Career Averages - Colby Covington
Career Averages - Bryan Barberena
Colby Covington - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 37 of 124 | 29% | 71 of 161 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 3:40 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 75 of 151 | 49% | 81 of 160 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 10 of 51 | 19% | 10 of 51 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 23 of 55 | 41% | 23 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 2 | Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 19 of 50 | 38% | 25 of 56 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:28 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 28 of 55 | 50% | 29 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 3 | Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 36 of 54 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:50 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 24 of 41 | 58% | 29 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joaquin Buckley | 37 of 124 | 29% | 26 of 108 | 8 of 11 | 3 of 5 | 33 of 120 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Colby Covington | 75 of 151 | 49% | 59 of 131 | 13 of 17 | 3 of 3 | 65 of 135 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joaquin Buckley | 10 of 51 | 19% | 5 of 42 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 3 | 10 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 23 of 55 | 41% | 18 of 47 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 49 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 4 | |
| 2 | Joaquin Buckley | 19 of 50 | 38% | 13 of 43 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Colby Covington | 28 of 55 | 50% | 20 of 46 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 24 of 50 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Joaquin Buckley | 8 of 23 | 34% | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Colby Covington | 24 of 41 | 58% | 21 of 38 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Buckley (-285), Covington (+230)
Round 1
Refereeing the final UFC fight of 2024 is Dan Miragliotta. Covington lands a body kick to start. Buckley takes the center and starts to walk down "Chaos." Covington throwing out his jab, which Buckley walks into. "New Mansa" is struggling against the jab and coming up short as he throws hard-hitting hooks. Covington's first takedown attempt is stuffed easily by Buckley. "Chaos" is cut over his right eye. Head kick thrown by Buckley, who then comes over the top with a left hook. Covington lands an uppercut and follows it up with a series of left hooks. The jab of Covington continues to keep Buckley at bay. Covington goes for another takedown with a minute left. Buckley controls the head and stays upright. Buckley is looking good as he lands a right hand with five seconds to go that floors Covington. "Chaos" was potentially saved by the bell, but on second look it appears to be more of a slip.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Round 2
Buckley defends another takedown attempt and punishes Covington with a series of right hooks to the body. Buckley has really found his stride and looks monstrous. Big uppercut to the body for Buckley. Covington finally gets a successful takedown and gets into side control. Buckley is able to recover half-guard and then uses the cage to get back to his feet with two minutes left. Covington eats a kick, and Buckley is staying very composed. Nice jab and straight from Covington. Big leg kick from Buckley, who has controlled the action on the feet. Buckley uses a hard jab and is targeting the right eye of Covington that is already damaged.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Round 3
Covington is told he has to protect his eye by the doctor. Buckley stuffs a takedown. Buckley is working his jab. Covington does a spinning jump kick. Buckley fires back with hooks and then stuffs a bad takedown attempt. Buckley gets into full mount but Covington is able to get up. Buckley lands a big uppercut that hurts "Chaos." Covington's eye is further damaged, and he has a crimson mask. Big left hook for Buckley. "New Mansa" is in total control. Covington has another takedown attempt stuffed. Buckley is punishing Covington on the ground with heavy punches and elbows. Covington is showing heart and scrambles. Buckley locks in a triangle choke in an attempt to get his first submission win. Covington escapes and is now in full guard. Covington is landing some small punches on top. Buckley is attempting to wall walk with a minute left. Covington is back on his feet and has been clearly outstruck so far. The fight is paused for the doctor to look at Covington's eye. She has concerns about Covington's eye, and the one-sided fight is waved off.
The Official Result
Joaquin Buckley def. Colby Covington via TKO (Doctor's Stoppage); R3, 4:42.
Angelo picks Buckley because it is a 'what have you done for me lately' sport and Covington looked like a shell of himself in his last fight. He notes Buckley's power, movement, and doggedness, while Covington's pressure and wrestling were absent. He believes if the old Covington shows up he wins, but the recent version gets smoked. He is not sure if he will bet on it.
Big Brady picks Colby Covington to win by decision, going against the grain. He thinks the line is too wide and that Covington can take Buckley down easily, especially as the fight goes on. He notes Buckley has never been past three rounds and has struggled against wrestlers like Abdul Razak Alhassan. He acknowledges Covington's last performance was terrible but attributes it to a broken foot.
Cody picks Colby Covington as a live underdog, citing his elite wrestling, cardio, durability, and experience against top competition. He believes Buckley's path to victory relies on a knockout or takedowns, but Covington's takedown defense and pressure will neutralize that. Cody also notes Covington's motivation in a potential retirement fight and the hometown crowd advantage in Florida.
Connor agrees with Zane, emphasizing that Covington's confidence is shattered and his style requires constant pressure, which he no longer provides. He notes that Buckley is a powerful puncher who will keep coming forward, and that Covington's wrestling is ineffective off the back foot. Connor sees a high chance of a finish.
Daniel Vreeland picks Joaquin Buckley to win, citing Buckley's paid dues, knockout power, takedown defense, and get-up game. He notes Buckley's wins over Stephen Thompson and Vicente Luque as proof he's ready for this step up. Vreeland is not concerned about Buckley's cardio, believing the move to welterweight has improved his conditioning. He acknowledges Colby Covington's relentless pace and takedown attempts but thinks Buckley's athleticism and power will be the difference. Vreeland mentions the odds (-265) are a bit steep for a bet but stands by the pick.
Lucrative James picks Joaquin Buckley to win, citing Buckley's momentum, athleticism, and power versus Colby Covington's decline due to age, inactivity, and poor striking defense. He notes Buckley's recent knockouts over Stephen Thompson and Vicente Luque, and emphasizes that Covington has been rocked in past fights and is no longer the same fighter. He believes Buckley's volume and dynamic striking will overwhelm Covington, likely leading to a knockout.
Covington is tough to predict at this stage, especially after his flat performance against Leon Edwards. Buckley is expected to showcase some of those issues, but it's hard to have confidence in Buckley at chalk odds. If Covington shows up at 70% of his former self, he could overwhelm Buckley. The official prediction is Buckley by knockout, but Covington could be the value spot odds-wise.
Paul also picks Colby Covington, agreeing with Cody's assessment. He highlights Covington's durability, pressure, and ability to push a pace that Buckley hasn't faced in five rounds. Paul mentions he took late Colby finish props at long odds, seeing a path where Covington weathers early storms and takes over in championship rounds.
The MMA Guru picks Joaquin Buckley, despite being a Colby Covington fan. He cites Buckley's physicality, lateral movement, and body work as key advantages. He notes that Covington is 36, coming off a long layoff, and took the fight on short notice. He believes Buckley's takedown defense and cardio are underrated, and predicts a body shot TKO in round two. He also mentions that Covington's linear style struggles against fighters who move laterally.
