UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill · Sep 12, 2020 · Featherweight · Completed
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Age 37
Height 5' 10"
Reach 70.0"
Weight 145 lbs.
Stance Orthodox
Age 35
Height 5' 11"
Reach 71.0"
Weight 145 lbs.
Stance Switch
Career Averages - Billy Quarantillo
7.44 SLpM
54.0% Str. Acc.
5.83 SApM
42.0% Str. Def.
1.47 TD Avg
24.0% TD Acc.
61.0% TD Def.
1.0 Sub. Avg
Career Averages - Kyle Nelson
3.6 SLpM
45.0% Str. Acc.
4.58 SApM
53.0% Str. Def.
1.18 TD Avg
23.0% TD Acc.
66.0% TD Def.
0.5 Sub. Avg
Billy Quarantillo - Fight History
LOSS vs Cub Swanson
KO (punch) R3 1:36 · UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Buckley · Dec 14, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Cub Swanson 1 99 of 158 62% 114 of 173 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:10
Billy Quarantillo 0 97 of 237 40% 108 of 249 3 of 11 27% 0 0 2:07
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Cub Swanson 0 39 of 57 68% 40 of 58 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Billy Quarantillo 0 37 of 88 42% 37 of 88 1 of 3 33% 0 0 0:14
2 Cub Swanson 0 40 of 69 57% 54 of 83 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:09
Billy Quarantillo 0 38 of 105 36% 49 of 117 2 of 5 40% 0 0 1:38
3 Cub Swanson 1 20 of 32 62% 20 of 32 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:01
Billy Quarantillo 0 22 of 44 50% 22 of 44 0 of 3 0% 0 0 0:15
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Cub Swanson 99 of 158 62% 74 of 127 13 of 18 12 of 13 95 of 154 4 of 4 0 of 0
Billy Quarantillo 97 of 237 40% 65 of 188 20 of 32 12 of 17 91 of 222 6 of 15 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Cub Swanson 39 of 57 68% 23 of 38 7 of 10 9 of 9 39 of 57 0 of 0 0 of 0
Billy Quarantillo 37 of 88 42% 22 of 66 6 of 10 9 of 12 37 of 87 0 of 1 0 of 0
2 Cub Swanson 40 of 69 57% 35 of 61 4 of 6 1 of 2 36 of 65 4 of 4 0 of 0
Billy Quarantillo 38 of 105 36% 31 of 91 6 of 12 1 of 2 32 of 91 6 of 14 0 of 0
3 Cub Swanson 20 of 32 62% 16 of 28 2 of 2 2 of 2 20 of 32 0 of 0 0 of 0
Billy Quarantillo 22 of 44 50% 12 of 31 8 of 10 2 of 3 22 of 44 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Angelo leans toward Quarantillo because he will be a touch faster with better movement, but he acknowledges Cub Swanson's toughness and all-around skills. He notes Quarantillo's aggression, BJJ, and volume striking, while Swanson is old and slow but still dangerous. He is considering betting the over 1.5 rounds and a plus 3.5 spread on Swanson, expecting a close decision.

Considering over 1.5 rounds and plus 3.5 spread on Cub Swanson.
"For pick purposes... I am going to lean Billy but there's two bets... I'm going to hammer the over cuz I do think this fight's going to go to decision."
BI
Big Brady Expert Lean pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Big Brady picks Billy Quarantillo to win by third-round submission. He thinks Quarantillo's pressure, volume, and grappling can break Swanson, especially if he gets the fight to the mat. He notes Swanson has been submitted many times. However, he worries about Quarantillo's chin and durability, as Swanson still has power.

"I'll take Billy Q here I'll take Billy q and I think he wins this fight by third round submission"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Cody picks Billy Quarantillo, citing his high volume striking (7.36 strikes per minute), pressure, and submission threat. He notes Cub Swanson's age (41), mileage, and recent losses, and believes Billy's pace and durability will overwhelm Cub. Cody also mentions the hometown advantage for Billy in Tampa.

"I got Billy it feels like I'm going to have to trust Billy a little more this week than I'd like to."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident pick date unknown
Cub Swanson

Connor also picks Swanson, citing that Quarantillo's style is similar to Colby Covington's and ages out quickly. He notes that Swanson is still sharp and dangerous, with better boxing and power, and that Quarantillo's wrestling is not a reliable path to victory. Connor thinks Quarantillo may be 'shot' and that Swanson's experience will prevail.

Swanson opened at +137, now +136; Quarantillo opened at -153, now -152
"I'm going to pick him too. If nothing else, I'm going to do it for the old man out there."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Confident pick date unknown
Cub Swanson

Daniel Vreeland picks Cub Swanson for the upset, despite being a fan of Billy Quarantillo. He argues that Quarantillo's comeback style relies on taking damage early, and at 36, that may be harder to sustain. Vreeland notes Swanson's speed, accuracy, and experience in wars, comparing this to Swanson's fight against Darren Elkins. He believes Swanson will land significant damage before Quarantillo can drag him into deep waters.

"I'm goingon go with Cub Swanson for the upset"
LU
Lucrative James Expert Hesitant pick date unknown
Cub Swanson

Lucrative James picks Cub Swanson as an underdog, acknowledging it's a close fight. He believes Swanson has more knockout upside early and can land heavy shots to stop Quarantillo's pressure. He notes Swanson's veteran savvy and power, but admits concerns about Swanson's age (41) and potential cardio decline. He sees value in Swanson at plus odds, though he is not fully confident.

"I'm going to go with the underdog in this one I'm going to go with Cub Swanson I think he's got more knockout upside early."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Quarantillo's relentless and smothering grappling style will cause Cub Swanson trouble. He will crowd Swanson's space, jump on his back, and sink in a rear-naked choke, with the finish coming within 10 minutes.

wins by submission (rear-naked choke) in round 1 or 2
"cornello has the Relentless and smothering grappling style to cause Cub Swanson a lot of trouble obviously Swanson will be the better Striker here but look for this corano to crowd his space eventually jumping on the back of Cub …"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Hesitant pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Paul picks Billy Quarantillo but with some hesitation. He notes that Billy's pace can be stifled by wrestling, but Cub Swanson is unlikely to use that approach. Paul sees it as a standup affair where Billy's volume and pressure should win out, though he acknowledges Cub's toughness and the possibility of a competitive first round.

"I have a little bit of concern with Billy I I mean I guess the one thing that keeps his Pace off is when his opponent's able to wrestle him and I really don't think Cub Swanson's going to be …"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident pick date unknown
Cub Swanson

The MMA Guru picks Cub Swanson as an underdog, calling Billy Quarantillo 'absolute garbage'. He criticizes Quarantillo's lack of explosiveness and poor distance management, and notes that Swanson has better hands, power, and body work. He predicts Swanson will target the body and possibly get a body shot TKO in round two. He also notes that Quarantillo has been exposed in recent fights.

body shot TKO in round two
"I'm going to lean towards Cub Swanson I could even see a body shot TKO I know I predict a body shot TKO nearly every card but this is the one I'm predicting for this card body shot TKO Cubs …"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident pick date unknown
Cub Swanson

Zane picks Swanson because Quarantillo's pressure style is aging poorly and he has been getting hurt and finished in recent fights. He notes that Swanson still has solid boxing fundamentals and power, and that Quarantillo's wrestling is not good enough to control Swanson, who is active off his back. Zane believes Quarantillo's style is falling apart.

Swanson opened at +137, now +136; Quarantillo opened at -153, now -152
"I'm going to take Cub. I just don't think Quarantillo is a good enough wrestler for me to pick him to out grapple Cub."
LOSS vs Youssef Zalal
Submission (rear-naked choke) R2 1:50 · UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas · Mar 23, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Youssef Zalal 0 10 of 50 20% 26 of 74 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:21
Billy Quarantillo 0 33 of 56 58% 37 of 62 2 of 2 100% 2 0 2:55
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Youssef Zalal 0 8 of 40 20% 15 of 51 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:21
Billy Quarantillo 0 31 of 49 63% 33 of 52 1 of 1 100% 1 0 1:33
2 Youssef Zalal 0 2 of 10 20% 11 of 23 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Billy Quarantillo 0 2 of 7 28% 4 of 10 1 of 1 100% 1 0 1:22
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Youssef Zalal 10 of 50 20% 8 of 36 0 of 8 2 of 6 10 of 50 0 of 0 0 of 0
Billy Quarantillo 33 of 56 58% 18 of 36 5 of 9 10 of 11 28 of 49 0 of 1 5 of 6
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Youssef Zalal 8 of 40 20% 6 of 28 0 of 6 2 of 6 8 of 40 0 of 0 0 of 0
Billy Quarantillo 31 of 49 63% 17 of 31 5 of 8 9 of 10 26 of 42 0 of 1 5 of 6
2 Youssef Zalal 2 of 10 20% 2 of 8 0 of 2 0 of 0 2 of 10 0 of 0 0 of 0
Billy Quarantillo 2 of 7 28% 1 of 5 0 of 1 1 of 1 2 of 7 0 of 0 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Billy Quarantillo vs. Youssef Zalal
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Quarantillo (-148), Zalal (+124)

Round 1
Keeping the main card pushing, the hyper-aggressive Quarantillo (18-5, 6-3 UFC) will welcome kickboxer-turned-wrestler Zalal (13-5-1, 3-3-1 UFC) back to the Octagon after a year and half away. While Quarantillo has battled three top-25 names in that span, Zalal has crushed three adversaries in the Sparta Combat League promotion—the last coming at the end of a night where he won a boxing match, then a kickboxing match, and tapped a kickboxer in the MMA finals. Speed will be the name of the game in this featherweight encounter, and referee Herb Dean will try to keep up. Gloves are tapped, and Zalal moves right to the middle of the cage to plant a kick on the lead leg of the Floridian. When Quarantillo comes forward to throw hands, Zalal skirts on the outside and lands another slapping calf kick. Zalal pokes out a jab and has a third leg kick find its home, and he is able to dance away from “Billy Q.” Zalal gets off kicks on the inside and out of his foe’s leg, and he snaps a jab out to follow. Quarantillo again telegraphs his blitz, and Zalal dodges everything but a leg kick and a power right hand. Zalal rolls with it and strafes from side to side, not letting Quarantillo find his pattern yet. Quarantillo steps in with a knee that brushes his past his target, and he reaches out with a right hand. Zalal keeps moving and lands a knee to the chest, and Quarantillo chases him and walks into a punch to the ribs and a low kick. Quarantillo lumbers in with a right that whiffs, and Zalal rings his bell with a right hand as he delivers kicks to several targets. Zalal hops in and out, landing another one-two as Quarantillo shakes his head. Quarantillo crashes forward and results in a clinch, and Zalal scrambles away and points at the ground as he would prefer to strike. Zalal takes a right hand on the temple and drops to a knee, and he fires back and gets Quarantillo’s attention with a flurry of punches. The right hand from Zalal tags Quarantillo another time, nails him with a knee and he hits a trip that takes “Billy Q” off his feet. Zalal moves into the guard, and he hacks down with elbows and prevents Quarantillo from getting his butterfly hooks in. Quarantillo rolls for an armbar, and Zalal sees it coming and turns to the right side and batters him with punches and elbows. Zalal steps over to take the back, and he hooks up a body triangle and hunts for a standing rear-naked choke when Quarantillo stands. Quarantillo falls to the ground, with the grip on his chin and not under it, and he toughs it out and winces in pain. Zalal crushes with the squeeze until Quarantillo punches his way out of it, and he smacks Quarantillo on the side of the head until the one-sided round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zalal

Round 2
Quarantillo starts the round aggressively, winging overhand rights, and tries to counter kicks with this big right hand. Zalal slides from side to side, landing a front kick and a few punches until he closes in to hit a trip and toss Quarantillo to his back. Zalal ignores a rubber guard moment from his opponent so he can punish Quarantillo with punches and hammerfists, and he stacks Quarantillo up and thwarts an armbar as Quarantillo turns to his knees. Zalal hangs on from behind again, and he drags a standing Quarantillo back down and locks down a body triangle.
Zalal hunts for a rear-naked choke, and he wriggles his forearm beneath the chin. When the choke locks down, Quarantillo quickly knows that this is it for him, and he surrenders with taps on the arm.
This is a stellar performance for the returning Zalal, who ended a seven-fight streak in the Octagon of going the distance by running roughshod over a solid featherweight in Quarantillo.

