Career Averages - Daniel Marcos
Career Averages - John Castañeda
Daniel Marcos
John Castañeda
Daniel Marcos - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles Johns | 0 | 28 of 54 | 51% | 33 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 27 of 47 | 57% | 42 of 69 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 0 | 3:59 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miles Johns | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 13 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 12 of 21 | 57% | 25 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 | |
| 2 | Miles Johns | 0 | 20 of 34 | 58% | 20 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 15 of 26 | 57% | 17 of 34 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 2:23 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles Johns | 28 of 54 | 51% | 21 of 45 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 28 of 49 | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Daniel Marcos | 27 of 47 | 57% | 15 of 33 | 8 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 34 | 13 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miles Johns | 8 of 20 | 40% | 4 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 17 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Daniel Marcos | 12 of 21 | 57% | 5 of 13 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 12 | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Miles Johns | 20 of 34 | 58% | 17 of 29 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 32 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Daniel Marcos | 15 of 26 | 57% | 10 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 22 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Daniel Marcos because of his superior cardio and cleaner striking. He notes that Miles Johns will come out hot and win the first round, but will fade as the fight goes on, allowing Marcos to take over. He also mentions a potential bet on Miles Johns plus 3.5 rounds, as Johns is likely to win one round.
Big Brady sees this as a close fight, noting that Daniel Marcos has a nice record but he thought Marcos lost the Davey Grant fight. He mentions Miles Johns has a wrestling background and surprisingly good cardio lately, while Marcos has slowed down in past fights. He favors Marcos' distance striking but thinks Johns has more power and the fight goes to a split decision, leaning toward Johns due to the corrupt judges.
Cody picks Johns as a dog, citing his improved performance against Matsumoto and Marcos' inconsistency. He thinks Johns' wrestling and volume can earn him a decision.
Lucrative James does not provide a clear pick for this fight. He discusses Adrian Yanez vs Christian Quinones instead, which is not on the card. He mentions Miles Johns and Daniel Marcos only in passing, but does not give a prediction.
The host believes Marcos has a better all-around game and will pick Johns apart from distance, especially by chewing away at the lead leg. This should slow Johns down and allow Marcos to win on the scorecards in deep water.
Paul leans Johns but is passing due to uncertainty. He notes both fighters' inconsistency and the short-notice changes, but likes Johns at plus money.
The Guru picks Daniel Marcos over Miles Johns. He notes that Marcos has been competitive with top bantamweights like Davy Grant and Montel Jackson, while Johns is on a two-fight losing streak. He highlights Marcos's nasty knees up the middle as a key factor against the stationary Johns. He predicts a TKO finish, as Johns doesn't move enough to avoid Marcos's pressure.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montel Jackson | 0 | 30 of 66 | 45% | 67 of 106 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 3:37 |
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 17 of 32 | 53% | 24 of 43 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 5:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montel Jackson | 0 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 22 of 31 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:07 |
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 7 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:26 | |
| 2 | Montel Jackson | 0 | 15 of 28 | 53% | 22 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 7 of 12 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 | |
| 3 | Montel Jackson | 0 | 11 of 26 | 42% | 23 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 1:04 |
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 10 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montel Jackson | 30 of 66 | 45% | 25 of 58 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 5 | 27 of 62 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Daniel Marcos | 17 of 32 | 53% | 5 of 18 | 5 of 7 | 7 of 7 | 13 of 27 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montel Jackson | 4 of 12 | 33% | 2 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Daniel Marcos | 4 of 7 | 57% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Montel Jackson | 15 of 28 | 53% | 12 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Daniel Marcos | 7 of 12 | 58% | 1 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Montel Jackson | 11 of 26 | 42% | 11 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Daniel Marcos | 6 of 13 | 46% | 2 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jackson (-205), Marcos (+170)
Round 1
Bantamweights are up again in Des Moines, this time red-hot rising contenders Marcos and Jackson, with Gary Copeland on referee duty. Jackson is southpaw, Marcos orthodox, and they exchange a couple of glancing punches from outside before Marcos closes the distance and clinches with the much taller American. Jackson grounds Marcos with a beautiful foot sweep, and takes top position in Marcos’ guard. He lets “Soncora” up quickly, and they go back to kickboxing, where Marcos continues to try and solve the puzzle of Jackson’s huge height and reach advantages. They clinch again, this time with Marcos’ back against the fence, and Jackson drives his knee into Marcos’ thigh and midsection before they break off and move away from the fence. Marcos rushes forward and pushes Jackson to the fence, where he takes a turn firing short knees as they vie for head position and wrist control. Marcos changes levels, peels Jackson off the fence and takes him down. Marcos is in Jackson’s guard, but only briefly, as Jackson hips out, gives his back up and stands. He turns to face Marcos, completing the escape, just before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Round 2
Marcos comes forward, working to navigate his foe’s reach by springing in with big overhand rights. Marcos jumps in again, but this time he changes levels and completes a takedown in the center of the Octagon. Marcos is in Jackson’s guard, but Jackson will not concede the position, keeping his hips active and looking to get his feet on Marcos’ hips and kick him off. Marcos lets his man up and they go back to work on the feet. Jackson is connecting with a fast, long jab that comes up from near his beltline, while Marcos is keeping his chin tucked and looking for his moment to land a big punch. Marcos steps into the pocket and shoves Jackson to the fence, where they exchange a couple of blows in close before breaking the clinch. Marcos wades right back into range and drives the taller man to the cage again. He locks his hands and, after a moment’s adjustment, hoists Jackson and puts him on the ground. Jackson springs right back to his feet and they move back to the fence. Jackson reverses position and is pushing Marcos into the chain-link at the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jackson
Round 3
The final round begins with Marcos landing a nice body kick to the open side. Jackson comes back with a pair of punches, one of which might have grazed Marcos’ right eye in an awkward way, as he comes away guarding that side of his face closely. Jackson moves in and tries for a takedown near the fence, but Marcos sprawls well in close quarters. Marcos goes for a takedown of his own and gets Jackson off his feet, then moves to the back as Jackson gets back up. Marcos works from standing back control for a few moments before Jackson spins out of his grasp and off of the fence. Marcos immediately closes the distance again, bending at the waist and trying to pull Jackson’s hips away from the cage. Jackson turns his back and Marcos takes a rear waistlock, but he can only get off a few knees to the thigh before Jackson escapes again. Jackson comes forward, stalking a suddenly tired-looking Marcos, and gets an easy takedown. As Marcos stands, Jackson snares him in a D’Arce choke, dragging him back to the mat as he does so. Marcos remains calm and defends against the choke, but the final horn sounds seconds later, possibly without “Soncora” having landed a single strike this round. Barring some extreme judging malfeasance, one of the UFC’s two dozen or so undefeated fighters is about to go down.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Jackson (30-27 Jackson)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jackson (30-27 Jackson)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jackson (30-27 Jackson)
The Official Result
Montel Jackson def. Daniel Marcos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo goes against the public and picks Daniel Marcos as an underdog. He trusts Marcos's cardio and takedown defense, and believes he can win a close decision similar to his last fight. He suggests a +3.5 spread bet if the odds remain wide.
Big Brady picks Montel Jackson, citing his significant height and reach advantage, power, and wrestling upside. He notes that Jackson's losses came against wrestlers who took him down, but Marcos is not a wrestler; Jackson may get takedowns instead. Brady questions Marcos's ceiling, pointing out close decisions against Adrien Yanez and Davey Grant, where Grant outlanded Marcos. He expects Jackson to win a decision, mixing in wrestling and landing big shots.
Connor picks Marcos, believing his defensive awareness and ability to slip past length will neutralize Jackson's reach. He notes that Jackson's striking is aimless and he has struggled against pressure fighters like Brent Johns and Ricky Simone. Connor thinks Marcos can get inside and land meaningful shots, and that Jackson's lack of process will be exposed. However, he admits Marcos tends to walk a fine line and doesn't control fights completely.
Jackson will shut down Marcos's calf kicking and grappling game. He will land his big power and muscle Marcos, getting a KO finish within 10 minutes.
The MMA Guru picks Montel Jackson to win by TKO in the first or second round. He praises Jackson's power, reach, and wrestling defense, noting that he has never been held down. He believes Daniel Marcos lacks the grappling threat and power to trouble Jackson, and that Jackson will find a finish. He thinks Jackson should be a -250 favorite, so -198 is good value.
Zane picks Jackson, citing his size, reach, and fight-changing power as key advantages. He notes that Marcos has never faced a fighter with Jackson's physical attributes and may struggle to get inside. Zane acknowledges that Marcos is skilled and defensively aware, but worries that Jackson's power will be the difference if Marcos can't neutralize the reach. He admits it's a close fight and not confident.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 79 of 183 | 43% | 85 of 189 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:15 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 86 of 147 | 58% | 95 of 156 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 24 of 55 | 43% | 29 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 29 of 46 | 63% | 30 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:46 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 41 of 98 | 41% | 41 of 98 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 39 of 70 | 55% | 39 of 70 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 15 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 18 of 31 | 58% | 26 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 79 of 183 | 43% | 57 of 156 | 8 of 10 | 14 of 17 | 79 of 182 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 86 of 147 | 58% | 60 of 111 | 9 of 16 | 17 of 20 | 81 of 142 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 24 of 55 | 43% | 15 of 46 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 7 | 24 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 29 of 46 | 63% | 14 of 30 | 4 of 5 | 11 of 11 | 27 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 41 of 98 | 41% | 29 of 82 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 10 | 41 of 97 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 39 of 70 | 55% | 29 of 52 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 8 | 39 of 70 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Daniel Marcos | 14 of 30 | 46% | 13 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 18 of 31 | 58% | 17 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo picks Yañez as the better boxer with faster hands, expecting a striking-only fight. He notes Yañez's technical boxing, fight IQ, and 100% takedown defense, while Marcos is undefeated but untested against high-level strikers. He believes Marcos will be forced into a boxing match where Yañez has the edge. He cannot bet on this fight due to unknowns about Marcos.
Big Brady picks Daniel Marcos to win by second-round knockout. He likes Marcos's diverse striking (leg kicks, body kicks, head kicks) and thinks Yañez is hittable and has durability issues, noting Yañez was knocked out by Rob Font. He expects Marcos to hurt Yañez and finish him.
Cody picks Daniel Marcos, citing his durability, cardio, and pressure fighting. He notes that Yañez has been knocked out by strikers and struggles against volume. Marcos's ability to take a shot and keep coming forward is key. Cody sees this as a striker vs striker matchup where Marcos's durability gives him the edge.
Connor picks Marcos, citing that his game has smaller gaps and he is more consistent. He notes that Marcos can target Yañez's leg kicks and build momentum over rounds, while Yañez may fade if his initial blitz fails. Connor acknowledges it's a close fight and could go either way.
Daniel Vreeland picks Daniel Marcos, citing his high fight IQ and well-rounded skills. He notes that Yañez is one-dimensional with fast hands but predictable, while Marcos can box, kickbox, wrestle, and do jiu-jitsu. Vreeland expects Marcos to avoid unnecessary pocket exchanges and use a varied attack. He mentions the price (-225) is a bit high but still picks Marcos.
Lucrative James picks Daniel Marcos to win, citing Marcos' superior striking skills, clinch work, and leg kicks. He acknowledges Marcos' cardio issues in round three but believes Marcos has enough early upside to win the first two rounds or secure a finish. He notes Yañez's toughness and cardio but points out Yañez's vulnerabilities to leg kicks and head punches, as seen in past losses.
Marcos's calf-kicking abilities will render Yañez defenseless, leading to a TKO victory within the second or third round. The public line movement from -170 to -230 supports this pick.
Paul leans towards Marcos, citing his durability and undefeated record. He notes that Yañez has questionable durability and has been knocked out before. Paul is concerned if Marcos doesn't push the pace, but overall favors Marcos's volume and pressure.
The MMA Guru initially leans toward Adrian Yañez due to his slick hands and underdog status, but after reviewing Marcos' undefeated record and tougher competition on the regional scene, he switches to Daniel Marcos. He predicts Marcos will use lateral movement and leg kicks to win a close decision (29-28). He admits Yañez may have the talent edge but trusts Marcos' resume.
