Career Averages - Karl Roberson
Career Averages - Darren Stewart
Karl Roberson - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Nzechukwu | 0 | 20 of 43 | 46% | 64 of 114 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 1 | 0 | 10:46 |
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 16 of 26 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennedy Nzechukwu | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 9 of 17 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:16 |
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 8 of 9 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 | |
| 2 | Kennedy Nzechukwu | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 39 of 66 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:41 |
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Kennedy Nzechukwu | 0 | 15 of 28 | 53% | 16 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:49 |
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Nzechukwu | 20 of 43 | 46% | 18 of 37 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 21 |
| Karl Roberson | 9 of 19 | 47% | 4 of 13 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennedy Nzechukwu | 3 of 8 | 37% | 2 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Karl Roberson | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kennedy Nzechukwu | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Karl Roberson | 6 of 10 | 60% | 4 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kennedy Nzechukwu | 15 of 28 | 53% | 15 of 26 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 18 |
| Karl Roberson | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Karl Roberson despite Kennedy Nzechukwu's power and reach. He notes Roberson is the better all-around fighter with solid game planning and takedowns against strikers. He worries about Roberson's knockout loss to Khalil Rountree but believes Roberson's clean technique and solid game planning will get it done. He acknowledges Kennedy will be dangerous the entire 15 minutes.
Big Brady picks Kennedy Nzechukwu primarily due to his significant size advantage (4-inch height, 9-inch reach) and superior cardio. He notes that Kennedy is still green and inconsistent, but Karl Roberson's low output, inconsistency, and three-fight skid make him hard to trust. Brady acknowledges that Roberson is more skilled but believes Kennedy's physical attributes and cardio will allow him to do more over three rounds. He expresses low confidence, calling it a borderline '100 gambler fight' and says he won't bet it.
Cody picks Nzechukwu but with low confidence. He notes Nzechukwu has a huge reach advantage but doesn't use it well, and his fights are often sloppy. He thinks Roberson has better kickboxing but terrible ring IQ. He sees this as a low-level fight where either could win.
The host discusses this fight but does not place a bet. He acknowledges that Roberson is technically the better striker and could win if he grapples, but he does not trust Roberson's fight IQ. He mentions that Roberson could win by decision or submission but ultimately does not pull the trigger.
Paul picks Roberson as a dog, noting his striking is more refined and he has better kickboxing. He thinks Roberson's durability could hold up and he might mix in takedowns. However, he's not confident due to Roberson's poor decision-making.
The Guru picks Kennedy Nzechukwu due to his massive size and reach advantage (9-inch reach). He believes Nzechukwu should have won his last fight and that Roberson lacks power at range. He worries about Nzechukwu's chin but notes Roberson doesn't take punches well either. He predicts a 29-28 decision win at range.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khalil Rountree Jr. | 2 | 26 of 69 | 37% | 26 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 17 of 28 | 60% | 17 of 28 | 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 | Khalil Rountree Jr. | 0 | 18 of 54 | 33% | 18 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 17 of 27 | 62% | 17 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Khalil Rountree Jr. | 2 | 8 of 15 | 53% | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khalil Rountree Jr. | 26 of 69 | 37% | 16 of 53 | 5 of 9 | 5 of 7 | 17 of 55 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Karl Roberson | 17 of 28 | 60% | 4 of 10 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 9 | 16 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khalil Rountree Jr. | 18 of 54 | 33% | 10 of 41 | 3 of 6 | 5 of 7 | 14 of 48 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Karl Roberson | 17 of 27 | 62% | 4 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 9 | 16 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Khalil Rountree Jr. | 8 of 15 | 53% | 6 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 7 |
| Karl Roberson | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo gives a slight edge to Karl Roberson because he believes Roberson can hang in the striking and has a clear path to victory via takedowns. He notes that the skill gap on the ground is wider than on the feet, favoring Roberson. However, he acknowledges that Khalil Rountree is a very good striker and could knock Roberson out at any moment.
Big Brady picks Karl Roberson to win by third-round submission. He notes Roberson has never been knocked out and has underrated grappling, despite being submitted by elite grapplers. He points out that Rountree has zero takedowns in 11 UFC fights, so Roberson will likely keep the fight standing where he is the better striker. He also thinks Roberson can mix in takedowns and submit Rountree, who has poor takedown defense (50%). He expects Roberson to out-strike Rountree for two rounds then get a submission in the third.
Cody leans Rountree, citing his durability, power, and pressure. He notes Roberson's ground game is weak but Rountree won't exploit it. He sees it as a striking battle where Rountree's forward pressure and power give him the edge.
Daniel Levi leans with Khalil Rountree Jr., citing his speed advantage and the fact that when Rountree is mentally on and there's no takedown threat, he can be a serious problem. He notes that both fighters have been flaky and can't be fully trusted, but Rountree's speed gives him the edge. Levi acknowledges that Karl Roberson might be tougher but thinks Rountree's speed is the difference.
Roberson is seen as the more technical striker with a better overall MMA game, including grappling and clinch work. He can nullify Rountree's early power and then chip away with kicks and takedowns. Rountree has been inconsistent, with losses to Prachnio and Cutelaba. Roberson is expected to win via decision, using a grapple-heavy game plan.
Paul has no clear pick, calling it a dogger pass. He notes both fighters have moments but he doesn't trust either. He mentions Rountree's inconsistency and Roberson's cancellations.
