Career Averages - Luis Peña
Career Averages - Steve Garcia
Luis Peña - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Peña | 0 | 90 of 195 | 46% | 90 of 195 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Alexander Munoz | 0 | 80 of 169 | 47% | 82 of 172 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 0 | 0 | 2:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Peña | 0 | 21 of 43 | 48% | 21 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alexander Munoz | 0 | 18 of 45 | 40% | 20 of 48 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:30 | |
| 2 | Luis Peña | 0 | 22 of 59 | 37% | 22 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alexander Munoz | 0 | 29 of 48 | 60% | 29 of 48 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 | |
| 3 | Luis Peña | 0 | 47 of 93 | 50% | 47 of 93 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Alexander Munoz | 0 | 33 of 76 | 43% | 33 of 76 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Peña | 90 of 195 | 46% | 74 of 171 | 12 of 19 | 4 of 5 | 88 of 186 | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Alexander Munoz | 80 of 169 | 47% | 40 of 110 | 20 of 38 | 20 of 21 | 77 of 163 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Peña | 21 of 43 | 48% | 16 of 35 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 40 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Alexander Munoz | 18 of 45 | 40% | 10 of 31 | 3 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 18 of 43 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Luis Peña | 22 of 59 | 37% | 20 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 21 of 57 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Alexander Munoz | 29 of 48 | 60% | 15 of 33 | 6 of 7 | 8 of 8 | 26 of 45 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Luis Peña | 47 of 93 | 50% | 38 of 80 | 7 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 47 of 89 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Alexander Munoz | 33 of 76 | 43% | 15 of 46 | 11 of 22 | 7 of 8 | 33 of 75 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Luis Peña to win by submission. He acknowledges Peña's poor takedown defense (45%) but argues that Peña's ground game is underrated, with good submissions and reversals. He believes Peña has a striking advantage and can threaten submissions off his back. He notes that Munoz is a good wrestler but may put himself in bad positions. He sees Peña's submission as a likely outcome and mentions the submission prop at +330, though he would prefer better odds.
Cody is very critical of Peña, calling him overrated with poor striking and takedown defense. He notes that Peña gives up takedowns to everyone and has no power. He thinks Munoz, a wrestler, will take Peña down and control him. He likes Munoz as an underdog and expects a better performance in his second UFC fight.
Daniel Levi hesitantly picks Luis Peña, acknowledging that Munoz is a D1 wrestler with a strong double leg. He is concerned about Peña's emotional state and past performances, especially his submission loss to Kamuela Kirk. However, Levi thinks Peña is the better overall fighter and should win if he can keep the fight at range and avoid being grinded out. He notes that this is a dog-or-pass situation from a betting perspective.
Manpreet leans toward Munoz by decision, highlighting Peña's poor takedown defense (47%) and Munoz's strong wrestling background. He believes Munoz will repeatedly take Peña down and control him on the ground, avoiding submissions. He notes that Peña has lost as a favorite before and that Munoz's cardio should hold up for three rounds.
Paul is not high on Peña either, but he is less confident. He notes that Munoz is a wrestler and that Peña has poor takedown defense. He thinks Munoz could win by controlling the fight on the ground. He is leaning towards Munoz but not strongly.
The MMA Guru picks Alexander Munoz to win by unanimous decision, citing his superior wrestling and grappling. He notes Munoz is the wrestling coach at Team Alpha Male and has a good wrestling background. He believes Peña is a bottom-tier lightweight and that Munoz will push a good pace for three rounds, winning 30-27. He acknowledges the risk of Peña taking Munoz's back but trusts Munoz's ability.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khama Worthy | 0 | 38 of 77 | 49% | 40 of 79 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 3 | 0 | 4:13 |
| Luis Peña | 0 | 55 of 101 | 54% | 66 of 114 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 2 | 0:46 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khama Worthy | 0 | 16 of 31 | 51% | 16 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Luis Peña | 0 | 32 of 60 | 53% | 32 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 2 | Khama Worthy | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 11 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 3 | 0 | 3:52 |
| Luis Peña | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 16 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 0:32 | |
| 3 | Khama Worthy | 0 | 13 of 31 | 41% | 13 of 31 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Luis Peña | 0 | 18 of 34 | 52% | 18 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khama Worthy | 38 of 77 | 49% | 25 of 61 | 6 of 8 | 7 of 8 | 33 of 70 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 7 |
| Luis Peña | 55 of 101 | 54% | 20 of 61 | 18 of 22 | 17 of 18 | 51 of 96 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khama Worthy | 16 of 31 | 51% | 8 of 21 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Peña | 32 of 60 | 53% | 7 of 31 | 12 of 16 | 13 of 13 | 32 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Khama Worthy | 9 of 15 | 60% | 8 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 7 |
| Luis Peña | 5 of 7 | 71% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Khama Worthy | 13 of 31 | 41% | 9 of 26 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 13 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Peña | 18 of 34 | 52% | 10 of 25 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
Big Brady picks Luis Peña confidently, stating he is the better fighter in every category except power. He notes Peña's durability, striking, and submission game, and thinks Peña can take Worthy down and submit him. He believes the line should be wider and sees value at -270. He predicts a first-round submission.
Daniel Levi leans with Luis Peña, citing Peña's length, volume striking, and well-rounded skills. He notes that Peña has more answers stylistically, though he still has questions about Worthy's grappling and chin. Levi thinks Peña's training at ATT and wider array of techniques will lead to a close decision win. He acknowledges Worthy's power and experience but believes Peña's volume and durability will be the difference.
