Career Averages - Jeremy Stephens
Career Averages - Darren Elkins
Jeremy Stephens - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Green | 0 | 57 of 87 | 65% | 64 of 95 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:34 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King Green | 0 | 57 of 87 | 65% | 64 of 95 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:34 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Green | 57 of 87 | 65% | 44 of 69 | 9 of 14 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 35 of 46 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King Green | 57 of 87 | 65% | 44 of 69 | 9 of 14 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 35 of 46 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Green (-340), Stephens (+270)
Round 1
They may have nothing in common, but Green (34-17-1, 1 NC; 15-12-1, 1 NC UFC) and Stephens (29-22, 1 NC; 15-19, 1 NC UFC) are both grizzled, battle-tested veterans—not the type who would be saving Private Ryan, mind you, but gladiators who have faced a veritable who’s who in the sport over the years. Both men celebrate exactly 15 wins inside of the Octagon, and they would very much like one more. Referee Gary Copeland will supervise the proceedings of this catchweight affair, one outside of standard weight classes because Stephens biffed weight by four pounds. He gives up 30% of his purse to Green but no glove touch.
Green’s hands are down the moment the fight begins, and he already is chattering at Stephens trying to encourage him to come in at him. Green points at Stephens after Stephens whiffs. He sneaks in a right hand, and he circles to the side towards Stephens’ power side. Green takes a punch off the forehead and pauses, but it does not take long for him to get going again. Stephens misses by a mile with a haymaker, and Green is comfortable hanging out in boxing range. Stephens kicks his for in the front leg, and Green kicks him in the side and gets clinched. Stephens drills Green with a right hand on the break, and Green signals that it did not land flush. Green stabs a kick to the liver, and he pump-fakes his way in to draw reactions. Green staggers Stephens with a left hand, and he knows it and rifles off three more fists in a hurry. Green winds up with a body kick, but it smashes into Stephens’ groin. Stephens grimaces and Copeland calls time. Stephens looks to work out the pain, and Green immediately goes to apologize. Copeland issues a hard warning to Green, and Stephens is good to go after about 80 seconds. Green again apologizes, and Stephens is good with it as they resume. Stephens stalks Green down, and Green’s hands remain down while he is chirping at him. Green lands a right hand and a kick to the body, and he points at Stephens’ stomach and leaps at him to hit a quick double and put Stephens on his back.
Green starts bombing on Stephens when on top, unleashing a long stream of punches and elbows while sitting on his leg in a quasi-half guard. Green keeps thumping up Stephens with his free left hand, and Stephens doubles up his wrist control on Green’s left arm for a straight armlock or kimura. He twists it to become a kimura to go for a sweep, and Green fights it off and steps into mount to batter Stephens with ground-and-pound.
Green transitions into a rear-naked choke in the blink of an eye when Stephens turns, and he rolls to the back to lock it down. Green only has one hook in as he wrenches on the submission, but it is so complete that he does not need the other. Stephens briefly considers going out on his shield but that would be silly. Stephens gives up
, and it is not so much a train that ran him over as it is the Polar Express, with this one-sided shellacking ending with a mean choke. Falling short again, Stephens removes his gloves and may have left him in the center of the Octagon to say farewell to the sport. It is hard to tell with the promotion wholly focused on the triumphant Green.
The Official Result
King Green def. Jeremy Stephens R1 4:20 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks King Green, noting he is the better overall fighter and has shown wrestling in his last fight. He acknowledges concerns about the judges not liking his style and that Jeremy Stephens is always dangerous, but believes Green wins the majority of the time.
Angelo picks King Green, stating he is the better striker and can shoot takedowns if needed. He notes Green's volume and defense, and that Stephens is tough but can be taken down. He is surprised by the 3-to-1 odds and thinks they are too wide for a 39-year-old. He says he will probably leave the bet alone.
Big Brady picks King Green, though he admits he can't lay the -325 odds. He notes Green has looked good recently, while Stephens hasn't won in years and looks done. Brady expects Green to outpoint Stephens, mixing in wrestling if needed, and win a decision. He acknowledges Stephens could knock Green out, but considers that a hot take.
Cody picks Green, citing his superior skills and Stephens' decline. He notes Green's volume and movement, and thinks Stephens is past his prime and not a threat. Cody expects Green to win by decision or submission, but is wary of the minus 400 price.
Connor picks Green, agreeing with Zane. He notes Green is slicker on the feet with better footwork, though his reaction times have slowed. Connor points out that Stephens' recent KO losses are to real sluggers, and Green is not that. He expects Green to make Stephens chase and overthrow, and use takedowns to slow him down.
Daniel picks Green, citing his slick striking, speed, and ability to mix in takedowns. He notes Stephens' knockout power but believes Green is too slick and will avoid getting caught. Daniel expects Green to win via output or submission.
The host passes on this fight. He favors Green but considers the odds too wide (1.30). He notes Green's inconsistency and poor fight IQ, and Stephens' power. He mentions the +3.5 fight spread on Stephens as interesting but decides to keep money safe.
Predicted method: Decision. Green is the younger, more active fighter with superior striking volume (6.38 SLpM) and accuracy (53%) compared to Stephens, who is 38 and has lost four straight. Stephens has power but is hittable (3.14 SApM) and has poor takedown defense (62%). Green's 72% takedown defense should keep the fight standing, where he can outwork Stephens with combinations and movement. Stephens' only path is an early KO, but Green's durability and pace should carry him to a clear decision or late stoppage.
Jacob is confident in King Green, citing that Jeremy Stephens is 1-8 in his last nine fights and hasn't had a knockout since 2018. He believes Green's wrestling and smarter fighting style will be too much, and that Stephens looked clueless on the ground against Mason Jones.
Lucrative James confidently picks King Green because he sees Jeremy Stephens as a knockout-or-bust fighter who is 1-8 in his last nine MMA fights. He believes Green's boxing and volume will overwhelm Stephens, who lacks the cardio and durability to win a decision. He predicts Green wins by decision, noting Stephens' toughness but inability to keep up with Green's pace.
The host picks Green, citing his striking clinic and ability to outbox Stephens. He notes that Stephens lost a boxing match to Chris Avila, which indicates Green should dominate on the feet. He expects Green to win by decision, though he acknowledges Stephens' power and chin. He may look at the decision prop.
Paul picks Green, citing his technical striking and Stephens' lack of recent success. He thinks Green's volume and movement will overwhelm Stephens, who is fighting for a payday. Paul expects Green to win by decision.
The MMA Guru picks Bobby Green, expecting him to pick apart Jeremy Stephens with boxing. He notes Green's recent wins over Daniel Zellhuber and close fight with Fiziev. He thinks Stephens is past his prime and Green will mix in takedowns. He predicts a decision win, though he initially says TKO then corrects to decision.
