Career Averages - Omar Morales
Career Averages - Gabriel Benítez
Omar Morales - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Duncan | 0 | 53 of 83 | 63% | 62 of 92 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 0 | 0 | 6:31 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 47 of 80 | 58% | 53 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Duncan | 0 | 24 of 40 | 60% | 24 of 40 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 26 of 42 | 61% | 27 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Chris Duncan | 0 | 14 of 24 | 58% | 20 of 30 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:42 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 7 of 17 | 41% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Chris Duncan | 0 | 15 of 19 | 78% | 18 of 22 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 3:37 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 14 of 21 | 66% | 16 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Duncan | 53 of 83 | 63% | 12 of 25 | 17 of 21 | 24 of 37 | 43 of 73 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 7 |
| Omar Morales | 47 of 80 | 58% | 32 of 64 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 10 | 41 of 73 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Duncan | 24 of 40 | 60% | 6 of 13 | 6 of 8 | 12 of 19 | 21 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 26 of 42 | 61% | 18 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 6 | 22 of 37 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Chris Duncan | 14 of 24 | 58% | 1 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 8 of 13 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Omar Morales | 7 of 17 | 41% | 4 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Chris Duncan | 15 of 19 | 78% | 5 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Omar Morales | 14 of 21 | 66% | 10 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo likes Chris Duncan because of his toughness and ability to recover from being dropped. He thinks Omar Morales' chin is effectively gone after back-to-back stoppage losses. He placed a half-unit bet on Duncan at -108 and expected the line to move. He believes Duncan will take damage but get the win.
Big Brady picks Chris Duncan as a slight underdog, citing his youth (29 vs 37), power, and toughness despite terrible striking defense. He notes Morales has not shown finishing ability at UFC level and is getting older. He predicts a second-round knockout, but admits he could care less about this fight and finds it hard to call.
Cody picks Morales, despite his low volume and recent KO loss. He notes Duncan is a brawler who gets hit a lot and has poor defense. He thinks Morales has power and can land a big shot, especially with his training at Kill Cliff. He says Morales needs to show aggression and pounce if he hurts Duncan. He admits it's a risky pick but sees value.
Connor picks Morales but with alarm bells, noting that Morales has mentally deteriorated after three hard losses and a failed weight cut. He believes the matchup is winnable because Duncan is a brawler who will trade at Morales's preferred range. However, he worries that Morales may break if frustrated, as seen in his last fight where he brawled wildly.
Jacob picks Omar Morales, citing experience and technical striking. He thinks Chris Duncan is slower than Uros Medic and not as relentless a wrestler as Jonathan Pearce, who beat Morales. He believes Morales can touch up Duncan on the feet and that Duncan will default to wrestling, where Morales is no joke on the ground.
Morales is a disciplined striker with good distance management and kicks, while Duncan is a brawler who leaves himself open to counters. Morales should use his technical advantage to pick Duncan apart from range, likely winning a decision. If Duncan gets reckless, Morales could even get a knockout.
Paul picks Morales, echoing that Duncan is not UFC caliber. He notes Morales used to be durable but questions his chin after the KO. He thinks Morales has a better camp and can win, but if it goes to decision, the UK crowd might favor Duncan. He says it's a pick'em price and expects fireworks.
The MMA Guru picks Chris Duncan over Omar Morales, citing Duncan's youth and toughness. He notes Duncan had a rough weight cut before his contender series loss but has since recovered. Morales is 37 and coming off a KO loss, and his competition outside the UFC is not impressive. He predicts a fun scrap with Duncan winning a 29-28 decision, having more in the tank.
Zane also picks Morales but is cautious. He notes that Duncan is a wild brawler who gets hurt often, and Morales has the counter ability and sharpness to exploit that. However, he acknowledges that Morales's recent performances have been poor and that the fight is a referendum on where Morales is mentally.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 0 | 33 of 85 | 38% | 33 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Omar Morales | 2 | 47 of 86 | 54% | 47 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 0 | 17 of 52 | 32% | 17 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 24 of 50 | 48% | 24 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Uroš Medić | 0 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 16 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Omar Morales | 2 | 23 of 36 | 63% | 23 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uroš Medić | 33 of 85 | 38% | 18 of 64 | 8 of 14 | 7 of 7 | 32 of 82 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 47 of 86 | 54% | 21 of 57 | 13 of 16 | 13 of 13 | 45 of 83 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uroš Medić | 17 of 52 | 32% | 6 of 37 | 7 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 24 of 50 | 48% | 11 of 35 | 8 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 23 of 48 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Uroš Medić | 16 of 33 | 48% | 12 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 23 of 36 | 63% | 10 of 22 | 5 of 6 | 8 of 8 | 22 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Omar Morales because he believes Morales's strength and ability to mix in grappling will be the difference. He notes that Uroš Medić is a kill-or-be-killed first-round striker who has shown poor grappling defense. Morales needs to survive the first round and work takedowns to avoid danger. Angelo expects a decision win for Morales.
Big Brady picks Omar Morales to win by second-round submission, but expresses low confidence due to Morales' poor fight IQ. He notes Morales has a BJJ black belt and should take the fight to the mat to exploit Medić's weak ground game and cardio. However, he worries Morales might stand and trade, which would give Medić a knockout chance. He says he cannot trust Morales at -160.
Cody picks Morales, citing his durability, experience, and return to lightweight where he performed best. He notes Medić's tendency to fade after the first round and lack of deep fight experience. He expects Morales to weather an early storm and take over as Medić tires, possibly winning by decision or late finish.
The host does not make a clear pick for this fight. He mentions it as a potential live bet spot (Medic after round one) and includes it in a totals parlay (under 2.5 rounds), but does not state a winner.