The MMA Guru picks Khalil Rountree Jr. over Karl Roberson, expecting a stand-up contest. He believes Rountree has a big advantage on the feet and will pull the trigger more than in his last fight. He predicts a KO in round two, as Rountree lands powerful shots and gains respect. He notes that Roberson has shown some grappling ability but doesn't think it will be enough to stop Rountree.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan Allen | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 15 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 9 of 16 | 56% | 15 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:16 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brendan Allen | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 15 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 9 of 16 | 56% | 15 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:16 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brendan Allen | 6 of 14 | 42% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Karl Roberson | 9 of 16 | 56% | 4 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brendan Allen | 6 of 14 | 42% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Karl Roberson | 9 of 16 | 56% | 4 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
An all-action middleweight contest is next, as two thrillers that prefer to finish their foes lock horns, when Allen (15-4, 3-1 UFC) looks to pacify “Baby K” Roberson (9-3, 4-3 UFC). The Octagon ranger for this battle is referee Dan Miragliotta, and the two decide to touch gloves before trying to take the other’s head off. Allen quickly lets loose a head kick as soon as he retracts the touch, and Roberson is barely able to block it in time. Both men start trading, and both hurt the other with massive shots. Roberson gets off a body kick, and a left hand just misses the target as Allen dances out of the way to score a right. Allen fires off several kicks to the body and legs, and he clips “Baby K” with a right and a left chained into a head kick. “All In” uses his forward momentum to clinch up, where he hits a trip and puts Roberson on his back emphatically. Allen has some damage on the corner of his right eye, but he does not appear bothered by it as he crushes Roberson down in half guard. Roberson is stuck with his neck against the fence, and Allen reaches a little too far to pursue a straight armbar or kimura. Allen nearly falls off, but he readjusts himself and steps into mount, with the so-called “Dagestani handcuff” trapping Roberson’s legs while he can wail on Roberson’s face. Allen tries to pull Roberson’s legs out as he steps over toe the side, and Roberson bursts to his feet only to quickly be thrown back down to the ground. Allen in half guard squeezes with his shoulder, and Roberson can do little but hold on tight to stop the offense from coming. Allen smothers with his top pressure even though he does not land anything of note, but he does grind his elbow on Roberson’s face.
“Baby K” bucks like a bronco into a leglock from his back, and Allen defends in the 50/50 guard with his own heel hook attempt at the same time. Roberson is suddenly in big trouble, as Allen hooks the ankle underneath his armpit. “All In” torques it with seconds to spare, and Roberson grimaces in pain and taps out so his knee and ankle do not get shredded.
That is now submission number nine for Allen, who elicits this rare and elusive ankle-based tapout in impressive fashion.
The Official Result
Brendan Allen def. Karl Roberson R1 4:55 via Submission (Ankle Lock)
Big Brady picks Allen to win by first-round submission, but is hesitant because Allen often fails to implement his wrestling game plan. He notes Allen's striking defense is poor and he was knocked out by Strickland when he didn't wrestle. However, Roberson's weakness is takedown defense and ground game, and Allen is a good submission artist. He hopes Allen learned from his last loss.
Cody leans toward Allen but is not confident, noting Allen's grappling skills and Roberson's weakness against wrestlers. He worries about Allen's cardio and tendency to stand and strike. He thinks Allen must take Roberson down early to win, and if he doesn't, he could get knocked out. He also likes the over 1.5 rounds.
Daniel picks Brendan Allen, expecting him to take Roberson down and submit him. He notes Roberson has been choked out three times in the UFC and that Allen's striking has improved. He hopes Allen's fight IQ is on point and predicts a first-round submission.
I'm going the opposite way on this one. I think Roberson keeps the fight on the feet and uses his leg kicks to set up a knockout. Allen's takedown accuracy is only 37%, and Roberson has decent takedown defense. If Roberson can stuff the takedowns, he has the striking advantage. I like Roberson by KO at +335, but we need to wait for weigh-ins to see if he makes weight.
Paul picks Allen but is hesitant, citing Allen's grappling advantage and Roberson's susceptibility to takedowns. He notes Allen's cardio issues and tendency to tire if he doesn't get an early finish. He thinks Allen needs to use a wrestling-heavy approach to win, and if he stands with Roberson, he could get knocked out. He also likes the over 1.5 rounds.
The MMA Guru picks Brendan Allen by second-round rear-naked choke. He notes that Allen has good submissions and has submitted Kevin Holland, while Roberson has been taken down and submitted quickly in recent fights. He expects Allen to grapple his way to a win after some stand-up exchanges.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvin Vettori | 0 | 4 of 16 | 25% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 45 of 64 | 70% | 60 of 79 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 | 0 | 2:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marvin Vettori | 0 | 4 of 16 | 25% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 45 of 64 | 70% | 60 of 79 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 | 0 | 2:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvin Vettori | 4 of 16 | 25% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Karl Roberson | 45 of 64 | 70% | 45 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 43 of 52 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marvin Vettori | 4 of 16 | 25% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Karl Roberson | 45 of 64 | 70% | 45 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 43 of 52 |
Daniel Levi leans towards Marvin Vettori, citing his improved boxing, tough chin, and well-rounded game including clinch and jiu-jitsu. He acknowledges Karl Roberson's potential, knockout threat, and improving jiu-jitsu, but believes Vettori is the better overall fighter. Levi notes the line may be inflated due to the hotel incident and considers it a dog-or-pass situation, but still favors Vettori by tough decision.
