Career Averages - Ovince Saint Preux
Career Averages - Michał Oleksiejczuk
Ovince Saint Preux - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Spann | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 7 of 10 | 70% | 7 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Spann | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 7 of 10 | 70% | 7 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Spann | 9 of 20 | 45% | 5 of 13 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 7 of 10 | 70% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Spann | 9 of 20 | 45% | 5 of 13 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 7 of 10 | 70% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Ryan Spann, citing his youth, danger, and finishing ability. He notes Ovince Saint Preux is older and hesitant. However, he is not betting on this fight due to the short notice and elevation, which could lead to a staring contest. He thinks the under 1.5 rounds line is tempting but unreliable.
Big Brady picks Ryan Spann to win by first-round knockout, acknowledging that Spann is dangerous early but fades if the fight goes past the first round. He notes that OSP is 41 and has been knocked out by lesser fighters like Tanner Boser and Philipe Lins, so Spann's power should be enough. He understands why people are betting OSP but trusts Spann's first-round finishing ability.
Cody picks OSP, citing Spann's cardio issues and tendency to quit. He thinks OSP's durability and experience at altitude will allow him to outlast Spann. He expects a late finish or decision.
Connor picks Spann, arguing that OSP's recent wins have come against smaller or slower opponents, while Spann is neither. Spann is fast and huge, and OSP's age and decline make him a poor bet. He notes that Spann's losses are bad, but he has the physical tools to beat OSP.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Ovince Saint Preux, citing his unorthodox style and veteran tactics. He notes that Ryan Spann is a talented flake with a weak chin and poor decision-making. Vreeland points out that OSP has beaten other Forest MMA fighters and had a career-high output in his last fight. He expects OSP to win if he survives the early rounds.
The host believes Ovince Saint Preux will avoid the early finishing power of Ryan Spann and then chip away at him in the second and third rounds, winning on the scorecards. He notes that the moneyline is very juicy at the current price, indicating value.
Paul picks OSP but with less confidence than before. He notes the altitude and Spann's cardio problems. He thinks OSP can find a finish or win a decision if he conserves energy.
The MMA Guru picks Ryan Spann to KO Ovince Saint Preux, despite acknowledging Spann's poor decision-making. He believes Spann's explosive power and size will be too much for the 41-year-old OSP, who he considers finished. He expects Spann to land a brutal knockout on the early prelims, as OSP is unlikely to get takedowns and the fight will stay standing.
Zane agrees with Connor, noting that OSP's recent wins are unimpressive and Spann has the size and speed advantage. He acknowledges Spann's inconsistency but believes he will win this matchup.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ovince Saint Preux | 1 | 143 of 276 | 51% | 143 of 276 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Kennedy Nzechukwu | 0 | 106 of 250 | 42% | 106 of 250 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 26 of 57 | 45% | 26 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kennedy Nzechukwu | 0 | 22 of 57 | 38% | 22 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 44 of 79 | 55% | 44 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kennedy Nzechukwu | 0 | 29 of 80 | 36% | 29 of 80 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ovince Saint Preux | 1 | 73 of 140 | 52% | 73 of 140 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Kennedy Nzechukwu | 0 | 55 of 113 | 48% | 55 of 113 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ovince Saint Preux | 143 of 276 | 51% | 98 of 223 | 32 of 39 | 13 of 14 | 131 of 262 | 11 of 13 | 1 of 1 |
| Kennedy Nzechukwu | 106 of 250 | 42% | 85 of 213 | 19 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 93 of 235 | 13 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ovince Saint Preux | 26 of 57 | 45% | 10 of 38 | 7 of 10 | 9 of 9 | 26 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kennedy Nzechukwu | 22 of 57 | 38% | 14 of 37 | 6 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 22 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ovince Saint Preux | 44 of 79 | 55% | 30 of 62 | 10 of 12 | 4 of 5 | 44 of 79 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kennedy Nzechukwu | 29 of 80 | 36% | 25 of 73 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 79 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ovince Saint Preux | 73 of 140 | 52% | 58 of 123 | 15 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 61 of 126 | 11 of 13 | 1 of 1 |
| Kennedy Nzechukwu | 55 of 113 | 48% | 46 of 103 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 43 of 99 | 12 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo calls this his most confident pick on the card. Nzechukwu is long, powerful, has solid takedown defense, and is never out of a fight, though he can be gun-shy. Saint Preux is 40, has no chin, and is frustratingly low-volume, rarely letting his hands go. Angelo sees no path to victory for Saint Preux outside a Hail Mary bomb, which is unlikely given his low output. He thinks Nzechukwu will win easily.
Big Brady picks Kennedy Nzechukwu to win by first-round knockout. He believes OSP is past his prime and not motivated, while Nzechukwu is a big favorite for a reason. He expects a quick finish despite Nzechukwu's history of weird outcomes.
Cody is confident in Kennedy Nzechukwu, believing OSP is completely washed and on his way out. He details OSP's decline: missing weight, looking flat, and being knocked out in recent fights. He acknowledges Kennedy's chin issues but thinks OSP lacks the power to exploit them. He warns against the minus 500 line but still picks Kennedy.
Lucrative James sees Kennedy Nzechukwu as a massive favorite and expects him to finish the fight. He notes that OSP has looked washed recently, with poor cardio and chin, and that Kennedy can knock him out on the feet, with elbows, or in the clinch. He dismisses OSP's chances, stating that the only way OSP wins is if Kennedy makes a huge mistake.
The host notes that Saint Preux is nearing 41 and fighting a young, hungry fighter in Nzechukwu, who should have speed and power advantages. He expects Nzechukwu to light up Saint Preux early and get a TKO, but mentions that the -500 or -700 odds are too much given the weight class and Saint Preux's experience. He still thinks the under 1.5 rounds should come through easily.
Paul also picks Kennedy, echoing that OSP is done. He notes Kennedy's physical advantages (size, speed, reach) and OSP's inability to take punches anymore. He calls it an 'apple pie situation' where fading OSP is tempting but warns about Kennedy's own flaws. He still expects Kennedy to win.
The Guru picks Kennedy Nzechukwu by TKO, citing OSP's age (40) and recent KO loss to Philipe Lins. He notes Nzechukwu is chinny but has youth and momentum. He dismisses OSP's win over Shogun as controversial and believes Nzechukwu will get the finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philipe Lins | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 1 | 18 of 44 | 40% | 18 of 44 | 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 | Philipe Lins | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 1 | 18 of 44 | 40% | 18 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philipe Lins | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 18 of 44 | 40% | 17 of 43 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 38 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philipe Lins | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 18 of 44 | 40% | 17 of 43 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 38 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Lins because OSP is infuriatingly low-volume, often not letting his hands go and throwing one punch at a time. Lins has power, a BJJ black belt, and showed wrestling in his last fight with four takedowns. Angelo believes Lins will win by simply outworking OSP, who doesn't push the pace. He notes the line movement reflects public agreement.
Big Brady is not high on Lins but thinks OSP looks disinterested and has been in terrible fights recently. He notes Lins looked better at light heavyweight in his last fight, while OSP has been knocked out by Tanner Boser. He predicts Lins wins by first-round knockout, but warns against betting the -220 line.
Cody picks Lins but doesn't love the -200. He details OSP's decline: leg injury, weight-cutting issues, missing weight for the first time in his career, and poor performances. He says Lins is a better technical striker and should stand on the outside and out-volume OSP. He notes Lins has wrestling advantage and is younger with fewer fights. However, he says he needs to see weigh-ins because OSP has to make 205 and Lins has been out with injuries. He says he'll pick Lins but won't bet it.
