Career Averages - Shauna Bannon
Career Averages - Alice Ardelean
Shauna Bannon - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 29 of 49 | 59% | 158 of 183 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:50 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 0 | 20 of 38 | 52% | 50 of 68 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 | 0 | 9:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 82 of 88 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 25 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:33 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 20 of 28 | 71% | 64 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:41 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 10 of 18 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 2:35 | |
| 3 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 12 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 0 | 8 of 15 | 53% | 15 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 29 of 49 | 59% | 16 of 31 | 9 of 11 | 4 of 7 | 19 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 9 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 20 of 38 | 52% | 18 of 35 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 6 of 9 | 66% | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 20 of 28 | 71% | 13 of 18 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 2 | 10 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 9 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 6 of 14 | 42% | 5 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | |
| 3 | Shauna Bannon | 7 of 14 | 50% | 2 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 8 of 15 | 53% | 8 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Kerry Hatley is the referee. They swing right away during a furious and brief exchange. Caliari closes distance and executes a throw, but Bannon is able to return to her feet. Not much later, Caliari executes another head-and-arm throw and lands inside full guard. Bannon is crafty from her back, as she neutralizes the Brazilian while looking for submission openings. Caliari stands briefly, but can’t clear the legs and ends up diving back into full guard. Caliari drives her forearm into her foe’s neck, while Bannon peppers her with annoying punches from her back. Caliari tires to stay busy with short punches to the ribs. Bannon creates a scramble with her guard but Caliari stands and drops a forceful right hand. Caliari shifts to a north-south position, and Bannon has her feet on the fence. Caliari looks to frame a kimura, but Bannon won’t allow the Brazilian to separate her hands. Calaria transitions to a back take just before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Caliari
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Caliari
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Caliari
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Round 2
Caliari is aggressive, pressing forward with punches before forcing the clinch. Caliari clings to a leg, pulls Bannon off the cage and then secures a rear body lock. Caliari is able to plant Bannon on the canvas, again landing in her foe’s full guard. Caliari drops an elbow and dives back into guard. Bannon throws more short strikes from her back. Bannon is able to create space with her guard. Caliari stands and Hatley orders a standup. Bannon pressures forward, but Caliarri responds and tags her. Caliari catches a kick and shoves Bannon into the wire. Bannon lands a sharp body kick and Caliari drops low for a takedown. Bannon defends well and turns her opponent into the cage. Bannon lands a short elbow in the clinch. Caliari counters with a throw attempt, but Bannon is able to reverse into top position. She sets up in half guard, where she lands a short elbow. Bannon is heavy on top, but Caliari is active on bottom trying to create scrambles. Bannon floats on top and she ends the round with some solid ground-and-pound.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Round 3
Bannon fires off a jab and a pair of low kicks. Bannon moves in with a 1-2 and moves away. Caliari turns up the aggression, flurrying with a short punching combination before shoving the Irishwoman into the fence. Caliari denies a hip toss from her foe and rolls into top position. An earlier punching flurry seems to have had a pernicious effect on Bannon’s face, as she has a serious mouse over her left eye. Caliari seems to be in control in half guard, applying pressure while landing short punches and elbows from above. The Brazilian is thinking about an arm triangle. Caliari applies the squeeze and the passes to the correct side to complete the choke. Bannon has no choice but to tap out. A successful strawweight debut for Caliari, who has her first UFC victory to boot.
The Official Result
Nicolle Caliari def. Shauna Bannon via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) R3 3:08
Angelo picks Nicolle Caliari, heavily criticizing Shauna Bannon's skills, especially her BJJ. He believes Caliari can get the fight to the ground and will have a massive advantage there. He calls Bannon one of the worst fighters on the roster and expects Caliari to win easily.
Big Brady picks Nicolle Caliari confidently, citing her wrestling and judo advantage over Shauna Bannon. He notes Bannon's poor takedown defense and lack of power, and expects Caliari to exploit this on the ground. He predicts a second-round submission, as Bannon has shown vulnerability to grappling.
Cody is confident in Nicolle Caliari, noting that Shauna Bannon has poor takedown defense (40%) and has been taken down by lesser wrestlers. Caliari is willing to shoot takedowns and has good grappling. Bannon is a point-based karate stylist who relies on distance, but Caliari can close the distance, take her down, and dominate on the ground. Cody expects Caliari to get her first UFC win.
Connor picks Caliari, agreeing with Zane. He notes Bannon is not an athlete and struggles to generate power, while Caliari is a physical powerhouse. Bannon's only wins are over other non-athletes, and she was dominated by Sam Hughes.
Caliari is a good offensive wrestler with decent cardio, and Bannon's takedown defense and ground game are very bad. Bannon will have the advantage on the feet but will likely spend most of the fight on the ground. Caliari should win easily, but the odds are too short to bet.
Lucrative James picks Nicolle Caliari, believing she can take Bannon down and dominate on the mat. He notes Bannon's vulnerability to wrestlers and Caliari's toughness and power. He predicts a decision win for Caliari, possibly with a submission.
The host picks Montaño (Nicolle Caliari) over Shauna Bannon, citing Montaño's judo and physicality to drag the fight into uncomfortable positions for Bannon, leading to a decision win. He is surprised Montaño is such a heavy favorite but acknowledges the low level of both fighters.
The host believes Caliari's physicality and grappling will be the difference, as she can grind out takedowns and control the fight. However, he is hesitant to trust the chalk on Caliari at -240, noting Bannon's striking style could cause problems. He predicts Caliari by decision but prefers the under 2.5 rounds prop.
Paul also picks Nicolle Caliari, noting that he will never back Shauna Bannon again after she was knocked down by Puya Tomar. He believes Caliari can mix in wrestling and keep it competitive on the feet, while Bannon's strikes lack power. He parlayed Caliari with Daniel Santos earlier in the week.
Zane picks Caliari because she is a physical powerhouse who should bully Bannon. Bannon is a non-athlete with no power, coming from a traditional martial arts background, and has lost to physical powerhouses. Caliari has fought tough competition and hung with them.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 13 of 38 | 34% | 42 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 21 of 46 | 45% | 55 of 84 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 5:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 7 of 21 | 33% | 33 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 45 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:09 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 10 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:20 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 13 of 38 | 34% | 5 of 20 | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 12 of 33 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 2 |
| Sam Hughes | 21 of 46 | 45% | 19 of 43 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 21 | 3 of 5 | 14 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 7 of 21 | 33% | 3 of 10 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 5 | 6 of 18 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 13 of 29 | 44% | 11 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 12 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 6 of 17 | 35% | 2 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 |
| Sam Hughes | 8 of 17 | 47% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 8 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hughes (-310); Bannon (+250)
Round 1
After a week to catch our collective breaths, the UFC sallies forth to Paris. As part of its annual French fight card series, local fans will be treated to a bevy of European athletes with decent matchups. It all comes to a head with French fighters in the main and co-main attractions, but before then, there are 11 more fights to get through. We commence the festivities with the sole women’s match on the card, one that will play out at strawweight. Bannon (7-1, 2-1 UFC) will look to keep her momentum going as she clashes with .500 UFC fighter Hughes (10-6, 5-5 UFC) who may be better than her resume appears. The two 115ers will be joined in the Octagon by referee Lukasz Bosacki, who clocks them in as they rush towards one another without a fist bump in sight. It’s on with the show.
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They both strike at the same time to greet one another, and Hughes lands cleaner and gest Bannon’s attention right off the bat. Reddening up the Irishwoman’s nose with her fists, she prompts Bannon into shooting in for a takedown. Hughes turns the tables against her and tackles her to the mat, and various chants in French boom throughout the surprisingly populated building. When Bannon closes up her guard and slows Hughes down, members of the audience start wooing rudely. Bosacki calls for more action before long, and the crowd starts to turn on the strawweights as the grind has been embraced two minutes in. Bannon lifts her right leg up for a rubber guard, but Hughes completely ignores it and retains heavy chest pressure.
As little else happens besides a few Hughes punches, Bosacki calls for them to do something more. “Sampage” listens this time around, and she slugs Bannon with several powerful blows. Bannon’s eyes go wide as she takes fire, and she grabs hold of Hughes to slow her down. Hughes looks to pass guard, and Bannon uses upkicks to push off her foe’s chest. The upkicks do not slow Hughes, who steps over to a crucifix position and starts hammering “Mama B” with elbows. Bosacki asks for Bannon to fight back as Hughes thumps Bannon up with her elbows, and Bannon desperately bucks to get her arm free and drags Hughes back to half guard. Hughes explodes over to take the back briefly during a scramble, and she settles for side control so she can beat down Bannon further. When Bannon sits up, Hughes tries for a no-hook rear-naked choke. The Irish fighter is able to escape the choke and work to her feet with the wall behind her, and Hughes knees her in the face and pops her with a left hand before the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Round 2
The ladies get right to business, with Bannon knowing she dropped the round and starting off aggressively. Kicks from the Irish athlete fly to all targets, as she sets up one high by starting on the lead leg. Hughes shrugs it off and counters with an overhand right, and a bit of a mouse develops under her left eye. Hughes is tough as nails as she catches a head kick and slings Bannon to the mat, where she punches her foe all the way down to the canvas. Hughes sits comfortably in an open guard, and Bannon hooks her fingers inside of her opponent’s gloves. Bosacki warns her for the foul, and Hughes punishes her for this by bashing her with heavy ground-and-pound. “Sampage” works her way to side control, where she hunts for another crucifix position—perhaps emulating the recent success of middleweight champ Khamzat Chimaev—and this makes Bannon scramble like a madwoman. Hughes allows her to turn because she has set a trap. When Bannon posts of her hands to sit up, her neck is exposed and Hughes knows it.
