ziam’s. Ziam explodes back upright, and Puelles stays tightly pressed to him like a cheap suit until Ziam turns the corner and throws him aside. Puelles whiffs on a pair of chasing punches, and Ziam crowds him with a right up top and a left to the body. Puelles fakes for a takedown and lands a left hand, and as he throws a high kick, Ziam jacks him in the jaw with a jab that sends Puelles down like a sack of potatoes. Ziam rains down ground-and-pound until Puelles recovers enough to start scrambling, and Ziam backs off. Puelles gives chase and shoots for a desperate single, and Ziam stuffs it and walks away. Puelles keeps going after him, and he scoops “Smile Killer” up and makes him frown by slamming him to the mat with a high-amplitude double. Puelles jumps over the top to hunt for a kimura, isolating Ziam’s left arm while sitting on Ziam’s head. Ziam sees it coming and defends it, and Puelles steps all the way over and fishes for a leg lock that does not come before time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Round 2
The fighters bump fists before getting to it, and Ziam leads the dance early with jabs while not letting Puelles get close. Ziam succeeds in fighting off takedown setups, until Puelles desperately pursues one that ultimately ends up with him landing on his back thanks to a Ziam sweep at the last second. Puelles turns over to his back and leans back to set up a leglock, and Ziam abandons ship before anything is remotely close to coming together. Both men stand up, and Puelles fires off a head kick that bounces off the raised guard. Ziam paws out a low kick, and he steps in with a knee and follows it with a second on the dome. Puelles shoots from afar, and Ziam stops the first effort and fails to halt the second. Puelles slings his man to the mat, and he sits on top in an odd position with Ziam turned partially to his side. This allows Puelles to easily moves into full mount, and Ziam bucks him back to half guard. Puelles frames off to smack Ziam with an elbow, and he smothers from on top to disallow Ziam from escaping. As Ziam turns to his side, Puelles lets him do this so he can jump on Ziam’s back like a malicious backpack. Puelles wraps up a rear-naked choke, and Ziam falls to the ground and turns over to break up the choke. Ziam slows down and tags Puelles with an elbow, and he jumps to the other side to stop Puelles from setting up some maneuver. Ziam briefly unloads with ground-and-pound, mixing in elbows and posturing up at the right moments to not expose him to submission danger. The big punches keep coming until the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Round 3
There is a final glove touch before engagement, and Ziam is quick to flick out his jab to get his range again. Puelles tries to punch his way into a single, and Ziam stops him in his tracks and stands him up. Puelles pushes him back to the wall and knees him in the chest, and Ziam spins around to drive in some knees of his own. Puelles shoots in low for a double, and Ziam keeps his arms locked beneath Puelles groin before snatching up a guillotine choke to threaten with his own offense. Puelles does not seem remotely flustered, turning his neck to the right way before sliding himself out and getting upright again. Puelles shoots and secures a takedown, landing in full guard and otherwise stalling out. When Puelles does try for some offense, Ziam stifles it. The crowd grows restless at Puelles’ damage-free approach, and Ziam sits up and goes for another guillotine. Puelles shakes it off and continues his smothering top control. An awkward scramble results in Puelles sitting on Ziam’s face for a moment, and Ziam keeps moving and pushes “Prince of Peru” to his back. Puelles ties up his guard, and Ziam elbows him in the ribs. Puelles sits up and attempts a reversal, and Ziam nullifies it and postures up to rain down punishment. Ziam delivers some hammering punches and elbows, and Puelles gets to his knees right before time expires. The crowd showers the fighters with boos when it is all over.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
The Official Result
Fares Ziam def. Claudio Puelles via Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Ziam, citing his range control and technical striking. He believes Puelles will struggle to get the fight to the ground and may resort to pulling guard. He expresses frustration with Puelles' style but acknowledges his danger on the ground.
Big Brady picks Claudio Puelles to win by second-round submission, but with low confidence due to Puelles' terrible performance against Dan Hooker. He notes that Ziam is the better striker but has low volume and no power, so Puelles isn't in much danger on the feet. On the mat, Puelles is an incredible grappler with a BJJ black belt, and Ziam has been submitted in three of his four losses. Brady worries about Puelles' wrestling but thinks he can find ways to get the fight down.
Cody picks Ziam, noting Puelles is a one-trick pony with leg locks and hasn't evolved. Ziam has shown improvements in takedown defense and striking volume. He thinks Ziam keeps the fight upright, lands shots, and tires Puelles out. He acknowledges the leg lock threat but believes Ziam can avoid it.
The host sees this as a grappler vs. striker matchup, with Puelles being a knee-bar specialist but a sitting duck on the feet. He believes Ziam has shown enough improvement to keep the fight upright and use his kickboxing advantage to outbox and outkick Puelles en route to a decision win.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Ziam. He echoes that Puelles is a one-trick pony with no evolution in his game. Ziam has improved takedown defense and striking. He thinks Ziam will box him up on the feet and avoid the leg locks. He notes Puelles' only path is a leg lock, which is low percentage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 0 | 49 of 134 | 36% | 58 of 150 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 4:12 |
| Jai Herbert | 0 | 61 of 113 | 53% | 96 of 153 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 14 of 42 | 33% | 15 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Jai Herbert | 0 | 20 of 32 | 62% | 34 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 15 of 44 | 34% | 22 of 53 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
| Jai Herbert | 0 | 20 of 38 | 52% | 34 of 54 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 20 of 48 | 41% | 21 of 51 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:00 |
| Jai Herbert | 0 | 21 of 43 | 48% | 28 of 52 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 49 of 134 | 36% | 7 of 79 | 23 of 31 | 19 of 24 | 38 of 119 | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Jai Herbert | 61 of 113 | 53% | 29 of 74 | 19 of 23 | 13 of 16 | 45 of 93 | 16 of 20 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 14 of 42 | 33% | 1 of 24 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 9 | 12 of 38 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jai Herbert | 20 of 32 | 62% | 8 of 17 | 8 of 9 | 4 of 6 | 13 of 24 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 15 of 44 | 34% | 2 of 28 | 11 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 36 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Jai Herbert | 20 of 38 | 52% | 12 of 28 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 30 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 20 of 48 | 41% | 4 of 27 | 6 of 8 | 10 of 13 | 17 of 45 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jai Herbert | 21 of 43 | 48% | 9 of 29 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 8 | 18 of 39 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ziam (-155), Herbert (+135)
