Career Averages - Frankie Edgar
Career Averages - Yair Rodríguez
Frankie Edgar - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlon Vera | 0 | 94 of 155 | 60% | 138 of 202 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:25 |
| Frankie Edgar | 1 | 88 of 164 | 53% | 110 of 187 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marlon Vera | 0 | 35 of 45 | 77% | 67 of 80 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:06 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 18 of 35 | 51% | 36 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Marlon Vera | 0 | 27 of 47 | 57% | 39 of 59 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 32 of 65 | 49% | 36 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Marlon Vera | 0 | 32 of 63 | 50% | 32 of 63 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Frankie Edgar | 1 | 38 of 64 | 59% | 38 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlon Vera | 94 of 155 | 60% | 59 of 113 | 25 of 32 | 10 of 10 | 69 of 125 | 0 of 1 | 25 of 29 |
| Frankie Edgar | 88 of 164 | 53% | 60 of 130 | 22 of 26 | 6 of 8 | 75 of 140 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 23 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marlon Vera | 35 of 45 | 77% | 22 of 31 | 9 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 18 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 20 |
| Frankie Edgar | 18 of 35 | 51% | 14 of 30 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 13 | |
| 2 | Marlon Vera | 27 of 47 | 57% | 19 of 35 | 5 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 19 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 9 |
| Frankie Edgar | 32 of 65 | 49% | 18 of 47 | 12 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 27 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 9 | |
| 3 | Marlon Vera | 32 of 63 | 50% | 18 of 47 | 11 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 32 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 38 of 64 | 59% | 28 of 53 | 8 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 37 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The hits keep right on coming, we hope you’re not worn out from what you’ve witnessed the last several fights. Former lightweight champion and multiple-time featherweight title challenger Edgar (24-9-1, 18-9-1 UFC) will answer the call at the age of 40 against furious Ecuadorian striker Vera (17-7-1, 11-6 UFC). Although Vera will clock in 12 years his opponent’s junior, he is not taking Edgar lightly, and referee Todd Anderson will have his work cut out for him in the next 15 minutes. Vera crawls out of his corner like Jon Jones, and because of this, there is no glove touch. Instead, when Vera stands up, they start trading. Edgar walks Vera down and slugs him in the face with a right hand, and Edgar shoots in for a takedown from afar. Edgar lands a left, and then another, and he walks through a leg kick so that he can keep punching. Vera sticks his tongue out as he stalks Edgar, and Edgar greets him with punches. Vera is struggling to find his range as Edgar gets in and out of range in time, popping Vera with strikes and escaping before counters find him. Edgar catches a leg kick, and he dives in for a takedown. When Edgar hits it, Vera defends with a guillotine choke on his back, but with Vera flat on his back, there is no choke set up. Vera bucks Edgar back to his full guard, and he closes it around the former champ. Edgar breaks the posture by pumping up and down, and he slashes with vicious elbows right on the nose. Vera lets rip several elbows from his back to make Edgar honest, and chants for “Let’s go, Frankie” rain down in the arena. Vera defends successfully with hacking elbows, and Edgar sits up every so often to land some ground-and-pound. Edgar fights off a possible armbar setup to land strikes, and when he stands up, Vera starts spamming upkicks. Edgar masterfully dodges most of the strikes before dropping back down into Vera’s guard, and he begins to batter Vera with more elbows. “Chito” has his guard closed for the most part, but Edgar lands strikes from above until the horn sounds. When Edgar stands up, Vera kicks him in the face illegally, and Edgar protests.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edgar
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Edgar
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Edgar
Round 2
Vera practically sprints out of his corner to engage, but he does not throw much in the first 20 seconds. The Ecuadorian gets off an inside leg kick, and he pops Edgar in the face to draw a little swelling around Edgar’s left eye. Vera is sharp with his hands as he gives chase, and he lands a body kick right before Edgar charges him. When the former champ rushes in, he throws a combination and gets clipped with a counter on the way out, but he is no worse for wear. Vera steps in with a knee, and Edgar’s eyes light up as he grabs his opponent’s leg and throws him down to the canvas. Edgar stacks Vera up in a high guard to keep him from defending or getting any upkicks off, all while slapping him in the face with hammerfists. Edgar comfortably sits down to land strikes, but Vera suddenly somersaults backwards to break the posture and stand back up. When back upright, Vera runs after Edgar to lay into him with strikes. “Chito” throws a kick, and Edgar grabs it but cannot punish him for this strike by taking him down. Vera pulls his leg back, and he takes an uppercut to the chops. Vera eats a few body shots so that he can knee Edgar in the face, and he is making Edgar retreat constantly as he peppers the midsection with front kicks. Vera scores a solid knee to make Edgar do a little flip on the ground to fall down and get back to his feet, and when he gets back up, Vera punches him in the face. Edgar lands a single leg kick, and Vera raises his arms in the air to taunt him, which allows Edgar to kick him two more times down low. Edgar sits down on a right hand, and he swipes with a hook to make Vera take a step back. Vera turns around and lands a back kick, and he blasts Edgar in the face with an elbow to put Edgar on rubber legs. Vera gets off a head kick, and he tries to finish the job, but he cannot because the round ends. Both bantamweights exchange words, and Vera flips him off as Anderson separates them.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vera
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Vera
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Vera
Round 3
Vera attacks first to start of the final round, with long, rangy punches and front kicks. Vera scores a punch, and Edgar returns fire with a one-two. Edgar has a head kick clatter off the body, Vera is on him to land power shots. Vera stabs the midsection with a kick, and he turtles up when Edgar unloads on him. A leg kick from Vera makes Edgar back off, and “Chito” turns to plant a side kick on Edgar’s torso. Edgar has a takedown stuffed, and he walks into a right hand and an uppercut. Vera lets rip with a leg kick, and Edgar tags him with four punches to the body before retreating. Edgar gets marked up with a sharp uppercut, and Vera is taking it to him and making Edgar constantly backpedal. Vera’s body kick gets through, and Edgar returns fire with a short combination. The power differential is far in the favor of the Ecuadorian at this point, but Edgar is more content to land with volume while Vera is looking for the one-hitter quitter. One punch knocks Edgar’s mouthpiece out, and Anderson runs over to replace it as Vera gives a cheeky look and shrug to the camera. Edgar gets rocked by a left hand, and he catches a rampaging Vera by hitting a takedown and putting him on the ground. “Chito” powers his way back up to his feet in an instant, and he breaks the grip to line up a right hand. They both throw hands in the pocket, and Vera steps back to unleash a front kick reminiscent of Anderson Silva booting Vitor Belfort in the face. Edgar’s legs disintegrate beneath him as he falls face-first to the mat, and Vera gets off a hammerfists or two before Anderson can sprint in to halt the fight. Edgar protests the stoppage, but considering he was out on his feet when he stood up and nearly fell over walking to his corner, it appears to have been the right call. They settle their in-cage beef after the fight concludes, and show some respect to one another after a fun melee.