The MMA Guru picks Luis Peña, believing he will enforce his game plan and not stand and trade with Khama Worthy. He notes Peña's wins over Steve Garcia Jr., Matt Wiman, and Steven Peterson, and predicts Peña will take the back and dominate for a 30-27 unanimous decision. He acknowledges Worthy as a live dog but is not willing to bet on him, though he hints at a small parlay hedge.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Peña | 0 | 27 of 42 | 64% | 58 of 95 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 14:01 |
| Steve Garcia | 0 | 21 of 39 | 53% | 98 of 153 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Peña | 0 | 21 of 33 | 63% | 30 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 4:10 |
| Steve Garcia | 0 | 15 of 26 | 57% | 26 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 | |
| 2 | Luis Peña | 0 | 6 of 6 | 100% | 25 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 4:54 |
| Steve Garcia | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 47 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Luis Peña | 0 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 4:57 |
| Steve Garcia | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 25 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Peña | 27 of 42 | 64% | 24 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 19 of 24 |
| Steve Garcia | 21 of 39 | 53% | 15 of 32 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 11 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Peña | 21 of 33 | 63% | 19 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 14 of 17 |
| Steve Garcia | 15 of 26 | 57% | 10 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | |
| 2 | Luis Peña | 6 of 6 | 100% | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Steve Garcia | 4 of 7 | 57% | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Luis Peña | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 |
| Steve Garcia | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In a lightweight contest, the man with one of the best nicknames of the sport in “Violent Bob Ross” Pena (7-2, 3-2 UFC) will try to make “Mean Machine” Garcia (11-3, 0-0 UFC) feel unwelcome in his promotional debut. The third man inside the Octagon is referee Mike King once again. The two clash legs right out of the gate, and Garcia is kicking low. Pena opens up with a right jab, and stings Garcia as the debuting fighter whiffs with a huge right hand. Garcia starts to work him over with punches, and Pena clinches up. As Pena walks him towards the cage, Pena lifts up a big knee, and Garcia catches it. When he gets leverage, he lifts Pena up and slams him down, but “Violent Bob Ross” is not down for long. He springs to his feet, and pressures Garcia until Garcia gives up his back. Pena sets up a body triangle and starts to throw long punches and elbows to try to open up Garcia’s neck for a choke. Pena lands an elbow that appears borderline legal, in both the angle and the location, and then starts landing punches until Garcia gives up the neck. Pena hunts for the rear-naked choke, and Garcia is defending it as he fights off a hook, and frees himself from the choke attempt. The punches that continue to follow from Pena have opened up the nose of Garcia, and Pena keeps his full body weight on his opponent as he tries to flatten him out. Garcia rolls around, and lands a heavy elbow from behind that makes Pena turn away. Pena goes after the neck once more, and is searching for a neck crank instead of a rear-naked choke. Pena goes palm-to-palm, but Garcia wrenches the hands free and fights up to get back to a knee. Pena slams a few elbows down, and Garcia rolls out to give his back up again. While Pena is in back control the two surprisingly trade elbows, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pena
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Pena
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Pena
Round 2
Garcia charges out of his corner like his hair is on fire, landing a superman punch and chasing after him with punches and kicks. In the flurry, Garcia puts himself in danger, and Pena is quick to circle out and take his opponent’s back quickly. Pena tries to jump on Garcia’s back to bully him down, but instead lets go and just drags him down while maintaining the back position. Pena sets up a body lock, and Pena is aiming for the choke while Garcia fights it off by controlling one wrist with both hands. Garcia turns around for a moment, lands an unexpectedly powerful elbow, and turns back while he fights free. “Mean Machine” starts elbowing the thighs of his adversary to break the lock, all while Pena is punching him in the head. Garcia lands some effective strikes again from behind his head, but “Violent Bob Ross” ignores them as he goes after the choke. He cinches up a rear-naked choke that is not under the chin, and Garcia grits it out and lets Pena try to burn his arms out. Garcia continues to throw blind punches behind him, and most of them land, but he is unable to escape from danger as Pena holds tight. Garcia continues to slug it out without seeing his target, and he appears to mark up the eye of his foe. Garcia is throwing double hammer fists and swinging at him while the two start screaming at each other. Garcia is a madman as he keeps throwing and shouts "Let's go," and earns Pena’s respect as the two embrace when we hear the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pena
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Pena
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pena
Round 3
This time, Pena leaps in the air to start the round, and bowls Garcia over. As Garcia goes down, Pena falls face down into a triangle choke attempt, and Garcia tightens his legs up from around Pena’s neck. Pena is in the danger zone now, and Garcia nearly wraps up a triangle armbar, until Pena stands upright and Garcia falls off. “Violent Bob Ross” uses the moment of confusion to grab the back of Garcia again, and we return to the position where we spent the majority of the last frame. Pena tries to go after another rear-naked choke from a different angle, and Garcia is able to defend it by not pulling on the wrists but instead punching Pena in the head. Pena readjusts, and squeezes for more of a palm-to-palm neck crank, and lets go but sinks in the body triangle. “Mean Machine” twists and turns to end up on top, but Pena is just able to fight him off and stay with back control. Garcia elects to land punches and elbows with his adversary behind him, and some of these elbows are doing damage as Pena’s nose has started to bleed. Pena again snatches up a rear-naked choke, but only briefly, as Garcia squirms and fights it off once more. Garcia throws a barrage of strikes including more double hammer fists, and Pena opts to throw right back at him. The “slugfest” from an unusual position ends with the horn, and a valiant but largely nullified Garcia bellows as he is upset by his performance.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pena (30-27 Pena)
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Pena (30-27 Pena)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pena (30-26 Pena)
The Official Result
Luis Pena def. Steve Garcia via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Frevola | 0 | 48 of 110 | 43% | 51 of 115 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 2:50 |
| Luis Peña | 0 | 51 of 120 | 42% | 60 of 129 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 3 | 1:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Frevola | 0 | 15 of 45 | 33% | 15 of 45 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:07 |
| Luis Peña | 0 | 13 of 35 | 37% | 21 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 0:52 | |
| 2 | Matt Frevola | 0 | 10 of 26 | 38% | 13 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:00 |
| Luis Peña | 0 | 26 of 49 | 53% | 27 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 2 | 0:13 | |
| 3 | Matt Frevola | 0 | 23 of 39 | 58% | 23 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Luis Peña | 0 | 12 of 36 | 33% | 12 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Frevola | 48 of 110 | 43% | 27 of 82 | 10 of 17 | 11 of 11 | 46 of 105 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Peña | 51 of 120 | 42% | 43 of 104 | 7 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 37 of 101 | 8 of 10 | 6 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Frevola | 15 of 45 | 33% | 7 of 32 | 2 of 7 | 6 of 6 | 14 of 41 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Peña | 13 of 35 | 37% | 11 of 27 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 29 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Matt Frevola | 10 of 26 | 38% | 5 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Peña | 26 of 49 | 53% | 21 of 43 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 36 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 9 | |
| 3 | Matt Frevola | 23 of 39 | 58% | 15 of 29 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 23 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Peña | 12 of 36 | 33% | 11 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Pena (7-1, 3-1 UFC), who was recently
the inaugural guest on Sherdog.com contributor Jordan Colbert's new show "Blunt Force Trauma"
is up next, as he clashes with Serra-Longo Fight Team standout Frevola (7-1-1, 1-1-1 UFC). Serving as the referee for this lightweight fight is Herb Dean. There is no touch of gloves, as Frevola charges in with strikes, swinging with everything he has in the opening seconds of the round. "The Steamrolla" wings two huge hooks that fall short, but he lands several leg kicks to Pena's outstretched lead leg. While Frevola is unable to connect with these huge right hands, he is working the right leg of Pena often. As Frevola ducks down to throw one of those rights, Pena throws a heavy body kick. Frevola stings Pena with a right, backing "Violent Bob Ross" up and scoring a takedown, although Pena gets right back up. Frevola clips Frevola with a one-two, and Frevola responds with that big right again. Frevola shoots in low for a single, and as Pena almost escapes, Frevola lifts him up and slams him down. On his back, Pena pulls for an exceptionally unorthodox head-and-arm choke to get Frevola locked up, and Pena uses the submission attempt to sweep Frevola. As they scramble, they return standing, so Pena unloads a few short knees as he clinches up and tries to take Frevola down. As Frevola breaks away, Pena fires off a long combination that hurts Frevola, and "The Steamrolla" responds with a right hand that catches Pena on the chin. The two men trade until the time expires to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Frevola
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Frevola
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Pena
Round 2