Hughes snatches up a textbook rear-naked choke, looping both hooks in and securing her grip beneath the chin. Bannon knows her goose is cooked, and she has no choice but to tap out.
The victorious American has performed her first submission—and second finish overall—in the Octagon, while handing Bannon her first stoppage loss as a pro.
The Official Result
Sam Hughes def. Shauna Bannon R2 1:58 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo is extremely confident in Sam Hughes, calling her his most confident pick on the entire card. He criticizes Shauna Bannon's unorthodox and ineffective striking style, describing her as having low fight IQ and a 'weirdo fight style.' He believes Hughes' relentless pressure, cardio, and grinding ability will overwhelm Bannon, leading to takedowns and forward pressure. He notes the line has moved from -250 to -320 and expects it to go even higher. He also mentions the over 2.5 rounds as a prop.
Big Brady picks Sam Hughes, noting she is a favorite for the first time in her UFC career. He believes this is her easiest fight yet, citing her pressure, cardio, and pace. He mentions she can mix in grappling but is not willing to bet at -310. He predicts a decision win.
Connor picks Hughes, agreeing that Bannon is a bad fighter with a Taekwondo background that doesn't translate to MMA. He notes that Hughes is a hard-nosed, functional fighter who has proven she can win against better athletes. Connor also mentions that Bannon's wins are against very weak competition and that Hughes should handle her easily.
The host believes Sam Hughes is a great matchup to expose Shauna Bannon as not a UFC-level talent. He expects Hughes to control the fight from the start with her pressure striking or takedowns and top control, grinding out a decision win.
The Guru picks Sam Hughes because she has a clear method of victory: her wrestling and gritty cardio. He criticizes Shauna Bannon for lacking any standout skill, noting her win over Pujitoma was circumstantial. He expects Hughes to win a close decision by securing takedowns at the end of rounds, which often sways judges in women's MMA.
Zane picks Hughes confidently, noting that Bannon is a bad fighter with broken technique and no athleticism. He believes Hughes's toughness, cardio, and experience will be too much for Bannon, who has only beaten weak competition. Zane also mentions that Hughes has rallied from bad starts to win against better opponents.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 52 of 104 | 50% | 64 of 117 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:59 |
| Puja Tomar | 1 | 36 of 72 | 50% | 38 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 36 of 74 | 48% | 43 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Puja Tomar | 0 | 23 of 50 | 46% | 24 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 16 of 30 | 53% | 21 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Puja Tomar | 1 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 14 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 52 of 104 | 50% | 16 of 37 | 24 of 46 | 12 of 21 | 49 of 99 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Puja Tomar | 36 of 72 | 50% | 22 of 51 | 10 of 12 | 4 of 9 | 27 of 60 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 36 of 74 | 48% | 6 of 20 | 20 of 39 | 10 of 15 | 35 of 71 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Puja Tomar | 23 of 50 | 46% | 14 of 36 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 6 | 22 of 48 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 16 of 30 | 53% | 10 of 17 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 6 | 14 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Puja Tomar | 13 of 22 | 59% | 8 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 8 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bannon (-180), Tomar (+150)
Round 1
Lukasz Bosacki will ref this strawweight tilt. Bannon rushes in with a side kick to the knee. Tomar lands a rear kick to the liver. Tomar with a combination before Bannon secures the clinch and shoves the Indian into the fence. Bannon stays busy with knees in close before they separate. Tomar is just winging punches. Bannon follows a punching combination with a kick. A high kick connects for Tomar, but Bannon is unfazed. Bannon is feinting her lead leg often, and then it pays off as she lands a head kick with her rear leg. Bannon forces the clinch and lands an elbow before backing off. Wild punches from Tomar miss the mark. Bannon pressures looking for openings while hopping on her back foot. Tomar rushes in and eats a clean side kick to the face. Bannon is upset as a Tomar kick lands to the groin and time is called. Tomar swings wildly to get past Bannon’s kicks. A couple punches land and Bannon backs up for a moment. Bannon steps in and lands a body kick with her rear leg. They trade kicks and Bannon fires an overhand that partially connects at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Round 2
Bannon is right back to threatening with her side kick. Bannon uses it to back Tomar up before flurrying with a series of punches. A side kick shoves Tomar into the fence, and Bannon forces the clinch. They trade knees in close. Bannon lands an elbow on the break and then fires off another side kick. Tomar seems frozen by the threat of the side kick. Then out of nowhere, Tomar catches Bannon with a crushing head kick and the Irishwoman crumbles to the mat. Tomar unleashes ground-and-pound in search of the finish, but Bannon is able to defend enough to keep the fight going. The wild sequence continues as Bannon transitions to an armbar. Tomar stands, doing her best to fend off the maneuver.
Bannon adjusts the submission and finds a better angle, bringing Tomar to the mat. Moments later, Tomar is forced to tap out.
The Official Result
Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar via Submission (Armbar) R2 3:22
Angelo picks Shauna Bannon despite thinking Puja Tomar is the better fighter. He believes Shauna's size, strength, and forward pressure will allow her to get Puja against the cage and exploit grappling holes. He also factors in crowd support since Ireland is close to England. He expects a close decision and notes the fight is low-level but potentially fun.
Brady calls this a coin flip and expects a split decision. He favors Puja Tomar as the plus-money underdog because she is active with kicks and judges like activity. He criticizes Shauna Bannon for hitting air and thinks the fight is very low quality.
Connor picks Tomar because Bannon barely scraped by Alice Ardelean, who was only doing MMA to promote her OnlyFans. He notes Tomar has some good ideas but gets overwhelmed. Connor calls it a charity fight and says both are not good.
The host views this as a low-level matchup with neither woman threatening finishes, but Bannon's jiu-jitsu could cause issues for Tomar. Even in striking, Bannon's variety of strikes should trump Tomar's kicking game, leading to a decision or submission win.
The Guru picks Shauna Bannon, citing her 6-inch reach advantage and forward pressure. He notes that Puja Tomar gives up ground and backs up too much, which in close women's MMA fights often leads to pressure winning. He acknowledges Tomar's home crowd advantage in London but still favors Bannon's pressure and cage work. He expects a close 29-28 decision.
