Career Averages - Andre Fili
Career Averages - Gabriel Benítez
Andre Fili - Fight History
Angelo picks Vinicius Oliveira, citing his pressure and pace as key in a three-round fight. He has concerns about Oliveira's takedown defense against Andre Fili's wrestling, but still believes Oliveira's chaos and aggression will be too much. He notes he was more confident when Oliveira was fighting Giga Chikadze.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 0 | 62 of 141 | 43% | 70 of 154 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 1 | 0:59 |
| Jose Delgado | 0 | 94 of 169 | 55% | 103 of 179 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 0 | 19 of 39 | 48% | 19 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Jose Delgado | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 26 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 0 | 18 of 39 | 46% | 19 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:11 |
| Jose Delgado | 0 | 30 of 62 | 48% | 34 of 66 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 0 | 25 of 63 | 39% | 32 of 74 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
| Jose Delgado | 0 | 41 of 61 | 67% | 43 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 62 of 141 | 43% | 46 of 121 | 11 of 13 | 5 of 7 | 61 of 139 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Jose Delgado | 94 of 169 | 55% | 37 of 99 | 34 of 47 | 23 of 23 | 83 of 153 | 9 of 14 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 19 of 39 | 48% | 15 of 32 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 19 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jose Delgado | 23 of 46 | 50% | 7 of 26 | 7 of 11 | 9 of 9 | 23 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 18 of 39 | 46% | 16 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 18 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jose Delgado | 30 of 62 | 48% | 9 of 35 | 15 of 21 | 6 of 6 | 22 of 49 | 6 of 11 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 25 of 63 | 39% | 15 of 53 | 7 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 24 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Jose Delgado | 41 of 61 | 67% | 21 of 38 | 12 of 15 | 8 of 8 | 38 of 58 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Delgado (-310); Fili (+250)
Round 1
Chris Tognoni is the referee. Early leg kick for Delgado, who follows with a jab. Delgado jabs the body then lands a hard body kick. Fili answers with a combination to back his foe up. Delgado is using a variety of kicks early. Delgado jabs the body, then alternates between an inside and ouside leg kick. Delgado moves forward on the attack and Fili buckles him with a short right hand. Delgado seems to have recovered. Delgado kicks the body. Fili answers with a body kick of his own. A straight left lands for Fili. Delgado goes back to the calf kick. Fili with another long left. Fili counters a low kick with a jab. A nice counter right lands for Fili. Fili flicks out a jab. Fili is doing well keeping Delgado guessing with stance switches and intelligent movement. Fili with a solid right hand. Shortly thereafter, he lands a takedown late in the round. Delgado stands, and the round ends with Fili attached to his opponent against the cage.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Round 2
Delgado kicks the body and is immediately countered. Delgago targets the legs as he circles. Fili works behind his jab. Delgado wants a takedown, but Fili denies it. Fili fires off a jab. Delgado kicks the body. Fili finds the range on a right. Delgado lands a spinning back kick to the body, and he follows it with a rear kick ot the body. He backs up Fili with a head kick, but it’s blocked. Delgado steps in with a right and he ups the aggression. He tested off with punches and elbows, then moves into the clinch with knees. Fili frees himself after a barrage from his opponent. Fili jabs high and low. Another jab lands for Fili. A high kick glances off Delgado’s head. They trade in the center of the cage, with both men landing. A hard inside low kick lands for Delgado. Delgado goes upstairs with a kick. Fili steps in with a right. Delgado shifts gears and secures a single leg takedown. He’s in half guard with a minute to go. Delgado drops a forceful elbow. Fili explodes to his feet and lands a right hand. A front kick digs into Fili’s body. Fili ducks under a punch and closes out the round with a takedown.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Delgado
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Delgado
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Delgado
Round 3
Fili comes out aggressive with a 1-2. A hard low kick lands for Fili. Delgado lands a jab to the body. A right gets through for Fili. Delgado has a high kick blocked. They trade in the pocket, but nothing clean lands. Fili is still leading the dance, but Delgado backs him up with a right, a kick to the body and a front kick down the middle. Fili moves forward behind a right. Another front kick to the body lands for Delgado. Delgado wraps a high kick around Fili’s gaurd. Fili fires back almost immediately. Fili attacks the calf. Fili with a glancing right hand. Fili pressures and kicks the body. Delgado moves forward and eats a knee. Delgado tags Fili with a right hand, and Fili clinches. Delgado rips an elbow on the break. Delgado lands a 1-2 and hten kicks the body. He backs Fili up with another right. Delgado jabs the body. An inside leg kick lands heavily for Delgado. Delgado stays busy with front kicks to the body. With about 30 seconds to go, Fili times a level change and gets Delgado down. Delgado gets up, but Fili plants him on his back again. Fili does his best to unleash ground and pound until the horn, but Delgado’s defenses are largely on point.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Delgado (29-28 Delgado)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Delgado (29-28 Delgado)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Delgado (29-28 Delgado)
The Official Result
Jose Delgado def. Andre Fili via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Jose Delgado, praising his spectacular striking and talent. He acknowledges Delgado's takedown defense issues but dismisses them because 'Las Vegas doesn't care about wrestling.' He notes that Andre Fili has been wrestling more lately but chooses not to warn viewers, implying that wrestling won't be scored heavily.
Big Brady picks Jose Delgado to win by first-round knockout. He loves Delgado's power and aggression, and criticizes Fili's chin and striking defense (51%). He believes Delgado will come forward with reckless abandon and knock Fili out early, calling it the best fight on the card.
Cody picks Delgado confidently, citing his knockout power and improved cardio. He notes Fili's path is wrestling, but Delgado's knees and takedown defense are deterrents. He expects Delgado to catch Fili eventually.
Connor picks Delgado, agreeing that Fili will get caught taking pictures. He notes Delgado's flow state striking and that Fili's defensive habits make him vulnerable to being timed.
James picks Rolando Delgado to win by first-round knockout. He believes Delgado's dynamic striking, speed, and power will be too much for the older Fili, who has been knocked out early in recent fights. He notes that if Delgado doesn't finish early, Fili can compete over three rounds, but his prediction is a round one stoppage.
The host picks Delgado to win by knockout, citing his power and speed. He believes Delgado's striking will be too much for Fili, who is inconsistent and aging. However, he is hesitant about the high price and would prefer a line closer to -185. He suggests looking at the KO prop if it offers value.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Delgado's power and the old guard being replaced. He thinks Fili's wrestling path is possible but Delgado is working on it. He expects Delgado to win.
The Guru picks Jose Delgado, citing his finishing ability and size. He thinks Fili is finishable and may switch off in clinch exchanges, where Delgado can land elbows or knees. He predicts a nasty finish, noting Delgado's previous wins over Connor Matthews and Destroyer.
Zane picks Delgado, citing his fluid combination punching and ability to catch Fili when he gets predictable. He notes Fili tends to get finished when facing dynamic finishers, and Delgado is a natural puncher.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 0 | 64 of 182 | 35% | 74 of 193 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 83 of 174 | 47% | 95 of 190 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 1:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 0 | 22 of 63 | 34% | 27 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 29 of 64 | 45% | 29 of 66 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 0 | 23 of 69 | 33% | 23 of 69 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 29 of 56 | 51% | 30 of 57 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 0 | 19 of 50 | 38% | 24 of 56 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 25 of 54 | 46% | 36 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 64 of 182 | 35% | 52 of 164 | 6 of 10 | 6 of 8 | 62 of 179 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 83 of 174 | 47% | 49 of 130 | 8 of 13 | 26 of 31 | 69 of 157 | 13 of 16 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 22 of 63 | 34% | 19 of 56 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 22 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 29 of 64 | 45% | 13 of 43 | 4 of 6 | 12 of 15 | 28 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 23 of 69 | 33% | 18 of 62 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 23 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 29 of 56 | 51% | 17 of 40 | 3 of 5 | 9 of 11 | 27 of 54 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 19 of 50 | 38% | 15 of 46 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 25 of 54 | 46% | 19 of 47 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 14 of 40 | 11 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rodriguez (-250); Fili (+200)
Round 1
With eight years separating the two, this featherweight contest could be considered one of the “passing of the torch” variety. Fili (24-12, 1 NC; 12-11, 1 NC UFC), 35, needs a win badly, as he has alternated them with defeats for his seven outings and is a loss away from a .500 UFC record. Rodriguez (12-3, 5-3 UFC) is a bit above the midpoint line, but he can scarcely afford coming up short as well given that he has dropped two of three. Something’s gotta give, and referee Mike Beltran will be there for it every step of the way. The 145ers touch ‘em up.