Pena rushes out from his corner to start the action, and he clips Frevola right out of the gate, opening a cut under Frevola's left eye. Pena fakes for a loopy swing with his arm and leaps in the air with a knee, catching Frevola flush and sending him staggering. Pena pulls Frevola down and goes after a kimura, but Frevola yanks his arm out and stands up. As he gets to his feet, Pena cracks Frevola with several more knees, and Frevola's face is showing more and more damage. Pena looks comfortable with his timing, working the right jab and busting up Frevola under his right eye. A combination from Pena sends the gumshield hurling out of Frevola's mouth, so he strolls over to pick it up as Dean pauses the action. Frevola closes the distance with a superman punch, but not before Pena kicks him in the face. Pena goes for that same arm swinging-flying knee attack, but Frevola sees it coming and dodges out of the way. Pena fires a big head kick and lands it squarely, but it is Pena who falls over. "The Steamrolla" charges in, and he cannot capitalize on it as Pena gets back up. Frevola shoots in for a takedown, and Pena fishes for a kimura off his back before switching to a triangle choke setup. Frevola pushes the legs away and tries to start ground-and-pound. As Pena explodes to his feet, Frevola says "not so fast, my friend" and suplexes Pena. "Violent Bob Ross" scrambles out of the position and ends up in control of Frevola's back with seconds to go, and he drops down a few punches before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pena
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pena
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Pena
Round 3
The final round opens up with Pena trying to keep the distance, backing away when Frevola comes at him and pumping a right jab in Frevola's face. Frevola jumps with a front kick to the body, and Pena tries to come back at him with a straight right. "The Steamrolla" rumbles forward and digs to the body, but comes up short when trying to fire a right over the top. "Violent Bob Ross" launches up a head kick and Frevola barely blocks it in time, and the mere impact of the kick makes Frevola lose his footing briefly. The crowd starts chanting "Steamrolla," and an energized Frevola blitzes in and tags Pena. Pena tries to pull off his tricky flying knee again, and as Frevola avoids the assault, he clips Pena with a straight right to send Pena falling backwards. Pena recovers, pushes Frevola away, and looks to set the jab up again. Frevola counters over the top with a left, and then thumps a right to the body. Seeing his foe may be tired, Pena leaps in with another knee, but Frevola scampers away by circling off the cage. Frevola clips Pena with a right, and then a left, but Pena is coming on strong and lands hard with a left of his own. With 10 seconds remaining, Frevola shoots in for a takedown to try to steal the round, and as the horn sounds, it's anyone's guess who goes home with the win.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Frevola (29-28 Frevola)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Frevola (29-28 Frevola)
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Frevola (29-28 Pena)
The Official Result
Matt Frevola def. Luis Pena via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Peña | 0 | 24 of 42 | 57% | 28 of 46 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Matt Wiman | 0 | 87 of 148 | 58% | 98 of 160 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 7:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Peña | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 10 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Matt Wiman | 0 | 35 of 65 | 53% | 38 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 3:09 | |
| 2 | Luis Peña | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 11 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Matt Wiman | 0 | 29 of 40 | 72% | 37 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:03 | |
| 3 | Luis Peña | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matt Wiman | 0 | 23 of 43 | 53% | 23 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Peña | 24 of 42 | 57% | 2 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 19 of 20 | 24 of 36 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 4 |
| Matt Wiman | 87 of 148 | 58% | 84 of 144 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 45 | 9 of 12 | 60 of 91 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Peña | 8 of 14 | 57% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 9 | 8 of 11 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Matt Wiman | 35 of 65 | 53% | 33 of 62 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 11 | 9 of 12 | 26 of 42 | |
| 2 | Luis Peña | 9 of 15 | 60% | 2 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 |
| Matt Wiman | 29 of 40 | 72% | 29 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 26 | |
| 3 | Luis Peña | 7 of 13 | 53% | 0 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 6 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matt Wiman | 23 of 43 | 53% | 22 of 42 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 23 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Peña | 0 | 52 of 112 | 46% | 66 of 127 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 2 | 4:47 |
| Steven Peterson | 0 | 34 of 85 | 40% | 57 of 109 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 5:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Peña | 0 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 21 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:14 |
| Steven Peterson | 0 | 13 of 31 | 41% | 21 of 40 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 | |
| 2 | Luis Peña | 0 | 23 of 57 | 40% | 26 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Steven Peterson | 0 | 14 of 41 | 34% | 20 of 47 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 | |
| 3 | Luis Peña | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 19 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 2:11 |
| Steven Peterson | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 16 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:21 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Peña | 52 of 112 | 46% | 43 of 102 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 36 of 83 | 12 of 24 | 4 of 5 |
| Steven Peterson | 34 of 85 | 40% | 15 of 63 | 9 of 12 | 10 of 10 | 27 of 75 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Peña | 16 of 29 | 55% | 13 of 26 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 16 | 7 of 11 | 2 of 2 |
| Steven Peterson | 13 of 31 | 41% | 2 of 18 | 5 of 7 | 6 of 6 | 10 of 25 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Luis Peña | 23 of 57 | 40% | 19 of 52 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 46 | 3 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Steven Peterson | 14 of 41 | 34% | 8 of 34 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 38 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Luis Peña | 13 of 26 | 50% | 11 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
| Steven Peterson | 7 of 13 | 53% | 5 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Trizano | 0 | 51 of 100 | 51% | 55 of 104 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 1 | 2:14 |
| Luis Peña | 0 | 23 of 85 | 27% | 34 of 97 | 1 of 9 | 11% | 0 | 1 | 5:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Trizano | 0 | 11 of 18 | 61% | 11 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:25 |
| Luis Peña | 0 | 7 of 31 | 22% | 9 of 33 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 | |
| 2 | Michael Trizano | 0 | 17 of 36 | 47% | 20 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:12 |
| Luis Peña | 0 | 7 of 25 | 28% | 14 of 33 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 | |
| 3 | Michael Trizano | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 24 of 47 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Luis Peña | 0 | 9 of 29 | 31% | 11 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 1:42 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Trizano | 51 of 100 | 51% | 25 of 68 | 10 of 16 | 16 of 16 | 37 of 85 | 9 of 9 | 5 of 6 |
| Luis Peña | 23 of 85 | 27% | 12 of 68 | 9 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 80 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Trizano | 11 of 18 | 61% | 0 of 5 | 2 of 4 | 9 of 9 | 10 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Peña | 7 of 31 | 22% | 3 of 23 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 29 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Michael Trizano | 17 of 36 | 47% | 12 of 28 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 25 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 5 |
| Luis Peña | 7 of 25 | 28% | 2 of 19 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Michael Trizano | 23 of 46 | 50% | 13 of 35 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 20 of 43 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Luis Peña | 9 of 29 | 31% | 7 of 26 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Peña | 1 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 8 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 1:02 |
| Richie Smullen | 0 | 7 of 9 | 77% | 15 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Peña | 1 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 8 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 1:02 |
| Richie Smullen | 0 | 7 of 9 | 77% | 15 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:40 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Peña | 8 of 23 | 34% | 8 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 2 |
| Richie Smullen | 7 of 9 | 77% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luis Peña | 8 of 23 | 34% | 8 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 2 |
| Richie Smullen | 7 of 9 | 77% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
Steve Garcia - Fight History
AJ is leaning towards Steve Garcia, citing Garcia's terrifying hands and cardio to go three hard rounds. He thinks Garcia could outstrike Lopes and notes that Lopes is not a grapple smotherer, making it hard for him to control Garcia. He also mentions Garcia's chin and finishing ability.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 1 | 33 of 62 | 53% | 43 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| David Onama | 0 | 2 of 16 | 12% | 2 of 16 | 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 | Steve Garcia | 1 | 33 of 62 | 53% | 43 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| David Onama | 0 | 2 of 16 | 12% | 2 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 33 of 62 | 53% | 28 of 56 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 26 of 52 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 3 |
| David Onama | 2 of 16 | 12% | 1 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 33 of 62 | 53% | 28 of 56 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 26 of 52 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 3 |
| David Onama | 2 of 16 | 12% | 1 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Garcia (-130); Onama (+110)
Round 1
It’s time for the main event, a ranked featherweight five-rounder that should be a banger. After what has happened so far tonight, one can hope that Herb Dean can keep things legitimate because there have been some
serious
questions of integrity tonight. Garcia (18-5, 7-2 UFC) and Onama (14-2, 6-2 UFC) are about to let their hands go, and before they do, Dean brings them to the center of the cage to issue final instructions. Will they follow them? Who the heck knows.
