Career Averages - Francis Ngannou
Career Averages - Andrei Arlovski
Francis Ngannou - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 43 of 104 | 41% | 71 of 139 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 1 | 8:29 |
| Ciryl Gane | 0 | 63 of 91 | 69% | 79 of 107 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 3 | 0 | 2:51 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Ngannou | 0 | 12 of 31 | 38% | 14 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Ciryl Gane | 0 | 15 of 20 | 75% | 24 of 29 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:05 | |
| 2 | Francis Ngannou | 0 | 10 of 27 | 37% | 10 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Ciryl Gane | 0 | 19 of 33 | 57% | 19 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Francis Ngannou | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 19 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 |
| Ciryl Gane | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 11 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:07 | |
| 4 | Francis Ngannou | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 15 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:57 |
| Ciryl Gane | 0 | 16 of 17 | 94% | 18 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Francis Ngannou | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 13 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:44 |
| Ciryl Gane | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 7 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 0:39 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ngannou | 43 of 104 | 41% | 9 of 56 | 21 of 33 | 13 of 15 | 34 of 87 | 6 of 10 | 3 of 7 |
| Ciryl Gane | 63 of 91 | 69% | 15 of 32 | 20 of 29 | 28 of 30 | 57 of 84 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Ngannou | 12 of 31 | 38% | 3 of 18 | 8 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 24 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Ciryl Gane | 15 of 20 | 75% | 4 of 7 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 14 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Francis Ngannou | 10 of 27 | 37% | 1 of 11 | 4 of 10 | 5 of 6 | 9 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Ciryl Gane | 19 of 33 | 57% | 4 of 11 | 4 of 10 | 11 of 12 | 19 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Francis Ngannou | 9 of 20 | 45% | 3 of 13 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 13 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 5 |
| Ciryl Gane | 6 of 9 | 66% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Francis Ngannou | 7 of 13 | 53% | 0 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Ciryl Gane | 16 of 17 | 94% | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 11 | 16 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Francis Ngannou | 5 of 13 | 38% | 2 of 8 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Ciryl Gane | 7 of 12 | 58% | 3 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Former teammates collide in the UFC 270 main event, which comes in the form of a heavyweight championship unification battle. Ngannou (16-3, 11-2 UFC) will come in on a five-fight knockout streak that includes victories over three of the last five champions to hold the heavyweight strap before him, while Gane (10-0, 7-0 UFC) is a spotless 10 up and none down as he continues his quest for the undisputed belt. A bit of bad blood infiltrated the matchup due to a dispute about old sparring footage, but they still do elect to touch gloves as a prepared referee Herb Dean stands firm as the Octagon sentinel. Ngannou takes the center of the cage and starts to pressure Gane, only for Gane to rush in and pursue a takedown that gets stopped. The close range of Gane allows him to avoid the power shots, but when Ngannou gets backed up across the cage to the wall, he gets off a high knee. Gane pushes off and retreats, keeping a safe distance and kicking and Ngannou’s lead knee – both of the champ’s knees have braces on them. Ngannou closes in with a big punch, and he blocks a rising knee from Gane as they are tied up in the center of the cage. Gane gets some space with a short elbow, but Ngannou walks him down and delivers a painful uppercut up the middle that stuns Gane for a moment. Gane regains his composure and backs off, but he gets clipped with an uppercut, Gane escapes out the edge and evades most of the power punches that come his way, and he spins with a kick to the body. Ngannou walks him down, but Gane is light on his feet and staying away. Gane steps in suddenly with a knee before breaking away to get into a safe range, and he does so just when Ngannou loads up on a right hand. “The Predator” stalks his prey, only to come up short with a looping right hand. Ngannou kicks the knee and comes up high, and Gane pushes it off and ends in grappling range with the champ. Ngannou flirts with a takedown effort, but he abandons the try to knee Gane in the chest. “Bon Gamin” turns him about on the wall, staying tightly pressed to Ngannou so as to not absorb any short but powerful shots. Gane clings to his opponent, stifling Ngannou for a moment, but Ngannou still manages to land a knee and an uppercut as Gane pushes off. Ngannou marches ahead, and they stare down one another as the round comes to an end.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou
Round 2
The heavyweights touch gloves to start off the second frame, and Gane leads off with a front kick that splits the guard. Ngannou mimics the blow with one of his own, and it gets swatted away. Ngannou is continually advancing as Gane is light on his feet with his hands low, so Ngannou kicks him in the thigh a few times with the ball of his foot. Gane then turns to side kick Ngannou in the knee, and darts away before Ngannou can get in on him. This does not stop Ngannou from trying, and when he misses, Gane chips away at his lead leg from a distance. Ngannou lifts up a high kick, and he then goes low with a stomping kick to the knee. Gane sticks out a jab, and his mobility keeps him away from the swinging shots that come at him. Ngannou eats a clean right hand that glances off the side of his ear, and he appears no worse for wear as he plods forward. Ngannou swings with a huge right hand, and the power is there but the accuracy is not, so Gane ducks it without concern. The punch leads Ngannou to tie him up, and he breaks off and misses by an inch with an overhand right. Gane picks and pokes Ngannou with low kicks before spinning with a wheel kick that clocks Ngannou in the top of the head. “The Predator” barely registers that the strike landed, and he continues to march ahead to line up a missile of a right hand. Ngannou kicks at the leg, and he absorbs one that comes back at him and makes him lift his leg up. Gane is loose and has his hands very low given the opponent staring across from him, and he relies on his movement to not let Ngannou get a hold of him. Ngannou sits down on a body kick, one that sneaks under Gane’s blocking elbow. Gane bounces around as Ngannou slowly aims for a big strike, and he walks face-first into a powerful uppercut that knocks Gane back but does not hurt him. The Frenchman gathers himself and delivers a kick on the outside of Ngannou’s leg, and then goes with the other leg to the midsection. Ngannou checks one more kick as the round comes to an end, and the crowd is not overly thrilled with the pace of these two big men.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Round 3
