Career Averages - Felipe Bunes
Career Averages - Jose Johnson
Felipe Bunes
Jose Johnson
Felipe Bunes - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 66 of 136 | 48% | 69 of 139 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 54 of 132 | 40% | 113 of 202 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 64 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:26 | |
| 2 | Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 21 of 52 | 40% | 21 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 20 of 53 | 37% | 20 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Édgar Cháirez | 0 | 41 of 75 | 54% | 42 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 29 of 66 | 43% | 29 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Édgar Cháirez | 66 of 136 | 48% | 41 of 104 | 18 of 23 | 7 of 9 | 63 of 133 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Felipe Bunes | 54 of 132 | 40% | 44 of 115 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 52 of 129 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Édgar Cháirez | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Felipe Bunes | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Édgar Cháirez | 21 of 52 | 40% | 14 of 42 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 3 | 20 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Felipe Bunes | 20 of 53 | 37% | 15 of 46 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 20 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Édgar Cháirez | 41 of 75 | 54% | 26 of 56 | 11 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 40 of 74 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Felipe Bunes | 29 of 66 | 43% | 26 of 58 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 3 | 29 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Chairez (-300); Bunes (+250)
Round 1
Two flyweights who have struggled as of late will collide with hopes of gaining just a wisp of momentum in their speedy weight class. Chairez (12-6, 1 NC; 2-2, 1 NC UFC) has the crowd on his side in a big way, while Bunes (14-8, 1-2 UFC) is showered in boos and looks to spoil their mood. Referee Marc Goddard is on top of things for as long as the match lasts, bearing witness to a glove touch that opens the fight up.
Bunes stands tall to open the fight, walking down the local favorite with his right hand firing. Chairez backs him off with his jab, but not for long as Bunes pushes the pace on him. Chairez drills the lead leg with a kick, and Bunes frowns, swings hard and shoots in on the hips for a takedown. Chairez defends the initial offering, leaning his head against the cage to keep himself on his feet. Bunes holds on from behind before speedily climbing onto the back to take it standing, and he locks down a body triangle. Bunes starts slugging away with his free left hand while Chairez holds the other to block a choke setup. Bunes elbows Chairez in the side and shoulder, and he is warned for leaning his arm on top of the cage.
Chairez hand-fights to protect his neck, and Bunes nearly snatches it up and is again fussed at for resting his arm on the cage. Fans in the building erupt with frustration as Bunes rests on the top of the cage, and the Brazilian hacks down with multiple unorthodox elbows to the top of the shoulder. Chairez looks confused that strikes are raining down from those angles and actually affecting him, but he is biding his time and hanging on without getting strangled. Bunes picks his elbows carefully so that he does not strike the mohawk line on the top of the head, and he lets loose with clubbing right hands before wrapping his arm around Chairez’ face. Chairez jumps to the ground to slap Bunes down on his back, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Round 2
The fighters touch gloves to get going in this round, where Chairez fires off a chopping kick and slips away from a looping left hook. Bunes scores his own low kick, and he aims a stomp kick to the knee before ripping his shin to the body with his free leg. Chairez spins with a back fist that misses the mark, and he walks Bunes down and slugs him in the chin. Bunes fires back, doing enough damage to force Chairez to stop pressuring him for a moment. Bunes reaches out with a right hand, parrying a few jab offerings from his opponent as both men look for options. Chairez bangs a left hand off the guard and follows a right straight to the solar plexus. He then chains a few punches together, only for Bunes to meet him in the pocket with a trio of fists that knock him back.
