Career Averages - Brian Ortega
Career Averages - Clay Guida
Brian Ortega - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 55 of 174 | 31% | 100 of 225 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 124 of 227 | 54% | 153 of 262 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 2 of 28 | 7% | 2 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 27 of 44 | 61% | 27 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 9 of 40 | 22% | 9 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 13 of 54 | 24% | 13 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 21 of 42 | 50% | 21 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 35 of 52 | 67% | 35 of 52 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 13 of 37 | 35% | 29 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 25 of 39 | 64% | 35 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 | |
| 5 | Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 10 of 27 | 37% | 39 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 24 of 38 | 63% | 43 of 63 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aljamain Sterling | 55 of 174 | 31% | 30 of 138 | 20 of 29 | 5 of 7 | 54 of 173 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Brian Ortega | 124 of 227 | 54% | 77 of 175 | 21 of 26 | 26 of 26 | 100 of 198 | 7 of 7 | 17 of 22 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aljamain Sterling | 2 of 28 | 7% | 2 of 25 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 27 of 44 | 61% | 16 of 32 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 8 | 27 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Aljamain Sterling | 9 of 40 | 22% | 5 of 33 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 9 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 13 of 54 | 24% | 6 of 44 | 1 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 12 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Aljamain Sterling | 21 of 42 | 50% | 8 of 27 | 8 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 35 of 52 | 67% | 25 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 8 | 34 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Aljamain Sterling | 13 of 37 | 35% | 8 of 29 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Brian Ortega | 25 of 39 | 64% | 13 of 26 | 9 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 6 | |
| 5 | Aljamain Sterling | 10 of 27 | 37% | 7 of 24 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 24 of 38 | 63% | 17 of 31 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 16 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
On merit and divisional relevance, this probably should have been the main event, but that divisional relevance was obliterated by Ortega’s weight cut failure, leading to a 153-pound catchweight affair. It’s still a hell of a fight, however, and when the featherweight contenders go to work, Herb Dean will be tasked with his final referee assignment of the event. Both men are in orthodox stance to open things up, and both come up short with reaching jabs in the first exchanges. Ortega goes southpaw. Thirty seconds in, Sterling feints his first level change, but no takedown attempt follows. Sterling throws a one-two that Ortega slips by pulling his head straight back, then nearly spills him with a nicely timed low kick. Sterling lands a pair of glancing punches and easily eludes the counter. Ortega is barely throwing anything back thus far in the fight. As I type that, he launches a blistering right cross that comes up just barely short. Two minutes left in the first round and Sterling lands another solid low kick—an investment in attrition, especially if this goes into the scheduled fourth and fifth rounds. Sterling with another chopping low kick that lands high on the calf. With under 30 seconds to go, it’s been all Sterling, but Ortega comes forward and lands his best punch of the round before the horn.
10-9 Sterling.
Round 2
Sterling is busy with the jab right away. Ortega throws a high kick that Sterling evades by slipping his head off the center line. Sterling is methodical, coming forward with his jab and cross, nailing Ortega with a calf kick anytime he stands his ground. It isn’t dazzling but it’s brutally effective, as Ortega is throwing next to nothing, aside from single big shots. Sterling tries a spinning backfist that glances without damage. Ortega takes the front foot midway through the round, backing up the former bantamweight champ and throwing righty haymakers. Sterling gives ground, keeps his chin out of range and keeps working on the lead leg. Sterling catches Ortega with a sweeping right hook and Ortega backs off, pawing at his left eye. Sterling looks at the referee, who states that it was a punch, not a finger, and indicates that they should keep fighting. They do not do so immediately, Sterling does not press the issue, and the result is effectively a 45-second timeout after no foul. Once they resume fighting, the round ends without any more substantive offense from either man.
10-9 Sterling.
Round 3
Sterling has to walk two-thirds of the way across the Octagon in order to touch gloves with Ortega; a decent metaphor for this fight in general. Ortega comes forward, snapping out his jab, and tags Sterling with a low kick. Ortega fires off another kick, this one clattering audibly off of Sterling’s cup, but Sterling waves off any intervention by Dean. Sterling continues to give ground in the face of Ortega’s advance, but is still landing more and better strikes. Ortega gets through with another good leg kick, and Sterling catches his next one, hoisting the kicking leg and punching him before letting go. Sterling snaps Ortega’s head back with a jab, then sits him down with a calf kick. Ortega pops back to his feet and lands a good low kick of his own. Sterling steps forward and connects with a long jab. Ortega marches Sterling to the fence but can’t capitalize before he slips out the side. Under a minute to go and Ortega is definitely the aggressor, but that shouldn’t be enough to win the round in the face of the disparity in offense. Ortega catches a kick but can’t land anything of consequence. Ortega fires off a stream of punches at the clapper, but it’s Sterling who connects with a spinning back elbow.
10-9 Sterling.
Round 4
The fourth round begins with Ortega down three to zero on our scorecard, but showing signs of life at the end of the last frame. “T-City” keeps up the pressure, stalking Sterling and trying to back him into the fence. Sterling continues to give ground, but he is still the one landing more and harder strikes. Ortega finally corrals him against the cage, but Sterling slips a couple of haymakers and makes his way back to open space. Two minutes into the round, Ortega is game but still a step behind, as he has been for essentially the entire fight. Sterling snaps his head back with a jab, then delivers another kick to Ortega’s battered left calf. Ortega makes things interesting, swarming forward, catching Sterling against the fence and throwing a flurry of punches with both hands. Many of them glance, but enough of them land that Sterling has to cover and back off. Ortega clinches with him against the fence, and Sterling dumps him to the canvas a moment later, settling in the jiu-jitsu ace’s full guard. Sterling is defensively sound and heavy on top, keeping his posture low while throwing short punches and looking to pass the guard. He postures up and drops a couple of punches and elbows before the horn.
10-9 Sterling.
Round 5
Ortega gets the now-or-never pep talk from his corner before the final round, and comes out hot. Sterling meets him with yet another hard low kick, but he’s forced to retreat in the face of Ortega’s attack. Ortega catches Sterling with a wide hook, his best punch of the fight, and Sterling backs off. Ortega initiates a takedown, but Sterling lands in top position, in Ortega’s full guard. Sterling postures up to look for ground strikes, then stand up out of the guard, and as Ortega gets up, Sterling catches him with a timed, but legal, knee to the dome. Ortega gets to his feet and catches Sterling with a right hand that hurts him. Sterling is in retreat, trying to recover and evade further damage as Ortega gives chase. He avoids the follow-up, but the strategy is so obvious that he draws a warning from Dean for timidity. Ortega crashes the pocket and clinches, but as the go down, it’s Sterling who takes Ortega’s back. Sterling sinks his hooks in and looks for a choke, but Ortega sweeps to top position. Sterling sweeps him right back and throws leather from guard until the horn.
10-9 Sterling (50-45 Sterling).
The Official Result
Aljamain Sterling def. Brian Ortega via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Angelo is extremely confident in Aljamain Sterling, calling him a backpack grappler with developed striking and spectacular ground game. He dismisses Brian Ortega as not very good anymore, relying only on toughness. He expects Sterling to get takedowns and dominate on the ground, likely by decision due to Ortega's toughness. He says this is one of his most confident picks on the card.
Big Brady picks Aljamain Sterling to win by decision, citing Sterling's minute-winning ability on the feet and slick grappling. He notes that Sterling throws high volume and can take Ortega down, though he must watch for submissions. He believes Ortega is dangerous but hittable, and that Sterling will control the fight and win a decision.