Connor agrees, noting that Lins looked fast and powerful at light heavyweight, with a good boxing game based on straight punches and efficient combinations. He points out that OSP is incredibly passive and will give Lins space to build confidence. Connor also mentions that OSP's recent performances show a lack of confidence and a tendency to back up without offering a counter threat. He sees no reason to pick OSP.
Jacob trusts Lins more than OSP because OSP is comfortable being inactive. He thinks the odds at +200 are a bit disrespectful to OSP, as Lins isn't a dominant wrestler or powerful striker. Jacob expects a boring fight with Lins hanging on OSP's hips and winning a decision. He notes both have been knocked out by Tanner Boser, but Lins is the better overall fighter.
Lins has a grinding style with good forward pressure and clinch work, which should wear down OSP. OSP's cardio and aggression have declined, and he relies on a fading left hook. Lins can close distance, avoid the hook, and win a decision by controlling the cage and landing takedowns.
Paul picks Lins but won't bet it. He notes Lins leaned on wrestling against Prachnio, which could get him in trouble against OSP. He says OSP is not the same guy from 5-6 years ago; he's slow and has slowed down significantly. He says he doesn't see many advantages for OSP and this might be his last fight in the UFC. He says he'll pick Lins but needs to see weigh-ins.
The MMA Guru picks Philipe Lins, but with hesitation. He notes Lins' losses outside the UFC were to Vadim Nemkov, and he had a good PFL career. He criticizes OSP for taking Shogun to a close decision and getting ragdolled by Andre Petroski. He thinks Lins is younger, more motivated, and hungry after many canceled fights, predicting a decision or late second-round TKO.
Zane sees Lins as a confident, aggressive fighter who looked great at light heavyweight, with good boxing and power. He notes that OSP is passive and often relies on a single moment of power to win, but that ability is diminishing with age. Zane believes Lins will be able to walk OSP down and bully him, as OSP tends to back himself into the cage and abandon his guard. He also mentions that Lins is not giving up size and power to OSP, and that OSP's confidence is low.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 54 of 99 | 54% | 54 of 99 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maurício Rua | 0 | 62 of 112 | 55% | 62 of 112 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 20 of 38 | 52% | 20 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maurício Rua | 0 | 20 of 34 | 58% | 20 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 21 of 33 | 63% | 21 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maurício Rua | 0 | 20 of 39 | 51% | 20 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 13 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maurício Rua | 0 | 22 of 39 | 56% | 22 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ovince Saint Preux | 54 of 99 | 54% | 18 of 53 | 11 of 17 | 25 of 29 | 54 of 99 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maurício Rua | 62 of 112 | 55% | 18 of 57 | 36 of 43 | 8 of 12 | 62 of 112 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ovince Saint Preux | 20 of 38 | 52% | 4 of 20 | 6 of 7 | 10 of 11 | 20 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maurício Rua | 20 of 34 | 58% | 4 of 15 | 13 of 14 | 3 of 5 | 20 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ovince Saint Preux | 21 of 33 | 63% | 8 of 14 | 4 of 8 | 9 of 11 | 21 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maurício Rua | 20 of 39 | 51% | 4 of 19 | 13 of 15 | 3 of 5 | 20 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ovince Saint Preux | 13 of 28 | 46% | 6 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 7 | 13 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maurício Rua | 22 of 39 | 56% | 10 of 23 | 10 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 22 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Ovince Saint Preux despite his gut feeling for Shogun. He reasons that Saint Preux's athleticism and 66% takedown defense will make it tough for Shogun to take him down. He admits it goes against his childhood watching fights but goes with Saint Preux. He makes no bet on this fight.
Big Brady picks Ovince Saint Preux to win by first-round finish, but he is hesitant. He believes OSP is the less washed fighter and that Shogun has looked poor recently, getting knocked out by Paul Craig and struggling with aging opponents. Stylistically, OSP has the advantage on the feet and can also take Shogun down. However, OSP is 39 and has lost two in a row by knockout, so confidence is low. Brady expects OSP to finish Shogun early, but he would not recommend betting on this fight due to the red flags.
Cody picks OSP, but emphasizes that weigh-ins are crucial. He notes OSP's recent weight misses and injuries, but believes OSP has been fighting better competition lately and giving a better account of himself. In contrast, Shogun is a shell of his former self, with poor performances in his last three fights. Cody thinks OSP's recent activity and level of competition give him the edge, despite the weight concerns.
Daniel Levi picks Shogun Rua as a slight underdog, acknowledging he is a fanboy but also seeing a path to victory. He thinks Shogun has the better process and technique, and may be more motivated after being knocked out quickly in their first fight. However, he is not confident because Shogun's durability is a major concern. He considers a small half-unit bet on Shogun moneyline but does not commit to a bet in the transcript.
The host picks Ovince Saint Preux to win by knockout, likely early. He references their first fight where OSP starched Shogun in 34 seconds. He notes Shogun's age and slowed striking, and OSP's desire to replicate the finish. He prefers betting 'fight doesn't go to decision' at similar odds to OSP moneyline, and likes OSP round 1 at +200. He expects OSP to land on Shogun's chin and put him out.
Paul does not make a clear pick for this fight. He discusses OSP's weight issues and Shogun's decline, noting that OSP hasn't looked great and Shogun is a shell of himself. He considers it a dogger pass situation and cannot pull the trigger on Shogun. He does not express a preference for either fighter.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanner Boser | 1 | 33 of 72 | 45% | 33 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 12 of 26 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tanner Boser | 0 | 25 of 53 | 47% | 25 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 8 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Tanner Boser | 1 | 8 of 19 | 42% | 8 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 4 of 8 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanner Boser | 33 of 72 | 45% | 10 of 44 | 10 of 15 | 13 of 13 | 31 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 9 of 21 | 42% | 2 of 13 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tanner Boser | 25 of 53 | 47% | 4 of 29 | 9 of 12 | 12 of 12 | 25 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 8 of 18 | 44% | 2 of 11 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tanner Boser | 8 of 19 | 42% | 6 of 15 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Ovince Saint Preux, hoping that Boser's forward pressure will bring out volume in OSP. He notes OSP has more ways to win and hits hard, but his issue is low output. Angelo has a moneyline bet on OSP at plus odds. He likes more/more on the strike line.
Big Brady picks Tanner Boser to win by decision, citing his superior striking output (4.21 sig strikes/min) and defense (63%), while OSP has low volume and negative strike differential. He notes OSP's reach advantage but thinks Boser's speed and youth will be key. He worries about judges after Boser's recent close losses but believes Boser should win if he out-lands OSP. He is not confident betting Boser due to judging.
Cody picks Tanner Boser but with low confidence. He notes Boser has lost his last two as a favorite, but those were questionable decisions. He argues Boser has speed and size advantages, and OSP is past his prime, missing weight recently, and looked lethargic. He thinks Boser can stuff takedowns and keep the fight standing. However, he warns against heavy exposure due to Boser's recent losses and OSP's veteran savvy.
Jacob says he has no idea who will win this fight but hopes OSP wins. He picks OSP with heart rather than logic. He would stay away from both guys in DraftKings.
Boser's leg kick is the main ingredient in his wins, and he should establish it against Saint Preux. OSP's cardio issues will surface after the first round, allowing Boser to take over with bigger strikes. Boser will shuck off desperation takedowns and outstrike OSP over 15 minutes. The longer the fight goes, the more it favors Boser. OSP's submission threat is there but his top control and wrestling aren't good enough to keep Boser down.
Paul leans toward Tanner Boser, citing speed advantage and OSP's poor performance at heavyweight. He notes OSP missed weight and is 37, with his best days behind him. However, he is not confident because Boser didn't look great against Latifi and has lost two straight as a favorite. He thinks OSP's path is takedowns, but Boser's takedown defense should hold.