The Official Result
Marlon Vera def. Frankie Edgar R3 3:50 via KO (Front Kick)
Angelo picks Frankie Edgar, but hesitantly. He believes Edgar's wrestling, footwork, and cardio are superior, and that if Edgar implements a wrestling game plan, he wins. However, he worries about Edgar's chin after recent knockouts. He thinks Vera is overrated and that Edgar can win a decision if he avoids getting caught. He also likes the over on the 1.5 round line.
Big Brady picks Marlon Vera to win by third-round knockout. He notes Vera's durability and power, while Frankie Edgar is 40 years old with diminishing durability and has been knocked out three times recently. Brady thinks Edgar could win on paper with takedowns, but at this stage, Vera's youth and toughness will prevail. He expects Vera to drop the first round but build into the fight and finish Edgar late.
Cody agrees Edgar is a live underdog, citing Vera's slow starts and poor takedown defense. He worries about Edgar's age (40) and recent KO losses but thinks Edgar's wrestling and pace could win close rounds. He notes the 'Frankie effect' in New York.
Daniel Levi picks Marlon Vera to win, citing Vera's finishing ability, youth (28 vs 40), and improvement under Jason Parillo. He expects Vera to land more damage and potentially get a finish, but warns that Frankie Edgar may try to stall and clinch. Levi notes that Vera has a bad habit of starting slow but should pull away in the later rounds as Edgar's durability wanes. He also mentions that Vera has an insane chin and is still improving.
Jacob picks Marlon Vera, citing his youth (28) and upward trajectory. He believes Vera's length and jiu-jitsu will be problematic for Edgar, and that Edgar's chin is a major liability. He thinks Vera can win by knockout or decision, and that Edgar's only chance is an ugly decision via wrestling and leg kicks. He is confident in Vera.
The host bets Edgar at +148, believing his pressure, takedowns, and volume will outwork Vera. He doubts Vera's one-punch KO power and thinks Edgar's chin will hold. He expects Edgar to win a decision.
Paul leans Edgar, believing his wrestling and pace can win close rounds. He notes Vera's slow starts and poor takedown defense (69%), which Edgar can exploit. He also mentions the 'Frankie effect' in New York, where judges favor the veteran. He bet fight goes to decision at -150.
The Guru picks Marlon Vera by decision, predicting a brutal beatdown. He expects Edgar to win the first round with grappling, but Vera will take over with body shots, elbows, and range striking, eventually wearing Edgar down. The Guru notes Edgar's age and recent KO loss, and believes Vera's size and reach advantage will be key. He predicts a 29-27 unanimous decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 1 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 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 | Cory Sandhagen | 1 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cory Sandhagen | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cory Sandhagen | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Cory Sandhagen, calling the odds 'insane' and noting Sandhagen's striking volume and durability. He acknowledges Frankie Edgar's path to victory via takedowns, but believes Sandhagen's ability to get back up and his chin will prevail. He predicts a knockout, citing Edgar's declining chin, and suggests looking at the knockout prop for better value.
Daniel Levi leans with Cory Sandhagen, acknowledging Frankie Edgar's takedown threat and Sandhagen's poor takedown defense (30%). He notes Edgar's experience against taller fighters and his durability at 135, but believes Sandhagen's striking output and range will be key. He says it's a dog-or-pass situation and doesn't blame anyone betting on Edgar.
Sandhagen's unorthodox style, feints, and footwork will be difficult for Edgar to deal with. He uses his reach and height advantage well, and his diverse striking (kicks, spinning attacks) should keep Edgar at range. Edgar has struggled with bigger fighters who can maintain distance. Sandhagen's takedown defense is a concern, but Edgar's wrestling may not be as effective at 135. I expect Sandhagen to win a decision by landing the better shots and controlling the distance. The line is a bit wide, but Sandhagen should get the win.