Connor notes that Brian Ortega's game has disintegrated; he used to rely on durability but now gets hurt early in fights. He highlights that Ortega is a guard grappler but hasn't gotten a guard submission since 2017, and his wrestling is an afterthought. Sterling, on the other hand, is a much better wrestler who can dictate grappling exchanges and pile up volume on the feet. Connor is curious to see how Sterling handles Ortega's guard, but believes Sterling's positional grappling will keep him on top.
The host sees this as a fun grappling matchup, but thinks Sterling's advantage in wrestling and control will shut down Ortega's aggressive BJJ. He expects Sterling to grind out a boring fight and win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Aljamain Sterling to win by decision, citing Ortega's poor weight cut and zombie-like appearance at weigh-ins. He believes Sterling is more disciplined and professional, with better wrestling and positional grappling. He notes that Sterling can avoid Ortega's submission threats by pushing him against the cage and working from the back. He also thinks Sterling will do well on the feet, as Ortega has looked lost there at times.
Zane agrees that Sterling is the pick, citing Ortega's decline and the fact that he gets hurt in every fight now. He points out that Ortega's entire career has been about absorbing damage, and that Sterling's wrestling and speed will give Ortega problems. Zane also notes that Sterling has never faced a guard grappler like Ortega, but believes Sterling's mindful positional grappling will avoid spending much time in Ortega's guard.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 0 | 63 of 195 | 32% | 69 of 201 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 106 of 206 | 51% | 113 of 214 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 0 | 15 of 45 | 33% | 21 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 29 of 57 | 50% | 34 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:03 | |
| 2 | Diego Lopes | 0 | 16 of 48 | 33% | 16 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 22 of 46 | 47% | 22 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 3 | Diego Lopes | 0 | 32 of 102 | 31% | 32 of 102 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 55 of 103 | 53% | 57 of 105 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 63 of 195 | 32% | 52 of 180 | 4 of 8 | 7 of 7 | 61 of 192 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Brian Ortega | 106 of 206 | 51% | 75 of 172 | 13 of 15 | 18 of 19 | 75 of 161 | 6 of 7 | 25 of 38 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 15 of 45 | 33% | 11 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Brian Ortega | 29 of 57 | 50% | 24 of 50 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 26 | |
| 2 | Diego Lopes | 16 of 48 | 33% | 12 of 42 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 22 of 46 | 47% | 11 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 10 | 20 of 43 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Diego Lopes | 32 of 102 | 31% | 29 of 97 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 31 of 101 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 55 of 103 | 53% | 40 of 87 | 10 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 41 of 87 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 12 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lopes (-175), Ortega (+145)
Round 1
A backdrop of the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral is the fighting area for this next bout, one that signals the victory of Mexico in winning its independence. A relatively short-notice matchup between these upcoming fighters turned into a spectacle at UFC 303, when Ortega (16-3, 1 NC; 8-3, 1 NC UFC) realized that he would not be anywhere close to reaching the featherweight limit. When the weight cut down to 155 pounds still sickened him to the point of withdrawing from the bout, Lopes (25-6, 4-1 UFC) made modern UFC history when Dan Ige stepped in just a few hours before the match. Rescheduled for this September showcase and neither man having issue making weight, the two elite featherweights will settle things. Referee Marc Goddard draws the assignment for this intense 145-pound contest, and he checks the fighters in. They clap hands, and proceed cautiously. Ortega leads off with his boxing, sticking out a few short strings of punches. Lopes responds with a low kick, and a remarkably powerful barrage of blows that knock Ortega off his feet. Ortega recovers to try to escape, and Lopes follows him, lifts him up and hurls him to the mat like a side of beef. Lopes decides to get into the guard so he can hammer Ortega with ground-and-pound, and he shrugs off a triangle choke to bust up Ortega’s eye. Lopes lowers himself down again to attack, once more pushing past a triangle, and the cut on Ortega’s left eye is even worse. Ortega turns over to give up his back, and the Brazilian leaps on top of him and lays into him with right hands. Ortega works his way off the fence and smacks Lopes with an upkick, so Lopes responds by grabbing hold of the ankle and lowering himself down to attack. Ortega’s snake-like offensive guard threatens every step of the way, and Lopes appears to want to make a point by either submitting Ortega or playing fearlessly in his guard. Lopes cannot find a way in, so he backs off and beckons Ortega back to his feet. Ortega thanks him for this by landing a pair of punches, and Lopes returns fire to that damaged eye. Ortega plants two kicks in the inside of his foe’s leg, and he connects with an uppercut and a left hand. Lopes jabs his way in, and Ortega’s is far more concussive as he knocks Lopes back. Lopes scoops a left hook around the guard and square into Ortega’s jaw, and Ortega responds with a blitz that is met with an elbow. Lopes sticks out his jab and follows it with a low kick, and he checks a kick coming back his way. Ortega catches a kick and winds up a right hand, but Lopes beats him to the punch when wrenching it back and clips Ortega with a three-fist bouquet. Lopes loops a left over the guard, and he connects with three punches before Ortega can give one back. “T-City” plants a kick to the ribs, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Round 2
The two men high-five before engaging again. Ortega leads off behind his jab, and Lopes sways as his mullet follows behind him. Ortega boxes his way in, and has his chin checked by powerful punches from the Brazilian. Lopes walks through a jab to load up on a right hand, and he tags a speeding Ortega with a right hand as Ortega comes by him. Ortega lets his right hand fly as well, and Lopes ducks and works the body. Lopes gets off a few leg kicks, and Ortega shoots in for a single and is uppercutted several times to stop his approach. Lopes keeps working on the front leg during the lulls, and Ortega loads up on a pair on his own side. Lopes wings a right hand that is easily parried, and he hops forward with a left hook that just misses the mark as well. The looping Lopes right hand knocks Ortega back, and he shakes it off and eats a subsequent head kick like a chile relleno. Lopes darts in with two punches, Ortega pays him back, and they trade power shots. Lopes blasts the former title challenger with a leg kick that knocks Ortega off his feet, and a huge welt has developed on and around his shin. Lopes lets him stand back up, and he kicks the same spot once before Ortega races at him. The two trade jabs, and Ortega follows one with a straight right hand. Lopes’ counter combo bounces off the guard, and he slaps a low kick as Ortega fails on checking it. Lopes plants a right hand on the jaw at the end of three punches, and Ortega counters with a right up top and a few jabs. Ortega partially checks a chopping kick, and his jab reddens the nose of the Brazilian. The round comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lopes
Round 3
The fighters clap hands one final time as the last round begins, and Ortega is not sure-footed as he slips on his front leg. Lopes scoops a left hand around the guard and nails Ortega’s swollen shin with another kick. Ortega jabs the body, and Lopes sits down on a left hook that clubs “T-City” on the side of the noggin. The featherweights trade jabs, and Ortega attacks his own leg kick. Lopes does the same with another kick, and he catches Ortega in the midst of a combination. Ortega stands in the pocket and trades leather, and Lopes clips him again but Ortega is right there to deliver punishment in response. Lopes absorbs several straight punches, and he loads up on responses. Lopes snaps the head back with bitter strikes, and Ortega remains right in front of him putting his hands in his face. Lopes chops the front leg and goes after a push kick, and Ortega catches the second but sets it down. Ortega sneakily works his way into a takedown attempt, and the Brazilian stops it in its tracks and pushes Ortega away. Lopes nails the front leg with his umpteenth kick, and Ortega pops Lopes in the chops with a big right hand. Lopes hurts Ortega with a right hand and a left, and Ortega wipes his eye as if he got poked, but it appeared to be a punch and not an outstretched digit. Lopes races at him throwing hands, but he ties him up and holds on instead of taking him down or otherwise attacking. They separate, and Lopes apologizes in case he was a poke after all. Ortega acknowledges it, and the two start slugging. Ortega fights behind his jab, and Lopes wobbles him twice with massive left hooks. Ortega’s chin is made of sterner stuff as he rarely backs off, but eventually Lopes’ left hook finds its home in the perfect way. Lopes sends “T-City” flying, and he runs after him and takes his back to try to submit the grappler. He bails from that submission setup to stand and bang for the remaining seconds, and he batters Ortega with a final flurry of fists.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lopes (30-27 Lopes)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Lopes (30-27 Lopes)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lopes (30-27 Lopes)
The Official Result
Diego Lopes def. Brian Ortega via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Diego Lopes confidently, having placed a full unit on him at -175. He dismisses concerns about Lopes fading in the third round of his last fight, attributing it to the chaos of multiple opponent and weight class changes on short notice. He believes Lopes is the better striker and grappler, and that Ortega's takedown accuracy is poor. He criticizes Ortega for missing weight and calls him a 'fat slob', expecting Lopes to steamroll him again.
