Career Averages - Khaos Williams
Career Averages - Carlston Harris
Khaos Williams
Carlston Harris
Khaos Williams - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 0 | 13 of 25 | 52% | 20 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 1 | 21 of 56 | 37% | 36 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 13 of 25 | 52% | 20 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 1 | 21 of 56 | 37% | 36 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 13 of 25 | 52% | 8 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 21 of 56 | 37% | 9 of 35 | 7 of 9 | 5 of 12 | 20 of 52 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 13 of 25 | 52% | 8 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 21 of 56 | 37% | 9 of 35 | 7 of 9 | 5 of 12 | 20 of 52 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Nikolay Veretennikov, considering him the better technical striker. He notes Khaos Williams has no takedown attempts in the UFC, so if Veretennikov has success striking, Williams has no backup plan. He expects Veretennikov's forward pressure to disrupt Williams. He calls it a crazy close fight.
Big Brady picks Nikolay Veretennikov as a slight underdog, citing his striking tools and durability. He notes that Khaos Williams has not completed a takedown in the UFC, so the fight will likely stay standing, where Veretennikov has the edge. He predicts a decision win but is not confident enough to bet.
Cody picks Nikolay Veretennikov, noting that Khaos Williams has looked disinterested and reluctant to engage in recent fights. Veretennikov is a versatile striker with good body work and durability, while Williams relies on power but has low volume. Cody believes Veretennikov's higher work rate and shot selection will allow him to outwork Williams over three rounds.
Connor picks Williams but with hesitation, noting that Veretennikov could win if he circles away and throws one-twos, but Veretennikov doesn't circle. He emphasizes that Williams is a power-based fighter with no technique and has been brutally bullied in recent fights, but Veretennikov is not good enough to exploit that.
Williams lands harder shots and has better cardio. Veretennikov slows down and has poor takedown offense. However, Williams can be passive and head-hunts. The fight spread is a better bet than the moneyline.
Lucrative James picks Nikolay Veretennikov to win by KO, citing Veretennikov's Muay Thai clinch and knees against a striker like Williams. He notes Williams's recent losses and potential lack of focus, while Veretennikov is all-in on MMA. He predicts a second-round finish via knee to the body.
The host picks Khaos Williams over Nikolay Veretennikov, expecting Williams to thwart Veretennikov's approach and land big power shots early and often, leading to a decision win.
The host believes Williams' defensive grappling is good enough to keep the fight standing, where he has the striking advantage. He expects Williams to pull away in the later rounds and win by decision, though a knockout is possible. He is confident in Williams at -130.
Paul hesitantly picks Nikolay Veretennikov at plus 110, noting that both fighters' opponents usually try to take them down. He hopes that Veretennikov's training camp with high-level wrestlers may have improved his offensive wrestling, allowing him to steal close rounds. He acknowledges it's a volatile fight and is not heavily invested.
Zane picks Khaos Williams because Veretennikov is low-output, can't wrestle, and doesn't use his length effectively. He notes that Williams is powerful and should be able to blitz Veretennikov, though he acknowledges Williams has never beaten a really good fighter and his last two fights were brutal losses.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 0 | 39 of 74 | 52% | 95 of 134 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:17 |
| Andreas Gustafsson | 0 | 98 of 128 | 76% | 151 of 185 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 9:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 21 of 40 | 52% | 49 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:02 |
| Andreas Gustafsson | 0 | 30 of 44 | 68% | 36 of 50 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 | |
| 2 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 32 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andreas Gustafsson | 0 | 35 of 46 | 76% | 44 of 56 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 3:43 | |
| 3 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 5 of 6 | 83% | 14 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Andreas Gustafsson | 0 | 33 of 38 | 86% | 71 of 79 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 0 | 0 | 4:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 39 of 74 | 52% | 29 of 63 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 26 of 57 | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 |
| Andreas Gustafsson | 98 of 128 | 76% | 67 of 95 | 21 of 23 | 10 of 10 | 27 of 50 | 52 of 57 | 19 of 21 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 21 of 40 | 52% | 16 of 34 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 28 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
| Andreas Gustafsson | 30 of 44 | 68% | 15 of 27 | 14 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 22 | 19 of 22 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Khaos Williams | 13 of 28 | 46% | 10 of 25 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 24 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Andreas Gustafsson | 35 of 46 | 76% | 25 of 36 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 13 of 23 | 20 of 21 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Khaos Williams | 5 of 6 | 83% | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Andreas Gustafsson | 33 of 38 | 86% | 27 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 13 of 14 | 17 of 19 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Williams (-192), Gustafsson (+160)
Round 1
Our first welterweight fight of the night is overseen by Mike Beltran. Gustafsson comes out charging and clinches with Williams. Gustafsson lands a knee and is looking to use his Greco-Roman wrestling to take the fight to the ground. Williams defends well, as both men land knees in the clinch. Gustafsson is doing more damage, but it's largely a stalemate as the crowd boos. Beltran breaks the fighters up. Gustafsson wastes no time, charging forward and landing an uppercut. A big right hand lands for Gustafsson, who follows it up with a right hook. It's reckless offense, but it's undeniably working for him. Gustafsson clinches again but can't keep Williams there. A left hook lands for Gustafsson, who is throwing wild hooks. Most are missing, but Williams hasn't been able to land much in response. They clinch with Williams staying on his feet but eating more knees. This is an exhausting pace by Gustafsson. Williams landing some hard knees of his own. The round ends with Gustafsson slipping a knee and an elbow in.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gustafsson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gustafsson
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Gustafsson
Round 2
Williams looks tired to start the second frame. Gustafsson charges forward and gets back into the clinch where the last round left off. Knees to the leg of Williams lands for Gustafsson. Williams is able to exit. A nice right straight lands for Williams, but Gustafsson is closing space. A jab for Gustafsson hurts Williams, and the two men wind up back in the clinch again. An uppercut for Gustafsson lands, and then a huge left hook. Williams is trying to pick his shots, but simply can't keep up with this pace. Gustafsson lands a knee and then trips Williams to the ground. Gustafsson allows Williams up and then puts him back on the ground. Williams is back to his feet and then eats a knee to the face. Gustafsson drags his opponent to the ground. This is a one-sided beatdown. Gustafsson cuts Williams, who gets to his feet only to eat more knees. Big elbows from Gustafsson. Williams is back to his feet but just eating knees. Gustafsson slips in an uppercut and then an elbow. Brutal offense from Gustafsson, who ends the round in the clinch with another elbow.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gustafsson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gustafsson
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Gustafsson
Round 3
Gustafsson begins the round as expected, charging forward and getting Williams into the clinch. Williams isn't able to escape and is getting kneed and shoulder-checked. They are fighting as if they're in a phone booth. Uppercuts and elbows are being landed by Gustafsson. Williams is occasionally throwing back, but doesn't have the power to keep Gustafsson honest at this point. Gustafsson takes the back of Williams while standing. Gustafsson trips Williams to the floor and unloads with elbows while in side control. Williams is able to scramble to his feet, but is eating knee after knee. Gustafsson takes him down again. Williams has nothing less. Gustafsson has his back and is landing punch after punch until the fight ends. A total thrashing.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gustafsson (30-27 Gustafsson)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Gustafsson (30-26 Gustafsson)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-8 Gustafsson (30-26 Gustafsson)
The Official Result
Andreas Gustafsson def. Kalinn Williams via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26); R3, 5:00.