Paul agrees with Cody, saying Morales' durability and return to lightweight should be key. He notes Medić's early explosiveness but thinks Morales can survive and take over. He is confident in Morales.
The MMA Guru picks Omar Morales, citing his toughness and durability. He worries about Uroš Medić's cardio and thinks Morales can survive the early storm and take over in later rounds. He notes Morales has a reach advantage and can pressure Medić in the second and third rounds. He predicts a 29-28 unanimous decision for Morales.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 12 of 35 | 34% | 55 of 83 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 1 | 0 | 5:33 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 12 of 25 | 48% | 27 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 0:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 10 of 29 | 34% | 28 of 48 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 2:22 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 21 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 27 of 35 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:11 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 12 of 35 | 34% | 9 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 3 | 11 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 12 of 25 | 48% | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 18 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 10 of 29 | 34% | 7 of 22 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 3 | 10 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 11 of 21 | 52% | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 15 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Omar Morales, citing his strong kickboxing, solid takedown defense, and forward pressure. He notes that Morales' only loss is to Giga Chikadze, which looks better after Giga's recent win. Angelo believes Morales' striking and ability to control the cage will be key, and he expects a stoppage win.
Big Brady picks Omar Morales to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Jonathan Pierce is very hittable and relies on his chin, while Morales has good takedown defense and is a black belt in BJJ. He believes Morales can take advantage of Pierce's sloppy striking and potentially finish him early, though he acknowledges Pierce's cardio could be a factor if the fight goes longer.
Cody picks Pearce as an underdog, citing his volume, pace, cardio, and wrestling. He notes Morales' low output and questions his power at UFC level. He worries about Morales' calf kicks but believes Pearce's pressure will overwhelm Morales over three rounds.
Daniel Levi picks Omar Morales because he believes Morales can slow the pace and fight at his own methodical rhythm. He notes that Jonathan Pearce absorbs too many strikes (upwards of seven per minute) and that Morales has a solid wrestling base and is in his prime at 35. Levi also mentions that Morales addressed medical issues that held him back previously, and expects a finish or decision win.
Jacob picks Jonathan Pearce, citing his wrestling, pace, and a quote from Pearce: 'I've never seen a striker out wrestle a wrestler.' Jacob believes Pearce will get takedowns and wear down Omar Morales. He also notes that Pearce has already beaten Morales once before.
The host believes Omar Morales will win via decision. He thinks Morales has a much more hard-nosed striking style that will march down Jonathan Pierce. He expects Pierce to struggle to close the distance and land takedowns due to the heavy onslaught from Morales. He notes that Pierce's grappling success is necessary for him to win, but he doubts Pierce can break Morales.
Paul does not have a clear pick. He is staying away from this fight, noting he has been burned by Pearce before (the Joe Lauzon loss). He respects others who like Morales but has no edge.
The MMA Guru picks Omar Morales over Jonathan Pearce, citing Morales' composed striking and takedown defense. He notes that Morales' only loss is to Giga Chikadze, which has aged well, and that Pearce, while looking good against Kaikamaka, is not at Morales' level. He expects Morales to win a unanimous decision, as he doesn't see the fight hitting the ground and believes Morales is a more versatile and dangerous striker.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 0 | 46 of 105 | 43% | 59 of 120 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 3:26 |
| Shane Young | 0 | 69 of 144 | 47% | 74 of 150 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 8 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Shane Young | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 11 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 0 | 18 of 37 | 48% | 18 of 37 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Shane Young | 0 | 28 of 61 | 45% | 28 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 0 | 20 of 54 | 37% | 33 of 69 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
| Shane Young | 0 | 34 of 69 | 49% | 35 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 46 of 105 | 43% | 17 of 65 | 19 of 26 | 10 of 14 | 40 of 99 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Shane Young | 69 of 144 | 47% | 48 of 120 | 7 of 10 | 14 of 14 | 59 of 133 | 9 of 10 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 8 of 14 | 57% | 2 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Shane Young | 7 of 14 | 50% | 2 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 18 of 37 | 48% | 5 of 20 | 9 of 11 | 4 of 6 | 17 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Shane Young | 28 of 61 | 45% | 19 of 50 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 7 | 27 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 20 of 54 | 37% | 10 of 40 | 7 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 18 of 52 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Shane Young | 34 of 69 | 49% | 27 of 61 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 6 | 29 of 64 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Omar Morales to win by second-round knockout, likely via head kick. He notes Morales' power and body kicks, and that Young is very hittable with poor striking defense (56% striking defense, absorbs 5.15 strikes per minute). He references Young's last fight where he was hurt by a head kick. He believes Morales is levels above Young technically and will put him away.
Cody leans towards Young as an underdog, noting that Morales is 35 and may have peaked. He thinks Young's volume and pace could be key, and that Morales was hesitant in his last fight. He is tentatively picking Young for the parlay, but is not fully confident.
The host is confident in Omar Morales to win by second-round KO. He notes Morales' power, pressure, and durability, and believes Shane Young will struggle with Morales' ferocity and size. He compares Young's losses to fighters who pressured him, like Volkanovski and Ludovit Klein, and expects Morales to do the same. He calls Morales his 'strongest lean' on the card and thinks he will overwhelm Young with strikes and possibly a takedown.
