Career Averages - Renato Moicano
Career Averages - Benoît Saint Denis
Renato Moicano
Benoît Saint Denis
Renato Moicano - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 21 of 36 | 58% | 62 of 84 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 3:16 |
| Chris Duncan | 0 | 27 of 62 | 43% | 30 of 66 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renato Moicano | 0 | 14 of 20 | 70% | 16 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:13 |
| Chris Duncan | 0 | 17 of 38 | 44% | 19 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 2 | Renato Moicano | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 46 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:03 |
| Chris Duncan | 0 | 10 of 24 | 41% | 11 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Moicano | 21 of 36 | 58% | 16 of 31 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
| Chris Duncan | 27 of 62 | 43% | 8 of 39 | 5 of 7 | 14 of 16 | 25 of 60 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renato Moicano | 14 of 20 | 70% | 10 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Chris Duncan | 17 of 38 | 44% | 3 of 22 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 13 | 15 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Renato Moicano | 7 of 16 | 43% | 6 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Chris Duncan | 10 of 24 | 41% | 5 of 17 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Chris Duncan, noting his durability and never-quit attitude. He acknowledges Moicano is more technical and experienced but believes Moicano is old and used up. He points out that Duncan has a history of winning fights he's not supposed to and that Moicano's recent focus may not be enough. Angelo has no bet on this fight.
Big Brady picks Chris Duncan to win by third-round knockout. He notes that Moicano is dangerous in the first round but fades after that, citing the Dariush fight where Moicano did nothing in the last 10 minutes. He believes Duncan has better cardio, durability, and power, and that his takedown defense has improved since the Manuel Torres loss. He expects Duncan to drop the first round but take over and eventually knock out Moicano.
Cody picks Duncan due to his momentum, youth, and ability to take over in later rounds. He notes Moicano's losing streak and potential lack of focus, but acknowledges the fight could be competitive early. He expects Duncan's superior striking and work rate to secure a win.
The host finds it difficult to bet pre-fight. He notes Duncan is easy to take down, which plays into Moicano's strength, but Moicano's chin and cardio are questionable in a five-round fight. He sees value on neither side and will watch for live betting. He also notes the odds for 'fight doesn't go to decision' are terrible.
Lucrative James picks Chris Duncan to win, citing his durability and power advantage over Moicano. He believes Duncan's momentum and shorter camp have him in peak form, and he predicts a fourth-round TKO finish. James also notes that Duncan's confidence is high from training with Moicano and seeing his own improvement.
James is rooting for his friend Chris Duncan and has released a full breakdown video with him. He mentions Chris is his friend and he will be rooting for him against Moicano, indicating a clear pick for Duncan.
Lucrative James picks Chris Duncan to win, citing Duncan's upward trajectory, age advantage (32 vs 36), superior cardio, durability, and will to win. He notes Moicano's possible decline due to outside interests and a longer camp. James expects a war but believes Duncan's physicality and recoverability will carry him, especially in later rounds. He mentions Duncan's power and takedown defense as key factors, though he acknowledges Moicano's early speed and submission threat. James states he won't bet publicly due to friendship bias but will have 'beer money' on Duncan.
The host expects Duncan to counter Moicano effectively, showcase good grappling defense, and eventually break Moicano for a finish inside the distance. He notes Moicano's recent struggles, poor durability, and questionable gas tank, while Duncan is on a four-fight winning streak with evolving skills. The host predicts a second-round TKO or submission for Duncan.
Paul leans towards Duncan, citing that Moicano struggles when outwrestled. He expects Duncan to use takedowns and control to win, though he's not heavily invested and plans to live bet.
The MMA Guru picks Chris Duncan, admitting he has doubted him before but is now convinced. He believes Duncan's durability, grit, and damage output will overcome Moicano, especially if the fight gets scrappy. He notes Moicano hasn't looked himself and that Duncan has good submission defense. He predicts a third-round TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneil Dariush | 0 | 56 of 107 | 52% | 77 of 131 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 5:53 |
| Renato Moicano | 1 | 31 of 61 | 50% | 38 of 69 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beneil Dariush | 0 | 22 of 46 | 47% | 22 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Renato Moicano | 1 | 22 of 42 | 52% | 25 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:45 | |
| 2 | Beneil Dariush | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 28 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:46 |
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Beneil Dariush | 0 | 26 of 47 | 55% | 27 of 48 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:07 |
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:35 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneil Dariush | 56 of 107 | 52% | 30 of 73 | 10 of 15 | 16 of 19 | 47 of 95 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 7 |
| Renato Moicano | 31 of 61 | 50% | 25 of 52 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 25 of 54 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beneil Dariush | 22 of 46 | 47% | 9 of 28 | 3 of 6 | 10 of 12 | 22 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Renato Moicano | 22 of 42 | 52% | 16 of 33 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 16 of 35 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Beneil Dariush | 8 of 14 | 57% | 8 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 7 |
| Renato Moicano | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Beneil Dariush | 26 of 47 | 55% | 13 of 32 | 7 of 8 | 6 of 7 | 22 of 43 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Renato Moicano | 8 of 17 | 47% | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Beneil Dariush because he believes Dariush's grappling and striking are a good matchup against Renato Moicano, who he thinks is too busy with outside commitments to be fully focused. He notes that Dariush is a BJJ world champion and a powerful striker, and he doesn't see Moicano out-grappling him. He also points out that Moicano's takedowns are not clean and he often clinches, while Dariush has shown incredible scrambles against top competition.
Big Brady likes the stylistic matchup for Dariush, who has elite takedown defense and is the better striker with more power. However, he is worried about Dariush coming off back-to-back knockout losses, his age, and potential chin issues. He thinks Moicano doesn't have knockout power but could still hurt Dariush. Brady predicts Dariush will win by knockout, but he is not confident due to the layoff and durability concerns.
Connor picks Dariush but is not confident. He notes that Moicano has never knocked anyone out standing, so Dariush can survive on the feet. He believes Dariush's wrestling and grappling are superior, and that Moicano's confidence can waver when things go wrong. However, he acknowledges that Moicano's lightweight run has been unpredictable and that Dariush has been knocked out brutally before.
The host is surprised Moicano is the favorite, believing Dariush's durability and grappling defense will shut down Moicano's approach. He predicts Dariush will land big shots and finish inside the distance, likely by TKO or submission within two and a half rounds.
The host picks Renato Moicano by decision, citing Dariush's long layoff and recent KO losses. He believes Moicano's grappling and striking have improved, and that he will start fast and set the tone. He expects a competitive fight but sees Moicano winning a 29-28 decision.
Zane also picks Dariush but is hesitant. He agrees that Moicano is not a dangerous striker and that Dariush can likely outgrapple him. He notes that Dariush has fought and beaten good grapplers before. However, he acknowledges that Moicano's run has been strange and that he has a tendency to find ways to win even when losing.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islam Makhachev | 0 | 6 of 19 | 31% | 18 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:27 |
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 9 of 27 | 33% | 18 of 37 | 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 | Islam Makhachev | 0 | 6 of 19 | 31% | 18 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:27 |
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 9 of 27 | 33% | 18 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islam Makhachev | 6 of 19 | 31% | 5 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Renato Moicano | 9 of 27 | 33% | 2 of 18 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Islam Makhachev | 6 of 19 | 31% | 5 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Renato Moicano | 9 of 27 | 33% | 2 of 18 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Islam Makhachev, noting his improvements in striking and his wrestling dominance. He acknowledges Arman Tsarukyan's takedown of Makhachev in their first fight but believes Makhachev's size, cardio, and overall game will prevail. He mentions Tsarukyan's chin being questionable after being dropped by a 40-year-old Silva.