The Official Result
Youssef Zalal def. Billy Quarantillo R2 1:50 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Angelo is very confident in Billy Quarantillo, placing a full unit bet on him at -146. He believes Quarantillo's constant forward pressure and high output will overwhelm Zalal, who prefers to point fight from the outside. He expects the line to rebound to -300 and advises jumping on the current value.

full unit bet at -146
"I love Billy Q in this spot I've got a full unit I bet a full unit on him"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Big Brady picks Billy Quarantillo, citing his high volume (almost 8 strikes per minute) compared to Zalal's low volume (2.75). He notes Zalal is durable and has good cardio but will be outworked. He thinks Quarantillo will drown Zalal with activity and win a decision.

"I think Billy Q is going to outwork him he outworks pretty much everybody I don't think Z has the stopping power to to to make him pay for how hitable he is as well so yeah should just be …"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Cody picks Quarantillo, citing his volume, durability, and ability to push a pace. He thinks Zalal's wrestling could be neutralized by Quarantillo's scrambling and constant forward pressure. Cody notes that Zalal is returning after a layoff and may not be ready for Quarantillo's relentless style.

"I gotta go with Billy Q."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Lean pick date unknown
Youssef Zalal

Daniel Vreeland leans toward Youssef Zalal, believing he can pick Quarantillo apart with his striking and avoid getting drawn into a brawl. He notes Zalal has never had cardio issues and has won rounds against top competition. He thinks Zalal's maturity and composure will be key, but he would have liked better odds.

"I do kind of think that zah can can pick him apart and not get you know kind of uh goated into that that brawl that dog fight that Billy Q likes"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Hesitant pick date unknown
Youssef Zalal

Zalal is the better striker with good combinations and cardio. He should be able to outwork Quarantillo on the feet and avoid takedowns. Quarantillo is a slow starter who relies on pressure and grappling, but his takedown success rate is low. Zalal's improved aggression could be key, but there is concern about Quarantillo's clinch and submission threats. Zalal by decision is the pick.

"I'm going to go with zal here I think zal grinds this one out with his striking stays safe enough in the clinch situations... getting the win on the scorecards and pulling off the upset."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing Quarantillo's volume and the value at minus 140. He believes Zalal's path to victory via takedowns is difficult because Quarantillo fights to get back up and throws volume. Paul sees Quarantillo as the clear play.

"Billy Q minus 140 seems more than fair as far as I'm concerned so it's Billy Q for me as well."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident pick date unknown
Youssef Zalal

The MMA Guru picks Youssef Zalal as an underdog over Billy Quarantillo, believing Zalal is a better striker with good cardio and reach. He criticizes Quarantillo's slow movement and poor standup. He thinks Zalal will finish Quarantillo by TKO, catching him coming in with straight punches.

TKO win
"I'm taking Yousef zow over Billy quarantillo... he finishes Billy quarantillo by TKO"
WIN vs Damon Jackson
Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font · Aug 05, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Billy Quarantillo 0 100 of 188 53% 169 of 270 0 of 0 --- 1 0 1:51
Damon Jackson 0 67 of 173 38% 75 of 184 3 of 13 23% 0 0 6:10
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Billy Quarantillo 0 15 of 35 42% 34 of 58 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:00
Damon Jackson 0 28 of 62 45% 34 of 70 1 of 2 50% 0 0 3:13
2 Billy Quarantillo 0 40 of 69 57% 58 of 91 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:02
Damon Jackson 0 13 of 48 27% 15 of 50 1 of 7 14% 0 0 1:18
3 Billy Quarantillo 0 45 of 84 53% 77 of 121 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:49
Damon Jackson 0 26 of 63 41% 26 of 64 1 of 4 25% 0 0 1:39
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Billy Quarantillo 100 of 188 53% 45 of 124 49 of 57 6 of 7 58 of 140 42 of 48 0 of 0
Damon Jackson 67 of 173 38% 45 of 139 19 of 31 3 of 3 53 of 148 10 of 15 4 of 10
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Billy Quarantillo 15 of 35 42% 8 of 27 5 of 6 2 of 2 11 of 31 4 of 4 0 of 0
Damon Jackson 28 of 62 45% 19 of 48 8 of 13 1 of 1 23 of 52 1 of 2 4 of 8
2 Billy Quarantillo 40 of 69 57% 8 of 32 28 of 33 4 of 4 16 of 41 24 of 28 0 of 0
Damon Jackson 13 of 48 27% 5 of 36 7 of 11 1 of 1 6 of 38 7 of 10 0 of 0
3 Billy Quarantillo 45 of 84 53% 29 of 65 16 of 18 0 of 1 31 of 68 14 of 16 0 of 0
Damon Jackson 26 of 63 41% 21 of 55 4 of 7 1 of 1 24 of 58 2 of 3 0 of 2
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Hesitant pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Angelo picks Billy Quarantillo but is hesitant, noting that two years ago Billy would be a lock. He highlights Billy's high volume striking (8 significant strikes per minute) and BJJ, but is concerned about his recent KO loss and takedown defense (58%). He thinks Billy needs to keep the jab in Damon's face to prevent clean shots and defend takedowns. He acknowledges Damon Jackson is dangerous and on a good run before his loss to Dan Ige.

"Billy is ultimately gonna be the pick here but I'm gonna need him to throw out a ton of volume"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Big Brady likes Quarantillo's high volume (8 significant strikes per minute) and power. He thinks Jackson's chin is questionable (all 5 losses by finish, 4 by KO). He expects Quarantillo to pressure Jackson, and even if taken down, Quarantillo will make Jackson work and slow him down. He predicts a late second-round KO.

Quarantillo by KO in round 2
"I like Billy Q to break Damon Jackson and give Damon Jackson his sixth finish loss"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Cody picks Quarantillo, citing his volume, cardio, durability, and BJJ. He notes Jackson's low output and tendency to fade in later rounds. He believes Quarantillo will wear Jackson down and win a decision or late finish. He also likes the over 72.5 significant strikes prop for Quarantillo.

Quarantillo over 72.5 significant strikes
"quaranteo over 72.5 significant strikes on prize picks uh looks right for the taking to me"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Hesitant pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Daniel Levi picks Billy Quarantillo but is hesitant due to the price. He notes that Quarantillo is a comeback fighter who often loses the first round, and that Jackson is a dangerous submission artist who could finish early. Levi believes Quarantillo's durability and late-round pressure will be key, and that he can survive Jackson's early grappling to win rounds two and three. He dislikes laying -175 on a comeback fighter but picks Quarantillo as a pure pick.

No specific prop bet. Notes that sharp action is conflicting.
"I'm picking Billy Q."
LU
Lucrative James Expert Lean pick date unknown
Damon Jackson

James sees value on Damon Jackson. He notes Quarantillo gets taken down often and puts himself in submission attempts, though he's good at escaping. Jackson has good cardio and can take Quarantillo down to stop his rhythm. James thinks Jackson can win but acknowledges Quarantillo's late-round pace could overtake him.

"I think there's some value on Damon Jackson... I'm gonna pick him outright to win."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Damon Jackson

Jackson is a strong grappler who can control the fight on the ground. Quarantillo usually gives up the first round and relies on cardio, but Jackson's wrestling should be enough to win rounds early and survive Quarantillo's third-round surge. I was surprised to see Jackson around +150 to +160; I think he's the better wrestler and will win by decision.

odds comment: surprised to see Jackson around +150/+160
"I was kind of surprised to see Jackson around that plus 150 plus 160 range I think he's deciding this matchup"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Paul agrees with Cody, noting Quarantillo's durability and cardio advantage. He believes Jackson's only path is an early knockout, but if it goes past the first round, Quarantillo's pace will be too much. He suggests a live bet on Quarantillo after the first round.

"in a war of attrition Billy Q generally wins and uh and I think he's gonna do that here"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Lean pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

The host leans Billy Quarantillo, citing his striking edge and well-roundedness. He notes Quarantillo has never been submitted, which is key against Jackson's submission-heavy style. He thinks Jackson needs a finish to win, while Quarantillo can win a decision. However, he is not crazy about the -185 line and suggests waiting for it to drop to -170 or -175.

line movement from -178 to -185; suggests value on Damon Jackson if odds reach +165 or +170
"I will lean Billy Q to get the job done here"
LOSS vs Edson Barboza
KO (knee) R1 2:37 · UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen · Apr 15, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Edson Barboza 1 21 of 33 63% 21 of 33 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:02
Billy Quarantillo 0 19 of 42 45% 20 of 43 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:39
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Edson Barboza 1 21 of 33 63% 21 of 33 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:02
Billy Quarantillo 0 19 of 42 45% 20 of 43 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:39
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Edson Barboza 21 of 33 63% 13 of 25 5 of 5 3 of 3 19 of 31 1 of 1 1 of 1
Billy Quarantillo 19 of 42 45% 16 of 38 1 of 2 2 of 2 18 of 41 1 of 1 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Edson Barboza 21 of 33 63% 13 of 25 5 of 5 3 of 3 19 of 31 1 of 1 1 of 1
Billy Quarantillo 19 of 42 45% 16 of 38 1 of 2 2 of 2 18 of 41 1 of 1 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Angelo picks Billy Quarantillo, but emphasizes he needs to wrestle to win. He notes Barboza is the more technical striker and that Quarantillo cannot let Barboza settle into a striking pace. He references Barboza's win over Shane Burgos as a cautionary tale. He is not betting yet, calling Barboza 'super live'.

"Billy Q's gonna be the pick here I'm gonna need him to wrestle so that Edson isn't comfortable striking"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Big Brady picks Billy Quarantillo to win by late second-round knockout. He notes Barboza's age (37) and recent decline, while Quarantillo is durable and has high volume and pressure. He expects Barboza to look good early but fade, allowing Quarantillo to drown him with pace and power. He is not worried about Barboza's early knockout power.

late second round knockout
"I think billy gets him out of there in that second or third round just drowning with that volume"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Lean pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Cody sees this as a classic case of Barboza starting hot and Quarantillo wearing him down. He notes Quarantillo's takedown accuracy is low (24%) but he shoots multiple times, and his superior cardio and ground game should take over in rounds 2 and 3. However, he's not confident pre-fight and prefers to bet Quarantillo live after round 1.

Live bet after round 1 if Quarantillo loses first round
"I'll go with Billy but minus 165 pre-flop kind of scares me off"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident pick date unknown
Edson Barboza

Connor picks Barboza, arguing that Quarantillo is too slow and too much of a slow starter to implement the pressure needed to beat Barboza. He notes that Barboza's early damage accumulation (body kicks, leg kicks) will prevent Quarantillo from building into the fight. Connor compares Quarantillo unfavorably to Shane Burgos, whom Barboza destroyed, and believes Barboza's thudding shots will land on Quarantillo's entire body in the first round.

Connor calls Barboza a 'very live dog' at plus money, implying value but not a specific bet.
"I'm going to pick Edson Barboza... I think Quarantillo is just too much too slow and too much of a slow starter."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Quarantillo's cardio and forward pressure will be the difference. Barboza has takedown defense issues and fades late. Quarantillo can survive early striking onslaughts and take over in later rounds with takedowns and ground-and-pound. Expect a finish in round 3 as Quarantillo's pace breaks Barboza.

Billy Quarantillo wins inside the distance; round 3 TKO prop
"I fully expect the cardio of Billy Quarantillo to be the Difference Maker in this matchup and as long as he doesn't get put out early he should be able to take over later and eventually get that finish."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Paul agrees with Cody, noting Quarantillo is hittable early but wears opponents down. He highlights Barboza's layoff and age (37) but acknowledges Barboza's first-round explosiveness. He thinks Quarantillo's wrestling may not be as good as previous Barboza opponents, but his volume and durability should carry him.

"I would rather take an even money play on Billy after he drops the first round"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

The MMA Guru picks Billy Quarantillo, emphasizing his well-rounded game, volume striking (7.88 strikes per minute), and grappling. He believes Quarantillo will close the distance, make it a war, and potentially finish Barboza, who is 37 and cutting to featherweight. He notes Barboza's power and experience but thinks Quarantillo's freshness and pressure will be key.

Quarantillo wins by finish or decision; potential finish of Barboza
"I am taking Billy Q to get the job done here"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Zane picks Quarantillo, believing his relentless pressure and willingness to walk through fire will overwhelm Barboza. He notes that Barboza has historically struggled against pressure fighters who stay on him, and Quarantillo's madman mentality and one-size-fits-all aggression should be effective. Zane acknowledges Quarantillo is slower and less technical than previous Barboza opponents but thinks his psychological edge and constant forward movement will carry the day.