Rodriguez says hello with a long one-two, and Fili gets right behind jabbing and low kicks. Rodriguez gets in his face and busts Fili in the chops with a few punches, and a second combination backs Fili off. Fili replies with a crisp right hand over the top, but Rodriguez does not retreat for long and continue to pursue the taller man. Fili uses his range to keep Rodriguez at bay, coming up missing with a head kick and wiping his nose after. Fili keeps his jab going, and he reddens the nose of the younger man and kicks him under the armpit to boot. Rodriguez gets right in Fili’s face and punches him, and Fili changes stances and re-enters the pocket. Both men lob big punches at one another, with Fili clipping “CeeRod” with a few left hands.
Fili gives chase and wings a head kick, and Rodriguez shakes out the cobwebs and re-engages. Fili snaps out his powerful jab, and some damage is showing on Rodriguez’ face on several places. Fili styles on Rodriguez with his jab and short hook, staying out of the range of the biggest power. Fili’s jab is his best weapon, breaking up Rodriguez attacks. Rodriguez catches a body kick and rushes forward to take the vet down, hurling him to the mat like a sack of potatoes with 15 seconds to spare. Rodriguez rides out the remainder of the round on top.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Round 2
Both fighters get right back to business when the second round kicks off, as Fili opens up with his jab to get going with high kicks. Rodriguez throws back and ducks down to grab hold of a single, and when that fails, he spins with an elbow that goes wide. Rodriguez reaches his man with a head kick, and Fili takes it cleanly without flinching. Rodriguez stomps at the front leg, and when he comes out swinging, Fili is there to chew him up with jabs and calf kicks. Rodriguez sits down on a hard right hand, and his low kick after further gets Fili’s attention. Fili kicks his foe in the front leg, which is welding up and turning colors fast. Rodriguez wades in to brawl, and Fili meets him with his fists until Rodriguez gloms onto him and looks for a body lock.
Fili escapes to reset, and they bang it out for a few seconds, with Rodriguez nodding after taking heavy blows and getting his nose busted open. Rodriguez does land his own power punches, but Fili is more fluid and appears to be putting out a higher volume. Rodriguez swarms forward and misses the mark, allowing Fili to jack him in the jaw with a pair of straight punches. Fili chains a jab into a leg kick that freezes Rodriguez for a second, and “CeeRod” gathers his thoughts and returns to his own leg-based assault. Fili probes and prods with effective jabs, forcing blood to smear on the younger fighter’s visage. Fili clubs Rodriguez with a left hook, and he takes a jab to put two punches on the cheeks. Fili swaps stances and shoots for a takedown, with Rodriguez stonewalling him and kneeing him on the break. Rodriguez goes way wide with a spin, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Round 3
The featherweights bump fists and promptly punch one another square in the face. There are no feelers, with the jabs from both sides coming with some fire behind them. Rodriguez takes one or two and decides to tie the Californian up, where he knees him in the thigh several times while controlling him against the wire. Rodriguez lets loose with some punches before Fili strikes back, and the jab from Fili ends the exchange as they both gather steam for a second. Rodriguez leaps at Fili, and Fili lets him land so he can tee off on him with fast fists. Fili times a picture-perfect takedown to scoop “CeeRod” off his feet, putting the younger man down to the floor. Rodriguez scrambles, and Fili gladly hangs onto him from behind while looking for trips. Fili lifts Rodriguez up and slams him down with emphasis, although Rodriguez is still with it after bouncing his melon off the floor. Rodriguez scrambles well, getting to his knees in a hurry, and he spins out to split.
Rodriguez walks Fili down, looping punches at him that set up a head kick. Fili pecks with repetitive, painful jabs, and Rodriguez has no answer to them but tries to counter with a wheel kick that is so far away, Fili could have taken a picture of it on a Polaroid and developed it by the time Rodriguez was good to go again. Rodriguez gets mad, and he starts swinging up close and personal. Fili fires back with a vengeance, only to get clipped with a left hand that changes his course. “Touchy” grabs Rodriguez and bowls him over to the mat, landing some ground-and-pound until Rodriguez explodes to his knees. Fili tries a mat return with Rodriguez leaned up against the wire, and Rodriguez breaks off and just misses a slashing elbow. Fili’s jab is turning Rodriguez’ face to hamburger, and Rodriguez just nods at him looking for more. Rodriguez walks Fili down, briefly clinching only to let go so he can let his hands go. Fili intercepts two spinning moves, with Rodriguez tries to initiate a crazy final brawl but not getting it from the veteran. Fili ends the match by landing some shots, and when the dust settles, Fili plants a kiss on the defeated man’s forehead.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fili (30-27 Fili)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Fili (30-27 Fili)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fili (30-27 Fili)
The Official Result
Andre Fili def. Christian Rodriguez via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Angelo leans Andre Fili, believing he is the more skilled fighter with better speed and cleaner striking. He notes Christian Rodriguez is a prospect killer but struggles against experienced, well-rounded fighters. However, Fili is unreliable and his chin is questionable. Angelo may change his pick later in the week.
Big Brady picks Christian Rodriguez, noting Andre Fili's recent decline and tendency to get submitted. He highlights Rodriguez's guillotine threat and believes he can snatch a neck if Fili shoots for takedowns. Brady predicts a second-round submission for Rodriguez.
Connor picks Fili because Rodriguez struggles against veterans who don't run into his defensive wall. He notes that Fili will stay at range, use jabs and high kicks, and not get drawn into a wrestling match. Connor points out that Rodriguez has shown an inability to adjust when his plan A fails, as seen against Melquizael Costa. He acknowledges Fili's tendency for catastrophic errors but believes Rodriguez won't capitalize consistently.
The host is a big C-rod fan but thinks he is being overappreciated, making him a chalky favorite. He notes a size advantage for Rodriguez fighting at 145 when he should be at 135, which gives some concern, but believes it's a matter of time before Rodriguez finds a submission opportunity and forces the tap.
The MMA Guru picks Andre Fili as an underdog, despite acknowledging Christian Rodriguez should win. He believes Fili's size, reach, and veteran savvy will be too much, and that Rodriguez can't finish him. He predicts a close 29-28 decision win for Fili.
Zane agrees with Connor, noting that Rodriguez's game is built for opponents who make mistakes, but Fili is a veteran who won't just run into his defense. He highlights that Fili's wrestling is tough to out-grapple and that Rodriguez hasn't proven he can beat a veteran like Fili. Zane is concerned about Fili's age and recent wins over older fighters, but still sees Rodriguez as unproven at this level.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 0 | 7 of 24 | 29% | 7 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 27 of 56 | 48% | 27 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 0 | 7 of 24 | 29% | 7 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Melquizael Costa | 0 | 27 of 56 | 48% | 27 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 7 of 24 | 29% | 4 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 27 of 56 | 48% | 3 of 25 | 10 of 13 | 14 of 18 | 26 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 7 of 24 | 29% | 4 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Melquizael Costa | 27 of 56 | 48% | 3 of 25 | 10 of 13 | 14 of 18 | 26 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
A veritable chasm of UFC-level experience separates the next two featherweights, with grizzled Team Alpha Male product Fili (24-11, 1 NC; 12-10, 1 NC UFC) looking to hold the line and remind folks he is still very much a factor. Like Fili, Costa’s (21-7, 2-2 UFC) tenure thus far has been somewhat inconsistent but fairly violent. Referee Jeff Hoiby draws the charge between the two, and the local man Fili has no time for a glove touch as he wants to get going immediately. Fili chases his foe around the cage, looking for his jab. Costa backs him off briefly with a pair of high kicks, and he doubles up on leg kicks as well. Fili walks through everything pitched at him to sling leather, including a right left hand that zips through his guard. “Let’s go Fili” chants boom through the building, and they both fire off head kicks. Fili’s gets his foe’s attention, with Costa smiling at him. They decide to throw caution to the wind for a moment and brawl with no interest in defense, and they tag one another cleanly but do not budge. Costa backs off and fires off a wheel kick, and he settles himself to chop at the Washington-based fighter’s knee with oblique kicks. Costa rips a kick to the ribs as Fili is marching ever forward, and he narrowly evades getting his chin checked with a low kick but still walks into a left hook. Fili blocks a high kick but cannot stop a body kick, and he plods forward, energized by “USA” chants. Fili whiffs on a head kick, unable to lock his foe down, and he brushes his shoulder when Costa misses as well. Fili blocks a kick and hurls one right back, and Costa breathes a sight of relief and strikes back with a high kick. Fili motions that he protected himself from it, and Costa stays on his bike prodding with oblique kicks. Fili connects with a heavy body kick, dodges one that comes back and makes a matador motion. Fili takes a kick and shoots in for a takedown, and when he hits it,
Costa wraps up a guillotine choke and wrenches with all his might. The Brazilian clings to the choke, which is not going anywhere as he has it tight as a drum with his right leg wrapped around Fili’s waist. Fili is fine until suddenly he is not, and he frantically taps out.