Big Brady picks Lopes, citing his rapid improvement, youth, and hunger. He notes Lopes can win by decision or early finish, but expects Ortega's toughness to carry him to a decision loss. He predicts Lopes wins 29-28.
Daniel picks Diego Lopes but with low confidence, citing Lopes' tendency to fade in third rounds and Ortega's legendary third-round finishing ability. He thinks Lopes will win a controversial split decision by taking the first two rounds, but worries about Ortega's durability and Lopes' cardio. He notes Lopes' dangerous hooks and Ortega's ability to weather storms.
Daniel Vreeland picks Brian Ortega as a dog, citing his grappling advantage as the difference maker. He notes Ortega nearly submitted Alexander Volkanovski and controlled Yair Rodriguez on the mat. He believes Diego Lopez relies on scrambles, while Ortega catches people in scrambles. He trusts Ortega's grappling to hold up and likes the plus money.
Jeff Fox picks Diego Lopes because he is bigger, younger, and can grapple a bit. He took Lopes last time and is sticking with him, noting Lopes is on a roll.
The transcript does not discuss this fight. The host covers other fights but not Lopes vs Ortega.
Lopez's BJJ background will save him from the threat Ortega normally poses on the ground. Lopez also provides more threats in the striking realm. Expects Lopez to win inside the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Diego Lopes. He notes that Ortega is a slow starter and Lopes is more switched on currently. He believes Lopes has better takedown defense and grappling conditioning than Yair Rodriguez, and his striking is more consistent. He also mentions Ortega has taken a lot of damage and has had only one fight in over two years. He sees Lopes winning by finish or decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Ortega | 1 | 55 of 115 | 47% | 64 of 135 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 28 of 73 | 38% | 47 of 104 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 5:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Ortega | 1 | 45 of 91 | 49% | 50 of 102 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 6 of 28 | 21% | 7 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Brian Ortega | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 22 of 44 | 50% | 39 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:55 | |
| 3 | Brian Ortega | 0 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:44 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Ortega | 55 of 115 | 47% | 36 of 91 | 11 of 15 | 8 of 9 | 34 of 86 | 9 of 12 | 12 of 17 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 28 of 73 | 38% | 26 of 69 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 50 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Ortega | 45 of 91 | 49% | 28 of 69 | 10 of 14 | 7 of 8 | 24 of 62 | 9 of 12 | 12 of 17 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 6 of 28 | 21% | 5 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brian Ortega | 9 of 17 | 52% | 7 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 22 of 44 | 50% | 21 of 41 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 20 | |
| 3 | Brian Ortega | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Ortega with low confidence, citing the first fight where Ortega was winning before his shoulder injury. He notes the elevation and crowd in Mexico could favor Rodriguez, but trusts his brain over his gut. He worries about Ortega's long layoff but believes he can squeak out a win.
Big Brady picks Yair Rodríguez to win by third-round knockout. He notes that Rodríguez has been more active and looked impressive against Josh Emmett, while Ortega has had a long layoff. He believes Rodríguez has the advantage on the feet with his kicks and power, and that Ortega is hittable. He doubts Ortega's wrestling will be effective, as Rodríguez stuffed takedowns in their first fight. He expects Rodríguez to dominate at range and eventually finish Ortega.
Cody picks Ortega, noting that in their first fight Ortega was winning before the shoulder injury. He believes Ortega's skills haven't digressed, his jiu-jitsu is second to none, and his wrestling is good enough to take down Rodriguez. He also mentions Ortega's ability to come back better after layoffs, as he did after the Holloway loss. He considers the plus 130 price good value.
The host recalls the first fight where Rodríguez kept Ortega at bay with striking and Ortega's only success was a clinch takedown that led to an injury. He believes Rodríguez needs to keep the fight standing, and even if it goes to the ground, Rodríguez has worked on his jiu-jitsu to defend and get back to his feet. He predicts Rodríguez will finish Ortega by the third round.
Paul is leaning towards Ortega but is hesitant due to the year-and-a-half layoff, Ortega's age (33), and his recent record (lost last two, hasn't finished in six years). However, he acknowledges Ortega matched up well in the first fight and has the skills to win. He says if he had a gun to his head he'd pick Ortega, but it's a wild card pick.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 22 of 35 | 62% | 26 of 39 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:24 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 48 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 22 of 35 | 62% | 26 of 39 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:24 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 48 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 22 of 35 | 62% | 18 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 27 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 23 of 46 | 50% | 18 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 22 of 35 | 62% | 18 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 27 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 23 of 46 | 50% | 18 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Yair Rodríguez, citing his dynamic striking and unpredictability. He believes Ortega's poor takedown accuracy (24%) will prevent him from getting the fight to the ground, and that Rodríguez's striking will be too much. He notes Rodríguez looked great against Max Holloway despite the loss, and that he won't have ring rust this time. He placed a small moneyline bet at +137.
Big Brady picks Brian Ortega to win by submission in the second or third round. He notes that Ortega has improved his wrestling significantly, attempting many takedowns in recent fights against top competition like Holloway, Korean Zombie, and Volkanovski. He believes Ortega can take down Rodriguez, who has been taken down frequently in the past, and once on the ground, Ortega's submission game is elite. He acknowledges Rodriguez is the better striker but thinks Ortega's path to victory is through grappling.
Cody argues that Yair Rodríguez's ground game and wrestling are exploitable, as seen in fights against Frankie Edgar and Jeremy Stephens where he was taken down easily. He notes that Brian Ortega has improved his wrestling, taking down elite fighters like Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. Cody believes Ortega will capitalize on Rodríguez's tendency to fall off-balance and secure a submission or dominant ground control.
Daniel Levi picks Yair Rodríguez to win as an underdog, emphasizing that Yair must keep the fight standing and avoid reckless spinning attacks that could lead to takedowns. He notes that Ortega is dangerous on the ground with submissions and has a history of comeback finishes, but believes Yair's discipline and striking can earn a decision. Levi mentions he will likely bet Yair at +155, viewing it as a dog-or-pass situation due to high variance.