Paul also leans towards Young, citing Morales' poor game plan against Giga Chikadze and his reluctance to wrestle. He thinks Young's pressure and cardio could be too much for Morales, who has shown low volume. He is not fully confident but likes the underdog value.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giga Chikadze | 1 | 65 of 157 | 41% | 69 of 163 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 34 of 128 | 26% | 35 of 130 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giga Chikadze | 0 | 23 of 50 | 46% | 23 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 11 of 31 | 35% | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 | |
| 2 | Giga Chikadze | 0 | 11 of 39 | 28% | 13 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 11 of 50 | 22% | 12 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:32 | |
| 3 | Giga Chikadze | 1 | 31 of 68 | 45% | 33 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 12 of 47 | 25% | 12 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giga Chikadze | 65 of 157 | 41% | 32 of 117 | 24 of 28 | 9 of 12 | 54 of 134 | 0 of 2 | 11 of 21 |
| Omar Morales | 34 of 128 | 26% | 23 of 111 | 7 of 11 | 4 of 6 | 34 of 125 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giga Chikadze | 23 of 50 | 46% | 10 of 35 | 7 of 7 | 6 of 8 | 23 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 11 of 31 | 35% | 8 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Giga Chikadze | 11 of 39 | 28% | 8 of 33 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 11 of 50 | 22% | 5 of 42 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Giga Chikadze | 31 of 68 | 45% | 14 of 49 | 14 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 20 of 45 | 0 of 2 | 11 of 21 |
| Omar Morales | 12 of 47 | 25% | 10 of 42 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Moving now to the 145-pound weight category, the recently nicknamed “Ninja” Chikadze (10-2, 3-0 UFC) looks to become the first man to beat the hard-charging Venezuelan Morales (10-0, 2-0 UFC). This interesting striker vs. grappler stylistic matchup will be overseen by referee Marc Goddard, and the two men have no interest in touch gloves to clock in their fight. Both stay at a distance to find their range in the early going, letting off heavy but sporadic kicks at the body while Chikadze attacks the calf as well. Morales closes in to land a few punches, and Chikadze fires back with some blazing fast kicks. The unbeaten fighter again lands a couple punches and breaks away, and Chikadze spins with a back kick to plant Morales on his backside. The Venezuelan fighter springs back up and engages, but Chikadze is the one to land in the exchange. Morales dodges a spinning strike and walks forward to clinch up, but Chikadze pushes off to gain a separation a few seconds later. Chikadze attacks the calf again and points at it to admire his work, and he goes after it again. Chikadze stomps the canvas a few times to draw a reaction, and winds up with another heavy low kick. Morales’ calf is swelling up already, and he walks forward and gets clipped with a right hand. When Morales kicks his opponent's leg, Chikadze laughs at him and taunts him to kick it again. Chikadze winds up and fires off a body kick that lands with an audible thud, and the two brawl it out for a moment. Another leg kick from Chikadze ends this tense round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Round 2
The two men pick up where they left off with the intensity, trash talking each other as they unload loud kicks. Morales closes in on him and hits a sudden takedown, and Chikadze looks surprised as he sits against the fence until deciding it is time to stand up again. When they get to their feet, Chikadze considers keeping the dominant position in the clinch but pushes off and fires a low kick. The two duck down to sling big overhand rights, and practically every strike is a home run shot as they put everything they have into their offense. Morales rushes in and his leg gives out, but he is able to stand back up as Chikadze stares at him from afar. “Ninja” swings and misses with a head kick, and he hops backwards and lands a right hand. Chikadze dances and hops around, and dodges a right hand from Morales to crack Morales with a huge left hand. When Morales swings and misses as a response, Chikadze goads him on to keep it coming. Chikadze slips in and out with shots, able to close the distance and disengage before absorbing any counter. Chikadze retreats as Morales gets in a one-two, and Chikadze makes him pay with a heavy right hand that bloodies the bridge of the undefeated fighter’s nose. Morales kicks Chikadze’s lead leg, and slams a body kick off Chikadze’s arm. Chikadze dips and wings a right hand, and his head movement helps him avoid the counter as he hammers home two nasty body kicks. The round ends as Morales gives chase.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze
Round 3
The two featherweights come charging out of their corners to unload big right hands, but they close the distance too quickly to connect. Chikadze backs away to chip away with a few kicks, and Morales follows after him. Chikadze obliges his opponent chasing him by zinging a head kick that just misses the mark. Instead of just walking straight towards Chikadze like earlier in the match, Morales tries to circle around but only manages to land a few jabs. Chikadze dances out of the way from the barrage of strikes that come from his undefeated adversary, and he sneaks in a quick leg kick. Morales is hobbled with his left leg swollen and bloodied, and Chikadze cracks him to the body with a kick as Morales walks in. Chikadze tries to follow the kick with two booming hooks, but Morales is barely able to get out of the way in time. Chikadze stings the body again and slings a left hand that catches Morales on the chin, but Morales eats it like a sandwich. Chikadze winds up with a huge right hand and puts Morales down hard, where the kickboxer leaps on top and starts raining down heavy shots. Morales takes everything on the chin and fights his way back to his feet, so Chikadze kicks him to the body again. Morales is on wobbled legs as Chikadze just misses a head kick. Chikadze looks away and slings a left hook, and the punch blows the hair back but comes up shy of the mark. Chikadze catches a kick and lets it go, before letting loose with an axe kick. Morales gets energized and starts throwing, but he cannot land flush with anything of note. Chikadze backs away and fires off a rolling thunder kick that clatters off the guard of his foe, and Morales stands over him until the final horn ends the fight and likely ends Morales' undefeated record.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze (30-27 Chikadze)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze (30-27 Chikadze)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chikadze (30-27 Chikadze)
The Official Result
Giga Chikadze def. Omar Morales via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Big Brady picks Morales, noting he is not impressed with Chikadze's low volume (3.3 strikes per minute) and cardio issues. He believes Morales will press forward, land harder shots, and has a BJJ black belt advantage if the fight goes to the ground. He expects Morales to win a decision, especially winning the third round.