Zane leans toward Yañez because of his flashier punching and ability to hurt opponents. He notes that Marcos has a tendency to have inactive periods and can be hurt, which could be dangerous against Yañez. However, Zane is concerned about Yañez's leg kick defense and his tendency to start fast and fade.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 60 of 123 | 48% | 68 of 134 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:12 |
| John Castañeda | 1 | 98 of 171 | 57% | 101 of 177 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 25 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| John Castañeda | 0 | 28 of 52 | 53% | 28 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 20 of 40 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| John Castañeda | 0 | 26 of 54 | 48% | 27 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:37 | |
| 3 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 23 of 47 | 48% | 23 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| John Castañeda | 1 | 44 of 65 | 67% | 46 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 60 of 123 | 48% | 26 of 75 | 9 of 16 | 25 of 32 | 59 of 122 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| John Castañeda | 98 of 171 | 57% | 71 of 131 | 21 of 31 | 6 of 9 | 81 of 150 | 17 of 20 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 24 of 46 | 52% | 6 of 19 | 3 of 5 | 15 of 22 | 24 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| John Castañeda | 28 of 52 | 53% | 23 of 41 | 2 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 26 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 13 of 30 | 43% | 7 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 13 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| John Castañeda | 26 of 54 | 48% | 22 of 49 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 42 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Daniel Marcos | 23 of 47 | 48% | 13 of 32 | 4 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 22 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| John Castañeda | 44 of 65 | 67% | 26 of 41 | 16 of 19 | 2 of 5 | 38 of 59 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marcos (-120), Castaneda (+100)
Round 1
A pair of bantamweights that hold exactly eight knockout victories and seven triumphs on the scorecards meet as the prelims keep on pushing. Castaneda (21-6, 4-2 UFC) rides a two-fight win streak into this matchup, with a potential pattern brewing of him winning two and losing the third. His Peruvian foe Marcos (15-0, 1 NC; 2-0, 1 NC UFC) has never tasted defeat as a pro, and his lone non-victorious performance came in February when he kicked a flying Qileng Aori in the groin to result in a no contest. The third man in the Octagon for this one will be Dan Miragliotta, and he begins the fight when the two men touch ‘em up. Castaneda springs in and out of range, slapping a few leg kicks on the fiery haired man from Peru. Marcos throws one back, and he walks through a counter low kick to punch “Sexi Mexi” in the face three times. Castaneda slips to the side and keeps snapping out leg kicks, targeting the calf repeatedly while attempting to parry or dodge anything Marcos throws his way. Marcos slowly cuts his foe off, and he lines a right hand down the middle and drills him with a step-in knee. Marcos gets off a body kick, and Castaneda slaps a few more leg kicks off the calf for good measure. Marcos marches in with a heavy right hand, sending Castaneda flying, and Castaneda bounces off the cage wall and hits one knee. Castaneda gets back up and scampers away, and Marcos grins and pursues another overhand right. A body kick is swatted away by Marcos, and he coils and looses his right hand again. Castaneda prods with low kick after low kick, and he is met with a right hand and a pair of knees. Two quick hands from Marcos find the chin of his opponent, and Castaneda’s nose starts to turn red. A front kick from Marcos does not help, as it grazes the beak as Castaneda is retreating. Castaneda pecks with another leg kick and hops away, and Marcos’ right hand marks up the bridge of Castaneda’s nose. Marcos parries a punch and drills Castaneda with three before Castaneda can get away. Marcos plants a kick on the ribs of his foe, and Castaneda’s low kicks keep slapping but are frequently countered by a right hook. A few more from Marcos send Castaneda down to his knees, and Castaneda climbs up and rushes away while Marcos gives chase. As Marcos lands a few more, the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Round 2
Gloves are touched to commence the round, and they trade leg kicks right off the bat. Marcos connects with a quick combination of punches, resulting in Castaneda crashing the pocket and clinching up. Castaneda presses tightly in the clinch, stomping the undefeated fighter’s toes. Marcos breaks off and chases after Castaneda, blasting him in the face with a knee and several right hands. The strikes cause blood to blow from the nose of “Sexi Mexi,” and Marcos targets the same place with a few more knees and rights. Castaneda tries to take the fight down to slow down the onslaught of the Peruvian, where he succeeds in clinging to him and briefly halting the offense. As Marcos turns him about, he knees Castaneda in the face and thigh a few times, as Castaneda leans his shoulder on the wall before splitting off. Castaneda sells out for a double, and Marcos’ defense holds up as he leans his back on the fence and knees Castaneda square in the face. Marcos finds Castaneda’s face with punches, a head kick and a follow-up one-two, and Castaneda is tough but taking damage. Marcos chases after Castaneda and lets Castaneda hit him back so he can slug him harder. Castaneda finds a different angle, rushes forward and scoops “Soncora” up to slam him on the canvas. Marcos turns to a knee and is up after a few seconds, and he lays into Castaneda with punches and a vicious knee until Castaneda shoots once more. Castaneda spins with an elbow that brushes past the shoulder, and Marcos drives him back with a front kick and a leaping right hand. Castaneda counters and bloodies up the bridge of Marcos’ nose, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Round 3
The fighters hug it out to start the last round, and Marcos leads the dance with a clean right hand. Castaneda strafes to the side and responds with a straight right hand, and he spins with a kick that misses the mark. Marcos kicks his foe in the ribs, and he chops at the inside calf and then jams his shin into the solar plexus. Castaneda retaliates with a head kick, and Marcos kicks him back only for the foot to bounce off the stomach and potentially the cup. After a brief look at the replay, Miragliotta tells them it was legal, so they resume fighting and Marcos kicks the same spot. Castaneda cries foul again for a cup shot, and Miragliotta once more tells him they are legal. Marcos rushes at Castaneda, who is turned around and upset, and he punches his way forward until Castaneda grabs hold of him to tie him up. Marcos is turned around, but he muscles his way out of the tie-up. Castaneda goes after him, kicking the lead leg and body before Marcos lines up a right hand down the pipe. Marcos jabs the body with a kick, and Castaneda responds with a low kick. They trade strikes one after the other, and Marcos lands a right as Castaneda trips. Castaneda is upright in an instant, and he throws a few punches that are out of range. Castaneda gets off a solid body kick, and Marcos comes back at him with three punches and a much heavier body kick of his own. Castaneda races forward, keeping Marcos on the back foot, and he throws punches and kicks. Castaneda winds up with a big right hand, and Marcos says, “two can play that game,” and decks Castaneda with his own fastball. Castaneda hits his seat and jumps back up to his feet after the flash knockdown, and Marcos elects to tie him up instead of land much more. On the break, Marcos digs a right to the body and one to the head, and Castaneda punches his foe in the chest in response. Castaneda scores a right hand and lets loose with a head kick, and Marcos suddenly realizes that he is in trouble. Castaneda sprints at him trying to do some finalizing damage, and Marcos gets his feet back and cracks Castaneda with a thudding elbow right before the fight wraps.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marcos (30-27 Marcos)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Marcos (30-27 Marcos)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marcos (30-27 Marcos)
The Official Result
Daniel Marcos def. John Castaneda via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks John Castañeda as the underdog. He notes that Daniel Marcos is undefeated but has squeaked out close decisions, and his UFC wins are not dominant. John is all gas, no brakes, with forward pressure, wrestling, and a high pace. Angelo thinks John's wrestling and pressure will be too much for Marcos, who likes to control the tempo. He expects John to win a decision or possibly get a finish.
Big Brady picks Daniel Marcos to win by decision. He likes Marcos's striking volume and body work, which could break Castañeda as seen in the Santos fight. He doubts Castañeda's wrestling will be effective because Marcos has good takedown defense and get-up game. He expects a war but favors Marcos's striking.
Cody picks Marcos, noting that Castañeda struggles when pressured and Marcos has good leg kicks and volume. He acknowledges Castañeda's wrestling but thinks Marcos' takedown defense and striking will be enough to edge a decision. Cody sees this as a close fight but leans towards Marcos' development.
Daniel picks Marcos as the slicker fighter, expecting a close decision. He praises Marcos' cerebral approach and jab, and notes Castañeda's experience and improved output. He has been picking against Castañeda and continues that trend.
Jacob picks John Castañeda, calling him a former lock of the week. He likes that John doesn't force takedowns but uses his wrestling as a weapon, often setting up takedowns with his boxing. He thinks the striking will be close, but John's wrestling gives him an edge, especially late in rounds. He notes that John was plus money and would have been his lock of the week if the odds were wider earlier.
Castañeda's movement and lateral footwork should help him avoid Marcos' calf kicks and crash the pocket with power strikes. He has more tools and experience, and can hand Marcos his first loss. However, if Marcos establishes the calf kick, he could take over. Close fight, slight lean to Castañeda by decision.
Paul slightly leans towards Castañeda based on his wrestling and volume. He notes that Castañeda moves forward well and has good output. Paul thinks this is a properly priced fight and does not intend to make a significant play.
The Guru picks Marcos after initially considering Castañeda. He says Castañeda hasn't put together wins impressively and his recent fights weren't good-looking. Marcos is 15-0 and active, and though he was given a robbery decision against Dave Grant, the Guru thinks Marcos is better than Castañeda. He notes Marcos looked amazing in the first round against Chang before the no-contest.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 81 of 126 | 64% | 84 of 129 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Aoriqileng | 0 | 45 of 95 | 47% | 45 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 36 of 63 | 57% | 38 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Aoriqileng | 0 | 22 of 54 | 40% | 22 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 45 of 63 | 71% | 46 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Aoriqileng | 0 | 23 of 41 | 56% | 23 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 81 of 126 | 64% | 50 of 84 | 12 of 19 | 19 of 23 | 69 of 113 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 7 |
| Aoriqileng | 45 of 95 | 47% | 26 of 71 | 10 of 12 | 9 of 12 | 43 of 93 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 36 of 63 | 57% | 20 of 41 | 6 of 9 | 10 of 13 | 33 of 60 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Aoriqileng | 22 of 54 | 40% | 13 of 41 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 7 | 22 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 45 of 63 | 71% | 30 of 43 | 6 of 10 | 9 of 10 | 36 of 53 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 7 |
| Aoriqileng | 23 of 41 | 56% | 13 of 30 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marcos (-250), Aori (+205)
Round 1
If the reports and claims are accurate, a billionaire will be in the stands at the UFC Apex this afternoon. Within a matter of minutes, it will be apparent if the tech mogul and personality of the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Elon Musk, has received the Mark Zuckerberg treatment of renting the entire place out for himself. If not, a few hundred fans plus the controversial figure will be in the building for this jam-packed 14-fight showcase. The first match of the day comes in the bantamweight division, as flashy undefeated Peruvian Marcos (15-0, 2-0 UFC) aims to keep his spotless record intact at the expense of Inner Mongolia’s Aori (25-11, 3-3 UFC). Referee Jason Herzog will need to be on high alert right out of the gate to keep track of these two quick competitors. The gloves are touched, and it’s on with the show. Aori flicks out an early front kick to measure his range, and he sits back and waits to see if a counter comes his way. It does not. Marcos watches from afar, and he surges into action with a single overhand right that gets Aori’s attention. The two trade low kicks, and they both let their hands go with big, winging punches. In the midst of an exchange, Marcos changes things up with a stern knee on the jaw, and Aori shakes it off. Both men land flush and back off to not get sucked into a brawl. Aori paws out a front kick, and blood trickles down the temple from the power lefts from the Peruvian. Aori leaps forward with a knee, and uses his momentum to press into a clinch. Marcos meets him with a strike that busts Aori’s mouth open, and Aori cannot keep the tie-up and is forced to back off and reset. Marcos comes up short with a front kick, but his looping punches continues to bust up the Chinese competitor, smashing Aori’s nose in the process. Blood leaks from several places on Aori’s face like the Doomguy low on health, but he is very much still in the fight as he lets Marcos have it with a quick combination. Marcos keeps his guard high, so Aori kicks low repeatedly. Marcos retaliates after absorbing one particularly stern low kick, and he whips his right hand into action. Marcos prods out a jab and draws out some oncoming fire from Aori, taking advantage of this by blasting Aori with an uppercut. Aori tanks it and moves forward, and the horn signals the end of the first round.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Round 2
The fighters touch ‘em up before getting back to it, and Marcos is ready to engage first as he clubs Aori with a short right hand. The unbeaten Peruvian presses forward into a clinch, and he presses Aori against the fence. When circling away, Marcos lines up a low kick that disrupts the balance of his opponent. Aori hits the deck, and Marcos pounces in an effort to finish the fight with a flurry of heavy firsts. Aori survives the worst of it and gets back to his feet, and crimson fluid trickles from additional places on his face after taking serious damage. Marcos spins with a back elbow that misses the mark, and he continues assaulting Aori’s lead calf with gnarly kicks. Aori tries valiantly to throw back and even catches Marcos with a two-punch salvo, but Marcos’ volume and power is breaking Aori. “Soncora” sits down on a left to the liver that lands with an audible thud, and he appears to find his mark almost every time he throws a strike. Aori swings backs, and his fingers stretch out as one drifts into Marcos’ eye. Marcos needs just a few seconds to recover, and when they get back to business, Marcos aims a front kick to the body but ends up glancing it off the cup. Aori takes 30 seconds to catch his wind before resuming, and he gets right in Marcos’ face and throws a few punches. Aori concludes his combination with a kick square on Marcos’ cup that looks to be a bit of payback, and Marcos groans as Herzog pauses the action for the third time in a few seconds after a trio of unfortunate fouls. Herzog warns Aori for his strike, and Marcos is ready to go after about 45 seconds of recovery. Marcos lets loose with a kick, and Aori responds with one that slaps into his inner thigh and draws a reaction from Marcos. Aori jumps in the air with an attempted strike, and Marcos meets him in the air with a front kick to the groin. Herzog rolls his eyes and calls time, and informs both fighters through their translators that there are to be no more accidents, and that points will be deducted for any additional fouls. Aori drops to his knees and dry heaves from the groin strike, and Herzog allows Aori to recover for a minute before calling in the doctor. Aori pulls himself back to his feet after two minutes elapse, but he is clearly compromised and not having a good time right now. Not wanting to cool down, Marcos shadowboxes and jogs in his corner, but Aori crouches down and drops back to a knee. Time continues to tick off the clock, and Aori reaches the five-minute mark. Herzog asks him if he is able to continue, and Aori does not say anything and bends over. Herzog recognizes that Aori is in no shape to fight another professional combatant aiming to take his head off, and he waves the fight off. Due to the inadvertent groin strike—Aori was in the air when Marcos caught him with a front kick, a total accident—and the fact that it did not reach Round 3, this fight should be declared a no contest. When the result is read, Marcos breaks into tears, with his stellar performance invalidated due to a fluke kick. On the other side of the equation, Aori is assisted out of the cage, with the damage of two direct groin shots too much to bear on his own.
