Career Averages - Lucas Almeida
Career Averages - Timmy Cuamba
Lucas Almeida
Timmy Cuamba
Lucas Almeida - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 9 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michael Aswell | 2 | 30 of 54 | 55% | 34 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Almeida | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 9 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michael Aswell | 2 | 30 of 54 | 55% | 34 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Almeida | 9 of 21 | 42% | 3 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 6 | 9 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Aswell | 30 of 54 | 55% | 30 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 19 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 16 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Almeida | 9 of 21 | 42% | 3 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 6 | 9 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Aswell | 30 of 54 | 55% | 30 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 19 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 16 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aswell (-150); Almeida (+125)
Round 1
Capping off the prelims is a featherweight contest that has raised some serious eyebrows in the last 24 hours. Almeida (15-4, 2-3 UFC) appeared at the weigh-ins with a right hand the size of a balloon, but the CABMMA—the Brazilian Commission—did not seem to deem that worthy of note. The betting line for Aswell (10-3, 0-1 UFC) has skyrocketed, and the optics do not look great. Referee Jason Herzog will serve as the sole arbiter of this bout, and the athletes do opt to touch gloves.
Aswell surges out of his corner ready to trade, and he walks down the Brazilian and slugs him in the face. The shorter Aswell gets inside early, setting up a few big right hands. Almeida reels from getting tagged from the overhand rights, and his eye is showing a little swelling already. Almeida backs off putting the cage behind him, and he leans back to take the sting out of Aswell’s punches but is taking punishment. Aswell knocks Almeida to his seat with a massive right hand, and Almeida climbs back up right into the left hand of his opponent. The Brazilian tries to throw back when he can, but Aswell is beating him to the punch and hurting him practically every time he touches him.
Aswell drives down a few hammerfists, and he switches to straight-up punches and an elbow or two. Herzog asks Almeida to fight back, but he is done like dinner after multiple knockdowns and a lot of head trauma.
With Aswell seated in full mount raining down punishment, Herzog has no choice but to step in and stop the “Beatdown of the Year” candidate. Not only did it appear that Almeida could not swing his right hand, but he rarely used it to defend himself. Brazilians are no longer undefeated tonight, but Almeida have been the most vulnerable of the bunch on the card given his apparent condition.
The Official Result
Michael Aswell def. Lucas Almeida R1 1:42 via TKO (Punches and Elbow)
Angelo picks Michael Aswell, citing his relentless pressure and high volume of strikes. He believes Aswell's pressure will overwhelm Lucas, who will be looking for big shots and getting hit multiple times in return. He notes Aswell's insane 9.1 significant strikes landed per minute.
Big Brady picks Lucas Almeida to win a decision, citing Almeida's power advantage and the fight being in Brazil. He notes Aswell lands high volume but lacks power, and that Almeida's big leg kicks and power shots will sway the judges. He expects a close fight going to the scorecards, with crowd reactions favoring Almeida.
Cody originally took Almeida but switched to Aswell, citing age and weight cut advantages. He notes Aswell's high volume and Almeida's lack of wrestling, but expects a close fight that could be influenced by Brazilian judging. He recommends the split decision prop.
Manpreet picks Aswell, citing Almeida's downward trajectory and Aswell's basic but effective striking and forward pressure. He believes Aswell will walk Almeida down, land his jab and cross, and win a decision. He notes Aswell's durability and full training camp at his natural weight class.
Paul picks Aswell, citing his youth, volume striking, and natural weight class. He notes Almeida's poor takedown defense and weight cut issues, but expects a close fight that could go to split decision. He suggests a split decision prop.
The MMA Guru picks Lucas Almeida over Michael Aswell, believing the odds are incorrect. He notes Aswell couldn't finish Bellagio and has lost recently, while Almeida had a close fight with Danny Silva. He predicts Almeida wins by finish or decision as an underdog.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Silva | 0 | 82 of 137 | 59% | 85 of 141 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 74 of 240 | 30% | 78 of 244 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danny Silva | 0 | 24 of 43 | 55% | 27 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 17 of 52 | 32% | 18 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 2 | Danny Silva | 0 | 36 of 55 | 65% | 36 of 56 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 29 of 89 | 32% | 32 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Danny Silva | 0 | 22 of 39 | 56% | 22 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 28 of 99 | 28% | 28 of 99 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Silva | 82 of 137 | 59% | 45 of 96 | 14 of 18 | 23 of 23 | 81 of 133 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Lucas Almeida | 74 of 240 | 30% | 49 of 203 | 14 of 23 | 11 of 14 | 73 of 239 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danny Silva | 24 of 43 | 55% | 9 of 27 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 13 | 24 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Lucas Almeida | 17 of 52 | 32% | 8 of 37 | 7 of 11 | 2 of 4 | 16 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Danny Silva | 36 of 55 | 65% | 21 of 38 | 9 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 35 of 52 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Lucas Almeida | 29 of 89 | 32% | 21 of 78 | 2 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 29 of 89 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Danny Silva | 22 of 39 | 56% | 15 of 31 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Lucas Almeida | 28 of 99 | 28% | 20 of 88 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 28 of 99 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Danny Silva, noting his durability and the fact that he showed wrestling as a backup plan in his last fight. He acknowledges that Silva's striking defense is terrible and he will get hit, but believes he can outlast Lucas Almeida and potentially use takedowns. He is hesitant due to Silva's poor striking defense and the high price tag.
Big Brady picks Danny Silva, citing his youth, durability, volume, and wrestling/grappling upside. He questions Lucas Almeida's ground game, noting he gets stuck on his back. He predicts Silva will mix in takedowns and submit Almeida in the second round.
The host believes many are overlooking the Brazilian's chances, especially at plus 160 odds. He expects Almeida to utilize his Muay Thai approach to cut up Danny Silva and impress the judges, winning a decision.