Angelo picks Khaos Williams but is hesitant due to the unusual circumstances. He notes Andreas Gustafsson is a live underdog with good grappling and power, but the double weight cut (cutting weight for a canceled fight then cutting again) could hurt his performance. He thinks if Andreas is fine, he could win by pressure. He doesn't love the pick.
Big Brady picks Khaos Williams, citing his durability and fight IQ compared to Gustafsson's previous opponent. He notes Gustafsson is hittable, slow, and only dangerous in the clinch, while Williams is much more durable and has never been knocked out. He expects Williams to knock Gustafsson out in the second round when the fight is at range.
Khaos Williams was closer to -250 earlier in fight week but now finds himself around -190, which is considered a perfect entry. He is expected to land more shots, shut down Gustafsson's grappling, and outdamage him on the way to a decision victory.
The MMA Guru picks Khaos Williams by KO, confident in his one-punch power. He notes Andreas Gustafsson's pressure style will play into Williams' hands, as Gustafsson will enter the danger zone. He acknowledges Williams is not fundamentally sound but has nasty knockout power. He predicts a first round KO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Bonfim | 0 | 35 of 72 | 48% | 35 of 72 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 2 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Khaos Williams | 0 | 20 of 90 | 22% | 23 of 94 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gabriel Bonfim | 0 | 7 of 23 | 30% | 7 of 23 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Khaos Williams | 0 | 7 of 41 | 17% | 10 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 | |
| 2 | Gabriel Bonfim | 0 | 28 of 49 | 57% | 28 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Khaos Williams | 0 | 13 of 49 | 26% | 13 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Bonfim | 35 of 72 | 48% | 20 of 50 | 0 of 5 | 15 of 17 | 35 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Khaos Williams | 20 of 90 | 22% | 8 of 54 | 2 of 13 | 10 of 23 | 20 of 90 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gabriel Bonfim | 7 of 23 | 30% | 2 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Khaos Williams | 7 of 41 | 17% | 3 of 23 | 1 of 6 | 3 of 12 | 7 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Gabriel Bonfim | 28 of 49 | 57% | 18 of 33 | 0 of 5 | 10 of 11 | 28 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Khaos Williams | 13 of 49 | 26% | 5 of 31 | 1 of 7 | 7 of 11 | 13 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bonfim (-225), Williams (+185)
Round 1
The first of the vaunted Bonfim brothers takes the stage in this welterweight contest. Called “Little Hammer” or “Marretinha,” Bonfim (16-1, 3-1 UFC) lets his smaller, older brother take “Hammer” outright. This Bonfim is more apt to go for submissions than the other, with a clean three-quarters of his pro victories by tapout. On the other side of the equation, Williams (15-3, 6-1 UFC) has never been finished as a pro, so something might have to give in the next 15 minutes or less. With referee Herb Dean taking a few steps back, the fighters meander towards one another but do not plan on offering a glove touch. Instead, they smack one another with calf kicks. Taking turns throwing these kicks, Williams tries to take his activity up a notch by jabbing to the body a few times. Bonfim loops a single left hand around the guard, but Williams pays it no mind. They lunge at one another with solid jabs, and Williams misses a looping right hand by a matter of inches. Williams once more whiffs on a blitz, with Bonfim sliding to the side laterally to avoid the worst of it. Williams turns his hips into a hard kick, and a second is greeted by a takedown shot. Williams drops to a knee to defend it, wrapping his arm around the neck while Bonfim has his hands around the waist. As Williams tries to scramble, Bonfim comfortably takes his back and gets both hooks in. Williams is defensively-minded to not let a choke materialize, and he explodes at the exact right moment to burst back to his feet and put Bonfim’s back to the wall. Bonfim is able to separate and stick out numerous jabs, not letting Williams get off with his heavy shots. “Khaos” gets back to delivering low kicks from either side, and Bonfim times an overswinging Williams by lifting him up and slamming him on his face. Bonfim stays tight on top of his foe to pull off a Von Preux choke, but time expires before he can complete it. When Dean tells them the round is over, he has to forcibly get Bonfim to release the choke and send him to his corner.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim
Round 2
It is more leg kicks from both men to get the second round started, with the occasional inaccurate surge from Williams buzzing past his opponent. Bonfim is able to successfully circle out of harm’s way, with Williams unable to cut him off and just chasing him hurling punches. Bonfim stays on his bike with stabbing jabs, and he chops at the front leg when not jabbing. The approach might not be mind-blowing but it is effective, as he occasionally follows a jab with a good overhand right. Bonfim checks a kick and the two crash together to bang their heads together, but they appear no worse for wear from it. The calf kicks from the Brazilian are starting to get Williams’ attention, who is swinging wider and appearing to flag seven minutes in. Bonfim checks another kick or two, jabs and slips away from the big Williams blows. Bonfim splits the guard with a front kick and keeps putting the pain behind low kicks. A left hook plants behind the ear of “Khaos the Ox Fighter,” who shakes it off and gets back to trading at a range he does prefer. Williams swings wildly with too much arc, while Bonfim is much straighter, allowing him to hit first and last while chewing Williams up with his kicks. Williams staggers away after taking unchecked low kicks, and he comes up hitting air when bearing down on the Brazilian. Bonfim stabs out a jab and parries a few punches, and he shoots for a takedown as soon as Williams gains as modicum of momentum.
Bonfim lands in full mount but is bounced out of it, and he turns to his knees and wraps up a brabo choke. Williams turns to his side to ride out the choke and possibly survive to the next round, but the submission is lethally tight. Williams goes out, his eyes eerily open wide and his mouthpiece nearly coughed out as he stares lifelessly into the void.
Dean recognizes that Williams has been ushered off to dreamland and waves the fight off, with Bonfim successfully becoming the first fighter to finish the dangerous “Khaos.”
The Official Result
Gabriel Bonfim def. Kalinn Williams R2 4:58 via Technical Submission (Brabo Choke)
Angelo picks Gabriel Bonfim, noting he is more well-rounded with clean boxing and good BJJ. He expects Bonfim to use a wrestle-heavy game plan but acknowledges Khaos Williams has solid takedown defense and power. He thinks the -200 odds are wide and that Bonfim could gas, but overall Bonfim has more tools.
Big Brady picks Bonfim, noting he has more ways to win: striking power and a grappling path. Williams is hitable (42% striking defense) and has poor grappling defense. Bonfim showed improved cardio in his last fight. However, he hesitates to lay -210 odds due to Williams' power.
Bonfim is the better striker and overall mixed martial artist. As long as he stays conscious, he should outpoint Khaos Williams and win on the scorecards. The fight likely goes past the 1.5 round mark.