Barboza opened +130, now +140; Quarantillo opened -140/-145, now -160 to -190. Zane does not mention betting.
"I'm going to stick with my Quarantillo pick."
TKO (knees and punches) R2 4:30 · UFC 282: Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev · Dec 10, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Billy Quarantillo 0 87 of 151 57% 127 of 194 2 of 4 50% 0 0 1:20
Alexander Hernandez 0 48 of 94 51% 59 of 105 2 of 6 33% 1 0 4:08
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Billy Quarantillo 0 19 of 48 39% 45 of 74 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Alexander Hernandez 0 32 of 60 53% 38 of 66 2 of 2 100% 1 0 2:53
2 Billy Quarantillo 0 68 of 103 66% 82 of 120 2 of 3 66% 0 0 1:20
Alexander Hernandez 0 16 of 34 47% 21 of 39 0 of 4 0% 0 0 1:15
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Billy Quarantillo 87 of 151 57% 61 of 123 17 of 18 9 of 10 52 of 109 21 of 22 14 of 20
Alexander Hernandez 48 of 94 51% 33 of 70 5 of 9 10 of 15 34 of 74 8 of 11 6 of 9
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Billy Quarantillo 19 of 48 39% 9 of 36 6 of 7 4 of 5 17 of 45 2 of 3 0 of 0
Alexander Hernandez 32 of 60 53% 21 of 41 3 of 6 8 of 13 19 of 42 7 of 9 6 of 9
2 Billy Quarantillo 68 of 103 66% 52 of 87 11 of 11 5 of 5 35 of 64 19 of 19 14 of 20
Alexander Hernandez 16 of 34 47% 12 of 29 2 of 3 2 of 2 15 of 32 1 of 2 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Alexander Hernandez vs. Billy Quarantillo
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Quarantillo (-165), Hernandez (+140)

Round 1
The abbreviated early prelims wrap up with a featherweight contest as high-volume striker Quarantillo (16-4, 4-2 UFC) welcomes ex-lightweight mainstay Hernandez (13-5, 5-4 UFC) to his lower division. Both men are searching for a key win, and one man should achieve it in the next 15 minutes or less. They touch gloves as referee Chris Tognoni watches on, and Quarantillo lashes out with a low kick. Hernandez responds in kind, and Quarantillo walks him down with a one-two. Hernandez backs off to fling another low kick, and he blocks a swinging punch that whizzes at his head. Hernandez plods forward and walks into a punch, and he gets off a body kick up close. “The Great Ape” connects with a low kick, and Quarantillo catches a subsequent body kick but gets popped in the chops before setting it down. Quarantillo jabs to the head and body, while Hernandez swings for the bleachers. A low kick from Quarantillo gets checked, and Hernandez defends it but falls to his seat. Hernandez recovers well enough to stand, and he pursues a double and plants Quarantillo on his back. Quarantillo tries to push off the fence without grabbing it, and he traps Hernandez’ neck to slow him down. Quarantillo attempts to sit up, and Hernandez belts him in the face a few times before changing levels to set Quarantillo back down. The Floridian defends with his back on the wall as Hernandez doggedly goes for takedowns, and Hernandez is warned for fence grabs. Quarantillo looks for a counter trip, but Hernandez greets him with a clean elbow. Quarantillo breaks free but is bloodied up from the blows, and he finds more coming at his face. Quarantillo draws blood with a few right hands, slicing open the cheek of “The Great Ape.” Hernandez explodes into action, leaping forward to tackle Quarantillo over, and he lands to immediately go after an arm-triangle choke. Hernandez sits up with one single elbow, and this rips Quarantillo’s forehead wide open. Blood immediately pours from the wound, but Quarantillo is not defeated, as he throws his legs up to possibly set up a triangle choke. Hernandez ignores the sub setups to work Quarantillo over with ground-and-pound, opening the cut a little further. Hernandez lets him back up, and the two slug it out to the bell.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez

Round 2
Tognoni calls in the doctor to check on the cut on Quarantillo’s head, but it is not a fight-ending gash over his left eye. Quarantillo starts off the round aggressively, and he throws a head kick and follows it with a few punches. When Hernandez replies with a couple punches, Quarantillo jumps with a kick and gets grabbed midair and pushed to the ground. Hernandez gets on top, but he cannot keep Quarantillo there, as Quarantillo fights his way back up and separates. The two featherweight trade jabs, and Hernandez changes levels but gets kneed in the chin by the taller Quarantillo. Hernandez absorbs a few more knees and is once more warned for fence grabs, and he elects to isolate Quarantillo’s right leg and lift him in the air. Quarantillo keeps his balance and stays upright with his back to the wire, and he breaks off and pushes out several jabs. Hernandez meets him with jabs of his own, and he gets swept with a low kick. When he stands, Quarantillo hunts for a guillotine choke, and Quarantillo goes after a double to change things up. When that fails, Quarantillo pursues a single-leg entry, and he abandons this to land body shots and tag Hernandez up top. A few punches appear to surprise Hernandez, who desperately shoots for a takedown. The momentum has shifted, as Quarantillo stands him up and marks him up with a long series of punches. Quarantillo leaps at him with a superman punch, and he tees off on Hernandez with a combination before securing a single and placing Hernandez on his seat. Quarantillo pushes Hernandez over and slams his fist on the side and back of his head, and Tognoni thinks about stopping it for the foul but lets it play on as Quarantillo adjusts his trajectory. Hernandez muscles his way back to his feet, but Quarantillo is battering him with punch after unanswered punch.
Hernandez is barely on his feet and out of gas, and Quarantillo breaks a clinch to smash Hernandez in the face with an elbow. Quarantillo lays into a spent Hernandez with a knee that doubles him over, and he continues his tornado of knees, fists and anything else at his disposal until Tognoni rescues Hernandez from the unrelenting beating.
Quarantillo turned up the pace and put Hernandez away in impressive fashion, while reminding the division that he is still very much a factor.

The Official Result
Billy Quarantillo def. Alexander Hernandez R2 4:30 via TKO (Knees and Punches)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean pick date unknown
Alexander Hernandez

Angelo picks Alexander Hernandez as an underdog, noting that the odds (Quarantillo nearly a 2-1 favorite) feel off. He highlights Hernandez's superior athleticism, wrestling, and striking defense, and believes Quarantillo may have rust after a year off. However, he admits it's a low-confidence pick and plans to watch for prop bets like the plus 3.5 round bet on Hernandez's scorecard.

Looking at plus 3.5 round bet on Hernandez's scorecard (BetOnline exclusive).
"I think I like him in The Underdogs fight here like Billy's very good he sets an incredible Pace but he is a year removed from his last fight and I'm hoping there's going to be some Rust there so …"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Big Brady picks Billy Quarantillo, emphasizing his high volume and pressure that will break Hernandez. He notes Hernandez has a history of gassing and crumbling under adversity, and cutting to featherweight may worsen his cardio. He expects Quarantillo to weather an early storm and finish Hernandez in the second round by knockout.

Quarantillo wins by second round knockout
"I think early on in that first round Hernandez probably does have some success... but as the fight goes on I think Billy's gonna break him... give me corntilla to win by second round knockout"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Cody picks Quarantillo, citing his cardio, durability, and pace. He thinks Hernandez is explosive early but fades, and that Quarantillo will break him down in later rounds. He suggests live betting Quarantillo after round 1, as the line will improve. He expects a finish or dominant decision.

Live bet Quarantillo after round 1
"I'm gonna be way better off betting this after first round whereas Billy will be it'd be competitive and I can get close to even or Billy might lose and I can get slight plus money but the real fight …"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Daniel Levi picks Billy Quarantillo, emphasizing his massive output advantage. He notes Hernandez has never landed more than 50 significant strikes in a UFC fight and tends to fade after the first round. Quarantillo, by contrast, threw 383 strikes in his fight with Shane Burgos. Levi acknowledges Hernandez's early power and explosiveness, but believes if Quarantillo can survive the first round, he will drown Hernandez with volume and pressure. He considers betting on Quarantillo but is wary of Hernandez's early finish potential.

Considering a bet on Quarantillo due to output difference.
"Billy Q attempts 383 strikes and he lands 196 of them... if Billy can drag this to those deep Waters I got Billy Q in that type of fight over Alex Hernandez all day"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Lock is confident in Billy Quarantillo, citing his style of dragging opponents into deep waters and drowning them with pace and pressure. He believes Alexander Hernandez relies on physical gifts but his technical abilities haven't caught up, and the weight cut to featherweight for the first time in nine years is a major concern. Lock thinks Quarantillo's durability will allow him to survive Hernandez's early finishing threat, and then he will finish Hernandez late. He sees Quarantillo as a top-15 gatekeeper with longevity in the UFC.

"I'm more so on the Billy Q side here man and obviously on the betting uh line he's a minus 160 minus 170 favorite but you're getting him pretty much how to pick and price here against uh Alexander Hernandez …"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Paul leans Quarantillo, noting his cardio and ability to withstand damage. He thinks Hernandez is dangerous early but fades. He is not interested in the minus 160 line early, preferring to wait for live betting. He sees Quarantillo taking over in round 3.

Billy Quarantillo round 3 (+1300)
"Billy round three I see like plus 1300 out there like that's gonna get my money"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

The MMA Guru picks Billy Quarantillo by third-round TKO over Alexander Hernandez. He believes Hernandez will have a tough weight cut to featherweight and has a history of crumbling under adversity. Quarantillo is known for giving everyone a tough fight and has survived dangerous opponents like Spike Carlisle and Shane Burgos. He expects Quarantillo to overcome an early tough round and finish Hernandez later.

"I'm gonna go Billy quarantulo third round TKO Alexander Hernandez"
LOSS vs Shane Burgos
Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2 · Nov 06, 2021
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Shane Burgos 0 193 of 288 67% 232 of 329 0 of 0 --- 0 0 2:26
Billy Quarantillo 0 164 of 349 46% 196 of 383 0 of 14 0% 0 0 2:09
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Shane Burgos 0 54 of 81 66% 68 of 96 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:51
Billy Quarantillo 0 63 of 131 48% 81 of 150 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:19
2 Shane Burgos 0 82 of 114 71% 85 of 117 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:35
Billy Quarantillo 0 54 of 130 41% 57 of 133 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:32
3 Shane Burgos 0 57 of 93 61% 79 of 116 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:00
Billy Quarantillo 0 47 of 88 53% 58 of 100 0 of 10 0% 0 0 1:18
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Shane Burgos 193 of 288 67% 133 of 219 32 of 37 28 of 32 162 of 252 30 of 35 1 of 1
Billy Quarantillo 164 of 349 46% 129 of 301 28 of 39 7 of 9 145 of 322 19 of 27 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Shane Burgos 54 of 81 66% 37 of 61 8 of 9 9 of 11 53 of 79 1 of 2 0 of 0
Billy Quarantillo 63 of 131 48% 49 of 109 11 of 17 3 of 5 54 of 120 9 of 11 0 of 0
2 Shane Burgos 82 of 114 71% 55 of 84 14 of 17 13 of 13 71 of 100 11 of 14 0 of 0
Billy Quarantillo 54 of 130 41% 43 of 116 8 of 11 3 of 3 52 of 125 2 of 5 0 of 0
3 Shane Burgos 57 of 93 61% 41 of 74 10 of 11 6 of 8 38 of 73 18 of 19 1 of 1
Billy Quarantillo 47 of 88 53% 37 of 76 9 of 11 1 of 1 39 of 77 8 of 11 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean pick date unknown
Shane Burgos

Angelo picks Shane Burgos, but acknowledges Billy Quarantillo as a live underdog. He notes Burgos's high volume, body work, and chin, but also his high strike absorption rate. He believes Burgos's takedown defense (89%) will be tested, but that Burgos has shown he can get back up. He thinks the longer the fight goes, the more Burgos's body shots will pay off.