Zane picks Bannon because she is more aggressive and loves to fight, which he thinks will overwhelm Tomar. He notes Bannon is unathletic and uncoordinated, but Tomar is not on the same level in terms of intensity. Zane calls it a charity fight and says both are not good.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 77 of 169 | 45% | 151 of 252 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 57 of 105 | 54% | 80 of 139 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 5:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 52 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 14 of 21 | 66% | 26 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:25 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 47 of 75 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 17 of 26 | 65% | 28 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:28 | |
| 3 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 50 of 101 | 49% | 52 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 26 of 58 | 44% | 26 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 77 of 169 | 45% | 44 of 119 | 22 of 36 | 11 of 14 | 73 of 164 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 57 of 105 | 54% | 42 of 84 | 10 of 15 | 5 of 6 | 50 of 97 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 11 of 28 | 39% | 5 of 18 | 2 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 14 of 21 | 66% | 12 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 16 of 40 | 40% | 11 of 31 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 4 | 15 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 17 of 26 | 65% | 11 of 20 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Shauna Bannon | 50 of 101 | 49% | 28 of 70 | 17 of 25 | 5 of 6 | 47 of 98 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 26 of 58 | 44% | 19 of 47 | 5 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bannon (-185), Ardelean (+155)
Round 1
For the first time in what seems like ages, the UFC is taking to a city in the United Kingdom other than London. Packing the Co-op Live, a building that recently finished construction with a capacity of over 20,000 seats, the promotion is doing its best to make sure fans get their money’s worth. Of the marathon 14-fight billing, all 14 bouts feature at least one fighter out of the U.K. or Ireland, or at the very least fight out of there in the case of Modestas Bukauskas. The first international contest comes in a classic battle between the Emerald Isle and the Land of Dracula at 115 pounds. “Mama B” Bannon (5-1, 0-1 UFC) will try to make the most of her second chance for a first impression, and she welcomes OnlyFans-famous Ardelean (9-5, 0-0 UFC) to the Octagon. The ladies will be joined in the cage by referee Mike Beltran, and they decide not to touch ‘em up to commence the curtain jerker. The crowd is lathered up, with the local time of 11 p.m., and the ladies are just as energized. Bannon leads off with a side kick, and the two ladies throw hands wildly at one another. The two come together a few times swinging their hands recklessly, smacking one another in the chops early and often. A few right hands from the Romanian redden Bannon’s nose, and commentator Daniel Cormier short-circuits momentarily on the broadcast as he repeats Ardelean’s name again and again awkwardly. Cormier recovers thanks perhaps due to tech support, and Ardelean pushes forward to change levels and slow Bannon down. Bannon grabs the fence to stop a takedown, and Ardelean redoubles her effort to put her on her back as Bannon pulls on the links once again. Beltran shouts warnings at the Irishwoman, who pays him no mind as she tugs her toes on the fencing to improve her position after getting dumped on her back. Bannon shifts to her side to pursue an armbar, and Ardelean shrugs it off and lowers herself into the closed guard of her adversary. Ardelean opens up with ground-and-pound, and Bannon once more uses her digits to pull herself around, and she snags hold of an armbar again. Ardelean stands up, but Bannon rolls her over and nearly locks the maneuver down. Ardelean keeps turning all the way through the submission to put Bannon flat again, and she breaks out of the move. Bannon uses a high guard to threaten with a triangle choke, and she hacks with elbows from off her back to stay busier than the woman on top of her. Ardelean keeps heavy pressure until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Round 2
Between rounds, Bannon’s corner, ex-UFC fighter Paddy Holohan, bangs his face into the camera, as the cameraman is hovering very close to them. When they resume, Bannon sports a wry grin, and she springs into action with combinations of punches. As she succeeds in landing, her right hand lumps up Ardelean’s nose, and she times a knee when Ardelean ducks down right on the forehead. Ardelean smiles and meanders forward, but she backs off to reset momentarily before surging back into action. Bannon slips back and slaps Ardelean in the face with the top of her foot, and she marches forward and grabs hold of her foe to attempt to hip toss her down. Ardelean fights her way out of the grip, and Bannon walks her down and rings her up with four straight punches. As Bannon blitzes a second time, Ardelean ducks around it to grab the Irishwoman from behind. Ardelean pushes her foe to the wall, and although she cannot get Bannon down, she grinds her and plants knees on her belly repeatedly. They continue to dirty box, with Bannon offering short right hands around the guard while Ardelean offers light lefts back at her. Bannon uses a knee shield to try to stop knees from landing on her midsection, and when she looks for a throw, Ardelean counters her and chucks Bannon to the canvas like a side of beef. Ardelean lands in side control, and she grabs hold of a scarf hold headlock. Bannon uses the position to try to take Ardelean’s back, and the two scramble and end up on their sides with neither in a good position. Ardelean decides to stand back up, and Bannon follows her with a few punches before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 3
The ladies rush to the center of the cage to engage, and when Bannon kicks, Ardelean counters with a right hand over the top. Bannon retreats and then sprints forward, landing a few punches but getting driven back by counters. Bannon kicks the body three times with the side of her foot, and she uses the side kick to keep Ardelean at bay. When Bannon surges forward, Ardelean stuns her with a left and a big right, and she grapples Bannon but abandons the takedown effort and breaks out of the clinch. Ardelean lands but gets caught with a right hand and a knee, and she smiles from ear to ear after getting punched in the face. Bannon spins with a strike that misses, and Ardelean bears down on her with a pair of hooks. Bannon chains a few punches together into a high kick, and Ardelean laughs it off quite literally and swings back with bad intentions. Bannon comes up short with another head kick, and Ardelean sees the timing and waits for her openings to engage. Bannon races forward and connects with a pair of hooks, and she backs off before eating anything in response. Bannon strafes from side to side, and she side kicks Ardelean in the ribs a few times as Ardelean nods at her. Bannon stays at her preferred range until wading into close proximity, and Ardelean clips her with a one-two. Bannon darts in and out with attacks, catching Ardelean flat-footed and escaping quickly. Ardelean is unable to land first in most of the exchanges, but she does manage to connect at least once during their in-and-out flurries. Bannon zooms at her opponent and dings her with two punches and a kick, and Beltran calls time to cut a piece of tape off of Ardelean’s glove. They get right back to it when time is called in, with Bannon kicking Ardelean in the face and drawing immediate blood. Ardelean is smiling but getting busted up, and she chases after Bannon but cannot reach her. Bannon spins with a wheel kick that misses the mark, and Ardelean busts her in the chops with a left hand that wobbles the Irishwoman’s legs. Bannon decides to attempt one final takedown, and they both wind up landing on their respective heads before the final bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Bannon)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Ardelean)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Bannon)
The Official Result
Shauna Bannon def. Alice Ardelean via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo picks Alice Ardelean, citing her forward pressure, toughness, and willingness to fight. He notes that Shauna Bannon forces things and doesn't flow smoothly, while Ardelean is a busy striker who chases finishes. Angelo expects a sloppy back-and-forth fight that goes to a decision, and he plans to bet on Ardelean plus 3.5 if she is the underdog.
Cody hesitantly picks Shauna Bannon, citing her grappling as the key. He notes that Alice Ardelean is an influencer with limited fighting skills and that Bannon's takedowns and top control should be enough. However, he acknowledges that Bannon looked lost in her UFC debut and that the line is too high. He expects a close, ugly fight.
Daniel picks Shauna Bannon as his lock, noting it's a good matchup for her against a questionable opponent making her UFC debut on short notice.
Daniel admits he didn't know Alice Ardelean was a fighter and notes she has more experience against UFC-level competition, though she lost. He thinks Shauna Bannon is green. He picks Ardelean but warns not to tail him because he is unsure.
Paul leans towards Bannon, noting that Ardelean is a TikTok star with no real MMA credentials. He believes Bannon's grappling should be enough, but he is not confident due to Bannon's poor performance in her debut. Paul calls it a 'dogger pass' fight and may not bet it.
The MMA Guru picks Shauna Bannon despite calling her 'garbage' initially. He reasons that her full training camp is a significant advantage over Alice Ardelean, who stepped in on short notice and hasn't fought in a year. He notes Ardelean's only win came against an 0-3 opponent, though it was impressive. The Guru expects Bannon to win by decision, but acknowledges the unpredictability of women's MMA.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruna Brasil | 0 | 54 of 144 | 37% | 124 of 223 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:05 |
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 56 of 90 | 62% | 73 of 111 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruna Brasil | 0 | 16 of 51 | 31% | 16 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 20 of 34 | 58% | 20 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Bruna Brasil | 0 | 19 of 42 | 45% | 56 of 86 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 16 of 25 | 64% | 28 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 | |
| 3 | Bruna Brasil | 0 | 19 of 51 | 37% | 52 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 20 of 31 | 64% | 25 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruna Brasil | 54 of 144 | 37% | 22 of 84 | 19 of 38 | 13 of 22 | 51 of 139 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Shauna Bannon | 56 of 90 | 62% | 30 of 58 | 14 of 19 | 12 of 13 | 39 of 72 | 12 of 13 | 5 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruna Brasil | 16 of 51 | 31% | 9 of 36 | 1 of 6 | 6 of 9 | 16 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Shauna Bannon | 20 of 34 | 58% | 12 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 7 | 20 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bruna Brasil | 19 of 42 | 45% | 6 of 22 | 10 of 15 | 3 of 5 | 16 of 38 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Shauna Bannon | 16 of 25 | 64% | 6 of 12 | 7 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 17 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Bruna Brasil | 19 of 51 | 37% | 7 of 26 | 8 of 17 | 4 of 8 | 19 of 50 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Shauna Bannon | 20 of 31 | 64% | 12 of 21 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 21 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brasil (-150), Bannon (+130)
Round 1