The stunned audience is silenced in a second, as the hometown fighter surrenders from the submission and walks off disappointed that he got caught. Meanwhile, Costa has just earned the biggest win of his career, and he goes off to celebrate with teammate Joanderson Brito who previously put Fili away in the first round.
The Official Result
Melquizael Costa def. Andre Fili R1 4:30 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Big Brady picks the underdog Melquizael Costa, noting that Andre Fili's durability is declining after many wars, and he was dropped and knocked out recently. He thinks Costa is younger, has more tools on the feet with hard kicks to head, legs, and body, and has solid grappling with seven takedowns in his last three fights. He expects a close fight going to decision, with Costa winning a close decision.
The host acknowledges the fight is close as odds indicate, but believes Fili's strength of schedule, experience, and unorthodox striking will shut down Costa's grappling. He expects Fili to win on the scorecards, possibly by split decision.
The Guru hesitantly picks Fili, noting he never likes picking him but sees Costa as getting 'fraud checked'. He values Fili's win over Cub Swanson and thinks Costa's loss to Thiago Moisés is a bad look. He expects Fili to mix in grappling in the second and third rounds and win a close decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 0 | 62 of 111 | 55% | 90 of 140 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 67 of 147 | 45% | 70 of 151 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 0 | 0 | 3:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 0 | 20 of 31 | 64% | 20 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 19 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 0 | 12 of 29 | 41% | 22 of 39 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 18 of 35 | 51% | 18 of 35 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:27 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 0 | 30 of 51 | 58% | 48 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Cub Swanson | 0 | 31 of 70 | 44% | 33 of 73 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:23 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 62 of 111 | 55% | 43 of 86 | 7 of 11 | 12 of 14 | 53 of 101 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 67 of 147 | 45% | 49 of 118 | 13 of 22 | 5 of 7 | 52 of 126 | 15 of 21 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 20 of 31 | 64% | 9 of 18 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 9 | 18 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 18 of 42 | 42% | 12 of 31 | 4 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 36 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andre Fili | 12 of 29 | 41% | 11 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 18 of 35 | 51% | 14 of 29 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 29 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Andre Fili | 30 of 51 | 58% | 23 of 41 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 24 of 44 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Cub Swanson | 31 of 70 | 44% | 23 of 58 | 5 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 24 of 61 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Fili (-245), Swanson (+200)
Round 1
A featherweight banger many may be surprised never happened to this point plays out in the Octagon next. The unfair recipient of some recent shade, WEC vet Swanson (29-13, 14-9 UFC) has had plenty of exceptional moments despite never winning gold in the UFC or in the confines of the blue WEC cage. On the other hand, Fili (23-11, 1 NC; 11-10, 1 NC UFC) always welcomes a brawl but he is a loss away from holding a .500 record in the UFC. Keeping tabs on this dark horse “Fight of the Night” candidate will be referee Jason Herzog. The longtime veterans partially touch gloves, but they are amped up to compete against one another as they face off in alternating stances. A committed strike does not come until 25 seconds in, when Swanson lands a low kick and pushes out a jab. Fili answers with his own jab, and his lead leg gets kicked two more times in the process. Swanson reaches out with a left hook, and he ducks down directly into a flush knee. Swanson does not mind, as he keeps chopping at the lead leg of his adversary. Fili lets fly a head kick that gets through the guard, and he chambers and fires a body kick with his other leg to great effect. Swanson walks him down, hands fairly low, and he jumps forward to snap the head back with a jab. Fili strafes to the side, looking for a jab but getting jabbed back in the process. Fili stays far enough away to potshot with body work, and he dodges the largest of Swanson’s hooks along the way. Swanson sits down on a heavy leg kick, and he targets a straight right hand to the solar plexus. “Killer Cub” follows the punch with two more up top, and Fili motions that he did not take the strikes flush. Swanson does not believe it, and he bears down on the Team Alpha Male fighter and clubs him with a number of powerful punches. Fili splits off and ends up getting grabbed in the clinch, and he frames off with an elbow and gets two thudding knees to the body before they separate. Swanson continues walking “Touchy” down, and he slips off-balance when throwing a strike and is countered on the way down. Swanson gets up with no issue, and he keeps his guard up to block a few jabs flying at him. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Round 2
The fighters are so ready to get back to it, Herzog has to back them off before clocking in the round. They immediately start throwing, with Swanson aiming hooks and Fili trying to parry and counter. As Swanson keeps after him, Fili ducks down and hits a takedown. Swanson does not settle for being on his back, and he explodes back to his feet without concern. Fili jabs, and he gets countered by a Swanson right hook. Swanson reaches him with another right, and he smacks the front leg with a kick for good measure. Swanson gets off a big right hand, resulting in Fili grabbing hold of his leg to try to take the fight down. Swanson leans himself up against the cage wall, and Fili’s pressure slows the bout down to a crawl. Boos rain down, and Swanson tries to answer their call by escaping, to no avail. Swanson briefly gets his back away from the fencing, and Fili looks for a throw to put him back to it. Swanson elevates his foe briefly, and Fili realizes the threat and releases his grip so they separate. Swanson opens up with a right hand and a sharp jab, and Fili responds with a counter and shoots in on a takedown. Swanson looks around, irritated that he cannot stand and bang, but he otherwise defends the level change and remains on his feet. Fili gets spun around and has to keep his balance when Swanson sweeps the leg, and Fili breaks off to reset. Swanson pursues “Touchy” like a man on a mission, reaching him with power punches when he surges into action. Fili sits down on counters and knocks Swanson back, and he sticks his tongue out to celebrate. Swanson does not back off, instead plodding forward loading up on hooks that at least partially connect. Fili stops this in its tracks with a takedown shot, and Swanson is stuck against the fence with an elbow bouncing off his forehead. As the two move for position in the tie-up, the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Swanson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Swanson
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Swanson
Round 3
The last round starts with a flurry, as Swanson walks Fili down with punches and gets kicked in the head as he comes in. Fili lands a solid punch to the body, and Swanson whips a head kick at him. Fili pushes him away and ties him up, but Swanson breaks free before absorbing a clinch strike. Swanson unloads with two punches, and Fili stuns him with a heavy left hook. Swanson swings for the bleachers with wide hooks, and Fili times one and shoots in for a single that puts Swanson down for a moment. Swanson climbs back up and gets away with a fence grab on his way up, and he defends himself from a lifted knee right before it tagged him. Fili knees him in the liver while they are clinched, and they dirty box one another. Fili gets just enough space to hammer him with an elbow, and a left hand from Fili on the break does not dissuade Swanson from following him around. Swanson punches his way in, and Fili lands last and perhaps a bit more powerfully. Swanson ducks an intercepting right hook to land his own right hand, and he blocks a head kick from close proximity to keep pressure on the Team Alpha Male product. Fili gets in his licks when trading hands with Swanson, and his short check hook connects several times. Swanson beans him with a right hand, and Fili sticks his tongue out and releases a counter that falls just short. Swanson leaps in with a right hand, and Fili kicks him on the calf on the way out. Swanson ducks a haymaker and accepts a leg kick so he can lunge forward with a left, resulting in Fili tying him up for a few seconds. Swanson pushes off and maintains his constant forward motion, no matter how hard Fili hits him. Swanson releases a bomb of a right hand that shakes Fili up, but Fili is quick to gather his thoughts and grab hold of Swanson to slow him down. Fili considers dropping down for a double, and Swanson gets free and wipes his hands off. Swanson blocks a head kick and just avoids a left hand so he can keep after Fili. Another two head kicks from Fili come, and Swanson avoids them and lets Fili have it with a final torrent of punches. Fili lets his hands go, and a wild exchange concludes the ultra-close fight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Swanson (29-28 Swanson)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Swanson (29-28 Swanson)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Fili (29-28 Fili)
The Official Result
Andre Fili def. Cub Swanson via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Cody picks Fili but is not confident due to his recent knockout losses. He notes that Fili is younger and faster, but his chin is questionable. Cody believes Fili's volume and wrestling could give him an edge, but acknowledges that Swanson is a fan favorite who often gets close decisions. He warns that Fili needs to finish Swanson to avoid a controversial decision loss.