The big gentlemen meet in the middle, only for Gane to give ground immediately and back off. Gane keeps his hand up and his fingers outstretched in hopes that he can anticipate a power strike from Ngannou and block it. Ngannou secures a short uppercut on the chin, but whiffs badly on the power left hand. Gane sees another powerful left hand come at him, and he darts away and kicks Ngannou in the side. “The Predator” is enraged by this kick, and he lifts a 250-pound Gane up in the air like a sack of potatoes and slams him down to the mat with emphasis. Ngannou lands in side control, and he is heavily positioned on top and does not let Gane twist and turn. Gane ends up surrendering mount as he tries to scramble, and he turns over to give up his back in the process. Ngannou starts dropping down a few sledgehammers in the form of his ground-and-pound, and when Gane walks his way to his knees, Ngannou trips him back down. Gane is able to defend his face from punishment, standing up safely and getting up against the wall. Ngannou deftly throws Gane down to the mat, face-first, in what appears to be a painful slam. “Bon Gamin” does not seem concerned, calmly working his way up to his feet. As Gane is composed in the clinch, he smoothly breaks the grip and spins around to elbow Ngannou in the face. Ngannou eats the Frenchman’s spinning elbow like a baguette, and he continues to lumber forward and narrowly evades a spinning wheel kick that grazes his hair. Ngannou pursues his man and loads up on a punch to the body, only to change levels and hit a double-leg takedown and ground the interim titleholder. Gane tries to defend off his back with a kimura, but there is nothing there. The champ rides out the round on top without landing strikes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou
Round 4
Ngannou stands right in the center of the cage to begin the fourth round, and he lifts his leg up to check a kick that comes at him. “Bon Gamin” gets off a jab and scampers away from the power strikes that are telegraphed and not coming at him as frequently. The pitter-patter leg kicks and jabs from Gane frustrate Ngannou but do not appear to have an appreciable effect, and the crowd lets the two have it. Ngannou continues to ignore leg kicks, and he absorbs a clean side kick to the body while missing on the right hand counter. Gane gets interrupted on the way in with a low kick, so he replies with a slapping kick to Ngannou’s face. Ngannou does not appear thrilled by the kick, leading him to blitz forward and set up a body lock. “The Predator” succeeds on a toss to plant Gane on the mat again, and Gane is effective at protecting his mug from damage although he does give up control time. Gane works his way up to his knee and stand, but Ngannou trips him back down in a sneaky mat return. The Frenchman maneuvers his way up, and he pursues a standing kimura when Ngannou wrenches his legs out beneath him and puts Gane down again. Ngannou steps over to mount, and he loses it when Gane nearly sits up and out of it. Gane finds himself on his back, with a 260-ish pound Ngannou on top of him relying more on pressure than ground strikes. Gane sits up against the fence, and Ngannou knees him square in the chest in a very risky maneuver. Gane is struggling to stand as Ngannou is tightly pinned to him, and the champion holds him down to end the fourth frame.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou
Round 5
The champ and interim champ meet in the middle for one final touch of gloves. Gane backs away, and he steps in with a cheeky elbow that catches Ngannou clean. Gane lands a punch that makes Ngannou backpedal for a moment, and Gane stands right in front of him and kicks him in the leg and punches him in the body. Gane rushes ahead with a short combination, and Ngannou chows down on it like a steak. When Ngannou swings with a big punch, Gane ducks down and hits a takedown to plant the champion flat on his back. Ngannou looks to sit up, but he miraculously hits a sweep and turns Gane over to put him on his back. Gane defends effectively by dropping down with a heel hook, and Ngannou grimaces but grits it out to not allow Gane to sit up and get on top. Ngannou pops his leg out, and Gane goes for another that is not under the knee, so it is not as dangerous as the first. Like a snake, “The Predator” slithers over to re-take top control, sliding up to half guard and nearly claiming mount. Ngannou begins to set up an arm-triangle choke, but he does not present any other offense as Dean tells them to keep working. Gane sits up, allowing Ngannou to defend with a potential guillotine choke to sit him back down. The Frenchman keeps moving off his back, scooting his way towards the wall, and Ngannou pushes him back over as precious seconds tick off the clock. Gane is furious that he is being held down, and Ngannou finally lets a few punches go to end the fight on top. Some may be surprised that this fight went the distance, but
many
would be surprised that it was Ngannou that leaned on wrestling and effectively controlled Gane for long stretches of the fight. The bout in the books after 25 grueling minutes, the two men embrace and appear to have squashed the potentially manufactured beef. When Buffer announces the winner, it is not UFC President Dana White but matchmaker Mick Maynard that is in the cage to place the belt around the winner’s waist.
In his post-fight interview, Ngannou tells the crowd that he went through a great deal in this training camp, and three weeks ago, he completely tore his MCL tendon and hurt his ACL as well. Ngannou expresses his love for his home country and the fans, and tells the crowd that boxing is always in his back pocket but not an immediate goal for him. With that, UFC 270 is in the books, and the organization is taking a week off. When it comes back with UFC Fight Night 200 in February, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou (49-46 Ngannou)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou (48-47 Ngannou)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou (49-46 Ngannou)
The Official Result
Francis Ngannou def. Ciryl Gane via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Angelo picks Ciryl Gane primarily due to contract negotiation factors, believing Ngannou may have motivation issues. He acknowledges Ngannou is the better fighter with power and takedown defense, but thinks Gane's only path is a decision. He notes the sparring footage where Gane's strikes didn't bother Ngannou.
Big Brady picks Ciryl Gane to win by decision, citing Gane's superior cardio, output, footwork, fight IQ, and defensive soundness. He acknowledges Ngannou's devastating power and the threat of a one-punch knockout, comparing it to the Derrick Lewis fight. He expects Gane to fight smart, stay at range, and avoid danger, similar to his performance against Rozenstruik. He notes that Ngannou has never won a fight past the second round and has never been knocked out, but believes Gane has more paths to victory.
Cody picks Ciryl Gane, emphasizing Gane's superior technique, footwork, cardio, and activity rate compared to Ngannou. He notes that Ngannou, despite his power, is 35 and fights infrequently, while Gane has gone five rounds and shown precision. Cody believes Gane's risk-averse style will allow him to avoid damage and tire Ngannou out in deeper waters. He also mentions the narrative that Ngannou may be distracted by contract disputes and a potential boxing career.
Daniel Levi picks Francis Ngannou to win by knockout. He argues that Ngannou's power is generational and that Ciryl Gane has not faced anyone who can put him on the back foot. Levi notes that Gane drops his hands off kicks and leaves his chin exposed, and believes Ngannou's improved wrestling and fight IQ under Eric Nicksick will be key. He acknowledges Gane's elite movement but thinks Ngannou's power is a different level. Levi also mentions that Ngannou is in a great mental space and that the underdog price is too good to pass up.
The host believes Ciryl Gane's mastery of range management and ability to avoid significant strikes will be key. He notes that Gane has passed the 'heavyweight power punching gauntlet' against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Derrick Lewis, and now faces Ngannou. He expects Gane to use his southpaw stance, body work, and fight IQ to weather the early storm and finish Ngannou in the later rounds, possibly round 4 or 5. He also mentions that Ngannou's cardio is a concern and that Gane is the type of fighter who can exploit that.
Paul picks Francis Ngannou, arguing that Ngannou's power and speed combination gives him at least a 50-50 chance to knock out anyone. He acknowledges Gane's technical advantages and the big cage, but believes Ngannou's power carries into later rounds. Paul also mentions the narrative that Ngannou is motivated to prove himself and secure a better contract. He notes that Ngannou by KO is available at +175 and considers that a play.