Zane picks Buckley because Covington is mentally broken after his knockout loss to Usman and subsequent decline. He notes that Buckley has the same high-volume pressure style but with more power and durability, and that Covington's apprehension makes him unable to impose his wrestling or striking. Zane believes Buckley will overwhelm Covington and likely finish him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 0 | 57 of 108 | 52% | 65 of 116 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 | 1 | 1:27 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 44 of 126 | 34% | 109 of 194 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 5:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 13 of 31 | 41% | 13 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 10 of 28 | 35% | 10 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 18 of 27 | 66% | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 13 of 36 | 36% | 13 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 12 of 23 | 52% | 13 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 7 of 32 | 21% | 13 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:11 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 19 of 32 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 10 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 54 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Edwards | 57 of 108 | 52% | 21 of 62 | 14 of 21 | 22 of 25 | 56 of 107 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Colby Covington | 44 of 126 | 34% | 20 of 86 | 7 of 12 | 17 of 28 | 44 of 125 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Edwards | 13 of 31 | 41% | 5 of 20 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 13 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 10 of 28 | 35% | 5 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 10 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Leon Edwards | 18 of 27 | 66% | 7 of 13 | 4 of 7 | 7 of 7 | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 13 of 36 | 36% | 4 of 22 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 10 | 13 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Leon Edwards | 12 of 23 | 52% | 3 of 12 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 7 | 12 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 7 of 32 | 21% | 1 of 21 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 7 | 7 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Leon Edwards | 11 of 22 | 50% | 3 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 13 of 26 | 50% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Leon Edwards | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Colby Covington | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo leans Leon Edwards due to his striking and mental fortitude, noting Leon's ability to come back from being dominated against Usman. He acknowledges Colby's wrestling pressure but is concerned about Colby's ring rust and the brain damage claim. He ultimately picks Leon but does not bet, preferring to watch without pressure.
Big Brady picks Colby Covington as an underdog, citing Covington's high volume striking (4.10 significant strikes per minute vs Edwards' 2.8) and relentless wrestling pressure. He notes Covington's takedown ability (4 per 15 minutes) and believes he can take Edwards down consistently, unlike Kamaru Usman who stuffed 11 takedowns. Brady acknowledges concerns about Covington's chin (dropped 5 times in last 3 fights) and layoff, but thinks his style gives Edwards problems. He predicts a competitive decision win for Covington.
Cody picks Leon Edwards, arguing that Edwards is entering his prime while Covington is on a long layoff and has health issues. He highlights Edwards' improved takedown defense and get-up game against Kamaru Usman in their trilogy, where he gave up only 5 minutes of control time. Cody also notes Covington's last win is over a retired Jorge Masvidal and that Edwards is trending upward with better cardio and striking volume.
Daniel Vreeland picks Leon Edwards, citing Edwards' superior timing and counter-striking. He notes that Colby Covington's long layoff will affect his timing, and that Edwards hits harder than Kamaru Usman, who has already stunned Covington. Vreeland believes Covington's wrestling-heavy approach won't win rounds if he gets cracked on the feet, as judges are not rewarding takedowns without damage. He also mentions that Edwards could put Covington away early.
Jeff Fox picks Leon Edwards, reasoning that Covington is inactive and past his peak, while Edwards is improving. He notes that Covington's pressure and volume could be countered by Edwards' dangerous striking. Fox also points out that Covington's wrestling may not be enough to win rounds if he gets hit. He expects Edwards to retain the title.
Lucrative James does not have a strong read on this fight. He notes that two respected colleagues are heavy on Leon Edwards, which gives him pause, but he is not confident in either side. He considers Colby Covington at underdog odds if the line moves to +170 or so, but he is not passionate about the fight. He sees it as a dog-or-pass spot and will not lay the money on Edwards at current lines.
The host believes Covington's volume-based approach, activity level, cardio, and consistent movement will frustrate Edwards. He notes that Edwards has let rounds slip away in the past and that Covington doesn't need takedowns to win—he can outwork Edwards on the feet. The host also mentions that Covington has been out for over a year but has stayed in shape, and that this is a good stylistic matchup for him. He predicts Covington wins by decision.
Paul acknowledges Leon Edwards is a deserved favorite but sees value in Colby Covington's decision prop at +250. He notes Covington's relentless pace and ability to land 200+ significant strikes over 25 minutes, which makes his moneyline essentially a decision prop. However, he admits it's a close fight and only took a small poke on Covington by decision, not fully confident.
The Guru picks Leon Edwards over Colby Covington, citing Edwards' superior striking, especially low kicks and body knees in the clinch. He notes Covington's inactivity (last fought March 2022), age (nearly 36), and tendency to not push pace against strong wrestlers. He believes Edwards' takedown defense and underhooks will lead to damaging knees, and that Covington's scar tissue will be targeted by elbows. He predicts a second-round TKO for Edwards.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby Covington | 0 | 94 of 201 | 46% | 218 of 338 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 1 | 1 | 16:14 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 67 of 140 | 47% | 90 of 166 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colby Covington | 0 | 7 of 18 | 38% | 29 of 45 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 3:32 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 12 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Colby Covington | 0 | 20 of 58 | 34% | 25 of 63 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:21 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 31 of 63 | 49% | 36 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 | |
| 3 | Colby Covington | 0 | 21 of 40 | 52% | 62 of 86 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 4:34 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 8 of 12 | 66% | 19 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Colby Covington | 0 | 33 of 66 | 50% | 37 of 70 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:13 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 21 of 46 | 45% | 21 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Colby Covington | 0 | 13 of 19 | 68% | 65 of 74 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:34 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby Covington | 94 of 201 | 46% | 84 of 190 | 9 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 63 of 160 | 6 of 8 | 25 of 33 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 67 of 140 | 47% | 38 of 94 | 10 of 19 | 19 of 27 | 55 of 125 | 12 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colby Covington | 7 of 18 | 38% | 5 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 6 of 17 | 35% | 2 of 8 | 0 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Colby Covington | 20 of 58 | 34% | 16 of 53 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 55 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 31 of 63 | 49% | 18 of 42 | 5 of 8 | 8 of 13 | 24 of 54 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Colby Covington | 21 of 40 | 52% | 18 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 19 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 8 of 12 | 66% | 5 of 7 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Colby Covington | 33 of 66 | 50% | 32 of 65 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 64 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 21 of 46 | 45% | 12 of 35 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 19 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Colby Covington | 13 of 19 | 68% | 13 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 14 |
| Jorge Masvidal | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Colby Covington due to his relentless wrestling and high pace. He notes that Covington's non-stop takedowns and pressure will be a problem for Masvidal, similar to the first Usman fight. He mentions that Masvidal has success on the feet but Covington cuts distance quickly. He also references a source from American Top Team saying Covington dominated Masvidal in training but Masvidal would touch him up on the feet.
Big Brady picks Colby Covington to win by decision, citing Covington's relentless wrestling pace and volume striking. He notes that Covington will likely take Masvidal down repeatedly, especially early, and that Masvidal's path to victory is only by knockout. Brady believes Covington's cardio and pressure will be too much for the 37-year-old Masvidal, who has slowed down. He mentions that Covington has successfully implemented this game plan against other top welterweights like Robbie Lawler and Rafael dos Anjos.
Cody sees Colby as an elite welterweight who pushed Usman to the limit, with superior pace, wrestling, and durability. He believes Colby's chain wrestling and cardio will overwhelm Masvidal, who has poor takedown defense and fades late. Cody has already parlayed Colby with Kevin Holland and also bet Colby by round 5 at +3000, expecting a late finish or decision.