Daniel is picking Swanson as a plus 210 underdog, citing Swanson's path to victory via knockout and his strong performance against Hakim Dawodu at similar odds. He notes that Fili is hot and cold and can be chinned. He envisions a retirement moment for Swanson where he knocks out Fili and puts his gloves down in the Octagon.
The host does not discuss this fight at all in the transcript. The entire podcast is focused on the Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler fight, which is not on the provided fight card. Therefore, no pick is made for this fight.
The host picks Fili to win on the scorecards, but criticizes the -260 line as too high, saying Fili should be closer to -150 or -180. He expects a competitive striking battle that goes to decision, and recommends the over 2.5 rounds at -110. He notes Swanson is a live underdog at +210.
Paul picks Swanson, citing his experience and durability. He notes that Swanson has a history of winning close decisions and that Fili has been knocked out recently. Paul believes Swanson's volume and toughness will be key, and that he can win a decision or even catch Fili with a knockout. He also mentions that Swanson is a fan favorite, which may help in a close fight.
The Guru picks Andre Fili over Cub Swanson. He believes Fili is bigger, stronger, and more explosive at this stage. He notes Swanson's age (40) and size disadvantage. He likes Fili's low kicks and thinks he can finish Swanson by TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Ige | 1 | 11 of 19 | 57% | 11 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 8 of 33 | 24% | 8 of 33 | 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 | Dan Ige | 1 | 11 of 19 | 57% | 11 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 8 of 33 | 24% | 8 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Ige | 11 of 19 | 57% | 4 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Andre Fili | 8 of 33 | 24% | 7 of 28 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dan Ige | 11 of 19 | 57% | 4 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Andre Fili | 8 of 33 | 24% | 7 of 28 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ige (-175), Fili (+145)
Round 1
The UFC knew exactly what it was doing when it gave Ige (17-7, 9-6 UFC) the replacement of Fili (23-10, 1 NC; 11-9, 1 NC UFC) after Lerone Murphy suffered an injury. Booking these two featherweights together almost guaranteed post-fight bonus money, and it very likely could come in the form of “Fight of the Night” when the dust settles. Referee Jason Herzog will get to enjoy these two exciting competitors go to battle for three rounds or fewer, and friends will put their friendship on hold as they get after it. There is no glove touch. Fili does not hold back, racing towards Ige and throwing hands. Ige steels himself and delivers a fierce left hook when Fili advances, and he cracks him a second time on a second exchange. Fili uses a long jab to reach Ige before the Hawaiian can get to him, and he slips and moves left and right while changing stances. Ige whiffs on a short but dangerous left hook, and he closes in on Fili to tag him with a strong left. Fili returns fire, willing to engage in this kind of high-intensity affair. This is the worst idea for “Touchy,” who connects with a straight left hand but is standing directly in front of Ige.
Ige uncorks a bomb of a right hand that detonates on his foe's temple, sending Fili crashing to the ground possibly out cold. To seal the deal, “50K” likely snatches a $50,000 bonus check with one devastating standing-to-ground right hand, completely separating Fili from all senses.
Ige walks off, knowing his work here is done. Wow.
The Official Result
Dan Ige def. Andre Fili R1 2:43 via KO (Punches)
Angelo calls this a 50-50 fight. Dan Ige is a fantastic kickboxer with good BJJ and underrated wrestling, having defended 10 takedowns from Bryce Mitchell. Andre Fili has all the tools but a questionable chin and tends to brawl. Angelo thinks if Fili wrestles, he can win, but expects him to brawl, favoring Ige. He suggests this is a great live bet fight.
Big Brady picks Dan Ige to win by second-round knockout. He notes that Ige is durable (never knocked out or submitted), hits hard, and has fought top competition, while Fili has been knocked out multiple times and has questionable striking defense. He expects a stand-up fight where Ige's power and durability prevail, dropping and finishing Fili.
Cody picks Ige, expecting a close decision. He notes Ige's durability and power, while Fili has been knocked out before. He thinks the fight will likely go to decision, with Ige's superior hand speed and pressure being key. Cody also mentions the Apex environment may favor Ige's impactful strikes. He suggests a prop on Ige by decision or the over 2.5 rounds.
Ige has crisp boxing, high fight IQ, and a great game plan. He should be able to counter Fili's unorthodox striking and potentially mix in grappling to open up his boxing. Fili has a reach advantage but struggles to land big shots against disciplined strikers. Ige's experience and reliability should lead to a decision victory.
Paul also picks Ige, noting Fili's experience but questioning if his wrestling is enough to neutralize Ige. He thinks Ige's chin and power are key, and that Fili's volume may not be enough. Paul mentions a possible Ige knockout, but leans toward Ige on the moneyline. He also considers a sprinkle on Ige by KO in round 1 at +850.
The MMA Guru picks Dan Ige because he follows game plans well and performs against opponents just outside the rankings. He expects Ige to chop low kicks and work his way inside, finishing Fili in the second round. He notes Ige's wins over Damon Jackson and his competitive fight with Bryce Mitchell.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 1 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 25 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 25 | 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 | Andre Fili | 1 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 25 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 20 of 36 | 55% | 16 of 29 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 15 |
| Lucas Almeida | 10 of 25 | 40% | 1 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 9 of 13 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 20 of 36 | 55% | 16 of 29 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 15 |
| Lucas Almeida | 10 of 25 | 40% | 1 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 9 of 13 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Fili (-175), Almeida (+145)
Round 1
Wasting little time, the second fight of the evening is on deck. In the featherweight category, Fili (22-10, 1 NC; 10-9, 1 NC UFC) aims to keep his record with the promotion over .500. His action-packed opponent Almeida (14-2, 1-1 UFC), who has a 100% finish rate and wants to lift his own UFC win/loss total above 1-1, will almost certainly meet him in the middle and trade. Before this happens, referee Jason Herzog clocks them in. The fighters do not touch ‘em up, and instead Fili pushes the pace immediately and starts cutting Almeida off. Fili dips and moves with capoeira gestures until Almeida tosses a low kick at him, and Fili checks it with a resounding thump. Fili replies with a body kick, and he absorbs a leg kick when advancing. Fili lets loose with a left hand, and Almeida takes it flush and tries to respond, but the UFC vet rolls with it. Almeida paws out a pair of leg kicks that miss the mark, and Fili slams a body kick home to offer something back. Fili ducks down low when Almeida swings at him, and he pops back up and dings Almeida with a left hook. Almeida continues working the lead leg when he finds openings, and Fili checks one or two but absorbs the brunt of them. Almeida turns his hips into a stern kick, and Fili gathers himself and jabs Almeida hard in the solar plexus. Fili rips a kick to the ribs, and he leans back from a head kick and brushes his shoulder dismissively. Almeida chops at the lead wheel, and Fili gives it back with interest. Fili sits down on a ferocious right hand during an exchange, knocking the Brazilian clean off his feet. Fili lowers himself down to finish the job, with Almeida’s eyes wide as he tries to defend himself.
Fili unleashes a lengthy barrage of hammerfists and punctuating punches as Herzog comes in close to consider the stoppage. Herzog backs off, and Fili continues to pelt Almeida with his fists until the gold-standard referee calls a halt to the matchup.
Almeida climbs back to his feet and tries to protest, but he learns he has moved to Wobble Street and can barely stand up on his own power. Fili sprints off to celebrate his handiwork, and lets loose some raw emotion after earning the huge win.
The Official Result
Andre Fili def. Lucas Almeida R1 3:32 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Lucas Almeida as an underdog, citing his real power and killer instinct. He acknowledges Fili's talent but distrusts his chin and lack of wrestling usage. He does not bet because both fighters are unreliable.
Big Brady picks Lucas Almeida to win by second-round KO, despite acknowledging Fili's wrestling path. He notes Fili hasn't wrestled much recently and isn't a dominant grappler like Pat Sabatini, so he expects the fight to stay standing. Brady highlights Almeida's 100% finish rate and power, while Fili has been finished 5 times and has a questionable chin. He believes Almeida will land a knockout as an underdog.