The MMA Guru picks Marvin Vettori, noting that Karl Roberson botched a weight cut recently and was in critical condition, which increases Vettori's chances. He highlights Vettori's forward pressure and combination punching, while Roberson struggles moving backwards. He predicts Vettori will get a TKO finish in the third round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 37 of 95 | 38% | 38 of 96 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Roman Kopylov | 0 | 43 of 117 | 36% | 43 of 117 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 0:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karl Roberson | 0 | 12 of 28 | 42% | 12 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Roman Kopylov | 0 | 9 of 38 | 23% | 9 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 2 | Karl Roberson | 0 | 11 of 30 | 36% | 11 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Roman Kopylov | 0 | 18 of 41 | 43% | 18 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Karl Roberson | 0 | 14 of 37 | 37% | 15 of 38 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Roman Kopylov | 0 | 16 of 38 | 42% | 16 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 0:49 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl Roberson | 37 of 95 | 38% | 19 of 72 | 15 of 20 | 3 of 3 | 37 of 95 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Roman Kopylov | 43 of 117 | 36% | 14 of 77 | 3 of 10 | 26 of 30 | 41 of 115 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karl Roberson | 12 of 28 | 42% | 5 of 17 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Roman Kopylov | 9 of 38 | 23% | 3 of 29 | 1 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Karl Roberson | 11 of 30 | 36% | 4 of 23 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Roman Kopylov | 18 of 41 | 43% | 2 of 21 | 1 of 3 | 15 of 17 | 18 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Karl Roberson | 14 of 37 | 37% | 10 of 32 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Roman Kopylov | 16 of 38 | 42% | 9 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 8 | 15 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Moving right along, Roberson (8-2, 3-2 UFC) welcomes undefeated knockout artist Kopylov (8-0, 0-0 UFC) to the organization in a big way at middleweight. Serving as the referee for this bout will be Vyacheslav Kiselev. A touch of gloves in sporting fashion begins the fight, and Kopylov quickly opens with a few looping punches that fall short. Roberson responds with a few that are shy of the mark as well, so Kopylov aims for a kick instead. The American presses forward and lands a low kick, so Kopylov fires with a one-two up top that makes Roberson readjust his position. Trading jabs back and forth, Roberson looks to set up a big left hand, but Kopylov keeps moving and working the body to stay away from that prospective power punch. Roberson lands a few more heavy leg kicks, and then barely misses with one up high. Roberson stalks down Kopylov, and then flips up another head kick that glances off the shoulder of his opponent. Kopylov backs off and bounces off the cage a few times to find his place in the cage, and dodges some punches that fly from Roberson. Kopylov fires a head kick up that gets blocked, but follows with a quick short left that catches Roberson right on the jaw, much to the delight of the crowd -- they have not had much to cheer for so far. As Kopylov tries to dig to the body, Roberson wings a big left hand and a body kick. The Russian plants a one-two right on the jaw of his opponent, and backs away before the counters come in his direction. Kopylov just misses with a spinning back kick, so Roberson throws up a kick that almost appears to be an axe kick, leading to a clinch and the end of this razor-close round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Roberson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Roberson
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Roberson
Round 2
Once more the two men touch gloves, and trade leather immediately. Both score effectively and wear it well, but it is Roberson that is advancing and pressing forward. A straight punch to the body leads to a response from Roberson in the form of a hard leg kick, and then another. Kopylov stings Roberson with a left hand, and the crowd chants for him, but Roberson scores a heavy leg kick that makes Kopylov's knee buckle slightly. One more lands and makes Kopylov duck away, so Roberson chases after him with a head kick and falls over in the process. Kopylov allows him to get up and they touch gloves, so Roberson goes to the inside of Kopylov's lead leg. Another low kick finds its home from Roberson, and by throwing another, Kopylov's movement seems slightly hampered. Kopylov sits down on a left straight, but it does not have the same pop on it after the American lands yet another hard leg kick. The continued leg kicks are bothering Kopylov, so Roberson smartly continues to pursue it. Roberson whips another leg kick and Kopylov does not check it but actually reaches for it, and grimaces as he absorbs it. "Baby K" then launches a head kick and Kopylov is barely able to block it in time, so Roberson then pursues that lead leg some more. The leg is turning into hamburger, as these leg kicks are hard and loud. Roberson turns his hips into a leg kick and Kopylov fully takes the brunt of it, causing him to limp off. Kopylov tries to fire back at him, but he cannot plant on that lead leg, so Roberson goes after it once more to end the round dramatically.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Roberson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Roberson
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Roberson
Round 3
Unsurprisingly, within five seconds of the last round, Roberson throws a low kick. Kopylov attempts to come back at him and catches Roberson coming in, but the Russian instead pursues a takedown that Roberson shucks off. Sensing he might be down on the scorecards, Kopylov turns up the pace and starts throwing big shots at Roberson, much to the delight of the home fans. Roberson stays largely out of harm's way, but shoots in for his own takedown, and cannot land it. The American backs away and digs to that lead leg again, forcing Kopylov to try to respond by throwing a looping hook that nearly makes him topple over. A striking exchange dings up the nose of Kopylov, who then absorbs an inside leg kick as Roberson jumps in and out. Kopylov stretches his left arm out and jabs his pointer finger directly into the eye of Roberson, and that is a nasty poke as Roberson falls over. That eye starts bleeding, and the doctor is taking a hard look at it. Roberson is calling for the fight to continue, and there is a lot of blood coming from a cut on the eyelid. Kiselev takes a point from Kopylov, but the action resumes. Now confident he is behind in the fight, Kopylov throws everything he has at Roberson by winging combinations with wild kicks and punches. Roberson eats some strikes but aims directly at that lead leg with a few more kicks, causing Kopylov to retreat. Roberson chases him down and clinches up, muscling the Russian to the ground.
