UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till · Jul 26, 2020 · Welterweight · Completed
Prev Fight UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till Next Fight
Age 40
Height 5' 10"
Reach 70.0"
Weight 155 lbs.
Stance Southpaw
Age 41
Height 5' 11"
Reach 74.0"
Weight 170 lbs.
Stance Orthodox
Career Averages - Jesse Ronson
3.54 SLpM
47.0% Str. Acc.
3.39 SApM
57.0% Str. Def.
0.46 TD Avg
28.0% TD Acc.
57.0% TD Def.
0.5 Sub. Avg
Career Averages - Nicolas Dalby
3.88 SLpM
43.0% Str. Acc.
3.51 SApM
52.0% Str. Def.
0.9 TD Avg
26.0% TD Acc.
59.0% TD Def.
0.1 Sub. Avg
Jesse Ronson - Fight History
LOSS vs Joaquim Silva
TKO (knee and punches) R2 3:08 · UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan · Oct 01, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Joaquim Silva 1 45 of 90 50% 51 of 96 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:11
Jesse Ronson 0 39 of 83 46% 39 of 83 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Joaquim Silva 0 20 of 41 48% 22 of 43 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:03
Jesse Ronson 0 25 of 53 47% 25 of 53 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
2 Joaquim Silva 1 25 of 49 51% 29 of 53 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:08
Jesse Ronson 0 14 of 30 46% 14 of 30 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Joaquim Silva 45 of 90 50% 26 of 67 12 of 16 7 of 7 38 of 76 0 of 0 7 of 14
Jesse Ronson 39 of 83 46% 22 of 55 11 of 18 6 of 10 39 of 83 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Joaquim Silva 20 of 41 48% 13 of 31 3 of 6 4 of 4 20 of 41 0 of 0 0 of 0
Jesse Ronson 25 of 53 47% 12 of 32 9 of 14 4 of 7 25 of 53 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Joaquim Silva 25 of 49 51% 13 of 36 9 of 10 3 of 3 18 of 35 0 of 0 7 of 14
Jesse Ronson 14 of 30 46% 10 of 23 2 of 4 2 of 3 14 of 30 0 of 0 0 of 0
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Lean picked Sep 28, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Jesse Ronson

Cody picks Jesse Ronson as an underdog, citing his better striking and size advantage. He acknowledges Ronson looked bad in his last fight but attributes it to the illegal knee and layoff. He believes Ronson's counter-punching could knock out Silva, who has a questionable chin. He is not very confident but likes the plus money.

"I'm gonna take Jesse Ronson but uh yeah I think you like the PRP pick it might be like one line above the PRP pick"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Sep 28, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Joaquim Silva

Paul picks Joaquim Silva, but is not confident. He notes that both fighters are coming off losses and are in a 'kill or be killed' situation. He believes Silva has a slight grappling advantage and that Ronson looked poor in his last fight. He prefers the 'fight doesn't go to decision' prop as the best bet on this fight.

Fight doesn't go to decision -145
"I'll fade Canada I'll take joaquim Silva but I throw one more wrench in the middle but I think the best bet is fight doesn't go to decision by far on this fight"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Sep 27, 2022 (4 days before fight)
Joaquim Silva

The MMA Guru picks Joaquim Silva, noting that Silva has fought better competition and is more reliable than Jesse Ronson. He mentions that Ronson is 'chokey' and has questionable split decision losses, while Silva has been training grappling extensively. He thinks Silva can win by submission or decision, but is not confident enough to bet on it.

"I think I'd pick Silva in that one. There's no way I would ever trust Jesse Ronson with any form of bet."
LOSS vs Rafa García
Submission (rear-naked choke) R2 4:50 · UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2 · Apr 16, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Rafa García 0 35 of 80 43% 73 of 126 3 of 4 75% 1 0 4:37
Jesse Ronson 0 25 of 61 40% 28 of 64 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:02
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Rafa García 0 26 of 64 40% 32 of 73 1 of 2 50% 0 0 0:35
Jesse Ronson 0 23 of 52 44% 25 of 54 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Rafa García 0 9 of 16 56% 41 of 53 2 of 2 100% 1 0 4:02
Jesse Ronson 0 2 of 9 22% 3 of 10 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:02
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Rafa García 35 of 80 43% 31 of 76 3 of 3 1 of 1 26 of 70 1 of 1 8 of 9
Jesse Ronson 25 of 61 40% 13 of 48 6 of 7 6 of 6 25 of 60 0 of 1 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Rafa García 26 of 64 40% 23 of 61 3 of 3 0 of 0 25 of 63 1 of 1 0 of 0
Jesse Ronson 23 of 52 44% 13 of 41 5 of 6 5 of 5 23 of 52 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Rafa García 9 of 16 56% 8 of 15 0 of 0 1 of 1 1 of 7 0 of 0 8 of 9
Jesse Ronson 2 of 9 22% 0 of 7 1 of 1 1 of 1 2 of 8 0 of 1 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Rafa Garcia vs. Jesse Ronson

Round 1
Lightweights take the stage as we move along the prelims, as Canada’s Ronson (21-10, 1 NC; 0-3, 1 NC UFC) will try to earn his first victory inside the Octagon in his fifth try. He will face “Gifted” Garcia (12-2, 1-2 UFC) out of Mexico in a battle of North American nations. Drawing the charge is referee Mark Smith, who hopes that what happened in the last fight takes place in this one. There is no glove touch, and instead the two fighters start trading in a hurry. Garcia lands with a solid right hand, and Ronson gets off an inside leg kick. As Ronson comes forward, Garcia acts as a matador and actually tosses Ronson down to the canvas. He does not pounce, allowing the Canadian to get back up, and they throw hands again. Garcia lines up his right hand, and Ronson is just able to get out of harm’s way each time. As Ronson advances, Garcia clubs him with this right, and Ronson shakes it off and tries to pay him back. The lightweight go tit-for-tat, with one landing, the other replying, and the first swinging back. Ronson jabs down the middle, and Garcia swings back at him with a more varied approach. A faked ankle pick from Garcia allows him to wing an overhand right, and Ronson rolls through it and comes right back. “The Body Snatcher” connects with a swiping kick to the body, and he tries to throw another only for the leg to get caught. Garcia swings him down to the ground, and Ronson scrambles right back up. When they are tied up, “Gifted” gives him man several gifts in the form of surprisingly powerful foot stomps, which lead to Ronson exploding out of the position. As Ronson recovers, Garcia shoots through his hips and plants him on the ground with a clean double. Ronson once more hops back up to his feet without being grounded for long, and when he stands, Garcia drills him in the face. Ronson does not stop moving forward, and Garcia lays into him and lands flush. Ronson powers straight ahead, landing with a few clean punches, and concluding the round with a low kick on the rear leg of his foe.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Garcia

Round 2
The fighters march out of their corners, and they are quick to engage. Ronson marks Garcia up with a few punches, and Garcia comes forward to hit a takedown. The Canadian scrambles, and he works his way up to a knee. Before getting up, Garcia nails Ronson with an illegal knee, and Smith recognizes this instantly and lets out a heavy sigh as there is now nonsense in this fight too. Smith calls in the doctor to assess Ronson from the foul, and Ronson is a little wobbly but he informs the doctor that he is ready to continue. Smith properly deducts one point from Garcia for the foul, and he resumes the action. “Gifted” surges forward in pursuit of a takedown, and he drags Ronson right back down to the ground. Ronson scoots his way to the fence, and back up to a knee, but this time Garcia is not interested in landing knees as he wants to take his back instead. Garcia cannot lock up a choke, and as he pursues one, Ronson falls to his back to free up his neck. The Mexican fighter set up an arm-triangle choke from the guard, and he bails on it when he attempts to pass guard. Garcia hops over to half guard, where he starts hammering down with punches. Garcia grinds on top as his punches slow, keeping Ronson tightly pressed down to the ground. Ronson too holds on tight from below, in hopes of a standup or to at least stop Garcia from landing strikes. Garcia slowly works Ronson with several right hands, forcing Ronson to turn over. As Ronson tries to slide out the back door, Garcia grabs hold of his back and gets a hook in. Ronson turns to his knees and tries to buck Garcia off of him, but Garcia postures up and smacks Ronson upside the head.
The punches make Ronson adjust briefly, allowing “Gifted” Garcia the slightest of opportunities to slip his arm beneath the chin and lock up a rear-naked choke. It is all he needs, as he cinches the choke tight, and Ronson taps almost instantly as it is academic and he would be out seconds later.
That is one way to take the judges out of the equation, after Garcia lost a point a few minutes ago.

The Official Result
Rafa Garcia def. Jesse Ronson R2 4:50 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Apr 10, 2022 (6 days before fight)
Rafa García

Angelo picks Rafa García confidently, calling it a clear pick. He notes that García has more power, better ground game, and is dangerous everywhere. He mentions that Jesse Ronson may be more technical but has chin issues, and García hits like a truck for the weight class. He is surprised García is only a slight favorite and plans to bet the moneyline at -120 before the line moves.

moneyline bet at -120
"this is a clear pick for me i love hasag hafa garcia here and i'm going to throw a moneyline bet on him before this line moves because you know frankly i'm loving him at the minus 120 price point"
BI
Big Brady Expert Lean picked Apr 12, 2022 (4 days before fight)
Jesse Ronson

Big Brady slightly picks Jesse Ronson to win by close decision. He notes Ronson has better striking and cardio, while García has good wrestling but questionable cardio. He expects García to slow down as the fight goes on, allowing Ronson to take over late. He calls it a very close fight and says he won't bet on it.

"i will take jesse ronson slightly and i'll take him to win by a very close and competitive decision"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Apr 12, 2022 (4 days before fight)
Jesse Ronson

Cody picks Ronson, citing his technical striking and experience. He notes Garcia's struggles at 155 and the weight jump to 170. He thinks Ronson's sharpness and durability will be key, and calls him a live underdog.

"gotta go jesse ronson's dog money"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert picked Apr 14, 2022 (2 days before fight)

Daniel Levi has no clear pick, calling it a question of which version of Jesse Ronson shows up. If Ronson is the seasoned vet who has fought elite competition (Michel Prazeres, Kevin Lee) and is clean from his suspension, he picks Ronson. If Ronson is washed up, he picks Garcia. He notes Garcia is tough and gritty but has faced lower-level competition and was finished by Chris Gruetzemacher after gassing. Levi is uncertain and passes.

"Both guys at their best I got jesse ronson it's just are we getting both guys at their best that's the big question."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Apr 12, 2022 (4 days before fight)
Jesse Ronson

Paul leans towards Ronson after hearing Cody's analysis. He notes Ronson's technical striking and experience, and thinks Garcia may struggle moving up to 170. He plans to add Ronson to his card.

