Career Averages - Leon Edwards
Career Averages - Vicente Luque
Leon Edwards - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 12 of 17 | 70% | 25 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:00 |
| Carlos Prates | 1 | 21 of 32 | 65% | 24 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 7 of 10 | 70% | 20 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:00 |
| Carlos Prates | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 12 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Carlos Prates | 1 | 12 of 15 | 80% | 12 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 12 of 17 | 70% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 9 | 11 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlos Prates | 21 of 32 | 65% | 8 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 13 | 19 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 7 of 10 | 70% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlos Prates | 9 of 17 | 52% | 2 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 7 | 8 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 5 of 7 | 71% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlos Prates | 12 of 15 | 80% | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 6 | 11 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Prates (-198), Edwards (+164)
Round 1
Keith Peterson is the referee. They start in matching southpaw stances and trade low kicks. They both land more leg kicks and then Prates moves foreward with a jab. Prates defends a takedown from Edwards. Prates lands a knee on the inside. Both welterweights continue to land low kicks. Edwards shoots and shoves Prates into the fence. Prates defends and stays upright. Edwards brings a knee. Prates is talking to Edwards as they remain in the clinch. Peterson has seen enough and they separate. Back at range, Prates steps in with a knee. Edwards times a level change nicely and takes Prates down. Edwards looks to take the back and makes Prates carry him like a backpack as the Brazilian stands. Prates fights off the hands to prevent a choke. A few short shots to the side of the head for Edwards. Edwards jumps off the back and takes Prates down. Edwards threatens with a rear-naked choke late in the round but Prates survives.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Round 2
Edwards fires off a front kick. Prates with a low kick. Edwards counters a low kick with a left hand. Prates sticks a crisp jab. A leg kick spins Edwards around. The welterweights trade lefts as Prates keeps talking to his foe. The Brazilian pumps his jab while chattering away. A nice counter lands for Edwards following a Prates knee during an exchange. Moments later, Prates lands a long left hand through Edwards’ guard, taking the Englishman clean off his feet. “Rocky” crashes to the canvas and his eyes roll back in his head. Prates dives in and adds one follow-up missile for good measure. “The Nightmare” is the first man to knock out Leon Edwards in his professional MMA career.
The Official Result
Carlos Prates def. Leon Edwards via KO (Punches) R2 1:28
Angelo picks Carlos Prates, noting that Leon Edwards' recent losses were to wrestlers, while Prates is a dangerous striker. He believes Edwards has shown lack of heart recently and Prates' power and accuracy will be too much. He is excited for the fight and confident in Prates.
Big Brady picks Carlos Prates, believing he is getting Leon Edwards at the right time. He criticizes Edwards for having boring fights and not facing dangerous knockout artists, noting Edwards has never been knocked out but hasn't fought many power punchers. Brady thinks Prates has the 'death touch' and will knock out Edwards if he lets his hands go, predicting a second-round knockout. He acknowledges the risk of a slow start but expects Prates to show urgency.
Cody also picks Prates but calls it a trap line due to recency bias. He notes that Leon has been taken down frequently but that Prates won't wrestle, which could make Leon more comfortable. However, Cody believes Prates is younger, more aggressive, and will land bigger shots. He is concerned about Leon's past performances but ultimately sides with Prates.
Connor picks Prates hesitantly, citing Edwards' recent decline in motivation and tendency to fade in fights. He notes that Prates is a dangerous striker who can capitalize on Edwards' lapses, especially if Edwards backs to the fence. However, he acknowledges Prates' wrestling is unproven and Edwards could out-grapple him.
Daniel believes Prates is catching Edwards at the right time, as Edwards has looked uninspired and has been rocked multiple times. He praises Prates' knockout power and variety of strikes, and notes that Edwards' measured pace plays into Prates' style of downloading data and finding openings. He predicts a knockout win for Prates.
Lucrative James picks Carlos Prates to win by KO. He highlights Prates' diverse striking arsenal, especially his devastating knee strikes, and believes Edwards will struggle to stay safe on the feet. He notes Edwards has been hurt by lesser strikers and doubts his ability to grapple effectively against Prates. He predicts Prates will land a knockout in round two or three, continuing his streak of walk-off KOs in the UFC.
Prates stops Edwards' takedowns and boxes him up on the feet, landing better shots to win on the scorecards. However, the odds are a little wide for my liking, indicating some hesitation.
Paul picks Prates, citing that Leon Edwards is on the decline and has shown low volume and a tendency to quit. He notes that Prates is on the rise and has power, and that Leon's wrestling won't be a factor since Prates doesn't rely on takedowns. Paul thinks Prates will land bigger shots and either finish or win a decision.
The Guru picks Carlos Prates to KO Leon Edwards in round one or two. He cites Edwards' suspect chin, having been wobbled by Nate Diaz and Belal Muhammad, and believes Prates' power and timing will be too much. He notes that Edwards' movement and range management may not be enough to avoid Prates' left hand. The Guru expects a dramatic finish.
Zane also picks Prates, influenced by Edwards' apparent loss of enjoyment and tendency to become passive. He notes that Prates' pressure and power could catch Edwards, but Edwards' wrestling is a threat. He mentions the closed stance matchup favors Prates' comfort.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 23 of 35 | 65% | 23 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Sean Brady | 0 | 57 of 93 | 61% | 221 of 295 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 1 | 0 | 11:10 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 20 of 29 | 68% | 20 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Sean Brady | 0 | 19 of 39 | 48% | 47 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sean Brady | 0 | 19 of 22 | 86% | 76 of 95 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:57 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sean Brady | 0 | 14 of 21 | 66% | 86 of 113 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:09 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sean Brady | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 12 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 23 of 35 | 65% | 10 of 21 | 11 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 23 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Brady | 57 of 93 | 61% | 44 of 76 | 8 of 9 | 5 of 8 | 19 of 53 | 7 of 7 | 31 of 33 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 20 of 29 | 68% | 8 of 16 | 11 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 17 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Brady | 19 of 39 | 48% | 10 of 27 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 13 of 33 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Brady | 19 of 22 | 86% | 18 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 21 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 3 of 4 | 75% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Brady | 14 of 21 | 66% | 13 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 12 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sean Brady | 5 of 11 | 45% | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brady (-162), Edwards (+136)
Round 1
Jason Herzog gets the nod for the evening’s main event. Brady comes out swinging. Edwards with a swif left hand. Brady lands a right hand. Edwards tests the rear high kick. Brady forces the clinch in the middle of the cage. They break and Brady lands a low kick. They crash into the clinch again. Brady can’t do anything with it, but he lands a nice combination at range. Brady lands a left and forces another tie-up. Edwards punches the body in close. They’re back at range and Edwards counters a kick with a right hook. Edwards with a knee in close as Brady clinches. They separate and Brady wades back in with punches. Brady tries a high kick and then closes distance, pushing Edwards into the fence. The fans don’t love it. Brady knees the thighs. Edwards turns Brady into the fence and digs a short shot to the body. They stay in the clinch, with both men landing short shots. Late in the round, Brady is able to dump Edwards on the mat, and he ends the period in half guard.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Round 2
Edwards is warned before the round regarding eye pokes. Brady explodes out of his corner for a double leg. He was in deep, but Edwards is able to get to his feet. Brady drags him down from the back, then sweeps into top position. Brady takes the back as Edwards tries to initiate a scramble. Brady has both hooks in, and he peppers Edwards with lefts to the head. Brady continues to stay busy landing left hands. He switches to the body triangle. Edwards does a good job protecting his neck, but Brady is finding openings to land offense. Brady mixes in an elbow with his punches. Brady wants to scramble into mount, but Edwards gets half guard. Brady is hunting for a kimura now as he elbows his opponent’s thigh. Edwards is able to free his arm but Brady goes from full mount to back control. Brady continues to maintain dominant positions while Edwards tries to initiate scrambles. It’s complete one-way traffic that round for Brady.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Brady
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Brady
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Brady
Round 3
Brady with a kick to the body to open the frame. Brady pressures and lands an uppercut. Edwards catches Brady with a nice counter elbow. Brady is able to initiate the clinch moments later. Edwards frees himself and shoots for a takedown of his own. Brady sprawls and snaps Edwards down with a front headlock. Brady thinks about a guillotine but lets it go. He steps into full mount at the 3:30 mark. Edwards is doing his best to hold the American close. Edwards looks to scramble, but Brady unloads some heavy shots. Edwards gets to all fours and then stands. Brady powers him back down and moves into half guard. Brady is heavy on top and he might be trying to set up an arm triangle. Edwards is still moving, but he can’t shake Brady. Edwards crawls toward the fence and Brady jumps on his back. Brady has the hooks in and he peppers Edwards with short shots. Edwards is having a miserable time here, but these strikes likely won’t finish the fight. Brady pulls Edwards back, but the Brit is able to control the hands of his opponent until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Round 4
Brady moves forward behind a couple low kicks, then pressures with power punches. Edwards is on his heels, and Brady changes levels against the fence. He gets the former champ down with relative ease, and this is with more than four minutes to go in the frame. Brady is working from half guard, applying heavy pressure from top position. Brady is hunting a guillotine.
He has it locked in this time, and the squeeze tightens. Edwards has no choice but to tap
and the crowd at the O2 Arena is stunned. It’s a major feather in the cap for Brady, and he did it in dominant fashion.
The Official Result
Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R4 1:39
Angelo picks Sean Brady, reasoning that Leon Edwards often fights passively and freezes when threatened with takedowns. He believes if Brady fights like Belal Muhammad—moving forward, throwing strikes, and shooting takedowns—he will win. He acknowledges Leon is the better fighter skill-wise but doubts he will pull the trigger. He is not betting the fight because Leon is too good to bet against.