The Guru picks Danny Silva over Lucas Almeida. He likes Silva's toughness, grit, and cardio shown on the contender series and in his UFC debut. He views Almeida as a 50/50 fighter with mixed results, and favors the prospect Silva. He predicts a 29-28 decision in a back-and-forth scrap.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 59 of 116 | 50% | 73 of 136 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 1 | 70 of 196 | 35% | 91 of 220 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Almeida | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 13 of 26 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 1 | 22 of 59 | 37% | 30 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 | |
| 2 | Lucas Almeida | 0 | 22 of 44 | 50% | 22 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 32 of 84 | 38% | 36 of 88 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 3 | Lucas Almeida | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 38 of 66 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 16 of 53 | 30% | 25 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Almeida | 59 of 116 | 50% | 35 of 87 | 14 of 17 | 10 of 12 | 48 of 100 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 16 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 70 of 196 | 35% | 43 of 153 | 13 of 28 | 14 of 15 | 65 of 190 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Almeida | 13 of 26 | 50% | 6 of 19 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 22 of 59 | 37% | 13 of 42 | 3 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 21 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Lucas Almeida | 22 of 44 | 50% | 14 of 33 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 22 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 32 of 84 | 38% | 18 of 66 | 9 of 12 | 5 of 6 | 28 of 79 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Lucas Almeida | 24 of 46 | 52% | 15 of 35 | 8 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 13 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 16 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 16 of 53 | 30% | 12 of 45 | 1 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cuamba (-205), Almeida (+170)
Round 1
When he punted Michael Stack at the beginning of February, “Twilight Timmy” Cuamba (8-2, 0-1 UFC) could have scarcely predicted his UFC debut would come one week later. While it did not go his way against Bolaji Oki, Cuamba gets a second chance to make a first impression. He takes on aggressive Almeida (14-3, 1-2 UFC) and his 100% finish rate. Referee Mike Beltran dons his hard hat, and he tells the fighter’s it’s time to fight. The 145ers do not bother bumping fists, as Almeida wants to start something. He does that with a low kick, and he jabs the body shortly thereafter. Almeida cuts Cuamba off around the cage, walking him down and throwing a low kick. Cuamba pays him back with a speedy one-two, and he gets off a jab on the outside. Another one-two from “Twilight Timmy” finds its home on the chin, and Almeida shakes it off and continues pressuring. The Brazilian swipes out with a left hand, and he chips at the front leg with kicks. Cuamba stands his man up with a left hand, but the right misses. On the way back, Cuamba plants a stern kick on the lead leg of his adversary. Almeida jabs with the fall of his foot, and a ferocious one-two stuns Cuamba and sits him down. Almeida tries to pound him out with ground strikes while leaning on Cuamba, but Cuamba does not go all the way down and instead muscles his way back upright. Almeida keeps firing the right hand, drawing a shot in response from the Las Vegas native. Almeida stands his foe up and knees him once before splitting off, and he returns to stalking mode. Two punches get around the guard, and Cuamba takes them flush and keeps retreating. Almeida tags him with another right hand to set him down, and Cuamba scrambles and gets up. To take some of the venom out of his foe’s shots, Cuamba presses Almeida against the cage wall for a time. Almeida escapes and starts potshotting Cuamba, until Cuamba is tired of the one-sided exchanges and starts brawling. Cuamba dislodges the mouthpiece of his foe, but Almeida puts on the pace with punches and a high kick that wraps up around the guard. Almeida ducks back to dodge a head kick, and he eats a right hand while plodding forward. Cuamba strikes the body a few times, and he makes it to the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Almeida
Round 2
Almeida is loaded for bear to start off the second round, as he gets right back to cutting Cuamba off while throwing hands. Cuamba sits down on single strikes, thumping a left to the body and one to the head. Almeida lunges forward, and Cuamba counters him with a sharp left. Cuamba checks a low kick and tosses one back, and they trade jabs shortly thereafter. The jabs are landed again at the same time, and Cuamba again targets the liver with a left. Almeida steps through a punch to wing three of his own, and he scores a solid low kick. They both start swinging bungalows, and Almeida catches Cuamba with a clean left hand that drops “Twilight Timmy” to a knee. Cuamba sits up and rushes after a single-leg takedown, but Almeida is able to shove him away without much concern. Cuamba gets his sea legs with the successful dilatory tactic, but he is not slowing Almeida’s momentum. Almeida chops at his leg and walks through a jab to rifle off a right hand, and he slips a counter jab. Almeida sinks in a left hand and laughs off a leg kick, and a one-two along with two hooks at least partially connect. Almeida surges into a left hand, and he clips Cuamba once more as he lines up punches to the head and then body. Cuamba strafes away, and Almeida is on him with a left to the body and right to the head. Cuamba’s legs wobble, but Almeida is buttering his bread as he seems to find that right hand any time he wants. Cuamba scrambles to the side, and Almeida plants two fists and a head kick up top right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Round 3
The fighters reach the last round and share a brief glove touch, and Almeida returns quickly to his predatory best. Walking Cuamba down, throwing jabs, follow-up punches, leg kicks and the occasional power strike, Almeida beats Cuamba to the punch while not getting answered by anything overly concerning. Cuamba slams a kick to the ribs, but it is one-and-done as Almeida walks him down. Cuamba shoots for a single, and he drags the Brazilian to his seat but does not establish control. Almeida turns the corner and pushes down on the back of Cuamba’s head to stop him from going anywhere until he moves enough to escape and reset. Almeida jabs the head and body without fear of reprisal, and he shrugs off a front kick to pump out more jabs. Cuamba lands at the end of a right hand, drawing a wide counter from his foe. They both jab at one another, and Almeida’s range gives up the upper hand. Cuamba lands once, but Almeida rings him up for four in the same flurry. Almeida just misses with a high kick, and they double jab at one another. Almeida hacks at the front leg and absorbs a body kick, and the two start swinging recklessly. Cuamba catches his adversary with a left hook, and he moves to take the brunt out of the overhand right counter. Almeida collides his fist on the dome and spins with a wheel kick that buzzes the tower, and Cuamba decides two can spin and lands his own back kick on the belly. Cuamba closes in to strike, and although Almeida lands two on the inside, Cuamba uses the momentum and a trip to put the Brazilian on the canvas. Cuamba sits up and drops down a few punches and some fierce elbows, and he looks for a finish with seconds to go and rains down blows until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almeida (30-27 Almeida)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almeida (30-27 Almeida)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba (29-27 Almeida)
The Official Result
Lucas Almeida def. Timothy Cuamba via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Lucas Almeida as an underdog, citing his deeper resume and higher level of competition. He notes Lucas is a powerful striker who comes forward, while Timmy is more technical but less experienced. He thinks Lucas's power and chin could be the difference, though Timmy's accuracy is a concern. He mentions the plus 165 odds are appealing.
Cody picks Lucas Almeida as a dog, arguing that Cuamba is a low-volume striker who relies on a knockout and has shown poor cardio and wrestling. He notes that Almeida has better wins and has fought tougher competition, including a competitive fight with Daniel Zellhuber. Cody believes Almeida's volume and leg kicks can overwhelm Cuamba, and that the line is too wide for a fighter of Cuamba's level.
Daniel Vreeland is concerned about Lucas Almeida's recent performances, noting he only landed two strikes in his last fight and looked stiff. He speculates a possible health issue. He likes Timothy Cuamba's technical soundness and ability to fight everywhere, though he's not the most physical. He believes Cuamba can pick Almeida apart and mix in wrestling.
Jacob picks Timmy, thinking he is the more technical striker and could mix in takedowns against Lucas's poor takedown defense. He notes Timmy held his own against Bolaji on short notice. He acknowledges Lucas is more dangerous but believes Timmy's technique will prevail.
Cuamba's lateral movement will frustrate Almeida, opening up takedown opportunities and allowing Cuamba to land damage from distance. The line is too wide for someone taking a step up in competition, but Cuamba's potential and body of work should get the judges' favor.
Paul agrees with Cody, stating that Cuamba is a low-volume Contender Series guy and that he would never bet that type of fighter at minus 200. He notes that Almeida gave Zellhuber a tough fight and that plus 180 is generous. Paul thinks Almeida can win with volume and pressure.
