Career Averages - Francis Marshall
Career Averages - Dennis Buzukja
Francis Marshall
Dennis Buzukja
Francis Marshall - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 33 of 69 | 47% | 60 of 99 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 6:36 |
| Lucas Brennan | 0 | 9 of 36 | 25% | 20 of 48 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:47 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 9 of 16 | 56% | 16 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:28 |
| Lucas Brennan | 0 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 9 of 16 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:13 | |
| 2 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 8 of 10 | 80% | 27 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:08 |
| Lucas Brennan | 0 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 | |
| 3 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 16 of 43 | 37% | 17 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Lucas Brennan | 0 | 6 of 21 | 28% | 6 of 21 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Marshall | 33 of 69 | 47% | 26 of 59 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 28 of 64 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
| Lucas Brennan | 9 of 36 | 25% | 4 of 23 | 2 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Marshall | 9 of 16 | 56% | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Lucas Brennan | 2 of 8 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Francis Marshall | 8 of 10 | 80% | 7 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Lucas Brennan | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Francis Marshall | 16 of 43 | 37% | 12 of 36 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 42 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Lucas Brennan | 6 of 21 | 28% | 2 of 14 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marshall (-600); Brennan (+450)
Round 1
With decent enough name-related nicknames, “Fire” Marshall (9-3, 3-3 UFC) and “Luke Skywalker” Brennan (11-2, 0-0 UFC) will toe the line as the prelims roll on. With the latter’s appearance, he joins a very small father-son tandem of UFC veterans, with dad Chris Brennan a three-time competitor in the Octagon—twice in 1998 as part of the UFC 16 tourney, and then four years later against Gil Castillo at UFC 35. Name only goes so far in the sport, and it’s all to these two lightweights to shine. Referee Kerry Hatley is on call if needed, with the fighters touching gloves in front of him.
Marshall introduces himself with a calf kick, quick to put the pace on the newcomer to put him off-balance. Brennan throws back, but it is the kick from Marshall that is getting his attention. Marshall connects with an overhand right, and he clubs Brennan again with the same blow. He scores it again, and Brennan fires back with a low kick to trip Marshall up. When Marshall blitzes him, Brennan wraps him up in search of a takedown. Marshall turns it against him by scooping up Brennan’s knee and depositing him gingerly to the mat. Marshall initiates the horizontal grappling by maintaining partial side control, thwarting any early submission traps quickly. Brennan hooks his leg around Marshall’s head, as if he wants to squeeze Marshall’s head like a grape. Marshall shucks it off and lowers himself down flat to grind with elbows.
Brennan kicks off and rolls in hopes of sweeping or escaping, but “Fire” Marshall is torching him with grappling exchanges and thudding elbows. Brennan turns to his side, and Marshall keeps his hands on his foe’s face to force him flat. Marshall big-brothers Brennan on top, moving into half guard to further control the action. Brennan looks for a sweep with his legs, and he transition suddenly into a leglock. Marshall turns all the way through to survive the heel look, and he shakes his head when Brennan transitions into a foot lock that is nowhere close to being secure. Marshall keeps twisting to moves back into top position, where he nails Brennan with a sharp elbow. Brennan maintains butterfly hooks, and he uses them to gain enough space to wall-walk and get upright at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 2
The two high-five to get going, with the confident Marshall wade first into action and popping Brennan in the chops with an overhand right. Brennan leans into another overhand right, switching stances back and forth to push out a front kick. Marshall whiffs on his big right hand, but when he fires it again, it scores. He shakes the newcomer up with another, and one more forces “Lucas Skywalker” to shoot in on a single-leg entry. Marshall sprawls and turns to the side to shut down Brennan’s effort, bullying him back to the wall so he can score short but effective clinch strikes. Brennan turns him around, while Marshall checks his oil keeping his hand between Brennan’s legs.
Marshall’s hand position allows him to take Brennan off his feet, as he moves right to side control away from most of Brennan’s submission setups. Marshall smothers when on top, not giving Brennan much space to buck or move. As he goes chest-to-chest in half guard, he pins Brennan and stops him from doing anything. Marshall steps over to the side again, and he elbows the body with his right arm and drops down punches with his left. Brennan offers up knees to the side when flat on his back, with his escapes otherwise nullified. Marshall clubs him a few times before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 3
There is a clap of hands to initiate the opening of the final frame, and it takes mere seconds for Marshall to wing his favored right hand. He offers a high kick on the other side behind it, with Brennan able to defend it. Marshall splits the guard with a straight right, and he skims the cheek when loading up on a right hook. Brennan whips a kick to the side, and Marshall catches it and chucks Brennan to the floor like a side of beef. Marshall stands firm and allows Brennan to stand. Brennan tries to charge, but his own takedown meets a stone wall. Marshall keeps him at bay by chambering his right hand, occasionally launching it as Brennan is stuck looking for answers.
Marshall comes up short with a high kick, freely engaging when he sees fit as Brennan has not put him in danger thus far. Marshall’s feint and fakes draw reactions, allowing him to stutter-step his way into a power overhand. Brennan slides back, and this puts him on a silver platter for Marshall to connect with a few more punches before peeling away. Marshall’s ducks, dips and dives all force large movements from his opponent. Brennan tosses out a handful of low kicks, although while scoring, do not have the kind of impact to turn the tide in his favor. Marshall’s overhand right may not land every time, but it gets Brennan’s attention each and every swing. The round ends with Marshall firmly in the driver’s seat.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
The Official Result
Francis Marshall def. Lucas Brennan via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Big Brady picks Francis Marshall over Lucas Brennan. He notes the fight was added on short notice and he hasn't researched Brennan much, but he believes Marshall is the real deal and training at American Top Team. He expects Marshall to win easily, likely by decision.
Connor picks Marshall as well, but is more skeptical of the wide line. He notes that Brennan is a legitimate BJJ specialist with a funky grappling game, and that Marshall is a high-motor scrambler who gives up opportunities. However, Connor still favors Marshall because Brennan's athleticism is lacking and his striking is too deliberate.
The host is confident Marshall will win easily due to a massive skill gap, but he won't bet at these steep odds. He notes Brennan is low-level with no power, average striking, bad takedown defense, and weak off his back. He mentions the under 2.5 rounds is interesting because Marshall is aggressive and likely to finish a lower-level opponent.
Zane picks Marshall because he believes Brennan is not athletic enough and his striking is too mechanical. He notes that Marshall has a high motor, good wrestling, and will barnstorm Brennan if he smells weakness. Zane also points out that Brennan's best wins are over lower-level competition and that Marshall's losses have come against specific types of fighters that Brennan doesn't match.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erik Silva | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 10 of 13 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:42 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erik Silva | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 10 of 13 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:42 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erik Silva | 5 of 9 | 55% | 2 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erik Silva | 5 of 9 | 55% | 2 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marshall (-700); Silva (+500)
Round 1
With three hours to plug through seven prelims, the promotion wastes no time in moving to the next matchup. This one comes at 145 pounds between a pair of gents that could sorely use a victory. Silva (9-3, 0-2 UFC) is winless after two walks to the Octagon, appearing roughly every other year and not building any momentum in the overstuffed division. He meets Marshall (8-3, 2-3 UFC), who was on the wrong end of some of the worst scorecards offered last year. Referee Fernando Salas Navarro receives the assignment, standing back as the athletes touch ‘em up.
Silva says hello with a spinning wheel kick, and Marshall barely gets his guard up in time so as to not get leveled. Marshall has to back off, and Silva spins with a back kick that connects to the body. Marshall pushes off when trying to engage, and his finger jams into Silva’s eye socket. Salas calls time when he recognizes the foul, and he goes to Marshall to tell him to be careful. The Venezuelan takes less than 30 seconds to clear his vision before restarting. Marshall attacks him with looping hooks, using them to close the distance and drop down for a slick double-leg takedown. Silva stands up by wrapping his arm around Marshall’s neck with a guillotine choke, and Marshall mat returns him and even briefly threatens with a Von Preux shoulder choke. Silva turns to his side to try to buck off, but Marshall in half guard keeps him stuck. Marshall settles for smacking Silva around with a few strikes before lowering himself down to pursue an arm-triangle choke, and Silva’s bucking and wriggling keeps him safe for the time being.
Marshall is able to pass to mount, and when Silva turns his back, Marshall immediately snatches up a rear-naked choke. Switching his grip to one of a more brute-force variety, “Fire” Marshall does not even go palm-to-palm as he crushes Silva’s larynx and carotid artery. Silva posts off his left arm and does not fight the grip, instead just biding time before he inevitably taps out.
This speedy finish justifies the massive odds in Marshall’s favor, with this leg in most of your parlays hitting with style points.
The Official Result
Francis Marshall def. Erik Silva R1 2:29 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Francis Marshall because he is younger, faster, and a better wrestler than Erik Silva. He notes that both fighters have similar game plans, but Marshall's youth and wrestling advantage give him the edge. He expects Marshall to win everywhere in the fight.