"i very narrowly am going to side with shane here because even though billy has the better striking stats at this point in his career shane's chin is still holding up"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Shane Burgos

Big Brady picks Shane Burgos to win by decision. He notes Burgos's striking volume and power, while Quarantillo is hittable and may struggle to get takedowns. Brady acknowledges Burgos's durability and takedown defense, but also his recent knockout loss and short turnaround. He thinks Quarantillo's wrestling won't be effective against Burgos, and the fight will be a war with Burgos winning on the feet.

win by decision
"i'll go decision i'll say shane burgos does win by decision"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident pick date unknown
Shane Burgos

Cody picks Burgos, citing his superior striking and takedown defense. He believes Burgos will keep the fight standing, chip away, and win a decision. He notes Quarantillo's cardio and toughness but doubts his power to hurt Burgos. He recommends Burgos by decision at +175.

Burgos by decision (+175)
"i got to go with shane burgos and if i'm trying to improve that line i go with burgos by decision"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Daniel Levi picks Billy Quarantillo as a plus 170 dog, fading Shane Burgos because Burgos fights with his hands down and hasn't learned his lesson. Levi believes Quarantillo is a dog who will capitalize on that weakness, and that Burgos's last fight against Edson Barboza was uncomfortable to watch. He notes that Quarantillo leveled up after the Gavin Tucker loss and ran through Gabriel Benitez. Levi expects a dogfight where Quarantillo thrives.

plus 170 dog
"give me billy q for the upset"
JA
Jacob Lines Expert Confident pick date unknown
Shane Burgos

Jacob picks Shane Burgos, emphasizing his grappling skills as a black belt and his body shots. He believes Burgos is no slouch on the ground and can handle Quarantillo's grappling. He thinks the fight could turn into a grappling match, but Burgos is well-rounded. He likes Burgos all the way, though he is unsure about the DraftKings price.

"i'm shane all the way you know at 9 000 i don't know if i love that 9 000 mark for for draftkings"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Shane Burgos

The host picks Burgos by decision, believing his technical striking and movement will outclass Quarantillo's pressure. He notes Burgos' chin and durability should hold up. He considered Burgos' decision prop at +200 but thinks it's a sweat.

"i like shane burgos here i think his chin holds up his durability holds up and he showcases that he's the much better technical striker"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident pick date unknown
Shane Burgos

Paul agrees with Cody, seeing Burgos as the better striker. He notes Quarantillo needs to get the fight to the mat to win, but Burgos's takedown defense should keep it standing. He doesn't love the price but thinks Burgos wins.

"i was kind of seeing it the same way didn't really love the price"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident pick date unknown
Shane Burgos

The Guru picks Shane Burgos, citing his reach advantage and improved grappling defense. He believes Burgos will pick Quarantillo apart at range with body shots and leg kicks, and that Quarantillo lacks the power to KO Burgos. The Guru predicts a 29-28 decision, with Burgos winning two rounds clearly.

"I'm gonna go shane burgos here."
TKO (punches) R3 3:40 · UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moises · Jul 17, 2021
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Billy Quarantillo 1 57 of 110 51% 67 of 122 0 of 0 --- 1 1 0:50
Gabriel Benítez 1 100 of 156 64% 179 of 259 3 of 7 42% 1 0 8:40
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Billy Quarantillo 0 12 of 26 46% 17 of 33 0 of 0 --- 1 1 0:15
Gabriel Benítez 1 25 of 38 65% 60 of 86 0 of 2 0% 0 0 3:30
2 Billy Quarantillo 0 23 of 45 51% 23 of 45 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:11
Gabriel Benítez 0 53 of 79 67% 72 of 104 2 of 3 66% 1 0 2:58
3 Billy Quarantillo 1 22 of 39 56% 27 of 44 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:24
Gabriel Benítez 0 22 of 39 56% 47 of 69 1 of 2 50% 0 0 2:12
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Billy Quarantillo 57 of 110 51% 38 of 89 13 of 15 6 of 6 44 of 89 6 of 9 7 of 12
Gabriel Benítez 100 of 156 64% 73 of 126 20 of 23 7 of 7 61 of 107 11 of 12 28 of 37
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Billy Quarantillo 12 of 26 46% 7 of 21 4 of 4 1 of 1 9 of 19 0 of 0 3 of 7
Gabriel Benítez 25 of 38 65% 17 of 30 6 of 6 2 of 2 14 of 20 1 of 1 10 of 17
2 Billy Quarantillo 23 of 45 51% 14 of 34 7 of 9 2 of 2 18 of 37 5 of 8 0 of 0
Gabriel Benítez 53 of 79 67% 39 of 62 11 of 14 3 of 3 35 of 58 8 of 9 10 of 12
3 Billy Quarantillo 22 of 39 56% 17 of 34 2 of 2 3 of 3 17 of 33 1 of 1 4 of 5
Gabriel Benítez 22 of 39 56% 17 of 34 3 of 3 2 of 2 12 of 29 2 of 2 8 of 8
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident pick date unknown
Gabriel Benítez

Cody is confident in Gabriel Benítez, citing his physical strength, advanced striking, and leg kicks. He believes Billy Quarantillo's lack of strength and power will be exposed, as seen in the Gavin Tucker fight. Cody thinks Benítez's pressure and durability will overwhelm Quarantillo, and he expects a finish or a clear decision.

under 2.5 rounds (plus money)
"I think the line was missed really i mean if you could get gabriel benitez at that opener at plus 115 that was the move."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident pick date unknown
Gabriel Benítez

Paul is picking against his favorite Billy Quarantillo for the first time. He notes that Benítez is a brick wall with superior strength and striking, and that Quarantillo's cardio and heart won't be enough against a physically stronger opponent. He expects Benítez to win, possibly by decision or late finish.

"I hate picking against him this will be officially the first time that i do so if he proves me wrong well that's billy doing his thing."
LOSS vs Gavin Tucker
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) R3 5:00 · UFC 256: Figueiredo vs. Moreno · Dec 12, 2020
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Gavin Tucker 0 106 of 166 63% 123 of 183 7 of 13 53% 0 0 5:14
Billy Quarantillo 0 84 of 178 47% 136 of 233 0 of 3 0% 0 0 0:25
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Gavin Tucker 0 38 of 63 60% 43 of 68 2 of 3 66% 0 0 0:58
Billy Quarantillo 0 33 of 69 47% 44 of 80 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:14
2 Gavin Tucker 0 53 of 76 69% 58 of 81 1 of 3 33% 0 0 1:18
Billy Quarantillo 0 38 of 69 55% 43 of 74 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:03
3 Gavin Tucker 0 15 of 27 55% 22 of 34 4 of 7 57% 0 0 2:58
Billy Quarantillo 0 13 of 40 32% 49 of 79 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:08
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Gavin Tucker 106 of 166 63% 68 of 122 31 of 37 7 of 7 71 of 122 32 of 41 3 of 3
Billy Quarantillo 84 of 178 47% 45 of 127 33 of 44 6 of 7 55 of 138 29 of 35 0 of 5
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Gavin Tucker 38 of 63 60% 17 of 41 17 of 18 4 of 4 23 of 47 15 of 16 0 of 0
Billy Quarantillo 33 of 69 47% 18 of 48 12 of 18 3 of 3 25 of 58 8 of 11 0 of 0
2 Gavin Tucker 53 of 76 69% 39 of 59 12 of 15 2 of 2 36 of 53 15 of 21 2 of 2
Billy Quarantillo 38 of 69 55% 20 of 48 16 of 19 2 of 2 25 of 56 13 of 13 0 of 0
3 Gavin Tucker 15 of 27 55% 12 of 22 2 of 4 1 of 1 12 of 22 2 of 4 1 of 1
Billy Quarantillo 13 of 40 32% 7 of 31 5 of 7 1 of 2 5 of 24 8 of 11 0 of 5
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Big Brady picks Billy Quarantillo to win by decision. He likes Quarantillo's high output, durability, cardio, and ground game. He notes Tucker's 40% takedown defense and that Rick Glenn was able to take him down four times, which bodes well for Quarantillo's wrestling.

"give me corn to you by decision here"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Daniel is high on Quarantillo's pressure, volume, and cardio. He questions Tucker's chin and heart, and thinks Quarantillo will walk him down and possibly finish him. He notes Quarantillo is in his prime and has paid his dues.

possible finish
"i'm gonna go with billy q uh to come out here and possibly finish gavin tucker but regardless i'm picking uh bq to get it done"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Gavin Tucker

Tucker is the more technical striker with better speed and should be able to outpoint Quarantillo. Quarantillo's pressure style may be neutralized by Tucker's movement and body work. Tucker's jiu-jitsu is also high level, so he can hold his own on the ground. The line is a pick'em, but Tucker is the better all-around fighter.

Tucker via decision; over 1.5 rounds
"i think gavin is just a better better all-around fighter... i'll go with gavin tucker to win this fight via decision"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Lean pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

The MMA Guru picks Billy Quarantillo in a close fight, noting Quarantillo's youth, size, range, and submission defense. He believes Quarantillo gets better as the fight goes on and will win a 29-28 unanimous decision. He acknowledges Gavin Tucker's grappling but thinks Quarantillo can survive the first round and take over.

"i'm gonna go with billy quarantilo getting the job done building as the fight goes on earning himself a 29-28 close competitive unanimous decision"
Kyle Nelson - Fight History
KO R1 0:24 · UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer · Mar 28, 2026
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Terrance McKinney 0 13 of 27 48% 15 of 29 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:13
Kyle Nelson 0 1 of 3 33% 1 of 3 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Terrance McKinney 0 13 of 27 48% 15 of 29 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:13
Kyle Nelson 0 1 of 3 33% 1 of 3 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Terrance McKinney 13 of 27 48% 12 of 26 1 of 1 0 of 0 5 of 5 0 of 0 8 of 22
Kyle Nelson 1 of 3 33% 0 of 2 0 of 0 1 of 1 1 of 3 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Terrance McKinney 13 of 27 48% 12 of 26 1 of 1 0 of 0 5 of 5 0 of 0 8 of 22
Kyle Nelson 1 of 3 33% 0 of 2 0 of 0 1 of 1 1 of 3 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident pick date unknown
Terrance McKinney

Angelo picks Terrance McKinney despite acknowledging his cardio and chin issues. He believes McKinney is the better striker, wrestler, and more powerful, and hopes he puts on a show at home. He admits he went against his own rule of not betting on McKinney and placed a half-unit bet at -141.

Half a unit at -141
"Half a unit minus 141, Terrance McKinney's the pick."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Terrance McKinney

Big Brady picks Terrance McKinney to win by first-round knockout. He expects a car crash of a fight, noting both fighters lack durability and have been finished often. He believes McKinney's early pressure and power will be too much for Kyle Nelson, who has been finished in four losses. He thinks McKinney will knock him out in the first few minutes.

McKinney by KO round 1
"I think McKinney's going to knock him out in the very first round."
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

Cody picks Nelson, believing McKinney's early explosiveness will fade and Nelson's durability and cardio will take over. He also mentions inside information from Nelson's training partner.

"Kyle Nelson for me, brother."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

Connor picks Nelson, noting that McKinney is only dangerous in the first round and concedes when he can't get an immediate finish. He points out that McKinney has only won one fight outside the first three minutes in his entire career. Nelson is susceptible early but if he survives, McKinney gives up. Connor says you can't pick a competent fighter to lose to McKinney.

Odds: Nelson opened +150, now +145; McKinney opened -175, now -170. Connor says he can't imagine betting on McKinney.
"You got to pick Kyle Nelson."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Lean pick date unknown
Terrance McKinney

Daniel acknowledges McKinney's first-round finishing ability but is wary of his tendency to fade if he doesn't get the early KO. He picks McKinney but suggests live betting Nelson if the fight goes past two minutes.

"A pure pick, I'm going with McKinney, man. I'd like to see McKinney get back on track and just get Nelson out of there with a serious onslaught in round one."
DI
Diary of a Pro Gambler Expert pick date unknown

The host sees this as a coin flip: McKinney is explosive and dangerous early but has terrible cardio and has never been to a decision; Nelson is slow and hittable but has power and can survive the first round. The implied probabilities (65-40) offer no margin on either side, so the host passes entirely.

"You'd be crazy to back McKinney with how reckless he is and how bad his cardio is. But, with how dangerous McKinney is early and how stiff and slow Nelson is, I think you'd be crazy to back Nelson as …"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Terrance McKinney

The host expects McKinney's explosive power and early aggression to overwhelm Nelson, leading to a first-round knockout. He notes McKinney's tendency to finish early and that all his UFC fights have ended under 1.5 rounds. He is less confident in betting McKinney straight due to his style's volatility but likes the under 1.5 rounds prop.

under 1.5 rounds
"I'm going to go McKenna. I'm not I don't want to bet him at shock just because I know what kind of style he has... but the under one and a half is definitely the spot even at shock to …"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

Paul agrees, noting McKinney's history of gassing and Nelson's ability to survive early storms. He expects Nelson to win after the first round.

