Career Averages - Sharabutdin Magomedov
Career Averages - Michał Oleksiejczuk
Sharabutdin Magomedov
Michał Oleksiejczuk
Sharabutdin Magomedov - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Magomedov (-350); Pereira (+275)
Round 1
Middleweight human highlight reels “Shara Bullet” and “Demolidor” feature in the co-main event. Both men are in orthodox stance. Herb Dean is the referee. After a few tentative early exchanges, Pereira levels Magomedov with a right hand. He follows the Dagestani down, raining down punches as Magomedov defends himself. Pereira shucks the legs out of the way to clear the path for heavier ground shots, but “Shara Bullet” backs him off with upkicks. Pereira adjusts and dives back down, ending up in Magomedov’s wide-open goard. Referee Dean warns Magomedov for pulling Pereira hair. A few seconds later, Dean stops the action, stands Pereira up, warns Magomedov again for pulling hair, then restarts them in guard without taking a point. What are we even doing here? If that isn't a point deduction, what are rules even for? There is no accidental pulling of hair. Pereira is still in guard, dropping short but stinging hammerfists, and has to dodge another upkick. Pereira takes Magomedov’s back and is working to secure the position when Magomedov spins into his guard and takes top position. The crowd roars. “Shara Bullet” stands up out of Pereira’s guard. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Round 2
Referee Dean gives Magomedov another warning for the repeated hair pulls before the second round starts, with the caveat “No more fouls, OK?” Magomedov flicks out a fast, hard kick to the body of Pereira. Pereira is on his toes, bouncing around the perimeter, and Magomedov tags him with a pair of lightning-fast kicks: one to the leg, one to the body. Pereira resets and comes forward southpaw. Magomedov is throwing sparse offense, but Pereira is throwing back even less. Pereira measures “Shara Bullet” for another massive right, but it comes up just short. Magomedov is walking Pereira around the cage, touching him with sporadic body kicks, and when Pereira explodes into the pocket, he meets him with a nicely timed knee. Under a minute and a half to go, and the round is still defined by a lot of circling and not a lot of punching. Pereira plants and flurries, and a few of the shots glance off the guard of Magomedov. The horn sounds just as Pereira throws a rolling thunder kick.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 3
Pereira is again bouncing on the balls of his feet to open Round 3, but again seems gunshy, failing to respond even as “Shara Bullet” connects with three different kicks. Pereira walks straight into a side kick that hits him in the midsection. Pereira is offering nothing but lateral movement and feints in return. Magomedov with another front kick to the guts. Two minutes down and Pereira shoots a long double-leg. Magomedov sprawls and turns him over, and when they return to their feet, Magomedov promptly pokes him in the right eye. Dean halts the action, and we will see how much substance there was to his “no more fouls” warning ahead of Round 2. They go back to work and of course there is no point deduction. Pereira seems slightly energized, landing a couple of low kicks. Pereira shoves his way into the pocket and throws a pair of big punches but doesn’t connect cleanly, and Magomedov separates, then meets Pereira with kicks at range. Under 90 seconds to go and Pereira shoots for a takedown. Magomedov defends well and they stand up against the cage. Pereira throws uppercuts inside. They are in close quarters as the clock winds down, but Magomedov drills Pereira with a knee that hurts him badly. He gives chase, trying to capitalize, but the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Magomedov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Magomedov)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Magomedov)
The Official Result
Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Michel Pereira via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
AJ picks Magomedov by knockout, believing Pereira is washed and defensively sloppy. Magomedov's slick counter-striking and speed should find the kill shot. Pereira has looked slow and hittable recently, and Magomedov's highlight-reel style is tailor-made for this matchup.
AJ DeVito is confident that Sharabutdin Magomedov (Shara Bullet) will defeat Michel Pereira, who he believes is past his prime and has looked bad recently. He expects a highlight-reel KO from Shara Bullet, citing Pereira's decline since the Fluffy Hernandez fight. He also mentions a prop for Shara Bullet to win over 1.5 rounds at -135 and a KO over 1.5 at +450.
AJ is very confident Shara Bullet wins by knockout, calling it a setup fight. He thinks Pereira looks washed and slow, while Shara is a technical kickboxer with speed and timing. He expects a highlight-reel knockout, possibly in round 2 or 3.
AJ picks Magomedov by knockout, believing Pereira has slowed down and is past his prime. He thinks Magomedov's counter-striking and kicks will be too much, and that Pereira will make mistakes. AJ expects a highlight-reel finish, possibly from a body kick or spinning attack.
Angelo picks Shara Bullet due to his movement and speed, noting that Michel Pereira is not the same fighter he used to be. He criticizes Shara for being a point fighter rather than a killer, but believes he will win. He advises against betting on Shara by KO and suggests betting over 1.5 rounds if that line is available.
Angelo has grown increasingly confident in Shara Bullet as the week progressed, citing his superior footwork, overall striking, decent takedown defense, and a granite chin. He expects Shara to manage range and stay safe against the wild and reckless Michel Pereira, and believes the fight will go over 1.5 rounds because Shara is not that dangerous but is insanely tough.
Big Brady picks Sharabutdin Magomedov to win by decision. He calls Pereira washed, noting his recent poor performances, lack of cardio, and questionable urgency. Magomedov is a one-dimensional striker but should outpoint Pereira. Brady has no interest in betting this fight due to the high price on Magomedov.
Cody picks Magomedov but is very hesitant, calling the fight trappy. He highlights Magomedov's defensive wrestling issues and one eye, and thinks Pereira has a path via wrestling. He prefers to live bet or take the over, expecting a close fight.
Daniel Levi confidently picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, believing Michel Pereira is on a massive decline and has lost his soul since the Anthony Hernandez fight. He notes Pereira's recent performances were poor, including a robbery win over Zach Reese, and that Magomedov is a work in progress but has good wins and flashy striking. He expects Magomedov to win, possibly by knockout or decision, as Pereira is a striker on his way out.
Lucrative James picks Shara Magomedov because he believes Michel Pereira is on a terrible run, with poor durability and cardio, and lacks technical striking. He notes that Shara is durable, a good striker with distance management, and has been working on his wrestling. He thinks Pereira's only path is an early knockout, but Shara has shown durability against heavy hitters. He also mentions that Pereira's wrestling might not be as effective as Shara has improved his grappling. He predicts a decision win for Shara, with a possible late stoppage if Pereira gasses.
Magomedov is more reliable to implement his Muay Thai style with kicks, knees, and elbows. Pereira has been inconsistent and gun-shy recently. Magomedov should outstrike him and win on the scorecards, but the line is too high to play.
The host expects a fun striking battle with back-and-forth flashy techniques, but not enough for a knockout. He thinks the fight will go to the scorecards and the Russian (Shara Magomedov) will get his hand raised.
Paul picks Magomedov but is hesitant, believing the price is too high. He notes Magomedov's poor takedown defense and one eye, and thinks Pereira could mix in takedowns. However, he expects Magomedov to squeak out a close decision, possibly with hometown judging. He prefers the over 1.5 rounds.
The Guru picks Shara via decision, citing his superior kicks, body work, and cardio. He believes Pereira may be regressing and less willing to take risks. He expects Shara to outpoint Pereira over three rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 93 of 142 | 65% | 103 of 153 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 39 of 77 | 50% | 60 of 100 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 22 of 36 | 61% | 23 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 12 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 37 of 61 | 60% | 37 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 29 of 44 | 65% | 39 of 55 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:47 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 34 of 45 | 75% | 43 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 5 of 16 | 31% | 9 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 93 of 142 | 65% | 42 of 82 | 27 of 33 | 24 of 27 | 58 of 93 | 30 of 39 | 5 of 10 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 39 of 77 | 50% | 24 of 54 | 13 of 19 | 2 of 4 | 21 of 56 | 18 of 21 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 22 of 36 | 61% | 5 of 15 | 4 of 7 | 13 of 14 | 19 of 30 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 5 of 17 | 29% | 4 of 12 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 37 of 61 | 60% | 19 of 40 | 14 of 15 | 4 of 6 | 20 of 40 | 17 of 21 | 0 of 0 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 29 of 44 | 65% | 16 of 28 | 12 of 13 | 1 of 3 | 13 of 26 | 16 of 18 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 34 of 45 | 75% | 18 of 27 | 9 of 11 | 7 of 7 | 19 of 23 | 10 of 12 | 5 of 10 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 5 of 16 | 31% | 4 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Magomedov (-600); Barriault (+425)
Round 1
The “featured fight of the night” promises to be a knockout-or-bust affair, with two middleweights that prefer to bash other people in the head repeatedly. Magomedov (15-1, 4-1 UFC) ran into a puzzle he could not solve in February when Michael Page outguiled him, while Barriault (17-9, 1 NC; 6-8, 1 NC UFC) is a few wins away from reaching the crucial .500 mark as a UFC fighter. Referee Jim Perdios knows that there will be fistic fireworks, and he steps back as the two sluggers opt against clapping hands.
Barriault gets right on the accelerator, chasing after the Russian while looking to set up his right hand. Magomedov stays on the outside chipping at him with low kicks. Barriault pulls back right before letting loose, keeping his guard up to block a one-two flying at him. Magomedov connects with a solid low kick, and he sways to avoid the worst of a left hand. Magomedov hacks at the lead leg with more kicks, with Barriault unable to pin him in place so he shoots for a double. Barriault succeeds in dragging “Shara Bullet” down, but Magomedov grabs the fence to pull himself up and is lightly chided for the infraction. When upright, Magomedov looses an unorthodox high kick, and he tries to time a jump knee when Barriault pressures him.
Barriault avoids the knee and ties Magomedov up, and he is soon turned around and starts eating knees and elbows. Barriault gets one knee back, but Magomedov’s is much heavier and forces a break. On his way out, Magomedov chips at the front leg a few more times. He sits down on one as Barriault is about to charge at him, messing up the Canadian’s momentum. Barriault pushes aside a front kick and keeps his guard high to block additional strikes so he can clinch up the Russian. Barriault leans heavily on his opponent, and he gets complacent and absorbs two elbows on the cheek before releasing his grip. Magomedov, with space, goes back to destroying Barriault’s front leg. Barriault hits air when going after Magomedov, and he barely blocks a capoeira kick but takes the brunt of a question mark kick before the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 2
Barriault again races towards his opponent to start off the round, pitching a front kick at Magomedov that Magomedov catches. Magomedov returns fire with a jump kick and then lands to plant a kick on Barriault’s front leg. They kick at the same time, and Barriault’s foot grazes the cup. Perdios checks on the Russian, who is good to go. Magomedov is quick to continue his methodical assault of low kicks while evading any arm swing aimed his direction. Barriault whiffs on a left hand and takes a right hand up top. He tries to tie Magomedov up, and Magomedov bops him with a short left hand and slashes open a cut on the top of Barriault’s head with an elbow. Magomedov nails Barriault with a hook kick, and he tries to follow it with a question mark kick. Barriault may be bloodied and unsuccessful thus far, but he steels himself and unloads a vicious right hand that shatters Magomedov’s nose. Barriault clubs his opponent with a few uppercuts and keeps working the body until Magomedov has to escape. Barriault bears down on “Shara Bullet,” who is leaking and badly wounded.
Barriault continues attacking his bloodied opponent, beating on him with clinch strikes when they tie up again. Barriault shoots for a double, clasping his hands and lifting Magomedov up in the air to dump him on his seat. Magomedov explodes to his feet, and Barriault stays tightly pressed to him. Magomedov lashes out with short elbows on the inside, and Barriault replies with several body shots. Magomedov frames off with knees, turning Barriault around in the clinch as the two let one another have it. Magomedov hurts Barriault with a particularly damaging knee, and he drills the Canadian with punches and body shots. Barriault is barely on his feet as he uses the fence to keep himself upright, and he survives to reach the bell. It will be interesting to see how that bloody round is scored officially.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Round 3
Like before, Barriault is the aggressor immediately. He cannot catch up with Magomedov, who times a jump knee when Barriault tries to shoot. Barriault redoubles his effort on his takedown, and he releases it to lean on his opponent. Magomedov lands a knee before pushing off, and he drills Barriault with a hook kick after the break. Magomedov waves his arms around in circles while trying to potshot Barriault, and he ignores a low kick to shovel out an uppercut. Barriault reaches him with a right hand, but Magomedov hits him with three or four in the same stretch of time.