The MMA Guru picks Khaos Williams as an underdog over Gabriel Bonfim. He doubts Bonfim's ability to immediately take Williams down and submit him, noting Bonfim's close decision with Ange Loosa and loss to Nicolas Dalby. He believes Williams has the power to knock out Bonfim and has a solid resume despite inactivity.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 1 | 12 of 20 | 60% | 12 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Carlston Harris | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 14 of 30 | 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 | Khaos Williams | 1 | 12 of 20 | 60% | 12 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Carlston Harris | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 12 of 20 | 60% | 5 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 11 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Carlston Harris | 14 of 30 | 46% | 10 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 12 of 20 | 60% | 5 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 11 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Carlston Harris | 14 of 30 | 46% | 10 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Williams (-130), Harris (+110)
Round 1
Coming into the co-main event, two welterweights with the ability to procure especially violent and fascinating finishes will clash. Williams (14-3, 5-2 UFC) prefers to smash people in the face, while Harris (19-5, 4-1 UFC) can hit hard and is not afraid to go for a neck. Referee Dan Miragliotta may be needed when it’s all said and done. The two men tap their gloves together before the melee ensues, and Williams moves right to the center of the cage. Harris slaps out a low kick, and he leans to the side to evade a front kick aimed at his face. They both jab at one another, with Williams going to the body. Williams aims a body shot and follows with a right hand over the top. Harris stays on the outside with rangy punches to the head and midsection. They trade low kicks, and Harris prods out with a jab. Harris comes up short with a pair of overhand rights, and a third partially lands.
Williams absorbs a clubbing right hand behind the ear when jabbing to the body, and he ducks down and unleashes a devastating right that completely demolishes “Mocambique.” Harris hits the ground on his side in a heap, totally wrecked, and Williams leaps down to finish the job with one unnecessary diving right hand.
When Miragliotta gets between them, he walks off pounding his chest to celebrate a crushing knockout, having flattened a dangerous adversary in about 90 seconds.
The Official Result
Kalinn Williams def. Carlston Harris R1 1:30 via KO (Punch)
Angelo picks Khaos Williams due to his power, durability, and takedown defense, but he is not fully confident because Williams looked flat in his last fight with no head movement. Carlston Harris is well-rounded with slick grappling and power. Angelo trusts Williams' takedown defense over Harris's 29% takedown accuracy, but hopes Williams shows improvement.
Cody believes Williams has evolved from a pure power puncher to a more well-rounded fighter who uses inside kicks to set up his right hand. He notes Williams has 80% takedown defense and hasn't been taken down since Michel Pereira. Cody argues Harris's striking is limited and his cardio is suspect; if Harris doesn't get a quick submission, Williams will outwork him on the feet. He also highlights Williams's training camp at Michigan with top welterweights.
Williams has improved his takedown defense and gas tank, and is a crisper striker. Harris relies on clinching and BJJ but will struggle to get the fight to the ground against Williams' physicality. Expects Williams to land the more effective damage and win a decision.
Paul leans on Harris's grappling advantage, noting that if Harris can get the fight to the mat, he should have a significant edge. He questions whether Khaos Williams has been tested against someone with Harris's jiu-jitsu pedigree. Paul expects a striker vs. grappler dynamic and favors the grappler.
The MMA Guru picks Carlston Harris to win by submission (rear-naked choke) in rounds one or two over Khaos Williams. He believes Harris will grapple heavily and that Williams' takedown defense is not bad but Harris is more likely to shoot offensively. He notes Williams' inactivity and real estate business as potential distractions, and trusts Harris' grappling pedigree.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 0 | 130 of 283 | 45% | 131 of 284 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:13 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 0 | 149 of 209 | 71% | 150 of 210 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 44 of 88 | 50% | 45 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 0 | 44 of 56 | 78% | 45 of 57 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 39 of 90 | 43% | 39 of 90 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 0 | 40 of 60 | 66% | 40 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 47 of 105 | 44% | 47 of 105 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 0 | 65 of 93 | 69% | 65 of 93 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 130 of 283 | 45% | 68 of 205 | 29 of 38 | 33 of 40 | 126 of 276 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 149 of 209 | 71% | 103 of 150 | 15 of 17 | 31 of 42 | 136 of 196 | 13 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 44 of 88 | 50% | 21 of 59 | 15 of 19 | 8 of 10 | 42 of 84 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 44 of 56 | 78% | 26 of 34 | 9 of 10 | 9 of 12 | 37 of 49 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Khaos Williams | 39 of 90 | 43% | 17 of 60 | 8 of 13 | 14 of 17 | 37 of 87 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 40 of 60 | 66% | 25 of 38 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 18 | 37 of 57 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Khaos Williams | 47 of 105 | 44% | 30 of 86 | 6 of 6 | 11 of 13 | 47 of 105 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rolando Bedoya | 65 of 93 | 69% | 52 of 78 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 12 | 62 of 90 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Williams (-305), Bedoya (+255)
Round 1
Carrying on the prelims is a welterweight clash when power puncher Williams (13-3, 4-2 UFC) introduces Peruvian newcomer Bedoya (14-1, 0-0 UFC) to the promotion. Fists are sure to fly soon, and referee Keith Peterson is right on top of the nonsense-free action when it begins. Before the looming slugfest, they tap their gloves together. Bedoya starts off with a leg kick, and Williams marches him down and slugs him in the face. Bedoya wobbles back, keeping his head on a swivel, and he appears no worse for wear after the charging salvo. Williams continues plodding forward, stringing punches together, and Bedoya skirts on the outside to protect his mug from the brunt of the damage. Williams shows no fear and throws caution to the wind, catching Bedoya but not hurting him, and the two wind up in the clinch. Bedoya sneaks up a few knees before breaking off, and he flashes out a jab when Williams comes at him. Bedoya pushes out a front kick and a one-two, and Williams no-sells it and throws a straight right hand down the pipe. Bedoya attacks the body with a kick, and he loads up with a few punches to the midsection. Bedoya grins and circles away, smacking the lead leg with a kick but getting belted in the face with a right hand from “Khaos.” Bedoya hammers the breadbasket with a few knees, and Williams gets one off on the break. Williams whiffs with a right hand, and he counters with a left over the guard. Williams intercepts his foe with a short right hand, and Bedoya flashes a big grin after taking it flush. “The Ox Fighter” goes for a kick to the body, and he strings several punches into a body kick as Bedoya grimaces. Bedoya fires back, and Williams grabs hold of his foe to conclude the close round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Round 2
