Career Averages - Austin Hubbard
Career Averages - Kyle Prepolec
Austin Hubbard - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rong Zhu | 0 | 101 of 197 | 51% | 104 of 201 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 75 of 226 | 33% | 77 of 228 | 2 of 12 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rong Zhu | 0 | 20 of 46 | 43% | 21 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 18 of 59 | 30% | 18 of 59 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 | |
| 2 | Rong Zhu | 0 | 29 of 62 | 46% | 31 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 28 of 68 | 41% | 29 of 69 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:33 | |
| 3 | Rong Zhu | 0 | 52 of 89 | 58% | 52 of 90 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 29 of 99 | 29% | 30 of 100 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rong Zhu | 101 of 197 | 51% | 65 of 154 | 21 of 28 | 15 of 15 | 98 of 189 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 75 of 226 | 33% | 43 of 169 | 30 of 54 | 2 of 3 | 71 of 215 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rong Zhu | 20 of 46 | 43% | 9 of 32 | 1 of 4 | 10 of 10 | 19 of 43 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 18 of 59 | 30% | 10 of 46 | 7 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 18 of 59 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rong Zhu | 29 of 62 | 46% | 15 of 47 | 11 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 27 of 57 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 28 of 68 | 41% | 13 of 48 | 14 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 25 of 62 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rong Zhu | 52 of 89 | 58% | 41 of 75 | 9 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 52 of 89 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 29 of 99 | 29% | 20 of 75 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 94 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 1 |
Angelo slightly leans Rong Zhu due to his volume and striking, but is surprised by the -300 odds, calling them berserk. He notes that Austin Hubbard is gritty and decent everywhere, and just had a close loss to a very good fighter. He thinks Hubbard could make it tricky if he marches forward and fakes takedowns.
Big Brady picks Rong Zhu to win by decision, citing his youth, rapid improvement, and striking power. He notes that Zhu has been working on takedown defense and anti-grappling, which will be key against Hubbard's wrestling. He believes Zhu will win a damage-based decision over 15 minutes, as Hubbard has never been knocked out.
The host is historically higher on Hubbard than most, but thinks this is a horrible stylistic matchup for him. He doesn't think Hubbard will be able to get to his wrestling game, allowing Rong Zhu to dictate the striking and eventually land a big knockout.
The MMA Guru picks Rong Zhu to win by 29-28 decision, but notes that he thinks Zhu is a bit of a big favorite and that there is value on Austin Hubbard. He believes Zhu is more talented and works well on the back foot, but acknowledges Hubbard could win the third round. He mentions that Zhu is young (25) and has had mixed results, including a loss to an underrated lightweight prospect.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquel Mederos | 0 | 44 of 68 | 64% | 57 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:33 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 26 of 65 | 40% | 62 of 121 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 1 | 0 | 7:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marquel Mederos | 0 | 23 of 35 | 65% | 23 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 17 of 39 | 43% | 19 of 41 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 | |
| 2 | Marquel Mederos | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 18 of 35 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 4:12 | |
| 3 | Marquel Mederos | 0 | 15 of 22 | 68% | 28 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:28 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 25 of 45 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:32 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquel Mederos | 44 of 68 | 64% | 21 of 41 | 7 of 7 | 16 of 20 | 32 of 55 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 9 |
| Austin Hubbard | 26 of 65 | 40% | 16 of 51 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 22 of 60 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marquel Mederos | 23 of 35 | 65% | 9 of 19 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 12 | 21 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 17 of 39 | 43% | 10 of 28 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Marquel Mederos | 6 of 11 | 54% | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 3 of 9 | 33% | 2 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Marquel Mederos | 15 of 22 | 68% | 9 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 9 |
| Austin Hubbard | 6 of 17 | 35% | 4 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
Connor picks Mederos, noting his Tony Ferguson-like style of fighting in the pocket with high activity and creativity. He thinks Mederos's pressure will overwhelm Hubbard, who is reactive and lacks power. He acknowledges that Mederos's style puts him in danger but believes he can go far before a potential fall.
Zane picks Mederos, agreeing that his aggressive pocket fighting will be too much for Hubbard. He notes that Hubbard's game is reactive and low-power, and that Mederos's willingness to eat a shot and come back is a key advantage. Zane thinks the matchup favors Mederos's mentality.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Hernandez | 0 | 63 of 191 | 32% | 65 of 193 | 0 of 12 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 79 of 204 | 38% | 91 of 217 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Hernandez | 0 | 10 of 44 | 22% | 11 of 45 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 23 of 60 | 38% | 23 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Alexander Hernandez | 0 | 22 of 66 | 33% | 22 of 66 | 0 of 7 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 26 of 71 | 36% | 32 of 77 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 3 | Alexander Hernandez | 0 | 31 of 81 | 38% | 32 of 82 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 30 of 73 | 41% | 36 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Hernandez | 63 of 191 | 32% | 32 of 142 | 25 of 42 | 6 of 7 | 60 of 177 | 3 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 79 of 204 | 38% | 41 of 144 | 22 of 38 | 16 of 22 | 78 of 203 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Hernandez | 10 of 44 | 22% | 2 of 27 | 7 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 42 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 23 of 60 | 38% | 10 of 43 | 4 of 7 | 9 of 10 | 23 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alexander Hernandez | 22 of 66 | 33% | 12 of 53 | 7 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 19 of 58 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 26 of 71 | 36% | 13 of 48 | 8 of 16 | 5 of 7 | 26 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Alexander Hernandez | 31 of 81 | 38% | 18 of 62 | 11 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 31 of 77 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 30 of 73 | 41% | 18 of 53 | 10 of 15 | 2 of 5 | 29 of 72 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hernandez (-215), Hubbard (+170)