Chairez resets and smacks Bunes with a spinning back fist, and Bunes has nothing to answer back with and keeps his guard up to defend another that Chairez fakes. Chairez digs a front kick to the torso and hand-fights to protect his mug, and he steps back to avoid a back fist aimed at his face. Chairez dips in an uppercut and a left hook, leading Bunes to strike him back heavily. Bunes headhunts, and Chairez’s head movement and elusiveness are keeping him from taking much damage this round. Bunes goes high with a kick, and Chairez tries to do the same as both men do not connect flush. Bunes gets rocked with a jab and gathers his thoughts to swing back, but he slips. Chairez walks directly into a turning back kick to the pectoral, and Bunes tosses out an inside thigh kick that goes high and cracks into the cup. Goddard calls time as Chairez winces and rubs his eye, which has some damage on it as well as blood leaks into his eye. Chairez bounces up and down and is ready to go in 45 seconds, and he wants to throw down and does just that. Chairez punches his way into a spin, and he knocks Bunes back a bit as the horn ends the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chairez
Round 3
The last round opens with jabs from both sides, and Chairez scores with his uppercut as Bunes asks for more. Chants for Chairez echo through the arena, but they are quickly silenced when Bunes shoots for and completes a takedown. Chairez kicks off and gets back up, and he intercepts Bunes with a spinning elbow. Bunes backpedals, and Chairez pours it on with a few right hands and a crisp uppercut. Bunes again waves him on, so Chairez does just that by blasting him with body shots. Bunes grits his teeth but is taking damage and not offering much back, and Chairez puts a low kick on him and a few punches to keep him guessing. Chairez rips a right hand upstairs, and Bunes has to back off and take a quick count of his teeth. Bunes jabs the body with a kick and motions that it’s time to brawl, but Chairez does not engage recklessly.
Chairez picks his shots, spinning with a back kick to the body. Bunes sticks him with a jab and backs him off, further bloodying up an already damaged Chairez. Chairez offers up his own power jabs, switching stances and waving his hands around to fluster the Brazilian. Chairez kicks to both legs and swats out a left hand twice, and Bunes slaps his chest to demand he bring it on. Chairez stays in kickboxing range, reaching out with his long left hand and barely blocking a high kick in time. Chairez drills his man in the eye socket with a left hand, and Bunes backpedals in a hurry to protect himself while claiming it was a poke, as Goddard calls for them to keep fighting. Chairez walks Bunes down and digs body shots to open up strike upstairs, and he pushes out a front kick to the sternum. Chairez spins with a wheel kick that slams into Bunes’ head, further knocking him around with two swarming punches, a jump knee and a charge that is stopped before he lands further as time is up. It could go either way, likely depending on how the second round was scored.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chairez (29-28 Chairez)
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Bunes (29-28 Bunes)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chairez (29-28 Chairez)
The Official Result
Edgar Chairez def. Felipe Bunes via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo picks Édgar Cháirez, describing him as a well-rounded fighter with good striking, takedowns, and BJJ. He notes Cháirez's toughness and quality losses to top fighters. He believes Cháirez is too long and tricky for Felipe Bunes, and expects him to win as long as he doesn't get caught in a submission.
Big Brady is high on Édgar Cháirez, praising his toughness, dangerous jiu-jitsu, and improved boxing. He notes Felipe Bunes has poor cardio (especially in elevation) and is dangerous early but likely to gas. Brady predicts Cháirez will hurt Bunes on the feet, Bunes will shoot a sloppy takedown, and Cháirez will snatch a submission, possibly a first-round club and sub.
Cody agrees with Paul, highlighting Cháirez's pace, durability, and altitude preparation. He sees Bunes as a prime candidate to fade due to his explosive but unsustainable style. He expects Cháirez to win as the fight progresses.
Connor also picks Cháirez but notes that Bunes is a creative striker who can find his timing and land shots. He points out that Bunes's wrestling is a weakness, but Cháirez doesn't wrestle much. However, Connor believes Cháirez's toughness and willingness to push the pace will earn him the win, though it could be a war.
Daniel does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
The host considers this a dog-or-pass fight. Cháirez is a heavy favorite at -347, but the odds feel too wide. He notes that Cháirez has power but slows down, while Bunes has volume but is older and not a finisher. The host would have to bet Bunes if betting, but expects him to lose.