Daniel slightly edges Omar Morales, citing his toughness, strong fundamentals, and better cardio. He notes that Giga Chikadze tends to fade in the third round, while Morales gets better as the fight progresses. Daniel also thinks Morales might mix in takedowns if needed. He acknowledges Chikadze's dynamic kicking but believes Morales' pressure and durability will carry him.
Morales has higher output and fight IQ, and his leg kicks will be effective against Chikadze's wide karate stance. Chikadze is a skilled kickboxer but may be outworked. Morales' first cut to 145 is a concern, but he should win a decision.
The Guru picks Morales, expressing disdain for Chikadze's padded record against cans. He notes Morales has overperformed against good competition (e.g., Gabriel Benitez). He believes Chikadze struggles against anyone with a winning record and will lose by unanimous decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 0 | 50 of 179 | 27% | 50 of 179 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 63 of 215 | 29% | 63 of 215 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 0 | 15 of 53 | 28% | 15 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 12 of 55 | 21% | 12 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 0 | 13 of 53 | 24% | 13 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 20 of 60 | 33% | 20 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 0 | 22 of 73 | 30% | 22 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 31 of 100 | 31% | 31 of 100 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 50 of 179 | 27% | 17 of 133 | 21 of 28 | 12 of 18 | 50 of 179 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 63 of 215 | 29% | 36 of 178 | 20 of 28 | 7 of 9 | 61 of 210 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 15 of 53 | 28% | 6 of 39 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 15 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 12 of 55 | 21% | 7 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 12 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 13 of 53 | 24% | 4 of 39 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 6 | 13 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 20 of 60 | 33% | 9 of 45 | 9 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 22 of 73 | 30% | 7 of 55 | 11 of 13 | 4 of 5 | 22 of 73 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 31 of 100 | 31% | 20 of 84 | 10 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 29 of 96 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Omar Morales due to Benítez moving up in weight, making Morales the much bigger fighter. He believes Morales can take Benítez down at will and win a comfortable decision, possibly by knockout. He notes Benítez has been knocked out before and that Morales is very green but should dominate due to the size difference.
Daniel Levi picks Omar Morales, predicting a knockout via right high kick or counter. He criticizes Benítez's predictable offense (straight left, left kick) and suspect chin, noting that Morales is a former kickboxer with cleaner technique and power. He believes Morales will move to 2-0 in the UFC.
The MMA Guru picks Gabriel Benítez, stating he is not sold on Omar Morales after his lackluster UFC debut against Dong Hyun Ma. He notes that Benítez is in his prime at 31 and has had good showings in the UFC, including rocking Sadiq Yusuf. He predicts Benítez will win by decision or TKO, calling Morales an 'old man' making his debut too late.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 0 | 15 of 56 | 26% | 21 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 1 | 32 of 89 | 35% | 60 of 123 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 6:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 0 | 4 of 13 | 30% | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 24 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:11 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 0 | 8 of 28 | 28% | 8 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 0 | 11 of 37 | 29% | 11 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 0 | 3 of 15 | 20% | 7 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 1 | 14 of 38 | 36% | 25 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 15 of 56 | 26% | 6 of 43 | 2 of 5 | 7 of 8 | 15 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 32 of 89 | 35% | 22 of 78 | 9 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 4 of 13 | 30% | 0 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 7 of 14 | 50% | 3 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 8 of 28 | 28% | 4 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 11 of 37 | 29% | 6 of 32 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 3 of 15 | 20% | 2 of 13 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dong Hyun Ma | 14 of 38 | 36% | 13 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 15 |
Gabriel Benítez - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maheshate | 0 | 121 of 295 | 41% | 121 of 296 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 97 of 312 | 31% | 97 of 312 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maheshate | 0 | 23 of 69 | 33% | 23 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 21 of 66 | 31% | 21 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Maheshate | 0 | 51 of 104 | 49% | 51 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 43 of 116 | 37% | 43 of 116 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Maheshate | 0 | 47 of 122 | 38% | 47 of 123 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 33 of 130 | 25% | 33 of 130 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maheshate | 121 of 295 | 41% | 81 of 247 | 13 of 21 | 27 of 27 | 120 of 291 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 97 of 312 | 31% | 67 of 261 | 26 of 47 | 4 of 4 | 93 of 304 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maheshate | 23 of 69 | 33% | 9 of 51 | 4 of 8 | 10 of 10 | 23 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 21 of 66 | 31% | 13 of 49 | 6 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Maheshate | 51 of 104 | 49% | 35 of 87 | 3 of 4 | 13 of 13 | 51 of 103 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 43 of 116 | 37% | 29 of 100 | 12 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 42 of 115 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Maheshate | 47 of 122 | 38% | 37 of 109 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 46 of 119 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 33 of 130 | 25% | 25 of 112 | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 123 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Maheshate but with very low confidence, calling it 'the tiniest sliver of confidence.' He notes Maheshate is young (24), faster, and stronger, but makes young mistakes and lets opponents dictate the pace. The pick is driven largely by recency bias, as Gabriel Benítez looked poor in his last fight after a layoff. Angelo acknowledges Benítez is a good underdog value because he may have shaken off ring rust.
Cody picks Benítez as a dog, citing his technical striking and volume. He notes Maheshate is low-volume and relies on one-punch power. He believes Benítez's experience and durability (if chin holds) will allow him to outwork Maheshate.
Daniel believes Maheshate belongs at UFC level, while Benítez is a gatekeeper who loses to fighters who belong. He notes Maheshate's right-side strikes (hand, high kick, knee) will be key against the southpaw Benítez. He predicts a knockout from the right side, possibly a right hand or high kick.