The MMA Guru picks Cory Sandhagen, calling him a deserving favorite but criticizing the -440 odds as too high. He highlights Sandhagen's length, kicking game, and takedown defense. He predicts Sandhagen will use front kicks and question mark kicks to set up a head kick TKO in the second round, noting Edgar's boxing will be negated by range.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 166 of 350 | 47% | 166 of 350 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 0 | 135 of 363 | 37% | 135 of 363 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankie Edgar | 0 | 30 of 64 | 46% | 30 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 0 | 29 of 77 | 37% | 29 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Frankie Edgar | 0 | 21 of 57 | 36% | 21 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 0 | 25 of 61 | 40% | 25 of 61 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 | |
| 3 | Frankie Edgar | 0 | 33 of 60 | 55% | 33 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 0 | 24 of 60 | 40% | 24 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Frankie Edgar | 0 | 35 of 74 | 47% | 35 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 0 | 24 of 82 | 29% | 24 of 82 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 5 | Frankie Edgar | 0 | 47 of 95 | 49% | 47 of 95 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 0 | 33 of 83 | 39% | 33 of 83 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankie Edgar | 166 of 350 | 47% | 98 of 259 | 24 of 39 | 44 of 52 | 166 of 350 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 135 of 363 | 37% | 105 of 309 | 23 of 46 | 7 of 8 | 134 of 361 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankie Edgar | 30 of 64 | 46% | 15 of 46 | 4 of 5 | 11 of 13 | 30 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 29 of 77 | 37% | 23 of 63 | 4 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 29 of 77 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Frankie Edgar | 21 of 57 | 36% | 16 of 50 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 21 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 25 of 61 | 40% | 19 of 50 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 24 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Frankie Edgar | 33 of 60 | 55% | 18 of 42 | 4 of 6 | 11 of 12 | 33 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 24 of 60 | 40% | 16 of 46 | 5 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 24 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Frankie Edgar | 35 of 74 | 47% | 24 of 56 | 4 of 10 | 7 of 8 | 35 of 74 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 24 of 82 | 29% | 20 of 75 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 24 of 82 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Frankie Edgar | 47 of 95 | 49% | 25 of 65 | 11 of 16 | 11 of 14 | 47 of 95 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 33 of 83 | 39% | 27 of 75 | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 33 of 83 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Pedro Munhoz to win by third-round knockout. He believes Frankie Edgar is on his way out at 38 years old, questioning his durability and chin. Munhoz has excellent takedown defense (81%) and is dangerous on the ground with a guillotine, so Brady expects the fight to stay on the feet where Munhoz throws more volume and hits harder. He notes Munhoz has never been knocked out or submitted, while Edgar has been knocked out twice.
Daniel Levi picks Pedro Munhoz to win by first-round stoppage. He argues that Frankie Edgar has not evolved his style since 2010, relying on pitter-patter boxing, while Munhoz has devastating calf kicks, one-punch power, and a world-class guillotine. Levi notes Edgar's durability has declined with age and that dropping to bantamweight removes his speed advantage. He believes Munhoz will pressure Edgar and finish him early, similar to the Korean Zombie fight.
Pedro Munhoz is the pick because Frankie Edgar is 38, cutting to 135 for the first time, and has shown dwindling durability after the Korean Zombie loss. Munhoz's calf kicks and power punching will be too much for Edgar, who struggles to close distance without eating shots. Munhoz's guillotine threat also neutralizes Edgar's wrestling. Expect a finish inside the distance, likely by TKO in the second or third round.
The MMA Guru picks Pedro Munhoz, citing Frankie Edgar's history of KO losses and damage taken, and the disadvantage of moving down in weight. He praises Munhoz's iron chin, pressure, and body work, predicting a late first-round or early second-round TKO after Edgar shoots for a takedown.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chan Sung Jung | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 9 of 14 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:12 |
| Frankie Edgar | 1 | 46 of 60 | 76% | 79 of 97 | 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 | Chan Sung Jung | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 9 of 14 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:12 |
| Frankie Edgar | 1 | 46 of 60 | 76% | 79 of 97 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chan Sung Jung | 9 of 14 | 64% | 6 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 46 of 60 | 76% | 46 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 38 of 42 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chan Sung Jung | 9 of 14 | 64% | 6 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 46 of 60 | 76% | 46 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 38 of 42 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 129 of 328 | 39% | 131 of 330 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 96 of 264 | 36% | 96 of 264 | 1 of 15 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 1:46 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 13 of 48 | 27% | 13 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 18 of 53 | 33% | 18 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 27 of 69 | 39% | 27 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 13 of 55 | 23% | 13 of 55 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 30 of 61 | 49% | 30 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 17 of 48 | 35% | 17 of 48 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:59 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 0 | 29 of 76 | 38% | 31 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 22 of 47 | 46% | 22 of 47 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 0 | 30 of 74 | 40% | 30 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 26 of 61 | 42% | 26 of 61 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 129 of 328 | 39% | 109 of 295 | 20 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 120 of 319 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Frankie Edgar | 96 of 264 | 36% | 57 of 195 | 21 of 48 | 18 of 21 | 93 of 252 | 2 of 10 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 13 of 48 | 27% | 9 of 42 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 18 of 53 | 33% | 10 of 40 | 3 of 8 | 5 of 5 | 18 of 51 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 27 of 69 | 39% | 22 of 60 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 26 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 13 of 55 | 23% | 8 of 44 | 1 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 12 of 53 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 30 of 61 | 49% | 22 of 52 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 53 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 |