The MMA Guru picks Timmy Cuamba by decision. He notes Cuamba stepped up on short notice in his debut against Boki and took him to a split decision, showing composure. He thinks Cuamba has been tested and that Lucas Almeida's wins have asterisks, including a first-round KO loss to Andre Fili. He believes Cuamba's experience against a larger, powerful opponent in Boki will help him handle Almeida's physicality.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 1 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 25 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 1 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 25 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fili | 20 of 36 | 55% | 16 of 29 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 15 |
| Lucas Almeida | 10 of 25 | 40% | 1 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 9 of 13 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Fili | 20 of 36 | 55% | 16 of 29 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 15 |
| Lucas Almeida | 10 of 25 | 40% | 1 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 9 of 13 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Lucas Almeida as an underdog, citing his real power and killer instinct. He acknowledges Fili's talent but distrusts his chin and lack of wrestling usage. He does not bet because both fighters are unreliable.
Big Brady picks Lucas Almeida to win by second-round KO, despite acknowledging Fili's wrestling path. He notes Fili hasn't wrestled much recently and isn't a dominant grappler like Pat Sabatini, so he expects the fight to stay standing. Brady highlights Almeida's 100% finish rate and power, while Fili has been finished 5 times and has a questionable chin. He believes Almeida will land a knockout as an underdog.
Cody picks Fili, arguing that Almeida is hittable and walks in a straight line. He notes that Fili has good footwork, a jab, and can mix in wrestling. Cody believes Fili will outpoint Almeida by striking and using takedowns to secure rounds. He expects a decision win for Fili, as Almeida's takedown defense is suspect and Fili is the more well-rounded fighter.
Jeff Fox picks Lucas Almeida as his dog, explaining that Almeida is a better striker and is fighting a guy on a skid. He thinks Almeida is a worthy gamble at plus 145.
Lucrative James picks Lucas Almeida as the value side. He believes Andre Fili has clear deficiencies in striking defense and chin, getting hurt in almost every fight. He thinks Fili's path is via wrestling, but Fili often chooses to stand and bang. Almeida hits hard, has good durability, and Fili's tendency to get cracked makes Almeida the play at underdog odds.
The host leans toward Fili but is not confident due to the chalk. He believes Fili's experience and grappling advantage should be the difference, as he can take Almeida down and grind out a decision. However, he warns that if Fili chooses to strike, he could get knocked out. He expects Fili to shoot multiple takedowns and win a decision, avoiding his first losing streak in the UFC.
Paul picks Fili, agreeing that Fili is the more experienced and well-rounded fighter. He notes that Fili has faced much tougher competition and has multiple paths to victory. Paul believes Fili's wrestling and striking will be too much for Almeida, who is a banger but lacks defensive skills. He expects Fili to win by decision or potentially by submission.
The Guru picks Andre Fili over Lucas Almeida, noting Fili has looked good even in losses and has a reach and range advantage. He believes Almeida lacks the KO power to finish Fili and that Fili's wrestling will be a factor. He predicts a 29-28 decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 27 of 35 | 77% | 88 of 97 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 6:27 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 23 of 31 | 74% | 81 of 90 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:50 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 7 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 27 of 35 | 77% | 25 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 24 of 31 |
| Lucas Almeida | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 23 of 31 | 74% | 23 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 30 |
| Lucas Almeida | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 4 of 4 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Lucas Almeida | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sabatini (-190), Almeida (+160)
Round 1
In a fight that could end in the blink of an eye, submission specialist Sabatini (17-4, 4-1 UFC) takes on once-beaten finisher Almeida (14-1 1-0 UFC). Together, the two featherweights combine for 26 stoppages in their 31 pro wins, so referee Chris Tognoni could have his hands full. Before they throw down, they opt to bump fists. Almeida advances first, but Sabatini ducks any offense and pursues a quick takedown. Almeida fights off a trip attempt on the way back, and Sabatini looks for a body lock throw. Sabatini secures the drop, and he lands right in half guard while pinning Almeida to his back using his shoulder. Almeida sits up against the fence, but Sabatini hooks both his legs and peels him away from it. Sabatini smoothly maneuvers to keep Almeida trapped on the floor, and he drops down left hands. Sabatini pins Almeida’s right arm down to land several unanswered blows, and he frustrates the Brazilian with his active top control. When Almeida attempts to escape in some direction, Sabatini is aware and follows him every step of the way. Sabatini controls his foe and moves into mount briefly, while nullifying anything that Almeida can do to him. Sabatini leaps back into mount with 75 seconds left in the round, and he also traps Almeida’s arm behind the back and blasts him in the face with left hands. Sabatini hammers Almeida with a few elbows, and Almeida defenselessly takes them flush. Sabatini postures up and batters Almeida with punches and elbows, and Almeida is clinging to his foe with all he has left. Sabatini considers an armbar, but he thinks against it and elbows Almeida repeatedly. Sabatini smashes down with punches right to the bell, and Almeida has survived.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini
Round 2
Sabatini rushes out of his corner to tap gloves, and he immediately hunts for a single to make the Brazilian’s life miserable again. Almeida backs himself against the wall in defense, and Sabatini switches up to a body lock in pursuit of another trip. Sabatini drills a knee to the body and drops down low for a double, and he lets it go to snake his leg between Almeida’s. Sabatini successfully yanks Almeida to the floor, first bringing him to a knee and pushing him flat on his back. Sabatini slashes down with an elbow on the forehead to slice open a cut, and blood leaks down into Almeida’s eyes.
Sabatini transitions over to the side, man on a mission, and he sets up an arm-triangle choke while Almeida fails to clear his vision. The Philadelphia native locks it down and crushes with his shoulder and full body weight, and Almeida has no choice but to tap.
As Tognoni pulls them apart, Sabatini has just become the first fighter to ever finish the Brazilian featherweight, doing so in a spectacular and one-sided performance.
The Official Result
Pat Sabatini def. Lucas Almeida R2 1:48 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Angelo picks Pat Sabatini because he has a huge grappling advantage. He notes that Sabatini's chin is a concern after recent knockouts, but he has been recovering. Lucas Almeida has dangerous hands and good scramble skills, but Sabatini's takedowns and top control should be the difference. Angelo also considers a prop bet on Almeida inside the distance/decision no action.
Big Brady picks Lucas Almeida to win by first-round knockout. He likes both fighters but sees Almeida as a live dog due to his power and volume. Brady questions Sabatini's durability, noting he was hurt by Jamall Emmers and Damon Jackson. Almeida has a 100% finish rate and hits very hard, as seen in his fight with Daniel Zellhuber. Brady thinks Sabatini needs to wrestle early and often, but Almeida's takedown defense looks solid and he is physically strong. If Almeida can keep the fight standing for even a few minutes, he likely gets the knockout.
Cody is hesitant on Sabatini, acknowledging that Almeida has crushing power and improved cardio, and that Sabatini's chin is questionable. He notes that Sabatini's wrestling is good but not elite, and that he tends to stall rather than finish. Cody thinks Sabatini will likely get takedowns and control the fight, but it will be a butt-clencher because Almeida can shut the lights off at any time. He doesn't love the -200 price.