Cody picks Islam Makhachev to retain, citing Islam's championship experience, improved wrestling, and ability to handle five rounds. He notes that Arman Tsarukyan has improved but still relies heavily on wrestling and tends to tire in later rounds. Cody also mentions that Islam has already beaten Tsarukyan once and has only gotten better since. He suggests a live bet strategy or a small hedge on Tsarukyan if the parlay is still alive.
Connor picks Islam Makhachev to win, citing his superior poise, technical striking, and defensive wrestling. He notes that Makhachev has become one of the best strikers in the division with a calm, principled approach, while Arman still fights with tension and wastes energy. Connor emphasizes that Makhachev's ability to stay relaxed and make good decisions under pressure gives him a clear edge, especially given their first fight where Makhachev outlasted Arman. He acknowledges Arman's improvements in finishing ability but believes Makhachev's overall game has grown more.
Daniel picks Moicano as a significant underdog, citing that Makhachev's days at 155 are numbered and he is looking to move up to 170. He notes that Makhachev has shown vulnerability in recent fights, with Dustin Poirier stuffing 11 takedowns and Volkanovski stuffing 5. Daniel believes Moicano can match Makhachev's wrestling and has dangerous kicks and knockout power, as seen against Benoit Saint-Denis. He also mentions the location in Los Angeles with a large Armenian population as a motivating factor for Moicano.
Lucrative James picks Islam Makhachev to win, citing his superior striking improvements against top competition like Dustin Poirier, Alexander Volkanovski, and Charles Oliveira. He expects the fight to feature more striking than their first bout, where Arman Tsarukyan was hesitant. James notes Islam's experience in five-round fights and counter-wrestling as key advantages, but acknowledges Arman's improved striking and power as potential threats. He mentions Islam's chin as a vulnerability, having been wobbled before, but ultimately believes Islam's overall skill set and prime condition will prevail.
The host acknowledges Tsarukyan has improved since their first fight and his power striking could cause issues. However, he believes Makhachev will create grappling opportunities and squeeze out a decision victory. He likes the fight to go to decision and does not like the heavy chalk on Makhachev but still expects him to win.
Paul agrees with Cody that Islam Makhachev will retain, noting that Islam has learned from the first fight and has a better understanding of Tsarukyan's style. He acknowledges Tsarukyan's knockout potential but believes Islam's experience and preparation will prevail. Paul also points out that Islam is a rightful favorite and a parlay piece for him this week.
The MMA Guru picks Islam Makhachev to win a close decision. He argues that Arman Tsarukyan cannot finish Makhachev and is unlikely to win a decision due to Makhachev's status. He notes Makhachev's clinch work and body knees are key weapons, and he expects Makhachev to win 3-2 or 4-1 on the scorecards. He also mentions that Tsarukyan's low kicks are not as effective as he remembered.
Zane agrees with Connor, picking Makhachev. He highlights Makhachev's unflappable poise and technical striking, contrasting it with Arman's all-or-nothing style that led to his loss in the first fight. Zane notes that Makhachev has improved significantly since then, becoming a more complete fighter, while Arman still tends to expend energy recklessly. He also points out that Makhachev's southpaw stance could trouble Arman, who hasn't looked great against southpaws. Zane acknowledges Arman's increased violence and finishing ability but believes Makhachev's calmness and defensive skills will prevail.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 50 of 72 | 69% | 72 of 98 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:53 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 25 of 60 | 41% | 35 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renato Moicano | 0 | 35 of 40 | 87% | 57 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:37 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 12 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Renato Moicano | 0 | 15 of 32 | 46% | 15 of 32 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 21 of 55 | 38% | 23 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Moicano | 50 of 72 | 69% | 46 of 66 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 17 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 33 of 36 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 25 of 60 | 41% | 13 of 44 | 10 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renato Moicano | 35 of 40 | 87% | 34 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 33 of 36 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Renato Moicano | 15 of 32 | 46% | 12 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 21 of 55 | 38% | 13 of 44 | 7 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Benoît Saint Denis, believing his all-gas-no-brakes pressure and grappling will be too much for Moicano. He notes that Moicano has a shaky chin and is not dangerous enough to stop Saint Denis's forward pressure. He references Saint Denis's dominant first round against Dustin Poirier, suggesting that same level of pressure will overwhelm Moicano. He dismisses the staph infection excuse as a potential factor but leans toward Saint Denis's performance being legitimate.
Big Brady picks Benoît Saint Denis by first-round knockout, describing him as a beast who pushes a crazy pace with power in his hands and body kicks. He notes Moicano's chin has always been an issue and Saint Denis will bring a car crash that Moicano won't survive. He expects an early finish.
Cody picks Benoît Saint Denis as his cash game play, citing his elite fantasy scoring in wins (109, 149, 115, 136, 105) and his aggression and wrestling ability. He notes that Saint Denis is a heavy favorite at minus 300 and has a minus 200 line to win inside the distance. Cody acknowledges that Moicano is a better technical fighter and could be a valuable tournament target, but Moicano's durability issues make Saint Denis the safer cash game pick.
Cody believes BSD is a legitimate future title challenger with relentless pressure, top-notch grappling, and physicality. He excuses BSD's loss to Dustin Poirier due to a staph infection and thinks a healthy BSD would have won. He sees Moicano's questionable chin and cardio as vulnerabilities, and expects BSD to overwhelm him with pace and aggression.
Connor picks Saint Denis because he believes Saint Denis's relentless pressure and physicality will overwhelm Moicano, who often gets hurt early and relies on wrestling to recover. He notes that Saint Denis is a strong scrambler and has never been held down, making Moicano's path to victory difficult. Connor acknowledges that Moicano could win if he survives the early onslaught, but he doubts Moicano can consistently find his grappling outlet against Saint Denis's pace.
Daniel Vreeland picks Benoît Saint Denis to win by TKO. He believes BSD's pressure, power, and body kicks will be too much for Moicano, who has poor striking defense and a questionable chin. He notes that Moicano is tough and has good grappling, but BSD's wrestling and ground-and-pound should secure the finish. He also mentions that the price is high at -270, but sees value in the KO prop at plus money.
JP picks Benoît Saint Denis because he thinks Saint Denis is a problem with power and toughness. He notes Saint Denis was beating Dustin Poirier before getting clipped, and he had a staph infection in that fight. He thinks Moicano gets hit too much and doesn't have the power to put Saint Denis away. He also mentions the fight is in France, which could favor the French fighter in a close decision.
Paul agrees with Cody, highlighting BSD's aggressive style, takedown ability, and durability. He notes that Moicano's path to victory via submission is unlikely against BSD's grappling. Paul also points out that Moicano's low output and cardio issues make him vulnerable in a five-round fight, especially in front of a French crowd.