| Frankie Edgar | 17 of 48 | 35% | 10 of 36 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 43 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 29 of 76 | 38% | 27 of 72 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 29 of 76 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 22 of 47 | 46% | 14 of 35 | 6 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 22 of 45 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 30 of 74 | 40% | 29 of 69 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 74 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 26 of 61 | 42% | 15 of 40 | 5 of 15 | 6 of 6 | 26 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankie Edgar | 0 | 58 of 136 | 42% | 60 of 139 | 0 of 8 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 48 of 130 | 36% | 50 of 132 | 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 | Frankie Edgar | 0 | 16 of 43 | 37% | 17 of 44 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 13 of 42 | 30% | 14 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Frankie Edgar | 0 | 21 of 53 | 39% | 21 of 53 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 18 of 50 | 36% | 18 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Frankie Edgar | 0 | 21 of 40 | 52% | 22 of 42 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 17 of 38 | 44% | 18 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankie Edgar | 58 of 136 | 42% | 33 of 106 | 6 of 10 | 19 of 20 | 52 of 126 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 48 of 130 | 36% | 32 of 110 | 11 of 15 | 5 of 5 | 42 of 122 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankie Edgar | 16 of 43 | 37% | 8 of 33 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 15 of 42 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 13 of 42 | 30% | 8 of 35 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Frankie Edgar | 21 of 53 | 39% | 12 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 8 | 18 of 49 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 18 of 50 | 36% | 14 of 46 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Frankie Edgar | 21 of 40 | 52% | 13 of 30 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 19 of 35 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 17 of 38 | 44% | 10 of 29 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 33 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 27 of 77 | 35% | 27 of 77 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 1 | 25 of 76 | 32% | 25 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Ortega | 0 | 27 of 77 | 35% | 27 of 77 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 1 | 25 of 76 | 32% | 25 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Ortega | 27 of 77 | 35% | 12 of 59 | 10 of 13 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 76 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 25 of 76 | 32% | 21 of 71 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 66 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Ortega | 27 of 77 | 35% | 12 of 59 | 10 of 13 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 76 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 25 of 76 | 32% | 21 of 71 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 66 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 |
Yair Rodríguez - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 1 | 70 of 122 | 57% | 97 of 157 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 17 of 50 | 34% | 23 of 60 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 1:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 26 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 21 of 45 | 46% | 25 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 8 of 26 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 1 | 38 of 56 | 67% | 46 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:41 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 70 of 122 | 57% | 38 of 82 | 18 of 23 | 14 of 17 | 43 of 89 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 31 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 17 of 50 | 34% | 8 of 38 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 17 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 11 of 21 | 52% | 3 of 10 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 6 | 10 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 4 of 10 | 40% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 21 of 45 | 46% | 8 of 28 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 8 | 20 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 8 of 26 | 30% | 5 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 38 of 56 | 67% | 27 of 44 | 8 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 25 of 31 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 5 of 14 | 35% | 3 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Connor picks Rodríguez, echoing Zane's reasoning about Pitbull's vulnerability to aggressive strikers. He notes that Pitbull has struggled against fighters who pressure him early and that Rodríguez's length and kicking game pose unique problems. Connor acknowledges Pitbull's experience and ability to adjust between fights but believes Rodríguez's style is a bad matchup for the current version of Pitbull.
Daniel Levi states that Yair Rodríguez schooled Patrício Pitbull, being much faster and more dynamic, and was a couple steps ahead all night. He notes that Pitbull looked shopworn and didn't shine in the big moment.
Lucrative James picks Patrício Pitbull to win, citing his experience, grappling advantage, and power. He believes Pitbull's wrestling and top control will be key, and he expects him to submit or ground-and-pound Rodríguez. He acknowledges Rodríguez's flashy kicks and danger but thinks Pitbull's cerebral style and veteran savvy will prevail. He notes that Pitbull is 37 and may be past his prime, but he still sees him as the better fighter overall. He also thinks the UFC is setting Pitbull up for a win to inject new blood into the division.
Zane picks Rodríguez, citing Pitbull's history of losing to aggressive, high-output fighters who take the initiative early. He notes that Pitbull has become a patient counter-puncher, which plays into Rodríguez's strengths as a long-range striker with dynamic kicks. Zane points to Pitbull's recent loss to Chihiro Suzuki as evidence that he can be overwhelmed by a powerful, wild striker. He acknowledges Pitbull's grappling and experience but believes Rodríguez's reach and willingness to attack from distance will be decisive.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Ortega | 1 | 55 of 115 | 47% | 64 of 135 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 28 of 73 | 38% | 47 of 104 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 5:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Ortega | 1 | 45 of 91 | 49% | 50 of 102 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 6 of 28 | 21% | 7 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Brian Ortega | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 22 of 44 | 50% | 39 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:55 | |
| 3 | Brian Ortega | 0 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:44 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Ortega | 55 of 115 | 47% | 36 of 91 | 11 of 15 | 8 of 9 | 34 of 86 | 9 of 12 | 12 of 17 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 28 of 73 | 38% | 26 of 69 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 50 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Ortega | 45 of 91 | 49% | 28 of 69 | 10 of 14 | 7 of 8 | 24 of 62 | 9 of 12 | 12 of 17 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 6 of 28 | 21% | 5 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brian Ortega | 9 of 17 | 52% | 7 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 22 of 44 | 50% | 21 of 41 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 20 | |
| 3 | Brian Ortega | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Ortega with low confidence, citing the first fight where Ortega was winning before his shoulder injury. He notes the elevation and crowd in Mexico could favor Rodriguez, but trusts his brain over his gut. He worries about Ortega's long layoff but believes he can squeak out a win.
Big Brady picks Yair Rodríguez to win by third-round knockout. He notes that Rodríguez has been more active and looked impressive against Josh Emmett, while Ortega has had a long layoff. He believes Rodríguez has the advantage on the feet with his kicks and power, and that Ortega is hittable. He doubts Ortega's wrestling will be effective, as Rodríguez stuffed takedowns in their first fight. He expects Rodríguez to dominate at range and eventually finish Ortega.