Zane picks Green confidently, citing his speed, length, and footwork advantage over the older Stephens. He notes Stephens has lost his kicking and wrestling, and is no longer a knockout artist. Zane believes Green can use reactive takedowns like against Zell Hoover to neutralize Stephens. He sees it as a slow-down version of Green's win over Nasrud Hockbrost.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 42 of 108 | 38% | 54 of 126 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Mason Jones | 0 | 81 of 231 | 35% | 104 of 261 | 8 of 12 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 6:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 21 of 47 | 44% | 24 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mason Jones | 0 | 39 of 103 | 37% | 41 of 108 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 | |
| 2 | Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 19 of 55 | 34% | 24 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Mason Jones | 0 | 37 of 115 | 32% | 43 of 123 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 | |
| 3 | Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mason Jones | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 20 of 30 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 0 | 0 | 4:35 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Stephens | 42 of 108 | 38% | 19 of 79 | 7 of 11 | 16 of 18 | 41 of 105 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Mason Jones | 81 of 231 | 35% | 50 of 188 | 19 of 28 | 12 of 15 | 74 of 220 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremy Stephens | 21 of 47 | 44% | 6 of 28 | 3 of 6 | 12 of 13 | 20 of 45 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Mason Jones | 39 of 103 | 37% | 22 of 80 | 9 of 13 | 8 of 10 | 36 of 100 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jeremy Stephens | 19 of 55 | 34% | 12 of 47 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 19 of 54 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Mason Jones | 37 of 115 | 32% | 25 of 98 | 9 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 35 of 112 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jeremy Stephens | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mason Jones | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 10 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jones (-600), Stephens (+440)
Round 1
Stephens enters to massive pop from his hometown crowd, and hopes to give them something to keep cheering about against fellow returnee Jones. Mike Beltran draws his first referee assignment of the evening, and the lightweights go to work in matchin orthodox stances. Stephens is throwing hooks with mean intentions right away, but he scores first with a hard leg kick. Jones is composed, however, moving laterally and tagging “Lil Heathen” with a variety of fast kicks from both sides. Jones goes upstairs and a head kick glances off Stephens’ guard. Jones connects with a body kick, then a spinning back kick to the head. None of them have landed with a ton of impact, but the speed and accuracy are there. Stephens catches Jones with a hard right hand, which leaves a visible swelling under the Welshman’s eye. They clinch, and Stephens fires off a couple of murderous-looking uppercuts that have Jones backing away hastily. Jones steps back in and lands an uppercut of his own. Stephens wades forward, and his punches look to have slowed just a bit. Jones takes Stephens’ back standing, hoists him with a rear waistlock and deposits him on the canvas. Stephens scrambles back up, but Jones elevates him for an easy mat return. Jones stays on Stephens’ back this time, and with under 30 seconds to go he tries a rear-naked choke. It’s wrapped up but not under the chin, and time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Jones
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jones
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jones
Round 2
Jones and Stephens meet in the center of the cage and flurry with punches. Stephens lands a good one and the crowd erupts. Jones fires back and they clinch. Stephens lands a nice uppercut in close. Jones tags Stephens with a glancing head kick and just slips a right hook coming back his way. Stephens throws another right, and Jones has just barely escaped disaster from that punch several times already in this fight. Jones lands a flying knee, followed by a level elbow, and Stephens is bleeding from the hairline. Stephens throws a salvo of punches, several of which connect, and Jones loses his mouthguard. Jones is bleeding from the face as well. The crowd is deafening as the two men swing away in phone-booth range. Jones lands a spinning back kick to the head, and Stephens steps in to land a clean counter punch. Stephens throws a straight to the body that hurts Jones and has him backing off. Stephens surges forward and takes Jones’ back standing. Jones spins to face his opponent and hauls Stephens to his knees, lands briefly in mount, then jumps on his back as he turns away. Short time left in the round once again, and once again the horn sounds with Jones in back control.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Jones
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jones
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jones
Round 3
The Des Moines crowd roars as Stephens and Jones come out for the final frame, and they pop further when Stephens lands a nice right hand in the opening exchange. Jones staves off further punishment—and quiets the arena—by changing levels for an easy takedown against the cage. Jones lands in Stephens’ guard, but Stephens gets back to his feet. Jones drags Stephens back down, spins through north-south, and grabs Stephens’ left arm with a two-on-one, looking to isolate the limb for an armbar. Stephens locks his hands and defends, with Jones kneeling over his head and trying to wrench the arm out. Jones gives up on the armbar and moves to Stephens’ back. Stephens explodes to his feet and Jones drags him back down, to scattered boos from the crowd. Jones laces the legs of the seated Iowan at the base of the fence, and is close to landing in full mount. Stephens gets back to this feet yet again, and Jones yet again responds by "dragon" his man back to the ground. Under a minute left to go and Jones gets back control, then takes mount as Stephens spins around. The final horn sounds with Jones in full mount near the cage and the Des Moines crowd sounding off in discontent.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Jones (30-27 Jones)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jones (30-27 Jones)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jones (30-27 Jones)
The Official Result
Mason Jones def. Jeremy Stephens via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo expects Mason Jones to pick apart Jeremy Stephens with superior boxing and takedowns. He notes that Stephens is exciting but slower and will likely be taken down multiple times. He does not predict a finish but believes Jones will win a clear decision.
Big Brady is very confident in Mason Jones, calling it a mismatch. He highlights Jones's well-rounded skills: BJJ black belt, great striking, volume, power, and toughness. Stephens hasn't fought in MMA since 2022, is 38, and looked bad recently. Brady expects Jones to take Stephens down and finish him quickly, predicting a first-round submission. He notes that if Jones stands and bangs, it gives Stephens a puncher's chance, but still favors Jones.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Jones's aggression and clinch wrestling will be too much for Stephens. He compares Stephens's decline to his loss to Clay Collard, where aggression wore him down. Connor believes Jones can take Stephens down and keep him there, as Stephens's ground instincts are poor. He calls it a fight that feels like PFL filler but expects Jones to win.
Jones is younger and closer to his prime. He will mix up his game to wear down the 39-year-old Stephens and eventually secure a dominant position for a ground-and-pound TKO or submission.
The MMA Guru picks Mason Jones, citing his well-roundedness, wrestling, and granite chin. He believes Jeremy Stephens is too old and has been focusing on BKFC and boxing, so his grappling will be rusty. He predicts Jones will win by TKO on the ground, possibly after using his taekwondo to back Stephens up. He thinks Jones should be a 3-to-1 favorite, not -575.
Zane picks Jones, emphasizing that Stephens has been a lost cause in MMA for years, with declining foot speed and takedown defense. He notes that Jones is an aggressive brawler who pressures well and has never been knocked out. Zane points out that Stephens hasn't knocked anyone out in MMA since 2018 and is susceptible to pressure and wrestling. He believes Jones will swarm Stephens and wear him down.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mateusz Gamrot | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:46 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mateusz Gamrot | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:46 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mateusz Gamrot | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mateusz Gamrot | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The Octagon experience between Stephens (28-18, 1 NC; 15-17, 1 NC UFC) and Gamrot (18-1, 1 NC; 1-1 UFC) is a chasm of 31 bouts, although Gamrot did serve as a two-division KSW champion prior to joining the UFC in 2020. The lightweights will toe the line before referee Mike Beltran, who knows a firefight may erupt before his very eyes. The intensity is palpable as there is no touch of gloves, and instead the two men race to the center of the cage to establish dominance. Gamrot shoots in low for a leg to take Stephens down, and after the Iowan hops around, Gamrot quickly puts him on his back. Stephens rolls to his side, and Gamrot threatens with a kimura but he winds up in kimura danger of his own.