The lone fighter from Ireland on the lengthy billing will make her company debut low on the undercard, as unbeaten “Mama B” Bannon (5-0, 0-0 UFC) tries to get the British Isles on the board early. She will collide with a Brazilian strawweight whose name is actually Brasil (8-3-1, 0-1 UFC), and not a nickname the likes of “Paulo Shogun” or “Thiago Vampiro” from days past. The ladies do not touch ‘em up before the watchful eyes of referee Dan Movahedi. Bannon starts off with a leg kick, and Brasil gives one right back to her just the same. Brasil sprints forward suddenly to rip the body with a kick, and she slips on the way out. The Brazilian gathers herself and loads up on a right hand, and Bannon shakes it out and pushes out a jab. Brasil stands firm and pops her with a left hook, and she beats Bannon to the punch with another few quick punches. The Dubliner whiffs on an axe kick, and she comes up short on a wide overhand right. Brasil crashes the pocket swinging her fists, and “Mama B” is able to skirt out of the way but cannot avoid the sweeping low kick at the end. Brasil whips a high kick that comes up over the guard and smacks Bannon in the face. Bannon steels herself and charges forward, but Brasil is able to evade her oncoming attack and get out of harm’s way. Brasil fakes a spin and loads up on a pair of leg kicks, and the second draws a reaction out of her opponent. Brasil shrugs off a step-in high kick that slaps into her cheek, and she strafes when Bannon charges with a flurry of punches. Bannon pushes out with a body kick, and Brasil swings with a haymaker and glances off the side of Bannon’s head. Brasil’s left hand down the pipe busts up the nose of the undefeated fighter, and she snipes a charging Bannon with a short left hook. Bannon misses with a head kick and then one down low, and her kicks are largely missing the mark. Brasil winds up with a big right hand, and it bounces off the shoulder as she then leans back from a head kick. Bannon pushes off the chest with the ball of her foot, and Brasil is out of the way when Bannon attempts another axe kick. Brasil backs her off with a head kick try, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brasil
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brasil
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Brasil
Round 2
Bannon is a woman on a mission leaving her corner, hopping forward to fire off a side kick right when the round begins. Brasil easily evades it and ignores the traditional martial arts-style movement of her adversary, instead chambering an overhand right and smacking Bannon with it. Bannon tries to keep a safe distance with front kicks and side kicks, and Brasil is the one who continues moving actively to not let most of the blows reach her. Bannon presses forward into the clinch, and after holding on, Brasil is able to turn her around and knee her up the middle. Bannon hunts for trips, but the Brazilian woman is easily able to stifle them and muscle her into the wire. Movahedi asks for them to do more when they are locked up together, leading Bannon to fishing for a trip. Bannon redoubles her effort, and Brasil nearly succeeds in hitting a reversal. At the last second, the Irishwoman is able to keep her balance, and she drives her knee to the body. Movahedi splits them up, and Bannon sprints at Brasil and belts her with a huge right hand. Brasil counters effectively with a left hook, and Bannon is the one reaching her with a jab and a side kick. Brasil replies with a right hand, but Bannon is spamming front kicks and quick high kicks. Bannon backpedals to dodge a looping right hand, and she loads up with one of her own to tag Brasil. Both ladies swing for the bleachers, and they proceed to miss the mark. Brasil jumps and spins with a back kick that collides with the liver, and she keeps her momentum going by spinning with a back fist that whacks Bannon in the face. With Bannon reeling from the two blows, Brasil runs at her and tackles her to the canvas. Brasil moves right into half guard, where she grinds her elbow on the face of Bannon until the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brasil
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brasil
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Brasil
Round 3
Like the last round, Bannon opens up with side kicks right out of the gate. Brasil is quick to get on her bike, making sure the biggest kicks from Bannon do not find their target. Bannon comes up short with a spinning wheel kick, and Brasil counters her with a few punches. Bannon strings together a one-two, and she chains an axe kick into it. Brasil catches the leg and dumps her foe to the floor, where she slams her shin into Bannon’s lower leg down on the floor. Bannon springs back up and gets back into her kickfighting game, using her foot as a jab. The axe kicks keep coming, but Brasil does not bite on many of them. Brasil is more composed and throwing standard strikes, and Bannon settles down and lets her hands go. Brasil gets tagged with a few punches and shakes her head, and Bannon is psyched up as she bounces in and out of range to land. Brasil whiffs on a step-in left hook, and Bannon is able to dodge her and bust her in the chops with a right hand. Brasil stumbles back, and before Bannon can capitalize, the Brazilian races forward to tie her up and potentially go after a takedown. Bannon stonewalls her and jams her up against the fence, and Brasil turns her about. Brasil sneaks up a few knees and tries to tangle Bannon’s legs up for a trip. Bannon uses her right hand to bop Brasil in the mouth several times, and when she opens her fist to start landing short palm strikes, Brasil trips her up and throws her to the mat. Brasil lands and claims three-quarter mount, and she hammers Bannon with a right hand. Brasil drops down a heavy elbow, and Bannon snatches that arm up in pursuit of an armbar. The final horn sounds before anything can come from it, and the two ladies have gone to the judges.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Brasil)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Brasil)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Brasil)
The Official Result
Bruna Brasil def. Shauna Bannon via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo believes Bruna Brasil is the more technical striker with power, and that her power will force Shauna Bannon to back up, which is key since Brasil struggles when pressured. He notes the line is near even money and plans to monitor it, possibly betting if Brasil becomes a favorite. He rates it as medium confidence.
Big Brady picks Chris Duncan by decision, leaning on his wrestling game plan. He notes Duncan has poor striking defense but showed improved wrestling against Omar Morales. He thinks Duncan can grind out a decision by taking Ashmouz down and controlling him. He acknowledges Ashmouz has power and could knock Duncan out if it stays standing.
Cody bet Brasil earlier at -120 and sees this as a bounce-back spot. He thinks Brasil is a better technical striker and that her loss to Denise Gomes is not a big concern. He is willing to make a shoei bet against Paul.
Daniel picks Shauna Bannon, expressing skepticism about Bruna Brasil's toughness and mental fortitude. He believes Brasil is a front-runner who breaks when pressured, as seen in her loss to Denise Gomes. He notes Bannon has a kickboxing background and good dexterity, and thinks the line should be closer to a pick'em. He is not confident enough to bet it but goes with the underdog. He hopes his co-host wins his bet on Brasil but disagrees with the hype.
The host picks Shauna Bannon, noting her aggressiveness, forward pressure, and takedowns as key advantages. He mentions that Bruna Brasil falters when pressured and that Bannon is a small underdog worth the price. He predicts Bannon wins by decision, but cautions about debuting women.
Paul picks Bannon, citing her aggressive style, judo background, and wrestling. He thinks Brasil fights on the back foot with her hands low and is hittable. He expects Bannon to come forward and outwork Brasil for a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Shauna Bannon as an underdog, highlighting her undefeated record and 'main character syndrome'. He praises her grappling, top control, and clinch work, noting she trains with Paddy Holohan. He criticizes Bruna Brasil's performance against Denise Gomes, where she folded under pressure, and questions her quick turnaround. The Guru expects Bannon to push forward and win a 29-28 decision.
Alice Ardelean - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 46 of 94 | 48% | 80 of 139 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:05 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 34 of 75 | 45% | 80 of 137 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice Ardelean | 0 | 41 of 85 | 48% | 44 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 31 of 71 | 43% | 31 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 | |
| 2 | Alice Ardelean | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 36 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:05 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 49 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Ardelean | 46 of 94 | 48% | 22 of 61 | 10 of 17 | 14 of 16 | 45 of 93 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 34 of 75 | 45% | 9 of 44 | 13 of 19 | 12 of 12 | 29 of 66 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice Ardelean | 41 of 85 | 48% | 21 of 57 | 9 of 15 | 11 of 13 | 40 of 84 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 31 of 71 | 43% | 9 of 43 | 12 of 18 | 10 of 10 | 26 of 62 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alice Ardelean | 5 of 9 | 55% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Eric McMahon is the referee. They trade leg kicks early. Viana with a front kick and then a long right hand. Ardelean answers with a solid right. The fight is halted briefly due to what was thought to be an eye poke, but it’s determined that Viana was punched in the eye. The fight resumes in short order and the strawweights trade punches furiously. Ardelean is putting on the pressure and she tags Viana in close. Viana answers with a knee. They clinch and Viana lands a slashing elbow. Moments later, Ardelean stuns and briefly drops Viana. The Brazilian hustles to her feet and tries to regain her bearings. They clinch and trade knees. Viana turns her foe into the wire. Ardelean frees herself and returns to the center. Viana lands a hard body kick. Ardelean lines up a big right hand that finds the mark. Viana continues to have success with body kicks, using her superior range. Ardelean keeps the pressure on and she snaps the Brazilian’s head back with a three-punch combination. Another body kick for Viana. Ardelean ends a combination with a body kick, and Viana responds with a body kick of her own before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 2
Ardelean backs Viana up and lands a combination. Ardelean forces her way into the clinch and plants the Brazilian on the mat. Ardelean is in half guard. The Romanian utilizes heavy top pressure but isn’t doing much in the way of ground-and-pound. McMahon asks for some better work. Ardelean with some short punches to the ribs and Viana recovers full gaurd. Viana gets active from her back with elbows and punches as she controls Ardelean with a body triangle. They remain in this position, and Ardelean is doing her best to find openings from ground-and-pound from above as . McMahon calls for action from Ardelean again, and just when it seems like a standup might be ordered,
Viana suddenly taps out with the body triangle still in place. As it turns out, Ardelean had stepped over the foot while moving her foe’s leg to the inside to apply significant pressure to Viana’s knee.
A clever way to end the fight for Ardelean after what had largely been a pedestrian round. It's believed to be the first submission of its kind in UFC history.
The Official Result
Alice Ardelean def. Polyana Viana via Verbal Submission (Capsule Lock) R2 4:36
Angelo picks Alice Ardelean, citing her durability, cardio, and well-roundedness. He notes Polyana Viana has declined and has quit in her. He believes Ardelean can find a finish or win a decision. He acknowledges the -200 line seems high but thinks the matchup is favorable.
Big Brady picks Alice Ardelean, noting her superior volume and improvement compared to Polyana Viana, whom he views as more of a part-time fighter. He expects Ardelean to win by third-round TKO, as Viana tends to fade after the first round. However, he is hesitant due to the steep price.