"i'm gonna add ronson to the card"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Apr 11, 2022 (5 days before fight)
Rafa García

The MMA Guru picks Rafa García due to Jesse Ronson's inactivity and age (36). He notes García's activity and visible improvements, and believes Ronson has regressed during his time off. He expects García to win a 29-28 decision in a fun scrap.

unanimous decision 29-28
"half of garcia gets this one done plus ronson's been injured on in his time off as well"
LOSS vs Nicolas Dalby
No Contest (overturned) R1 2:48 · UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till · Jul 26, 2020
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Jesse Ronson 0 20 of 50 40% 20 of 53 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:26
Nicolas Dalby 1 30 of 45 66% 31 of 46 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:21
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Jesse Ronson 0 20 of 50 40% 20 of 53 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:26
Nicolas Dalby 1 30 of 45 66% 31 of 46 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:21
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Jesse Ronson 20 of 50 40% 10 of 38 8 of 10 2 of 2 17 of 44 3 of 6 0 of 0
Nicolas Dalby 30 of 45 66% 22 of 34 1 of 4 7 of 7 21 of 32 2 of 5 7 of 8
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Jesse Ronson 20 of 50 40% 10 of 38 8 of 10 2 of 2 17 of 44 3 of 6 0 of 0
Nicolas Dalby 30 of 45 66% 22 of 34 1 of 4 7 of 7 21 of 32 2 of 5 7 of 8
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Jesse Ronson vs. Nicolas Dalby

Round 1
Returning to the welterweight division, we are now treated to a classic Denmark vs. Canada matchup as Dalby (18-3-1, 1 NC; 2-2-1 UFC) tries to keep his momentum going against the returning Ronson (21-10, 0-3 UFC). Serving as the referee is Marc Goddard, and these two 170-pounders do not touch ‘em up before throwing down. Dalby starts out offensively, with a fast blitz of punches that ends with a head kick that Ronson can barely block. Dalby walks him down to unload more punches, and Ronson is mostly on the defensive as he looks like a significantly smaller fighter. Ronson digs to the body with a kick to disrupt Dalby’s offense, and he slings another but gets blocked. Dalby fires one back, and bullies Ronson to the fence and lands a few clinch strikes including a cracking elbow. Dalby grabs hold of a leg to try to take the fight down, and Ronson manages to keep his balance and circles out. Dalby follows him with a few body kicks, a head kick just barely misses the mark. Ronson tries to come back with his own side kick, but “Lokomotivo” marches through it and lands a few punches. Ronson fires a kick and it gets checked, and Dalby races in to attack.
When Dalby crashes forward, Ronson clips Dalby with a short right, and a straight left sets the fighter from Denmark down like a ton of bricks. Ronson leaps on top with a torrential assault of elbows while claiming mount position, forcing Dalby to turn and give up his back. “The Body Snatcher” snatches up the neck in an instant, sinking in a rear-naked choke that is tight as can be. Dalby only needs a second or two before surrendering, as there is no way out from there.
He taps out, and Ronson has now finally won his first fight inside the Octagon after four attempts.

The Official Result
Jesse Ronson def. Nicolas Dalby R1 2:48 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jul 22, 2020 (4 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Big Brady picks Dalby because of his wrestling advantage, expecting him to control Ronson against the cage or on the ground. He notes Ronson has lost three split decisions in the UFC and hasn't been impressive outside. He predicts a decision win for Dalby and considers him a parlay piece.

Dalby by decision; parlayable
"I do like dolby to win this fight I think he can take him down or at least hold him up the cage for periods of the time"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Jul 23, 2020 (3 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Daniel picks Dalby by decision, citing his well-rounded MMA game, high fight IQ, and ability to outwork opponents. He notes Dalby's chinny nature and tendency to charge in, but believes he will switch stances, press Ronson against the cage, and outwork him. He thinks Ronson is a good striker but struggles in decisions.

"i'm gonna go with dobby by decision but i definitely think he's gonna out work him you know switch stands press him against the against the cage just use the whole you know well-rounded mma game"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jul 23, 2020 (3 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Dalby is a larger welterweight grappler who will have a significant size and grappling advantage over Ronson, who is a lightweight moving up. Ronson is a good striker but poor grappler, and Dalby can take him down and control him. However, the line is too steep at -255, so no bet recommended.

"i will take dobby to win this fight i think he's going to win by decision"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jul 19, 2020 (7 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

The MMA Guru is confident in Nicolas Dalby, calling Jesse Ronson a 'free win' and noting that Ronson has lost every step up in competition. He praises Dalby's recent wins and believes he will rock Ronson on the feet and then submit him, predicting a rear-naked choke in the first or second round.

submission, rear-naked choke in first or second round
"I think he'll get the Mish against um Jesse Bronson. Probably rocking him on the feet in the first round, then dragging him down into a submission. Rear naked choke finish by Nicholas Dalby in the first or second round."
LOSS vs Kevin Lee
Decision (split) (29-28, 28–29, 30–27) R3 5:00 · The Ultimate Fighter: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn Finale · Jul 06, 2014
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Kevin Lee 0 48 of 100 48% 51 of 105 1 of 2 50% 1 0 0:41
Jesse Ronson 0 49 of 110 44% 66 of 128 4 of 12 33% 0 1 7:04
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Kevin Lee 0 16 of 34 47% 17 of 35 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Jesse Ronson 0 17 of 35 48% 23 of 41 2 of 6 33% 0 0 2:11
2 Kevin Lee 0 16 of 35 45% 17 of 37 0 of 1 0% 1 0 0:12
Jesse Ronson 0 14 of 37 37% 16 of 39 2 of 4 50% 0 0 2:30
3 Kevin Lee 0 16 of 31 51% 17 of 33 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:29
Jesse Ronson 0 18 of 38 47% 27 of 48 0 of 2 0% 0 1 2:23
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Kevin Lee 48 of 100 48% 27 of 72 9 of 12 12 of 16 45 of 93 3 of 7 0 of 0
Jesse Ronson 49 of 110 44% 33 of 90 16 of 20 0 of 0 36 of 94 7 of 10 6 of 6
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Kevin Lee 16 of 34 47% 8 of 21 3 of 4 5 of 9 15 of 31 1 of 3 0 of 0
Jesse Ronson 17 of 35 48% 11 of 28 6 of 7 0 of 0 11 of 26 6 of 9 0 of 0
2 Kevin Lee 16 of 35 45% 8 of 26 5 of 6 3 of 3 15 of 33 1 of 2 0 of 0
Jesse Ronson 14 of 37 37% 9 of 30 5 of 7 0 of 0 13 of 36 0 of 0 1 of 1
3 Kevin Lee 16 of 31 51% 11 of 25 1 of 2 4 of 4 15 of 29 1 of 2 0 of 0
Jesse Ronson 18 of 38 47% 13 of 32 5 of 6 0 of 0 12 of 32 1 of 1 5 of 5
Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 30–27) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Mousasi · Feb 15, 2014
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Francisco Trinaldo 0 55 of 148 37% 61 of 154 1 of 4 25% 0 0 1:58
Jesse Ronson 0 53 of 126 42% 56 of 129 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:36
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Francisco Trinaldo 0 22 of 51 43% 25 of 54 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Jesse Ronson 0 18 of 48 37% 18 of 48 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:22
2 Francisco Trinaldo 0 13 of 51 25% 13 of 51 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:40
Jesse Ronson 0 23 of 43 53% 25 of 45 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:09
3 Francisco Trinaldo 0 20 of 46 43% 23 of 49 1 of 3 33% 0 0 1:18
Jesse Ronson 0 12 of 35 34% 13 of 36 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:05
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Francisco Trinaldo 55 of 148 37% 23 of 110 15 of 18 17 of 20 38 of 126 8 of 13 9 of 9
Jesse Ronson 53 of 126 42% 21 of 82 18 of 29 14 of 15 46 of 117 7 of 9 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Francisco Trinaldo 22 of 51 43% 11 of 38 5 of 6 6 of 7 18 of 45 4 of 6 0 of 0
Jesse Ronson 18 of 48 37% 8 of 31 5 of 12 5 of 5 17 of 47 1 of 1 0 of 0
2 Francisco Trinaldo 13 of 51 25% 4 of 40 5 of 6 4 of 5 10 of 46 3 of 5 0 of 0
Jesse Ronson 23 of 43 53% 6 of 22 10 of 13 7 of 8 19 of 39 4 of 4 0 of 0
3 Francisco Trinaldo 20 of 46 43% 8 of 32 5 of 6 7 of 8 10 of 35 1 of 2 9 of 9
Jesse Ronson 12 of 35 34% 7 of 29 3 of 4 2 of 2 10 of 31 2 of 4 0 of 0
LOSS vs Michel Prazeres
Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson · Sep 21, 2013
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Michel Prazeres 0 19 of 43 44% 50 of 77 7 of 15 46% 0 0 8:37
Jesse Ronson 0 38 of 73 52% 41 of 76 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:47
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Michel Prazeres 0 3 of 5 60% 18 of 22 3 of 4 75% 0 0 4:21
Jesse Ronson 0 0 of 4 0% 0 of 4 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Michel Prazeres 0 3 of 8 37% 18 of 23 3 of 7 42% 0 0 3:10
Jesse Ronson 0 14 of 23 60% 14 of 23 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Michel Prazeres 0 13 of 30 43% 14 of 32 1 of 4 25% 0 0 1:06
Jesse Ronson 0 24 of 46 52% 27 of 49 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:47
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Michel Prazeres 19 of 43 44% 16 of 38 1 of 3 2 of 2 14 of 36 2 of 4 3 of 3
Jesse Ronson 38 of 73 52% 15 of 46 10 of 14 13 of 13 27 of 58 3 of 4 8 of 11
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Michel Prazeres 3 of 5 60% 2 of 3 0 of 1 1 of 1 1 of 3 0 of 0 2 of 2
Jesse Ronson 0 of 4 0% 0 of 3 0 of 1 0 of 0 0 of 4 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Michel Prazeres 3 of 8 37% 2 of 6 1 of 2 0 of 0 2 of 6 1 of 2 0 of 0
Jesse Ronson 14 of 23 60% 5 of 13 5 of 6 4 of 4 11 of 19 3 of 4 0 of 0
3 Michel Prazeres 13 of 30 43% 12 of 29 0 of 0 1 of 1 11 of 27 1 of 2 1 of 1
Jesse Ronson 24 of 46 52% 10 of 30 5 of 7 9 of 9 16 of 35 0 of 0 8 of 11
Nicolas Dalby - Fight History
CANCEL vs Jeremiah Wells
LU
Lucrative James Expert picked May 10, 2026 (6 days before fight)

This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No pick was made.

