Career Averages - Benardo Sopaj
Career Averages - Ricky Turcios
Benardo Sopaj
Ricky Turcios
Benardo Sopaj - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 29 of 80 | 36% | 29 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 1 | 37 of 56 | 66% | 66 of 92 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 2 | 0 | 1:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 20 of 60 | 33% | 20 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 11 of 20 | 55% | 17 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:52 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 1 | 26 of 36 | 72% | 49 of 64 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 29 of 80 | 36% | 12 of 54 | 9 of 13 | 8 of 13 | 29 of 80 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 37 of 56 | 66% | 34 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 24 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 20 of 60 | 33% | 7 of 40 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 11 | 20 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 11 of 20 | 55% | 9 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 9 of 20 | 45% | 5 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 26 of 36 | 72% | 25 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 24 |
Angelo picks Benardo Sopaj, considering him the better fighter everywhere. He notes Sopaj is cleaner, faster, and a better wrestler. He trusts Sopaj's pressure and cardio despite a year layoff. He thinks -160 is a good spot.
Big Brady leans toward Benardo Sopaj, citing his power, wrestling, and grappling upside. He expects Sopaj to be more active in striking and have a grappling advantage, as long as his cardio holds up. He predicts a decision win in a close fight.
Cody picks Benardo Sopaj, citing his higher striking volume (4.24 significant strikes per minute vs Cuamba's 2.77) and aggression. He notes that Cuamba has a reach advantage and uses his jab well, but Sopaj lands more and is the better striker. He expects a close 29-28 decision but is not overly confident due to Sopaj's one-dimensional style.
Cuamba is well-rounded and has good cardio, but is passive. Sopaj is more technical but fades. The fight depends on Cuamba's aggression. No strong read, so pass.
Lucrative James leans toward Benardo Sopaj, citing his power, grappling upside, and potential ceiling. He notes Sopaj's ability to get takedowns and hurt opponents, while Cuamba may struggle with speed at bantamweight. He predicts a decision win for Sopaj.
The host picks Bernardo Sopai over Timmy Kuamba, liking Sopai's bright future. He expects Sopai's aggressiveness, grappling defense, and cardio edge to wear down Kuamba and win on the scorecards.
The host is confident in Sopaj's ability to dictate the pace and pressure, exploiting Cuamba's discomfort in the pocket. He expects Sopaj's superior striking and scrambling to wear down Cuamba, leading to a clear decision win. He sees Cuamba's only path to victory as a lucky knockout.
Paul also picks Benardo Sopaj, noting that he thought Sopaj would have success with offensive wrestling. He mentions that Cuamba has size issues and that Sopaj's volume and wrestling could be key. He hopes for a better price on fight day but is still going with Sopaj.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 78 of 144 | 54% | 113 of 187 | 1 of 9 | 11% | 0 | 0 | 1:56 |
| Ricky Turcios | 1 | 81 of 139 | 58% | 97 of 155 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 25 of 44 | 56% | 45 of 64 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Ricky Turcios | 0 | 18 of 35 | 51% | 20 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 | |
| 2 | Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 30 of 52 | 57% | 42 of 68 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
| Ricky Turcios | 0 | 25 of 48 | 52% | 29 of 52 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 | |
| 3 | Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 23 of 48 | 47% | 26 of 55 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Ricky Turcios | 1 | 38 of 56 | 67% | 48 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benardo Sopaj | 78 of 144 | 54% | 30 of 86 | 24 of 32 | 24 of 26 | 60 of 120 | 18 of 22 | 0 of 2 |
| Ricky Turcios | 81 of 139 | 58% | 64 of 117 | 8 of 11 | 9 of 11 | 48 of 99 | 16 of 20 | 17 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benardo Sopaj | 25 of 44 | 56% | 6 of 23 | 8 of 10 | 11 of 11 | 23 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Ricky Turcios | 18 of 35 | 51% | 13 of 28 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Benardo Sopaj | 30 of 52 | 57% | 13 of 29 | 11 of 15 | 6 of 8 | 18 of 37 | 12 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Ricky Turcios | 25 of 48 | 52% | 19 of 41 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 37 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Benardo Sopaj | 23 of 48 | 47% | 11 of 34 | 5 of 7 | 7 of 7 | 19 of 41 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 2 |
| Ricky Turcios | 38 of 56 | 67% | 32 of 48 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 5 | 18 of 32 | 4 of 5 | 16 of 19 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sopai (-355), Turcios (+280)
Round 1
The day before UFC Fight Night 247, also known as Magny vs. Prates, went down last November, Turcios (12-4, 2-2 UFC) fell ill during his weight cut and was forced out of his match with Sopai (11-3, 0-1 UFC). It took over two months to get the bantamweight pairing on the books again, but both fighters appear healthy and good to go this time around. They settle their business under the watchful eye of referee Frank Trigg, choosing to touch gloves before getting after it. Sopai pushes the pace immediately, allowing kicks from “Pretty Ricky” to fly past him so he can smack the Texan in the face with the instep of his foot. As Sopai keeps kicking, Turcios strafes left and right to set something up on his end. This results in a lot of chasing from the Albanian, who times a solid head kick to bean Turcios in the forehead. Turcios shakes it off and kicks the lead leg of his opponent two times in a row. Turcios chains a low kick into a spinning back kick to the midsection, and he keeps his gloves up to defend the head kick that aims at his dome. The two fire off low kicks, and one slides up the lead leg and bumps into Sopai’s cup. Trigg tells them to keep it clean and they fight on, with chants of “Let’s go, Ricky” as the Texan finds some success. Turcios steps on the gas and stalks down “The Lion King,” connecting with front kicks and pushing forward so he can grapple his opponent. As they clinch up against the fence, Turcios clings on tight while firing off several knees up the middle, and he keeps in close even as Sopai tries to escape. Sopai manages to get away, but Turcios races after him and tackles him down to his knees. Sopai defends it and stands up, but the second attempt from Turcios drags him down. Sopai scrambles to stand up, and Turcios leaps on his back to threaten with something. Sopai twists to put Turcios on his back, and he lines up some ground-and-pound. The strikes open up a cut on the corner of the face of “Pretty Ricky,” who explodes back to his feet and starts brawling it out with his foe. Sopai welcomes the slugfest, and he eats a hefty low kick, a right hand and some knees with shoved against the wall. The horn sounds to end the close round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Round 2