Round 1
Moving right along on this main card, two lightweights hovering around the .500 threshold in the UFC will come to blows. Looking to lift his record to that even mark, Herbert (12-4-1, 2-3-1 UFC) almost certainly wishes to turn this fight into a brawl. Kill Cliff FC rep Ziam (13-4, 3-2 UFC) should mind his P’s and Q’s in this one, as should referee Jason Herzog. Before the melee commences, the fighters touch gloves. Ziam claims the center of the cage, and he measures jabs only to get jabbed in response. Ziam plants a heavy leg kick down low early, and he sneaks out a body kick while getting countered. Herbert swipes out with a left hook, and he splits the guard with a jab. Ziam reaches his man with a body kick, and he skirts away when Herbert kicks him in the calf. Herbert chambers and fires another leg kick, and Ziam reacts poorly from it. Ziam steels himself and lunges with straight punches, and his straight left finds the target a few times. Herbert comes up short by a matter of inches with two looping hooks, but his leg kicks do hit the mark much to the dismay of the Frenchman. As they both try to swing hard at one another, their chests clap together and this results in a clinch. The corner of Herbert continues to shout “head position” like Tito Ortiz shouting for his fighter on “The Ultimate Fighter” to get up. As they jockey for position against the wall, they break off and end up clinched on the other side of the cage wall. Both men think about a potential level change, and this results in a positional stalemate of failed attempts. Herbert gets cracked with a short elbow as he tries to separate, and he walks Ziam down and puts a jab in his face. The French fighter responds in kind, and they proceed to let go with single strikes one after the other. Herbert lands a body kick, and Ziam clips him with a left hook. A front kick from Ziam punctuates the close round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Herbert
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Herbert
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Herbert
Round 2
There is a brief fist bump to start off the round, and the two lightweights ply their trade with jabs. Herbert fires off a left hook in a series of punches, driving Ziam back to the fence. Herbert ups his output, laying into Ziam with strikes to the head and body. Herbert mixes things up with a leg kick, and he dodges a counter and plants his fist on Ziam’s forehead. The momentum from Herbert results in a clinch, but they break out of it and trade fists. Ziam lands the heavier of a strike with a right hand, but “The Black Country Banger” relishes this and wings a right hook back. Herbert again pushes into a clinch, and after a lull, Herbert pushes off and elbows Ziam in the face. Ziam pokes out several jabs, and he blocks a head kick as Herbert comes at him. Again, Herbert ties Ziam up, considering a takedown but unable to get it. Herbert knees the body several times, and Ziam decides to do the same. Ziam gains a full head of steam, and he is able to turn the tables on Herbert by taking him down with ease. Herbert hits a sweep, briefly puts Ziam on his back, and the two scramble back to their feet. Herbert returns to pressing his full weight on his opponent, and Ziam manages to eventually get out of the grip. Ziam knocks the advancing Herbert back with two punches, only to get popped by counters from the Brit. They trade punches, and Herbert jabs his way in and follows it with a head kick. When Herbert charges him, Ziam sneaks up an uppercut, and the grueling round ends in the clinch.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Herbert
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Herbert
Round 3
Coming into the last round, scores could be all over the map. They greet in the center of the cage spamming kicks, trading them one after the other fearlessly. Ziam throws the first punch, and Herbert leans back and kicks at him. Ziam sticks out a jab and takes one back on the chin, and he swipes out with a short hook. Ziam comes up shy of the mark with two big punches, and Herbert sits back and smacks him with a kick on either side of his calf. “Smile Killer” jabs and whips a left hook over the top, and the crowd is growing restless by the relative sparring match after a fairly lackluster event thus far. The fighters proceed to take turns striking at one another, and Ziam connects with a big leg kick that makes Herbert hobble back and shake his leg out. Ziam ends another combination with a thudding kick, and Herbert rushes towards him and ties him up before looking for a body lock takedown. The Frenchman keeps his balance and leans himself against the chain-link fencing, and he manages to turn himself around and stop Herbert from taking his back. Ziam counters with an inside trip, and they both topple to the ground for a second before jumping back up, locked together in a mean-spirited embrace. Ziam secures another trip, and once more Herbert falls over and gets back up. The two split up with 90 seconds to go in the fight, and neither man engages with anything of note. After the lull in activity, they trade leg kicks and jabs, and Ziam wipes his eye as if he was reacting from an eye poke. Herbert does not let him have a moment to take care of it, as he turns his hips into a heavy leg kick. Ziam drops to a knee in a takedown shot, and Herbert easily stands him up and bullies him towards the fence. Ziam spins him around, and he hangs on until this disappointing affair comes to a close after 15 slogging minutes pass. It’s anyone’s guess who will get the nod after this one.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (29-28 Herbert)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (29-28 Ziam)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (29-28 Herbert)
The Official Result
Fares Ziam def. Jai Herbert via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo thinks Jai Herbert will win by out-pointing in a boring striking match, citing Herbert's power and danger. However, he is concerned about Herbert's poor takedown defense and will not bet on him because of that vulnerability.
Big Brady picks Farès Ziam by decision, but says it's his least favorite fight on the card. He notes Ziam is a point fighter with no power but good defense, while Herbert has power but has become tentative after being knocked out multiple times. He thinks Ziam's youth and improvements give him the edge, but expects a boring fight.
Cody sees the fighters as similar but notes Ziam showed improved wrestling against Figlak. However, he thinks Herbert's reach advantage and home crowd could sway a close decision. He likes Herbert at +140 as a dog or pass.
Daniel picks Farès Ziam, citing his durability advantage over Jai Herbert, who has been dropped multiple times. He notes both are long, low-output strikers but Ziam has better defense and more impact. He has been waiting for a highlight-reel KO from Ziam and thinks this could be the fight. He also mentions Ziam's improved grappling and training in jiu-jitsu. He acknowledges Herbert's power but believes Ziam's durability and defense will be the difference.
The host picks Farès Ziam, citing his youth, improvements, and ability to mix striking with takedowns. He believes Herbert is slowing down and that Ziam will put the hurting on him. He predicts a decision win for Ziam.
Paul picks Ziam, citing his youth (26 vs 34), improvement, and cardio advantage. He thinks Ziam's volume and durability will overcome Herbert's power. He notes Ziam's similar reach negates Herbert's length advantage.