The MMA Guru picks Renato Moicano over Benoît Saint Denis, emphasizing Moicano's underrated Jiu-Jitsu and significant experience advantage (9 years more as a pro). He notes Saint Denis' tendency to kick up and expose his back, which Moicano can exploit with body locks and back takes. He predicts a third-round submission via rear-naked choke after ground and pound.
Zane picks Saint Denis because he believes Saint Denis's constant pressure and pace will be too much for Moicano, who often gets hurt early and struggles to recover against relentless fighters. He notes that Moicano's best wins have come against grapplers who allow him to slow the fight down, but Saint Denis never stops coming. Zane also points out that Moicano's path to victory relies on surviving the early storm and then outworking Saint Denis, which he considers unlikely given Saint Denis's cardio and durability.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Moicano | 1 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Jalin Turner | 0 | 36 of 67 | 53% | 87 of 128 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 5:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renato Moicano | 1 | 9 of 25 | 36% | 9 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Jalin Turner | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 32 of 45 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:52 | |
| 2 | Renato Moicano | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jalin Turner | 0 | 28 of 51 | 54% | 55 of 83 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Moicano | 16 of 40 | 40% | 10 of 32 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jalin Turner | 36 of 67 | 53% | 32 of 60 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 24 of 43 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renato Moicano | 9 of 25 | 36% | 4 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jalin Turner | 8 of 16 | 50% | 6 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | |
| 2 | Renato Moicano | 7 of 15 | 46% | 6 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jalin Turner | 28 of 51 | 54% | 26 of 47 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 38 |
Angelo is confident in Jalin Turner, citing his phenomenal striking, length, and takedown defense. He notes Moicano's BJJ is dangerous but Turner should piece him up and potentially finish. He mentions Turner has never won a decision, so a finish is likely.
Cody is high on Turner's potential. He notes Turner's length (6'3", 77-inch reach), solid takedown defense (75%), and nasty power. Moicano lacks volume and offensive wrestling; his wins often come by quick submission or low-volume decisions. Cody points out that Moicano was a 145er and Turner is a big lightweight who could even be a middleweight. He believes Turner's power and reach will be too much, and he expects a finish, possibly a first-round knockout. Cody mentions Turner's cardio issues in past fights but thinks Moicano doesn't have the pressure to exploit them.
Connor picks Turner, emphasizing that Moicano's counter-punching and wrestling will not be enough. He notes that Turner is difficult to take down and works well from his back, while Moicano's confidence often breaks when pressured. Connor believes Turner's reach and power will be too much for Moicano to handle over three rounds.
Daniel Vreeland picks Jalin Turner, citing his improved striking, range management, and takedown defense. He believes Turner's power and length will be too much for Moicano, and that Turner will knock him out. Vreeland notes Moicano's submission threat but doubts his chin can hold up.
Turner has a striking advantage and power, but Moicano will grab a body lock and drag the fight to the ground. Moicano's BJJ will reign supreme, opening a back take opportunity for a rear-naked choke submission. Moicano pulls off the upset as a +195 underdog.
Paul agrees, noting Moicano's last performance against Drew Dober was a problem—he got a takedown in round three but did little with it. Paul points out that Moicano's wrestling should have dominated Dober but didn't. He also mentions Turner is a big lightweight, while Moicano moved up from 145. Paul thinks Turner's power will be decisive and expects a finish, possibly a first-round knockout. He notes that Moicano's cardio wasn't great in the Dober fight either.
The MMA Guru picks Renato Moicano to submit Jalin Turner via rear-naked choke in round one. He notes that Moicano has submission ability and that Turner has been taken down and controlled by grapplers like Mateusz Gamrot. He believes Moicano will find Turner's hips, take his back, and sink in the choke.
Zane picks Turner confidently, despite disliking his style. He notes that Turner's reach and power make him dangerous early, and Moicano is hittable and prone to losing confidence. Zane argues that Moicano's clinch wrestling will not work against Turner's size and defensive grappling. He expects Turner to knock Moicano out early or win a decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 23 of 42 | 54% | 142 of 177 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 10:33 |
| Drew Dober | 0 | 23 of 59 | 38% | 36 of 73 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renato Moicano | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 43 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:48 |
| Drew Dober | 0 | 6 of 20 | 30% | 7 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 2 | Renato Moicano | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 34 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:19 |
| Drew Dober | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 17 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 | |
| 3 | Renato Moicano | 0 | 15 of 25 | 60% | 65 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:26 |
| Drew Dober | 0 | 11 of 26 | 42% | 12 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Moicano | 23 of 42 | 54% | 20 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 13 |
| Drew Dober | 23 of 59 | 38% | 17 of 50 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 19 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renato Moicano | 6 of 12 | 50% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Drew Dober | 6 of 20 | 30% | 5 of 17 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Renato Moicano | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Drew Dober | 6 of 13 | 46% | 5 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | |
| 3 | Renato Moicano | 15 of 25 | 60% | 14 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 10 |
| Drew Dober | 11 of 26 | 42% | 7 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Drew Dober, trusting his chin and brawling ability. He notes that Moicano is chinny and hasn't fought in a year. He believes Dober can bait Moicano into a firefight and knock him out. He has a half-unit bet on Dober at +125.
Big Brady picks Renato Moicano to win by first-round submission. He notes that Moicano has a huge advantage on the ground, and Dober has been submitted multiple times. However, Moicano sometimes falls in love with striking, which would be dangerous against Dober's power. Brady thinks Moicano will take Dober down and submit him, but acknowledges it's a 50-50 fight.
Cody picks Moicano, citing Dober's declining durability and Moicano's superior grappling and angles. He notes Dober's chin is fading after the Fialho knockout, and Moicano can set up takedowns with his jab. He sees Moicano by submission as a strong prop.
Moicano has a tremendous BJJ black belt and should be able to drag Dober to the ground and sink in a rear naked choke. However, the host is hesitant due to Moicano's long layoff and knee surgery at 34 years old. Dober has power and good cardio, but is at a skill disadvantage on the ground. The host expects the fight not to go to decision, with Moicano winning by submission.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Moicano. He highlights Dober's reckless pressure and suspect takedown defense, while Moicano's jab and movement should set up takedowns. He notes Moicano's losses are to elite fighters, and Dober has never been at that level.
The MMA Guru picks Drew Dober over Renato Moicano, predicting a TKO. He cites Moicano's long layoff since November 2022 due to a leg injury, and doubts he will look his best. He believes Dober has more power on the feet and has impressive wins over Terrance McKinney, Rafael Alves, and Bobby Green. He thinks Moicano will struggle to take Dober down and that Dober will catch him with his hands down, Korean Zombie style.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 14 of 25 | 56% | 14 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Brad Riddell | 0 | 10 of 33 | 30% | 11 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renato Moicano | 0 | 14 of 25 | 56% | 14 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Brad Riddell | 0 | 10 of 33 | 30% | 11 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:34 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Moicano | 14 of 25 | 56% | 6 of 16 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Riddell | 10 of 33 | 30% | 10 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 10 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 | Renato Moicano | 14 of 25 | 56% | 6 of 16 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Riddell | 10 of 33 | 30% | 10 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo believes Riddell is the better striker and expects the fight to stay standing. He notes that Moicano's losses are mostly to strikers who out-struck him, and his chin is questionable. He thinks Riddell can mix in takedowns if needed and protect his neck. He will wait for props to drop before betting.