Paul agrees with Cody that Ortega is the rightful favorite, citing Yair's overrated win over Korean Zombie where he was seconds from losing. He emphasizes that Ortega's takedowns and submission threat will be decisive, and notes the line moving from -150 to -180. Paul suggests under 4.5 rounds and Ortega by submission as prop bets.
The MMA Guru picks Brian Ortega over Yair Rodríguez, citing Ortega's superior jiu-jitsu and ability to capitalize on Rodríguez's defensive habits. He notes that Rodríguez dips his head when pressured, which could lead to a guillotine choke. He also mentions Ortega's improved footwork and takedowns, and believes Rodríguez's power is overrated. He predicts a third-round submission win for Ortega.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 214 of 353 | 60% | 229 of 377 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 3:51 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 88 of 234 | 37% | 101 of 250 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 3 | 1 | 0:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 30 of 52 | 57% | 30 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 16 of 51 | 31% | 16 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 38 of 61 | 62% | 38 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 23 of 58 | 39% | 23 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 61 of 99 | 61% | 65 of 109 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:13 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 17 of 40 | 42% | 22 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 1 | 0:41 | |
| 4 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 35 of 58 | 60% | 46 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:33 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 14 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:13 | |
| 5 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 50 of 83 | 60% | 50 of 83 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 26 of 70 | 37% | 26 of 70 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 214 of 353 | 60% | 146 of 270 | 20 of 26 | 48 of 57 | 158 of 254 | 3 of 6 | 53 of 93 |
| Brian Ortega | 88 of 234 | 37% | 59 of 193 | 20 of 26 | 9 of 15 | 82 of 225 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 30 of 52 | 57% | 14 of 32 | 5 of 7 | 11 of 13 | 30 of 50 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 16 of 51 | 31% | 9 of 39 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 7 | 15 of 49 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 38 of 61 | 62% | 19 of 38 | 5 of 8 | 14 of 15 | 38 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 23 of 58 | 39% | 14 of 47 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 6 | 22 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 61 of 99 | 61% | 46 of 81 | 3 of 3 | 12 of 15 | 30 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 57 |
| Brian Ortega | 17 of 40 | 42% | 12 of 32 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 38 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Alexander Volkanovski | 35 of 58 | 60% | 28 of 50 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 6 | 13 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 36 |
| Brian Ortega | 6 of 15 | 40% | 5 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Alexander Volkanovski | 50 of 83 | 60% | 39 of 69 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 8 | 47 of 79 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 26 of 70 | 37% | 19 of 62 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 24 of 66 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Volkanovski, citing his speed, footwork, and takedowns. He notes that Volkanovski is the better striker and wrestler, while Ortega is the better grappler. Angelo believes Volkanovski will keep the fight at range, use leg kicks, and piece up Ortega. He doesn't expect Volkanovski to shoot takedowns due to Ortega's guillotine.
Big Brady picks Alexander Volkanovski to win by decision. He believes Volkanovski is the better striker with superior volume and defense, and he will win the minutes of the fight. He acknowledges Ortega's danger on the ground and his power, but thinks Volkanovski can avoid submissions and outpoint him over five rounds.
Cody acknowledges Volkanovski's near-perfect UFC run, strong wrestling, cardio, and fight IQ, but is hesitant because Ortega is a worthy challenger with excellent jiu-jitsu that could neutralize Volkanovski's wrestling. He notes Ortega's striking improvements and durability, but ultimately leans Volkanovski due to his ability to find a way to win. He prefers to attack the over rounds rather than the moneyline.
Daniel Levi picks Alexander Volkanovski but is hesitant, acknowledging that MMA is not a logical sport. He notes that all tape, stats, and logic point to Volkanovski winning, but Ortega has the ability to hurt and finish opponents. Levi debunks the myth that Ortega can't throw volume, citing his high strike attempts against Renato Moicano, Max Holloway, and Korean Zombie. He is worried about Volkanovski being hurt, as seen in the Max Holloway fight, but ultimately goes with the champion.
Jacob picks Volkanovski, calling him very technical. He questions whether Ortega has improved his striking, particularly his jab and check left. Jacob thinks Volkanovski will keep distance and work leg kicks. He's rooting for Ortega but expects Volkanovski to win.
The host picks Alexander Volkanovski to retain his title via decision. He believes Volkanovski is a master at executing game plans and will use feints, leg kicks, and movement to stifle Ortega. He thinks Ortega's improved striking is overrated based on the Korean Zombie fight and that Volkanovski's submission defense will keep him safe. He expects a masterful performance and a decision win.
Paul is confident in Volkanovski, citing his strength, tactical fighting, reach advantage, and ability to push Ortega off when he tries to tie up. He references Volkanovski's wins over Max Holloway and Ortega's loss to Holloway where Ortega was badly beaten. He believes Volkanovski wins by decision and likes the over due to Ortega's durability.
The MMA Guru picks Alexander Volkanovski over Brian Ortega, citing Volkanovski's composure, leg kicks, and body work. He notes that Ortega is a live dog but Volkanovski has shown he can recover from being dropped. He expects Volkanovski to chop at the legs in the first two rounds, then finish with a fourth-round TKO as Ortega's mobility is compromised. He highlights Volkanovski's undefeated record at featherweight and wins over Holloway and Aldo.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Ortega | 2 | 127 of 212 | 59% | 129 of 214 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 0 | 62 of 163 | 38% | 64 of 166 | 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 | Brian Ortega | 1 | 24 of 39 | 61% | 24 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 0 | 14 of 26 | 53% | 14 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Brian Ortega | 1 | 23 of 37 | 62% | 24 of 38 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 0 | 14 of 34 | 41% | 14 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Brian Ortega | 0 | 28 of 42 | 66% | 28 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 0 | 7 of 32 | 21% | 7 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Brian Ortega | 0 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 18 of 36 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 0 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 10 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Brian Ortega | 0 | 35 of 59 | 59% | 35 of 59 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 0 | 19 of 45 | 42% | 19 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Ortega | 127 of 212 | 59% | 64 of 135 | 22 of 28 | 41 of 49 | 118 of 199 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 6 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 62 of 163 | 38% | 35 of 127 | 14 of 21 | 13 of 15 | 62 of 162 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Ortega | 24 of 39 | 61% | 11 of 24 | 5 of 6 | 8 of 9 | 24 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 14 of 26 | 53% | 4 of 15 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 14 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brian Ortega | 23 of 37 | 62% | 14 of 25 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 17 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 6 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 14 of 34 | 41% | 12 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Brian Ortega | 28 of 42 | 66% | 13 of 25 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 13 | 27 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 7 of 32 | 21% | 2 of 23 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 7 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Brian Ortega | 17 of 35 | 48% | 5 of 18 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 11 | 15 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 8 of 26 | 30% | 1 of 18 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Brian Ortega | 35 of 59 | 59% | 21 of 43 | 6 of 8 | 8 of 8 | 35 of 57 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Chan Sung Jung | 19 of 45 | 42% | 16 of 40 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks the Korean Zombie due to his superior striking defense and output, Ortega's poor striking defense (absorbs 7.36 strikes per minute), and the two-year layoff for Ortega. He believes the fight will stay standing because Ortega lacks wrestling to get takedowns, and Jung's takedown defense is excellent. He predicts a late stoppage (4th or 5th round).