Round 1
When this lightweight affair concludes, one of these two fighters will lift their UFC records to .500 while the other will drift further in the wrong direction. Hoping this second stint courtesy of a finals appearance in TUF 31 will go swimmingly, Hubbard (16-7, 4-5 UFC) comes to blows with Texas native Hernandez (14-8, 6-7 UFC). There is no plan of a glove touch to the precede the action while referee Tyler Tomlinson watches on. Don’t worry, fight fans, ref Dave Seljestad is done for the night. He can’t hurt you anymore. Hubbard presses forward right out of the gate, pursuing Hernandez all across the cage after him. The two trade leg kicks until Hernandez lashes out with a right hand down the pipe. Hernandez tosses out a high kick that is blocked, and a right hand is not. Hubbard ducks down and directly into a right hand, and Hernandez keeps it going with a solid uppercut. Hubbard remains in front of Hernandez, but Hernandez is quicker and beats him to the punch. Hubbard jabs his foe in the chest with a kick, and Hernandez responds with a one-two. Hubbard slips back and tags “The Great Ape” with a left hook, backing Hernandez off. Hubbard chases, going for a single and then attacking up high with a kick. Even getting countered often, Hubbard remains right in front of the Texan, and he dings him with a step-in knee as Hernandez goes after a single. The knee busts Hernandez’ nose open, and a thin trickle of blood leak out of it. Hernandez pays it no mind and connects with a one-two, only for Hubbard to come back firing with a body kick. Hubbard misses a front kick by a whisker, and Hernandez’ body shot finds its home. Hubbard whiffs on a right hook and his front kick pushes off the chest, but the active Hernandez tags him with a few kicks and a left hand. Hubbard skims a right hand over the top, and Hernandez is there with two hooks that buckle Hubbard’s knees but do not send him down. “Thud” gathers his thoughts and has a thudding kick bounce off the guard. Hernandez rushes forward with a left hand and a one-two, and Hubbard barely bats an eye and instead attempts an axe kick. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Round 2
Striking exchanges from both men open up the round, with both fighters landing at the end of a few successful blows. Hubbard punches his way into a takedown attempt, and Hernandez rebuffs him with ease and attacks the body. They let go with hooks at the same time, and Hernandez manages to get the better of it. Hubbard continues to maintain heavy pressure, and Hernandez beats him to the punch and drops him to his hands with a straight right hand down the pipe. Hernandez clips Hubbard with a pair of punches, and Hubbard sits down on a low kick that turns “The Great Ape” around. Hubbard drops for a single, and Hernandez manages to fight it off and hop around the cage to stay upright. Hubbard strings together a few punches into a body kick, and Hernandez swats him back with a kick to the thigh. Hernandez sneaks a high kick up, and a left hand gives Hubbard some pause, but Hubbard’s durability holds up. Going after a single, Hubbard turns the corner and takes Hernandez down to his seat from behind but cannot keep him there. Hernandez bounces back up and flashes out a few jabs. Hubbard drills him with a shovel uppercut, and he goes after a takedown, misses and blasts a leaning Hernandez in the face with a crisp knee. Hernandez appears no worse for wear from the destructive blow, and he reaches Hubbard with a left hook. Hubbard slides back and lifts up a knee, and the foot bounces into Hernandez’ cup as Hernandez does not say a word. They do not take a break, instead taking turns to throw at one another. Hernandez punches his way into a double-leg takedown, and Hubbard scoots his way to the fencing to not get taken off his feet. Hubbard breaks free and further bloodies Hernandez’ nose with a left hand. Body shots are traded from the fighters, and they crack one another with right hooks to follow. Hubbard drives forward with a body kick, and Hernandez stands firm and blasts him with a left hand at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Round 3
Fists fly almost immediately to start the last round, and Hernandez charges at Hubbard throwing hands and ending a string of strikes with a knee. Hubbard’s own nose is marked up from oncoming fire, but he is right in there readying himself for a firefight. When a Hubbard takedown is rebuffed once more, he is shoved back and does not eat a strike on the way out this time. Hernandez chains a body shot into two lunging punches, throwing himself off-balance while missing with the strikes. Hubbard catches him with a front kick, two clean punches and a spinning back kick, and Hernandez has to shake it off before responding. When Hernandez darts in, Hubbard has a right hand ready to pop him. Hubbard punches a few times, and Hernandez ducks and eats a knee flush. Hubbard stabs a front kick to the body, fails on a takedown and wings a right hand over the top. Hubbard’s front kick finds its home again, and they jab at the same time. Hernandez dodges a front kick to put a left hand in Hubbard’s face, and Hubbard sells out for a takedown he just cannot find. Hernandez circles around in hopes of taking Hubbard’s back during the attempt, and Hubbard stands and leans against the cage. The two split, and Hernandez connects with an elbow. Hubbard digs a knee to the breadbasket while Hernandez throws hammers, and “Thud” knocks his head around with a combo of hooks. Hubbard’s front kick lands cleanly again, and he hurts Hernandez with another short flurry. Hernandez bites down on his mouthpiece and throws back hard, and they slug it out with punches, kicks, knees and a spinning kick for good measure. The round ends as they go for broke, blood flowing out of Hernandez’ face from numerous clean connects.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hubbard (29-28 Hernandez)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Hubbard (29-28 Hernandez)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hubbard (29-28 Hernandez)
The Official Result
Alexander Hernandez def. Austin Hubbard via Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Alexander Hernandez, acknowledging his talent but inconsistency. He notes Hernandez has all the tools but often makes poor decisions. He believes this matchup allows Hernandez to be himself, but he is not confident enough to bet on Hernandez as a favorite. He would only bet if Hernandez is an underdog.
Big Brady picks Austin Hubbard as a live dog, citing Hernandez's poor cardio, lack of heart, and short-notice fight at elevation. He expects Hernandez to win the first round but fade, while Hubbard's toughness and cardio will allow him to take over and win a decision, possibly with a late finish.
Cody picks Hubbard, citing Hernandez's inconsistency and cardio issues. He notes Hubbard's toughness and experience at altitude, believing Hubbard can outlast Hernandez and win a decision or late finish.
Connor picks Hernandez despite his confidence issues, noting that Hernandez has the physical tools to win. He points out that Hubbard is a talentless bully who only wins by being more physical, and Hernandez has the speed and power to overwhelm him. However, he acknowledges the altitude and short notice could be factors.