Big Brady picks Renato Moicano to win by submission. He notes Moicano's height and reach advantage, and that his ground game is excellent with many submissions. He believes Moicano will take the fight to the mat, where he has a clear advantage. He points out Riddell's 62% takedown defense and that he has been finished before (by Jalin Turner and Rafael Fiziev). He trusts Moicano to wrestle and get the submission.
Cody picks Brad Riddell by decision, but is not confident. He notes that Riddell at his best wins this fight as the better striker with good takedown defense, but he has concerns about Riddell's recent performances, including being gun-shy against Fiziev and getting submitted by Turner. Cody thinks Riddell's confidence may be an issue, but he still sees a path to victory by staying at range and countering.
Connor picks Brad Riddell because Riddell's counter-punching style and ability to gather data over the course of a fight make him more reliable. He notes that Moicano has shown a tendency to shut down when hurt, as seen in the Alex Hernandez fight, and that Riddell consistently improves round to round. Connor also mentions that Moicano's submission threats are unlikely to work against Riddell, who has never been submitted.
Daniel Levi leans toward Brad Riddell as a slight underdog, believing Riddell's kickboxing combinations can exploit Moicano's tall-man's defense and chin. He notes that Moicano has been clipped before and that Riddell's striking is more technical and powerful. However, he is worried about Moicano's back-taking ability and submissions if the fight goes to the ground. Levi thinks the line should be flipped with Riddell as a slight favorite, and he is considering a bet at plus money.
The host expects violence and an early finish, likely by Riddell via KO. He notes Moicano's early submission threat but believes Riddell's takedown defense and striking advantage will prevail as the fight goes on. He prefers the under 2.5 rounds at -110 over betting Riddell's moneyline, expecting a finish from Riddell's power.
Paul picks Moicano, noting that Riddell leans on his wrestling when things get shaky, which could be a recipe for disaster against Moicano's grappling. He is impressed by Moicano's recent improvements, especially his takedowns against Herbert and Hernandez. Paul does not see crazy power from Riddell and thinks Moicano's chin is a concern, but he leans slightly to Moicano unless a good submission prop appears.
The MMA Guru picks Renato Moicano, citing Riddell's vulnerability after being KO'd by Fiziev and rocked by Dober. He believes Moicano will pressure, find a scramble, take Riddell's back, and choke him out. He notes Riddell's lack of offensive grappling and Moicano's experience and submission skills, predicting a rear-naked choke in the second or third round.
Zane picks Brad Riddell, emphasizing that Riddell's ability to rally from bad rounds is proven, while Moicano's recent rally against Alex Hernandez was against a fighter prone to breaking. He notes that Moicano has been knocked out by various heavy-handed punchers and that Riddell's training with Fiziev could be instructive. Zane also points out that Moicano's submission wins come from guillotines, which are unlikely against Riddell.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael dos Anjos | 1 | 149 of 286 | 52% | 179 of 318 | 5 of 15 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 13:22 |
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 88 of 172 | 51% | 99 of 185 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 22 of 34 | 64% | 30 of 43 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:12 |
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 10 of 23 | 43% | 12 of 25 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 | |
| 2 | Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 27 of 47 | 57% | 32 of 52 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 2:44 |
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 15 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Rafael dos Anjos | 1 | 40 of 84 | 47% | 52 of 97 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:05 |
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 15 of 25 | 60% | 16 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 22 of 42 | 52% | 27 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:53 |
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 12 of 22 | 54% | 20 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Rafael dos Anjos | 0 | 38 of 79 | 48% | 38 of 79 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 36 of 73 | 49% | 36 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael dos Anjos | 149 of 286 | 52% | 119 of 255 | 23 of 24 | 7 of 7 | 84 of 198 | 7 of 8 | 58 of 80 |
| Renato Moicano | 88 of 172 | 51% | 77 of 158 | 8 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 81 of 164 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael dos Anjos | 22 of 34 | 64% | 17 of 29 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 17 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 14 |
| Renato Moicano | 10 of 23 | 43% | 6 of 19 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 19 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rafael dos Anjos | 27 of 47 | 57% | 19 of 39 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 7 |
| Renato Moicano | 15 of 29 | 51% | 12 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rafael dos Anjos | 40 of 84 | 47% | 34 of 77 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 45 | 0 of 1 | 23 of 38 |
| Renato Moicano | 15 of 25 | 60% | 14 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Rafael dos Anjos | 22 of 42 | 52% | 17 of 37 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 21 |
| Renato Moicano | 12 of 22 | 54% | 12 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 5 | Rafael dos Anjos | 38 of 79 | 48% | 32 of 73 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 37 of 78 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Renato Moicano | 36 of 73 | 49% | 33 of 67 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 34 of 71 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Fiziev but is hesitant, noting his brain says Fiziev but his heart says RDA. He highlights Fiziev's phenomenal striking and takedown defense, but questions his cardio over five rounds. He points out that RDA hasn't been finished in six years and only loses to wrestlers who take him down. He considers a plus 5.5 round bet on RDA.
Cody is torn because Moicano looked good on short notice against Hernandez, but the five-round nature favors RDA's experience and cardio. He notes RDA has fought 25 minutes many times and is a big lightweight who fought at welterweight, while Moicano has never gone five rounds and gassed in the Ortega fight. The catchweight of 160 also helps RDA. Cody ultimately flips to RDA but is hesitant due to the short-notice variable.
Daniel Levi picks Renato Moicano for the upset, but with hesitation. He notes that Moicano is the much bigger man with a size and reach advantage, and has good volume and a solid black belt. He points out that RDA has been taken down frequently in recent fights (by Usman, Colby, Chiesa, Leon) and that Moicano could have success in grappling exchanges. However, he conditions his pick on Moicano looking in shape at the weigh-in; if Moicano appears fat or out of shape, he would switch to RDA. He views this as a dog-or-pass situation and believes Moicano is on an upward trajectory.
RDA is a tough veteran with excellent cardio and durability, while Moicano is taking the fight on four days' notice with travel and weight cut issues. Moicano will likely come out strong early but fade as the fight goes on. RDA's grappling and pressure will wear on Moicano, leading to a finish in the later rounds. The short notice and travel are huge red flags for Moicano.
Paul initially considered Moicano as a live underdog but after tape study flipped to RDA. He emphasizes RDA's five-round experience, size advantage (fought at 170), and clean camp versus Moicano's short notice and history of gassing. Paul points out Moicano's takedowns zap his cardio and he struggles striking backwards, while RDA mixes grappling and pace well. He calls it dog or pass but leans RDA.
The MMA Guru picks Renato Moicano (referred to as 'fizzyev') over Rafael dos Anjos, calling it a lock. He notes Moicano's speed advantage and RDA's decline at 155, especially his chin. He predicts Moicano will chew up RDA's legs with kicks in the first round, and when RDA pressures in the second, Moicano will catch him with a straight right for a TKO. He mentions RDA's only chance was in a five-rounder, but Moicano's patience and striking will prevail.