The second round kicks off with a body kick from the Peruvian fighter, and brimming with confidence, he throws one low. Williams counters with a calf kick, and he slides back from a windmilling right hand that zooms past his face. “Khaos” digs in another low kick, and he catches a front kick to land his shin on the inside. Williams cracks the chin with a few punches, and Bedoya smiles at him and shakes it off, only to absorb a chopping low kick at the end of a combination. Bedoya lets go with a leg kick, and he counters a kick with a right hand around the guard. Williams surges forward with three punches, making the Peruvian smile. They trade leg kicks, and Bedoya gets in a right hand and a front kick. Williams ignores it and comes out firing, and Bedoya catches him with another right on the chin. After a brief clinch, Williams splits it up with a sharp uppercut, and Bedoya answers with a leg kick that makes Williams frown. Williams scores two punches coming forward, and Bedoya shakes them off and starts showboating and taunting his foe. Williams does not bite, instead loading up with two leg kicks, and Bedoya makes a matador motion. Williams clubs his man with a looping left and a hard right leg kick, and Bedoya replies with a knee up the middle. The Peruvian fighter kicks low and then high, surprising “Khaos” with his shin to the chin. Williams tanks it without flinching, and he springs into action with a few punches and a body kick. Williams splits the guard with a pair of punches, and Bedoya answers with a leg kick that irritates Williams. To respond to that, the American pops him with a few punches, and both men tag the other in a fierce exchange. The two welterweights clash legs together with one final kick, and the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Round 3
There is a final clap of hands to open up the last round, and they begin trading shortly thereafter. Williams smacks his shin on the inside of the leg, and he counters Bedoya’s kick with two punches down Broadway. This leads to a clinch, and they break away and sting one another with power shots. Williams lets fly four punches and a leg kick, and Bedoya replies with a few leg kicks to draw a reaction. Williams is intercepted when lunging, and he takes an elbow that stuns him. Bedoya decides to throw leather, and Williams obliges him and does not throw as many kicks. Bedoya flicks out a few jabs and shells up when Williams swings back at him with a vengeance. Bedoya slips back when tossing out a low kick, and Williams stands right in front of him and strikes. Williams absorbs a flush leg kick that makes him stumble, and his plant leg is compromised and he cannot throw quite as hard as before. Bedoya jabs and sticks a leg kick, and Williams replies in kind. They both push off with lefts, and Bedoya pops his man with a one-two. Williams gets clinched and breaks away with a vertical elbow, and he loops a right hand that smashes square into the newcomer’s chin. Bedoya’s beard is made of tougher stuff, as he does not appear fazed and instead goes right back to chopping at Williams’ leg. Bedoya throws, and Williams replies. Bedoya doubles up on a few jabs, and Williams hurts him with a leg kick. The two rock one another with right hands, and they gather their bearings and hear the final horn blare. This one could go either way.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bedoya (29-28 Williams)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bedoya (29-28 Williams)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bedoya (29-28 Williams)
The Official Result
Kalinn Williams def. Rolando Bedoya via Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Khaos Williams confidently, citing his insane power and durability. He notes that Rolando Bedoya is hittable, as seen in his fight against Pablo de Horta where he was consistently landed on. Angelo believes if Khaos lands with even 10% of the accuracy Pablo did, he will win by knockout. However, he acknowledges that if Bedoya's chin holds up, his volume could win a decision. Angelo plans to wait for round props before betting.
Big Brady picks Williams, calling it a terrible matchup for Bedoya. He notes Bedoya has awful striking defense, walking forward with his hands low, and Williams has elite power. He believes Williams will knock Bedoya out within the first two minutes, as Bedoya's style of eating punches won't work against a power puncher like Williams.
Cody is very confident in Williams, describing Bedoya as a 'dead man walking.' He notes Bedoya's competition in Peru is weak, his striking is wild and technical, and he has no wrestling to avoid Williams' power. Williams has improved significantly, training with top guys, and has knockout power in both hands. He expects an early KO.
Connor agrees, noting Williams has power and a blitzing style that will work against Bedoya's poor defense. He mentions Williams is durable and has been in scrappy fights. Bedoya is fun but too reckless, and Williams should win.
The host picks Khaos Williams by knockout in the second round. He believes Williams' higher level experience and bigger knockout power will be decisive in a wild exchange. He notes there is value on Bedoya but prefers the more battle-tested fighter. He also recommends the fight doesn't go to decision.
Paul agrees, saying the obvious play is Williams inside the distance. He notes Williams has 'death touch' and is overdue for a knockout. He expects Williams to come out aggressive and finish early.
The Guru picks Williams, calling Bedoya's debut a terrible matchup. He notes Williams' reach advantage and power, and that Bedoya has been off for over a year. He expects Williams to land a first-round KO, as Bedoya will have octagon jitters on a PPV card.
Zane picks Williams because of his massive power and blitzing style, which should overwhelm Bedoya's poor defense. He notes Bedoya is fun but messy, and Williams is durable and can force his fight. Bedoya is likely to get sucked into Williams' brawl and won't make him do something else.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randy Brown | 0 | 93 of 177 | 52% | 103 of 188 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Khaos Williams | 1 | 75 of 224 | 33% | 96 of 246 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 4:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Randy Brown | 0 | 18 of 36 | 50% | 19 of 37 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Khaos Williams | 0 | 21 of 58 | 36% | 28 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:43 | |
| 2 | Randy Brown | 0 | 34 of 69 | 49% | 41 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Khaos Williams | 0 | 25 of 80 | 31% | 34 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:19 | |
| 3 | Randy Brown | 0 | 41 of 72 | 56% | 43 of 74 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Khaos Williams | 1 | 29 of 86 | 33% | 34 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randy Brown | 93 of 177 | 52% | 68 of 144 | 15 of 22 | 10 of 11 | 74 of 156 | 19 of 21 | 0 of 0 |
| Khaos Williams | 75 of 224 | 33% | 26 of 159 | 16 of 21 | 33 of 44 | 68 of 207 | 4 of 10 | 3 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Randy Brown | 18 of 36 | 50% | 12 of 26 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 14 of 31 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Khaos Williams | 21 of 58 | 36% | 8 of 39 | 6 of 6 | 7 of 13 | 16 of 50 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 4 | |
| 2 | Randy Brown | 34 of 69 | 49% | 26 of 57 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 32 of 67 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Khaos Williams | 25 of 80 | 31% | 7 of 55 | 6 of 11 | 12 of 14 | 24 of 74 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Randy Brown | 41 of 72 | 56% | 30 of 61 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 28 of 58 | 13 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Khaos Williams | 29 of 86 | 33% | 11 of 65 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 17 | 28 of 83 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Williams (-120), Brown (+100)
Round 1