Gamrot spins around and takes an inverted triangle position, and he resecures the two-on-one wrist control to wrench the kimura. “Gamer” torques the arm behind Stephens’ back with everything he has, and Stephens has no choice to tap out lest his shoulder get ripped to shreds.
What an impressive performance for the Polish fighter, who becomes the first man to tap out “Lil Heathen” since Joe Lauzon in 2009 at UFC Fight Night 17.
The Official Result
Mateusz Gamrot def. Jeremy Stephens R1 1:05 via Submission (Kimura)
Cody is high on Mateusz Gamrot, praising his well-rounded skills and experience in KSW. He believes Gamrot's grappling and cardio will wear down Jeremy Stephens, who is moving up to lightweight. Cody expects Gamrot to win by decision, noting that Stephens' power is a threat but Gamrot's relentless pressure and takedowns should prevail.
Paul is not a believer in Mateusz Gamrot, pointing out his inability to maintain top control and his tendency to slow down. He thinks Jeremy Stephens has a puncher's chance but is not confident enough to pick either fighter. He decides to pass on betting this fight, calling it a 'dogger pass' situation.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvin Kattar | 0 | 57 of 104 | 54% | 57 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 1 | 52 of 113 | 46% | 52 of 113 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calvin Kattar | 0 | 40 of 64 | 62% | 40 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 26 of 66 | 39% | 26 of 66 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Calvin Kattar | 0 | 17 of 40 | 42% | 17 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 1 | 26 of 47 | 55% | 26 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvin Kattar | 57 of 104 | 54% | 24 of 66 | 9 of 12 | 24 of 26 | 56 of 103 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 52 of 113 | 46% | 32 of 92 | 12 of 13 | 8 of 8 | 47 of 103 | 1 of 4 | 4 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calvin Kattar | 40 of 64 | 62% | 16 of 36 | 7 of 10 | 17 of 18 | 40 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 26 of 66 | 39% | 15 of 54 | 7 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 26 of 65 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Calvin Kattar | 17 of 40 | 42% | 8 of 30 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 8 | 16 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 26 of 47 | 55% | 17 of 38 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 21 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 6 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
On any other card, this matchup between Stephens (28-17, 1 NC; 15-16, 1 NC UFC) and Kattar (20-4, 4-2 UFC) would be near the top of the billing, which speaks to the depth of UFC 249. This potential all-action catchweight bout -- Stephens missed weight by 4.5 pounds -- will be officiated by referee Jason Herzog, and the two strikers do not touch gloves and decided to start engaging early. Stephens leads off with a flurry, and he is loading up on shots right out of the gate. A low kick from Stephens goes a little low, and he swings with reckless abandon as Kattar shells up. Stephens is landing frequently with leg kicks to both sides, although Kattar finally fires back at him. Three punches from Kattar surprise Stephens, but “Lil’ Heathen” throws bombs back at him. “The Boston Finisher” strings together a few punches, and Stephens is having none of it as he comes right back at him. A loud leg kick from Stephens lands, and Kattar replies with a similar kick. Both men whiff with big hooks, and Stephens pursues the lead leg of the Boston-based fighter with kicks. They trade leg kicks, but Stephens’ appears to be more impactful as Kattar’s lead leg is beginning to welt up a little. Two powerful punches from Kattar give his opponent pause, but Stephens gathers himself and throws right back. Two over the top are followed by one powerful shot to the body from Kattar, and Stephens races after him with a leg kick that makes Kattar wince. Stephens chains together punches and leg kicks, and Kattar has been forced to change stances already. A big right from Kattar catches Stephens flush, and the Alliance MMA fighter shakes it out and tries blast him with a counter right. Both throw with all they have to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Stephens
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Stephens
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Stephens
Round 2
Stephens opens up aggressively with a bevy of punches and a leg kick. The kick is forcing Kattar to lift his leg up in anticipation of getting kicked, and also making the Bostonian change stances. Stephens charges in to unload with some shots, but Kattar counters him on the way in and works the lead leg too. Stephens is now forced to switch stances from the damage, and they are swinging with malicious intent. Stephens stings him with a right that splits the guard, and continues the offense with another two thudding leg kicks. Kattar jabs to the body, and puts together a combination that wobbles Stephens. Kattar goes to the body and the head to keep Stephens guessing, and Stephens clinches up to land an elbow on the inside. They separate, and Stephens aims at that lead leg again. Kattar is committing to big right hands now, and they are getting Stephens’ attention.
Kattar winds up with a monster elbow that drills Stephens on the chin, and “Lil’ Heathen” goes down hard. Kattar chases after him to unleash some relentless ground-and-pound, and concludes with a few elbows that slice Stephens’ forehead wide open.
Herzog steps in to save a badly damaged Stephens, who is in a bad way and is positively gushing blood. This is a massive win for Kattar, and he does so with style points.
The Official Result
Calvin Kattar def. Jeremy Stephens R2 2:42 via KO (Elbows and Punches)
Big Brady picks Calvin Kattar, calling him the far better boxer and expecting him to dominate. He believes Kattar's takedown defense will hold up and that he will either put on a three-round clinic or finish Stephens, predicting a third-round knockout. He notes Stephens' recent losses and Kattar's never been knocked out.
Daniel Levi picks Calvin Kattar, stating he is sharper, faster, and more athletic than Stephens. He notes that Kattar likes to stand in the pocket, which gives Stephens a chance, but believes Kattar's boxing is superior. Levi thinks Kattar will pop him with the jab and mix in leg kicks, and that Stephens is too slow to implement a leg kick gameplan.