James views Cháirez as the more well-rounded fighter with better striking, cardio, and durability. He believes Bunes' reckless style will lead to fatigue, allowing Cháirez to finish him. James predicts Cháirez wins inside the distance.
The host picks Édgar Cháirez inside the distance, expecting a second or third round finish. He notes Cháirez's Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu, and believes his cardio will outlast Bunes, who fades after the first round. He likes the 'fight doesn't go to decision' prop at -200 rather than the chalky line on Cháirez.
Paul likes Cháirez's durability, training at altitude, and well-rounded game. He notes Bunes fades after the first round and has poor cardio. He expects Cháirez to take over in rounds 2 and 3 and is comfortable parlaying him.
The MMA Guru picks Édgar Cháirez, noting that he looked much better against Joshua Van than Felipe Bunes did. He describes Cháirez as a tricky fighter who is big for flyweight and has finishing potential, predicting a finish in the first two rounds. He also cites the Mexico City altitude advantage for Cháirez.
Zane picks Cháirez because he is the more consistent round-to-round danger and has an instinctive sense of where he stands in the fight. He notes that Bunes often starts slow and needs time to process, while Cháirez will increase aggression and take the fight to him. Zane also mentions that Cháirez is rangier and fights long, which could trouble Bunes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Estevam | 0 | 33 of 70 | 47% | 128 of 204 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 0 | 0 | 10:42 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 26 of 56 | 46% | 38 of 75 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael Estevam | 0 | 8 of 19 | 42% | 12 of 26 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:48 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Rafael Estevam | 0 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 47 of 83 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:01 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Rafael Estevam | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 69 of 95 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:53 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 17 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Estevam | 33 of 70 | 47% | 22 of 50 | 5 of 14 | 6 of 6 | 25 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 12 |
| Felipe Bunes | 26 of 56 | 46% | 15 of 39 | 5 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 25 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael Estevam | 8 of 19 | 42% | 1 of 9 | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 7 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
| Felipe Bunes | 7 of 14 | 50% | 1 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rafael Estevam | 17 of 35 | 48% | 13 of 25 | 3 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 11 |
| Felipe Bunes | 9 of 17 | 52% | 6 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rafael Estevam | 8 of 16 | 50% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Felipe Bunes | 10 of 25 | 40% | 8 of 20 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Jose Johnson | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felipe Bunes | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Jose Johnson | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felipe Bunes | 8 of 14 | 57% | 3 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Jose Johnson | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felipe Bunes | 8 of 14 | 57% | 3 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Jose Johnson | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Felipe Bunes, emphasizing Jose Johnson's inability to defend takedowns. He notes that Bunes is a BJJ black belt with slick submissions and will likely get takedowns and control the fight. He mentions he bet on Bunes at +175 and the odds have since tightened. He expects Bunes to win via takedowns and submission threat.
Big Brady highlights Johnson's unreal power for a flyweight and his size (6'0"). He notes that opponents have success taking Johnson down, but Bunes may not have the cardio to wrestle for 15 minutes. If Bunes doesn't submit Johnson early, he will slow down, and Johnson's power and submission game carry late. Brady predicts Johnson wins by second-round knockout, though he mentions submission is also possible.
Cody picks Johnson but recommends live betting after the first round, expecting Bunes to gas. He notes Johnson's comfort off his back and Bunes's age and cardio issues. He believes Johnson will land meaningful shots in later rounds.
Daniel thinks Johnson's takedown defense and getup game are weak, and Bunes can have takedown success and possibly get a submission. He notes Johnson is tall for flyweight and has a range kickboxing game, but Bunes can surprise. He picks Bunes for the upset.
Johnson's length and reach (6' tall, 71-inch reach) will allow him to keep Bunes at distance, get into his striking groove, and pick him apart to win on the scorecards.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Johnson's takedown defense issues but Bunes's tendency to fade. He prefers to watch the live market rather than bet pre-fight. He sees Johnson's guard as crafty but not enough to scare Bunes.