Connor also picks Sabatini, acknowledging that Almeida could KO him but trusting Sabatini's grappling. He notes that Sabatini is awkward on the feet but has shown the ability to recover and submit opponents after being hurt. Connor is less confident than he would like but sees Sabatini as the safer pick.
Daniel Levi leans toward Lucas Almeida, believing if the fight stays standing, Almeida will knock Sabatini out. He notes Sabatini's low volume and chin issues, citing knockouts by Damon Jackson and Jamall Emmers. However, he expresses hesitation because Sabatini's wrestling could neutralize Almeida, leading to a frustrating loss. He considers it a coin flip but prefers the dog.
Sabatini is the best grappler Almeida has faced. He should get takedowns and rack up control time, possibly even a submission. However, there is concern about how Sabatini rebounds from his knockout loss to Damon Jackson. Almeida has power but has shown grappling deficiencies. Sabatini wins by decision.
Paul is not laying -200 on Sabatini, calling him one-dimensional. He notes that Sabatini's takedowns are not always effective and that Almeida has power and durability. Paul thinks Almeida could be in big trouble if the fight stays on the feet, and he likes the plus money on Almeida. He also mentions a prop on Almeida by KO in round 1 at +700.
The MMA Guru picks Lucas Almeida over Pat Sabatini, arguing Sabatini doesn't do much with takedowns and has been stuffed before. He notes Almeida's durability and finishing ability, referencing his comeback win over Mike Trizano. He believes Almeida can survive bad positions on the ground and land a big shot on the feet.
Zane picks Sabatini despite concerns about his striking. He believes the grappling disparity is too wide and that Almeida takes too many risks standing, which will lead to Sabatini getting takedowns. Zane notes that Almeida has never faced a wrestler of Sabatini's caliber and that Sabatini can survive early trouble to win on the mat.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Almeida | 1 | 31 of 62 | 50% | 42 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
| Michael Trizano | 2 | 75 of 152 | 49% | 94 of 171 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Almeida | 1 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 20 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:36 |
| Michael Trizano | 0 | 21 of 52 | 40% | 26 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Lucas Almeida | 0 | 15 of 26 | 57% | 18 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Michael Trizano | 1 | 30 of 60 | 50% | 44 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:01 | |
| 3 | Lucas Almeida | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michael Trizano | 1 | 24 of 40 | 60% | 24 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Almeida | 31 of 62 | 50% | 17 of 45 | 12 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 26 of 55 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Michael Trizano | 75 of 152 | 49% | 32 of 95 | 16 of 22 | 27 of 35 | 54 of 121 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 31 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Almeida | 12 of 26 | 46% | 7 of 19 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 4 |
| Michael Trizano | 21 of 52 | 40% | 5 of 29 | 6 of 8 | 10 of 15 | 21 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Lucas Almeida | 15 of 26 | 57% | 7 of 18 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Michael Trizano | 30 of 60 | 50% | 9 of 33 | 8 of 12 | 13 of 15 | 26 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | |
| 3 | Lucas Almeida | 4 of 10 | 40% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Trizano | 24 of 40 | 60% | 18 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 24 |
Angelo sees Michael Trizano as a fun pressure striker with power and fight IQ, who beats brawling strikers. Lucas Almeida is a powerful striker who headhunts and is not technical. Angelo likes Trizano in this matchup but doesn't love the -250 odds.
Big Brady picks Michael Trizano to win by decision. He thinks Trizano is more experienced and has fought better competition, and should weather Almeida's early storm. He notes Almeida has 100% finish rate and power, but Trizano has never been knocked out and has good takedown defense and cardio. He expects Trizano to take over in rounds 2 and 3 and win a decision, but is not confident due to Trizano's tendency to be in close fights.
Cody is uncertain, noting Almeida's cardio issues in his contender series fight and Trizano's takedown defense problems. He thinks Almeida might win the first round but Trizano could take over later. He says he'll wait for weigh-ins and jokingly checks Trizano's hairstyle for confidence.
Daniel Levi leans toward Lucas Almeida as a plus-money underdog, arguing that Trizano's price is inflated and that Almeida has knockout power and durability. He notes that Trizano often wins close decisions and that Almeida's wild style could land a fight-ending shot. He recommends a one-unit bet on Almeida at +200, as he sees value in the dog.
Paul picks Trizano but expresses hesitation, noting Almeida's wild style and potential cardio issues. He thinks Trizano's experience and veteran savvy will allow him to win a decision or late finish, but he's not confident enough to bet heavily.
The MMA Guru picks Lucas Almeida to win by rear-naked choke. He calls Almeida a 'finishing machine' with a 100% finish rate. He notes Trizano has been submitted before and is coming off a beating. He believes Almeida's wild style and momentum will overwhelm Trizano, and he sees Almeida as a good underdog pick on the card.
Timmy Cuamba - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 29 of 80 | 36% | 29 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 1 | 37 of 56 | 66% | 66 of 92 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 2 | 0 | 1:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 20 of 60 | 33% | 20 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 11 of 20 | 55% | 17 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:52 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 1 | 26 of 36 | 72% | 49 of 64 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 29 of 80 | 36% | 12 of 54 | 9 of 13 | 8 of 13 | 29 of 80 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 37 of 56 | 66% | 34 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 24 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 20 of 60 | 33% | 7 of 40 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 11 | 20 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 11 of 20 | 55% | 9 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 9 of 20 | 45% | 5 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 26 of 36 | 72% | 25 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 24 |
Angelo picks Benardo Sopaj, considering him the better fighter everywhere. He notes Sopaj is cleaner, faster, and a better wrestler. He trusts Sopaj's pressure and cardio despite a year layoff. He thinks -160 is a good spot.
Big Brady leans toward Benardo Sopaj, citing his power, wrestling, and grappling upside. He expects Sopaj to be more active in striking and have a grappling advantage, as long as his cardio holds up. He predicts a decision win in a close fight.
Cody picks Benardo Sopaj, citing his higher striking volume (4.24 significant strikes per minute vs Cuamba's 2.77) and aggression. He notes that Cuamba has a reach advantage and uses his jab well, but Sopaj lands more and is the better striker. He expects a close 29-28 decision but is not overly confident due to Sopaj's one-dimensional style.
Cuamba is well-rounded and has good cardio, but is passive. Sopaj is more technical but fades. The fight depends on Cuamba's aggression. No strong read, so pass.
Lucrative James leans toward Benardo Sopaj, citing his power, grappling upside, and potential ceiling. He notes Sopaj's ability to get takedowns and hurt opponents, while Cuamba may struggle with speed at bantamweight. He predicts a decision win for Sopaj.
The host is confident in Sopaj's ability to dictate the pace and pressure, exploiting Cuamba's discomfort in the pocket. He expects Sopaj's superior striking and scrambling to wear down Cuamba, leading to a clear decision win. He sees Cuamba's only path to victory as a lucky knockout.
The host picks Bernardo Sopai over Timmy Kuamba, liking Sopai's bright future. He expects Sopai's aggressiveness, grappling defense, and cardio edge to wear down Kuamba and win on the scorecards.