Benoît Saint Denis - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 30 of 47 | 63% | 51 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Dan Hooker | 0 | 97 of 127 | 76% | 170 of 205 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 2 | 0 | 6:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 26 of 41 | 63% | 34 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Dan Hooker | 0 | 35 of 46 | 76% | 62 of 73 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 | |
| 2 | Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 17 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Dan Hooker | 0 | 62 of 81 | 76% | 108 of 132 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 4:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benoît Saint Denis | 30 of 47 | 63% | 19 of 32 | 8 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 28 of 44 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Dan Hooker | 97 of 127 | 76% | 83 of 113 | 14 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 32 | 10 of 11 | 67 of 84 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benoît Saint Denis | 26 of 41 | 63% | 16 of 27 | 8 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 24 of 38 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Dan Hooker | 35 of 46 | 76% | 24 of 35 | 11 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 27 | 8 of 8 | 11 of 11 | |
| 2 | Benoît Saint Denis | 4 of 6 | 66% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dan Hooker | 62 of 81 | 76% | 59 of 78 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 56 of 73 |
Angelo picks Benoît Saint Denis, citing his non-stop pressure, well-timed takedowns, and heavy top control. He notes that Dan Hooker's takedown defense is solid overall but fails against better wrestlers, and BSD is relentless. Angelo acknowledges Hooker's heart and striking but questions his motivation and game-planning. He expects a war and thinks BSD's style will overwhelm Hooker.
Big Brady is confident in Benoît Saint Denis, believing there's a big levels difference on the mat. He notes Dan Hooker has looked poor off his back against wrestlers like Islam Makhachev and Armen Serukian, and Saint Denis will take him down and submit him. He also thinks Saint Denis can knock Hooker out, as Arnold Allen and Michael Chandler have done. Brady predicts a second-round submission.
Cody is switching his pick to Dan Hooker as a value play, despite acknowledging the risks. He notes that Saint Denis is hittable and has shown defensive flaws, and that Hooker has faced elite competition and has the toughness to survive takedowns. He expects a close fight and thinks Hooker can win a decision or even get a finish if Saint Denis tires. However, he admits he doesn't love the pick and it will be near the bottom of his parlay.
Connor picks Hooker because he believes Saint Denis falls apart when put on the back foot and is not a clean finisher. He thinks Hooker can survive the early onslaught and rally back, as Saint Denis has never shown an ability to withstand a comeback. However, he acknowledges that Hooker is not as durable as Poirier and could get run over early, making it a 50/50 fight.
Daniel Vreeland is extremely confident in Saint Denis, predicting he will run through Hooker and finish him. He believes Hooker is past his prime and overranked, while Saint Denis is a violent finisher with relentless pressure and a strong ground game. Vreeland even bet on Saint Denis at minus 250 and made a bold prediction that Hooker will never win another UFC fight.
James picks BSD to win, acknowledging his bias as a New Zealander rooting for Hooker. He believes BSD's wrestling and grappling will be too much for Hooker at this stage, and that the fight won't go to decision. He notes Hooker is the better striker but BSD can land takedowns and submissions. James is hesitant because he wants Hooker to win but thinks BSD's path is more likely.
Saint Denis is a talented grappler with good finishing ability, likely to get a submission within the first two rounds. Hooker has decent defensive grappling but may struggle with Saint Denis's smothering style. The host prefers the 'fight doesn't go to decision' prop at -220 over the moneyline chalk. Hooker's striking and cardio could be factors if he survives early, but Saint Denis is expected to get the submission.
Paul hates the -350 price on Saint Denis and prefers the fight not to go the distance, as Saint Denis fights are almost always finishes. He leans toward Hooker if forced to pick a moneyline side, citing Saint Denis's tendency to get hit and Hooker's durability. He also mentions the time zone difference as a potential factor.
The Guru picks Benoît Saint Denis, agreeing with the odds. He highlights Saint Denis's grappling, power, and aggression, predicting he will submit Dan Hooker. He notes Hooker's recent damage and broken nose, and believes Saint Denis's pressure and body kicks will be too much.
Zane also picks Hooker, citing Saint Denis's inability to fight going backward and his lack of defense or footwork on the retreat. He notes that Hooker has the counters for a bullheaded wrestling game and that if Hooker survives the first round, he has a good chance to finish or win a decision. However, he admits that Hooker could easily get trounced early, as seen in fights against Chandler and Allen.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneil Dariush | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 1 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beneil Dariush | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 1 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneil Dariush | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beneil Dariush | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Benoît Saint Denis, citing his relentless pressure and wrestling. He believes Beneil Dariush is aging and was sloppy in his last fight. Despite Dariush's scrambling skills, Angelo thinks BSD's grit and non-stop pace will overcome technique. He notes he would have picked Dariush a few years ago.
Big Brady picks Benoît Saint Denis, citing Beneil Dariush's compromised chin. He notes Dariush has been knocked out in three of his last four fights, including by Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, and was dropped by Hakeem Dawodu. Brady believes Saint Denis can take a punch better at this stage and predicts a first-round knockout in a war. He acknowledges Dariush's elite anti-grappling and skills but says the chin is the deciding factor.
Cody picks Dariush despite the risk of a first-round knockout. He notes that Dariush has excellent grappling and cardio, and that Saint Denis tends to fade and take damage in longer fights. Cody believes that if Dariush survives the early onslaught, he can take over with his wrestling and pressure. He suggests a live bet if Dariush gets through the first round.
Connor picks Dariush confidently, citing his superior grappling and scrambling. He notes that Saint Denis relies on aggression and faith in his conditioning, but Dariush is a fluid control grappler who will stay ahead in scrambles. He warns that Dariush could lose if knocked out, but in any grappling exchange, Dariush wins.
Daniel thinks Dariush is the better overall fighter but his chin is suspect, and Saint Denis has the power and pressure to test it. He notes that Saint Denis is riding high on confidence after dismantling Ruffy, while Dariush looks a fight or two away from retirement. He leans toward Saint Denis finding a knockout, but acknowledges Dariush has paths to victory if he can avoid getting hit clean.
Lucrative James picks Benoît Saint Denis to win by knockout, despite acknowledging Dariush's superior scrambling and counter-grappling. He believes Dariush's durability is a major concern, as he has been knocked out multiple times and is getting older. He thinks BSD's relentless pressure and power will eventually catch Dariush on the feet, even if he struggles to secure takedowns. He predicts a KO victory for BSD, possibly via head kick or in a transition.
Dariush is the better fighter. Saint Denis struggles to get grappling going. Dariush scrambles out of bad positions, keeps Saint Denis on the defensive, and finds a finish in the second or third round.
Paul agrees with Cody, preferring to watch the first round before betting due to the knockout risk. He notes that Saint Denis has gassed in past fights and that Dariush's takedown defense is excellent. Paul thinks that if Dariush can avoid early trouble, he can outwork Saint Denis and potentially submit him. He is not fully confident but leans towards Dariush.