Roberson takes his opponent's back, and immediately seeks out a rear-naked choke. He grabs hold of the neck and will not let go, wrenching it with all his might until the Russian taps out.
Roberson becomes the first man to defeat Kopylov, and does so in style in front of a crowd that sits in stunned silence. Russian fighters are now 0-4 tonight against their foreign adversaries.
The Official Result
Karl Roberson def. Roman Kopylov R3 4:01 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 50 of 80 | 62% | 79 of 113 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 3 | 5:48 |
| Wellington Turman | 0 | 25 of 51 | 49% | 38 of 67 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 2 | 0 | 6:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karl Roberson | 0 | 23 of 38 | 60% | 41 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 3:14 |
| Wellington Turman | 0 | 9 of 16 | 56% | 11 of 18 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 0:57 | |
| 2 | Karl Roberson | 0 | 17 of 26 | 65% | 25 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:54 |
| Wellington Turman | 0 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 12 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:14 | |
| 3 | Karl Roberson | 0 | 10 of 16 | 62% | 13 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:40 |
| Wellington Turman | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 15 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:44 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl Roberson | 50 of 80 | 62% | 35 of 64 | 11 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 40 | 8 of 8 | 27 of 32 |
| Wellington Turman | 25 of 51 | 49% | 20 of 42 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 27 | 5 of 6 | 12 of 18 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karl Roberson | 23 of 38 | 60% | 17 of 31 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 20 |
| Wellington Turman | 9 of 16 | 56% | 8 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | |
| 2 | Karl Roberson | 17 of 26 | 65% | 13 of 22 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 13 | 7 of 7 | 5 of 6 |
| Wellington Turman | 8 of 21 | 38% | 5 of 16 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 8 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 7 | |
| 3 | Karl Roberson | 10 of 16 | 62% | 5 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 6 |
| Wellington Turman | 8 of 14 | 57% | 7 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 8 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glover Teixeira | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 20 of 26 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 1:46 |
| Karl Roberson | 1 | 24 of 30 | 80% | 29 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glover Teixeira | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 20 of 26 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 1:46 |
| Karl Roberson | 1 | 24 of 30 | 80% | 29 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glover Teixeira | 6 of 11 | 54% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 8 |
| Karl Roberson | 24 of 30 | 80% | 22 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 17 of 21 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glover Teixeira | 6 of 11 | 54% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 8 |
| Karl Roberson | 24 of 30 | 80% | 22 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 17 of 21 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl Roberson | 0 | 34 of 71 | 47% | 90 of 135 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 5:06 |
| Jack Marshman | 0 | 21 of 98 | 21% | 30 of 108 | 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 | Karl Roberson | 0 | 15 of 32 | 46% | 15 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Jack Marshman | 0 | 13 of 52 | 25% | 16 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Karl Roberson | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 35 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:15 |
| Jack Marshman | 0 | 8 of 31 | 25% | 10 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Karl Roberson | 0 | 11 of 19 | 57% | 40 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:33 |
| Jack Marshman | 0 | 0 of 15 | 0% | 4 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl Roberson | 34 of 71 | 47% | 24 of 58 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 5 | 24 of 57 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 |
| Jack Marshman | 21 of 98 | 21% | 12 of 80 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 13 | 19 of 95 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karl Roberson | 15 of 32 | 46% | 6 of 23 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 25 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Jack Marshman | 13 of 52 | 25% | 8 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 8 | 11 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Karl Roberson | 8 of 20 | 40% | 8 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jack Marshman | 8 of 31 | 25% | 4 of 25 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Karl Roberson | 11 of 19 | 57% | 10 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 |
| Jack Marshman | 0 of 15 | 0% | 0 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Darren Stewart - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Jacoby | 0 | 37 of 61 | 60% | 38 of 63 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 18 of 33 | 54% | 22 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Jacoby | 0 | 37 of 61 | 60% | 38 of 63 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 18 of 33 | 54% | 22 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Jacoby | 37 of 61 | 60% | 33 of 53 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 30 of 52 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Darren Stewart | 18 of 33 | 54% | 11 of 26 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 28 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Jacoby | 37 of 61 | 60% | 33 of 53 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 30 of 52 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Darren Stewart | 18 of 33 | 54% | 11 of 26 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 28 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Jacoby, citing his Muay Thai striking adapted to MMA, size advantage, and Stewart's chin issues. He notes Stewart is moving up in weight and has lost two in a row. He has an inside the distance bet on Jacoby and likes the less less on monkey knife fight.
Cody leans toward Jacoby but is not confident. He notes Jacoby's poor cardio and unimpressive UFC performances, but thinks his striking should be enough against Stewart, who is a natural middleweight. Cody considers Stewart's wrestling a threat but believes Jacoby's size and striking will allow him to pull away. He says the smart move is a pass but he'll probably end up taking Jacoby in parlays.