Two welterweights on the quest to shed the “action fighter” label and move up to contendership will throw down in this important 170-pound matchup that serves as the new main card opener. Both Brown (14-4, 8-4 UFC) and Williams (13-2, 4-1 UFC) are known for their devastating knockouts, even if Williams has the higher knockout rate at just 54% -- whether their reputations precede them, or lasting images like Brown pounding out Bryan Barberena or Williams obliterating Alex Morono or Abdul Razak Alhassan make people remember their power. Hope to not get knocked out will be referee Jason Herzog, who will however be ready to jump in at a moment’s notice should the right strike land. The gloves are touched, and they both throw quick strikes early. Williams goes low with a kick, and he charges in with swiping right hands. Brown hops back and out of the way, and sneaks in a short left hand counter on the way back and out. Williams sits down on a thudding body kick, and he swings wildly as Brown stays elusive while trying not to get tagged with the overwhelming power punches coming his way. Brown reaches out with long jabs, and he relies on his footwork to keep him safe as Williams is not shying away from power. Brown goes high with a kick, and Williams brushes it aside and swings a right hand that makes him slip. “Khaos” gathers himself and presses forward to tie Brown up, and Brown knees him in the chest and scores a straight left hand on the break. Williams unloads with a serious combination that rocks Brown, and Brown dives into a desperation takedown that inadvertently gives up his neck. Williams latches on to a brabo choke while Brown is leaned over on his knees, and he bails on it before gassing his arms as it does not appear tight. Brown just slides back when a looping right hand comes at him, and he slips when tossing out a kick. Brown springs back up and ducks as Williams loads up, and he leaps in the air with a knee. Trying to channel his inner Fedor Emelianenko, Williams attempts to intercept Brown mid-air with a right hand, but it does not quite land flush. Brown lands, and they trade with quick punches until Williams pushes in for a clinch. Brown snags hold of a guillotine choke with his back to the wall, and he introduces his knee to Williams’ jaw. Brown re-pursues the guillotine, and Williams punches the body a few times until Brown jumps for the choke with one second left. The fight does not hit the mat before the horn sounds, and Brown releases the grip instantly.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Round 2
The strikers touch gloves to start off the second frame, and Brown unleashes a right hand over the top that shakes Williams up. “Khaos” shakes it off and absorbs a heavy body kick, which lets Brown get comfortable and start dancing. Brown doubles up his jab, catching Williams on the way in and surprising him once more with his strikes. The jabs from Brown continue to pop Williams in the chops, disrupting him momentarily until Williams sits down on an uppercut. Brown leaps forward with a right hand, and he slides and ducks the punches and mocks Williams for his inaccuracy. When Williams kicks at his lead leg, “Rude Boy” checks it and keeps marching forward. He checks a few more, and walks Williams down without exposing himself to anything dangerous. Brown lowers his hands and flashes the jab a few times, and Brown gets a little overconfident and gets cracked. Williams snipes him with a right hand as he blitzes forward, and he bullies the Jamaican all the way to the wall. They separate, and Brown tosses a high kick over the top that skims off Williams’ head. Brown continues to pepper his man with jabs, and he checks the kicks and loads up on a standing elbow that just misses. Williams keeps missing as Brown is dodging and weaving his strikes, and he ducks into an uppercut but does not appear remotely concerned. They both duck down towards one another, and they clash chests as Williams presses him to the wire. Brown ties up a guillotine choke when they are clinched, but he bails on it as Williams continues to hold and grind him. Williams separates with a left hand on the jaw, and he wings a left to the body that comes up short. Brown paws out jabs and keeps his man frustrated, and he just misses a spinning kick. They trade leg kicks, and Williams checks it and points to his own shin confidently. Brown slides a punch and clips Williams with a right hand, and Williams falls forward to clinch. The welterweights hang tight in the clinch until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brown
Round 3
Gloves get touched to lead off the last round, and Brown returns to feeding Williams a steady diet of jabs. Brown sneaks up a head kick quickly, and he hops back when Williams tries and fails to counter him with power strikes. They toss half-hearted leg kicks at one another, and Brown keeps his jab going the whole time. Williams surges forward to throw hands, and Brown leans and shoulder rolls before sliding forward to counter. A right hand from Brown knocks Williams back, and Brown does not take advantage of it to any notable degree. Brown continues to jab, and he splits the guard with a front kick as Williams appears frustrated that he is so inaccurate tonight. Brown again slaps the ball of his foot into Williams’ face, and he ducks back as Williams charges. A short right hand from “Khaos” suddenly blasts Brown on the chin, knocking him down to the mat in a shock. Williams goes after him, lowering himself to the guard, but unable to keep him there. When upright, Brown stings Williams, and they are both rocked. They swing wildly, and “Rude Boy” nails Williams with a rude knee right on the button. Williams wobbles but he won’t fall down, and Brown throws so hard that he actually falls over. Williams follows him over to try to take him down, and Brown defends with his back to the wall and lands a number of illegal elbows to the back of the head despite being warned twice. Williams gets some space and unloads with a clean right hand, and Brown is not fazed as he powers forward. A telegraphed takedown attempt from Brown comes, and Williams stops him but gets pushed up to the wall, where Brown knees him a few times up the middle. Williams leaps forward with a superman punch, and Brown signals that it just missed. The fight ends after a fierce exchange, and they stand before one another after it sounds to talk out what just happened. This will likely be a hotly debated decision, depending on how it turns out, as both men have a case for winning their 15-minute entanglement.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brown (29-28 Brown)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brown (29-28 Brown)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brown (29-28 Brown)
The Official Result
Randy Brown def. Kalinn Williams via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo picks Khaos Williams due to his power and durability, despite acknowledging that Randy Brown is the more technical striker with better grappling. He notes that two of Brown's three UFC losses are by knockout and that Williams has the takedown defense to keep it standing.
Big Brady picks Khaos Williams to win by second-round knockout. He believes Williams has the power, volume, and durability advantage. Brown is the more skilled striker and grappler, but he has been finished in three of his four losses, including two by knockout. Williams has never been finished and hits hard. Brady thinks Brown will get hit a lot and eventually get knocked out. He expects a war and favors the fighter with more power and durability.
Cody leans towards Randy Brown, calling it a dogger pass situation. He is encouraged by Brown's recent performances, especially his use of length and range. Cody notes that Brown's losses are to high-level guys and that he seems to be turning a corner. He contrasts Williams' power but stalled progression, and believes Brown's volume and reach will be key. Cody acknowledges it's a close matchup but favors Brown.
Daniel Levi picks Randy Brown confidently, calling it his first bet of the night at 1.5 units at +115. He believes Brown's volume, movement, and length will be key, and that Brown is in his prime with experience against top competition. He respects Khaos Williams' power but thinks Brown can outwork him over three rounds. He notes that Brown's last performances show he has turned a corner.
The host picks Randy Brown, believing he is the better striker with superior movement, leg kicks, and output. He expects Brown to keep Khaos Williams at range and avoid his power shots. He notes Brown's Muay Thai clinch and jiu-jitsu are also advantages. He thinks Williams will get frustrated and rely on power, but Brown's discipline and cardio will carry him to a decision win. He disagrees with Williams being the favorite.
Paul picks Randy Brown as an underdog at +100. He notes that Brown has been improving, using his length and range effectively with a good jab and low kick. Paul believes Brown's chin held up well against Jared Gooden and that he is more well-rounded. He thinks if the fight becomes a volume affair, Brown edges it out, and Brown's grappling could be an advantage. Paul is confident in Brown's path to victory.