The fighters touch ‘em up to get started in the second round, and Sopai quickly backs Turcios to the wall and boots him upside the head. Sopai jabs his way in, and he slips back to avoid a low kick but is not able to get out of the way as Turcios is on him. “Pretty Ricky” lets fly two body kicks and tries to wrench Sopai to the floor, and they land in 50/50 position before pushing off to return to striking range. Turcios chips at the front leg a few times, getting away with naked kicks without reprisal. Sopai bears down on him and slugs him in the chops with a fierce right hand, forcing Turcios to turn tail and sprint away to reset. Sopai chases after him swinging hard, and Turcios gathers his thoughts and wings his own punches back when sitting down on them. Turcios leaps after a takedown, and Sopai turns him about and down to the ground. A furious scramble from Turcios leads to both men getting back upright, and he walks through an uppercut so he can get in close. Sopai connects with a knee that shakes Turcios up, and he pushes Turcios down to his hands to further slow him. Turcios twist and stands up, working the sides with punches only to get met with two crisp knees from the Albanian. Turcios consistently presses forward, backing Sopai off and making him work, and this appears to be bearing fruit as Sopai starts taking deep breaths with 90 seconds left in the round. Turcios, meanwhile, is fresh as a daisy and hurls big punches with bad intentions behind them. A pair of them clip Sopai, who ties his foe up and connects with a few knees to keep Turcios honest. Sopai pushes away a takedown shot to blast the Texan in the face with ferocious punches, and he trips Turcios up but elects not to follow him down so he can keep hitting him. Turcios drops down for a potential takedown, shakes it off and tries to keep swinging until the bell separates them.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Round 3
There is a glove touch to start the final round, and Sopai further reintroduces himself with a low kick and a body kick. The latter appears to take the wind out of the Texan’s sails, who drops to his knees and is in a bad way. Sopai tries to pound him out, ultimately settling to push Turcios all the way to his back so he can start bludgeoning him with elbows. Turcios’ nose busts open as blood sprays out of it, down his chest and all over the mat. Turcios practically laughs, somehow willing himself back to his feet so he can put hands on the man that hurt him. Sopai backs off, and Turcios races after him to clinch fight him. Turcios walks through punches to land some of his own, and Sopai eats them, shakes his head and knees “Pretty Ricky” in his not-so-pretty face. Swelling, a crunched nose and blood have transformed Turcios’ visage to something out of a European fairy tale, but Turcios has no concern for his outer appearance and just wants to bleed and fight. Turcios runs towards Sopai, throwing everything he has at his tiring opponent, and he hops on Sopai’s back only to slide off thanks to the sweat and blood. Sopai climbs into his guard, and he fights off a triangle choke setup to shift to the side. Turcios turns over to his knees and stands up, and they fire off jabs at one another with about 90 seconds on the clock. Turcios checks a kick and charges into the fray, absorbing plenty of strikes so he can hope to catch Sopai with something. Sopai pushes him away with front kicks, and he leaps in the air with a knee that glances off the target. Turcios walks directly into a knee, and an uppercut puts him down on his face for a moment. Turcios bounces off the mat, head-first, and does not just pop up but is appears totally fine and ready to keep banging. With “Fight of the Night” already having a frontrunner, the two add to it by going for broke with seconds to spare. Sopai flips at his opponent with a somersault kick, and Turcios takes it flush and chucks his opponent to the floor like a 135-pound side of beef. As Turcios tries to beat down his foe, Sopai throws his legs up to hang tight on a triangle choke until the bloody battle comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sopai (30-27 Sopai)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sopai (30-27 Sopai)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sopai (30-27 Sopai)
The Official Result
Bernardo Sopai def. Ricky Turcios via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Benardo Sopaj, citing his speed, power, takedown defense, and overall skill advantage over Ricky Turcios. He acknowledges Turcios' high pace and pressure but believes Sopaj can slow it down and take advantage of the skill gap. However, he warns against betting Sopaj at -400 due to the risk from his recent knockout loss.
Cody picks Benardo Sopaj, noting that the line is 100 points better than when the fight was first booked. He believes Sopaj is a legitimate prospect with strong wrestling and improving striking. Turcios has poor takedown defense, as seen against Kevin Natividad and Brady Hiestand, and his wins are split decisions. Sopaj is younger and more dynamic. Cody expects Sopaj to take Turcios down and secure rounds, possibly earning a finish. Sopaj is part of the Saftic Super Boost.
Daniel picks Sopaj, noting that he has never been a fan of Turcios' style. He believes Sopaj is a real prospect with impressive knockouts on the regional scene. Daniel thinks Sopaj's physical attributes and raw skill will overcome Turcios' experience. He mentions that Sopaj's only loss was to a dangerous fighter (Lock Dog) and that Turcios is not a threat.
The host believes Sopaj won fans with a close fight against Vinicius Oliveira and can put on a high-paced fight, landing more damage and outworking Turcios on route to a decision victory.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Sopaj. He notes that Turcios has been taken down multiple times by opponents who committed to wrestling, and Sopaj has the wrestling to do the same. Paul believes Sopaj's power and takedowns will be decisive. He is comfortable adding Sopaj to tickets despite the chalk.