The MMA Guru picks Tanner Boser by first-round KO, citing OSP's hesitancy and declining chin. He notes Boser's anger from his loss to Ilir Latifi and believes he will come out aggressive. He criticizes OSP's grappling and aging, predicting Boser will land combination punches against the cage and finish him early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamahal Hill | 0 | 36 of 72 | 50% | 37 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 68 of 128 | 53% | 68 of 128 | 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 | Jamahal Hill | 0 | 21 of 41 | 51% | 22 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 27 of 51 | 52% | 27 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 2 | Jamahal Hill | 0 | 15 of 31 | 48% | 15 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 41 of 77 | 53% | 41 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamahal Hill | 36 of 72 | 50% | 7 of 36 | 14 of 17 | 15 of 19 | 35 of 70 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 68 of 128 | 53% | 39 of 92 | 23 of 28 | 6 of 8 | 62 of 120 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamahal Hill | 21 of 41 | 51% | 2 of 17 | 8 of 10 | 11 of 14 | 21 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 27 of 51 | 52% | 7 of 25 | 15 of 20 | 5 of 6 | 27 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jamahal Hill | 15 of 31 | 48% | 5 of 19 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 14 of 29 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 41 of 77 | 53% | 32 of 67 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 35 of 69 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Ovince Saint Preux as an underdog, citing Jamahal Hill's unproven level of competition. He notes Hill's takedown defense is questionable, as he was taken down multiple times by Darko Stosic. He believes OSP's veteran savvy and submission threat will be the difference, predicting OSP will take Hill down and submit him. He acknowledges OSP has been hurt in fights but only knocked out twice in 39 fights.
Daniel is high on Jamahal Hill, calling him one of the brightest light heavyweight prospects with top-five potential. He highlights Hill's exceptional output and volume, noting he can land over 100 strikes in 15 minutes and has a bantamweight-like pace. He praises Hill's get-up game, having gotten up from all six takedowns against Darko Stosic, and his varied striking including jabs, straight lefts, body shots, and kicks. He believes OSP's sparring partner Douglas Usher, a shorter southpaw, is not ideal preparation for Hill's length and reach. He predicts Hill will either knock out OSP or win a dominant decision via volume, similar to Dominick Reyes' win over OSP.
The host picks Jamahal Hill to win, likely by first or second round KO. He believes Hill's diverse striking and size advantage will be a nightmare matchup for OSP, who struggles against bigger, varied strikers. He notes OSP's age and suspect chin, and that Hill's chin-up style is a concern but OSP's counters may not be as effective. He likes Hill at -165 and thinks the line is getting better.
The MMA Guru picks Jamahal Hill by TKO in the first or second round, noting that Hill's size and explosiveness will be key against OSP. He believes Hill's youth and fast improvement will allow him to get inside and finish, while OSP has not been KO'd recently but is vulnerable. He acknowledges OSP is a good underdog but sticks with Hill.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ovince Saint Preux | 1 | 33 of 80 | 41% | 33 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Alonzo Menifield | 0 | 19 of 40 | 47% | 21 of 43 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 13 of 42 | 30% | 13 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alonzo Menifield | 0 | 11 of 23 | 47% | 13 of 26 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 | |
| 2 | Ovince Saint Preux | 1 | 20 of 38 | 52% | 20 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Alonzo Menifield | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ovince Saint Preux | 33 of 80 | 41% | 12 of 44 | 17 of 31 | 4 of 5 | 33 of 80 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alonzo Menifield | 19 of 40 | 47% | 12 of 31 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 38 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ovince Saint Preux | 13 of 42 | 30% | 7 of 25 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 13 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alonzo Menifield | 11 of 23 | 47% | 9 of 19 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ovince Saint Preux | 20 of 38 | 52% | 5 of 19 | 11 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 20 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alonzo Menifield | 8 of 17 | 47% | 3 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Kicking up to 205 pounds for the recently rescheduled co-main event, former light heavyweight title challenger and one-off heavyweight St. Preux (24-14, 12-9 UFC) comes to blows with the knockout-minded Menifield (9-1, 2-1 UFC). With a touch of gloves between the two, referee Jason Herzog checks in the contest and it’s on with the show! Menifield races forward with punches and shoots in for a low takedown, but “OSP” shrugs it off and gets Menifield to back off. Menifield lands a hard right hand, and “OSP” responds with a slapping low kick as he plods forward. St. Preux connects with a piercing jab, and Menifield rushes in at him to land some bombs but bounces off the side of his opponent. Menifield crashes in to pursue a body lock, and after stalling out, he backs away. “OSP” lets him have it with a thudding body kick, and he backs away when Menifield tries to counter him. St. Preux winds up with a right hand that nearly makes him topple over, and Menifield slams a right hand into his man’s guard. St. Preux lands a long left hand and backs Menifield away, but “Atomic” comes back at him hard. “OSP” kicks to the body a few more times to halt an advancing Menifield, and he scoots back to let a leg kick ricochet off his shin. A long jab finds its home for St. Preux, and he gets off another body kick as Menifield struggles to find his range. Menifield connects with a right hand that buckles St. Preux’s knees, but he keeps his composure and throws back in the form of some kicks. Menifield lands another left hand, and blocks a sweeping body kick. St. Preux swats him in the face but takes a few power punches as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 St. Preux
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 St. Preux
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 St. Preux
Round 2
Menifield opens the round with a big right hand, and “OSP” backs away before getting a kick up. St. Preux nearly falls over with a looping right hand, and Menifield does not take advantage of it but avoids the zooming strike. Menifield lands a low kick and may have hurt his foot as he stumbles backwards, and “OSP” stands before him and slowly walks him down. St. Preux chips away at him with kicks low and high, and Menifield is once more finding himself backing himself away and circling on the cage wall. St. Preux stings him with two more kicks to the body, and he does not stop throwing them. “OSP” ducks away from a punch and lands a kick that may have glanced off the cup, but the action does not pause as Herzog checks on the fighters. “OSP” scores with a right hand, and he has slowed to landing single power strikes while Menifield swings and misses. Menifield loads up with all he has with a booming right hand, and “OSP” is stumbled and possibly hurt as he falls into the fence.
Menifield charges at him after St. Preux gets his bearings, and a short check left hook out of nowhere puts Menifield’s lights out. Menifield crumbles face-first to the ground, and “OSP” stands still to admire his work, knowing there is nothing more he needs to do in the cage tonight. Wakanda Forever.
The Official Result
Ovince St. Preux def. Alonzo Menifield R2 4:07 via KO (Punch)
Big Brady is confident in Menifield, citing his takedown defense (85%) and power. He believes Menifield has worked on his cardio after gassing against Devin Clark and looks in great shape. He thinks OSP is hittable, low volume, and has a questionable chin. He predicts a first-round knockout but says Menifield is live even if it goes past the first round.
Daniel Levi sticks with Ovince Saint Preux despite concerns about a second weight cut in two weeks and a COVID scare. He believes OSP is a much better fighter than Devin Clark, who Menifield lost to, and that OSP's wrestling for MMA is superior. However, he is not confident and expects a close fight that could go three rounds, noting Menifield's power and OSP's tendency to slow down.
The host picks OSP as a +115 underdog, expecting him to survive the first round and then take over. He notes OSP's experience, durability, and submission threat, while Menifield has cardio issues and is one-dimensional. He predicts a second or third round stoppage via ground and pound or submission.