Big Brady is very confident in Francis Marshall, calling Erik Silva one of the worst fighters on the UFC roster. He notes Marshall was robbed in his last fight against Marian Santos and is facing a massive step down in competition. Brady highlights Silva's poor cardio, especially in elevation, and Marshall's striking power. He predicts a second-round knockout.
Cody agrees, highlighting Marshall's wrestling and striking advantages. He notes Silva's only path is an early submission, but Marshall's wrestling should neutralize that. He expects Marshall to get back in the win column.
Connor picks Marshall, noting that Silva has no good sense of position and will get run into the cage. Marshall's high energy and scrambling should win out. Silva is 38 and has never developed a complete MMA game.
Daniel does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
The host believes Francis Marshall is the clear better fighter but the odds are too wide to bet on him at -776. He suggests that if you must bet this fight, Erik Silva is the only option because Marshall's implied probability of 89% is too high. However, he notes Silva is not particularly dangerous, has been inactive for two years, and is 38 years old, making it a very bad bet.
James favors Marshall due to his youth, wrestling, and improvement, while Silva is older and coming off injury. He predicts Marshall will dominate on the ground and finish via submission or ground and pound.
The host picks Francis Marshall, noting that Marshall is young (26) and improving, while Silva is 39 and coming off a long layoff and injury. He believes Marshall's grappling defense and superior striking will lead to a finish, possibly by knockout or submission in rounds 2 or 3. He is comfortable parlaying Marshall despite the -700 price.
Paul expects Marshall to dominate, citing his youth, wrestling, and recent improvements. He notes Silva's age, layoff, and submission-heavy style that likely won't work against Marshall. He sees Marshall as a safe pick.
The MMA Guru picks Francis Marshall, noting that Marshall has had close fights with tough opponents like Mayra Santos and William Gomis, while Erik Silva has not been tested against quality competition. He believes Marshall's experience and ability to go the distance with better fighters gives him the edge, and he predicts a submission win.
Zane picks Marshall because he is a high-hustle fighter who will outwork Silva over the long haul. Silva is 38, has no positional sense, and his disparate skills don't form a cohesive MMA game. Marshall's aggression and scrambling should overwhelm Silva.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mairon Santos | 0 | 58 of 129 | 44% | 78 of 154 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 39 of 143 | 27% | 64 of 179 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 2:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mairon Santos | 0 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 18 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 16 of 45 | 35% | 36 of 76 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 | |
| 2 | Mairon Santos | 0 | 19 of 36 | 52% | 19 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 8 of 40 | 20% | 8 of 40 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:22 | |
| 3 | Mairon Santos | 0 | 21 of 51 | 41% | 41 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 15 of 58 | 25% | 20 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mairon Santos | 58 of 129 | 44% | 29 of 80 | 14 of 30 | 15 of 19 | 57 of 128 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 39 of 143 | 27% | 32 of 136 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 6 | 39 of 142 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mairon Santos | 18 of 42 | 42% | 5 of 21 | 4 of 10 | 9 of 11 | 17 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 16 of 45 | 35% | 10 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Mairon Santos | 19 of 36 | 52% | 10 of 23 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 19 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 8 of 40 | 20% | 8 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Mairon Santos | 21 of 51 | 41% | 14 of 36 | 6 of 13 | 1 of 2 | 21 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 15 of 58 | 25% | 14 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Santos (-355), Marshall (+280)
Round 1
From one Santos to another we go (no relation), as the self-proclaimed “Legend” Santos (14-1, 1-0 UFC) tries to go for two in a row in the Octagon. To prevail, he will need to put out “Fire” Marshall (8-2, 2-2 UFC). The featherweights will be joined by referee Chris Tognoni, who clocks them as they elect not to touch gloves. Santos lunges forward with a front kick, and Marshall slips out of the way and beans him with a right hand over the top that stuns Santos. Santos tries to go one-for-one with his opponent, and Marshall sweeps him off his feet with a powerful calf kick. Marshall shoots in from a distance for a takedown, and the Brazilian skirts out of the way to get back to the center of the cage. When Santos gets off a leg kick, Marshall clips him with a left hand that stumbles him but does not put him down. Santos chambers and fires a low kick, knocking Marshall to his seat for a second. Marshall springs back up and darts in with a one-two, and he scores a leg kick and checks one coming back his way. Marshall backs off with a short combination as Santos bears down on him, and he lashes out with a right hand that just grazes off the chin. When Santos attacks a low kick, Marshall’s counter is primed and ready to fire. Marshall clips Santos with it, and Santos gets back in his face and clubs him with a right hand on the temple. Marshall’s success prompts the fans to cheer “USA” for him until he gets his, and then the chants die down. Marshall gets back to it with a few long punches, only to get chopped at with a leg kick. Marshall gives him one back to think about, and rolls with a booming right hand that bangs into the side of his head. Santos lets loose a leg kick, and Marshall shoots in with a telegraphed takedown and is met with an uppercut. Marshall winds up with a left hand and knocks “The Legend” to the canvas, and he immediately is faced with a takedown attempt. Marshall fights out of it to get to the side while Santos is trying to stand, and he beats on him on the side of the dome. Santos leans himself against the fencing, and Marshall drops in a few more right hands until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 2
The fighters race towards one another to start off the second round, with Marshall looking for his jab early. Santos slaps one away and pops Marshall in the chops with his own. When Santos is faking low kicks, Marshall gets tired of reacting to them and smacks the Brazilian in the face with a left hand. Santos lunges at him with a left hook, and Marshall parries it and cannot get out of the way of two leg kicks, although he partially checks the second. Marshall scoops in a left uppercut when Santos leaves his guard down, and he rails a right hand around the guard to sting Santos. When Santos backpedals, Marshall chases him down and lands a few punches on his foe’s guard. Marshall disengages, and he tries to time a counter but is beaten to the punch by a leaping Santos. Marshall uses his jab to disallow Santos from loading up, and he swats away a front kick to catch his man with a left. The third strike in a combination from Santos busts up Marshall’s nose, which is firmly leaking at this point. Santos slaps a few low kicks in when there is a lull in the action, and Marshall springs into action with a big left hook that brushes past his intended target. Marshall rushes forward with a tackling takedown, taking Santos off his feet and drifting past Santos when the first try fails. Marshall grips Santos from behind and clasps his hands around the waist, kicking Santos’ feet out from underneath him a few times when Santos scampers back upright. Marshall grinds his adversary against the wire, looking for trips until Santos turns around. Marshall considers going after a single-leg takedown, but Santos uses a knee shield to push Marshall away from him and force a separation. Santos lets fly a head kick, and Marshall shrugs it off and blocks another from the other side right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 3
The featherweights clap hands to get going in the last stanza, with Santos again in the center of the cage looking for leg kicks. Marshall spurs himself into action with three clubbing punches, only to back away when Santos is on him with power. Marshall sneaks a right hand in around the guard, and he slips away before Santos can bear down on him. Marshall intercepts an advancing Santos with a stiff jab, and he continues moving so Santos cannot trap him. Marshall leans forward and unleashes a right hand from an odd angle, and he dances out of harm’s way as Santos’ volume has diminished fairly significantly. Santos gets off two punches, but Marshall is elusive and throws back three. The Brazilian absorbs a left hand on the chin when coming forward despite his guard pinned to his jab, and Marshall is slicker and quicker. Santos tries to step in with a knee, and it is a few feet away from a moving Marshall. Marshall sits down on a handful of punches, ignoring what comes back his way and checking a leg kick. Marshall is in and out with a jab, slipping strikes and peppering “The Legend” with offense. Santos is one-and-done with a power overhand right, and he jabs out with a front kick off the midsection. Marshall thumps the front leg with a kick, and he turns his head out of the way of a right hand after completing his own combo. Santos stands firm and plants his fists on Marshall’s chin, and Marshall does not like this and shoots. Santos tries to roll with it, but Marshall smothers him and puts him flat on his back with 25 seconds remaining on the clock. Marshall resides in the closed guard, with Santos swatting at him with his hands that have nothing on them. Before Marshall can get off much ground-and-pound, time expires to conclude the pairing.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
The Official Result
Mairon Santos def. Francis Marshall via Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 66 of 145 | 45% | 76 of 156 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 57 of 150 | 38% | 82 of 175 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 5:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 6 of 19 | 31% | 25 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:56 | |
| 2 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 30 of 52 | 57% | 33 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 23 of 56 | 41% | 28 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 | |