Brady is torn but picks Edwards, citing that Brady is not Belal Muhammad and lacks his cardio and wrestling. He thinks Edwards is the better striker and may get hometown cooking in a close fight. He predicts a very close decision win for Edwards, but says he won't bet it.
Connor picks Brady, emphasizing that if Brady sticks to the Belal Muhammad blueprint—constant pressure and wrestling—he can neutralize Edwards. He acknowledges Edwards' danger but believes Brady's physicality and simple game plan can overcome Edwards' tendency to fade. However, he worries Brady might get psyched out and crumble.
The host believes Edwards has shown good takedown defense in the past and, given Brady's wrestling style compared to Belal Muhammad, Edwards should survive the early takedown onslaught. He expects Edwards to start stopping takedowns in the later rounds and showcase his striking advantage, leading to a late knockout or decision win.
The Guru confidently picks Leon Edwards, questioning why he is an underdog. He believes Edwards is a better striker and will control the distance, while Brady's takedowns will be stuffed or reversed. He notes that Brady struggled against Belal Muhammad and Michael Chiesa, and that Edwards has good reversals and butterfly guard. He expects a dull 49-46 or 48-47 decision win for Edwards.
Zane picks Edwards despite acknowledging Brady's path to victory via pressure and wrestling. He believes Edwards' psychological resilience and ability to find moments of danger will be decisive, while Brady tends to crumble when his game plan fails. Zane notes Edwards' fatal flaws but trusts his championship experience over Brady's tendency to implode.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belal Muhammad | 0 | 47 of 71 | 66% | 89 of 114 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 2 | 7:11 |
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 68 of 121 | 56% | 192 of 281 | 9 of 13 | 69% | 0 | 0 | 12:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 15 of 21 | 71% | 25 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 51 of 75 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 | |
| 2 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 11 of 16 | 68% | 17 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 27 of 39 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 3:25 | |
| 3 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 19 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:18 |
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 9 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 | |
| 4 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:30 |
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 21 of 30 | 70% | 62 of 82 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:17 | |
| 5 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 13 of 20 | 65% | 18 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:44 |
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 43 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:20 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belal Muhammad | 47 of 71 | 66% | 32 of 53 | 12 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 35 of 58 | 6 of 7 | 6 of 6 |
| Leon Edwards | 68 of 121 | 56% | 59 of 110 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 62 of 111 | 0 of 4 | 6 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belal Muhammad | 15 of 21 | 71% | 7 of 12 | 7 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 16 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Leon Edwards | 17 of 34 | 50% | 14 of 31 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 30 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Belal Muhammad | 11 of 16 | 68% | 8 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Leon Edwards | 13 of 22 | 59% | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | |
| 3 | Belal Muhammad | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Leon Edwards | 4 of 9 | 44% | 3 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Belal Muhammad | 6 of 10 | 60% | 5 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Leon Edwards | 21 of 30 | 70% | 18 of 26 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | |
| 5 | Belal Muhammad | 13 of 20 | 65% | 11 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 6 |
| Leon Edwards | 13 of 26 | 50% | 11 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Leon Edwards to win, citing Edwards' sharper striking and takedown defense. He notes that Belal Muhammad's wrestling pressure could be a factor, but expects Edwards to defend takedowns and frustrate Belal as the fight goes on. Angelo admits he will be rooting for Belal but believes Edwards is the more proven champion. He also mentions that Belal has been training with the Dagestani wrestlers and could maul Edwards, but still leans Edwards.
Cody believes Belal Muhammad is a talented generalist who can adapt his game plan to any opponent. He points out that Belal has shown different wrinkles, such as out-striking Gilbert Burns and Shawn Brady, and that his wrestling and pressure will be key. Cody notes that Leon Edwards has a history of dropping later rounds, as seen against Colby Covington and Rafael dos Anjos, and that Belal's volume and pace could overwhelm Leon in the championship rounds. He also mentions that Belal is at his best now, while Leon's previous opponents were past their prime.
Daniel argues that the first fight was not a domination, citing no knockdowns, no 10-8 round, and a close strike count. He believes Belal's relentless pace, high output, and ability to pressure will overwhelm Leon, who has shown fatigue in later rounds. He also notes that Belal is undervalued by the market and has consistently been a profitable underdog. He acknowledges Leon's kicking threat but thinks Belal can close distance and make it a dirty fight.
Daniel argues that Belal Muhammad has improved significantly since the first fight, citing dominant wins over Shawn Brady and Gilbert Burns. He believes Leon Edwards has not looked better since winning the title, coasting against Colby Covington and a diminished Kamaru Usman. He emphasizes Belal's newfound wrestling focus and improved striking reads, predicting he will overwhelm Edwards. He also advises waiting on Belal's line as it may drift further due to public sentiment against Belal's trash talk.
Jeff picks Leon Edwards, noting he looked good in the brief first fight and has been improving since winning the belt. He acknowledges Edwards' recent opponents (Covington, Usman, Diaz) are not elite, but still trusts the champion's development. He believes Edwards' reads and feints were working before the eye poke and expects him to handle Belal's pressure.
Paul favors Leon Edwards, citing his speed, slickness, and striking advantage. He argues that Leon was winning the first fight before the eye poke and has improved his takedown defense, as seen against Colby Covington. Paul believes Belal's power doesn't scare him and that Leon will win most exchanges on the feet. He also notes that Belal's path to victory relies on takedowns and control, but Leon has made strides in those areas.
The MMA Guru picks Leon Edwards by TKO in round two. He believes Edwards is a level above Belal Muhammad, as shown in their first fight where Edwards had success before the head kick. The Guru notes Edwards' reach advantage, distance management, and improved takedown defense from training with wrestlers like Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington. He thinks Muhammad will be hesitant and that Edwards will land a punch for the finish. He also mentions Muhammad's PED use as a concern but still favors Edwards.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 57 of 108 | 52% | 65 of 116 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 | 1 | 1:27 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 44 of 126 | 34% | 109 of 194 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 5:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 13 of 31 | 41% | 13 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 10 of 28 | 35% | 10 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 18 of 27 | 66% | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 13 of 36 | 36% | 13 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 12 of 23 | 52% | 13 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 7 of 32 | 21% | 13 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:11 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 19 of 32 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 10 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 54 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 57 of 108 | 52% | 21 of 62 | 14 of 21 | 22 of 25 | 56 of 107 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Colby Covington | 44 of 126 | 34% | 20 of 86 | 7 of 12 | 17 of 28 | 44 of 125 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 13 of 31 | 41% | 5 of 20 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 13 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 10 of 28 | 35% | 5 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 10 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 18 of 27 | 66% | 7 of 13 | 4 of 7 | 7 of 7 | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 13 of 36 | 36% | 4 of 22 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 10 | 13 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 12 of 23 | 52% | 3 of 12 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 7 | 12 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 7 of 32 | 21% | 1 of 21 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 7 | 7 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 11 of 22 | 50% | 3 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 13 of 26 | 50% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Colby Covington | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo leans Leon Edwards due to his striking and mental fortitude, noting Leon's ability to come back from being dominated against Usman. He acknowledges Colby's wrestling pressure but is concerned about Colby's ring rust and the brain damage claim. He ultimately picks Leon but does not bet, preferring to watch without pressure.
Big Brady picks Colby Covington as an underdog, citing Covington's high volume striking (4.10 significant strikes per minute vs Edwards' 2.8) and relentless wrestling pressure. He notes Covington's takedown ability (4 per 15 minutes) and believes he can take Edwards down consistently, unlike Kamaru Usman who stuffed 11 takedowns. Brady acknowledges concerns about Covington's chin (dropped 5 times in last 3 fights) and layoff, but thinks his style gives Edwards problems. He predicts a competitive decision win for Covington.
Cody picks Leon Edwards, arguing that Edwards is entering his prime while Covington is on a long layoff and has health issues. He highlights Edwards' improved takedown defense and get-up game against Kamaru Usman in their trilogy, where he gave up only 5 minutes of control time. Cody also notes Covington's last win is over a retired Jorge Masvidal and that Edwards is trending upward with better cardio and striking volume.
Daniel Vreeland picks Leon Edwards, citing Edwards' superior timing and counter-striking. He notes that Colby Covington's long layoff will affect his timing, and that Edwards hits harder than Kamaru Usman, who has already stunned Covington. Vreeland believes Covington's wrestling-heavy approach won't win rounds if he gets cracked on the feet, as judges are not rewarding takedowns without damage. He also mentions that Edwards could put Covington away early.
Jeff Fox picks Leon Edwards, reasoning that Covington is inactive and past his peak, while Edwards is improving. He notes that Covington's pressure and volume could be countered by Edwards' dangerous striking. Fox also points out that Covington's wrestling may not be enough to win rounds if he gets hit. He expects Edwards to retain the title.
Lucrative James does not have a strong read on this fight. He notes that two respected colleagues are heavy on Leon Edwards, which gives him pause, but he is not confident in either side. He considers Colby Covington at underdog odds if the line moves to +170 or so, but he is not passionate about the fight. He sees it as a dog-or-pass spot and will not lay the money on Edwards at current lines.
The host believes Covington's volume-based approach, activity level, cardio, and consistent movement will frustrate Edwards. He notes that Edwards has let rounds slip away in the past and that Covington doesn't need takedowns to win—he can outwork Edwards on the feet. The host also mentions that Covington has been out for over a year but has stayed in shape, and that this is a good stylistic matchup for him. He predicts Covington wins by decision.