The Official Result
Daniel Marcos vs. Qileng Aori is Ruled a No Contest (Accidental Groin Kick) R2 3:28
Angelo acknowledges that Daniel Marcos looked poor in his last fight against Davey Grant, with low volume and a lack of pressure. However, he emphasizes looking at the broader body of work, where Marcos has shown effective striking, power, and takedown defense. He believes Marcos should be more technical and busy, and should win, but the recent performance makes him hesitant. He notes the odds are -200, which he finds a bit rich given the last fight.
Big Brady picks Daniel Marcos to win by decision. He notes that Marcos is a much more skilled striker with a lot of tools on the feet, while Aoriqileng is a brawler who is very hittable. He expects the fight to go 15 minutes and Marcos to outpoint Aoriqileng, though he mentions a slight concern about corrupt judges.
Cody picks Marcos, noting he is a superior fighter with good volume. Aoriqileng is fun but often falls behind on the scorecards and has takedown defense issues. Marcos should outpoint him. Cody suggests a prop on Marcos by decision or by KO at +300.
Marcos has a solid all-around game with good calf kicks and the ability to mix in grappling. He should be able to batter Aoriqileng's lead leg and eventually look for takedowns. Aoriqileng has struggled against better competition and his wins are against subpar opponents. Marcos is undefeated and should continue his run with a decision victory.
Paul also picks Marcos, calling it a massive mismatch. He notes Aoriqileng's low output and poor takedown defense. Marcos is a volume striker who should pick him apart. Paul likes Marcos by KO at +300 as a prop.
The MMA Guru picks Daniel Marcos because he believes Aoriqileng is a worse version of Davey Grant, who Marcos already faced. He notes that Marcos showed good striking defense against Grant's unorthodox style and expects Aoriqileng to slow down after the first round, allowing Marcos to win a decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 70 of 215 | 32% | 70 of 215 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Davey Grant | 0 | 48 of 140 | 34% | 49 of 141 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 16 of 49 | 32% | 16 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Davey Grant | 0 | 13 of 35 | 37% | 13 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 26 of 75 | 34% | 26 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Davey Grant | 0 | 15 of 51 | 29% | 15 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 28 of 91 | 30% | 28 of 91 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Davey Grant | 0 | 20 of 54 | 37% | 21 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 70 of 215 | 32% | 17 of 127 | 27 of 55 | 26 of 33 | 70 of 213 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Davey Grant | 48 of 140 | 34% | 21 of 90 | 6 of 24 | 21 of 26 | 47 of 139 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 16 of 49 | 32% | 1 of 28 | 7 of 10 | 8 of 11 | 16 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Davey Grant | 13 of 35 | 37% | 1 of 15 | 2 of 8 | 10 of 12 | 13 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 26 of 75 | 34% | 9 of 48 | 8 of 15 | 9 of 12 | 26 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Davey Grant | 15 of 51 | 29% | 4 of 33 | 3 of 8 | 8 of 10 | 14 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Daniel Marcos | 28 of 91 | 30% | 7 of 51 | 12 of 30 | 9 of 10 | 28 of 89 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Davey Grant | 20 of 54 | 37% | 16 of 42 | 1 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 20 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marcos (-140), Grant (+120)
Round 1
In the one corner, “Dangerous Davey” Grant (15-6, 6-5 UFC) stands firm, ready to represent his home country. In the other, lead-fisted and lead-kneed Peruvian Marcos (14-0, 1-0 UFC) puts his unblemished record on the line. Grant has only been defeated in the past via submission, while Marcos has never before forced a foe to tap out. Something’s gotta give in this newly minted bantamweight main card opener that could be a banger, and it begins with a glove touch. Referee Marc Goddard adjusts his gloves, pulls up his pants and sits back to observed the proceedings, and The two fighters come out to the middle of the cage to engage, and Grant goes first with a heavy leg kick. Grant walks down Marcos and kicks on the inside, and he throws one more to the outer calf. Marcos replies with one that sends Grant off-balance, but the Brit adjusts himself and continues coming forward. Grant pushes out a front kick, and he wings a right hand that slides off the top of the guard to bounce off Marcos’ temple. Marcos shrugs at him and kicks so hard on the calf that he takes Grant off his feet. Grant jumps back up and rips a kick to the ribs, and he checks a kick that comes his way. Grant turns an uppercut into a spinning back fist, and Marcos dances out of the way and keeps his guard up high to stop another strike from getting through. Grant comes out swinging, throwing a right hook that puts himself off-balance, and Marcos does not capitalize on it but is able to eat up Grant’s calf with another kick. Grant strides in with a side kick, and he jumps forward with a stomping kick to the knee. The unbeaten fighter ducks down and absorbs a side kick, and Grant then plants the ball of his foot on the chest to follow. Grant snipes out a left hook when Marcos advances, and he jumps forward with a knee that glances off his intended target. Grant counters a leg kick with a clean right hand, and he kicks the body and backs off when Marcos throws hands. Marcos walks “Dangerous Davey” down and kicks him in the chest, and Grant is able to time a right hand when Marcos loads up. Grant sweeps the leg as he comes forward, and he chains a calf kick into a head kick with the same leg. Marcos gives a body kick back, only for Grant to defend against it. Marcos reaches his man with a right hook, and Grant spins with a wheel kick that ricochets off the chest of his foe. Marcos rubs his chest, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Round 2
The 135ers bump fists before getting after it, and Grant spurs into action in a hurry with several kicks to multiple targets. Grant sprints and pulls back to draw a reaction, and he does this to clip Marcos with a short left hook. Grant aims a right hand when Marcos rushes at him with a jump knee, and Grant scampers away before it reaches him. Grant kicks the side and goes with a hook kick up high, and they proceed to throw fists at the same time. Marcos catches Grant with a solid right hand, and Grant gathers his thoughts and chips at the lead wheel of his foe. Grant punches his way into a combination that ends with a low kick, and he misses with a wheel kick as Marcos backs off. Grant nails a leg kick and wings a right hook over the top, and Marcos ignores it and tries to counter with a right hand. A few jabs from the Peruvian fighter have bloodied Grant’s nose up, and Grant pays it no mind as his offense is still as active as ever. Grant strings three hooks together and pushes off the chest with the ball of his foot when Marcos attempts to reply. Marcos swings as hard as he can with a right hand, and Grant ducks and nails Marcos with a front kick on the chin. Grant swings a high kick that grazes off the red hair of his opponent, and Marcos responds with two punches and a step-in kick that splits the uprights and slams square into Grant’s cup. Grant grimaces and bends over as Goddard calls time, and Grant tells Goddard he is good to go after about 45 seconds off. When restarting, Marcos offers an apologetic glove touch. Grant gets going again with a huge right hand, and he watches Marcos comes towards him and raise up a hook kick. Grant plants his shin on the lower calf of “Soncora,” and he steps in with an elbow. Grant trips on Marcos’ leg when spinning with a strike, and Marcos’ jabs are starting to bloody Grant up further. “Dangerous Davey” plants a dangerous right hand on the nose, and Marcos shakes his head and defends against the standing hook kick. Grant lets go with several punches and a side kick, and he gives chase as Marcos backpedals. The round ends with the lower part of Grant’s face covered in blood.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Round 3
Grant nods and winks at Marcos to lead off the last round, and the two hug it out before getting down to business. Marcos strikes first with a calf kick, and Grant strides forward and lets go with a spinning wheel kick. It only takes a jab or two from Marcos to bust up Grant’s nose again. Grant absorbs a jab and goes forward into a takedown. The unbeaten fighter stands him up, and the two fighters stand in the pocket and trade. Marcos backs off first, and Grant follows him down with a head kick, a front kick and a right hand. Grant puts three fists on Marcos before Marcos is able to land one. Marcos, out of nowhere, jumps at his man with a knee, and Grant takes it flush and keeps coming ever forward. Marcos waves his arms around, and Grant comes at him with a knee. Marcos swats him aside and strafes on the outside, and it is up to Grant to initiate the offense. Grant spins with a back fist, and then keeps spinning to throw other strikes. Marcos nods approvingly from the strikes, and he keeps backing off as Grant is pushing the pace. Grant walks through jabs to swing with far harder strikes, and one such blow comes in the form of a right to the body. Marcos jabs up his man, and Grant unloads with a right hand that bounces off the shoulder. Grant walks Marcos down, getting in a leg kick and a right hand, and Marcos tries to reply with a left hook that only slightly connects. Grant ducks a flailing fist to come in and land a straight right to the body, and a subsequent kick makes Marcos drops his guard and back off. Grant jumps with a knee, and when he misses and lands, Marcos greets him with a stern right hand down the pipe. Grant doggedly pursues his opponent, throwing everything and the kitchen sink at him. Marcos times a takedown out of nowhere, hitting it with ease. Grant frantically works his way up with the fence behind him, and he separates. Grant spins with a wheel kick that bounces off the shoulder, and he raise his arm to draw Marcos into a final brawl. Grant spams any kind of kick he can think of, all while Marcos backs away, until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Grant (30-27 Grant)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Grant (30-27 Grant)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Grant (30-27 Grant)
The Official Result
Daniel Marcos def. Davey Grant via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo is very confident in Daniel Marcos, believing the odds are incredible value. He thinks Davey Grant is chinny and if he can't get a takedown (which he hasn't since 2021), he will get lit up on the feet. He has a half-unit bet at -121 and calls it some of the best value on the card.
Big Brady picks Daniel Marcos by decision. He likes Marcos' striking and volume, and thinks he can outwork Grant over 15 minutes. He notes Grant is durable and has power, but Marcos is younger and has upside. He is concerned about Marcos' chin not being tested. He thinks it will be close but Marcos' volume and youth give him the edge.
Cody picks Grant, questioning Marcos's hype. He notes Grant has fought tougher competition (Vera, Yanez) and is a gatekeeper. He thinks the line is an overreaction to Marcos's win over Oliveira. He sees Grant as a live dog.
Daniel picks Daniel Marcos, calling him the best Peruvian prospect ever and praising his professional approach, training in Florida, and high-tech recovery. He thinks Marcos's pressure and intensity make opponents fight uncharacteristically, as seen in the Simon Oliveira fight. He acknowledges Davey Grant's toughness and experience but believes Marcos is catching him at the right time. However, he is not willing to lay -140 and says he would be interested if the price drops to around -115. He passes on betting but picks Marcos to win.
James picks Daniel Marcos to win. He thinks Marcos is a better striker than Grant, with cleaner technique and better footwork. He believes Marcos can play the range game and punish Grant with straight shots. James notes that Grant is older and may be slowing down, while Marcos is on an upward trajectory. He acknowledges that this is a step up in competition for Marcos and that Grant has knockout power, but he favors Marcos's skills and potential.
The host picks Daniel Marcos, believing his overall game, output, grappling, and calf kicks will neutralize Grant's power. He expects Marcos to withstand Grant's early power and win by decision. He notes it's a stiff test but thinks Marcos passes.
Paul leans toward Marcos, noting his undefeated record and willingness to engage. He thinks Marcos can outwork Grant, though Grant has power and grappling advantages. He is not fully confident and calls it a dog or pass.