Magomedov peppers Barrriault’s front leg with another kick, faking a jump knee to draw out a reaction. Barriault sees it is coming and loose a left hand up top, and Magomedov settles down to jam Barriault in the jaw with a few elbows before they split again. Magomedov starts getting into his groove with flashy, high-risk high-reward kicks, and Barriault takes that away from him by clinching. Magomedov connects with short elbows to force a split, and he marches Barriault down and kicks him in the front leg and side. Magomedov then leaps at his opponent with a knee, and his head kick further stings the Canadian. Magomedov sets up a spin but does not go for it, telegraphing that a spin kick is in the tank only to shoot in for a takedown he bails on immediately. Magomedov drives a knee to the jaw, and he trips up Barriault and tosses him to the floor. Magomedov rains down punches en masse, punishing Barriault with a mean-spirited flurry as time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Magomedov)
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Magomedov)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Magomedov)
The Official Result
Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Marc-Andre Barriault via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, noting he is the much better striker with power and a granite chin. He expects Shara to test Barriault's chin and light him up, as Barriault relies on empty forward pressure and volume but lacks power. He dismisses Shara's loss to MVP as a stylistic mismatch.
Big Brady picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, calling it a clear setup spot. He notes Barriault is likely washed and has a compromised chin, having been knocked out by lesser fighters. He expects Barriault to stand and trade, which plays into Magomedov's hands. He predicts a third-round knockout.
Connor believes Barriault's recent durability issues and tendency to stand and trade will play into Shara's hands. He notes Shara's incredible speed and creativity, and while Barriault could win by clinch pressure, he expects him to kickbox and get outclassed.
Although the host usually fades Magomedov at high chalky lines, Barriault cannot eat the shots Magomedov will throw. Magomedov will land big shots and find a finish within a round and a half.
The MMA Guru picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, calling it a 'layup' and criticizing the matchmaking. He notes Magomedov's high-volume striking on the back foot and believes Barriault's pressure will play into his hands. He predicts a second or third-round TKO after breaking Barriault down.
Zane agrees, noting that Barriault's best chance is to wrestle and clinch, but he expects Barriault to stand and trade. He points out that Shara's speed and power will be too much, and Barriault's chin is questionable after recent knockouts.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 38 of 87 | 43% | 50 of 102 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Michael Page | 0 | 43 of 75 | 57% | 47 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 9 of 25 | 36% | 9 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michael Page | 0 | 13 of 21 | 61% | 13 of 21 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 7 of 30 | 23% | 9 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michael Page | 0 | 14 of 25 | 56% | 15 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:34 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 22 of 32 | 68% | 32 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Michael Page | 0 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 19 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 38 of 87 | 43% | 8 of 42 | 17 of 20 | 13 of 25 | 34 of 82 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Page | 43 of 75 | 57% | 23 of 53 | 11 of 12 | 9 of 10 | 38 of 69 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 9 of 25 | 36% | 1 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 12 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Page | 13 of 21 | 61% | 7 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 13 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 7 of 30 | 23% | 0 of 18 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 5 | 7 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Page | 14 of 25 | 56% | 5 of 16 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 22 of 32 | 68% | 7 of 14 | 10 of 10 | 5 of 8 | 18 of 28 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Page | 16 of 29 | 55% | 11 of 23 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 24 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Next up: the middleweight co-main event, which pairs the unbeaten Magomedov (15-0, 4-0 UFC) with Page (22-3, 1-1 UFC) at 185 pounds. Herzog administers the law and order. Glove tap to start. Page bounces on his feet, darts in and out and trades leg kicks with the Russian. Another leg kick from Magomedov. Page looks content to snipe from the outside. He blocks a high kick, sneaks in a counter left and connects with a right hand over the top. Page stumbles throwing an overhand right, sheds a standing guillotine and clinches. They separate. Page zeroes in on the lead leg with kicks and sneaks in a right hand to the body. Magomedov stuck on the outside here. Nice lunging one-two from Page, followed by a low kick. Inside leg kick from Page. Magomedov answers with one of his own to the outside of the leg. Wheel kick from Page connects in the closing seconds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Page
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Page
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Page
Round 2
On to the second round. Page back in his traditional karate stance, with his body angled and his hands low. The Englishman steps into a right hand and darts out of danger. Page utilizing feints to keep his counterpart guessing and unsure of himself. Jumping spinning back kick to the body from Page, who continues to have Magomedov flummoxed. They clinch in the center of the cage and break free. Magomedov scores with a side kick to the body and a counter left hook. Leg kicks from the Russian. Flying knee from Page glances off its target. Not nearly enough volume from Magomedov. Crowd chants “MVP.” Ninety seconds to go in the round. Page delivers a jab to the body and calmly backs away. Frustration building for Magomedov. They clinch. Page pushes his man into the fence with double underhooks. Magomedov going nowhere in his efforts to free himself. Page separates at the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Page
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Page
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Page
Round 3
Magomedov has a lot of work to do, or so it would seem, if he wants to keep his perfect record intact. Page picks up where he left off. Magomedov kicks the lead leg, only to eat a counter jab that snaps back his head. It feels like Page has all the answers here. Magomedov walks into a right hand, backs off and resets. The Russian losing valuable time. They clinch in the center of the cage, then separate. Page lands a standing elbow to the body and flicks out his jab. Midway through the final round. Page darting in and out with feints, then takes flight with a knee. Magomedov blocks it but winds up in the clinch. There, he feeds Page a few knees to the body. More chants of “MVP.” More knees to the body for Magomedov. Page breaks free and floats back into open space. Magomedov marches forward. Neither man throwing much. All the while, time ticks away. Nice counter left hook from Magomedov, who caught the karateka moving in. He follows up with a flurry, forces Page to retreat and gets off a leg kick before he resets. Page circles on the outside, slips on a kick and winds up on his back in the waning seconds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Page)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Page)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Page (30-27 Page)
The Official Result
Michael Page def. Sharabutdin Magomedov—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Michael Page, calling it his 'last ride' with MVP. He notes Page's unorthodox karate style, speed, and ability to cover distance. He believes Page's striking will frustrate Sharabutdin Magomedov, who is creative but may struggle with Page's movement. He acknowledges Page's age (37) and the risk of a knockout loss, but thinks Page can win a decision. He suggests looking at prop bets like MVP +3.5.
Big Brady thinks the odds make no sense and favors Michael Page at plus money. He praises Page's striking defense, noting he made Kevin Holland and Ian Garry look silly. Sharabutdin Magomedov has 42% striking defense and is there to be hit. Brady expects a close fight but predicts Page wins by decision, possibly split. He doesn't see Magomedov wrestling.
Connor picks MVP, expecting him to produce his typical frustrating fight. He notes that Magomedov is directionally aimless and has a punchable face that invites aggression, but MVP's style of staying at range and countering is difficult to deal with. Connor believes Magomedov's leg kicks could be a factor, but MVP's willingness to make the fight boring and his reach advantage give him the edge.
James picks Sharabutdin Magomedov to win, primarily due to hometown bias in Saudi Arabia favoring the Russian Muslim fighter. He also cites Magomedov's leg kick advantage against Page's karate stance, better durability, and finishing upside. He notes Page moves up to middleweight at 37-38, which is a disadvantage. He expects a close fight but sees Magomedov winning by decision, with potential for a knockout.
Page is very hard to hit and will set up counters effectively, potentially scoring a knockout if he lands the perfect shot. Magomedov lacks a wrestling background despite his name, which will be an issue. Page is expected to pick him apart similar to the Kevin Holland fight and win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Sharabutdin Magomedov to win by late-round TKO via ground and pound. He believes Magomedov's kicks and clinch will cause problems for MVP, and that MVP's takedown defense is weak. He notes MVP struggled with Ian Garry's grappling and that Magomedov has been drilling takedowns. He thinks MVP's move to middleweight may reduce his presence.
Zane picks MVP, agreeing with Connor that Magomedov's lack of defensive structure and tendency to be countered will be exploited. He notes that MVP's style of frustrating opponents and waiting for mistakes is effective, and Magomedov's leg kicks may not be enough to overcome MVP's reach and movement. Zane expects a boring fight but sees MVP winning.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 1 | 65 of 106 | 61% | 67 of 108 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Armen Petrosyan | 0 | 77 of 140 | 55% | 77 of 141 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 33 of 49 | 67% | 35 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Armen Petrosyan | 0 | 46 of 81 | 56% | 46 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 1 | 32 of 57 | 56% | 32 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Armen Petrosyan | 0 | 31 of 59 | 52% | 31 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 65 of 106 | 61% | 24 of 53 | 29 of 34 | 12 of 19 | 63 of 104 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Armen Petrosyan | 77 of 140 | 55% | 22 of 66 | 10 of 14 | 45 of 60 | 75 of 138 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 33 of 49 | 67% | 12 of 24 | 13 of 14 | 8 of 11 | 31 of 47 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Armen Petrosyan | 46 of 81 | 56% | 14 of 35 | 5 of 7 | 27 of 39 | 44 of 79 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 32 of 57 | 56% | 12 of 29 | 16 of 20 | 4 of 8 | 32 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Armen Petrosyan | 31 of 59 | 52% | 8 of 31 | 5 of 7 | 18 of 21 | 31 of 59 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Magomedov (-155), Petrosyan (+130)
Round 1
A pair of projects who have run afoul of the savvy Fight Finder team will open up the main card of UFC 308, with plans on leaving no doubt as to who is the legitimate and rightful victor will be. Magomedov (14-0, 3-0 UFC) engaged in a number of mixed-rules matches that severely limited grappling in the past, while Petrosyan’s (9-3, 3-2 UFC) own team tried to hide a knockout
win
from his ledger as they were embarrassed he faced someone well below his level. Hopefully their records reflect their current achievements in MMA, and one more on their respective ledger will play in the next 15 minutes or less. Referee Kerry Hatley will keep things on the up-and-up, and the two middleweight strikers get to business after a quick glove touch. Petrosyan leads the dance with several early leg kicks, not fearing any reprisal. Chants for “Shara” rain down, and Petrosyan ignores them all and keeps adding kicks up. Magomedov sits down on a right hand, and Petrosyan tags him with a counter right that rocks “Shara Bullet.” Petrosyan takes a moment to realize his success, and he rushes forward and ends up clinching the bearded redhead. Petrosyan pushes his way out of the tie-up and eats a body kick, and he advances again throwing fists. They trade low kicks again and again, with Petrosyan’s volume giving Magomedov fits. Magomedov slips a punch, dodges a head kick and nails his opponent with a right hand. Petrosyan gives him a knee up the middle to think about, but he gets popped with a right hook again. Magomedov is a willing participant in trading leather, and Petrosyan counters a side kick with a clean left hand. Petrosyan shrugs off loud cheers and calls for his adversary so he can put hands on him, and he walks face-first into a left that backs him off. Magomedov turns his hips into a low kick, and Petrosyan hops out of the way and plants one back on the calf. Petrosyan rolls with a heavy overhand right, and he keeps chipping away at the front leg from both sides. Magomedov is throwing the leg kicks far heavier, but Petrosyan is pitching them constantly and regularly. Petrosyan sways to dodges a hook but a naked kick allows Magomedov to clip him. Magomedov kicks his man with a side kick, sending Petrosyan flying. “Superman” soars back to his feet, and Magomedov checks the low kicks that come. Petrosyan sits down on a body kick after letting loose with two punches, and he checks a kick. Petrosyan parries a punch and has a spinning back fist glance off his cheek to cut him right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Petrosyan
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Petrosyan
Round 2
The fighters clap hands, and Petrosyan once more comes out firing with kicks en masse. One low kick slides up and bumps into Magomedov’s cup, and Petrosyan offers an apologetic glove touch as Magomedov waves it off. Petrosyan works the front leg with kicks, switching stances and looking to find his timing on the bouncing Magomedov. Petrosyan kicks the inside leg again, and this time a cup check makes Magomedov drop to a knee and Hatley call time. Petrosyan instantly knows he committed a foul and reaches out to apologize, and Hatley warns Petrosyan for the infraction. After 45 seconds, Magomedov is good to go again, and they clap hands. Petrosyan remains in his foe’s face, and he punches his way into a clinch behind a solid right hand. Magomedov frames off to break out of the clinch, and he pushes out with a side kick. Magomedov times a body kick when Petrosyan reaches at him, and he narrowly avoids a power punch. Another Petrosyan kick gets dangerously close to the cup, and Magomedov clutches it as Hatley tells them to fight on. Petrosyan looses a head kick that is blocked, and a second is countered with a fierce right hand over the top. Magomedov jabs the body and head, and Petrosyan stays committed to leg work. Petrosyan beats his man to the punch, with a huge Magomedov haymaker going wide. Magomedov fires off a head kick that is blocked in the nick of time, and his side kick that follows bangs into Petrosyan’s cup. Hatley sighs as he calls time again, and Petrosyan takes 30 seconds to get his wind back. When getting back to it, they both kick one another, and Petrosyan gets away with another groin shot. Petrosyan’s body kick draws a reaction, and Magomedov drops his hands and strafes on the outside to measure his side kick and keep Petrosyan honest. Magomedov comes up short with a body shot and a right hand, and Petrosyan smacks his opponent in the face with a back fist. Petrosyan works the body with a kick and reaches out with a right hand, and he pecks with kicks low and high. Magomedov connects with a right hand but does not score the follow-up head kick. Petrosyan takes a side kick on the chest, and when he advances to throw leather, “Shara Bullet” spins with a back fist and then twirls the other direction with another spinning back fist, and the second concussive, shocking blow knocks Petrosyan clean off his feet. A defeated Petrosyan, on his knees and barely still with it, has nothing left to offer, while Magomedov knows his work here is done. Hatley reaches “Superman” before Magomedov, and this spectacular knockout—how many knockouts have come from not one but two back fists back-to-back—is an immediate contender for “Knockout of the Year” because of how unusual it is. Magomedov remains undefeated while arguably passing the toughest test of his career thus far.