Matt picks Stephens as an underdog, emphasizing his leg kicks and power. He notes Kattar's vulnerability to leg kicks and believes Stephens can exploit that to set up his hands. He sees value at plus money and expects a decision or late finish, though he acknowledges Kattar's boxing advantage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair RodrĂguez | 0 | 96 of 170 | 56% | 136 of 213 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:10 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 50 of 95 | 52% | 99 of 156 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 5:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair RodrĂguez | 0 | 39 of 70 | 55% | 39 of 70 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 11 of 24 | 45% | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:29 | |
| 2 | Yair RodrĂguez | 0 | 41 of 73 | 56% | 62 of 97 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 21 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:33 | |
| 3 | Yair RodrĂguez | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 35 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 28 of 49 | 57% | 67 of 97 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:33 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair RodrĂguez | 96 of 170 | 56% | 65 of 127 | 14 of 23 | 17 of 20 | 54 of 100 | 6 of 10 | 36 of 60 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 50 of 95 | 52% | 35 of 76 | 10 of 10 | 5 of 9 | 19 of 51 | 6 of 11 | 25 of 33 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair RodrĂguez | 39 of 70 | 55% | 18 of 43 | 9 of 13 | 12 of 14 | 34 of 61 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 11 of 24 | 45% | 3 of 14 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 6 | 9 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Yair RodrĂguez | 41 of 73 | 56% | 37 of 67 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 34 of 58 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 11 of 22 | 50% | 9 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 8 | 4 of 7 | 6 of 7 | |
| 3 | Yair RodrĂguez | 16 of 27 | 59% | 10 of 17 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 28 of 49 | 57% | 23 of 43 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 19 of 26 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair RodrĂguez | 0 | 96 of 170 | 56% | 136 of 213 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:10 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 50 of 95 | 52% | 99 of 156 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 5:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair RodrĂguez | 0 | 39 of 70 | 55% | 39 of 70 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 11 of 24 | 45% | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:29 | |
| 2 | Yair RodrĂguez | 0 | 41 of 73 | 56% | 62 of 97 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 21 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:33 | |
| 3 | Yair RodrĂguez | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 35 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 28 of 49 | 57% | 67 of 97 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:33 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair RodrĂguez | 96 of 170 | 56% | 65 of 127 | 14 of 23 | 17 of 20 | 54 of 100 | 6 of 10 | 36 of 60 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 50 of 95 | 52% | 35 of 76 | 10 of 10 | 5 of 9 | 19 of 51 | 6 of 11 | 25 of 33 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair RodrĂguez | 39 of 70 | 55% | 18 of 43 | 9 of 13 | 12 of 14 | 34 of 61 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 11 of 24 | 45% | 3 of 14 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 6 | 9 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Yair RodrĂguez | 41 of 73 | 56% | 37 of 67 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 34 of 58 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 11 of 22 | 50% | 9 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 8 | 4 of 7 | 6 of 7 | |
| 3 | Yair RodrĂguez | 16 of 27 | 59% | 10 of 17 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 28 of 49 | 57% | 23 of 43 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 19 of 26 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
We are now treated to a rematch of the main event from UFC Mexico City in September, which tragically ended due to an eye poke within 15 seconds. Rodriguez (12-2, 1 NC; 7-1, 1 NC UFC) is ready to run it back with Stephens (28-16, 1 NC; 16-15, 1 NC UFC), and tensions are high. Trying to keep a lid on this featherweight tilt is referee Kevin MacDonald. There is no touch of the gloves of any kind, as Rodriguez leaps through the air with a flying head kick that clanks off the dome of Stephens. Stephens wings back some angry punches, and the two trade for a moment with bad intentions. Rodriguez clinches up and pushes Stephens against the cage, and Stephens throws a knee to the body, so Rodriguez retaliates with one of his own. The crowd has started to chant "U.S.A." to root on their home country fighter, and as they break apart, Rodriguez lands a powerful elbows over the top. "El Pantera" throws a wild spinning wheel kick that is nowhere near the mark, but he regains position and throws several heavy kicks on both legs. A few body kicks are finding their home on Stephens' midsection, and they are adding up quick. Stephens fires back with everything he has in the form of right hands, but Rodriguez keeps his distance with effective kicks. Another body kick digs in for Rodriguez, and Stephens has lowered his right hand to defend this specific attack. Stephens ducks down possibly for a takedown, but after a little clinch fighting, the two separate. Rodriguez chooses to crash forward into the clinch again, landing a knee up the middle to get there. As Rodriguez slaps a low kick, Stephens rips a right hand to the body of his opponent. The Mexican pulls off a jumping switch kick that catches Stephens flush, but Stephens walks through it. As Stephens presses forward, Rodriguez drops him with a left jab, but cannot take advantage of his grounded adversary as Stephens returns to his feet. Two more kicks get off from Rodriguez, as Stephens chases him around and motions an obscene gesture to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Round 2
Rodriguez opens up round two with a spinning kick, but Stephens is able to get up his guard on time. The Mexican fighter then whips a head kick up top, but it is the body kick that follows that does serious damage and makes Stephens buckle over. As Stephens stumbles backwards, Rodriguez swarms him with punches, throwing everything he has into his punches. Stephens defends himself by pursuing a takedown, but Rodriguez is relentless with punches. "Lil' Heathen" is able to survive the assault by going after low takedowns, but Rodriguez walks over it and lands long punches. On his back, Stephens eats wild hammerfists but begins to throw punches while on his back. Rodriguez latches on a brabo choke, and Stephens is trying to roll out of it and survives the submission attempt but is still in grave danger. With pure willpower, Stephens stands back up and unleashes the hardest punches he can possibly throw on Rodriguez. Rodriguez dodges and weaves out of the way of most of these shots, and as Rodriguez catches Stephens to the body again with a kick, Stephens wraps Rodriguez and tries to take him down. Rodriguez rolls through to try to get out of the position but ends up on his back, with Stephens on top raining down punches. El Pantera throws up his legs to search for a triangle choke, and Stephens is not out of the woods yet. In more of a leg scissor choke than a triangle, Stephens breaks the posture and grinds his elbow on his opponent's face as Rodriguez is warned for grabbing the cage. Rodriguez gradually stands up, and Stephens punishes him with a salvo of punches. The Mexican eats several more shots as he finally gets to his feet, and whips a body kick out that backs away Stephens as this crazy round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Round 3
Stephens comes out threatening with big shots, and as Rodriguez throws a kick out to back him off, he catches Stephens in the groin with a kick. Stephens calls the ref off so that he can charge at Rodriguez, and he slings looping shots that score on Rodriguez and get the crowd amped up. Rodriguez tries to keep his distance with leg kicks, and Stephens catches him on the end of a right hand that Rodriguez wears well. Suddenly, Stephens drops for a double leg takedown and gets Rodriguez down, and although Rodriguez gets back up, Stephens makes sure to score with several punches on his way up. The two separate, but not for long, as Stephens rushes in to secure another takedown and lands in Rodriguez' guard. Rodriguez attempts to utilize a rubber guard to get hold of Stephens' neck, but Stephens pushes the leg off and tries to get his ground-and-pound going. It is quite unfortunate that this fight is only three rounds instead of five, as Stephens sits on top in half guard while throwing punches from above. Stephens continues to mount offense on top in the form of numerous left hands, and the American then decides to drop down elbows that get heavier the more he throws. A huge left hand from Stephens scores as he stands up and dives down to land it, and after some more thudding strikes, the fight is now over. In a display of great sportsmanship, the two embrace, both thrilled with their performances.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Stephens (29-28 Rodriguez)
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Stephens (29-28 Rodriguez)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Stephens (28-28 Draw)
The Official Result
Yair Rodriguez def. Jeremy Stephens via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zabit Magomedsharipov | 0 | 41 of 121 | 33% | 45 of 125 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 70 of 129 | 54% | 83 of 146 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 2:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zabit Magomedsharipov | 0 | 10 of 26 | 38% | 10 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 16 of 31 | 51% | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Zabit Magomedsharipov | 0 | 6 of 25 | 24% | 10 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 26 of 41 | 63% | 39 of 58 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 2:36 | |
| 3 | Zabit Magomedsharipov | 0 | 25 of 70 | 35% | 25 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 28 of 57 | 49% | 28 of 57 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zabit Magomedsharipov | 41 of 121 | 33% | 20 of 92 | 11 of 16 | 10 of 13 | 41 of 121 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 70 of 129 | 54% | 43 of 95 | 12 of 17 | 15 of 17 | 60 of 117 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 11 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zabit Magomedsharipov | 10 of 26 | 38% | 2 of 14 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 7 | 10 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 16 of 31 | 51% | 6 of 19 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 7 | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Zabit Magomedsharipov | 6 of 25 | 24% | 3 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 26 of 41 | 63% | 18 of 30 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 17 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 11 | |
| 3 | Zabit Magomedsharipov | 25 of 70 | 35% | 15 of 57 | 7 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 25 of 70 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 28 of 57 | 49% | 19 of 46 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The last preliminary bout is a very intriguing featherweight bout between veteran Jeremy Stephens and rising prospect Zabit Magomedsharipov. The referee in charge of this fight is Mark Smith. Magomedsharipov lands a low kick as Stephens moves forward. He clips him with a long straight left but Stephens returns fire with a low kick of his own. Magomedsharipov lands another low kick. He then lands a heavy body kick on the torso of Stephens, who returns fire with another low kick. Stephens looks to land a right hook to the body but Magomedsharipov counters with a left hook of his own. Magomedsharipov lands a nasty low kick that has the crowd gasping at the brutal sound of it landing. Stephens continues to move forward but Magomedsharipov is having good success countering as he moves closer. Magomedsharipov grabs the fence and lands a side kick on Stephens and the referee warns him not to grab the cage. Magomedsharipov lands a hard straight left as Stephens walks towards him then lands a brutal low kick to the groin of Stephens. The referee calls timeout, but Stephens is ok and the fight resumes. Off the break Magomedshairpov looks to land a Showtime kick off the cage. He doesn’t land it but he does land a really hard kick to the body of Stephens. The round is soon over.
Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Magomedsharipov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Magomedsharipov
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Magomedsharipov
Round 2
Round two begins. Stephens lands a hard low kick and continues to march forward. The referee warns Magomedsharipov not to land any more low blows on Stephens after a brief scare. Magomedsharipov just misses a rare hook kick. Instead, he lands a chopping low kick. Stephens returns with a hard left hook of his own. Magomedsharipov with a straight left down the pipe. Stephens lands a low kick of his own and then pushes forward and lands a straight right to the head of Magomedsharipov. That may have been the best strike of the fight for him. Magomedsharipov lands a brutal left hook to the body of Stephens. Magomedsharipov gets in close and grabs a single leg and then switches to a body lock takedown and gets Stephens to the mat. Stephens is able to get up but Magomedsharipov is pushing him against the fence and working hard to take the back of Stephens. He has one hook in now and Stephens could be in trouble. Magomedsharipov now has back mount with two hooks in. He lands a hard elbow to the back of the head of Stephens and the referee warns him not to do that. Magomedsharipov has over a minute to work and get the submission now and he’s in a great position to do so. Magomedsharipov lands a hard elbow that hurts Stephens and causes him to roll over. Magomedsharipov is now in full mount and he switches to back control now with two hooks in. Magomedsharipov lands some hard elbows from the back and rolls Stephens over. The 10-second clapper signals and the round is over but Magomedsharipov shoves him in the face after the final horn and the referee is forced to separate the fighters.
Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Magomedsharipov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Magomedsharipov
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Magomedsharipov
Round 3
It’s now round three and realistically Stephens needs a finish if he wants to get his hand raised. Like the first two rounds, Stephens is the one moving forward but Magomedsharipov continues to move side-to-side and evade the strikes of Stephens. Magomedsharipov lands another hard kick to the body, and now a low kick. Stephens tries to land a right hook but Magomedsharipov moves away once again. Stephens has Magomedshairpov against the fence and lands a straight right that has the crowd buzzing for a second. But once again Magomedsharipov moves away from danger. Jab from the Russian. Stephens returns with a left hook and Magomedsharipov circles away. Stephens lands a right hook behind his ear. Magomedsharipov dives down for an ankle pick but Stephens hits him with a clubbing right hand and Magomedsharipov backs up. Stephens is finally having some success and is touching the chin of Magomedsharipov with his hands with just a minute left in the fight. Magomedsharipov returns fire with a left hook. Now they are standing in the center of the Octagon and trading short punches. Magomedsharipov lands two hard left hooks that really hurt Stephens. He then changes levels and goes for double leg takedown. Stephens is able to stuff it and after a last-second flying head kick attempt by Magomedsharipov the round and fight are now over.
Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Stephens (29-28 Magomedsharipov)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Stephens (29-28 Magomedsharipov)
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Stephens (29-28 Magomedsharipov)
The Official Result
Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Jeremy Stephens via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Aldo | 1 | 29 of 63 | 46% | 29 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 20 of 60 | 33% | 20 of 60 | 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 | José Aldo | 1 | 29 of 63 | 46% | 29 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 20 of 60 | 33% | 20 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Aldo | 29 of 63 | 46% | 21 of 55 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 16 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 21 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 20 of 60 | 33% | 16 of 55 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 52 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | José Aldo | 29 of 63 | 46% | 21 of 55 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 16 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 21 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 20 of 60 | 33% | 16 of 55 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 52 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Stephens blocks an Aldo high kick with his gloves, then fires a right high kick of his own and bounces it off the Brazilian's shoulder. Aldo lands his first low kicks of the bout as they enter the second minute, with Stephens pressing forward, looking to close the gap. Stephens clinches up and throws a knee to the body, then backs up and lands a leg kick of his own. Aldo catches Stephens rushing forward and plunks him with a counter uppercut. Stephens keeps coming, though, and runs "Scarface" against the fence with a heavy barrage of punches. Aldo eats a point-blank uppercut and doesn't budge; in fact, the former champion walks off the fence and backs up Stephens with a combination. Stephens, now sporting some redness and swelling under his right eye, whiffs on a spinning backfist as Aldo takes a turn coming forward. Aldo misses with a one-two but splits the guard of Stephens with a straight right hand. Stephens tries to retaliate and
gets blown up with a vicious left hand to the liver. Stephens hits the deck and Aldo pounces, trying to pound out the Alliance MMA product.
Stephens is trapped on his right side with Aldo straddling him, dropping punches. Stephens gets caught in an unfortunate position with his head flat on the canvas, and after a few clean hammerfists from Aldo, referee Yves Lavigne decides to stop the fight. Aldo bursts into tears as he's swarmed by his corner, the former 145-pound king collecting his first win in over two years.