Jacob picks Jacoby, emphasizing his ability to dictate pressure and steal rounds with fight IQ. He notes Stewart took an easy way out in his last fight and that Jacoby's takedowns are better. He expects Jacoby to win, possibly by decision.
Lock picks Jacoby by KO at +300, citing the size and striking skill advantage. He thinks Stewart will struggle to close distance and Jacoby's leg kicks and boxing will be effective. Lock likes the under 2.5 rounds at +150 as well, expecting a striking match that ends early. He notes Stewart has power but is hittable and has been knocked out before.
Paul leans toward Jacoby but is hesitant. He notes Jacoby's cardio issues and Stewart's wrestling, but thinks Jacoby's kickboxing should give him an edge. Paul says he'll watch the weigh-ins and might add Jacoby to parlays. He is not fully confident and considers passing.
The Guru picks Dustin Jacoby, noting his size and reach advantage over Darren Stewart, who is a small middleweight moving up. He expects Jacoby's takedown defense and striking to be too much, predicting a TKO in the second round via leg kicks and body work. The Guru believes Stewart's only path is grappling, but Jacoby's improved defense will nullify that.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eryk Anders | 0 | 44 of 74 | 59% | 112 of 148 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 8:19 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 33 of 58 | 56% | 63 of 93 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eryk Anders | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 26 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 23 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:52 | |
| 2 | Eryk Anders | 0 | 12 of 23 | 52% | 33 of 47 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:03 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 19 of 31 | 61% | 30 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 | |
| 3 | Eryk Anders | 0 | 27 of 40 | 67% | 53 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 4:05 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 10 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eryk Anders | 44 of 74 | 59% | 36 of 61 | 7 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 28 | 17 of 22 | 18 of 24 |
| Darren Stewart | 33 of 58 | 56% | 8 of 28 | 7 of 8 | 18 of 22 | 22 of 44 | 11 of 13 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eryk Anders | 5 of 11 | 45% | 2 of 6 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 |
| Darren Stewart | 9 of 14 | 64% | 0 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Eryk Anders | 12 of 23 | 52% | 8 of 18 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 17 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Stewart | 19 of 31 | 61% | 7 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 9 of 9 | 12 of 22 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Eryk Anders | 27 of 40 | 67% | 26 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 7 | 9 of 11 | 16 of 22 |
| Darren Stewart | 5 of 13 | 38% | 1 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Big Brady picks Eryk Anders despite expressing distrust in his fight IQ and inconsistency. He notes Anders hurt Stewart in their first fight and has a wrestling advantage. However, he is wary of the weight move to 205 and the close line, calling it a potential trap. He expects a decision win.
Cody is confident in Anders, citing his improved performance at Fight Ready MMA and the fact that he was dominating Stewart before the illegal knee. He thinks Anders will replicate that performance and possibly get a finish. He notes Stewart's poor conditioning in the first fight.
Daniel Levi picks Eryk Anders by decision, noting that Anders knocked Stewart down in the first fight before the no-contest. He thinks Anders is the bigger man and has the mental edge. He praises Anders' training at Fight Ready and expects him to be more physical. He warns that every fight is different but believes Anders will get the win.
Anders is the bigger fighter and will have a strength advantage, especially at 205 lbs. He had success in the first fight with clinch work and dirty boxing, and that game plan should work again. Stewart is not used to fighting at this weight. Anders likely wins a decision by controlling the clinch and avoiding big shots.
Paul is confident in Anders and has already bet him at -141. He notes that Anders was dominating Stewart before the illegal knee and expects a similar outcome. He thinks the line is a trap but is willing to take it.
The MMA Guru picks Eryk Anders, switching from his original pick of Stewart after Anders proved him wrong in the first fight. He notes Anders' size and reach advantage at light heavyweight, and that Stewart was knocked out (even if ruled NC) just three months ago. He predicts a first-round TKO without illegal knees.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eryk Anders | 1 | 43 of 63 | 68% | 58 of 79 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 2:35 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 15 of 42 | 35% | 21 of 51 | 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 | Eryk Anders | 1 | 43 of 63 | 68% | 58 of 79 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 2:35 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 15 of 42 | 35% | 21 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eryk Anders | 43 of 63 | 68% | 38 of 57 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 17 of 32 | 11 of 14 | 15 of 17 |
| Darren Stewart | 15 of 42 | 35% | 7 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 11 of 38 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eryk Anders | 43 of 63 | 68% | 38 of 57 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 17 of 32 | 11 of 14 | 15 of 17 |
| Darren Stewart | 15 of 42 | 35% | 7 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 11 of 38 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Darren Stewart, expressing distrust in Eryk Anders due to inconsistent performances and poor game plans. He notes Stewart has been more active and has better striking volume. He expects a boring fight going to decision, with Stewart winning by doing more on the feet. He is not confident enough to bet at -175 but sees Stewart as the likely winner.
Daniel Levi picks Eryk Anders as a dog, believing the fight is a 50/50 and Anders has paths to victory via takedowns and clinch work. He notes Anders' move to Fight Ready camp could improve his output, but he wants to see it first. He criticizes Darren Stewart's inconsistency and tendency to underperform, and thinks Stewart's price is too high. He expects a close decision where Anders edges it.