"Kyle Nelson is the side for me."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

The MMA Guru picks Kyle Nelson using reverse psychology, as he often picks McKinney to win by first-round TKO but McKinney fumbles. He believes McKinney will wobble Nelson early but then fade, allowing Nelson to take over in the second and third rounds with elbows and pressure. He notes McKinney's inconsistency.

"Reverse psychology. I'm going with Kyle Nelson, dude."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

Zane agrees, stating that McKinney's pattern is clear: he comes in keyed up and if he doesn't finish early, he gives up. He compares McKinney to the ID of fighters like McGregor and Pyfer. Nelson is a competent fighter who can survive the early storm. Zane notes that Nelson could lose if he gets caught early, but otherwise McKinney has no answer.

Odds: Nelson opened +150, now +145; McKinney opened -175, now -170.
"Can't pick a single competent fighter to lose to McKinney."
WIN vs Matt Frevola
Decision R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: de Ridder vs. Allen · Oct 18, 2025
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Kyle Nelson 1 63 of 135 46% 92 of 170 2 of 5 40% 0 0 3:11
Matt Frevola 0 43 of 136 31% 60 of 155 2 of 3 66% 0 1 1:58
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Kyle Nelson 1 23 of 55 41% 30 of 64 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:28
Matt Frevola 0 15 of 54 27% 19 of 60 1 of 1 100% 0 0 1:01
2 Kyle Nelson 0 29 of 57 50% 32 of 60 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Matt Frevola 0 21 of 69 30% 22 of 70 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:20
3 Kyle Nelson 0 11 of 23 47% 30 of 46 2 of 4 50% 0 0 2:43
Matt Frevola 0 7 of 13 53% 19 of 25 1 of 1 100% 0 1 0:37
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Kyle Nelson 63 of 135 46% 41 of 103 14 of 23 8 of 9 46 of 106 7 of 14 10 of 15
Matt Frevola 43 of 136 31% 23 of 103 10 of 20 10 of 13 39 of 129 4 of 7 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Kyle Nelson 23 of 55 41% 17 of 47 4 of 6 2 of 2 12 of 37 1 of 3 10 of 15
Matt Frevola 15 of 54 27% 7 of 37 4 of 10 4 of 7 13 of 51 2 of 3 0 of 0
2 Kyle Nelson 29 of 57 50% 18 of 39 6 of 12 5 of 6 27 of 51 2 of 6 0 of 0
Matt Frevola 21 of 69 30% 13 of 58 3 of 6 5 of 5 20 of 66 1 of 3 0 of 0
3 Kyle Nelson 11 of 23 47% 6 of 17 4 of 5 1 of 1 7 of 18 4 of 5 0 of 0
Matt Frevola 7 of 13 53% 3 of 8 3 of 4 1 of 1 6 of 12 1 of 1 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Kyle Nelson vs. Matt Frevola
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Frevola (-115); Nelson (+100)

Round 1
To kick off the main card now, two flamethrowing lightweights in desperate need of a win will collide, and referee Dan Miragliotta better don his proverbial hard hat when these two let loose. The finish rates for Nelson (16-6-1, 4-5-1 UFC) and Frevola (11-5-1, 5-5-1 UFC) do not do justice what they have accomplished—and suffered—in the cage. A quick fist bump opens the melee.
Frevola starts things off with a few punches and a leg kick, and the Canadian counters with a right hand over the top. Frevola fires off the same combination, and he stays out of danger from the subsequent right hand aimed at his melon. Frevola swings up a couple head kicks that slide off the guard, and he races in with a looping right hand. Nelson drives him back with a sharp left, and he stabs his foot to Frevola’s torso. When Frevola spins, Nelson sits down on a right hand counter. Both fighters end up slipping on one another and climb back to their feet sheepishly, and it is Frevola who marches down his man and swings two hearty overhand rights. Nelson tanks them well but does not give the American much to think about coming back, allowing Frevola to open up with big, looping strikes. Nelson jabs him back, and slaps “The Steamrolla” in the chin with the ball of his foot.
Frevola advances recklessly, scoring a punch but taking a hard low kick on the way out. Frevola bashes the Canadian in the brainstem with a high kick, and he pump-fakes a knee to hurl a right hand at his man. Nelson sticks his fist out to catch Frevola coming in, so Frevola ducks under, lifts Nelson in the air and slams him down like a sack of potatoes. Nelson hits his knees and looks to stand, so Frevola counters with a guillotine choke setup and a knee to the ribs. Nelson gives his back up, and Frevola takes it and then jumps off so he does not slide off and end up in the wrong spot. Leaning on Nelson, he exudes heavy pressure and knees him in the guts. Nelson spins him around and smacks him with an uppercut, only for Frevola to meet it with a knee. Nelson wings a huge right hand that shakes Frevola up, and this results in a furious brawl where Nelson catches his man a second time and puts him on the canvas. Nelson starts hammering Frevola with his free right hand, and as damage mounts, Miragliotta starts to lean in. The Canadian keeps clubbing Frevola with his same fist again and again, and it appears that Frevola is knocked out and knocked back into consciousness. Miragliotta steps in with seconds to spare, and the fight is over. Until it isn’t. In what may be a worse failure of officiating than the recent Magny-Matthews UFC Perth debacle, somehow the fight is still on, and Frevola gets a minute to recover on his stool. The fight, somehow, continues.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Nelson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Nelson

Round 2
The arena is filled with chants cursing out Miragliotta for stealing a knockout win from their fighter, and Round 2 is upon us. Frevola is still stung from the concussive blows he received at the end of the first round, and Nelson takes advantage of that with crisp combinations and a head kick. Every second Frevola remains in this match that should already be over is one more second that he could steal a win. Frevola gathers his thoughts and replies back from the offense with some body work. Nelson has the upper hand with Frevola still wobbled, and he chases him around the Octagon and connects hard on him. Frevola scampers away, so the Canadian gives chase.
Frevola starts to get his bearings more as time progresses, with Nelson’s power appearing to fade a bit, and Frevola does work to the midsection. Nelson chews up the front leg with his kicks, and he stings Frevola with power punches. Frevola gets more comfortable and launches high-amplitude attacks at his adversary. Nelson beats Frevola to the punch frequently and repeatedly, popping Frevola with straight punches and distant kicks. Once more, the round ends, even though this fight should already be over given that the replay clearly showed three seconds on the clock at the end of the first round when Miragliotta put hands on the fighters to separate them. According to the referee, he heard the horn, but it never blew. It does this time.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nelson

Round 3
Nelson, with a full head of steam, wants to punish his opponent for still being in this match all this time. Brutalizing the body like a side of beef, Nelson kicks him again and again as Frevola doubles over. Nelson’s kicks open up one to the head, and he rocks Frevola badly. Frevola stumbles around, and Nelson pops him in the chops with a front kick and several power punches. The New Yorker is tough as nails but has been knocked out at least once tonight and has likely received a great deal of brain damage from this mess of a fight. Frevola steels himself, takes everything Nelson throws at him and tries to swing back valiantly. Frevola’s swings have a lot less mustard on them, but he breaks things up by shooting in for a takedown and putting the Canadian on his back.
Nelson has a lot more energy than his adversary, allowing him to scramble out of the bad position and work to his feet. Nelson batters Frevola to the wire, and he uses his momentum to drag Frevola to the floor. Nelson sits up on top in a high mount position, smacking Frevola around any time he can find an opening, and as he does, Frevola miraculously manages to sneak out the back door. The two are slippery and fatigued, to say the least, but they still throw punches and elbows at one another. Nelson manages to turn his man over, and when Frevola is about to get up, Nelson mat returns him. Nelson laces his foe’s legs beneath his own, and Frevola scrambles with every bit of energy he last left. Standing up at the 10-second clapper, Frevola spins with an elbow to ding Nelson. Nelson retreats, and the fight finally ends for real this time. It might be time to have a serious conversation about the state of officiating in our sport, as fighters are being robbed of their livelihoods in new, frustrating ways that seemed not to happen until recently.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nelson (30-26 Nelson)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Nelson (30-27 Nelson)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nelson (30-26 Nelson)

The Official Result
Kyle Nelson def. Matt Frevola via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean pick date unknown
Matt Frevola

Angelo leans Matt Frevola as the better fighter with good wrestling and power, but acknowledges Kyle Nelson's durability and power. He expects a finish either way and calls it a 50/50 fight. He picks Frevola but with low confidence.

Fight likely ends inside distance
"I pick Matt Frevola just because he's the better fighter."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

Big Brady doubts Frevola will wrestle and expects a stand-up brawl. He questions both fighters' chins but thinks Nelson has the better chin and power. He predicts Nelson lands a big shot in the first round, picking a first-round KO.

Nelson by KO in round 1
"I'm going to take Kyle Nelson for the slight upset to land that big shot. I just don't trust the chin of Matt Fvolola. I think it's going to be a Kyle Nelson KO1."
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Lean pick date unknown
Matt Frevola

Cody picks Frevola, citing his wrestling advantage and power. He notes Nelson is moving up from 145 and has struggled against wrestlers. Frevola can take Nelson down and ground-and-pound. Cody believes Frevola's size and grappling will be decisive, but admits low conviction.

"I'm going to go with Matt Fravola. Uh yeah, I'm not an under one and a half kind of guy. This looks like an under one and a half kind of fight."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

Connor picks Nelson, agreeing that Frevola has shown bad signs recently. He notes that Frevola has not looked like he wants to fight in his last few outings. Connor believes Nelson's composure and range fighting will be effective, but acknowledges that Nelson has a history of melting down. He thinks Nelson should be a slight favorite.

Odds: Nelson opened at -170, currently -105; Frevola opened at +145, currently -115.
"I think Nelson should be a little bit more of a favorite, frankly."
LU
Lucrative James Expert Confident pick date unknown
Matt Frevola

James favors Frevola due to his wrestling, cardio, and natural lightweight frame, while Nelson is moving up from featherweight. He acknowledges Frevola's chin issues but believes his wrestling and pace will overwhelm Nelson. James predicts a decision win for Frevola.

"I'm going to take Matt Fravola in this fight. My prediction is going to be a decision win. You know, because Kyle Nelson is a tough guy and I feel like Matt Fravola to win, he's probably going to need …"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Matt Frevola

The host thinks this fight could be a car crash, but if Frevola plays it safely and avoids Nelson's power, he can easily take the fight to the ground and rinse and repeat that style. He expects Frevola to win by submission or on the scorecards.

win by submission or decision
"If Fvola plays it safely and avoids the big power of Nelson, I think we can see Fvola easily take this fight to the ground."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

Paul picks Nelson, but with zero conviction. He notes both fighters love to brawl and have power. Paul thinks it's a pick'em and expects a finish. He leans Nelson but says it's a coin flip.

"gun to my head, I'll I'll say Kyle Nelson, but like zero conviction here."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident pick date unknown
Matt Frevola

The MMA Guru picks Matt Frevola over Kyle Nelson. He acknowledges both are coming off losses but believes Frevola's competition has been tougher and his good moments are better. He thinks Frevola can mix in grappling and takedowns, and that Nelson is too rigid and simple. He predicts a decision win, 30-27.

decision win 30-27
"I'm going to go with Matt Frevola getting this one done. By decision, 30-27."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

Zane picks Nelson, citing his improved composure and range fighting. He notes that Nelson has become a cautious, consistent range fighter with good defense. Zane points out that Frevola has looked gun-shy and lacks a fight outside the pocket. He believes Nelson can win by using his jab and staying at range.