The MMA Guru picks Ciryl Gane, calling him a future heavyweight GOAT. He praises Gane's technical striking, including oblique kicks, jabs, and leg kicks, which he believes will neutralize Ngannou's power. He notes Ngannou's distractions (contract disputes, movie appearances) and predicts a fourth-round TKO, as Gane's versatility and range management will be too much.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 12 of 13 | 92% | 12 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Stipe Miocic | 2 | 36 of 56 | 64% | 38 of 58 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Ngannou | 0 | 8 of 8 | 100% | 8 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Stipe Miocic | 0 | 23 of 37 | 62% | 24 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 2 | Francis Ngannou | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Stipe Miocic | 2 | 13 of 19 | 68% | 14 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ngannou | 12 of 13 | 92% | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 7 | 12 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Stipe Miocic | 36 of 56 | 64% | 28 of 46 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 17 of 36 | 8 of 8 | 11 of 12 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Ngannou | 8 of 8 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 7 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Stipe Miocic | 23 of 37 | 62% | 16 of 28 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 11 of 24 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 10 | |
| 2 | Francis Ngannou | 4 of 5 | 80% | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Stipe Miocic | 13 of 19 | 68% | 12 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 |
Big Brady picks Stipe Miocic to win by fifth-round TKO. He believes Stipe is the more well-rounded fighter with better cardio and fight IQ. He expects Stipe to survive the early rounds by clinching and attempting takedowns to tire Ngannou, then take over as the fight progresses. He notes that Ngannou only landed two significant strikes after the second round in their first fight. However, he acknowledges Ngannou's one-shot knockout power and says he would not bet the fight at current odds.
Cody backs Ngannou, citing his generational power and the fact that he has been training wrestling defense with Kamaru Usman. He believes Ngannou's strategy is to go out and kill his opponent early, and if he lands, it's over. He acknowledges the cardio concerns but thinks Ngannou's durability held up in the first fight and that he has improved mentally since the Lewis loss.
Daniel Levi picks Francis Ngannou to win by first-round knockout. He emphasizes that Ngannou is now focused, has the right team, and has learned from his first fight with Stipe. He notes that Stipe has absorbed over 300 head strikes since their first fight, including a knockout loss, while Ngannou has taken minimal damage. Levi believes Ngannou's power and improved mental approach will lead to a violent finish.
The host believes Stipe Miocic will retain his title by third-round TKO. He notes that Stipe has improved his cardio and fight IQ since their first fight, as seen in the Cormier trilogy. He expects Stipe to use head movement, smart takedown entries to the weak side, and mix in grappling to wear down Ngannou, who he thinks will gas after a round and a half if he doesn't get the knockout. He compares the matchup to Lewis vs Blaydes and Gane vs Rozenstruik, where the more skilled fighter won. He advises that if backing Ngannou, take the KO prop because he won't win by decision.
Paul picks Stipe Miocic, emphasizing his wrestling advantage, cardio advantage, and later-round experience. He notes that Stipe has shown he can take Ngannou's punches and grind him down, as seen in the first fight. He also highlights Stipe's success in rematches, having avenged losses to JDS and Cormier. Paul is confident that if Ngannou doesn't knock him out early, Stipe will take over.
The Guru picks Stipe Miocic, emphasizing that Stipe has improved since the first fight: better footwork, cardio, wrestling, and clinch work from his camps against Daniel Cormier. He argues that Stipe's wrestling is the key difference, as he can take Ngannou down and control him, unlike other heavyweights who tried to stand and trade. He predicts Ngannou will be hesitant and gas out, leading to a TKO in the third or fourth round. He acknowledges the puncher's chance for Ngannou but relies on evidence over guesswork.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ngannou | 1 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 5 of 5 | 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 | Francis Ngannou | 1 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 0 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ngannou | 6 of 13 | 46% | 5 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 5 of 5 | 100% | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Ngannou | 6 of 13 | 46% | 5 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 5 of 5 | 100% | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Francis Ngannou by first-round knockout, expecting him to land a hard punch early. He notes that if Ngannou doesn't get the knockout, Rozenstruik could win a decision due to Ngannou's low activity. He sees value in betting Rozenstruik but ultimately goes with Ngannou.
Daniel Levi picks Francis Ngannou, acknowledging the risk due to Rozenstruik's timing and power, but believes Ngannou is the better fighter with more tools. He suggests Ngannou should use a clinch and takedown game plan, as Rozenstruik's takedown defense is weak. Levi notes that Ngannou's confidence is high after three wins, unlike the Lewis fight, and expects a knockout.
Matt picks Rozenstruik as an underdog, believing the line at -270 for Ngannou is too wide. He notes Ngannou's rudimentary striking and reliance on power, while Rozenstruik has a wider arsenal and better kickboxing experience. He thinks if Rozenstruik can survive the early power, he can take over and finish Ngannou in the second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ngannou | 1 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Junior dos Santos | 0 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 4 of 6 | 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 | Francis Ngannou | 1 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Junior dos Santos | 0 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ngannou | 9 of 19 | 47% | 5 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 |
| Junior dos Santos | 4 of 6 | 66% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Ngannou | 9 of 19 | 47% | 5 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 |
| Junior dos Santos | 4 of 6 | 66% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cain Velasquez | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Ngannou | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cain Velasquez | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ngannou | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
| Cain Velasquez | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Ngannou | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
| Cain Velasquez | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 1 of 8 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Curtis Blaydes | 1 | 13 of 17 | 76% | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Ngannou | 0 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 1 of 8 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Curtis Blaydes | 1 | 13 of 17 | 76% | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Ngannou | 1 of 8 | 12% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Curtis Blaydes | 13 of 17 | 76% | 11 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Ngannou | 1 of 8 | 12% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Curtis Blaydes | 13 of 17 | 76% | 11 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 6 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derrick Lewis | 0 | 11 of 46 | 23% | 11 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 20 of 54 | 37% | 20 of 54 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derrick Lewis | 0 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 5 of 15 | 33% | 5 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Derrick Lewis | 0 | 6 of 18 | 33% | 6 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Derrick Lewis | 0 | 4 of 21 | 19% | 4 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 11 of 24 | 45% | 11 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derrick Lewis | 11 of 46 | 23% | 7 of 39 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 43 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Ngannou | 20 of 54 | 37% | 1 of 26 | 11 of 18 | 8 of 10 | 18 of 52 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derrick Lewis | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Ngannou | 5 of 15 | 33% | 1 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Derrick Lewis | 6 of 18 | 33% | 5 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Ngannou | 4 of 15 | 26% | 0 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Derrick Lewis | 4 of 21 | 19% | 1 of 16 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Ngannou | 11 of 24 | 45% | 0 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 6 of 8 | 9 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Ngannou creeps forward in the southpaw stance, testing the range with an outstretched hand, offering a few fakes. Neither heavyweight offers much of anything in the opening minute. Lewis, circling off his back foot, pauses and steps forward to counter an Ngannou low kick with a right hand. Ngannou switches to orthodox after Lewis throws a switch kick to the body. Lewis is being backed up to the fence, creating some space with kicks, then getting backed up again. Despite his constant forward pressure, Ngannou has done virtually nothing in terms of significant offense. Lewis tries a high single, gets shoved away by the "Predator," and the big men continue their stroll around the cage until the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lewis