Maheshate has a 4-inch height advantage and similar reach, and his ability to establish range with footwork and straight shots down the middle will cause Benítez trouble. He has aligned himself with Fight Ready MMA, which has solid striking coaches. I expect Maheshate to counter Benítez effectively and line up a knockout shot, putting him back into winning ways.
Paul also picks Benítez, noting his high volume and takedown defense. He thinks Maheshate's low output plays into Benítez's hands, and that Benítez can win by decision if he avoids Maheshate's power. He acknowledges Benítez's chin issues but believes his volume will carry him.
The MMA Guru picks Maheshate to win by TKO in the third round. He notes that Maheshate has shown composure and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win, including eye pokes and takedowns when being outstruck. He criticizes Gabriel Benítez for falling apart in fights and lacking finishing ability, as seen in his failure to put away Billy Quarantillo. The Guru believes Maheshate is hungrier and more technical on the feet.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Miller | 0 | 80 of 140 | 57% | 96 of 157 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:55 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 80 of 182 | 43% | 84 of 188 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Miller | 0 | 32 of 64 | 50% | 33 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 32 of 77 | 41% | 32 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 2 | Jim Miller | 0 | 28 of 38 | 73% | 42 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:52 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 22 of 48 | 45% | 26 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jim Miller | 0 | 20 of 38 | 52% | 21 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 26 of 57 | 45% | 26 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Miller | 80 of 140 | 57% | 50 of 108 | 10 of 12 | 20 of 20 | 67 of 125 | 5 of 7 | 8 of 8 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 80 of 182 | 43% | 51 of 145 | 13 of 21 | 16 of 16 | 79 of 181 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Miller | 32 of 64 | 50% | 17 of 47 | 5 of 7 | 10 of 10 | 30 of 60 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 32 of 77 | 41% | 18 of 56 | 7 of 14 | 7 of 7 | 31 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jim Miller | 28 of 38 | 73% | 19 of 29 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 18 of 28 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 7 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 22 of 48 | 45% | 17 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 22 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jim Miller | 20 of 38 | 52% | 14 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 26 of 57 | 45% | 16 of 47 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 26 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Miller (-120), Benitez (+100)
Round 1
It’s Miller (36-17, 1 NC; 25-16, 1 NC UFC) time. The storied veteran takes on Benitez (23-10, 7-6 UFC) and already has his next date on the calendar circled: April 13. Before then, he has to get past the fiery “Moggly,” who should not just serve as a heavy bag. The co-main event will be covered by referee Dan Miragliotta. The lightweights have all the respect in the world for one another, they touch ‘em up before engaging, and there’s a bad moon on the rise. Miller parries a jab and takes a one-two on the chin, and he walks Benitez down. Benitez tries to back him off with a front kick, and he scores a low kick. Miller gives him one back immediately, and he scores three punches up top and a left to the body. Miller scores a low kick, and he aims a right to the body. Miller walks his foe down and unloads with punches, and Benitez is marked up already and defends with a knee. They trade leg kicks, with Miller throwing harder. Miller chops down the lead leg of his opponent, and Benitez drives a one-two down the pipe. Benitez gets off another one-two, and Miller pushes a front kick out of the way to make Benitez slip. Benitez jumps back up, and he swings heavy punches including a left hand that marks up Miller’s right eye. They connect with right hands at the same time, and Miller blitzes forward to back Benitez off. Miller blasts the body with two loud knees, and Benitez escapes on the outside and gets back to striking range. Miller follows him and swings, and he gets clipped with a left hand. Benitez scores a low kick, Miller fires it back and walks through a jab. Miller plods ahead with punches and an inside leg kick, and he gets one off on the other side. Benitez sticks out a few jabs, and Miller crowds him but does not land flush in an exchange. Miller keeps coming forward, getting off a left hand and a knee up the middle. Benitez ties him up, and Miller aims a body shot before the two split up. Benitez goes to the body, and Miller goes up top. Benitez flicks out a few jabs and gets backed off with a hefty low kick, and he reaches Miller with a long left. Miller loads up on a high kick, and Benitez springs into action with several punches and a body kick. Benitez tags his foe with a left hand, and Miller blinks it out and keeps his guard up to defend another one-two that soars at him at high speed. Miller leaps ahead with a right hook, and he gets met on the way in with a left hand and a low kick. Benitez gets off several jabs and a left hook follows the fourth, and Miller is on him with his own combination to end the spirited round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Round 2
The lightweights touch ‘em up to get started, and fists meet faces shortly thereafter. Benitez wades through a few punches and then backs off, but Miller is right on him and nails him with two leg kicks. Benitez connects with a clean left hand to shake Miller up, and he eats a few punches as Miller is right on him. Miller blasts him with a left hand, lands another, drives up a knee and pounds Benitez with another short left. Miller slashes out an elbow, and Benitez is no worse for wear as he backs away. Miller keeps the high pace and whips down low kicks that have welted up the Mexican’s legs. Benitez looks to get his jab going frequently, and the low kicks from Miller make Benitez lift his leg up preemptively to block them. They land powerful punches, and Miller strides forward confidently to nail Benitez with an elbow. Miller changes things up and hits an easy takedown, and Benitez turns to one side in an effort to set up an armbar. Miller sees it coming and shuts it down, and he stacks Benitez up and works the body. Miller continues to strike, and Benitez moves his legs up to set up a high guard to for a potential submission setup. Miller breaks out of it by connecting with two nasty elbows, and Benitez rolls frantically to grab hold of Miller’s arm and lock down an armbar. Miller moves the proper way through it and gets out of danger, and he again holds himself on top of Benitez and hammers him with standing-to-ground punches. As Benitez turns after absorbing a particularly heavy blow, Miller takes his back and secures a body triangle. Benitez hand-fights to prevent any rear-naked choke, and Miller uses one left to break the wrist lock so that he can isolate Benitez’ neck. Benitez survives to the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Round 3
The fighters clap hands together as the last round opens, and they are just as willing to slug it out as ever. They stand in the center of the Octagon and trade leather briefly, and Miller targets the busted lead leg of his foe with a kick. Benitez stands firm and throws punches, and he comes up short with a high kick. Miller punches high and kicks low in response, as his corner cheers the kick as if he were in a muay thai contest. Miller sneaks two left hands around the guard, and Benitez is tough as nails but his nose starts leaking. Miller lands a heavy leg kick, and when Benitez backs him off with a few punches, Miller comes back firing with a kick he turns his hip towards. Benitez walks forward to throw hard, and Miller’s eyes begin to close from swelling. Benitez continues to pepper him with punches and kicks, and Miller staggers him with a straight right hand. Miller wades forward without a care in the world, and Benitez’s volume is starting to frustrate his opponent. Miller connects with another vicious low kick, and he shoots for a double that lands him in half guard easily. Benitez looks to scramble, and he gives his back up.