The MMA Guru picks the Korean Zombie because Ortega is a slow starter who gets hit a lot, and Zombie is one of the best first-round fighters in the division. He notes Ortega's long layoff and the damage he took against Holloway, while Zombie has never been submitted and has crisp standup. He predicts a second-round TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 290 of 490 | 59% | 307 of 507 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 110 of 292 | 37% | 112 of 294 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 0 | 0 | 2:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 40 of 84 | 47% | 46 of 90 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 19 of 65 | 29% | 19 of 65 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 66 of 126 | 52% | 66 of 126 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 33 of 92 | 35% | 33 of 92 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 50 of 84 | 59% | 54 of 88 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 30 of 81 | 37% | 32 of 83 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:05 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 0 | 134 of 196 | 68% | 141 of 203 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 28 of 54 | 51% | 28 of 54 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 290 of 490 | 59% | 244 of 430 | 41 of 55 | 5 of 5 | 281 of 479 | 8 of 10 | 1 of 1 |
| Brian Ortega | 110 of 292 | 37% | 87 of 267 | 16 of 18 | 7 of 7 | 101 of 282 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 40 of 84 | 47% | 30 of 70 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 39 of 83 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 19 of 65 | 29% | 13 of 59 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 18 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 66 of 126 | 52% | 60 of 118 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 66 of 126 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 33 of 92 | 35% | 29 of 88 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 90 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 50 of 84 | 59% | 44 of 76 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 50 of 82 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 30 of 81 | 37% | 23 of 73 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 27 of 77 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 134 of 196 | 68% | 110 of 166 | 24 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 126 of 188 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 |
| Brian Ortega | 28 of 54 | 51% | 22 of 47 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 25 of 51 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 27 of 77 | 35% | 27 of 77 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 1 | 25 of 76 | 32% | 25 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Ortega | 0 | 27 of 77 | 35% | 27 of 77 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Frankie Edgar | 1 | 25 of 76 | 32% | 25 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Ortega | 27 of 77 | 35% | 12 of 59 | 10 of 13 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 76 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 25 of 76 | 32% | 21 of 71 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 66 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Ortega | 27 of 77 | 35% | 12 of 59 | 10 of 13 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 76 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Frankie Edgar | 25 of 76 | 32% | 21 of 71 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 66 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 |
Clay Guida - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 6 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 14 of 28 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 6 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 14 of 28 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Hooper | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 7 of 15 | 46% | 5 of 10 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chase Hooper | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 7 of 15 | 46% | 5 of 10 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Chase Hooper, arguing that Clay Guida is 42 years old and past his prime, while Hooper's grappling and evolving striking will be too much. He mentions Hooper already submitted Guida in their first fight with a calf slicer. Angelo dismisses the idea that Hooper can't win a kickboxing match, stating Guida is too old and worn down. He is confident Hooper will win again.
Cody picks Hooper, citing his youth, jiu-jitsu, and improvement. He notes Guida's age and submission losses. He expects Hooper to win inside the distance, likely by submission.
Connor is very confident in Hooper, stating that Guida can no longer wrestle or strike effectively. He notes that Hooper is much larger with long arms, and that if Guida tries to wrestle, Hooper will submit him. Connor points out that Guida's style has been ineffective for years and that Hooper's modern technique will be too much.
Daniel believes Hooper has matured and can beat Guida anywhere. He references their previous grappling match where Hooper submitted Guida. He expects Hooper to finish Guida, possibly by submission.
Hooper should absolutely smash Clay Guida, who is notorious for coming up short against submission specialists early, just as Charles Oliveira and Jim Miller were able to do. I expect Hooper to submit Guida within the first five minutes.
Paul picks Hooper, emphasizing his grappling and physical advantages. He notes Guida's age and lack of offense. He expects Hooper to submit Guida, but suggests inside the distance is safer.
The MMA Guru picks Chase Hooper, noting Guida's age (42) and tendency to make grappling mistakes that lead to submissions. He thinks Hooper's reach, youth, and improved striking will allow him to dominate. He sees Hooper latching up a guillotine or getting dominant position. He does not see Guida having the power to knock Hooper out.
Zane agrees, confidently picking Hooper. He notes that Guida is ancient and cannot wrestle or strike anymore, while Hooper is a young, skilled grappler with a size advantage. Zane believes Hooper will either outstrike Guida or submit him if Guida tries to wrestle.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joaquim Silva | 0 | 43 of 134 | 32% | 63 of 155 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 0 | 0 | 4:23 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 46 of 91 | 50% | 85 of 141 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 | 0 | 2:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joaquim Silva | 0 | 18 of 64 | 28% | 19 of 66 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 15 of 32 | 46% | 40 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:39 | |
| 2 | Joaquim Silva | 0 | 14 of 33 | 42% | 29 of 48 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 0 | 3:19 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 15 of 20 | 75% | 26 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:31 | |
| 3 | Joaquim Silva | 0 | 11 of 37 | 29% | 15 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 16 of 39 | 41% | 19 of 42 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joaquim Silva | 43 of 134 | 32% | 19 of 103 | 14 of 20 | 10 of 11 | 36 of 127 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 46 of 91 | 50% | 33 of 72 | 9 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 28 of 64 | 15 of 19 | 3 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joaquim Silva | 18 of 64 | 28% | 6 of 51 | 6 of 6 | 6 of 7 | 17 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 15 of 32 | 46% | 13 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 20 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 7 | |
| 2 | Joaquim Silva | 14 of 33 | 42% | 9 of 26 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 15 of 20 | 75% | 12 of 17 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 9 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Joaquim Silva | 11 of 37 | 29% | 4 of 26 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 34 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 16 of 39 | 41% | 8 of 25 | 6 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 35 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Cody picks Silva, echoing that Guida is old and Silva has power. He thinks Silva's takedown defense is okay and his cardio is decent. He notes Guida's only path is takedowns and Silva can stuff them. He also mentions a Clay Guida by split decision prop as a possible sprinkle.
Lucrative James picks Joaquim Silva, noting that Silva showed enough in his last fight to be favored. He believes Silva can get a submission, possibly a guillotine when Clay Guida shoots for a takedown. However, he is not betting at -350 due to Guida's grappling ability and durability.
Silva is a powerful striker with a BJJ black belt, and he should be able to land big shots on Guida if he lets his hands go. Guida relies on movement and cardio, but Silva's power and pressure could lead to a finish. However, if the fight reaches the third round, Guida's cardio could make things competitive. Silva is expected to win, possibly by finish.
Paul picks Silva but doesn't love the money line. He thinks Silva's takedown defense is decent and his cardio is good enough to outlast Guida. He notes Guida is almost 42 and slowing down, and if Guida can't get takedowns early, he'll get boxed up. He considers a Clay Guida by split decision prop as a sprinkle.