Cody is confident in Alice Ardelean, noting her high work rate (7.3 significant strikes per minute) and physical strength. He believes Polyana Viana is not committed to fighting and relies on early submissions, but Ardelean is tough, comes forward, and can outwork her. He expects Ardelean to bully Viana and win by decision or late stoppage.
Connor picks Ardelean, agreeing with Zane. He notes Viana looks like she is hardly paying attention anymore and has unlearned her wild swinging, making her even worse. Ardelean has improved from an OnlyFans content creator to a professional fighter.
Ardelean is the better striker with better cardio, fight IQ, and pace. Viana gives up cheap takedowns and is weak off her back, while Ardelean understands position over submission. Ardelean will outwork Viana in the second half of the fight.
Lucrative James picks Alice Ardelean, citing her physicality, durability, and focus on MMA compared to Viana's social media distractions. He believes Ardelean's strength and cardio will wear down Viana, leading to a decision win.
The host picks Reedelion (Ardelean) over Polyana Viana, citing Ardelean's grit, determination, and forward movement. He expects Ardelean to catch Viana's reckless nature and finish the fight, either by submission or TKO, within two and a half rounds.
The host thinks Ardelean is well-rounded enough to take advantage of Viana's recklessness, but he is hesitant to bet her at -200 due to Viana's volatility and finishing ability. He prefers the under 2.5 rounds at +200, predicting Ardelean wins inside the distance, possibly by TKO or submission.
Paul also picks Alice Ardelean, noting that Polyana Viana's wins are all first-round submissions against low-level competition, and she has been finished in her recent losses. He believes Ardelean's toughness and wrestling will be too much for Viana, who is more focused on her OnlyFans career.
Zane picks Ardelean because Viana has regressed, now only going backward and pulling guard, and has been crushed on the ground in her last three fights. Ardelean is not a technical marvel but is willing to fight and should be able to handle Viana.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 138 of 280 | 49% | 146 of 288 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 0 | 85 of 282 | 30% | 91 of 291 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice Ardelean | 0 | 35 of 91 | 38% | 36 of 92 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 0 | 27 of 103 | 26% | 28 of 106 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 | |
| 2 | Alice Ardelean | 0 | 57 of 102 | 55% | 58 of 103 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 0 | 28 of 93 | 30% | 30 of 96 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Alice Ardelean | 0 | 46 of 87 | 52% | 52 of 93 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 0 | 30 of 86 | 34% | 33 of 89 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Ardelean | 138 of 280 | 49% | 103 of 235 | 23 of 30 | 12 of 15 | 137 of 277 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 85 of 282 | 30% | 54 of 239 | 4 of 7 | 27 of 36 | 82 of 269 | 3 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice Ardelean | 35 of 91 | 38% | 25 of 81 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 8 | 35 of 91 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 27 of 103 | 26% | 19 of 89 | 1 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 26 of 101 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alice Ardelean | 57 of 102 | 55% | 40 of 79 | 14 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 56 of 100 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 28 of 93 | 30% | 21 of 82 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 10 | 27 of 88 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Alice Ardelean | 46 of 87 | 52% | 38 of 75 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 3 | 46 of 86 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 30 of 86 | 34% | 14 of 68 | 2 of 3 | 14 of 15 | 29 of 80 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ardelean (-400); Ruiz (+300)
Round 1
As the prelims roll on, the promotion tees up what will almost certainly be a pink slip derby at 115 pounds. The two women involved in this classic match up Romania vs. Mexico combined for a UFC record of 2-5, so the next triumph for either will be crucial. Ardelean (10-7, 1-2 UFC) would like to sign a new deal after getting her hand raised, while the diminutive Ruiz (10-4, 1-3 UFC) wishes the organization had an atomweight division having lost three at strawweight. Referee Chris Tognoni will take charge of the cage for the next 15 minutes or fewer. The ladies touch ‘em up.
Ardelean gets right to action, walking forward to throw down with Ruiz. She connects with a flurry of punches, and Ruiz counters her and reddens her nose up. Ardelean tries to catch a kick coming her way, and she stays out of range from others and counters one with a thudding calf kick. Ruiz stands her ground and brawls with Ardelean, snapping her head back with an especially effective left hand and pinning Ardelean down with a couple others. Ardelean bites down on her mouthpiece and trades back viciously, resulting in a fan-pleasing slugfest for a stint. Ardelean works her way in after finding her range with a pair of rights, and she sways back to evade the counter. Ruiz keeps her head on the center line the entire time, allowing Ardelean to catch and clip her practically at will.
Ruiz hurls a left hand that shakes her opponent up, and she uses the impact to bully the Romanian to the wire. Ruiz tries to set up a head lock throw, and Ardelean stands all the way up to stifle it and breaks away from the clinch. Ruiz presses forward behind her own punches, but largely misses the mark unless she sells out and does not mind getting countered. Ardelean drills her mid-advance with a pair of crisp punches, and she rips a left to the body and goes over the top with a right. Ruiz hammers Ardelean with two more big left hooks, and Ardelean sticks her tongue out and gets right back in the pocket to trade. Ardelean looks away for a second, hearing her corner say there are 30 seconds left on the clock, and she tries for a takedown. Ardelean smashes Ruiz in the nose with her right hand to draw blood, and bails on the takedown to circle around and climb on the back to ride out the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 2
The ladies bump fists, but it may be because they are throwing at one another and not necessarily offering the typically sporting gesture. Ardelean punches her way into a head kick, and Ruiz slugs her with a right hand over the top. Ardelean has already busted up Ruiz’ nose again, which is streaming red liquid down her face. Ardelean targets it with one-twos, pecking away at Ruiz who is telegraphing her big swings to hit air. Ardelean sways and moves, leaning and otherwise moving with the worst coming at her. All the while, she remains right in Ruiz’ face hammering her to the body several times. Ruiz appears to not like the body work, so Ardelean uses those blasts to open up more up top. Ardelean ducks a spinning back elbow while she marches down the Mexican woman, chaining a punch into a knee to the same spot on the side.
Ruiz backs off to get her wind back and her bearings, and she winds up with three big right hands that all miss the mark. It is her short one-two that finds its home, prompting Ardelean to clip her with the same two-piece with a diet soda. Ardelean jabs her way into range, beating Ruiz to the punch and knocking her back with the clubbing impact of her strikes. Ruiz gets a full head of steam and swings wildly, and Ardelean dances out of the way without concern. Ardelean slips a hook and comes back up top with a right, and she shrugs off a body kick to put two more hands on Ruiz’ face. Ardelean allows her opponent to kick her in the shin so that she can retaliate with a body shot when up close, and she follows the retreating Ruiz with a two-punch salvo. Ruiz swings back, and Ardelean crashes into her with a body lock takedown attempted. Ruiz puts her back to the fence and absorbs a few knees to the body, and she pops Ardelean in the chops a few times to force a break right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 3
Ardelean is brimming with confidence and acts accordingly, walking her shorter opponent down and punching her square in the face. Ruiz hits her back, only for Ardelean to bounce back and peg her with two check right hooks. Ruiz misses on a salvo and gets popped with a jab, and she finds that Ardelean is laying into her with a number of punches before she throws back. Ardelean has her kick caught between Ruiz’ legs, so Ardelean decides to just slug it out while her foot is midair. Ruiz thinks better of this and releases the limb, and the blood starts flowing out of both nostrils in a hurry again. Ardelean snipes the Mexican with a long right hand, and she pushes out a few more when Ardelean commits to something. Both women sit down in heavy single strikes, and it is Ardelean who wants more.
Ruiz whiffs when throwing back, but she does manage to bloody up Ardelean when she does manage to connect. Ardelean fades back and allows Ruiz to crash towards her so she can dodge them all, and she crushes Ruiz’ midsection with a well-timed knee. Ruiz toughs it out but remains a step behind, with Ardelean seeing many of her punches coming while also maintaining the power and volume advantage the whole way through. Ruiz lets a naked leg kick fly and she gets tagged with three over the top, and she walks straight into a step-in elbow. Ardelean celebrates the success of the blow by hurling two more, and Ruiz jabs her back and causes Ardelean’s nose to stream. This does not bother either woman, who practically race towards one another when the 10-second clapper sounds. Ardelean scores and scoops Ruiz off her feet to dump her to the ground, and the scramble is where the bloody match wraps.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean (30-27 Ardelean)
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean (30-27 Ardelean)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean (30-27 Ardelean)
The Official Result
Alice Ardelean def. Montserrat Ruiz via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Alice Ardelean, describing her as durable, gritty, and aggressive. He notes Montserrat Ruiz has good wrestling but quits when things get tough, having been finished in her last three fights. He believes Ardelean's toughness and forward pressure will overwhelm Ruiz, and she may even finish her. He is surprised by her price point but thinks she gets after it.
Big Brady is very confident in Alice Ardelean, noting Montserrat Ruiz has been terrible in her last three fights, with poor takedown defense (33%) and landing less than one strike per minute. He highlights Ardelean's power and aggression, and that Ruiz has been TKO'd before. He sees a third-round TKO as likely, only worried about a potential head-and-arm throw decision for Ruiz.