The MMA Guru picks Davey Grant, initially considering Daniel Marcos but ultimately favoring Grant's experience and power. He notes Grant's win over Aiemann Zahabi is underrated and that Marcos was timid in his fight against Simon Oliveira. The Guru believes Grant's size, power, and front kicks will overwhelm Marcos, and predicts a KO win in a scrap against the cage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 23 of 70 | 32% | 25 of 73 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:15 |
| Saimon Oliveira | 1 | 53 of 78 | 67% | 59 of 84 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 13 of 40 | 32% | 15 of 43 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:05 |
| Saimon Oliveira | 0 | 27 of 40 | 67% | 31 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 10 of 30 | 33% | 10 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Saimon Oliveira | 1 | 26 of 38 | 68% | 28 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 23 of 70 | 32% | 7 of 47 | 3 of 7 | 13 of 16 | 20 of 63 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Saimon Oliveira | 53 of 78 | 67% | 31 of 52 | 20 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 36 of 58 | 16 of 19 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 13 of 40 | 32% | 4 of 27 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 8 | 10 of 35 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Saimon Oliveira | 27 of 40 | 67% | 16 of 28 | 10 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 30 | 10 of 10 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 10 of 30 | 33% | 3 of 20 | 0 of 2 | 7 of 8 | 10 of 28 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Saimon Oliveira | 26 of 38 | 68% | 15 of 24 | 10 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 19 of 28 | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 |
Big Brady is not extremely impressed with either fighter but sees more paths to victory for Daniel Marcos. He notes Marcos made significant improvements from his earlier fights to the Contender Series, particularly in striking and takedown defense. He believes Marcos can get takedowns against Oliveira, who has poor takedown defense, though Oliveira is dangerous off his back. He calls it a sketchy fight he's staying away from betting.
Cody picks Daniel Marcos as a slight underdog, noting his striking and power. He says Marcos showed good volume and power on Contender Series, and that Oliveira is reckless and has poor wrestling. He thinks Marcos can win a striking battle. He mentions Marcos' cardio issues but thinks he can push through. He says this is a 50/50 fight and he'll take the plus money.
Connor agrees, noting Oliveira has more experience and is more aggressive. Marcos may struggle with Oliveira's pressure and guillotine threat.
Paul picks Daniel Marcos, agreeing with Cody. He notes Oliveira's recklessness and poor wrestling. He says Marcos has good striking and power. He mentions Marcos' cardio issues but thinks he can win. He says he's not confident but will pick Marcos.
The Guru sees this as a 50/50 matchup but leans towards Marcos as the underdog. He notes that Oliveira barely scraped by on the contender series and was ragdolled by Tony Gravely, who got 11 takedowns on him. Marcos showed good takedown defense against Brandon Lewis, stuffing 11 of 13 takedowns, and has been more active recently, while Oliveira hasn't fought in a year. The Guru gives a slight grappling advantage to Marcos due to his hustle and stubbornness in positions.
Zane picks Oliveira because he is cleaner and more aggressive. Marcos is gritty but lacks clean technique. Oliveira's experience and aggression should give him the edge. He notes Oliveira's guillotine could be a threat.
John Castañeda - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Castañeda | 0 | 135 of 253 | 53% | 160 of 279 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:15 |
| Mark Vologdin | 0 | 91 of 217 | 41% | 96 of 222 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Castañeda | 0 | 25 of 44 | 56% | 28 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Mark Vologdin | 0 | 24 of 52 | 46% | 29 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 2 | John Castañeda | 0 | 45 of 86 | 52% | 49 of 90 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Mark Vologdin | 0 | 38 of 69 | 55% | 38 of 69 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 | |
| 3 | John Castañeda | 0 | 65 of 123 | 52% | 83 of 142 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Mark Vologdin | 0 | 29 of 96 | 30% | 29 of 96 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Castañeda | 135 of 253 | 53% | 79 of 181 | 19 of 31 | 37 of 41 | 124 of 233 | 10 of 18 | 1 of 2 |
| Mark Vologdin | 91 of 217 | 41% | 53 of 165 | 26 of 34 | 12 of 18 | 84 of 202 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Castañeda | 25 of 44 | 56% | 8 of 22 | 4 of 7 | 13 of 15 | 25 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mark Vologdin | 24 of 52 | 46% | 10 of 30 | 6 of 9 | 8 of 13 | 23 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | John Castañeda | 45 of 86 | 52% | 24 of 59 | 3 of 8 | 18 of 19 | 44 of 83 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Mark Vologdin | 38 of 69 | 55% | 23 of 53 | 13 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 37 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | John Castañeda | 65 of 123 | 52% | 47 of 100 | 12 of 16 | 6 of 7 | 55 of 106 | 9 of 16 | 1 of 1 |
| Mark Vologdin | 29 of 96 | 30% | 20 of 82 | 7 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 24 of 83 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Castaneda (-120); Vologdin (+100)
Round 1
While initially booked as a bantamweight fight, someone in the Castaneda (21-8, 4-4 UFC) vs. Vologdin (12-4-1, 0-0 UFC) matchup appeared to be struggling to get down to 136 pounds and requested it be set for 139 pounds. The catchweight contest will have gold-standard referee Jason Herzog watching over the fighters, and they are glad to still be competing and show it with a shared clap of hands.
Castaneda says hello with his leg, firing off kicks high and low to make Vologdin nod at him in appreciation of his game. Castaneda even goes for an axe kick when Vologdin crowds him, and Vologdin settles to kick his foe back a few times. Castaneda bounces out of the way when the shorter Russian lunges at him, and he watches Vologdin miss on a body shot to stick him with a left cross and two low kicks. Vologdin returns fire with a kick that appears to frustrate his opponent, resulting in a clinch as the fans immediately start booing. It’s going to be one of those nights. “Sexi Mexi” breaks out of the tie-up and steps back to evade a knee, and the two have their legs entangled when throwing them at the same time. Castaneda bounces back up, and he is gifted a high-five when standing up. He lets fly a low kick to counter a jab that bangs square into the bottom of Vologdin’s cup, who stumbles around the cage in serious pain as Herzog calls time. Vologdin drops to his knees as he tries to shake out some of the discomfort, and he steels himself and is good to go after about 50 seconds of break. They both let fly kicks, and Castaneda follows one with a sharp right hand on the temple.
Vologdin has to blink out the impact of the blow and gets right back into the melee, flashing his jab to find his range. When Vologdin commits to big hooks, Castaneda slips them, counters and shoves his foe back. Vologdin bounces forward and has a low kick checked, and he stands in the pocket to trade but cannot pin “Sexi Mexi” down, even with a spinning wheel kick try. The jabs of Vologdin have bloodied up Castaneda’s nose, who pitches out a kick and shoots in for a level change. There is no takedown to be found from this, so Castaneda backs off and picks and pokes with body kick and long punches. Vologdin tries to pay him back with crisp pocket boxing, but he finds that he is beaten to the punch and kick by the speedster from Minnesota. Vologdin keeps marching forward to force Castaneda to fight off the back foot, but this plays at least partially into the game plan of Castaneda, who is potshotting him at range. Vologdin just misses with a rolling thunder kick, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Round 2
A fist bump opens the round, and Castaneda gets right going peppering with kicks. Vologdin throws three back in rapid succession to think about, but the volume is in favor of the American for now. Vologdin drives through a one-two, and Castaneda stands firm and jabs him in the nose to back him off. Vologdin loops two right hand that bang into the guard, but his left to the ribs does score. Castenada goes low to the body, and he sticks around and gets popped by three punches from the debuting fighter. Castaneda bounces in and out behind his jab, just dodging the worst flying his way in time but still eating some shots when engaging. Vologdin jabs and shoots in for a single-leg takedown, and Castaneda bounces off his knee and hops back to the cage wall to set up a guillotine choke. Vologdin elevates and dumps him, breaking out of the choke, but he does not have Castaneda down.
Castaneda is able to break out of the attempt and release his own submission grip to reset, where he stands in front of Vologdin and strings together quick combos. Vologdin winds up with a power left hand, and Castaneda shoulder-rolls it to take the sting out of it and gives back a heavy right up top. Castaneda leads off an exchange with a low kick that bangs into the groin, and he follows it with heavy punches as Vologdin turns away to recover from the foul. Herzog has to peel Castaneda away, as Castaneda claims he did not land the low strike, and Vologdin eats a few more before Herzog is in place. Vologdin sits down to get his wind back, and Herzog deducts one point from Castaneda for his second groin kick. After 75 seconds, the round resumes, and thank goodness rules are being enforced around here. They proceed to go right after one another, with Castaneda leading the dance with power and volume. Vologdin is comfortable to sit on his right hand and launch it when it feels right, and he gets caught in a clinch and takes a spinning back elbow on the noggin before separating. Castaneda slips and ducks his way in, constantly changing his target with weapons like a knee up the middle, two left hands and a right to the ribs. Vologdin is largely headhunting, and Castaneda is giving him a lot to think about as the second round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 9-9
Brian Knapp scores the round: 9-9
Tyler Treese scores the round: 9-9
Round 3
They are off to the races in the final round, sharing a fist bump before throwing hands and feet en masse. Castaneda puts it on Vologdin, who fires back and opens a cut on the forehead. Castaneda keeps pouring it on the Russian, who is reeling from taking shots but still ready to swing for the bleachers. Castaneda stays just out of boxing range from his opponent to measure his blows appropriately, and he punches his way into a clinch and is boxed out of it. Vologdin’s nose starts to leak from the oncoming fire, as Castaneda is turning on the jets while Vologdin appears to be fading. The reactions from Vologdin taking damage are starting to get more exaggerated, as he shoots in for a double-leg takedown that is easily sprawled. Castaneda lets his foe back up so he can put hands on him, and he lets rip low kick and high punches as Vologdin is now leaking from a cut on the bridge of his nose.
Castaneda lets rip a big flurry of punches, knocking Vologdin back and knocking him down. Vologdin muscles his way back upright, and Castaneda starts working the body to shut him down. Vologdin grits his teeth and throws everything he has back, but Castaneda sees it coming and tees off on him. Castaneda goes after a big right hand and a left high kick, and he slips back when Vologdin tries another rolling thunder kick. Vologdin holds his hand up awkwardly as if he were asking a question in class—he does have the youthful type of face where he looks like he was plucked from study hall—and Castaneda backs off. Castaneda motions to the center of the Octagon to initiate a brawl, and unlike many others who have offered this and bailed on it, they proceed to bust one another up. Castaneda gets the better of the exchanges but only by a small margin, and he stings Vologdin and gets taken down. The fun slugfest ends with Vologdin on top, and it may all come down to the scoring of the first round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-27 Castaneda)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-27 Castaneda)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-27 Castaneda)
The Official Result
John Castaneda
vs.
Mark Vologdin
is Ruled a Majority Draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
Angelo picks John Castañeda, citing his wrestling advantage and ability to close range against Mark Vologdin, who has short reach. He worries Castañeda may be past his prime but believes he is the better overall fighter. He expects Castañeda to use takedowns to secure a win.
Big Brady leans toward John Castañeda, noting he would have liked him better as an underdog. He criticizes Mark O. Madsen's striking defense (34%) and hittability, and praises Castañeda's experience and solid wins. Brady believes Castañeda can dictate where the fight takes place and get takedowns, predicting a decision win.
Cody picks John Castañeda, citing his experience and multiple paths to victory. He notes that Vologdin is one-dimensional and has poor striking defense. He expects Castañeda to win by decision or submission.
Connor picks Castañeda because he is a seasoned action fighter who can set a pace that Vologdin may not be ready for. He notes that Vologdin is a natural flyweight who is raw technically, often leaving his chin exposed when throwing combinations. Castañeda's experience and ability to push a brutal pace should overwhelm Vologdin, who is not yet comfortable as a high-output pressure fighter.
Daniel has never been high on Castañeda and thinks Vologdin can push a pace that Castañeda can't handle. He picks Vologdin as an underdog to win his UFC debut.
James picks John Castañeda as an underdog, citing his superior UFC experience and wins. He believes Castañeda's wrestling and left high kick will be key, and that Vologdin is too hittable and unproven. He predicts a decision win.
The host leans on Castañeda's strength of schedule, well-roundedness, and cardio edge. He thinks Castañeda's durability, movement, calf kicks, and wrestling will cause Vologdin issues as the fight goes into deeper water. He predicts a decision win, though acknowledges Vologdin could land a big shot early.
Paul also picks Castañeda, agreeing with Cody. He notes that Vologdin lost on the Contender Series and has poor wrestling defense. He expects Castañeda to use his wrestling and volume to win.