The Official Result
Jose Aldo def. Jeremy Stephens via TKO (Punches) R1 4:19
Darren Elkins - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 13 of 31 | 41% | 18 of 45 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Julian Erosa | 0 | 54 of 73 | 73% | 69 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 13 of 31 | 41% | 18 of 45 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Julian Erosa | 0 | 54 of 73 | 73% | 69 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Elkins | 13 of 31 | 41% | 11 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Julian Erosa | 54 of 73 | 73% | 52 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 22 of 39 | 11 of 12 | 21 of 22 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Elkins | 13 of 31 | 41% | 11 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Julian Erosa | 54 of 73 | 73% | 52 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 22 of 39 | 11 of 12 | 21 of 22 |
Daniel Levi states that Julian Erosa did exactly what he was supposed to do as a big favorite, handling the older veteran Darren Elkins. He approves of the performance.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 39 of 88 | 44% | 102 of 170 | 3 of 12 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 6:33 |
| Daniel Pineda | 0 | 31 of 53 | 58% | 61 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 1 | 3:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 23 of 35 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 2:07 |
| Daniel Pineda | 0 | 13 of 15 | 86% | 27 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 1 | 2:07 | |
| 2 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 19 of 47 | 40% | 39 of 72 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:24 |
| Daniel Pineda | 0 | 12 of 24 | 50% | 17 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 3 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 17 of 33 | 51% | 40 of 63 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:02 |
| Daniel Pineda | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 17 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Elkins | 39 of 88 | 44% | 30 of 78 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 70 | 3 of 7 | 8 of 11 |
| Daniel Pineda | 31 of 53 | 58% | 21 of 38 | 7 of 10 | 3 of 5 | 17 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 15 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Elkins | 3 of 8 | 37% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Daniel Pineda | 13 of 15 | 86% | 12 of 13 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 13 | |
| 2 | Darren Elkins | 19 of 47 | 40% | 15 of 42 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 10 |
| Daniel Pineda | 12 of 24 | 50% | 6 of 15 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 3 | 10 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Darren Elkins | 17 of 33 | 51% | 12 of 28 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 27 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Daniel Pineda | 6 of 14 | 42% | 3 of 10 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Angelo is surprised Darren Elkins is the underdog and has a bet on him at +102. He notes Elkins' incredible toughness, grinding style, and ability to fight a full 15 minutes without fading, while Pineda is a feast-or-famine fighter who fades quickly after an initial burst. He thinks Elkins can weather the early storm and take over as the fight goes on. He sees value in the underdog line and expects Elkins to win.
Big Brady picks Darren Elkins by third-round knockout. He sees it as Pineda early, Elkins late. Pineda is dangerous early with power and grappling, but gasses badly. Elkins is extremely tough and will not let Pineda off the hook if he fades. He expects Elkins to take over, take Pineda down, and finish him in the third round.
Connor also picks Elkins hesitantly, noting that Pineda is violent but inconsistent, with a tendency to gas and lose focus. He compares the matchup to the 'Darren Elkins vs Michael Johnson award' for one-true-outcome fights. He acknowledges that Elkins could get knocked out early, but Pineda's self-destructive tendencies make Elkins the safer pick.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript.
Pineda has finished all 28 of his victories but will struggle with the relentless style of Elkins. As long as Elkins' durability holds up early, he should be able to break Pineda down and find a finish in the second or third round.
The Guru believes Darren Elkins has taken too much damage and no longer has it at age 40. He notes Pineda had good performances against Nathaniel Wood and Alex Caceres, and expects Pineda to destroy Elkins' lead leg with calf kicks and get a guillotine off a lazy takedown. He predicts a TKO or submission finish.
Zane picks Elkins but with hesitation, acknowledging that Elkins is 40 and could get knocked out. However, he notes that Pineda is the type of fighter who beats himself—he gasses, loses focus, and makes bad decisions. Elkins historically beats those kinds of fighters by accepting the gift. Zane says he can't feel good about it but can't pick Pineda either.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 11 of 33 | 33% | 95 of 146 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 2 | 1 | 8:09 |
| T.J. Brown | 0 | 15 of 50 | 30% | 45 of 86 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 1:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 53 of 80 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:32 |
| T.J. Brown | 0 | 4 of 13 | 30% | 11 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 | |
| 2 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 28 of 43 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 1 | 2:49 |
| T.J. Brown | 0 | 9 of 29 | 31% | 32 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:44 | |
| 3 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 14 of 23 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:48 |
| T.J. Brown | 0 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Elkins | 11 of 33 | 33% | 8 of 29 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| T.J. Brown | 15 of 50 | 30% | 11 of 45 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Elkins | 2 of 11 | 18% | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| T.J. Brown | 4 of 13 | 30% | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Darren Elkins | 7 of 16 | 43% | 4 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| T.J. Brown | 9 of 29 | 31% | 7 of 26 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Darren Elkins | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| T.J. Brown | 2 of 8 | 25% | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo leans T.J. Brown despite his suspect takedown defense and chin, because he believes Brown's pressure and grappling will be enough to outwork the aging Elkins. He notes Brown has never been knocked out and expects him to win, but he wants to wait for the line to tighten before betting.
Big Brady picks Darren Elkins for the upset by third-round finish. He notes T.J. Brown has poor fight IQ and takedown defense, and often makes mistakes. He worries about Elkins' age and recent injuries but expects Brown to gas out or make a mistake, allowing Elkins to take over late.
Cody picks Elkins, arguing that Brown has a history of losing when favored and that Elkins finds ways to win. He notes that Brown fades in later rounds and has poor takedown defense, while Elkins has a grinding style and excellent cardio. Cody believes Elkins can take Brown down and wear him out, especially after the first round.
The host picks T.J. Brown to win inside the distance, expecting him to bite down on his mouthpiece and land big shots early. He notes Brown's speed and power advantage over the aging Elkins, and suggests avoiding the moneyline in favor of the plus money prop. He predicts a first-round stoppage.
Paul picks Elkins, citing his toughness and ability to grind out wins. He notes that Brown has a fast start but fades, and that Elkins has fought much tougher competition. Paul believes Elkins' wrestling and cardio will be too much for Brown, and that Elkins can survive the early storm and take over.
The MMA Guru picks T.J. Brown over Darren Elkins. He praises Brown's performance against Bill Algeo despite the loss, and notes Brown trains with Bryce Mitchell in grappling, so he won't be outwrestled. He criticizes Elkins as a geriatric old man at 39 who has taken too much damage, citing his loss to Jonathan Pearce. He believes Brown is in his prime and can go three hard rounds, winning by decision or big shots.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 57 of 193 | 29% | 67 of 203 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 110 of 222 | 49% | 154 of 276 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 1 | 3:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 11 of 57 | 19% | 14 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 30 of 64 | 46% | 35 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 15 of 47 | 31% | 22 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 44 of 68 | 64% | 74 of 106 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:29 | |
| 3 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 31 of 89 | 34% | 31 of 89 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 36 of 90 | 40% | 45 of 100 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 57 of 193 | 29% | 47 of 176 | 9 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 49 of 177 | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Elkins | 110 of 222 | 49% | 80 of 188 | 18 of 22 | 12 of 12 | 66 of 159 | 14 of 20 | 30 of 43 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 11 of 57 | 19% | 9 of 51 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 55 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Elkins | 30 of 64 | 46% | 16 of 47 | 11 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 21 of 51 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 8 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 15 of 47 | 31% | 14 of 43 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 37 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Elkins | 44 of 68 | 64% | 37 of 61 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 13 of 27 | 8 of 10 | 23 of 31 | |
| 3 | Jonathan Pearce | 31 of 89 | 34% | 24 of 82 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 29 of 85 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Elkins | 36 of 90 | 40% | 27 of 80 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 32 of 81 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 4 |
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, trusting him to wrestle early and use his power and grappling. He notes Pearce is a good size favorite and should be, but expresses concern that Pearce was taken down three times in his last fight, and Darren Elkins will be looking for takedowns. He believes Pearce needs to grapple first and not wait for Elkins, otherwise Elkins could control the fight and win a decision.
Big Brady picks Pearce, citing his youth (eight years younger) and less wear and tear. He notes both fighters have similar styles but Pearce has better cardio and takedown ability. He expects Pearce to win a decision, though he acknowledges Elkins is tough and could have moments.