The MMA Guru picks Jai Herbert as an underdog, citing his talent and training at Team Renegades with Leon Edwards. He criticizes Farès Ziam for not impressing and notes Herbert's head kick knockdown of Ilia Topuria. The Guru believes Herbert's finishing potential and momentum will lead to a TKO win on the feet, despite his chinny reputation.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 0 | 60 of 108 | 55% | 111 of 162 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 1 | 6:48 |
| Michał Figlak | 0 | 28 of 96 | 29% | 55 of 126 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 24 of 39 | 61% | 32 of 47 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Michał Figlak | 0 | 15 of 46 | 32% | 25 of 56 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 19 of 42 | 45% | 49 of 75 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:23 |
| Michał Figlak | 0 | 5 of 20 | 25% | 15 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 17 of 27 | 62% | 30 of 40 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 2:00 |
| Michał Figlak | 0 | 8 of 30 | 26% | 15 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 60 of 108 | 55% | 34 of 81 | 13 of 14 | 13 of 13 | 45 of 78 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 27 |
| Michał Figlak | 28 of 96 | 29% | 13 of 74 | 9 of 16 | 6 of 6 | 25 of 88 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 24 of 39 | 61% | 11 of 25 | 7 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 21 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 3 |
| Michał Figlak | 15 of 46 | 32% | 5 of 35 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 19 of 42 | 45% | 13 of 36 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 18 |
| Michał Figlak | 5 of 20 | 25% | 1 of 12 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 17 of 27 | 62% | 10 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 12 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 6 |
| Michał Figlak | 8 of 30 | 26% | 7 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 7 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Figlak (-195), Ziam (+165)
Round 1
For the second fight in a row, a home country fighter will be representing France against an opponent from a distant land. Unlike Brazil for Miranda, Ziam (12-4, 2-2 UFC) will take on someone from just a few countries east in Europe. Making his debut after an impressive run in Cage Warriors that ended before he could vie for the 155-pound strap, the unbeaten Figlak (8-0, 0-0 UFC), born in Poland but repping England, has been plucked out of that league and into the majors. As a result, Ziam is the only betting underdog of the five men out of France today. Ziam offers a glove touch under the watchful eye of referee Rich Mitchell, but Figlak has no interest and lets the fingers brush off his forearm. Figlak wants to fight, and he comes out pressing forward. Ziam is on his bike early, with Figlak aggressive and throwing hands at him in high intensity. Ziam manages in kickboxing range, with low kicks and jabs, trying take advantage of his range while staying on the outside. “Smile Killer” kills Figlak’s smile with a heavy low kick that bends the knee of his opponent, and Figlak crashes forward only to get popped with a left hook. Ziam follows it with another hard low kick, prompting Figlak to press in for a body lock takedown. Ziam spins him around and dumps Figlak to the mat, where he lands right in side control. The British-based fighter powers his way up to his seat and considers a counter takedown, but it is all so that he can stand back up. Ziam strikes first with his feet when the two are upright again, ripping a low kick on the calf and swinging one to the ribs. Figlak punches his way in with an overhand right, and a left to the body that makes Ziam cough. The unbeaten debutant ignores a few quick left hands so that he can rush in, and Ziam meets him with a standing elbow. Figlak spins with a back elbow that glances off his intended target, and his forward momentum pushes the two up to the wall. They jockey for position, trading knees up against the wire, and Ziam looks to change levels and lift Figlak’s right leg for a single. Figlak keeps his balance, and he stops a trip attempt from the body lock of his opponent. Mitchell tells them to keep fighting as they jockey for position, and as Ziam goes for a throw, they both land on their knees. Figlak counters, only to get tossed to his back. Figlak closes his guard, takes an elbow on the dome that cuts him open on the hairline, and he sets up an armbar with seconds to spare. Ziam rolls all the way through it, fights off a subsequent kimura try, turns to his side and stands up. He takes an upkick on the chest at the bell, and Mitchell leaps in between them so nothing more comes of it.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Round 2
The second round opens with a brief slugfest, as Figlak hopes to start out hot, and Ziam throws cold water on him with a tie-up in the middle of the cage. As Figlak swings for the fences after the break, Ziam targets the body with a kick and a left hand over the top. Figlak responds with a pair of heavy punches that shake the Frenchman up, and Ziam responds with a takedown effort. Ziam lifts Figlak all the way up in the air and slams him down, and as soon as Figlak hits the mat, he snatches the leg and starts fishing for a leglock. The attempts force Ziam to stand back up and reconsider his posture, where he ends up lowering himself back into the guard and easily moving to half guard. Ziam starts working the body from this position, and Figlak sits up as a trickle of blood flows from the bridge of his nose into his right eye. Figlak stays active from his back, hunting for armbars or any kind of submission that keeps Ziam honest, and he manages to drag Ziam back to his guard. “Mad Dog” explodes against the wall, using it to stand back up, and he is ready to trade leather. Figlak walks forward fearlessly to throw hands, and Ziam backs up to the wall and gets clipped with a right hand. Ziam meets him with a knee up the middle, and Figlak drops down to go after a single. Ziam slides his leg out and looks for separation, only for Figlak to chase him to the wall and try to trip him. Out of nowhere, Ziam spins with a back elbow on the temple that rocks the undefeated fighter badly. Figlak wobbles back to the wall, and Ziam bowls him over and starts blasting him with ground-and-pound. Figlak uses his offensive guard to keep Ziam at bay on the mat from anything that could set up a finish, but he can only hold on so long before Ziam shifts into full mount. Time is Ziam’s enemy in this exchange, as he slides off the side and looks for a choke of some kind. There is nothing there before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Round 3
Ziam opens the final round with several heavy low kicks one after the other, forcing a limp out of the debuting fighter. Ziam sees this and targets it again, and the punches in response from Figlak have a lot less sting on them now. One such powerful kick forces a stance switch out of Figlak, and Ziam does not mind and he kicks the back leg multiple times. As Ziam moves forward, seeing his man is compromised, Figlak meets him in the middle and decides to grab hold of a standing guillotine choke. There is nothing to this, so he ignores a few punches to hit a double. Ziam wall-walks up to his feet before long, and the crowd is thrilled that they are back on the feet again. Figlak slips a punch and clinches up, and Ziam pushes him off and sticks out a jab. Figlak again goes for a body lock, and Ziam is having none of it. Figlak is still in the southpaw stance as a result of the damage absorbed on his left leg, and he cannot plant fully when trying to take Ziam down again. Ziam turns the tables on him, scooping the unbeaten man up and tossing him down to the canvas. Figlak tightly closes his guard, only to suddenly roll for an armbar as Ziam postures up to aim punches from above. Ziam sees it coming and pushes off, and he ends up standing back up. Figlak follows him up, and Ziam cannot take advantage of this position. Figlak shoots for a takedown, and he grounds Ziam and instantly moves to full mount. With sheer strength, the Frenchman reverses Figlak by lifting him off of him and tossing him to the back. Ziam, in half guard, uses shoulder pressure and flirts with an arm-triangle choke, but is more intent on passing to the side. Ziam tries a two-on-one wrist lock to keep him down, but elects to start pounding on Figlak instead. Figlak throws his legs up in desperation for an armbar, and he sits up and dives for a single. Time expires as Ziam is smacking Figlak upside the head, and the underdog Frenchman appears to have scored a significant upset and handed Figlak his first career defeat, all to the delight of a partisan crowd.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
The Official Result
Fares Ziam def. Michal Figlak via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Michal Figlak because he expects Figlak to transition to wrestling after getting touched up on the feet, winning a decision. He notes Ziam is a technical striker but lacks power, so he will pot shot his way to a decision if Figlak doesn't wrestle. He thinks Figlak's wrestling will be the difference.