Zane leans toward Castañeda but acknowledges Vologdan could catch him and put him away. He notes that Vologdan is a natural flyweight who fights well in spots but not as a pace fighter, and Castañeda's experience in wars should give him the edge. However, he expresses concern about Castañeda's tendency to let opponents impose their game, as seen against Chris Gutierrez.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Gutierrez | 1 | 46 of 85 | 54% | 65 of 112 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| John Castañeda | 0 | 41 of 77 | 53% | 76 of 118 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:50 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Gutierrez | 1 | 9 of 16 | 56% | 19 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| John Castañeda | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 17 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:58 | |
| 2 | Chris Gutierrez | 0 | 29 of 50 | 58% | 29 of 50 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| John Castañeda | 0 | 23 of 43 | 53% | 23 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Chris Gutierrez | 0 | 8 of 19 | 42% | 17 of 33 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| John Castañeda | 0 | 12 of 17 | 70% | 36 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:52 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Gutierrez | 46 of 85 | 54% | 20 of 50 | 5 of 9 | 21 of 26 | 44 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
| John Castañeda | 41 of 77 | 53% | 16 of 34 | 8 of 13 | 17 of 30 | 36 of 71 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Gutierrez | 9 of 16 | 56% | 4 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 6 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| John Castañeda | 6 of 17 | 35% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 11 | 6 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Chris Gutierrez | 29 of 50 | 58% | 11 of 25 | 3 of 7 | 15 of 18 | 29 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| John Castañeda | 23 of 43 | 53% | 13 of 26 | 4 of 6 | 6 of 11 | 22 of 41 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Chris Gutierrez | 8 of 19 | 42% | 5 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| John Castañeda | 12 of 17 | 70% | 2 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 8 of 13 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gutierrez (-130), Castaneda (+110)
Round 1
Both fighters normally bantamweights, the short-notice nature of this rescheduled tilt shifted it up 10 pounds to featherweight. It was originally scheduled for UFC 313, only to fall through on Fight Night when Castaneda (21-7, 4-3 UFC) suffered a fight-scratching illness. Ready to finally get in there, Gutierrez (21-6-2, 9-3-1 UFC) as his shins sharpened and ready for combat. Joining the two fighters in the cage will be referee Keith Peterson, who reaches the cage after bouncing nonsense from the premises. They clap hands, and Gutierrez comes out throwing kicks from both legs. Castaneda backs off all the way to the fence, moving side to side to not present a stationary target. Castaneda attempts his own low kick, aiming a second on the inside when the first succeeds. Gutierrez rips the inner thigh back with a kick, and Castaneda switches stances briefly. Gutierrez slips a punch and works the front calf, and he parries three of four punches but gets caught with the fourth on the nose. Gutierrez’ kicks keep Castaneda moving, who is constantly trying not to get nailed with a head kick, a spin kick or something else fired his way. Gutierrez steps in, tosses a kick to the ribs and trips. Castaneda’s eyes light up, as he jumps down to claim top position uncontested. Castanada steps into half guard, flattening Gutierrez out while exerting his body weight down. The audience does not love the relative inaction with the wrestling, audibly letting the fighters know of this. Gutierrez gets some space using butterfly hooks to push off the hips, and he grabs one of Castaneda’s ankles while searching for upkicks. Gutierrez decides to just stand up, and Castaneda seemingly lets him back up without issue. Gutierrez thanks him for this with a straight right hand down the pipe, sending “Sexi Mexi” to the ground in a heap. As Castaneda lays on his side defending himself, time expires before Gutierrez can get the finish he was seeking.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
Round 2
The fighters clap hands to re-engage, and Castaneda swings with everything he has into a reintroductory right hand. Gutierrez needs a moment to recover, and he gathers his thoughts and lets loose with a spinning wheel kick that misses the mark. Gutierrez kicks his foe so hard in the front leg, he puts Castaneda on his seat. Castaneda climbs back up, directly into a crippling low kick that makes him limp almost immediately. Gutierrez sells out for a big punch, and Castaneda meets him with his own at the same time. Castaneda strikes the body and head, circling away before Gutierrez can get to him. Castaneda goes wide with a wheel kick, and when he lands, he reaches out with a long left hand. Castaneda chips at the front leg with a kick, and Gutierrez actually shoves him away rather than striking him. Gutierrez pump-fakes a spin, and he checks a kick and has his guard up to prevent Castaneda from getting off on him. Gutierrez sneaks out a left hand, and he again fakes a spin. Castaneda does not bite and instead loads up on a right hand, and Gutierrez frowns at him. Castaneda gives chase, walking through kicks to his lead leg and a few punches. The two proceed to trade it out from close range, and Gutierrez slams his shin on the inside of his foe’s lead leg to give him brief pause. Gutierrez kicks the outside of the leg, and Castaneda responds in kind. Gutierrez probes out with a jab and a step-in knee, and Castaneda has to shake out the cobwebs but is forced to deal with jabs and leg kicks when doing so. They both land straight punches at the same time, and Gutierrez shoots for a single-leg takedown suddenly. Castaneda grins at him and hammers him with two heavy hooks, and Gutierrez is quick to abandon the shot. Castaneda goes high with two kicks that are blocked, and Gutierrez bloodies his nose up with a right hand at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gutierrez
Round 3
The fighters are so amped up to get going again, Peterson has to tell them to back off before he says go. When he does, they do not hang back, and instead engage with one another in close range. Both men land cleanly on one another, and Gutierrez has to back off and disengage rather than keep letting hands fly. Castaneda’s wheel kick effort bounces harmless off the guard, but when he plants his leg, he is able to score three low kicks in rapid succession. Gutierrez flicks out a few jabs, and Castaneda kicks him once more. Gutierrez punches his way into a clinch, and he abandons the level change when the leverage is not right. Castaneda slings a kick to the body, and Gutierrez comes out swinging and misses the mark. This allows Castaneda to grip hold of his foe and push him against the fencing, all while looking for a trip. Castaneda elects to lift Gutierrez all the way in the air, slamming him down on his back hard. Castaneda smothers his foe on top, moving to side control to not let Gutierrez go anywhere. Gutierrez tries to scramble, and Castaneda responds with a guillotine choke with one arm while using his body weight to press on him. Castaneda lets it go and lands a few punches, and Gutierrez drags him back to the closed guard. As Gutierrez fights off the grappling and pushes off, Castaneda kicks him in the legs a few times when his foe stands. The horn sounds, and the fight is over.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-28 Gutierrez)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-28 Castaneda)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-28 Gutierrez)
The Official Result
Chris Gutierrez def. John Castaneda via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks John Castañeda, believing his pressure wrestling will neutralize Chris Gutierrez's leg kicks. He notes that Gutierrez was taken down by Quang Le and that Castañeda's Division 2 wrestling and forward pressure will keep the fight in close range, preventing Gutierrez from planting and kicking. He is waiting for better plus money odds.
Big Brady leans toward Chris Gutierrez, citing his leg kicks and better striking, but expects a close fight typical of Gutierrez. He notes Gutierrez often wins on thin margins and predicts a competitive decision. He expresses low interest in the fight and mentions the line at -140 makes sense.
The host expects Gutierrez to stop takedowns, use calf kicks to slow Castañeda, and then land hands when Castañeda blitzes recklessly, leading to a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Chris Gutierrez, but with hesitation. He likes Gutierrez's low kicks and movement, and notes Castañeda's lack of urgency and flat-footedness. However, he questions Gutierrez's ability to dominate and expects a very close decision. He mentions the big cage favors Gutierrez's movement.
Angelo picks John Castañeda, citing his youth, speed, and cardio advantage over the aging Douglas Silva de Andrade. He acknowledges that Andrade is a tough matchup with a solid chin and bowling-ball build, making him hard to take down. He expects Castañeda to win by outworking Andrade as he slows down, but warns that the fight could be close and suggests monitoring the line for value.
Big Brady picks John Castañeda, citing age advantage (seven years younger), better volume, cardio, wrestling, and durability. He notes Douglas Silva de Andrade is declining, with poor recent performances. He expects Castañeda to outwork him over 15 minutes and win by decision.
The host believes Castañeda is the better overall fighter, though de Andrade can make it close with his power. He expects Castañeda to use a combination of striking, footwork, and takedowns to win on the scorecards.
The Guru picks John Castañeda over Douglas Silva de Andrade. He notes Silva de Andrade is aging and less active, while Castañeda is durable, hard to finish, and pushes a strong pace. He expects Castañeda to win the later rounds and get a decision, possibly 29-28.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 60 of 123 | 48% | 68 of 134 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:12 |
| John Castañeda | 1 | 98 of 171 | 57% | 101 of 177 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 25 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| John Castañeda | 0 | 28 of 52 | 53% | 28 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 20 of 40 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| John Castañeda | 0 | 26 of 54 | 48% | 27 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:37 | |
| 3 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 23 of 47 | 48% | 23 of 47 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| John Castañeda | 1 | 44 of 65 | 67% | 46 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 60 of 123 | 48% | 26 of 75 | 9 of 16 | 25 of 32 | 59 of 122 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| John Castañeda | 98 of 171 | 57% | 71 of 131 | 21 of 31 | 6 of 9 | 81 of 150 | 17 of 20 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 24 of 46 | 52% | 6 of 19 | 3 of 5 | 15 of 22 | 24 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| John Castañeda | 28 of 52 | 53% | 23 of 41 | 2 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 26 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 13 of 30 | 43% | 7 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 13 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| John Castañeda | 26 of 54 | 48% | 22 of 49 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 42 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Daniel Marcos | 23 of 47 | 48% | 13 of 32 | 4 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 22 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| John Castañeda | 44 of 65 | 67% | 26 of 41 | 16 of 19 | 2 of 5 | 38 of 59 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marcos (-120), Castaneda (+100)
Round 1
A pair of bantamweights that hold exactly eight knockout victories and seven triumphs on the scorecards meet as the prelims keep on pushing. Castaneda (21-6, 4-2 UFC) rides a two-fight win streak into this matchup, with a potential pattern brewing of him winning two and losing the third. His Peruvian foe Marcos (15-0, 1 NC; 2-0, 1 NC UFC) has never tasted defeat as a pro, and his lone non-victorious performance came in February when he kicked a flying Qileng Aori in the groin to result in a no contest. The third man in the Octagon for this one will be Dan Miragliotta, and he begins the fight when the two men touch ‘em up. Castaneda springs in and out of range, slapping a few leg kicks on the fiery haired man from Peru. Marcos throws one back, and he walks through a counter low kick to punch “Sexi Mexi” in the face three times. Castaneda slips to the side and keeps snapping out leg kicks, targeting the calf repeatedly while attempting to parry or dodge anything Marcos throws his way. Marcos slowly cuts his foe off, and he lines a right hand down the middle and drills him with a step-in knee. Marcos gets off a body kick, and Castaneda slaps a few more leg kicks off the calf for good measure. Marcos marches in with a heavy right hand, sending Castaneda flying, and Castaneda bounces off the cage wall and hits one knee. Castaneda gets back up and scampers away, and Marcos grins and pursues another overhand right. A body kick is swatted away by Marcos, and he coils and looses his right hand again. Castaneda prods with low kick after low kick, and he is met with a right hand and a pair of knees. Two quick hands from Marcos find the chin of his opponent, and Castaneda’s nose starts to turn red. A front kick from Marcos does not help, as it grazes the beak as Castaneda is retreating. Castaneda pecks with another leg kick and hops away, and Marcos’ right hand marks up the bridge of Castaneda’s nose. Marcos parries a punch and drills Castaneda with three before Castaneda can get away. Marcos plants a kick on the ribs of his foe, and Castaneda’s low kicks keep slapping but are frequently countered by a right hook. A few more from Marcos send Castaneda down to his knees, and Castaneda climbs up and rushes away while Marcos gives chase. As Marcos lands a few more, the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Round 2
Gloves are touched to commence the round, and they trade leg kicks right off the bat. Marcos connects with a quick combination of punches, resulting in Castaneda crashing the pocket and clinching up. Castaneda presses tightly in the clinch, stomping the undefeated fighter’s toes. Marcos breaks off and chases after Castaneda, blasting him in the face with a knee and several right hands. The strikes cause blood to blow from the nose of “Sexi Mexi,” and Marcos targets the same place with a few more knees and rights. Castaneda tries to take the fight down to slow down the onslaught of the Peruvian, where he succeeds in clinging to him and briefly halting the offense. As Marcos turns him about, he knees Castaneda in the face and thigh a few times, as Castaneda leans his shoulder on the wall before splitting off. Castaneda sells out for a double, and Marcos’ defense holds up as he leans his back on the fence and knees Castaneda square in the face. Marcos finds Castaneda’s face with punches, a head kick and a follow-up one-two, and Castaneda is tough but taking damage. Marcos chases after Castaneda and lets Castaneda hit him back so he can slug him harder. Castaneda finds a different angle, rushes forward and scoops “Soncora” up to slam him on the canvas. Marcos turns to a knee and is up after a few seconds, and he lays into Castaneda with punches and a vicious knee until Castaneda shoots once more. Castaneda spins with an elbow that brushes past the shoulder, and Marcos drives him back with a front kick and a leaping right hand. Castaneda counters and bloodies up the bridge of Marcos’ nose, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Round 3
The fighters hug it out to start the last round, and Marcos leads the dance with a clean right hand. Castaneda strafes to the side and responds with a straight right hand, and he spins with a kick that misses the mark. Marcos kicks his foe in the ribs, and he chops at the inside calf and then jams his shin into the solar plexus. Castaneda retaliates with a head kick, and Marcos kicks him back only for the foot to bounce off the stomach and potentially the cup. After a brief look at the replay, Miragliotta tells them it was legal, so they resume fighting and Marcos kicks the same spot. Castaneda cries foul again for a cup shot, and Miragliotta once more tells him they are legal. Marcos rushes at Castaneda, who is turned around and upset, and he punches his way forward until Castaneda grabs hold of him to tie him up. Marcos is turned around, but he muscles his way out of the tie-up. Castaneda goes after him, kicking the lead leg and body before Marcos lines up a right hand down the pipe. Marcos jabs the body with a kick, and Castaneda responds with a low kick. They trade strikes one after the other, and Marcos lands a right as Castaneda trips. Castaneda is upright in an instant, and he throws a few punches that are out of range. Castaneda gets off a solid body kick, and Marcos comes back at him with three punches and a much heavier body kick of his own. Castaneda races forward, keeping Marcos on the back foot, and he throws punches and kicks. Castaneda winds up with a big right hand, and Marcos says, “two can play that game,” and decks Castaneda with his own fastball. Castaneda hits his seat and jumps back up to his feet after the flash knockdown, and Marcos elects to tie him up instead of land much more. On the break, Marcos digs a right to the body and one to the head, and Castaneda punches his foe in the chest in response. Castaneda scores a right hand and lets loose with a head kick, and Marcos suddenly realizes that he is in trouble. Castaneda sprints at him trying to do some finalizing damage, and Marcos gets his feet back and cracks Castaneda with a thudding elbow right before the fight wraps.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Marcos (30-27 Marcos)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Marcos (30-27 Marcos)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marcos (30-27 Marcos)
The Official Result
Daniel Marcos def. John Castaneda via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks John Castañeda as the underdog. He notes that Daniel Marcos is undefeated but has squeaked out close decisions, and his UFC wins are not dominant. John is all gas, no brakes, with forward pressure, wrestling, and a high pace. Angelo thinks John's wrestling and pressure will be too much for Marcos, who likes to control the tempo. He expects John to win a decision or possibly get a finish.