The Guru picks Johnson, citing his height (6 feet) and reach (71.2 inches) at flyweight as a difficult puzzle. He notes Johnson's good scrambles and win over Jack Cartwright on the contender series. He dismisses Bunes as a poor prospect with losses and age (35). He acknowledges Johnson's losses to top competition but thinks he's talented enough to win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Van | 1 | 83 of 141 | 58% | 154 of 222 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 50 of 91 | 54% | 57 of 101 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua Van | 0 | 14 of 41 | 34% | 23 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 29 of 54 | 53% | 29 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Joshua Van | 1 | 69 of 100 | 69% | 131 of 171 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 21 of 37 | 56% | 28 of 47 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:20 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Van | 83 of 141 | 58% | 63 of 116 | 15 of 19 | 5 of 6 | 61 of 115 | 9 of 11 | 13 of 15 |
| Felipe Bunes | 50 of 91 | 54% | 29 of 64 | 11 of 16 | 10 of 11 | 49 of 90 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua Van | 14 of 41 | 34% | 7 of 30 | 2 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Felipe Bunes | 29 of 54 | 53% | 14 of 35 | 5 of 8 | 10 of 11 | 29 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Joshua Van | 69 of 100 | 69% | 56 of 86 | 13 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 47 of 74 | 9 of 11 | 13 of 15 |
| Felipe Bunes | 21 of 37 | 56% | 15 of 29 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Van (-218), Bunes (+180)
Round 1
It’s showtime! The UFC is back, and the Apex is its home for its first card of the year. With no further introductions necessary, we get right into the action. Flyweights take center stage first as the surging Van (9-1, 2-0 UFC) welcomes the well-traveled Brazilian Bunes (13-6, 0-0 UFC) to the promotion. The former has won seven straight, while the latter claimed the LFA flyweight strap by punching out Yuma Horiuchi at the beginning of January. The referee for the first UFC bout of 2024 will be Mark Smith, and he clocks in the fight as the two men touch gloves. Van takes the middle of the cage first and ignores an inside leg kick as he tries to find his range. Bunes is a bit more jittery out of the gate, pawing out jabs and low kicks. Van advances and pushes out a front kick, only to be met by a slapping low kick on the outside. Bunes opens up with an overhand right, and Van retaliates and makes Bunes think twice about standing in the pocket and trading. Bunes lines up a right hand and moves to the side, and the two toss front kicks at the other. The Brazilian has a high kick bounce off the raised guard of his foe, and he backs off as Van lays into him with two heavy right hands. Bunes shakes it off and reaches out with a left that misses and a right that does not. Van blitzes, and part of a left hook finds its mark before Bunes is able to escape laterally. Bunes chambers and fires a gnarly right hand, and Van takes it flush and does not bat an eye. Both fighters let their hands go in a brief exchange, landing a few shots, and Bunes mixes things up with a step-in knee. Van throws back with a fury, and he finds himself suddenly defending a single-leg takedown from “Felipinho.” Bunes pushes Van back to the fence when he cannot secure the entry, and Van answers by splitting the uprights with a knee. Bunes drops to his knees in pain, and Smith calls the foul for the groin shot. Bunes stays down for over a minute as he tries to cough it out and recover, and after a minute and 45 seconds, he asks Smith to restart the fight on the feet instead of in the takedown position. The Brazilian picks up where he left off with a number of low kicks on the inside and out, and he weaves to the side as Van lobs bombs at him. Bunes stays on his bike, but he peppers the body with front kicks and those to the lead leg, and Van tanks them all while aiming heavy strikes over the top. Bunes pursues another single-leg takedown, and he slings Van to the canvas and lands in side control with 15 seconds left in the round. Bunes climbs into mount, and Van throws him over the top and shucks off an omoplata setup before the round comes to a close.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bunes
Round 2
The flyweights get right after it when they resume the action, and Van puts his foot on the gas. The Myanmar-born Van comes out swinging, and he catches Bunes with a few shots. As Van gets somewhat reckless, Bunes changes levels in pursuit of a takedown, and he is stuffed before it goes anywhere and takes a number of elbows to the side of the dome. Bunes shoves Van back to the fencing and gets a body lock while stomping on Van’s toes, but Van decides he is sick of it and spins his man around. Van lays into Bunes with knees and body shots, and Bunes is taking some damage and shoots for a takedown. Van turns him around and wall-walks to get back upright. When he gets some space, Van looses a number of body shots to back the Brazilian to the fence, and he chases an escaping Bunes from one side of the cage to the other to continue throwing. Van elects to go for his own takedown, and he threatens with an unexpected leglock before bailing on it to smash Bunes in the face with a trio of elbows. Van sits up, not totally in Bunes’ guard, and he lands powerful punches from above. Van stands back and allows Bunes to get back up, so that they can trade. Van dings his man a few times, and when Bunes fires back, Van keeps him backed off and lands harder. Van digs several more body shots, and Bunes is wearing it but still in the fight as he spins with an inaccurate wheel kick. “Felipinho” rushes out for a desperate takedown, and Van pushes him away and slugs him in the face. Bunes does not stop swinging either, but his punches are far slower.