| 3 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 30 of 77 | 38% | 32 of 79 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 28 of 75 | 37% | 29 of 76 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Marshall | 66 of 145 | 45% | 46 of 110 | 14 of 27 | 6 of 8 | 65 of 143 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 57 of 150 | 38% | 53 of 144 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 53 of 144 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Marshall | 6 of 16 | 37% | 2 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 6 of 19 | 31% | 6 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Francis Marshall | 30 of 52 | 57% | 22 of 37 | 4 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 30 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 23 of 56 | 41% | 21 of 53 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 52 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | |
| 3 | Francis Marshall | 30 of 77 | 38% | 22 of 63 | 7 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 29 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 28 of 75 | 37% | 26 of 72 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 73 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Buzukja (+116), Marshall (-136)
Round 1
Originally expecting to throw down with Danny Silva, Buzukja (12-4, 1-2 UFC) instead whips out his fire extinguisher to try to quell the flames of “Fire” Marshall (7-2, 1-2 UFC). With both men typically competing at featherweight, this shift to lightweight allowed them a chance to cut less weight, and it remains to be seen who that will benefit more. Referee Keith Peterson is ready to follow the competitors every step of the way, while putting up with no nonsense. The match opens with a fist bump. Marshall practically sprints forward, swinging his way to a takedown effort. Buzukja tries to counter him on the way in, but Marshall ducks and clasps his hands. Buzukja turns to the side to keep himself upright, sprawling his hips and hand-fighting to not let Marshall leverage him down. Marshall hangs on and laces his leg around Buzukja’s in an effort to trip him up, and Buzukja keeps his balance and kicks his leg free. Marshall lowers his man to a knee for a moment while staying on his back, and he forces Buzukja down again while imposing his weight as much as he can. Buzukja smacks him once as he posts off the floor, but Marshall clubs him with a few more powerful right hands from around the back. Marshall succeeds in tripping Buzukja up again, and his control time is high while his offense is largely limited. Buzukja spins out with about a minute left in the round, and he lands a low kick and a body kick while getting jabbed away. Marshall sticks him with a jab and a right hand, intercepting a kicking Buzukja. Buzukja does go for a calf kick, and they give off alternating jabs. Marshall flicks out a left, a right, and he pushes Buzukja to the fence once more. Buzukja spins out and is knocked to his seat with a right hand, and he climbs back up to absorb a one-two on the chin before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 2
Gloves are clapped together before they are traded, with Marshall leading off the round with swinging fists. Marshall decides against going for a takedown, instead loading up on shots concluding with a booming right that knocks Buzukja off his feet. Marshall climbs into top position, hooking his legs around Buzukja until Buzukja explodes to his feet. Marshall backs off, and he measures his way in and has his lead leg kicked. Marshall swings for the bleachers and misses the mark, and he counters a right hand to knock Buzukja down when Buzukja kicks. Marshall finds the home of his right hand again, stinging Buzukja, and he uses the moment to shove Buzukja to the fencing. Before they split, Marshall sneaks in a knee. Buzukja jabs the body with a push kick, and they trade punches. Marshall reaches the mark with a right and a scooping left, and he gets countered with a left up top and right to the body. Marshall is drawn into a slugfest, and a few Buzukja strikes get Marshall’s attention but he gets tagged with a power right hand. Marshall shoots for a takedown that is rebuffed, and Buzukja resets and kicks the front leg hard. Marshall darts forward with a heavy right hand, and Buzukja knocks him back with a power hook that busts open Marshall’s nose. Buzukja connects and gets countered with a right hand, allowing Marshall to tie him up and bully him to the wall. The right hand rips open a cut on the eyebrow of Buzukja, but he is able to muscle his way out of the clinch. Marshall lands a right and ducks away from a zooming lead left hook, and Buzukja fires a bazooka of a right hand back his way. Marshall takes three clean punches on the chin, and the round ends with his head getting snapped back courtesy of a mean left from Buzukja.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 3
The two lightweights clap hands together before engaging. Buzukja moves to the center of the cage, and he strikes out with a left hook. Marshall answers him with a flailing left and a big right, and Buzukja sees a subsequent punch and connects cleanly with a right hand. Buzukja lands a low kick to chain a left behind it, and Marshall pops him in the chops with a short but effective left hook. They clash together with simultaneous strikes, and Buzukja rings his bell with two punches. Marshall gives him right back with a power hook, and both men are busted up again and leaking. Marshall slams a shin on the front leg of his opponent, and they stand in the pocket and slug it out. Buzukja gets the better of one exchange, and Marshall meets him in the middle to make sure he gives it right back. They both nail one another with all power, and Buzukja’s lunging left leads to a takedown shot. Marshall turns him around and gets off a single knee before splitting. Buzukja walks forward behind his jab, and he ducks a right hand and wipes his eye. Buzukja scores a one-two and a follow-up left to snap the head back, and he counters a lunging strike with a right hand around the guard. Buzukja times a right hand as Marshall advances, and he loads up with big, winging punches that Marshall dodges. Marshall steps in with a right hand, and he dances away from the counters. Three punches from Marshall find the target, and they both clip one another with power. Buzukja goes to the liver and Marshall makes him pay with a right hand, and the latter shoots for a single and lifts Buzukja in the air while taking him from one side of the cage to the other. Marshall drags a leg out but does not ground him, hanging on until the bloody battle concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja (29-28 Marshall)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
The Official Result
Francis Marshall def. Dennis Buzukja via Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Danny Silva (note: transcript says Danny Silva but fight card says Francis Marshall vs Dennis Buzukja; likely a mix-up, but he refers to Dennis Buzukja as the opponent). He calls Silva a 'very low confidence pick' because Buzukja doesn't wrestle as much as he should. He notes that Silva is a solid striker with clean technique and movement, but gets hit a lot. He mentions that the AI on the website has a knack for picking underdogs and suggests checking it.
Cody picks Silva because of his high volume and wrestling ability. He notes that Buzukja is a generalist who isn't particularly good at anything and has poor cardio. He thinks Silva can outwork Buzukja on the feet or take him down. He also mentions that Silva's performance on Contender Series showed he can throw 200 significant strikes and mix in takedowns.
Daniel Vreeland picks Dennis Buzukja for the upset, citing Marshall taking the fight on short notice and Buzukja's better competition and volume. He admits both fighters are average and not confident, but thinks Buzukja can edge a decision if he keeps it standing.
Brevin picks Buzukja, citing his resilience after overcoming illness, his confidence after his last win, and his experience against tough competition like Sean Woodson. He believes Buzukja is back to his true form. JP disagrees, picking Silva by KO, noting Buzukja's two UFC losses to good competition and Silva's better striking. JP fades Brevin on this one.
Paul agrees with Cody, liking Silva's volume and ability to mix in wrestling. He thinks Silva is fairly priced at -240 and should win. He notes that Buzukja has looked poor in the UFC and doesn't have a clear path to victory.
The MMA Guru picks Dennis Buzukja with low confidence. He notes Buzukja trains at a good gym with Aljamain Sterling and has a win over Connor Matthews. He criticizes Francis Marshall's losses and gym, suggesting Marshall's camp is built around him while Buzukja gets better training partners. He seems unsure but leans toward Buzukja.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaac Dulgarian | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 35 of 53 | 66% | 61 of 83 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaac Dulgarian | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 35 of 53 | 66% | 61 of 83 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaac Dulgarian | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 35 of 53 | 66% | 32 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 32 of 49 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaac Dulgarian | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 35 of 53 | 66% | 32 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 32 of 49 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marshall (-166), Dulgarian (+140)
Round 1
Highly touted New Jersey native “Fire” Marshall (7-1, 1-1 UFC) takes to the cage next, where he will try to hold the line against an intriguing newcomer. His foe Dulgarian (5-0, 0-0 UFC), a former Glory MMA & Fitness fighter who also happens to have competed in coach James Krause’s Fighting Alliance Championship organization for his whole pro career, graces the Octagon with five first-round finishes to his credit. Referee Jason Herzog is ready for however this plays out, and it kicks off as the featherweights tap their hands together. Dulgarian follows that with a leg kick, and he gets backed off by a one-two. Marshall scores a calf kick, and Dulgarian gives him one back and a front kick to follow. Marshall pushes out several jabs, and they clash their shins together. Dulgarian charges forward, ultimately scooping up Marshall and setting him on his back. Dulgarian hits the mat on top in full guard, and he starts working with short body shots. Marshall holds onto his foe to shut down any further offense, and Dulgarian wriggles out of that enough to land a few elbows. Dulgarian slices down with an elbow, but it is one-and-done while Marshall clings to him. Dulgarian sneaks in another elbow while trying to advance his position, and Marshall keeps him tied up and defensively sound. Marshall closes his guard and grips Dulgarian tightly in hopes of a potential referee standup, and Dulgarian manages to get enough space to drop down two sharp elbows before popping over to half guard. As Dulgarian is in the driver’s seat, he passes his career-long of 2:49 in a cage. The short elbows keep getting in from “The Midwest Choppa,” and he fights off a scramble to keep Marshall flat on his back. Dulgarian jacks Marshall up with powerful elbows, shredding open a cut and breaking open his cauliflower ear. Dulgarian postures up and sits on top of his opponent, raining down heavy punches and elbows. While Dulgarian is battering his foe, he moves to full mount, and he hacks at Marshall with vicious, sharp elbows.