Big Brady picks Daniel Marcos to win by decision. He likes Marcos's striking volume and body work, which could break Castañeda as seen in the Santos fight. He doubts Castañeda's wrestling will be effective because Marcos has good takedown defense and get-up game. He expects a war but favors Marcos's striking.
Cody picks Marcos, noting that Castañeda struggles when pressured and Marcos has good leg kicks and volume. He acknowledges Castañeda's wrestling but thinks Marcos' takedown defense and striking will be enough to edge a decision. Cody sees this as a close fight but leans towards Marcos' development.
Daniel picks Marcos as the slicker fighter, expecting a close decision. He praises Marcos' cerebral approach and jab, and notes Castañeda's experience and improved output. He has been picking against Castañeda and continues that trend.
Jacob picks John Castañeda, calling him a former lock of the week. He likes that John doesn't force takedowns but uses his wrestling as a weapon, often setting up takedowns with his boxing. He thinks the striking will be close, but John's wrestling gives him an edge, especially late in rounds. He notes that John was plus money and would have been his lock of the week if the odds were wider earlier.
Castañeda's movement and lateral footwork should help him avoid Marcos' calf kicks and crash the pocket with power strikes. He has more tools and experience, and can hand Marcos his first loss. However, if Marcos establishes the calf kick, he could take over. Close fight, slight lean to Castañeda by decision.
Paul slightly leans towards Castañeda based on his wrestling and volume. He notes that Castañeda moves forward well and has good output. Paul thinks this is a properly priced fight and does not intend to make a significant play.
The Guru picks Marcos after initially considering Castañeda. He says Castañeda hasn't put together wins impressively and his recent fights weren't good-looking. Marcos is 15-0 and active, and though he was given a robbery decision against Dave Grant, the Guru thinks Marcos is better than Castañeda. He notes Marcos looked amazing in the first round against Chang before the no-contest.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Castañeda | 0 | 111 of 179 | 62% | 119 of 187 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Kyung Ho Kang | 0 | 88 of 202 | 43% | 88 of 203 | 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 | John Castañeda | 0 | 33 of 51 | 64% | 33 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kyung Ho Kang | 0 | 18 of 40 | 45% | 18 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | John Castañeda | 0 | 38 of 64 | 59% | 39 of 65 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 |
| Kyung Ho Kang | 0 | 30 of 81 | 37% | 30 of 82 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | John Castañeda | 0 | 40 of 64 | 62% | 47 of 71 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:23 |
| Kyung Ho Kang | 0 | 40 of 81 | 49% | 40 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Castañeda | 111 of 179 | 62% | 47 of 103 | 30 of 39 | 34 of 37 | 109 of 176 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyung Ho Kang | 88 of 202 | 43% | 59 of 170 | 17 of 19 | 12 of 13 | 82 of 194 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Castañeda | 33 of 51 | 64% | 6 of 18 | 10 of 13 | 17 of 20 | 33 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyung Ho Kang | 18 of 40 | 45% | 12 of 33 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 18 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | John Castañeda | 38 of 64 | 59% | 21 of 44 | 10 of 13 | 7 of 7 | 37 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyung Ho Kang | 30 of 81 | 37% | 18 of 67 | 6 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 28 of 79 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | John Castañeda | 40 of 64 | 62% | 20 of 41 | 10 of 13 | 10 of 10 | 39 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyung Ho Kang | 40 of 81 | 49% | 29 of 70 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 36 of 75 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Castaneda (-142), Kang (+120)
Round 1
Even if South Korea’s “Mr. Perfect” Kang (19-9, 1 NC; 8-3, 1 NC UFC) has not been perfect as a member of the UFC roster, his pattern of three wins followed by a defeat has held perfectly for the last decade. Should this continue, it would mean a victory over Castaneda (20-6, 3-2 UFC) tonight. Due to this pairing coming together on late notice, it will be contested at a catchweight of 138 pounds, and neither mad had a problem with the scales ahead of time. Prior to the action, a touch of gloves is shared, and referee Dan Miragliotta is on standby. Kang stays light on his feet early to hops back to avoid a low kick, and he jabs with the ball of his foot to Castaneda’s chest. Castaneda responds with a quick leg kick, and Kang crowds him and looks to corner him. The South Korean fighter sits down on a body kick, and he springs away from a counter. Castaneda gives him a body kick back, but he does get countered before he can get away. Castaneda starts to chew up the lead wheel with a plethora of calf kicks, and he whips a kick to the side that makes Kang grimace. Castaneda spins with a back kick to the body as well, with very few strikes aimed up high early. Castaneda jabs the head and body, and he gets driven back with a straight right hand. Castaneda goes body and leg with a punch and a kick, and Kang ignores the strikes and continues to walk him down. Castaneda just misses with a right hand as Kang closes in, and he keeps chipping at the inside and outside of Kang’s left leg. Castaneda jabs the body and slides to the side, and he brings his shin high to bang into Kang’s raised guard. Kang checks a kick as he plods forward, and he belts Castaneda in the midsection with his own foot. Castaneda doubles up on leg kicks and spins with a heel to the ribs, and he surprises Kang with a left hand. Castaneda does not slow down kicking the front leg, and he wades through a few strikes to sit down on a right hand. Kang counters with a clean straight right, and he finds his target with a second shortly thereafter much to the dismay of “Sexi Mexi.” Castaneda comes up short with a body kick, and he darts forward suddenly with two swiping punches that brush sweat from Kang’s brow. Kang intercepts Castaneda with a jab, and he bull-rushes forward and goes wide. Castaneda stays elusive and lands a number of additional kicks until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Round 2
The second round begins in a hurry, as Kang is ready to hit harder than before. When Castaneda attempts a low kick, Kang sends Castaneda to his seat with a right hand. Castaneda climbs back up and is not concerned, as he keeps right on kicking. Kang whiffs with an elbow from up close, and he lands his own leg kick for good measure. Castaneda tags him with a right hand over the top, and Kang sees the success of that kick and goes to the same spot. Castaneda jabs and moves, and he clips Kang with a short right hand. Kang shakes it out and absorbs a leg kick, and Castaneda times his right hand again. Kang looks for his own counter during a leg kick, and this allows Castaneda to duck it and sneak around to take his back. Castaneda looks to take Kang down, and he succeeds in scooping up the Korean from behind and dropping him down on his arms. Kang turns around, his back to the fence and his backside on the floor, but Castaneda controls him from any further activity. Kang explodes to get back to his feet, and he targets the body and gets blasted with one to the solar plexus. Kang protests that the kick went low, and Miragliotta calls time and checks on the replay. Miragliotta rules the strike was clean, and they get back to it. Castaneda sprints into action, working Kang’s leg to draw a counter, duck it and take Kang’s back again while upright. Kang defends from the takedown attempt this time around, so Castaneda meets him with a thudding kick to the ribs and numerous punches up high. Castaneda connects with a punch and kick to the body, and he lands a kick on the inside and outside of Kang’s lead leg to follow. Kang prods out his jab, and he smacks Castaneda with an ineffective left. Kang puts a little more mustard behind a left hand, but Castaneda does not flinch. Castaneda fires a left hand over the top, and Kang gets tagged with a series of punches from “Sexi Mexi.” The sparring match of a round ends as Kang shells up against the fence.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Round 3
Castaneda hops out of his corner offering a glove touch, and Kang accepts it and kicks him square in the groin. Castaneda groans but waves Miragliotta off, as he is energized and wants to walk it off. As Kang kicks his body again, Castaneda rifles a right hand down the middle on the chest and knocks Kang down. Kang climbs back up, and Castaneda is on him, stringing together combinations of punches and leg kicks. The latter starts to draw reactions out of his opponent, as Kang is wearing it from the assault to his left leg. Kang toughs it out and gets back to his own forward momentum, and he comes in close enough to block a body kick. Castaneda mixes things up with kicks to the body and legs, and he punches the head and body. A few head shots from “Sexi Mexi” make Kang nod at him and try to entice a brawl, but Castaneda instead backs off as a strike from Kang appears to have opened a cut on the top of his right eye. Castaneda scores a clubbing right hand, and Kang lures him into the slugfest he wanted, as the two trade punches. Kang backs off, taking the worse of the exchanges, and Castaneda follows after him and pursues a single. Castaneda drags Kang to the mat, and Kang explodes back up and is met with a solid left hand and a liver kick. Kang fires back, getting a bit of space from the crowding Castaneda, and he gets Castaneda’s attention with a kick to the ribs. Castaneda sprints forward, looking for a high crotch to lift and dump Kang, and Kang keeps his balance when lowered to the floor. Kang keeps moving and lets Castaneda slide off the side and back, and he threatens suddenly with a guillotine choke. Castaneda escapes and retreats, and Kang gives chase and loads up on all the offense he can muster until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (30-27 Castaneda)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (30-27 Castaneda)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (30-27 Castaneda)
The Official Result
John Castaneda def. Kyung Ho Kang via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo is very confident in Castañeda, highlighting his forward pressure, wrestling, and pace. He expects Castañeda to break Kang down with takedowns and ride out a decision win. He notes Kang is dangerous but thinks Castañeda's style will overwhelm him.
Big Brady is taking the dog Kyung Ho Kang in what he expects to be a close fight. He likes Kang's improved striking, power, and toughness, noting Kang has never been finished in the UFC. He thinks Castañeda may struggle to keep the fight on the mat and will be out struck. Brady admits he doesn't have a strong read and expects a decision.
Cody leans Castañeda, citing his forward pressure and power. He notes Kang's inconsistency and tendency to not use his wrestling. He thinks Castañeda can make it a scrap and mix in takedowns, but he's on the fence and wants to see weigh-ins.
Castañeda has the striking advantage and grappling chops to put opponents through the ringer. Kong is aging and will struggle with Castañeda's pressure and inability to get the fight to the ground where he could use his BJJ. Expects Castañeda to dictate the pace with crisp boxing combinations and grind out a win by mixing striking and grappling.
Paul picks Castañeda, noting Kang's age (36) and recent close fights. He thinks Castañeda's power and wrestling will be key, and that Kang's best path (wrestling) may not be utilized. He expects Castañeda to make it ugly and get the win.