“The Fearless” fearlessly lasts Bunes with knees to the body and thunderous punches, until Bunes crumbles to the mat. Van does not take his foot off the accelerator, raining down punches and elbows furiously. As Van continues to clobber the former LFA champ with a flurry of ferocious fists, Smith has no choice but to step in to save Bunes from his own toughness.
This is a big win for Van, who earns his first stoppage in the Octagon and stamps himself as yet another young up-and-comer to watch in the talent-rich flyweight division.
The Official Result
Joshua Van def. Felipe Bunes R2 4:31 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Joshua Van, citing his faster and more accurate striking, good scramble skills, and youth at 22. He notes that Van's takedown defense is just okay but believes his striking and scrambling will keep him out of trouble on the ground. He acknowledges Felipe Bunes' BJJ threat but thinks Van can avoid submissions. He placed a 1.5 unit bet on Van at -225 but won't parlay him due to being unproven and a lackluster last performance.
Big Brady is a big fan of Joshua Van, noting his rapid improvements and high volume striking. He believes Van's durability and activity will overwhelm Bunes, who may struggle to out-strike him. Brady sees Bunes' path to victory as either a knockout or grappling, but doubts his ability to finish Van. He predicts Van wins by decision.
Cody picks Van, citing his youth, volume striking, and improvement in grappling. He notes that Van has shown the ability to adjust between rounds and has a huge gas tank. He believes Van's striking will be too much for Bunes, who is older and may not be able to take him down and hold him down.
Daniel Vreeland picks Joshua Van to continue his run, citing his high pace and boxing skills. He acknowledges Bunes's opportunistic finishing ability and danger on the ground, but thinks if the fight goes the distance, Van's striking output will be too much. Vreeland warns that Bunes is live for a finish, but Van's youth and athleticism should prevail.
James does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
Joshua Van is a talented 22-year-old striker with fluid movement and improving takedown defense. He showed resilience in his last fight against Kevin Borjas, coming back from an early knockdown to win a decision. Felipe Bunes is a 34-year-old debutant who relies on striking but has been knocked out before. Van's slicker striking and defensive grappling should allow him to outpoint Bunes over three rounds. I expect Van to win by decision, as Bunes may struggle to land anything significant.
Paul picks Van, noting his impressive volume and ability to fight at a high pace. He mentions that Van's takedown defense and get-up game have improved, and that Bunes' best chance is on the ground, but Van is steadily improving. He believes Van will expose Bunes as just serviceable.
The MMA Guru picks Joshua Van, citing his superior technique, body work, and composure. He notes that Felipe Bunes has power but is reckless and was wobbled in his last fight. He predicts Van will use his jab, body shots, and then find the finish, likely by TKO in the late second or third round.