Connor picks Ardelean because she is improving, takes fighting seriously now, and is fundamentally aggressive. He thinks Ruiz's gimmick won't work if Ardelean rushes in aggressively, and if the throw fails, Ruiz has no backup plan and will get beaten up on the ground.
Lucrative James picks Alice Ardelean confidently, noting that Montserrat Ruiz relies heavily on a single move (the scarf hold) and has been out of action for over two years. He believes Ardelean's size, power, and volume will be too much, and that Ruiz will struggle to implement her game plan. He also mentions Ardelean's recent win over Rayanne dos Santos as evidence of her form.
Ardelean should stifle Ruiz's head and arm throw and land more shots on the feet. The fight will go to the scorecards and Ardelean will win. The host advises against betting the minus 400 line.
The MMA Guru picks Alice Ardelean, citing her physicality, pressure, and volume. He notes Montserrat Ruiz has lost consistently since beating Shayna Lismann and is too small. He expects Ardelean to push Ruiz against the cage and outwork her, predicting a close 29-28 decision.
Zane picks Ruiz because her meme-like head-and-arm throw gimmick could work against Ardelean, who is aggressive but not prepared for that specific technique. He notes that if the throw works, Ruiz can lock her down; if not, she is inert off her back. He thinks Ardelean is improving but still low-level.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rayanne dos Santos | 0 | 78 of 225 | 34% | 79 of 227 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 154 of 352 | 43% | 159 of 359 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rayanne dos Santos | 0 | 23 of 45 | 51% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 26 of 86 | 30% | 28 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 2 | Rayanne dos Santos | 0 | 21 of 62 | 33% | 21 of 63 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 45 of 107 | 42% | 45 of 108 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Rayanne dos Santos | 0 | 34 of 118 | 28% | 34 of 118 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 83 of 159 | 52% | 86 of 162 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rayanne dos Santos | 78 of 225 | 34% | 67 of 210 | 6 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 75 of 217 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 154 of 352 | 43% | 115 of 300 | 28 of 39 | 11 of 13 | 150 of 344 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rayanne dos Santos | 23 of 45 | 51% | 17 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 21 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 26 of 86 | 30% | 18 of 73 | 6 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 24 of 83 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rayanne dos Santos | 21 of 62 | 33% | 20 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 45 of 107 | 42% | 32 of 90 | 9 of 12 | 4 of 5 | 44 of 105 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rayanne dos Santos | 34 of 118 | 28% | 30 of 111 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 34 of 115 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 83 of 159 | 52% | 65 of 137 | 13 of 17 | 5 of 5 | 82 of 156 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: dos Santos (-265), Ardelean (+215)
Round 1
After an essential recovery weekend from the UFC’s never-ending train of fight cards, the engines of the promotion rev up very slowly as the UFC Apex will be its first stop. This much-maligned fight card has fallen down to 10 bouts with a few catchweights and some missed opportunities for the fighters that needed them most. The action begins at 115 pounds, where a pair of ladies with 0-2 records in the promotion thus far vie for their first win. Whether it is dos Santos (14-8, 0-2 UFC) or Ardelean (9-7, 0-2 UFC) who gets their hand raised after the next possible 15 minutes of combat, referee Chris Tognoni will be the first to know. The strawweights touch ‘em up to signal respect towards one another, and then they let the fun begin. Ardelean leads off immediately behind a jab, and she walks dos Santos down and measures her with a one-two. Dos Santos stands her ground and slugs right back, clipping Ardelean with heavy hooks. Ardelean grins, wanting to trade leather, and the Brazilian is happy to oblige her. They take turns one after the other to engage their offense, with dos Santos landing cleaner but showing a bit of swelling on the side of her right eye. When dos Santos pushes off a kick, Ardelean counters her over the top. Ardelean swings right into a clinch, with dos Santos bullying her to the wall as Ardelean works the body with knees. The Romanian turns her foe around in the clinch, and she breaks off with an elbow that bangs into dos Santos’ face. Ardelean presses forward, looking for long, straight punches that are more far-reaching than the hooks dos Santos lobs back at her. They both land flush, and Ardelean shakes it off and comes out swinging with short combinations. Ardelean walks into a right hand, but she still connects a few strikes before backing off. Dos Santos has her right hand chambered ready to fire massive hooks, and Ardelean beats her to the punch with a one-two down the pipe. Ardelean laughs off a right hand to ding the Brazilian with a left, and dos Santos frowns and circles away to reset. Ardelean pitches out a few fastballs down the middle, and she rings dos Santos’ bell with one final combo before the bell.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 2
Ardelean marches forward to engage and start off the round, and when dos Santos counters, she ducks down and hits a takedown to put the Brazilian on the mat. Dos Santos pulls on the fence to work her way upright, and Ardelean is on her putting her fists in dos Santos’ face. Ardelean’s jab snaps the head back, and dos Santos responds with a double-leg takedown that runs into a Romanian wall. Dos Santos pushes off with her fingers out, and they jam into Ardelean’s eye socket. She says it is all good and asks Tognoni to let them continue. When given his blessing, she gets right back in dos Santos’ face, using her jab to do work. Dos Santos clubs her with a hook, but the volume discrepancy is growing as Ardelean chains punches in bunches. Dos Santos gets Ardelean’s attention, but this only makes her smile and spurs her on to brawl. Brawl is exactly what she does. Ardelean takes her foot off the gas before expending her tank, and goes back to measuring her opponent with jabs and follow-ups. Dos Santos steps in for an attempted trip and throw, but Ardelean’s base is too solid. Ardelean goes to the body with a right hand, and dos Santos responds with a left hook and a one-two that lands with an audible thud. Ardelean pushes off from a clinch setup, and she leans back to watch a massive right hand buzz by her. Dos Santos times a knee on the chin, and Ardelean no-sells it and quickly is able to defuse a takedown effort that follows. Ardelean plods forward, flicking the jab, and she smacks dos Santos with a low kick. When dos Santos swings high, Ardelean ducks and rips the body. Ardelean connects with a right hand, and she walks into one from the Brazilian that does not make her flinch. A three-punch combo from Ardelean lands on the last one, and she winds up and starts throwing heavier leather and knocks dos Santos back a few steps. Dos Santos tries for another takedown, and Ardelean shrugs it off and ignores a one-two on the chin as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 3
The ladies get right to fighting in the final frame, where they reach the center of the cage and bang it out. Dos Santos leads with a jab, and Ardelean adds up several punches and surprises dos Santos. The Brazilian steels herself and puts everything she has into several power punches, and she lands them cleanly and still does not get her to back off. The right hands from dos Santos mark up Ardelean’s cheek, but she is just as in the fight as ever. Dos Santos keeps Ardelean honest with her firepower, with Ardelean just touching while dos Santos is winging shots. Ardelean’s jab is an effective tool at disrupting the looping blows, but not at stopping them. Dos Santos, who might know she is down on the scorecards, is giving it all she has. Dos Santos cracks her foe with a crisp one-two, and she lets Ardelean swing past her so she can keep hitting her. Punches from Ardelean make a wound that bleeds in the shape of a Joker smile on one side of her face, while Ardelean’s own face is starting to leak around her eyebrow. They show no concern for damage or defense, instead pounding on one another in an entertaining and action-packed manner. Ardelean smiles when she gets tagged, and as she confidently marches forward, dos Santos succeeds in taking her down. Ardelean gets to a knee, and she reverses a second effort from the Brazilian to find top position. Dos Santos kicks her off, and the two get back to their feet and resume their brawl. Dos Santos’ face is swollen and busted up, while Ardelean’s is not much better—although she has a smile that she cannot wipe off of her mug. Dos Santos keeps whipping that right hand, and Ardelean is a welcome recipient of it and is willing to give it back in spades. The two women throw hammers at one another, with Ardelean getting the better of the final exchange. Time expires, and the Romanian raises her arms in the air in expectation that she has done enough.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 dos Santos (29-28 Ardelean)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean (30-27 Ardelean)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 dos Santos (29-28 Ardelean)
The Official Result
Alice Ardelean def. Rayanne dos Santos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Rayanne dos Santos because she is the better overall fighter with fluid striking, good movement, and solid takedown defense. He notes that Alice Ardelean is tough and a gamer but lacks technique and hasn't shown improvement. He expects a decision win for dos Santos, who should win two out of three rounds.
Big Brady picks Rayanne dos Santos but is hesitant due to her poor fight IQ, as seen in her loss to Puja Tomar where she chose to strike instead of using her black belt. He believes dos Santos has a clear grappling advantage but worries she will stand and strike, leading to a split decision. He ultimately picks her by decision, noting the risk of leaving it to the judges.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Ardelean is not a good athlete and does not seem like a full-time fighter, while dos Santos is more schooled. He thinks the odds are too wide in favor of dos Santos.
Matt picks Rayanne dos Santos to win by decision. He notes that dos Santos is the better striker and BJJ specialist, but has underperformed in her first two UFC fights, losing split decisions. He believes she will kick it up a notch with her back against the wall, mixing in takedowns and top pressure. He is not confident in the moneyline at -265 but likes the decision prop.