Daniel Levi picks Colby Covington to win by unanimous decision. He emphasizes Covington's relentless pace and takedown attempts, noting that even if the first few takedowns are stuffed, Covington will keep shooting and eventually grind down Masvidal. He acknowledges Masvidal's underrated takedown defense and dangerous striking, especially early, but believes Covington's pressure and cardio will be decisive in the later rounds. He also mentions that Covington's recent war with Usman might be a concern but still favors him.
Colby Covington is neck and neck with Kamaru Usman, one of the best in the world, and his wrestling threat will force Masvidal to think too much. Covington's cardio, improved striking, and volume will overwhelm Masvidal over five rounds. Masvidal is the better technical striker but lacks the wrestling and cardio to keep up. Covington via decision is the likely outcome.
Paul argues that Colby is a premier talent while Masvidal is a journeyman with 15 losses and poor takedown defense. He highlights Colby's wrestling pressure and cardio as decisive, noting Masvidal's wins are early finishes and his losses come when opponents survive the first two rounds. Paul plans to bet Colby live if Masvidal is competitive early, expecting Colby to take over in rounds 3-5.
The MMA Guru picks Colby Covington over Jorge Masvidal, despite acknowledging Masvidal's KO power and the odds being too wide. He praises Covington's chin, referencing his ability to take clean shots from Kamaru Usman. He predicts Covington will use cage pressure, takedowns, and grinding to wear Masvidal down, eventually securing a rear-naked choke in the fourth round. He notes Masvidal's age, inactivity, and potential rib injury as factors, and believes Covington's active style and improved striking will be key.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 2 | 123 of 293 | 41% | 158 of 336 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 107 of 281 | 38% | 119 of 298 | 0 of 11 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 17 of 43 | 39% | 22 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 13 of 47 | 27% | 13 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 2 | 36 of 71 | 50% | 50 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 19 of 47 | 40% | 19 of 48 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 | |
| 3 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 23 of 58 | 39% | 30 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 21 of 56 | 37% | 23 of 59 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 4 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 23 of 70 | 32% | 24 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 33 of 77 | 42% | 38 of 83 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 | |
| 5 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 24 of 51 | 47% | 32 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 21 of 54 | 38% | 26 of 61 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 123 of 293 | 41% | 80 of 241 | 41 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 107 of 274 | 6 of 7 | 10 of 12 |
| Colby Covington | 107 of 281 | 38% | 79 of 242 | 23 of 33 | 5 of 6 | 101 of 274 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 17 of 43 | 39% | 12 of 34 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Colby Covington | 13 of 47 | 27% | 8 of 37 | 3 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 36 of 71 | 50% | 19 of 51 | 16 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 10 |
| Colby Covington | 19 of 47 | 40% | 10 of 37 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 44 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kamaru Usman | 23 of 58 | 39% | 18 of 52 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 21 of 56 | 37% | 15 of 48 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Kamaru Usman | 23 of 70 | 32% | 17 of 64 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 33 of 77 | 42% | 28 of 71 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 75 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Kamaru Usman | 24 of 51 | 47% | 14 of 40 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 21 of 54 | 38% | 18 of 49 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Kamaru Usman, citing his development of knockout power, improved striking, and proven ability to win wars. He notes that the first fight was competitive and that Usman has since shown he can come back from being dropped. He believes Covington cannot win by stoppage and that Usman's power is a constant threat. He thinks the odds are too wide but still picks Usman.
Big Brady picks Kamaru Usman to win by fourth-round knockout. He notes Usman's improved striking power, as seen in his knockouts of Burns and Masvidal, while Covington is a decision fighter without power. Brady thinks Covington's volume will be competitive early, but Usman's power and technical striking will take over as the fight goes on. He expects a similar fight to the first, but with Usman finishing Covington late.
Cody thinks the line is wrong but agrees Usman should win. He notes Covington's pace and durability but believes Usman's cardio and confidence grow as the fight goes on, pulling away late. He expects a close fight and suggests live betting Covington if the line moves.
Daniel Levi picks Kamaru Usman to defend his belt, citing that Usman is slightly better everywhere and that the first fight was a classic war. He notes that Usman has improved his striking and has knockout power, but acknowledges Covington's cardio and heart. Levi is not laying -350 but believes Usman will be slightly ahead and win a close decision. He also mentions that Covington has been training at MMA Masters and may have improved, but still favors Usman.
Jacob picks Colby Covington, believing he will make adjustments and use his wrestling and volume to win a razor-thin decision. He thinks Covington needs to trust his cardio, stay in Usman's face, and avoid loading up on power shots. He notes that Covington was winning the first fight on his scorecard. He has a parlay with Covington and Chandler.
The host picks Usman by fourth-round TKO, citing his power and improvements. He thinks the fight will be close but Usman's power is the difference. He considers the over 3.5 rounds and Usman by KO at +180.
Paul believes Usman wins about 70-75% of the time, citing Usman's improvements with Whitman, knockout of Masvidal, and durability. He thinks the line is close to accurate but sees value on Covington at plus money. He bet over 3.5 rounds at -135, expecting a competitive fight that goes late.
The Guru picks Kamaru Usman by fourth-round KO, predicting he will target Covington's body early, exploiting a weakness found in their first fight. He notes Usman's activity and mental edge from the previous win, while Covington has been inactive. The Guru expects Covington to win the first round but Usman to take over with body shots and eventually finish with a big right hand and ground strikes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby Covington | 0 | 78 of 143 | 54% | 232 of 311 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 12:01 |
| Tyron Woodley | 0 | 34 of 83 | 40% | 67 of 116 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colby Covington | 0 | 13 of 32 | 40% | 36 of 59 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Tyron Woodley | 0 | 5 of 22 | 22% | 14 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Colby Covington | 0 | 20 of 43 | 46% | 32 of 55 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Tyron Woodley | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 24 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 3 | Colby Covington | 0 | 23 of 31 | 74% | 51 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:23 |
| Tyron Woodley | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 23 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 4 | Colby Covington | 0 | 18 of 28 | 64% | 104 of 123 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:25 |
| Tyron Woodley | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Colby Covington | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 9 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Tyron Woodley | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby Covington | 78 of 143 | 54% | 47 of 106 | 22 of 28 | 9 of 9 | 43 of 101 | 19 of 20 | 16 of 22 |
| Tyron Woodley | 34 of 83 | 40% | 14 of 58 | 15 of 20 | 5 of 5 | 26 of 74 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colby Covington | 13 of 32 | 40% | 8 of 25 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 24 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Tyron Woodley | 5 of 22 | 22% | 1 of 15 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Colby Covington | 20 of 43 | 46% | 11 of 32 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 39 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Tyron Woodley | 13 of 26 | 50% | 7 of 18 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Colby Covington | 23 of 31 | 74% | 11 of 19 | 10 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 23 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Tyron Woodley | 12 of 26 | 46% | 6 of 20 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 21 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Colby Covington | 18 of 28 | 64% | 17 of 26 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 22 |
| Tyron Woodley | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Colby Covington | 4 of 9 | 44% | 0 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tyron Woodley | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Colby Covington by decision, believing Woodley is on the decline and Covington will use his wrestling and cardio to grind him out. He notes Covington averages nearly five takedowns per 15 minutes and Woodley's takedown defense may not hold up. He expects Covington to survive Woodley's early power and take over in later rounds.