Paul also picks Benardo Sopaj, noting that he thought Sopaj would have success with offensive wrestling. He mentions that Cuamba has size issues and that Sopaj's volume and wrestling could be key. He hopes for a better price on fight day but is still going with Sopaj.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 23 of 32 | 71% | 39 of 48 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 5:55 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 0 | 15 of 26 | 57% | 88 of 141 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 6:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 49 of 90 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 4:52 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 21 of 28 | 75% | 23 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:35 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 13 of 25 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 | |
| 3 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 14 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 4:20 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 26 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 23 of 32 | 71% | 17 of 26 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 22 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 15 of 26 | 57% | 10 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 13 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 21 of 28 | 75% | 16 of 23 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 20 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 11 of 22 | 50% | 8 of 16 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Timmy Cuamba | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 3 of 3 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cuamba (-140); Lee (+110)
Round 1
Two bantamweights who tend to punch first and ask questions later will handle their business in this three-round engagement. Cuamba (9-3, 1-2 UFC) cemented himself forever as a winner in the UFC by acing Roberto Romero with a flying knee in April. His South Korean opponent Lee (11-1, 2-0 UFC) plowed through the second season of the Road to UFC, and together they combine for exactly one submission win. Referee Eric McMahon dons his proverbial hard hat, expecting these 135-pounders to swing on one another as soon as he says go. He says go, and they speed towards one another, fists extended to greet.
It takes one punch landed on Lee’s cheek for him to shoot for a takedown. The South Korean whips around to take Cuamba’s back standing, and he wrenches him to the mat from behind while getting both hooks in. Lee wraps up a body lock, and Cuamba stands up and puts his back against the cage all while Lee is threatening him. Cuamba hand-fights to defend any choke from getting set up, so Lee chills on his back smacking him on the sides of the head and body.
Cuamba uses the wall behind him to keep the weight of Lee, who remains busy softening away at Cuamba and making his life miserable. This results in a stalemate, as Lee cannot find a choke, and his strikes are not terribly damaging. The round ends with Lee trying to force the fight horizontally, with tons of time spent with Lee on Cuamba’s back controlling him but doing little else.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Round 2
Cuamba does not want to get taken down or otherwise controlled for this round, so he opens up with a flying knee. Cuamba meets an advancing Lee with his right hand cocked back, as Lee wants to take the fight down. Lee punches his way into his takedowns, backing off to find another way in. Cuamba hits his seat and pulls for an unorthodox submission, and Lee explodes out of it to pursue his grappling in another way.
Lee lumps Cuamba up with his clean right hand, which seems to connect almost every time he is about to go for a takedown. Cuamba stuffs the takedown and knees him in the chest to stand him back up, and Lee is not about to back off. Lee walks through a spinning back elbow and a number of knees to the body, with “Twilight Timmy” cranking up his offense while Lee appears to be more plodding forward straight ahead. Cuamba counters a front kick with a takedown shot, where he forces Lee to drop to his knees so he can turn the tables complete and take the Korean’s back. Cuamba isolates the neck and settles to wrap it around the jaw. Lee hand-fights to stave it all off, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Round 3
Cuamba wants to touch gloves, but Lee wants to fight instead. It is Cuamba who engages his wrestling first, however, and Lee easily shuts him down but gets his back pushed against the wire. The two split up, and Cuamba fires off a body kick that Lee snatches so he can take the back. Cuamba tries to slide out the back door, and his arm is in a precarious position as Lee wants to set up an armbar or something from the limb. He is positioned upside-down, and Cuamba flips him about to stop him from the submission. Lee tries to pursue a single, but he does not have the gas to do so.
Cuamba laces his leg around Lee’s to keep him grounded, and he lets Lee stand up so he can take his back standing. Lee drops back to his knees to try to get Cuamba off of him, and Cuamba’s hooks are preventing his escape. Cuamba stretches out Lee’s torso by pulling back on his shoulders while Lee’s legs are pushed down from the body triangle. Lee toughs it out and keeps preventing chokes from materializing, but Cuamba is firmly in the driver’s seat with 30 seconds to go. With Lee twisting and turning, Cuamba hangs on until the rough match ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba (29-28 Cuamba)
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba (29-28 Cuamba)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba (29-28 Cuamba)
The Official Result
Timothy Cuamba def. Chang Ho Lee via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Timmy Cuamba, but it's a lean. He notes both fighters are similar, with forward pressure, striking, and takedowns. He likes Cuamba's body work and toughness, but worries about Lee's grappling (Korean Khabib style). He wishes the line were closer and may sit this one out in DFS due to the risk of Cuamba being on his back.
Big Brady leans toward Lee Chang-ho, calling it a striker vs grappler matchup. He notes Timmy Cuamba has a striking advantage with power, but Lee is a relentless wrestler with good cardio, nicknamed the South Korean Khabib. He sees Lee mixing in takedowns and cage pushing to win a decision, though he acknowledges Cuamba could win if he keeps it standing.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Lee is aggressive and will take a crazy fight to his opponent. He acknowledges Cuamba might feel bigger at bantamweight but thinks Lee's established aggression gives him the edge.
Lucrative James picks Timothy Cuamba, believing he is the superior striker with better boxing, footwork, and range control. He notes that Cuamba can be hurt but expects him to land the cleaner shots and potentially drop Lee. He acknowledges Lee's pace and pressure but thinks Cuamba will win a close decision, possibly with a knockdown.
Lee can cut off the cage as Cuamba likes to move a lot. Lee will be more successful in grappling and put together a better body of work to win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Chang Ho Lee, impressed by his grappling and pressure against Cortavious Romious. He thinks Timmy Cuamba's win over a low-level opponent is not convincing. He believes Lee's layers of attack (stand-up and grappling) will be too much, predicting a finish by ground and pound or rear naked choke in the first or second round.