The MMA Guru picks Rayanne dos Santos based on her higher ceiling and younger age (27 vs 34). He acknowledges Alice Ardelean could out-physical her but believes dos Santos is the better technical fighter. He notes both are low-level but sees more potential in dos Santos.
Zane picks dos Santos because he believes she is the more schooled fighter and that Ardelean, while violent, has terrible footwork and gasses hard. He notes that dos Santos also has poor footwork but will meet Ardelean in a brawl, and Ardelean's conditioning should fade first.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Martinez | 0 | 72 of 145 | 49% | 78 of 151 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 92 of 224 | 41% | 103 of 240 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Martinez | 0 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 18 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 27 of 71 | 38% | 29 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 2 | Melissa Martinez | 0 | 29 of 56 | 51% | 29 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 45 of 90 | 50% | 48 of 94 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 3 | Melissa Martinez | 0 | 25 of 47 | 53% | 31 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 20 of 63 | 31% | 26 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Martinez | 72 of 145 | 49% | 33 of 90 | 18 of 29 | 21 of 26 | 72 of 145 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 92 of 224 | 41% | 59 of 179 | 15 of 21 | 18 of 24 | 91 of 222 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Martinez | 18 of 42 | 42% | 10 of 29 | 3 of 8 | 5 of 5 | 18 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 27 of 71 | 38% | 17 of 60 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 9 | 26 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Melissa Martinez | 29 of 56 | 51% | 13 of 36 | 6 of 9 | 10 of 11 | 29 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 45 of 90 | 50% | 31 of 70 | 9 of 12 | 5 of 8 | 45 of 90 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Melissa Martinez | 25 of 47 | 53% | 10 of 25 | 9 of 12 | 6 of 10 | 25 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 20 of 63 | 31% | 11 of 49 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 20 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Martinez (-135), Ardelean (+114)
Round 1
From the heaviest weight class to the lightest we go, as two strawweights looking to make their most of their second chance at a first impression. Martinez (7-1, 0-1 UFC), out of Combate Americas-turned-Combate Global, will take on European Instagram influencer Ardelean (9-6, 0-1 UFC). The two with fairly high finish rates come together with referee Keith Peterson making sure there is no nonsense to deal with. There is no glove touch, with the two women instead ready to get down to business. Ardelean takes to the center of the cage and chases Martinez around, landing a low kick and avoiding a right hand. The Romanian walks into clean left, and she charges winging punches that largely miss the mark. Martinez slips a right over the top and dodges the counter, staying out the outside with her guard up. Ardelean absorbs a left hand as she keeps pacing forward, and her counter is not there. Leg kicks are traded, and Ardelean motions that she was poked in the eye but Peterson does not say anything. Martinez strafes from side to side, not allowing Ardelean to determine a pattern, which results in a lot of chasing and little action for lengthy stretches. Ardelean swarms her way forward with three right hands, and all three hit air. Martinez potshots her from afar, not letting Ardelean sit down on her punches or hit her flush. Ardelean pokes out a jab, and Martinez pushes her back with a front kick to the chest. Martinez puts two punches on the chin, drawing a grin from Ardelean. Martinez is constantly a moving target, dodging and weaving but not before she nails Ardelean with a left hook. Ardelean pays her back with a right hook, but it is not a full connect. They go after leg kicks, and Ardelean runs forward only to swing her way into nothing. Martinez clips Ardelean coming in, and Ardelean tries and fails to tie her up. Martinez strings a few punches together into a front kick, and she nicks an advancing Ardelean with a left at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Round 2
Ardelean is a bit more aggressive than the first round, swinging her way forward rather than leading with her face. Martinez counters her effectively, even getting off an axe kick when Ardelean stands in front of her. Ardelean looks to get up close and personal, only to get kicked in the face again. Ardelean tries to use the foot in her grill to push Martinez against the wire, but Martinez skirts away to get her footing. Ardelean is consistently chasing her but not cutting her off entirely, although she has landed more cleanly in this round than practically anything she connected with in the previous frame. Martinez throws low kicks from both sides, and Ardelean responds with one and smiles. The Romanian marches forward, with a right hand that smacks into Martinez’ cheek. Ardelean sits down on a punch, only to get met with a right hand on the button. Ardelean is still all smiles, even when Martinez tags her with another left and a right. Martinez whiffs on a one-two, and Ardelean rushes after her with fists flying and a low kick that connects. Martinez kicks her in the ribs, and she is out of the way before more than a quick right gets to her. Martinez winds up two left hands, and Ardelean is in her face with power punches back her direction. Martinez steps in with a solid left hand, and she dodges a spinning attempt from her opponent. Martinez connects with a left that makes Ardelean consider changing levels, and Martinez pushes her away and kicks her in the leg and body. Ardelean reaches out with a few punches, and a right does get off before Martinez slides away. As Ardelean comes after her, Martinez turns her back and runs to get a bit of space. Martinez smacks her in the face with a head kick, and as Ardelean charges, Martinez drills her with an axe kick, narrowly misses a second and pushes off with a high side kick. As Martinez is kicking away, the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 3
To start off the last round, Ardelean is amped up and ready to let her hands fly. Ardelean strings together multiple combinations, and Martinez breaks them up with counters or consistent footwork and movement. Martinez pushes out with a teep kick and then turns her kicks to throw one to the body, and Ardelean shrugs them all off to keep rushing forward. Ardelean connects with a low kick, only for Martinez to counter with a solid left hook. Ardelean keeps after her opponent, and Martinez dances out of harm’s way without absorbing anything harsher than a body shot. Ardelean uses the momentum to grab hold of Martinez, throwing punches on her way forward to wrap her arms around her adversary. When Ardelean pushes Martinez against the fence, Martinez slashes her with a few short elbows that open up Ardelean’s right eyebrow. Martinez breaks away in the clinch, and she kicks Ardelean in the ribs while taking a right hand over the top. Martinez slips to the side, stabs her toes out to the liver, and Ardelean bends over and is in big trouble. Martinez rushes after her to finish the job, and Peterson calls time to review the strike to determine if it was low. The replays show it was a clean blow, and Peterson starts them up against instead of waving the fight off—due to the rules, he could not call it a TKO as it was initially considered a foul, but it could have gone to a technical decision. Ardelean has gathered herself enough to continue, and they start spamming kicks. Martinez uses an axe kick and a few side kicks to keep Ardelean from getting to her, but Ardelean still wants to clinch up. Martinez keeps moving on the outside, whipping high-risk kicks at her opponent until the match concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Martinez (30-27 Martinez)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Martinez (30-26 Martinez)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Martinez (29-28 Martinez)
The Official Result
Melissa Martinez def. Alice Ardelean via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo leans towards Alice Ardelean, citing her constant forward pressure, threat of takedowns, and the fact that she's coming off a short-notice win he thought she deserved. He notes Melissa Martinez is returning from a two-year layoff due to a knee injury, which could be a factor. However, he is hoping the line moves so Martinez becomes a big favorite, allowing him to bet on Ardelean via a plus 3.5 round spread. He is not fully confident in the moneyline pick but sees value in the prop.
Big Brady picks Alice Ardelean by decision, but is hesitant. He notes Martinez has poor takedown defense and ground game, as seen in her loss to Elise Reed, and Ardelean can replicate that. However, Martinez has been away for two years and may have improved. He doubts he'll bet on this fight.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Martinez. He notes that Ardelean's game falls apart after five minutes, while Martinez doesn't fall apart. He thinks Martinez can survive the early aggression and take over as Ardelean tires.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript.
Martinez has a striking advantage but will struggle with the aggressiveness and grappling of Ardelean. Ardelean should be able to wrangle Martinez, drag her to the ground, and keep her in uncomfortable positions. If Ardelean showcases a more assertive approach like she did in the first and second round of her last matchup, she should get the win on the scorecards.
The Guru initially considers Melissa Martinez due to her youth but ultimately picks Alice Ardelean as a decent underdog. He notes Ardelean looked okay against Shauna Bannon and trains at a decent gym, while Martinez lost to Elise Reed in her debut. He expects Ardelean to be too physical and get takedowns.