The MMA Guru picks Khaos Williams, despite acknowledging Brown is more technical. He believes Williams' power and leg kicks will be decisive, and that Brown's chin is suspect, having been KO'd before. He predicts Williams will chop at the legs early and land a big KO in the second round, possibly when Brown is ahead on the scorecards. He notes Williams is young and improving.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 0 | 31 of 56 | 55% | 32 of 57 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 5 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Miguel Baeza | 1 | 49 of 131 | 37% | 60 of 145 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 5 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Miguel Baeza | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 27 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:39 | |
| 2 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 23 of 40 | 57% | 23 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Miguel Baeza | 0 | 26 of 77 | 33% | 26 of 77 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 3 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Miguel Baeza | 1 | 7 of 22 | 31% | 7 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 31 of 56 | 55% | 13 of 35 | 1 of 4 | 17 of 17 | 31 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Miguel Baeza | 49 of 131 | 37% | 23 of 94 | 6 of 7 | 20 of 30 | 36 of 113 | 2 of 4 | 11 of 14 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 4 of 7 | 57% | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Miguel Baeza | 16 of 32 | 50% | 10 of 23 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 8 | 7 of 18 | 1 of 3 | 8 of 11 | |
| 2 | Khaos Williams | 23 of 40 | 57% | 9 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 14 of 14 | 23 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Miguel Baeza | 26 of 77 | 33% | 8 of 52 | 6 of 6 | 12 of 19 | 25 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Khaos Williams | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Miguel Baeza | 7 of 22 | 31% | 5 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Hang on tight, welterweight flamethrowers are on deck. Baeza (10-1, 3-1 UFC) will be looking to bounce back from the first defeat in his career against “Khaos” Williams (12-2, 3-1 UFC). Both men are known for their knockout power while neither has ever been knocked out, so something may have to give. Referee Chris Tognoni is lacing his running shoes as we speak, and he steels himself as they touch gloves before throwing down. Williams is the first to give pressure, and he comes forward while Baeza is circling all the way around the cage for a full revolution. Williams looks to slow him with a leg kick, but Baeza is out of harm’s way as he continues to circle. Williams loads up on a power punch, only to hit air. Baeza charges in, and when Williams is there to load up and crack him, Baeza zips away. Williams attempts to cut Baeza off, but he resorts to simply stalking his man down. Williams scores with a calf kick, and Baeza does not answer or do anything but retreat as he takes another kick to the same spot. Williams plods forward, and he walks face-first into a left and a right hook that snap Williams’ head back. Williams cracks Baeza, Baeza cracks him back, and they are throwing bombs suddenly and their eyes are wide open. They both back off and return to the predator-prey relationship of Williams giving chase, until Baeza turns it around on him with a left hand and a loud kick to the body. A body kick from Baeza makes him fall over, and Williams pounces on top and starts delivering ground-and-pound. “Caramel Thunder” dives for a heel hook, and he transitions the submission to a kneebar as Baeza tries to scramble and buck. Williams finds a way to land a big punch from on top, and Baeza keeps pursuing the foot lock. Williams sits up and falls into an inverted heel hook position, and he does not seem concerned as he aims punches to break the grip. Baeza rolls over as he torques the leg, and Williams sits up to land bombs that are doing damage and making Baeza turn away. Williams pounds away until the bell, and does not flinch when standing back up.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Baeza
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Round 2
The welterweights touch gloves before coming out swinging, and like the last round, Williams assumes control of the driver’s seat as he advances without fear. Williams aims a half-hearted kick to the knee, and Baeza replies with one much harder. Williams does not let him get away with it, with a few more kicks on the inside of his foe’s leg. They both trade calf kicks, and Williams looks for a one-two when they settle. Baeza responds in kind, and he quickly flips his front foot up to smack Williams in the face. The impact from “Caramel Thunder” is not the same as Marlon Vera against Frankie Edgar lats week, as Williams eats it like candy and continues moving forward. One low kick from Williams goes south of the border, and Baeza thinks about fighting through it but Tognoni gives him time to recover both mentally and physically. About 45 seconds elapse before Baeza is ready to go back, and they start swinging for the fences. A pair of punches get Williams’ attention, and he slams his shin into Baeza’s leg. Baeza goes after the same strike, and they step back to measure one another as the damage from these strikes registers. Baeza connects with a clean head kick and one to the knee, and Williams’ knee may be compromised as he takes a funny step and switches stances after it. Baeza continues to target the same spot, and Williams aims to pay him back but Baeza’s are more accurate and appear to be more powerful. Baeza sits down on a body kick, and they crash together to throw hands. Baeza wobbles from a left hand but he comes right forward to engage, while Williams ducks back to kick at him. When Baeza scores a thudding calf kick, Williams attacks with a trio of punches that fluster Baeza. They both swing for the fences, and Williams grabs hold of him and pushes him into the wall. Williams comes up with a knee to the body, but it does not hit the body, and instead smashes square into Baeza’s cup. Baeza falls to his knees and cries out in pain, and Tognoni tells him to take all the time he needs. Tognoni then goes over to Williams and gives him his final warning, telling him that even though it was accidental, he has landed two fouls – some may call for a point deduction as it was the second groin shot, but Tognoni lets it remain as a warning. Baeza is clearly compromised, and he works his way back up to his feet. After 100 seconds, he is good to go again. Williams comes out with a big right hand that rings Baeza’s bell, and after a tense exchange, the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Baeza
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Baeza
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Baeza
Round 3
The two 170ers touch ‘em up to open the last round, and Baeza just misses with a front kick to start off. When that whiffs, he kicks low, and Williams may be damaged on his front wheel but he is not showing it. They clash together and Williams swings for the bleachers, but Baeza wears them well and comes back at him. “Khaos the Oxfighter” misses with a spinning kick, and he follows the momentum with another kick. Baeza backpedals, chops at the calf, and then targets a second one to the same spot.
At that exact moment, Williams bites down on his mouthpiece and throws three vicious hooks. The third one, a right hand right on the button, smashes into the side of Baeza’s jaw and sends him crashing down to the canvas. Williams leaps down to finish the job, and as he is battering his fallen foe with ground-and-pound, Tognoni jumps in to pull him off as he calls the fight.
After regaining his faculties, Baeza appears to complain, but he is wobbly on his feet when he does manage to get back up. Williams is now the first man to finish “Caramel Thunder” as a pro, doing so after absorbing some serious punishment to that point.
The Official Result
Kalinn Williams def. Miguel Baeza R3 1:02 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo slightly leans toward Khaos Williams due to his knockout power, but is worried about Baeza's potential grappling. He notes that Williams has no wrestling data in the UFC, making his takedown defense an unknown. Angelo thinks the odds should be flipped and that Williams has the power and speed advantage.
Big Brady picks Miguel Baeza but is hesitant, acknowledging Khaos Williams' power and better chin. He notes Baeza has been hurt in previous fights and questions his chin. However, Brady sees a path for Baeza using his BJJ black belt to exploit Williams' poor takedown defense, mixing in takedowns to win a decision.
Cody believes Baeza will improve after his first loss and has a good game plan: low calf kicks and footwork. He notes Khaos Williams is stationary and heavy on his lead foot, making him vulnerable to leg kicks. He expects Baeza to win by decision or late TKO.