The MMA Guru picks John Castañeda, disagreeing with the majority who favor Kyung Ho Kang. He believes Kang is not that good, noting that his last win was a flash knockout and that he has never been impressed with Kang's performances. He thinks Castañeda is a better striker and can keep the fight standing, predicting a decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Castañeda | 1 | 40 of 88 | 45% | 70 of 121 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:16 |
| Muin Gafurov | 0 | 61 of 157 | 38% | 93 of 204 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Castañeda | 1 | 18 of 32 | 56% | 25 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
| Muin Gafurov | 0 | 21 of 44 | 47% | 21 of 44 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 2 | John Castañeda | 0 | 15 of 40 | 37% | 25 of 51 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Muin Gafurov | 0 | 29 of 86 | 33% | 44 of 103 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 | |
| 3 | John Castañeda | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 20 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:45 |
| Muin Gafurov | 0 | 11 of 27 | 40% | 28 of 57 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Castañeda | 40 of 88 | 45% | 30 of 73 | 4 of 8 | 6 of 7 | 37 of 83 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
| Muin Gafurov | 61 of 157 | 38% | 45 of 135 | 11 of 16 | 5 of 6 | 47 of 132 | 14 of 25 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Castañeda | 18 of 32 | 56% | 11 of 21 | 2 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 16 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Muin Gafurov | 21 of 44 | 47% | 14 of 33 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 17 of 37 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | John Castañeda | 15 of 40 | 37% | 14 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Muin Gafurov | 29 of 86 | 33% | 23 of 78 | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 71 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | John Castañeda | 7 of 16 | 43% | 5 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Muin Gafurov | 11 of 27 | 40% | 8 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 24 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: N/A
Round 1
An action-packed bantamweight clash should treat fans next, as “Sexi Mexi” Castaneda (19-6, 2-2 UFC) collides with Tajikistani newcomer Gafurov (18-4, 0-0 UFC). The latter will hope to end the night with a sweep for his country, and he brings with him a 94% stoppage rate to keep the American on his toes. Referee Chris Tognoni will need to similarly be ready for anything, and he appears prepared as the fighters clap hands together. Gafurov is the first one to strike, potentially energized by his countryman getting his hand raised moments ago. He swings his way into an engagement, and Castaneda slides out of the way and avoids the brunt of the danger. Castaneda slides to his side, and Gafurov gives chase and goes after a takedown. “Sexi Mexi” escapes it and absorbs a body kick on the way out, and he tries to reply with one of his own. Gafurov wings a right hand over the top to get his foe’s attention, and he connects partially with an axe kick and a spinning wheel kick that give Castaneda pause. Castaneda sticks out a straight left hand to snap the head back, and he chips at the lead calf with a kick. Castaneda has a kick caught, and Gafurov lifts it up high and tries to take the fight down, but cannot. Castaneda evades the lunging, winging strikes whizzing at him, and he bats away a spinning back kick aimed at his midsection. Castaneda gets in another straight punch to redden the nose, and he sends the shin upside the head. Straight lefts from Castaneda continue to find their home cleanly, further disrupting the ultra-aggressive Gafurov. “Tajik” ducks down with a right hand, and Castaneda replies with a high kick that rings Gafurov’s bell. Castaneda bowls his man over with a series of punches, having hurt Gafurov with the kick, but he cannot keep him there. Gafurov works his way up, the two wildly scramble, and they return to space to strike. The Tajikistan-based fighter scores a body kick and bullies Castaneda back to the wall to unload with several punches to the body before Castaneda can get out. Gafurov swings and misses before the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Round 2
The bantamweights touch gloves to re-introduce themselves to one another, and Gafurov appears to have fully recovered from the knockdown. Gafurov is fired up, and he chases Castaneda around the cage throwing everything he has at him. The two clash heads, but Tognoni does it see it even as Gafurov protests. This leads to Gafurov getting angry, and he wants to make Castaneda pay for this transgression and swings for the bleachers again and again. Gafurov sweeps the leg with a calf kick, and Castaneda pops back up and uses a body lock to drag “Tajik” to the mat. Castaneda takes the back during a scramble, and he latches on to a rear-naked choke and slides the arm under the chin. Gafurov stands back up and shakes Castaneda off, and he gets up and begins drilling Castaneda with an onslaught of punches. As Gafurov is advancing, he gets tagged, and he races ahead and ends up headbutting Castaneda squarely on the chin. Tognoni pauses the action, and he deducts one point from Gafurov for what he determines to be an intentional headbutt and not an incidental head clash, with Gafurov leading with his head ducked . Castaneda takes the time he needs to recover from the foul, and when they resume, Gafurov is ready to engage and lash out any way he can. Gafurov drives forward with strikes, and ends up pursuing a takedown that he secures briefly. Castaneda rolls to his knees and powers his way back up, and Gafurov is on him with a front kick to the body and a few punches. Castaneda is giving it as much as he is receiving, but he is not swinging as wildly and reckless as his opponent. Gafurov throws everything he has into his punches, and Castaneda counters him cleanly and staggers the Tajikistani fighter. Castaneda elects to crash forward for a low takedown by the ankles, and Gafurov fights it off by grabbing the fence. The round ends with the two tied up.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 9-9
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 9-9
Tyler Treese scores the round: 9-9
Round 3
Tognoni sternly warns Gafurov through the interpreter between rounds, as heads have bumped together repeatedly through this match. When they begin fighting, Gafurov leads off with a low kick that nearly sweeps the leg, and Castaneda recovers and leans back from a looping left hand. Gafurov recklessly pursues a takedown, and Castaneda escapes it and returns to his feet where he belts Gafurov with a right hand and a left to follow. Gafurov replies with a body kick, and Castaneda is pressing the action while Gafurov is just throwing with overhands that largely do not land. Castaneda clinches up and has his ear slapped a few times, and he spins with a back elbow on the break. Gafurov shakes it off and eats a body kick, but he is not faltering in spamming wide-arced hooks. Castaneda ducks them and ties his man up again, and Gafurov signals to Tognoni that he was the victim of a headbutt or some clash. When he is paying attention to the referee, he does not keep his balance, as Castaneda slings him to the floor. Castaneda stacks his man up until Gafurov turns to his knees and partially gives his back up. Gafurov tugs the fence a few times to pull himself upright, and Castaneda is doggedly pursuing the takedown as Gafurov appears to be fading. Castaneda lifts Gafurov up, and Gafurov grabs the cage with both hands to stop the takedown from succeeding. Castaneda exerts enough energy for a second attempt, and this time, Gafurov is not able to foul his way to remain on his feet. When Gafurov lowers to his knees, Castaneda searches for a rear-naked choke. Time expires before anything can come of it.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-27 Castaneda)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-27 Castaneda)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda (29-27 Castaneda)
The Official Result
John Castaneda def. Muin Gafurov via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Angelo has a very slight lean to Castañeda due to Gafurov being on short notice. He notes Castañeda's forward pressure and D2 wrestling, but is concerned about his takedown defense (60%). He acknowledges Gafurov is a savage with power and good wrestling, but the short notice gives Castañeda the edge. Angelo also has a plus money bet on Gafurov, contradicting his lean.
Cody agrees with Paul, noting Gafurov's cardio problems and that he missed weight on Contender Series. He thinks Gafurov on a week's notice is likely to gas out and that Castañeda's wrestling and cardio are better. Cody also mentions Gafurov's weight cut issues and advises caution.
Connor also picks Castañeda, agreeing with Zane that the short notice factor is significant. He notes that Gafurov's pressure and wrestling are a good stylistic matchup against Castañeda, but questions whether Gafurov can be effective without proper preparation. Connor sees Castañeda as a tough, busy counter-striker who can handle a slower-paced fight if Gafurov fades.
Daniel explains he bet Gafurov at plus money, citing Castañeda's extremely low output (never over 60 strikes in a UFC fight). He believes Gafurov's pace and wrestling will overwhelm Castañeda, and that Gafurov has improved since his Contender Series loss, where he was sick and on short notice. He sees this as a value play at underdog odds.
Jacob picks Gafurov, believing he can outwork Castañeda with takedowns and power. He notes Gafurov has been training and staying ready, and his LFA fights showed improved conditioning. Jacob thinks Gafurov's body work and power will break down Castañeda, who got tired in his last fight. He is not concerned about short notice because Gafurov has been preparing for this opportunity.
Gafurov is an improved striker who blends takedowns well. Castañeda is solid but struggles with forward pressure and power. Gafurov's relentless style and improved striking will allow him to win a decision. He is a slight underdog and one of the better dogs on the card.
Paul picks Castañeda, citing Gafurov's cardio issues and weight cut problems on short notice. He notes Gafurov is strong early but fades, and that Castañeda has decent wrestling and power. Paul advises waiting for weigh-ins due to Gafurov's history of missing weight. He thinks Castañeda can survive the early onslaught and take over later.
The MMA Guru picks Muin Gafurov over John Castañeda, citing Castañeda coming off a brutal KO loss. He notes Gafurov's experience at a high level, including a close split decision loss to Chad Anheliger (decided by a big knockdown) and a loss to John Lineker. Gafurov is on a two-fight finish streak and has fought in UAE Warriors and ONE Championship. The Guru acknowledges Gafurov took the fight on short notice but still thinks he gets the win.
Zane picks Castañeda primarily due to Gafurov taking the fight on short notice, which raises questions about his conditioning and preparation. He acknowledges that Gafurov's wrestling and pressure could work well against Castañeda, who tends to let opponents set the pace. However, Zane is unsure if Gafurov can maintain his output without a full camp, and leans toward Castañeda's durability and ability to outwork a fading opponent.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Santos | 1 | 57 of 106 | 53% | 67 of 118 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
| John Castañeda | 1 | 69 of 134 | 51% | 71 of 137 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Santos | 1 | 40 of 69 | 57% | 50 of 80 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:40 |
| John Castañeda | 0 | 19 of 46 | 41% | 19 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 | |
| 2 | Daniel Santos | 0 | 17 of 37 | 45% | 17 of 38 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| John Castañeda | 1 | 50 of 88 | 56% | 52 of 91 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Santos | 57 of 106 | 53% | 45 of 89 | 8 of 13 | 4 of 4 | 41 of 87 | 8 of 10 | 8 of 9 |
| John Castañeda | 69 of 134 | 51% | 52 of 111 | 14 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 53 of 114 | 14 of 18 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Santos | 40 of 69 | 57% | 34 of 61 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 27 of 53 | 5 of 7 | 8 of 9 |
| John Castañeda | 19 of 46 | 41% | 15 of 39 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 38 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Daniel Santos | 17 of 37 | 45% | 11 of 28 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 34 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| John Castañeda | 50 of 88 | 56% | 37 of 72 | 12 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 41 of 76 | 8 of 11 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Moving things right along, another fight is on the docket at 140 pounds, but in the men’s divisions. Castaneda (19-5, 2-1 UFC) will look to make it three finishes in his last three outings, while Chute Boxe Diego Lima rep Santos (8-2, 0-1 UFC) has not yet been stopped as a pro. Whether something has to give in that regard, referee Keith Peterson will be the first to know and the last to let nonsense in. The two competitors touch ‘em up, and Santos walks straight into a low kick. Castaneda gets off a few punches on the inside, and a low kick as he circles out. Santos strings several punches together, and he lands a few before shooting in for a double. Castaneda falls to his back and sets up a guillotine choke, and he uses the submission to work his way back to his feet. Castaneda presses his man up against the cage, and he narrowly avoids a blistering elbow upside the head. Santos keeps his foot on the gas when they separate, and he fires off a few quick kicks only to get cracked with an overhand right. Castaneda release a head kick from up close, and Santos’ legs nearly give out beneath him. Castaneda crashes forward and shoves Santos to the mat in an effort to finish the job, and the Brazilian threatens with an armbar off his back to keep Castaneda honest. “Sexi Mexi” stands up and gets nailed with an upkick, and he lets Santos back up while he recovers. When Santos stands, his balance is still not with him, as Castaneda drills him with a left hand and sets Santos on his seat. Castaneda again moves to top position, and he shifts right to mount and starts dropping down strikes. Santos somehow recovers enough to get out of the bad posture and get back to his feet, but Castaneda is on him tightly. Castaneda ragdolls him down to the mat, and when “Willycat” scrambles back up, Castaneda hits a dramatic mat return to put Santos down with an exclamation point. Castaneda backs away and stands up, this time avoiding the upkick, and Santos follows him and looses a spinning back kick. Castaneda walks through a few punches and boots Santos upside the head, and Santos is practically out on his feet. Castaneda charges forward, unloading with punches, and Santos is throwing back even though he might be in big trouble. Santos, possibly on autopilot, slings heavy leather to keep Castaneda from putting him away, and he connects with a heavy knee to give Castaneda pause. Santos gets the upper hand as Castaneda is now struggling, and he lets go with his hands and makes Castaneda shell up. Santos gains steam and leaps at him with a flying knee, and it connects right before the horn sounds. What a round!