Zane picks Lee Chang-ho because he is an aggressive front-foot fighter who will press a hard pace, while Cuamba is inactive and tends to neutralize himself. He notes that Cuamba has potential but hasn't realized it consistently, and Lee's aggression should overwhelm him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 1 | 33 of 64 | 51% | 35 of 66 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Roberto Romero | 0 | 35 of 67 | 52% | 45 of 79 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 9 of 27 | 33% | 9 of 27 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Roberto Romero | 0 | 22 of 34 | 64% | 27 of 40 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:28 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 1 | 24 of 37 | 64% | 26 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Roberto Romero | 0 | 13 of 33 | 39% | 18 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 33 of 64 | 51% | 25 of 53 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 29 of 59 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
| Roberto Romero | 35 of 67 | 52% | 5 of 32 | 19 of 22 | 11 of 13 | 29 of 60 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 9 of 27 | 33% | 7 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Roberto Romero | 22 of 34 | 64% | 2 of 13 | 14 of 15 | 6 of 6 | 17 of 28 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 24 of 37 | 64% | 18 of 29 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 22 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Roberto Romero | 13 of 33 | 39% | 3 of 19 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 12 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Romero (-115), Cuamba (-105)
Round 1
The overstuffed prelims roll on with a featherweight contest, one pitting two men against one another that have yet to earn a UFC victory in three combined tries. Cuamba (8-3, 0-2 UFC) tried and failed twice last year, while Romero (8-4-1, 0-1 UFC) came up short in his single UFC appearance in 2024. Something’s gotta give, and referee Nick Berens will know first which man will break out of a short slump. Gloves are touched, and Cuamba goes to start circling on the outside. Romero stands firmly in the center of the cage, and eventually pitches out a single leg kick. After some inaction, the “woo” birds come out, and Cuamba answers them by shooting in for a takedown when absorbing a few strikes. Romero turns him about and presses him on the fencing, and Berens warns for glove grabbing. The fighters stall out, and fans are not thrilled. They trade short knees and the occasional elbow, all while stuck in a clinch. Cuamba goes low with a knee to the groin—it looks like Romero lands his own at the same time in the exchange—and Berens calls time. After about 30 seconds, both fighters are good to go, and they resume where they started the fight, with Romero in the middle of the Octagon and Cuamba searching for angles. The latter finds one, driving through a one-two on the chin to get Romero’s attention. Romero fires back, but Cuamba is quicker and more accurate as reddens the Mexico native’s nose with his one-two. He flashes another one-two out when Romero offers a body kick, and Romero takes advantage of a body kick by catching it and looking for a takedown. Cuamba scrambles back to his feet, and he adjusts his glove in discomfort. Romero lets fly his body kick, and Cuamba’s one-two quickly meets him on the forehead to open up a tiny cut. Romero breaks off and lets go with two hard body kicks, the second of which makes Cuamba frown. Romero walks his foe down, not selling out to walk into a flying knee, and instead measuring his foe with a head kick. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Round 2
Romero starts the round as the aggressor, offering a glove touch that is partially accepted so that he can start kicking. Cuamba spins with a back kick to the ribcage, and Romero is not amused. As Romero bears down on his opponent, he trips Cuamba up but cannot keep him on the mat. Cuamba breaks free and again checks his left glove, but seems good to go. They trade single punches, with Romero beating him to the punch and not taking a flying knee on the chin. Romero grabs hold of the leg to take the fight down, and Cuamba’s balance holds out as he bounces to the side and introduces his fist to Romero’s face. Romero leans back to give him a pair of body kicks, and he gets in a low kick after it. Cuamba surges into action with a flurry of punches, and Romero answers him with a high kick. Cuamba’s right hand finds the mark again, staggering the Mexican but not backing him down. Romero keeps pushing forward despite the damage, and Cuamba boots him in the face. Once more, Romero is rocked, and he has to blink it out as he marches ever forward, blood streaming down his face. As Romero shoots in on his hips,
Cuamba times a picture-perfect flying knee that blasts Romero square on the jaw, and Romero crashes to the canvas in big trouble. Berens is immediately rushing in to rescue Romero, but not before Cuamba hammers his downed foe with a pair of thudding punches
. Romero rushes back to his feet and races towards Cuamba to re-engage, unaware that Berens has called the fight. Romero is upset, but the fight is already over and there is nothing that can be done tonight about what commentators questioned may have been a bit premature. Regardless of the stoppage, it is a crucial win for “Twilight Timmy,” who demonstrates that he is not in the twilight of his UFC career and instead earns a mighty victory to save his place on the roster.
The Official Result
Timothy Cuamba def. Roberto Romero R2 3:55 via TKO (Flying Knee)
Angelo picks Roberto Romero, citing his forward pressure, grappling, and toughness. He notes that Romero dropped David Onama early in his last fight and has a gritty demeanor. He is waiting for better odds before placing a bet, as Romero is a slight favorite.
Big Brady leans toward Roberto Romero, emphasizing his doggedness and urgency compared to Timmy Cuamba's lack of finishing instinct. He notes Romero's impressive short-notice debut against David Onama, where he had early success but faded. He criticizes Cuamba for sparring-like performances and lack of urgency, predicting a close decision win for Romero.
The host picks Cuamba based on his speed and athleticism advantage, expecting him to land better shots from distance and use wrestling at opportune moments to secure a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Roberto Romero, impressed by his debut against David Onama where he hurt Onama early and showed pressure. He notes Cuamba has lost both UFC fights and didn't look good. He expects a gritty decision win for Romero, likely 29-28, as Romero leads the dance and is hard to finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 59 of 116 | 50% | 73 of 136 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 1 | 70 of 196 | 35% | 91 of 220 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Almeida | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 13 of 26 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 1 | 22 of 59 | 37% | 30 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 | |
| 2 | Lucas Almeida | 0 | 22 of 44 | 50% | 22 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 32 of 84 | 38% | 36 of 88 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 3 | Lucas Almeida | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 38 of 66 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 16 of 53 | 30% | 25 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Almeida | 59 of 116 | 50% | 35 of 87 | 14 of 17 | 10 of 12 | 48 of 100 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 16 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 70 of 196 | 35% | 43 of 153 | 13 of 28 | 14 of 15 | 65 of 190 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Almeida | 13 of 26 | 50% | 6 of 19 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 22 of 59 | 37% | 13 of 42 | 3 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 21 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Lucas Almeida | 22 of 44 | 50% | 14 of 33 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 22 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 32 of 84 | 38% | 18 of 66 | 9 of 12 | 5 of 6 | 28 of 79 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Lucas Almeida | 24 of 46 | 52% | 15 of 35 | 8 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 13 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 16 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 16 of 53 | 30% | 12 of 45 | 1 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cuamba (-205), Almeida (+170)