Decision R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker · Nov 22, 2025
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Nicolas Dalby 0 26 of 63 41% 87 of 140 0 of 2 0% 0 1 6:29
Saygid Izagakhmaev 0 20 of 34 58% 65 of 88 4 of 10 40% 0 0 5:18
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Nicolas Dalby 0 5 of 15 33% 28 of 47 0 of 1 0% 0 0 3:06
Saygid Izagakhmaev 0 7 of 12 58% 42 of 52 1 of 2 50% 0 0 0:53
2 Nicolas Dalby 0 3 of 7 42% 25 of 35 0 of 1 0% 0 1 1:55
Saygid Izagakhmaev 0 2 of 4 50% 8 of 14 2 of 3 66% 0 0 2:47
3 Nicolas Dalby 0 18 of 41 43% 34 of 58 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:28
Saygid Izagakhmaev 0 11 of 18 61% 15 of 22 1 of 5 20% 0 0 1:38
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Nicolas Dalby 26 of 63 41% 13 of 41 8 of 16 5 of 6 11 of 40 13 of 21 2 of 2
Saygid Izagakhmaev 20 of 34 58% 11 of 23 9 of 10 0 of 1 8 of 19 10 of 12 2 of 3
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Nicolas Dalby 5 of 15 33% 0 of 6 0 of 3 5 of 6 3 of 12 2 of 3 0 of 0
Saygid Izagakhmaev 7 of 12 58% 3 of 7 4 of 4 0 of 1 1 of 5 4 of 4 2 of 3
2 Nicolas Dalby 3 of 7 42% 2 of 6 1 of 1 0 of 0 0 of 4 1 of 1 2 of 2
Saygid Izagakhmaev 2 of 4 50% 0 of 1 2 of 3 0 of 0 0 of 0 2 of 4 0 of 0
3 Nicolas Dalby 18 of 41 43% 11 of 29 7 of 12 0 of 0 8 of 24 10 of 17 0 of 0
Saygid Izagakhmaev 11 of 18 61% 8 of 15 3 of 3 0 of 0 7 of 14 4 of 4 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Nicolas Dalby vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Izagakhmaev (-300); Dalby (+240)

Round 1
At the age of 41 and on his first losing streak in years, “Danish Dynamite” Dalby (23-6-1, 2 NC; 7-5-1, 1 NC UFC) knows that his back is against the wall in this welterweight encounter. Despite his lack of success lately, at least he has been competing. This will be the first time One Championship vet Izagakhmaev (22-2, 0-0 UFC) has fought in just about three years, a training partner of new welterweight champ Islam Makhachev. This classic matchup of Denmark vs. Russia will be officiated by referee Lukasz Bosacki, and the bout starts without a fist bump in sight.
Dolby takes the steam out of the Russian engine immediately by crashing forward into his personal space to engage in a clinch. He proceeds to knee Izagakhmaev in the thigh again and again, with short but irritating strikes smacking him on either side. It takes less than a minute in this position for the crowd to turn on these two fighters, even with Izagakhmaev giving back Dalby nearly as many knees as he absorbs. Dalby considers outside trips on both legs, and Izagakhmaev lifts his foot up without concern of getting grounded. Bosacki claps for the two to do more than this, and Dalby transitions to a single-leg takedown attempt. Izagakhmaev stands Dalby up, and there is a partial cup strike from one of the knees that is almost called but Bosacki steps back. As this stalemate continues, Bosacki separates them.
Dalby backs off and pitches a low kick and then one high. He mixes up his targets low and high, keeping Izagakhmaev guessing with his varied offense. Izagakhmaev offers jabs while Dalby is erratically striking him, and he shoots for a takedown that Dalby turns around into his own attempt. Izagakhmaev backs himself to the wall to defend it, and Dalby is glad to engage in this tie-up. Izagakhmaev counters a trip attempt to hurl Dalby to his back, and he lands in three-quarter mount. Dalby posts off his right arm in hopes of escaping, and Izagakhmaev wraps him up and drills him in the chest with a knee. Dalby works his way back upright and turns Izagakhmaev’s back to the fence, and clinch strikes from both sides are where this grueling round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dalby
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dalby
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dalby

Round 2
The round begins with a Dalby head kick attempt. This opens Izagakhmaev up to blocking and charging ahead so he can hit a clean takedown within seconds. Dalby grabs the fence to pull himself up to his seat, and he works his way to his feet methodically without taking any noteworthy damage. Dalby huffs and puffs to stand up and turn Izagakhmaev to the fence, taking a knee or two to the body but giving them right back. Dalby stalls out the Russian again in the clinch, kneeing him regularly and taking a few back. Izagakhmaev drops down to pursue a double-leg takedown, and even with Dalby sprawling correctly, Izagakhmaev still manages to put Dalby on his seat for a moment. Dalby pops right back up, and he thwarts the mat return effort and turns Izagakhmaev’s back to the fence again. Dalby firmly embraces the grind, holding Izagakhmaev there until Izagakhmaev is tired of being stuck against the fence.
Dalby tries to take the fight down in the open cage, and Izagakhmaev uses that against him and manages to not only control Dalby, but actually take his back in the process. Izagakhmaev secures a body triangle around the waist and starts to fish for chokes. Dalby uses a two-on-one grip on the Russian’s right hand to prevent anything from coming together. After holding steady in this position for a while, “Lokomotivo” twists out at the right moment to turn over and find himself in Izagakhmaev’s guard. Dalby rains down punches and elbows in hopes of turning the momentum of the match in his favor and possibly swaying the judges, doing so until the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Izagakhmaev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Izagakhmaev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Izagakhmaev

Round 3
The welterweights wade towards one another, and Dalby once more fires off a head kick to close the distance. He uses this kick and a subsequent right hand to get up close and personal with the Russian to re-engage his clinch. Dalby uses his knees in the clinch to work Izagakhmaev over, and he stops Izagakhmaev from getting off a takedown. Izagakhmaev breaks free for a second, only for Dalby to jam him up again. Once more, Izagakhmaev gains some space, and he puts a one-two on the chin of the Danish man. Dalby loops a head kick at him and tries to tie him up in the center of the cage, succeeding in doing so to put the Russian on the wire. Both fighters land a few solid clinch strikes, and Dalby keeps after Izagakhmaev with heavy pressure.
Izagakhmaev look to turn the tables with a takedown shot, and Dalby sprawls and puts his back to the fence for defense. Dalby fights off the multiple attempts and allows himself to hit his seat so he can circle around and grab Izagakhmaev from behind. Izagakhmaev gets out of that position and pursues a double, and Dalby knees him square in the face. Izagakhmaev drops down to a knee so that he does not take more of those, and Dalby thinks about a front choke but does not have the horsepower to get it. Dalby dirty boxes Izagakhmaev up until Izagakhmaev breaks off, and Dalby meanders after him, swarming him with labored offense. Dalby’s swings and knees may be off-kilter, but they are landing while Izagakhmaev is not. They lob strikes at one another until the round ends, and when the final horn blares, Izagakhmaev rips out his mouthpiece and tosses it to the floor in frustration.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dalby (29-28 Dalby)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dalby (29-28 Dalby)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dalby (29-28 Dalby)

The Official Result
Nicolas Dalby def. Saygid Izagakhmaev via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Nov 16, 2025 (6 days before fight)
Saygid Izagakhmaev

Angelo picks Saygid Izagakhmaev (Side Gig) to dominate Nicolas Dalby. He notes Izagakhmaev is a powerful striker with patient pressure and explosive power, plus effective wrestling. Dalby, an aging karate-style striker, is hittable and has low takedown accuracy. Angelo sees this as a showcase fight for the prospect, expecting Izagakhmaev to finish or drown Dalby with wrestling.

Odds are closer than they should be; expects Izagakhmaev to run through Dalby.
"I fully expect Side Gig to dominate. Whether he can knock out Dolby or just drown him with the wrestling, it doesn't matter."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Nov 19, 2025 (3 days before fight)
Saygid Izagakhmaev

Big Brady picks Saygid Izagakhmaev (Kakhramonov) by decision, citing his well-rounded skills and Dalby's age (41) and recent knockout loss. He expects Kakhramonov to land big shots, mix in takedowns, and win a decision, though a finish wouldn't surprise him. He also mentions the judges may favor Kakhramonov.

decision
"I'm leaning Kakhramonov by decision."
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Nov 19, 2025 (3 days before fight)
Saygid Izagakhmaev

Cody picks Saygid Izagakhmaev, noting his youth and wrestling. He believes Dalby is old and has declined, and that Izagakhmaev can take him down and control him. Cody thinks the location in Qatar favors Izagakhmaev.

"Give me is a Gakmayv, who I'm actually excited to see debut in the UFC."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Hesitant picked Nov 21, 2025 (1 day before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Connor agrees, picking Dalby. He notes that Izagakhmaev's game is not pretty and he has technical gaps. He says Dalby knows how he wins fights and is committed to pressure. He thinks Izagakhmaev could blast Dalby off his feet, but he knows what to expect from Dalby and it's a brutally hard fight.

"I'm going to go with Dolby too. I worry that he, the, the Brandy Brown lost might be the beginning of the end for him, then it has to be right around the corner, but then again, we were saying …"
LU
Lucrative James Expert Hesitant picked Nov 16, 2025 (6 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Lucrative James picks Nicolas Dalby as an underdog, questioning Izagakhmaev's high odds. He notes Dalby's toughness and experience, and Izagakhmaev's long layoff and submission loss. He believes Dalby can win a decision or even finish. He sees value in the underdog.

"I'm actually going to pick Nicholas Dolby in this fight."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Lean picked Nov 18, 2025 (4 days before fight)
Saygid Izagakhmaev

Izagakhmaev is a Dagestani wrestler with a smothering style, but he hasn't competed in three years. Dalby is durable and has a cardio edge, making the fight close. The prediction is Izagakhmaev by decision, but a sprinkle on Dalby at plus odds is considered due to the wide line.

sprinkle on Dalby at +250; over 2.5 rounds
"The prediction is actually going to be the newcomer Isaggak Mayv... I might take a little bit of a sprinkle on Dobby considering how wide the odds are."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Nov 19, 2025 (3 days before fight)
Saygid Izagakhmaev

Paul picks Saygid Izagakhmaev, citing his wrestling and youth. He notes that Dalby is 41 and has looked washed. Paul believes Izagakhmaev's takedowns and control will be too much.

"I'm back in the rush and probably just falling into the trap."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Nov 19, 2025 (3 days before fight)
Saygid Izagakhmaev

The MMA Guru picks Saygid Izagakhmaev over Nicolas Dalby, citing Izagakhmaev's wicked submission game and experience in One FC. He notes Dalby's recent KO loss and age. He believes Izagakhmaev's ability to go to decisions and his prime age (31) will be too much for Dalby. He predicts a 29-28 decision win.

win by decision 29-28
"I'm going to go with Said Isgakhmaev in this matchup. I'm going to say that he wins this one by decision, 29-28."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Hesitant picked Nov 21, 2025 (1 day before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Zane picks Dalby despite his age, noting that Izagakhmaev has been inactive for three years and lost to Carlson Harris and Elias Silverio. He says Dalby is a tough, pressure fighter who makes opponents miserable. He worries that the Randy Brown loss might be the beginning of the end, but Dalby has shown remarkable resilience.