Big Brady picks Michal Figlak to win by decision. He argues that Figlak's pressure and forward-moving style will give Ziam problems, as Ziam struggles when pressured and prefers to fight on the outside. He also notes Figlak can mix in takedowns. He expects a close fight on the feet but Figlak's pressure and occasional takedowns will earn him the win.
Cody picks Michal Figlak, praising his constant pressure, boxing combinations, body work, and wrestling. He notes that Figlak is a strong Polish fighter with good cardio and a dogged style. Farès Ziam, on the other hand, has low striking volume (2.06 strikes per minute), poor takedown defense, and has been cut from the UFC before. Cody believes Figlak will overwhelm Ziam with pressure and grappling, and he likes Figlak by late finish or decision. He also mentions the over 2 takedowns prop and the fantasy score over 86.5 on PrizePicks.
Daniel Levi picks Farès Ziam as an underdog, betting one unit at +170. He believes Ziam is underrated and that the line should be closer to pick'em. He notes Ziam's sharp kickboxing and improving takedown defense, and thinks Figlak is not a finisher on the ground. He expects Ziam to win a striking match.
The host leans towards Figlak due to his grappling advantage, expecting him to close the distance and use clinch work to control Ziam. He acknowledges Ziam's striking superiority but doubts Ziam's takedown defense. However, he is not betting because the line at -200 is too high for a debutant.
Paul also picks Michal Figlak, agreeing with Cody's assessment. He highlights Figlak's pressure, wrestling, and durability, and notes that Ziam's low output and takedown defense are major weaknesses. Paul likes Figlak to win by decision or late finish, and he has bet Figlak round 3 at +1800.
The MMA Guru picks Michal Figlak over Farès Ziam, praising Figlak's pressure, power, and cardio. He notes that Figlak has been consistent and durable, while Ziam has had inconsistent performances and close decisions. He predicts Figlak will win a tough 29-28 decision, as he is always winning rounds and doesn't have to come back from adversity.
Jamie Mullarkey - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quillan Salkilld | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 18 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quillan Salkilld | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 18 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quillan Salkilld | 5 of 8 | 62% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quillan Salkilld | 5 of 8 | 62% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Salkilld (-850), Mullarkey (+500)
Round 1
The UFC knows exactly what it did matching these two Aussies together. On the one hand, rising talent Salkilld (10-1, 3-0 UFC) is coming off a huge knockout and the biggest win of his career. On the other is a chinny, off-and-on striker in Mullarkey (18-8, 6-6 UFC) whose last four defeats have all come from punches in bunches. Betting odds are massively lopsided in favor of the 26-year-old, and referee Dan Movahedi will serve as the arbiter of what some have called a mismatch. In the sport of MMA, there are no sure things, other than that these two countrymen will touch gloves—and do—to begin.
Salkilld keeps a wide berth early to find his range, slapping the lead leg with a few kicks before shooting for a double. He puts Mullarkey down on his hands and knees, but Mullarkey is able to get up thanks to the wall behind him. Salkilld dings him with a short punch and an elbow, and Mullarkey shuts down the additional takedown effort and turns him about in the clinch. Mullarkey lifts up a single, and he dumps the younger man to the floor. Salkilld bounces up and counters with his own single, and Mullarkey connects with several punches before Salkilld bails on it. Salkilld then puts his arms up in the air to signal that he was not harmed by any of the blows, so Mullarkey runs at him and lifts up a knee on the way. He closes the distance to get hold of Salkilld, wrapping his arms around the waist and looking for some takedown, and Salkilld turns the tables of him and drops him square on his head.
Salkilld wraps his legs around the body to lock up a triangle, and he grabs hold of a rear-naked choke that is on the chin.
He elects to crank the neck to the side rather than get a choke, and with a full head of steam, he squeezes. The torque from the sub is too much for Mullarkey to bear, and because of the excruciating neck crank, he forces Mullarkey to tap out.
The victorious Salkilld promptly climbs to the top of the cage to celebrate, while declaring that he is now 4-0 in the promotion with his sights set high.
The Official Result
Quillan Salkilld def. Jamie Mullarkey R1 3:02 via Submission (Neck Crank)
Angelo picks Quillan Salkilld, citing his well-rounded skills, good takedown defense, and BJJ black belt. He notes that Jamie Mullarkey has no chin and will likely look to wrestle, but Salkilld's takedown defense and jiu-jitsu are good. He acknowledges Mullarkey's volume but says without a chin he can't hang. He plans to bet on Salkilld once odds are available.
Big Brady is very confident in Quillan Salkilld, calling Jamie Mullarkey's chin the second worst in the UFC. He notes Mullarkey was running from Rolando Bedoya and is likely finished. Salkilld has first-round knockouts in his last two fights, and Brady expects the same here.
Cody is very confident in Salkilld, citing his well-rounded game, takedown defense, and power. He notes that Mullarkey has a weak chin and has been knocked out by lesser punchers. He expects Salkilld to win by knockout, likely in the second round.
Connor picks Salkilld, describing him as a creative counter puncher with good eyes and diverse tools. He notes that Mullarkey is slow, not durable, and relies on crashing into opponents, which plays into Salkilld's strengths. He also mentions that Salkilld finished Haqparast, who also finished Mullarkey, indicating a clear stylistic advantage.
Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Salkilld to dominate and likely finish Mullarkey. He praises Salkilld's durability, knockout power, and wrestling, while noting that Mullarkey is a veteran past his prime. Vreeland expects Salkilld to either knock him out or outwork him en route to a clear win.
James picks Salkilld to win by finish, calling him a rising force in the lightweight division. He believes Mullarkey is an aging veteran with durability issues and that Salkilld will run through him in round one or two.