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lewis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10
Round 2
The boo birds are out early in round two, following another 60 seconds of incactivity from the heavyweights. Ninety seconds in, Lewis comes over the top with a glancing right hand, then tries to get hold of Ngannou's legs, only to be shoved away by the hulking Frenchman. Ngannou pressures Lewis backward to the fence until Lewis backs him up with a high switch kick. Ngannou switches between stances as he jumps around in front of the "Black Beast." A few leg kicks land for Lewis as the tepid pace continues. With 1:10 on the clock, referee Herb Dean finally intervenes, cautioning the fighters to engage or risk a point deduction. Lewis gets a bit busier after the restart, though not by much, and the final minute ticks away without incident.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-10
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lewis
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-10
Round 3
It's more of the same as the final round begins, with another minute of nothing between the big men. Ngannou fires a quick left high kick from the southpaw stance, but Lewis gets a glove up to block it. Referee Dean calls for action again; Lewis grabs for a clinch or takedown and is shoved away. With two minutes left, Lewis counters a kick from Ngannou with a left hand that puts the "Predator" in reverse. Lewis ducks as he steps forward and puts a punch on Ngannou's body. Ngannou throws a high kick and winds up spinning around as Lewis ducks underneath. Down to the final 40 seconds, Lewis lands a body kick and slips his head off center to avoid Ngannou's left hand. Ngannou catches a kick and tries to take down Lewis in the final 10 seconds. With Lewis leaning forward, balancing on his hands, Ngannou lands a cheap shot after the horn, a fittingly ugly end to one of the worst fights you'll see this year.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lewis (30-28 Lewis)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lewis (30-27 Lewis)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Lewis (30-29 Lewis)
The Official Result
Derrick Lewis def. Francis Ngannou via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stipe Miocic | 0 | 70 of 95 | 73% | 200 of 244 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 15:02 |
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 21 of 113 | 18% | 33 of 126 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stipe Miocic | 0 | 16 of 25 | 64% | 24 of 33 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:57 |
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 15 of 62 | 24% | 18 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 2 | Stipe Miocic | 0 | 17 of 24 | 70% | 29 of 37 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:17 |
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 4 of 27 | 14% | 4 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Stipe Miocic | 0 | 12 of 16 | 75% | 47 of 58 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:47 |
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 7 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 4 | Stipe Miocic | 0 | 18 of 21 | 85% | 82 of 95 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:39 |
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Stipe Miocic | 0 | 7 of 9 | 77% | 18 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:22 |
| Francis Ngannou | 0 | 1 of 13 | 7% | 4 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stipe Miocic | 70 of 95 | 73% | 45 of 67 | 9 of 11 | 16 of 17 | 37 of 52 | 5 of 6 | 28 of 37 |
| Francis Ngannou | 21 of 113 | 18% | 17 of 106 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 105 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stipe Miocic | 16 of 25 | 64% | 13 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 4 |
| Francis Ngannou | 15 of 62 | 24% | 14 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 55 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Stipe Miocic | 17 of 24 | 70% | 7 of 13 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 14 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Francis Ngannou | 4 of 27 | 14% | 2 of 23 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Stipe Miocic | 12 of 16 | 75% | 8 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 9 |
| Francis Ngannou | 1 of 8 | 12% | 1 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Stipe Miocic | 18 of 21 | 85% | 15 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 20 |
| Francis Ngannou | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Stipe Miocic | 7 of 9 | 77% | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Ngannou | 1 of 13 | 7% | 0 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Andrei Arlovski - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Buday | 0 | 74 of 119 | 62% | 98 of 147 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 4:58 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 54 of 84 | 64% | 165 of 199 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martin Buday | 0 | 14 of 25 | 56% | 16 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 55 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:18 | |
| 2 | Martin Buday | 0 | 27 of 46 | 58% | 32 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:09 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 22 of 32 | 68% | 45 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 3 | Martin Buday | 0 | 33 of 48 | 68% | 50 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:01 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 24 of 31 | 77% | 65 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Buday | 74 of 119 | 62% | 34 of 69 | 26 of 33 | 14 of 17 | 54 of 97 | 20 of 22 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 54 of 84 | 64% | 24 of 51 | 25 of 27 | 5 of 6 | 23 of 48 | 31 of 36 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martin Buday | 14 of 25 | 56% | 8 of 17 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 22 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 8 of 21 | 38% | 5 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 16 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Martin Buday | 27 of 46 | 58% | 14 of 29 | 8 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 19 of 37 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 22 of 32 | 68% | 8 of 16 | 11 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 14 | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Martin Buday | 33 of 48 | 68% | 12 of 23 | 14 of 16 | 7 of 9 | 23 of 38 | 10 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 24 of 31 | 77% | 11 of 18 | 13 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 18 | 13 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Cody picks Arlovski, citing his experience and tendency to win close decisions. He notes that Buday has low output and poor wrestling, and that Arlovski is a fan favorite who often gets the nod in close fights. Cody believes Arlovski can outpoint Buday in a low-volume affair, but admits it's a risky pick.
Daniel thinks Buday will win the fight by pinning Arlovski against the fence and wearing him down with dirty boxing. However, he is hesitant to lay the price because similar prospects like Tanner Boser and Philipe Lins failed to finish Arlovski. He notes that Aspen Ladd did his job at a similar price, so he expects Buday to win but is not interested in the bet.
The host does not discuss this fight at all in the transcript. The entire podcast is focused on the Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler fight, which is not on the provided fight card. Therefore, no pick is made for this fight.
The host picks Buday, expecting him to be pissed off after his last loss and to pressure Arlovski. He thinks Buday's clinch work and forward pressure will wear on Arlovski, and hopes Buday goes for takedowns to finish easily. He recommends Buday inside the distance at +150.
Paul leans toward Arlovski, noting that Buday has been out struck in recent fights and that Arlovski has a history of winning split decisions. He believes Arlovski's durability and experience will be key, and that Buday lacks the power to finish him. Paul expects a boring decision win for Arlovski.