The MMA Guru picks Ovince Saint Preux, arguing that OSP has shown durability and avoids getting KO'd despite a perceived weak chin. He believes Menifield's power is overrated and that OSP will take the fight to the ground and secure a submission (von Flue choke) in the first or second round. He references OSP's recent wins over Michal Oleksiejczuk and Tyson Pedro.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Rothwell | 0 | 56 of 110 | 50% | 86 of 142 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 5:49 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 1 | 42 of 82 | 51% | 46 of 87 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ben Rothwell | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 18 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:35 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ben Rothwell | 0 | 19 of 41 | 46% | 24 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:30 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 1 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 | |
| 3 | Ben Rothwell | 0 | 30 of 55 | 54% | 44 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:44 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 0 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 21 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Rothwell | 56 of 110 | 50% | 37 of 89 | 15 of 17 | 4 of 4 | 40 of 79 | 14 of 29 | 2 of 2 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 42 of 82 | 51% | 27 of 62 | 13 of 15 | 2 of 5 | 33 of 70 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ben Rothwell | 7 of 14 | 50% | 3 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 9 of 19 | 47% | 2 of 7 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 4 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ben Rothwell | 19 of 41 | 46% | 13 of 35 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 30 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 13 of 27 | 48% | 6 of 20 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 23 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ben Rothwell | 30 of 55 | 54% | 21 of 44 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 22 of 37 | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | 20 of 36 | 55% | 19 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 28 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady leans with Ben Rothwell as an underdog, believing Rothwell's power and chin give him a good chance to knock out Ovince Saint Preux. He thinks OSP will struggle to take Rothwell down and that the fight will stay on the feet, where Rothwell has the advantage. He acknowledges OSP could win a decision if Rothwell fights poorly, but sees a knockout as more likely and considers betting on Rothwell at plus odds.
Daniel Levi picks OSP, citing his athleticism and speed advantage over Rothwell, who has looked slow since his suspension. He notes OSP's suspect chin and cardio at heavyweight, and says he won't bet him at -140 due to those concerns, but still picks him for the win.
The MMA Guru picks Ben Rothwell, noting that OSP is moving up to heavyweight and his chin won't magically improve. He highlights Rothwell's durability, having taken shots from Junior dos Santos and Blagojevich, and believes Rothwell will smother OSP and finish him in the second round. He also points out that OSP is 37 and has been rocked in recent fights.
Michał Oleksiejczuk - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 140 of 221 | 63% | 143 of 225 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 77 of 201 | 38% | 79 of 204 | 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 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 47 of 73 | 64% | 47 of 73 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 19 of 54 | 35% | 19 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 41 of 68 | 60% | 42 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 33 of 80 | 41% | 34 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 52 of 80 | 65% | 54 of 83 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 25 of 67 | 37% | 26 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 140 of 221 | 63% | 91 of 161 | 39 of 49 | 10 of 11 | 138 of 218 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 77 of 201 | 38% | 57 of 178 | 16 of 19 | 4 of 4 | 59 of 173 | 18 of 28 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 47 of 73 | 64% | 32 of 56 | 8 of 9 | 7 of 8 | 46 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 19 of 54 | 35% | 9 of 44 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 41 of 68 | 60% | 27 of 49 | 11 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 40 of 67 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 33 of 80 | 41% | 28 of 74 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 60 | 12 of 20 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 52 of 80 | 65% | 32 of 56 | 20 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 52 of 80 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 25 of 67 | 37% | 20 of 60 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 59 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Oleksiejczuk (-330); Barriault (+270)
Round 1
Every now and then, the matchmaking plans are glaringly obvious as to what the UFC would like from a particular pairing. This middleweight slugfest is one such bout, as Oleksiejczuk (21-9, 1 NC; 9-7, 1 NC UFC) vs. Barriault (17-10, 1 NC; 6-9, 1 NC UFC) is practically destined for a knockout. Referee Chris Tognoni is ready whether this goes 15 seconds or the whole distance, and he gathers himself as the combatants bump gloves together.
Oleksiejczuk moves himself to the center of the cage and slowly works his way forward, but Barriault strikes first with a hefty body kick. Barriault loops a right hand over the guard, and he gets countered when trying. Oleksiejczuk swipes out a few lefts to wrap them around the raised hands, looking to hand-fight to pull down one glove and open up a big right. Oleksiejczuk stings “Power Bar” with a hard left hand, backing Barriault up to the wall but not pouncing. He swats away a responsive left to chop at the lead leg with a kick, and he leans back to watch punches buzz past him. Barriault clips Oleksiejczuk when Oleksiejczuk loads up on power, and he tosses out a naked kick that has him get his jaw jacked. Oleksiejczuk hammers the body with a kick, and he loops a right hand upstairs to follow. Barriault advances, driving home a knee up the middle and peeling back.
Oleksiejczuk has a leg kick checked, and he nails the body with a resounding thud. Barriault probes out with his jab, trying to disrupt the power flying at his melon, and he zips in an uppercut to keep Oleksiejczuk honest. Oleksiejczuk walks through it to loose a leg kick, and he rolls with a left hook to put two fists on Barriault’s face. Oleksiejczuk keeps his guard up to knock Barriault back with a heavy fist, and Barriault is fighting defensively enough to defend the big stuff upstairs but his midsection is wide open. Oleksiejczuk kicks so low, it practically hits the ankle, and he goes to the body again. Barriault’s looping response is a few feet off, and he gets clubbed with two straight lefts. Oleksiejczuk bloodies up his foe’s nose with his big swings, and he hacks at the lead leg with an inside kick. Oleksiejczuk catches a body kick, lashes out with a left and hurls Barriault to the mat in hopes of pounding on him. Barriault ties him up as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oleksiejczuk
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Oleksiejczuk
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Oleksiejczuk
Round 2
The middleweights touch gloves, and Oleksiejczuk advances as the initial aggressor. Both men paw out their jabs, and Oleksiejczuk briefly drops Barriault to a knee with a heavy inside low kick. He swipes a right over the top, and he takes a left on the chin that he no-sells. Oleksiejczuk racks up a pair of punches on the chin, and “Power Bar” is hanging in tough and very much in this fight. Barriault swings body to head, and Oleksiejczuk does the same, both men scoring strikes. Barriault keeps his right hand pinned to his melon, and he has his guard split with a jab. Barriault loops a right to the ribs, and he catches Oleksiejczuk at the end of a pair of hooks. Oleksiejczuk slips and rips with a right hand on the jaw, and he meanders out a follow-up right that leads to him getting countered. Oleksiejczuk drives home a one-two, backing Barriault up, and he connects with a body kick with a sound like a 2-by-4 hitting a side of beef. Barriault steels himself and comes out firing, getting Oleksiejczuk’s attention when he swings with everything he has.
Barriault starts landing cleanly on Oleksiejczuk, changing his strategy completely as he walks Oleksiejczuk down. Oleksiejczuk’s power appears to be fading as Barriault ignores blows that would have irritated him the previous round. Barriault loads up, seeing that Oleksiejczuk could be losing steam, and he pressures him relentlessly. Barriault goes to the body and lands an elbow up top that cuts Oleksiejczuk’s forehead. Oleksiejczuk swings wildly with body shots and the occasional one to the head, and Barriault is on top of him forcing him to react. Oleksiejczuk lands a left that may have hit the cup, and he has a spinning back fist glance off the side of the head. Barriault marches forward, not reacting to anything that lands on him while forcing Oleksiejczuk to backpedal. The horn sounds to end a close round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Round 3
The middleweights touch ‘em up before commencing the final frame, and it starts like the first round and not the second. Oleksiejczuk plants his feet and pins a one-two on the chin, shoulder-rolling to take some of the sting out of what comes back his way. He swipes out a one-two, and he digs one to the body. Both men are feeling it after their brawl, and Barriault comes out the cleaner as he backs Oleksiejczuk off with a short but effective barrage of punches. Barriault maneuvers himself to the pocket to trade, but this is where Oleksiejczuk wants to be, and he hurls back punches in bunches. Suddenly, the Polish athlete changes things up for a takedown attempt, and Barriault shuts it down as they reset in slugging range.