The Official Result
Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Armen Petrosyan R2 4:52 via KO (Spinning Back Fists)
Angelo picks Sharabutdin Magomedov despite being disappointed in his lack of finishes. He believes Shara is the better striker and counter-striker, and Armen's forward pressure will play into Shara's hands. However, he also sees value in betting on Armen Petrosyan at plus money via a spread bet, as Shara has not been finishing fights and Armen could win rounds.
Big Brady picks the underdog Petrosyan, calling this the closest fight on the card. He thinks Petrosyan can hang on the feet and may mix in takedowns, which could be a key factor. He notes that Petrosyan has been taken down a lot but might have improved his wrestling, similar to Roman Kopylov. He believes at worst it's a 50/50 fight and doesn't understand the odds.
Cody picks Armen Petrosyan as a slight underdog, citing Magomedov's lack of grappling and takedown defense. He notes that Petrosyan has faced strong grapplers and survived, and that he has the striking volume and power to outwork Magomedov. Cody also mentions that Petrosyan may mix in takedowns of his own. However, he is not highly confident due to potential hometown cooking for Magomedov.
Connor picks Magomedov, noting his speed and volume, though he acknowledges his takedown defense is still a work in progress. He believes Petrosyan lacks the power to hurt Magomedov and that Magomedov's boxing improvements will be enough to win a striking battle. Connor is not fully confident but sees Magomedov as the likely winner.
Daniel Vreeland picks Sharabutdin Magomedov to win, citing his movement and elusiveness as key factors against the more flat-footed Petrosyan. He acknowledges Petrosyan's striking credentials but believes Magomedov's lateral movement and ability to stay on the move will frustrate Petrosyan. Vreeland also mentions the potential for favorable judging in Abu Dhabi for a fighter with a name ending in 'ov'.
Lucrative James does not make a clear pick for this fight. He sees value on Petrosyan but is not confident enough to bet. He notes that Magomedov has a unique kicking style that could trouble Petrosyan, but Petrosyan has grappling upside and may shoot takedowns. He plans to study more tape before deciding.
Petrosyan is the technically superior striker with a cleaner, straighter style that will counter Magomedov's orthodox approach. He may mix in some grappling but his fundamental striking and clinch work should lead to a decision win.
Paul picks Petrosyan, noting that Magomedov has no wrestling and that Petrosyan has good volume and kicks. He believes Petrosyan's experience against grapplers will help him, and that he can win the striking exchanges. Paul is not confident due to potential judging bias but leans Petrosyan.
The Guru picks Sharabutdin Magomedov by decision, believing Petrosyan's rangey, point-fighting style plays into Magomedov's strengths. He notes that Petrosyan doesn't mix in grappling and will engage in a striking match where Magomedov's volume and durability should win rounds. He criticizes Magomedov's finishing ability but thinks he will outwork Petrosyan. The Guru also mentions Petrosyan's short reach as a disadvantage.
Zane also picks Magomedov, citing his speed and volume. He notes that Petrosian is not a powerful striker and that Magomedov's improved takedown defense, while still imperfect, should be enough to avoid being controlled. Zane thinks Magomedov's pace will overwhelm Petrosian.
Zane picked Magomedov, noting his elite speed and dedication to volume. He pointed out that Petrosyan is a low-power, slightly less volume kickboxer with okay but not good wrestling, which was a good matchup for Magomedov. Zane highlighted that Magomedov is getting better at MMA, improving his takedown defense, and that Petrosyan started well but got discouraged by the absurd speed and second-guessed himself.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 97 of 178 | 54% | 123 of 209 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 77 of 146 | 52% | 94 of 172 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 2:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 40 of 74 | 54% | 42 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 35 of 53 | 66% | 36 of 54 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 35 of 64 | 54% | 37 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 24 of 52 | 46% | 28 of 58 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 22 of 40 | 55% | 44 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 18 of 41 | 43% | 30 of 60 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:47 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 97 of 178 | 54% | 52 of 112 | 33 of 52 | 12 of 14 | 89 of 163 | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 77 of 146 | 52% | 45 of 103 | 18 of 27 | 14 of 16 | 72 of 138 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 40 of 74 | 54% | 16 of 39 | 17 of 26 | 7 of 9 | 38 of 69 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 35 of 53 | 66% | 23 of 38 | 9 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 34 of 50 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 35 of 64 | 54% | 24 of 48 | 7 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 33 of 60 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 24 of 52 | 46% | 12 of 35 | 5 of 9 | 7 of 8 | 22 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 22 of 40 | 55% | 12 of 25 | 9 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 34 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 18 of 41 | 43% | 10 of 30 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 16 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Magomedov (-238), Oleksiejczuk (+195)
Round 1
The latest hot commodity out of Russia for the UFC, Magomedov (13-0, 2-0 UFC) has a stiff test in front of him in the power-punching Pole Oleksiejczuk (19-8, 1 NC; 7-6, 1 NC UFC). “Shara Bullet” has passed every previous exam set before him, winning most thus far via strikes. Together, they have performed 25 knockouts, so referee Dan Movahedi is prepped and ready for the potential of a 26th. Interested in lopping the other’s head off at the stem, they pass right by touching gloves. Bouncing towards and away from one another in alternating stances, Oleksiejczuk is the first to reach his opponent. Oleksiejczuk reaches his foe with a right and a left while Magomedov kicks. Oleksiejczuk jabs and defends a right hand and a trio of kicks. Oleksiejczuk knocks his man off his seat with a left hand, and Magomedov pulls on the fence to stand back up. Oleksiejczuk bears down on him with two left hooks, and he aims a left to the body while Magomedov kicks him twice in the side. Oleksiejczuk connects with a left hand and eats a left hand counter, and he digs a left to the torso. Magomedov chips with two kicks and absorbs another flush left hand, and Oleksiejczuk aims another heavy left at the ribs. Magomedov tries to spin with a punch, and he catches Oleksiejczuk coming in with a knee. Oleksiejczuk windmills a left hand, and the second he throws lands flush. Magomedov replies with a short few punches, and an elbow gets Oleksiejczuk’s attention and shreds him open. Magomedov knees him and pushes Oleksiejczuk away, but Oleksiejczuk walks right towards him again and parries two high kicks. Oleksiejczuk digs a left to the side and absorbs a clean knee and a side kick to the same spot, and he loops a right hand over the guard. Magomedov lands a body kick and pulls on the top of the head, getting off a head kick and taking a left hand off the forehead. Magomedov lands and gets tagged, but his knee connects cleanly as Oleksiejczuk tries to tie him up. There is a brief Thai clinch, and they separate as Oleksiejczuk swarms with left hooks. Oleksiejczuk kicks the front leg and tries to catch a side kick, as Magomedov buzzes him with spinning back elbow. Magomedov skirts away and pitches out side kicks, and he has a leg kick checked. Oleksiejczuk wings a left up high when a head kick flies at him, and he backs Magomedov of with a second left. Oleksiejczuk pounds on the body with a knee and a kick, and he swipes out with a right hand. Oleksiejczuk drills the chest with a straight left, and he lumbers forward swinging lefts. Magomedov gets off a body kick and ducks a swinging punch, and he dodges the worst of the wild punches except for one. The Russian misses a head kick right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 2
Oleksiejczuk is so amped up to go, Movahedi has to back him up halfway across the cage. They practically sprint out of their corners to start fighting again, with Oleksiejczuk backing the Russian off immediately. Magomedov snipes at his opponent while backing off, with a side kick, low kick and check left hook. Oleksiejczuk lumbers at him with looping punches, and Magomedov’s head movement keeps him largely safe. Magomedov scores with front kicks, and Oleksiejczuk lands a left to the body and then one up top. Magomedov stuns his foe with a Superman punch, and Oleksiejczuk turns him around with a left hand. Magomedov fakes a spin, and his front leg gets kicked when recovering. Oleksiejczuk uses a body lock to try to take the fight down, and Magomedov blatantly grabs the fence to stay on his feet and is not called because Movahedi is on the wrong side. Oleksiejczuk releases him and eats a right to the body and a right to the head that briefly shakes him up. Blood flows from the left side of his head on multiple wounds, and he still is headhunting and throwing everything he has. Oleksiejczuk kicks the front leg and whiffs on a left hook, and he walks into a check hook and a jab. Oleksiejczuk responds with a clean left hand, and Magomedov stands firm and answers with a straight right hand down the pipe. They both throw hands at the same time, with Oleksiejczuk landing cleaner as he dodges the sneaky front-leg head kick. Oleksiejczuk gets in a left hand as Magomedov bounces and moves, and he has a massive left hand miss him by a matter of millimeters. Oleksiejczuk rips a left to the side as he jabs his way forward, and a left hook brushes the beard. Oleksiejczuk blocks a head kick as the crowd oohs, and Magomedov is quick to throw another low kick. Magomedov jumps into his offense, and he lines up several knees before Oleksiejczuk can push him away. Oleksiejczuk reaches his foe with a left and a right, and he takes a deep breath. Magomedov slips a punch and zips a counter up high, and he remains in perpetual motion while not staying in the same spot for long. Oleksiejczuk kicks the front leg and loops a left over the top, and he dodges a left hook and counters cleanly. Magomedov connects with a head kick, and Oleksiejczuk throws him to the floor and hops onto the back when they hit the mat. Oleksiejczuk sneaks a single hook in and considers a choke, but Magomedov hand-fights to prevent anything from materializing. Oleksiejczuk fastens one arm beneath the chin, and Magomedov punches him from behind until the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 3
The middleweights meet in the middle after 10 minutes of blood and guts battle. Magomedov misses with a knee, and Oleksiejczuk belts him in the jaw. “Shara Bullet” mocks him, asking if that is all he has, and Oleksiejczuk swings hard in response. Oleksiejczuk loops a left over the top, and he gets kicked in the guts while wading forward. Oleksiejczuk telegraphs a left hand that Magomedov is able to block, and speed is on the side of the Russian at this point. Magomedov delivers a kick to the body, and he laughs off the attacks from Oleksiejczuk. Oleksiejczuk whiffs on looping shots as he walks forward, and Magomedov keeps his hands down and moves from side toe side. Oleksiejczuk is an inch out of range from a brutal left hand, and he follows him around and scores one. Magomedov knees him in the face and then side kicks him square on the jaw, and Oleksiejczuk can do nothing but tank it. Magomedov connects with a side kick, and Oleksiejczuk punches him in the body back. Magomedov swats with left hands and side kicks, and he leans back when Oleksiejczuk loads up on his left hand. Magomedov hammers the body with several knees, and he kicks the Polish fighter in the head, who does not budge. Oleksiejczuk lands a leg kick and wings a left hook, and Magomedov once more boots him upside the head. Oleksiejczuk grabs hold of him and throws him to the canvas in response, and Magomedov wall-walks and keeps his balance to prevent the mat return. Oleksiejczuk attempts a double, and Magomedov stops it. Magomedov stands him up and slashes him with an elbow, and Oleksiejczuk keeps his chin tucked and unleashes a left hand. With a minute to go, Oleksiejczuk sprints forward and grabs hold of a single, dumping “Shara Bullet” to the canvas. Magomedov lands several rabbit punches to the back of the head, and Movahedi warns him for the fouls. Magomedov hacks with elbows from his back, and these may have cut Oleksiejczuk a few more times. Oleksiejczuk tries to mount some offense, and they proceed to trade strikes right to the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
The Official Result
Sharabudtin Magomedov def. Michal Oleksiejczuk via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Magomedov despite concerns about his recent activity and lack of killer instinct. He thinks Magomedov is still very powerful and should be good enough to win, especially as Oleksiejczuk fades late. He notes Magomedov's busy schedule and possible lack of camp, but still expects a win.