Cody picks Ortega, noting that in their first fight Ortega was winning before the shoulder injury. He believes Ortega's skills haven't digressed, his jiu-jitsu is second to none, and his wrestling is good enough to take down Rodriguez. He also mentions Ortega's ability to come back better after layoffs, as he did after the Holloway loss. He considers the plus 130 price good value.
The host recalls the first fight where Rodríguez kept Ortega at bay with striking and Ortega's only success was a clinch takedown that led to an injury. He believes Rodríguez needs to keep the fight standing, and even if it goes to the ground, Rodríguez has worked on his jiu-jitsu to defend and get back to his feet. He predicts Rodríguez will finish Ortega by the third round.
Paul is leaning towards Ortega but is hesitant due to the year-and-a-half layoff, Ortega's age (33), and his recent record (lost last two, hasn't finished in six years). However, he acknowledges Ortega matched up well in the first fight and has the skills to win. He says if he had a gun to his head he'd pick Ortega, but it's a wild card pick.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 66 of 97 | 68% | 149 of 198 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 0 | 0 | 7:13 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 40 of 80 | 50% | 57 of 103 | 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 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 11 of 15 | 73% | 49 of 58 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:22 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 10 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 18 of 25 | 72% | 55 of 75 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:33 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 12 of 19 | 63% | 24 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 37 of 57 | 64% | 45 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 23 of 52 | 44% | 23 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 66 of 97 | 68% | 48 of 69 | 4 of 5 | 14 of 23 | 25 of 45 | 4 of 6 | 37 of 46 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 40 of 80 | 50% | 13 of 49 | 11 of 14 | 16 of 17 | 38 of 77 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 11 of 15 | 73% | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 11 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 5 of 9 | 55% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 18 of 25 | 72% | 15 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 14 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 12 of 19 | 63% | 4 of 10 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 37 of 57 | 64% | 24 of 39 | 3 of 4 | 10 of 14 | 19 of 31 | 3 of 5 | 15 of 21 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 23 of 52 | 44% | 8 of 35 | 5 of 7 | 10 of 10 | 23 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is confident in Volkanovski, calling the -400 odds appropriate. He highlights Volkanovski's speed, kick usage, takedowns, and strength, and notes his performance against Islam Makhachev. He thinks Volkanovski will control the pace, mix in takedowns, and keep Rodríguez on the back foot, preventing his wild striking. He acknowledges Rodríguez's danger but believes Volkanovski is on another level.
Big Brady picks Alexander Volkanovski to win by late stoppage (fourth round). He notes that Volkanovski is the better striker with more volume and better defense, and he has a huge advantage in wrestling and ground and pound. He points out that Rodríguez has poor takedown defense and no answers off his back, as seen in fights against Frankie Edgar, Jeremy Stephens, Max Holloway, and Josh Emmett. He believes Volkanovski will take Rodríguez down, beat him up, and get a doctor stoppage or TKO in the later rounds.
Cody picks Volkanovski to retain, citing his durability, cardio, and submission defense. He notes Yair's danger with unorthodox strikes but believes Volk's constant pressure and takedowns will be decisive. He mentions Volk's training with Blood Diamond to mimic Yair's style. He leans toward Volk by decision but wouldn't be surprised by a stoppage.
Connor picks Volkanovski, emphasizing his championship quality and preparation. He acknowledges Yair's danger, especially his kicking game and durability, but believes Volkanovski's pressure and wrestling will be decisive. Connor notes that Volkanovski's ability to take Yair down and control him on the ground is the path to victory.
Daniel Levi picks Volkanovski, citing his elite fainting game, ability to out-jab taller opponents, and superior boxing in close range. He notes Volkanovski's takedown of Islam Makhachev as evidence of his wrestling prowess, which he believes will be a key advantage against Yair's suspect takedown defense. Levi acknowledges Yair's unique kicking arsenal and the head-kick KO history of Volkanovski, but expects Volkanovski's pressure and cardio to take over as the fight progresses. He also mentions that Yair's energy-intensive style may lead to a slowdown in later rounds.
James picks Volkanovski to win by ground-and-pound, likely in rounds 3 or 4. He believes Volkanovski's superior fight IQ and grappling advantage will be decisive. He notes Rodríguez has clear deficiencies on the ground and Volkanovski has heavy ground-and-pound. He also mentions the weight cut factor for Volkanovski moving back down, but still favors him. He does not advocate betting the moneyline at -400, but likes the inside distance prop.
Volkanovski is the more polished and disciplined fighter with excellent striking defense, movement, and wrestling. Rodriguez has flashy striking and an active guard, but has been broken before. Volkanovski will close distance, land takedowns, and control the fight, likely winning by decision. He is a safe parlay piece.
Paul agrees with Cody, stating it's tough to go against Volk at 145. He highlights Volk's ability to win on volume or by mixing in wrestling, and his proven submission defense. He mentions Volk's training with Blood Diamond to mimic Yair. He says he'll likely include Volk in parlays but won't place a serious wager.
The MMA Guru picks Alexander Volkanovski to win by fourth-round TKO. He acknowledges Rodríguez's dangerous striking but doubts his finishing ability, calling his ground and pound pathetic. He believes Volkanovski's leg kicks and pressure will disrupt Rodríguez's flow, and that Volkanovski's top game in later rounds will be decisive. He notes that Holloway already handled Rodríguez on the ground.