The main event opens with a fist bump from the athletes. The featherweights are jittery and trying to figure things out early, so Garcia breaks that silence about 15 seconds in with a clubbing right hand. He walks Onama down, peppering him with his jab and follow-up left hook. Onama bounces off the fence, so Garcia chases him down with a bouquet of blistering left hands. Garcia mixes up body shots, and he snaps out a jab to intercept a front kick. Garcia reaches out with a left hook, shaking Onama up, and he continues to chain together his lefts. Onama fires back when he back, but Garcia’s volume and looping lefts are getting Onama’s attention time and time again.
Garcia steps in behind a left hand, and Onama is tough but quickly becoming a heavy bag. Garcia beats his man to the punch with a combo featuring his left, and when Onama bounces back up, Garcia comes right after him. “Mean Machine” does not let Onama off the hook, blasting him with a number of left hands that knock him from one side of the cage to another. Garcia lets fly a head kick as well, and he continues to rush at “Silent Assassin” with a barrage of brutal lefts. Onama fires back and shreds open a cut on Garcia’s eyebrow, but Garcia is a man on a mission and wants to finish the job.
Garcia’s offense wilts Onama, bending him over with a liver kick. He sees his opening to put the Factory X fighter away and takes it, swarming him with punches that topple Onama to the floor. From there, Garcia keeps pounding away as Onama turtles up, and only a few hammerfists are needed for “Mean Machine” to seal the deal.
Onama protests when Dean calls a halt to the match, but he soon realizes that he will not be convincing anyone after his performance. This was one-way traffic for the Jackson-Wink fighter, who prevails in under four minutes and punches his ticket to greater things coming soon. While the triumphant man calls out Max Holloway for the BMF belt, he may have to look elsewhere to climb the ladder before getting there. When he does compete next, however, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
The Official Result
Steve Garcia def. David Onama R1 3:34 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Steve Garcia, citing his awkward, lurching movement and sheer size for the weight class as problematic for David Onama. He notes Garcia's power and forward pressure, but acknowledges Onama is faster and more technical. He mentions Garcia has been knocked out before, while Onama hasn't, but doesn't see Onama knocking him out. He calls it a close competitive fight and leans Garcia.
Big Brady leans toward David Onama, citing Steve Garcia's tendency to leave openings and get dropped, as seen in fights against Charlie Ontiveros and Maheshate. He acknowledges Garcia hits hard and is all violence, but believes Onama is more durable and can take advantage. He predicts a second-round knockout for Onama.
Connor picks Onama, reasoning that Garcia's losses are worse than Onama's, with more randomness. He notes that Onama has lost to wild brawlers like Nate Landwehr and Mason Jones, which could be Steve Garcia, but those were exhausting fights. He thinks Onama may find success with wrestling and is a better athlete than Garcia's recent opponents.
Lucrative James picks David Onama to win by knockout, but he is not confident. He notes that both fighters have questionable chins and get hurt often, but Onama has never been finished while Garcia has been knocked out before. He also mentions Onama's superior training partners, including Justin Gaethje, and his wrestling upside as potential advantages. However, he emphasizes that this is a pick'em fight and he will not bet the moneyline, instead looking at under props.
The fight is a coin flip; whoever lands the big punch first wins. The host leans slightly to Onama's speed and more tools, thinking he will land a big shot and put Garcia away. But it could easily go the other way, so confidence is low.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Garcia, citing his recent impressive wins over Melquizael Costa, Kyle Nelson, and Calvin Kattar. He believes Garcia's pressure and volume will break David Onama, who has struggled against similar styles (e.g., Romero). He notes Onama's lack of consistent finishes and potential work ethic issues. He predicts a second or third round TKO.
Zane picks Garcia because he has seen Onama get hurt badly and fail to focus from the start. He notes that if Garcia can't knock Onama out, it will be a wild war, but he is more willing to believe Onama will never find comfort against Garcia than that Onama can lock Garcia down. He acknowledges the high chaos and randomness in both fighters' careers.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvin Kattar | 0 | 26 of 123 | 21% | 26 of 123 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Steve Garcia | 1 | 85 of 250 | 34% | 85 of 250 | 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 | Calvin Kattar | 0 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 8 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Steve Garcia | 0 | 22 of 71 | 30% | 22 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Calvin Kattar | 0 | 5 of 47 | 10% | 5 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Steve Garcia | 0 | 32 of 87 | 36% | 32 of 87 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Calvin Kattar | 0 | 13 of 50 | 26% | 13 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Steve Garcia | 1 | 31 of 92 | 33% | 31 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvin Kattar | 26 of 123 | 21% | 21 of 116 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 26 of 123 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Garcia | 85 of 250 | 34% | 52 of 208 | 23 of 29 | 10 of 13 | 85 of 249 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calvin Kattar | 8 of 26 | 30% | 4 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Garcia | 22 of 71 | 30% | 11 of 53 | 5 of 10 | 6 of 8 | 22 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Calvin Kattar | 5 of 47 | 10% | 5 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Garcia | 32 of 87 | 36% | 19 of 72 | 10 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 32 of 87 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Calvin Kattar | 13 of 50 | 26% | 12 of 47 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Garcia | 31 of 92 | 33% | 22 of 83 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 31 of 91 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Garcia (-120); Kattar (+100)
Round 1
On a career-long four-fight skid, Kattar (23-9, 7-7 UFC) has not gotten his hand raised since outdueling Giga Chikadze in 2022. Possibly in the later stages of his career at 37 years old, he is being matched up against a dangerous brawler in Garcia (17-5, 6-2 UFC) who is knocking on the door of ludicrous status should he clock “The Boston Finisher.” Referee Jason Herzog understands his assignment, and the fighters do too, as they touch gloves to engage.
The two featherweight strikers measure one another in the early going, with Garcia eventually leading the dance with a looping pair of punches and some awkward kicks to any target he can find. Kattar ducks and swings hard on an overhand right counter that zips right past the Jackson-Wink representative. Garcia is in the driver’s seat but his connect rate remains low a minute in. Garcia wraps a right around the guard, but his left goes wide. Woots, whoops and cries rain down throughout the Bridgestone Arena, and Garcia silences them with a long punch combination and three head kicks in a row. Kattar defends well but stumbles, and he gets back to his feet and takes a left hand on the jaw. Garcia scores with a left hand and kicks after it.