The host is extremely confident in Colby Covington's pace, cardio, and pressure, believing Tyron Woodley's only path to victory is an early knockout. He notes Woodley's poor gas tank and tendency to fade, while Covington's relentless wrestling and volume will overwhelm him. He predicts a fifth-round stoppage due to accumulated damage, and recommends betting Covington straight up or on round 5 props.
The host picks Colby Covington over Tyron Woodley, citing Covington's volume, pressure, pace, and offensive wrestling as the keys to beating Woodley. He notes that Woodley has been beaten by these attributes before (by Usman, Burns, Rory MacDonald, Jake Shields) and that Woodley is 38 and fading. He predicts a fourth-round TKO via unanswered shots as Woodley tires and fails to defend intelligently.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 2 | 175 of 360 | 48% | 175 of 360 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 143 of 395 | 36% | 143 of 395 | 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 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 34 of 91 | 37% | 34 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 39 of 111 | 35% | 39 of 111 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 40 of 79 | 50% | 40 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 41 of 97 | 42% | 41 of 97 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 29 of 50 | 58% | 29 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 8 of 51 | 15% | 8 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Kamaru Usman | 0 | 35 of 68 | 51% | 35 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 36 of 76 | 47% | 36 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Kamaru Usman | 2 | 37 of 72 | 51% | 37 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Colby Covington | 0 | 19 of 60 | 31% | 19 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamaru Usman | 175 of 360 | 48% | 116 of 279 | 53 of 74 | 6 of 7 | 156 of 340 | 5 of 5 | 14 of 15 |
| Colby Covington | 143 of 395 | 36% | 103 of 341 | 28 of 39 | 12 of 15 | 143 of 395 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamaru Usman | 34 of 91 | 37% | 20 of 72 | 11 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 30 of 87 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 39 of 111 | 35% | 27 of 95 | 7 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 39 of 111 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kamaru Usman | 40 of 79 | 50% | 27 of 59 | 11 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 40 of 79 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 41 of 97 | 42% | 32 of 88 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 41 of 97 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kamaru Usman | 29 of 50 | 58% | 19 of 37 | 10 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 8 of 51 | 15% | 5 of 46 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Kamaru Usman | 35 of 68 | 51% | 20 of 50 | 14 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 35 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Colby Covington | 36 of 76 | 47% | 25 of 59 | 7 of 12 | 4 of 5 | 36 of 76 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Kamaru Usman | 37 of 72 | 51% | 30 of 61 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 15 |
| Colby Covington | 19 of 60 | 31% | 14 of 53 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 19 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby Covington | 0 | 179 of 515 | 34% | 201 of 541 | 10 of 18 | 55% | 0 | 0 | 8:42 |
| Robbie Lawler | 0 | 78 of 167 | 46% | 82 of 171 | 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 | Colby Covington | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 24 of 41 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 3:57 |
| Robbie Lawler | 0 | 4 of 18 | 22% | 5 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Colby Covington | 0 | 33 of 105 | 31% | 36 of 108 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Robbie Lawler | 0 | 6 of 7 | 85% | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Colby Covington | 0 | 41 of 117 | 35% | 43 of 122 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
| Robbie Lawler | 0 | 23 of 48 | 47% | 25 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Colby Covington | 0 | 51 of 130 | 39% | 56 of 135 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
| Robbie Lawler | 0 | 22 of 42 | 52% | 23 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Colby Covington | 0 | 41 of 134 | 30% | 42 of 135 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Robbie Lawler | 0 | 23 of 52 | 44% | 23 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby Covington | 179 of 515 | 34% | 128 of 454 | 20 of 28 | 31 of 33 | 154 of 477 | 25 of 38 | 0 of 0 |
| Robbie Lawler | 78 of 167 | 46% | 61 of 144 | 10 of 16 | 7 of 7 | 66 of 152 | 12 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colby Covington | 13 of 29 | 44% | 10 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 21 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Robbie Lawler | 4 of 18 | 22% | 2 of 12 | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Colby Covington | 33 of 105 | 31% | 26 of 96 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 6 | 28 of 98 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Robbie Lawler | 6 of 7 | 85% | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Colby Covington | 41 of 117 | 35% | 24 of 96 | 5 of 8 | 12 of 13 | 36 of 108 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Robbie Lawler | 23 of 48 | 47% | 17 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 44 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Colby Covington | 51 of 130 | 39% | 38 of 115 | 4 of 6 | 9 of 9 | 44 of 121 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Robbie Lawler | 22 of 42 | 52% | 19 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 35 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Colby Covington | 41 of 134 | 30% | 30 of 121 | 7 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 38 of 129 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Robbie Lawler | 23 of 52 | 44% | 19 of 46 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby Covington | 0 | 105 of 198 | 53% | 130 of 223 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:14 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 99 of 296 | 33% | 142 of 346 | 7 of 18 | 38% | 0 | 0 | 12:36 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colby Covington | 0 | 27 of 42 | 64% | 36 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 17 of 57 | 29% | 27 of 69 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:43 | |
| 2 | Colby Covington | 0 | 20 of 40 | 50% | 25 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 21 of 62 | 33% | 32 of 77 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:09 | |
| 3 | Colby Covington | 0 | 22 of 44 | 50% | 23 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 29 of 72 | 40% | 39 of 82 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:02 | |
| 4 | Colby Covington | 0 | 19 of 34 | 55% | 22 of 37 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 2:14 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 12 of 49 | 24% | 18 of 55 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 | |
| 5 | Colby Covington | 0 | 17 of 38 | 44% | 24 of 45 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 20 of 56 | 35% | 26 of 63 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:49 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby Covington | 105 of 198 | 53% | 54 of 139 | 37 of 45 | 14 of 14 | 70 of 163 | 32 of 32 | 3 of 3 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 99 of 296 | 33% | 54 of 229 | 14 of 33 | 31 of 34 | 90 of 278 | 8 of 16 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colby Covington | 27 of 42 | 64% | 12 of 23 | 12 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 30 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 17 of 57 | 29% | 9 of 44 | 1 of 6 | 7 of 7 | 14 of 51 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Colby Covington | 20 of 40 | 50% | 8 of 26 | 9 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 35 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 21 of 62 | 33% | 14 of 50 | 0 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 20 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Colby Covington | 22 of 44 | 50% | 12 of 32 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 37 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 29 of 72 | 40% | 12 of 50 | 7 of 11 | 10 of 11 | 25 of 66 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | |
| 4 | Colby Covington | 19 of 34 | 55% | 10 of 25 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 26 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 3 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 12 of 49 | 24% | 6 of 39 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 5 | Colby Covington | 17 of 38 | 44% | 12 of 33 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 35 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Rafael dos Anjos | 20 of 56 | 35% | 13 of 46 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 53 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Bryan Barberena - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 30 of 36 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 2 | 0 | 5:03 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 12 of 37 | 32% | 25 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 12 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:15 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 13 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 18 of 18 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 2 | 0 | 2:48 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 2 of 12 | 16% | 12 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 11 of 17 | 64% | 7 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 12 of 37 | 32% | 9 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 10 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 7 of 13 | 53% | 4 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 10 of 25 | 40% | 7 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 8 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | |
| 2 | Gerald Meerschaert | 4 of 4 | 100% | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 2 of 12 | 16% | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Meerschaert (-245), Barberena (+200)
Round 1
The prelims kick off with a stylistically opposite middleweight matchup pitting a submission magician against a burly brawler. Meerschaert (35-17, 10-9 UFC) will be the rare betting favorite in a match, because it comes against former welterweight Barberena (18-11, 9-9 UFC). This fight may not need the judges at its conclusion, but referee Herb Dean is on call for what comes next. The grizzled veterans touch gloves, and Meerschaert crowds forward and paws out a low kick. Barberena replies with one as he hops from side to side, not letting himself get cornered or stay too long in one spot. Barberena misses with another leg kick, and he reaches out with a swatting right hook. Meerschaert loads up on a right hand that skims the bears, and he digs a left to the body before backing away to dodge a counter. Barberena chips at the lead leg with a kick, and Meerschaert ducks a punch to tie him up. Barberena frantically escapes the clinch, not allowing the grappler to get hold of him for more than a second or two. Barberena keeps sliding to the side until Meerschaert shoots in on a double, and he takes “Bam Bam” off his feet. Barberena posts off his arm to remain upright, and Meerschaert jumps on top of him to secure the position. Meerschaert clings to the side of his opponent, with one hook in, as Barberena fights to maintain wrist control and keep Meerschaert from establishing a dominant position. Barberena climbs back to his feet, and he threatens with an overhand right but misses the mark. Meerschaert walks straight into a one-two, and Barberena charges into him and bowls him over. Meerschaert absorbs a few low kicks from on his back before popping back up, and he reaches out with a right hand when upright again. Meerschaert slips a few punches and shoot for a double, and he lands in the guard before quickly advancing to half guard. “GM3” slides into side control, and he isolates Barberena’s left arm to pursue a kimura. Meerschaert steps over and wrenches on the kimura behind his foe’s back, but Barberena leans up against the wall to defend it. Meerschaert drops down to snatch up a guillotine choke, but the leverage is not there from his angle to get it set. Meerschaert lets Barberena up and lands a few punches before backing up, and Barberena lumbers towards him throwing inaccurate hands until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert
Round 2
Meerschaert accepts a fist bump to get started, but he is on a mission as he crowds Barberena and chases him around the cage. Barberena keeps moving, and he swings a right hand that is ducked by a shooting “GM3.” Barberena defends the single and pushes off with a left hook, and he reaches out with a pair of punches to back Meerschaert off for a moment. Barberena just misses with a windmilling left hand, and Meerschaert shoots for a single that is stuffed. Meerschaert kicks the ribs and parries a one-two, and he sticks out a jab. Meerschaert prods out another jab, and Barberena answers with his own. Meerschaert shoots, turns the corner and succeeds in putting Barberena on his back. Barberena maintains butterfly hooks to defend from anything, until Meerschaert steps over to half guard. Meerschaert grabs hold of an arm-triangle choke and presses down while his body is draped on the alternate side, and Barberena grits his teeth and scoots his way to the fencing. Meerschaert hangs on from the side and hunts for a rear-naked choke, and Barberena hand-fights to stop it. When Barberena attempts to stand back up, Meerschaert gets the hook in on the other side and acts as a mean-spirted backpack. “GM3” locks up a rear-naked choke while standing, but Barberena is tough as a two-dollar steak and fights it out as he drops to his knee.
Meerschaert grips the rear-naked choke grip on the chin, squeezing with all power on the face crank. Meerschaert does not adjust his grip, and Barberena searches for options and suddenly loses consciousness—from a face crank. The forearm never slid under the chin, and yet Barberena is out cold!
When Dean gets between them, the sportsman Meerschaert rushes over the lift Barberena’s legs up to force the blood to flow back to the head, while Dean tends to the groggy, defeated fighter. The victorious Meerschaert now ties Anderson Silva for the most finishes in the UFC’s middleweight division, and when asked what he wants next, he calls for a beer and a nap.
The Official Result
Gerald Meerschaert def. Bryan Barberena R2 4:23 via Technical Submission (Face Crank)
Angelo notes that Meerschaert is a very good grappler always live for a submission, though he has a questionable chin and poor takedown accuracy. Barberena is a fun brawler who doesn't use his wrestling and has been taken down 18 times in his last three fights. Angelo thinks the more likely outcome is Meerschaert gets a takedown and snatches a submission, but warns he cannot be trusted as a 2-to-1 favorite.
Big Brady picks Gerald Meerschaert to win by second-round submission. He notes Barberena's poor takedown defense and submission losses, and expects Meerschaert to get the fight to the mat and submit him. He is wary of Meerschaert's chin but thinks Barberena's recent form is too poor.
Cody picks Gerald Meerschaert, emphasizing the size advantage. He notes Barberena is undersized at middleweight, having ballooned to 240 lbs and struggled to make 170. He points out Barberena was taken down 13 times in his last fight and lacks the power to hurt Meerschaert. He sees Meerschaert's size and grappling as decisive.
Lucrative James picks Gerald Meerschaert to win by submission, likely in round two or three. He believes Barberena is on a downward trajectory and lacks the power to knock out Meerschaert. He notes that Barberena has a significant grappling disadvantage and that Meerschaert is opportunistic with submissions. He mentions that he won't play the moneyline but might bet on a round prop.
The host is surprised Meerschaert is a big favorite, as he believes Barberena has good enough defensive grappling to deal with Meerschaert's less-than-average wrestling. He notes Barberena has shown improvements in getting back to his feet and letting his hands go, and expects Barberena to have the striking advantage, leading to a knockout in the third round as Meerschaert fails on his grappling attempts.
Paul also picks Meerschaert but with hesitation. He acknowledges Barberena's toughness and grit, but notes Meerschaert's inconsistency and tendency to lose rounds before pulling off a finish. He warns that this could be a 'pie in the sky' situation where Meerschaert's flaws are overlooked. Still, he expects Meerschaert to win due to size.
The Guru picks Gerald Meerschaert by submission in round three. He notes Barberena was outgrappled by Makhmud Muradov, whom Meerschaert submitted. He expects Meerschaert to get dominant position and submit the 'melting vanilla ice cream' Barberena. He mentions Meerschaert's typical third-round finishes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makhmud Muradov | 2 | 54 of 97 | 55% | 68 of 114 | 13 of 16 | 81% | 0 | 0 | 5:10 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 28 of 81 | 34% | 81 of 138 | 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 | Makhmud Muradov | 0 | 9 of 22 | 40% | 16 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 2:34 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 6 of 22 | 27% | 28 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Makhmud Muradov | 1 | 16 of 28 | 57% | 21 of 34 | 6 of 6 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 8 of 22 | 36% | 30 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Makhmud Muradov | 1 | 29 of 47 | 61% | 31 of 50 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 14 of 37 | 37% | 23 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makhmud Muradov | 54 of 97 | 55% | 39 of 77 | 15 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 46 of 79 | 5 of 11 | 3 of 7 |
| Bryan Barberena | 28 of 81 | 34% | 13 of 56 | 2 of 4 | 13 of 21 | 27 of 79 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makhmud Muradov | 9 of 22 | 40% | 4 of 14 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 17 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
| Bryan Barberena | 6 of 22 | 27% | 1 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 8 | 6 of 21 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Makhmud Muradov | 16 of 28 | 57% | 15 of 26 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Bryan Barberena | 8 of 22 | 36% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 7 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Makhmud Muradov | 29 of 47 | 61% | 20 of 37 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 37 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 3 |
| Bryan Barberena | 14 of 37 | 37% | 8 of 28 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo thinks Muradov is the better fighter with cleaner technique and should win by decision, but he is hesitant to lay -275 due to Barberena's toughness and never-say-die attitude. He picks Muradov but will likely leave the bet out.