Paul acknowledges Leon Edwards is a deserved favorite but sees value in Colby Covington's decision prop at +250. He notes Covington's relentless pace and ability to land 200+ significant strikes over 25 minutes, which makes his moneyline essentially a decision prop. However, he admits it's a close fight and only took a small poke on Covington by decision, not fully confident.
The Guru picks Leon Edwards over Colby Covington, citing Edwards' superior striking, especially low kicks and body knees in the clinch. He notes Covington's inactivity (last fought March 2022), age (nearly 36), and tendency to not push pace against strong wrestlers. He believes Edwards' takedown defense and underhooks will lead to damaging knees, and that Covington's scar tissue will be targeted by elbows. He predicts a second-round TKO for Edwards.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 120 of 161 | 74% | 123 of 164 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 87 of 205 | 42% | 113 of 232 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 0 | 0 | 5:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 20 of 26 | 76% | 20 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 12 of 42 | 28% | 13 of 43 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 23 of 26 | 88% | 23 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 24 of 50 | 48% | 32 of 58 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 24 of 32 | 75% | 25 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 17 of 32 | 53% | 22 of 37 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 25 of 41 | 60% | 26 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 14 of 37 | 37% | 15 of 38 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 28 of 36 | 77% | 29 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 20 of 44 | 45% | 31 of 56 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 2:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 120 of 161 | 74% | 34 of 69 | 36 of 39 | 50 of 53 | 111 of 150 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 87 of 205 | 42% | 57 of 163 | 24 of 34 | 6 of 8 | 65 of 177 | 21 of 27 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 20 of 26 | 76% | 5 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 9 of 9 | 20 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 12 of 42 | 28% | 5 of 32 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 23 of 26 | 88% | 9 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 8 of 9 | 22 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 24 of 50 | 48% | 19 of 42 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 34 | 11 of 15 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 24 of 32 | 75% | 2 of 9 | 8 of 8 | 14 of 15 | 24 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 17 of 32 | 53% | 9 of 21 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 25 of 41 | 60% | 9 of 22 | 4 of 6 | 12 of 13 | 25 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 14 of 37 | 37% | 7 of 28 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 14 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 28 of 36 | 77% | 9 of 16 | 12 of 13 | 7 of 7 | 20 of 28 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 20 of 44 | 45% | 17 of 40 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 36 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Usman because he dominated the vast majority of the previous fight and has not lost since 2013. He thinks the first round was a fluke and Usman will wrestle and control the fight. He is not betting because of the knockout loss but believes Usman wins.
Big Brady picks Usman but with hesitation, noting he was clearly winning the second fight before the head kick. He lists concerns: Usman's age (35), injuries, travel to London, and the knockout loss. He thinks Edwards' path is a finish, while Usman can win rounds via wrestling and pressure. He predicts a decision win but will not bet this fight due to a bad feeling.
Cody picks Usman based on the belief that Usman was the better fighter in the first two fights and can make corrections after the knockout loss. He compares it to GSP after the Serra loss and Cain after the JDS loss, arguing that great champions bounce back. He notes Edwards is dangerous but thinks Usman will wrestle heavily and win by decision, as he doesn't see a finish. He acknowledges the moneyline is unappealing and prefers Usman by decision prop.
Connor believes Usman's pressure is the key to winning. He notes that Edwards is pathologically pressureable and retreats in straight lines, putting himself against the cage. While Usman has become less aggressive under Whitman, Connor thinks he can revert to pressuring Edwards, who has never shown the ability to hold the center of the cage consistently. Connor also points out that Edwards' evasive footwork is poor and his clinch game is neutralized by Usman's strength. He concludes that if Usman commits to pressure, Edwards has no escape.
Jacob is extremely confident in Edwards, having placed a $1,000 bet on him at +205. He believes Edwards was hampered by altitude in the first fight and still found the knockout. He thinks Usman's confidence is shattered after being knocked out cold and that Edwards will dominate in front of the home crowd.
Usman is a former champion with elite wrestling and cardio, and he was winning the second fight before getting caught. Edwards is a great striker but has defensive grappling issues. Usman should lean on his wrestling and avoid striking exchanges, grinding out a decision. The line is seen as a gift given Usman's proven ability.
Paul picks Edwards, citing the UK home advantage and potential hometown scoring. He notes Edwards had success in round one of the last fight (takedown, mount, back control) and is four years younger. He thinks this could be the end of Usman's elite run. He likes the plus money value and says he hasn't bet it yet but is a buyer at north of +200.
The MMA Guru picks Leon Edwards to win by decision, despite a history of picking main events wrong. He argues that altitude affected Edwards in the first fight, while Usman trains at elevation. Edwards dominated round one when both were fresh, and Usman's glove grab saved him from a choke. Usman is coming off a brutal KO loss, is older, and had a short camp with a hand injury. Edwards is entering his prime and has confidence. He predicts a 48-47 decision for Edwards.
Zane agrees with Connor that Usman should pressure Edwards. He notes that Edwards has never broken 100 significant strikes in a five-round fight and tends to fight down to his competition. Zane highlights that Usman has a history of high output even with wrestling, while Edwards fights in bursts. He thinks the psychological adjustment for Edwards to stand his ground is huge and possibly impossible. Zane also mentions that Usman's wrestling and clinch work will be decisive, as Edwards cannot match him there.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 83 of 135 | 61% | 189 of 247 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 0 | 0 | 10:36 |
| Kamaru Usman | 1 | 55 of 75 | 73% | 64 of 85 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 0 | 2:56 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 6 of 7 | 85% | 36 of 39 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 13 of 13 | 100% | 17 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:01 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 36 of 65 | 55% | 47 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 20 of 28 | 71% | 21 of 29 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 10 of 17 | 58% | 38 of 49 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:23 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 7 of 10 | 70% | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 22 of 30 | 73% | 54 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:51 |
| Kamaru Usman | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 9 of 16 | 56% | 14 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Kamaru Usman | 1 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 83 of 135 | 61% | 61 of 109 | 17 of 21 | 5 of 5 | 46 of 85 | 15 of 22 | 22 of 28 |
| Kamaru Usman | 55 of 75 | 73% | 20 of 38 | 22 of 24 | 13 of 13 | 42 of 62 | 7 of 7 | 6 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 6 of 7 | 85% | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Kamaru Usman | 13 of 13 | 100% | 6 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 6 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 36 of 65 | 55% | 25 of 52 | 8 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 27 of 49 | 3 of 6 | 6 of 10 |
| Kamaru Usman | 20 of 28 | 71% | 7 of 15 | 9 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 25 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 10 of 17 | 58% | 9 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 5 |
| Kamaru Usman | 7 of 10 | 70% | 3 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 22 of 30 | 73% | 18 of 25 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 12 | 8 of 9 | 9 of 9 |
| Kamaru Usman | 6 of 10 | 60% | 2 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 9 of 16 | 56% | 4 of 10 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kamaru Usman | 9 of 14 | 64% | 2 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Kamaru Usman to defeat Leon Edwards in their rematch. He notes that Usman is on track to become the greatest welterweight of all time, with technical striking and power, as seen in his knockout over Masvidal. Angelo points out that Usman already beat Edwards in 2015 with six takedowns and 11 minutes of control time, and believes Usman can win anywhere. He also mentions that Edwards struggled against Nate Diaz, getting outstruck and needing takedowns to secure the win. Angelo placed a moneyline bet on Usman at -335 and expects the line to move further.
Big Brady picks Kamaru Usman. He acknowledges that Leon Edwards is the better striker at range, but Usman has improved his striking with power and a great jab. Usman is a smart fighter who will use his wrestling and pressure, taking Edwards down and grinding on him for 25 minutes. Brady expects Usman to win by decision, though he notes a finish is possible given Usman's recent power. He respects Edwards but believes Usman's game plan and skills will prevail.
Cody picks Usman, emphasizing his stand-up improvement under Trevor Whitman, his wrestling, and the pressure he brings. He questions Edwards' resume and his ability to handle pressure, noting that Edwards has struggled in later rounds against lesser competition. He thinks Usman could knock him out but expects a decision.
Daniel Levi picks Kamaru Usman to win the rematch. He emphasizes Usman's superior pace and output, noting that Usman's output is almost double Edwards'. He believes Usman's top control will allow him to bank rounds by holding Edwards down. Levi acknowledges Edwards' paths to victory—slowing the pace and sniping Usman as he closes distance—but ultimately thinks this is a bad time to bet against Usman. He mentions that long-reigning champions sometimes lose when least expected, but he still favors Usman.
Usman's wrestling, cardio, and improving striking should overwhelm Edwards, who was nearly finished by Nate Diaz. The host expects Usman to grapple heavily and possibly finish late. He likes Usman round 4-5 or decision at -155 as a better bet than the moneyline. He includes Usman in a four-leg parlay.
Paul picks Usman to win, citing his cardio advantage from training in Denver, his pressure and wrestling, and the ability to slow down Edwards. He notes the -400 line is too steep but still sees Usman as the winner. He mentions he might look for underdog value elsewhere but officially picks Usman.