Katter misses with a huge left hand, and Garcia races through it and lands a combination on Kattar’s face. Kattar is stuck not hitting anything of note, while Garcia is scoring to the head, body and legs. Garcia spins with a sudden wheel kick, and Kattar shells up but his nose takes the brunt of it. Kattar steps in with an elbow on the chin after Garcia hits him a few times, and he partially connects with a lead hook. Garcia forces Kattar to constantly defend himself, and his power drives “The Boston Finisher” back a few steps. Kattar starts to put his jab together, and he is answered with a Jackson-Wink-style oblique kick to the knee. One more kick to the lead leg ends the tepid round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Round 2
Both featherweights trade right hands as the round begins, and Garcia stays in Kattar’s face but walks into a left hand on the jaw. Garcia shrugs it off and bounces around before settling down, planting a one-two on Kattar’s visage. Kattar’s looping punches continue to miss, as he is telegraphing his big right and Garcia is able to dodge or stay away from them. Garcia walks Kattar down, spinning with a clean back kick to the ribs, and he drives home several rib-roasters as well. This fires up Kattar, who cracks the favorite. Garcia gives it right back, happy to be getting the brawl he was seeking. Garcia beats Kattar to the jab time and time again.
Kattar employs a step-in elbow that graces Garcia’s melon, and Garcia gives him back several body shots to think about. Garcia dips and dodges the oncoming fire to crack Kattar with a huge left, smashing Kattar’s nose and forcing Kattar to paw at it. Garcia strikes the body when he sees an opening, and he skips forward to deliver two lefts on the chin. Garcia misses a right and left hook by a matter of inches, and he kicks the front of Kattar’s thigh to back him off. The body work from Garcia is getting Kattar to drop his hands, and he winds up with a bomb of a left that buzzes past the longtime vet. Garcia keeps doing work until the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Round 3
Garcia immediately engages to start the last round, putting hands in Kattar’s face early and often. A heavy left hand drives Kattar back a ways, and he times a head kick and a spinning back fist that Garcia is able to defend. Kattar hops back and forth switching stances, but he does not engage and is just backpedaling when Garcia comes at him. Garcia reaches him with a left hand, and he loads up a subsequent bomb that nearly separates Kattar from his senses. Kattar bounces off the fence to stay afloat, and he clinches Garcia to get his head right. Garcia breaks off and chases the wounded man down, stabbing body kicks and following with liver punches that draw reactions almost every time he connects. Garcia fearlessly walks “The Boston Finisher” down, hurling one-twos and any open strike he can lob. Garcia tries for two clubbing lefts that do not get through, and he parries a front kick and pushes a left hand down the pipe.
Kattar appears to have recovered, but Garcia is not about to let him of the hook and hacks at him with a tomahawk elbow. Garcia kicks Kattar’s leg out, and he lets him back up to swing heavy leather. Kattar bites down on his mouthpiece and walks into a left hand, and he spins with an elbow that bangs square into Garcia’s temple. Garcia, blood now streaking from the bridge of his nose, boots Kattar upside the head and follows him with a left hand. He pushes Kattar back and pops him with a front kick, staying up close and looping lefts. Kattar stands him up with a right hand, and he strikes with a knee and a spinning back fist that both get part of the betting favorite. Garcia tosses windmills, and he waits for Kattar to spin so he can blast him when he plants. Garcia lets loose with a head kick and a spinning wheel kick, and Kattar knocks him back with a fierce overhand right. The two trade last strikes until time expires, and Garcia’s knockout streak has officially ended. Despite that, he still has soundly beaten a legitimate force at featherweight, and has announced himself as a new contender.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garcia (30-27 Garcia)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Garcia (30-27 Garcia)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Garcia (30-27 Garcia)
The Official Result
Steve Garcia def. Calvin Kattar via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Steve Garcia but was initially not confident at higher odds. He notes Calvin Kattar is still a good striker with good takedown defense, but hasn't won in three years and is 37. At even money, he thinks Garcia is a decent play because he's younger and on a knockout streak, but he acknowledges Kattar has never been knocked out.
Big Brady is a fan of Steve Garcia but picks Calvin Kattar due to durability. He notes Garcia has been dropped multiple times, while Kattar has never been knocked out in over 30 fights. He expects a stand-up war and believes Kattar will finish what Charlie Ontiveros started, picking Kattar by first-round knockout.
Connor picks Kattar despite his losing streak, reasoning that Kattar has fought only elite fighters and has an incredible chin that has never been cracked. He views Steve Garcia as a 'bad fighter' who closes his eyes and swings wildly, and believes Kattar's durability and experience will carry him. Connor admits he is tired of being wrong about Garcia but trusts the pattern of Kattar losing only to top-tier opponents.
The host acknowledges recency bias making Garcia a slight favorite, but notes that Kattar has never been finished by knockout (except an injury). He believes this is a perfect stylistic matchup for Kattar to counter Garcia effectively and find a knockout, reminding people of his quality. The pick is based on Kattar's durability and counter-striking.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Garcia, citing his recent finishes (Chase Hooper, Shalan Nerd Beck) and his pressure style. He criticizes Calvin Kattar's recent performances, noting poor footwork and takedown defense since his leg injury. He expects Garcia to get in Kattar's face immediately, mix in wrestling, and finish him, though he acknowledges Kattar could win if he finds his rhythm late.
Zane picks Garcia, partly to avoid being mocked by a friend named Eddie for always picking against Garcia. He acknowledges that Garcia is a wild, unhinged fighter who frequently gets into trouble but has been winning. Zane notes that Kattar has slowed down and lost venom, and that Garcia's aggressive blitz could overwhelm him, similar to how Arnold Allen attacked Kattar. However, he admits Garcia is not a good technical fighter.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 0 | 22 of 37 | 59% | 39 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:36 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 31 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 0 | 22 of 37 | 59% | 39 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:36 |
| Kyle Nelson | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 31 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 22 of 37 | 59% | 20 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 34 |
| Kyle Nelson | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 22 of 37 | 59% | 20 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 34 |
| Kyle Nelson | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Garcia (-192), Nelson (+160)
Round 1
Garcia (16-5, 5-2 UFC) is hungry, and he wants to share his lunch of knuckle sandwiches as the short-notice substitute against Nelson (16-5-1, 4-4-1 UFC). Both men come into this pairing on win streaks, so someone’s momentum is about to come to a grinding halt. Garcia has notably recorded four straight knockouts, a rarity for the weight class. This bout will officially take place at 149 pounds due to the Canadian missing weight, but that should not preclude the two from slugging it out as expected. Gloves are not touched under the watchful eye of referee Mark Smith, and instead they want to fight. Garcia lets fly a kick and a few punches, and he gets pushed back to the wall and trips. Nelson jumps on top to take Garcia’s back in a hurry, and he gets both hooks in without effort. Garcia hand-fights to prevent Nelson from setting up a submission, so the Canadian smacks him in the forehead several times. Nelson tries to set up the body triangle, but Garcia is able to fight off the first setup while he twists to one side and uses two-on-one wrist control. Garcia explodes to spin around, and he falls into an armbar. Garcia unloads with punches with his free arm, and he strikes his way out of the submission and lets Nelson have it with an onslaught of punches and elbows. Nelson turns to his side and shells up, and he slows Garcia down. Garcia elects to grind his elbow on the cheek, and he thumps it down every so often. Garcia slams down a few punches, and he nails Nelson with an elbow that makes Nelson turn to turtle up. As Garcia unleashes a fury, Nelson keeps his wits about him and kicks off Garcia to force him upright. Garcia leaps down and elbows Nelson in the back of the head, and a lump develops in a hurry. Nelson sits up with his back to the cage, and Garcia rails him with an elbow that makes Nelson crumble to his side. Garcia releases a final flurry of elbows and punches, and Smith sees that Nelson is no longer defending himself and intervenes. Nelson tries to stand back up after the fight has been called off, and Smith is there to make sure he does not fall over. This is a statement performance for the ultraviolent Garcia, who has earned five straight knockouts and pounds his way into contender status.