Zane picks Volkanovski, citing his pressure wrestling and ability to exploit Yair's defensive flaws. He notes that Volkanovski's wrestling will be key to neutralizing Yair's kicking game and that Yair's stamina flags under grappling pressure. Zane expects Volkanovski to take Yair down and grind him out, possibly with a late TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 62 of 107 | 57% | 98 of 143 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josh Emmett | 0 | 22 of 52 | 42% | 35 of 72 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 3:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 26 of 53 | 49% | 32 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josh Emmett | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 18 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:27 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 36 of 54 | 66% | 66 of 84 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josh Emmett | 0 | 10 of 26 | 38% | 17 of 34 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 62 of 107 | 57% | 36 of 76 | 18 of 22 | 8 of 9 | 47 of 87 | 7 of 9 | 8 of 11 |
| Josh Emmett | 22 of 52 | 42% | 17 of 44 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 26 of 53 | 49% | 14 of 39 | 7 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 44 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 7 |
| Josh Emmett | 12 of 26 | 46% | 10 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 9 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 36 of 54 | 66% | 22 of 37 | 11 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 26 of 43 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 4 |
| Josh Emmett | 10 of 26 | 38% | 7 of 20 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Josh Emmett, citing his power and wrestling base, though he notes Emmett doesn't use his wrestling often. He believes Emmett's power will be the difference, especially if he can stay close and grind. He acknowledges Yair's creativity and athleticism but thinks Emmett's power and pressure will win. He has a half-unit bet on Emmett at +135.
Big Brady thinks this is a close fight and picks Emmett for the upset. He notes Emmett's power and volume, and thinks Emmett will have the bigger moments. He expects a decision win for Emmett, similar to the Kattar fight, and says the line should be closer.
Cody picks Rodríguez but is not confident due to Rodríguez's inconsistency. He notes Rodríguez looked great against Max Holloway with improved cardio and kicking volume, but Emmett has power and wrestling he doesn't use offensively. He thinks Emmett's path is a big shot, but Rodríguez's chin and volume should edge him out. He finds the -175 line unappealing and won't bet it.
Connor picks Rodríguez, citing his diverse kicking game and durability as key factors. He notes that Emmett's style is one-dimensional and that Rodríguez can attack from range with kicks, which Emmett struggles to check. Connor also mentions that Emmett's wrestling is not a reliable threat, as he rarely uses it. He believes Rodríguez's toughness and ability to absorb punches will allow him to outwork Emmett over three rounds.
Emmett's power punching and forward pressure will be too much for Rodríguez as the fight goes on. Rodríguez slows down in later rounds, as seen against Jeremy Stephens. Emmett has great cardio and defensive wrestling to keep it standing. He will close the distance and land big combinations, likely finishing in the fourth or fifth round. Rodríguez's unorthodox striking may be competitive early, but Emmett's durability and pressure will take over.
Paul slightly favors Rodríguez on volume, noting Emmett has a power advantage but Rodríguez has better durability. He expects a close competitive fight and thinks the line is accurate, so he won't bet it.
The MMA Guru picks Yair Rodríguez over Josh Emmett, citing Emmett's controversial wins and Rodríguez's improved performance against Ortega. He predicts a front kick KO in the first round, noting Rodríguez's chin and Emmett's tendency to get hit. He believes Rodríguez is on a higher level than Emmett.
Zane also picks Rodríguez, emphasizing his improved composure and durability. He notes that Emmett's power is a threat, but Rodríguez has never been knocked out and can take shots. Zane highlights that Rodríguez's kicks will be a major problem for Emmett, who has shown vulnerability to low kicks. He also points out that Emmett's wrestling is not a consistent factor, and Rodríguez's range management will frustrate him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 22 of 35 | 62% | 26 of 39 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:24 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 48 of 76 | 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 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 22 of 35 | 62% | 26 of 39 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:24 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 48 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 22 of 35 | 62% | 18 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 27 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 23 of 46 | 50% | 18 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 22 of 35 | 62% | 18 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 27 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 23 of 46 | 50% | 18 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Yair Rodríguez, citing his dynamic striking and unpredictability. He believes Ortega's poor takedown accuracy (24%) will prevent him from getting the fight to the ground, and that Rodríguez's striking will be too much. He notes Rodríguez looked great against Max Holloway despite the loss, and that he won't have ring rust this time. He placed a small moneyline bet at +137.
Big Brady picks Brian Ortega to win by submission in the second or third round. He notes that Ortega has improved his wrestling significantly, attempting many takedowns in recent fights against top competition like Holloway, Korean Zombie, and Volkanovski. He believes Ortega can take down Rodriguez, who has been taken down frequently in the past, and once on the ground, Ortega's submission game is elite. He acknowledges Rodriguez is the better striker but thinks Ortega's path to victory is through grappling.
Cody argues that Yair Rodríguez's ground game and wrestling are exploitable, as seen in fights against Frankie Edgar and Jeremy Stephens where he was taken down easily. He notes that Brian Ortega has improved his wrestling, taking down elite fighters like Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. Cody believes Ortega will capitalize on Rodríguez's tendency to fall off-balance and secure a submission or dominant ground control.
Daniel Levi picks Yair Rodríguez to win as an underdog, emphasizing that Yair must keep the fight standing and avoid reckless spinning attacks that could lead to takedowns. He notes that Ortega is dangerous on the ground with submissions and has a history of comeback finishes, but believes Yair's discipline and striking can earn a decision. Levi mentions he will likely bet Yair at +155, viewing it as a dog-or-pass situation due to high variance.
Paul agrees with Cody that Ortega is the rightful favorite, citing Yair's overrated win over Korean Zombie where he was seconds from losing. He emphasizes that Ortega's takedowns and submission threat will be decisive, and notes the line moving from -150 to -180. Paul suggests under 4.5 rounds and Ortega by submission as prop bets.