Daniel Vreeland hesitantly picks Austin Hubbard, despite calling him 'harmless Hubbard.' He dislikes Alexander Hernandez, calling him a fraud and a bust. Vreeland notes that Hernandez has lost four of his last five and that Hubbard is durable and has shown output. He is not confident but refuses to bet on Hernandez.
The host leans with the physicality and explosiveness of Alexander Hernandez, believing he will land better shots, defend Hubbard's grappling, and eventually find a knockout in the second or third round. He notes both fighters are from Colorado but gives the edge to Hernandez.
Paul picks Hubbard, agreeing with Cody about Hernandez's cardio and durability. He thinks Hubbard's pressure and altitude advantage will be key. He expects Hubbard to win by decision or submission.
The MMA Guru picks Alexander Hernandez after flipping a bottle of mayonnaise, which landed on Hernandez's side. He acknowledges Hernandez is better at lightweight and dangerous, but worries about altitude and Hernandez's tendency to gas out. He notes Hubbard trains at elevation but believes Hernandez's lightweight performances are superior. He predicts a TKO early in the fight.
Zane picks Hubbard, citing the altitude and Hernandez's short notice as key factors. He notes that Hernandez has confidence problems and may struggle with the weight cut and altitude. Hubbard is a big strong guy who can grind out a decision if he imposes his physicality.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 88 of 206 | 42% | 99 of 220 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Michał Figlak | 0 | 92 of 210 | 43% | 100 of 218 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Hubbard | 0 | 19 of 57 | 33% | 27 of 67 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Michał Figlak | 0 | 26 of 59 | 44% | 27 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Austin Hubbard | 0 | 37 of 85 | 43% | 37 of 86 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Figlak | 0 | 30 of 81 | 37% | 30 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 | |
| 3 | Austin Hubbard | 0 | 32 of 64 | 50% | 35 of 67 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Michał Figlak | 0 | 36 of 70 | 51% | 43 of 77 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Hubbard | 88 of 206 | 42% | 55 of 162 | 22 of 29 | 11 of 15 | 85 of 203 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Figlak | 92 of 210 | 43% | 60 of 173 | 16 of 19 | 16 of 18 | 88 of 204 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Hubbard | 19 of 57 | 33% | 11 of 45 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 7 | 18 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Figlak | 26 of 59 | 44% | 15 of 47 | 4 of 5 | 7 of 7 | 26 of 59 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Austin Hubbard | 37 of 85 | 43% | 23 of 65 | 11 of 15 | 3 of 5 | 37 of 85 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Figlak | 30 of 81 | 37% | 18 of 68 | 6 of 7 | 6 of 6 | 30 of 81 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Austin Hubbard | 32 of 64 | 50% | 21 of 52 | 8 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 30 of 62 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Figlak | 36 of 70 | 51% | 27 of 58 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 5 | 32 of 64 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo has a half-unit bet on Michał Figlak at -125, beating the line movement. He thinks Figlak is the much better and more dangerous fighter, with powerful striking and solid wrestling used defensively. He worries about Figlak's two-year layoff, noting that strikers with long layoffs often struggle to find rhythm. However, he believes Figlak's talent outweighs the risk at the current odds, though he cautions if Figlak reaches -170 or higher the layoff becomes too risky.
Cody picks Figlak, believing he will show improvement after a poor debut. He likes Figlak's pressure style and volume, and thinks Hubbard is a warm body with no standout skills. He expects Figlak to win by decision or late finish.
Daniel calls Hubbard 'harmless Hubbard' – durable but not a finisher. He thinks Figlak has had two years to improve and has the physicality and takedown defense to outwork Hubbard. He predicts Figlak by decision, noting Hubbard's lack of threat.
Hubbard has a wrestling and grappling advantage and should be able to dictate the pace, take Figlak down, and grind him out from top position. Figlak struggled against a striker in his UFC debut and may not have the resistance to stop Hubbard's pressure. Hubbard wins on the scorecards.
Paul also picks Figlak, citing his potential and Hubbard's limited ceiling. He notes Figlak's youth and room for growth, and believes the 16-month layoff will help him. He is worried about Hubbard's wrestling but trusts Figlak's improvements.
The MMA Guru picks Michał Figlak, noting he has been high on him for a long time. He mentions Figlak's training at Renegades with Leon Edwards and Arnold Allen, and his unrelenting pressure. He criticizes Austin Hubbard for looking awful against Kurt Holobaugh and beating low-level competition. He predicts Figlak will finish Hubbard with body shots to head shots in the late second or third round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kurt Holobaugh | 0 | 61 of 119 | 51% | 85 of 144 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 44 of 107 | 41% | 61 of 125 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kurt Holobaugh | 0 | 37 of 78 | 47% | 58 of 100 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 31 of 74 | 41% | 48 of 92 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:06 | |
| 2 | Kurt Holobaugh | 0 | 24 of 41 | 58% | 27 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 13 of 33 | 39% | 13 of 33 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kurt Holobaugh | 61 of 119 | 51% | 46 of 101 | 10 of 12 | 5 of 6 | 50 of 106 | 9 of 10 | 2 of 3 |
| Austin Hubbard | 44 of 107 | 41% | 25 of 86 | 17 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 31 of 87 | 9 of 12 | 4 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kurt Holobaugh | 37 of 78 | 47% | 26 of 64 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 6 | 30 of 71 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 31 of 74 | 41% | 16 of 58 | 14 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 57 | 7 of 9 | 4 of 8 | |
| 2 | Kurt Holobaugh | 24 of 41 | 58% | 20 of 37 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 35 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Austin Hubbard | 13 of 33 | 39% | 9 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo likes Kurt Holobaugh as an underdog despite his 0-6 UFC record, noting that his losses were to top competition like Thiago Moises, Shane Burgos, and Humberto Bandenay. He believes Holobaugh's striking combinations and power will be too much for Austin Hubbard, though he acknowledges Hubbard's chin and takedown ability as concerns. He expects Holobaugh to win and become the Ultimate Fighter champion.