The Guru picks Martin Buday over Andrei Arlovski. He notes Arlovski's age and recent KO losses. He likes Buday's pressure game plan and training with Tom Aspinall. He believes Buday will lean on Arlovski in the clinch and break him down with body shots.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waldo Cortes Acosta | 0 | 58 of 127 | 45% | 58 of 127 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 49 of 136 | 36% | 50 of 137 | 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 | Waldo Cortes Acosta | 0 | 15 of 40 | 37% | 15 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 15 of 48 | 31% | 15 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Waldo Cortes Acosta | 0 | 20 of 41 | 48% | 20 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 14 of 44 | 31% | 14 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Waldo Cortes Acosta | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 23 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 20 of 44 | 45% | 21 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waldo Cortes Acosta | 58 of 127 | 45% | 13 of 63 | 22 of 40 | 23 of 24 | 58 of 127 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 49 of 136 | 36% | 24 of 97 | 11 of 19 | 14 of 20 | 46 of 131 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waldo Cortes Acosta | 15 of 40 | 37% | 4 of 21 | 5 of 12 | 6 of 7 | 15 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 15 of 48 | 31% | 8 of 36 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 5 | 15 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Waldo Cortes Acosta | 20 of 41 | 48% | 4 of 20 | 8 of 13 | 8 of 8 | 20 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 14 of 44 | 31% | 6 of 29 | 2 of 6 | 6 of 9 | 14 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Waldo Cortes Acosta | 23 of 46 | 50% | 5 of 22 | 9 of 15 | 9 of 9 | 23 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 20 of 44 | 45% | 10 of 32 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 17 of 39 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cortes-Acosta (-600), Arlovski (+440)
Round 1
It’s a titanic tussle to start off the main card, as heavyweights collide with 50% knockout rates between them. Former champ Arlovski (34-22, 2 NC; 23-16, 1 NC UFC) is looking to end his losing streak before he turns 45, while the relative youngster Cortes-Acosta (10-1, 3-1 UFC), almost 13 years his junior, is seeking to be a contender. Fists are soon to fly, but referee Marc Goddard is there to keep things on the up-and-up just in case. There is no glove touch to begin, as Cortes-Acosta instead wants to reach his target with an introductory kick to the ribs. Arlovski kicks high, gets blocked, and keeps his guard up to defend against a kick to his dome. Arlovski lands two kicks to the lead leg, and he makes Cortes-Acosta pull back from a kick and land his own to the side. Cortes-Acosta swings and misses with a wide overhand right, and Arlovski reaches him at the end of a head kick. Arlovski scores with a left hand, and his hands open as a finger grazes the eye. Cortes-Acosta is alright and waves off a pause, and they trade hands for a moment. Arlovski whiffs on a haymaker of his own, and Cortes-Acosta rifles off a right hand to the midsection. Cortes-Acosta jumps forward with a switch kick that pushes off the body, and Arlovski responds with two jabs and a missed spinning back fist. Arlovski does land with a low kick, and Cortes-Acosta shrugs at him and leaps forward with two massive hooks that cannot find their mark. Arlovski tries and fails to get him back with a big hook, and Cortes-Acosta plods forward and swings a back fist at him. Arlovski pokes out a jab, and Cortes-Acosta reaches him with a right hand and goes high with a kick. The two big men go tit-for-tat with single strikes, and Arlovski lands a glancing blow and leans back to dodge a monstrous uppercut. Arlovski bounces off the fence when evading a kick aimed at his torso, and Cortes-Acosta dips down and rings Arlovski’s bell with a left hand on the temple. Arlovski blinks it off and starts peppering jabs, and a low kick follows with an audible thud. Cortes-Acosta comes out swinging, pouring it on with huge punches, and Arlovski sways and dodges to defend against every single one. The round ends as an Arlovski right hand bounces off his foe’s shoulder.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortes-Acosta
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortes-Acosta
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cortes-Acosta
Round 2
The second round opens with Cortes-Acosta throwing heavy strikes, and Arlovski is ready to parry and avoid them. Arlovski doubles up on a jab, and he kicks the inner thigh. Cortes-Acosta lands two kicks and starts salsa dancing, and Arlovski does not bite and engage. Cortes-Acosta dips straight into a left hook, and he reaches his foe with his own left hand. Cortes-Acosta starts shaking his hips and trying to draw Arlovski in, and he slaps the veteran in the face with an open-handed slap. Arlovski protests, but it is a legal strike. Cortes-Acosta measures out a few jabs, and the volume diminishes for both fighters as they likely have low accuracy rates as well. Cortes-Acosta comes up short with a spinning back fist, and he gets Arlovski’s attention with a single left hook in the midst of a blitz. Cortes-Acosta dances when Arlovski lands on him, and he is showboating even though he lands very little on his own side. A jab from Arlovski dislodges the mouthpiece of his opponent, and Arlovski looks frustrated at the pause of the action or lack thereof. Cortes-Acosta blocks the oncoming strikes for the most part, and he parries an Arlovski blitz. Arlovski lands to the body, and Cortes-Acosta surges into action with several flailing punches. A few land, including an uppercut, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortes-Acosta
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortes-Acosta
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cortes-Acosta
Round 3
The final round opens up, and the first strike lands courtesy of Cortes-Acosta in the form of a light leg kick. Arlovski kicks him back harder, and the stalemate of awkward strikes resumes. Cortes-Acosta crowds him and throws big strikes, and a big right hand from “Salsa Boy” appears to straighten Arlovski’s crooked nose. Arlovski targets the body and kicks high, and Cortes-Acosta shrugs at him. Arlovski again strikes the body and rolls with the winging punches aimed at him, and Cortes-Acosta again shrugs at him and takes three punches. Arlovski gets off a leg kick, and Cortes-Acosta splits the guard with a power right hand that shakes the former champion up. Arlovski recovers, and he lands a light leg kick that makes Cortes-Acosta mockingly grunt loudly at him. Cortes-Acosta sells out with two looping hooks that miss the mark, and Arlovski spins with a back fist in response. Arlovski has a high kick bounce off the guard, and he jabs his way forward. Cortes-Acosta lines up a huge right hand and appears to hurt Arlovski, but Arlovski leans down and connects with an overhand right before signaling he suffered an eye poke. Time is not called, and they trade body kicks as Cortes-Acosta is in full showboating mode. Matt Hughes would not be impressed by his performance. Cortes-Acosta pushes out a front kick and tries to tie Arlovski up, but is pushed back thanks in part to a front kick from the Belarusian. Arlovski gets off a high kick, and Cortes-Acosta starts talking to him. Arlovski spins with a kick to the ribs, and Cortes-Acosta slaps for him. Arlovski blitzes forward, lands a few heavy punches, and Cortes-Acosta takes them flush and asks for more. The fight ends with Arlovski launching a flurry of strikes, and he is not a happy camper as he stares at the younger fighter. Due to the low volume and oddly connecting strikes, scorecards could be diverse here. It was not a good fight, and no one came out ahead, winner or loser.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Arlovski (29-28 Cortes-Acosta)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Arlovski (29-28 Cortes-Acosta)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Arlovski (29-28 Cortes-Acosta)
The Official Result
Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Andrei Arlovski via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Waldo Cortes Acosta, stating that while Andrei Arlovski is the better fighter historically, his age (44) and compromised chin make him unlikely to win. He notes Waldo's athleticism, power, and toughness. He suggests Waldo inside the distance as a likely prop bet.
Big Brady is very confident, calling the fight a mismatch. He notes Arlovski is 44, has been knocked out 12 times, and was recently knocked out by Dantel Maye. He believes Cortes Acosta is younger, hits hard, and will finish Arlovski early. He expresses concern for Arlovski's safety.
Cody picks Waldo, citing his youth, boxing background, volume, and the fact that Arlovski is old and on a decline. He notes that Arlovski has no takedown threat, so Waldo can box freely. He expects Waldo to land bigger shots and possibly get a finish, but acknowledges that if Waldo doesn't put him away, it could be a close decision.
Daniel Vreeland picks Waldo Cortes-Acosta to win, noting his athleticism and youth should be the difference. He mentions Cortes-Acosta's baseball background and punching power. Vreeland has been picking against Arlovski for years and sees no reason to change now, though he's not crazy about the minus-600 line.
James does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
Waldo Cortes Acosta is a volume striker who works behind his jab and maintains a high output. He has good footwork and can outpoint opponents over three rounds. Andrei Arlovski is a veteran who fades in fights and has been finished in his last two losses. This should be a striking battle, and Cortes Acosta's consistent output should earn him a decision. I'm not touching the moneyline at -600, but the over 1.5 rounds is a good play, and Cortes Acosta by decision is worth a sprinkle if the odds are right.