The MMA Guru picks Joaquim Silva, citing his power, jiujitsu, and finishing ability. He notes that Clay Guida tends to lose to fighters with finishing ability and that Silva is dangerous. He believes Silva's technical skills outweigh Guida's grit and expects Silva to win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafa García | 0 | 63 of 252 | 25% | 63 of 252 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 141 of 287 | 49% | 143 of 289 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafa García | 0 | 23 of 92 | 25% | 23 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 34 of 89 | 38% | 34 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Rafa García | 0 | 21 of 88 | 23% | 21 of 88 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 65 of 110 | 59% | 65 of 110 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Rafa García | 0 | 19 of 72 | 26% | 19 of 72 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 42 of 88 | 47% | 44 of 90 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafa García | 63 of 252 | 25% | 49 of 227 | 4 of 12 | 10 of 13 | 63 of 252 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 141 of 287 | 49% | 130 of 269 | 5 of 12 | 6 of 6 | 138 of 284 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafa García | 23 of 92 | 25% | 16 of 82 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 23 of 92 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 34 of 89 | 38% | 29 of 81 | 1 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 34 of 89 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rafa García | 21 of 88 | 23% | 17 of 80 | 1 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 21 of 88 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 65 of 110 | 59% | 63 of 107 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 62 of 107 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rafa García | 19 of 72 | 26% | 16 of 65 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 19 of 72 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 42 of 88 | 47% | 38 of 81 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 42 of 88 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Garcia (-260), Guida (+220)
Round 1
The main card opens up with the lightweights, as eternally youthful 41-year-old Guida (38-22, 18-16 UFC) looks to go on his first win streak in six years. Standing in his way will be Combate Americas vet Garcia (14-3, 3-3 UFC), who also happens to be 13 years his junior. Whether this is a passing of the torch fight or proof that the now short-haired Guida very much still has it, they have 15 minutes to determine this while referee Dwayne Bess watches on. There is no plan for a bump of fists as the crowd goes crazy for Guida, and he starts off like he always does, with herky-jerky movement and plenty of energy. The two fighters meet right in the middle, throwing hands, and Guida gets the better of the exchange. Guida ducks a huge overhand right to stick him with a right, and he considers a takedown to mix things up. Garcia scores a right hand, and Guida slips and backs off to take a low kick. Guida returns fire with a leg kick, and Garcia quickly covers with a right over the top. Guida chains a low kick into punches, and Garcia backs him off with solid straight right hands. Guida circles along the outside, and he evades a one-two that soars at him. Guida lands a left and moves, and he swipes out with a left hand as Garcia reaches him with the right. Garcia rushes forward with a left to the ribs, and he misses the mark swinging a few hooks. Guida absorbs a flush leg kick at the end of a combination, and he gets tagged with a solid right to follow. They meet with jabs, and “Gifted” bestows Guida with a gift of a left hook. Guida bobs and moves in, and Garcia marks him up with five or six jabs in rapid succession. Guida’s nose is showing some damage from the punches, and Garcia clubs him with a right that lands on the jaw. Garcia counters with a sharp elbow, and Guida is eating shots every time he initiates his offense. Guida lands two punches coming in, and Garcia snaps out a jab at the end. Garcia’s jabs begin to sting Guida and make him smile, and the round ends after a pair of missed haymakers from both fighters.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Round 2
Guida races out of his corner to start off firing, and he sticks several jabs in then face of his opponent. Guida gets rocked with an uppercut, and he shakes it out and slaps down with a leg kick. Guida steps in with a knee, and he closes in on the clinch but does not change levels. A few punches from “The Carpenter” bounce off the guard, while a low kick does score. Garcia is timing uppercuts when Guida ducks or bobs, and chants for “Let’s go Guida” energize him slightly but do not change his strategy. Garcia nails his foe with a few right hands, and Guida catches him with a clean right in response before ducking into a single. Garcia stands him up and meets him with an elbow, and his jab is doing work. Guida shakes his head repeatedly when absorbing this blow again and again, but he cannot seem to get around it as his face bleeds out of multiple cuts. Guida checks a kick but gets tagged up top, and they trade punches with Garcia getting the better of them. Garcia knocks Guida’s mouthpiece out, and the veteran goes to retrieve it and continues to work towards Garcia. Guida does land a solid right, but Garcia is doing work with punches in bunches. Guida takes his foot off the gas to stop walking into so many jabs, and he adjusts his approach by not throwing as much to get countered. Guida punches his way into range, but Garcia reaches him with a few straight rights. Garcia rings Guida’s bell with a pair of straight shots, and Guida takes them on the chin and keeps coming forward. Garcia paws out with jabs to keep Guida at bay, and he allows Guida to throw with impunity as he tags him with right hands. A big right from Garcia ends the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Round 3
Like usual, Guida engages face-first in his approach. Garcia counters with a right over the top, and Guida counters with a head kick and takedown effort. Garcia shuts it down and gets popped with a few left hooks. “Gifted” intercepts Guida with an uppercut as Guida changes levels, and he lumbers forward throwing shots that Guida dodges. Guida connects with a left, a right and a low kick, and Garcia backpedals. Garcia loads up on an elbow that whizzes past Guida’s head, and he gets caught with a left as Guida is moving constantly. Garcia darts in with a left hook, and Guida ties him up and eats a few body shots before getting shoved back. Guida lands three punches up top as Garcia backs off with a right, and they trade punches while standing right in front of one another. Guida launches a head kick that gets blocked, and Garcia shells up and makes him pay with a few uppercuts. Garcia jabs to the body, and he swings and misses with a high kick in hopes of catching Guida barreling down on him. Guida gets his chin checked by a powerful right hook at the end of a string of punches, and the veteran shake it off and does not falter. Guida walks into a right hand as he tries to push the action, and he guard against a head kick. Garcia chains a few punches together, and he rocks Guida with a right hand as Guida staggers to the side. Garcia bloodies Guida up further as he drives jab after piston-like jab into the face, and Guida checks the sight of his blood and shoots for a takedown. Garcia escapes the grip and drills Guida with two more punches. Garcia leaps in the air with a knee, and Guida is out of the way but also out of time. The last round comes to an end, and the lightweights hug it out after 15 minutes of striking. When the dust settles, Guida takes his gloves off and holds them to earn an interview with Daniel Cormier. He does not hang them up, instead saying he will keep fighting, and asks to trade gloves with his opponent. This is the second fighter to do a retirement fake-out tonight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garcia (30-27 Garcia)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Garcia (30-27 Garcia)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Garcia (30-27 Garcia)
The Official Result
Rafa Garcia def. Clay Guida via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Rafa García, expecting him to get takedowns and win striking exchanges. He notes García's grappling and power, but also his cardio issues. He is not betting on García at -190 because the odds are too high, especially against a relentless pressure fighter like Guida who could expose cardio issues.
Big Brady picks Rafa García to win by first-round submission. He highlights García's improved cardio and grappling since moving to Elevation Fight Team, and notes Guida's age (41) and history of being submitted (11 times). He expects García to take Guida down and submit him early.
Cody sees Garcia as a younger, better version of Guida with pressure wrestling and improving skills. He thinks Garcia's clinch strength and cardio will overwhelm the aging Guida. He acknowledges the line is steep but believes Garcia wins.
Connor also picks Garcia, agreeing that Guida's style is not threatening enough to stop Garcia's forward pressure. He notes that Guida is more evasive than aggressive at this stage, and Garcia's willingness to keep working even when takedowns fail will be key. Connor believes Garcia's youth and activity will overwhelm the 41-year-old Guida.
Garcia is younger and entering his prime, while Guida's recent wins are over older or retiring fighters. Garcia's boxing and forward pressure should outwork Guida, though Guida's cardio and grinding style could make it close. Garcia's ability to mix in takedowns and maintain pace should earn him a decision victory.
Paul is intrigued by Guida's plus money, noting Guida's takedown defense (only 2 takedowns allowed in 14 fights) and the possibility of a close decision. He thinks Garcia's takedown totals may be inflated and that Guida could grind out a win. He placed a small bet on Guida.