The Guru predicts Leon Edwards wins via 49-46 unanimous decision, with two judges scoring it 49-46 and one judge giving it 48-47 to Usman. He envisions Edwards landing effective leg kicks, body kicks, and jabs, cutting Usman with an elbow in round one. He sees Edwards rocking Usman with a head kick in round two and an uppercut-left hook combo in round three. However, he acknowledges Edwards slows down in rounds four and five, with Usman taking him down and landing punches, but believes Edwards clearly won rounds one, two, and three.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 77 of 132 | 58% | 83 of 139 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 4:59 |
| Nate Diaz | 0 | 76 of 162 | 46% | 130 of 223 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 13 of 19 | 68% | 14 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Nate Diaz | 0 | 10 of 23 | 43% | 19 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 17 of 30 | 56% | 18 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:09 |
| Nate Diaz | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 29 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 13 of 15 | 86% | 17 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Nate Diaz | 0 | 3 of 12 | 25% | 20 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 18 of 36 | 50% | 18 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nate Diaz | 0 | 19 of 45 | 42% | 20 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nate Diaz | 0 | 31 of 52 | 59% | 42 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 77 of 132 | 58% | 48 of 97 | 6 of 12 | 23 of 23 | 68 of 118 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 8 |
| Nate Diaz | 76 of 162 | 46% | 52 of 129 | 16 of 21 | 8 of 12 | 66 of 152 | 10 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 13 of 19 | 68% | 8 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 |
| Nate Diaz | 10 of 23 | 43% | 4 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 9 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 17 of 30 | 56% | 10 of 21 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
| Nate Diaz | 13 of 30 | 43% | 6 of 20 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 13 of 15 | 86% | 9 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Nate Diaz | 3 of 12 | 25% | 1 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 18 of 36 | 50% | 10 of 26 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 17 of 34 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Nate Diaz | 19 of 45 | 42% | 13 of 36 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 18 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 16 of 32 | 50% | 11 of 26 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nate Diaz | 31 of 52 | 59% | 28 of 48 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 25 of 46 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Leon Edwards to win by TKO or cut stoppage, citing Edwards' youth, striking advantage, and well-rounded game. He notes Diaz is past his prime and has taken significant damage. He expects Edwards to mix in takedowns and potentially finish Diaz, possibly due to a cut.
Cody is confident Edwards wins, likely by decision, as he is a decision machine and Diaz is durable. He likes the decision prop at +135 and notes Edwards' clinch work and ring IQ. He also mentions the possibility of a cut stoppage but thinks Edwards will systematically pick Diaz apart.
Daniel Levi picks Leon Edwards to win by decision, possibly via cut stoppage. He notes Edwards' technical striking and takedowns, and Diaz's tendency to cut easily. He warns that Edwards must not get into a brawl and should manage his cardio. He respects Diaz's toughness but thinks Edwards is too well-rounded.
Edwards is superior everywhere: striking, wrestling, and clinch work. He can take Diaz down and control him, or outstrike him at range. Diaz's only path is cumulative damage in later rounds, but Edwards' cardio is solid. Edwards likely wins a decision, as Diaz is durable and hard to finish. The line is wide for a reason.
Paul is also confident in Edwards, calling him the anchor of parlays. He thinks Edwards wins by decision and likes the decision prop. He notes Edwards' excellent clinch work and high ring IQ, and believes he will systematically pick apart Diaz.
The MMA Guru is extremely confident in Leon Edwards, calling it the fight he'd pick with his life on the line. He cites Edwards' superior striking, cardio, and grappling, and notes Diaz's lack of power at 170 and decline in cardio since going vegan. He predicts a third-round TKO via body kick, as Edwards will want a finish to secure a title shot.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 19 of 39 | 48% | 20 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Belal Muhammad | 0 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 14 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 18 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Belal Muhammad | 0 | 8 of 24 | 33% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:33 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Belal Muhammad | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 19 of 39 | 48% | 10 of 29 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 38 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Belal Muhammad | 8 of 26 | 30% | 7 of 23 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 17 of 35 | 48% | 9 of 26 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Belal Muhammad | 8 of 24 | 33% | 7 of 21 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Belal Muhammad | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Edwards (-205), Muhammad (+170)
Round 1
After a very long night of combat, the main event is here. Running back a fight from UFC Fight Night 187, when Edwards (22-3, 1 NC; 14-2, 1 NC UFC) poked Muhammad (23-3, 1 NC; 14-3, 1 NC UFC) in the eye to force a no contest, the two will now vie for the undisputed welterweight crown. The unbeaten streaks of these two men are gargantuan, with “Rocky” not having lost in his last 13 appearances while the challenger has not tasted defeat in 10 straight encounters on his own ledger. Something’s gotta give, and referee Mike Beltran will be sure to keep things as clean as they can be. The two are not fans of one another, and there is no touch of gloves. Beltran clocks in the main attraction, and away we go. Muhammad moves right to the center of the cage, and Edwards prods out a few jabs while Muhammad pressures forward. Muhammad shoots in for a double, lifting the champion in the air and slamming him down with relative ease. Edwards keeps an open guard when he hits his back, staying tight to Muhammad to prevent him from doing much. Muhammad opens up with a number of short left hands, landing without much impact. Edwards fights his way back to his feet, and Muhammad jams him against the wall and knees him once before getting spin around. Muhammad drives a few knees to the solar plexus, and Edwards drops to his knees for a takedown before abandoning it. Edwards scores an elbow on the break, and Muhammad tosses out a body kick on the way out. Muhammad adjusts and lands a body kick in response, and although he reaches his opponent, Edwards slams his knee in the breadbasket so hard he lifts Muhammad off the ground. They both trade shots, and Edwards catches the challenger with a solid uppercut and a body kick. Muhammad gives him a right hand back to think about, and he presses forward reaching a left over the guard. Edwards rifles a left down the middle and lands a knee, and Edwards slides to the side and eats a heavy left hand that stings him. Edwards tries to get away, and Muhammad attacks a double and dumps the champion on the ground. “Remember the Name” makes Edwards remember his ground-and-pound, punctuating the round with one crisp elbow.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Round 2
Muhammad immediately puts the pressure on the champ when the round begins, walking Edwards down and landing a few punches. Edwards retaliates with a body kick, and Muhammad beats him to the punch with a short swarm of punches. Muhammad scores a pair of jabs to back Edwards up, and Edwards gives him a single one back. Edwards gets an uppercut in, but Muhammad punches his way into a takedown effort. Muhammad fails to secure a takedown, even when clasping his hands together around the waist, as Edwards keeps his balance. Muhammad doggedly pursues the takedown, tripping Edwards up by the knee and dropping him down to his knees. Muhammad jumps on his back, hanging on without hooks in and imposing his weight and will. Edwards is warned for a fence grab, and Muhammad scoops him up and dumps him on his head. Edwards appears no worse for wear, and Muhammad takes his back and gets hooks in. Edwards fights the hands and legs, managing to turn out and get back to his feet, but not before eating a heavy knee on the chin. Muhammad wrenches the champ back to a knee, and Edwards powers back upright only to get chucked on his face. Muhammad ragdolls the betting favorite, clinging to his back and making his life miserable. When Edwards stands, Muhammad drags him down, and he completely shuts down any offense from the champ. Edwards manages to get upright and turn Muhammad towards the fencing, and he knees Muhammad in the gut and drags him to the mat in a surprising turn of events. Muhammad works his way to his seat against the fencing, and he knees Muhammad in the chest from this advantageous position. Edwards hangs on from behind until the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Round 3
Muhammad walks out of his corner to start the fight even before Beltran says go, and he pushes the pace like before. Edwards swats at him with punches, and Muhammad catches him with a right hand and a head kick from up close. Muhammad lifts Edwards in the air and deposits him ever-so-gingerly to the canvas, but Edwards scrambles quickly to take Muhammad’s back and get a hook in as they lean against the cage. Edwards rips Muhammad’s feet out from beneath him, and both hooks are in as he squeezes his left arm around the mouth. Muhammad hand-fights to defend any submission from getting anywhere close, but Edwards is firmly in control while he sets up the body triangle. Edwards adjusts the body lock to his other leg when Muhammad twists, and Muhammad protests about glove grabs. Edwards slips an arm around the jaw again, but there is no second arm to lock it down. Muhammad grabs the fence to try to turn, and Beltran admonishes him for it. As Muhammad sits up, Edwards follows him and smothers his mouth before briefly gripping a face crank. Muhammad breaks the grip but is otherwise totally nullified, wide-eyed and perhaps surprised that Edwards has bullied the bully this round. Edwards loops a punch or two around the guard, and Muhammad no-look elbows back at him until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Round 4
The championship rounds have arrived, and Muhammad is almost to the middle of the cage as Beltran claps in the round. The pressure from Muhammad is constant, and Edwards jabs him back and sneaks a head kick up that crashes into the shoulder. Muhammad throws a few punches back, and he eats a big left hand that wobbles him for a second. Muhammad slips a left over the top, and he jabs behind it. Edwards keeps his guard up to block jabs, and Muhammad sees this and delivers an uppercut to fluster him. Muhammad reaches his man with a one-two, and a few right hands find their home shortly thereafter. Muhammad sells out for a double, and Edwards gets ripped to a knee while Muhammad slips around to take his back with one hook in. Edwards stays on both knees, and as Muhammad gets the other hook around the back, he elbows the champ on the side of the head. Muhammad hacks down with an elbow or two until Edwards leans and lowers himself to his back, and now Muhammad has the body triangle in place. Muhammad softens Edwards up with short, irritating punches on the side of the head while maintaining complete control, and no matter how hard Edwards fights, Muhammad has him on lock. Edwards sits up and breaks the triangle around his waist, but Muhammad drags him back down and resets the leg grip. Beltran tells Muhammad to work as the two lay there in this position, and Muhammad stays busy enough to land punches to the side of the head. With 30 seconds left, Edwards bursts into action and spins Muhammad over. As Muhammad, Edwards follows him to a knee, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Round 5
Muhammad does not alter his game plan, and Edwards does as the round begins. Edwards starts throwing heavy punches, and Muhammad answers him right back and quickly blocks a high kick. Edwards loads up on his shots, and he stuffs a takedown and pushes Muhammad to the side. As Muhammad stands, he greets Edwards with a few stern punches, and he jabs Edwards back to the fencing. Muhammad lines a right hand down Broadway before chasing a takedown, and Edwards leans himself against the cage and stops the attempt from completing. Edwards grabs the fence to stop the takedown from succeeding, and Beltran yells at him. Muhammad does what he did in the previous round, getting back control and dragging Edwards down while completing the body triangle. The crowd is cooked, booing the challenger heartily and even leaving the building, expecting the champ will lose his crown. Muhammad tries to get hold of a neck crank, and Edwards fights it out but it is a moral victory as he is still down on the scorecards with little way of coming back. Time is the worst enemy of “Rocky,” and Muhammad has successfully embraced the grind for coming up on 20 minutes. It might not be the most thrilling performance, as the fans in the building are borderline silent, but it is effective. With 45 seconds to spare, Edwards does everything he can to spin around and attack. Edwards lashes out with two blistering elbows, slashing Muhammad all the way open on the nose as blood sprays on the canvas. Edwards lands one more vicious elbow, and blood pools on Muhammad’s cheek. Edwards unleashes one final flurry of elbows, but it is likely too little, too late. The audience does not like it, but Muhammad did it, putting a performance on Edwards that few others have done. Vengeance is sweet for “Remember the Name,” and he ignores the jeers of the disappointed crowd because he has successfully climbed the mountain. The welterweight title now goes through Muhammad. If the UFC decides to run that one back, if Muhammad faces a hungry challenger like Shavkat Rakhmonov or something else happens, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (48-47 Muhammad)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (48-47 Muhammad)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (48-47 Muhammad)
The Official Result
Belal Muhammad def. Leon Edwards via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Big Brady picks Leon Edwards, citing his superior striking defense and takedown defense. He notes that Edwards is extremely hard to hit (absorbs 2.05 significant strikes per minute) and has a phenomenal get-up game. He expects Edwards to win a decision, possibly with a late stoppage. He acknowledges Muhammad's durability but believes Edwards' style will be too much. He is slightly concerned about cage rust but expects Edwards to continue his win streak.