Lock favors Stewart, noting his hands and striking have been looking good, and his cardio is solid. He criticizes Anders for relying on athleticism rather than technique, and thinks Anders has been 'found out.' Lock believes Stewart should win, but thinks -185 is a bit wide, so he might stay off betting it. He mentions Anders' recent loss to Christos Giagos and Stewart's competitive fights with Kevin Holland and others.
The Guru is confident in Darren Stewart, citing Eryk Anders' recent lackluster performances and questionable win over Vinicius Moreira. He notes Stewart's technical, compact style and ability to push pace in later rounds. He expects Anders to win the first round but Stewart to take over in the second and third, winning by 29-28 unanimous decision. He also mentions Anders' age and accumulated brain damage from his NFL career and wars.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Holland | 0 | 74 of 129 | 57% | 163 of 223 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:35 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 57 of 110 | 51% | 97 of 159 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 4:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Holland | 0 | 33 of 56 | 58% | 68 of 92 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 35 of 53 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 | |
| 2 | Kevin Holland | 0 | 31 of 57 | 54% | 49 of 78 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 28 of 40 | 70% | 30 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 | |
| 3 | Kevin Holland | 0 | 10 of 16 | 62% | 46 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 12 of 35 | 34% | 32 of 63 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:31 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Holland | 74 of 129 | 57% | 54 of 101 | 9 of 13 | 11 of 15 | 62 of 112 | 11 of 15 | 1 of 2 |
| Darren Stewart | 57 of 110 | 51% | 26 of 74 | 6 of 7 | 25 of 29 | 33 of 69 | 6 of 8 | 18 of 33 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Holland | 33 of 56 | 58% | 26 of 45 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 6 | 28 of 50 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Stewart | 17 of 35 | 48% | 9 of 26 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 13 of 29 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kevin Holland | 31 of 57 | 54% | 19 of 41 | 5 of 8 | 7 of 8 | 26 of 49 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 2 |
| Darren Stewart | 28 of 40 | 70% | 8 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 21 | 17 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 11 | |
| 3 | Kevin Holland | 10 of 16 | 62% | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Stewart | 12 of 35 | 34% | 9 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 22 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Opening the main card – the whole event is airing on ESPN+ – is a middleweight matchup pitting Stewart (12-5, 1 NC; 5-5, 1 NC UFC) against yet another fighter initially signed from the Contender Series in Holland (18-5, 5-2 UFC). The pairing between two men who prefer to get the finish will be presided over by referee Mark Smith, and the two men touch gloves to start off. Holland opens up with a leg kick and blocks an overhand right. Stewart goes to the same big right hand, and Holland charges him. In the clinch, a wild volley from both men comes in the form of several knees and elbows. Holland pushes Stewart to the fence, and he tells Stewart that he is strong. Holland gets kneed in the groin and is allowed time to recover, and he says it is an “Apex thing.” The action resumes as Holland kicks the leg, and they both clash leg kicks at the same time. Holland ducks a pair of looping hooks on the way out, and as he jabs he gets kicked in the leg. Stewart connects with a hard leg kick, and he tries to check it but does not get his guard up in time. Holland flings a head kick and Stewart eats it like a sandwich, and Stewart responds with a huge right hand that wobbles Holland. “Trailblazer” falls back to the canvas, possibly to lure his opponent in or he could be hurt, and he cracks Stewart with two huge punches that make the Brit have rubber legs. The two bite down on their gumshields and swing furious leather until they die up, and Holland stomps his toes as hard as he can. Both men start punching each other in the thigh as they turn one another about against the fence, and Holland works the body and checks Stewart in the face with his shoulder. Stewart absorbs several loud stomps on his toes and knees to the thigh, and Holland backs off to fire two punches but the Brit blocks them. Holland steps in with a side kick, and as Stewart steps out of the way, Holland hits him with a standing hammerfist. When Stewart throws a naked leg kick, Holland counters him with a left hand, and Stewart wears it well. The Brit crashes in for a takedown, and Holland defends it with a guillotine choke to stand Stewart up. Smith already calls both men to work, and Holland attempts to throw his man. They separate, and Holland kicks him in the head and points at him to laugh. The horn sounds, and the two men grin.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holland
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holland
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holland
Round 2