Paul does not make a clear pick. He says he thinks Waldo will win but won't bet him at -650. He considers waiting for the line to move to +500 on Arlovski but doesn't commit. He mentions the possibility of Waldo freezing up against a legend.
The MMA Guru picks Waldo Cortes Acosta, citing Andrei Arlovski's declining chin and recent losses. He notes Arlovski got KO'd by Don'Tale Mayes and struggled with Jake Collier and Jared Vanderaa. He believes Cortes Acosta's boxing and power will lead to a first-round KO, and suggests the UFC wants Arlovski to lose due to his high salary.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don'Tale Mayes | 0 | 24 of 56 | 42% | 26 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 1 | 25 of 87 | 28% | 28 of 91 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Don'Tale Mayes | 0 | 14 of 25 | 56% | 16 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 8 of 47 | 17% | 11 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Don'Tale Mayes | 0 | 10 of 31 | 32% | 10 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 1 | 17 of 40 | 42% | 17 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don'Tale Mayes | 24 of 56 | 42% | 10 of 36 | 9 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 24 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 25 of 87 | 28% | 14 of 58 | 4 of 14 | 7 of 15 | 22 of 82 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Don'Tale Mayes | 14 of 25 | 56% | 5 of 12 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 7 | 14 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 8 of 47 | 17% | 5 of 33 | 1 of 7 | 2 of 7 | 7 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Don'Tale Mayes | 10 of 31 | 32% | 5 of 24 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 3 | 10 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 17 of 40 | 42% | 9 of 25 | 3 of 7 | 5 of 8 | 15 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
Angelo picks Arlovski, believing he is the better fighter in every category except age and chin. He thinks Arlovski's technical striking and experience will overcome Mayes' power. He is concerned about Arlovski's chin after the last fight but still expects him to win. He would bet Arlovski if the line keeps moving.
Cody picks Arlovski, agreeing with Paul. He notes that middling heavyweights often go to decision and that Arlovski is a fan favorite who gets close decisions. Cody points out that Mayes doesn't use his physical advantages and that Arlovski's experience and durability will carry him. He also mentions that Mayes has been knocked out by lesser fighters and that Arlovski is the safer pick.
Connor agrees with Zane, emphasizing that Mayes is a 'giant ball of wasted potential' who has never realized his athletic gifts. He points out that Arlovski has consistently beaten lower-tier heavyweights who lack a real striking game or finishing ability. Mayes' tendency to throw single strikes and his poor grappling will be exploited by Arlovski's steady pressure and clinch work.
Daniel picks Arlovski, though he admits he hasn't taped the fight deeply. He thinks Mayes has mental fragility and Arlovski's veteran savvy could eke out a decision. He notes that Arlovski has been quitting in fights but Mayes may not bring that out of him. He considers a sprinkle on Arlovski by decision.
Jacob picks Mayes, citing his speed and athleticism advantage over the 44-year-old Arlovski. He thinks Mayes should use range and volume to break down Arlovski's chin. He notes Arlovski looked old and uninterested in his last fight. Jacob is betting $100 on Mayes at +120.
Mayes is a hybrid heavyweight who mixes takedowns behind punches and works well in the clinch. Arlovski is reliant on striking and tends to quit when grappling gets tough. Mayes will tie him up, land takedowns, and control the fight to win a decision. The over 2.5 is the preferred bet.
Paul picks Arlovski at plus money. He notes Mayes has low output and doesn't use his reach or speed advantage. Paul mentions Arlovski's recent wins over low-output fighters and that the UFC seems to give him favorable matchups. He thinks Mayes is overrated as a favorite and that Arlovski can squeak out a decision. Paul also recalls losing money on Mayes in the past, making him hesitant to trust him.
The MMA Guru picks Andrei Arlovski, believing this is one of the heavyweight fights Arlovski wins. He criticizes Don'Tale Mayes for being hesitant on the feet and getting blanketed by Augusto Sakai. He expects Arlovski to frustrate Mayes at range with leg kicks and small shots, while Mayes will be gun-shy and not throw enough. He acknowledges an upset is possible but thinks Arlovski's skill at this level of heavyweight will take over.
Zane picks Arlovski based on his consistent ability to outwork opponents who lack a high-output striking game. He notes that Mayes is a talented but dysfunctional fighter with poor wrestling and no coherent game plan. Arlovski's jab, clinch work, and steady pace have proven too much for similar fighters like Felipe Lins and Tanner Boser. Zane believes Mayes' athleticism won't compensate for his lack of structure.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcos Rogério de Lima | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 1 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 25 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcos Rogério de Lima | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 1 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 25 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcos Rogério de Lima | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 6 of 11 | 54% | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcos Rogério de Lima | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrei Arlovski | 6 of 11 | 54% | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
Big Brady picks Marcos Rogério de Lima to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Arlovski has been knocked out by power punchers and that de Lima has heavy hands, as seen in his knockout of Ben Rothwell. He mentions that Arlovski's recent wins have come against non-power punchers, and that de Lima's power and early finishing ability will be too much for the 43-year-old Arlovski.
Cody picks Andrei Arlovski as a dog, citing his four-fight winning streak and ability to win close decisions. He notes that Arlovski has been knocked out only by elite power punchers and that Marcos Rogério de Lima is a one-round fighter with poor cardio. Cody expects Arlovski to survive the first round and take over in rounds two and three, winning a decision. He is betting Arlovski.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking de Lima based on his speed and power advantage. He notes that Arlovski has been beating low-technique, slow heavyweights, but de Lima is a significant step up in athleticism. Connor also points out that de Lima can wrestle if needed, and Arlovski's lack of finishing ability means he likely can't come back if he loses the first round.
Daniel Levi picks de Lima, citing youth, power, and grappling advantage. He admits his poor track record picking Arlovski fights. He notes Arlovski's veteran savvy and speed but thinks de Lima's power and youth will be too much. He has no interest in laying -225.
Jacob picks de Lima but warns against betting heavyweight fights due to inconsistency. He notes Arlovski's recent win streak but says he was getting hit by Jake Collier, and de Lima has more power. He advises not to put money on either side.
Arlovski is on a 6-1 run over his last seven fights and has shown durability and veteran savvy. De Lima is first-round-or-bust and tends to fade in later rounds. Arlovski should survive the initial onslaught and take over in the second and third rounds, winning a decision. The plus 200 price is a no-brainer for an underdog bet.
Paul also picks Arlovski, calling him dog number two on the card. He highlights Arlovski's six wins in his last seven fights and his ability to grind out decisions. Paul criticizes de Lima's poor cardio, submission losses, and tendency to fade after the first round. He believes Arlovski's stick-and-move style will tire de Lima and lead to a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Marcos Rogério de Lima over Andrei Arlovski, noting that Arlovski's recent fights have been close and he still gets caught on the chin. He highlights de Lima's hands, reach, and grappling threat, which Arlovski hasn't faced recently. He predicts de Lima will mix in takedowns, push Arlovski against the cage, and eventually clip him for a KO win.