Daniel Levi picks Belal Muhammad for the upset, citing his pace, cardio, and pressure. He believes Leon Edwards' two-year layoff and ring rust will be a factor, and that Muhammad's style of getting in his face and clinching will be difficult for Edwards. He notes Edwards has been taken down and dropped before, and thinks Muhammad's output and takedown attempts can win three rounds. He acknowledges the risk of Edwards' reach and straight punches but thinks Muhammad's durability and cardio will carry him.
Lock likes Leon Edwards here, citing his crisp striking and takedown defense as key advantages. He compares the matchup to Belal's fight with Jeff Neal, where Belal's pressure was nullified by a sharper striker. Lock believes Edwards' layoff won't be a major issue and that Belal's short-notice turnaround and calf kick damage from his last fight are concerns. He expects Edwards to be too technical and sharp on the feet, and thinks Belal will struggle to get takedowns. Lock acknowledges Belal's activity but sees Edwards as a step up in competition.
The Guru initially leans towards Muhammad but settles on Leon Edwards. He believes Edwards' improved clinch work and elbows will be key against Muhammad's pressure. He notes Edwards' reach advantage and ability to stuff takedowns, referencing Edwards' performance against Kamaru Usman. He also highlights Muhammad's compromised calf from his previous fight, which Edwards can target with leg kicks. He predicts Edwards will lose the first round due to ring rust but win the next four, resulting in a 4-1 decision.
Vicente Luque - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelvin Gastelum | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 12 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Vicente Luque | 1 | 12 of 28 | 42% | 16 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelvin Gastelum | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 12 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Vicente Luque | 1 | 12 of 28 | 42% | 16 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelvin Gastelum | 9 of 20 | 45% | 4 of 14 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
| Vicente Luque | 12 of 28 | 42% | 6 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 8 | 8 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelvin Gastelum | 9 of 20 | 45% | 4 of 14 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
| Vicente Luque | 12 of 28 | 42% | 6 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 8 | 8 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 |
Angelo picks Kelvin Gastelum despite his unreliability, citing his skills, granite chin, and wrestling advantage. He believes Vicente Luque has never been the same since the brain bleed and is fighting up a weight class. He acknowledges Gastelum's poor work ethic but thinks he should win, calling the odds appropriate.
Big Brady believes Vicente Luque is past his prime after a brain injury and has shown fear of getting hit, pulling guard and covering up in recent fights. He thinks Gastelum will land big shots and TKO Luque, predicting a second-round knockout. He calls it his hot take of the week.
Cody also picks Gastelum, citing Luque's loss of speed and durability. He thinks Gastelum's left hand and toughness will be too much for the fading Luque.
Connor picks Gastelum because Luque is moving up to middleweight and has lost speed, while Gastelum's game is built for the division. He notes that Gastelum's durability and power in the pocket will be too much for a slower Luque, and that Luque's style doesn't translate well to middleweight. He acknowledges both are past their prime but trusts Gastelum's natural advantages.
Daniel Vreeland picks Kelvin Gastelum, citing Luque's decline after a brain bleed and brutal knockouts. He believes Gastelum's durability and power will be too much for Luque, who may not have the confidence or chin to engage in a war. He also notes that the fight is at middleweight, which benefits Gastelum.
Daniel thinks Luque's chin and confidence are gone after taking too much damage, while Gastelum is still durable. He predicts Gastelum will knock out Luque.
James picks Gastelum confidently, believing Luque is more shot and that Gastelum's durability and boxing will prevail. He predicts a knockout, noting Luque's recent struggles.
Gastelum's power and durability should be too much for Luque, who has been declining and getting finished. Luque's wars have caught up to him, and he struggles with pressure. Gastelum's boxing and knockout power can put Luque away. However, Gastelum's weight cut is a concern; if he makes weight, he should win by knockout. The line is steep but justified.
Paul picks Gastelum, trusting his chin and durability. He thinks Luque has slowed down and taken too much damage, while Gastelum can still take a punch and outwork him.
The MMA Guru picks Kelvin Gastelum over Vicente Luque. He believes Luque's best days are behind him and that Gastelum is hard to finish, with good submission defense against Luque's D'Arce choke. He thinks Gastelum's springy step, one-two down the pipe, and low kick will cause visible damage, predicting a 29-28 decision win.
Zane picks Gastelum, agreeing that Luque at middleweight doesn't track. He notes that Gastelum's game is a middleweight game and that Luque has lost speed and reaction time. He expects Gastelum to win by being the more natural middleweight and having the power advantage in the pocket.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 30 of 99 | 30% | 31 of 101 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joel Alvarez | 0 | 89 of 148 | 60% | 197 of 288 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 6:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vicente Luque | 0 | 21 of 65 | 32% | 21 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joel Alvarez | 0 | 38 of 67 | 56% | 38 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Vicente Luque | 0 | 6 of 18 | 33% | 7 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joel Alvarez | 0 | 48 of 72 | 66% | 122 of 173 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:35 | |
| 3 | Vicente Luque | 0 | 3 of 16 | 18% | 3 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joel Alvarez | 0 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 37 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:55 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicente Luque | 30 of 99 | 30% | 16 of 74 | 6 of 13 | 8 of 12 | 30 of 99 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Joel Alvarez | 89 of 148 | 60% | 74 of 130 | 12 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 55 of 100 | 0 of 0 | 34 of 48 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vicente Luque | 21 of 65 | 32% | 11 of 51 | 3 of 5 | 7 of 9 | 21 of 65 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Joel Alvarez | 38 of 67 | 56% | 30 of 56 | 6 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 38 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Vicente Luque | 6 of 18 | 33% | 3 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Joel Alvarez | 48 of 72 | 66% | 42 of 66 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 34 of 48 | |
| 3 | Vicente Luque | 3 of 16 | 18% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Joel Alvarez | 3 of 9 | 33% | 2 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Alvarez (-550); Luque (+400)
Round 1
Although his Fight Finder profile says he is from Westwood, New Jersey, Luque (23-11-1, 16-7 UFC) calls Brazil home as he moved there when he was young. He will have a full contingent of fan support behind him to take on ex-lightweight finisher Alvarez (22-3, 7-2 UFC), who somehow looks larger than the man who has made 170 pounds for the lion’s share of his career. The third man in the Octagon for this all-action clash will be referee Osiris Maia, and he bears witness to a sporting glove touch before the frenzy begins.
Alvarez sticks out his jab, and he parries a front kick. Luque swings his way forward, and the former lightweight swats his hands out of the air. Luque sits down on a low kick that forces a stance switch, and Alvarez responds with a straight let hand that marks up Luque’s nose. They connect with single strikes, with Alvarez relying on his power jab to set things up. Luque works his way in and scores once before Alvarez backs him off with his own attack. Luque again commits to a hard low kick, and he snaps the head back with a left hand. Alvarez stays composed and calm, and he jabs to string three punches after it. Luque drives home a low kick, and he rips a right hand over the top. Luque’s calf kick is doing damage, and Alvarez pushes him away as the knuckle of his thumb drills into Luque’s eye socket. Maia calls time, and Luque practically collapses to his knees in pain. The replay shows that the strike was legal, and Maia calls off the fight to award Alvarez the TKO win…and then uncalls it, giving Luque time to see the doctor. This fight should be over, as the strike was a legal one so Luque should not be given time to recover. The complete and utter failure in regulation allows Luque 90 seconds to clear his vision, and the fight somehow continues.