Zane picks Martinez because she doesn't fall apart as the fight goes on, unlike Ardelean who gets tired after five minutes. He notes that Ardelean's aggression will likely lead to clinch exchanges, and Martinez is well-equipped to survive early aggression. He thinks Martinez's durability and ability to maintain will be key.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 77 of 169 | 45% | 151 of 252 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 57 of 105 | 54% | 80 of 139 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 5:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 52 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 14 of 21 | 66% | 26 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:25 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 47 of 75 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 17 of 26 | 65% | 28 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:28 | |
| 3 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 50 of 101 | 49% | 52 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 26 of 58 | 44% | 26 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 77 of 169 | 45% | 44 of 119 | 22 of 36 | 11 of 14 | 73 of 164 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 57 of 105 | 54% | 42 of 84 | 10 of 15 | 5 of 6 | 50 of 97 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 11 of 28 | 39% | 5 of 18 | 2 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 14 of 21 | 66% | 12 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 16 of 40 | 40% | 11 of 31 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 4 | 15 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 17 of 26 | 65% | 11 of 20 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Shauna Bannon | 50 of 101 | 49% | 28 of 70 | 17 of 25 | 5 of 6 | 47 of 98 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 26 of 58 | 44% | 19 of 47 | 5 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bannon (-185), Ardelean (+155)
Round 1
For the first time in what seems like ages, the UFC is taking to a city in the United Kingdom other than London. Packing the Co-op Live, a building that recently finished construction with a capacity of over 20,000 seats, the promotion is doing its best to make sure fans get their money’s worth. Of the marathon 14-fight billing, all 14 bouts feature at least one fighter out of the U.K. or Ireland, or at the very least fight out of there in the case of Modestas Bukauskas. The first international contest comes in a classic battle between the Emerald Isle and the Land of Dracula at 115 pounds. “Mama B” Bannon (5-1, 0-1 UFC) will try to make the most of her second chance for a first impression, and she welcomes OnlyFans-famous Ardelean (9-5, 0-0 UFC) to the Octagon. The ladies will be joined in the cage by referee Mike Beltran, and they decide not to touch ‘em up to commence the curtain jerker. The crowd is lathered up, with the local time of 11 p.m., and the ladies are just as energized. Bannon leads off with a side kick, and the two ladies throw hands wildly at one another. The two come together a few times swinging their hands recklessly, smacking one another in the chops early and often. A few right hands from the Romanian redden Bannon’s nose, and commentator Daniel Cormier short-circuits momentarily on the broadcast as he repeats Ardelean’s name again and again awkwardly. Cormier recovers thanks perhaps due to tech support, and Ardelean pushes forward to change levels and slow Bannon down. Bannon grabs the fence to stop a takedown, and Ardelean redoubles her effort to put her on her back as Bannon pulls on the links once again. Beltran shouts warnings at the Irishwoman, who pays him no mind as she tugs her toes on the fencing to improve her position after getting dumped on her back. Bannon shifts to her side to pursue an armbar, and Ardelean shrugs it off and lowers herself into the closed guard of her adversary. Ardelean opens up with ground-and-pound, and Bannon once more uses her digits to pull herself around, and she snags hold of an armbar again. Ardelean stands up, but Bannon rolls her over and nearly locks the maneuver down. Ardelean keeps turning all the way through the submission to put Bannon flat again, and she breaks out of the move. Bannon uses a high guard to threaten with a triangle choke, and she hacks with elbows from off her back to stay busier than the woman on top of her. Ardelean keeps heavy pressure until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Round 2
Between rounds, Bannon’s corner, ex-UFC fighter Paddy Holohan, bangs his face into the camera, as the cameraman is hovering very close to them. When they resume, Bannon sports a wry grin, and she springs into action with combinations of punches. As she succeeds in landing, her right hand lumps up Ardelean’s nose, and she times a knee when Ardelean ducks down right on the forehead. Ardelean smiles and meanders forward, but she backs off to reset momentarily before surging back into action. Bannon slips back and slaps Ardelean in the face with the top of her foot, and she marches forward and grabs hold of her foe to attempt to hip toss her down. Ardelean fights her way out of the grip, and Bannon walks her down and rings her up with four straight punches. As Bannon blitzes a second time, Ardelean ducks around it to grab the Irishwoman from behind. Ardelean pushes her foe to the wall, and although she cannot get Bannon down, she grinds her and plants knees on her belly repeatedly. They continue to dirty box, with Bannon offering short right hands around the guard while Ardelean offers light lefts back at her. Bannon uses a knee shield to try to stop knees from landing on her midsection, and when she looks for a throw, Ardelean counters her and chucks Bannon to the canvas like a side of beef. Ardelean lands in side control, and she grabs hold of a scarf hold headlock. Bannon uses the position to try to take Ardelean’s back, and the two scramble and end up on their sides with neither in a good position. Ardelean decides to stand back up, and Bannon follows her with a few punches before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 3
The ladies rush to the center of the cage to engage, and when Bannon kicks, Ardelean counters with a right hand over the top. Bannon retreats and then sprints forward, landing a few punches but getting driven back by counters. Bannon kicks the body three times with the side of her foot, and she uses the side kick to keep Ardelean at bay. When Bannon surges forward, Ardelean stuns her with a left and a big right, and she grapples Bannon but abandons the takedown effort and breaks out of the clinch. Ardelean lands but gets caught with a right hand and a knee, and she smiles from ear to ear after getting punched in the face. Bannon spins with a strike that misses, and Ardelean bears down on her with a pair of hooks. Bannon chains a few punches together into a high kick, and Ardelean laughs it off quite literally and swings back with bad intentions. Bannon comes up short with another head kick, and Ardelean sees the timing and waits for her openings to engage. Bannon races forward and connects with a pair of hooks, and she backs off before eating anything in response. Bannon strafes from side to side, and she side kicks Ardelean in the ribs a few times as Ardelean nods at her. Bannon stays at her preferred range until wading into close proximity, and Ardelean clips her with a one-two. Bannon darts in and out with attacks, catching Ardelean flat-footed and escaping quickly. Ardelean is unable to land first in most of the exchanges, but she does manage to connect at least once during their in-and-out flurries. Bannon zooms at her opponent and dings her with two punches and a kick, and Beltran calls time to cut a piece of tape off of Ardelean’s glove. They get right back to it when time is called in, with Bannon kicking Ardelean in the face and drawing immediate blood. Ardelean is smiling but getting busted up, and she chases after Bannon but cannot reach her. Bannon spins with a wheel kick that misses the mark, and Ardelean busts her in the chops with a left hand that wobbles the Irishwoman’s legs. Bannon decides to attempt one final takedown, and they both wind up landing on their respective heads before the final bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Bannon)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Ardelean)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Bannon)
The Official Result
Shauna Bannon def. Alice Ardelean via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo picks Alice Ardelean, citing her forward pressure, toughness, and willingness to fight. He notes that Shauna Bannon forces things and doesn't flow smoothly, while Ardelean is a busy striker who chases finishes. Angelo expects a sloppy back-and-forth fight that goes to a decision, and he plans to bet on Ardelean plus 3.5 if she is the underdog.
Cody hesitantly picks Shauna Bannon, citing her grappling as the key. He notes that Alice Ardelean is an influencer with limited fighting skills and that Bannon's takedowns and top control should be enough. However, he acknowledges that Bannon looked lost in her UFC debut and that the line is too high. He expects a close, ugly fight.
Daniel admits he didn't know Alice Ardelean was a fighter and notes she has more experience against UFC-level competition, though she lost. He thinks Shauna Bannon is green. He picks Ardelean but warns not to tail him because he is unsure.
Daniel picks Shauna Bannon as his lock, noting it's a good matchup for her against a questionable opponent making her UFC debut on short notice.
Paul leans towards Bannon, noting that Ardelean is a TikTok star with no real MMA credentials. He believes Bannon's grappling should be enough, but he is not confident due to Bannon's poor performance in her debut. Paul calls it a 'dogger pass' fight and may not bet it.
The MMA Guru picks Shauna Bannon despite calling her 'garbage' initially. He reasons that her full training camp is a significant advantage over Alice Ardelean, who stepped in on short notice and hasn't fought in a year. He notes Ardelean's only win came against an 0-3 opponent, though it was impressive. The Guru expects Bannon to win by decision, but acknowledges the unpredictability of women's MMA.
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Alice Ardelean, citing her forward pressure, toughness, and willingness to fight. He notes that Shauna Bannon forces things and doesn't flow smoothly, while Ardelean is a busy striker who chases finishes. Angelo expects a sloppy back-and-forth fight that goes to a decision, and he plans to bet on Ardelean plus 3.5 if she is the underdog.
Cody hesitantly picks Shauna Bannon, citing her grappling as the key. He notes that Alice Ardelean is an influencer with limited fighting skills and that Bannon's takedowns and top control should be enough. However, he acknowledges that Bannon looked lost in her UFC debut and that the line is too high. He expects a close, ugly fight.
Daniel picks Shauna Bannon as his lock, noting it's a good matchup for her against a questionable opponent making her UFC debut on short notice.
Daniel admits he didn't know Alice Ardelean was a fighter and notes she has more experience against UFC-level competition, though she lost. He thinks Shauna Bannon is green. He picks Ardelean but warns not to tail him because he is unsure.
Paul leans towards Bannon, noting that Ardelean is a TikTok star with no real MMA credentials. He believes Bannon's grappling should be enough, but he is not confident due to Bannon's poor performance in her debut. Paul calls it a 'dogger pass' fight and may not bet it.
The MMA Guru picks Shauna Bannon despite calling her 'garbage' initially. He reasons that her full training camp is a significant advantage over Alice Ardelean, who stepped in on short notice and hasn't fought in a year. He notes Ardelean's only win came against an 0-3 opponent, though it was impressive. The Guru expects Bannon to win by decision, but acknowledges the unpredictability of women's MMA.
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