Blood flows from several parts of Marshall’s face as the elbows rip him open, and his blood spreads all around the canvas as he twists and turn to no avail. Dulgarian hammers his foe with a long series of elbows and a few punches mixed in, and Herzog has no choice but to call off the fight with Marshall no longer intelligently defending himself.
This may have been the longest fight in Dulgarian’s career, but it still goes down as a first-round finish victory on his ledger, as he introduces himself to the organization in a violent way.
The Official Result
Isaac Dulgarian def. Francis Marshall R1 4:48 via TKO (Punches and Elbows)
Angelo picks Marshall with very low confidence due to unknowns about Dulgarian's level of competition. He trusts Marshall's toughness and pressure, noting he almost finished Gomez in the third. He expects the odds to be weird and is hesitant to bet.
Big Brady picks Francis Marshall to win by knockout or submission in the second round. He notes Dulgarian's wrestling and early finishing ability but questions his durability and experience against UFC-level competition. He believes Marshall will weather the initial storm and finish Dulgarian in the later rounds. He criticizes Marshall's last performance but attributes it to a poor game plan.
Cody picks Marshall, citing his experience in the UFC and against better competition. He notes Dulgarian has only fought low-level opponents and has never seen the second round. He thinks Marshall's cardio, durability, and jiu-jitsu will be advantages if the fight goes past the first round. He also mentions Marshall's wrestling is okay and he can work his way back up if taken down.
James has not taped this fight and offers no pick or analysis.
Marshall is a 24-year-old prospect who is dominant when he gets his wrestling going, and his striking is improving. Dulgarian is making his UFC debut with a flawless record but has faced little resistance. Marshall has experience battling back from adversity, which will be a huge shock for Dulgarian. Marshall should put together a better game plan and win by decision.
Paul leans toward Marshall but is not confident. He notes Dulgarian's lack of proven competition and questions what happens if the fight goes past round one. He thinks Marshall's experience in the Octagon gives him an edge, but admits it's not a fight he will bet. He also mentions Dulgarian round 1 prop at +450 as a possible play.
The MMA Guru picks Isaac Dulgarian over Francis Marshall, despite 82% of people picking Marshall. He likes Dulgarian's inactivity (year and a half off) as a potential skill jump, his first-round finishes on the regional scene, and his amateur experience. He criticizes Marshall's last fight against William Gomis as unimpressive and notes that Marshall took a 2-4 fighter to decision. He predicts Dulgarian wins by first-round finish in an upset.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Gomis | 0 | 15 of 132 | 11% | 35 of 165 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 | 0 | 4:20 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 27 of 79 | 34% | 30 of 84 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Gomis | 0 | 5 of 47 | 10% | 12 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 5 of 20 | 25% | 5 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | William Gomis | 0 | 6 of 56 | 10% | 6 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 12 of 34 | 35% | 14 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 | |
| 3 | William Gomis | 0 | 4 of 29 | 13% | 17 of 49 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 2:53 |
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 11 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Gomis | 15 of 132 | 11% | 10 of 123 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 129 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Francis Marshall | 27 of 79 | 34% | 6 of 47 | 8 of 17 | 13 of 15 | 27 of 78 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Gomis | 5 of 47 | 10% | 4 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 5 of 20 | 25% | 1 of 14 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | William Gomis | 6 of 56 | 10% | 3 of 51 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Francis Marshall | 12 of 34 | 35% | 4 of 19 | 4 of 10 | 4 of 5 | 12 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | William Gomis | 4 of 29 | 13% | 3 of 26 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Francis Marshall | 10 of 25 | 40% | 1 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 9 of 10 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marshall (-205), Gomis (+175)
Round 1
Styles clash in this 145-pound affair, when the rear-naked choke minded Marshall (7-0, 1-0 UFC) attempts to keep his flawless record intact when he meets diverse striker Gomis (11-2, 1-0 UFC), out of the MMA Factory in Paris. Referee Keith Peterson is on his best nonsense-slaying behavior, ready to intervene at a moment’s notice. The two fighters bump fists in the center of the cage, and Marshall is very active with his jab right out of the gate. Marshall follows a few jabs with range-fighting straight right hands, and Gomis darts out of the way and sticks him with a straight left. Gomis slaps a kick to his foe’s midsection as they stand in alternating stances, and he fires off another as Marshall fires off an overhand right that dings the Frenchman. Marshall presses forward, and he swings all his might into another right, and this results in a clinch and not a successful strike. Marshall pushes off and circles away, and he just avoids a front kick aimed at his jaw. They both land with long punches at the same time, and neither show any ill effect. When Gomis throws a high kick, he loses his balance, but Marshall allows him to stand so that he can keep jabbing at him. The jabs from Marshall are not actually landing, but they are reaching towards his foe, while Gomis occasionally responds with power kicks from his left leg. The kick draws immediate swelling on Marshall’s right cheek, which is lumped up in a hurry. Marshall times a right hand as Gomis goes after another kick, and he swats with a left hook as Gomis escapes. Gomis whips another kick to the midsection, and he attempts to connect with an uppercut as Marshall crashes towards him in pursuit of a takedown. Gomis defends with his back against the wall, and Marshall settles down and presses on him as he knees the thigh and stomps the toes. The round ends in this tie-up.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gomis
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gomis
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gomis
Round 2
The featherweights clap hands in the middle of the Octagon, and Marshall darts at him with swatting left hooks to begin. Gomis chambers his left hand and fires once in response, as he has that hand cocked back regularly waiting for a chance to unload. Gomis tosses out a low kick from either leg, and he sticks his foe with a jab. Marshall leans forward to throw, and Gomis is elusive and dodges the successive strikes while planting the ball of his foot on Marshall’s chest. Gomis ties his foe up, and Marshall is quick to turn him around. Instead of stalling, Marshall shoves off and gets back to boxing range. Gomis thanks him for this with a straight right hand down the pipe, and Marshall blinks it out and misses with a counter. Gomis slips and moves, getting off a jab or two but little else for offense. The French fighter chips at the lead leg with a kick, and Marshall is struggling to find his target regularly. Gomis stays on the outer edge and paws out a front kick, and Marshall times a right hand over the top but is one-and-done with it as Gomis slides away. Gomis punches into a high kick, and the guard is high enough to defend it. They swing at one another and largely do not connect, with Gomis’ elusiveness and range keeping him out of action both offensively and defensively. Gomis reaches Marshall with a few punches, and he counters a left hook with a front kick that jams into the cup. Peterson calls it and lets Marshall recover, and Marshall needs only a few seconds before he is good to go. When clocked back in, Marshall swings at air, and Gomis pecks and pokes at him with a few punches and a leg kick to end the tepid round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gomis
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gomis
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gomis
Round 3
The hands are clapped to start off the round, and Marshall pushes the pace but still cannot lock Gomis down. Gomis slips strikes, occasionally counters, and flusters the undefeated fighter as seconds slowly fall off the clock. Marshall sits down on a right hand, and Gomis rolls with it and ducks away. Gomis gets off a stomping front kick on the knee when Marshall bears down on him, and he suddenly fires off a jumping switch kick that nearly catches Marshall on the chin. Marshall gets pushed away with the kicks of the Frenchman, but Gomis’ blows are not particularly damaging either. Gomis slides out of the pocket until Marshall bull-rushes him, and he manages to lift Gomis in the air and throw him to the floor. Marshall gets a hook in when Gomis returns to a knee, and Gomis leans to put both hands on the floor to protect his face from getting kneed. Marshall mat returns him partially, and Gomis leans up against the fence to stay upright. Marshall hangs onto his opponent, seemingly taking full advantage of the fact that he can put his hands on his foe, and he jumps straight into back control. Marshall snatches up a rear-naked choke and wraps his arm on the chin, and he crushes with all his remaining energy reserves. Gomis fights off the first attempt, and the second to follow, and he turns to his back as Marshall hammers him with an elbow. Marshall jumps to mount and sets up an arm-triangle choke, and the French fighter answers this by leaning to his side and breaking up the submission. Gomis turns to his knees, and Marshall pounds on him and stops Gomis from scrambling until the horn blares. It likely will be too little, too late for the currently and soon-to-be no longer undefeated man from New Jersey.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (29-28 Gomis)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (29-28 Gomis)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (29-28 Gomis)
The Official Result
William Gomis def. Francis Marshall via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo picks Francis Marshall, citing his power, speed, and wrestling. He notes Marshall's blast doubles and power in his hands. He acknowledges Gomis' counter-striking and sneaky power, but thinks Marshall's aggression and power will prevail. He is undecided on betting but may include Marshall in small parlays.
Big Brady picks Francis Marshall to win by decision. He notes that Marshall has more forward pressure and aggression on the feet, and is the harder hitter. He also thinks Marshall will be the better wrestler, as he has seen Gomis taken down before. Brady acknowledges that Gomis is solid but believes Marshall has more dog in him and will pressure, take down, and control the fight to a decision win.