When they resume, Luque knows his time is limited, so he lets loose with short but effective flurries. Alvarez strikes back with a vengeance, but Luque reaches him and lands flush several times. Alvarez gets off an especially effective front kick, and the two calm down for a bit. Luque’s eye is showing some serious damage, and Alvarez gets back to action by targeting the right side of Luque’s head with a kick and a number of punches. The round ends, despite what happened earlier.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Alvarez
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Alvarez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Alvarez
Round 2
The two have reached the second round. Alvarez wants to finish the job…again, and he starts it with a barrage of punches, a high kick and a wheel kick as well. Alvarez takes time to celebrate his handiwork, staying out of range for Luque’s blitzes. Alvarez chains punches into a body kick, and Luque tries for a takedown and is shoved to his back. The Spanish fighter briefly considers a brabo choke, and he lets it go to slam his fists into Luque’s face. Alvarez lowers himself down for a much tighter brabo, and Luque twists and manages to survive, but he is under fire. Alvarez drops down punches any target he can find with Luque pulling guard to get Alvarez close to him, and Alvarez thanks him for this by belting him with 12-to-6 elbows.
Alvarez elbows Luque in the thigh to open up his guard, and he advances to half guard and smacks Luque around with more elbows. Luque clings to Alvarez’ left arm while doing practically nothing else on his knees, and Alvarez methodically pounds on him. Maia stands idly by as Luque takes a beating, and Alvarez hangs on from above to keep Luque from escaping. Alvarez’ elbows open things up further for him, and Luque can only answer with a leglock that Alvarez completely ignores until the horn sounds. The only question is whether that round, one that should not have happened in the first place, will be a 10-9 or a 10-8.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Alvarez
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-8 Alvarez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Alvarez
Round 3
Doctors and Maia check in on Luque’s condition between rounds, with his right eye swelling and damaged. He is cleared to resume even though it sounds like he says his eye is
not working
, and they both flick jabs at one another. As if he does not want to cause more harm to his opponent, Alvarez takes his foot largely off the gas, while dancing away from the labored offense hurled his way. Luque is the more active of the two, but he will most certainly need a finish barring an aberrant scorecard. The fighters trade low kicks, and Alvarez’ brushes the cup. Luque signals he is fine, and he keeps out of range until shooting in for a single.
Alvarez defends it without issue, and he slithers his legs around Luque’s neck for an inverted triangle. Luque signals a thumbs-up that the choke is not too tight, and Alvarez is sitting on him in a precarious position unable to land with much as Luque has the back of his neck and spine presented. Alvarez chills out on top of Luque, completely nullifying the veteran, and the crowd does not love what is transpiring in the cage. Alvarez cranks on Luque’s toes to no effect, and he smacks Luque in the side again and again until the Brazilian turns over. Alvarez concludes the match with hammerfists to the face, and they have heard the final bell. At least it’s over, but Alvarez’ 100% finish rate is no more.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Alvarez (30-26 Alvarez)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Alvarez (30-26 Alvarez)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Alvarez (30-26 Alvarez)
The Official Result
Joel Alvarez def. Vicente Luque via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Angelo picks Joel Alvarez, calling him 'Vicente 2.0' and stating that the current version of Vicente is older, slower, and chinnier. He believes Joel will likely finish Vicente on the feet or ground. He notes Vicente's only chance is if Joel doesn't defend takedowns, but still picks Joel.
Big Brady picks Joel Alvarez to win dominantly by first-round submission. He expresses serious concerns about Vicente Luque's durability and mentality after a brain bleed and a quit against Buckley. He notes Alvarez is moving up to welterweight, which is overdue, and will be much bigger. Brady sees multiple paths to victory: hurting Luque on the feet, Luque shooting in and getting submitted, or Luque looking for a way out.
Cody picks Alvarez but with hesitancy due to the weight move and Luque's toughness. He notes Alvarez's momentum and Luque's recent struggles, but worries about the physical matchup. He likes Alvarez to finish but sees limited value at the current price.
James is confident Alvarez will steamroll Luque, citing Alvarez's superior durability, power, and striking arsenal. He notes Luque's likely grappling attempts but believes Alvarez's submission threats from his back will be decisive. He predicts a first-round finish and suggests betting on Alvarez inside the distance or under 1.5 rounds.
Lucrative James is confident in Joel Alvarez, citing his youth, power, and submission skills. He notes Vicente Luque's age and fight mileage, including a brain bleed. He expects Alvarez to finish Luque, likely by submission, as Luque has been submitted before. He likes the submission prop at +175.
Manpreet is confident in Alvarez, citing Luque's decline due to wear and tear, and Alvarez's youth, power, and finishing ability. He notes Alvarez's height and reach advantages, and believes Alvarez can finish Luque early, possibly by KO in round one. He recommends Alvarez inside the distance or under 1.5 rounds as betting options.
Paul picks Joel Alvarez, believing Vicente Luque is shot and has changed his style after knockouts. He notes Alvarez's pressure, length, and cardio, and expects him to finish Luque via submission or TKO. He acknowledges the weight move but sees Alvarez as the better fighter.
The MMA Guru picks Joel Alvarez over Vicente Luque, citing Alvarez's size, reach, and finishing ability. He notes Luque has been in many wars and is aging, while Alvarez is a talented lightweight moving up. He predicts a TKO finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kevin Holland | 0 | 40 of 74 | 54% | 44 of 78 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vicente Luque | 0 | 22 of 40 | 55% | 22 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kevin Holland | 0 | 35 of 64 | 54% | 39 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Vicente Luque | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kevin Holland | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicente Luque | 24 of 46 | 52% | 14 of 32 | 3 of 6 | 7 of 8 | 24 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kevin Holland | 40 of 74 | 54% | 25 of 58 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 10 | 26 of 56 | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vicente Luque | 22 of 40 | 55% | 13 of 28 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 7 | 22 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kevin Holland | 35 of 64 | 54% | 23 of 51 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 7 | 21 of 46 | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Vicente Luque | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kevin Holland | 5 of 10 | 50% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Holland (-265), Luque (+215)
Round 1
The referee for our main card opener is Keith Peterson. Luque takes the center of the Octagon, while Holland is already talking. Luque catches a kick, but Holland lands a half-dozen punches and makes his opponent pay for just standing there. A left hook from Luque hits the shoulder of Holland. Luque follows up a left hook with a nice leg kick. Holland lands a nice elbow that hurts Luque, who fires back with an overhand that keeps Holland from pressuring. Luque lands a double jab, which isn't enough to keep Holland from talking every second of this fight. There is a huge knot on the side of Luque's head where the elbow landed. It looks nasty. Luque stuns Holland with a left hook, but Holland responds nicely by slipping a punch and landing a right hook. Nice jab to the body by Holland. Luque lands a leg kick, which allows Holland to land a right hand. High kick from Holland is blocked.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Holland
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holland
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Holland
Round 2
The round starts with Holland missing a huge right hook. Luque is struggling with the length of Holland, who is able to attack from a distance. Holland catches a kick from Luque and pushes him to the ground. Luque tries to get up, but Holland sinks in a brabo choke. It looks tight, and Luque is forced to tap.
The Official Result
Kevin Holland def. Vicente Luque via Submission (Brabo Choke); R2, 1:03.
Angelo picks Vicente Luque over Kevin Holland because he trusts Vicente to execute a game plan, while Kevin is unreliable with poor takedown defense and a lack of care. He notes Kevin's takedown defense is still poor despite his length and jiu-jitsu. He thinks even a fraction of Vicente's wrestling from the Dos Anjos fight will be enough.
Big Brady is very confident in Kevin Holland, citing Luque's recent durability issues and quitting in his last fight. He believes Luque will try to wrestle but Holland is hard to wrestle at welterweight. He expects the fight to stay on the feet where Holland will hurt Luque and knock him out early, possibly in the first round. He notes Luque's brain hemorrhage and that he shouldn't be fighting.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Holland. He emphasizes that Luque has slowed down and his reactions are worse, while Holland is still physically sharp. Connor notes that Holland's best performances come when he is not forced to pressure, and Luque's forward pressure will allow Holland to counter effectively. He sees this as a winnable matchup for Holland.
The host went back and forth on this fight. He ultimately sticks with Kevin Holland winning by knockout due to his speed and power, but notes that Vicente Luque is a very live underdog, especially if he can get takedowns and use his submission game.
The MMA Guru picks Kevin Holland, despite being a big fan of Luque. He believes Holland's range and volume will be key, as Luque struggles against fighters who stay at range and don't overcommit. He notes Holland's durability and ability to fight from bottom. He predicts a decision win for Holland, possibly 29-28, with Luque winning a round.
Zane picks Kevin Holland, noting that when Holland fights on the back foot he uses his jab effectively and looks like a complete boxer. He believes Luque's slower reactions and declining chin will be exploited by Holland's reach and counterpunching. Zane thinks this matchup favors Holland's style, similar to his win over Jack Della Maddalena.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 5 of 9 | 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 | Vicente Luque | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicente Luque | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 5 of 9 | 55% | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vicente Luque | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Themba Gorimbo | 5 of 9 | 55% | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gorimbo (-162), Luque (+136)
Round 1
The non-stop preliminary action continues with a welterweight contest that some are considering a “passing of the torch” bout—except the two are the same age. With far more fight miles, Luque (22-10-1, 15-6 UFC) is the grizzled veteran, while Gorimbo (14-4, 4-1 UFC) has the appearance of a fresh-eyed prospect and currently rides a four-fight win streak in the Octagon. The action begins with referee Mark Smith watching over the 170ers, and they elect not to touch gloves. Both men kick at one another, with Gorimbo doubling up on a low kick and putting another leg kick after a one-two. Luque unloads a short, fierce right hand and catches Gorimbo on the side of the head with a left, knocking Gorimbo down to the floor. Gorimbo springs forward on his knees, and
Luque latches onto a guillotine that he transitions into a brabo choke and then an anaconda choke that is tight in a hurry. Gorimbo rolls to try to escape the submission, and Luque turns with him to lock the maneuver down completely. With nowhere to go and the blood supply cut off from his head, Gorimbo goes out fast.