Cody picks Fili, arguing that Almeida is hittable and walks in a straight line. He notes that Fili has good footwork, a jab, and can mix in wrestling. Cody believes Fili will outpoint Almeida by striking and using takedowns to secure rounds. He expects a decision win for Fili, as Almeida's takedown defense is suspect and Fili is the more well-rounded fighter.
Jeff Fox picks Lucas Almeida as his dog, explaining that Almeida is a better striker and is fighting a guy on a skid. He thinks Almeida is a worthy gamble at plus 145.
Lucrative James picks Lucas Almeida as the value side. He believes Andre Fili has clear deficiencies in striking defense and chin, getting hurt in almost every fight. He thinks Fili's path is via wrestling, but Fili often chooses to stand and bang. Almeida hits hard, has good durability, and Fili's tendency to get cracked makes Almeida the play at underdog odds.
The host leans toward Fili but is not confident due to the chalk. He believes Fili's experience and grappling advantage should be the difference, as he can take Almeida down and grind out a decision. However, he warns that if Fili chooses to strike, he could get knocked out. He expects Fili to shoot multiple takedowns and win a decision, avoiding his first losing streak in the UFC.
Paul picks Fili, agreeing that Fili is the more experienced and well-rounded fighter. He notes that Fili has faced much tougher competition and has multiple paths to victory. Paul believes Fili's wrestling and striking will be too much for Almeida, who is a banger but lacks defensive skills. He expects Fili to win by decision or potentially by submission.
The Guru picks Andre Fili over Lucas Almeida, noting Fili has looked good even in losses and has a reach and range advantage. He believes Almeida lacks the KO power to finish Fili and that Fili's wrestling will be a factor. He predicts a 29-28 decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathaniel Wood | 1 | 84 of 148 | 56% | 108 of 174 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:47 |
| Andre Fili | 1 | 58 of 151 | 38% | 76 of 179 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nathaniel Wood | 1 | 37 of 69 | 53% | 37 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:23 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 17 of 49 | 34% | 20 of 52 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Nathaniel Wood | 0 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 34 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Andre Fili | 1 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 32 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:55 | |
| 3 | Nathaniel Wood | 0 | 37 of 64 | 57% | 37 of 64 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andre Fili | 0 | 24 of 68 | 35% | 24 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathaniel Wood | 84 of 148 | 56% | 38 of 90 | 10 of 18 | 36 of 40 | 71 of 123 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 25 |
| Andre Fili | 58 of 151 | 38% | 45 of 134 | 7 of 10 | 6 of 7 | 53 of 144 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nathaniel Wood | 37 of 69 | 53% | 21 of 48 | 4 of 7 | 12 of 14 | 24 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 25 |
| Andre Fili | 17 of 49 | 34% | 15 of 45 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nathaniel Wood | 10 of 15 | 66% | 4 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Fili | 17 of 34 | 50% | 14 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 27 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Nathaniel Wood | 37 of 64 | 57% | 13 of 33 | 5 of 10 | 19 of 21 | 37 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Fili | 24 of 68 | 35% | 16 of 58 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 24 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Wood (-195), Fili (+165)
Round 1
Action may be the operative word for this featured featherweight affair, when Great Britain Top Team export Wood (19-5, 6-2 UFC) attempts to thrill his home city fans by taking on “Touchy” Fili (22-9, 1 NC; 10-8, 1 NC UFC). With upwards of 15 minutes to work, the two get after it as referee Marc Goddard stands by. Both men amped up, they race to the center of the cage without bothering to touch ‘em up. Fili instead sticks a left hand down the pipe, and Wood responds with a head kick. Fili drives a left hand down Broadway, sending Wood crashing to his seat. As Wood jumps back up, Fili just misses on a head kick that would have put him down for good. Fili settles down, and he aims a head kick at his man after resetting. Wood nails the lead leg to trip Fili up, but Fili is able to shake it off and touch him with several straighter strikes. The range of Fili is able to fluster Wood, as Fili chips away with low kicks and distance shots. Wood gets tired of taking damage, and he blazes forward, smashing Fili in the face with a flurry of fists. As Fili backs up to the wall, Wood lays into him and knocks him down to the floor. Fili falls to his back, and Wood is quick to pursue him and try to finish the job. Wood slashes down with elbows, opening a cut on the inner eyebrow to draw blood that leaks into his eye. Fili tells Goddard he is fine and to not intervene, and Wood beats on him with several strikes. Wood stands back up, feeling he will be better off upright, and he delivers a harsh leg kick that hurts Fili badly. Fili appears to have otherwise recovered from the strikes to the cranium, and he motions to Wood to get things going. The two trade jabs, and Wood gives chase and reaches Fili with an overhand right. Fili goes up high with a kick, and Wood just misses a massive right hook by a matter of inches. Fili showboats at him and even salsa dances a little, and the wild round wraps up.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wood
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Wood
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wood
Round 2
The featherweights are extremely amped up, and almost get going before Goddard can check them in. Goddard has to back them off, and when they start fighting, one jab from Wood shakes Fili up significantly. Wood walks him down but does not come in recklessly, as Fili wings a high kick in hopes of catching Wood coming after him. Fili circles away, and he tosses out another head kick. Wood jabs the body, and Fili whiffs on two punches. The power discrepancy for Wood is noteworthy, as he seems to sting Fili any time he lands flush. Fili’s volume answers Wood, and he strings several punches that surprise Wood. Fili drills his man on the chin with a barrage of knees, and Wood crumples to the floor a bloody mess. Fili jumps on top and is able to take his back, but he cannot pursue a choke from the position. Wood gets his bearings and musters himself out of the position and back to his feet, and as Fili returns upright, Wood manages to move around him to take his back and drag him down from behind. Wood is unable to hold him tightly in the position, as Fili spins around and takes top position. Both men take some time to clear out the cobwebs, with a stalemate largely ensuing as Wood closes the guard. Fili scores a few short punches, and Wood responds off his back with elbows. Fili stays busy from above as he remains tightly pressed to his man, sneaking in the occasional elbow or punch when he is not chattering at Wood. Fili drops down a hefty elbow, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fili
Round 3
The two furiously begin the last round of action, and Wood clips his foe with a left hook and a jab. Fili tries to kick him reactively, and he is forced to get on his bike and back away to measure himself. Fili dodges a left hook and breathes a sigh of relief, and he peppers Wood with jabs. Wood loads up on his power punches, but one thumping leg kick does connect square on the inner calf. Wood swats out a few jabs, reaching Fili but getting sniped with a straight left hand. Wood forces a stance switch from his foe from a kick, and he times that to land another kick on the other leg. They snap out jabs one after the other, and Wood’s appear to be slightly more impactful. Fili’s jab is intercepted via a leg kick, and Wood slowly stalks him down and keeps his guard up. When Fili kicks high, Wood is able to block it, although his own counter misses. Wood chips away at the inside of Fili’s knee, and they both put speedy combinations on one another. “Touchy” crashes forward for a takedown, and Wood stonewalls him and breaks the grip. Wood lands a leg kick and shakes his own leg out from the check. Wood gets off a front kick to the body, and he defends against a sudden spin kick that is aimed at his dome. Wood allows Fili to come at him so he can knock Fili back with a left hook, and they proceed to trade vicious leg kicks as Fili lands awkwardly. Wood’s jab finds its home on the jaw, and he kicks the body as Fili ducks in for a takedown. Wood backs off and snatches up the leg, and he lets it go. Fili jumps at him with a high kick, and Wood laughs. In one final maneuver, Fili spins with a wheel kick that is feet away from his intended target, and the fight comes to a close. The two clap hands after a hard-fought battle.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wood (29-28 Wood)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Wood (29-28 Wood)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wood (29-28 Wood)
The Official Result
Nathaniel Wood def. Andre Fili via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Nathaniel Wood, believing a healthy Wood beats an inconsistent Andre Fili. He notes Wood's injury was just a cut, not a knee issue, so he should be fine. He does not bet the moneyline but may explore props because Fili is better than the odds suggest.
Big Brady picks Nathaniel Wood by decision, citing hometown advantage and volume striking. He notes Wood is undersized with a reach disadvantage but throws high volume (6.34 sig strikes/min). He thinks Wood can mix in takedowns and that close decisions will favor the London fighter. He admits the line should be closer.
Cody picks Wood based on volume advantage, noting Wood lands over 97 significant strikes in recent fights while Fili's career high is 98. He thinks Wood's wrestling and pressure will overwhelm Fili, and that Wood's chin issues were due to weight cuts at 135. He expects a 30-27 decision.