Round 1
When he punted Michael Stack at the beginning of February, “Twilight Timmy” Cuamba (8-2, 0-1 UFC) could have scarcely predicted his UFC debut would come one week later. While it did not go his way against Bolaji Oki, Cuamba gets a second chance to make a first impression. He takes on aggressive Almeida (14-3, 1-2 UFC) and his 100% finish rate. Referee Mike Beltran dons his hard hat, and he tells the fighter’s it’s time to fight. The 145ers do not bother bumping fists, as Almeida wants to start something. He does that with a low kick, and he jabs the body shortly thereafter. Almeida cuts Cuamba off around the cage, walking him down and throwing a low kick. Cuamba pays him back with a speedy one-two, and he gets off a jab on the outside. Another one-two from “Twilight Timmy” finds its home on the chin, and Almeida shakes it off and continues pressuring. The Brazilian swipes out with a left hand, and he chips at the front leg with kicks. Cuamba stands his man up with a left hand, but the right misses. On the way back, Cuamba plants a stern kick on the lead leg of his adversary. Almeida jabs with the fall of his foot, and a ferocious one-two stuns Cuamba and sits him down. Almeida tries to pound him out with ground strikes while leaning on Cuamba, but Cuamba does not go all the way down and instead muscles his way back upright. Almeida keeps firing the right hand, drawing a shot in response from the Las Vegas native. Almeida stands his foe up and knees him once before splitting off, and he returns to stalking mode. Two punches get around the guard, and Cuamba takes them flush and keeps retreating. Almeida tags him with another right hand to set him down, and Cuamba scrambles and gets up. To take some of the venom out of his foe’s shots, Cuamba presses Almeida against the cage wall for a time. Almeida escapes and starts potshotting Cuamba, until Cuamba is tired of the one-sided exchanges and starts brawling. Cuamba dislodges the mouthpiece of his foe, but Almeida puts on the pace with punches and a high kick that wraps up around the guard. Almeida ducks back to dodge a head kick, and he eats a right hand while plodding forward. Cuamba strikes the body a few times, and he makes it to the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Almeida
Round 2
Almeida is loaded for bear to start off the second round, as he gets right back to cutting Cuamba off while throwing hands. Cuamba sits down on single strikes, thumping a left to the body and one to the head. Almeida lunges forward, and Cuamba counters him with a sharp left. Cuamba checks a low kick and tosses one back, and they trade jabs shortly thereafter. The jabs are landed again at the same time, and Cuamba again targets the liver with a left. Almeida steps through a punch to wing three of his own, and he scores a solid low kick. They both start swinging bungalows, and Almeida catches Cuamba with a clean left hand that drops “Twilight Timmy” to a knee. Cuamba sits up and rushes after a single-leg takedown, but Almeida is able to shove him away without much concern. Cuamba gets his sea legs with the successful dilatory tactic, but he is not slowing Almeida’s momentum. Almeida chops at his leg and walks through a jab to rifle off a right hand, and he slips a counter jab. Almeida sinks in a left hand and laughs off a leg kick, and a one-two along with two hooks at least partially connect. Almeida surges into a left hand, and he clips Cuamba once more as he lines up punches to the head and then body. Cuamba strafes away, and Almeida is on him with a left to the body and right to the head. Cuamba’s legs wobble, but Almeida is buttering his bread as he seems to find that right hand any time he wants. Cuamba scrambles to the side, and Almeida plants two fists and a head kick up top right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Round 3
The fighters reach the last round and share a brief glove touch, and Almeida returns quickly to his predatory best. Walking Cuamba down, throwing jabs, follow-up punches, leg kicks and the occasional power strike, Almeida beats Cuamba to the punch while not getting answered by anything overly concerning. Cuamba slams a kick to the ribs, but it is one-and-done as Almeida walks him down. Cuamba shoots for a single, and he drags the Brazilian to his seat but does not establish control. Almeida turns the corner and pushes down on the back of Cuamba’s head to stop him from going anywhere until he moves enough to escape and reset. Almeida jabs the head and body without fear of reprisal, and he shrugs off a front kick to pump out more jabs. Cuamba lands at the end of a right hand, drawing a wide counter from his foe. They both jab at one another, and Almeida’s range gives up the upper hand. Cuamba lands once, but Almeida rings him up for four in the same flurry. Almeida just misses with a high kick, and they double jab at one another. Almeida hacks at the front leg and absorbs a body kick, and the two start swinging recklessly. Cuamba catches his adversary with a left hook, and he moves to take the brunt out of the overhand right counter. Almeida collides his fist on the dome and spins with a wheel kick that buzzes the tower, and Cuamba decides two can spin and lands his own back kick on the belly. Cuamba closes in to strike, and although Almeida lands two on the inside, Cuamba uses the momentum and a trip to put the Brazilian on the canvas. Cuamba sits up and drops down a few punches and some fierce elbows, and he looks for a finish with seconds to go and rains down blows until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almeida (30-27 Almeida)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almeida (30-27 Almeida)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba (29-27 Almeida)
The Official Result
Lucas Almeida def. Timothy Cuamba via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Lucas Almeida as an underdog, citing his deeper resume and higher level of competition. He notes Lucas is a powerful striker who comes forward, while Timmy is more technical but less experienced. He thinks Lucas's power and chin could be the difference, though Timmy's accuracy is a concern. He mentions the plus 165 odds are appealing.
Cody picks Lucas Almeida as a dog, arguing that Cuamba is a low-volume striker who relies on a knockout and has shown poor cardio and wrestling. He notes that Almeida has better wins and has fought tougher competition, including a competitive fight with Daniel Zellhuber. Cody believes Almeida's volume and leg kicks can overwhelm Cuamba, and that the line is too wide for a fighter of Cuamba's level.
Daniel Vreeland is concerned about Lucas Almeida's recent performances, noting he only landed two strikes in his last fight and looked stiff. He speculates a possible health issue. He likes Timothy Cuamba's technical soundness and ability to fight everywhere, though he's not the most physical. He believes Cuamba can pick Almeida apart and mix in wrestling.
Jacob picks Timmy, thinking he is the more technical striker and could mix in takedowns against Lucas's poor takedown defense. He notes Timmy held his own against Bolaji on short notice. He acknowledges Lucas is more dangerous but believes Timmy's technique will prevail.
Cuamba's lateral movement will frustrate Almeida, opening up takedown opportunities and allowing Cuamba to land damage from distance. The line is too wide for someone taking a step up in competition, but Cuamba's potential and body of work should get the judges' favor.
Paul agrees with Cody, stating that Cuamba is a low-volume Contender Series guy and that he would never bet that type of fighter at minus 200. He notes that Almeida gave Zellhuber a tough fight and that plus 180 is generous. Paul thinks Almeida can win with volume and pressure.