Smith is paying close attention and intervenes as soon as Gorimbo loses consciousness. This is an important victory for “The Silent Assassin,” who proves that he is nowhere near done, shutting Gorimbo’s lights out in under a minute.
The Official Result
Vicente Luque def. Themba Gorimbo R1 0:52 via Technical Submission (Anaconda Choke)
Angelo picks Themba Gorimbo, believing the formula to beat Vicente Luque is to take him down, and Gorimbo has the wrestling and cardio to do so. He notes Luque's best days may be behind him after a brain bleed and a loss to Joaquin Buckley. However, he acknowledges Luque is the best fighter Gorimbo has faced and there could be a level gap. He is cautious but leans Gorimbo.
Cody picks Luque, citing his superior striking and submission threat. He notes Gorimbo's limited game and reliance on physicality. He expects Luque to out-strike and potentially submit Gorimbo, though he acknowledges Luque's chin issues.
Connor picks Luque despite acknowledging that Luque is aging and has slowed down, while Gorimbo is a confident, aggressive wrestler with surprising speed. He notes that Gorimbo's game is fundamentally messy and that Luque's level of competition has been much higher. Connor also mentions that Gorimbo is on short notice and that Luque's losses are to elite welterweights. He admits it's a weird pick but hopes Luque wins because Gorimbo's fights are horrible to watch.
Daniel picks Gorimbo because he believes Luque is mentally and physically compromised after a brain bleed. He notes Luque's hesitancy and poor recent performances, while Gorimbo is hungry and will push the pace. He expects an ugly decision win for Gorimbo.
Luque is a much depleted and diminished version of himself recently, reacting badly to shots from Buckley. Gorimbo can put on just as much power and eventually find that big shot to put Luque away. I like the under 2.5 rounds and pick Gorimbo by knockout.
Paul picks Luque, emphasizing his technical striking and experience. He notes Gorimbo's takedown-heavy style but thinks Luque's scrambling and submission defense will neutralize him. He sees Luque as the more polished fighter.
The MMA Guru picks Themba Gorimbo despite being a huge Luque fan. He worries about Luque's chin and ability to handle being put on his back, and thinks Luque is overthinking. He sees Gorimbo taking Luque down and Luque second-guessing himself on the feet. He admits he may regret this pick and will only pick Luque again after he wins.
Zane also picks Luque, but with hesitation. He agrees that Luque is shopworn and has taken a lot of damage, but he believes Gorimbo's game is too bad for Luque to lose to. He notes that Gorimbo is a 'swing and cling' wrestler with poor fundamentals, and that Luque's losses are to elite fighters. Zane is concerned that if Gorimbo wrestles and stalls, Luque could get tired and lose an ugly decision, but he ultimately picks Luque because he hopes he wins.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 21 of 63 | 33% | 22 of 65 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 55 of 131 | 41% | 63 of 142 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 15 of 42 | 35% | 15 of 42 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 15 of 43 | 34% | 15 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 6 of 21 | 28% | 7 of 23 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 40 of 88 | 45% | 48 of 99 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joaquin Buckley | 21 of 63 | 33% | 7 of 45 | 4 of 5 | 10 of 13 | 21 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Vicente Luque | 55 of 131 | 41% | 42 of 112 | 6 of 10 | 7 of 9 | 21 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 34 of 56 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joaquin Buckley | 15 of 42 | 35% | 4 of 27 | 4 of 5 | 7 of 10 | 15 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Vicente Luque | 15 of 43 | 34% | 7 of 33 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 15 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Joaquin Buckley | 6 of 21 | 28% | 3 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Vicente Luque | 40 of 88 | 45% | 35 of 79 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 34 of 56 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Luque (-112), Buckley (-108)
Round 1
Buckley and Luque engage, with referee Keith Peterson charged with keeping things clean, though the odds are against him, if the first 11 fights are any indication. Luque is orthodox, Buckley southpaw but switching stances constantly. They exchange low kicks in the early going, with Buckley landing a body kick as well. Luque sticks out the jab, trying to keep the shorter man from getting into punching range. Luque lands a leg kick, and Buckley answers with a pair of punches upstairs. Luque fires off another low kick, and Buckley responds with punches once again, which Luque does not appear to like. They both bounce into the pocket at the same time and Luque goes down, but it appears to be a combined slip and collision rather than a knockdown strike. Luque gets back up and goes on the offensive, backing Buckley up with punches. Luque shoots for a takedown at the 10-second clapper, but can’t finish before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Round 2
Buckley reaches out with long kicks to the leg and body. They exchange a flurry of punches at close range, most of which are blocked. Buckley jumps in with a knee that glances. Luque goes for a takedown but Buckley sprawls well. Buckley walks Luque down and lands a blistering pair of punches that have an effect despite landing on Luque’s arms. Buckley reaches out with a head kick that slaps off the high guard.
Luque shoots a slow double-leg, then pulls guard when Buckley pancakes it. Buckley fires off punches from half guard, some of which split Luque’s raised arms and do damage. Luque tries to get to a better position, but Buckley keeps firing away, and as Luque is not giving anything back and has gone completely into his shell, referee Peterson has seen enough, moving in for the stoppage.
The Official Result
Joaquin Buckley def. Vicente Luque R2 3:17 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Vicente Luque despite admitting he has been a Luque hater. He notes Luque's impressive wrestling against RDA and his overall skills. He acknowledges Joaquin Buckley is dangerous and funny but thinks Luque's mix of striking and wrestling will give him the edge.
Big Brady picks Joaquin Buckley to win by second-round knockout. He believes prime Luque would destroy Buckley, but Luque has taken significant damage, suffered a brain bleed, and admitted to being scared to get hit in his last fight. Brady thinks Luque's durability is compromised and Buckley's power will finish him.
Cody likes Luque's volume and pace, believing he can outwork Buckley who tends to fade. He notes Luque's wrestling as a new wrinkle but thinks the path to victory is through pressure and output. He acknowledges the risk of Buckley's power but sees Luque as the better fighter at even money.
Daniel Vreeland picks Joaquin Buckley at +124, continuing his fade of Vicente Luque. He cites Luque's history of taking massive damage, the brain bleed, and his struggles against southpaws. He believes Buckley's footwork, speed, and southpaw stance will frustrate Luque, and that Luque's chin may be compromised. He acknowledges Luque's power but thinks Buckley can avoid the left hook and win a decision or late finish.
Luque is more skilled and talented than Buckley, with a nasty leg kick that can sap Buckley's power. He may mix in grappling to nullify Buckley's speed and power advantage. Luque's veteran experience and ability to pressure in later rounds should be decisive. Buckley is a power puncher but Luque can implement leg kicks and potentially finish inside two rounds. The minus 115 line is a steal for a fighter of Luque's caliber.
Paul agrees with Cody, highlighting Luque's wrestling from the RDA fight and his overall well-rounded game. He thinks Luque can take Buckley down and remove his explosive striking, making him a solid play at even money.
The host picks Vicente Luque to win by KO in round two. He believes Buckley will get overconfident and throw wild hooks, while Luque will cover up and counter with hooks from his guard. He notes Luque's tight guard and ability to take a punch. He predicts Luque will crack Buckley on the chin and put him away.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 72 of 141 | 51% | 138 of 221 | 8 of 11 | 72% | 0 | 0 | 12:01 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 66 of 136 | 48% | 94 of 170 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 | 0 | 3:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vicente Luque | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 20 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:30 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 17 of 37 | 45% | 20 of 41 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:20 | |
| 2 | Vicente Luque | 0 | 11 of 26 | 42% | 32 of 48 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:23 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 10 of 22 | 45% | 14 of 26 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 | |
| 3 | Vicente Luque | 0 | 18 of 39 | 46% | 27 of 49 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:51 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 11 of 27 | 40% | 12 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 | |
| 4 | Vicente Luque | 0 | 10 of 18 | 55% | 26 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:40 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 20 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 | |
| 5 | Vicente Luque | 0 | 17 of 26 | 65% | 33 of 45 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:37 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 19 of 35 | 54% | 28 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vicente Luque | 72 of 141 | 51% | 48 of 115 | 17 of 19 | 7 of 7 | 60 of 127 | 8 of 8 | 4 of 6 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 66 of 136 | 48% | 42 of 108 | 19 of 23 | 5 of 5 | 38 of 105 | 26 of 27 | 2 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vicente Luque | 16 of 32 | 50% | 9 of 24 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 6 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 17 of 37 | 45% | 8 of 26 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 28 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Vicente Luque | 11 of 26 | 42% | 7 of 22 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 10 of 22 | 45% | 4 of 16 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 15 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Vicente Luque | 18 of 39 | 46% | 12 of 32 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 11 of 27 | 40% | 8 of 23 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Vicente Luque | 10 of 18 | 55% | 6 of 14 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 9 of 15 | 60% | 5 of 10 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Vicente Luque | 17 of 26 | 65% | 14 of 23 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 19 of 35 | 54% | 17 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 26 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 4 |
Angelo picks dos Anjos, citing his grappling and takedowns as the key. He notes Luque has poor takedown defense (except against Belal) and dos Anjos is a high-level grappler. He already has a moneyline bet at -125.