The MMA Guru picks Benardo Sopaj over Ricky Turcios. He heavily criticizes Turcios' mentality and performance, citing low strike accuracy and lack of will to win. He praises Sopaj's short-notice debut against Vinicius Oliveira, where Sopaj won the first round and was winning the second before getting reversed. He believes Sopaj is a good fighter and will get the job done.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinicius Oliveira | 1 | 67 of 144 | 46% | 88 of 170 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 45 of 86 | 52% | 92 of 146 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 4:28 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vinicius Oliveira | 0 | 7 of 31 | 22% | 9 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 14 of 26 | 53% | 33 of 48 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 | |
| 2 | Vinicius Oliveira | 0 | 17 of 31 | 54% | 36 of 54 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 18 of 24 | 75% | 46 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:43 | |
| 3 | Vinicius Oliveira | 1 | 43 of 82 | 52% | 43 of 82 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 13 of 36 | 36% | 13 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinicius Oliveira | 67 of 144 | 46% | 39 of 91 | 11 of 20 | 17 of 33 | 49 of 112 | 3 of 13 | 15 of 19 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 45 of 86 | 52% | 42 of 81 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 55 | 0 of 2 | 24 of 29 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vinicius Oliveira | 7 of 31 | 22% | 1 of 12 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 14 | 7 of 29 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 14 of 26 | 53% | 12 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 9 | |
| 2 | Vinicius Oliveira | 17 of 31 | 54% | 14 of 25 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 5 | 2 of 7 | 15 of 19 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 18 of 24 | 75% | 17 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 16 of 20 | |
| 3 | Vinicius Oliveira | 43 of 82 | 52% | 24 of 54 | 6 of 10 | 13 of 18 | 42 of 78 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 13 of 36 | 36% | 13 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: N/A
Round 1
It’s back-to-back 135-pound contests of Zahabi-Basharat and now Oliveira (19-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Sopai (11-2, 0-0 UFC), with this pairing between UFC debutants. Both fighters do not like to involve the judges often, with “Lok Dog” posting a finish rate of 89%, and Albania’s Sopai countering with 91%. While the final bell might not play a factor, referee Keith Peterson almost certainly will before it is all said and done. Ahead of the action, there is a no-nonsense fist bump to commence this short-notice contest. Oliveira introduces himself with a rangy body kick, and he stalks forward with a sweeping leg kick. Sopai replies with a high kick that whizzes past his foe’s head, and Oliveira kicks him on the calf two more times. Oliveira aims a side kick to the knee, and keeps is guard up to defend from another head kick. The two crash together, and their excitement causes them to flail madly and miss wide on both sides. Oliveira goes to chase after his opponent, and Sopai chops him down with an inside low kick. Oliveira winds up with a power punch, and Sopai gets him back with another kick. Oliveira spins his man around with a leg kick, and Sopai tries and fails to wing a right hand when he spins about. Oliveira chips away with his calf kicks, keeping a safe range from the lunging Sopai. Oliveira spins for a wheel kick, and Sopai intercepts him and tackles him to the canvas. Sopai jumps to side control, and Oliveira counters with a heel hook attempt. Sopai lowers himself down to thwart the submission setup, and he settles down inside of the Brazilian’s guard. Oliveira throws up an armbar to threaten from his back, and Sopai backs off and lets them stand back up. Sopai chases after the Brazilian and lays into him with a huge right hand, and Oliveira responds with a head kick and a hard right hand to follow. Sopai winds up on power punches, blocks a head kick and scoots back to dodge a leg kick. Oliveira aims a kick that slaps into the guard, and Sopai chops his lead leg with a kick before charging to land a takedown. Sopai lands in full mount, but Oliveira bucks him back to the guard. Oliveira hacks with elbows from his back and kicks Sopai off of him, but Sopai lowers himself and smacks Oliveira in the face several times until the horn stops the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Round 2
The bantamweights clap hands to re-engage, and Oliveira starts off with a leg kick. Sopai aggressively hunts for a takedown, and when Oliveira counters with a trip, Sopai is able to bowl his man over and set him down. Oliveira turns to his side and then gives up his back, and Sopai wraps a hook around the waist and starts slamming the Brazilian in the side of the head with right hands. Sopai clobbers his fading opponent with punches and occasional elbows, and Peterson looks closely at the undefended strikes adding up. Oliveira keeps turning, and he gets flattened out briefly as Sopai hammers him with ground-and-pound. Sopai allows Oliveira to turn all the way around and follows him every step of the way, claiming Oliveira’s back once more and slamming down fierce right hands. Sopai sits up and rides Oliveira’s back like a professional bull rider, and he beats on Oliveira with several more right hands. Oliveira stands up with Sopai still on his back, and Sopai threatens with a rear-naked choke when he sees the opening. Oliveira grabs hold of one arm and slings Sopai over, and he chucks Sopai on his back. Oliveira unleashes a fury of power strikes, hurting Sopai and stepping into a partial mount until Sopai muscles his way back to his feet. Oliveira wrenches him away from the wall and climbs into top position with about a minute to go, and he drives down standing-to-ground punches and elbows that do some serious damage. Oliveira flattens himself down to grab hold of an arm-triangle choke, and he drives down punches and elbows until Sopai kicks him off. Sopai stands back up and walks into a head kick, and Oliveira races after him throwing hands. Sopai retaliates with a big punch, and he gets blasted with a head kick as he turns away before the round ends. When the round does conclude, Sopai puts his hands on his waist, and he appears totally exhausted.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Round 3
The fighters touch ‘em up to start the last round, and Oliveira walks Sopai down. When Sopai misses with a punch, Oliveira flails with several punches and a leg kick that does connect. Oliveira’s wild offense largely misses, and Sopai appears to still be catching his wind, as he only offers an occasional single strike. Oliveira charges forward with a right hand, and Sopai’s legs are barely beneath him as he partially absorbs a high kick. Oliveira drills him with two right hooks in rapid succession, and Sopai takes a sharp exhale in response. Oliveira meanders forward, no concern for his physical well-being, and he throws everything he has into every one of his strikes. Sopai allows most of them to soar past him, but the ones that do connect hurt him. Oliveira lands a few leg kicks as well, and he turns away to his corner and then lances Sopai with a few straight punches. Sopai is sucking wind as he tries to give something back, but Oliveira’s offense forces him to backpedal constantly. Oliveira winds up with a fierce right hand, and Sopai staggers back to the wall. Oliveira follows it with a leg kick, and he dings Sopai with another right. Oliveira loads up on power right hands and sweeping leg kicks, and Sopai is displaying his toughness but is getting knocked around the cage. Oliviera lands yet another big right hand, and Sopai bounces off the cage wall and offers back a single jab. Oliveira shoots down for a takedown, and when that fails, he swings inaccurately. Sopai reaches him with a swiping left hook, and Oliveira chops at his leg and belts him with a left hand that sends Sopai staggering back. Sopai turns away, his hands down, and the Brazilian sees his opening.
Oliveira sprints at his opponent, leaping in the air with and colliding in Sopai’s chin with about as clean of a flying knee as anyone will ever see. Sopai collapses lifelessly to the mat like a puppet whose strings have been cut, and Oliveira strides off, knowing there is nothing more he needs to do today but sign the check for his post-fight bonus.
Chalk this up as an immediate “Knockout of the Year” frontrunner, with the brutal flying knee to conclude the thrilling battle. Thankfully, Sopai eventually regains his senses, but he needs to be carried out of the Octagon from all the damage he sustained after nearly 15 minutes of ridiculous action and violence.
The Official Result
Vinicius Oliveira def. Bernardo Sopai R3 4:41 via KO (Flying Knee)
Angelo picks Vinicius Oliveira, expecting him to bring forward pressure and aggression. He notes that Oliveira is sloppy but dangerous, while Benardo Sopaj is a patient, boring striker. He thinks Oliveira will win and the fight will not go the distance.
Cody picks Oliveira but is hesitant, noting the fight was just announced. He mentions Oliveira's solid wins and finishing ability, but also his questionable durability. He notes Sopaj is undersized and on short notice. Cody says he would have bet Oliveira at -150 but now at even money it's more appealing, though he needs to see weigh-ins.