Big Brady picks Makhmud Muradov to knock out Bryan Barberena in the second round. He questions Barberena's move up to middleweight, noting he was small for welterweight and is now massively undersized. He thinks Barberena's durability has declined and Muradov is the better striker. He calls the matchup 'weird' and thinks Barberena is on a three-fight skid.
Cody picks Muradov, noting Barberena moving up to 185 is a big disadvantage. He thinks Muradov's size and power will be too much, and he can mix in wrestling. He mentions Barberena's takedown defense is poor and he takes a lot of damage.
Daniel bet Muradov at -250 to win 2 units (risking 5 units). He believes Muradov is a real middleweight in the best shape of his life, while Barberena is moving up from welterweight and will be slower and more hittable. He notes Barberena's takedown defense is poor and Muradov has good footwork and power. He expects Muradov to win by knockout or decision, and thinks the line should be closer to -350 to -400. He is confident Muradov bounces back after a tough loss.
The host picks Makhmud Muradov, citing his technical striking, speed, and discipline as keys. He notes Barberena is moving up in weight and Muradov will be much bigger. He thinks Muradov should be closer to -200/-230 but still expects a win by decision, unless Barberena lands a Hail Mary.
Paul picks Muradov, citing Barberena's age, fight style, and inability to grapple. He thinks Muradov can win by KO or decision using his jab and takedowns. He notes Barberena's chin may be fading.
The MMA Guru picks Makhmud Muradov by TKO, criticizing Bryan Barberena's decision to move up to middleweight. He calls Barberena a 'fat unathletic welterweight' with no grappling or knockout power, and questions his career move. The Guru notes Muradov's improved takedown defense against Caio Borralho and believes his explosiveness, reach, and striking advantage will lead to a finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunnar Nelson | 0 | 10 of 11 | 90% | 20 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:13 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 18 of 23 | 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 | Gunnar Nelson | 0 | 10 of 11 | 90% | 20 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:13 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 18 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunnar Nelson | 10 of 11 | 90% | 8 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 7 |
| Bryan Barberena | 7 of 12 | 58% | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gunnar Nelson | 10 of 11 | 90% | 8 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 7 |
| Bryan Barberena | 7 of 12 | 58% | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Nelson but is not betting. He thinks Nelson's ground game is far superior and Barberena is tough but not technical. He notes Nelson's takedowns are telegraphed but Barberena will close distance and get clinched. He worries Nelson might not be motivated and could be a parlay buster.
Big Brady picks Nelson confidently, citing Barberena's atrocious takedown defense (taken down multiple times by lower-level fighters). He believes Nelson will take him down and submit him early. He predicts a first-round submission, noting Barberena was just submitted by RDA.
Cody picks Nelson, emphasizing Barberena's poor takedown defense and tendency to give up his back. He notes Nelson's elite back-taking and body triangle control. He thinks Nelson wins by decision or submission, but after Nelson's last fight where he didn't chase submissions, he's less sure about a finish. He says the line is reflective of what should happen but feels trappy due to Nelson's inactivity and age.
Connor picks Nelson based on his wrestling and grappling advantage. He notes that Barberena is slow-footed and vulnerable to takedowns, as shown by RDA easily taking him down. Nelson has a quick shot and good clinch trips. Connor acknowledges that Nelson's striking defense is poor and he can be shocked standing, but believes Nelson's path to victory is clear via takedowns and control. He also mentions that Barberena's scrambling is solid but Nelson's control grappling is superior.
Jacob calls Nelson his most confident play on the card. He thinks Barberena is not a powerful puncher and will struggle with Nelson's range. He expects Barberena to close distance and get taken down via body clinch. He notes everyone takes Barberena down and Nelson should dominate on the ground.
Nelson is a high-level grappler with a karate-style striking base, but has struggled against top competition. Barberena is a durable brawler who has been finished by technically better fighters. Nelson should be able to take the fight to the ground and submit Barberena, though the submission prop may not offer value at the expected line.
Paul does not make a clear pick. He discusses the trap potential: Nelson has had one fight in four years, is a small welterweight, and may not be the same fighter. He notes Barberena's ability to get back to his feet and that Nelson could get outstruck if he doesn't get a submission. He says he doesn't have the cojones to pick Barberena but has zero confidence in Nelson at the price.
The MMA Guru picks Gunnar Nelson to win by rear-naked choke, citing Barberena's short notice and defensive flaws exposed by Rafael dos Anjos. He notes Barberena repeatedly made the same mistake of lowering his stance, allowing inside trips. Nelson is a technical grappler who will exploit that and find a finish. He does not see Barberena having success on the feet either.
Zane agrees with Connor, emphasizing that Barberena's takedown defense is poor and Nelson's wrestling is a major threat. He notes that Barberena has been taken down multiple times by lesser wrestlers. Zane also points out that Nelson's striking is vulnerable but his grappling is elite. He thinks Nelson will likely get the fight to the ground and control it. Zane adds that Barberena's best chance is to keep it standing and land a big shot, but Nelson's speed and shot selection should prevail.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 14 of 29 | 48% | 61 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 20 of 25 | 80% | 36 of 41 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 2 | 0 | 6:36 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 25 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 16 of 20 | 80% | 30 of 34 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 4:06 | |
| 2 | Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 36 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 6 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 0 | 2:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael dos Anjos | 14 of 29 | 48% | 6 of 18 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 10 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Bryan Barberena | 20 of 25 | 80% | 3 of 8 | 17 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 14 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael dos Anjos | 9 of 19 | 47% | 1 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 8 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 16 of 20 | 80% | 2 of 6 | 14 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 12 | |
| 2 | Rafael dos Anjos | 5 of 10 | 50% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Bryan Barberena | 4 of 5 | 80% | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo picks Rafael dos Anjos, calling him the better fighter everywhere: more technical striking, much better grappling, higher fight IQ, and higher level of competition. He notes RDA is 38 and coming off a KO loss, but trusts him to grapple early and often. He thinks Barberena's 44% takedown defense and lack of one-punch KO power (except against Lawler) make RDA the pick.
Big Brady is extremely confident in RDA, citing a massive step down in competition and a favorable stylistic matchup. He notes Barberena's poor takedown defense (55%) and defensive irresponsibility, and RDA's advantage everywhere. He expects RDA to win however he wants, predicting a decision but noting a finish is possible.
Cody agrees RDA wins handily, citing his elite wrestling and Barberena's poor takedown defense. He notes RDA hasn't finished anyone recently but expects multiple takedowns and control. He prefers the over 2.5 takedowns prop over significant strikes.