Big Brady is confident in Sharabutdin due to Oleksiejczuk's concerning situation: he is not with a team, training in his garage, talking about retirement, and has been finished quickly in recent fights. He thinks Oleksiejczuk's heart is not in it and he will fold after the first few minutes, predicting a first-round knockout for Sharabutdin.
Cody picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, noting that Michał Oleksiejczuk has one foot out the door, training in his garage and talking about retirement. He believes Shara is still improving and has more upside, while Oleksiejczuk has stagnated. Cody thinks Shara's cardio and grappling will improve fight to fight, and that Oleksiejczuk's only path is an early knockout. He also mentions Shara is being fed winnable opponents.
Daniel believes Shara has a superior striking arsenal and will capitalize on Oleksiejczuk's overly aggressive style. He notes that Oleksiejczuk makes bonehead mistakes on the mat and likes to brawl, which plays into Shara's hands. He thinks Shara will blast the body and take advantage of openings, and that the time to fade Shara is not now but against a real grappler.
Oleksiejczuk will crowd Magomedov, causing issues for his kicking game. If he reins in his durability, he should land big power and possibly knock out Magomedov in the first two rounds.
Paul picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, citing Oleksiejczuk's poor cardio and submission losses. He notes that Oleksiejczuk has been submitted multiple times and that Shara's striking is good enough to outvolume him. Paul expects Shara to finish late or win a decision, and mentions a potential Shara late finish prop. He also points out that Oleksiejczuk has no cardio and poor grappling.
The MMA Guru picks Sharabutdin Magomedov over Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing Magomedov's superior striking and low kicks. He notes Oleksiejczuk's poor mindset, having commented that he will probably lose. He thinks Magomedov's technical outside work will be enough, despite his weak ground game. He mentions Oleksiejczuk's vulnerability to low kicks while moving backwards.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 1 | 82 of 108 | 75% | 108 of 136 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Antonio Trócoli | 0 | 16 of 34 | 47% | 39 of 77 | 0 of 7 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 4:42 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 19 of 27 | 70% | 39 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Antonio Trócoli | 0 | 12 of 17 | 70% | 26 of 41 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:05 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 30 of 40 | 75% | 36 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Antonio Trócoli | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 13 of 30 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 1 | 33 of 41 | 80% | 33 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Antonio Trócoli | 0 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 82 of 108 | 75% | 28 of 52 | 22 of 24 | 32 of 32 | 69 of 94 | 13 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Antonio Trócoli | 16 of 34 | 47% | 8 of 22 | 7 of 10 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 29 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 19 of 27 | 70% | 4 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 10 of 10 | 17 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Antonio Trócoli | 12 of 17 | 70% | 7 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 30 of 40 | 75% | 8 of 18 | 11 of 11 | 11 of 11 | 21 of 30 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Antonio Trócoli | 4 of 11 | 36% | 1 of 6 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 33 of 41 | 80% | 16 of 22 | 6 of 8 | 11 of 11 | 31 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Antonio Trócoli | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: N/A
Round 1
The roller coaster ride that brought “Shara Bullet” and “Malvado” to this middleweight matchup has finished, but only one man will get off with his hand raised. In charge of making sure that there are no further unpleasant surprises will be referee Marc Goddard. Magomedov is southpaw, Trocoli orthodox, and Magomedov quickly flicks out a question mark kick that falls just short of Trocoli’s chin. Trocoli wades forward and stings “Bullet” with two punches to the head, then drives him to the fence with dual underhooks. Magomedov defends the takedown with a raised knee and overhook, but Trocoli eventually hoists the leg. Goddard breaks them up, warning Trocoli for grabbing the fence, and returns them to space, away from the fence. Magomedov takes advantage, throwing kicks to the head and lead leg, trying to keep the taller man at bay. Trocoli wades in again, backs Magomedov to the fence, but Magomedov slides out of the pocket rather than be backed into the fence again. Trocoli clinches, drives Magomedov into the cage, and drags him down to one knee. Magomedov posts with one hand, then stands back up, interposing his knee once again to keep Trocoli away from his hips. Trocoli tries to lock his hands, but they are still in that position when the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Trocoli
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Trocoli
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Trocoli
Round 2
Magomedov backs Trocoli up with a spin kick to the chest. Trocoli marches forward with kicks of his own, looking to cut off the cage and back “Bullet” into the fence. Magomedov lands a couple of lightning-quick kicks to the legs. Trocoli shoots a slow takedown from way outside and Magomedov is all over it. A minute and a half in, Trocoli is inching forward, with Magomedov flicking out sporadic kicks as he slides around the outside. Magomedov tags Trocoli with a one-two and a pair of kicks to the lead leg. Trocoli shoves Magomedov to the cage, where Magomedov once again uses a knee and overhook to shield himself. The crowd lets its displeasure be heard, and Goddard warns them to work. Trocoli looks about to haul Magomedov down, but Magomedov saves himself with a blatant fence grab. Goddard warns Magomedov, but does not intervene otherwise, a stark contrast to Trocoli’s fence grab in Round 1. Magomedov goes to work with low kicks again, and keeps it up to the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 3
The middleweights embrace to open Round 3. Magomedov lands a hook kick to the body, then a low kick. Magomedov with another leg kick. Trocoli is offering nothing back. Magomedov throws a lead hook upstairs that glances. Magomedov goes back to the low kick, then another. Magomedov with a question mark kick that slaps off of Trocoli’s head. Trocoli is standing still as a statue in the center of the cage. Magomedov with a hook kick to the head. Trocoli tries a molasses-slow takedown, bending from the waist.
Magomedov simply steps out of the way, then crushes him with a knee to the chin. Trocoli staggers away, with “Shara Bullet” in pursuit. He pours on the punches and Goddard is there in a flash for the TKO stoppage.
The Official Result
Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Antonio Trocoli R3 2:27 via TKO (Knee and Punches)
Angelo picks Shara, noting the opponent change to a grappler on short notice. He believes Shara's striking is far superior and that Trócoli hasn't fought in four years. He references Shara's last fight where he was taken down but stayed active off his back. He expects Shara to knock out Trócoli once the odds settle, likely around -400 to -600.
Big Brady picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, citing his phenomenal striking and the short-notice disadvantage for Trócoli. He notes Magomedov's activity off his back in his debut and expects him to win a decision, possibly with some takedown success for Trócoli but not enough. Brady also mentions the UFC's desire to promote Magomedov as a factor.
Cody picks Magomedov despite red flags, noting his striking volume and aggression. He acknowledges Magomedov's lack of ground game but believes Trócoli, a former lightweight on short notice, won't exploit it. He warns that Magomedov could be the 'apple pie f***er' if Trócoli uses his grappling.
Daniel Vreeland picks Sharabutdin Magomedov confidently, noting his exceptional kicking game and athleticism. He acknowledges Trócoli's BJJ black belt and submission threat but believes Trócoli will struggle to get the fight to the ground and will be picked apart on the feet. He expects a knockout or dominant decision for Magomedov.
Jacob picks Shara, noting Trócoli is coming off a three-year layoff and has been teaching McKenzie Dern how to box (poorly). He thinks even if Trócoli gets takedowns, Shara is active off his back and will eventually land strikes. He expects Shara to win handily.
JP calls this 'baby food' and is extremely confident in Magomedov, describing him as a 'straight killer' who will finish Trócoli. He notes Magomedov's one eye but dismisses Trócoli's regional experience. Brevan agrees, calling Magomedov an 'absolute killer' with explosive striking from any position. He expects a KO/TKO and criticizes Trócoli's mediocre skills. Both are fully confident in a Magomedov finish.
Paul picks Magomedov, citing size and striking advantage. He notes Trócoli's recent fights at lower weight classes and lack of wrestling to exploit Magomedov's weakness. Paul believes Magomedov will outwork Trócoli on the feet.
The MMA Guru picks Sharabutdin Magomedov over Antonio Trócoli, calling it a no-brainer. He notes that Trócoli is a short-notice opponent who has been training for kickboxing and boxing, not MMA, and hasn't had an MMA fight since April 2023. He believes Magomedov's striking is dangerous and that he can also take the fight to the ground if needed. He sees Trócoli's only path to victory as a sudden KO, which he thinks is unlikely.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 113 of 154 | 73% | 222 of 274 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bruno Silva | 0 | 65 of 91 | 71% | 107 of 138 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 6:44 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 46 of 66 | 69% | 46 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bruno Silva | 0 | 28 of 42 | 66% | 28 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 43 of 58 | 74% | 82 of 101 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bruno Silva | 0 | 26 of 36 | 72% | 44 of 56 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:25 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 24 of 30 | 80% | 94 of 107 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bruno Silva | 0 | 11 of 13 | 84% | 35 of 40 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 113 of 154 | 73% | 56 of 92 | 22 of 24 | 35 of 38 | 74 of 106 | 15 of 21 | 24 of 27 |
| Bruno Silva | 65 of 91 | 71% | 51 of 76 | 6 of 7 | 8 of 8 | 35 of 56 | 5 of 5 | 25 of 30 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 46 of 66 | 69% | 16 of 31 | 10 of 12 | 20 of 23 | 46 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bruno Silva | 28 of 42 | 66% | 20 of 33 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 43 of 58 | 74% | 21 of 36 | 9 of 9 | 13 of 13 | 24 of 35 | 7 of 9 | 12 of 14 |
| Bruno Silva | 26 of 36 | 72% | 20 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 18 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 24 of 30 | 80% | 19 of 25 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 8 of 12 | 12 of 13 |
| Bruno Silva | 11 of 13 | 84% | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 12 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Magomedov (-250), Silva (+205)
Round 1
It is time for the UFC’s annual show in Abu Dhabi, and it begins early for stateside audiences. Morning mayhem is on the menu for fight fans in the Western Hemisphere, and the UFC has done its darnedest to build a card that can excite from fight no. 1 to 13. The action begins in the middleweight division between two men that crave knockouts. Making his debut with the promotion against a tough test, Magomedov (11-0, 0-0 UFC) will be taking a serious step up in competition when he battles “Blindado” Silva (23-9, 4-3 UFC). Before the fists and feet fly, referee Jason Herzog checks them in. The gloves are touched, and Magomedov swats away a few flies before engaging. Magomedov takes the center of the cage and whips a kick out low to test the waters, and Silva no-sells it and slowly walks him down. Magomedov lands another from range, but Silva is slowly backing him towards the fencing despite getting off kicks. Silva ignores a few more as he closes distance, and he paws out his foot to the waist in a single response. Silva leans over with a left hand and turns awkwardly with a heel kick to the side, but when he recovers, he cracks the Russian with two heavy punches. Silva chains a punch into a whipping low kick, and Magomedov whiffs on the leg kick reply. Magomedov nails his man with a leg kick, and Silva crowds him but gets knocked back with a few fists. Magomedov fires off a head kick out of nowhere to shock Silva, and a jump knee from “Bullet” follows to further get his attention. Silva wobbles back to the fencing, and he gathers his thoughts and bounces off it to re-engage. Silva lunges forward with punches, and he pops Magomedov at the end of them. The unbeaten fighter parries a few strikes and signals to his foe that Silva’s fingers were extended, so Silva apologizes with a glove touch offer. Magomedov nails his man with another solid kick, and when he turns around lazily, Silva sprints towards him with winging punches. As Silva turns about during an exchange, Magomedov boots “Blindado” in the groin with full force and then brings up a head kick as Silva is stung from the foul. Herzog calls the illegal blow and gives Silva time to get his thoughts, and the two get back to it. The Russian hammers Silva’s lead leg with a vicious kick that makes Silva change stances, and when Silva returns to southpaw, he attacks it again on the inside. Silva snipes Magomedov with a left hook, and Magomedov shakes it off and pins a kick to the ribcage. Magomedov stays on his bike with kicks, and Silva sits down on punches to hurt Magomedov badly. This draws a fiery brawl, and Silva lays into the heavy favorite with a flurry while Magomedov attempts to return fire with kicks. As Silva hurts Magomedov, the round ends.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 2
The middleweights touch gloves to initiate the round, and Silva is quick to pick up where he left off. Magomedov tries to keep away and uses his legs as his best weapons, with a few low kicks that set up body kicks and even a hook kick up high. Silva hammers him back with nasty punches, but the damage is starting to mount from Magomedov’s leg kicks. Magomedov lets fly a head kick that glances off the guard, and Silva keeps his wits about him and looks to line up a long right hand as Magomedov pecks and picks at him with his effective kicking game. Magomedov chains together multiple punches into a knee up the middle, and he continues bombarding Silva with kicks that land with thuds rather than slaps. Silva lunges with strikes, but he cannot quite catch Magomedov as the Russian has his preferred range. Silva checks a kick after eating a few more, and “Shara Bullet” goes up high with a hook kick. Silva times a diving takedown to take Magomedov off his feet, and he succeeds in planting his adversary on his back. Magomedov defends himself off his back by hacking with elbows, and he cuts Silva on the top of his head with them. Magomedov remains fully active from on his back, and Silva tries to get off shots but is taking damage despite being in top position. Magomedov is happy to get into a slugfest from his back, and he gets some space and smacks Silva with an upkick. Silva manages to connect with some heavy ground-and-pound as well to rip open a cut on Magomedov’s eyebrow, but Magomedov is not at all concerned by it. Silva maintains heavy top pressure and picks his moments to strike so that Magomedov cannot get to him with sneaky elbows. Silva drives home a few more punches until he gets kicked off, and Magomedov turns and whips Silva in the face with a shocker of a kick off his back. Silva blinks it out and dives back down to strike until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 3
Having reached the final round, the two men are ready for five more minutes of carnage. Magomedov reintroduces himself with a number of leg kicks, and one foot thumps into Silva’s cup. Silva tanks it so that he can charge forward, and he manages to hit a double-leg takedown in the middle of the cage to ground the Russian. Magomedov immediately spurs into action with slicing elbows, all while pushing off Silva’s chest with his feet when he can get any space. Silva lowers himself into the guard to slug Magomedov in the face with powerful, gravity-empowered punches, and he passes to half guard briefly. Magomedov keeps busy from his back, and he scoots himself to the wall in hopes of standing up. Silva cannot keep him down, and Magomedov celebrates by kneeing Silva in the face. Silva bull-rushes with a double to take the fight down, and Magomedov stuffs it and elbows Silva in the face. Silva takes every strike on the chin so that he can secure a double, and “Shara Bullet” slams the back of his head on the mat in pain. Magomedov appears stunned, and he does not attack from his back after this takedown. Herzog asks Silva to do more, as Silva is slowing down, and Silva tries to respond with some slugs on the chin. Magomedov delivers several blows despite in the disadvantageous position, and Silva shifts over to side control with 30 seconds to spare. Magomedov kicks him off, and Silva threatens one more takedown that is stuffed. Magomedov drives home one more knee up the middle, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva (29-28 Magomedov)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Silva (29-28 Magomedov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
The Official Result
Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Bruno Silva via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo is very high on Shara Magomedov, calling him a massive prospect and the next big thing. He notes Bruno Silva's power and BJJ but questions his chin after being dropped by Brendan Allen, who isn't a one-punch knockout guy. Angelo expects Shara to win by KO and mentions he has parlays including Shara. He is confident in Shara's striking and power.