Cody likes Holobaugh's momentum from The Ultimate Fighter, his durability, and power. He thinks Hubbard is a volume pressure fighter but Holobaugh has a chip on his shoulder and nothing to lose. He picks Holobaugh as an underdog to win a decision or late finish.
Daniel Levi picks Austin Hubbard to do his typical thing, turning the fight into a sparring match and not taking risks. He notes that Hubbard is hard to finish and has survived bad spots against high-level grapplers. However, Levi is not laying the price and calls it a dog-or-pass situation. He prefers the over and Holobaugh decision props.
Lucrative James sees value on Kurt Holobaugh as an underdog, believing the fight should be a pick'em. He notes Holobaugh has more finishing threat and has faced better competition, while Austin Hubbard relies on toughness and volume but lacks major skills. However, he acknowledges Holobaugh's age (36) and potential to be out-volumed.
Hubbard has added wrinkles to his game, mixing striking with takedowns. He should be competitive on the feet and then use his wrestling to grind out Holobaugh, who struggles with defensive grappling. Hubbard's kicks and range control will set up takedowns. The line has moved to a reasonable -160/-170 range, making him a good play.
The MMA Guru picks Austin Hubbard over Kurt Holobaugh. He acknowledges Holobaugh's pocket boxing skills but believes Hubbard's straight punches, front kicks, and low kicks will keep him from standing in the pocket. Hubbard also has offensive grappling and excellent takedown defense, allowing him to dictate where the fight takes place. The Guru sees Hubbard's versatility as too much for Holobaugh.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinc Pichel | 0 | 71 of 160 | 44% | 96 of 187 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:29 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 56 of 152 | 36% | 66 of 171 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 2:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vinc Pichel | 0 | 21 of 55 | 38% | 27 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 22 of 58 | 37% | 24 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 2 | Vinc Pichel | 0 | 27 of 63 | 42% | 34 of 70 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 19 of 52 | 36% | 24 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 | |
| 3 | Vinc Pichel | 0 | 23 of 42 | 54% | 35 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:08 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 15 of 42 | 35% | 18 of 52 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinc Pichel | 71 of 160 | 44% | 28 of 108 | 16 of 23 | 27 of 29 | 59 of 145 | 10 of 12 | 2 of 3 |
| Austin Hubbard | 56 of 152 | 36% | 29 of 110 | 17 of 31 | 10 of 11 | 51 of 145 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vinc Pichel | 21 of 55 | 38% | 4 of 34 | 5 of 8 | 12 of 13 | 20 of 54 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 22 of 58 | 37% | 9 of 38 | 8 of 15 | 5 of 5 | 22 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Vinc Pichel | 27 of 63 | 42% | 11 of 44 | 8 of 10 | 8 of 9 | 24 of 59 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 19 of 52 | 36% | 10 of 36 | 5 of 11 | 4 of 5 | 16 of 49 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Vinc Pichel | 23 of 42 | 54% | 13 of 30 | 3 of 5 | 7 of 7 | 15 of 32 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 3 |
| Austin Hubbard | 15 of 42 | 35% | 10 of 36 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
Big Brady picks Vinc Pichel, citing his grappling advantage. He notes Pichel averages 3.83 takedowns per 15 minutes with 60% accuracy, and believes he will win the grappling exchanges. He is concerned about Pichel's age (38) but thinks his gas tank is fine. He predicts a decision win.
Cody picks Pichel, having already bet him. He highlights Pichel's cardio, top control, and BJJ black belt, and notes Hubbard's tendency to fade in later rounds. He believes Pichel's wrestling and pressure will be key, and mentions the value on Pichel by submission at 20-1.
Pichel is a grappler who should have success taking Hubbard down, especially by catching Hubbard's kicks. Hubbard has only fought grapplers recently and has struggled. Pichel's age (38) is a concern but he has low fight mileage. I'm picking Pichel by decision, but the moneyline at even odds is fine.
Paul picks Pichel, citing his strong top game and ability to grind out wins. He notes Pichel's slow starts but finishing strong, and Hubbard's susceptibility to takedowns. He mentions Pichel's training at Factory X and believes his cardio will hold up.
The MMA Guru picks Austin Hubbard as an underdog. He cites Hubbard's takedown defense and volume striking as keys. He notes Pichel is 38 and coming off a year layoff, while Hubbard is younger and has shown improvement. He expects Hubbard to win the later rounds via decision, possibly 29-28.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 67 of 115 | 58% | 126 of 181 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 2 | 6:42 |
| Dakota Bush | 0 | 41 of 104 | 39% | 54 of 122 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 1 | 1:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Hubbard | 0 | 34 of 65 | 52% | 34 of 65 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Dakota Bush | 0 | 30 of 73 | 41% | 30 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Austin Hubbard | 0 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 30 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:21 |
| Dakota Bush | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 16 of 26 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:33 | |
| 3 | Austin Hubbard | 0 | 20 of 28 | 71% | 62 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 3:19 |
| Dakota Bush | 0 | 4 of 16 | 25% | 8 of 23 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 0:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Hubbard | 67 of 115 | 58% | 32 of 76 | 10 of 12 | 25 of 27 | 49 of 91 | 2 of 3 | 16 of 21 |
| Dakota Bush | 41 of 104 | 39% | 17 of 59 | 6 of 20 | 18 of 25 | 41 of 104 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Hubbard | 34 of 65 | 52% | 11 of 38 | 4 of 6 | 19 of 21 | 32 of 63 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Dakota Bush | 30 of 73 | 41% | 10 of 37 | 4 of 15 | 16 of 21 | 30 of 73 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Austin Hubbard | 13 of 22 | 59% | 7 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 7 |
| Dakota Bush | 7 of 15 | 46% | 3 of 8 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Austin Hubbard | 20 of 28 | 71% | 14 of 22 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 14 |
| Dakota Bush | 4 of 16 | 25% | 4 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Austin Hubbard to win by decision. He notes that Bush is coming in on short notice and that Hubbard has faced tough grapplers throughout his UFC career, which should prepare him for Bush's wrestling. He believes Hubbard has superior cardio and toughness, and can survive Bush's early storm. He expects Hubbard to take over in rounds 2 and 3, possibly with a late finish. He is not surprised by the close odds but thinks Hubbard should be a bigger favorite.