Daniel Levi picks Khaos Williams as the underdog, arguing that Williams has the power advantage and can capitalize on Baeza's tendency to get hit (5 strikes absorbed per minute). He notes that both fighters are hittable but gives Williams the edge in power and believes he can land a fight-changing shot. Levi acknowledges Baeza's calf kicks and black belt but thinks Williams's physicality and pressure will be the difference.
Jacob picks Miguel Baeza, believing he is the cleaner striker and will counter Williams' loaded punches. He notes that Baeza has grappling as a backup and is a jiu-jitsu black belt. Jacob thinks Williams will chase a knockout and get countered, and he loves Baeza in this matchup.
Paul thinks Baeza is a clean striker with volume, but worries about his chin being checked. He notes that Khaos Williams has knockout power but hasn't shown it recently. He leans Baeza but has low confidence.
The Guru picks Miguel Baeza by third-round submission (D'Arce choke). He expects Williams to have early success with power shots, but Baeza's calf kicks and body work will wear Williams down. In the third round, Baeza will sprawl on a takedown and secure the choke.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 0 | 91 of 260 | 35% | 114 of 286 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 64 of 141 | 45% | 68 of 146 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 26 of 83 | 31% | 44 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 18 of 32 | 56% | 20 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 29 of 80 | 36% | 34 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 23 of 41 | 56% | 25 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 36 of 97 | 37% | 36 of 97 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 0 | 23 of 68 | 33% | 23 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 91 of 260 | 35% | 44 of 195 | 18 of 31 | 29 of 34 | 87 of 254 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 64 of 141 | 45% | 42 of 116 | 9 of 11 | 13 of 14 | 62 of 137 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 26 of 83 | 31% | 12 of 63 | 3 of 7 | 11 of 13 | 25 of 80 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 18 of 32 | 56% | 11 of 25 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 18 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Khaos Williams | 29 of 80 | 36% | 13 of 59 | 5 of 8 | 11 of 13 | 26 of 77 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 23 of 41 | 56% | 15 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 7 | 21 of 38 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Khaos Williams | 36 of 97 | 37% | 19 of 73 | 10 of 16 | 7 of 8 | 36 of 97 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Semelsberger | 23 of 68 | 33% | 16 of 59 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 23 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
This welterweight battle may be a case of knock out or be knocked out, when Williams (11-2, 2-1 UFC) comes to blows with Semelsberger (8-2, 2-0 UFC). Hanging on tight is referee Herb Dean, who will need to stay light on his feet to keep up as there is an intense touch of gloves between the two. Williams flings a few kicks, and Semelsberger looks for a right hand counter. He tries another when Williams looses a naked kick, and Williams suddenly unloads with a surge of punches. Semelsberger keeps his wits about him, but Williams catches him with a right hand and makes Semelsberger’s knees wilt a little against the fence. Semelsberger tries to fire back, but Williams ignores the strikes and bloodies up the nose of “Semi the Jedi.” Williams presses his man into the fence, where he starts feeding Semelsberger a steady diet of knees. Williams pounds away at his foe’s side, and on the break, he gets off a fast right hand. Three punches connect from Williams, and he gets clipped with a right hand counter that surprises Williams. “Khaos” lands a few low kicks, and he throws inaccurate punches that Semelsberger parries without concern. Another calf kick makes Semelsberger lift his leg up, and Williams swarms him with a barrage only to get sniped with a right hand over the top. Semelsberger puts his foot on the gas with a few more punches, but Williams stops him from this by stringing together a powerful salvo of strikes. A one-two from Semelsberger is well short of the mark, and when he connects with a leg kick, Williams charges to throw hands. Williams backs off to land leg kicks on each side, and Semelsberger chains a jab into an uppercut that snaps Williams’ head back. Williams swings and misses with bombs, and a naked leg kick gets countered by a fierce right hand. Williams swipes with left hands and jabs, and he works the lead leg with a kick. Right before time expires, Williams charges with reckless abandon, but little of note scores before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Round 2
Williams starts up right where he left off, putting punches together in a lengthy combination that Semelsberger can do nothing but defend. When he gets a turn, Semelsberger scores a few punches, but Williams’ strikes seem far more impactful. Williams gets off a head kick that is easily blocked, and when he reaches with a low kick, a one-two from Semelsberger stings Williams. Semelsberger is ready with an overhand right to ring Williams’ bell when Williams stands still after throwing a kick. Semelsberger walks forward and blasts Williams in the face with a huge right hand, but Williams barely even registers as he comes right back with a combination of punches. Williams powers forward to push Semelsberger into the wire, and he lands a right hand right at the break. Williams paws out a few jabs and deflects a flying knee, and he lunges out with a front kick and a single punch. Williams stumbles as he backs away from a few strikes, but he gets up without concern. Semelsberger jabs the body and gets his nose clocked again with a sharp left hook. Semelsberger chips at the lead leg, and Williams blitzes him with several punches to force Semelsberger to be defensive. Four consecutive jabs from Williams disrupt Semelsberger’s forward movement, but “Semi the Jedi” forces a head kick that rings right off the side of Williams’ head. Both welterweights start brawling, and when Semelsberger lands, Williams waves him on. Semelsberger does not fall for the trap, so Williams kicks his lead leg. Williams throws a wild flurry of punches that are windmilling and nowhere near the mark, but he does manage to close the distance to aim more strikes. Williams lands a few on the inside, but when they separate, Semelsberger clatters a right hand off of Williams’ dome. Williams surges ahead with punches to the head and body, sprinting forward to land them. Semelsberger stays calm, protects himself, and lands a kick right as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Round 3
The welterweights touch ‘em up to commence the final frame, and Williams is right there after to paw out several jabs and a head kick. Both trade single strikes, and they come together to throw leather but Williams comes out the better. Williams rushes forward with a right hand, and he gets stung with a countershot but Semelsberger is unable to follow it up. Williams pushes the pace, backing Semelsberger up to the fence, but not clinching with him. Semelsberger steps into an elbow, and a counter right hand finds its mark. The two stand in the center of the cage and trade blows, with neither showing any ill effects, until they back off and land solid kicks one after the other. Williams sees a punch coming, slips it and makes Semelsberger pay with an overhand right. A head kick from Williams turns into another high kick and a spinning back kick, but Semelsberger is a foot away from harm. Williams gathers himself, slips a strike and charges with a trio of punches. One lands, and he backs off to get his legs kicked hard. They stand and bang, and every time they do this, Williams chains higher volume together to get the upper hand. Semelsberger has a head kick slap off the guard, but a follow-up uppercut splits the guard and shakes Williams up. “Khaos” embraces the chaos and throws back with bad intentions, with a few punches, a body kick and a spinning back kick. Semelsberger takes them without issue and both men sling leather. Semelsberger starts marking Williams’ leg up with kicks, and Williams’ movement is a little hampered. Williams may not have quite the pop on his punches, but he is throwing so hard he nearly falls over. Williams and Semelsberger trade hands, and Semelsberger backs away to give him one spinning back kick back to him. Semelsberger throws a pair of punches, and Williams points to the ground to embody Max Holloway and incite a brawl. Semelsberger brushes off his chest, and the two start throwing everything they have left into their punches. Both men nail each other with these hilarious haymakers, and both laugh them off and continue to load up. As Williams pushes forward in this exchange, the strikers tie up on the cage until the final horn ends this entertaining slugfest.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Semelsberger (29-28 Williams)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Williams (30-27 Williams)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Williams (30-27 Williams)
The Official Result
Kalinn Williams def. Matthew Semelsberger via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Khaos Williams, citing his power and knockout ability. He notes that Semelsberger has been knocked out before and that Khaos has fought higher quality opponents. He disagrees with Jacob's pick of Semelsberger, arguing that Semelsberger's forward pressure may walk him into a power shot. Angelo also mentions he is waiting for better odds on a Khaos Williams knockout prop.