Odds: Dalby opened +330, now +265; Izagakhmaev opened -400, now -315. Zane says it shouldn't be that wide.
"I just have to go with Dolby. I know he's old, but, uh, really the only truly bad result is that lost to Randy Brown."
LOSS vs Randy Brown
KO R2 1:39 · UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates · Apr 26, 2025
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Randy Brown 1 54 of 114 47% 58 of 118 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:03
Nicolas Dalby 1 26 of 74 35% 40 of 90 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:22
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Randy Brown 0 22 of 52 42% 26 of 56 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Nicolas Dalby 1 15 of 39 38% 29 of 55 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:22
2 Randy Brown 1 32 of 62 51% 32 of 62 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:03
Nicolas Dalby 0 11 of 35 31% 11 of 35 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Randy Brown 54 of 114 47% 45 of 103 5 of 7 4 of 4 54 of 114 0 of 0 0 of 0
Nicolas Dalby 26 of 74 35% 12 of 52 1 of 3 13 of 19 25 of 72 0 of 0 1 of 2
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Randy Brown 22 of 52 42% 19 of 48 1 of 2 2 of 2 22 of 52 0 of 0 0 of 0
Nicolas Dalby 15 of 39 38% 6 of 23 0 of 1 9 of 15 14 of 37 0 of 0 1 of 2
2 Randy Brown 32 of 62 51% 26 of 55 4 of 5 2 of 2 32 of 62 0 of 0 0 of 0
Nicolas Dalby 11 of 35 31% 6 of 29 1 of 2 4 of 4 11 of 35 0 of 0 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Randy Brown vs. Nicolas Dalby
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brown (-238), Dalby (+195)

Round 1
A clash of well-traveled welterweights keeps the main card pushing. Looking to get back in the win column, Brown (19-6, 13-6 UFC) will have to outlast the ultra-durable Dane Dalby (23-5-1, 2 NC; 7-4-1, 1 NC UFC) as the latter has never been finished. Referee Keith Peterson is prepped and ready should this go the full duration, and he commences the nonsense-free bout as Brown sprints at his opponent without a glove touch in sight. Brown pulls back before crashing into his opponent, and he repositions himself to his preferred distant striking range with significant reach in his favor on the hands and legs. He uses those long arms to set up jabs and stay away from Dalby’s reaching left hook, but the slapping kick from Dalby is effective on the front leg. He goes for it two more times before having to reset and absorb a right hand on the chin. Dalby gets off with another kick, and Brown freezes him with a clubbing right hook. The Dane gathers himself and slings back, but the only one that lands is his low kick on the calf. Brown leaves himself wide open and is skipped with a left hand on the temple. Frustrated by the strike, “Rude Boy” puts everything he has into a left and a vicious right hand, not only staggering Brown but completely shattering his nose like Marsha and the football. Eternally tough, Dalby manages to bounce off the fencing and swing back, but he is compromised from a damage and breathing perspective. Brown does not go for broke, instead picking his shots carefully, and he inflicts further harm and swells up Dalby’s left eye. Dalby complains about an eye poke, and Peterson tells Brown to not leave his fingers outstretched. Brown acknowledges this and wings a right hand, only to get belted with a massive hook that knocks him off his feet. Dalby pounces, blood pouring from his destroyed nose, and he works Brown over with short ground strikes. Dalby uses his arm to control Brown, and he drops down one more elbow before the bell. The doctors are quick to assess Dalby’s condition, and they appear to partially reset his beak while tending to it. It probably will not stay that way for long when getting punched again in the next round.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Brown

Round 2
Dalby is good to go, giving Peterson a thumbs-up even as his left eye is nearly closed. He is fired up, rushing after “Rude Boy” with swarming punches and swinging kicks. Brown flicks out jabs and front kicks, allowing Dalby to buzz past him, and he punctuates a combo with a hard body kick. Dalby strikes the front leg and comes up short with an overhand right, and Brown continues to pepper the face with jabs and a mean-spirited front kick. Brown’s jab keeps Dalby at bay until Dalby has had enough of taking them, walking through a knee to the body and launching a huge right hand. Brown bounces off the fence, in trouble but still in the fight, and he separates and backpedals. Dalby continues crashing towards his opponent, launching big right hands that force Brown to take desperate measures to stay out of danger. Brown grabs hold of Dalby in a brief clinch to turn him around and his back to the wall, and he measures his target with a step-in knee and a short but sweet right hand directly on the jaw that buckles Dalby’s knees. Dalby recognizes this and bounces on them to try to shake it off, and Brown uncorks a nasty right hand on the jaw that hurts “Danish Dynamite” badly. Dalby uses the fence behind him to stay upright, and Brown waits for Dalby to stand straight up and smashes him in the face with a ferocious overhand right and a speedy left to follow. Dalby not only takes them on the chin but fires back with his own short salvo, catching Brown but taking some punishment on the way in. The 40-year-old has to take a second to step back and assess his condition, and he evades a massive uppercut by a matter of millimeters. Brown keeps swinging, ignoring anything coming back his direction and unloading a nuclear missile of a right hand that explodes on the temple and puts Dalby down once and for all. Brown walks away, saluting his fallen adversary, while Peterson rushes in along with a doctor to check on Dalby who is crumpled in a heap. “Knockout of the Year,” you have a new contender as Dalby had never been finished as a professional and he is laying down face-first in a pool of his own blood. What an incredible knockout, concluding a titanic brawl that will remain on highlight reels for years to come. Dalby comes to, and he is able to applaud Brown for his handiwork.

The Official Result
Randy Brown def. Nicolas Dalby R2 1:39 via KO (Punch)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Apr 20, 2025 (6 days before fight)
Randy Brown

Angelo picks Randy Brown, citing his youth, speed, technical striking, and high fight IQ. He notes that Nicolas Dalby relies on cardio and weird breathing, but Brown should piece him up and avoid danger. The only concern is a rogue judge who might appreciate Dalby's pressure, but Brown is the cleaner fighter.

"Randy Brown is a high IQ fighter with good technical striking. And I think Randy Brown pieces up Nicholas Dolby."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Apr 22, 2025 (4 days before fight)
Randy Brown

Big Brady picks Randy Brown, citing his youth, reach advantage, and the big cage favoring his range striking. He expects Brown to pick Dalby apart over three rounds and win a decision. He notes Brown often makes fights closer than expected, but still favors him.

fight goes to decision
"Brown and Brown by decision."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked Apr 24, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Connor picks Dalby because of his relentless pressure and drive to win rounds, contrasting with Randy Brown's inconsistency and tendency to lose focus. Dalby's multi-layered pressure, durability, and strength will make the fight miserable for Brown, who often gets cornered and loses. Connor notes that Brown has all the tools but lacks the discipline to use them consistently.

"I'm going to take Dolby. Yeah, I'm going to take Dolby to just for the, that sheer drive to win rounds that Randy Brown simply does not have."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Apr 25, 2025 (1 day before fight)
Randy Brown

The host believes Dalby's reliance on his hardware will deteriorate at age 40, allowing Brown to showcase flaws and batter Dalby from distance for a decision win.

"I believe his reliance on his hardware is going to start to deteriorate allowing Brown to showcase those flaws in DB's game and we'll see a classic Brown performance where he batters Dobby from distance eventually winning this fight on …"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Apr 22, 2025 (4 days before fight)
Randy Brown

The MMA Guru picks Randy Brown, citing his improved savvy in three-round fights and ability to handle Dalby's pressure. He notes Brown's reach advantage and that Dalby's head kick won't work on a taller opponent. He expects Brown to win by decision or late TKO, as Dalby is older and has more wear and tear.

"I'm going to go Randy Brown. I think he's picked up some like savvy techniques to sort of more educatedly get through a 29 28 that some of these other prospects just haven't seen when they go up against Nicholas …"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked Apr 24, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Zane picks Dalby, agreeing that Dalby's relentless pressure and ability to make fights ugly will overwhelm Brown, who is prone to making poor decisions and getting cornered. Zane points out that Brown's loss to Brian Battle is a blueprint for how Dalby can win. Dalby may not have the tools to dominate, but his drive and consistency will earn him rounds.

"I would take, I will take the drive over the tools, frankly."
Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov · Jun 22, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Rinat Fakhretdinov 0 68 of 134 50% 99 of 173 5 of 11 45% 0 0 6:17
Nicolas Dalby 0 66 of 134 49% 123 of 195 0 of 4 0% 0 0 3:57
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Rinat Fakhretdinov 0 27 of 52 51% 40 of 66 1 of 3 33% 0 0 1:36
Nicolas Dalby 0 17 of 41 41% 31 of 58 0 of 2 0% 0 0 1:17
2 Rinat Fakhretdinov 0 24 of 46 52% 37 of 62 2 of 2 100% 0 0 1:23
Nicolas Dalby 0 31 of 53 58% 48 of 71 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:57
3 Rinat Fakhretdinov 0 17 of 36 47% 22 of 45 2 of 6 33% 0 0 3:18
Nicolas Dalby 0 18 of 40 45% 44 of 66 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:43
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Rinat Fakhretdinov 68 of 134 50% 53 of 113 10 of 13 5 of 8 49 of 109 19 of 25 0 of 0
Nicolas Dalby 66 of 134 49% 36 of 96 25 of 33 5 of 5 38 of 95 28 of 39 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Rinat Fakhretdinov 27 of 52 51% 21 of 43 4 of 5 2 of 4 21 of 45 6 of 7 0 of 0
Nicolas Dalby 17 of 41 41% 6 of 27 7 of 10 4 of 4 11 of 32 6 of 9 0 of 0
2 Rinat Fakhretdinov 24 of 46 52% 17 of 36 6 of 8 1 of 2 14 of 34 10 of 12 0 of 0
Nicolas Dalby 31 of 53 58% 17 of 34 13 of 18 1 of 1 15 of 33 16 of 20 0 of 0
3 Rinat Fakhretdinov 17 of 36 47% 15 of 34 0 of 0 2 of 2 14 of 30 3 of 6 0 of 0
Nicolas Dalby 18 of 40 45% 13 of 35 5 of 5 0 of 0 12 of 30 6 of 10 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Nicolas Dalby vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Fakhretdinov (-355), Dalby (+280)

Round 1
The welterweights set up in orthodox stance and go right at one another, with referee Thomas Fan looking on. They exchange kicks at range before Dalby walks through a flurry of punches to shove Fakhretdinov into the fence. Dalby throws knees from the outside while Fakhretdinov answers with knees up the middle. Fakhretdinov gets off the cage and shucks Dalby away from him, and they go back to kickboxing at range. Dalby flicks a kick up top that is blocked, then a question mark kick. Fakhretdinov tags Dalby with a pair of punches, then changes levels for a single-leg. He hoists the leg and Dalby hops on one foot while continuing to punch the head. Fakhretdinov drives him all the way across the cage before losing the single-leg. He pushes Dalby into the cage, then gets reversed. Fakhretdinov shucks Dalby off of him and nails him with a single punch that drops Dalby to his knees. Dalby pops back up, but he’s hurt, and Fakhretdinov pushes him to the fence. They disengage and Fakhretdinov hits him with an elbow. Fakhretdinov lands a switch knee to the gut before the horn.

Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Fakhretdinov
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Fakhretdinov
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Fakhretdinov

Round 2
Dalby scores first, with a low calf kick. Dalby switches stances, and is backed off by a punching combo from Fakhretdinov. Fakhretdinov gets him to the fence, then changes levels and drives him to the canvas. Dalby gets right back up, his back against the fence. They break off and return to the middle of the cage. Dalby initiates the clinch and shoves Fakhretdinov to the cage. They exchange short strikes on the inside. Dalby releases the clinch and nails Fakhretdinov with a nice right hand. They move back towards the center of the Octagon, and Dalby marches forward, landing a kick and a pair of punches, then another kick. Dalby backs Fakhretdinov into the fence and holds him there with underhooks. Dalby digs his head under the chin of Fakhretdinov and hits him with knees to the thighs. They separate and Fakhretdinov lands a one-two, then changes levels for a smooth double-leg. He drops Dalby to his seat at the base of the fence, lacing the legs. He can’t flatten Dalby out, and they return to their feet seconds before the horn.

Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Dalby
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Dalby
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Dalby

Round 3
Dalby flicks out a jab, but Fakhretdinov wastes no time in changing levels and running him to the fence. Fakhretdinov tries to lock his hands and pick Dalby up, but Dalby has an underhook and keeps his hips back. They break away from the fence and Dalby grabs a front headlock, then lands a single punch before Fakhretdinov launches another double-leg. Dalby tries to hit an inside switch, but can’t get it. Fakhretdinov has his arms around the waist of the kneeling Dalby, working to finish the takedown as Dalby tries to stand. Halfway into the round, Dalby gets to his feet in a wide-leg stance against the fence, and he separates. Dalby wades forward with punches, and Fakhretdinov drops for another takedown. He gets Dalby to his seat against the fence, but Dalby gets right back up and gets on Fakhretdinov’s back. Fakhretdinov escapes and runs Dalby back to the cage. Dalby reverses the position and throws knees to the thighs of Fakhretdinov. Under a minute left and Dalby separates, then tags Fakhretdinov with a head kick at short range. They swing away at short range until the final horn.

Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Dalby (29-28 Dalby)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Dalby (29-28 Dalby)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Dalby (29-28 Dalby)

The Official Result
Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Nicolas Dalby via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Jun 20, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Rinat Fakhretdinov

Angelo picks Rinat, citing his phenomenal non-stop wrestling and power. He notes Rinat gassed in his last fight after chasing the finish, but still dominated the first two rounds. He thinks Dalby is hitable and will be taken down repeatedly. He acknowledges Dalby's win over Bonfim was more about Bonfim's cardio than Dalby's skill. He plans to spend $9,200 on Rinat in DraftKings.

$9,200 DraftKings salary mentioned
"I do think he gets all the takedowns in the world all the control time I think it absolutely Works"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jun 19, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Rinat Fakhretdinov

Big Brady picks Rinat Fakhretdinov confidently, citing his wrestling advantage and power. He notes Dalby's 60% takedown defense and that fighters like Claudia Silva and Tim Means have controlled him. Brady expects Fakhretdinov to win by decision due to Dalby's toughness, but a finish wouldn't surprise him. He also mentions a PrizePicks play on Fakhretdinov's fantasy score under 94.5.

PrizePicks: less on fantasy score (under 94.5) because control time and non-significant strikes don't count
"give me fov to win this fight I'll say by decision because Dolby is very tough but a finish would not Shock Me"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Hesitant picked Jun 19, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Rinat Fakhretdinov

Cody picks Fakhretdinov but is hesitant due to the price and Dalby's comeback ability. He notes Fakhretdinov's wrestling and power, but also his cardio issues and Dalby's experience and durability. He expects Fakhretdinov to win early but warns of a potential fade.

"I'll take the cowards way and take faero but bad price tag"
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Confident picked Jun 20, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Rinat Fakhretdinov

Daniel Vreeland picks Rinat Fakhretdinov to win a decision, expecting him to take the first two rounds with wrestling pressure. He notes Dalby's third-round resurgence but believes Fakhretdinov's takedowns and grinding style will secure a win. He acknowledges Dalby's cardio and finishing ability but sees Fakhretdinov controlling the fight early.

"I think that renat probably takes the first two rounds loses the third and wins a unanimous decision"
JA
Jacob Lines Expert Hesitant picked Jun 20, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Rinat Fakhretdinov

Jacob picks Rinat but does not trust him due to his mentality—he was happy with a draw after nearly getting finished. Jacob worries Rinat will try to knock Dalby out instead of wrestling, which could lead to trouble. He compares Rinat's attitude to Loopy Godinez, saying it's not a killer mentality. However, he acknowledges Rinat should win if he sticks to wrestling.

"rat should win the fight if he does win the fight it's probably going to look like spectacular fashion but if he comes in swinging wild trying to just take this guy head off he could [ __ ] lose"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jun 19, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Rinat Fakhretdinov

JP is confident in Fakhretdinov, citing his 22-2 record with 11 KOs and 7 subs, and notes Dalby's tendency to go to decision (12-4 in decisions). He expects Fakhretdinov to win by decision. Brevan agrees, highlighting Fakhretdinov's strong wrestling base and ability to control Dalby on the ground. He suggests a prop bet on Fakhretdinov by decision if the odds are plus money. Both see Fakhretdinov as the clear winner.

Fakhretdinov by decision (if plus money)
"I think re not's too good man from what we've seen he's hard to stop 22-2 I mean he's 11-0 in Ko 7-0 in Subs the only way he loses if it's going to decision"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert picked Jun 19, 2024 (3 days before fight)

Paul does not make a winner pick but suggests Dalby as a live bet. He notes Fakhretdinov will likely get takedowns but may gas, and Dalby's ability to get up and outwork him. He prefers to watch and potentially bet Dalby live.

"I think Dolby makes for a great live bet"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jun 18, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Rinat Fakhretdinov

The MMA Guru picks Rinat Fakhretdinov over Nicolas Dalby, after initially considering Dalby. He rewatched Dalby's fight with Gabriel Bonfim and was less impressed, noting that Dalby was held down for significant periods. He believes Fakhretdinov's patient top game will be effective, as he doesn't chase submissions and is content to hold opponents down. He contrasts this with Bonfim's scrambling, which allowed Dalby to escape. He also notes Fakhretdinov's win over Brian Battle as impressive.

"I'm gonna go renat fenov I was going to lean towards maybe a Nicholas dby pick honestly but um no I'm going to go rat fenov D I wanted to pick dby but i rewatched his Gabriel Bon firm fight …"
TKO (knees and punches) R2 4:33 · UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis · Nov 04, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Nicolas Dalby 0 39 of 91 42% 47 of 103 3 of 5 60% 1 0 4:19
Gabriel Bonfim 1 53 of 113 46% 64 of 128 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:27
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Nicolas Dalby 0 30 of 60 50% 35 of 68 1 of 1 100% 0 0 2:32
Gabriel Bonfim 0 16 of 47 34% 22 of 55 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:21
2 Nicolas Dalby 0 9 of 31 29% 12 of 35 2 of 4 50% 1 0 1:47
Gabriel Bonfim 1 37 of 66 56% 42 of 73 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:06
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Nicolas Dalby 39 of 91 42% 27 of 77 3 of 4 9 of 10 32 of 71 3 of 9 4 of 11
Gabriel Bonfim 53 of 113 46% 41 of 96 7 of 11 5 of 6 25 of 76 25 of 33 3 of 4
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Nicolas Dalby 30 of 60 50% 18 of 47 3 of 3 9 of 10 26 of 48 0 of 1 4 of 11
Gabriel Bonfim 16 of 47 34% 11 of 41 1 of 1 4 of 5 15 of 45 1 of 2 0 of 0
2 Nicolas Dalby 9 of 31 29% 9 of 30 0 of 1 0 of 0 6 of 23 3 of 8 0 of 0
Gabriel Bonfim 37 of 66 56% 30 of 55 6 of 10 1 of 1 10 of 31 24 of 31 3 of 4
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Gabriel Bonfim vs. Nicolas Dalby
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bonfim (-625), Dalby (+455)

Round 1
On Friday morning, two Bonfim brothers were expected to be competing on this lineup. After elder brother Ismael missed weight by a boat anchor, Gabriel Bonfim (15-0, 2-0 UFC) will be the one repping the family tonight. Putting the family reputation as well as his spotless record and 100% finish rate on the line, Bonfim draws an extremely tough test in Dalby (22-4-1, 2 NC; 6-3-1, 1 NC UFC). While arguably the greatest fighter from Denmark to compete in MMA—Martin Kampmann may disagree—Dalby is also known from having one of the wildest fights in MMA history against Ross Houston in Cage Warriors, when so much blood was spilled on the vinyl cage floor, referee Marc Goddard had to call the title fight off in the third round. This “Just Bleed” mentality comes with him in this co-main event, and Bonfim will have his hands full here. Referee Jason Herzog is cool and collected, but inside he’s amped up and ready, and the fighters are as well. Bonfim would rather get right to business, and wastes no time with a glove touch. Instead, the Brazilian walks straight forward and busts Dalby in the chops with two big punches. The two proceed to go wild with big strikes, and Bonfim connects a number of powerful low kicks to give Dalby pause. Dalby presses forward, gathering a full head of steam, and he plows Bonfim to the fence and hunts for a trip. Bonfim defends himself against the fencing, and he splits off and resets. Dalby doubles up on a jab and follows with an overhand right, and Bonfim just misses with a head kick. The Brazilian hammers the lead wheel with a kick, and he aims a few more kicks to the same target until Dalby switches stances briefly. Dalby powers forward, keeping his high-pressure game going, and he gets knocked back with a one-two and a kick. Bonfim digs a kick to the body and reaches with a left hand, and he intercepts a countering Dalby with a chopping kick. Dalby pushes forward and just misses with a head kick, and Bonfim strings three jabs together in rapid succession. Dalby attacks the lead leg, and Bonfim snatches him up and body locks him to the ground. Landing in half guard, Bonfim has over two minutes to work should he keep it horizontal. Bonfim skips over to the side, and Dalby raises one leg up high in hopes of bucking Bonfim off of him. Bonfim slowly works with elbows, drawing a tiny bit of blood with his strikes as he isolates Dalby’s right arm. Bonfim lets it go so he can move to full mount, and he sets up an arm-triangle choke by slithering one arm beneath the neck. Dalby defends against it, but Bonfim remains in dominant position despite Dalby’s movement. Bonfim elects to move to the side so he can batter Dalby with elbows, and Dalby defends most but not all of them. Bonfim opens up an additional cut on his opponent, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim

Round 2
Dalby opens up the second round just as aggressive as before, with his pace trying to take some of the wind out of Bonfim’s sails. Bonfim counters that with a few powerful punches, and he scoops the Danish fighter up off the ground and slams him to the mat. Dalby sits up, and Bonfim considers a guillotine choke but lets it go. When Dalby partially stands, Bonfim sucks his hips out and deposits him to the ground with a single. Dalby defends with a guillotine choke, and Bonfim welcomes this so that he can set up a Von Preux shoulder choke. Dalby does not fall for the trap, and he releases the grip in time so that he does not get choked out. Bonfim does manage to claim side control in this position, until Dalby rolls all the way over and goes after a double. Bonfim latches his arms around the neck for a brabo choke setup, and he hops over to the back. Dalby deftly scrambles to get back to his feet, and he stands and pushes Bonfim to the wire. Bonfim welcomes him with an elbow, and Dalby throws back and continues plodding forward. Dalby maintains his suffocating pressure, and Bonfim shoots for a single that comes up short. Dalby comes up high with a pair of elbows, and the two start slugging it out. Dalby drives his knee on the chin a few times, and he ignores the strikes that belt him in the face so he can fire back fearlessly. Bonfim leans his back to the wall, and Dalby is on him like a cheap suit. Bonfim’s gas tank begins to fade as his body language starts to show he is struggling, while Dalby is ready and rearing to go for several more minutes. Bonfim drops to his knees for a single, and Bonfim shells up against the fencing as Dalby lays into him with knees and elbows. Bonfim lets loose with uppercuts, only for Dalby to completely no-sell them and further use his cardio and durability as a weapon.
A ferocious knee in a series from the Danish fighter smashes right into the jaw, and Bonfim collapses to the canvas. Dalby finishes the job with a number of punishing left hands, forcing Herzog to step in and wave the fight off.
“Danish Dynamite” has exploded, blowing up the massive favorite while detonating the unbeaten record of the highly touted Brazilian finisher.