Daniel Levi picks RDA to win by decision, mixing in takedowns. He acknowledges Barberena's durability and power (dropped Leon Edwards) but believes RDA's wrestling and blending of attacks will be too much. He is not interested in betting at the heavy price (-550) and calls it a pass.
The host is very confident in dos Anjos, calling him a 'lock of the night' essentially. He believes dos Anjos is far superior and will mix his striking and takedowns to control Barberena. He notes Barberena's struggles against grapplers like Jason Witt. He expects dos Anjos to win by decision but says he wouldn't bat an eye at parlaying him at the price.
Paul sees RDA as dominant everywhere and expects a straightforward win. He notes Barberena's durability but thinks RDA can finish him, especially inside the distance. He mentions RDA's takedown-heavy style and Barberena's poor takedown defense.
The MMA Guru picks Rafael dos Anjos, noting Barberena struggles when opponents mix up attacks. He believes RDA's body work and leg kicks will be effective, and that Barberena's losses to Jason Witt and Randy Brown show vulnerability. He predicts RDA will win a clear decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 81 of 141 | 57% | 81 of 141 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Robbie Lawler | 0 | 147 of 316 | 46% | 148 of 317 | 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 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 39 of 65 | 60% | 39 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Robbie Lawler | 0 | 67 of 171 | 39% | 68 of 172 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 42 of 76 | 55% | 42 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Robbie Lawler | 0 | 80 of 145 | 55% | 80 of 145 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Barberena | 81 of 141 | 57% | 65 of 124 | 15 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 78 of 137 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Robbie Lawler | 147 of 316 | 46% | 116 of 280 | 18 of 20 | 13 of 16 | 138 of 304 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryan Barberena | 39 of 65 | 60% | 27 of 53 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 38 of 63 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Robbie Lawler | 67 of 171 | 39% | 46 of 148 | 12 of 13 | 9 of 10 | 64 of 166 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bryan Barberena | 42 of 76 | 55% | 38 of 71 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 40 of 74 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Robbie Lawler | 80 of 145 | 55% | 70 of 132 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 6 | 74 of 138 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Barberena, emphasizing his forward pressure, volume, and durability. He notes that Lawler is declining and didn't look great against Nick Diaz. Barberena's high strike output (186 vs Matt Brown, 195 vs Vicente Luque) is seen as the difference-maker.
Big Brady hesitantly picks Bryan Barberena, citing his youth and volume, but admits neither fighter looks great. He notes Lawler's recent win over Nick Diaz was his first in years, and Barberena has taken damage. He expects a close decision and advises against betting.
Cody thinks Lawler's power and experience will be too much for Barberena, who has shown poor wrestling defense and bad decision-making. He expects Lawler to mix in takedowns and win a gritty fight.
Daniel Levi slightly leans toward Bryan Barberena as the underdog, citing that Lawler is 40 years old and may not have the same ferocity. He notes that Barberena can still dig deep and throw high output, while Lawler has recently resorted to old habits like shadowboxing. Levi acknowledges that Lawler could win if the old 'Ruthless' version shows up, but he sees it as a dog-or-pass situation and prefers the underdog price.
This is a great stylistic matchup for Lawler; Barberena will stand and trade. Lawler's power and experience should prevail. The only concern is Lawler's age (40), but his power is the last thing to go. Lawler by decision or KO is likely.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Lawler's significant strikes over 73.5 on PrizePicks is a good play. He expects a brawl and thinks Lawler will get the job done.
The MMA Guru picks Bryan Barberena, arguing that Robbie Lawler has declined significantly, losing power and explosiveness due to age and accumulated damage. He believes Barberena will outwork Lawler with body shots and volume, predicting a 30-27 or 30-26 decision with a possible 10-8 round. He notes Lawler's recent performances have been weak and that Barberena has momentum.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 81 of 129 | 62% | 95 of 145 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 0 | 0 | 5:01 |
| Matt Brown | 0 | 111 of 211 | 52% | 186 of 289 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:57 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 23 of 37 | 62% | 25 of 39 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
| Matt Brown | 0 | 23 of 51 | 45% | 62 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 2 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 23 of 36 | 63% | 29 of 43 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 |
| Matt Brown | 0 | 35 of 60 | 58% | 59 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:30 | |
| 3 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 35 of 56 | 62% | 41 of 63 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Matt Brown | 0 | 53 of 100 | 53% | 65 of 113 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Barberena | 81 of 129 | 62% | 36 of 75 | 38 of 44 | 7 of 10 | 51 of 95 | 24 of 28 | 6 of 6 |
| Matt Brown | 111 of 211 | 52% | 82 of 170 | 12 of 18 | 17 of 23 | 78 of 164 | 28 of 42 | 5 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryan Barberena | 23 of 37 | 62% | 8 of 21 | 12 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 9 of 22 | 11 of 12 | 3 of 3 |
| Matt Brown | 23 of 51 | 45% | 13 of 36 | 2 of 4 | 8 of 11 | 19 of 46 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bryan Barberena | 23 of 36 | 63% | 9 of 20 | 12 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 29 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Matt Brown | 35 of 60 | 58% | 26 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 10 | 23 of 45 | 7 of 10 | 5 of 5 | |
| 3 | Bryan Barberena | 35 of 56 | 62% | 19 of 34 | 14 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 25 of 44 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 3 |
| Matt Brown | 53 of 100 | 53% | 43 of 87 | 8 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 36 of 73 | 17 of 27 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Bryan Barberena, citing his durability, impressive volume, and forward pressure. He notes Barberena landed 108 strikes in his last fight and 169 against Vicente Luque. He thinks Barberena's constant volume will be the difference and expects a decision win. He says he probably won't bet on this fight.
Big Brady picks Matt Brown to knock out Bryan Barberena in the first or second round. He believes Barberena is washed after the Luke fight, citing poor takedown defense and being dropped twice by Jason Witt. He notes that Brown still has power, as shown in his last fight against Lima, and that Barberena's chin is no longer reliable. Brady also mentions that Barberena has health issues and has been taken down frequently in recent fights.
Cody strongly favors Matt Brown, highlighting Barberena's declining durability and poor takedown defense. He notes Barberena's recent wars and losses, while Brown still has power and timing. He thinks Brown can win by KO or decision. He calls it his first bet of the week.
Daniel Levi picks Matt Brown, admitting he is biased as a fan. He believes Brown is the better fighter with more finishing ability and can mix in takedowns. He notes both fighters are on the decline but thinks Brown's power and hometown crowd will carry him. He is hesitant because of Brown's age and chin, and Barberena's durability. He also points out Barberena hasn't looked the same since the Luque fight.
The host picks Barberena, noting his youth, body punching (30% of strikes to body), and Matt Brown's known body vulnerability. He expects a striking battle and believes Barberena will get a knockout, possibly in round 3 as Brown slows down. He also likes the prop 'fight doesn't go to decision'.