Salkilld is a BJJ black belt with dangerous striking, as shown by his headkick knockout of Nazaret Hackparast. He is on a 10-fight win streak and has good cardio. Mullarkey is a veteran but has durability issues and is on short notice. The host expects Salkilld to win but thinks the line is too high; he prefers the over 2.5 rounds at +125 because Mullarkey may grapple and make it competitive early. Salkilld should pull away late for a decision or late finish.
Paul agrees, highlighting Mullarkey's history of getting knocked out and Salkilld's impressive wrestling and striking. He notes that Salkilld is younger, bigger, and more durable. He expects a finish, possibly by knockout.
The Guru picks Quillan Salkilld, calling him a level above Jamie Mullarkey. He notes Salkilld's finishing ability and predicts a first-round TKO, comparing it to Ruffy's win over Mullarkey. He acknowledges the odds are excessive but agrees with the pick.
Zane picks Salkilld, agreeing that Mullarkey is a bad matchup for himself. He notes that Mullarkey has to be able to crash into opponents with strikes, clinch, and wrestling, but Salkilld can stop him at any point and strand him in a vulnerable position. He also points out that Mullarkey's wins are against older or slower fighters, while dynamic athletes tend to catch him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 43 of 89 | 48% | 47 of 94 | 3 of 17 | 17% | 0 | 0 | 5:41 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 0 | 46 of 116 | 39% | 55 of 129 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 3 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:49 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 8 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 18 of 30 | 0 of 8 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:38 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 0 | 10 of 33 | 30% | 15 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 25 of 54 | 46% | 26 of 55 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 0 | 31 of 73 | 42% | 32 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Mullarkey | 43 of 89 | 48% | 32 of 74 | 7 of 10 | 4 of 5 | 40 of 82 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 1 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 46 of 116 | 39% | 32 of 93 | 8 of 13 | 6 of 10 | 37 of 99 | 9 of 16 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamie Mullarkey | 3 of 8 | 37% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 5 of 10 | 50% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Jamie Mullarkey | 15 of 27 | 55% | 12 of 22 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 13 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 10 of 33 | 30% | 6 of 25 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 8 of 28 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jamie Mullarkey | 25 of 54 | 46% | 19 of 47 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 24 of 51 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 31 of 73 | 42% | 24 of 63 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 3 | 24 of 62 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Jamie Mullarkey despite his weak chin, because he believes Mullarkey is the better overall fighter with good grappling and striking. He notes that Mullarkey's opponent Rolando Bedoya has no power and is essentially a human punching bag. Angelo is surprised Mullarkey is the underdog and thinks the line will swing back.
Big Brady picks Rolando Bedoya to win by third-round knockout. He argues that while Mullarkey is more skilled, his chin is extremely fragile and he has been knocked out or dropped repeatedly. He believes Bedoya's durability and volume will be key, and that Mullarkey will eventually get hurt. He notes Bedoya is 0-3 in the UFC but tough.
Cody picks Mullarkey, believing his striking and wrestling will be enough to outwork Bedoya. He notes Bedoya lacks power and has poor takedown defense, while Mullarkey has fought better strikers and mixed in takedowns. He acknowledges Mullarkey's chin is a concern but thinks Bedoya doesn't have the power to exploit it.
Connor agrees, emphasizing that Bedoya is a slow, unpowerful kickboxer with no footwork or speed, while Mullarkey is a tough wrestle-boxer who will make him fight tooth and nail. He notes that Mullarkey's losses are to athletic monsters, and Bedoya is not that. He expects Mullarkey to win a solid all-round MMA fight.
James picks Jamie Mullarkey with his logical head, citing Mullarkey's better boxing fundamentals and takedown threat. However, he is very hesitant because Mullarkey's chin has degraded from wars and Bedoya throws high volume. He admits he might bet a Bedoya KO prop if the odds are right, showing low conviction.
The host thinks Mullarkey is the better overall fighter. He expects Mullarkey's durability to hold up and for him to mix in takedowns and volume to stifle Bedoya and win on the scorecards.
The Guru picks Rolando Bedoya over Jamie Mullarkey, citing Mullarkey's tendency to get wobbled and cut open. He believes Bedoya can handle Mullarkey's physicality, as seen in his fight against Chaos Williams. He expects a scrap where Mullarkey is more prone to damage.
Zane sees Mullarkey as having more breadth and options than Bedoya, who is a slow, unpowerful pocket kickboxer. He notes that Mullarkey's wrestle-boxing approach and durability should be enough to outwork Bedoya, who has lost all three UFC fights and looked bad. He points out that Mullarkey has beaten athletic fighters and lost only to elite power punchers.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maurício Ruffy | 1 | 25 of 40 | 62% | 25 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 14 of 38 | 36% | 14 of 38 | 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 | Maurício Ruffy | 1 | 25 of 40 | 62% | 25 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 14 of 38 | 36% | 14 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maurício Ruffy | 25 of 40 | 62% | 21 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 14 of 38 | 36% | 7 of 28 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maurício Ruffy | 25 of 40 | 62% | 21 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 14 of 38 | 36% | 7 of 28 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruffy (-175), Mullarkey (+145)
Round 1
A striker’s delight at 155 pounds will treat fans to conclude the early preliminary portion of the fight card. With all of his wins and losses coming via knockout, Ruffy (9-1, 0-0 UFC) makes no bones about what he wants to do to willing brawler Mullarkey (17-7, 5-5 UFC). Fists are sure to fly in high quantity and intensity, but before they do, referee Mike Beltran checks them in. Before fists meet faces, they come together sportingly. Ruffy drops down to the floor to drill Mullarkey’s low calf with a Mortal Kombat-esque sweeping kick, and Mullarkey just looks at him. Mullarkey looks for a head kick that misses the mark, and Ruffy hammers his lead leg with a more traditional kick. Ruffy pokes out a jab that reddens the nose of his opponent, and he lands another that gets Mullarkey’s attention. Ruffy puts power behind his strikes, and multiple parts of Mullarkey are red in a hurry. Mullarkey slaps a body kick home, and it is one-and-done as he slips away. Ruffy turns to roll with a heavy right hand just in the nick of time, and he powers out a jab and a winging right hand. Ruffy hammers the lead wheel, and another jab of his opens a cut on the bridge of the nose. Ruffy slips a punch and nails Mullarkey with a right hand, and Mullarkey is tough as a two-dollar steak after eating that without flinching. Mullarkey pursues his own jabs, and Ruffy spins with a wheel kick that gets around the guard. Mullarkey crowds him with a punch salvo, and Ruffy shifts and moves and throws back with a few. Mullarkey keeps powering forward, and Ruffy’s defense is able to keep him safe from most of the harm. Mullarkey fakes a takedown, but Ruffy ignores it and smashes Mullarkey in the face with a ruthless right hand. Ruffy has a right hand skim the top of the head, and he ignores a left hand coming back at him. Ruffy dodges a wide right hand, and he leaps forward to trip Mullarkey up with a flying scissor sweep. Both men hit the ground, but they stand back up and trade. Ruffy beans Mullarkey with two stern right hands, and he times a perfect jump knee that smashes open Mullarkey’s nose. Beltran thinks about stopping the fight but lets it play out a bit longer, and Ruffy does not miss a beat as Mullarkey falls to the ground and climbs back up.