Paul tentatively picks Oliveira, noting he has no strong opinion due to the fight being added late. He mentions Oliveira's size advantage and leg kicks as key factors. He acknowledges Sopaj is a young prospect but undersized. Paul says he needs to do more research and let the line settle before feeling confident.
Ricky Turcios - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Turcios | 0 | 22 of 60 | 36% | 36 of 74 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:54 |
| Alberto Montes | 0 | 32 of 58 | 55% | 39 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Turcios | 0 | 19 of 53 | 35% | 33 of 67 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:54 |
| Alberto Montes | 0 | 26 of 47 | 55% | 33 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 2 | Ricky Turcios | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 3 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alberto Montes | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Turcios | 22 of 60 | 36% | 14 of 51 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 20 of 58 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Alberto Montes | 32 of 58 | 55% | 19 of 42 | 10 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 26 of 52 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Turcios | 19 of 53 | 35% | 13 of 46 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 51 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Alberto Montes | 26 of 47 | 55% | 16 of 35 | 8 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 41 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ricky Turcios | 3 of 7 | 42% | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alberto Montes | 6 of 11 | 54% | 3 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Alberto Montes over Ricky Turcios. He finds Turcios frustrating to pick, noting his low output and poor striking accuracy. Montes is a front choke specialist with power and submission threats. Brady sees Montes winning by decision or potentially hurting Turcios, who has been getting hurt more often. He trusts Montes to be more active and land bigger shots.
Cody picks Turcios, citing his better wrestling, striking, and experience. He notes Montes is a one-trick pony with the darce choke, and Turcios is hard to submit. He expects Turcios to win a decision, possibly a split.
Connor picks Turcios hesitantly, reasoning that Montes' game is dysfunctional enough that Turcios' chaotic style can compete. He notes that Turcios is tireless and has only been submitted once, while Montes has poor striking defense and may gas out under pressure. However, he acknowledges that Turcios is the smaller, weaker man moving up in weight.
Daniel Vreeland confidently picks Alberto Montes in his UFC debut, praising his disciplined striking and submission ability. He criticizes Ricky Turcios for not evolving and being figured out, and believes Montes will outpoint him without being affected by Turcios's antics.
The host is interested in Turcios as an underdog (+158) but is not confident enough to bet. He notes Montes is more technical everywhere but has little experience and many quick finishes. Turcios is tough, high-paced, and can drag opponents into wars, which could trouble a debutant. However, the host caps Turcios at around 50% and wants a bigger margin; the current odds imply 39%, which is not enough for him. He will wait for weigh-ins.
James picks Alberto Montes, noting that Ricky Turcios lacks power, submission threat, and volume, making it hard for him to win UFC fights. He believes Montes is a better striker with more power and has a dangerous anaconda choke that could submit Turcios. James is not confident but sees Montes as the side with more paths to victory.
Turcios is awkward and scrambly, making it hard for Montes to secure his front choke. Turcios has better striking output and accuracy against a less confident striker. He should survive grappling exchanges and win a decision as an underdog.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Turcios. He notes Montes' limited offense and Turcios' scrambling ability. He expects Turcios to outwork Montes and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Alberto Montes, but hesitantly. He thinks Montes can secure a submission (Anaconda choke) when Turcios shoots for takedowns. He notes Turcios has been skittish since TUF and that Montes, though sloppy, should win.
Zane does not make a clear pick. He acknowledges that Turcios could stumble into a win but does not commit to either fighter. He notes that Montes has a slick submission game but may get tired, while Turcios is a scrappy mess.
Angelo picks Cameron Smotherman, calling him the far better striker who will control the fight on the feet. He criticizes Ricky Turcios for getting worse in each fight, describing his style as running forward with windmill punches. He notes Smotherman's unreliability but believes he is more than a 2-to-1 favorite.
Big Brady is not a fan of either fighter, but leans Smotherman due to his slick striking and hands. He criticizes Turcios for a poor performance against Aiemann Zahabi and his taunting. However, he notes Smotherman is chinny and has been knocked out before, so he's not confident. He predicts Smotherman by decision.
Cody leans toward Ricky Turcios as an underdog, citing his durability and cardio. He notes Turcios's wrestling and volume could overwhelm Smotherman, who has poor takedown defense. Cody believes Turcios can win a decision or even a submission, and likes the plus money value.
Connor picks Smotherman because he is at least fast and powerful, while Turcios is a mess with low athleticism. He notes that Smotherman has technical skills but freezes up, while Turcios is a cyclone of activity without direction. Connor believes Smotherman has more potential to do damage if he chooses to.
Daniel Vreeland picks Cameron Smotherman simply because he dislikes Ricky Turcios as a fighter. He notes that neither fighter belongs in the UFC, but he refuses to pick Turcios. Vreeland acknowledges that Smotherman has decent hands but a suspect chin and poor ground game, making this a low-confidence pick.
James picks Smotherman, calling him the much better boxer and noting Turcios's lack of activity and focus on side ventures. He expects Smotherman to outbox Turcios and possibly hurt him.
The host picks Smotherman by decision, citing his slick striking and footwork. He believes Smotherman can counter Turcios's pressure and avoid grappling, as Turcios is not as strong a wrestler as Ricky Simone. He notes Smotherman's takedown defense has improved and expects him to win on the scorecards.
Paul picks Cameron Smotherman but is hesitant due to his takedown defense issues. He notes Smotherman's superior boxing and volume, but worries about Turcios's wrestling and durability. Paul prefers the over 2.5 rounds prop and believes Smotherman can win a decision if he stuffs takedowns.
The MMA Guru picks Cameron Smotherman, noting that Ricky Turcios has looked scared to fight and has not won recently. He likes Smotherman's body work and ability to snowball into fights, while Turcios lacks early aggression. He predicts a decision win.