Both men proceed to trade leather, with Oleksiejczuk ripping body shots while Barriault headhunts. Oleksiejczuk strings three punches together, shooting in for a double behind it and bullying the Canadian to the wall. Barriault shucks it off and swings for the fence, but no one is there to be hit. Oleksiejczuk has backed away to re-engage, and they jab at one another until Oleksiejczuk pitches a high kick that bangs into the raised guard. The clinch tie-up results in a few body shots from Barriault, and a knee on the button freezes Oleksiejczuk. Oleksiejczuk takes a breath and flashes out his power punches, connecting effectively with his left to the liver. Barriault boxes back, and Oleksiejczuk kicks at his lead leg. Barriault lumbers out with a left hand, and they swat at one another with jabs out of range. Oleksiejczuk dips and clubs Barriault upside the head, and not to be outdone, Barriault kicks him in the face. Oleksiejczuk offers a high kick that hits the guard, and they proceed to throw punches, kicks and the kitchen sink at one another until we have—perhaps surprisingly—reached the final bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oleksiejczuk (29-28 Oleksiejczuk)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Oleksiejczuk (29-28 Oleksiejczuk)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Oleksiejczuk (29-28 Oleksiejczuk)
The Official Result
Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Marc-Andre Barriault via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing his fast hands and power, with 8 knockouts in 9 UFC wins. He notes that Barriault's chin seems to be fading and that Oleksiejczuk hits incredibly hard. He acknowledges Barriault's wrestling could be a problem but thinks Oleksiejczuk's speed and power will prevail. He suggests under 2.5 rounds might be solid.
Big Brady picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing that Marc-André Barriault's chin has been cracked recently, with three knockout losses in his last four fights. He believes Oleksiejczuk's pressure and power will be too much for Barriault, who has taken a lot of damage. He predicts a first-round finish.
Cody agrees, highlighting Oleksiejczuk's 8 first-round KOs in 9 UFC wins. He notes Barriault's history of being knocked out in the first round and his inability to change his game. Cody expects Oleksiejczuk to win by KO or decision, but is confident in the victory.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Oleksiejczuk is a good athlete who is not shot, while Barriault is past his prime and gets hurt easily. He thinks Oleksiejczuk will put it all on Barriault and likely hurt him early. He mentions that Barriault's only chance is if Oleksiejczuk's cardio fades.
Lucrative James picks Michał Oleksiejczuk to win by KO in round one. He believes Barriault's chin is compromised and that Oleksiejczuk's power and early-round danger will be too much. James notes that Barriault's style of walking forward plays into Oleksiejczuk's hands, and he expects a quick finish.
The host picks Oleksiejczuk by knockout, but notes the line is too wide at -350. He believes Oleksiejczuk's power will eventually find Barriault's chin, but warns that Barriault could make it tough if his chin holds up, using clinch work and cardio to wear Oleksiejczuk down. He suggests a live bet on Barriault in later rounds.
Paul picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, expecting a first-round knockout. He notes Barriault's recent durability issues and Oleksiejczuk's power, especially since joining Fighting Nerds. Paul believes Oleksiejczuk's improved patience and game planning will lead to an early finish.
The host picks Michał Oleksiejczuk over Marc-André Barriault. He notes Oleksiejczuk has real power at middleweight and a resurgence since joining Fighting Nerds. He thinks Barriault has been on the receiving end of too many TKO losses. He predicts a first-round TKO.
Zane picks Oleksiejczuk because he is not physically washed and has a good multi-level striking attack. He notes that Barriault gets hurt too easily and is vulnerable, as seen in his fight against Shara Bullet. He thinks Oleksiejczuk will hurt Barriault quickly, though if it doesn't work out, it could become a hairy fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 3 of 16 | 18% | 3 of 16 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 | 23 of 51 | 45% | 23 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 3 of 16 | 18% | 3 of 16 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 | 23 of 51 | 45% | 23 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 3 of 16 | 18% | 2 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 23 of 51 | 45% | 18 of 46 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 3 of 16 | 18% | 2 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 23 of 51 | 45% | 18 of 46 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 20 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Oleksiejczuk (-218), Meerschaert (+180)
Round 1
In the battle of surnames that would likely win against any other pair on Scrabble tonight, it should not last terribly long. In the combined 57 pro victories for Meerschaert (37-19, 12-11 UFC) and Oleksiejczuk (20-9, 1 NC; 8-7, 1 NC UFC), they have needed the judges on six of those occasions. Referee Herb Dean—who gets a bigger pop from the crowd than either athlete—will almost certainly be needed, while the scorers might be able to take this one off. Before throwing down, the violent middleweights bump fists.
The marvelously mustached Meerschaert moves to the center of the cage, and he leans back as a huge left hand buzzes past him. Oleksiejczuk looks for another power punch, and Meerschaert is out of range pitching a low kick at him. Meerschaert ducks under a few punches to go after a single, and the former light heavyweight pops him in the chops on the way out. When “GM3” tries for another takedown, the Polish athlete shuts him down and forces him to stand back up. Oleksiejczuk ignores a leg kick that misses him to clip his foe with a left hand, but it is one-and-done. Oleksiejczuk measures his man with an uppercut, and he avoids counters and is ready to stuff a takedown before it comes to light. Oleksiejczuk narrowly avoids a left hook, and he laughs off a failed shot from the submission specialist. Meerschaert gets off a left hand, and Oleksiejczuk answers him with two big punches that shake him to his core. A third uppercut dings him on the jaw when he goes for a takedown, and “step into my parlor” says the spider to the fly.
Meerschaert does not get Oleksiejczuk to oblige him in playing in the guard, instead backing off to make “GM3” strike with him.
Knowing that Meerschaert is in trouble, Oleksiejczuk jacks his foe in the jaw with three punches that send Meerschaert down to the floor again. With Dean watching in closely, Oleksiejczuk unleashes a bombardment of wide-arcing hammerfists to punish “GM3” for ever considering grappling with him. As the punches continue, with no sign of slowing down, Dean has no choice but to get involved and halts the match.
That marks one more dominant win for a Fighting Nerds competitor, and Oleksiejczuk dons the trademark glasses while also handing commentator Joe Rogan a pair as well.
The Official Result
Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Gerald Meerschaert R1 3:03 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo notes Oleksiejczuk is a pure striker with power and fast hands, while Meerschaert is a grappler with questionable chin and takedown accuracy. He thinks it's easier for Oleksiejczuk to stay on the feet and land strikes than for Meerschaert to get the fight to the ground. He leans Oleksiejczuk but says he should not be a -225 favorite in such a tricky matchup.
Big Brady picks Michał Oleksiejczuk to win by first-round knockout. He notes Oleksiejczuk is a phenomenal striker with bodywork, volume, and power, while Meerschaert is at a massive striking disadvantage. However, he acknowledges the grappling danger: Meerschaert has 30 submission wins and Oleksiejczuk has been submitted six times. He thinks Oleksiejczuk can keep the fight standing and knock out Meerschaert, especially if he has improved his takedown defense. He mentions Oleksiejczuk's ability to get back up when taken down.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Meerschaert. He notes that Oleksiejczuk has a history of getting submitted when he has a little success and then panics. He also points out that Meerschaert's recent losses were to tough opponents (de Ridder, Tavares) and that Oleksiejczuk's game is thin. He expects Meerschaert to capitalize on Oleksiejczuk's mistakes.
The host believes Oleksiejczuk's improvements from training with the fighting nerds will carry over, though it may result in a more measured approach. He expects Oleksiejczuk to wear Meerschaert down with striking and secure a finish in the third round.