Odds: Nelson opened at -170, currently -105; Frevola opened at +145, currently -115.
"So yeah, I'm taking Nelson as well, but it's an interesting fight."
LOSS vs Steve Garcia
TKO (elbows and punches) R1 3:59 · UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Brady · Sep 07, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Steve Garcia 0 22 of 37 59% 39 of 62 0 of 0 --- 0 1 1:36
Kyle Nelson 0 1 of 2 50% 31 of 36 0 of 0 --- 0 0 2:13
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Steve Garcia 0 22 of 37 59% 39 of 62 0 of 0 --- 0 1 1:36
Kyle Nelson 0 1 of 2 50% 31 of 36 0 of 0 --- 0 0 2:13
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Steve Garcia 22 of 37 59% 20 of 35 1 of 1 1 of 1 2 of 3 0 of 0 20 of 34
Kyle Nelson 1 of 2 50% 0 of 1 0 of 0 1 of 1 1 of 2 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Steve Garcia 22 of 37 59% 20 of 35 1 of 1 1 of 1 2 of 3 0 of 0 20 of 34
Kyle Nelson 1 of 2 50% 0 of 1 0 of 0 1 of 1 1 of 2 0 of 0 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Steve Garcia vs. Kyle Nelson (148.5: Missed Weight)
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Garcia (-192), Nelson (+160)

Round 1
Garcia (16-5, 5-2 UFC) is hungry, and he wants to share his lunch of knuckle sandwiches as the short-notice substitute against Nelson (16-5-1, 4-4-1 UFC). Both men come into this pairing on win streaks, so someone’s momentum is about to come to a grinding halt. Garcia has notably recorded four straight knockouts, a rarity for the weight class. This bout will officially take place at 149 pounds due to the Canadian missing weight, but that should not preclude the two from slugging it out as expected. Gloves are not touched under the watchful eye of referee Mark Smith, and instead they want to fight. Garcia lets fly a kick and a few punches, and he gets pushed back to the wall and trips. Nelson jumps on top to take Garcia’s back in a hurry, and he gets both hooks in without effort. Garcia hand-fights to prevent Nelson from setting up a submission, so the Canadian smacks him in the forehead several times. Nelson tries to set up the body triangle, but Garcia is able to fight off the first setup while he twists to one side and uses two-on-one wrist control. Garcia explodes to spin around, and he falls into an armbar. Garcia unloads with punches with his free arm, and he strikes his way out of the submission and lets Nelson have it with an onslaught of punches and elbows. Nelson turns to his side and shells up, and he slows Garcia down. Garcia elects to grind his elbow on the cheek, and he thumps it down every so often. Garcia slams down a few punches, and he nails Nelson with an elbow that makes Nelson turn to turtle up. As Garcia unleashes a fury, Nelson keeps his wits about him and kicks off Garcia to force him upright. Garcia leaps down and elbows Nelson in the back of the head, and a lump develops in a hurry. Nelson sits up with his back to the cage, and Garcia rails him with an elbow that makes Nelson crumble to his side. Garcia releases a final flurry of elbows and punches, and Smith sees that Nelson is no longer defending himself and intervenes. Nelson tries to stand back up after the fight has been called off, and Smith is there to make sure he does not fall over. This is a statement performance for the ultraviolent Garcia, who has earned five straight knockouts and pounds his way into contender status.

The Official Result
Steve Garcia def. Kyle Nelson R1 3:59 via TKO (Elbows and Punches)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Hesitant pick date unknown
Steve Garcia

Angelo picks Steve Garcia because he hits very hard, has good wrestling, and is on a four-fight knockout streak. However, he is hesitant because Kyle Nelson has been looking good lately and has power and toughness. He plans to have very little exposure on this fight if he bets.

Angelo says he will bet a very small amount if he bets on Steve Garcia.
"I think Steve Garcia wins but I'm not that confident"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Steve Garcia

Big Brady picks Steve Garcia to win by knockout in round one. He highlights Garcia's four-fight knockout streak and his dog mentality, but acknowledges Garcia gets dropped often. Brady thinks Garcia will get dropped but get back up and finish Nelson. He favors Garcia more as the fight goes into later rounds.

round 1 KO
"Steve Garcia wins this fight I take him to Win It by knockout but I think somebody's getting served in this one Garcia round one KO"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

Cody picks Nelson on the moneyline, citing Garcia's poor chin and tendency to get dropped, while Nelson has improved cardio, wrestling, and durability. He notes Garcia's wins are often against tired or compromised opponents, and that Nelson's pressure and pace can overwhelm Garcia. He sees value at plus money and is confident Nelson can win.

Nelson by decision +1000 (tempting)
"I'm going to go call Nelson money line with the plus money"
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Hesitant pick date unknown
Steve Garcia

Daniel acknowledges Kyle Nelson's improved style but thinks Garcia's kill-or-be-killed pressure will force Nelson to fight, potentially bringing back his old issues. He admits he hasn't been good at predicting the new Kyle Nelson, but he picks Garcia to extend his knockout streak. He notes Garcia is a killer who either knocks you out or gets knocked out.

"I'll pick Steve Garcia here. I think that Steve Garcia is gonna make this guy fight then we're gonna see the old tencies come back from Kyle Nelson and I think that Steve Garcia is gonna extend his kill streak."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Steve Garcia

Garcia is on a four-fight KO streak and has awkward angles that could trouble Nelson. Nelson is also on a roll but Garcia's power is a threat. The under 1.5 rounds is the preferred bet, as Garcia tends to finish early. Garcia by first-round KO is the pick.

Under 1.5 rounds; Garcia by first-round KO
"the under one and a half is where I will put my money here... I'm going to go Garcia Garcia by first round knockout."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

Paul likes the over 1.5 rounds at +140, believing Nelson's improved cardio and fight IQ will avoid an early knockout. He thinks Nelson can make it competitive and potentially win a decision. He is not confident in betting Garcia at nearly -200, so he leans Nelson but prefers the over prop.

over 1.5 rounds +140 (already bet), may take more if number grows
"I like the over one and a half from this fight I know st's been a oneman rcking crew absolutely knocking out everyone he's got P power in his hands but I feel like seven and a half minutes Kyle …"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident pick date unknown
Steve Garcia

The MMA Guru picks Steve Garcia over Kyle Nelson, citing a bias against Canadian men. He notes Garcia's weird look as an advantage and his training at Jackson Wink and Soul Focus. He mentions Garcia has beaten good opponents like Melquizael Costa and Saimon Oliveira, but was finished by Chase Hooper. He predicts a decision or KO win.

decision or KO
"I'm going to go with Steve Garcia over Kyle Nelson... I've got Steve Garcia getting this one done by decision or KO"
WIN vs Bill Algeo
TKO (punches) R1 4:00 · UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot · Mar 30, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Kyle Nelson 0 30 of 58 51% 44 of 73 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Bill Algeo 0 32 of 59 54% 40 of 68 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:48
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Kyle Nelson 0 30 of 58 51% 44 of 73 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Bill Algeo 0 32 of 59 54% 40 of 68 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:48
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Kyle Nelson 30 of 58 51% 11 of 34 11 of 11 8 of 13 30 of 55 0 of 3 0 of 0
Bill Algeo 32 of 59 54% 20 of 45 6 of 8 6 of 6 28 of 52 4 of 6 0 of 1
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Kyle Nelson 30 of 58 51% 11 of 34 11 of 11 8 of 13 30 of 55 0 of 3 0 of 0
Bill Algeo 32 of 59 54% 20 of 45 6 of 8 6 of 6 28 of 52 4 of 6 0 of 1
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean pick date unknown
Bill Algeo

Angelo leans Bill Algeo but is not very confident. He highlights Algeo's karate-style striking, high volume, and BJJ black belt, but notes he gets hit a lot. He thinks Kyle Nelson's forward pressure could be tricky. He suggests the over 2.5 rounds as a safer bet, expecting a decision.

over 2.5 rounds
"the pick if I have to make one is going to be Jill Bill Alo but I do like over two and a half as far as bets are concerned"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Bill Algeo

Big Brady picks Bill Algeo to win by third-round finish. He notes Algeo is a fast-paced striker who lands over six significant strikes per minute, and expects him to push a pace that Kyle Nelson cannot keep up with. Brady believes Nelson's recent fights have been slow and boring, but Algeo will force him to work and break him late.

"I'm going to take alio here I'm hoping alio comes in here with a great game plan and if he does I think he finishes Kyle Nelson in that third round"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident pick date unknown
Bill Algeo

Cody likes Algeo's volume, cardio, and durability, believing he can outwork Nelson. He notes Nelson's improved cardio but thinks Algeo's pace and output will be too much, likely winning by decision or late finish.

"I got Bill"
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Confident pick date unknown
Bill Algeo

Daniel Vreeland picks Bill Algeo, citing his high volume and pace. He thinks Algeo's pressure and output will overwhelm Nelson, who has a history of gassing. He notes Nelson's recent style change but believes Algeo won't give him space to rest. He predicts Algeo by decision or late finish.

"I still got to go with Bill because at least with Bill you know what you're getting"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Bill Algeo

Algeo is on a 4-1 run with unorthodox movement and effective leg kicks. He picks opponents apart from distance and has solid BJJ. Nelson has improved but still relies on crashing the pocket; Algeo's lateral movement and counters should cause Nelson to chase and slow down. Algeo by decision is likely, with potential for a late finish.

"I think Bill alio gets his HRA here and I'm going to ultimately Say by decision"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident pick date unknown
Bill Algeo

Paul compares this fight to Algeo's win over Corano, expecting Algeo to overwhelm Nelson with volume. He mentions a potential round 3 prop for Algeo but sees decision as most likely.

"a bill aljo round three prop could be in play"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident pick date unknown
Bill Algeo

The host picks Bill Algeo, calling him underrated and tricky. He likes Algeo's win over Joe Anderson Brito and his performance against Andre Fili. He thinks Algeo has more options and will 'weird' Nelson with unorthodox techniques. He predicts a decision win for Algeo.

decision win
"I'm going Bill alio dude I'm going bill alio I like this guy's game I think he's an underrated fighter"
Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 30–27) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2 · Sep 16, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Kyle Nelson 0 72 of 208 34% 73 of 209 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:07
Fernando Padilla 0 82 of 184 44% 83 of 185 0 of 3 0% 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Kyle Nelson 0 26 of 82 31% 26 of 82 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Fernando Padilla 0 25 of 50 50% 25 of 50 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
2 Kyle Nelson 0 22 of 59 37% 23 of 60 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:07
Fernando Padilla 0 30 of 58 51% 31 of 59 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Kyle Nelson 0 24 of 67 35% 24 of 67 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Fernando Padilla 0 27 of 76 35% 27 of 76 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Kyle Nelson 72 of 208 34% 42 of 168 17 of 22 13 of 18 65 of 198 7 of 10 0 of 0
Fernando Padilla 82 of 184 44% 43 of 143 19 of 20 20 of 21 80 of 176 2 of 8 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Kyle Nelson 26 of 82 31% 17 of 68 5 of 8 4 of 6 24 of 77 2 of 5 0 of 0
Fernando Padilla 25 of 50 50% 12 of 36 5 of 5 8 of 9 25 of 48 0 of 2 0 of 0
2 Kyle Nelson 22 of 59 37% 11 of 46 6 of 6 5 of 7 19 of 56 3 of 3 0 of 0
Fernando Padilla 30 of 58 51% 16 of 43 8 of 9 6 of 6 29 of 57 1 of 1 0 of 0
3 Kyle Nelson 24 of 67 35% 14 of 54 6 of 8 4 of 5 22 of 65 2 of 2 0 of 0
Fernando Padilla 27 of 76 35% 15 of 64 6 of 6 6 of 6 26 of 71 1 of 5 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident pick date unknown
Fernando Padilla

Angelo picks Fernando Padilla, noting his accuracy and clinch work will be the difference. He mentions both fighters like gritty pocket fights, which favors Padilla. He wishes the value were better at -241 and plans to monitor the line movement before betting.

"Fernandez accuracy and clinch is probably going to be the difference I wish he were a little better value right now he's minus 241"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Fernando Padilla

Big Brady is confident in Padilla, criticizing Nelson's recent inactivity and poor performances. He believes Padilla will force the action and that Nelson will revert to his old ways of gassing and getting finished. He notes Padilla's power, cardio, and grappling skills, and predicts a third-round knockout.

third round knockout
"I like Mike Padilla to win here I'm going to say Padilla to win this fight by third round knockout"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Lean pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

Cody considers Nelson a live dog due to his durability, wrestling, and experience. He notes Nelson's low volume is a concern but thinks he can make fights close and has power. However, he is not confident enough to bet and may pass, preferring Giagos as a better dog play.

"Kyle Nelson is very very live so it's a dogger pass situation for me but I think I'm airing on the side of caution."
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Lean pick date unknown
Fernando Padilla

Daniel Levi picks Fernando Padilla but with low confidence, as he is still unsure what Padilla truly is at the UFC level. He notes Padilla's length and toughness but questions his durability over three rounds. Levi believes Kyle Nelson is a known quantity and that Padilla has the power and reach to win, but he did not bet the fight because the jury is still out on Padilla's long-term potential.