The Official Result
Nicolas Dalby def. Gabriel Bonfim R2 4:33 via TKO (Knees and Punches)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Oct 29, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Gabriel Bonfim

Angelo picks Gabriel Bonfim, expecting him to grapple early and get the win. He notes Dalby is tough and could take it to a decision, which would be new for Bonfim. He likes the Bonfim brother parlay. He thinks the UFC knows what they're doing with this matchup.

Bonfim brother parlay
"I see Gabriel coming forward grappling early and getting the win Doby is tough this could go to a decision which we have not seen Gabriel do yet"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Oct 30, 2023 (5 days before fight)
Gabriel Bonfim

Big Brady picks Gabriel Bonfim to win by first-round submission. He praises Bonfim's striking and opportunistic submission game, noting he subs opponents when they shoot for takedowns. He mentions Dalby has never been finished officially but was finished by Jesse Ronson (who popped for PEDs). He expects a club-and-sub sequence, with Bonfim knocking down Dalby and snatching a submission.

"give me Gabriel bonim clear setup fight... I think it's done in the first round so Gabriel bonim first round sub"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Nov 1, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Gabriel Bonfim

Daniel Levi picks Gabriel Bonfim, impressed by his undefeated record, 15 finishes, and versatile submission game including guillotines, rear-naked chokes, and triangles. He notes Bonfim's athleticism, explosiveness, and willingness to strike, but also acknowledges concerns about his striking defense and unproven cardio. Levi sees Dalby as a tough veteran who can turn fights into dogfights and drag Bonfim into deep water, but believes Bonfim's youth and tenacity will prevail. He is not laying the -600 chalk and plans to stay away from betting this fight, possibly poking at props.

Bonfim wins inside distance, Bonfim by submission, Bonfim by TKO, fight doesn't go to decision
"I am going Bonfim here... it's just you know we're looking at I don't know if I mentioned the odds it's minus 600 Bonfim... I'm all good on that minus 600 but my pick is going to be Gabriel Bonfim …"
LU
Lucrative James Expert Confident picked Nov 4, 2023 (fight day)
Gabriel Bonfim

James predicts Bonfim will run through Dalby, likely in round one. He notes that Dalby has been knocked out and submitted early by Jesse Ronson (overturned to NC) and sees a similar outcome here. He acknowledges that if Bonfim doesn't finish early, Dalby has a chance to come back in later rounds, but he believes Bonfim is a dangerous striker and opportunistic submission artist. He picks Bonfim to win, probably by submission in round one.

James suggests Bonfim wins in round one, possibly by knockout or submission.
"I think bonin's gonna run through him... I'm picking bonim to win probably in round one."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Oct 31, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Gabriel Bonfim

Bonfim is one of the best prospects, with great striking that sets up his submission game. He hurts opponents and then capitalizes on desperation takedowns to lock in chokes. Dalby is older and has faced lower-level competition recently. Bonfim will hurt Dalby on the feet, forcing a bad takedown attempt, and finish via submission inside the distance.

Bonfim inside the distance
"Give me Bonfim, Bonfim inside the distance and I think it's going to look pretty bad."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Oct 31, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Gabriel Bonfim

The MMA Guru picks Gabriel Bonfim over Nicolas Dalby. He emphasizes Bonfim's athleticism, size, and finishing ability, predicting a first-round submission. The Guru notes Dalby needs to be perfect for three rounds to win, while Bonfim can end it quickly. He references Bonfim's dominant win over Trevin Giles and his signature guillotine choke. He predicts a first-round guillotine.

first round submission
"I'm going to go with Gabriel Bumm getting himself a first round Guillotine choke over Nicholas dby"
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC on ESPN: Vettori vs. Cannonier · Jun 17, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Nicolas Dalby 0 86 of 140 61% 104 of 158 2 of 5 40% 0 0 6:36
Muslim Salikhov 0 57 of 88 64% 70 of 101 2 of 2 100% 0 0 0:55
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Nicolas Dalby 0 21 of 44 47% 22 of 45 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:07
Muslim Salikhov 0 27 of 45 60% 27 of 45 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:18
2 Nicolas Dalby 0 17 of 27 62% 24 of 34 1 of 3 33% 0 0 3:21
Muslim Salikhov 0 10 of 14 71% 18 of 22 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:27
3 Nicolas Dalby 0 48 of 69 69% 58 of 79 1 of 2 50% 0 0 3:08
Muslim Salikhov 0 20 of 29 68% 25 of 34 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:10
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Nicolas Dalby 86 of 140 61% 41 of 84 36 of 43 9 of 13 43 of 91 36 of 41 7 of 8
Muslim Salikhov 57 of 88 64% 34 of 58 21 of 28 2 of 2 47 of 78 10 of 10 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Nicolas Dalby 21 of 44 47% 7 of 25 6 of 8 8 of 11 17 of 40 4 of 4 0 of 0
Muslim Salikhov 27 of 45 60% 14 of 26 11 of 17 2 of 2 27 of 45 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Nicolas Dalby 17 of 27 62% 9 of 17 7 of 9 1 of 1 6 of 13 8 of 10 3 of 4
Muslim Salikhov 10 of 14 71% 5 of 9 5 of 5 0 of 0 8 of 12 2 of 2 0 of 0
3 Nicolas Dalby 48 of 69 69% 25 of 42 23 of 26 0 of 1 20 of 38 24 of 27 4 of 4
Muslim Salikhov 20 of 29 68% 15 of 23 5 of 6 0 of 0 12 of 21 8 of 8 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Nicolas Dalby vs. Muslim Salikhov
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Salikhov (-190), Dalby (+160)

Round 1
A potential all-action welterweight tilt will kick off the main card, as blood-and-guts Dalby (21-4-1, 2 NC; 5-3-1, 1 NC UFC) stands across the cage from “King of Kung Fu” Salikhov (19-3, 6-2 UFC). This will be the eldest bout on the billing, as Dalby is over 38 while Salikhov just turned 39, so the clock is absolutely ticking for these two 170-pound competitors in hopes of making a run. They do not plan on touching gloves, and referee Mark Smith sits back to observe the proceedings. Dalby slings a high kick early, and Salikhov replies with a solid calf kick as if he had watched the last bout and wanted to replicate that success. Dalby goes for another head kick that is blocked, and he puts a jab in the Russian’s face. Salikhov rifles out a left hand, and he absorbs a kick on the inside of his knee. Salikhov aims a front kick to the chest, and Dalby is quick to kick low again. Salikhov scores a pair of dangerous leg kicks, and they trade punches until Dalby decides to give Salikhov a taste of his own medicine with a kick. Salikhov reaches out with a left hook, and he pushes out with a front kick. The two trade leg kicks, and Dalby ducks a Superman punch right in time. Salikhov spins suddenly with a back fist, and Dalby raises his guard and takes a clean spinning back kick right after to the chest. Dalby picks at the lead leg with a kick, and they both go after one another with heavy right hooks. Dalby aims a shin to the midsection, and he walks into a solid right hand. When Dalby tries to kick low, Salikhov stands him up with an overhand right. Both men crash together with thudding fists, and Salikhov reaches his man in a subsequent strike. “King of Kung Fu” beats Dalby to the punch, and he clips him with a left hand to stagger Dalby. Dalby gathers his thoughts and retaliates with a right hand and a huge head kick. Salikhov is damaged from the blow, and he pursues a takedown to drag Dalby to the ground to recover. The two both stand up in the clinch, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Salikhov
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Salikhov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Salikhov

Round 2
The welterweights come together in the center of the cage, and Dalby initiates offense with a head kick that is blocked. Salikhov replies with a front kick, leading Dalby into a charge that pushes him against the cage to the wall. Salikhov turns him around, and Dalby reaches him with high knees even with his back against the fence. Salikhov breaks off, and he defends a body kick and spins with a back kick to the midsection. The two measure one another with one-twos, and Dalby ducks straight into a knee when pursuing a takedown. Salikhov keeps his back to the wire as he stays upright, and Dalby lifts up a high knee. This is the worst thing Dalby can do, as Salikhov grabs hold of it, turns Dalby around and deposits him to the canvas. Dalby calmly works his way back up with the fence behind him, and he spams short knees to the side. Dalby wrenches the Dagestan native to the mat, and he moves straight into mount. Salikhov turns to the side and ends up giving up his back, and Dalby gets a hook in and drapes his arm around the chest. Salikhov turns enough to free himself from a hook, and Dalby traps Salikhov’s left leg while turning the torso. Dalby nearly has a twister set up, and he threatens with a choke that transitions from a rear-naked choke to an arm-triangle choke. This is a means to an end, as Dalby steps over into half guard and looks for ground-and-pound. Salikhov explodes back to his feet with a minute to go, and Dalby presses on the Russian when standing up and knees him a few times. Dalby fishes for a trip with his foot, and Salikhov breaks away with an elbow. Dalby chases after him with a head kick, and Salikhov replies with one and falls to his knees. The round ends as Dalby jumps on top.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dalby
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Dalby
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dalby

Round 3
Dalby picks up where he left off, with a head kick attempt. Salikhov backs away and holds his arms high to block it and one that follows, but he cannot stop a few punches from Dalby. The Danish fighter attempts a third head kick, and he races forward to either change levels or settle for a clinch. Salikhov looks to muscle out, but Dalby turns him back to the wall, as Salikhov appears frustrated. Dalby grinds and works the body with several active knees, until Salikhov breaks away and gets to striking range. Dalby rushes after him and spears the Russian with a right hand and looks for a head kick. Salikhov is not fazed by the blows, and he jams his foot into Dalby’s midsection. Dalby punches his way into a clinch, but he cannot hold Salikhov there for long. Salikhov escapes, and he rushes backwards. Dalby practically sprints at him, tossing up a head kick and a right hand before engaging in the tie-up once more. When Salikhov drags them away from the cage, Dalby elbows him several times before kneeing him and pushing him to the fencing. Dalby slips a punch over the top and does not lose his clinch grip, and they both give one another mean elbows on the chin. Dalby slings a high kick, and he re-engages Salikhov before dragging him to his knee. Dalby jumps into mount with a little under 15 seconds left, and he beats down on Salikhov with hammerfists and an elbow until the final horn blares.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dalby (29-28 Dalby)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Dalby (29-28 Dalby)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Dalby (29-28 Dalby)

The Official Result
Nicolas Dalby def. Muslim Salikhov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean picked Jun 11, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Muslim Salikhov

Angelo has a slight lean to Muslim Salikhov because he has better wrestling, but he calls this a 50/50 fight. Both are older strikers with traditional martial arts backgrounds. Dalby's 65% takedown defense could be a factor. Angelo is waiting for props to drop and is not betting the moneyline.

"the only reason the slight lean from me is going to be Muslim salkov is because he has the better wrestling but dalby's 65 takedown defense could end up playing parlay Buster for this card"
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Jun 10, 2023 (7 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Big Brady picks Nicolas Dalby to win by decision, but he is low on both fighters. He criticizes Salikhov for low volume, poor cardio, and being 39 years old. Dalby is slightly younger and showed high volume in his last fight against Warlley Alves, landing 119 strikes. Brady thinks Dalby can push Salikhov against the cage, tire him out, and be more active. He notes Dalby has never been knocked out and is very tough. However, he admits he is very low on both guys and this is not an exciting fight.