Miller gets the body lock he was looking for, and he immediately starts pursuing the choke. Benitez turns to his side, but Miller has him locked down and fishing for rear-naked choke grip. Miller cranks down with his forearm on Benitez’ jaw, and he does not even bother to slide it under the chin before he starts squeezing. Knowing that he has no way out, Benitez surrenders to the face crank, and Miller has done it.
He adds to his record with the most victories in UFC history, and hardcore fans around the world are elated at the grizzled veteran getting it done by stoppage once more. Pleasing the crowd and commentator Michael Bisping, Miller proudly declares that he has his sights set on UFC 300 in April, with three names in mind: Paul Felder, Matt Brown and Brock Lesnar.
The Official Result
Jim Miller def. Gabriel Benitez R3 3:25 via Submission (Face Crank)
Angelo picks Jim Miller but with low confidence due to his age (40). He notes Miller's late-career power and toughness, but acknowledges Gabriel Benítez is a dangerous striker with power. He thinks Miller's wrestling and grit could get the win, but won't bet on a 40-year-old.
Big Brady likes Jim Miller's recent form, noting he's been active and knocking people out. He questions Benítez's durability and inactivity, as Benítez has been knocked out multiple times and hasn't fought in over a year. Brady predicts Miller will knock out Benítez in the first round, possibly via a club-and-sub.
Cody picks Benítez, citing his solid takedown defense from training with elite wrestlers, his volume striking, and leg kicks that can immobilize Miller. He notes Miller's lack of volume and takedown attempts in recent fights, and believes Benítez can sprawl and keep the fight standing to win by volume.
Daniel Vreeland leans with Gabriel Benítez, citing his youth and durability. He expects a competitive first round, but if it goes past that, Benítez's kicks and knees will wear down Jim Miller. Vreeland acknowledges Miller's finishing ability but thinks Benítez's chin issues are mitigated by the fact that only heavy hitters have knocked him out.
James does not discuss this fight in the transcript. He only covers fights from the card he mentions, and Jim Miller vs Gabriel Benítez is not mentioned.
Gabriel Benítez is a technical striker with a strong kicking game, especially to the body, and trains at AKA. He has a significant layoff but looked impressive in his last win over Charlie Ontiveros. Jim Miller is 40 years old and tends to fade in later rounds if he doesn't get an early finish. Benítez's technical striking advantage should allow him to outwork Miller from distance and potentially hurt him to the body. I expect Benítez to win by decision, but I'm cautious about the layoff and Miller's power. I'd wait for better odds on Benítez, ideally plus 140 or higher.
Paul leans towards Benítez as the number climbs, noting that Jim Miller's recent wins are against low-level competition and that Benítez has a speed advantage and kicks very hard. He mentions that if the line moves to +150, he would take a shot on Benítez, but he's not heavily invested.
The MMA Guru picks Jim Miller, admitting bias but citing Miller's consistency and activity. He notes Gabriel Benítez has been inactive for nearly two years and lost to David Onama. He believes Miller still has fast-twitch muscle and finishing ability, predicting a TKO finish in the first round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 37 of 60 | 61% | 47 of 74 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 |
| Charlie Ontiveros | 0 | 22 of 47 | 46% | 28 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 37 of 60 | 61% | 47 of 74 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 |
| Charlie Ontiveros | 0 | 22 of 47 | 46% | 28 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Benítez | 37 of 60 | 61% | 26 of 46 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 26 | 2 of 4 | 21 of 30 |
| Charlie Ontiveros | 22 of 47 | 46% | 17 of 40 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 45 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gabriel Benítez | 37 of 60 | 61% | 26 of 46 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 26 | 2 of 4 | 21 of 30 |
| Charlie Ontiveros | 22 of 47 | 46% | 17 of 40 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 45 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Gabriel Benítez, citing his technical kickboxing, speed, and better grappling. He notes Ontiveros has chin issues and low-level competition. Benítez is a safe parlay piece despite being a big favorite.
Big Brady picks Gabriel Benítez to win by first-round knockout. He calls Ontiveros the least durable fighter in the UFC, noting he has been finished eight times and has quit in fights. Benítez has power and durability, though his chin is questionable. Brady expects a stand-up war where Benítez lands a big shot early, possibly a body kick, and finishes Ontiveros.