Zane picks de Lima confidently, citing his significant speed and power advantage over Arlovski's recent opponents. He notes that de Lima is a fast, powerful striker who can put Arlovski away early, similar to how Ben Rothwell or Tom Aspinall did. Zane also mentions de Lima's improved conditioning and potential wrestling as an out if needed, while Arlovski is slow and not a finisher anymore.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 91 of 164 | 55% | 105 of 178 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Jake Collier | 0 | 93 of 188 | 49% | 132 of 231 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 20 of 40 | 50% | 31 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Jake Collier | 0 | 25 of 46 | 54% | 50 of 73 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:54 | |
| 2 | Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 39 of 66 | 59% | 40 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jake Collier | 0 | 36 of 65 | 55% | 47 of 78 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 | |
| 3 | Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 32 of 58 | 55% | 34 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jake Collier | 0 | 32 of 77 | 41% | 35 of 80 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrei Arlovski | 91 of 164 | 55% | 66 of 137 | 15 of 17 | 10 of 10 | 82 of 152 | 8 of 11 | 1 of 1 |
| Jake Collier | 93 of 188 | 49% | 77 of 168 | 7 of 10 | 9 of 10 | 81 of 171 | 12 of 17 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrei Arlovski | 20 of 40 | 50% | 13 of 33 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 34 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Collier | 25 of 46 | 54% | 18 of 38 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 18 of 37 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andrei Arlovski | 39 of 66 | 59% | 33 of 59 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 37 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Jake Collier | 36 of 65 | 55% | 30 of 58 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 35 of 62 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Andrei Arlovski | 32 of 58 | 55% | 20 of 45 | 6 of 7 | 6 of 6 | 28 of 54 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Collier | 32 of 77 | 41% | 29 of 72 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 28 of 72 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Arlovski, expecting another decision win. He highlights Arlovski's superior technique, conditioning, and 78% takedown defense over 43 UFC fights. He notes Collier lacks one-punch KO power and is undersized at heavyweight. He sees this as a kickboxing match where Arlovski cruises to a decision.
Big Brady picks Jake Collier but is very hesitant, calling the fight a mess. He notes Collier's volume advantage and youth, but worries about his poor cardio and tendency to gas. He expects a split decision that could go either way, and advises against betting.
Cody also picks Jake Collier, calling it a 'dogger pass' situation. He believes Collier's volume and better defense will edge out Arlovski in a close fight. Cody notes Arlovski tends to get the benefit of the doubt in close decisions but thinks Collier is better than Jared Vanderaa, who gave Arlovski trouble. He mentions Collier's cardio faded in the third against Felipe but expects a high pace from Collier.
Daniel Levi leans toward Andrei Arlovski but is hesitant to lay the -145 price. He notes Arlovski's recent winning streak and speed advantage, but acknowledges Collier's power and potential for a finish. Levi expects a close split decision and suggests the Arlovski by decision prop, but is not confident enough to bet the moneyline.
The host picks Arlovski, highlighting his experience and decision-friendly style. He notes Arlovski's takedown defense and ability to outpoint opponents, even when outstruck in volume. He believes Collier's body language and cardio issues will be a factor, and that Arlovski will land the more significant strikes to sway judges. He expects a decision win.
Paul picks Jake Collier as an underdog, expecting him to win by decision through volume striking. He notes Collier's high output (e.g., 130 significant strikes against Carlos Felipe) and doubts the modern Arlovski can keep pace. Paul acknowledges Arlovski's ability to slow fights down but believes Collier's volume will be decisive. He mentions the over 2.5 rounds line has moved from -155 to -210, making overs risky.
The Guru picks Arlovski to win by decision, noting his consistency and activity. He acknowledges Collier looked good against Chase Sherman but believes Arlovski is a better fighter overall. The Guru points out that Arlovski has been active and patient recently, with wins over Jared Vanderaa and Carlos Felipe. He thinks Collier may have early moments but Arlovski will steer it back in the later rounds for a 29-28 unanimous decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 64 of 133 | 48% | 71 of 140 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jared Vanderaa | 0 | 70 of 156 | 44% | 102 of 190 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:44 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 30 of 55 | 54% | 32 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jared Vanderaa | 0 | 23 of 58 | 39% | 30 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:36 | |
| 2 | Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 20 of 44 | 45% | 23 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jared Vanderaa | 0 | 19 of 42 | 45% | 33 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:17 | |
| 3 | Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 14 of 34 | 41% | 16 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jared Vanderaa | 0 | 28 of 56 | 50% | 39 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrei Arlovski | 64 of 133 | 48% | 40 of 100 | 19 of 26 | 5 of 7 | 60 of 128 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Jared Vanderaa | 70 of 156 | 44% | 30 of 110 | 24 of 29 | 16 of 17 | 55 of 134 | 15 of 22 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrei Arlovski | 30 of 55 | 54% | 18 of 42 | 8 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 29 of 54 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jared Vanderaa | 23 of 58 | 39% | 13 of 46 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 53 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andrei Arlovski | 20 of 44 | 45% | 15 of 33 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 18 of 41 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jared Vanderaa | 19 of 42 | 45% | 6 of 27 | 11 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 35 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Andrei Arlovski | 14 of 34 | 41% | 7 of 25 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 13 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jared Vanderaa | 28 of 56 | 50% | 11 of 37 | 7 of 8 | 10 of 11 | 21 of 46 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Arlovski, expecting a three-round kickboxing match where Arlovski's footwork and speed allow him to outpoint Vanderaa. He compares it to Arlovski's fight against Carlos Felipe and thinks Arlovski will jab his way to a decision win. He warns not to sleep on Vanderaa, who is better than his matchups suggest.
Big Brady believes Arlovski is the more skilled fighter despite being 42. He notes Arlovski has improved his striking defense and changed his style to be more conservative. He criticizes Vanderaa's 20% takedown defense and 39% striking defense, calling him a walking punching bag. Brady thinks Arlovski will win a decision, as he hasn't had a finish since 2015. He sees no clear path to victory for Vanderaa.
Cody picks Vanderaa as an underdog, citing Arlovski's age (43) and low output. He notes Vanderaa has a good chin and has shown volume in fights. He thinks Vanderaa can outwork Arlovski over three rounds, especially if he pressures.
Daniel Levi picks Andrei Arlovski, stating he is much faster and can fight for three rounds. He notes that Jared Vanderaa is slow and plodding, and that Arlovski's volume and boxing will win him the fight. Levi expects Arlovski to win a decision, as Vanderaa is durable but not a takedown threat.
Vanderaa is a solid striker with good combinations and forward pressure. Arlovski is an aging point-fighter who has faced low-output opponents recently. Vanderaa should win exchanges and has the power to hurt Arlovski. Arlovski's durability hasn't been tested by someone with Vanderaa's combination punching. Vanderaa is the dog of the night.
Paul thinks Arlovski is the more technical fighter and that Vanderaa doesn't have fight-ending power. He notes Arlovski has been winning decisions lately and expects a similar low-volume affair. He acknowledges Arlovski's age but believes he can edge out another win.