Cody thinks Hubbard has proven cardio and the ability to break down wrestlers. He notes that Bush is taking the fight on short notice and is not as good a wrestler as Hubbard's previous opponents. He expects Hubbard to stuff takedowns, pressure Bush, and win by decision or late finish. He is confident in Hubbard.
Daniel Levi picks Dakota Bush for the upset, citing his power and momentum. He notes that Bush is taking the fight on short notice, which is a concern, but believes Bush is the more dangerous fighter and could steamroll Hubbard early. Levi mentions that Hubbard is average and has not shown much, while Bush has fought real competition. He thinks the line should be closer and that Bush has a good chance if he is in shape.
Manpreet leans toward Bush by decision, citing his college wrestling background and Hubbard's history of struggling against grapplers. He believes Bush will take Hubbard down repeatedly and control the fight on the ground, despite coming in on short notice. He notes that Hubbard's takedown defense has been poor against wrestlers and that Bush has never been finished.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Hubbard has faced tough wrestlers and performed well. He thinks Bush is a step down in competition and that Hubbard's cardio and pressure will be too much. He is confident in Hubbard winning.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Solecki | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 13 of 20 | 65% | 36 of 43 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 2:37 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Solecki | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 13 of 20 | 65% | 36 of 43 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 2:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Solecki | 9 of 14 | 64% | 2 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 13 of 20 | 65% | 8 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 16 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Solecki | 9 of 14 | 64% | 2 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Austin Hubbard | 13 of 20 | 65% | 8 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 16 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Joe Solecki to win by decision. He notes Hubbard has poor takedown defense (40%) and has been taken down by everyone in the UFC. Solecki has good wrestling and is slick on the ground with transitions to the back. On the feet, Hubbard has the advantage, but Brady expects Solecki to go for takedowns early and control the fight, provided his cardio holds up. He mentions Hubbard's win over Max Rohskopf is overrated because Rohskopf had only one round of gas.
Daniel Levi picks Joe Solecki to win, citing his high-level jiu-jitsu and control on the ground. He notes that Solecki's takedowns may not be elite but he can get the fight to the mat, and Hubbard has been outgrappled before. Levi acknowledges Hubbard's improved conditioning and volume striking but believes Solecki will get takedowns early, build a lead, and survive the third round. He mentions Solecki's dominant performance against Matt Wyman as evidence.
Solecki has great wrestling and jiu-jitsu, but his cardio and ability to finish are questionable. Hubbard has good leg kicks, cardio, and takedown defense, having survived wrestlers like Marco Madsen. Solecki should grind out a decision if he can maintain top control, but Hubbard's gas tank and striking could make it close. I'm pumping the brakes on Solecki until he proves more.
The MMA Guru picks Austin Hubbard, citing his counter-grappling skills and takedown defense as seen in the Mark Madsen fight. He believes Hubbard can avoid submissions and reverse positions, eventually breaking Solecki down for a third-round TKO. He also notes Hubbard's reach advantage and that he should be the favorite.
Kyle Prepolec - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 51 of 164 | 31% | 51 of 164 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Drew Dober | 0 | 83 of 161 | 51% | 85 of 163 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 17 of 66 | 25% | 17 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Drew Dober | 0 | 28 of 58 | 48% | 28 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 27 of 80 | 33% | 27 of 80 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Drew Dober | 0 | 35 of 58 | 60% | 36 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 7 of 18 | 38% | 7 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Drew Dober | 0 | 20 of 45 | 44% | 21 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Prepolec | 51 of 164 | 31% | 36 of 139 | 7 of 13 | 8 of 12 | 51 of 164 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Drew Dober | 83 of 161 | 51% | 46 of 117 | 18 of 22 | 19 of 22 | 77 of 153 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Prepolec | 17 of 66 | 25% | 11 of 53 | 3 of 7 | 3 of 6 | 17 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Drew Dober | 28 of 58 | 48% | 12 of 40 | 5 of 7 | 11 of 11 | 28 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kyle Prepolec | 27 of 80 | 33% | 20 of 70 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 27 of 80 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Drew Dober | 35 of 58 | 60% | 18 of 36 | 11 of 13 | 6 of 9 | 35 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kyle Prepolec | 7 of 18 | 38% | 5 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Drew Dober | 20 of 45 | 44% | 16 of 41 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 37 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Dober (-500); Prepolec (+375)
Round 1
Chins will be tested when this lightweight matchup is all said and done. Dober (27-15, 1 NC; 13-11, 1 NC UFC) may be one of the quietest recordholders in the promotion, as he and Dustin Poirier remain tied for the most knockouts (nine) in the history of the division. He gains a fortuitous matchup in Canada’s Prepolec (18-9, 0-3 UFC), who with a win tonight would earn his first in the Octagon after four efforts. The two will be joined by referee John Cooper, who will keep things on the up-and-up as the fighters choose not to touch gloves.
Prepolec offers an early low kick, and he leans back out of range from a check right hook. Both men land at the end of punches, and Dober scores a low kick behind it. Dober turns his hips behind another hefty leg kick, and he fires one more off and cracks Prepolec with a left hand. Prepolec boots Dober in the face with his shin, and Dober completely ignores it and pops him with a one-two. Dober has his guard up to defend against a high kick the next time, and he swats away all but a body shot from the Canadian. Dober lunges in with a flurry of punches, his left hook finding the target. Dober goes low with a kick and high upstairs with a right hand. A Dober left misses by a hair, and Prepolec’s counters fall short as well. Dober pounds the front leg and puts fists on face immediately thereafter, with Prepolec left playing second fiddle with little more than an overhand left.