The Official Result
Steve Garcia def. Kyle Nelson R1 3:59 via TKO (Elbows and Punches)
Angelo picks Steve Garcia because he hits very hard, has good wrestling, and is on a four-fight knockout streak. However, he is hesitant because Kyle Nelson has been looking good lately and has power and toughness. He plans to have very little exposure on this fight if he bets.
Big Brady picks Steve Garcia to win by knockout in round one. He highlights Garcia's four-fight knockout streak and his dog mentality, but acknowledges Garcia gets dropped often. Brady thinks Garcia will get dropped but get back up and finish Nelson. He favors Garcia more as the fight goes into later rounds.
Cody picks Nelson on the moneyline, citing Garcia's poor chin and tendency to get dropped, while Nelson has improved cardio, wrestling, and durability. He notes Garcia's wins are often against tired or compromised opponents, and that Nelson's pressure and pace can overwhelm Garcia. He sees value at plus money and is confident Nelson can win.
Daniel acknowledges Kyle Nelson's improved style but thinks Garcia's kill-or-be-killed pressure will force Nelson to fight, potentially bringing back his old issues. He admits he hasn't been good at predicting the new Kyle Nelson, but he picks Garcia to extend his knockout streak. He notes Garcia is a killer who either knocks you out or gets knocked out.
Garcia is on a four-fight KO streak and has awkward angles that could trouble Nelson. Nelson is also on a roll but Garcia's power is a threat. The under 1.5 rounds is the preferred bet, as Garcia tends to finish early. Garcia by first-round KO is the pick.
Paul likes the over 1.5 rounds at +140, believing Nelson's improved cardio and fight IQ will avoid an early knockout. He thinks Nelson can make it competitive and potentially win a decision. He is not confident in betting Garcia at nearly -200, so he leans Nelson but prefers the over prop.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Garcia over Kyle Nelson, citing a bias against Canadian men. He notes Garcia's weird look as an advantage and his training at Jackson Wink and Soul Focus. He mentions Garcia has beaten good opponents like Melquizael Costa and Saimon Oliveira, but was finished by Chase Hooper. He predicts a decision or KO win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 1 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 18 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 9 of 16 | 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 | Steve Garcia | 1 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 18 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 9 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 15 of 27 | 55% | 10 of 19 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 6 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 9 of 15 | 60% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 15 of 27 | 55% | 10 of 19 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 6 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 9 of 15 | 60% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Garcia (-148), Choi (+124)
Round 1
Finding himself in the unexpected situation of serving as the co-main event after the cancelation of Brad Tavares vs. Jun Yong Park, “Mean Machine” Garcia (15-5, 4-2 UFC) is ready to rise the occasion and lock down his fourth win in a row. The Jackson-Wink fighter will try to hand Choi (11-6, 4-5 UFC) his fourth loss in five fights, and the two featherweights will likely meet in the middle and throw down. When they do, referee Herb Dean will be hanging on tight. There is a touch of gloves, and Garcia is the initial aggressor as he gets into the center of the cage and lands a stomp kick to the knee. Garcia ducks back to avoid two looping hooks, only to race forward and bump into Choi’s forehead to tie him up. Garcia ties up a leg but is unable to put the South Korean down, and when Choi escapes, he throws hands. Garcia welcomes the exchange, and when things settle down, he lands another kick to the knee. Choi chambers and fires a low kick that puts Garcia down to a knee, and Garcia climbs back up and gets swept with another kick. Garcia wades forward, thinks about throwing a front kick and lets it go to stand and bang. Stand and bang is exactly what “Mean Machine” does, rocking Choi and getting clipped in a destructive exchange.
Garcia lands the cleaner of the blows as he continues to slug it out, and he knocks Choi off-balance with a left hand and floors him with another bomb of a left. Choi turns to his side and then knees in an effort to shell up and survive, but Garcia is a man possessed at getting the win. Garcia stings “Sting” repeatedly with hammerfists, raining down a seemingly unending onslaught of fists until Dean has no choice but to stop the fight.
Choi looks up at Dean quizzically as blood streams from his mouth, and Garcia runs to the cage wall to scream and then scales it to shout even louder. This is a big moment for Garcia, who has now picked up four straight knockout victories. The triumphant Garcia calls for an MMA fight against Dan Ige, a popular name lately, while also calling out commentator Daniel Cormier for a golf match.
The Official Result
Steve Garcia def. Seung Woo Choi R1 1:36 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Steve Garcia because he is sneaky good with five UFC wins all by KO/TKO. He believes Garcia's striking and wrestling are there, and that Choi Seung-woo has been finished before. He has placed a bet on Garcia at -140 and expects the line to move.
Cody also picks Garcia but with less confidence, noting Garcia's own durability issues and the fact that both fighters have been dropped. He sees the fight as close to 50/50 and suggests taking Choi if plus money is available. He emphasizes the under 2.5 rounds as the best bet, expecting a violent finish.
Daniel Vreeland picks Steve Garcia by knockout, comparing the fight to a coin flip but ultimately choosing Garcia. He notes both fighters have high knockdown rates and can be dropped, but Garcia's size (6'0", 75" reach) and recent form (5 knockdowns in last 3 fights) give him the edge. He expects a stand-up war ending in a Garcia knockout.
Garcia is a -140 favorite. He relies on his knockout power and has a three-fight KO streak. Choi is more technical but has been finished before. Garcia can survive early pressure and land a big shot to get the KO. I prefer Garcia by knockout rather than moneyline, as his KO line is around +130.