Cody picks Benítez, calling Ontiveros a 'never was' and noting Benítez's experience and leg kicks. He acknowledges Benítez's durability may be fading but believes Ontiveros' chin is completely gone. Cody thinks Benítez will land clean and finish him early.
Daniel Levi picks Gabriel Benítez, but with caution. He notes that Benítez should win easily due to his experience and heart, but he is coming off a brutal knockout loss. Ontiveros has a puncher's chance in the first two minutes, but if he doesn't land, Benítez will break him down. Levi is not rushing to bet on Benítez at these odds.
The host is high on Ontiveros as a dog, expecting a first-round KO. He mentions that he wants to bet 'fight doesn't go to decision' and under 1.5 rounds, but notes the line is juiced to -240. He also mentions a possible bet on Ontiveros round one at +800. He calls Ontiveros his 'dog of the card' and believes he gets the KO.
Paul picks Benítez, expecting a first-round knockout. He notes Ontiveros has been knocked out 8-9 times and is made of glass. Paul is shocked the under 1.5 rounds is -240, but still thinks Benítez will smash him. He also likes Benítez over 104.5 fantasy points on PrizePicks.
The host picks Gabriel Benítez, expecting him to survive an early onslaught and secure a late second-round TKO against the cage. He notes Ontiveros's loss to Steve Garcia Jr. as a red flag and believes Benítez can hold the gate one more time. He mentions Ontiveros as a good underdog for a first-round KO bet but ultimately sides with Benítez's experience.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Onama | 0 | 46 of 96 | 47% | 46 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 36 of 94 | 38% | 36 of 94 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Onama | 0 | 46 of 96 | 47% | 46 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 36 of 94 | 38% | 36 of 94 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Onama | 46 of 96 | 47% | 19 of 68 | 17 of 18 | 10 of 10 | 45 of 95 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 36 of 94 | 38% | 30 of 86 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 35 of 92 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Onama | 46 of 96 | 47% | 19 of 68 | 17 of 18 | 10 of 10 | 45 of 95 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 36 of 94 | 38% | 30 of 86 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 35 of 92 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks David Onama, citing his speed, power, and versatility advantage in a kickboxing match. He notes Benitez has grappling tools but rarely uses them (only one takedown in 11 UFC fights). He acknowledges Onama's grappling struggles but believes Benitez won't exploit them.
Big Brady picks David Onama but is not very confident, warning against overrating Onama's performance against Mason Jones. He notes Benitez has excellent striking defense and could pull off an upset. However, he likes Onama's youth, size, reach, and cardio, and predicts a late knockout as Benitez slows down.
Cody picks Onama, believing he is a legitimate prospect. He highlights Onama's impressive performance against Mason Jones, where he showed great cardio, durability, and the ability to get up from takedowns. Cody notes that Benítez is a gatekeeper on the decline, with low volume and questionable durability after being dropped by Billy Q. He thinks Onama will out-strike Benítez and possibly finish him.
Levi is confident in Onama, citing Benitez's decline after wars and weight issues. He notes Onama's impressive short-notice performance against Mason Jones and believes his African power will be too much for Benitez's chin. Levi compares this to other prospects beating faded veterans and expects Onama to find a clean knockout.
Benítez is the seasoned veteran with cleaner striking and a strong kicking game. Onama's hype is based on beating a low-level opponent; Benítez's durability is overstated as a concern. Benítez should outpoint Onama with his southpaw kicks and experience. The under 2.5 rounds and Benítez by KO at +500 are also live.
Paul picks Onama, impressed by his ferocity and durability in the Mason Jones fight. He notes that Onama will be massive at 145 and that Benítez's durability is questionable after being dropped by Billy Q. Paul thinks Onama's pace and power will be too much for Benítez.
The MMA Guru picks David Onama to win by first-round KO. He notes Onama's close fight with Mason Jones on short notice and believes Onama is a great prospect with a big reach advantage. He thinks Gabriel Benitez's durability has declined after several KO losses and that Onama will crack his chin early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Quarantillo | 1 | 57 of 110 | 51% | 67 of 122 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:50 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 100 of 156 | 64% | 179 of 259 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 1 | 0 | 8:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billy Quarantillo | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 17 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:15 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 25 of 38 | 65% | 60 of 86 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:30 | |
| 2 | Billy Quarantillo | 0 | 23 of 45 | 51% | 23 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 53 of 79 | 67% | 72 of 104 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 2:58 | |
| 3 | Billy Quarantillo | 1 | 22 of 39 | 56% | 27 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 22 of 39 | 56% | 47 of 69 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Quarantillo | 57 of 110 | 51% | 38 of 89 | 13 of 15 | 6 of 6 | 44 of 89 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 12 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 100 of 156 | 64% | 73 of 126 | 20 of 23 | 7 of 7 | 61 of 107 | 11 of 12 | 28 of 37 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billy Quarantillo | 12 of 26 | 46% | 7 of 21 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 25 of 38 | 65% | 17 of 30 | 6 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 17 | |
| 2 | Billy Quarantillo | 23 of 45 | 51% | 14 of 34 | 7 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 37 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 53 of 79 | 67% | 39 of 62 | 11 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 35 of 58 | 8 of 9 | 10 of 12 | |
| 3 | Billy Quarantillo | 22 of 39 | 56% | 17 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 22 of 39 | 56% | 17 of 34 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 8 |
Cody is confident in Gabriel Benítez, citing his physical strength, advanced striking, and leg kicks. He believes Billy Quarantillo's lack of strength and power will be exposed, as seen in the Gavin Tucker fight. Cody thinks Benítez's pressure and durability will overwhelm Quarantillo, and he expects a finish or a clear decision.