"I'm gonna take Dolby here I think he's gonna be more active on the feet he's a touch younger he's gonna have the better cardio."
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Lean picked Jun 14, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Muslim Salikhov

Cody has a tough time reading this fight. He notes Salikhov is a low-volume counter puncher with heavy power, and that opponents often freeze up against him. He thinks Dalby's wrestling is not good enough to take Salikhov down, and if Dalby tries to out-volume him, he risks walking into a big shot. Cody leans Salikhov to land the better strikes and possibly get a knockout, but he doesn't want much exposure. He likes Salikhov by knockout at +240.

Salikhov by knockout at +240 (small bet)
"I'm gonna go with Muslim I like salukov and I actually like style club by knockout"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked Jun 15, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Connor picks Dalby, citing his grinding approach as effective against a fighter like Salikhov who needs space. He notes that Salikhov has not been tested by wrestling since Alex Garcia, and Dalby's physicality should be a problem. Connor sees Dalby muscling his way to a win.

"I'll take Dolby here."
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Jun 15, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Muslim Salikhov

Daniel Levi picks Muslim Salikhov, citing a significant firepower advantage and Salikhov's ability to land damaging shots. He notes Dalby's history of being dropped and his lower volume, while Salikhov can knock him out. He gives the cardio edge to Dalby but thinks Salikhov's power will be decisive. He has a good betting history with Salikhov and plans to bet him as long as the line stays under -200.

bet if line under -200, potential knockout
"I'm going to go back to the well and I'm looking to fade uh dalby again just as long as it doesn't go to minus 200"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jun 13, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Dalby has a speed and athleticism advantage, a good output game, and decent takedowns to mix in. Salikhov is one-dimensional with a kung fu striking style and has shown durability issues. Dalby's awkward striking and volume should outwork Salikhov over three rounds. However, Dalby's durability is a slight concern. Dalby wins by decision.

"I think Dobby wins this fight by decision"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Jun 14, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Muslim Salikhov

Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Dalby's pitter-patter striking won't work against Salikhov, who hits hard. He points out that Dalby has been knocked down by lesser fighters and that Salikhov's power is a real threat. Paul sees Salikhov by knockout at +240 as a potential small bet, though he wishes the price were higher.

Salikhov by knockout at +240 (small bet)
"I see a plus 240 out there which I was hoping would be a little bit higher to be perfectly honest maybe I'll wait"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jun 13, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Muslim Salikhov

The MMA Guru picks Muslim Salikhov over Nicolas Dalby, stating Salikhov is simply better. He notes Dalby lacks finishing potential, submission ability, and great grappling, while Salikhov has momentum and can finish or win a decision. He mentions Dalby was KO'd by Jesse Ronson, and expects Salikhov to catch Dalby with a right hand.

"I'm gonna definitely be going with Muslim salakov over Nicholas dalbyn... Muslim salakov is just better than him flat out"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked Jun 15, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Zane picks Dalby because he believes Dalby's grinding pressure will overwhelm Salikhov. He notes that Salikhov is a sniper who needs time and space, and that Dalby's high output and physicality will not allow that. Zane acknowledges Salikhov could crack Dalby early, but favors Dalby's consistency.

"I'm definitely taking Dolby though."
WIN vs Warlley Alves
Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC 283: Teixeira vs. Hill · Jan 21, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Nicolas Dalby 0 66 of 144 45% 75 of 153 1 of 3 33% 0 0 2:09
Warlley Alves 0 119 of 248 47% 167 of 298 0 of 1 0% 0 0 4:02
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Nicolas Dalby 0 18 of 35 51% 25 of 42 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:34
Warlley Alves 0 35 of 74 47% 51 of 91 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:39
2 Nicolas Dalby 0 18 of 37 48% 20 of 39 1 of 2 50% 0 0 1:19
Warlley Alves 0 31 of 73 42% 52 of 95 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:53
3 Nicolas Dalby 0 30 of 72 41% 30 of 72 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:16
Warlley Alves 0 53 of 101 52% 64 of 112 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:30
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Nicolas Dalby 66 of 144 45% 45 of 117 7 of 12 14 of 15 62 of 138 4 of 6 0 of 0
Warlley Alves 119 of 248 47% 75 of 195 35 of 41 9 of 12 86 of 212 32 of 35 1 of 1
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Nicolas Dalby 18 of 35 51% 7 of 22 4 of 5 7 of 8 16 of 32 2 of 3 0 of 0
Warlley Alves 35 of 74 47% 19 of 51 13 of 17 3 of 6 20 of 58 15 of 16 0 of 0
2 Nicolas Dalby 18 of 37 48% 11 of 29 1 of 2 6 of 6 17 of 36 1 of 1 0 of 0
Warlley Alves 31 of 73 42% 22 of 62 5 of 7 4 of 4 25 of 67 5 of 5 1 of 1
3 Nicolas Dalby 30 of 72 41% 27 of 66 2 of 5 1 of 1 29 of 70 1 of 2 0 of 0
Warlley Alves 53 of 101 52% 34 of 82 17 of 17 2 of 2 41 of 87 12 of 14 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Warlley Alves vs. Nicolas Dalby
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Alves (-125), Dalby (+105)

Round 1
Welterweights take center stage as the proceedings keep moving, with TUF Brazil 3 middleweight winner Alves (14-5, 8-5 UFC) repping his home country against Denmark’s Dalby (20-4-1, 2 NC; 4-3-1, 1 NC UFC). The third man inside the Octagon for this interesting stylistic clash will be referee Herb Dean, who clocks them in as Alves tries to offer a glove touch but is not accepted. Alves absorbs a low kick and immediately kicks into high gear, swarming the Dane with punches and a couple low kicks back. Dalby strikes back, and Alves loses his balance from the middle of the cage to the wall, but he is not hurt. When Dalby reaches him, Alves grabs him and ties him up, and he uses tight chest pressure to tire his man out. Dalby spins him around and grinds him back, with short knees to the thigh and body as the crowd grows restless less than two minutes in. Alves boxes the ears and jumps up to rip a knee to the body, and this allows him to get enough space to separate. The Brazilian strikes with a kick to the body, and he kicks low twice in the midst of a Dalby combination. Dalby returns fire with a low kick, and he wipes his eye as he appears to have been swiped with a finger. Alves offers an apologetic hand instead of lashing out, and Dalby motions that he is fine and they get back to it. They trade heavy kicks, and Alves’ landing to the body connect with audible thuds. A clack of heads opens a cut on the corner of Dalby’s right eye, but he pays it no mind as he pushes off and walks Alves down. They both throw hands at the same time, leading to a clinch. Dalby sprints in the clinch to push Alves all the way across the cage into the wall, and the crowd lets him have it. Dalby squeezes his foe on the cage wall, even landing a short foot stomp, as Alves smacks him upside the head with short punches. Dalby breaks off with an elbow that surprises Alves, and Alves leaps forward only to get countered with a left hook. Dalby scores a one-two and a few punches, and the horn echoes through the building.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dalby
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Alves
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Dalby

Round 2
Alves lands first with a front kick, and he kicks Dalby’s lead leg to follow it. Dalby replies with his own low kick, and they close the distance towards one another and bump heads again. Alves rushes in to throw bombs, and he uses his forward momentum to change levels and drop down for a single-leg takedown. When they awkwardly hit the mat in the scramble, Dalby falls to his back in search of a triangle choke. The Brazilian shucks it off and claims top position, and he holds on from on top without landing much of note. As they stay pinned to the floor, Dalby explodes out of nowhere to return to his feet, and a potential Alves guillotine choke setup is not there to be had. Dalby works Alves over with an elbow, body shots, knees and a few punches, before tying him up against and pushing him to the wire. As Dalby grinds, the crowd whistles and boos the control from the Danish fighter. Alves breaks away, and he lumbers forward to wrap a right hand around the guard. Dalby springs away and kicks low, he connects with a solid elbow on the jaw. They smash one another in the face with right hands, and neither man appears to be the worse for wear after the fierce exchange. Dalby kicks high a few times, and Alves loads up on a right hand and spins with a back fist that careens off the top of the head. Alves blocks a right hand but cannot defend against a side kick to the breadbasket, although he slips an overhand right to drill Dalby with a right hand. Dalby is loose and light on his feet, stringing together combinations of unusual strikes one after the other, like a body shot to a head kick. Dalby slides out of the way from oncoming fire, and Alves pushes his fingers out and rakes the right eye of Alves. Dean recognizes this immediately and pauses the fight, and Dalby takes 30 seconds to recover. With seconds to spare, Alves tries one head kick, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dalby
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Dalby
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Dalby

Round 3
Between rounds, Alves blows his nose, and his eye swells up to a small degree because of it. The welterweights meet in the middle and throw hands to start off Round 3, and Alves begins with a barrage of power punches. Dalby responds but gets knocked back, and Alves’ power is the different maker. Alves splits the guard with an uppercut, and he knocks Dalby into the wall and his forward pace leads them to clinch up. Dalby manages to escape and strings a few punches to the body and head together. Alves blocks a head kick in time, and he slips a strike to score a right hand. Alves surges forward to connect with a few more punches, and a takedown try from the Brazilian is stifled. As they stay stuck against one another in the clinch, Dean asks them to work a few times. Dalby hands on for as long as he can, with short knees to the body, until he chooses to break away. Alves walks him down and blasts him in the face with a right hand, and Dalby’s knees wobble but do not buckle. Alves lets loose with a low kick, and a huge right hook stuns Dalby for a moment. Alves checks a low kick so that he can unload with a right hand, and he jumps with a spinning back fist that grazes on the top of the forehead. Dalby slows Alves momentarily with a short salvo, but Alves fires back hard to get Dalby’s attention. Dalby meanders back to the cage, and Alves leaps at him with a flying knee that makes him collide with the wall instead of his opponent. Dalby stays on his bike, circling around to strike and sneak in a takedown. Alves springs right back up, and they tie up. With seconds to go, Alves pushes off, and they both score punches until the fight concludes. It seems like this will be a close one.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Alves (29-28 Dalby)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Alves (29-28 Alves)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Dalby (30-27 Dalby)

The Official Result
Nicolas Dalby def. Warlley Alves via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Jan 16, 2023 (5 days before fight)
Warlley Alves

Big Brady picks Alves but with low trust due to Alves' inconsistency. He notes Alves has two versions: one that puts on masterclass performances and one that fades after the first round. He thinks Alves has the grappling upside and danger to finish, while Dalby is tough with good cardio but not dangerous. He expects the fight to leave round one and Alves to win a decision, but he's staying away from betting.

"I'm gonna pick uh Worley Alves I think he's uh the more likely fighter to finish this fight I think is the more likely fighter to Grapple and if he does grapple pretty easy path to Victory"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Lean picked Jan 18, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Warlley Alves

Cody picks Warlley Alves but with low confidence, noting his tendency to gas and be a front-runner. He says Alves has power and a nasty guillotine, but his cardio is suspect. He thinks Alves will win if he comes out strong, but could lose if he gasses. He mentions Alves' history of losing as a favorite. He says the under 2.5 rounds is the play.

bet under 2.5 rounds at -120; mentions Alves' guillotine choke
"I took the under two and a half rounds uh minus 120. um I'm surprised that Line's still actually there"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Hesitant picked Jan 19, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Connor picks Dalby, noting he is a consistent, trusty fighter who can grind out a win. He expects Alves to win round 1 but Dalby to take over in round 3. He admits he wants Dalby to win and acknowledges Alves could do early damage.