Paul likes Garcia's momentum and power, noting his three-fight winning streak with five knockdowns. He questions Choi's durability, pointing out Choi has been knocked down five times in his last three fights. Paul thinks Garcia's power is the difference and expects a knockout, though he acknowledges both have shaky chins.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Garcia, noting he has doubted Garcia before but he keeps winning. He highlights Garcia's recent finishes over Malik El Kousa, Shannon Nurnbeck, and Chase Hooper, and his training at Jackson Wink. He points out Choi Seung-woo's questionable chin, getting wobbled in most fights, and believes Garcia's power and size at 145 will be too much.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 1 | 29 of 49 | 59% | 41 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 20 of 25 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 4:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 12 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 19 of 22 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 0 | 0 | 4:41 | |
| 2 | Steve Garcia | 1 | 25 of 38 | 65% | 29 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 29 of 49 | 59% | 26 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 10 | 3 of 8 | 22 of 31 |
| Melquizael Costa | 6 of 10 | 60% | 1 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 4 of 11 | 36% | 3 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 5 of 7 | 71% | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Steve Garcia | 25 of 38 | 65% | 23 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 22 of 31 |
| Melquizael Costa | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Costa (-275), Garcia (+225)
Round 1
The predominant method of victory for these two fighters—now competing at lightweight due to the short-notice nature of their rescheduled pairing—is the knockout. Referee Chris Tognoni should don his hard hat before going out against these two sluggers. “Mean Machine” Garcia (14-5, 3-2 UFC) has performed his last six victories via strikes, while LFA vet Costa (20-6, 1-1 UFC) has earned two of his last three wins by knockout. Before the fists fly, they meet together in a sporting manner. Garcia springs forward, but he pulls back before engaging. On his second advance, Garcia throws caution to the wind, winging big punches. Costa shimmies to the side and allows Garcia to push past him, and he hooks his leg around Garcia’s and tries to drag him down to the floor. Costa elects to lift Garcia up and slam him to the mat, but “Mean Machine” moves back up to his feet quickly. Costa clings to Garcia from behind relentlessly, and Garcia tries to defend with no-look elbows. Costa knees Garcia in the backside and upper thigh as he pressures his man, and Garcia responds with elbows on the thigh. Costa whips Garcia to a knee, and Garcia considers grabbing the fence but at the last second just points at it. Costa forces his man down to a knee again, but Garcia springs up with no ill effects. Costa continues to embrace the grind from behind, shutting down any offense from Garcia and forcing him to spend energy in strange exchanges. When Costa looks to get a hook in, Garcia shucks it off. Costa peppers with knees until scooping Garcia up and dumping him down once more. Garcia powers back upright, and he wiggles and wriggles but cannot escape. Costa trips Garcia out but is unable to keep him grounded for more than a second, and he stays in this position until the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 2
Garcia comes out of his corner angrily, and he swings violently and connects with a few of his shots. Costa responds as the two engage in a mad brawl, with punches and elbows flailing in all directions. Garcia wings a left and a right, catching Costa and knocking him down to the canvas. “Mean Machine” follows him to the mat and drives down a vicious elbow, splitting Costa wide open, and Costa is in a bad way. Garcia smashes his man with fists and sharp elbows, and blood sprays around the canvas. Costa turns over and gives up his back, and Garcia snatches up a rear-naked choke. Perhaps due to the blood flow, Costa is able to slide out of the choke and turns to his back.
Garcia postures up, in full mount, and he demolishes “Melky” with three ruthless elbows. Tognoni halts the fight, with Costa out or very nearly out.
When Garcia dismounts his defeated adversary, Costa tries to take Tognoni down, and he is deep in on a single. Tognoni displays excellent takedown defense as officials flood the cage, with one very loud shouting at Costa to wake him back up. Costa realizes that he is trying to take down a referee and that the fight is over, and he surrenders.
The Official Result
Steve Garcia def. Melquizael Costa R2 1:01 via KO (Elbows)
Cody picks Melquizael Costa. He notes that Costa is a volume puncher and Garcia is a knockout-or-bust fighter. Cody points out that Garcia has poor defense and gets rocked in his wins and losses. He thinks Costa's volume and durability will be key. Cody is suspicious that the line hasn't moved despite Garcia pulling out last week due to illness and moving up a weight class. He still favors Costa.
Paul picks Melquizael Costa. He notes that he liked Costa last week and nothing has changed. Paul points out that Garcia has a history of missing weight and was sick last week, but now fights at lightweight without cutting weight. He thinks Garcia's power is a threat but Costa's volume and durability should win out. Paul is not taking Garcia just because of the circumstances.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 1 | 18 of 35 | 51% | 31 of 63 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:34 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 1 | 17 of 40 | 42% | 50 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 1 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 29 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:33 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 0 | 6 of 23 | 26% | 39 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 2 | Steve Garcia | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 1 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 11 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 18 of 35 | 51% | 15 of 31 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 19 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 17 of 40 | 42% | 14 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 16 of 32 | 50% | 13 of 29 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 19 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 6 of 23 | 26% | 5 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Steve Garcia | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Shayilan Nuerdanbieke | 11 of 17 | 64% | 9 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Nuerdanbieke (-200), Garcia (+170)
Round 1
Moving right along, this next fight takes place in the featherweight category. Fresh off some sort of controversy from his last match with Darrick Minner – you can look it up – Shayilan (39-10, 3-1 UFC) wants to move on from that messiness and keep his win streak going. In his 50th professional MMA bout at the tender age of 28, Shayilan battles Garcia (13-5, 2-2 UFC), who has been on the giving and receiving ends of rough knockouts as of late. Before the fists fly, referee Larry Folsom clocks them in, and the fighters do not elect to touch gloves first. Garcia goes after a front kick, but Shayilan is well out of the way. Shayilan intercepts a kick to land a solid one-two, and Garcia pushes off with a front kick that slams into the cup. Folsom sees this and pauses the action immediately. After a little under a minute, Shayilan clears his pain and discomfort and is good to go. They crash together with big punches, and Shayilan backs off to coil back his big right hand. Garcia rushes in, and Shayilan unloads it, blasting Garcia in the face and sending him crumpling to the mat. Shayilan looks to finish the job with a barrage of punches, but Garcia ties him up and holds on to clear his wits. Shayilan postures up to nail Garcia with an elbow, and Garcia scoots his way back to the fencing. Garcia wall-walks to stand back up, and Shayilan drags him back to a knee in short order. Shayilan sneaks around to take the back of “Mean Machine,” and Garcia slides back into the clinch and pushes the Chinese fighter to the wire. Shayilan throws him to the mat and slashes down with an elbow, and he lowers himself into the guard. Garcia hangs on from on bottom to quell the bludgeoning, and Shayilan methodically opens up every so often to connect with a solid shot. Garcia works his way back up and bursts to his feet, and he has busted Shayilan open with his own strikes. Garcia rushes out, pushing the pace on “Wolverine” and unloading with a few punches. Garcia belts Shayilan in the face, stunning him and forcing Shayilan to shoot for a desperation takedown. Garcia, from his back, kicks a downed Shayilan in the face illegally, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shayilan
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Shayilan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Shayilan
Round 2
Garcia is amped up to start off the second round, rushing after the Chinese competitor and throwing bombs. Shayilan ducks down, and Garcia times a perfect kick that smashes Shayilan in the face and relocates his nose. Sensing that his opponent is in big, big trouble, Garcia unleashes a high kick, a right hand and a left that knock Shayilan back to the wall.
Garcia digs a stabbing, toe-first kick to the liver, and he punches the exact same spot, and “Wolverine” crumples to the mat. Any subsequent ground-and-pound is purely academic, and “Mean Machine” hammers the nail with a couple follow-up punches.
This is a mighty comeback for Garcia, who got cracked at the beginning of the fight and recovered to come on strong and pull off the solid stoppage.
The Official Result
Steve Garcia def. Nuerdanbieke Shayilan R2 0:36 via KO (Body Kick and Punches)
Angelo picks Shayilan Nuerdanbieke but is hesitant to bet because of his low volume output. He notes that Shayilan is a powerful grappler with a bully style, but Steve Garcia is a high-volume striker who could steal rounds if Shayilan doesn't push the pace early. He is waiting for significant strike prop bets to drop, as he believes Steve Garcia will land more significant strikes even if Shayilan wins.