The Guru picks Benoît Saint Denis to win by TKO in round two. He believes Saint Denis' pressure, clinch work, and body shots will wear down Dariush, who may struggle with the pace. He notes that both are evenly matched on the ground, but Saint Denis has a higher KO percentage and momentum. The Guru expects Saint Denis to break Dariush against the cage.
Zane agrees with Connor, picking Dariush. He emphasizes that Saint Denis' aggressive, throw-himself-in style will not work against Dariush's relaxed, anticipatory grappling. He notes that Saint Denis lost to Moicano by being overwhelmed, and Dariush is a better grappler than Moicano.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 17 of 38 | 44% | 37 of 61 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 | 0 | 4:38 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 0 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 6 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 6 of 18 | 33% | 19 of 32 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 3:04 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 0 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 2 | Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 11 of 20 | 55% | 18 of 29 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 0 | 1:34 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benoît Saint Denis | 17 of 38 | 44% | 9 of 26 | 8 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 26 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 9 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 5 of 17 | 29% | 4 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benoît Saint Denis | 6 of 18 | 33% | 2 of 12 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 2 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Benoît Saint Denis | 11 of 20 | 55% | 7 of 14 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 7 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 4 of 11 | 36% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruffy (-200); St. Denis (+170)
Round 1
Buckle up, buckaroos. The co-main event is here, and it should be a wild one. St. Denis (14-3, 1 NC; 6-3 UFC) and Ruffy (12-1, 3-0 UFC) are about to trade. Nothing more needs to be said, other than that referee Herb Dean is standing by. The lightweights touch gloves. Here we go.
St. Denis introduces himself with a body kick, and then slings one up high. St. Denis rushes at the Brazilian with a looping left hand, and Ruffy bounces off the fencing. St. Denis drops to his knees in pursuit of a double, and he wrangles Ruffy to the mat in about 40 seconds. St. Denis steps over to half guard, side control and then full mount less than one minute into the bout. The crowd is predictably going nuts before St. Denis even starts setting up a chest pressure-based arm-triangle choke. Ruffy turns over to give up his back as St. Denis starts raining down punches, and he tries to pursue a choke while Ruffy stands up. Ruffy spins his opponent around while in a body lock, and he explodes back to his feet. St. Denis times a head kick and goes after a takedown, so Ruffy responds with an intercepting knee. St. Denis tackles the Brazilian to the mat, and he assumes full mount but actually steps to the side so he can retain a controlling posture.
St. Denis gets in a body lock from behind as Ruffy scrambles to turn to his back, and this allows St. Denis to assume full mount again. St. Denis wraps up an arm-triangle choke, and he has it tight but the Fighting Nerds export is able to tough it out. St. Denis drills him with a few ground strikes, and Ruffy muscles his way to his feet. The two tie up against the fencing, jockeying for position and trading knees. St. Denis lands a knee to the groin, or so Ruffy claims to Dean repeatedly. Dean asks the replay official to check the foul, which indeed struck him below the belt. Ruffy gets time to recover as the audience showers him with boos and then songs. Ruffy states he is good to go less than a minute in, and they get back to it. Ruffy wings a big uppercut that misses the mark, and he is countered by a head kick, jab and takedown attempt. Ruffy rebounds off the fencing and takes a flush jab on the way out. St. Denis kicks high and slaps into the guard, and he goes after two kicks to the ribs. St. Denis launches one more head kick that is blocked as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 St. Denis
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 St. Denis
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 St. Denis
Round 2
The second round begins with St. Denis faking a takedown to open up with a head kick. St. Denis hurls a body kick and is jabbed back with a vengeance. Ruffy jumps in the air with a knee that staggers for a second, and St. Denis steels himself and forces himself into a takedown effort. St. Denis gets Ruffy down, but the Brazilian times a picture-perfect reversal to plant the local athlete on his back. St. Denis immediately opens up with an active guard, and Ruffy abandons ship and stands back up, where he misses a huge right hand. St. Denis walks him down and punches his way into a takedown shot, and a knee from St. Denis makes Ruffy cry foul once more. Dean is not hearing it this time, possibly because it is deafening in the arena. St. Denis wrangles his opponent to the ground, grappling him from behind and getting in his hooks.
With the body triangle in play, St. Denis starts clubbing Ruffy on both sides of the head. This softens the Brazilian up, so that St. Denis can fasten a rear-naked choke grip on the chin.
Ruffy is tucking in his chin to protect his neck, and St. Denis squeezes with everything he has. Ruffy is calm and composed, but the face crank is crushing his skull as the French fighter is empowered by the audience that is going positively bonkers at this point. St. Denis does not relent with his vice grip on the jaw, and Ruffy’s eyes go wide as he has tap out with the end of his fingers from the nasty submission.
At that moment, no one in the building can hear themselves think, as the legion of screaming masses explode in support of the man named “God of War.” Until today, Ruffy had never been submitted. He won’t be able to say that anymore, but he is nothing but gracious and professional as he congratulates St. Denis for beating him. That makes 11 finishes this evening, tying the UFC’s single-event record. What a night it has been, and we still have one more to go.
The Official Result
Benoit St. Denis def. Mauricio Ruffy R2 2:56 via Submission (Face Crank)
Angelo picks Maurício Ruffy confidently, criticizing the hype around Saint Denis. He points out Saint Denis' losses where he was dominated, and argues that Ruffy's dynamic striking and takedown defense will be too much. He believes Ruffy will 'style on' Saint Denis and land clean, big shots. He plans to parlay and bet on Ruffy but is waiting for the line to tighten further.
Big Brady picks Maurício Ruffy, believing he will dominate on the feet. He notes Saint Denis has poor striking defense (41%) and has been knocked out before. He thinks if Saint Denis cannot get takedowns, he is in trouble. He predicts a first-round knockout.
Connor picks Ruffy, believing he might knock Saint Denis out. He notes that Saint Denis has a Patrick Cummins-like ability to take clean shots and that his defensive flaws are severe. Connor thinks Ruffy's accuracy and power will find a home, and that Saint Denis's aggressive style plays into Ruffy's hands. He acknowledges that Ruffy's level of competition is questionable but sees the potential for a spectacular finish.
The host acknowledges Ruffy's flashy knockout style and fan support but believes he is not ready for Saint Denis's grapple-heavy, smothering approach. He expects Saint Denis to grapple Ruffy, take his back, and sink in a rear-naked choke for a submission victory.
The Guru picks Maurício Ruffy with high confidence, citing Ruffy's speed, shot selection, and ability to set traps. He criticizes Saint Denis' slow, chin-up striking and believes he is ripe for a knockout. He predicts a first-round KO, comparing it to McGregor vs Aldo, and dismisses concerns about Ruffy's grappling.