Big Brady picks Sharabutdin Magomedov to win by second or third round knockout. He notes Magomedov is a powerful striker with all wins by KO except one decision, while Bruno Silva has looked off lately, taking heavy damage in the Pereira fight and getting dropped by lesser opponents. Brady believes Silva's durability is fading and that Magomedov will put him away.
Cody picks Magomedov, emphasizing his striking and cardio. He notes that Silva is a first-round KO artist who fades if he doesn't finish early. Cody believes Magomedov's pace and volume will wear Silva down, leading to a late finish or decision. He acknowledges the eye issue but thinks Magomedov has adapted.
Daniel picks Sharabutdin Magomedov to win, praising his dynamic kicking and clinch knees. He acknowledges Bruno Silva's power and experience, noting that Silva has 20 knockouts and could close the distance to land. However, he believes Silva's durability is waning after taking damage in recent fights, and that Magomedov's range and body attacks will be key. He calls it a 'dog or pass' situation and says he would not bet at these odds.
James bet on Sharabutdin Magomedov at -225, believing there was value as the line closed at -350. He noted that Sharabutdin beat Bruno Silva brutally for three rounds, winning 30-27 on all scorecards. He acknowledged Sharabutdin's poor takedown defense and get-ups but felt his guard was solid and his striking was elite. James considered Bruno Silva a tough opponent but thought Sharabutdin would win the majority of the time.
Magomedov's movement and speed advantage will allow him to touch up Silva from distance, stay on his bicycle, and roll with shots. Silva's power is a threat but Magomedov's durability looks good. Expects Magomedov to win by decision, playing it safe with the jab and leg kicks.
Paul picks Silva as a dog, citing Magomedov's lack of wrestling and his disability (one eye). He notes that Silva has fought tough competition and has power, and that Magomedov's regional tape shows he can be taken down. Paul believes Silva can make it ugly and possibly win by KO.
Michał Oleksiejczuk - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Magomedov (-130); Oleksiejczuk (+110)
Round 1
The main card of UFC Baku kicks off with middleweights Magomedov and Oleksiejczuk, who operate under the auspices of referee Jim Perdios. Oleksiejczuk is southpaw, Magomedov orthodox, and Perdios strikes first with a warning to Magomedov for advancing with his fingers extended. Magomedov kicks the calf. Oleksiejczuk lands an uppercut to the body. Perdios warns Magomedov about the fingers again. Magomedov is active with the low kicks early, and Oleksiejczuk is thus far choosing to eat them and answer with punches. Magomedov clinches and runs Oleksiejczuk to the fence. They pummel for underhooks, and Magomedov hits the Pole with a big knee to the body. Oleksiejczuk shucks him off and they return to space. Magomedov blasts the oncoming Oleksiejczuk with a beautiful elbow that hurts him badly.
Oleksiejczuk stumbles backwards and Magomedov gives chase, dropping a few more punches, then wrapping his foe’s neck in a tight guillotine. Magomedov gets a leg up over the back and the choke is lethal. Oleksiejczuk taps, but goes out before Perdios can get there to stop the fight.
Very impressive work from Abus Magomedov.
The Official Result
Abus Magomedov def. Michal Oleksiejczuk R1 3:25 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
AJ picks Oleksiejczuk as an underdog, believing he has improved his takedown defense with Fighting Nerds and has the cardio advantage. He notes Magomedov fades after the first round and that Oleksiejczuk can put him away with big shots in the later rounds. AJ expects a knockout in round 2 or 3.
AJ picks Oleksiejczuk by knockout, believing Magomedov is fragile and has suspect cardio. He thinks Oleksiejczuk's hands are dangerous and that he will come on strong in rounds 2 and 3, while Magomedov fades. He likes Oleksiejczuk by KO in round 2 or 3.
AJ DeVito is confident that Michał Oleksiejczuk will defeat Abusupiyan Magomedov, who he believes is declining and has a weak will to win. He expects Oleksiejczuk to win by KO in round two or three, citing Magomedov's tendency to gas and melt under pressure. He likes the moneyline at -115 and also mentions the KO prop at +175.
AJ picks Oleksiejczuk by knockout, citing Magomedov's poor cardio and tendency to fade after round one. Oleksiejczuk has improved grappling defense and power, and should survive the first round to take over and finish Magomedov in the second or third.
Angelo picks Abus because he has multiple paths to victory (striking and grappling) while Michał only has striking. He notes that both fighters have cardio issues, but Abus can fall back on wrestling. He expects a fun start but a boring finish once Abus starts shooting takedowns.
Angelo picks Magomedov, citing his multiple paths to victory: he can outstrike Oleksiejczuk, outgrapple him, or weather the early storm and win as Oleksiejczuk fades. He notes both have bad cardio, but Magomedov's is slightly better.
Angelo is surprised Abus Magomedov has flipped to underdog and thinks he wins the fight. He notes that Michał Oleksiejczuk has dangerous hands but poor cardio and grappling, and has been knocking out bums. Abus is more technical and can wrestle, so if he weathers the early storm and gets grappling going, he should run away with it.
Big Brady picks Abusupiyan Magomedov to win by submission. He highlights Magomedov's grappling credentials, having taken down and submitted black belts like Bruno Ferreira. Oleksiejczuk has terrible grappling, submitted multiple times. Brady expects Magomedov to take him down early and submit him in round one, though he notes Magomedov's questionable cardio and durability could lead to a second-round knockout loss if he gasses.
Cody picks Magomedov, agreeing with Paul. He highlights Oleksiejczuk's defensive wrestling issues and Magomedov's wrestling pedigree. He thinks Magomedov can take him down and control the fight, though he acknowledges Oleksiejczuk's power and finishing ability.
Daniel Levi picks Michał Oleksiejczuk to upset Abusupiyan Magomedov, citing his improved confidence and training at Fighting Nerds after moving from a garage gym. He notes Oleksiejczuk's marauding pressure, body shots, and recent win streak, while Magomedov has a history of fading in fights. Levi believes Oleksiejczuk's level-up and aggression will be key, though he acknowledges Magomedov's grappling threat.
Jacob picks Magomedov, calling him one of the better plays on the card. He thinks Magomedov is bigger and can bully Oleksiejczuk, who fades hard after round one. He dismisses Oleksiejczuk's win streak as beating cans and notes his grappling holes.
Lucrative James picks Michał Oleksiejczuk (Michelle Alex) because he believes Alex has better cardio, heart, will to win, and power. He notes that Abus Magomedov is more skilled technically but tends to crumble when pressured and has poor cardio. He expects Abus to start well and possibly get takedowns, but predicts the momentum will shift and Alex will finish him in round two. He also mentions that if Abus is a big underdog, he might be worth a bet, but his pick is Alex via KO.
The host acknowledges Magomedov's early danger with explosivity and power, but believes in Oleksiejczuk's improvements to avoid an early finish. He thinks Oleksiejczuk's pressure striking style will catch up to Magomedov, leading to a knockout win.
Oleksiejczuk has elite durability and has improved his striking and cardio with the Fighting Nerds. Magomedov has cardio issues and tends to fade. Oleksiejczuk will deal with early adversity and then walk him down for a knockout.
Paul picks Magomedov, citing his wrestling edge and Oleksiejczuk's poor takedown defense. He notes Oleksiejczuk's cardio issues and tendency to fade, and believes Magomedov can win early rounds and possibly coast. He prefers Magomedov pre-fight but suggests live betting Oleksiejczuk if he survives the first.
The Guru picks Oleksiejczuk, citing his pressure, boxing, and takedown defense. He believes Oleksiejczuk will mitigate Magomedov's kicks by moving forward and land in exchanges. He expects a finish, possibly in the first round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 140 of 221 | 63% | 143 of 225 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 77 of 201 | 38% | 79 of 204 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 47 of 73 | 64% | 47 of 73 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 19 of 54 | 35% | 19 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 41 of 68 | 60% | 42 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 33 of 80 | 41% | 34 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 52 of 80 | 65% | 54 of 83 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 0 | 25 of 67 | 37% | 26 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 140 of 221 | 63% | 91 of 161 | 39 of 49 | 10 of 11 | 138 of 218 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 77 of 201 | 38% | 57 of 178 | 16 of 19 | 4 of 4 | 59 of 173 | 18 of 28 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 47 of 73 | 64% | 32 of 56 | 8 of 9 | 7 of 8 | 46 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 19 of 54 | 35% | 9 of 44 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 41 of 68 | 60% | 27 of 49 | 11 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 40 of 67 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 33 of 80 | 41% | 28 of 74 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 60 | 12 of 20 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Michał Oleksiejczuk | 52 of 80 | 65% | 32 of 56 | 20 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 52 of 80 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Marc-André Barriault | 25 of 67 | 37% | 20 of 60 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 59 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Oleksiejczuk (-330); Barriault (+270)
Round 1
Every now and then, the matchmaking plans are glaringly obvious as to what the UFC would like from a particular pairing. This middleweight slugfest is one such bout, as Oleksiejczuk (21-9, 1 NC; 9-7, 1 NC UFC) vs. Barriault (17-10, 1 NC; 6-9, 1 NC UFC) is practically destined for a knockout. Referee Chris Tognoni is ready whether this goes 15 seconds or the whole distance, and he gathers himself as the combatants bump gloves together.