Jose Johnson - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felipe Bunes | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Jose Johnson | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felipe Bunes | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Jose Johnson | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felipe Bunes | 8 of 14 | 57% | 3 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Jose Johnson | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felipe Bunes | 8 of 14 | 57% | 3 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Jose Johnson | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Felipe Bunes, emphasizing Jose Johnson's inability to defend takedowns. He notes that Bunes is a BJJ black belt with slick submissions and will likely get takedowns and control the fight. He mentions he bet on Bunes at +175 and the odds have since tightened. He expects Bunes to win via takedowns and submission threat.
Big Brady highlights Johnson's unreal power for a flyweight and his size (6'0"). He notes that opponents have success taking Johnson down, but Bunes may not have the cardio to wrestle for 15 minutes. If Bunes doesn't submit Johnson early, he will slow down, and Johnson's power and submission game carry late. Brady predicts Johnson wins by second-round knockout, though he mentions submission is also possible.
Cody picks Johnson but recommends live betting after the first round, expecting Bunes to gas. He notes Johnson's comfort off his back and Bunes's age and cardio issues. He believes Johnson will land meaningful shots in later rounds.
Daniel thinks Johnson's takedown defense and getup game are weak, and Bunes can have takedown success and possibly get a submission. He notes Johnson is tall for flyweight and has a range kickboxing game, but Bunes can surprise. He picks Bunes for the upset.
Johnson's length and reach (6' tall, 71-inch reach) will allow him to keep Bunes at distance, get into his striking groove, and pick him apart to win on the scorecards.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Johnson's takedown defense issues but Bunes's tendency to fade. He prefers to watch the live market rather than bet pre-fight. He sees Johnson's guard as crafty but not enough to scare Bunes.
The Guru picks Johnson, citing his height (6 feet) and reach (71.2 inches) at flyweight as a difficult puzzle. He notes Johnson's good scrambles and win over Jack Cartwright on the contender series. He dismisses Bunes as a poor prospect with losses and age (35). He acknowledges Johnson's losses to top competition but thinks he's talented enough to win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asu Almabayev | 0 | 20 of 29 | 68% | 77 of 109 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 4 | 1 | 11:24 |
| Jose Johnson | 0 | 5 of 21 | 23% | 58 of 79 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asu Almabayev | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 12 of 19 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 1 | 0 | 3:24 |
| Jose Johnson | 0 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 29 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Asu Almabayev | 0 | 8 of 12 | 66% | 34 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 4:08 |
| Jose Johnson | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 9 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 3 | Asu Almabayev | 0 | 8 of 10 | 80% | 31 of 43 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 2 | 1 | 3:52 |
| Jose Johnson | 0 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 20 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asu Almabayev | 20 of 29 | 68% | 12 of 19 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 11 of 14 |
| Jose Johnson | 5 of 21 | 23% | 3 of 16 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asu Almabayev | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jose Johnson | 3 of 11 | 27% | 1 of 6 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Asu Almabayev | 8 of 12 | 66% | 7 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 7 |
| Jose Johnson | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Asu Almabayev | 8 of 10 | 80% | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 7 |
| Jose Johnson | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Angelo picks Asu confidently, citing his dominant wrestling, cardio, and ability to close distance. He notes Jose Johnson is a long Muay Thai striker with poor takedown defense, and Asu will take him down and control him. He expects Asu to be worth his DraftKings salary due to takedowns and potential finish.
Cody picks Almabayev but is hesitant due to the minus 600 line in a flyweight fight. He notes that Almabayev has good takedowns but poor top control, as he couldn't keep CJ Vergara down. He also highlights Jose Johnson's size (6 feet tall) and activity off his back, which could cause problems. Cody thinks Almabayev will likely win but the price is too high for comfort.
Daniel Vreeland picks Asu Almabayev as the favorite but calls it a dog-or-pass situation. He acknowledges Jose Johnson's striking and scrambling ability but believes Almabayev's takedowns and ground game will be the difference. He notes Johnson gives up takedowns and is not a novice on the mat, but Almabayev should dominate if he gets top position.