Dober scores with his left and chops the front leg with a kick, and he aims a body shot but is kicked back by the Canadian. Dober reaches with his big left, and his body kick plants on the torso. Dober kicks the thigh, and the leg brushes up against the cup. Prepolec waves Cooper off and they keep going. Dober’s kicks have started to have an impact on Prepolec’s front wheel, as Prepolec is ginger on it and open to big left hands. Dober catches him at the end of his left, and he flashes out a few jabs to set up a body shot. Dober backs his man off only to walk into a combination, and Prepolec grins. Even when Prepolec blocks a head kick, the impact of it bangs into his head. Dober whiffs on a wheel kick, clearly feeling himself in the Octagon. Prepolec doubles up jabs to mark up Dober’s nose, and he slips a punch and scores a straight left. Both men toss out head kicks, and Prepolec goes to the body. Prepolec’s jabs further bloody Dober’s nose, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Dober
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Dober
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dober
Round 2
The lightweights bump fists this round, and Dober says hello with a low kick that transitions into a wheel kick. Prepolec tries to defend a low kick by raising his knee, but that only opens Dober up to throw a body shot. Prepolec strings together his own counters, and Dober takes them on the chin and swings back with bad intentions. Prepolec gets back behind his jab and two, and the nose of Dober begins to leak again. Prepolec checks a kick with an audible thud to it and splits Dober’s shin wide open, and he punches Dober in the face with both fists—one after the other, not at once. Dober shrugs it off and tries to brawl, only for Prepolec to answer him with two upstairs and a head kick. Dober rips the body and jams a kick on the lead leg, and Prepolec is ginger on it after taking damage. Dober kicks it on the inside and swipes out with a pair of hooks, and his left hand is catching the Canadian but not seeming to slow him. Dober gets off the wheel kick he was seeking, banging it into Prepolec’s raised guard. Dober slips a punch and counters with a big left hand up top.
Dober leaps forward behind a Superman punch, and Prepolec’s chin holds up well as he tanks it and hurls back. Dober goes to the body, and Prepolec returns fire with a few punches and a head kick that Dober rolls. Prepolec checks another kick, and Dober stumbles back from it. Prepolec slaps his foe’s inside thigh, and Dober blasts him with a left hand. Prepolec tries to spin through it with a back fist, but it is out of range. Prepolec snaps Dober’s head back with a right hand, and Dober belts him in the belly with his non-damaged shin. Dober opens up with power punches, and Prepolec stands in the pocket and bangs with him, even shaking Dober up with a left hand. Dober suddenly shoots in for a single-leg takedown, and Prepolec sits him up and staves it off. Both men stand up, and Dober bounces a left hand off the temple and releases his opponent’s leg. Prepolec chains a left hand into a head kick, and Dober is wearing it at this point but has hit Prepolec with everything and the kitchen sink. Prepolec splits the guard with an uppercut, and he knocks Dober to his knees with a ferocious left hand. Right before Prepolec is about to annihilate Dober with what would be an illegal soccer kick with Dober’s knee down, the round ends and Cooper is between them.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Prepolec
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Prepolec
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Prepolec
Round 3
When the last round begins, Dober shouts, “Let’s do it!” They nod to one another, touch gloves, and swing for the fences. Prepolec boots Dober in the face with his foot, and Dober races after him with flailing punches. Dober unleashes a low kick with everything behind it, and it crashes directly into Prepolec’s cup. Prepolec collapses to the floor, and Cooper goes to the Canadian and practically begs him to take as much time as he needs instead of hurrying back. The partisan crowd starts a booming, profane chant of “F--- Drew Dober,” as Prepolec is in agony on his knees. Two minutes into the five-minute window, and Prepolec stands back up, albeit hunched over. Cooper keeps Prepolec informed of how much time he has left, and Prepolec responds that he is starting to feel better. Due to the severity of the foul, Cooper elects to deduct one point from Dober—this is the right call given the fight-changing nature of the illegal kick. Prepolec asks for them to restart the fight, and after 4:10 of recovery time, he is good to go.
Dober rushes after the Canadian and starts swinging for the bleachers. Practically sprinting at his opponent, Dober hurls punches in bunches and knocks Prepolec’s head around the cage. Prepolec leans over and takes a brutal knee to the chest that further makes him double over. Prepolec skirts away, and Dober rushes after him with one goal in mind: smash the Canadian’s face. Dober takes the counters that Prepolec offers, including a head kick or two, because he is a man possessed.
Backing Prepolec up against the cage, Dober blasts his man with a knee, an elbow and one final surge of punches. With Prepolec leaned over in bad shape, Cooper saves him from further punishment, and the fans are not having it.
Dober apologizes to the Vancouver masses for sending their fighter out like that, and they appear to accept his apology and stop raining down boos. While claps are sporadic, a few in the building realize the significance of Dober now the solo recordholder for the most knockouts in UFC lightweight history with 10.
The Official Result
Drew Dober def. Kyle Prepolec R3 1:16 via TKO (Elbow and Punches)
Angelo picks Drew Dober to win, citing his technical striking and ability to grapple if needed. He notes Dober's recent chin issues but believes Kyle Prepolec is not a UFC-caliber fighter and lacks power. He expects Dober to find a finish, making him a good fantasy play at $9,400.
Big Brady is concerned about Drew Dober's age, fight mileage, and recent chin issues, but believes the skill gap is massive in Dober's favor. He notes Prepolec has never been knocked out and is likely more durable at this stage. He picks Dober by decision, staying away from the -550 price.
Cody picks Prepolec, citing value. He notes Dober's chin is declining and he has been knocked out recently. Prepolec has never been knocked out and has a full camp. Cody believes Prepolec can catch Dober and win by knockout, but admits it's a value play.
Connor picks Drew Dober but is hesitant, acknowledging that Dober seems to have lost his confidence and timing after the Manuel Torres loss. He notes that Prepolec is a tough slugger who has never been knocked out, and that Dober's usual brawling approach may not work anymore. However, Connor still expects Dober to win because Prepolec is a step down in competition.