The Guru picks Michał Oleksiejczuk to win by TKO in the first or second round. He believes Oleksiejczuk has improved since joining the Fighting Nerds and has nasty ground and pound and power. The Guru notes that Meerschaert is on borrowed time and doesn't move his head well, making him vulnerable. He also mentions that Oleksiejczuk has good grappling defense and reversals, so he won't be a fish out of water on the ground.
Zane picks Meerschaert, reasoning that Oleksiejczuk is prone to getting submitted due to his hyper-aggressive style and poor defensive wrestling. He notes that Oleksiejczuk will likely shoot takedowns himself or fall into submissions, and Meerschaert is a dangerous grappler. He acknowledges the risk that Oleksiejczuk could land a big shot early, but trusts Meerschaert's experience.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedriques Dumas | 0 | 3 of 26 | 11% | 3 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 | 34 of 57 | 59% | 34 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sedriques Dumas | 0 | 3 of 26 | 11% | 3 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 | 34 of 57 | 59% | 34 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedriques Dumas | 3 of 26 | 11% | 0 of 18 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 34 of 57 | 59% | 27 of 49 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 30 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sedriques Dumas | 3 of 26 | 11% | 0 of 18 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 34 of 57 | 59% | 27 of 49 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 30 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Oleksiejczuk (-192), Dumas (+160)
Round 1
A potential middleweight brawl takes the top spot on the early preliminary card, with referee Marc Goddard standing by to handle it. Dumas (10-2, 3-2 UFC) still has yet to register a finish since joining the roster a couple years ago, while six of seven UFC victories for Oleksiejczuk (19-9, 1 NC; 7-7, 1 NC UFC) came inside the distance. The two opt to touch gloves ahead of their scheduled melee, and Dumas throws the first strike in the form of a blocked head kick. The Floridian tries two more times with this kick, and Oleksiejczuk is on top of it and parries the subsequent front kick. Oleksiejczuk tries to get his hands on his opponent, and he ends up punching the fighter sporting the “Hood Wolf” tattoo in the chest. Oleksiejczuk mixes in body shots when Dumas ducks down, and he absorbs a flush body kick on the way out. Oleksiejczuk jabs his way into attack, and Dumas practically somersaults and sprints away. Oleksiejczuk plods forward like a Polish Terminator, measuring him with a left hook and backing him to the wall where he can further unload. Two punches are all Oleksiejczuk get off before Dumas rushes away, and Dumas’ body language is not positive at the time. Oleksiejczuk connects with a few left hands, and he ignores a head kick that Dumas tosses up half-heartedly.
Oleksiejczuk plants a one-two on the chin, and a clubbing left hand sends Dumas flying to the mat. Oleksiejczuk pounces, and he unleashes a fury of elbows and punches. Dumas stays shelled up on his back, defending and moving but still taking strikes. With Goddard watching closely, Oleksiejczuk bombards his downed foe with one final barrage of punches and elbows
, and Goddard determines that Dumas is no longer intelligently defending himself and waves the fight off. The Floridian immediately protests, motioning that he was moving back and forth, but there is nothing more he can do. Proudly training with former foe Caio Borralho, Oleksiejczuk maximizes his time on the microphone by donning the Fighting Nerds glasses and calling out Paul Craig.
The Official Result
Michael Oleksiejczuk def. Sedriques Dumas R1 2:49 via TKO (Punches and Elbows)
Connor picks Michał Oleksiejczuk out of spite, believing he has faced much better competition than Dumas and should be capable of putting pressure on him. He notes that Oleksiejczuk's game plan should be simple: throw the same one-two, pressure, and not fall in on his strikes. Connor acknowledges that Oleksiejczuk often does something stupid and loses, but hopes he can execute a basic game plan.
Daniel Levi was happy to see Michał Oleksiejczuk get a first-round stoppage over Sedriques Dumas. He praises Oleksiejczuk for changing his training environment to the Fighting Nerds and showing maturity and measured striking, outstriking Dumas 34 to 3 in under three minutes.
Zane picks Sedriques Dumas, reasoning that Oleksiejczuk has a tendency to self-destruct spectacularly, and Dumas' physicality and athleticism will allow him to capitalize on Oleksiejczuk's mistakes. He notes that Oleksiejczuk loves to explode without warning, and Dumas can wait for that to happen. Zane acknowledges Dumas' losses to Josh Fremd and Abu Sultan Rozybaev show he struggles against non-cans, but believes Oleksiejczuk's impulsiveness will be his downfall.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 97 of 178 | 54% | 123 of 209 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 77 of 146 | 52% | 94 of 172 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 2:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 40 of 74 | 54% | 42 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 35 of 53 | 66% | 36 of 54 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 35 of 64 | 54% | 37 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 24 of 52 | 46% | 28 of 58 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 22 of 40 | 55% | 44 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 18 of 41 | 43% | 30 of 60 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:47 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 97 of 178 | 54% | 52 of 112 | 33 of 52 | 12 of 14 | 89 of 163 | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 77 of 146 | 52% | 45 of 103 | 18 of 27 | 14 of 16 | 72 of 138 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 40 of 74 | 54% | 16 of 39 | 17 of 26 | 7 of 9 | 38 of 69 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 35 of 53 | 66% | 23 of 38 | 9 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 34 of 50 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 35 of 64 | 54% | 24 of 48 | 7 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 33 of 60 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 24 of 52 | 46% | 12 of 35 | 5 of 9 | 7 of 8 | 22 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 22 of 40 | 55% | 12 of 25 | 9 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 34 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 18 of 41 | 43% | 10 of 30 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 16 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Magomedov (-238), Oleksiejczuk (+195)
Round 1
The latest hot commodity out of Russia for the UFC, Magomedov (13-0, 2-0 UFC) has a stiff test in front of him in the power-punching Pole Oleksiejczuk (19-8, 1 NC; 7-6, 1 NC UFC). “Shara Bullet” has passed every previous exam set before him, winning most thus far via strikes. Together, they have performed 25 knockouts, so referee Dan Movahedi is prepped and ready for the potential of a 26th. Interested in lopping the other’s head off at the stem, they pass right by touching gloves. Bouncing towards and away from one another in alternating stances, Oleksiejczuk is the first to reach his opponent. Oleksiejczuk reaches his foe with a right and a left while Magomedov kicks. Oleksiejczuk jabs and defends a right hand and a trio of kicks. Oleksiejczuk knocks his man off his seat with a left hand, and Magomedov pulls on the fence to stand back up. Oleksiejczuk bears down on him with two left hooks, and he aims a left to the body while Magomedov kicks him twice in the side. Oleksiejczuk connects with a left hand and eats a left hand counter, and he digs a left to the torso. Magomedov chips with two kicks and absorbs another flush left hand, and Oleksiejczuk aims another heavy left at the ribs. Magomedov tries to spin with a punch, and he catches Oleksiejczuk coming in with a knee. Oleksiejczuk windmills a left hand, and the second he throws lands flush. Magomedov replies with a short few punches, and an elbow gets Oleksiejczuk’s attention and shreds him open. Magomedov knees him and pushes Oleksiejczuk away, but Oleksiejczuk walks right towards him again and parries two high kicks. Oleksiejczuk digs a left to the side and absorbs a clean knee and a side kick to the same spot, and he loops a right hand over the guard. Magomedov lands a body kick and pulls on the top of the head, getting off a head kick and taking a left hand off the forehead. Magomedov lands and gets tagged, but his knee connects cleanly as Oleksiejczuk tries to tie him up. There is a brief Thai clinch, and they separate as Oleksiejczuk swarms with left hooks. Oleksiejczuk kicks the front leg and tries to catch a side kick, as Magomedov buzzes him with spinning back elbow. Magomedov skirts away and pitches out side kicks, and he has a leg kick checked. Oleksiejczuk wings a left up high when a head kick flies at him, and he backs Magomedov of with a second left. Oleksiejczuk pounds on the body with a knee and a kick, and he swipes out with a right hand. Oleksiejczuk drills the chest with a straight left, and he lumbers forward swinging lefts. Magomedov gets off a body kick and ducks a swinging punch, and he dodges the worst of the wild punches except for one. The Russian misses a head kick right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 2