Zane agrees with Connor, using the same logic: Smotherman is a solid athlete while Turcios has very little natural athleticism. He notes that Turcios has stamina and toughness but is a mess technically. Zane thinks Smotherman could do damage if he chooses to, but the fight is low level.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 78 of 144 | 54% | 113 of 187 | 1 of 9 | 11% | 0 | 0 | 1:56 |
| Ricky Turcios | 1 | 81 of 139 | 58% | 97 of 155 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 25 of 44 | 56% | 45 of 64 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Ricky Turcios | 0 | 18 of 35 | 51% | 20 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 | |
| 2 | Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 30 of 52 | 57% | 42 of 68 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
| Ricky Turcios | 0 | 25 of 48 | 52% | 29 of 52 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 | |
| 3 | Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 23 of 48 | 47% | 26 of 55 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Ricky Turcios | 1 | 38 of 56 | 67% | 48 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benardo Sopaj | 78 of 144 | 54% | 30 of 86 | 24 of 32 | 24 of 26 | 60 of 120 | 18 of 22 | 0 of 2 |
| Ricky Turcios | 81 of 139 | 58% | 64 of 117 | 8 of 11 | 9 of 11 | 48 of 99 | 16 of 20 | 17 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benardo Sopaj | 25 of 44 | 56% | 6 of 23 | 8 of 10 | 11 of 11 | 23 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Ricky Turcios | 18 of 35 | 51% | 13 of 28 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Benardo Sopaj | 30 of 52 | 57% | 13 of 29 | 11 of 15 | 6 of 8 | 18 of 37 | 12 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Ricky Turcios | 25 of 48 | 52% | 19 of 41 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 37 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Benardo Sopaj | 23 of 48 | 47% | 11 of 34 | 5 of 7 | 7 of 7 | 19 of 41 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 2 |
| Ricky Turcios | 38 of 56 | 67% | 32 of 48 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 5 | 18 of 32 | 4 of 5 | 16 of 19 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sopai (-355), Turcios (+280)
Round 1
The day before UFC Fight Night 247, also known as Magny vs. Prates, went down last November, Turcios (12-4, 2-2 UFC) fell ill during his weight cut and was forced out of his match with Sopai (11-3, 0-1 UFC). It took over two months to get the bantamweight pairing on the books again, but both fighters appear healthy and good to go this time around. They settle their business under the watchful eye of referee Frank Trigg, choosing to touch gloves before getting after it. Sopai pushes the pace immediately, allowing kicks from “Pretty Ricky” to fly past him so he can smack the Texan in the face with the instep of his foot. As Sopai keeps kicking, Turcios strafes left and right to set something up on his end. This results in a lot of chasing from the Albanian, who times a solid head kick to bean Turcios in the forehead. Turcios shakes it off and kicks the lead leg of his opponent two times in a row. Turcios chains a low kick into a spinning back kick to the midsection, and he keeps his gloves up to defend the head kick that aims at his dome. The two fire off low kicks, and one slides up the lead leg and bumps into Sopai’s cup. Trigg tells them to keep it clean and they fight on, with chants of “Let’s go, Ricky” as the Texan finds some success. Turcios steps on the gas and stalks down “The Lion King,” connecting with front kicks and pushing forward so he can grapple his opponent. As they clinch up against the fence, Turcios clings on tight while firing off several knees up the middle, and he keeps in close even as Sopai tries to escape. Sopai manages to get away, but Turcios races after him and tackles him down to his knees. Sopai defends it and stands up, but the second attempt from Turcios drags him down. Sopai scrambles to stand up, and Turcios leaps on his back to threaten with something. Sopai twists to put Turcios on his back, and he lines up some ground-and-pound. The strikes open up a cut on the corner of the face of “Pretty Ricky,” who explodes back to his feet and starts brawling it out with his foe. Sopai welcomes the slugfest, and he eats a hefty low kick, a right hand and some knees with shoved against the wall. The horn sounds to end the close round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Round 2
The fighters touch ‘em up to get started in the second round, and Sopai quickly backs Turcios to the wall and boots him upside the head. Sopai jabs his way in, and he slips back to avoid a low kick but is not able to get out of the way as Turcios is on him. “Pretty Ricky” lets fly two body kicks and tries to wrench Sopai to the floor, and they land in 50/50 position before pushing off to return to striking range. Turcios chips at the front leg a few times, getting away with naked kicks without reprisal. Sopai bears down on him and slugs him in the chops with a fierce right hand, forcing Turcios to turn tail and sprint away to reset. Sopai chases after him swinging hard, and Turcios gathers his thoughts and wings his own punches back when sitting down on them. Turcios leaps after a takedown, and Sopai turns him about and down to the ground. A furious scramble from Turcios leads to both men getting back upright, and he walks through an uppercut so he can get in close. Sopai connects with a knee that shakes Turcios up, and he pushes Turcios down to his hands to further slow him. Turcios twist and stands up, working the sides with punches only to get met with two crisp knees from the Albanian. Turcios consistently presses forward, backing Sopai off and making him work, and this appears to be bearing fruit as Sopai starts taking deep breaths with 90 seconds left in the round. Turcios, meanwhile, is fresh as a daisy and hurls big punches with bad intentions behind them. A pair of them clip Sopai, who ties his foe up and connects with a few knees to keep Turcios honest. Sopai pushes away a takedown shot to blast the Texan in the face with ferocious punches, and he trips Turcios up but elects not to follow him down so he can keep hitting him. Turcios drops down for a potential takedown, shakes it off and tries to keep swinging until the bell separates them.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sopai
Round 3
There is a glove touch to start the final round, and Sopai further reintroduces himself with a low kick and a body kick. The latter appears to take the wind out of the Texan’s sails, who drops to his knees and is in a bad way. Sopai tries to pound him out, ultimately settling to push Turcios all the way to his back so he can start bludgeoning him with elbows. Turcios’ nose busts open as blood sprays out of it, down his chest and all over the mat. Turcios practically laughs, somehow willing himself back to his feet so he can put hands on the man that hurt him. Sopai backs off, and Turcios races after him to clinch fight him. Turcios walks through punches to land some of his own, and Sopai eats them, shakes his head and knees “Pretty Ricky” in his not-so-pretty face. Swelling, a crunched nose and blood have transformed Turcios’ visage to something out of a European fairy tale, but Turcios has no concern for his outer appearance and just wants to bleed and fight. Turcios runs towards Sopai, throwing everything he has at his tiring opponent, and he hops on Sopai’s back only to slide off thanks to the sweat and blood. Sopai climbs into his guard, and he fights off a triangle choke setup to shift to the side. Turcios turns over to his knees and stands up, and they fire off jabs at one another with about 90 seconds on the clock. Turcios checks a kick and charges into the fray, absorbing plenty of strikes so he can hope to catch Sopai with something. Sopai pushes him away with front kicks, and he leaps in the air with a knee that glances off the target. Turcios walks directly into a knee, and an uppercut puts him down on his face for a moment. Turcios bounces off the mat, head-first, and does not just pop up but is appears totally fine and ready to keep banging. With “Fight of the Night” already having a frontrunner, the two add to it by going for broke with seconds to spare. Sopai flips at his opponent with a somersault kick, and Turcios takes it flush and chucks his opponent to the floor like a 135-pound side of beef. As Turcios tries to beat down his foe, Sopai throws his legs up to hang tight on a triangle choke until the bloody battle comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sopai (30-27 Sopai)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sopai (30-27 Sopai)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sopai (30-27 Sopai)
The Official Result
Bernardo Sopai def. Ricky Turcios via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Benardo Sopaj, citing his speed, power, takedown defense, and overall skill advantage over Ricky Turcios. He acknowledges Turcios' high pace and pressure but believes Sopaj can slow it down and take advantage of the skill gap. However, he warns against betting Sopaj at -400 due to the risk from his recent knockout loss.