Oleksiejczuk moves himself to the center of the cage and slowly works his way forward, but Barriault strikes first with a hefty body kick. Barriault loops a right hand over the guard, and he gets countered when trying. Oleksiejczuk swipes out a few lefts to wrap them around the raised hands, looking to hand-fight to pull down one glove and open up a big right. Oleksiejczuk stings “Power Bar” with a hard left hand, backing Barriault up to the wall but not pouncing. He swats away a responsive left to chop at the lead leg with a kick, and he leans back to watch punches buzz past him. Barriault clips Oleksiejczuk when Oleksiejczuk loads up on power, and he tosses out a naked kick that has him get his jaw jacked. Oleksiejczuk hammers the body with a kick, and he loops a right hand upstairs to follow. Barriault advances, driving home a knee up the middle and peeling back.
Oleksiejczuk has a leg kick checked, and he nails the body with a resounding thud. Barriault probes out with his jab, trying to disrupt the power flying at his melon, and he zips in an uppercut to keep Oleksiejczuk honest. Oleksiejczuk walks through it to loose a leg kick, and he rolls with a left hook to put two fists on Barriault’s face. Oleksiejczuk keeps his guard up to knock Barriault back with a heavy fist, and Barriault is fighting defensively enough to defend the big stuff upstairs but his midsection is wide open. Oleksiejczuk kicks so low, it practically hits the ankle, and he goes to the body again. Barriault’s looping response is a few feet off, and he gets clubbed with two straight lefts. Oleksiejczuk bloodies up his foe’s nose with his big swings, and he hacks at the lead leg with an inside kick. Oleksiejczuk catches a body kick, lashes out with a left and hurls Barriault to the mat in hopes of pounding on him. Barriault ties him up as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oleksiejczuk
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Oleksiejczuk
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Oleksiejczuk
Round 2
The middleweights touch gloves, and Oleksiejczuk advances as the initial aggressor. Both men paw out their jabs, and Oleksiejczuk briefly drops Barriault to a knee with a heavy inside low kick. He swipes a right over the top, and he takes a left on the chin that he no-sells. Oleksiejczuk racks up a pair of punches on the chin, and “Power Bar” is hanging in tough and very much in this fight. Barriault swings body to head, and Oleksiejczuk does the same, both men scoring strikes. Barriault keeps his right hand pinned to his melon, and he has his guard split with a jab. Barriault loops a right to the ribs, and he catches Oleksiejczuk at the end of a pair of hooks. Oleksiejczuk slips and rips with a right hand on the jaw, and he meanders out a follow-up right that leads to him getting countered. Oleksiejczuk drives home a one-two, backing Barriault up, and he connects with a body kick with a sound like a 2-by-4 hitting a side of beef. Barriault steels himself and comes out firing, getting Oleksiejczuk’s attention when he swings with everything he has.
Barriault starts landing cleanly on Oleksiejczuk, changing his strategy completely as he walks Oleksiejczuk down. Oleksiejczuk’s power appears to be fading as Barriault ignores blows that would have irritated him the previous round. Barriault loads up, seeing that Oleksiejczuk could be losing steam, and he pressures him relentlessly. Barriault goes to the body and lands an elbow up top that cuts Oleksiejczuk’s forehead. Oleksiejczuk swings wildly with body shots and the occasional one to the head, and Barriault is on top of him forcing him to react. Oleksiejczuk lands a left that may have hit the cup, and he has a spinning back fist glance off the side of the head. Barriault marches forward, not reacting to anything that lands on him while forcing Oleksiejczuk to backpedal. The horn sounds to end a close round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barriault
Round 3
The middleweights touch ‘em up before commencing the final frame, and it starts like the first round and not the second. Oleksiejczuk plants his feet and pins a one-two on the chin, shoulder-rolling to take some of the sting out of what comes back his way. He swipes out a one-two, and he digs one to the body. Both men are feeling it after their brawl, and Barriault comes out the cleaner as he backs Oleksiejczuk off with a short but effective barrage of punches. Barriault maneuvers himself to the pocket to trade, but this is where Oleksiejczuk wants to be, and he hurls back punches in bunches. Suddenly, the Polish athlete changes things up for a takedown attempt, and Barriault shuts it down as they reset in slugging range.
Both men proceed to trade leather, with Oleksiejczuk ripping body shots while Barriault headhunts. Oleksiejczuk strings three punches together, shooting in for a double behind it and bullying the Canadian to the wall. Barriault shucks it off and swings for the fence, but no one is there to be hit. Oleksiejczuk has backed away to re-engage, and they jab at one another until Oleksiejczuk pitches a high kick that bangs into the raised guard. The clinch tie-up results in a few body shots from Barriault, and a knee on the button freezes Oleksiejczuk. Oleksiejczuk takes a breath and flashes out his power punches, connecting effectively with his left to the liver. Barriault boxes back, and Oleksiejczuk kicks at his lead leg. Barriault lumbers out with a left hand, and they swat at one another with jabs out of range. Oleksiejczuk dips and clubs Barriault upside the head, and not to be outdone, Barriault kicks him in the face. Oleksiejczuk offers a high kick that hits the guard, and they proceed to throw punches, kicks and the kitchen sink at one another until we have—perhaps surprisingly—reached the final bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oleksiejczuk (29-28 Oleksiejczuk)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Oleksiejczuk (29-28 Oleksiejczuk)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Oleksiejczuk (29-28 Oleksiejczuk)
The Official Result
Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Marc-Andre Barriault via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing his fast hands and power, with 8 knockouts in 9 UFC wins. He notes that Barriault's chin seems to be fading and that Oleksiejczuk hits incredibly hard. He acknowledges Barriault's wrestling could be a problem but thinks Oleksiejczuk's speed and power will prevail. He suggests under 2.5 rounds might be solid.
Big Brady picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing that Marc-André Barriault's chin has been cracked recently, with three knockout losses in his last four fights. He believes Oleksiejczuk's pressure and power will be too much for Barriault, who has taken a lot of damage. He predicts a first-round finish.
Cody agrees, highlighting Oleksiejczuk's 8 first-round KOs in 9 UFC wins. He notes Barriault's history of being knocked out in the first round and his inability to change his game. Cody expects Oleksiejczuk to win by KO or decision, but is confident in the victory.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Oleksiejczuk is a good athlete who is not shot, while Barriault is past his prime and gets hurt easily. He thinks Oleksiejczuk will put it all on Barriault and likely hurt him early. He mentions that Barriault's only chance is if Oleksiejczuk's cardio fades.
Lucrative James picks Michał Oleksiejczuk to win by KO in round one. He believes Barriault's chin is compromised and that Oleksiejczuk's power and early-round danger will be too much. James notes that Barriault's style of walking forward plays into Oleksiejczuk's hands, and he expects a quick finish.
The host picks Oleksiejczuk by knockout, but notes the line is too wide at -350. He believes Oleksiejczuk's power will eventually find Barriault's chin, but warns that Barriault could make it tough if his chin holds up, using clinch work and cardio to wear Oleksiejczuk down. He suggests a live bet on Barriault in later rounds.
Paul picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, expecting a first-round knockout. He notes Barriault's recent durability issues and Oleksiejczuk's power, especially since joining Fighting Nerds. Paul believes Oleksiejczuk's improved patience and game planning will lead to an early finish.
The host picks Michał Oleksiejczuk over Marc-André Barriault. He notes Oleksiejczuk has real power at middleweight and a resurgence since joining Fighting Nerds. He thinks Barriault has been on the receiving end of too many TKO losses. He predicts a first-round TKO.
Zane picks Oleksiejczuk because he is not physically washed and has a good multi-level striking attack. He notes that Barriault gets hurt too easily and is vulnerable, as seen in his fight against Shara Bullet. He thinks Oleksiejczuk will hurt Barriault quickly, though if it doesn't work out, it could become a hairy fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 3 of 16 | 18% | 3 of 16 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 | 23 of 51 | 45% | 23 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 3 of 16 | 18% | 3 of 16 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 | 23 of 51 | 45% | 23 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 3 of 16 | 18% | 2 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 23 of 51 | 45% | 18 of 46 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 3 of 16 | 18% | 2 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 23 of 51 | 45% | 18 of 46 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 20 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Oleksiejczuk (-218), Meerschaert (+180)
Round 1
In the battle of surnames that would likely win against any other pair on Scrabble tonight, it should not last terribly long. In the combined 57 pro victories for Meerschaert (37-19, 12-11 UFC) and Oleksiejczuk (20-9, 1 NC; 8-7, 1 NC UFC), they have needed the judges on six of those occasions. Referee Herb Dean—who gets a bigger pop from the crowd than either athlete—will almost certainly be needed, while the scorers might be able to take this one off. Before throwing down, the violent middleweights bump fists.
The marvelously mustached Meerschaert moves to the center of the cage, and he leans back as a huge left hand buzzes past him. Oleksiejczuk looks for another power punch, and Meerschaert is out of range pitching a low kick at him. Meerschaert ducks under a few punches to go after a single, and the former light heavyweight pops him in the chops on the way out. When “GM3” tries for another takedown, the Polish athlete shuts him down and forces him to stand back up. Oleksiejczuk ignores a leg kick that misses him to clip his foe with a left hand, but it is one-and-done. Oleksiejczuk measures his man with an uppercut, and he avoids counters and is ready to stuff a takedown before it comes to light. Oleksiejczuk narrowly avoids a left hook, and he laughs off a failed shot from the submission specialist. Meerschaert gets off a left hand, and Oleksiejczuk answers him with two big punches that shake him to his core. A third uppercut dings him on the jaw when he goes for a takedown, and “step into my parlor” says the spider to the fly.
Meerschaert does not get Oleksiejczuk to oblige him in playing in the guard, instead backing off to make “GM3” strike with him.
Knowing that Meerschaert is in trouble, Oleksiejczuk jacks his foe in the jaw with three punches that send Meerschaert down to the floor again. With Dean watching in closely, Oleksiejczuk unleashes a bombardment of wide-arcing hammerfists to punish “GM3” for ever considering grappling with him. As the punches continue, with no sign of slowing down, Dean has no choice but to get involved and halts the match.
That marks one more dominant win for a Fighting Nerds competitor, and Oleksiejczuk dons the trademark glasses while also handing commentator Joe Rogan a pair as well.
The Official Result
Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Gerald Meerschaert R1 3:03 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo notes Oleksiejczuk is a pure striker with power and fast hands, while Meerschaert is a grappler with questionable chin and takedown accuracy. He thinks it's easier for Oleksiejczuk to stay on the feet and land strikes than for Meerschaert to get the fight to the ground. He leans Oleksiejczuk but says he should not be a -225 favorite in such a tricky matchup.
Big Brady picks Michał Oleksiejczuk to win by first-round knockout. He notes Oleksiejczuk is a phenomenal striker with bodywork, volume, and power, while Meerschaert is at a massive striking disadvantage. However, he acknowledges the grappling danger: Meerschaert has 30 submission wins and Oleksiejczuk has been submitted six times. He thinks Oleksiejczuk can keep the fight standing and knock out Meerschaert, especially if he has improved his takedown defense. He mentions Oleksiejczuk's ability to get back up when taken down.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Meerschaert. He notes that Oleksiejczuk has a history of getting submitted when he has a little success and then panics. He also points out that Meerschaert's recent losses were to tough opponents (de Ridder, Tavares) and that Oleksiejczuk's game is thin. He expects Meerschaert to capitalize on Oleksiejczuk's mistakes.
The host believes Oleksiejczuk's improvements from training with the fighting nerds will carry over, though it may result in a more measured approach. He expects Oleksiejczuk to wear Meerschaert down with striking and secure a finish in the third round.
The Guru picks Michał Oleksiejczuk to win by TKO in the first or second round. He believes Oleksiejczuk has improved since joining the Fighting Nerds and has nasty ground and pound and power. The Guru notes that Meerschaert is on borrowed time and doesn't move his head well, making him vulnerable. He also mentions that Oleksiejczuk has good grappling defense and reversals, so he won't be a fish out of water on the ground.