Cody picks Marshall, praising his youth, potential, and training under Kurt Pellegrino. He notes Marshall has power and grappling skills, and his takedown defense is better than Gomis'. Cody believes Marshall will pressure Gomis and win exchanges, possibly by finish. He acknowledges Gomis could use movement and jabs, but doubts he can maintain it for 15 minutes.
Connor picks Francis Marshall, describing him as a super aggressive swarmer who leads with his jab and has good shot selection. He notes that Marshall is well-schooled in his aggression and has takedown defense. Connor contrasts this with Gomis, who is a slick but lackadaisical striker who relies on clinch work. He believes Marshall will overwhelm Gomis and not let himself be controlled.
Francis Marshall has superior North American wrestling and should be able to shut down William Gomis' clinch-based takedowns. Marshall showed improved striking in his UFC debut and has power. Gomis relies on kicks and clinch grappling, but Marshall's underhooks and reversals will neutralize that. Gomis has been hurt in previous fights and his desperation takedowns won't work against Marshall. Marshall should control the fight and win by decision, with a possible finish.
Paul also picks Marshall, agreeing that Gomis' wrestling advantage from his debut is gone in this matchup. He thinks Marshall is young and developing, and this should be a manageable victory. However, he is not keen on the minus 205 price.
The MMA Guru picks Francis Marshall, though he notes it's not a lock. He was unimpressed by William Gomis's debut and thinks Marshall is a more promising prospect. He believes Gomis leaves himself open with unorthodox techniques and that Marshall can catch him with a straight punch. He predicts a KO in the second round after a competitive first round.
Zane also picks Francis Marshall, agreeing that Gomis's striking requires escape valves that Marshall won't allow. He notes that Gomis is a weird Muay Thai fighter who throws single strikes but lacks fluidity, and that Marshall's single-minded aggression will find openings. Zane believes Marshall's wrestling and scrambling will prevent Gomis from controlling the fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 31 of 47 | 65% | 48 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 1 | 23 of 81 | 28% | 29 of 89 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:47 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 18 of 26 | 69% | 35 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 0 | 11 of 44 | 25% | 17 of 51 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:43 | |
| 2 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 13 of 21 | 61% | 13 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 1 | 12 of 37 | 32% | 12 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Marshall | 31 of 47 | 65% | 20 of 35 | 4 of 5 | 7 of 7 | 24 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 6 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 23 of 81 | 28% | 20 of 78 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 72 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Marshall | 18 of 26 | 69% | 12 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 12 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 6 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 11 of 44 | 25% | 8 of 41 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 40 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | |
| 2 | Francis Marshall | 13 of 21 | 61% | 8 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 12 of 37 | 32% | 12 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marshall (-155), Rojo (+135)
Round 1
Wasting no time, the UFC is on with the next in the form of a featherweight pairing of Rojo (16-8, 0-2 UFC) vs. Marshall (6-0, 0-0 UFC), and one man will earn their first win inside the Octagon when the dust settles. Whether that is the recent Glory MMA trainee or “Fire” Marshall, referee Larry Folsom will be the first to know. The fighters bump fists, and Marshall sternly moves to the center of the cage and swats out with left hands. Marshall kicks low to trip up his opponent, and as he rushes forward to strike, Rojo replies with outstretched fingers pointing his direction. This draws a warning from Folsom, and Rojo does not close his fists until he belts Marshall upside the head with a right hand. Marshall does not flinch and paws out with a left hand, and as he does, Rojo responds with a heavy outside leg kick. Marshall reaches him with an overhand right, and he pierces out a few jabs. Marshall scores a few more punches, and swelling develops around the Argentinian’s left eye. Marshall runs forward to engage, and he gets caught with a clean elbow but returns fire with a couple heavy punches. “Fire” Marshall burns his opponent with a fiery right hand, and Rojo cools himself and climbs back up. Cold water is doused on the match as they clinch, and Rojo grabs the fence repeatedly to stop takedowns. Folsom slaps Rojo’s hand away, and Marshall manages to drag Rojo to the ground when Rojo finally releases the cage. Rojo uses a rubber guard to wrap his right leg around the back of his foe's neck, only to let it go when there is no omoplata shoulder lock to be found. Marshall exudes heavy shoulder pressure and considers a half-guard arm-triangle choke before slicing over to the side. Marshall stays tightly pressed and forces Rojo to stay on the mat while Rojo scrambles, but Rojo does manage to turn about to his knees. Rojo connects with a no-look elbow on the side of the head, and he cracks Marshall with several more emphatic short elbows until the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 2
Gloves are touched, and Marshall once more is in the middle of the cage ready to engage. Marshall lets his hands go, and he catches Rojo a few times only to get drilled with a heavy looping counter. Marshall walks through them and starts to flash out a jab, and Rojo replies with an inside low kick that clatters off the cup. Folsom identifies it and calls a pause, and 30 seconds later, they are back to fighting. Marshall starts off the new exchange with a right hand, and Rojo responds with a side kick and a pair of punches that get Marshall’s attention. Marshall jabs his way in, following them with powerful blows, and Rojo is shocked but still alert enough to fire back.
A short right hook from “Fire” Marshall knocks Rojo clean off his feet, and the back of the Argentinian’s head bounces off the mat as he is in a bad, bad way. Marshall pounces, knowing his first UFC win is right around the corner, and he smashes Rojo in the face with a few punches until Rojo is out and Folsom has seen more than enough.
There are UFC debuts and
UFC debuts
, and this is the latter. The still-undefeated Marshall has just registered his first career knockout against a 24-fight veteran that had only once been stopped with strikes before, all in front of a packed house in Orlando.
The Official Result
Francis Marshall def. Marcelo Rojo R2 1:14 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Francis Marshall but warns against betting or parlaying him, calling it a 'tricky fight.' He notes Marshall is a talented kid early in his career who gets hit too much, while Rojo is a gritty vet who takes damage but is always grinding. He thinks Marshall will need his wrestling to avoid a slugfest, and could win by submission or stoppage, but advises just watching the fight.
Big Brady picks Marshall to win by submission in the third round, citing Rojo's poor takedown and submission defense (submitted five times). He notes Marshall's wrestling background and cardio, but expresses concern about Marshall's striking defense. He expects Marshall to get takedowns early and eventually submit Rojo.
Cody picks Marshall, citing his wrestling and cardio. He notes Rojo's cardio issues and poor get-up game. He thinks Marshall can wear him down and finish in the third round.
Connor picks Francis Marshall hesitantly, worried that Marshall's rawness could lead to him getting clubbed early. However, he notes that Rojo is a relatively soft touch and Marshall is a significantly better athlete, so he sides with Zane.
Daniel Levi picks Marshall but is wary of debut jitters. He likes Marshall's Contender Series performance but notes the risk of a 'Zell Hoover' type performance. He is staying away from betting unless the line becomes enticing.
The host picks Marshall to win but prefers the over 1.5 rounds at minus 160. He thinks Marshall will use grappling to control Rojo and the fight will go deep. He is cautious about backing Marshall at minus 170 due to his greenness. He believes Rojo's early pressure could be neutralized by Marshall's wrestling.
Paul picks Marshall but is hesitant. He notes Marshall's pressure and cardio, but questions his technique and experience. He sees Rojo's power and durability as threats. He likes the over 1.5 rounds prop.
The MMA Guru picks Marcelo Rojo as an underdog, believing we haven't seen his full potential due to canceled fights and short-notice bouts. He thinks Rojo is dangerous with a full camp and can finish Marshall by TKO in the first or second round. He acknowledges Marshall's undefeated record and grappling but questions the level of competition.
Zane picks Francis Marshall, noting that Marshall is a better athlete with developing striking technique and a wrestling fallback. He expects Marshall to build a volume lead and eventually take Rojo down, as Rojo tends to get submitted in chaotic fights.
Dennis Buzukja - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Márcio Barbosa | 1 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 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 | Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Márcio Barbosa | 1 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Buzukja | 5 of 13 | 38% | 0 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Márcio Barbosa | 4 of 8 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dennis Buzukja | 5 of 13 | 38% | 0 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Márcio Barbosa | 4 of 8 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barbosa (-450); Buzukja (+350)
Round 1
The prelims wrap up with a featherweight affair pitting a struggling New Yorker in Buzukja (12-5, 1-3 UFC) against brick-fisted Brazilian Barbosa (17-2, 0-0 UFC) getting his sea legs on the largest stage possible. Before the fists fly, the featherweights are checked in by referee Herb Dean. There is a quick fist bump that precedes the action.
Buzukja moves directly to the center of the cage to apply light pressure, pawing out with a front kick and a jab. Buzukja smacks the front leg with a kick as he pushes forward, rifling off a one-two after it. Barbosa responds when taking a hard body kick with an overhand right. Buzukja no-sells it and jabs the head and body back. Buzukja chips at the front leg when it is available to him, doubling up on his jab to keep Barbosa on the back foot.