Big Brady picks Vicente Luque to win by third-round knockout, but calls it the sketchiest fight on the card. He notes RDA's age (38) and size disadvantage at welterweight, but also Luque's recent knockout loss and brain hemorrhage concerns. He believes Luque's constant pressure and power will eventually catch RDA, but admits there are red flags on both sides. He says he wants nothing to do with the fight.
Cody picks Luque at plus money, arguing that dos Anjos is a former lightweight who has struggled at welterweight (2-5 in last 7). He notes Luque's strong get-up game against Belal Muhammad and believes dos Anjos won't be able to take him down consistently. He also mentions Luque's camp at Kill Cliff FC with Gilbert Burns preparing him for the wrestling. However, he acknowledges Luque's damage accumulation and brain hemorrhage history but still sees him edging out a five-round decision.
James picks RDA over Luque, citing Luque's brutal knockout loss to Neal and subsequent brain issues as major negatives. He sees the striking as fairly even but gives RDA a grappling advantage, noting RDA can lean on takedowns and jiu-jitsu. James acknowledges Luque's size and age advantage but feels the unknowns around Luque's recovery tilt the fight toward RDA. He is not yet committed to betting, saying he will discuss with his team.
Dos Anjos is durable and blends striking and grappling well. Luque is on a two-fight losing streak and had brain bleeding after his last KO. Dos Anjos should be able to mix in takedowns and combinations to outwork Luque over 25 minutes. Luque may have success striking, but dos Anjos's versatility will be too much.
Paul leans toward dos Anjos, citing his better cardio over five rounds and ability to mix in wrestling. He expresses concern about Luque's brain hemorrhage in 2022 and doesn't want to put money behind someone with that history. He acknowledges the fight is close and understands Cody's points about dos Anjos' wrestling not being as effective against bigger welterweights, but slightly favors RDA.
The MMA Guru picks Vicente Luque over Rafael dos Anjos, despite Luque's brain hemorrhage, assuming it was mild and he had a year off. He argues Luque is bigger, more powerful, has a better chin, and is hard to finish on the ground. He doubts RDA's ability to control Luque for five rounds and predicts Luque will finish RDA in round three by D'Arce choke.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoff Neal | 0 | 97 of 203 | 47% | 97 of 203 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Vicente Luque | 2 | 121 of 211 | 57% | 125 of 215 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geoff Neal | 0 | 30 of 80 | 37% | 30 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Vicente Luque | 1 | 52 of 93 | 55% | 53 of 94 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 2 | Geoff Neal | 0 | 51 of 91 | 56% | 51 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 40 of 75 | 53% | 43 of 78 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 | |
| 3 | Geoff Neal | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Vicente Luque | 1 | 29 of 43 | 67% | 29 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoff Neal | 97 of 203 | 47% | 56 of 156 | 26 of 31 | 15 of 16 | 91 of 195 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Vicente Luque | 121 of 211 | 57% | 113 of 202 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 103 of 186 | 17 of 22 | 1 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geoff Neal | 30 of 80 | 37% | 20 of 67 | 8 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 29 of 79 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Vicente Luque | 52 of 93 | 55% | 48 of 89 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 49 of 87 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 3 | |
| 2 | Geoff Neal | 51 of 91 | 56% | 28 of 68 | 15 of 15 | 8 of 8 | 46 of 85 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Vicente Luque | 40 of 75 | 53% | 36 of 70 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 33 of 66 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Geoff Neal | 16 of 32 | 50% | 8 of 21 | 3 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 16 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Vicente Luque | 29 of 43 | 67% | 29 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 33 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Vicente Luque, believing this will be a striking match since Geoff Neal rarely wrestles. He favors Luque's better striking differential, cleaner footwork, speed, and higher volume. He acknowledges Luque's grappling holes but doesn't think Neal will exploit them. He is pretty confident in Luque to get the win.
Big Brady picks Vicente Luque, citing his durability, chin, and willingness to brawl. He notes that Geoff Neal has looked off in his last three fights and may not be the same killer he was earlier in his UFC run. He believes Luque's submission game is dangerous if the fight goes to the mat, and that Neal's takedown defense is good but he is unlikely to wrestle. He predicts a competitive decision win for Luque, though he acknowledges Neal's power and the possibility of a finish.
Cody also picks Luque, citing his volume, footwork, and ability to work the body and legs. He notes that Luque is hittable but durable, and that Neal hasn't knocked anyone out since Mike Perry three years ago. Cody believes Luque's sharpness and output will be too much for Neal, who has looked unmotivated in recent losses.
Daniel Levi picks Geoff Neal as an underdog, believing the southpaw stance will neutralize Luque's calf kicks and open up liver kicks. He thinks Neal's speed and footwork can frustrate Luque, and if Neal is truly healthy again, he can win a decision or even score a knockout. Levi acknowledges Luque's power and finishing ability but likes the plus-155 price and sees this as a fight that could go either way.
Paul picks Luque, noting that Luque has more ways to win and is historically durable. He mentions that Luque hasn't landed a takedown since 2017 but is a great grappler in scrambles. Paul thinks Luque wins about 65-70% of the time and will wait for a better price. He also notes that Neal has looked unmotivated in recent fights.
The MMA Guru picks Geoff Neal as an underdog by 29-28 decision. He thinks Luque takes too long to get going in three-rounders and Neal's power will earn respect. He believes Neal can keep range and avoid brawling, similar to how Randy Brown and Nico Price had success. He predicts Neal wins the first round clearly, edges the second, and survives the third.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belal Muhammad | 0 | 84 of 184 | 45% | 102 of 203 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:33 |
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 60 of 155 | 38% | 136 of 260 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 7:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 14 of 37 | 37% | 24 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 9 of 33 | 27% | 35 of 65 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 | |
| 2 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 15 of 35 | 42% | 18 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 16 of 30 | 53% | 24 of 43 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 | |
| 3 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 27 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 21 of 39 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 | |
| 4 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 20 of 41 | 48% | 21 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 13 of 44 | 29% | 41 of 78 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:33 | |
| 5 | Belal Muhammad | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 12 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Vicente Luque | 0 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 15 of 35 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:40 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belal Muhammad | 84 of 184 | 45% | 54 of 141 | 6 of 17 | 24 of 26 | 80 of 179 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
| Vicente Luque | 60 of 155 | 38% | 51 of 141 | 8 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 56 of 149 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belal Muhammad | 14 of 37 | 37% | 8 of 26 | 1 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 13 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Vicente Luque | 9 of 33 | 27% | 5 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Belal Muhammad | 15 of 35 | 42% | 5 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 9 | 15 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Vicente Luque | 16 of 30 | 53% | 14 of 27 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Belal Muhammad | 24 of 46 | 52% | 19 of 39 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Vicente Luque | 9 of 21 | 42% | 9 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 18 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Belal Muhammad | 20 of 41 | 48% | 15 of 34 | 0 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 20 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Vicente Luque | 13 of 44 | 29% | 10 of 41 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Belal Muhammad | 11 of 25 | 44% | 7 of 19 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Vicente Luque | 13 of 27 | 48% | 13 of 25 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Belal Muhammad as an underdog, citing Belal's wrestling and fight IQ. He notes that Vicente Luque is dangerous on the feet and has submissions, but Belal can take him down and control the fight. He references Luque's fight with Kiesa where Kiesa had success taking Luque down but got too aggressive. Angelo believes Belal will stick to a wrestling game plan and win a decision.
Big Brady picks Vicente Luque to win, likely by finish. He notes that Luque is dangerous everywhere—on the feet and on the mat—and that Belal Muhammad's wrestling, while improved against Stephen Thompson, may not be enough to control Luque. He points out that Muhammad struggled to take down Diego Lima (1 for 10) and that Luque has solid takedown defense and submission threats. Brady expects Luque to hurt Muhammad and finish him in the second or third round.
Cody picks Luque but with hesitation, noting Belal's impressive wrestling against Wonderboy. He worries about Luque's cardio in a five-round fight and his takedown defense. However, he believes Luque's hand speed and striking will be key, and that Belal's record is deceiving. He sees danger if Belal extends the fight into later rounds.
Daniel Levi picks Belal Muhammad as a +155 underdog, emphasizing Belal's ability to adapt game plans, as seen against Stephen Thompson (wrestling) and Demian Maia (striking). He notes Belal's improved lateral movement, feints, and cardio, which should allow him to survive early danger and take over in championship rounds. Levi acknowledges Vicente Luque's elite finishing ability (second most finishes in welterweight history) and the danger of his calf kicks, left hook, and d'arce choke, but believes Belal's discipline, chain wrestling, and refusal to rush submissions will be key. He is concerned about Belal fighting during Ramadan but notes he has done so before and sounded sharp in interviews. Levi states he is biased due to his friendship with Belal but insists his analysis is objective.
Paul favors Vicente Luque, citing his power, finishing ability, and danger in guard if taken down. He notes Luque trains with many wrestlers and believes his striking is superior. He acknowledges Belal's wrestling but thinks Luque's path to victory is clearer, especially with a potential finish.
The MMA Guru picks Belal Muhammad despite being a big Vicente Luque fan. He believes Muhammad's volume and grappling will disrupt Luque's timing, and that Luque hates volume. He expects Muhammad to wear Luque down and submit him in the fourth or fifth round via rear-naked choke. He also accuses Muhammad of using steroids, citing his physique change.
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