Daniel made this his first bet of the card, taking Nathaniel Wood at -180 to win 2 units. He highlights Wood's pace and volume advantage, noting Fili has never landed 100 significant strikes in a UFC fight while Wood has exceeded 130 multiple times. He believes Wood's calf kicks and pressure will neutralize Fili's reach, and that Wood's improved chin at featherweight (no longer cutting to bantamweight) is a key factor. He acknowledges the threat of Fili's head kick but trusts Wood's game plan to close distance and outwork him.
James picks Nathaniel Wood to win, calling this a potential coming-out party for him. He notes that Wood has deserved a big win and that Fili doesn't always rise to the occasion. He mentions that Wood is fighting in his hometown of London and that he thinks Wood will rise to the occasion. James acknowledges his bias as he is friendly with Wood but still believes in his skills.
The host picks Nathaniel Wood, citing his improved cardio at featherweight, patient striking, and ground game. He believes Wood's overall game will be too much for Fili, who struggles against higher competition. He predicts a decision win for Wood.
Paul agrees with Cody on volume, noting Fili lacks knockout power and has durability issues. He thinks Wood's wrestling advantage and pace will be key. He also likes Wood by decision and the over on significant strikes.
The MMA Guru picks Nathaniel Wood, calling it a no-brainer. He praises Wood's leg kicks, noting he may hold the record for most leg kicks landed in a fight. He criticizes Andre Fili's recent decline and skinny legs, and believes Wood's high guard will defend against head kicks. The Guru expects Wood to bust up Fili's lead leg and win by decision or late TKO.
Gabriel Benítez - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maheshate | 0 | 121 of 295 | 41% | 121 of 296 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 97 of 312 | 31% | 97 of 312 | 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 | Maheshate | 0 | 23 of 69 | 33% | 23 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 21 of 66 | 31% | 21 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Maheshate | 0 | 51 of 104 | 49% | 51 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 43 of 116 | 37% | 43 of 116 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Maheshate | 0 | 47 of 122 | 38% | 47 of 123 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 33 of 130 | 25% | 33 of 130 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maheshate | 121 of 295 | 41% | 81 of 247 | 13 of 21 | 27 of 27 | 120 of 291 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 97 of 312 | 31% | 67 of 261 | 26 of 47 | 4 of 4 | 93 of 304 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maheshate | 23 of 69 | 33% | 9 of 51 | 4 of 8 | 10 of 10 | 23 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 21 of 66 | 31% | 13 of 49 | 6 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Maheshate | 51 of 104 | 49% | 35 of 87 | 3 of 4 | 13 of 13 | 51 of 103 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 43 of 116 | 37% | 29 of 100 | 12 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 42 of 115 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Maheshate | 47 of 122 | 38% | 37 of 109 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 46 of 119 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 33 of 130 | 25% | 25 of 112 | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 123 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Maheshate but with very low confidence, calling it 'the tiniest sliver of confidence.' He notes Maheshate is young (24), faster, and stronger, but makes young mistakes and lets opponents dictate the pace. The pick is driven largely by recency bias, as Gabriel Benítez looked poor in his last fight after a layoff. Angelo acknowledges Benítez is a good underdog value because he may have shaken off ring rust.
Cody picks Benítez as a dog, citing his technical striking and volume. He notes Maheshate is low-volume and relies on one-punch power. He believes Benítez's experience and durability (if chin holds) will allow him to outwork Maheshate.
Daniel believes Maheshate belongs at UFC level, while Benítez is a gatekeeper who loses to fighters who belong. He notes Maheshate's right-side strikes (hand, high kick, knee) will be key against the southpaw Benítez. He predicts a knockout from the right side, possibly a right hand or high kick.
Maheshate has a 4-inch height advantage and similar reach, and his ability to establish range with footwork and straight shots down the middle will cause Benítez trouble. He has aligned himself with Fight Ready MMA, which has solid striking coaches. I expect Maheshate to counter Benítez effectively and line up a knockout shot, putting him back into winning ways.
Paul also picks Benítez, noting his high volume and takedown defense. He thinks Maheshate's low output plays into Benítez's hands, and that Benítez can win by decision if he avoids Maheshate's power. He acknowledges Benítez's chin issues but believes his volume will carry him.
The MMA Guru picks Maheshate to win by TKO in the third round. He notes that Maheshate has shown composure and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win, including eye pokes and takedowns when being outstruck. He criticizes Gabriel Benítez for falling apart in fights and lacking finishing ability, as seen in his failure to put away Billy Quarantillo. The Guru believes Maheshate is hungrier and more technical on the feet.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Miller | 0 | 80 of 140 | 57% | 96 of 157 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:55 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 80 of 182 | 43% | 84 of 188 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Miller | 0 | 32 of 64 | 50% | 33 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 32 of 77 | 41% | 32 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 2 | Jim Miller | 0 | 28 of 38 | 73% | 42 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:52 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 22 of 48 | 45% | 26 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jim Miller | 0 | 20 of 38 | 52% | 21 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 26 of 57 | 45% | 26 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Miller | 80 of 140 | 57% | 50 of 108 | 10 of 12 | 20 of 20 | 67 of 125 | 5 of 7 | 8 of 8 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 80 of 182 | 43% | 51 of 145 | 13 of 21 | 16 of 16 | 79 of 181 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Miller | 32 of 64 | 50% | 17 of 47 | 5 of 7 | 10 of 10 | 30 of 60 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 32 of 77 | 41% | 18 of 56 | 7 of 14 | 7 of 7 | 31 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jim Miller | 28 of 38 | 73% | 19 of 29 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 18 of 28 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 7 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 22 of 48 | 45% | 17 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 22 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jim Miller | 20 of 38 | 52% | 14 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 26 of 57 | 45% | 16 of 47 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 26 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Miller (-120), Benitez (+100)
Round 1
It’s Miller (36-17, 1 NC; 25-16, 1 NC UFC) time. The storied veteran takes on Benitez (23-10, 7-6 UFC) and already has his next date on the calendar circled: April 13. Before then, he has to get past the fiery “Moggly,” who should not just serve as a heavy bag. The co-main event will be covered by referee Dan Miragliotta. The lightweights have all the respect in the world for one another, they touch ‘em up before engaging, and there’s a bad moon on the rise. Miller parries a jab and takes a one-two on the chin, and he walks Benitez down. Benitez tries to back him off with a front kick, and he scores a low kick. Miller gives him one back immediately, and he scores three punches up top and a left to the body. Miller scores a low kick, and he aims a right to the body. Miller walks his foe down and unloads with punches, and Benitez is marked up already and defends with a knee. They trade leg kicks, with Miller throwing harder. Miller chops down the lead leg of his opponent, and Benitez drives a one-two down the pipe. Benitez gets off another one-two, and Miller pushes a front kick out of the way to make Benitez slip. Benitez jumps back up, and he swings heavy punches including a left hand that marks up Miller’s right eye. They connect with right hands at the same time, and Miller blitzes forward to back Benitez off. Miller blasts the body with two loud knees, and Benitez escapes on the outside and gets back to striking range. Miller follows him and swings, and he gets clipped with a left hand. Benitez scores a low kick, Miller fires it back and walks through a jab. Miller plods ahead with punches and an inside leg kick, and he gets one off on the other side. Benitez sticks out a few jabs, and Miller crowds him but does not land flush in an exchange. Miller keeps coming forward, getting off a left hand and a knee up the middle. Benitez ties him up, and Miller aims a body shot before the two split up. Benitez goes to the body, and Miller goes up top. Benitez flicks out a few jabs and gets backed off with a hefty low kick, and he reaches Miller with a long left. Miller loads up on a high kick, and Benitez springs into action with several punches and a body kick. Benitez tags his foe with a left hand, and Miller blinks it out and keeps his guard up to defend another one-two that soars at him at high speed. Miller leaps ahead with a right hook, and he gets met on the way in with a left hand and a low kick. Benitez gets off several jabs and a left hook follows the fourth, and Miller is on him with his own combination to end the spirited round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Round 2
The lightweights touch ‘em up to get started, and fists meet faces shortly thereafter. Benitez wades through a few punches and then backs off, but Miller is right on him and nails him with two leg kicks. Benitez connects with a clean left hand to shake Miller up, and he eats a few punches as Miller is right on him. Miller blasts him with a left hand, lands another, drives up a knee and pounds Benitez with another short left. Miller slashes out an elbow, and Benitez is no worse for wear as he backs away. Miller keeps the high pace and whips down low kicks that have welted up the Mexican’s legs. Benitez looks to get his jab going frequently, and the low kicks from Miller make Benitez lift his leg up preemptively to block them. They land powerful punches, and Miller strides forward confidently to nail Benitez with an elbow. Miller changes things up and hits an easy takedown, and Benitez turns to one side in an effort to set up an armbar. Miller sees it coming and shuts it down, and he stacks Benitez up and works the body. Miller continues to strike, and Benitez moves his legs up to set up a high guard to for a potential submission setup. Miller breaks out of it by connecting with two nasty elbows, and Benitez rolls frantically to grab hold of Miller’s arm and lock down an armbar. Miller moves the proper way through it and gets out of danger, and he again holds himself on top of Benitez and hammers him with standing-to-ground punches. As Benitez turns after absorbing a particularly heavy blow, Miller takes his back and secures a body triangle. Benitez hand-fights to prevent any rear-naked choke, and Miller uses one left to break the wrist lock so that he can isolate Benitez’ neck. Benitez survives to the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Miller
Round 3
The fighters clap hands together as the last round opens, and they are just as willing to slug it out as ever. They stand in the center of the Octagon and trade leather briefly, and Miller targets the busted lead leg of his foe with a kick. Benitez stands firm and throws punches, and he comes up short with a high kick. Miller punches high and kicks low in response, as his corner cheers the kick as if he were in a muay thai contest. Miller sneaks two left hands around the guard, and Benitez is tough as nails but his nose starts leaking. Miller lands a heavy leg kick, and when Benitez backs him off with a few punches, Miller comes back firing with a kick he turns his hip towards. Benitez walks forward to throw hard, and Miller’s eyes begin to close from swelling. Benitez continues to pepper him with punches and kicks, and Miller staggers him with a straight right hand. Miller wades forward without a care in the world, and Benitez’s volume is starting to frustrate his opponent. Miller connects with another vicious low kick, and he shoots for a double that lands him in half guard easily. Benitez looks to scramble, and he gives his back up.