Paul is picking against his favorite Billy Quarantillo for the first time. He notes that Benítez is a brick wall with superior strength and striking, and that Quarantillo's cardio and heart won't be enough against a physically stronger opponent. He expects Benítez to win, possibly by decision or late finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 38 of 104 | 36% | 38 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Justin Jaynes | 0 | 22 of 52 | 42% | 22 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 38 of 104 | 36% | 38 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Justin Jaynes | 0 | 22 of 52 | 42% | 22 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Benítez | 38 of 104 | 36% | 20 of 83 | 10 of 12 | 8 of 9 | 34 of 99 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Justin Jaynes | 22 of 52 | 42% | 16 of 44 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gabriel Benítez | 38 of 104 | 36% | 20 of 83 | 10 of 12 | 8 of 9 | 34 of 99 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Justin Jaynes | 22 of 52 | 42% | 16 of 44 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Gabriel Benítez, noting the line flipped from Benítez opening as an underdog to now being a heavy favorite. He likes Benítez's leg kicks and overall striking, and believes if Benítez survives Jaynes's early storm, he will take over. He predicts a second-round knockout, as Jaynes has never been knocked out but Benítez has finishing ability. He notes Jaynes is a 'one-round and bust' fighter with poor cardio.
Daniel picks Gabriel Benítez but with hesitation, noting that Justin Jaynes has first-round power and has scored knockdowns in both his UFC fights. He believes if Benítez can survive the first round, his body kicks and experience will take over. He cites Javier Mendez calling Benítez the hardest kicker he's ever held pads for, harder than Luke Rockhold or Cain Velasquez. However, he acknowledges Benítez's suspect chin and the emotional weight on Jaynes fighting for his sick father, which historically hasn't favored fighters.
The host picks Gabriel Benítez to win by third round TKO. He highlights Benítez's leg kicks, technical striking, and cardio advantage over Justin Jaynes, who has a narrow path to victory and questionable gas tank. He believes Benítez will chew up the lead leg and finish late as Jaynes fades. He is very confident, giving Benítez a 75% chance of winning.
The MMA Guru picks Gabriel Benítez by unanimous decision, expecting him to weather Justin Jaynes' first-round onslaught and take over in the second and third rounds as Jaynes gasses. He notes Benítez has a good chin and has faced tough competition, while Jaynes showed cardio issues in his loss to Gavin Tucker. He predicts a 29-28 scorecard.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 0 | 50 of 179 | 27% | 50 of 179 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 63 of 215 | 29% | 63 of 215 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 0 | 15 of 53 | 28% | 15 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 12 of 55 | 21% | 12 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 0 | 13 of 53 | 24% | 13 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 20 of 60 | 33% | 20 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 0 | 22 of 73 | 30% | 22 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 31 of 100 | 31% | 31 of 100 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 50 of 179 | 27% | 17 of 133 | 21 of 28 | 12 of 18 | 50 of 179 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 63 of 215 | 29% | 36 of 178 | 20 of 28 | 7 of 9 | 61 of 210 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 15 of 53 | 28% | 6 of 39 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 15 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 12 of 55 | 21% | 7 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 12 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 13 of 53 | 24% | 4 of 39 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 6 | 13 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 20 of 60 | 33% | 9 of 45 | 9 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 22 of 73 | 30% | 7 of 55 | 11 of 13 | 4 of 5 | 22 of 73 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 31 of 100 | 31% | 20 of 84 | 10 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 29 of 96 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Omar Morales due to Benítez moving up in weight, making Morales the much bigger fighter. He believes Morales can take Benítez down at will and win a comfortable decision, possibly by knockout. He notes Benítez has been knocked out before and that Morales is very green but should dominate due to the size difference.
Daniel Levi picks Omar Morales, predicting a knockout via right high kick or counter. He criticizes Benítez's predictable offense (straight left, left kick) and suspect chin, noting that Morales is a former kickboxer with cleaner technique and power. He believes Morales will move to 2-0 in the UFC.
The MMA Guru picks Gabriel Benítez, stating he is not sold on Omar Morales after his lackluster UFC debut against Dong Hyun Ma. He notes that Benítez is in his prime at 31 and has had good showings in the UFC, including rocking Sadiq Yusuf. He predicts Benítez will win by decision or TKO, calling Morales an 'old man' making his debut too late.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 24 of 72 | 33% | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 34 of 79 | 43% | 34 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 24 of 72 | 33% | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 34 of 79 | 43% | 34 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 24 of 72 | 33% | 11 of 55 | 4 of 8 | 9 of 9 | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 34 of 79 | 43% | 25 of 70 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 30 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 24 of 72 | 33% | 11 of 55 | 4 of 8 | 9 of 9 | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 34 of 79 | 43% | 25 of 70 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 30 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 7 |
Expert Picks (3)
Big Brady picks Omar Morales due to Benítez moving up in weight, making Morales the much bigger fighter. He believes Morales can take Benítez down at will and win a comfortable decision, possibly by knockout. He notes Benítez has been knocked out before and that Morales is very green but should dominate due to the size difference.
Daniel Levi picks Omar Morales, predicting a knockout via right high kick or counter. He criticizes Benítez's predictable offense (straight left, left kick) and suspect chin, noting that Morales is a former kickboxer with cleaner technique and power. He believes Morales will move to 2-0 in the UFC.
The MMA Guru picks Gabriel Benítez, stating he is not sold on Omar Morales after his lackluster UFC debut against Dong Hyun Ma. He notes that Benítez is in his prime at 31 and has had good showings in the UFC, including rocking Sadiq Yusuf. He predicts Benítez will win by decision or TKO, calling Morales an 'old man' making his debut too late.
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