Zane picks Meerschaert, reasoning that Oleksiejczuk is prone to getting submitted due to his hyper-aggressive style and poor defensive wrestling. He notes that Oleksiejczuk will likely shoot takedowns himself or fall into submissions, and Meerschaert is a dangerous grappler. He acknowledges the risk that Oleksiejczuk could land a big shot early, but trusts Meerschaert's experience.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedriques Dumas | 0 | 3 of 26 | 11% | 3 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 | 34 of 57 | 59% | 34 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sedriques Dumas | 0 | 3 of 26 | 11% | 3 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 | 34 of 57 | 59% | 34 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedriques Dumas | 3 of 26 | 11% | 0 of 18 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 34 of 57 | 59% | 27 of 49 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 30 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sedriques Dumas | 3 of 26 | 11% | 0 of 18 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 34 of 57 | 59% | 27 of 49 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 30 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Oleksiejczuk (-192), Dumas (+160)
Round 1
A potential middleweight brawl takes the top spot on the early preliminary card, with referee Marc Goddard standing by to handle it. Dumas (10-2, 3-2 UFC) still has yet to register a finish since joining the roster a couple years ago, while six of seven UFC victories for Oleksiejczuk (19-9, 1 NC; 7-7, 1 NC UFC) came inside the distance. The two opt to touch gloves ahead of their scheduled melee, and Dumas throws the first strike in the form of a blocked head kick. The Floridian tries two more times with this kick, and Oleksiejczuk is on top of it and parries the subsequent front kick. Oleksiejczuk tries to get his hands on his opponent, and he ends up punching the fighter sporting the “Hood Wolf” tattoo in the chest. Oleksiejczuk mixes in body shots when Dumas ducks down, and he absorbs a flush body kick on the way out. Oleksiejczuk jabs his way into attack, and Dumas practically somersaults and sprints away. Oleksiejczuk plods forward like a Polish Terminator, measuring him with a left hook and backing him to the wall where he can further unload. Two punches are all Oleksiejczuk get off before Dumas rushes away, and Dumas’ body language is not positive at the time. Oleksiejczuk connects with a few left hands, and he ignores a head kick that Dumas tosses up half-heartedly.
Oleksiejczuk plants a one-two on the chin, and a clubbing left hand sends Dumas flying to the mat. Oleksiejczuk pounces, and he unleashes a fury of elbows and punches. Dumas stays shelled up on his back, defending and moving but still taking strikes. With Goddard watching closely, Oleksiejczuk bombards his downed foe with one final barrage of punches and elbows
, and Goddard determines that Dumas is no longer intelligently defending himself and waves the fight off. The Floridian immediately protests, motioning that he was moving back and forth, but there is nothing more he can do. Proudly training with former foe Caio Borralho, Oleksiejczuk maximizes his time on the microphone by donning the Fighting Nerds glasses and calling out Paul Craig.
The Official Result
Michael Oleksiejczuk def. Sedriques Dumas R1 2:49 via TKO (Punches and Elbows)
Connor picks Michał Oleksiejczuk out of spite, believing he has faced much better competition than Dumas and should be capable of putting pressure on him. He notes that Oleksiejczuk's game plan should be simple: throw the same one-two, pressure, and not fall in on his strikes. Connor acknowledges that Oleksiejczuk often does something stupid and loses, but hopes he can execute a basic game plan.
Daniel Levi was happy to see Michał Oleksiejczuk get a first-round stoppage over Sedriques Dumas. He praises Oleksiejczuk for changing his training environment to the Fighting Nerds and showing maturity and measured striking, outstriking Dumas 34 to 3 in under three minutes.
Zane picks Sedriques Dumas, reasoning that Oleksiejczuk has a tendency to self-destruct spectacularly, and Dumas' physicality and athleticism will allow him to capitalize on Oleksiejczuk's mistakes. He notes that Oleksiejczuk loves to explode without warning, and Dumas can wait for that to happen. Zane acknowledges Dumas' losses to Josh Fremd and Abu Sultan Rozybaev show he struggles against non-cans, but believes Oleksiejczuk's impulsiveness will be his downfall.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 97 of 178 | 54% | 123 of 209 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 77 of 146 | 52% | 94 of 172 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 2:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 40 of 74 | 54% | 42 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 35 of 53 | 66% | 36 of 54 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 35 of 64 | 54% | 37 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 24 of 52 | 46% | 28 of 58 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 0 | 22 of 40 | 55% | 44 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 18 of 41 | 43% | 30 of 60 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:47 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharabutdin Magomedov | 97 of 178 | 54% | 52 of 112 | 33 of 52 | 12 of 14 | 89 of 163 | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 77 of 146 | 52% | 45 of 103 | 18 of 27 | 14 of 16 | 72 of 138 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 40 of 74 | 54% | 16 of 39 | 17 of 26 | 7 of 9 | 38 of 69 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 35 of 53 | 66% | 23 of 38 | 9 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 34 of 50 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 35 of 64 | 54% | 24 of 48 | 7 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 33 of 60 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 24 of 52 | 46% | 12 of 35 | 5 of 9 | 7 of 8 | 22 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | 22 of 40 | 55% | 12 of 25 | 9 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 34 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 18 of 41 | 43% | 10 of 30 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 16 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Magomedov (-238), Oleksiejczuk (+195)
Round 1
The latest hot commodity out of Russia for the UFC, Magomedov (13-0, 2-0 UFC) has a stiff test in front of him in the power-punching Pole Oleksiejczuk (19-8, 1 NC; 7-6, 1 NC UFC). “Shara Bullet” has passed every previous exam set before him, winning most thus far via strikes. Together, they have performed 25 knockouts, so referee Dan Movahedi is prepped and ready for the potential of a 26th. Interested in lopping the other’s head off at the stem, they pass right by touching gloves. Bouncing towards and away from one another in alternating stances, Oleksiejczuk is the first to reach his opponent. Oleksiejczuk reaches his foe with a right and a left while Magomedov kicks. Oleksiejczuk jabs and defends a right hand and a trio of kicks. Oleksiejczuk knocks his man off his seat with a left hand, and Magomedov pulls on the fence to stand back up. Oleksiejczuk bears down on him with two left hooks, and he aims a left to the body while Magomedov kicks him twice in the side. Oleksiejczuk connects with a left hand and eats a left hand counter, and he digs a left to the torso. Magomedov chips with two kicks and absorbs another flush left hand, and Oleksiejczuk aims another heavy left at the ribs. Magomedov tries to spin with a punch, and he catches Oleksiejczuk coming in with a knee. Oleksiejczuk windmills a left hand, and the second he throws lands flush. Magomedov replies with a short few punches, and an elbow gets Oleksiejczuk’s attention and shreds him open. Magomedov knees him and pushes Oleksiejczuk away, but Oleksiejczuk walks right towards him again and parries two high kicks. Oleksiejczuk digs a left to the side and absorbs a clean knee and a side kick to the same spot, and he loops a right hand over the guard. Magomedov lands a body kick and pulls on the top of the head, getting off a head kick and taking a left hand off the forehead. Magomedov lands and gets tagged, but his knee connects cleanly as Oleksiejczuk tries to tie him up. There is a brief Thai clinch, and they separate as Oleksiejczuk swarms with left hooks. Oleksiejczuk kicks the front leg and tries to catch a side kick, as Magomedov buzzes him with spinning back elbow. Magomedov skirts away and pitches out side kicks, and he has a leg kick checked. Oleksiejczuk wings a left up high when a head kick flies at him, and he backs Magomedov of with a second left. Oleksiejczuk pounds on the body with a knee and a kick, and he swipes out with a right hand. Oleksiejczuk drills the chest with a straight left, and he lumbers forward swinging lefts. Magomedov gets off a body kick and ducks a swinging punch, and he dodges the worst of the wild punches except for one. The Russian misses a head kick right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 2
Oleksiejczuk is so amped up to go, Movahedi has to back him up halfway across the cage. They practically sprint out of their corners to start fighting again, with Oleksiejczuk backing the Russian off immediately. Magomedov snipes at his opponent while backing off, with a side kick, low kick and check left hook. Oleksiejczuk lumbers at him with looping punches, and Magomedov’s head movement keeps him largely safe. Magomedov scores with front kicks, and Oleksiejczuk lands a left to the body and then one up top. Magomedov stuns his foe with a Superman punch, and Oleksiejczuk turns him around with a left hand. Magomedov fakes a spin, and his front leg gets kicked when recovering. Oleksiejczuk uses a body lock to try to take the fight down, and Magomedov blatantly grabs the fence to stay on his feet and is not called because Movahedi is on the wrong side. Oleksiejczuk releases him and eats a right to the body and a right to the head that briefly shakes him up. Blood flows from the left side of his head on multiple wounds, and he still is headhunting and throwing everything he has. Oleksiejczuk kicks the front leg and whiffs on a left hook, and he walks into a check hook and a jab. Oleksiejczuk responds with a clean left hand, and Magomedov stands firm and answers with a straight right hand down the pipe. They both throw hands at the same time, with Oleksiejczuk landing cleaner as he dodges the sneaky front-leg head kick. Oleksiejczuk gets in a left hand as Magomedov bounces and moves, and he has a massive left hand miss him by a matter of millimeters. Oleksiejczuk rips a left to the side as he jabs his way forward, and a left hook brushes the beard. Oleksiejczuk blocks a head kick as the crowd oohs, and Magomedov is quick to throw another low kick. Magomedov jumps into his offense, and he lines up several knees before Oleksiejczuk can push him away. Oleksiejczuk reaches his foe with a left and a right, and he takes a deep breath. Magomedov slips a punch and zips a counter up high, and he remains in perpetual motion while not staying in the same spot for long. Oleksiejczuk kicks the front leg and loops a left over the top, and he dodges a left hook and counters cleanly. Magomedov connects with a head kick, and Oleksiejczuk throws him to the floor and hops onto the back when they hit the mat. Oleksiejczuk sneaks a single hook in and considers a choke, but Magomedov hand-fights to prevent anything from materializing. Oleksiejczuk fastens one arm beneath the chin, and Magomedov punches him from behind until the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 3
The middleweights meet in the middle after 10 minutes of blood and guts battle. Magomedov misses with a knee, and Oleksiejczuk belts him in the jaw. “Shara Bullet” mocks him, asking if that is all he has, and Oleksiejczuk swings hard in response. Oleksiejczuk loops a left over the top, and he gets kicked in the guts while wading forward. Oleksiejczuk telegraphs a left hand that Magomedov is able to block, and speed is on the side of the Russian at this point. Magomedov delivers a kick to the body, and he laughs off the attacks from Oleksiejczuk. Oleksiejczuk whiffs on looping shots as he walks forward, and Magomedov keeps his hands down and moves from side toe side. Oleksiejczuk is an inch out of range from a brutal left hand, and he follows him around and scores one. Magomedov knees him in the face and then side kicks him square on the jaw, and Oleksiejczuk can do nothing but tank it. Magomedov connects with a side kick, and Oleksiejczuk punches him in the body back. Magomedov swats with left hands and side kicks, and he leans back when Oleksiejczuk loads up on his left hand. Magomedov hammers the body with several knees, and he kicks the Polish fighter in the head, who does not budge. Oleksiejczuk lands a leg kick and wings a left hook, and Magomedov once more boots him upside the head. Oleksiejczuk grabs hold of him and throws him to the canvas in response, and Magomedov wall-walks and keeps his balance to prevent the mat return. Oleksiejczuk attempts a double, and Magomedov stops it. Magomedov stands him up and slashes him with an elbow, and Oleksiejczuk keeps his chin tucked and unleashes a left hand. With a minute to go, Oleksiejczuk sprints forward and grabs hold of a single, dumping “Shara Bullet” to the canvas. Magomedov lands several rabbit punches to the back of the head, and Movahedi warns him for the fouls. Magomedov hacks with elbows from his back, and these may have cut Oleksiejczuk a few more times. Oleksiejczuk tries to mount some offense, and they proceed to trade strikes right to the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
The Official Result
Sharabudtin Magomedov def. Michal Oleksiejczuk via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Magomedov despite concerns about his recent activity and lack of killer instinct. He thinks Magomedov is still very powerful and should be good enough to win, especially as Oleksiejczuk fades late. He notes Magomedov's busy schedule and possible lack of camp, but still expects a win.