James picks Dober to win but notes value on Prepolec as an underdog. He questions Dober's recent chin issues after knockouts by Jean Silva and Matt Frevola, while Prepolec has never been knocked out. James expects a striking battle where Prepolec could land a head kick, but ultimately favors Dober's speed and experience.
The host is not a big fan of Dober at the super chalky line given his recent form and Prepolec being a striker himself. However, he still thinks Dober is the better all-around fighter and should mix striking and grappling to win on the scorecards, provided his durability holds up.
Paul leans Prepolec, agreeing with Cody on value. He notes Dober's durability is a question and Prepolec has power. Paul says he'll have a small bet on Prepolec but has low conviction.
The MMA Guru picks Drew Dober over Kyle Prepolec. He acknowledges Dober's recent KO loss to Manuel Torres but attributes that to Torres being a genetic freak with nasty power. He believes Dober still has it and will beat Prepolec easily, noting Prepolec shouldn't be in the UFC. He predicts a TKO in the second round.
Zane picks Kyle Prepolec as a wild flyer, citing Dober's recent struggles and loss of confidence. He notes that Prepolec is a tough slugger who has never been knocked out, and that Dober's path to victory is to slug it out, which may no longer work. Zane is not confident but sees value in the underdog.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 54 of 70 | 77% | 77 of 103 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 | 0 | 5:32 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 12 of 27 | 44% | 14 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 10 of 16 | 62% | 27 of 43 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 4:32 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 44 of 54 | 81% | 50 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:00 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 14 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benoît Saint Denis | 54 of 70 | 77% | 36 of 51 | 11 of 12 | 7 of 7 | 24 of 33 | 22 of 24 | 8 of 13 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 12 of 27 | 44% | 11 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benoît Saint Denis | 10 of 16 | 62% | 7 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 13 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Benoît Saint Denis | 44 of 54 | 81% | 29 of 38 | 10 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 22 of 30 | 22 of 24 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 12 of 26 | 46% | 11 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady is extremely confident in Saint Denis, calling the fight a 'sanctioned murder'. He notes Prepolec is a low-level replacement on short notice, who previously went 0-2 in the UFC. He predicts Saint Denis will win easily, either by knockout or submission in the first round, and likely earn a $50k bonus.
Connor picks Benoît Saint Denis, agreeing that Prepolec is a regional-level fighter who cannot handle Saint Denis's pressure and wrestling. He notes that Prepolec's opponents have a combined record of 44-38 and that even a washed Shane Campbell out-hustled him. Connor sees this as a clear win for Saint Denis.
The host believes Saint Denis is too strong a grappler for Prepolec, who is on short notice. He expects Saint Denis to wear Prepolec down and secure a submission within the first round and a half.
The MMA Guru picks Saint Denis, calling it a career-saving matchup. He notes Prepolec's poor UFC history, inactivity, and injuries, while Saint Denis is a heavy favorite. He expects a first or second round finish, possibly a TKO, as Prepolec is a sacrificial lamb. He mentions the odds are crazy but agrees with the pick.
Zane picks Benoît Saint Denis, arguing that Prepolec is a much less potent version of Saint Denis and could not handle Austin Hubbard's wrestling. He notes that Saint Denis will swarm into Prepolec, grab his waist, and drag him into hell with top control. Zane believes this is a straightforward mismatch.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Hubbard | 0 | 44 of 122 | 36% | 46 of 124 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 51 of 112 | 45% | 136 of 239 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 5:42 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Hubbard | 0 | 28 of 70 | 40% | 28 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 17 of 57 | 29% | 17 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Austin Hubbard | 0 | 12 of 38 | 31% | 13 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 24 of 40 | 60% | 51 of 99 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 | |
| 3 | Austin Hubbard | 0 | 4 of 14 | 28% | 5 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 68 of 83 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Hubbard | 44 of 122 | 36% | 23 of 88 | 9 of 19 | 12 of 15 | 42 of 120 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 51 of 112 | 45% | 20 of 68 | 14 of 26 | 17 of 18 | 41 of 100 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 12 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Hubbard | 28 of 70 | 40% | 13 of 46 | 6 of 13 | 9 of 11 | 28 of 70 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 17 of 57 | 29% | 2 of 34 | 9 of 16 | 6 of 7 | 17 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Austin Hubbard | 12 of 38 | 31% | 7 of 30 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 11 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 24 of 40 | 60% | 11 of 23 | 4 of 8 | 9 of 9 | 18 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 8 | |
| 3 | Austin Hubbard | 4 of 14 | 28% | 3 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 10 of 15 | 66% | 7 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
We begin the night at lightweight with the first of three bouts pitting an American against a Canadian, as home country fighter Prepolec (12-6, 0-1 UFC) looks to record his first UFC win against Hubbard (10-3, 0-1 UFC). Serving as the referee for this first prelim is Kevin Dornan. Hubbard opens up with a front kick, and Prepolec replies with a head kick that falls short. The American evades several of Prepolec's power shots until he eats a stern left hand that buckles Hubbard briefly. Hubbard shakes it out and keeps his distance for a moment, until Prepolec finds his range again and slaps Hubbard in the face with a kick. Both men crack each other with overhand rights, and Hubbard sits down on a punch to his adversary's body. Prepolec leans back and tags Hubbard with a right, and then another while he walks through a body kick. The Canadian swings a heavy leg kick that causes Hubbard to switch stances briefly, and as Hubbard comes in Prepolec tries to time a check knee that is just shy of the mark. Hubbard manages to time a punch-body kick combination, and then lands a thudding head kick that Prepolec eats. As Hubbard tries to advance position, Prepolec is ready with a counter right hand, so Hubbard has to resort to taking leg kicks while trying to fire back with a head kick. Prepolec digs to the body with a straight left hand, and then sensing the success of that strike, lands another. As the 10-second clapper sounds, Prepolec wings a spinning back fist, and in the ensuing melee "Killshot" drops Hubbard with a right hand as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Prepolec
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Prepolec