The second round begins with Holland cracking jokes and laughing, before he kicks the lead leg. Holland stomps forward to make Stewart react, and he kicks the knee hard. Stewart returns with one of his own, and Holland kicks high and gets his leg caught. The Brit picks up the leg and slams Holland down, before landing a strike on the ground before standing up. When Holland tries to hit him with an upkick, Stewart punches the sole of his foot. Both men trade leg kicks, with Holland trying to sweep the leg and kick out the knee. Smith decides he has had enough of that exchange and stands them up. Holland kicks the leg, and Stewart kicks straight to the kneecap in response. Holland chops at the leg again, and he avoids the counter while smacking Stewart with a hammerfist. They trade leg kicks, and Holland blasts Stewart with a one-two. Stewart spins about possibly hurt, but he fires back at him and shouts “Let’s go” repeatedly. Holland backs off and takes a few leg kicks along with a jab, before chaining together an unorthodox combination with a back fist and hammerfist included. Stewart lands a kick to the groin, and Smith does not see it so we do not take a pause. Holland shoots in low to duck an overhand right, and his neck is instantly in guillotine choke danger. Stewart grabs hold of the neck but bails on it to punch him in the side of the head. Holland stands up and wings a few punches, but Stewart defends them without concern. Stewart stomps the knee again, forcing Holland to shake his leg out. The Brit kicks it again, halting Holland in his tracks. Holland lands a side kick, and he avoids a jab to shoot in from a distance. He abandons the takedown to start swinging heavy leather on Stewart, landing shots until they clinch up. Stewart spins him around and lifts him in the air as the horn blares. Mid-air, Stewart decides to slam Holland down with gusto, and Smith breaks them up.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holland
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Holland
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holland
Round 3
They clap hands to check in the third round, and as Stewart walks forward, Holland slings a few hooks that glance off the chin. Stewart winds up with a right hand and Holland is barely able to duck out of the way. Holland kicks the leg and gets it caught, so he punches Stewart in the face a few times until the Brit elevates the leg and slams Holland down. Holland works his way back up, but Stewart has his hands clasped and he puts Holland back to the ground. “Trailblazer” again fights his way up and sets up a kimura to sweep Stewart. Stewart holds the cage several times with his toes, and Smith and Holland both call him out on it. The two get back up against the cage, and they jockey for position while they deliver a few knees to the body. After landing a few punches to the thigh, they disengage. Holland stings him with a right hand, and Stewart is not concerned and walks forward. The American ducks down to take the fight to the ground, and “The Dentist” stuffs it and cracks Holland on the chops with an elbow. Holland stays committed to the takedown, but Stewart turns him around and scoops Holland up to slam him down. Stewart lands a few strikes from on top, and Holland rolls to his side to eat several punches and draw a warning to fight back from Smith. Holland boxes his ears and elbows him from his back, and Stewart postures up to rain down punches and elbows. Stewart starts trash talking Holland on top as he drops down punches, and yells at his opponent while punishing him from on top. Stewart continues to shout and strike until the final horn ends this unusual fight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Stewart (29-28 Holland)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Stewart (29-28 Holland)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Stewart (29-28 Holland)
The Official Result
Kevin Holland def. Darren Stewart via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Big Brady picks Kevin Holland but is hesitant due to Holland's low fight IQ and tendency to mess around. He notes Holland has a seven-inch reach advantage and is the better striker, but his takedown game is inconsistent. He expects a close decision, though he acknowledges Stewart's poor takedown defense could be exploited.
The host favors Kevin Holland's length, awkward style, and high-level jiu-jitsu, believing he will take Darren Stewart down and submit him. He notes Stewart's underwhelming performance against Maki Pitolo and the travel disadvantage from the UK. He predicts a third-round submission for Holland, and likes the under 2.5 rounds at +155.
The host picks Kevin Holland over Darren Stewart, citing Holland's range, versatility, and experience. He notes Stewart's stiffness and predictability, and predicts a submission win in the second or third round, possibly via guillotine or rear-naked choke after hurting Stewart on the feet.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 12 of 31 | 38% | 14 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 13 of 38 | 34% | 14 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Stewart | 0 | 12 of 31 | 38% | 14 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Maki Pitolo | 0 | 13 of 38 | 34% | 14 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Stewart | 12 of 31 | 38% | 7 of 22 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 13 of 38 | 34% | 9 of 32 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Stewart | 12 of 31 | 38% | 7 of 22 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maki Pitolo | 13 of 38 | 34% | 9 of 32 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Pitolo as an underdog, believing his volume striking and improved cardio at 185 will be key. He notes Stewart's power but thinks Pitolo can outwork him and possibly get a knockout, as Stewart has never been knocked out. He predicts a second-round knockout for Pitolo.
Daniel Levi picks Maki Pitolo to win, citing that Pitolo is a different fighter at 185 pounds compared to 170, where he had brutal weight cuts. He notes Pitolo's improved durability, volume striking, and wrestling, and believes he is the better fighter across the board. Levi acknowledges the risk of Stewart's knockout power but thinks Pitolo can avoid it and win a decision or finish.
Stewart is the better striker with more power and technical kicking. Pitolo may try to grapple, but his takedowns are not as good as Stewart's previous opponents. Stewart's cardio is a question, but Pitolo has also gassed in the past. The fight likely ends inside the distance, but the line at -160 is a bit steep. Stewart by TKO in the second or third round.