The MMA Guru picks Andrei Arlovski by decision, citing his veteran striking and experience. He views Vanderaa as a bottom-feeder who takes too much damage and expects Arlovski to pick him apart.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 83 of 172 | 48% | 84 of 173 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Carlos Felipe | 0 | 73 of 172 | 42% | 73 of 172 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 26 of 51 | 50% | 26 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Carlos Felipe | 0 | 12 of 33 | 36% | 12 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 28 of 67 | 41% | 28 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Carlos Felipe | 0 | 30 of 74 | 40% | 30 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 3 | Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 29 of 54 | 53% | 30 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Carlos Felipe | 0 | 31 of 65 | 47% | 31 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:17 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrei Arlovski | 83 of 172 | 48% | 49 of 133 | 11 of 15 | 23 of 24 | 81 of 170 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlos Felipe | 73 of 172 | 42% | 53 of 145 | 15 of 21 | 5 of 6 | 54 of 148 | 12 of 14 | 7 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrei Arlovski | 26 of 51 | 50% | 9 of 32 | 7 of 9 | 10 of 10 | 26 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlos Felipe | 12 of 33 | 36% | 3 of 22 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andrei Arlovski | 28 of 67 | 41% | 17 of 54 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 9 | 27 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlos Felipe | 30 of 74 | 40% | 25 of 67 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 27 of 71 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Andrei Arlovski | 29 of 54 | 53% | 23 of 47 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 28 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlos Felipe | 31 of 65 | 47% | 25 of 56 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 44 | 9 of 11 | 7 of 10 |
Angelo picks Arlovski reluctantly due to his age (42) but believes his new bouncing style, footwork, and jab will allow him to outpoint Felipe. Felipe is a young boxer with good volume and cardio but lacks power. Arlovski can also initiate grappling if needed. Angelo is concerned about Arlovski's chin but thinks he can avoid danger. He likes Arlovski at 8200 in DraftKings and the more more on monkey knife fight.
Big Brady leans toward Carlos Felipe by decision, citing Felipe's youth, durability, and volume. He notes Arlovski is 42 and inconsistent, sometimes low-volume. However, he dislikes Felipe's close split decisions and showboating. He has no interest in betting this fight.
Cody picks Arlovski as a slight lean, arguing that Arlovski has become the ultimate gatekeeper who beats young up-and-comers who aren't the real deal. He points out that Felipe's wins have been close split decisions against low-level competition, and that Arlovski's smart game plan of smothering Felipe against the cage and outpointing him at distance should work. He expects the fight to go to decision.
Daniel picks Carlos Felipe, noting the odds are close and everyone is on Arlovski. He sees Felipe as a young, improving fighter who likes to bang, and he dismisses the controversial Jake Collier fight as a win for Felipe. He acknowledges Arlovski's veteran savvy and speed but thinks Felipe can win a close, possibly controversial split decision.
Arlovski will use his outside striking, jabs, and leg kicks to outpoint Felipe, who lacks finishing ability in the UFC. Felipe's success comes in the pocket, but Arlovski will avoid brawling. The fight is likely to go the distance, with Arlovski winning a decision.
Paul leans toward Felipe edging out a decision based on volume and forward pressure, but admits he's not confident. He notes that Arlovski is the more technical striker but Felipe throws more volume and is durable. He says he's not willing to step in front of it with his money.
The MMA Guru picks Andrei Arlovski by decision, noting the even odds and Felipe's lack of KO power. He argues that only fighters who obliterate competition beat Arlovski, and Felipe's close fights with Jake Collier and Justin Tafa are red flags. He expects Arlovski's footwork and jab to neutralize Felipe's body shots, leading to a 30-27 decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 105 of 222 | 47% | 109 of 226 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Chase Sherman | 0 | 88 of 192 | 45% | 99 of 203 | 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 | Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 27 of 65 | 41% | 27 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Chase Sherman | 0 | 33 of 69 | 47% | 33 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 32 of 69 | 46% | 36 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Chase Sherman | 0 | 21 of 58 | 36% | 32 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Andrei Arlovski | 0 | 46 of 88 | 52% | 46 of 88 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Chase Sherman | 0 | 34 of 65 | 52% | 34 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrei Arlovski | 105 of 222 | 47% | 54 of 154 | 26 of 39 | 25 of 29 | 103 of 217 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Chase Sherman | 88 of 192 | 45% | 55 of 154 | 16 of 20 | 17 of 18 | 84 of 187 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrei Arlovski | 27 of 65 | 41% | 15 of 51 | 4 of 6 | 8 of 8 | 25 of 61 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Chase Sherman | 33 of 69 | 47% | 22 of 55 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 6 | 31 of 66 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andrei Arlovski | 32 of 69 | 46% | 16 of 47 | 10 of 12 | 6 of 10 | 32 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Chase Sherman | 21 of 58 | 36% | 12 of 49 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 20 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Andrei Arlovski | 46 of 88 | 52% | 23 of 56 | 12 of 21 | 11 of 11 | 46 of 88 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Chase Sherman | 34 of 65 | 52% | 21 of 50 | 6 of 8 | 7 of 7 | 33 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Andrei Arlovski to win by decision, though he is not very confident. He notes that Arlovski is a favorite for the first time in many fights and that Sherman is the easiest opponent Arlovski has faced in a long time. He highlights Sherman's poor striking defense (absorbs 5.55 significant strikes per minute) and Arlovski's good defense (absorbs 2.83). However, he is concerned about Arlovski's age (42) and lack of knockout power. He sees the fight as close and likely to go to decision.
Cody thinks Arlovski is old and boring, landing only 30-50 significant strikes per fight. He notes Sherman is younger, has better output, and is improving. He sees Sherman outpointing Arlovski and considers it a dog or pass fight, leaning towards Sherman as the underdog.
Daniel Levi leans toward Arlovski, noting that he is the better fighter and a sharp counter-puncher. He acknowledges that Chase Sherman has good leg kicks and is 10 years younger, and that Arlovski is coming off a loss to Tom Aspinall. Levi mentions that he has faded Arlovski in the past with mixed results, but this time he thinks Arlovski can win a close decision. He also speculates that Sherman might still be using performance-enhancing drugs.
Manpreet leans toward Sherman by KO, citing his improved calf-kick-heavy style and the fact that Arlovski's movement-based game could be neutralized by leg kicks. He acknowledges the uncertainty around Sherman's post-suspension performance but believes Sherman's pressure and power can lead to a finish, likely in the second round after wearing Arlovski down.
Paul says friends don't let friends bet on Chase Sherman, but he is leaning towards Sherman as the underdog. He acknowledges both fighters are bottom heavyweights and that Sherman is 11 years younger. He is not confident and calls it a pitbull or pass fight.
The MMA Guru picks Andrei Arlovski to win by unanimous decision. He notes Arlovski is a tricky veteran who is patient and pushes a good pace. He believes Chase Sherman needs to overwhelm opponents to win, but Arlovski's level of opposition is much higher. He expects Sherman to go all out in the first round, but Arlovski will take over in the second and third for a 29-28 decision.
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