As if Barbosa was just charging up the entire time without telling us, he walks forward confidently. Buzukja slings two punches at him, and he slips them and unloads with a consciousness-destroying left hand. Buzukja is out before his head clatters lifelessly off the canvas
, and Barbosa walks off raising his arms in the air knowing his work here is done. Dean races in just in case Buzukja needs to be protected, but Barbosa is not about to do any unnecessary damage. Bukuja eventually comes to, and he has to be told what happened because his short-term memory and parts of his third-grade education have just been forcefully ejected from his skull. With 15 career knockouts to his credit, “Ticoto” has authored all 15 of them in the first round. He may only know one speed, but it is borderline ludicrous.
The Official Result
Marcio Barbosa def. Dennis Buzukja R1 1:20 via KO (Punch)
Angelo picks Márcio Barbosa in his UFC debut, impressed by his power, pressure, and striking. He notes that Dennis Buzukja is a credentialed wrestler but doesn't wrestle enough, and if Barbosa has decent takedown defense, he should win. He thinks Barbosa could even find a finish.
Big Brady is confident in Márcio Barbosa, praising his power and finishing ability. He notes Barbosa has 16 first-round KOs and compares him to Lerone Murphy. He criticizes Dennis Buzukja's hittability and sub-50% striking defense, predicting a first-round knockout.
Cody picks Dennis Buzukja as a live betting underdog. He notes that Barbosa is a one-round fighter with cardio issues and that Buzukja has improved during his time off. He suggests betting Buzukja live if he survives the first round.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Barbosa is a good pickup for the UFC with a fun style. He adds that Barbosa is not completely reckless and comes in defensively responsible. Buzukja is a solid fighter who manages his pace well, but if Barbosa can't finish early, it could be a difficult test. Connor also notes that Barbosa only has one win outside the first round.
Daniel is high on Barbosa's knockout power and believes Buzukja is hittable and lacks top-15 potential. He thinks Barbosa will finish Buzukja early, likely in the first round. He predicts a first-round knockout and a performance bonus.
Buzukja is a value underdog due to his cardio, toughness, and ability to survive early rounds. Barbosa relies on first-round power against lower-level opponents and may fade. Buzukja has faced tougher UFC competition and shown he can go the distance. Even though Barbosa is more likely to win, Buzukja has at least a 35-40% chance, making the odds favorable.
James picks Barbosa to win via round one knockout. He notes Barbosa's aggressive style and power, and that if he doesn't finish early, he tends to gas out. He expects Barbosa to overwhelm Buzukja quickly.
The host expects Barbosa to win by knockout in the first round, sticking to his trend of finishing guys early. He recommends the under 1.5 rounds instead of the chalk on Barbosa, as it covers the possibility of Buzukja countering and putting Barbosa out. He notes that Buzukja is a Muay Thai specialist who won't be intimidated, but Barbosa's power should prevail.
Paul leans towards Barbosa but prefers the round 1 knockout prop. He acknowledges Barbosa's power but also his cardio issues. He suggests avoiding the moneyline and instead betting Barbosa by KO in round 1.
Zane picks Barbosa because he is a powerful slugger who hits like a truck and comes in with his guard up. Buzukja is a choosy slugger who rarely knocks people out and has been knocked out or nearly knocked out when put on the back foot. Zane notes that Barbosa likes to get to the pocket and throw hard, and Buzukja has been vulnerable to that style, as seen against Jamal Emmers and Francis Marshall.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Marshall | 0 | 66 of 145 | 45% | 76 of 156 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 57 of 150 | 38% | 82 of 175 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 5:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 6 of 19 | 31% | 25 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:56 | |
| 2 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 30 of 52 | 57% | 33 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 23 of 56 | 41% | 28 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 | |
| 3 | Francis Marshall | 0 | 30 of 77 | 38% | 32 of 79 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 28 of 75 | 37% | 29 of 76 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Marshall | 66 of 145 | 45% | 46 of 110 | 14 of 27 | 6 of 8 | 65 of 143 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 57 of 150 | 38% | 53 of 144 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 53 of 144 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Marshall | 6 of 16 | 37% | 2 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 6 of 19 | 31% | 6 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Francis Marshall | 30 of 52 | 57% | 22 of 37 | 4 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 30 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 23 of 56 | 41% | 21 of 53 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 52 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | |
| 3 | Francis Marshall | 30 of 77 | 38% | 22 of 63 | 7 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 29 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 28 of 75 | 37% | 26 of 72 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 73 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Buzukja (+116), Marshall (-136)
Round 1
Originally expecting to throw down with Danny Silva, Buzukja (12-4, 1-2 UFC) instead whips out his fire extinguisher to try to quell the flames of “Fire” Marshall (7-2, 1-2 UFC). With both men typically competing at featherweight, this shift to lightweight allowed them a chance to cut less weight, and it remains to be seen who that will benefit more. Referee Keith Peterson is ready to follow the competitors every step of the way, while putting up with no nonsense. The match opens with a fist bump. Marshall practically sprints forward, swinging his way to a takedown effort. Buzukja tries to counter him on the way in, but Marshall ducks and clasps his hands. Buzukja turns to the side to keep himself upright, sprawling his hips and hand-fighting to not let Marshall leverage him down. Marshall hangs on and laces his leg around Buzukja’s in an effort to trip him up, and Buzukja keeps his balance and kicks his leg free. Marshall lowers his man to a knee for a moment while staying on his back, and he forces Buzukja down again while imposing his weight as much as he can. Buzukja smacks him once as he posts off the floor, but Marshall clubs him with a few more powerful right hands from around the back. Marshall succeeds in tripping Buzukja up again, and his control time is high while his offense is largely limited. Buzukja spins out with about a minute left in the round, and he lands a low kick and a body kick while getting jabbed away. Marshall sticks him with a jab and a right hand, intercepting a kicking Buzukja. Buzukja does go for a calf kick, and they give off alternating jabs. Marshall flicks out a left, a right, and he pushes Buzukja to the fence once more. Buzukja spins out and is knocked to his seat with a right hand, and he climbs back up to absorb a one-two on the chin before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 2
Gloves are clapped together before they are traded, with Marshall leading off the round with swinging fists. Marshall decides against going for a takedown, instead loading up on shots concluding with a booming right that knocks Buzukja off his feet. Marshall climbs into top position, hooking his legs around Buzukja until Buzukja explodes to his feet. Marshall backs off, and he measures his way in and has his lead leg kicked. Marshall swings for the bleachers and misses the mark, and he counters a right hand to knock Buzukja down when Buzukja kicks. Marshall finds the home of his right hand again, stinging Buzukja, and he uses the moment to shove Buzukja to the fencing. Before they split, Marshall sneaks in a knee. Buzukja jabs the body with a push kick, and they trade punches. Marshall reaches the mark with a right and a scooping left, and he gets countered with a left up top and right to the body. Marshall is drawn into a slugfest, and a few Buzukja strikes get Marshall’s attention but he gets tagged with a power right hand. Marshall shoots for a takedown that is rebuffed, and Buzukja resets and kicks the front leg hard. Marshall darts forward with a heavy right hand, and Buzukja knocks him back with a power hook that busts open Marshall’s nose. Buzukja connects and gets countered with a right hand, allowing Marshall to tie him up and bully him to the wall. The right hand rips open a cut on the eyebrow of Buzukja, but he is able to muscle his way out of the clinch. Marshall lands a right and ducks away from a zooming lead left hook, and Buzukja fires a bazooka of a right hand back his way. Marshall takes three clean punches on the chin, and the round ends with his head getting snapped back courtesy of a mean left from Buzukja.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall
Round 3
The two lightweights clap hands together before engaging. Buzukja moves to the center of the cage, and he strikes out with a left hook. Marshall answers him with a flailing left and a big right, and Buzukja sees a subsequent punch and connects cleanly with a right hand. Buzukja lands a low kick to chain a left behind it, and Marshall pops him in the chops with a short but effective left hook. They clash together with simultaneous strikes, and Buzukja rings his bell with two punches. Marshall gives him right back with a power hook, and both men are busted up again and leaking. Marshall slams a shin on the front leg of his opponent, and they stand in the pocket and slug it out. Buzukja gets the better of one exchange, and Marshall meets him in the middle to make sure he gives it right back. They both nail one another with all power, and Buzukja’s lunging left leads to a takedown shot. Marshall turns him around and gets off a single knee before splitting. Buzukja walks forward behind his jab, and he ducks a right hand and wipes his eye. Buzukja scores a one-two and a follow-up left to snap the head back, and he counters a lunging strike with a right hand around the guard. Buzukja times a right hand as Marshall advances, and he loads up with big, winging punches that Marshall dodges. Marshall steps in with a right hand, and he dances away from the counters. Three punches from Marshall find the target, and they both clip one another with power. Buzukja goes to the liver and Marshall makes him pay with a right hand, and the latter shoots for a single and lifts Buzukja in the air while taking him from one side of the cage to the other. Marshall drags a leg out but does not ground him, hanging on until the bloody battle concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja (29-28 Marshall)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marshall (30-27 Marshall)
The Official Result
Francis Marshall def. Dennis Buzukja via Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Danny Silva (note: transcript says Danny Silva but fight card says Francis Marshall vs Dennis Buzukja; likely a mix-up, but he refers to Dennis Buzukja as the opponent). He calls Silva a 'very low confidence pick' because Buzukja doesn't wrestle as much as he should. He notes that Silva is a solid striker with clean technique and movement, but gets hit a lot. He mentions that the AI on the website has a knack for picking underdogs and suggests checking it.