Cody picks Benardo Sopaj, noting that the line is 100 points better than when the fight was first booked. He believes Sopaj is a legitimate prospect with strong wrestling and improving striking. Turcios has poor takedown defense, as seen against Kevin Natividad and Brady Hiestand, and his wins are split decisions. Sopaj is younger and more dynamic. Cody expects Sopaj to take Turcios down and secure rounds, possibly earning a finish. Sopaj is part of the Saftic Super Boost.
Daniel picks Sopaj, noting that he has never been a fan of Turcios' style. He believes Sopaj is a real prospect with impressive knockouts on the regional scene. Daniel thinks Sopaj's physical attributes and raw skill will overcome Turcios' experience. He mentions that Sopaj's only loss was to a dangerous fighter (Lock Dog) and that Turcios is not a threat.
The host believes Sopaj won fans with a close fight against Vinicius Oliveira and can put on a high-paced fight, landing more damage and outworking Turcios on route to a decision victory.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Sopaj. He notes that Turcios has been taken down multiple times by opponents who committed to wrestling, and Sopaj has the wrestling to do the same. Paul believes Sopaj's power and takedowns will be decisive. He is comfortable adding Sopaj to tickets despite the chalk.
The MMA Guru picks Benardo Sopaj over Ricky Turcios. He heavily criticizes Turcios' mentality and performance, citing low strike accuracy and lack of will to win. He praises Sopaj's short-notice debut against Vinicius Oliveira, where Sopaj won the first round and was winning the second before getting reversed. He believes Sopaj is a good fighter and will get the job done.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raul Rosas Jr. | 0 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 25 of 34 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 1 | 1 | 5:49 |
| Ricky Turcios | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 64 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:52 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raul Rosas Jr. | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 21 of 25 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 3:40 |
| Ricky Turcios | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 50 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:52 | |
| 2 | Raul Rosas Jr. | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 4 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 2:09 |
| Ricky Turcios | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 14 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raul Rosas Jr. | 3 of 9 | 33% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Ricky Turcios | 7 of 15 | 46% | 3 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raul Rosas Jr. | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Ricky Turcios | 5 of 11 | 45% | 1 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Raul Rosas Jr. | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ricky Turcios | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Raul Rosas Jr., noting his relentless wrestling and takedowns. He acknowledges that Ricky Turcios has a wild style and good scrambles, but his takedown defense is poor. He thinks Rosas will get takedowns early and often, and while Turcios might survive, Rosas should win a decision or get a submission. He is confident in Rosas.
Big Brady picks Raul Rosas Jr. to win by decision. He notes that the fight is now in Louisville instead of Mexico City, removing elevation concerns. He highlights Turcios's zero takedown defense, having been taken down 13 times in his last two fights. He expects Rosas to chain wrestle and win a dominant decision, possibly dropping the third round if he slows down.
Cody picks Rosas Jr. based on the stylistic matchup, noting Turcios' poor takedown defense and Rosas' strength and wrestling. He acknowledges Rosas' cardio issues but believes Turcios is not durable enough to survive the early rounds. Cody also likes that the fight was postponed, giving Rosas more time to prepare and make weight. He expects Rosas to get takedowns and potentially submit Turcios.
Daniel leans towards Rosas due to his physicality and early dominance, but acknowledges Turcios' experience and the possibility of Rosas gassing late. He notes Rosas' style requires high energy, similar to Aljamain Sterling, and that Turcios could take over if he makes Rosas work. He picks Rosas but wouldn't be surprised by a late fade.
Jacob picks Raul Rosas Jr., calling it a simple matchup: a relentless wrestler against a guy who can't defend takedowns. He notes that Turcios has empty pressure and isn't dangerous. He thinks Rosas will get takedowns and control the fight, and even if he gasses, he can still win. He is confident Rosas gets it done easily.
Rosas Jr. is a young grappler with strong scrambling and control, while Turcios is unorthodox and hard to submit. The fight will likely be a grappling-heavy scramble, with Rosas Jr. getting more control time and winning a decision. However, Turcios' experience and weird style make it tough to trust Rosas at -220. Over 2.5 rounds is a better play.
Paul picks Rosas Jr., noting that Turcios is a terrible stylistic matchup for Rosas due to his poor takedown defense and lack of finishing ability. He believes Rosas will take him down early and often, and while Rosas has cardio issues, Turcios is not good enough to capitalize. Paul expects Rosas to win by submission or decision.