Miller gets the body lock he was looking for, and he immediately starts pursuing the choke. Benitez turns to his side, but Miller has him locked down and fishing for rear-naked choke grip. Miller cranks down with his forearm on Benitez’ jaw, and he does not even bother to slide it under the chin before he starts squeezing. Knowing that he has no way out, Benitez surrenders to the face crank, and Miller has done it.
He adds to his record with the most victories in UFC history, and hardcore fans around the world are elated at the grizzled veteran getting it done by stoppage once more. Pleasing the crowd and commentator Michael Bisping, Miller proudly declares that he has his sights set on UFC 300 in April, with three names in mind: Paul Felder, Matt Brown and Brock Lesnar.
The Official Result
Jim Miller def. Gabriel Benitez R3 3:25 via Submission (Face Crank)
Angelo picks Jim Miller but with low confidence due to his age (40). He notes Miller's late-career power and toughness, but acknowledges Gabriel Benítez is a dangerous striker with power. He thinks Miller's wrestling and grit could get the win, but won't bet on a 40-year-old.
Big Brady likes Jim Miller's recent form, noting he's been active and knocking people out. He questions Benítez's durability and inactivity, as Benítez has been knocked out multiple times and hasn't fought in over a year. Brady predicts Miller will knock out Benítez in the first round, possibly via a club-and-sub.
Cody picks Benítez, citing his solid takedown defense from training with elite wrestlers, his volume striking, and leg kicks that can immobilize Miller. He notes Miller's lack of volume and takedown attempts in recent fights, and believes Benítez can sprawl and keep the fight standing to win by volume.
Daniel Vreeland leans with Gabriel Benítez, citing his youth and durability. He expects a competitive first round, but if it goes past that, Benítez's kicks and knees will wear down Jim Miller. Vreeland acknowledges Miller's finishing ability but thinks Benítez's chin issues are mitigated by the fact that only heavy hitters have knocked him out.
James does not discuss this fight in the transcript. He only covers fights from the card he mentions, and Jim Miller vs Gabriel Benítez is not mentioned.
Gabriel Benítez is a technical striker with a strong kicking game, especially to the body, and trains at AKA. He has a significant layoff but looked impressive in his last win over Charlie Ontiveros. Jim Miller is 40 years old and tends to fade in later rounds if he doesn't get an early finish. Benítez's technical striking advantage should allow him to outwork Miller from distance and potentially hurt him to the body. I expect Benítez to win by decision, but I'm cautious about the layoff and Miller's power. I'd wait for better odds on Benítez, ideally plus 140 or higher.
Paul leans towards Benítez as the number climbs, noting that Jim Miller's recent wins are against low-level competition and that Benítez has a speed advantage and kicks very hard. He mentions that if the line moves to +150, he would take a shot on Benítez, but he's not heavily invested.
The MMA Guru picks Jim Miller, admitting bias but citing Miller's consistency and activity. He notes Gabriel Benítez has been inactive for nearly two years and lost to David Onama. He believes Miller still has fast-twitch muscle and finishing ability, predicting a TKO finish in the first round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 37 of 60 | 61% | 47 of 74 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 |
| Charlie Ontiveros | 0 | 22 of 47 | 46% | 28 of 55 | 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 | Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 37 of 60 | 61% | 47 of 74 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 |
| Charlie Ontiveros | 0 | 22 of 47 | 46% | 28 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Benítez | 37 of 60 | 61% | 26 of 46 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 26 | 2 of 4 | 21 of 30 |
| Charlie Ontiveros | 22 of 47 | 46% | 17 of 40 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 45 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gabriel Benítez | 37 of 60 | 61% | 26 of 46 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 26 | 2 of 4 | 21 of 30 |
| Charlie Ontiveros | 22 of 47 | 46% | 17 of 40 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 45 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Gabriel Benítez, citing his technical kickboxing, speed, and better grappling. He notes Ontiveros has chin issues and low-level competition. Benítez is a safe parlay piece despite being a big favorite.
Big Brady picks Gabriel Benítez to win by first-round knockout. He calls Ontiveros the least durable fighter in the UFC, noting he has been finished eight times and has quit in fights. Benítez has power and durability, though his chin is questionable. Brady expects a stand-up war where Benítez lands a big shot early, possibly a body kick, and finishes Ontiveros.
Cody picks Benítez, calling Ontiveros a 'never was' and noting Benítez's experience and leg kicks. He acknowledges Benítez's durability may be fading but believes Ontiveros' chin is completely gone. Cody thinks Benítez will land clean and finish him early.
Daniel Levi picks Gabriel Benítez, but with caution. He notes that Benítez should win easily due to his experience and heart, but he is coming off a brutal knockout loss. Ontiveros has a puncher's chance in the first two minutes, but if he doesn't land, Benítez will break him down. Levi is not rushing to bet on Benítez at these odds.
The host is high on Ontiveros as a dog, expecting a first-round KO. He mentions that he wants to bet 'fight doesn't go to decision' and under 1.5 rounds, but notes the line is juiced to -240. He also mentions a possible bet on Ontiveros round one at +800. He calls Ontiveros his 'dog of the card' and believes he gets the KO.
Paul picks Benítez, expecting a first-round knockout. He notes Ontiveros has been knocked out 8-9 times and is made of glass. Paul is shocked the under 1.5 rounds is -240, but still thinks Benítez will smash him. He also likes Benítez over 104.5 fantasy points on PrizePicks.
The host picks Gabriel Benítez, expecting him to survive an early onslaught and secure a late second-round TKO against the cage. He notes Ontiveros's loss to Steve Garcia Jr. as a red flag and believes Benítez can hold the gate one more time. He mentions Ontiveros as a good underdog for a first-round KO bet but ultimately sides with Benítez's experience.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Onama | 0 | 46 of 96 | 47% | 46 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 36 of 94 | 38% | 36 of 94 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Onama | 0 | 46 of 96 | 47% | 46 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 36 of 94 | 38% | 36 of 94 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Onama | 46 of 96 | 47% | 19 of 68 | 17 of 18 | 10 of 10 | 45 of 95 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 36 of 94 | 38% | 30 of 86 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 35 of 92 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Onama | 46 of 96 | 47% | 19 of 68 | 17 of 18 | 10 of 10 | 45 of 95 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 36 of 94 | 38% | 30 of 86 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 35 of 92 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks David Onama, citing his speed, power, and versatility advantage in a kickboxing match. He notes Benitez has grappling tools but rarely uses them (only one takedown in 11 UFC fights). He acknowledges Onama's grappling struggles but believes Benitez won't exploit them.