Big Brady picks Shayilan Nuerdanbieke due to his wrestling advantage and durability concerns with Steve Garcia. He notes Garcia has been dropped multiple times in recent fights, questioning his chin. He believes Nuerdanbieke can mix takedowns and control the fight, potentially winning by decision or even knocking out Garcia. He predicts a decision win for Nuerdanbieke.
Cody also picks Garcia, agreeing with Paul's reasoning. He notes Garcia's improvements and power, and that Nuerdanbieke's wrestling may not be enough to control Garcia. Cody mentions that Garcia has never been taken down in the UFC. He is cautious but sees value at +155. He says he took a shot on Garcia but warns it's a risky bet.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Nuerdanbieke. He notes that Garcia is fun and dangerous but his path to win leads him into his opponent's offense.
Jacob is confident in Shayilan, noting that he trusts his chin more and believes he has the wrestling to slow down Steve Garcia's pressure. He thinks Garcia will come out aggressively, but Shayilan can counter him or take him down. He mentions that Garcia gets dropped often, so Shayilan has a good chance of a knockout. However, he wouldn't bet it because Garcia is a dangerous opponent who risks it all.
Nuerdanbieke uses his stocky frame to grind opponents with takedowns and top pressure, but his striking is wild and he slows down. Garcia has knockout power and unorthodox angles, but his consistency is questionable. I'm skeptical but think the grappling-heavy fighter is the smarter pick, though I have low confidence due to Garcia's power and unknowns.
Paul picks Garcia but with very low confidence. He notes Garcia's tendency to run into punches and get dropped, but believes Nuerdanbieke is not a power puncher and relies on wrestling. Paul argues that Garcia has good takedown defense and power, and that Nuerdanbieke's low striking output could lead to a decision loss if he can't hold Garcia down. He also mentions the Florida crowd may favor Garcia's aggression. He calls it a 'fool pick of the week' and warns not to bet much.
The MMA Guru picks Shayilan Nuerdanbieke to win by 29-28 decision. He expects Nuerdanbieke to get a takedown in the first round, control the grappling, and mix in strikes. He thinks Garcia will have some success on the feet in the third round but not enough to overcome the earlier rounds. The prediction is detailed with round-by-round scenarios.
Zane picks Nuerdanbieke because Garcia has terrible wrestling defense and Nuerdanbieke is persistent and strong. He notes that Nuerdanbieke will work hard and take Garcia down, which is too much of a hole for Garcia to overcome.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 0 | 10 of 30 | 33% | 10 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Chase Hooper | 3 | 29 of 44 | 65% | 31 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 0 | 10 of 30 | 33% | 10 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Chase Hooper | 3 | 29 of 44 | 65% | 31 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 10 of 30 | 33% | 7 of 25 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Chase Hooper | 29 of 44 | 65% | 19 of 33 | 7 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 26 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 10 of 30 | 33% | 7 of 25 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Chase Hooper | 29 of 44 | 65% | 19 of 33 | 7 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 26 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The quintessential “striker vs. grappler” label certainly applies to this next pairing at 145 pounds, when the submission-minded Hooper (11-2-1, 3-2 UFC) comes to blows with “Mean Machine” Garcia (12-5, 1-2 UFC). The third man in the cage for this fight that could end suddenly is referee Herb Dean, and he prepares himself should he need to step in. The fighters touch gloves, and Hooper is immediately the aggressor. He walks into a few punches from Garcia, and Hooper is stung in a hurry. Garcia follows a combination with a knee, and Hooper shakes it off and backs off. Garcia sets him down with a left hand, and he does not follow him down. When Hooper stands back up, “Mean Machine” blasts him with another left hand, and Hooper hits the mat for the third time in under a minute. The youngster Hooper keeps his wits about him and works his way back up, and Garcia is not about to let him off the hook. Hooper flails and spins with a back fist, but the power of Garcia is vastly more significant.
The Jackson-Wink fighter chains together a right to the body and a left to the head, and “The Dream” becomes a nightmare as he crumples to the mat from a thudding left hand. While he might still be able to keep going, Dean recognizes that the last knockdown was a bad one as Hooper’s face is busted and swelling fast. The onslaught has ripped open Hooper's left eyebrow to leak blood in the young man's eye, and it does not take more than a few mean hammerfists from “Mean Machine” to prompt Dean’s intervention.
This was largely one-way traffic for Garcia, who registered an instant contender for “Beatdown of the Year” by demolishing the 23-year-old in a hair over 90 seconds.
The Official Result
Steve Garcia def. Chase Hooper R1 1:32 via TKO (Punches)
Big Brady picks Chase Hooper to win by second-round TKO. He highlights Hooper's improved wrestling and striking, and his dangerous ground game, noting that Hooper finished the tough Felipe Colares in his last fight. He contrasts Garcia's sketchy chin and poor grappling defense, referencing Garcia's fight against Luis Pena where he was controlled for 14 minutes. Brady believes Hooper will get the fight to the mat and finish Garcia.
Cody picks Chase Hooper, noting his improvements in wrestling and striking, and his physical maturity. He criticizes Steve Garcia's poor chin, striking defense, and lack of X-factor. Cody expects Hooper to take Garcia down, backpack him with a body triangle, and finish with ground and pound. He likes Hooper by knockout at +475.
Connor picks Hooper confidently, highlighting his improved understanding of MMA grappling and his aggressive ground and pound. He notes that Garcia's game is built on getting to the pocket and taking people down, which will give Hooper opportunities to wrap him up and do damage. Connor compares it to Garcia's fight against Luis Pena, but with more damage coming back.
Daniel Levi picks Chase Hooper, citing his heart, improvement, and grappling skills. He notes Garcia's weight issues and recent KO losses. He references the Luis Pena fight where Pena backpacked Garcia, giving confidence in Hooper's grappling. He is not interested in laying -260.
Jacob is very confident in Chase Hooper, citing his improved striking, toughness, and elite grappling. He notes Steve Garcia gets dropped often and has chin issues, and if Garcia wrestles, that plays into Hooper's strengths. Jacob sees a potential TKO or submission for Hooper.
Hooper is a jiu-jitsu ace but his striking is still developing. Garcia has power but poor takedown defense and can be controlled against the cage. Hooper should be able to take Garcia down and work for a submission, similar to Luis Pena's performance. However, the heavy chalk on Hooper is concerning given his past struggles. The submission prop at +250 is appealing.
Paul picks Chase Hooper but is hesitant to bet at -300. He notes Hooper's youth and development, but is concerned about his wrestling and stand-up still being works in progress. Paul says he will pick Hooper for the show but may not bet him.
The MMA Guru picks Chase Hooper over Steve Garcia, impressed by Hooper's last performance where he gassed out and finished Felipe Colares. He notes Hooper's grappling pace and ability to drown opponents on the ground. He believes Garcia, coming off a brutal KO loss, will struggle with Hooper's pressure and that Hooper will win by 29-28 decision, losing the first but winning the last two rounds.
Zane picks Hooper confidently, noting his huge improvements in striking and grappling aggression. He describes Hooper as a super technical grappler who now uses ground and pound effectively. Zane argues that Garcia's style of pushing into the pocket and clinching plays directly into Hooper's strengths, and that Garcia is not a great athlete, making him vulnerable to Hooper's submissions and control.
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