The Guru picks Rosas Jr. because Turcios has looked embarrassing in recent fights, especially against Kevin Natividad and Aiemann Zahabi, where he didn't want to engage. He says Rosas will put him away just by wanting to win. He notes Turcios has good takedown defense but Rosas is relentless and will find a way to jump to the back. He predicts a first-round rear-naked choke.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Turcios | 0 | 68 of 115 | 59% | 170 of 224 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 | 3 | 6:17 |
| Kevin Natividad | 1 | 41 of 81 | 50% | 61 of 109 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 0 | 0 | 5:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Turcios | 0 | 17 of 27 | 62% | 49 of 62 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 2 | 2:30 |
| Kevin Natividad | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 11 of 22 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:30 | |
| 2 | Ricky Turcios | 0 | 22 of 39 | 56% | 52 of 70 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:26 |
| Kevin Natividad | 0 | 17 of 29 | 58% | 32 of 49 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 2:20 | |
| 3 | Ricky Turcios | 0 | 29 of 49 | 59% | 69 of 92 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 2:21 |
| Kevin Natividad | 1 | 15 of 33 | 45% | 18 of 38 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Turcios | 68 of 115 | 59% | 65 of 112 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 28 of 63 | 5 of 11 | 35 of 41 |
| Kevin Natividad | 41 of 81 | 50% | 33 of 70 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 23 of 55 | 5 of 9 | 13 of 17 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Turcios | 17 of 27 | 62% | 16 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 10 | 1 of 4 | 12 of 13 |
| Kevin Natividad | 9 of 19 | 47% | 4 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | |
| 2 | Ricky Turcios | 22 of 39 | 56% | 20 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 25 | 3 of 6 | 8 of 8 |
| Kevin Natividad | 17 of 29 | 58% | 14 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 16 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 8 | |
| 3 | Ricky Turcios | 29 of 49 | 59% | 29 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 20 |
| Kevin Natividad | 15 of 33 | 45% | 15 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 6 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiemann Zahabi | 0 | 54 of 105 | 51% | 54 of 105 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ricky Turcios | 0 | 27 of 235 | 11% | 27 of 235 | 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 | Aiemann Zahabi | 0 | 12 of 23 | 52% | 12 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ricky Turcios | 0 | 7 of 53 | 13% | 7 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Aiemann Zahabi | 0 | 21 of 46 | 45% | 21 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ricky Turcios | 0 | 10 of 84 | 11% | 10 of 84 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Aiemann Zahabi | 0 | 21 of 36 | 58% | 21 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ricky Turcios | 0 | 10 of 98 | 10% | 10 of 98 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiemann Zahabi | 54 of 105 | 51% | 18 of 59 | 9 of 14 | 27 of 32 | 53 of 104 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Ricky Turcios | 27 of 235 | 11% | 14 of 204 | 5 of 21 | 8 of 10 | 27 of 235 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aiemann Zahabi | 12 of 23 | 52% | 3 of 14 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Ricky Turcios | 7 of 53 | 13% | 3 of 46 | 1 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Aiemann Zahabi | 21 of 46 | 45% | 10 of 29 | 2 of 6 | 9 of 11 | 21 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ricky Turcios | 10 of 84 | 11% | 4 of 72 | 3 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 10 of 84 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Aiemann Zahabi | 21 of 36 | 58% | 5 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 14 of 17 | 21 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ricky Turcios | 10 of 98 | 10% | 7 of 86 | 1 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 98 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Turcios (-190), Zahabi (+160)
Round 1
Unexpectedly, this preliminary contest now is slotted on the main card, as bantamweights go at it. Tristar’s Zahabi (8-2, 2-2 UFC) makes his way back to the Octagon for the first time in over 16 months. He will do so against “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 29 winner Turcios (11-2, 1-0 UFC), who himself has been out of action since August. Cage corrosion will be kicked off in front of referee Chris Tognoni, and the returning gentlemen do not touch ‘em up before proceeding. Turcios very violently stomps the floor a few times for feints, and he wings a hook kick and lets loose a kiai to follow, even as it is feet away from the target. The Canadian ducks back when Turcios walks him down and flicks out several jabs, and he intercepts Zahabi on the way in with a front kick right on the chin. Turcios employs a more traditional martial arts stance, bouncing back and forth on his feet, and his movement is making Zahabi struggle to close the distance. The Tristar Gym fighter rushes forward, and he only manages to land one right hand before he has to back off. Turcios slaps him in the chest with a kick, and he puts another front kick out after stomping the floor loudly. Zahabi kicks him in the ribs, and he blocks a high kick and counters with a left hook. Turcios tosses up a head kick, and as Zahabi guards it and recovers, he shoots in for a takedown. Zahabi manages to sprawl well enough to break away and reset, and they trade kicks from range. Turcios just misses with a front kick, and he widely misses with another. As Zahabi plods forward, Turcios clips him with a right hook, and Zahabi keeps a stiff upper lip but may be stung from the blow. When Zahabi backs off, Turcios stomps the ground repeatedly and tells Zahabi to come on. Turcios kicks high again and pursues a takedown to follow, and Zahabi is wise to it. They kick one another in the body, and Turcios spins with a back fist that is at least a meter away from where he planned on it landing. Zahabi connects with a leg kick, and Turcios taunts him with a shout. The awkward stance and posturing of Turcios is allowing him to dictate much of the action, even if his high-flying strikes are all hugely inaccurate. Turcios kicks with body legs, and he jabs out several times, shouting every time. Zahabi swings and hits air in a counter, and the strange round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Turcios
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Turcios
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Turcios
Round 2
Turcios leads out with a glove touch, and Zahabi accepts it to start off the round. The leg kicks get traded one after the other, and other strikes do not find their homes. Zahabi blocks a few blows on the way forward so that he can sit down on a leg kick, and he slides back as Turcios comes at him with punches. Zahabi counters with a right, and he does not bite on the feints and shouts from Turcios. Turcios goes after a half-hearted spinning wheel kick, and Zahabi sprints forward to catch him spinning with a right. Zahabi keeps on kicking the leg, but his overhand rights brush past Turcios’ hair. The American kicks high, and it lands on the guard to little impact. Zahabi tries to throw the same strike, and it misses the mark. The accuracy rate for this fight is exceptionally low, as most strikes are either blocked or well short of their intended targets. Turcios comes out throwing hands, and Zahabi blocks each and every one and replies with a one-two. Zahabi’s leg kick may be his most successful strike, and Turcios pushes the pace but cannot connect with anything as Zahabi is slippery and evasive. Zahabi assaults the calf twice, forcing Turcios to switch stances briefly, and when Turcios returns to southpaw he lifts his leg repeatedly in anticipation of the kick. Zahabi slithers back and pops Turcios coming in. Turcios gives chase, throwing recklessly, but only a few of his punches come close to landing. Time expires to end this unexciting sparring match of a round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi
Round 3
The bantamweights meet in the middle to begin the final round, and Zahabi keeps his guard high to block any early strikes that come his way. Zahabi pounds on the inside of Turcios’ lead leg with a heavy kick, and Turcios switches stances to throw a kick but is miles away. Zahabi stops Turcios’ punches and kicks getting through, and his defense is solid but his offense is limited to low kicks and inaccurate counters. Turcios wings a right hand that is inches away, and he flicks out several jabs. Zahabi doubles up on leg kicks, and he swats away a punch and is similarly blocked when he attempts to load up on a right hand. Zahabi’s inside leg kick is paying dividends as Turcios’ wheel is slightly limited as he presents a minor limp. He does not slow, regardless of the damage, and he powers forward to throw punches that cannot find the mark. When Zahabi throws back, Turcios catches him mid-exchange with a pair of punches. Zahabi cleanly lands a low kick as Turcios ambles towards him, seeing the telegraphed strikes and playing matador to Turcios’ awkward bull. Turcios finally sits down on a punch, and Zahabi shrugs it off as if it never even landed. Turcios tosses up a light head kick, and Zahabi catches his plant leg on the way down with his shin. Turcios whiffs on a wheel kick, Zahabi wings a left hook that blows the hair back, and this fight is now mercifully over.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi (29-28 Zahabi)
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi (29-28 Zahabi)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zahabi (29-28 Zahabi)
The Official Result
Aiemann Zahabi def. Ricky Turcios via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo is very confident in Ricky Turcios due to his high volume and pace, contrasting with Zahabi's low output. He notes Turcios landed 200 strikes despite being taken down 6 times in his last fight. He sees Turcios as a parlay piece and already has a moneyline bet at -175. He compares the matchup to Brian Barbarena vs Robbie Lawler, where volume overcame power.