Jacob picks Asu, questioning the love for Jose Johnson. He notes Jose was getting rolled by Chad Anheliger and needed a finish to avoid being 0-2. He thinks Asu's wrestling and scrambling are superior, and Jose's length won't help on the ground. He expects Asu to win easily.
Almabayev will drag the fight to the ground, but must be wary of Johnson's knees up the middle and long limbs. He will grind from top position and win on the scorecards. This is a bad stylistic matchup for Johnson making his flyweight debut.
Paul picks Almabayev, noting his well-rounded skills and takedown ability. He points out that Jose Johnson has been taken down frequently in the past and that Almabayev should be able to secure takedowns and control the fight. Paul expects Almabayev to win by decision or submission.
The MMA Guru picks Asu Almabayev, citing his good grappling that hasn't let him down, including dominant wins over Ode' Osbourne and CJ Vergara. He notes Jose Johnson has been taken down by worse grapplers and that Almabayev should be able to keep him down. He also comments on Johnson's extreme weight cut to flyweight, suggesting he will be frail and easy to toss around.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Johnson | 0 | 26 of 71 | 36% | 47 of 103 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 6:18 |
| Chad Anheliger | 0 | 63 of 108 | 58% | 141 of 198 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 2 | 4:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jose Johnson | 0 | 10 of 23 | 43% | 20 of 36 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 1:13 |
| Chad Anheliger | 0 | 23 of 41 | 56% | 42 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 2:03 | |
| 2 | Jose Johnson | 0 | 7 of 21 | 33% | 8 of 23 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:13 |
| Chad Anheliger | 0 | 13 of 34 | 38% | 32 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:05 | |
| 3 | Jose Johnson | 0 | 9 of 27 | 33% | 19 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:52 |
| Chad Anheliger | 0 | 27 of 33 | 81% | 67 of 82 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 1:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Johnson | 26 of 71 | 36% | 14 of 49 | 6 of 13 | 6 of 9 | 19 of 54 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 11 |
| Chad Anheliger | 63 of 108 | 58% | 42 of 78 | 15 of 18 | 6 of 12 | 25 of 53 | 10 of 17 | 28 of 38 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jose Johnson | 10 of 23 | 43% | 5 of 13 | 4 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 19 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Chad Anheliger | 23 of 41 | 56% | 9 of 23 | 12 of 14 | 2 of 4 | 11 of 22 | 7 of 11 | 5 of 8 | |
| 2 | Jose Johnson | 7 of 21 | 33% | 1 of 10 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 18 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Chad Anheliger | 13 of 34 | 38% | 8 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 18 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 11 | |
| 3 | Jose Johnson | 9 of 27 | 33% | 8 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 |
| Chad Anheliger | 27 of 33 | 81% | 25 of 29 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 17 of 19 |
Angelo leans towards Chad Anheliger as a slight underdog, expecting him to power his way inside and land meaningful shots. He notes Jose Johnson has a reach and clinch advantage, but thinks Chad's pressure will be too much. He mentions the line may move and that Chad is a slight underdog.
Big Brady is a big fan of Jose Johnson, noting his size and reach advantages (8 years younger, 6-inch height, 7.5-inch reach). He thinks Johnson has ridiculous power for bantamweight but Anheliger has never been knocked out, so he predicts a decision. He notes Johnson's takedown defense is bad but Anheliger doesn't wrestle, so it should be a striking match where Johnson cruises.
Cody picks Jose Johnson, citing his reach and volume advantages. He notes that Anheliger is 37, injury-prone, and has poor takedown defense. Johnson's length and cardio should allow him to stay on the outside and out-point Anheliger. Cody sees this as better value than the big favorites.
Johnson has a significant height and reach advantage, using distance striking and good footwork. He can avoid Anheliger's power and stuff takedowns. Anheliger is 37 and has been inactive, relying on power but lacking volume. Johnson will batter Anheliger from range and win by decision.