The MMA Guru picks Rafa García, citing his youth (28), well-rounded skills, and potential to finish the 41-year-old Guida. He believes García will corner Guida and put an end to his recent string of close decisions. He notes Guida's durability and movement but thinks García's prime and power will prevail.
Zane picks Garcia, noting that Guida's recent win over Scott Holtzman was unimpressive and that Garcia's relentless pressure and wrestling will be too much. He acknowledges that Garcia can struggle if his takedowns are stuffed, but believes Guida's lack of offensive pressure and age will allow Garcia to implement his game plan. Zane expects Garcia to push forward, land punches, and mix in takedowns.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Guida | 0 | 66 of 183 | 36% | 95 of 215 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 0 | 0 | 5:35 |
| Scott Holtzman | 0 | 65 of 166 | 39% | 77 of 178 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clay Guida | 0 | 23 of 79 | 29% | 23 of 79 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Scott Holtzman | 0 | 18 of 63 | 28% | 19 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Clay Guida | 0 | 17 of 40 | 42% | 29 of 53 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:55 |
| Scott Holtzman | 0 | 22 of 42 | 52% | 32 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 3 | Clay Guida | 0 | 26 of 64 | 40% | 43 of 83 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:40 |
| Scott Holtzman | 0 | 25 of 61 | 40% | 26 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Guida | 66 of 183 | 36% | 30 of 134 | 23 of 36 | 13 of 13 | 58 of 173 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 3 |
| Scott Holtzman | 65 of 166 | 39% | 55 of 146 | 5 of 13 | 5 of 7 | 60 of 160 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clay Guida | 23 of 79 | 29% | 10 of 59 | 5 of 12 | 8 of 8 | 22 of 77 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Scott Holtzman | 18 of 63 | 28% | 11 of 48 | 3 of 9 | 4 of 6 | 18 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Clay Guida | 17 of 40 | 42% | 9 of 31 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Scott Holtzman | 22 of 42 | 52% | 21 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 38 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Clay Guida | 26 of 64 | 40% | 11 of 44 | 13 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 19 of 56 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 |
| Scott Holtzman | 25 of 61 | 40% | 23 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 59 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Scott Holtzman, believing he will be a step ahead in striking and should be able to defend Clay Guida's takedown attempts. He notes Guida is a grinder who will come forward with volume but lacks one-punch KO power or sudden submissions, giving Holtzman time to settle into a rhythm. He expects a fun fight and thinks Holtzman will dominate the striking.
Big Brady picks Holtzman, citing his striking advantage and ability to get back up from takedowns. He notes Guida is older (41) and has more fights, but expresses concern about Holtzman's layoff (1 year 7 months) and age (39). He expects Holtzman to win a dominant decision unless he shows decline.
Cody picks Guida, citing Holtzman's takedown defense issues and Guida's wrestling. He notes Holtzman's inactivity and questions his motivation. He sees Guida as a live dog.
Connor picks Scott Holtzman, agreeing that Holtzman will keep fighting back from takedowns and create scrambles, eventually hurting Guida. He notes that Guida could get submitted or run into a knee, but Holtzman's ability to keep giving himself chances is the deciding factor.
Daniel Levi leans Holtzman but is unsure. He notes Holtzman's durability and power, but questions his motivation at 39 and after two KO losses. He thinks it's a dog-or-pass situation and will likely not bet.
The host is confident in Holtzman, calling the minus 150 line a steal. He thinks Holtzman's takedown defense and power will be too much for the aging Guida. He expects Holtzman to finish Guida inside the distance, noting that Guida has no finishing threat. He believes the year-and-a-half layoff and two-fight losing streak have created recency bias against Holtzman.
Paul picks Guida, noting Holtzman's long layoff and uncertainty. He thinks Guida's wrestling and pace could be enough. He sees it as a dog or pass situation.
The MMA Guru picks Scott Holtzman, citing his power advantage and size for the division. He notes Holtzman has beaten tough guys like Jim Miller and Alan Patrick, while Guida's recent wins haven't aged well. He predicts Holtzman will stuff a takedown and land big elbows for a finish.
Zane picks Scott Holtzman hesitantly, reasoning that Holtzman is younger and will keep creating scrambles, giving himself chances to hurt Guida. He notes that Guida is old and the tread is off the tires, but Holtzman is susceptible to wrestlers and could get submitted.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 4 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:10 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 4 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:10 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:14 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claudio Puelles | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Clay Guida | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claudio Puelles | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Clay Guida | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Claudio Puelles to win a decision via grappling. He notes Puelles is young, hungry, and dangerous, and that it's easier to finish a bad takedown than defend one. He says Puelles will entertain striking but ultimately push a grappling game plan, get takedowns, and ride out a decision. He mentions Clay Guida only has two wins in 35 UFC fights against opponents who took him down.
Big Brady picks Claudio Puelles to win by submission, citing his youth, size advantage, and BJJ brown belt. He notes that Puelles is 15 years younger and has a four-inch height and two-inch reach advantage. He thinks Puelles can submit Guida if the fight goes to the mat, especially since Guida has been submitted 10 times. However, he acknowledges Guida's cardio advantage and that the fight is close, so he won't bet on it.
Cody leans Guida, citing Puelles' poor takedown defense and Guida's grinding style. He notes Puelles is young and improving but has been taken down by non-wrestlers. Guida's submission defense has improved, and his cardio should wear on Puelles. He suggests live betting Guida after the first round.
The host picks Clay Guida to win, betting 1.07 units at -107. He expects the fight to go the full 15 minutes with Guida getting his hand raised. He also includes Guida in a parlay with Andrade and Barriault.
Paul agrees with Cody, highlighting Guida's durability and activity. He thinks Guida's wrestling and pressure will be key, and that Puelles may tire. He mentions Guida's recent grappling improvements and suggests a decision win or live betting opportunity.
The MMA Guru picks Clay Guida, expressing shock that 70% of tipsters are picking Puelles. He argues Puelles is mediocre and had a tough fight with Chris Gruetzemacher. He highlights Guida's submission defense from Quintet and his wrestling pace that prevents submissions. He believes Puelles has no power or technique on the feet to worry Guida. He predicts Guida will grind out a win, possibly a third-round finish, and notes Guida's recent activity. He hopes the public money on Puelles will make Guida an underdog.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Guida | 0 | 18 of 50 | 36% | 50 of 87 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 | 0 | 2:09 |
| Leonardo Santos | 1 | 41 of 60 | 68% | 65 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clay Guida | 0 | 8 of 30 | 26% | 34 of 57 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
| Leonardo Santos | 1 | 39 of 58 | 67% | 63 of 90 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:01 | |
| 2 | Clay Guida | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 16 of 30 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Leonardo Santos | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Guida | 18 of 50 | 36% | 8 of 39 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 7 of 38 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 11 |
| Leonardo Santos | 41 of 60 | 68% | 22 of 39 | 17 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 21 | 16 of 23 | 12 of 16 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clay Guida | 8 of 30 | 26% | 6 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 |
| Leonardo Santos | 39 of 58 | 67% | 21 of 38 | 16 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 19 | 16 of 23 | 12 of 16 | |
| 2 | Clay Guida | 10 of 20 | 50% | 2 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 8 |
| Leonardo Santos | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Leonardo Santos, though his heart says Guida. He notes Santos has better jiu-jitsu, power, and striking, but Guida's pace could be an issue. Angelo thinks Santos is the smarter pick but the odds are crazy.