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Prepolec
Round 2
The round opens with Hubbard throwing a lazy kick to the body, and Prepolec capitalizes by blasting his foe with a leg kick. Starting to get comfortable in the cage, Prepolec drops in a head kick that is barely blocked, and attempts a superman punch that falls short. Hubbard replies with a few leg kicks of his own, and then shoots for a takedown that he turns into a body lock, and he gets his man down. Prepolec springs back to his feet, and then wisely drops down to a knee to avoid any incoming knee strikes to his head. We separate and get back to the center of the cage, and the two exchange kicks. Hubbard dodges and weaves to avoid shots from Prepolec, all while scoring some of his own including two stiff lefts. The Canadian chases down his opponent and wings a few shots that miss the target, and while charging in he takes an accidental poke to the eye. The action stops, and the crowd voices its disapproval of the foul from the American. The action resumes and they trade body kicks and then head kicks, and when Prepolec throws up a head kick, the American takes the fight down. Immediately Hubbard blasts his opponent with a loud elbow, and the Canadian throws up his legs to search for an armbar. Hubbard escapes and starts dropping down some heavy right hands, and goes on to take the back of Prepolec. With about 30 seconds left, Hubbard draws blood and fishes for an arm around Prepolec's neck, but the Canadian defends well. The round ends with Prepolec eating punch after punch, although none are too impactful.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hubbard
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Hubbard
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hubbard
Round 3
Round 3 begins with Hubbard diving into a single leg takedown, but he is thwarted by the Canadian. In the scramble, Prepolec searches for a guillotine choke, and has his hands locked with Hubbard against the cage. The American escapes, and on the break lands on his opponent. Prepolec presses the action and lands several powerful shots, until Hubbard realizes he needs to change the pace of this round and takes Prepolec down again. Hubbard stays heavy on top, landing several lefts that aggravate Prepolec, and in the process Hubbard takes his back. Hubbard continues to swing short lefts that all seem to land right on Prepolec's chin, and perhaps sensing his opponent is fading, goes after a choke. Prepolec again protects his neck, but while doing so, takes punches in bunches, until he stands up to try to shake off Hubbard. He succeeds, bucking Hubbard off, and Prepolec swings wildly as he races forward. The Canadian briefly tries to take the fight down, but bails on it and Hubbard goes for his own attempt. With seconds to spare, Prepolec stuffs it, but he is unable to mount any more significant offense as the fight ends with him leaning on his opponent.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hubbard (29-28 Hubbard)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Hubbard (29-28 Hubbard)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hubbard (29-28 Hubbard)
The Official Result
Austin Hubbard def. Kyle Prepolec via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nordine Taleb | 0 | 90 of 201 | 44% | 90 of 201 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 52 of 153 | 33% | 53 of 154 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nordine Taleb | 0 | 25 of 64 | 39% | 25 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 23 of 56 | 41% | 23 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Nordine Taleb | 0 | 31 of 81 | 38% | 31 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 20 of 59 | 33% | 20 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Nordine Taleb | 0 | 34 of 56 | 60% | 34 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 9 of 38 | 23% | 10 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nordine Taleb | 90 of 201 | 44% | 32 of 125 | 27 of 39 | 31 of 37 | 89 of 199 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 52 of 153 | 33% | 27 of 113 | 22 of 30 | 3 of 10 | 51 of 151 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nordine Taleb | 25 of 64 | 39% | 6 of 42 | 9 of 11 | 10 of 11 | 25 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 23 of 56 | 41% | 12 of 39 | 10 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 23 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nordine Taleb | 31 of 81 | 38% | 13 of 50 | 7 of 15 | 11 of 16 | 31 of 81 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 20 of 59 | 33% | 10 of 44 | 8 of 10 | 2 of 5 | 19 of 57 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Nordine Taleb | 34 of 56 | 60% | 13 of 33 | 11 of 13 | 10 of 10 | 33 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 9 of 38 | 23% | 5 of 30 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 2 | 9 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Up next are the welterweights as Kyle Prepolec takes on Nordine Taleb. The referee is Jerin Valel. They touch gloves. Taleb with a kick to the body. He goes high with the kick. Hard low kick by Taleb. He goes high with his kick again. Prepolec with a jab to the body. Another low kick by Taleb. Straight right by Taleb. Prepolec with a right hook. He just misses landing a high kick of his own. Taleb lands a high kick. Prepolec just misses landing a spinning back fist and the round is over. Very uneventful round.
Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Taleb
Ant Walker scores the round: 10-9 Taleb
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Taleb
Round 2
Round two begins. Prepolec takes the center of the Octagon. Taleb circles around him and lands a low kick and a straight right behind it. Prepolec returns with a straight left. Taleb lands a kick to the body. There’s an eye poke and the ref calls time but Taleb is okay and the fight starts back up. Prepolec moves forward throwing wild punches and Taleb lands another kick to the body. Prepolec moves forward but isn’t able to land anything. Another kick to the body by Taleb. High kick by Taleb. He lands a low kick. Another high kick by Taleb and it takes us to the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Taleb
Ant Walker scores the round: 10-9 Taleb
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Taleb
Round 3
It’s time for the third round and Prepolec needs a finish. Once again Prepolec takes the center of the Octagon but Taleb continues to land from the outside. Taleb lands a straight right. Low kick by Taleb. Kick to the body by Taleb. He lands a straight right and then a hard low kick. Prepolec pushes forward and works off his jab. Taleb lands a high kick. Taleb returns with a low kick. Another low kick. High kick by Taleb, and another. He lands a brutal kick to the body. Prepolec with a high kick of his own. Taleb lands a hard low kick. Prepolec looks for a spinning back fist. Taleb lands a brutal low kick that hurts Prepolec. The clock is running down and Prepolec may have survived but Taleb clearly won the fight.
Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Taleb (30-27) Taleb
Ant Walker scores the round: 10-9 Taleb (30-27) Taleb
Jay Pettry scores the round:10-9 Taleb (30-27) Taleb
The Official Result
Nordine Taleb def. Kyle Prepolec via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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