"I'm going to go with Dolby just for being a workhorse."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Jan 18, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Warlley Alves

Paul picks Warlley Alves but with hesitation, noting his cardio issues and tendency to lose as a favorite. He says Alves has the skills to win but is unreliable. He thinks Alves will win if he shows up, but wouldn't bet much on him. He mentions Alves' guillotine and power. He says the under is a good play.

mentions under 2.5 rounds; says Alves is a front-runner
"Alvis is the rifle pick 16 months off gaster notorious apple pie [ __ ] don't put a bunch of money on them"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Hesitant picked Jan 17, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

The Guru is hesitant but picks Dalby, noting it's a close fight with even odds. He believes if there's no first-round KO from Alves, Dalby will win as the fight goes on. Alves was KO'd by Jeremiah Wells and has been inactive in 2022. The Guru compares Dalby's style to James Krause, with pitter-patter shots and movement, and thinks Dalby can survive the early danger and make Alves gas out.

"I'm gonna go dalby but it's worrying this is one of them fights this is truly like a a really close fight"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Hesitant picked Jan 19, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Warlley Alves

Zane picks Alves hesitantly, expecting him to do too much damage early. He notes Alves is explosive and powerful, but fades and has mental blocks. Dalby is a workhorse but may be losing physical steps at 38. Zane expects Alves to win round 1 and possibly finish.

"I'm going to pick Warlley Alves. I think he's gonna do too much damage early until we won't be able to come back hard enough to win."
Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–27) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall · Jul 23, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Nicolas Dalby 0 11 of 21 52% 46 of 59 4 of 12 33% 0 0 7:17
Cláudio Silva 0 45 of 94 47% 61 of 114 1 of 1 100% 1 1 4:17
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Nicolas Dalby 0 0 of 2 0% 25 of 30 1 of 4 25% 0 0 4:11
Cláudio Silva 0 0 of 1 0% 2 of 4 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Nicolas Dalby 0 6 of 10 60% 10 of 14 2 of 6 33% 0 0 1:50
Cláudio Silva 0 31 of 57 54% 38 of 66 0 of 0 --- 0 1 1:58
3 Nicolas Dalby 0 5 of 9 55% 11 of 15 1 of 2 50% 0 0 1:16
Cláudio Silva 0 14 of 36 38% 21 of 44 1 of 1 100% 1 0 2:19
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Nicolas Dalby 11 of 21 52% 4 of 13 4 of 5 3 of 3 11 of 20 0 of 1 0 of 0
Cláudio Silva 45 of 94 47% 32 of 78 9 of 12 4 of 4 21 of 59 16 of 21 8 of 14
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Nicolas Dalby 0 of 2 0% 0 of 1 0 of 1 0 of 0 0 of 2 0 of 0 0 of 0
Cláudio Silva 0 of 1 0% 0 of 1 0 of 0 0 of 0 0 of 1 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Nicolas Dalby 6 of 10 60% 3 of 7 2 of 2 1 of 1 6 of 9 0 of 1 0 of 0
Cláudio Silva 31 of 57 54% 21 of 45 7 of 9 3 of 3 14 of 34 15 of 20 2 of 3
3 Nicolas Dalby 5 of 9 55% 1 of 5 2 of 2 2 of 2 5 of 9 0 of 0 0 of 0
Cláudio Silva 14 of 36 38% 11 of 32 2 of 3 1 of 1 7 of 24 1 of 1 6 of 11
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Nicolas Dalby vs. Claudio Silva
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dalby (-250), Silva (+210)

Round 1
The venue isn’t completely full for the first prelim of the card in London, but those who are present seem to be fully engaged. Lukasz Bosacki will be the third man in the cage for this welterweight bout. Silva takes the center of the cage and shoots for a takedown, driving Dalby into the fence. Silva clings to a single leg, but Dalby hops around and maintains his balance while fighting his opponent’s hands. “Hannibal” finally yanks his foe down and passes quickly to full mount. Silva stays heavy on top as Dalby attempts to buck him off. Thus far, those efforts are unsuccessful. Dalby stays active and recaptures half guard, but Silva is still in control. Dalby posts in hopes of standing, but Silva grabs the arm and plants the Dane on his back with time winding down. Silva ends the round on top with mild ground-and-pound, much to the displeasure of the crowd. 10-9 Silva.

Round 2
Silva steps in with a front kick and Dalby responds with a leg kick that makes the Brazilian wobble. Silva has seen enough as he shoots and takes Dalby down near the fence. Dalby gives up his back as he stands, and “Hannibal” secures a body triangle and drags him right back down. Silva looks for openings to slide his arm underneath Dalby’s chin. Dalby resists and is able to turn out of the predicament, setting up in Silva’s full guard. Dalby creates some space and drops a heavy elbow that draws a roar from the London throng. Silva works his way up and eats a right hand. Dalby sprawls on a shot and lands a knee to the head. Silva looks tired as he circles away, but the Brazilian resets and pushes Dalby into the fence. Dalby defends and lands another solid right hand. Dalby is gaining momentum, and he tees off with a head kick and more punches. Dalby shoves Silva into the fence and lands a hard series of knees to the midsection. The tide has turned completely at this point, and Dalby keeps the knees going. Silva is exhausted, holding his hands low. Silva ties up Dalby in the waning seconds and absorbs a knee and a left hook before the horn. 10-9 Dalby.

Round 3
Dalby just misses on a head kick, but a low kick finds the mark. Silva shoots and Dalby defends, shoving “Hannibal” down to the mat with ease. Dalby follows his man down to the mat and sets up in his foe’s full guard. Dalby works to create space for elbows while Silva controls his wrists. Another short elbow lands on the chest of Silva. Dalby drops an elbow and grinds his forearm into Silva’s neck. Silva appears to just be holding on for dear life. One of those elbows appears to have opened a cut on Silva, and blood is dripping on the Octagon floor. Dalby frees himself from guard and stands up. Silva is slow to rise and Dalby lands a glancing head kick. Silva steps in with an elbow, but his offense is mostly slow and fatigued. A left hand lands clean for Dalby. Silva executes a beautiful level change behind a winging hook and gets Dalby down. Dalby attempts an omoplata sweep, and at the very least, it stops Silva from advancing position. After a brief stalemate, a scramble ensues and Silva lands mild ground-and-pound. Dalby is able to scramble back up just before the horn. 10-9 Dalby (29-28 Dalby).

The Official Result
Nicolas Dalby def. Claudio Silva via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27) R3 5:00
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Hesitant picked Jul 17, 2022 (6 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Angelo picks Dalby despite acknowledging it's a tough fight with both guys having long layoffs. He notes Dalby is the better striker with real power but is hittable, while Silva has relentless grappling pressure but only 25% takedown accuracy and cardio issues. He believes Dalby's toughness will keep him alive and Silva will gas, allowing Dalby to win.

"i got to go dolby here because even though he is hittable he's very tough and unlike other opponents who out grappled him like tim means peter sabatta claudio will gasp and keep dolby live this entire fight"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jul 18, 2022 (5 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Big Brady picks Nicolas Dalby to win by decision. He notes that Cláudio Silva is 39, has a poor gas tank, and is essentially 'round one submission or bust.' Dalby is the much better striker and should survive the first round, then pick Silva apart. He also mentions Silva has never been finished and Dalby has never been submitted, so a decision is likely.

Dalby by decision
"give me nicholas dalby to win um nicolas dalby to win by decision"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Jul 20, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Cody picks Nicolas Dalby, calling Silva a bum. He notes Silva has poor cardio, low volume, and is 39 years old. Cody thinks Dalby's cardio and pressure will be too much. He suggests live betting Dalby if he loses the first round but doesn't get submitted. Cody is confident Dalby wins.

live betting: if Dalby loses first round but doesn't get submitted, hammer Dalby moneyline
"i gotta say this is ain't gonna go well for him"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Jul 20, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Daniel Levi picks Nicolas Dalby, arguing that Cláudio Silva is past his prime at 41-42 years old. He acknowledges Silva's dangerous grappling and striking power in his prime, but believes Dalby's forward pressure and high kicks will be too much. Levi notes that Dalby has a history of surviving early trouble and coming back, and has been competitive with tough opponents.

"i think he gets this one a couple of years ago i would have taken the shot on claudio silva i just think that he's past that point in his career now"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Hesitant picked Jul 20, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Dalby should win if he manages his gas tank and keeps the fight standing, but I don't trust him at -250. Silva is a dangerous submission threat and Dalby has a history of sketchy wins. I'm picking Dalby to win but he'll make you sweat for your money.

Claudio Silva round 1 submission +1000 mentioned as a possible sprinkle
"I do not trust Nicholas dalby at minus 250 he should win this fight... but I'm gonna pick him to win this fight"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Jul 20, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Cláudio Silva

Paul picks Cláudio Silva by submission at +500, calling it a dogger pass. He doesn't love Silva's stand-up but thinks if Silva can get the fight to the ground, he has a chance. Paul notes Dalby has been submitted before. He is hesitant and will watch weigh-ins.

Silva by submission +500
"dogger pass for me what about you"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jul 18, 2022 (5 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

The MMA Guru picks Nicolas Dalby to win by unanimous decision. He criticizes Cláudio Silva's recent performances, noting Silva looks like a man without testosterone and has shown no skill since 2019. Dalby is a physical athlete who rarely gets finished and can push the pace. The Guru expects Dalby to dominate positional control and win on the feet.

unanimous decision
"i'm going to go if nicolas dalby winning this one unanimous decision dominating positional control over claudio silva"
Expert Picks (4)
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jul 22, 2020 (4 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Big Brady picks Dalby because of his wrestling advantage, expecting him to control Ronson against the cage or on the ground. He notes Ronson has lost three split decisions in the UFC and hasn't been impressive outside. He predicts a decision win for Dalby and considers him a parlay piece.

Dalby by decision; parlayable
"I do like dolby to win this fight I think he can take him down or at least hold him up the cage for periods of the time"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Jul 23, 2020 (3 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Daniel picks Dalby by decision, citing his well-rounded MMA game, high fight IQ, and ability to outwork opponents. He notes Dalby's chinny nature and tendency to charge in, but believes he will switch stances, press Ronson against the cage, and outwork him. He thinks Ronson is a good striker but struggles in decisions.

"i'm gonna go with dobby by decision but i definitely think he's gonna out work him you know switch stands press him against the against the cage just use the whole you know well-rounded mma game"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jul 23, 2020 (3 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

Dalby is a larger welterweight grappler who will have a significant size and grappling advantage over Ronson, who is a lightweight moving up. Ronson is a good striker but poor grappler, and Dalby can take him down and control him. However, the line is too steep at -255, so no bet recommended.

"i will take dobby to win this fight i think he's going to win by decision"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jul 19, 2020 (7 days before fight)
Nicolas Dalby

The MMA Guru is confident in Nicolas Dalby, calling Jesse Ronson a 'free win' and noting that Ronson has lost every step up in competition. He praises Dalby's recent wins and believes he will rock Ronson on the feet and then submit him, predicting a rear-naked choke in the first or second round.

submission, rear-naked choke in first or second round
"I think he'll get the Mish against um Jesse Bronson. Probably rocking him on the feet in the first round, then dragging him down into a submission. Rear naked choke finish by Nicholas Dalby in the first or second round."