Cody picks Pearce, seeing it as a passing of the torch. He notes Pearce's wrestling and pace, and Elkins' age and damage. He thinks Pearce will win by decision or late finish.
Connor picks Jonathan Pearce, agreeing that Elkins is declining and that Pearce is too young and athletic. He notes that Pearce won't be afraid to grapple and is a giant at featherweight, making it a bad matchup for Elkins.
Daniel Levi picks Jonathan Pearce, calling it a passing of the torch. He notes Pearce's wrestling, cardio, and output, and believes Elkins' damage over the years is a factor. He is not betting at the heavy price but is confident in the pick.
The host is confident in Pearce, calling it a horrible matchup for Elkins. He thinks Pearce's speed, power, and youth will overwhelm Elkins early. He expects a first-round finish and likes the under 2.5 rounds at minus 135 as a steal. He notes that Pearce has all the advantages except heart, which won't be enough for Elkins.
Paul picks Elkins hesitantly, thinking the price is too wide. He notes Elkins' durability and pace, and Pierce's questionable cardio. He likes Elkins by decision at +800 as a sprinkle.
The MMA Guru picks Jonathan Pearce as a lock of the card, citing Darren Elkins' decline in speed and performance. He notes Elkins has looked slower in recent fights and that Pearce is a tough, momentum-driven fighter who has been melting opponents. He predicts a dominant decision or late TKO for Pearce.
Zane picks Jonathan Pearce, stating that Elkins is in decline and has been toughing out wins against lesser competition. He notes that Pearce is younger, bigger, and won't crumble; he will play his own game rather than being drawn into Elkins' strengths.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 75 of 151 | 49% | 165 of 259 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 7:52 |
| Tristan Connelly | 0 | 66 of 117 | 56% | 106 of 158 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 19 of 39 | 48% | 55 of 84 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:40 |
| Tristan Connelly | 0 | 7 of 18 | 38% | 26 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 28 of 56 | 50% | 40 of 70 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:07 |
| Tristan Connelly | 0 | 34 of 50 | 68% | 37 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 | |
| 3 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 28 of 56 | 50% | 70 of 105 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:05 |
| Tristan Connelly | 0 | 25 of 49 | 51% | 43 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Elkins | 75 of 151 | 49% | 66 of 141 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 38 of 107 | 29 of 34 | 8 of 10 |
| Tristan Connelly | 66 of 117 | 56% | 48 of 96 | 9 of 12 | 9 of 9 | 42 of 87 | 21 of 27 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Elkins | 19 of 39 | 48% | 17 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 9 |
| Tristan Connelly | 7 of 18 | 38% | 7 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Darren Elkins | 28 of 56 | 50% | 27 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 42 | 11 of 13 | 1 of 1 |
| Tristan Connelly | 34 of 50 | 68% | 22 of 38 | 5 of 5 | 7 of 7 | 23 of 38 | 9 of 10 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Darren Elkins | 28 of 56 | 50% | 22 of 49 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 37 | 16 of 19 | 0 of 0 |
| Tristan Connelly | 25 of 49 | 51% | 19 of 41 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 33 | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Tristan Connelly, though he acknowledges Elkins is never out of a fight. He thinks the damage is catching up to Elkins after his KO loss to Cub Swanson. He believes Connelly can avoid takedowns and land big punches to sneak out a win, but notes Elkins' toughness and ability to make fights ugly.
Big Brady picks Darren Elkins but is hesitant, calling the fight a mess. He notes Elkins' experience and wrestling, but worries about his age and damage taken. He expects Elkins to mix in takedowns and win a decision, though he acknowledges it could go either way.
Cody also picks Connelly, noting Elkins' age and wear. He thinks Connelly's cardio and BJJ will allow him to survive early takedowns and take over later. Cody references Connelly's fight against Pat Sabatini, where he lost the first two rounds but dominated the third. He believes Connelly's speed and pressure will be too much for Elkins, and that Connelly could even submit him.
Daniel Levi picks Darren Elkins but is not confident. He believes the best version of Elkins would grind out Connelly, but questions how much damage Elkins has taken over his career, comparing him to BJ Penn's decline. He also questions if Connelly belongs at UFC level, noting his win over Michel Pereira was more about Pereira beating himself. Levi is not comfortable laying -175 and passes on betting.
The host leans Connelly as an underdog, citing his cardio and BJJ. He notes Elkins is slowing down and has taken massive damage, while Connelly has good cardio and can match Elkins' pressure. Connelly's striking is better if kept standing, and his jiu-jitsu can neutralize Elkins' wrestling. He expects a competitive fight that could go to decision, with Connelly having a live chance.
Paul picks Tristan Connelly as a live underdog, citing Elkins' accumulated damage and age (in fight years). He notes Connelly's BJJ black belt and endless cardio, and his ability to defend takedowns and get back up. Paul thinks Connelly's speed and pressure will be key, and that Elkins may be damaged goods after the Cub Swanson loss. He mentions Connelly's guillotine choke as a potential threat.
The Guru picks Tristan Connelly, citing Elkins' accumulated damage and recent KO loss to Cub Swanson. He believes Connelly is younger with less wear and tear, and has shown tenacity in coming back in fights. The Guru notes Connelly's good third round against Pat Sabatini and his win over TJ Laramie. He thinks Elkins' chin is starting to go and that Connelly has more heat in his punches. He predicts Connelly will grind out a decision or get a late finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cub Swanson | 1 | 18 of 30 | 60% | 18 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 2 of 19 | 10% | 5 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cub Swanson | 1 | 18 of 30 | 60% | 18 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 2 of 19 | 10% | 5 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cub Swanson | 18 of 30 | 60% | 16 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 |
| Darren Elkins | 2 of 19 | 10% | 2 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cub Swanson | 18 of 30 | 60% | 16 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 |
| Darren Elkins | 2 of 19 | 10% | 2 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Darren Elkins, citing the constant threat of takedowns and grinding pressure. He believes Elkins can make the fight ugly and frustrate Swanson, who is the better all-around fighter but needs to keep it standing. Angelo notes that Elkins has power in his hands but his clear path is grappling. He placed a moneyline bet on Elkins because the odds were too good at +170, thinking it should be closer to a pick'em.
Big Brady picks Cub Swanson by decision, citing his striking advantage (higher volume, accuracy, defense) and improved takedown defense in recent fights. He notes Elkins' low striking accuracy and believes Swanson can keep the fight standing. He acknowledges Elkins' grappling but thinks Swanson's takedown defense has improved enough to avoid trouble.
Cody picks Swanson but doesn't like the -200 price. He thinks Swanson's superior footwork and striking technique will allow him to box up Elkins on the feet. He notes that Elkins needs takedowns to win, and Swanson's takedown defense (60% career) might be enough. Cody suggests taking Swanson by decision at +150 instead of the moneyline, as he believes Swanson is unlikely to finish Elkins.
Daniel Levi picks Cub Swanson but admits he is sketched out by Elkins's comeback ability. He believes Swanson will dominate the striking early, using his speed, kicks, and explosiveness. However, Levi worries that if Elkins gets top position or takes Swanson's back, he could submit him. He references Jeremy Stephens's blueprint of keeping the fight standing and busting Elkins up, which Swanson can follow. Levi expects Swanson to win a decision, possibly 30-27, but acknowledges the risk of Elkins pulling off a submission.