Cody picks Silva because of his high volume and wrestling ability. He notes that Buzukja is a generalist who isn't particularly good at anything and has poor cardio. He thinks Silva can outwork Buzukja on the feet or take him down. He also mentions that Silva's performance on Contender Series showed he can throw 200 significant strikes and mix in takedowns.
Daniel Vreeland picks Dennis Buzukja for the upset, citing Marshall taking the fight on short notice and Buzukja's better competition and volume. He admits both fighters are average and not confident, but thinks Buzukja can edge a decision if he keeps it standing.
Brevin picks Buzukja, citing his resilience after overcoming illness, his confidence after his last win, and his experience against tough competition like Sean Woodson. He believes Buzukja is back to his true form. JP disagrees, picking Silva by KO, noting Buzukja's two UFC losses to good competition and Silva's better striking. JP fades Brevin on this one.
Paul agrees with Cody, liking Silva's volume and ability to mix in wrestling. He thinks Silva is fairly priced at -240 and should win. He notes that Buzukja has looked poor in the UFC and doesn't have a clear path to victory.
The MMA Guru picks Dennis Buzukja with low confidence. He notes Buzukja trains at a good gym with Aljamain Sterling and has a win over Connor Matthews. He criticizes Francis Marshall's losses and gym, suggesting Marshall's camp is built around him while Buzukja gets better training partners. He seems unsure but leans toward Buzukja.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 83 of 201 | 41% | 84 of 202 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Connor Matthews | 0 | 60 of 138 | 43% | 62 of 140 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 38 of 85 | 44% | 38 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Connor Matthews | 0 | 24 of 58 | 41% | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 37 of 98 | 37% | 38 of 99 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Connor Matthews | 0 | 36 of 76 | 47% | 38 of 78 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 | |
| 3 | Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Connor Matthews | 0 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Buzukja | 83 of 201 | 41% | 44 of 145 | 18 of 34 | 21 of 22 | 77 of 186 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 12 |
| Connor Matthews | 60 of 138 | 43% | 37 of 101 | 14 of 27 | 9 of 10 | 57 of 134 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dennis Buzukja | 38 of 85 | 44% | 17 of 56 | 10 of 17 | 11 of 12 | 37 of 84 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Connor Matthews | 24 of 58 | 41% | 13 of 38 | 5 of 14 | 6 of 6 | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Dennis Buzukja | 37 of 98 | 37% | 21 of 73 | 7 of 16 | 9 of 9 | 36 of 96 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Connor Matthews | 36 of 76 | 47% | 24 of 59 | 9 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 33 of 72 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | |
| 3 | Dennis Buzukja | 8 of 18 | 44% | 6 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 12 |
| Connor Matthews | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Buzukja (-115), Matthews (-115)
Round 1
Buzukja is in orthodox, Matthews in southpaw as they engage under the supervision of referee Keith Peterson. Both men freely switch between stances, however, as they reach out with long kicks and one-twos. Matthews catches Buzukja coming in with a left hand. Buzukja lands a hard calf kick to the left leg of Matthews, then another. Matthews has switched to orthodox stance. Buzukja catches him with a nice left jab. Buzukja backs Matthews up with a hand one-two. A Matthews kick lands on the cup of Buzukja, and Peterson calls time. Buzukja proclaims himself ready to go after just a few seconds, and they go back to work. Under a minute to go in the round and Buzukja’s jab is dictating the pace of the fight. Buzukja goes upstairs with a right high kick that bounces off the guard of Matthews. Buzukja lands a low kick and a one-two at the clapper, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja
Round 2
Buzukja scores first with a jab, then a counter left hook. Matthews backs his man up to the fence, but Buzukja slides out the side and they return to the center of the Octagon. Matthews is game, coming forward, but Buzukja’s combination punching is really giving him trouble. Buzukja punctuates his punches with a series of calf kicks. Matthews continues to work to back Buzukja to the cage. Buzukja gives ground willingly, but is catching Matthews with almost everything he throws. Buzukja steps in with a big overhand right that lands cleanly, then a kick and another trio of punches. Buzukja steps in but Matthews slides behind, takes his back standing and hauls him to the canvas. With under a minute to work, Matthews lands a series of blows from the back, before Buzukja escapes to his feet. They flurry at close range and Matthews shoots a double-leg right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Buzukja
Round 3
Buzukja clips Matthews with a right cross and left hook, dropping him. Matthews covers up as Buzukja swarms with hammer fists.
With Matthews not offering any real defense, referee Peterson steps in for the stoppage.
The Official Result
Dennis Buzukja def. Connor Matthews R3 0:22 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo leans Dennis Buzukja, praising his wrestling and striking. He notes Connor Matthews is durable and can snatch submissions in scrambles. He is hesitant because Buzukja has back-to-back UFC losses and hasn't proven himself yet. He holds off on betting.
Cody picks Matthews due to Buzukja's low confidence, poor recent performances, and lack of power. He thinks Matthews' wrestling and volume will be enough, though he acknowledges the fight is close and the crowd could influence judges.
Daniel Vreeland picks Connor Matthews, citing his better output and stats in the UFC. He notes Buzukja has low output and hasn't impressed, while Matthews has shown more volume and takedowns. He admits low confidence but thinks the dog has value.
Buzukja is more talented all-around with better experience. Matthews is physical but has a questionable gas tank and struggles if takedowns are stuffed. Buzukja can counter effectively and mix in wrestling to wear on Matthews. The minus 125-130 line is reasonable. Prediction: Buzukja by decision.
Paul tails Cody, citing Buzukja's struggles and Matthews' hunger. He notes Matthews' takedown numbers and believes he can outwork Buzukja, though he admits the fight is a toss-up.
The host picks Connor Matthews, believing he is better than Dennis Buzukja. He liked Matthews' performance on the Contender Series, where he grappled hard and established dominant positions. He criticizes Buzukja's previous losses, saying he looked out of his depth. He thinks Matthews' grappling will be a factor and that he is closer to his prime.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamall Emmers | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 14 of 20 | 70% | 14 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamall Emmers | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 1 | 14 of 20 | 70% | 14 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamall Emmers | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 14 of 20 | 70% | 8 of 12 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamall Emmers | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 14 of 20 | 70% | 8 of 12 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Emmers (-258), Buzukja (+210)
Round 1
There’s not much like a live sporting event at Madison Square Garden. The UFC makes its annual pilgrimage to the world-famous arena with a show that took several huge hits but came back with a vengeance. The main card alone promises plenty of action, but before then, eight prelims play out on the various ESPN and streaming networks out there. The fights commence with a match scheduled at featherweight only to get a slight tweak on weigh-in day. Coming in one pound heavy, Emmers (19-7, 2-3 UFC) will hope that surrendering a percentage of purse is the only thing he loses today against New York’s own Buzukja (11-3, 0-1 UFC). Buzukja offers his hand outstretched, and the heavy fighter choose not to accept it under the nonsense-free gaze of referee Keith Peterson. It’s on with the show. Buzukja sticks out a few jabs early, and Emmers is on him with multiple low kicks. Emmers charges forward, getting in a right hand and slipping back from the counter. A second blitz from Emmers gets through the defense of his opponent, and Buzukja defends himself but gets cracked with a right hand in the midst of a flurry. “Pretty Boy” again dips back to evade the strikes coming back, and
he lines up a straight right hand down the pipe that smashes square into Buzukja’s chin. The New Yorker collapses in a heap, and Emmers pounces immediately. Emmers batters Buzukja with a number of mighty hammerfists, and as Buzukja turns to his side, Peterson steps in to call a halt to the action.
The victor immediately calls for “50Gs,” but due to his weight miss, a post-fight bonus is all but off the table. Nevertheless, Emmers earns his first finish in the Octagon while becoming the first fighter to ever stop “The Great” as a pro.
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The Official Result
Jamall Emmers def. Dennis Buzukja R1 0:49 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo leans Emmers despite acknowledging Buzukja's potential. He cites Emmers' finishing ability and power, but worries about Emmers' bad luck with judges. He plans to avoid betting on the moneyline and may bet on Buzukja's takedown props.