Oleksiejczuk is so amped up to go, Movahedi has to back him up halfway across the cage. They practically sprint out of their corners to start fighting again, with Oleksiejczuk backing the Russian off immediately. Magomedov snipes at his opponent while backing off, with a side kick, low kick and check left hook. Oleksiejczuk lumbers at him with looping punches, and Magomedov’s head movement keeps him largely safe. Magomedov scores with front kicks, and Oleksiejczuk lands a left to the body and then one up top. Magomedov stuns his foe with a Superman punch, and Oleksiejczuk turns him around with a left hand. Magomedov fakes a spin, and his front leg gets kicked when recovering. Oleksiejczuk uses a body lock to try to take the fight down, and Magomedov blatantly grabs the fence to stay on his feet and is not called because Movahedi is on the wrong side. Oleksiejczuk releases him and eats a right to the body and a right to the head that briefly shakes him up. Blood flows from the left side of his head on multiple wounds, and he still is headhunting and throwing everything he has. Oleksiejczuk kicks the front leg and whiffs on a left hook, and he walks into a check hook and a jab. Oleksiejczuk responds with a clean left hand, and Magomedov stands firm and answers with a straight right hand down the pipe. They both throw hands at the same time, with Oleksiejczuk landing cleaner as he dodges the sneaky front-leg head kick. Oleksiejczuk gets in a left hand as Magomedov bounces and moves, and he has a massive left hand miss him by a matter of millimeters. Oleksiejczuk rips a left to the side as he jabs his way forward, and a left hook brushes the beard. Oleksiejczuk blocks a head kick as the crowd oohs, and Magomedov is quick to throw another low kick. Magomedov jumps into his offense, and he lines up several knees before Oleksiejczuk can push him away. Oleksiejczuk reaches his foe with a left and a right, and he takes a deep breath. Magomedov slips a punch and zips a counter up high, and he remains in perpetual motion while not staying in the same spot for long. Oleksiejczuk kicks the front leg and loops a left over the top, and he dodges a left hook and counters cleanly. Magomedov connects with a head kick, and Oleksiejczuk throws him to the floor and hops onto the back when they hit the mat. Oleksiejczuk sneaks a single hook in and considers a choke, but Magomedov hand-fights to prevent anything from materializing. Oleksiejczuk fastens one arm beneath the chin, and Magomedov punches him from behind until the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 3
The middleweights meet in the middle after 10 minutes of blood and guts battle. Magomedov misses with a knee, and Oleksiejczuk belts him in the jaw. “Shara Bullet” mocks him, asking if that is all he has, and Oleksiejczuk swings hard in response. Oleksiejczuk loops a left over the top, and he gets kicked in the guts while wading forward. Oleksiejczuk telegraphs a left hand that Magomedov is able to block, and speed is on the side of the Russian at this point. Magomedov delivers a kick to the body, and he laughs off the attacks from Oleksiejczuk. Oleksiejczuk whiffs on looping shots as he walks forward, and Magomedov keeps his hands down and moves from side toe side. Oleksiejczuk is an inch out of range from a brutal left hand, and he follows him around and scores one. Magomedov knees him in the face and then side kicks him square on the jaw, and Oleksiejczuk can do nothing but tank it. Magomedov connects with a side kick, and Oleksiejczuk punches him in the body back. Magomedov swats with left hands and side kicks, and he leans back when Oleksiejczuk loads up on his left hand. Magomedov hammers the body with several knees, and he kicks the Polish fighter in the head, who does not budge. Oleksiejczuk lands a leg kick and wings a left hook, and Magomedov once more boots him upside the head. Oleksiejczuk grabs hold of him and throws him to the canvas in response, and Magomedov wall-walks and keeps his balance to prevent the mat return. Oleksiejczuk attempts a double, and Magomedov stops it. Magomedov stands him up and slashes him with an elbow, and Oleksiejczuk keeps his chin tucked and unleashes a left hand. With a minute to go, Oleksiejczuk sprints forward and grabs hold of a single, dumping “Shara Bullet” to the canvas. Magomedov lands several rabbit punches to the back of the head, and Movahedi warns him for the fouls. Magomedov hacks with elbows from his back, and these may have cut Oleksiejczuk a few more times. Oleksiejczuk tries to mount some offense, and they proceed to trade strikes right to the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
The Official Result
Sharabudtin Magomedov def. Michal Oleksiejczuk via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Magomedov despite concerns about his recent activity and lack of killer instinct. He thinks Magomedov is still very powerful and should be good enough to win, especially as Oleksiejczuk fades late. He notes Magomedov's busy schedule and possible lack of camp, but still expects a win.
Big Brady is confident in Sharabutdin due to Oleksiejczuk's concerning situation: he is not with a team, training in his garage, talking about retirement, and has been finished quickly in recent fights. He thinks Oleksiejczuk's heart is not in it and he will fold after the first few minutes, predicting a first-round knockout for Sharabutdin.
Cody picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, noting that Michał Oleksiejczuk has one foot out the door, training in his garage and talking about retirement. He believes Shara is still improving and has more upside, while Oleksiejczuk has stagnated. Cody thinks Shara's cardio and grappling will improve fight to fight, and that Oleksiejczuk's only path is an early knockout. He also mentions Shara is being fed winnable opponents.
Daniel believes Shara has a superior striking arsenal and will capitalize on Oleksiejczuk's overly aggressive style. He notes that Oleksiejczuk makes bonehead mistakes on the mat and likes to brawl, which plays into Shara's hands. He thinks Shara will blast the body and take advantage of openings, and that the time to fade Shara is not now but against a real grappler.
Oleksiejczuk will crowd Magomedov, causing issues for his kicking game. If he reins in his durability, he should land big power and possibly knock out Magomedov in the first two rounds.
Paul picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, citing Oleksiejczuk's poor cardio and submission losses. He notes that Oleksiejczuk has been submitted multiple times and that Shara's striking is good enough to outvolume him. Paul expects Shara to finish late or win a decision, and mentions a potential Shara late finish prop. He also points out that Oleksiejczuk has no cardio and poor grappling.
The MMA Guru picks Sharabutdin Magomedov over Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing Magomedov's superior striking and low kicks. He notes Oleksiejczuk's poor mindset, having commented that he will probably lose. He thinks Magomedov's technical outside work will be enough, despite his weak ground game. He mentions Oleksiejczuk's vulnerability to low kicks while moving backwards.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Holland | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Holland | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Holland | 8 of 17 | 47% | 5 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 8 of 18 | 44% | 5 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Holland | 8 of 17 | 47% | 5 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 8 of 18 | 44% | 5 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Holland (-265), Oleksiejczuk (+215)
Round 1
After a while at welterweight, the ultra-active Holland (25-11, 1 NC; 12-8, 1 NC UFC) is bouncing back to 185 pounds for a relatively short-notice affair. He takes on powerful Polish slugger Oleksiejczuk (19-7, 1 NC; 7-5, 1 NC UFC) in a fight between two men with finish rates around 80%. Referee Herb Dean has donned his hard hat for what’s about to come, as it could end quickly and violently. The fighters share a swift fist bump ahead of the melee, and Holland is backed off in a hurry from a heavy right hand from the Polish man. Holland slides away from another, and Oleksiejczuk is headhunting and loaded for bear. Holland stays on his bike, keeping just out of reach, and he sits down on a kick and pushes Oleksiejczuk away. At the same time, Oleksiejczuk unleashes a left hand, and he knocks Holland to his seat. Holland falls to his back, getting pounded on from hammerfists, and he clears his head and snatches up an armbar in the blink of an eye. Oleksiejczuk tries to step over, and in the process, Holland rolls his foe over, wrenching on it with all his might. Oleksiejczuk tries to sit up, and Holland tells Dean that he broke Oleksiejczuk’s arm. Dean looks down at the damaged limb, and he has immediate flashbacks of Tim Sylvia against Frank Mir and waves the fight off when seeing the elbow is backwards and something appears to be protruding that should not be doing that. Oleksiejczuk protests, but he cannot raise his arm and it is clearly in dire straits. An elated “Trailblazer” climbs up and jumps out of the cage to share words with Trump, White, Hunter Campbell and matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard. Holland proudly declares himself the ultimate gatekeeper—his words, not ours—and he says he will fight anyone at 170, 185 or higher.