"I'm picking him to win this fight because we know what Kyle Nelson is right I just don't know what Padilla is yet"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Fernando Padilla

Padilla is a finisher with 13 of 15 wins inside the distance, showcasing pinpoint striking and accuracy. Nelson is on a resurgence but relies on striking and has been inconsistent. Padilla has advantages in reach, speed, and jiu-jitsu if the fight goes to the ground. I expect Padilla to utilize combination striking from distance and get a finish, likely by submission in the second round.

under 2.5 rounds, Padilla by submission
"I like Padilla in this spot I think what CM utilizes combination striking to touch up Kyle Nelson from distance and then I fully expect him to get him out of there probably by the second round I'm going to …"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Hesitant pick date unknown
Fernando Padilla

Paul picks Padilla but is not confident. He notes Padilla's dynamic offense and volume, but worries about unknowns and Nelson's durability and wrestling. He sees value in Nelson as a dog but ultimately sides with Padilla's speed and finishing ability.

"Padilla just keeps screaming to me is like the synopsis of this whole fight is like who's going to throw more and I feel like that is Padilla."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident pick date unknown
Fernando Padilla

The MMA Guru picks Fernando Padilla over Kyle Nelson, citing Padilla's dangerous striking and 76-inch reach advantage. He notes Padilla's quick TKO of Julian Erosa on short notice and believes he will look even better on a full camp. He mentions Padilla's takedown defense and that he is hard to finish, predicting a decision or finish by Padilla.

"I'm going with Fernando Padilla there"
WIN vs Blake Bilder
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC 289: Nunes vs. Aldana · Jun 10, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Kyle Nelson 0 59 of 126 46% 83 of 150 0 of 1 0% 0 0 2:21
Blake Bilder 0 45 of 120 37% 84 of 159 0 of 3 0% 0 0 2:45
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Kyle Nelson 0 19 of 47 40% 28 of 56 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:18
Blake Bilder 0 22 of 51 43% 42 of 71 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:22
2 Kyle Nelson 0 19 of 39 48% 23 of 43 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Blake Bilder 0 12 of 30 40% 12 of 30 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:14
3 Kyle Nelson 0 21 of 40 52% 32 of 51 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:03
Blake Bilder 0 11 of 39 28% 30 of 58 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:09
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Kyle Nelson 59 of 126 46% 24 of 76 20 of 31 15 of 19 57 of 124 2 of 2 0 of 0
Blake Bilder 45 of 120 37% 26 of 96 2 of 4 17 of 20 45 of 119 0 of 1 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Kyle Nelson 19 of 47 40% 10 of 33 6 of 11 3 of 3 17 of 45 2 of 2 0 of 0
Blake Bilder 22 of 51 43% 15 of 44 0 of 0 7 of 7 22 of 50 0 of 1 0 of 0
2 Kyle Nelson 19 of 39 48% 8 of 24 5 of 8 6 of 7 19 of 39 0 of 0 0 of 0
Blake Bilder 12 of 30 40% 4 of 20 1 of 2 7 of 8 12 of 30 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Kyle Nelson 21 of 40 52% 6 of 19 9 of 12 6 of 9 21 of 40 0 of 0 0 of 0
Blake Bilder 11 of 39 28% 7 of 32 1 of 2 3 of 5 11 of 39 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident pick date unknown
Blake Bilder

Angelo picks Blake Bilder, citing his superior grappling and technical striking. He notes that Bilder is an aggressive grappler who doesn't take unnecessary risks, and that he should be able to control the fight. He acknowledges Kyle Nelson's decent losses and recent grappling improvements, but still believes Bilder gets the win. He considers Bilder for a safety parlay.

"I think the minus 195 odds are actually about right for Blake and he could potentially be in the safety parlay"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Blake Bilder

Big Brady picks Blake Bilder to win by third-round TKO. He notes that Bilder is extremely tough and has a high pace, while Kyle Nelson has cardio issues and tends to gas in fast-paced fights. Bilder often gets dropped early but comes back, and Nelson's best chance is wrestling, but his cardio will fail. He expects Bilder to take over late and finish.

third round TKO
"I think Blake Builder does exactly that and I think he finishes him late... I'll say third round finish for Blake Builder"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident pick date unknown
Blake Bilder

Cody picks Blake Bilder, but suggests live betting him after the first round because Nelson may come out aggressively and could knock Bilder out early. He notes that Bilder has good cardio and a solid one-two, but his defense is shaky. He expects Bilder to take Nelson down and outwork him as Nelson tires. He also likes the under 2.5 rounds in this fight.

Under 2.5 rounds (parlayed with over 2.5 in Oliveira vs Belbiţă)
"I think Blake Builder wins I think big big Builder round two round three props could be interesting but I like the under two and a half rounds"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Hesitant pick date unknown
Blake Bilder

Connor picks Blake Bilder but is hesitant, noting that the test will come immediately while Bilder is still cold, which could be a prospect loss. He points out that Nelson is a very hard puncher with long reach, and that Bilder's only good sign was against Shane Young, who is not a high-level test. Connor acknowledges that Nelson's opponents tend to be fragile and get knocked out early, but since Bilder hasn't been knocked out yet, he won't pick against him. He thinks the odds movement toward Bilder is notable.

Bilder opened -195, now -233; Nelson opened +173, now +203
"But I I'll take builder. But the guys that Kyle Nelson has beat... all of these fighters you look at the losses that they have and they're all losses where they get knocked out instantly."
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident pick date unknown
Blake Bilder

Daniel Levi picks Blake Bilder, citing that Bilder has better boxing, pace, and conditioning than Kyle Nelson. He notes that Nelson has low output and fades, while Bilder has shown a dog mentality and can push a high volume. He acknowledges that Bilder has a questionable chin and has been dropped before, but believes Nelson is too slow and telegraphed to capitalize. He warns against using Bilder as a heavy parlay piece.

"I'm with you I'm gonna go the uh Blake Builder"
LU
Lucrative James Expert Hesitant pick date unknown
Blake Bilder

James picks Blake Bilder to win but is not confident at -250. He thinks Bilder is more well-rounded and should get takedowns, possibly finding a submission in round two. However, he notes Kyle Nelson has more UFC experience, hits hard early, and is fighting for his job in Canada. James wouldn't be surprised if Nelson gets an early knockout or a split decision. He advises against laying -250 on Bilder as he's not a minus-250 type fighter.

Kyle Nelson via KO in round 1 at +1100 (small play)
"I'm gonna say Blake Builder gets it done in the second round probably by submission maybe after some early adversity in round one"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Blake Bilder

Bilder has excellent lateral movement and a well-rounded game, while Nelson's only path is a puncher's chance. Nelson's attempts to grapple have failed due to poor cardio, and Bilder is the superior grappler. Expect Bilder to use his movement to set up takedowns, eventually finding a late submission. The stylistic matchup heavily favors Bilder.

Bilder wins by submission (round 3)
"I think stylistically speaking this is a horrible match of four Kyle Nelson give me Blake Builder probably by third round submission"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident pick date unknown
Blake Bilder

Paul picks Blake Bilder, noting that Nelson has poor cardio and wrestling. He believes Bilder is the better wrestler and will take Nelson down, especially as Nelson fades. He expects a finish in the second or third round. He also mentions that Nelson's best chance is an early KO, but he thinks Bilder will survive and take over.

"I think Blake's gonna take him down I think Blake's gonna start leaning on him I think Blake's just gonna out volume beat him to the punch"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident pick date unknown
Blake Bilder

The MMA Guru picks Blake Bilder over Kyle Nelson, arguing that Nelson has shown his limit with poor performances and losses to low-level competition. He notes Bilder is undefeated and well-rounded, with a good ground and stand-up game. He believes Bilder's potential is unknown and worth gambling on, expecting him to outpoint Nelson.

"I guess I'll go with Blake Builder over Kyle Nelson"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident pick date unknown
Blake Bilder

Zane picks Blake Bilder, noting that Kyle Nelson is a heavy-handed puncher with good takedowns but tenses up and gasses quickly. He believes Bilder is not as breakable as Nelson's previous opponents, having shown grit against Shane Young by fighting back when pressured. Zane thinks Nelson's grappling safety valve won't work against Bilder, who is a good athlete with surprising power. He acknowledges that Bilder is raw and could face early scares, but trusts his durability.

Bilder opened -195, now -233; Nelson opened +173, now +203
"I gotta take build it here the grappling and wrestling has always been a safety valve for Nelson... and uh, yeah, then I got a trust builder's grit."
LOSS vs Dooho Choi
Draw (majority) (29–27, 28–28, 28–28) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivac · Feb 04, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Dooho Choi 0 50 of 78 64% 79 of 114 0 of 0 --- 0 1 3:58
Kyle Nelson 0 20 of 58 34% 39 of 80 5 of 10 50% 0 0 5:34
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Dooho Choi 0 3 of 7 42% 15 of 19 0 of 0 --- 0 1 2:24
Kyle Nelson 0 1 of 4 25% 11 of 16 1 of 1 100% 0 0 1:56
2 Dooho Choi 0 24 of 46 52% 30 of 54 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:35
Kyle Nelson 0 16 of 49 32% 16 of 49 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:03
3 Dooho Choi 0 23 of 25 92% 34 of 41 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:59
Kyle Nelson 0 3 of 5 60% 12 of 15 4 of 8 50% 0 0 3:35
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Dooho Choi 50 of 78 64% 11 of 37 23 of 24 16 of 17 27 of 54 2 of 2 21 of 22
Kyle Nelson 20 of 58 34% 10 of 41 7 of 10 3 of 7 17 of 54 3 of 4 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Dooho Choi 3 of 7 42% 0 of 4 0 of 0 3 of 3 3 of 6 0 of 0 0 of 1
Kyle Nelson 1 of 4 25% 1 of 3 0 of 0 0 of 1 1 of 4 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Dooho Choi 24 of 46 52% 10 of 30 2 of 3 12 of 13 23 of 45 1 of 1 0 of 0
Kyle Nelson 16 of 49 32% 8 of 35 5 of 8 3 of 6 14 of 46 2 of 3 0 of 0
3 Dooho Choi 23 of 25 92% 1 of 3 21 of 21 1 of 1 1 of 3 1 of 1 21 of 21
Kyle Nelson 3 of 5 60% 1 of 3 2 of 2 0 of 0 2 of 4 1 of 1 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Doo Ho Choi vs. Kyle Nelson
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Choi (-190), Nelson (+160)

Round 1
“The Korean Superboy” will look to come back from a three-year hiatus and a three-fight losing streak against Canada’s Nelson, with Chris Tognoni set to officiate. Both men are in orthodox stance as they feel out the distance in the opening moments. Choi lands a hard low kick. Nelson rushes in, hoists Choi by the hips and slams him down, despite a fence grab by the Korean. Nelson wraps up the legs of the seated Choi at the base of the fence. Choi posts his right arm and braces against the cage to try and stand, but Nelson is persistent. Nelson hops onto Choi’s back as Choi stands, sinking a hook as he does. Choi spins and explodes up, but Nelson is right with him. Choi explodes up again, and sweeps to top position, trapping Nelson’s right arm in a crucifix. Nelson frees the arm, but Choi looks for an arm-triangle choke, and is close to moving to side control. Choi gets it and swings out to the side, looking to pin an arm once again. Nelson stuffs Choi back to half-guard. Nelson locks his arms and gets a half-guard lockdown to control Choi’s posture in the final seconds. The round expires.

Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Choi

Round 2
Choi lands a hard low kick, which Nelson answers with a kick to the body. Nelson rocks Choi with a big right hand, then chases down the reeling Choi with a flying knee against the cage. Choi comes forward with a takedown attempt from way outside, then lands a sharp one-two. Nelson shoots a takedown from a mile away and Choi sprawls easily. Choi spins to the back, then disengages and lets Nelson up. They clinch against the fence for a moment as the action slows. Choi lands another chopping low kick, then another. Nelson comes forward with a left kick to the body. Choi goes to the leg again, then sticks Nelson with a right hand up top. Under 90 seconds left and Choi’s low kicks are taking their toll. Choi lands a left to the body. Nelson lends a sweeping, glancing right hook. Nelson comes back with a leg kick of his own. Nelson whiffs on a big right hand as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Choi

Round 3
Nelson comes in for a takedown and Choi meets him with a nasty uppercut to the body. Nelson drags Choi down momentarily, but Choi springs right back up. Nelson drives Choi into the fence, trying to lift him at the waist. Choi posts with his right arm once again, foiling the takedown. Choi stands back up and Nelson stays right on him. Nelson tries for a rear waistlock and as Choi spins, Nelson elevates and slams him down. Nelson is wrapped around Choi’s legs at the base of the cage. Ref Tognoni immediately exhorts them to work. Choi manages to stand back up and Nelson turns to a single-leg. Choi pulls his leg out and drives Nelson onto his back. Tognoni jumps in and calls time, saying that there was a headbutt, and replay bears him out on the fact if not the intention of the collision. Tognoni deducts a point from Choi and restarts them with a minute and a half to go. They resume action on the feet after a touch of gloves, and Nelson shoots again within seconds. Nelson has a loose single-leg, but Choi spreads his stance, lowers his center of gravity and throws a series of nasty punches and elbows to the ribs as Nelson clings. The final horn sounds with them still in that position.

Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Choi)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Choi)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 9-9 (29-27 Choi)

The Official Result
The judges rule Doo Ho Choi vs. Kyle Nelson a Majority Draw (29-27 Choi, 28-28, 28-28)
BI
Big Brady Expert Lean pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

Big Brady is wary of Choi's long layoff and recent losses. He thinks Nelson has power and a chance to knock out Choi early. He picks Nelson by first-round knockout but says he is not betting on the moneyline, only interested in the under.

under (rounds), first round knockout
"I'm gonna take Kyle Nelson to win this fight by first round knockout"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident pick date unknown
Dooho Choi

Cody picks Choi, citing his superior skill set and speed. He notes that Choi's four-year layoff may actually benefit him by allowing his body to heal from previous damage. He believes Choi is a better striker, grappler, and wrestler than Nelson. He expects Choi to win by knockout or clear decision, and likes the under 2.5 rounds at -175.

Under 2.5 rounds (-175)
"I think Detroit's got his number he's going to take them and the line's actually not too bad... three round fight Choi Coast two runs away if he has to if not catches him clean and knocks him out"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Hesitant pick date unknown
Dooho Choi

Connor picks Dooho Choi, citing more concrete reasons to distrust Kyle Nelson. He notes that Nelson is self-defeating, with a tendency to fade after an initial burst, and that Choi is a good scrambler who won't be held down. However, he acknowledges Choi's long layoff and chin concerns, making this a low-confidence pick.

"I'm gonna also pick do hochoi... it's mostly just because I have more concrete reasons to distrust kyle nelson."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident pick date unknown
Dooho Choi

Paul picks Choi, emphasizing his skill advantage and the fact that Nelson is being fed as an easy opponent. He notes that Choi has always looked good early in fights but faded, and the layoff may help. He thinks Nelson's only path is to grind, but Choi's speed and accuracy should prevail. He also mentions the time zone advantage for Asian fighters.

"I gotta go with skill at the end of the day and I know this kid's got the skill... the four years off that's good for him he hasn't taken notice of serious damage"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Hesitant pick date unknown
Dooho Choi

Zane picks Dooho Choi, but is more concerned than Connor. He notes that Nelson is dangerous early and has a reach advantage, and that Choi is an unknown after a long layoff. However, he trusts Choi's durability and believes Nelson's anxiety will cause him to fade. Zane sees a serious chance of Nelson winning by KO or TKO.

Nelson wins by TKO +400
"I'm also gonna pick do hochoi... I just think there's a really serious chance that kyle nelson just chaos him or takes him down and tk owes him on the ground."
LOSS vs Jai Herbert
Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall · Jul 23, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Jai Herbert 0 36 of 64 56% 84 of 116 0 of 1 0% 0 0 5:57
Kyle Nelson 0 41 of 62 66% 55 of 77 0 of 4 0% 0 0 3:06
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Jai Herbert 0 7 of 19 36% 17 of 29 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:18
Kyle Nelson 0 19 of 27 70% 21 of 30 0 of 2 0% 0 0 1:18
2 Jai Herbert 0 24 of 36 66% 35 of 47 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:11
Kyle Nelson 0 17 of 29 58% 21 of 33 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:59
3 Jai Herbert 0 5 of 9 55% 32 of 40 0 of 0 --- 0 0 3:28
Kyle Nelson 0 5 of 6 83% 13 of 14 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:49
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Jai Herbert 36 of 64 56% 16 of 43 17 of 18 3 of 3 22 of 50 13 of 13 1 of 1
Kyle Nelson 41 of 62 66% 15 of 34 11 of 13 15 of 15 28 of 47 13 of 15 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Jai Herbert 7 of 19 36% 1 of 13 6 of 6 0 of 0 3 of 15 4 of 4 0 of 0
Kyle Nelson 19 of 27 70% 8 of 14 4 of 6 7 of 7 12 of 20 7 of 7 0 of 0
2 Jai Herbert 24 of 36 66% 11 of 22 11 of 12 2 of 2 15 of 27 9 of 9 0 of 0
Kyle Nelson 17 of 29 58% 5 of 17 6 of 6 6 of 6 11 of 21 6 of 8 0 of 0
3 Jai Herbert 5 of 9 55% 4 of 8 0 of 0 1 of 1 4 of 8 0 of 0 1 of 1
Kyle Nelson 5 of 6 83% 2 of 3 1 of 1 2 of 2 5 of 6 0 of 0 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Jai Herbert vs. Kyle Nelson
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Herbert (-265), Nelson (+225)

Round 1
Both Herbert and Nelson have lost three of their last four promotional appearances, so jobs could be at stake in this lightweight affair, which will be governed by veteran official Herb Dean. They touch gloves and we’re underway, with Nelson moving up from featherweight. Nelson lands a hard body kick to start out. Herbert extends a long jab. Nelson with a body kick followed by a calf kick. Nelson lands another low kick. Nelson grabs a leg as Herbert lands a knee to the midsection. The Canadian is in on a takedown and he shoves Herbert into the fence. Herbert is defending well so far, but Nelson is persistent in his approach. Nelson lands a knee before Herbert reverses position. Nelson creates space and lands a big elbow with his back to the fence. They continue to battle in the clinch, with Herbert currently controlling position. Another elbow for Nelson, but not as powerful as the first. Nelson with a short elbow before breaking free. Nelson throws a high kick but it’s blocked. A calf kick from the Canadian finds its mark, though. Nelson ends the period with another low kick. 10-9 Nelson.

Round 2
Herbert opens up with a kick to the body as he circles on the outside of the cage. Nelson stalks his man and lands a body kick. Herbert answers with a jab. Nelson dodges a pair of high kicks and then attacks with the calf kick again. The action picks up as both men trade low kicks and Herbert opens up a little bit more. Herbert jab the body and then lands a left hook to the body. They clinch and Nelson drives a knee into the midsection before shoving his foe into the cage. Herbert circles off the fence, but Nelson reverses and goes high with a knee. Nelson defends a trip attempt by Herbert as the clinch battle wages on. Herbert connects with an elbow in close quarters, and he defends a hip toss and continues to control position. Herbert with a nice right hand on the break. Nelson appears to be slowing down somewhat. Herbert pressures and absorbs a low kick. Herbert tags Nelson with a right before clinching with Nelson. After a spirited exchange in close quarters, Herbert sprawls nicely on a Nelson shot, and the lightweights end the round in the clinch. 10-9 Herbert.

Round 3
They trade leg kicks early, but Herbert appeared to be more affected by the blow. Nelson with a body kick and Herbert answers with a combination. Herbert defends a takedown and powers his way into top position, where he sets up in Nelson’s half guard and drops a shoulder strike. Nelson holds Herbert close to neutralize his offense from above. Herbert seems content to remain in half guard rather than looking to advance to mount. A few short right hands land for the Englishman. Nelson recovers full guard. Nelson is able to work his way to a knee as Herbert attempts to circle his way to the Canadian’s back. Nelson is now up with a minute left. He turns off the fence and shoves Herbert into the cage. Nelson works for a takedown but Herbert defends all the way until the horn. A late shot from Nelson at the horn draws a displeased reaction from “The Black Country Banger.” 10-9 Herbert (29-28 Herbert).

The Official Result
Jai Herbert def. Kyle Nelson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Hesitant pick date unknown
Jai Herbert

Angelo picks Jai Herbert but expresses concern about Kyle Nelson's two-year layoff, noting it's hard to know what version of Nelson will show up. He highlights Herbert's technical striking and movement, and that he looked sharp before being knocked out by Ilia Topuria. He advises leaving Herbert out of parlays due to the uncertainty.

leave out of parlays
"i gotta go with jai here because even in that loss to ilia he looked sharp before the knockout"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Jai Herbert

Big Brady picks Jai Herbert to win by first-round knockout. He loves Herbert's striking and power but notes his poor striking defense and chin. He thinks Kyle Nelson has power but a bad gas tank, and if the fight goes past the first round, Herbert takes over. He expects a knockout in the first round.

Herbert by KO in round 1
"i'll take jai herbert to knock out kyle nelson to do it in the very first round"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident pick date unknown
Jai Herbert

Cody picks Jai Herbert, citing his length, reach advantage, and excellent jab. He notes Nelson has been inactive for two years, moving up in weight, and has poor cardio and takedown defense. Cody thinks Herbert will dictate the outside and jab Nelson's face off. He predicts a first or second round knockout for Herbert.

"j herbert catches them that seems all pretty uh pretty well balanced"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident pick date unknown
Jai Herbert

Daniel Levi picks Jai Herbert, noting that this is a massive step down in competition for Herbert, who has been fighting tough opponents. He believes Herbert has better technique, length, and shot selection. Levi points out that Kyle Nelson is essentially knockout or bust, having only one KO since 2018, and questions Nelson's toughness relative to other UFC fighters.

"i think herbert's got him covered across the board so i think kyle is basically knockout or bust"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Jai Herbert

Herbert is technically better, has a six-inch reach advantage, and should touch Nelson up. However, Herbert has a glass chin and Nelson has power. I think Herbert finishes him in the second or third round. The fight doesn't go to decision is a good parlay piece.

fight doesn't go to decision (parlay piece); Jai Herbert second or third round finish
"I'm gonna go dry Herbert try Herbert probably second or third round finish but I don't mind that fight doesn't go to decision"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean pick date unknown
Kyle Nelson

Paul picks Kyle Nelson at +235, calling it a dogger pass. He notes Nelson throws absolute hammers and Herbert's chin is questionable. Paul thinks the fight is high variance and Herbert has been rocked many times. He likes Nelson inside the distance at +350 or by KO at +600.

Nelson inside the distance +350, Nelson by KO +600
"dogger pass for me i'll take kyle nelson"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident pick date unknown
Jai Herbert

The MMA Guru confidently picks Jai Herbert to win by first-round TKO. He believes Herbert is a much better fighter than Kyle Nelson, who has been out since September 2020. Herbert has been active and will start fast. Nelson has power in the first round but fades, and Herbert can weather the storm and finish him.

first round TKO
"joy herbert's got this one in the bag i do believe um i feel like he's gonna get it done yeah nelson's been out for too long herbert's been active i think he's gonna start fast and put away nelson …"
Expert Picks (3)
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

Big Brady is very high on Billy Quarantillo, citing his unreal heart, toughness, and cardio. He notes Quarantillo tends to drop the first round but if he survives, he will win convincingly. He recommends getting the fight to the ground to tire Nelson, and predicts a second-round submission.

parlay piece with Barbarena
"I like billy q quite a bit i'm really high in this guy"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

The host believes Quarantillo's pace, pressure, and black belt jiu-jitsu will be too much for Nelson, who has cardio issues and poor takedown defense. He expects a submission victory, likely in the second round, and likes the inside the distance prop at +110 as better value than the moneyline.

Quarantillo inside the distance (+110); second round submission
"I do like billy cue to win this fight i'm going to say by second round submission"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident pick date unknown
Billy Quarantillo

The MMA Guru picks Billy Quarantillo, noting that Kyle Nelson is explosive early but hasn't faced Quarantillo's level. He highlights Quarantillo's experience against Spike Carlyle, where he showed patience and cardio. He expects Quarantillo to lose the first round but rally with his grappling and pacing to win a unanimous decision in the second and third rounds.

"i think billy quarantino's gonna get this guy down grind him out and eventually win a unanimous decision"