The Brazilian fearlessly marches forward, and he unloads with a long string of punches until Mullarkey collapses in a heap. With Mullarkey on his hands and knees about to take some unnecessary damage, Beltran calls a stop to the fight to save the tough Aussie from himself and the onslaught of the UFC newcomer.
This is a statement introduction for Ruffy, who dons the thick-rimmed glasses of his camp, The Fighting Nerds. Ruffy leaps on top of the cage to celebrate his handiwork, and the crowd goes wild in support of their fighter.
The Official Result
Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Mullarkey R1 4:42 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Ruffy based on skill sets alone, citing his power and takedown defense. He expresses concern about the huge step up in competition and stage for Ruffy, and notes Mullarkey has been knocked out multiple times. He only considers a bet on Ruffy by knockout if the odds are good.
Big Brady emphasizes Mullarkey's poor chin and Ruffy's power, predicting a first-round knockout. He notes Ruffy's low volume but believes he will land a fight-ending shot. He also mentions a prize pick play on Ruffy under 46.5 significant strikes.
Cody picks Ruffy, citing his knockout power and Mullarkey's questionable chin. He notes Ruffy is coming down from 170 and has finishing ability. Cody expects Ruffy to knock out Mullarkey early.
Daniel Vreeland picks Ruffy by KO, citing his 100% finish rate and sniper-like counter right hand. He notes Ruffy's excellent takedown defense and calf kicks that slow opponents. He believes Mullarkey's chin is vulnerable and that Ruffy will find the big shot in the second or third round after frustrating Mullarkey on the feet.
Ruffy is on a four-fight winning streak and utilizes a Conor McGregor-like striking style with a straight punch down the pipe. Mullarkey has been knocked out three times in the last two years, so his chin won't hold up against Ruffy's precision striking. Ruffy wins by knockout.
Paul picks Ruffy, highlighting Mullarkey's history of getting knocked out and Ruffy's power. He notes Mullarkey's takedown threat is minimal and Ruffy's striking will be too much. Paul expects a knockout.
The MMA Guru picks Maurício Ruffy, believing Jamie Mullarkey is on borrowed time in the UFC. He criticizes Mullarkey's recent performances and close decisions, while praising Ruffy's power, finishing ability, and toughness shown on the Contender Series. He expects Ruffy to win, possibly by knockout, and notes Ruffy's size and dangerous striking.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasrat Haqparast | 2 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 18 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 8 of 23 | 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 | Nasrat Haqparast | 2 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 18 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasrat Haqparast | 16 of 29 | 55% | 14 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 13 | 6 of 8 | 6 of 8 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 8 of 23 | 34% | 3 of 16 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nasrat Haqparast | 16 of 29 | 55% | 14 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 13 | 6 of 8 | 6 of 8 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 8 of 23 | 34% | 3 of 16 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Cody picks Nasrat Haqparast but is not confident. He notes that both fighters are similar blue-collar types, but Mullarkey's durability is a major concern. Cody points out that Mullarkey has been knocked out by lesser power punchers and Haqparast, while not a huge power puncher, can land enough. He also criticizes Haqparast for being an overpriced favorite who often underperforms. Cody says he doesn't like the fight and is not rushing to bet it.
Lucrative James thinks Nasrat's boxing will be too sharp for Mullarkey, especially given Mullarkey's recent KO loss and apparent chin deterioration. However, he questions his own objectivity, wondering if recency bias is skewing his view. He notes that Nasrat can be taken down and doesn't rate either fighter highly, so he is passing on betting. He picks Nasrat to win by KO but with low confidence.
Paul also picks Haqparast but is hesitant. He mentions Mullarkey's questionable durability and Haqparast's volume advantage. Paul notes that Haqparast is a career underachiever and often wins close decisions. He doesn't trust Mullarkey with his money but isn't excited about Haqparast either.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 88 of 179 | 49% | 88 of 179 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| John Makdessi | 0 | 83 of 188 | 44% | 85 of 190 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 22 of 45 | 48% | 22 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| John Makdessi | 0 | 24 of 51 | 47% | 24 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 37 of 62 | 59% | 37 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| John Makdessi | 0 | 21 of 61 | 34% | 21 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 29 of 72 | 40% | 29 of 72 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| John Makdessi | 0 | 38 of 76 | 50% | 40 of 78 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Mullarkey | 88 of 179 | 49% | 38 of 120 | 13 of 20 | 37 of 39 | 88 of 179 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| John Makdessi | 83 of 188 | 44% | 37 of 119 | 22 of 45 | 24 of 24 | 83 of 188 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamie Mullarkey | 22 of 45 | 48% | 5 of 24 | 4 of 8 | 13 of 13 | 22 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| John Makdessi | 24 of 51 | 47% | 6 of 27 | 10 of 16 | 8 of 8 | 24 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jamie Mullarkey | 37 of 62 | 59% | 17 of 40 | 8 of 10 | 12 of 12 | 37 of 62 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| John Makdessi | 21 of 61 | 34% | 11 of 40 | 5 of 16 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jamie Mullarkey | 29 of 72 | 40% | 16 of 56 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 14 | 29 of 72 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| John Makdessi | 38 of 76 | 50% | 20 of 52 | 7 of 13 | 11 of 11 | 38 of 76 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Jamie Mullarkey but hates the -180 price. He notes that Jamie's relentless pressure and takedown attempts should get him a close decision, but he is not dangerous and has poor chin. John Makdessi has good takedown defense and if he keeps it standing, he wins. Angelo avoids betting on Jamie despite picking him.
Big Brady picks the underdog John Makdessi, citing his durability, high volume, and ability to get back up from takedowns. He notes Mullarkey is hittable and has a questionable chin. He thinks Makdessi can outwork Mullarkey over three rounds and predicts a decision win.