Big Brady picks Ricky Turcios due to his relentless activity and minute-winning ability. He notes that Turcios has many holes in his game (poor takedown defense, hittable, reckless) but believes Zahabi's low volume (2.82 significant strikes per minute) won't capitalize on them. He thinks if the fight goes to decision, Turcios will do enough to win. He acknowledges Zahabi could win by knockout if he lands clean, but leans toward Turcios by decision.
Cody believes Turcios' relentless pace and cardio will overwhelm Zahabi, who fights infrequently and has low volume. He thinks Zahabi's only path is a knockout, but Turcios is durable and will outwork him over three rounds. He cites Zahabi's poor performances and lack of activity.
The host says he is picking Zahabi to win but does not place a bet on the fight. He mentions that Zahabi could knock out Turcios but is not super confident. He does not elaborate on reasoning beyond that.
Paul is interested in the over 2.5 rounds prop and leans Turcios due to Zahabi's inconsistency. He notes Zahabi has skills but rarely puts them together, while Turcios has a high work rate. He's not fully confident but sees Turcios as the likely winner.
The Guru picks Ricky Turcios, noting Zahabi's inconsistency and that his KO win was over a padded-record opponent. He believes Turcios' chin and pace will carry him to a 29-28 decision, especially as Zahabi is older and Turcios has a reach advantage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Turcios | 1 | 100 of 171 | 58% | 201 of 281 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 2:32 |
| Brady Hiestand | 0 | 66 of 134 | 49% | 82 of 152 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 0 | 1 | 7:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Turcios | 0 | 35 of 55 | 63% | 72 of 98 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Brady Hiestand | 0 | 24 of 43 | 55% | 35 of 56 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 3:14 | |
| 2 | Ricky Turcios | 0 | 15 of 33 | 45% | 42 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 0:45 |
| Brady Hiestand | 0 | 15 of 31 | 48% | 16 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:43 | |
| 3 | Ricky Turcios | 1 | 50 of 83 | 60% | 87 of 123 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Brady Hiestand | 0 | 27 of 60 | 45% | 31 of 64 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Turcios | 100 of 171 | 58% | 83 of 150 | 14 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 67 of 131 | 22 of 27 | 11 of 13 |
| Brady Hiestand | 66 of 134 | 49% | 59 of 124 | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 52 of 117 | 8 of 10 | 6 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Turcios | 35 of 55 | 63% | 26 of 46 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 25 of 43 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Brady Hiestand | 24 of 43 | 55% | 20 of 39 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | |
| 2 | Ricky Turcios | 15 of 33 | 45% | 15 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 7 |
| Brady Hiestand | 15 of 31 | 48% | 15 of 28 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 25 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Ricky Turcios | 50 of 83 | 60% | 42 of 72 | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 36 of 65 | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 |
| Brady Hiestand | 27 of 60 | 45% | 24 of 57 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 55 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Turcios, citing his crazy style, pressure, and variety of strikes. He notes Hiestand is formulaic and will struggle with Turcios' unpredictability. He has Turcios in his DraftKings lineup at 8700 and likes the more more on monkey knife fight.
Cody leans toward Hiestand as a live underdog, impressed by his takedowns and knockout of Vince Murdock on TUF. He thinks Hiestand's wrestling could neutralize Turcios, but acknowledges Turcios' experience and scrambling ability. Cody is worried about Turcios' takedown defense and thinks Hiestand could control the fight. He calls Hiestand a prospect and says the plus-140 line is not terrible.
Jacob picks Turcios but is hesitant, noting Hiestand's good takedowns and Turcios' defensive movement issues. He worries if Hiestand gets a hold of Turcios, it could be one-sided. He relies on Turcios' movement and volume to win.
Lock picks Hiestand as an underdog, citing his wrestling-heavy approach and ability to implement a game plan. He thinks Hiestand's jiu-jitsu is good enough to avoid submissions from Turcios. Lock is concerned about Hiestand's striking and cardio but believes he can secure takedowns and win rounds. He likes Hiestand by decision at +300 and considers him a potential dog of the night.
Paul picks Hiestand as a dog, noting his quick takedown entries and potential. He thinks Turcios' veteran savvy will neutralize Hiestand's striking, but he likes the over 2.5 rounds as a parlay piece. Paul is not fully confident in Hiestand's hands but sees value at plus-140.
The Guru picks Ricky Turcios by TKO in the later rounds, expecting Hiestand to grapple early but fade due to cardio. He notes Turcios' experience against better competition and Hiestand's lack of finishing ability. The Guru predicts a third-round TKO as Turcios pours on pressure.
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Benardo Sopaj, citing his speed, power, takedown defense, and overall skill advantage over Ricky Turcios. He acknowledges Turcios' high pace and pressure but believes Sopaj can slow it down and take advantage of the skill gap. However, he warns against betting Sopaj at -400 due to the risk from his recent knockout loss.
Cody picks Benardo Sopaj, noting that the line is 100 points better than when the fight was first booked. He believes Sopaj is a legitimate prospect with strong wrestling and improving striking. Turcios has poor takedown defense, as seen against Kevin Natividad and Brady Hiestand, and his wins are split decisions. Sopaj is younger and more dynamic. Cody expects Sopaj to take Turcios down and secure rounds, possibly earning a finish. Sopaj is part of the Saftic Super Boost.
Daniel picks Sopaj, noting that he has never been a fan of Turcios' style. He believes Sopaj is a real prospect with impressive knockouts on the regional scene. Daniel thinks Sopaj's physical attributes and raw skill will overcome Turcios' experience. He mentions that Sopaj's only loss was to a dangerous fighter (Lock Dog) and that Turcios is not a threat.
The host believes Sopaj won fans with a close fight against Vinicius Oliveira and can put on a high-paced fight, landing more damage and outworking Turcios on route to a decision victory.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Sopaj. He notes that Turcios has been taken down multiple times by opponents who committed to wrestling, and Sopaj has the wrestling to do the same. Paul believes Sopaj's power and takedowns will be decisive. He is comfortable adding Sopaj to tickets despite the chalk.
The MMA Guru picks Benardo Sopaj over Ricky Turcios. He heavily criticizes Turcios' mentality and performance, citing low strike accuracy and lack of will to win. He praises Sopaj's short-notice debut against Vinicius Oliveira, where Sopaj won the first round and was winning the second before getting reversed. He believes Sopaj is a good fighter and will get the job done.
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