The MMA Guru picks Brian Ortega over Yair Rodríguez, citing Ortega's superior jiu-jitsu and ability to capitalize on Rodríguez's defensive habits. He notes that Rodríguez dips his head when pressured, which could lead to a guillotine choke. He also mentions Ortega's improved footwork and takedowns, and believes Rodríguez's power is overrated. He predicts a third-round submission win for Ortega.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 230 of 404 | 56% | 251 of 434 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 6:49 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 159 of 352 | 45% | 186 of 383 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 1 | 1:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 38 of 57 | 66% | 42 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 37 of 79 | 46% | 38 of 80 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 58 of 110 | 52% | 59 of 111 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 42 of 84 | 50% | 43 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 38 of 66 | 57% | 46 of 81 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:04 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 20 of 47 | 42% | 20 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 0 | 43 of 77 | 55% | 49 of 84 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:06 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 24 of 64 | 37% | 28 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 0 | 53 of 94 | 56% | 55 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:00 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 36 of 78 | 46% | 57 of 99 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 230 of 404 | 56% | 129 of 278 | 66 of 83 | 35 of 43 | 187 of 347 | 22 of 24 | 21 of 33 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 159 of 352 | 45% | 78 of 247 | 24 of 41 | 57 of 64 | 152 of 343 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 38 of 57 | 66% | 16 of 30 | 8 of 9 | 14 of 18 | 38 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 37 of 79 | 46% | 12 of 43 | 7 of 13 | 18 of 23 | 35 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 58 of 110 | 52% | 29 of 69 | 23 of 34 | 6 of 7 | 56 of 107 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 42 of 84 | 50% | 15 of 54 | 5 of 7 | 22 of 23 | 41 of 83 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 38 of 66 | 57% | 25 of 53 | 11 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 40 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 22 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 20 of 47 | 42% | 13 of 38 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 19 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 43 of 77 | 55% | 22 of 52 | 13 of 16 | 8 of 9 | 33 of 65 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 7 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 24 of 64 | 37% | 17 of 53 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 24 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 53 of 94 | 56% | 37 of 74 | 11 of 13 | 5 of 7 | 40 of 78 | 12 of 13 | 1 of 3 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 36 of 78 | 46% | 21 of 59 | 7 of 11 | 8 of 8 | 33 of 75 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Max Holloway to win inside the distance, having placed a one-unit bet at +110. He notes that Holloway's technical striking should cut through Rodriguez's theatrical style. Angelo thinks Holloway will close the distance and avoid the spin attacks, and that Rodriguez's two-year layoff is a factor.
Big Brady is confident in Max Holloway, highlighting his insane volume (7.26 significant strikes per minute) and legendary durability (never knocked down). He notes Rodriguez likely needs a KO to win, but Holloway's chin and cardio are elite. Brady expects Holloway to increase volume each round and predicts a fifth-round TKO as damage accumulates.
Cody believes Holloway is a god-tier operator who dominates non-elite opponents. He references Holloway's record 445 significant strikes against Kattar and argues that his losses are only to the best (Volkanovski, Poirier). He expects Holloway to win inside the distance, likely by TKO in the later rounds, and thinks the over 3.5 rounds is a solid play.
Daniel Levi picks Max Holloway, citing his record-breaking output against Calvin Kattar (447 significant strikes landed) and his status as the clear #2 featherweight. He acknowledges Yair Rodríguez's dynamic striking and finishing ability but believes Holloway's volume and pressure will overwhelm Rodríguez as he fatigues. Levi notes that Rodríguez is a live underdog but ultimately trusts Holloway's proven championship level.
Jacob picks Max Holloway to win inside the distance, placing a four-unit bet at +110. He believes there are levels to this and that Holloway will wear on Rodriguez with volume and finish him. Jacob thinks Holloway wants to make a statement as a big favorite.
Paul thinks Max Holloway's volume and durability are unmatched. He notes Holloway's record-breaking strike output and believes Rodríguez can't keep the pace. He's priced out at -720 but still picks Holloway to win, possibly by late stoppage or decision.