Cody picks Mullarkey but is hesitant, noting that Mullarkey has a suspect chin and has been knocked out recently. However, he believes Mullarkey's wrestling and size advantage will be too much for Makdessi, who is a natural featherweight with no knockout power. Cody likes the Mullarkey by decision prop and the over on takedowns.
Daniel Levi picks Jamie Mullarkey but is not crazy about the price. He notes that Makdessi is 38 and has been in many wars, while Mullarkey is younger and has a reach advantage. However, Mullarkey has been knocked out four times, which is a concern. Levi expects Mullarkey to outwork Makdessi down the stretch if he fights with aggression.
Lucrative James leans toward Jamie Mullarkey, citing his youth, tenacity, and a decent win over Prado. He acknowledges Makdessi could win a split decision but notes Makdessi is old and doesn't have knockout power. James expresses slight concern about Mullarkey's chin after a knockout loss, but believes Makdessi is unlikely to finish him. He thinks Mullarkey will dominate.
Mullarkey has improved significantly, blending takedowns behind his striking and managing distance well. He works with the City Kickboxing camp. Makdessi is a veteran who makes fights close but is 38 and may be slowing down. Mullarkey's output and wrestling should earn him a decision win. The over 2.5 rounds is preferred over the moneyline.
Paul picks Mullarkey but is hesitant, citing Mullarkey's durability issues and the -280 price. He notes that Makdessi is a small lightweight with no recent finishes and that Mullarkey should use his wrestling to secure a decision. Paul likes the Mullarkey by decision prop and the over on takedowns.
The MMA Guru picks Jamie Mullarkey over John Makdessi, citing Mullarkey's size advantage (6'0", 74" reach) and physicality. He notes that Mullarkey bullies smaller opponents, as seen in his win over Devonte Smith with body shots and knees. Makdessi is 38 and coming off a loss to Nasrat Haqparast. He believes Mullarkey will bully Makdessi and get a TKO in the first or second round, as Makdessi cannot grapple with him or knock him out.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Naimov | 0 | 39 of 71 | 54% | 40 of 73 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 2:28 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 1 | 28 of 70 | 40% | 30 of 72 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muhammad Naimov | 0 | 23 of 45 | 51% | 24 of 46 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:41 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 16 of 35 | 45% | 18 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Muhammad Naimov | 0 | 16 of 26 | 61% | 16 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 1 | 12 of 35 | 34% | 12 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Naimov | 39 of 71 | 54% | 15 of 43 | 14 of 18 | 10 of 10 | 27 of 56 | 12 of 14 | 0 of 1 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 28 of 70 | 40% | 17 of 56 | 5 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 20 of 60 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muhammad Naimov | 23 of 45 | 51% | 5 of 24 | 11 of 14 | 7 of 7 | 15 of 34 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 1 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 16 of 35 | 45% | 7 of 24 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 13 of 31 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Muhammad Naimov | 16 of 26 | 61% | 10 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 22 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 12 of 35 | 34% | 10 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 5 |
Angelo picks Mullarkey due to short notice for Naimov, but is not touching the odds (-590). He thinks Mullarkey is a jack of all trades and should win, but Naimov is decent and could cause trouble. He notes Mullarkey was preparing for a good striker, so his grappling should be on point. He is not confident enough to bet.
Cody picks Mullarkey, noting his favorable matchup after originally facing a tough wrestler. He highlights Mullarkey's solid cardio, ground game, and power. Cody recalls Naimov's poor Contender Series performance where he was outwrestled and out struck. He thinks Mullarkey's wrestling and durability will be too much for Naimov, even if Naimov has a puncher's chance.
Connor picks Mullarkey, agreeing with the size and short-notice factors. He notes that Naimov's game is based on pocket exchanges and clinch knees, but Mullarkey's toughness and ability to survive should allow him to take over. Connor also points out that Naimov struggles when pressured, and Mullarkey can put his foot on the gas.
Daniel picks Mullarkey, noting that Naimov is a step up in competition and Mullarkey's experience should carry him. He acknowledges the line is high but thinks Mullarkey can use wrestling to control the fight. He mentions that Naimov showed cardio issues in his Contender Series fight, gassing in the third round.
Jacob picks Mullarkey, believing the path to victory via wrestling is obvious. He thinks Naimov is dangerous with unorthodox striking, but Mullarkey should grapple early and win easily. Jacob notes Mullarkey has more power than people think and is a tough matchup. He is confident Mullarkey wins but acknowledges the odds are too high.
Mullarkey is the better overall fighter with a well-rounded game. Naimov is a short-notice debutant with questionable cardio and level of competition. Mullarkey will mix striking and grappling, pull ahead later, and win by decision. The odds are too high (-350), but Mullarkey should win.
Paul picks Mullarkey confidently despite the high price. He notes Mullarkey's toughness, having been dropped by Michael Johnson and recovered. Paul thinks Mullarkey's wrestling and cardio are superior, and that Naimov's Contender Series performance was unimpressive. He expects Mullarkey to take Naimov down, grind him out, and get a TKO in the second or third round. Paul acknowledges the price is steep but sees Mullarkey as safe.
The MMA Guru picks Muhammad Naimov, calling this the main event for him. He notes that Jamie Mullarkey looked good in his last win but that Michael Johnson arguably beat him. He believes Naimov is a different level, with a split decision win over Damir Ismagulov and a win over Matteus Gamrot. He thinks Naimov's body kicks will be key, as Mullarkey keeps his guard high, leaving the body open. He predicts Naimov will open up shots to the head after body work.
Zane picks Mullarkey, citing his size advantage and toughness. He notes that Naimov is a natural featherweight taking the fight on short notice, and his blitzing style may not work against Mullarkey's durability. Zane expects Mullarkey to weather any early storm and take over with his range-based game.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 59 of 104 | 56% | 78 of 126 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 4:47 |
| Francisco Prado | 0 | 28 of 75 | 37% | 31 of 78 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 0:10 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 15 of 20 | 75% | 32 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:39 |
| Francisco Prado | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 25 of 49 | 51% | 25 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francisco Prado | 0 | 13 of 38 | 34% | 13 of 38 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 19 of 35 | 54% | 21 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Francisco Prado | 0 | 8 of 25 | 32% | 9 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 0:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Mullarkey | 59 of 104 | 56% | 28 of 70 | 13 of 14 | 18 of 20 | 49 of 92 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 12 |
| Francisco Prado | 28 of 75 | 37% | 18 of 58 | 4 of 10 | 6 of 7 | 28 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamie Mullarkey | 15 of 20 | 75% | 10 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 9 |
| Francisco Prado | 7 of 12 | 58% | 5 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jamie Mullarkey | 25 of 49 | 51% | 11 of 33 | 7 of 7 | 7 of 9 | 25 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Francisco Prado | 13 of 38 | 34% | 7 of 28 | 1 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 13 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jamie Mullarkey | 19 of 35 | 54% | 7 of 22 | 4 of 5 | 8 of 8 | 17 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Francisco Prado | 8 of 25 | 32% | 6 of 21 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Jamie Mullarkey but is not confident, as he worries about Mullarkey's willingness to engage in a striking battle with the explosive Francisco Prado. He notes that Mullarkey should stick to grappling to avoid Prado's power, but the hometown crowd might encourage him to strike. He is not betting on Mullarkey at the current odds.