Jacob picks Cub Swanson, his favorite fighter, and is very confident. He argues that Swanson is the better all-around fighter and equally tough. Jacob believes Swanson will dominate the fight, noting that Swanson looked great in his last win and that Elkins' wins come from out-toughing opponents, but nobody out-toughs Swanson. He thinks the odds are fair and that Swanson will win.
The host picks Swanson by KO, citing the striking disparity and Elkins' declining reactions. He believes Swanson will tee off on Elkins and finish him. He likes the KO prop at +250 and also parlayed Swanson moneyline with Barcelos.
Paul is leaning towards Elkins as a dog, citing Elkins's incredible durability and never-quit attitude. He thinks Swanson may start fast but could fade, and Elkins's pressure and wrestling could take over. Paul plans to bet Elkins live if Swanson slows down, expecting a better number than +170. He calls it a 'dogger pass' situation pre-fight.
The MMA Guru picks Cub Swanson to win by 29-28 decision. He notes Swanson has improved his grappling defense significantly, as shown in the second Edgar fight where he wasn't taken down. He thinks Swanson's stand-up advantage will be key and he won't gas out like other Elkins opponents. He expects a scrappy war but Swanson's veteran savvy will carry him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 20 of 30 | 66% | 137 of 154 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 2 | 3:01 |
| Darrick Minner | 0 | 19 of 35 | 54% | 36 of 55 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 3 | 2 | 4:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 43 of 48 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 0:44 |
| Darrick Minner | 0 | 19 of 33 | 57% | 36 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 3 | 2 | 3:17 | |
| 2 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 16 of 23 | 69% | 94 of 106 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:17 |
| Darrick Minner | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Elkins | 20 of 30 | 66% | 18 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 16 of 23 |
| Darrick Minner | 19 of 35 | 54% | 14 of 27 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 13 | 4 of 7 | 10 of 15 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Elkins | 4 of 7 | 57% | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Darrick Minner | 19 of 33 | 57% | 14 of 25 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 12 | 4 of 7 | 10 of 14 | |
| 2 | Darren Elkins | 16 of 23 | 69% | 16 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 22 |
| Darrick Minner | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Angelo picks Darrick Minner because he is the more technical fighter, improving, and has a relentless pace. He expects Minner to take Elkins down and finish with elbows. He likes the under on rounds and the less/less on monkey knife fight, predicting a stoppage. He has Minner in his DraftKings lineup.
Big Brady picks the dog Darren Elkins despite his age (37) and damage taken, because he questions Darrick Minner's cardio after only one fight showing improved stamina. He notes Elkins has not been submitted since 2010 (only loss to Charles Oliveira) and has faced strong grapplers. He expects Minner to have early success but fade, allowing Elkins to finish late. He calls this the hardest fight to call on the card.
Cody picks Elkins as a dog, citing his experience against top competition and his wrestling and cardio advantages. He thinks Minner's style is erratic and his cardio is suspect, and that if Minner doesn't get a first-round submission, Elkins will grind him out. He notes Elkins is a larger man and should be able to wrestle him.
Daniel Levi picks Darrick Minner to dominate, noting that Minner is in the best part of his career with Krause's coaching, while Elkins' best days are behind him. He expects Minner to control the minutes, possibly via doctor stoppage or clear decision, as Elkins cuts easily and gets taken down. Levi warns about Minner's history of being finished but believes Elkins won't win rounds.
Jacob picks Darrick Minner because he thinks Minner will eventually submit Elkins. He notes that Elkins is tough and has fought top competition, but Minner is younger and improving. He likes the more/more on monkey knife fight, expecting a grappling-heavy fight with lots of action. He acknowledges that Elkins is always live but thinks Minner gets the job done.
The host picks Darren Elkins, citing his durability, wrestling, and experience. He believes Minner's cardio issues will be exposed as Elkins pressures him. He notes Minner's recent decision win was against a weak opponent and that Elkins has not been submitted in over a decade. He likes Elkins by decision at +290 and also mentions Elkins inside the distance at +350.
Paul agrees with Cody, calling it a clear dogger pass. He notes Minner's last win was against Charles Rosa, who was complacent on the ground, and that Elkins will try to get back up. He mentions the only person to submit Elkins is Charles Oliveira. He already bet Elkins at +152.
The Guru picks Minner, believing he is underrated and will outscramble Elkins. He criticizes Elkins' recent win over Eduardo Gagori as unimpressive, noting Gagori's padded record. He highlights Minner's wins over Charles Rosa and Terence McKinney, and his competitive grappling with Grant Dawson. He predicts a decision win via outscrambling.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 32 of 72 | 44% | 120 of 168 | 7 of 21 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 7:34 |
| Luiz Eduardo Garagorri | 0 | 36 of 78 | 46% | 48 of 90 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 12 of 21 | 57% | 55 of 69 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 0 | 0 | 4:06 |
| Luiz Eduardo Garagorri | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 13 of 33 | 39% | 41 of 64 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:40 |
| Luiz Eduardo Garagorri | 0 | 18 of 40 | 45% | 26 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 3 | Darren Elkins | 0 | 7 of 18 | 38% | 24 of 35 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Luiz Eduardo Garagorri | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 13 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Elkins | 32 of 72 | 44% | 21 of 58 | 10 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 55 | 12 of 15 | 2 of 2 |
| Luiz Eduardo Garagorri | 36 of 78 | 46% | 28 of 69 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 69 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren Elkins | 12 of 21 | 57% | 8 of 17 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 8 of 9 | 2 of 2 |
| Luiz Eduardo Garagorri | 5 of 8 | 62% | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Darren Elkins | 13 of 33 | 39% | 9 of 27 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 27 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Luiz Eduardo Garagorri | 18 of 40 | 45% | 14 of 36 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | |
| 3 | Darren Elkins | 7 of 18 | 38% | 4 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Luiz Eduardo Garagorri | 13 of 30 | 43% | 10 of 26 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
Big Brady is confident in Elkins due to Garagorri's poor takedown defense (53%) and Elkins' wrestling. He notes Elkins can submit him and that Garagorri has been taken down multiple times before. However, he is hesitant to bet at -230 and suggests looking at the submission prop.
Daniel Levi picks Darren Elkins, but notes he prefers him at underdog odds. He believes Elkins can get takedowns against Garagorri, who has poor takedown defense. Levi is concerned about Elkins' decline and tendency to get cut, but thinks his wrestling will be enough to win a decision. He acknowledges Garagorri's power and potential to cause damage, but sees Elkins as the safer pick.
The host picks Elkins via decision, citing his superior grappling, takedown defense, and cardio. He notes Garagorri's lack of takedown defense and training in Uruguay as weaknesses. He is slightly concerned about Garagorri's power and speed but believes Elkins will drown him with relentless takedowns and top pressure.
The MMA Guru picks Darren Elkins to win by unanimous decision. He dismisses Eduardo Garagorri as having not shown up in some fights and lacking competition. He notes Elkins's experience against tough grapplers like Ryan Hall and his ability to avoid submissions.
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