Paul picks Matt Brown, citing his wrestling advantage and Barberena's inability to stop takedowns. He notes Brown's hometown crowd and experience. He thinks Brown can grind out a win or land a big shot. He expects the line to move and hopes for plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Matt Brown by second-round TKO over Bryan Barberena. He envisions Barberena slightly edging the first round before getting caught with a big overhand. The Guru trusts Brown's power and recent resurgence, noting his second-round finish of Diego Lima, while Barberena's wars may leave him vulnerable.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 108 of 217 | 49% | 134 of 243 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Darian Weeks | 0 | 118 of 209 | 56% | 125 of 217 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 21 of 40 | 52% | 24 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Darian Weeks | 0 | 26 of 45 | 57% | 29 of 49 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:20 | |
| 2 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 32 of 75 | 42% | 38 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Darian Weeks | 0 | 49 of 85 | 57% | 52 of 88 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:00 | |
| 3 | Bryan Barberena | 0 | 55 of 102 | 53% | 72 of 119 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Darian Weeks | 0 | 43 of 79 | 54% | 44 of 80 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Barberena | 108 of 217 | 49% | 55 of 152 | 30 of 36 | 23 of 29 | 97 of 205 | 11 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
| Darian Weeks | 118 of 209 | 56% | 62 of 136 | 37 of 51 | 19 of 22 | 101 of 187 | 14 of 18 | 3 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryan Barberena | 21 of 40 | 52% | 4 of 17 | 4 of 5 | 13 of 18 | 17 of 36 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Darian Weeks | 26 of 45 | 57% | 5 of 19 | 12 of 16 | 9 of 10 | 19 of 38 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bryan Barberena | 32 of 75 | 42% | 20 of 60 | 6 of 8 | 6 of 7 | 30 of 73 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Darian Weeks | 49 of 85 | 57% | 28 of 56 | 14 of 21 | 7 of 8 | 42 of 77 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 | |
| 3 | Bryan Barberena | 55 of 102 | 53% | 31 of 75 | 20 of 23 | 4 of 4 | 50 of 96 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Darian Weeks | 43 of 79 | 54% | 29 of 61 | 11 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 40 of 72 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Jeremiah Wells via inside the distance/decision no action at +120. He notes Wells has power and BJJ, while Matthews has poor fight IQ. Angelo likes the safety net: if Wells wins by finish he gets paid, if Matthews wins by decision he gets a refund.
Big Brady picks Jeremiah Wells as a dog, noting that the line doesn't make sense to him. He highlights Wells' impressive debut win over Warlley Alves, his training at Renzo Gracie Philly with top guys, and his solid wrestling and takedown defense. He contrasts Wells' explosiveness and power with Jake Matthews' inconsistent performances and lower level of competition. Brady believes Wells can win a decision or even finish, and gives Wells the cardio advantage.
Cody picks Barberena but with low confidence, noting that Barberena's best days are behind him and he takes a lot of damage. He thinks Barberena could grind out a win but is not reliable as a favorite. Cody mentions that Weeks is inexperienced and that Barberena's toughness might carry him.
Daniel Levi picks Bryan Barberena to win, citing his veteran savvy and experience. He notes that Barberena has seen a different level than Weeks, who is a newcomer with only five pro fights. He acknowledges that Barberena may be in decline but thinks he still has enough in the tank to hand Weeks his first loss. He warns about the risk of a declining fighter taking on a young athletic kid with finishing power.
Jacob makes Jeremiah Wells the lock of the week, putting 4 units on him. He cites Wells' power, BJJ black belt, and Matthews' lack of KO power since 2013. Jacob notes if Wells gets tired or lunges, it's not his fault, but he loves Wells all the way.
I like Barberena. He is a veteran who has fought top competition and should be too much for Weeks, who is green and on short notice. Barberena has good durability and cardio, while Weeks tends to slow down. I expect Barberena to take over as the fight goes on and possibly finish in round three. The decision prop at plus 285 and round three finish at plus 1000 are both appealing.
Paul picks Weeks as an underdog, noting that Barberena is shot and takes too much damage. He thinks Weeks has power and could catch Barberena, but admits he doesn't know much about Weeks. Paul is not confident but sees value in the plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Darian Weeks to win by second-round TKO. He sees Weeks as a solid prospect with a good amateur career. He predicts Barberena will be dropped in the first round but survive, then Weeks will finish him with a big right hand in the second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Witt | 0 | 50 of 113 | 44% | 114 of 178 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:47 |
| Bryan Barberena | 1 | 35 of 83 | 42% | 56 of 105 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 1 | 0 | 5:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Witt | 0 | 5 of 18 | 27% | 38 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 17 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 | |
| 2 | Jason Witt | 0 | 12 of 37 | 32% | 32 of 57 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Bryan Barberena | 1 | 11 of 32 | 34% | 21 of 42 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 1:19 | |
| 3 | Jason Witt | 0 | 33 of 58 | 56% | 44 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:16 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 14 of 36 | 38% | 18 of 40 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Witt | 50 of 113 | 44% | 50 of 110 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 40 of 99 | 4 of 6 | 6 of 8 |
| Bryan Barberena | 35 of 83 | 42% | 27 of 71 | 8 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 25 of 67 | 6 of 10 | 4 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Witt | 5 of 18 | 27% | 5 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 10 of 15 | 66% | 8 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | |
| 2 | Jason Witt | 12 of 37 | 32% | 12 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 11 of 32 | 34% | 9 of 29 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Jason Witt | 33 of 58 | 56% | 33 of 57 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 44 | 4 of 6 | 6 of 8 |
| Bryan Barberena | 14 of 36 | 38% | 10 of 29 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 28 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Bryan Barberena, citing his much higher level of competition and Witt's poor chin. He notes Barberena's high volume and power, and that Witt has been knocked out in all his losses. Brady expects Barberena to find the chin or possibly get a submission, predicting a first-round knockout.
Cody hesitantly picks Bryan Barberena, acknowledging his experience and toughness but expressing major concerns about his recent form, injuries, and layoffs. He notes that Barberena has looked slow and out of shape, and his takedown defense has declined. Cody believes Witt could win by grinding out takedowns, but he still thinks Barberena's grit might pull through. He calls it a 'bad gut feeling' and does not have confidence commensurate with the -265 price.
Levi is confident Barberena will win by knockout. He praises Barberena's iron jaw, farm strength, and punching power, noting he has gone the distance with top welterweights like Leon Edwards, Colby Covington, and Vicente Luque. Levi criticizes Jason Witt's chin, implying it is weak, and believes Barberena will land a fight-ending shot. He acknowledges Witt's path to victory via takedowns but thinks Barberena's power will be too much.
Barberena has the power to knock out Witt, who is chinny. However, Barberena is coming off a long layoff and multiple surgeries, and he's not a one-punch KO artist. If he doesn't finish early, Witt's wrestling and top control could be problematic. The value is on Barberena by KO rather than the moneyline. He should get the job done early.
Paul leans towards Jason Witt as a live underdog, citing Barberena's decline and Witt's wrestling advantage. He notes that Witt has a better coach and game plan, and that Barberena's recent performances have been poor. Paul believes Witt can take Barberena down and control him, especially if Barberena's cardio is lacking. He is not fully confident but sees value in the plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Bryan Barberena over Jason Witt, citing Barberena's takedown defense and well-rounded skills. He notes that Witt is coming off a brutal KO loss and is turning around too quickly. He expects Barberena to push a pace and win a 30-27 decision by landing more significant strikes per round.
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