Big Brady acknowledges Prado's danger early but thinks Mullarkey can weather the storm and break Prado in the second round. He compares it to Mullarkey's fight with Devonte Smith, where Mullarkey pressured and went to the body. He notes both are hittable but expects a finish, leaning Mullarkey by knockout in round 2.
Cody is confident Mullarkey wins, citing Prado's low level of competition and questionable cardio. He notes Mullarkey is a proven UFC veteran who can grind out wins with takedowns and pressure. He thinks Prado's undefeated record is built on cans and he will be overwhelmed by the step up in competition.
Connor agrees with Zane, calling Prado a certified can crusher with potential but lacking training. He notes that Mullarkey is a naturally aggressive fighter who doesn't know he's not good enough, which allows him to compete at a high level. Connor expects Mullarkey to dominate Prado everywhere.
Mullarkey's experience and cardio will be too much for the short-notice debutant Prado. Prado is athletic but green, and his success has come against lower competition. Mullarkey can weather the early storm, then take over with grappling and pressure. Prado will likely gas by the second round. Mullarkey's durability and length allow him to evade Prado's power shots. Expect a finish in the third round via TKO or submission.
Paul agrees Mullarkey is the pick, noting Prado is young (20) and making a huge jump from regional scene to UFC pay-per-view. He thinks Mullarkey's experience and pressure will be too much. He is not excited about the -270 price but sees Mullarkey as a safe parlay piece.
The MMA Guru picks Jamie Mullarkey over Francisco Prado, noting Mullarkey's toughness and improvement. He expects Prado to come out strong but fade, and Mullarkey to finish with knees to the body in the clinch in the second round, similar to his win over Devonte Smith.
Zane picks Mullarkey confidently, stating that Prado is a manufactured prospect with padded record and cannot wrestle. He notes that Mullarkey is hyper-aggressive and will take Prado down and out-wrestle him. Zane also thinks Mullarkey's attitude will be a rude awakening for Prado, and that even on the feet, Mullarkey will shock Prado with his aggression.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Mullarkey | 1 | 66 of 190 | 34% | 68 of 194 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Michael Johnson | 0 | 96 of 217 | 44% | 96 of 218 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamie Mullarkey | 1 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 20 of 45 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Michael Johnson | 0 | 20 of 53 | 37% | 20 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 2 | Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 18 of 57 | 31% | 18 of 58 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michael Johnson | 0 | 45 of 95 | 47% | 45 of 95 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 3 | Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 30 of 91 | 32% | 30 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Michael Johnson | 0 | 31 of 69 | 44% | 31 of 70 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Mullarkey | 66 of 190 | 34% | 42 of 147 | 22 of 41 | 2 of 2 | 58 of 179 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 6 |
| Michael Johnson | 96 of 217 | 44% | 54 of 160 | 21 of 34 | 21 of 23 | 83 of 195 | 11 of 18 | 2 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamie Mullarkey | 18 of 42 | 42% | 12 of 33 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 32 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 6 |
| Michael Johnson | 20 of 53 | 37% | 10 of 37 | 3 of 9 | 7 of 7 | 18 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 4 | |
| 2 | Jamie Mullarkey | 18 of 57 | 31% | 11 of 44 | 6 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Johnson | 45 of 95 | 47% | 24 of 69 | 11 of 15 | 10 of 11 | 34 of 79 | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jamie Mullarkey | 30 of 91 | 32% | 19 of 70 | 11 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 91 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Johnson | 31 of 69 | 44% | 20 of 54 | 7 of 10 | 4 of 5 | 31 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Michael Johnson as a +200 underdog, questioning why Mullarkey is a 2-1 favorite. He highlights Johnson's 78% takedown defense over 25 UFC fights, noting only Khabib and Clay Guida have taken him down multiple times. He believes Johnson's striking is underrated and he is not chinny, having been knocked out only once. He sees Mullarkey as a grappler who has been striking lately, and Johnson's experience gives him the edge.
Big Brady picks Jamie Mullarkey, citing his youth and multiple paths to victory. He notes that Mullarkey can mix in takedowns and make it a dirty fight, which could expose Michael Johnson's questionable ground game and tendency to make mistakes. He acknowledges Johnson is the better striker and could knock Mullarkey out, but believes Mullarkey's durability and pressure will earn him a decision win. He expresses surprise at Mullarkey being a -240 favorite.
Cody thinks Mullarkey's pressure and wrestling will be key against Johnson, who fades in later rounds. He notes Johnson's best round is the first, and if Mullarkey can survive that, he can take over. He believes Mullarkey's durability is still there despite the recent KO loss.
The host bets 1 unit on Michael Johnson at +225 as a value play. He thinks Johnson is the better striker, faster, and could knock out Mullarkey quickly. However, he also acknowledges that Mullarkey could have success and possibly finish Johnson later, so he also bets on the under 2.5 rounds to cover both sides. He sees the optimal outcome as Johnson by KO under 2.5 rounds.
Paul calls this a dogger pass situation. He's tempted by Johnson at plus money but notes Johnson's inconsistency. He thinks the price on Mullarkey is steep and isn't confident either way.
The Guru picks Jamie Mullarkey, praising his technical striking, solid chin, and grappling ability. He believes Mullarkey will wear Johnson down with body work and cage pressure, finishing him in the third round via cumulative damage. He notes Johnson's tendency to gas.
Expert Picks (2)
Big Brady picks Ziam as an underdog, believing the line should be closer to a pick'em. He thinks Ziam is more technical on the feet, uses his range well, and has a good ground game, while Mullarkey is very hittable and was taken down by Brad Riddell. He predicts a close decision win for Ziam.
The MMA Guru picks Jamie Mullarkey because he has more experience and has faced better competition, noting that his loss to Brad Riddell is not bad. He trusts Mullarkey's time off to improve and expects a unanimous decision win.
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