Zane picks Saint Denis because he knows what Saint Denis will do—aggressive pressure and physicality—and he doubts Ruffy is ready for that sustained onslaught. He notes that Ruffy's wins have come against inferior athletes and that his trick-striking style may not hold up against a relentless forward fighter. He acknowledges that Saint Denis is vulnerable defensively and may gas, but believes his pace will overwhelm Ruffy.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 54 of 70 | 77% | 77 of 103 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 | 0 | 5:32 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 12 of 27 | 44% | 14 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 10 of 16 | 62% | 27 of 43 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 4:32 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 44 of 54 | 81% | 50 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:00 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 14 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benoît Saint Denis | 54 of 70 | 77% | 36 of 51 | 11 of 12 | 7 of 7 | 24 of 33 | 22 of 24 | 8 of 13 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 12 of 27 | 44% | 11 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benoît Saint Denis | 10 of 16 | 62% | 7 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 13 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Benoît Saint Denis | 44 of 54 | 81% | 29 of 38 | 10 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 22 of 30 | 22 of 24 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyle Prepolec | 12 of 26 | 46% | 11 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady is extremely confident in Saint Denis, calling the fight a 'sanctioned murder'. He notes Prepolec is a low-level replacement on short notice, who previously went 0-2 in the UFC. He predicts Saint Denis will win easily, either by knockout or submission in the first round, and likely earn a $50k bonus.
Connor picks Benoît Saint Denis, agreeing that Prepolec is a regional-level fighter who cannot handle Saint Denis's pressure and wrestling. He notes that Prepolec's opponents have a combined record of 44-38 and that even a washed Shane Campbell out-hustled him. Connor sees this as a clear win for Saint Denis.
The host believes Saint Denis is too strong a grappler for Prepolec, who is on short notice. He expects Saint Denis to wear Prepolec down and secure a submission within the first round and a half.
The MMA Guru picks Saint Denis, calling it a career-saving matchup. He notes Prepolec's poor UFC history, inactivity, and injuries, while Saint Denis is a heavy favorite. He expects a first or second round finish, possibly a TKO, as Prepolec is a sacrificial lamb. He mentions the odds are crazy but agrees with the pick.
Zane picks Benoît Saint Denis, arguing that Prepolec is a much less potent version of Saint Denis and could not handle Austin Hubbard's wrestling. He notes that Saint Denis will swarm into Prepolec, grab his waist, and drag him into hell with top control. Zane believes this is a straightforward mismatch.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Moicano | 0 | 50 of 72 | 69% | 72 of 98 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:53 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 25 of 60 | 41% | 35 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renato Moicano | 0 | 35 of 40 | 87% | 57 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:37 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 12 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Renato Moicano | 0 | 15 of 32 | 46% | 15 of 32 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 21 of 55 | 38% | 23 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renato Moicano | 50 of 72 | 69% | 46 of 66 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 17 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 33 of 36 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 25 of 60 | 41% | 13 of 44 | 10 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renato Moicano | 35 of 40 | 87% | 34 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 33 of 36 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Renato Moicano | 15 of 32 | 46% | 12 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 21 of 55 | 38% | 13 of 44 | 7 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Benoît Saint Denis, believing his all-gas-no-brakes pressure and grappling will be too much for Moicano. He notes that Moicano has a shaky chin and is not dangerous enough to stop Saint Denis's forward pressure. He references Saint Denis's dominant first round against Dustin Poirier, suggesting that same level of pressure will overwhelm Moicano. He dismisses the staph infection excuse as a potential factor but leans toward Saint Denis's performance being legitimate.
Big Brady picks Benoît Saint Denis by first-round knockout, describing him as a beast who pushes a crazy pace with power in his hands and body kicks. He notes Moicano's chin has always been an issue and Saint Denis will bring a car crash that Moicano won't survive. He expects an early finish.
Cody picks Benoît Saint Denis as his cash game play, citing his elite fantasy scoring in wins (109, 149, 115, 136, 105) and his aggression and wrestling ability. He notes that Saint Denis is a heavy favorite at minus 300 and has a minus 200 line to win inside the distance. Cody acknowledges that Moicano is a better technical fighter and could be a valuable tournament target, but Moicano's durability issues make Saint Denis the safer cash game pick.
Cody believes BSD is a legitimate future title challenger with relentless pressure, top-notch grappling, and physicality. He excuses BSD's loss to Dustin Poirier due to a staph infection and thinks a healthy BSD would have won. He sees Moicano's questionable chin and cardio as vulnerabilities, and expects BSD to overwhelm him with pace and aggression.
Connor picks Saint Denis because he believes Saint Denis's relentless pressure and physicality will overwhelm Moicano, who often gets hurt early and relies on wrestling to recover. He notes that Saint Denis is a strong scrambler and has never been held down, making Moicano's path to victory difficult. Connor acknowledges that Moicano could win if he survives the early onslaught, but he doubts Moicano can consistently find his grappling outlet against Saint Denis's pace.
Daniel Vreeland picks Benoît Saint Denis to win by TKO. He believes BSD's pressure, power, and body kicks will be too much for Moicano, who has poor striking defense and a questionable chin. He notes that Moicano is tough and has good grappling, but BSD's wrestling and ground-and-pound should secure the finish. He also mentions that the price is high at -270, but sees value in the KO prop at plus money.
JP picks Benoît Saint Denis because he thinks Saint Denis is a problem with power and toughness. He notes Saint Denis was beating Dustin Poirier before getting clipped, and he had a staph infection in that fight. He thinks Moicano gets hit too much and doesn't have the power to put Saint Denis away. He also mentions the fight is in France, which could favor the French fighter in a close decision.
Paul agrees with Cody, highlighting BSD's aggressive style, takedown ability, and durability. He notes that Moicano's path to victory via submission is unlikely against BSD's grappling. Paul also points out that Moicano's low output and cardio issues make him vulnerable in a five-round fight, especially in front of a French crowd.
The MMA Guru picks Renato Moicano over Benoît Saint Denis, emphasizing Moicano's underrated Jiu-Jitsu and significant experience advantage (9 years more as a pro). He notes Saint Denis' tendency to kick up and expose his back, which Moicano can exploit with body locks and back takes. He predicts a third-round submission via rear-naked choke after ground and pound.
Zane picks Saint Denis because he believes Saint Denis's constant pressure and pace will be too much for Moicano, who often gets hurt early and struggles to recover against relentless fighters. He notes that Moicano's best wins have come against grapplers who allow him to slow the fight down, but Saint Denis never stops coming. Zane also points out that Moicano's path to victory relies on surviving the early storm and then outworking Saint Denis, which he considers unlikely given Saint Denis's cardio and durability.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Poirier | 1 | 28 of 34 | 82% | 30 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 4 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 50 of 74 | 67% | 69 of 97 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 1 | 0 | 4:53 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Poirier | 0 | 12 of 13 | 92% | 14 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 3 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 38 of 49 | 77% | 53 of 68 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:20 | |
| 2 | Dustin Poirier | 1 | 16 of 21 | 76% | 16 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 12 of 25 | 48% | 16 of 29 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:33 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Poirier | 28 of 34 | 82% | 24 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 23 of 25 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 50 of 74 | 67% | 25 of 46 | 18 of 20 | 7 of 8 | 17 of 37 | 31 of 35 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Poirier | 12 of 13 | 92% | 11 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 38 of 49 | 77% | 21 of 31 | 10 of 10 | 7 of 8 | 13 of 22 | 23 of 25 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Dustin Poirier | 16 of 21 | 76% | 13 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 15 | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
| Benoît Saint Denis | 12 of 25 | 48% | 4 of 15 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 15 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Benoît Saint Denis, citing his pressure, power, and wrestling. He worries that Dustin Poirier's chin may have deteriorated after the Justin Gaethje knockout. He thinks Saint Denis can overwhelm Poirier early. However, he won't bet because he's rooting for Poirier.