Big Brady picks Jamall Emmers by decision, but expresses low trust at the price. He believes Emmers is better everywhere except fight IQ and heart: better striker, better wrestler, better grappler. He notes Emmers has a history of losing fights he should win due to bad game plans. He thinks Buzukja's game plan of pushing opponents to the cage and attempting takedowns won't work against Emmers.
Cody picks Emmers, citing Buzukja's poor performances and lack of UFC-level skills. He notes Emmers' wrestling, size, and experience. He thinks Emmers will dominate wherever the fight goes and calls him a good parlay piece.
Emmers has all the skill set advantages over Buzukja except fight IQ. If he utilizes his grappling, it will be the path of least resistance. Expects Emmers to outwork Buzukja over 15 minutes and win by decision, but cautions about fight IQ. Notes the line has moved from -275 to -250 and believes it's generous for Emmers.
Paul picks Emmers, detailing Buzukja's struggles and management's careful matchmaking. He notes Emmers' wrestling and submission game, and thinks Buzukja's poor takedown defense and cardio will be exploited. He expects Emmers to win comfortably.
The MMA Guru picks Jamall Emmers, calling him underrated. He notes that Emmers took Giga Chikadze to a split decision and had a close fight with Jack Jenkins. He thinks Emmers has matured as a veteran and will beat Buzukja if he stays composed, predicting a win 8 times out of 10.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 71 of 126 | 56% | 163 of 229 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 5:52 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 42 of 116 | 36% | 46 of 121 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 35 of 63 | 55% | 72 of 102 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 15 of 49 | 30% | 16 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:22 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 55 of 69 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:14 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 10 of 30 | 33% | 10 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:42 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 23 of 37 | 62% | 36 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 0 | 17 of 37 | 45% | 20 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 71 of 126 | 56% | 36 of 77 | 18 of 32 | 17 of 17 | 61 of 113 | 8 of 11 | 2 of 2 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 42 of 116 | 36% | 24 of 85 | 11 of 17 | 7 of 14 | 32 of 96 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 12 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 35 of 63 | 55% | 15 of 37 | 5 of 11 | 15 of 15 | 32 of 60 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 15 of 49 | 30% | 8 of 34 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 8 | 15 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 13 of 26 | 50% | 4 of 14 | 8 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 22 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 10 of 30 | 33% | 8 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 23 of 37 | 62% | 17 of 26 | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 31 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 |
| Dennis Buzukja | 17 of 37 | 45% | 8 of 25 | 7 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 30 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Woodson (-175), Buzukja (+145)
Round 1
Justin Brown will officiate this matchup. Buzukja is the fourth proposed opponent for Woodson. Buzukja jabs forward agains the lanky Woodson. Woodson probes with a front kick and leg kick. Another leg kick spins Buzukja around. Buzukja lands a big right and follows with a combination. He pressures Woodson against the fence and ties his man up. Woodson spins him around and breaks free. They trade punches before Woodson slides away. Woodson goes back to working the low kicks. Buzukja stalks his man, but Woodson uses his array of kicks and long punches well. Woodson kicks the body, then lands a jab. Woodson stops Buzukja with a stiff jab. Buzukja follows a body kick with a right hand and they clinch against the fence. Woodson turns his foe around and drops for a takedown. Buzukja denies the shot and reverses for a takedown attempt of his own. Buzukja brings a knee to the midsection before Woodson frees himself. Buzukja pressures with a low kick and a right to the body. Woodson responds with a rapid fire combination to the body. Now Woodson is finding a rhythm, and he lands another multi-punch combination near the fence before Buzukja shifts gears for a takedown try. Woodson breaks free. They trade before the horn, with a body shot from Buzukja being the most notable offense.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Round 2
Buzukja pressures with punches but can’t find the range. Woodson with a front kick and a jab. Woodson lands a clean 1-2 moments later. Buzukja lands a right near the fence then changes levels. Woodson defends with his back to the cage, then spins the Longo-weidman product around. A pair of knees and a flurry of body shots hurts Buzukja, and Woodson stays on the assault before grounding his adversary. Woodson punches the ribs and hunts for a choke with Buzukja in a crouched position. Woodson switches from an anaconda to a guillotine choke, but thus far Buzukja is defending. Woodson continues to alternate chokes, but Buzukja is wise to it and works his way up. Woodson drags him back down immediately. Buzukja defends with a kimura, but Woodson spins around and hunts for a kimura of his own in north-south. Buzukja frees himself but he finds himself ensnared in a front headlock. Woodson transitions to the back, but he falls to his back, which allows Buzukja to tee off with a salvo of punches. Woodson returns to his feet and urges his opponent onward. Buzukja attacks again before the horn, but nothing substantial lands.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Round 3
Back at range, Woodson sticks a jab and a stiff combination. Buzukja moves forward and eats a left hand. Woodson lands a combination to the body and briefly gets a takedown. Buzukja scrambles up and drives Woodson into the fence. Woodson deftly transitions to Buzukja’s back, but he can’t fully take back control. Woodson backs away from the clinch and throws a jab in the center of the Octagon. Buzukja lands a body shot but eats a hook in return. Buzukja misses on some punches and looks for a takedown enar the fence. Woodson reverses and drags his foe down. He laces up one leg and makes Buzukja carry his weight. Buzukja gets to a knee, then stands. Woodson snaps him back down with a front headlock. Buzukja defends against potential chokes on all fours, then stands. Woodson punishes him with a knee as they stand and then a clean right lands. Buzukja is still moving forward despite absorbing plenty of punishment. A front kick by Woodson lands clean on his foe’s chin. Woodson steps in and lands a nice knee to the chin, then dodges a Buzukja offering before the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
The Official Result
Sean Woodson def. Dennis Buzukja via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00
Cody picks Buzukja as an underdog, citing Woodson's poor takedown defense, questionable chin, and weight cut issues. He notes Buzukja's training at Longo/Weidman and his power. He believes Woodson is prime for an upset due to multiple opponent changes and potential fatigue.
Daniel Levi picks Sean Woodson, citing his size (6'2", 80-inch reach) and striking advantages. He notes that Woodson is a matchup problem for most featherweights and has sneaky submissions. Levi is not fully confident because the matchup was announced last minute and he hasn't done deep research. He acknowledges Buzukja's solid all-around game and wrestling potential, but leans toward Woodson's physical attributes.
James acknowledges Buzukja is on short notice and facing a tough stylistic matchup against Woodson's length. However, he doesn't rate Woodson highly, citing limited offense and a chin issue. He thinks Woodson will probably win but wouldn't bet him due to Buzukja's takedown threat. He picks Woodson on the moneyline but is not confident.
Woodson has durability questions after his last fight, and Buzukja's aggressive striking could give him problems. However, Buzukja had a tough weight cut, missing weight by half a pound, which is a big question mark. Despite that, I'm not a fan of Woodson anymore and think Buzukja can land big shots and win by decision.
Paul also picks Buzukja, citing Woodson's vulnerabilities and the short-notice advantage for Buzukja. He notes Woodson's history of being taken down and his poor durability. However, he is not confident due to Buzukja's own short notice and low-level competition.
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Danny Silva (note: transcript says Danny Silva but fight card says Francis Marshall vs Dennis Buzukja; likely a mix-up, but he refers to Dennis Buzukja as the opponent). He calls Silva a 'very low confidence pick' because Buzukja doesn't wrestle as much as he should. He notes that Silva is a solid striker with clean technique and movement, but gets hit a lot. He mentions that the AI on the website has a knack for picking underdogs and suggests checking it.
Cody picks Silva because of his high volume and wrestling ability. He notes that Buzukja is a generalist who isn't particularly good at anything and has poor cardio. He thinks Silva can outwork Buzukja on the feet or take him down. He also mentions that Silva's performance on Contender Series showed he can throw 200 significant strikes and mix in takedowns.
Daniel Vreeland picks Dennis Buzukja for the upset, citing Marshall taking the fight on short notice and Buzukja's better competition and volume. He admits both fighters are average and not confident, but thinks Buzukja can edge a decision if he keeps it standing.
Brevin picks Buzukja, citing his resilience after overcoming illness, his confidence after his last win, and his experience against tough competition like Sean Woodson. He believes Buzukja is back to his true form. JP disagrees, picking Silva by KO, noting Buzukja's two UFC losses to good competition and Silva's better striking. JP fades Brevin on this one.
Paul agrees with Cody, liking Silva's volume and ability to mix in wrestling. He thinks Silva is fairly priced at -240 and should win. He notes that Buzukja has looked poor in the UFC and doesn't have a clear path to victory.
The MMA Guru picks Dennis Buzukja with low confidence. He notes Buzukja trains at a good gym with Aljamain Sterling and has a win over Connor Matthews. He criticizes Francis Marshall's losses and gym, suggesting Marshall's camp is built around him while Buzukja gets better training partners. He seems unsure but leans toward Buzukja.
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