Big Brady picks Leonardo Santos to win by first-round submission. He notes Santos has a massive height and reach advantage, superior striking, and is a BJJ black belt. He points out that Clay Guida has been submitted 10 times and is often finished. However, he warns that Santos has poor cardio (about 1.5 rounds), so if he doesn't finish early, Guida could take over. Brady is confident Santos will finish early, likely by submission after hurting Guida on the feet.
Cody also picks Santos but is not confident, citing Santos's age (41) and recent poor performances. He thinks Santos has the skills to win but his gas tank is a concern. Cody notes that Guida has a history of getting submitted and that Santos could catch him, but he's not sold on the -180 price.
Daniel Levi picks Leonardo Santos to win by submission, specifically a guillotine or rear-naked choke. He notes Santos's length, underrated hands, calf kicks, and elite jiu-jitsu, and points out that Guida has been submitted multiple times. He is concerned about Santos gassing but believes Santos can finish early if he gets Guida to the mat.
Jacob picks Clay Guida, citing his pressure and cardio. He notes Santos is a defensive striker and Guida can pressure him against the fence. Jacob thinks Guida's wrestling and jiu-jitsu are good enough to avoid submissions, and he will win a typical Guida fight.
I like Santos. He is the better striker with power and range, and he has good takedown defense. Guida's pace is not what it used to be, and he struggles against fighters who can keep him at distance. Santos can finish on the feet or via submission. I like Santos inside the distance at plus 200 and Santos by submission at plus 315.
Paul picks Santos but with low confidence, noting Santos's skill advantage but poor gas tank and lack of volume. He thinks Santos should win if he uses his reach and grappling, but worries about his cardio and tendency to underperform. Paul mentions that Santos by submission is tempting but he can't trust him to get the fight to the mat.
The MMA Guru picks Clay Guida to win by 29-28 unanimous decision. He expects Santos to win the first round with striking and takedown defense, but Guida's cardio will take over in the second and third. Guida will secure takedowns and land ground strikes as Santos fades, winning the last two rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Madsen | 0 | 72 of 212 | 33% | 72 of 212 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 98 of 192 | 51% | 101 of 198 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark Madsen | 0 | 15 of 50 | 30% | 15 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 32 of 52 | 61% | 35 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:40 | |
| 2 | Mark Madsen | 0 | 26 of 72 | 36% | 26 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 31 of 58 | 53% | 31 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 3 | Mark Madsen | 0 | 31 of 90 | 34% | 31 of 90 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Clay Guida | 0 | 35 of 82 | 42% | 35 of 82 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Madsen | 72 of 212 | 33% | 30 of 161 | 5 of 13 | 37 of 38 | 64 of 203 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 98 of 192 | 51% | 70 of 159 | 17 of 21 | 11 of 12 | 80 of 172 | 18 of 20 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark Madsen | 15 of 50 | 30% | 7 of 38 | 0 of 3 | 8 of 9 | 13 of 48 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 32 of 52 | 61% | 17 of 33 | 12 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 18 of 36 | 14 of 16 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Mark Madsen | 26 of 72 | 36% | 10 of 56 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 13 | 22 of 67 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 31 of 58 | 53% | 24 of 50 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 29 of 56 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Mark Madsen | 31 of 90 | 34% | 13 of 67 | 2 of 7 | 16 of 16 | 29 of 88 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Clay Guida | 35 of 82 | 42% | 29 of 76 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 33 of 80 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Mark Madsen, but is concerned about his gas tank. He notes Madsen has slowed down in previous fights, while Guida has endless cardio. However, he believes Madsen's wrestling is elite and he can get a finish early. He predicts a first-round submission.
Cody picks Madsen but with hesitation due to red flags: Madsen's broken jaw, infection, wife's MS, layoff, and cardio issues. He notes Madsen's elite wrestling but poor striking and potential to gas. He thinks Madsen's wrestling is enough to beat a 38-year-old Guida, but warns of submission danger from Guida's neck exposure.
Madsen has cardio issues and has never faced a pace like Guida's. Guida's work rate and scrambling will be too much for Madsen in the later rounds. If Madsen doesn't get an early submission, Guida takes over. I'm picking Guida by decision, and he's a great live bet after round one.
Paul picks Madsen, citing his Olympic-level wrestling and training with Henry Cejudo at Fight Ready. He acknowledges Guida's cardio and durability but believes Madsen can turn it into a wrestling match and win. He notes Guida's tendency to leave his neck exposed, making a submission possible.
The MMA Guru picks Mark Madsen to win by 29-28 unanimous decision. He expects Madsen to win the first two rounds with wrestling and grappling, then Guida to rally in the third but fall short. He notes Madsen's Olympic-level wrestling and size advantage, but questions his cardio.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Guida | 0 | 58 of 126 | 46% | 70 of 138 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:03 |
| Michael Johnson | 0 | 49 of 89 | 55% | 65 of 107 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 1 | 0 | 6:53 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clay Guida | 0 | 31 of 66 | 46% | 32 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:33 |
| Michael Johnson | 0 | 29 of 44 | 65% | 31 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 | |
| 2 | Clay Guida | 0 | 14 of 27 | 51% | 18 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:04 |
| Michael Johnson | 0 | 13 of 24 | 54% | 21 of 32 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:50 | |
| 3 | Clay Guida | 0 | 13 of 33 | 39% | 20 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:26 |
| Michael Johnson | 0 | 7 of 21 | 33% | 13 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:39 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Guida | 58 of 126 | 46% | 52 of 113 | 5 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 47 of 115 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 5 |
| Michael Johnson | 49 of 89 | 55% | 31 of 71 | 12 of 12 | 6 of 6 | 32 of 72 | 14 of 14 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clay Guida | 31 of 66 | 46% | 26 of 55 | 4 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 27 of 62 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Johnson | 29 of 44 | 65% | 21 of 36 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 22 of 37 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Clay Guida | 14 of 27 | 51% | 13 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 23 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Michael Johnson | 13 of 24 | 54% | 4 of 15 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 16 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Clay Guida | 13 of 33 | 39% | 13 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Michael Johnson | 7 of 21 | 33% | 6 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Big Brady picks Michael Johnson but with low trust, calling him one of the least trustworthy fighters. He notes Johnson's massive striking advantage and excellent takedown defense, but warns that Johnson often loses as a big favorite. He expects Johnson to win a decision by outpointing Guida, but advises leaving him off parlays.
Daniel Levi picks Michael Johnson but is hesitant due to Johnson's history of pulling stunts and losing fights he should win. He acknowledges Johnson's speed and better competition, but worries about his takedown defense and submission vulnerability. He suggests live betting Clay Guida if he gets takedowns, but pre-fight goes with Johnson.
Michael Johnson is extremely untrustworthy, having lost 6 of his last 8 fights with mental lapses and slip-ups. He has all the skills but cannot be relied upon. Clay Guida brings relentless pressure, takedowns, and clinch work, and has a great gas tank. Johnson's takedown defense and fight IQ are questionable. Guida should be able to grind out a decision by pushing Johnson against the cage and taking him down. Skill-for-skill Johnson is better, but Guida's mentality and experience give him the edge.
The MMA Guru picks Michael Johnson, believing his grappling is good enough to stuff Clay Guida's takedowns. He notes Johnson's wins over Poirier and Ferguson, and training with Usman. He predicts Johnson will land big shots early and finish Guida by TKO in the first or second round, suggesting Guida should retire.
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