The MMA Guru picks Timmy Cuamba by decision. He notes Cuamba stepped up on short notice in his debut against Boki and took him to a split decision, showing composure. He thinks Cuamba has been tested and that Lucas Almeida's wins have asterisks, including a first-round KO loss to Andre Fili. He believes Cuamba's experience against a larger, powerful opponent in Boki will help him handle Almeida's physicality.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolaji Oki | 0 | 60 of 152 | 39% | 61 of 157 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 33 of 94 | 35% | 35 of 96 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 29 of 61 | 47% | 30 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 9 of 43 | 20% | 9 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 13 of 23 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 | |
| 3 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 21 of 66 | 31% | 21 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 13 of 30 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolaji Oki | 60 of 152 | 39% | 51 of 139 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 5 | 58 of 145 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 3 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 33 of 94 | 35% | 20 of 67 | 8 of 14 | 5 of 13 | 26 of 86 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bolaji Oki | 29 of 61 | 47% | 24 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 28 of 56 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 3 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 9 of 43 | 20% | 5 of 30 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 10 | 9 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bolaji Oki | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 11 of 21 | 52% | 9 of 15 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 14 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Bolaji Oki | 21 of 66 | 31% | 17 of 60 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 64 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 13 of 30 | 43% | 6 of 22 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: N/A
Round 1
On August 29, 2023, both Oki (8-1, 0-0 UFC) and Cuamba (8-1, 0-0 UFC) competed on the fourth episode of Dana White’s Contender Series in its 2023 season. Both men ended up getting their hands raised—Oki by knockout, and Cuamba by decision—and the former was signed. The latter went back to the regionals, where he fought at Tuff-N-Uff, the former all-amateur promotion, and smoked Michael Stack just one week ago. The round robin of fighters ends with this lightweight pairing of 8-1 newcomers, and it will be joined in the cage by referee Chris Tognoni. There is no plan on touching gloves, as they would rather get down to business. Oki presents himself as the immediate aggressor, chasing Cuamba down and reaching out with a low kick and some wide punches. Cuamba does not engage with much of his own offense in the opening 90 seconds, but for a few jabs and low kicks. Oki throws back one leg kick and unloads with two big right hands that mark up Cuamba’s face. Cuamba looses a right hand of his own back Oki off, but Oki is driving jabs to the increasingly red eye of his opponent. Oki times an advancing Cuamba with a short right, and the offense slows down from both parties. Oki shuffles in place as he tosses out a single right hand, and when that misses, Cuamba lets rip two overhand rights. Oki pokes out several more jabs and avoids the counter, and he lands a low kick with an audible thud. Cuamba comes back with a jab and slings a right hand after it, and he presses forward but pulls back before shooting. Oki gladly remains in boxing range, jabbing his opponent up, until Cuamba spurs into action with a head kick. Oki catches it and pushes Cuamba to the floor, where he unloads with a series of punches until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oki
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Oki
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oki
Round 2
The lightweights reach out to exchange a glove touch to start off the round, and Oki starts to chase Cuamba around the cage with jabs. Cuamba looks to mix things up with low kicks, but Oki walks through it and doubles up a jab to nail Cuamba with a right hand. Cuamba comes back with a two-punch combination, but it does not fluster Oki in the slightest. Oki continues to jab without fear of reprisal, and even when a counter comes from Cuamba, it is one-and-done. Oki peppers his man with a jab and occasional follow-up punches, and Cuamba attacks in response with a single-leg takedown effort. Oki backs up to the wall in defense, and he stifles Cuamba from getting him down and ends up taking Cuamba’s back in the process. Oki considers a rear-naked choke but falls off the side, although he gets a single hook in momentarily. Cuamba turns him back and stays doggedly pursuing the single, and he transitions to a double and manages to ground Oki after all. Cuamba steps over to the side and sits in an open half guard as he postures up to elbow Oki. When Oki sits up, Cuamba considers a guillotine choke at the 10-second clapper. Oki stands up, ignores a few elbows on the side of his head, and he hangs on as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Round 3
The final round commences as Oki looks to pick up where he left off on the feet with a veritable cornucopia of jabs. Cuamba attempts a kick, but Oki is too close and irritating him with jabs. Oki drops his hands and puts them behind his back to showboat, and Cuamba punches him square in the face. Oki continues to march forward with jabs outstretched, and he surprises his adversary by attempting a level change. Cuamba pushes him away and returns to kickboxing range. Oki welcomes this by reintroducing his jab to the face of his opponent, and he is light enough on his feet to dodge the counters that careen his direction. Cuamba sneaks out a left hand as he gets constantly driven back, but he cannot seem to stop the methodical strategy of “The Zulu Warrior.” Cuamba tries to swing for the fences, and Oki watches them soar past him. Oki sprawls to stop a takedown, and he marches down Cuamba and strings four punches together. Oki catches Cuamba with an uppercut, as he puts a bit more mustard on his punches with less than a minute to go. Cuamba keeps circling and absorbing punches, and he occasionally looks for a brawl but is telegraphing the majority of his power strikes. Oki fearlessly presses ahead with punches in bunches, gets in a knee, and reaches out with a Superman punch right before this lackluster offering comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oki (29-28 Oki)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Oki (29-28 Oki)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oki (29-28 Oki)
The Official Result
Bolaji Oki def. Timothy Cuamba via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo describes Bolaji Oki as a busy striker with a good jab, power, and fast sprawl, though he slows down. He notes that Timmy Cuamba (referred to as deir hadzic) is an okay striker who relies on closing distance and takedowns, but his wide strikes leave him open to counters. Angelo believes Oki can defend takedowns and land effectively, and picks him to win. He suggests under 2.5 rounds might make sense.
Big Brady picks Bolaji Oki to win by decision. He notes that Oki has many ways to win, including wrestling, as Cuamba has the worst takedown defense in the lightweight division. He thinks Oki can brawl on the feet but can also take Cuamba down easily. He is not laying -300 on a debutant but picks Oki.
Cody picks Oki, noting his size and power. He thinks Cuamba is taking the fight on short notice and moving up a weight class, which are disadvantages. Oki has shown good wrestling and knockout power. Cody expects Oki to land the bigger shots and win by decision or late stoppage.
Oki is a young, powerful striker with speed and explosiveness. He should be able to find an early knockout against the aging and injury-returning Hadzovic. Hadzovic's ring rust and knee surgery recovery are major concerns. Oki's power will be too much, and he should win by first-round knockout.
Paul also picks Oki, citing size and preparation. He notes Cuamba fought last week and is moving up, which could affect his performance. Oki is the more proven prospect. Paul is not planning to bet it but leans Oki.
The MMA Guru picks Bolaji Oki because he is a dangerous athlete with good reach and power, and he is facing Timothy Cuamba on short notice. He recalls Oki's nasty first-round finish on the Contender Series. He notes that Cuamba is moving up from featherweight and taking the fight on short notice, which he sees as a disadvantage.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Lucas Almeida as an underdog, citing his deeper resume and higher level of competition. He notes Lucas is a powerful striker who comes forward, while Timmy is more technical but less experienced. He thinks Lucas's power and chin could be the difference, though Timmy's accuracy is a concern. He mentions the plus 165 odds are appealing.
Cody picks Lucas Almeida as a dog, arguing that Cuamba is a low-volume striker who relies on a knockout and has shown poor cardio and wrestling. He notes that Almeida has better wins and has fought tougher competition, including a competitive fight with Daniel Zellhuber. Cody believes Almeida's volume and leg kicks can overwhelm Cuamba, and that the line is too wide for a fighter of Cuamba's level.
Daniel Vreeland is concerned about Lucas Almeida's recent performances, noting he only landed two strikes in his last fight and looked stiff. He speculates a possible health issue. He likes Timothy Cuamba's technical soundness and ability to fight everywhere, though he's not the most physical. He believes Cuamba can pick Almeida apart and mix in wrestling.
Jacob picks Timmy, thinking he is the more technical striker and could mix in takedowns against Lucas's poor takedown defense. He notes Timmy held his own against Bolaji on short notice. He acknowledges Lucas is more dangerous but believes Timmy's technique will prevail.
Cuamba's lateral movement will frustrate Almeida, opening up takedown opportunities and allowing Cuamba to land damage from distance. The line is too wide for someone taking a step up in competition, but Cuamba's potential and body of work should get the judges' favor.
Paul agrees with Cody, stating that Cuamba is a low-volume Contender Series guy and that he would never bet that type of fighter at minus 200. He notes that Almeida gave Zellhuber a tough fight and that plus 180 is generous. Paul thinks Almeida can win with volume and pressure.
The MMA Guru picks Timmy Cuamba by decision. He notes Cuamba stepped up on short notice in his debut against Boki and took him to a split decision, showing composure. He thinks Cuamba has been tested and that Lucas Almeida's wins have asterisks, including a first-round KO loss to Andre Fili. He believes Cuamba's experience against a larger, powerful opponent in Boki will help him handle Almeida's physicality.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!