Paul agrees, highlighting Johnson's reach and speed. He notes that Anheliger has been taken down by lower-level opponents and lacks the wrestling to exploit Johnson's weakness. Paul thinks Johnson's volume and range control will secure the win.
The MMA Guru picks Jose Johnson over Chad Anheliger, citing Johnson's massive reach advantage (7 inches) and height. He notes Johnson beat Jack Cartwright, who had wrestling credentials, and escaped submission attempts to work back to his feet. He believes Johnson's youth, talent, and range will be too much for Anheliger, and doesn't see Anheliger taking him down.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Da'Mon Blackshear | 0 | 18 of 30 | 60% | 30 of 46 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:57 |
| Jose Johnson | 0 | 8 of 12 | 66% | 16 of 21 | 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 | Da'Mon Blackshear | 0 | 18 of 30 | 60% | 30 of 46 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:57 |
| Jose Johnson | 0 | 8 of 12 | 66% | 16 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Da'Mon Blackshear | 18 of 30 | 60% | 7 of 16 | 2 of 5 | 9 of 9 | 5 of 13 | 6 of 8 | 7 of 9 |
| Jose Johnson | 8 of 12 | 66% | 4 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Da'Mon Blackshear | 18 of 30 | 60% | 7 of 16 | 2 of 5 | 9 of 9 | 5 of 13 | 6 of 8 | 7 of 9 |
| Jose Johnson | 8 of 12 | 66% | 4 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Cody picks Blackshear, citing his solid striking and top game. He notes Johnson's poor takedown defense and that Blackshear can mix in takedowns and control on the ground. He thinks Blackshear's experience against better competition (Yusuf Zalal, Basharat) will pay off. He expects Blackshear to get his first UFC win.
James has not taped this fight, which was made 12 hours ago, and offers no pick.
Blackshear is an explosive and athletic striker with a BJJ black belt, and he does great work in scrambles. Johnson is a striker coming in on short notice, and I have questions about his takedown defense. Blackshear should be able to take advantage of Johnson's layoff and short notice to grind out a decision.
Paul picks Blackshear, noting his improvements and solid grappling shown in his last fight against Luan Lacerda. He is surprised early action is on Johnson and thinks Blackshear's cardio and grappling will be too much. He expects Blackshear to win by decision or submission.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Felipe Bunes, emphasizing Jose Johnson's inability to defend takedowns. He notes that Bunes is a BJJ black belt with slick submissions and will likely get takedowns and control the fight. He mentions he bet on Bunes at +175 and the odds have since tightened. He expects Bunes to win via takedowns and submission threat.
Big Brady highlights Johnson's unreal power for a flyweight and his size (6'0"). He notes that opponents have success taking Johnson down, but Bunes may not have the cardio to wrestle for 15 minutes. If Bunes doesn't submit Johnson early, he will slow down, and Johnson's power and submission game carry late. Brady predicts Johnson wins by second-round knockout, though he mentions submission is also possible.
Cody picks Johnson but recommends live betting after the first round, expecting Bunes to gas. He notes Johnson's comfort off his back and Bunes's age and cardio issues. He believes Johnson will land meaningful shots in later rounds.
Daniel thinks Johnson's takedown defense and getup game are weak, and Bunes can have takedown success and possibly get a submission. He notes Johnson is tall for flyweight and has a range kickboxing game, but Bunes can surprise. He picks Bunes for the upset.
Johnson's length and reach (6' tall, 71-inch reach) will allow him to keep Bunes at distance, get into his striking groove, and pick him apart to win on the scorecards.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Johnson's takedown defense issues but Bunes's tendency to fade. He prefers to watch the live market rather than bet pre-fight. He sees Johnson's guard as crafty but not enough to scare Bunes.
The Guru picks Johnson, citing his height (6 feet) and reach (71.2 inches) at flyweight as a difficult puzzle. He notes Johnson's good scrambles and win over Jack Cartwright on the contender series. He dismisses Bunes as a poor prospect with losses and age (35). He acknowledges Johnson's losses to top competition but thinks he's talented enough to win.
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