The MMA Guru picks Darren Stewart because he is too big, strong, and dangerous in the clinch. He notes that Pitolo has dangerous body shots in the clinch, but Stewart has nasty elbows there. He expects Stewart to crack Pitolo with an elbow and win by unanimous decision, possibly a TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 29 of 53 | 54% | 66 of 98 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 0 | 1 | 8:04 |
| Deron Winn | 0 | 57 of 119 | 47% | 77 of 140 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Stewart | 0 | 12 of 12 | 100% | 35 of 38 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:15 |
| Deron Winn | 0 | 14 of 20 | 70% | 31 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 2 | Darren Stewart | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 10 of 20 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:15 |
| Deron Winn | 0 | 21 of 44 | 47% | 23 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Darren Stewart | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 21 of 40 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 1:34 |
| Deron Winn | 0 | 22 of 55 | 40% | 23 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Stewart | 29 of 53 | 54% | 25 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 31 | 7 of 11 | 11 of 11 |
| Deron Winn | 57 of 119 | 47% | 54 of 115 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 88 | 14 of 17 | 12 of 14 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Stewart | 12 of 12 | 100% | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 9 |
| Deron Winn | 14 of 20 | 70% | 13 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 9 | 6 of 7 | |
| 2 | Darren Stewart | 7 of 16 | 43% | 6 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Deron Winn | 21 of 44 | 47% | 19 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 36 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Darren Stewart | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 23 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Deron Winn | 22 of 55 | 40% | 22 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 7 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 31 of 84 | 36% | 45 of 98 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:42 |
| Bevon Lewis | 0 | 30 of 73 | 41% | 40 of 84 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Stewart | 0 | 15 of 28 | 53% | 24 of 37 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Bevon Lewis | 0 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 18 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:56 | |
| 2 | Darren Stewart | 0 | 11 of 39 | 28% | 11 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Bevon Lewis | 0 | 9 of 30 | 30% | 9 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Darren Stewart | 0 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:01 |
| Bevon Lewis | 0 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 13 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Stewart | 31 of 84 | 36% | 13 of 49 | 12 of 23 | 6 of 12 | 15 of 62 | 16 of 22 | 0 of 0 |
| Bevon Lewis | 30 of 73 | 41% | 11 of 52 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 15 | 18 of 55 | 12 of 18 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Stewart | 15 of 28 | 53% | 3 of 12 | 10 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 14 | 11 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Bevon Lewis | 15 of 27 | 55% | 7 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 7 | 6 of 13 | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Darren Stewart | 11 of 39 | 28% | 8 of 27 | 0 of 4 | 3 of 8 | 10 of 37 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Bevon Lewis | 9 of 30 | 30% | 2 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 6 | 8 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Darren Stewart | 5 of 17 | 29% | 2 of 10 | 2 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 11 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Bevon Lewis | 6 of 16 | 37% | 2 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 34 of 71 | 47% | 46 of 84 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 22 of 37 | 59% | 27 of 43 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 0 | 0 | 9:57 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 15 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 12 of 18 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 3:23 | |
| 2 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 13 of 19 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:09 | |
| 3 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 21 of 36 | 58% | 26 of 42 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
| Darren Stewart | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 2 of 6 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 2:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 34 of 71 | 47% | 29 of 63 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 40 | 12 of 16 | 11 of 15 |
| Darren Stewart | 22 of 37 | 59% | 12 of 25 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 21 | 11 of 15 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 11 of 28 | 39% | 8 of 24 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 20 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Stewart | 11 of 17 | 64% | 7 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 9 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Stewart | 10 of 15 | 66% | 4 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 21 of 36 | 58% | 20 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 14 | 4 of 7 | 11 of 15 |
| Darren Stewart | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The resurgent Stewart prepares to take on the 21 year-old undefeated Shahbazyan. Mark Smith is the referee. They touch gloves to start and set up in matching orthodox boxing stances. Referee Smith warns Shahbazyan twice about his extended fingers within the first 30 seconds. Shahbazyan ducks under a punch, shoots through Stewart’s hips and gets a takedown. Stewart gets to his feet but Shahbazyan is tenacious, latching onto his back and wrapping Stewart’s waist. An extended sequence of jockeying for position against the fence ends with Stewart escaping, and they separate with 90 seconds left. Shahbazyan again collapses the distance and clinches with Stewart against the fence, appearing to want the takedown again. Stewart shucks him off and catches him with a punch coming in. Stewart appears rocked but throws back, then times Stewart and hauls him to the floor again, where he is working to pass against the fence when the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Shahbazyan
Jay Pettry scores the round 10-9 Shahbazyan
Jordan Colbert scores the round 10-9 Shahbazyan
Round 2
The middleweights open up by exchanging on the feet until about a minute in, when Shahbazyan drops levels for a deep single. Stewart defends against the fence and once again offers his back. Shahbazyan pivots to the front and grabs a guillotine, but can’t secure it. Halfway through the round, Shahbazyan has Stewart against the fence, throwing knees at his left leg. Stewart turns into Shahbazyan, prompting the younger fighter to try a double-leg, then turns his back again. With a minute and a half left, Shahbazyan gets Stewart to his knees and sinks a hook almost like a folkstyle wrestling ride. He sinks the hook fully, then a body triangle, while fishing for a choke. Stewart escapes to his feet and they finish the round as they spent it: with Shahbazyan on Stewart’s back against the cage.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Shahbazyan
Jay Pettry scores the round 10-9 Shahbazyan
Jordan Colbert scores the round 10-9 Shahbazyan
Round 3
In the third round, it takes only 50 seconds before Shahbazyan tries his first takedown. It looks like rinse-and-repeat of the first two rounds, but Stewart breaks, turns and smashes Shahbazyan with an elbow. Shahbazyan is visibly rocked and tries to grab hold of Stewart as Stewart tries to tee off, but Shahbazyan manages to recover his wits and halfway through the round they’re back to the fence. With two minutes left, Smith breaks them up and they reset. Shahbazyan looks either tired or rocked and Stewart drops him with a right. Stewart follows him down, throwing desperately, but can’t seem to land the kill shot. Shahbazyan is exhausted, but manages to get back to his feet, where he secures yet another takedown. They end the fight, fittingly, against the fence with Shahbazyan holding on to Stewart’s waist.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round 10-9 Stewart (29-28 Shahbazyan)
Jay Pettry scores the round 10-9 Stewart (29-28 Shahbazyan)
Jordan Colbert scores the round 10-9 Stewart (29-28 Shahbazyan)
The Official Result
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Darren Stewart via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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