Big Brady picks David Onama but is not very confident, warning against overrating Onama's performance against Mason Jones. He notes Benitez has excellent striking defense and could pull off an upset. However, he likes Onama's youth, size, reach, and cardio, and predicts a late knockout as Benitez slows down.
Cody picks Onama, believing he is a legitimate prospect. He highlights Onama's impressive performance against Mason Jones, where he showed great cardio, durability, and the ability to get up from takedowns. Cody notes that Benítez is a gatekeeper on the decline, with low volume and questionable durability after being dropped by Billy Q. He thinks Onama will out-strike Benítez and possibly finish him.
Levi is confident in Onama, citing Benitez's decline after wars and weight issues. He notes Onama's impressive short-notice performance against Mason Jones and believes his African power will be too much for Benitez's chin. Levi compares this to other prospects beating faded veterans and expects Onama to find a clean knockout.
Benítez is the seasoned veteran with cleaner striking and a strong kicking game. Onama's hype is based on beating a low-level opponent; Benítez's durability is overstated as a concern. Benítez should outpoint Onama with his southpaw kicks and experience. The under 2.5 rounds and Benítez by KO at +500 are also live.
Paul picks Onama, impressed by his ferocity and durability in the Mason Jones fight. He notes that Onama will be massive at 145 and that Benítez's durability is questionable after being dropped by Billy Q. Paul thinks Onama's pace and power will be too much for Benítez.
The MMA Guru picks David Onama to win by first-round KO. He notes Onama's close fight with Mason Jones on short notice and believes Onama is a great prospect with a big reach advantage. He thinks Gabriel Benitez's durability has declined after several KO losses and that Onama will crack his chin early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Quarantillo | 1 | 57 of 110 | 51% | 67 of 122 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:50 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 100 of 156 | 64% | 179 of 259 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 1 | 0 | 8:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billy Quarantillo | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 17 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:15 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 25 of 38 | 65% | 60 of 86 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:30 | |
| 2 | Billy Quarantillo | 0 | 23 of 45 | 51% | 23 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 53 of 79 | 67% | 72 of 104 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 2:58 | |
| 3 | Billy Quarantillo | 1 | 22 of 39 | 56% | 27 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 22 of 39 | 56% | 47 of 69 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Quarantillo | 57 of 110 | 51% | 38 of 89 | 13 of 15 | 6 of 6 | 44 of 89 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 12 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 100 of 156 | 64% | 73 of 126 | 20 of 23 | 7 of 7 | 61 of 107 | 11 of 12 | 28 of 37 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billy Quarantillo | 12 of 26 | 46% | 7 of 21 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 25 of 38 | 65% | 17 of 30 | 6 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 17 | |
| 2 | Billy Quarantillo | 23 of 45 | 51% | 14 of 34 | 7 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 37 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 53 of 79 | 67% | 39 of 62 | 11 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 35 of 58 | 8 of 9 | 10 of 12 | |
| 3 | Billy Quarantillo | 22 of 39 | 56% | 17 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 22 of 39 | 56% | 17 of 34 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 8 |
Cody is confident in Gabriel Benítez, citing his physical strength, advanced striking, and leg kicks. He believes Billy Quarantillo's lack of strength and power will be exposed, as seen in the Gavin Tucker fight. Cody thinks Benítez's pressure and durability will overwhelm Quarantillo, and he expects a finish or a clear decision.
Paul is picking against his favorite Billy Quarantillo for the first time. He notes that Benítez is a brick wall with superior strength and striking, and that Quarantillo's cardio and heart won't be enough against a physically stronger opponent. He expects Benítez to win, possibly by decision or late finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 38 of 104 | 36% | 38 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Justin Jaynes | 0 | 22 of 52 | 42% | 22 of 52 | 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 | Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 38 of 104 | 36% | 38 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Justin Jaynes | 0 | 22 of 52 | 42% | 22 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Benítez | 38 of 104 | 36% | 20 of 83 | 10 of 12 | 8 of 9 | 34 of 99 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Justin Jaynes | 22 of 52 | 42% | 16 of 44 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gabriel Benítez | 38 of 104 | 36% | 20 of 83 | 10 of 12 | 8 of 9 | 34 of 99 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Justin Jaynes | 22 of 52 | 42% | 16 of 44 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Gabriel Benítez, noting the line flipped from Benítez opening as an underdog to now being a heavy favorite. He likes Benítez's leg kicks and overall striking, and believes if Benítez survives Jaynes's early storm, he will take over. He predicts a second-round knockout, as Jaynes has never been knocked out but Benítez has finishing ability. He notes Jaynes is a 'one-round and bust' fighter with poor cardio.
Daniel picks Gabriel Benítez but with hesitation, noting that Justin Jaynes has first-round power and has scored knockdowns in both his UFC fights. He believes if Benítez can survive the first round, his body kicks and experience will take over. He cites Javier Mendez calling Benítez the hardest kicker he's ever held pads for, harder than Luke Rockhold or Cain Velasquez. However, he acknowledges Benítez's suspect chin and the emotional weight on Jaynes fighting for his sick father, which historically hasn't favored fighters.
The host picks Gabriel Benítez to win by third round TKO. He highlights Benítez's leg kicks, technical striking, and cardio advantage over Justin Jaynes, who has a narrow path to victory and questionable gas tank. He believes Benítez will chew up the lead leg and finish late as Jaynes fades. He is very confident, giving Benítez a 75% chance of winning.
The MMA Guru picks Gabriel Benítez by unanimous decision, expecting him to weather Justin Jaynes' first-round onslaught and take over in the second and third rounds as Jaynes gasses. He notes Benítez has a good chin and has faced tough competition, while Jaynes showed cardio issues in his loss to Gavin Tucker. He predicts a 29-28 scorecard.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 0 | 50 of 179 | 27% | 50 of 179 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 63 of 215 | 29% | 63 of 215 | 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 | Omar Morales | 0 | 15 of 53 | 28% | 15 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 12 of 55 | 21% | 12 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 0 | 13 of 53 | 24% | 13 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 20 of 60 | 33% | 20 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 0 | 22 of 73 | 30% | 22 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 0 | 31 of 100 | 31% | 31 of 100 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omar Morales | 50 of 179 | 27% | 17 of 133 | 21 of 28 | 12 of 18 | 50 of 179 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 63 of 215 | 29% | 36 of 178 | 20 of 28 | 7 of 9 | 61 of 210 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omar Morales | 15 of 53 | 28% | 6 of 39 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 15 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 12 of 55 | 21% | 7 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 12 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Omar Morales | 13 of 53 | 24% | 4 of 39 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 6 | 13 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 20 of 60 | 33% | 9 of 45 | 9 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Omar Morales | 22 of 73 | 30% | 7 of 55 | 11 of 13 | 4 of 5 | 22 of 73 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 31 of 100 | 31% | 20 of 84 | 10 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 29 of 96 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Omar Morales due to Benítez moving up in weight, making Morales the much bigger fighter. He believes Morales can take Benítez down at will and win a comfortable decision, possibly by knockout. He notes Benítez has been knocked out before and that Morales is very green but should dominate due to the size difference.
Daniel Levi picks Omar Morales, predicting a knockout via right high kick or counter. He criticizes Benítez's predictable offense (straight left, left kick) and suspect chin, noting that Morales is a former kickboxer with cleaner technique and power. He believes Morales will move to 2-0 in the UFC.
The MMA Guru picks Gabriel Benítez, stating he is not sold on Omar Morales after his lackluster UFC debut against Dong Hyun Ma. He notes that Benítez is in his prime at 31 and has had good showings in the UFC, including rocking Sadiq Yusuf. He predicts Benítez will win by decision or TKO, calling Morales an 'old man' making his debut too late.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 24 of 72 | 33% | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 34 of 79 | 43% | 34 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 0 | 24 of 72 | 33% | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 1 | 34 of 79 | 43% | 34 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodiq Yusuff | 24 of 72 | 33% | 11 of 55 | 4 of 8 | 9 of 9 | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 34 of 79 | 43% | 25 of 70 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 30 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sodiq Yusuff | 24 of 72 | 33% | 11 of 55 | 4 of 8 | 9 of 9 | 24 of 72 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gabriel Benítez | 34 of 79 | 43% | 25 of 70 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 30 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 7 |
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