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Castaneda
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Castaneda
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Castaneda
Round 2
Before the round begins, Santos has a piece of tape clipped, allowing them a few precious additional seconds to recover. Santos is the one who leads the dance in the second round, possibly with momentum turning to his side, and he loads up on a body kick. The foot skims off the cup, and Castaneda reacts as Peterson pauses the action. In less than a minute, Castaneda is able to get his wind back and he is ready to go. Santos starts off by releasing a body kick that is not low this time, and Castaneda reels and backs off. Santos swings a high kick at him, and Castaneda grabs him from behind and drags him to the mat. “Willycat” scrambles wildly and powers back up, and he latches on to a guillotine choke that allows him to lower Castaneda to the floor. Castaneda shakes it off and gets back up, and Santos is not letting him breathe. Santos rings his bell with a few right hands, and Castaneda appears the worse for wear after seven minutes of furious action. Castaneda reaches up a high kick that is too slow to get through, and Santos scores leg kicks and a body kick. When Castaneda responds with his own kick to the body, Santos times a takedown entry and drags “Sexi Mexi” to a knee. Castaneda climbs back up, and Santos jumps at him with a knee that belts him in the face. Castaneda is stunned, and he starts pushing the pace again as he walks Santos down and lands with several strikes. Santos spins with a back fist that hurts Castaneda, and Castaneda does a quick count of his teeth as Santos bears down on him. Castaneda tries to back him off with a few punches, and Santos suddenly goes up high with a head kick that Castaneda eats. Santos has a kick checked high, but his pressure is getting the better of Castaneda, as he knocks Castaneda back to the wall with a right hand. Castaneda has his hands low, and Santos is teeing off on him and working him over.
Santos rips a few punches to the body, and Castaneda’s eyes betray his otherwise calm poker face. Santos chains together a few punches that allow him to knee Castaneda in the chin, and Castaneda’s legs go out from beneath him. Before Santos can land a second that he has chambered, Castaneda falls to the ground, and Peterson knows that Castaneda’s tank is empty and he calls it a night.
What a huge comeback from the Chute Boxe fighter, who earns his first UFC win impressively after overcoming a great deal of adversity.
The Official Result
Daniel Gustavo Santos def. John Castaneda R2 4:28 via KO (Punches and Knee)
Cody leans towards Daniel Santos as a plus money underdog, expecting a low-volume fight where Santos's power and killer intent could be the difference. He acknowledges Castañeda's durability and pressure but thinks Santos has a puncher's chance. He is not fully confident and may not bet it.
Paul leans towards John Castañeda, citing his durability, forward pressure, and ability to break opponents. He notes that Santos has a history of first-round finishes but fades if he doesn't get the early finish. He expects Castañeda to mix in wrestling and outwork Santos in the later rounds. He considers live betting Castañeda if Santos wins the first round.
The MMA Guru is high on John Castañeda, calling him one of his favorite favorites on the card. He believes Castañeda's smothering wrestling and fundamental striking will overwhelm Daniel Santos, who he views as a wild Muay Thai striker not ready for UFC level. He predicts Castañeda will get a submission, possibly an arm triangle, after wearing Santos down on the ground. He includes Castañeda in his parlay.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Castañeda | 0 | 34 of 85 | 40% | 34 of 85 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Miles Johns | 1 | 58 of 147 | 39% | 68 of 159 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Castañeda | 0 | 11 of 27 | 40% | 11 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Miles Johns | 0 | 16 of 48 | 33% | 16 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | John Castañeda | 0 | 17 of 44 | 38% | 17 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Miles Johns | 0 | 25 of 68 | 36% | 33 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:12 | |
| 3 | John Castañeda | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Miles Johns | 1 | 17 of 31 | 54% | 19 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:33 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Castañeda | 34 of 85 | 40% | 27 of 76 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 33 of 83 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Miles Johns | 58 of 147 | 39% | 40 of 113 | 6 of 11 | 12 of 23 | 47 of 129 | 7 of 11 | 4 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Castañeda | 11 of 27 | 40% | 8 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Miles Johns | 16 of 48 | 33% | 7 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 15 | 16 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | John Castañeda | 17 of 44 | 38% | 13 of 38 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Miles Johns | 25 of 68 | 36% | 19 of 56 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 7 | 21 of 62 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | John Castañeda | 6 of 14 | 42% | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Miles Johns | 17 of 31 | 54% | 14 of 27 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 19 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The prelims conclude with a bantamweight battle as Fortis MMA standout Johns (12-1, 3-1 UFC) takes on longtime Combate Americas vet Castaneda (18-5, 1-1 UFC). Without wasting any more time, the fighters meet in the middle and touch gloves as referee Mike Beltran keeps a watchful eye. Castaneda swings a head kick that misses the mark by a wide margin, and Johns is holding on to a healthy distance as he circles against the outer edge of the cage. Johns blocks a high kick, but he does not throw much more back than a jab. Castaneda continues throwing his kick up on high, and it does not succeed again. Johns remains elusive but is not swinging much of his own, and he suddenly bursts forward with a left-right combo. Castaneda walks forward and gets his head snapped back with a right hook, and Johns takes a step back to avoid a possible counter. “Sexi Mexi” has a kick slap off Johns’ leg, and Johns is waiting with an overhand right counter that brushes off his chin. Castaneda reaches out with his fingers outstretched, and one grazes the eyeball of his opponent to force a brief stoppage. Johns clears his eye and they resume, as Castaneda gives chase but cannot land much on his defensive foe. Johns blocks a head kick and absorbs a low kick, and he misses with a left hand. The accuracy rate and volume this round are quite low, as both men are largely content to swing with single strikes. Johns looks for an uppercut counter, and he bumps into Castaneda’s chin but does not land flush. A right hand from “Chapo” drills into Castaneda’s jaw, but he wears it well and does not take much more than a step back. Castaneda connects with a loud body kick, stepping back just in the nick of time to avoid a looping punch from the Fortis MMA fighter. They feint and fake at one another, and three head kicks from Castaneda are all blocked right before the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Johns
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Johns
Round 2
The second frame begins with a glove touch, and Castaneda opens up with a kick that pounds square into Johns’ cup. Johns tries to say he is good to go, but Beltran gives him more time to recover. When they begin again, Johns is there with a big right hand. Castaneda kicks low again but this one is legal, and Johns suddenly burst into activity as he swarms his man with a barrage of punches. Castaneda shakes them off, but Johns is fired up and throwing with bad intentions. “Sexi Mexi” blocks and dodges many of the strikes, and he marches Johns down and gets punched in the stomach. Johns catches a head kick right on the side of his head, and he shakes it off somehow and tries to suck Castaneda into a brawl. Johns sets a trap to lure Castaneda in and bomb him with hooks, but Castaneda does not fall for it and keeps pressuring Johns around the cage. Castaneda lands a right hand on the side of the head, and Johns’ face looks far less confident than the previous round. Castaneda keeps bullying Johns back, and even though not all of his strikes land, he is constantly forcing the Fortis fighter to fight off his back foot. Castaneda clips Johns with a right hand, and Johns staggers back and may have remained upright thanks to the fence behind him. Castaneda charges at him, lands again and pushes Johns to the ground. Castaneda willingly climbs into the guard, slowly working with ground-and-pound all while he passes to half guard. Johns turns to his side and gets elbowed on the side of the head, and with a surge of adrenaline, he kicks Castaneda off of him and powers back to his feet. Johns loads up on a big right hand, but his target is several feet away. Castaneda wades into the danger zone to let loose with a head kick, and several more punches as Johns is predominantly aiming with a home-run shot. The second round ends with Johns winging a right hand that clatters off the guard.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Castaneda
Round 3
Castaneda opens the final round the aggressor, forcing Johns to back away as he avoids punches that loom. Castaneda scores a low kick, and he ducks a huge punch from Johns. Castaneda dodges and weaves, cracking Johns with a right hand and staying safe from the reckless, wide hooks coming back at him. Johns wobbles back, and Castaneda lays into him with a knee and a body shot. Johns throws a punch so hard he spins around, and Castaneda charges. With “Sexi Mexi” laying into his tired foe with a couple punches, a powerful knee and an uppercut, Johns’ legs give way beneath him and he falls to the floor.
Castaneda pounces, landing in three-quarter mount while he hooks up an arm-triangle choke. Johns defends off his back by hooking his arm beneath his knee, but his arm grows weary and he retracts it. “Chapo” considers tapping out, but he goes out on his shield, with the arm-triangle choke sending him off to dreamland.
Beltran notices that Johns’ is fast asleep and intervenes, and Castaneda is now the first fighter to ever submit Johns.
The Official Result
John Castaneda def. Miles Johns R3 1:38 via Technical Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Angelo picks Miles Johns for his power and wrestling. He notes Johns has heavy hands and explosive takedowns, coming off two knockout wins. Castañeda is a fun, high-pressure fighter with fast hands and takedowns but lacks power. Angelo believes Johns' power and wrestling will match Castañeda's pressure and secure the win.
Cody agrees with Paul, noting that Johns' volume is low and he can be edged out. He thinks Castañeda is a live underdog because Johns' style leaves room for an upset. He is leaning Castañeda but not ready to pull the trigger fully.
Daniel Levi picks Miles Johns, citing his athleticism, speed, and higher pace. He notes Johns has five-round experience and has beaten tough guys like Adrian Yanez. Levi thinks Castañeda is a step behind athletically and often fights on his back foot. He expects Johns to push the pace and win a decision, though he acknowledges Castañeda's technical skills and the possibility of an upset.
Lock of the Night picks Johns, citing his wrestling advantage and improving striking. He notes that Castañeda is the better technical striker but Johns can initiate takedowns and control the fight. He likes Johns by decision at +130.
Paul sees Castañeda as a live underdog. He notes that Miles Johns has low volume and can make mental mistakes. He thinks Castañeda has decent power and cardio, and if Johns makes a mistake, Castañeda can capitalize. He is leaning towards Castañeda but not fully committed.
The MMA Guru picks Miles Johns, citing his momentum and power advantage. He references Johns' wins over Anderson dos Santos and Kevin Natividad, and notes Castañeda was schooled by Nathaniel Wood. He predicts a 29-28 decision with Johns winning the first two rounds due to power, and Castañeda possibly taking the third.
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks John Castañeda as the underdog. He notes that Daniel Marcos is undefeated but has squeaked out close decisions, and his UFC wins are not dominant. John is all gas, no brakes, with forward pressure, wrestling, and a high pace. Angelo thinks John's wrestling and pressure will be too much for Marcos, who likes to control the tempo. He expects John to win a decision or possibly get a finish.
Big Brady picks Daniel Marcos to win by decision. He likes Marcos's striking volume and body work, which could break Castañeda as seen in the Santos fight. He doubts Castañeda's wrestling will be effective because Marcos has good takedown defense and get-up game. He expects a war but favors Marcos's striking.
Cody picks Marcos, noting that Castañeda struggles when pressured and Marcos has good leg kicks and volume. He acknowledges Castañeda's wrestling but thinks Marcos' takedown defense and striking will be enough to edge a decision. Cody sees this as a close fight but leans towards Marcos' development.
Daniel picks Marcos as the slicker fighter, expecting a close decision. He praises Marcos' cerebral approach and jab, and notes Castañeda's experience and improved output. He has been picking against Castañeda and continues that trend.
Jacob picks John Castañeda, calling him a former lock of the week. He likes that John doesn't force takedowns but uses his wrestling as a weapon, often setting up takedowns with his boxing. He thinks the striking will be close, but John's wrestling gives him an edge, especially late in rounds. He notes that John was plus money and would have been his lock of the week if the odds were wider earlier.
Castañeda's movement and lateral footwork should help him avoid Marcos' calf kicks and crash the pocket with power strikes. He has more tools and experience, and can hand Marcos his first loss. However, if Marcos establishes the calf kick, he could take over. Close fight, slight lean to Castañeda by decision.
Paul slightly leans towards Castañeda based on his wrestling and volume. He notes that Castañeda moves forward well and has good output. Paul thinks this is a properly priced fight and does not intend to make a significant play.
The Guru picks Marcos after initially considering Castañeda. He says Castañeda hasn't put together wins impressively and his recent fights weren't good-looking. Marcos is 15-0 and active, and though he was given a robbery decision against Dave Grant, the Guru thinks Marcos is better than Castañeda. He notes Marcos looked amazing in the first round against Chang before the no-contest.
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