The Official Result
Kevin Holland def. Michal Oleksiejczuk R1 1:34 via Technical Submission (Armbar)
Angelo picks Kevin Holland despite the short notice, believing his range, accuracy, and experience will overcome Michał Oleksiejczuk's early power. He notes that Holland is the bigger fighter and has a massive advantage on the ground. He is a little worried about Oleksiejczuk's fast hands but is confident Holland will win.
Big Brady likes Kevin Holland a lot, stating he should not only win but win dominantly by finish (KO or submission). He believes Holland has advantages everywhere and that Oleksiejczuk is a round-one knockout bust if the fight goes to the second. He acknowledges Holland's poor fight IQ but thinks this is a big step down in competition. He expects a finish, possibly in the first round.
Cody picks Holland, calling Oleksiejczuk a 'glass cannon' who fades after the first round. He notes Oleksiejczuk's six first-round KOs but argues his wins are over low-level opposition. Cody believes Holland's durability, volume, and pace will be too much, and that Holland's frame at 185 lbs is fine. He suggests Holland is a better value at -280 than Makhachev at -700.
Daniel fades Holland due to his tendency to fool around and rely on physical gifts. He believes Oleksiejczuk's pressure and durability will break Holland, citing his fights with Krylov and Jacoby. He worries about Holland's neck attacks but sees value in the underdog.
Daniel Vreeland picks Kevin Holland despite being unhappy about it. He argues that Holland doesn't walk into shots on the feet and has survived fights with excellent strikers like Jack Della Maddalena and Michael Venom Page without being knocked out. Vreeland doesn't see Oleksiejczuk as the guy to finally tag Holland, nor does he think Oleksiejczuk can win a decision. He acknowledges Holland fights stupidly but sees no path for Oleksiejczuk.
Jeff Fox picks Oleksiejczuk because he has no faith in Kevin Holland fighting smart. He notes Holland has lost two straight and tends to eat shots. Fox points to Oleksiejczuk's knockout of Sam Alvey and his power, believing he can catch Holland. He dismisses Holland's durability against top strikers, saying Oleksiejczuk is the type to land a big shot.
The host expects Holland to use his length and footwork to keep Oleksiejczuk at range and eventually find a finish. Oleksiejczuk's pressure style may be nullified by Holland's striking and sneaky submission game. However, the host notes that Holland is tough to trust at -260, but if he fights smart, he should win inside the distance.
Paul picks Holland, noting his incredible chin and durability. He expects Oleksiejczuk to have early success but fade, and Holland to find his groove and finish via submission (club and sub). He mentions Holland's submission skills and Oleksiejczuk's poor cardio. Paul likes Holland by submission at +275.
The MMA Guru picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, though he is hesitant. He believes Kevin Holland has lost his snap and grit, and that Oleksiejczuk will have a weight advantage at 185. He notes Oleksiejczuk's underrated grappling and ability to outgrapple Holland. He worries about Holland's motivation and thinks Oleksiejczuk has more drive.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 11 of 15 | 73% | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 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 | Michel Pereira | 0 | 11 of 15 | 73% | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 11 of 15 | 73% | 5 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michel Pereira | 11 of 15 | 73% | 5 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pereira (-148), Oleksiejczuk (+124)
Round 1
A casual observer might look at this battle of Michel vs. Michal and not immediately know which one competed at light heavyweight recently. By the size of Pereira (29-11, 2 NC; 7-2 UFC), he does not look like the kind of person that made welterweight in 2022. On the other hand, Oleksiejczuk (19-6, 1 NC; 7-4, 1 NC UFC) appears well-suited for his newer, lighter weight class, and his knockout last year over Chidi Njokuani shines on his ledger. Pereira is psyched to compete in Miami, and he brings his cousin with him to do a synchronized, choreographed dance before walking out. This potentially wild 185-pound affair will be officiated by referee Dan Miragliotta, and there is a quick glove touch from the competitors to get it going. Pereira hops back and forth, changing stances, and he dodges a right hand and rips two kicks to the body. Oleksiejczuk goes over the top with a right hook, and Pereira backs off and skirts to the side. Pereira lands two speedy punches before springing to the side, and he drives a right hand on the solar plexus and hurts Oleksiejczuk. Oleksiejczuk backs off to the fence, bent over but trying to remain on his feet, and Pereira charges at him and knees him twice in the same spot to buckle the Polish fighter’s knees.
Oleksiejczuk slumps to the ground, and Pereira leaps around to take his back and grab hold of a rear-naked choke without even bothering to get a hook in. The Brazilian locks down the choke and his forearm slides beneath the chin, and he squeezes with all his might. Oleksiejczuk does not once consider tapping, and he fades into unconsciousness as the submission puts him all the way out.
Miragliotta pulls them apart when recognizing Oleksiejczuk is out cold, and Pereira rushes to the center of the cage and breakdances to celebrate. What a performance for Pereira, who has now won seven in a row and may soon be a contender at his new weight class of middleweight.
The Official Result
Michel Pereira def. Michal Oleksiejczuk R1 1:01 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Michel Pereira, citing his better cardio, power, and grappling. He notes Oleksiejczuk has a great chin but can fade. He has a half-unit bet on Pereira at -130, but keeps it small because Oleksiejczuk could survive early and outpoint him.
Big Brady picks Michał Oleksiejczuk to win by decision. He notes that while Pereira has a BJJ black belt, he doesn't wrestle often and lacks the cardio to grapple for 15 minutes. He expects the fight to stay on the feet, where Oleksiejczuk's forward pressure, body work, and volume will wear down Pereira and win the later rounds.
Cody notes that Pereira has matured and now fights more conservatively, using his accuracy and wrestling. He thinks Oleksiejczuk is a reckless brawler with poor takedown defense, and Pereira will counter him and mix in takedowns to win a decision.
Oleksiejczuk has great durability and forward pressure, marching forward and breaking opponents with his boxing. He has eaten clean shots and continued to push. Pereira is dangerous early with his unorthodox power, but Oleksiejczuk's durability should allow him to weather the early storm. As the fight goes on, Oleksiejczuk will start to catch Pereira, coral him against the cage, and land combinations. I expect Oleksiejczuk to get a finish in the second or third round, possibly by knockout.
Paul agrees, highlighting Pereira's improved fight IQ and the fact that he looked great at 185. He thinks Oleksiejczuk's wrestling is exploitable and that Pereira has multiple ways to win.
The MMA Guru picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing concerns about Michel Pereira's finishing ability and cardio. He notes Pereira failed to finish chinny fighters like Andre Fialho and Nico Price, and that Oleksiejczuk is extremely tough and has power. He predicts Oleksiejczuk will pressure Pereira, take him down, and finish with a body shot TKO in round two.
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