Big Brady is confident in Sharabutdin due to Oleksiejczuk's concerning situation: he is not with a team, training in his garage, talking about retirement, and has been finished quickly in recent fights. He thinks Oleksiejczuk's heart is not in it and he will fold after the first few minutes, predicting a first-round knockout for Sharabutdin.
Cody picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, noting that Michał Oleksiejczuk has one foot out the door, training in his garage and talking about retirement. He believes Shara is still improving and has more upside, while Oleksiejczuk has stagnated. Cody thinks Shara's cardio and grappling will improve fight to fight, and that Oleksiejczuk's only path is an early knockout. He also mentions Shara is being fed winnable opponents.
Daniel believes Shara has a superior striking arsenal and will capitalize on Oleksiejczuk's overly aggressive style. He notes that Oleksiejczuk makes bonehead mistakes on the mat and likes to brawl, which plays into Shara's hands. He thinks Shara will blast the body and take advantage of openings, and that the time to fade Shara is not now but against a real grappler.
Oleksiejczuk will crowd Magomedov, causing issues for his kicking game. If he reins in his durability, he should land big power and possibly knock out Magomedov in the first two rounds.
Paul picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, citing Oleksiejczuk's poor cardio and submission losses. He notes that Oleksiejczuk has been submitted multiple times and that Shara's striking is good enough to outvolume him. Paul expects Shara to finish late or win a decision, and mentions a potential Shara late finish prop. He also points out that Oleksiejczuk has no cardio and poor grappling.
The MMA Guru picks Sharabutdin Magomedov over Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing Magomedov's superior striking and low kicks. He notes Oleksiejczuk's poor mindset, having commented that he will probably lose. He thinks Magomedov's technical outside work will be enough, despite his weak ground game. He mentions Oleksiejczuk's vulnerability to low kicks while moving backwards.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Holland | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Holland | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Holland | 8 of 17 | 47% | 5 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 8 of 18 | 44% | 5 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Holland | 8 of 17 | 47% | 5 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 8 of 18 | 44% | 5 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Holland (-265), Oleksiejczuk (+215)
Round 1
After a while at welterweight, the ultra-active Holland (25-11, 1 NC; 12-8, 1 NC UFC) is bouncing back to 185 pounds for a relatively short-notice affair. He takes on powerful Polish slugger Oleksiejczuk (19-7, 1 NC; 7-5, 1 NC UFC) in a fight between two men with finish rates around 80%. Referee Herb Dean has donned his hard hat for what’s about to come, as it could end quickly and violently. The fighters share a swift fist bump ahead of the melee, and Holland is backed off in a hurry from a heavy right hand from the Polish man. Holland slides away from another, and Oleksiejczuk is headhunting and loaded for bear. Holland stays on his bike, keeping just out of reach, and he sits down on a kick and pushes Oleksiejczuk away. At the same time, Oleksiejczuk unleashes a left hand, and he knocks Holland to his seat. Holland falls to his back, getting pounded on from hammerfists, and he clears his head and snatches up an armbar in the blink of an eye. Oleksiejczuk tries to step over, and in the process, Holland rolls his foe over, wrenching on it with all his might. Oleksiejczuk tries to sit up, and Holland tells Dean that he broke Oleksiejczuk’s arm. Dean looks down at the damaged limb, and he has immediate flashbacks of Tim Sylvia against Frank Mir and waves the fight off when seeing the elbow is backwards and something appears to be protruding that should not be doing that. Oleksiejczuk protests, but he cannot raise his arm and it is clearly in dire straits. An elated “Trailblazer” climbs up and jumps out of the cage to share words with Trump, White, Hunter Campbell and matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard. Holland proudly declares himself the ultimate gatekeeper—his words, not ours—and he says he will fight anyone at 170, 185 or higher.
The Official Result
Kevin Holland def. Michal Oleksiejczuk R1 1:34 via Technical Submission (Armbar)
Angelo picks Kevin Holland despite the short notice, believing his range, accuracy, and experience will overcome Michał Oleksiejczuk's early power. He notes that Holland is the bigger fighter and has a massive advantage on the ground. He is a little worried about Oleksiejczuk's fast hands but is confident Holland will win.
Big Brady likes Kevin Holland a lot, stating he should not only win but win dominantly by finish (KO or submission). He believes Holland has advantages everywhere and that Oleksiejczuk is a round-one knockout bust if the fight goes to the second. He acknowledges Holland's poor fight IQ but thinks this is a big step down in competition. He expects a finish, possibly in the first round.
Cody picks Holland, calling Oleksiejczuk a 'glass cannon' who fades after the first round. He notes Oleksiejczuk's six first-round KOs but argues his wins are over low-level opposition. Cody believes Holland's durability, volume, and pace will be too much, and that Holland's frame at 185 lbs is fine. He suggests Holland is a better value at -280 than Makhachev at -700.
Daniel fades Holland due to his tendency to fool around and rely on physical gifts. He believes Oleksiejczuk's pressure and durability will break Holland, citing his fights with Krylov and Jacoby. He worries about Holland's neck attacks but sees value in the underdog.
Daniel Vreeland picks Kevin Holland despite being unhappy about it. He argues that Holland doesn't walk into shots on the feet and has survived fights with excellent strikers like Jack Della Maddalena and Michael Venom Page without being knocked out. Vreeland doesn't see Oleksiejczuk as the guy to finally tag Holland, nor does he think Oleksiejczuk can win a decision. He acknowledges Holland fights stupidly but sees no path for Oleksiejczuk.
Jeff Fox picks Oleksiejczuk because he has no faith in Kevin Holland fighting smart. He notes Holland has lost two straight and tends to eat shots. Fox points to Oleksiejczuk's knockout of Sam Alvey and his power, believing he can catch Holland. He dismisses Holland's durability against top strikers, saying Oleksiejczuk is the type to land a big shot.
The host expects Holland to use his length and footwork to keep Oleksiejczuk at range and eventually find a finish. Oleksiejczuk's pressure style may be nullified by Holland's striking and sneaky submission game. However, the host notes that Holland is tough to trust at -260, but if he fights smart, he should win inside the distance.
Paul picks Holland, noting his incredible chin and durability. He expects Oleksiejczuk to have early success but fade, and Holland to find his groove and finish via submission (club and sub). He mentions Holland's submission skills and Oleksiejczuk's poor cardio. Paul likes Holland by submission at +275.
The MMA Guru picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, though he is hesitant. He believes Kevin Holland has lost his snap and grit, and that Oleksiejczuk will have a weight advantage at 185. He notes Oleksiejczuk's underrated grappling and ability to outgrapple Holland. He worries about Holland's motivation and thinks Oleksiejczuk has more drive.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 11 of 15 | 73% | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 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 | Michel Pereira | 0 | 11 of 15 | 73% | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 11 of 15 | 73% | 5 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michel Pereira | 11 of 15 | 73% | 5 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pereira (-148), Oleksiejczuk (+124)
Round 1
A casual observer might look at this battle of Michel vs. Michal and not immediately know which one competed at light heavyweight recently. By the size of Pereira (29-11, 2 NC; 7-2 UFC), he does not look like the kind of person that made welterweight in 2022. On the other hand, Oleksiejczuk (19-6, 1 NC; 7-4, 1 NC UFC) appears well-suited for his newer, lighter weight class, and his knockout last year over Chidi Njokuani shines on his ledger. Pereira is psyched to compete in Miami, and he brings his cousin with him to do a synchronized, choreographed dance before walking out. This potentially wild 185-pound affair will be officiated by referee Dan Miragliotta, and there is a quick glove touch from the competitors to get it going. Pereira hops back and forth, changing stances, and he dodges a right hand and rips two kicks to the body. Oleksiejczuk goes over the top with a right hook, and Pereira backs off and skirts to the side. Pereira lands two speedy punches before springing to the side, and he drives a right hand on the solar plexus and hurts Oleksiejczuk. Oleksiejczuk backs off to the fence, bent over but trying to remain on his feet, and Pereira charges at him and knees him twice in the same spot to buckle the Polish fighter’s knees.
Oleksiejczuk slumps to the ground, and Pereira leaps around to take his back and grab hold of a rear-naked choke without even bothering to get a hook in. The Brazilian locks down the choke and his forearm slides beneath the chin, and he squeezes with all his might. Oleksiejczuk does not once consider tapping, and he fades into unconsciousness as the submission puts him all the way out.
Miragliotta pulls them apart when recognizing Oleksiejczuk is out cold, and Pereira rushes to the center of the cage and breakdances to celebrate. What a performance for Pereira, who has now won seven in a row and may soon be a contender at his new weight class of middleweight.
The Official Result
Michel Pereira def. Michal Oleksiejczuk R1 1:01 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Michel Pereira, citing his better cardio, power, and grappling. He notes Oleksiejczuk has a great chin but can fade. He has a half-unit bet on Pereira at -130, but keeps it small because Oleksiejczuk could survive early and outpoint him.
Big Brady picks Michał Oleksiejczuk to win by decision. He notes that while Pereira has a BJJ black belt, he doesn't wrestle often and lacks the cardio to grapple for 15 minutes. He expects the fight to stay on the feet, where Oleksiejczuk's forward pressure, body work, and volume will wear down Pereira and win the later rounds.
Cody notes that Pereira has matured and now fights more conservatively, using his accuracy and wrestling. He thinks Oleksiejczuk is a reckless brawler with poor takedown defense, and Pereira will counter him and mix in takedowns to win a decision.
Oleksiejczuk has great durability and forward pressure, marching forward and breaking opponents with his boxing. He has eaten clean shots and continued to push. Pereira is dangerous early with his unorthodox power, but Oleksiejczuk's durability should allow him to weather the early storm. As the fight goes on, Oleksiejczuk will start to catch Pereira, coral him against the cage, and land combinations. I expect Oleksiejczuk to get a finish in the second or third round, possibly by knockout.
Paul agrees, highlighting Pereira's improved fight IQ and the fact that he looked great at 185. He thinks Oleksiejczuk's wrestling is exploitable and that Pereira has multiple ways to win.
The MMA Guru picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing concerns about Michel Pereira's finishing ability and cardio. He notes Pereira failed to finish chinny fighters like Andre Fialho and Nico Price, and that Oleksiejczuk is extremely tough and has power. He predicts Oleksiejczuk will pressure Pereira, take him down, and finish with a body shot TKO in round two.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Magomedov despite concerns about his recent activity and lack of killer instinct. He thinks Magomedov is still very powerful and should be good enough to win, especially as Oleksiejczuk fades late. He notes Magomedov's busy schedule and possible lack of camp, but still expects a win.
Big Brady is confident in Sharabutdin due to Oleksiejczuk's concerning situation: he is not with a team, training in his garage, talking about retirement, and has been finished quickly in recent fights. He thinks Oleksiejczuk's heart is not in it and he will fold after the first few minutes, predicting a first-round knockout for Sharabutdin.
Cody picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, noting that Michał Oleksiejczuk has one foot out the door, training in his garage and talking about retirement. He believes Shara is still improving and has more upside, while Oleksiejczuk has stagnated. Cody thinks Shara's cardio and grappling will improve fight to fight, and that Oleksiejczuk's only path is an early knockout. He also mentions Shara is being fed winnable opponents.
Daniel believes Shara has a superior striking arsenal and will capitalize on Oleksiejczuk's overly aggressive style. He notes that Oleksiejczuk makes bonehead mistakes on the mat and likes to brawl, which plays into Shara's hands. He thinks Shara will blast the body and take advantage of openings, and that the time to fade Shara is not now but against a real grappler.
Oleksiejczuk will crowd Magomedov, causing issues for his kicking game. If he reins in his durability, he should land big power and possibly knock out Magomedov in the first two rounds.
Paul picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, citing Oleksiejczuk's poor cardio and submission losses. He notes that Oleksiejczuk has been submitted multiple times and that Shara's striking is good enough to outvolume him. Paul expects Shara to finish late or win a decision, and mentions a potential Shara late finish prop. He also points out that Oleksiejczuk has no cardio and poor grappling.
The MMA Guru picks Sharabutdin Magomedov over Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing Magomedov's superior striking and low kicks. He notes Oleksiejczuk's poor mindset, having commented that he will probably lose. He thinks Magomedov's technical outside work will be enough, despite his weak ground game. He mentions Oleksiejczuk's vulnerability to low kicks while moving backwards.
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