The Guru picks Max Holloway by third-round TKO (doctor stoppage due to swelling). He expects Rodríguez to have a strong first round with leg kicks and flashy strikes, but Holloway's pressure, body work, and oblique kicks will break Rodríguez down. By the third round, Rodríguez's eye will be swollen shut, forcing a stoppage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 96 of 170 | 56% | 136 of 213 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:10 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 50 of 95 | 52% | 99 of 156 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 5:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 39 of 70 | 55% | 39 of 70 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 11 of 24 | 45% | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:29 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 41 of 73 | 56% | 62 of 97 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 21 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:33 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 35 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 28 of 49 | 57% | 67 of 97 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:33 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 96 of 170 | 56% | 65 of 127 | 14 of 23 | 17 of 20 | 54 of 100 | 6 of 10 | 36 of 60 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 50 of 95 | 52% | 35 of 76 | 10 of 10 | 5 of 9 | 19 of 51 | 6 of 11 | 25 of 33 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 39 of 70 | 55% | 18 of 43 | 9 of 13 | 12 of 14 | 34 of 61 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 11 of 24 | 45% | 3 of 14 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 6 | 9 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 41 of 73 | 56% | 37 of 67 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 34 of 58 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 11 of 22 | 50% | 9 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 8 | 4 of 7 | 6 of 7 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 16 of 27 | 59% | 10 of 17 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 28 of 49 | 57% | 23 of 43 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 19 of 26 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 96 of 170 | 56% | 136 of 213 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:10 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 50 of 95 | 52% | 99 of 156 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 5:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 39 of 70 | 55% | 39 of 70 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 11 of 24 | 45% | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:29 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 41 of 73 | 56% | 62 of 97 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 21 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:33 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 35 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 28 of 49 | 57% | 67 of 97 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:33 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 96 of 170 | 56% | 65 of 127 | 14 of 23 | 17 of 20 | 54 of 100 | 6 of 10 | 36 of 60 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 50 of 95 | 52% | 35 of 76 | 10 of 10 | 5 of 9 | 19 of 51 | 6 of 11 | 25 of 33 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 39 of 70 | 55% | 18 of 43 | 9 of 13 | 12 of 14 | 34 of 61 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 11 of 24 | 45% | 3 of 14 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 6 | 9 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 41 of 73 | 56% | 37 of 67 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 34 of 58 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 11 of 22 | 50% | 9 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 8 | 4 of 7 | 6 of 7 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 16 of 27 | 59% | 10 of 17 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 28 of 49 | 57% | 23 of 43 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 19 of 26 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
We are now treated to a rematch of the main event from UFC Mexico City in September, which tragically ended due to an eye poke within 15 seconds. Rodriguez (12-2, 1 NC; 7-1, 1 NC UFC) is ready to run it back with Stephens (28-16, 1 NC; 16-15, 1 NC UFC), and tensions are high. Trying to keep a lid on this featherweight tilt is referee Kevin MacDonald. There is no touch of the gloves of any kind, as Rodriguez leaps through the air with a flying head kick that clanks off the dome of Stephens. Stephens wings back some angry punches, and the two trade for a moment with bad intentions. Rodriguez clinches up and pushes Stephens against the cage, and Stephens throws a knee to the body, so Rodriguez retaliates with one of his own. The crowd has started to chant "U.S.A." to root on their home country fighter, and as they break apart, Rodriguez lands a powerful elbows over the top. "El Pantera" throws a wild spinning wheel kick that is nowhere near the mark, but he regains position and throws several heavy kicks on both legs. A few body kicks are finding their home on Stephens' midsection, and they are adding up quick. Stephens fires back with everything he has in the form of right hands, but Rodriguez keeps his distance with effective kicks. Another body kick digs in for Rodriguez, and Stephens has lowered his right hand to defend this specific attack. Stephens ducks down possibly for a takedown, but after a little clinch fighting, the two separate. Rodriguez chooses to crash forward into the clinch again, landing a knee up the middle to get there. As Rodriguez slaps a low kick, Stephens rips a right hand to the body of his opponent. The Mexican pulls off a jumping switch kick that catches Stephens flush, but Stephens walks through it. As Stephens presses forward, Rodriguez drops him with a left jab, but cannot take advantage of his grounded adversary as Stephens returns to his feet. Two more kicks get off from Rodriguez, as Stephens chases him around and motions an obscene gesture to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Round 2
Rodriguez opens up round two with a spinning kick, but Stephens is able to get up his guard on time. The Mexican fighter then whips a head kick up top, but it is the body kick that follows that does serious damage and makes Stephens buckle over. As Stephens stumbles backwards, Rodriguez swarms him with punches, throwing everything he has into his punches. Stephens defends himself by pursuing a takedown, but Rodriguez is relentless with punches. "Lil' Heathen" is able to survive the assault by going after low takedowns, but Rodriguez walks over it and lands long punches. On his back, Stephens eats wild hammerfists but begins to throw punches while on his back. Rodriguez latches on a brabo choke, and Stephens is trying to roll out of it and survives the submission attempt but is still in grave danger. With pure willpower, Stephens stands back up and unleashes the hardest punches he can possibly throw on Rodriguez. Rodriguez dodges and weaves out of the way of most of these shots, and as Rodriguez catches Stephens to the body again with a kick, Stephens wraps Rodriguez and tries to take him down. Rodriguez rolls through to try to get out of the position but ends up on his back, with Stephens on top raining down punches. El Pantera throws up his legs to search for a triangle choke, and Stephens is not out of the woods yet. In more of a leg scissor choke than a triangle, Stephens breaks the posture and grinds his elbow on his opponent's face as Rodriguez is warned for grabbing the cage. Rodriguez gradually stands up, and Stephens punishes him with a salvo of punches. The Mexican eats several more shots as he finally gets to his feet, and whips a body kick out that backs away Stephens as this crazy round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Round 3
Stephens comes out threatening with big shots, and as Rodriguez throws a kick out to back him off, he catches Stephens in the groin with a kick. Stephens calls the ref off so that he can charge at Rodriguez, and he slings looping shots that score on Rodriguez and get the crowd amped up. Rodriguez tries to keep his distance with leg kicks, and Stephens catches him on the end of a right hand that Rodriguez wears well. Suddenly, Stephens drops for a double leg takedown and gets Rodriguez down, and although Rodriguez gets back up, Stephens makes sure to score with several punches on his way up. The two separate, but not for long, as Stephens rushes in to secure another takedown and lands in Rodriguez' guard. Rodriguez attempts to utilize a rubber guard to get hold of Stephens' neck, but Stephens pushes the leg off and tries to get his ground-and-pound going. It is quite unfortunate that this fight is only three rounds instead of five, as Stephens sits on top in half guard while throwing punches from above. Stephens continues to mount offense on top in the form of numerous left hands, and the American then decides to drop down elbows that get heavier the more he throws. A huge left hand from Stephens scores as he stands up and dives down to land it, and after some more thudding strikes, the fight is now over. In a display of great sportsmanship, the two embrace, both thrilled with their performances.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Stephens (29-28 Rodriguez)
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Stephens (29-28 Rodriguez)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Stephens (28-28 Draw)
The Official Result
Yair Rodriguez def. Jeremy Stephens via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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