Big Brady picks Benoît Saint Denis to win by second-round submission. He notes that Saint Denis is younger, hungrier, and has grappling upside. He believes Saint Denis will get Poirier down and submit him, similar to how Michael Chandler did. He acknowledges Poirier's striking advantage but thinks Saint Denis's durability and pressure will be too much.
Cody points to Poirier's declining volume and durability, noting he has been outstruck in recent fights and is showing signs of wear. He contrasts that with Saint Denis's relentless pressure, cardio, durability, and progression. He believes Saint Denis will break Poirier's will as the fight goes on.
Daniel picks Poirier but is very hesitant due to Poirier's age and coming off a head kick KO loss. He acknowledges Poirier is the more skilled striker and believes he can knock out Saint Denis on the feet. However, he worries about Saint Denis's pressure, grappling, and durability, and whether Poirier still has the will and cardio to go five rounds. Daniel notes that if Poirier drops Saint Denis, he might follow him to the ground unlike against Charles Oliveira. He ultimately leans on Poirier's skill advantage.
Daniel Vreeland picks Benoît Saint Denis but expresses discomfort with the -205 price. He believes BSD's wrestling and pace will be too much for Poirier, especially given Poirier's recent knockout loss. Vreeland notes that BSD has finished all his opponents and has never been finished. However, he calls the line a 'dog or pass' spot because BSD has never fought anyone as tough as Poirier. He says he would rather see BSD fight someone like Rafael Fiziev before this step up. Despite the price, he picks BSD because he has never picked against him.
Jeff Fox picks Benoît Saint Denis as well, noting that he has never picked against BSD and won't start now. He acknowledges the massive step up in competition from Matt Frevola to Dustin Poirier, but believes BSD's wrestling and finishing ability are real. Fox points out that Poirier has been knocked out recently and that BSD has the power to put him away. He also mentions that BSD is younger and has a relentless pace. However, he says he won't bet real money on this fight due to the price and the step up.
Saint Denis is a relentless pressure fighter with five straight finishes. He uses leg kicks, body work, and clinch pressure to break opponents, then works to the back for rear-naked chokes. Poirier is a better striker but struggles against aggressive grapplers who can close the distance, as seen in losses to Khabib and Oliveira. Poirier does not want this fight and may be mentally checked out. I expect Saint Denis to break Poirier within the first two rounds and secure a submission.
Paul emphasizes Poirier's mileage and the fact that he didn't even know the fight was on until recently, suggesting he hasn't been sparring hard. He contrasts that with Saint Denis's hunger and youth, and notes that Saint Denis has never been finished and has shown incredible durability and pace.
The MMA Guru picks Benoît Saint Denis, believing he will overwhelm Dustin Poirier with body kicks, takedowns, and pressure. He notes Poirier's wide hips and square stance make him vulnerable to body kicks, and that Poirier struggled with Chandler's body kicks. He predicts Saint Denis will finish Poirier by ground-and-pound TKO in round two, leading to Poirier's retirement.
Expert Picks (10)
Angelo picks Benoît Saint Denis, believing his all-gas-no-brakes pressure and grappling will be too much for Moicano. He notes that Moicano has a shaky chin and is not dangerous enough to stop Saint Denis's forward pressure. He references Saint Denis's dominant first round against Dustin Poirier, suggesting that same level of pressure will overwhelm Moicano. He dismisses the staph infection excuse as a potential factor but leans toward Saint Denis's performance being legitimate.
Big Brady picks Benoît Saint Denis by first-round knockout, describing him as a beast who pushes a crazy pace with power in his hands and body kicks. He notes Moicano's chin has always been an issue and Saint Denis will bring a car crash that Moicano won't survive. He expects an early finish.
Cody picks Benoît Saint Denis as his cash game play, citing his elite fantasy scoring in wins (109, 149, 115, 136, 105) and his aggression and wrestling ability. He notes that Saint Denis is a heavy favorite at minus 300 and has a minus 200 line to win inside the distance. Cody acknowledges that Moicano is a better technical fighter and could be a valuable tournament target, but Moicano's durability issues make Saint Denis the safer cash game pick.
Cody believes BSD is a legitimate future title challenger with relentless pressure, top-notch grappling, and physicality. He excuses BSD's loss to Dustin Poirier due to a staph infection and thinks a healthy BSD would have won. He sees Moicano's questionable chin and cardio as vulnerabilities, and expects BSD to overwhelm him with pace and aggression.
Connor picks Saint Denis because he believes Saint Denis's relentless pressure and physicality will overwhelm Moicano, who often gets hurt early and relies on wrestling to recover. He notes that Saint Denis is a strong scrambler and has never been held down, making Moicano's path to victory difficult. Connor acknowledges that Moicano could win if he survives the early onslaught, but he doubts Moicano can consistently find his grappling outlet against Saint Denis's pace.
Daniel Vreeland picks Benoît Saint Denis to win by TKO. He believes BSD's pressure, power, and body kicks will be too much for Moicano, who has poor striking defense and a questionable chin. He notes that Moicano is tough and has good grappling, but BSD's wrestling and ground-and-pound should secure the finish. He also mentions that the price is high at -270, but sees value in the KO prop at plus money.
JP picks Benoît Saint Denis because he thinks Saint Denis is a problem with power and toughness. He notes Saint Denis was beating Dustin Poirier before getting clipped, and he had a staph infection in that fight. He thinks Moicano gets hit too much and doesn't have the power to put Saint Denis away. He also mentions the fight is in France, which could favor the French fighter in a close decision.
Paul agrees with Cody, highlighting BSD's aggressive style, takedown ability, and durability. He notes that Moicano's path to victory via submission is unlikely against BSD's grappling. Paul also points out that Moicano's low output and cardio issues make him vulnerable in a five-round fight, especially in front of a French crowd.
The MMA Guru picks Renato Moicano over Benoît Saint Denis, emphasizing Moicano's underrated Jiu-Jitsu and significant experience advantage (9 years more as a pro). He notes Saint Denis' tendency to kick up and expose his back, which Moicano can exploit with body locks and back takes. He predicts a third-round submission via rear-naked choke after ground and pound.
Zane picks Saint Denis because he believes Saint Denis's constant pressure and pace will be too much for Moicano, who often gets hurt early and struggles to recover against relentless fighters. He notes that Moicano's best wins have come against grapplers who allow him to slow the fight down, but Saint Denis never stops coming. Zane also points out that Moicano's path to victory relies on surviving the early storm and then outworking Saint Denis, which he considers unlikely given Saint Denis's cardio and durability.
Comments (1)
Moicano's floatiness is 10/10. Brutal Elbows in top position. Had his eyes swollon end rd1. boxing looked sharp. Was planning on keeping it on the feet but saw a takedown off a caught leg. Rd2 mostly jabs, hard to get a takedown or push the pace against BSD.
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