Big Brady favors Williams due to higher level of competition (fought Alex Morono, Abdul Razak Alhassan) and durability (never finished). He notes Semelsberger has been knocked out by an 0-1 fighter and has two losses by finish. He predicts a first-round knockout by Williams.
Cody picks Semelsberger as a live underdog, citing his better output, size, and wrestling. He notes Williams' power but questions his overall game and cardio. Cody suggests Semelsberger could win if he survives the first round and pressures Williams.
Daniel Levi picks Khaos Williams, disagreeing with the notion that he is a first-round-or-bust fighter. He points to Williams' decision win over Jeremy Holloway and competitive fight against Michel Pereira as evidence he can go three rounds. He thinks Williams can match Semelsberger in power and physicality, but has more experience. He expects a win by knockout or decision.
Jacob picks Matthew Semelsberger, emphasizing his volume and kicks to neutralize Khaos Williams' power. He believes Semelsberger can overwhelm Khaos with pressure and leg kicks. Jacob also thinks this could be fight of the night and likes the over on strikes for Semelsberger.
The host picks Matthew Semelsberger, citing his good combinations, leg kicks, and ability to stick and move. He notes Semelsberger's takedown threat and that Khaos Williams loads up on shots, making him telegraph. He believes Semelsberger can avoid Williams' power and win by decision, though he acknowledges Williams' knockout power is a threat. He mentions Semelsberger has been finished before but thinks improvements will keep him safe.
Paul picks Williams, citing his knockout power and fast hands. He notes Semelsberger's questionable chin and believes Williams will land a clean shot. Paul acknowledges Semelsberger's path to victory but thinks Williams' power is the difference.
The MMA Guru picks Khaos Williams to win by unanimous decision (30-27, with one judge possibly giving Semelsberger a round). He expects a cautious fight with both men respecting each other's power. He predicts Williams will chop at the legs early and land more shots over three rounds, while Semelsberger goes for the head. He thinks it will be a chess match and Williams will be the better man in the third round.
Carlston Harris - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mattthews (-325); Harris (+250)
Round 1
Thankfully no human ejecta had to be mopped off the mat before welterweights Matthews (22-8; 15-8 UFC) and Harris (19-7; 4-3 UFC) go to work under the watchful eye of referee Jason Herzog. Harris is here on three weeks' notice in place of Muslim Salkihov, who withdrew due to injury. Both gentlemen are in orthodox stance, and the contrast in stances and styles is fascinating: Matthews compact, with a high guard, the lanky “Mocambique” with a wider, looser kickboxer’s stance. Through the first minute there is little action; both fighters throw, but the cleanest contacts are a pair of inadvertent head clashes in the pocket. Hopefully that does not portend another weird finish here. Matthews starts to land more cleanly, tagging Harris with a pair of one-twos, and the Guyana native goes staggering backward. Matthews pursues, a bit too aggressively, as Harris meets him with a pair of wild haymakers that glance but still have a visible effect. “The Celtic Kid” shakes it off, composes himself and goes back to work with his clean, basic boxing combinations, and more of what he throws is landing solidly. Under 90 seconds to go and Harris appears to be largely recovered, but Matthews is continuing to catch him cleanly with two- and three-piece combos. He slips a big punch from Harris and clips him with a counter left hook. Matthews nais Harris with a right uppercut-left hook combo at the 10-second clapper that has him staggering at the horn.
10-9 Matthews.
Round 2
Harris shoots for a takedown instantly, switching to a guard pull when Matthews sprawls. Matthews transitions straight into a mounted triangle choke, but can’t quite secure it. He lets it go but ends up in Harris’ half guard. Harris sits up into octopus guard, trying to sweep or at least get his head out of the way, but Matthews is all over it, and flattens Harris onto his back. Matthews is still in half guard, possibly framing up a topside choke. Harris grabs a guillotine, but it’s on the opposite side and will only get him into trouble. He lets it go, but has nearly succeeded in getting full guard. Then, in a flash, Matthews cuts through Harris’s guard and slides to mount. With a minute to go, Matthews is dropping short elbows. Harris gets back half guard, but Matthews attacks the far arm with a kimura. Harris rolls through to top position, but Matthews keeps the arm and is still working on it at the horn.
10-9 Matthews.
Round 3
“The Celtic Kid” has put in 10 minutes of largely dominant work thus far, but his corner yells at him to get the finish, and he comes out aggressively. However, it’s Harris who lands first, with a pair of grazing shots. Matthews comes back with a right hand that blasts Harris so hard that he goes down headfirst, his forehead clattering off the Octagon floor. The second impact might actually have woken Harris up, but he is clearly still dazed as Matthews follows him to the canvas and takes his back instantly. Matthews with a body triangle and four full minutes to work, and he looks for a rear-naked choke. He can’t get it, and doesn’t like something about the position, so he moves to top position and sets up in his opponent’s half guard. The midpoint of the round passes and Harris appears to be recovered, but he’s in a huge hole here. Matthews is still in half guard, but riding fairly high and clearly looking to pass to mount as he drops elbows and short punches at the base of the cage. Matthews applies heavy pressure, then moves to mount, looking for a shoulder choke. It looks as if he might get it, but after a few moments, he gives up on it and starts dropping punches. The 10-second clapper sounds, and Harris will hear the final horn.
10-8 Matthews (30-26 Matthews).
The Official Result
Jake Matthews def. Carlston Harris via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27)
AJ is confident Matthews will dominate, calling Harris washed and noting his poor recent performances. He highlights Matthews' fast hands and good combos, while Harris is slow and sloppy. AJ predicts a knockout, possibly in the first or second round, and thinks Matthews will show out. He also notes the travel advantage for Matthews (Australia) vs Harris (Brazil).
AJ calls Matthews an 'absolute lock,' believing Harris is washed and old. He notes Matthews is in his prime with clean kickboxing and strong wrestling, while Harris has looked slow and sloppy recently. AJ predicts a finish, possibly by KO or submission, given Harris's decline and short notice.
AJ picks Jake Matthews confidently, calling Carlston Harris washed and past his prime at 38. He notes Harris's slow, herky-jerky striking and recent losses, while Matthews is a fluid kickboxer with high-level grappling. AJ predicts a Matthews finish, possibly by knockout or submission, given Matthews's recent form and Harris's vulnerabilities.
Angelo picks Jake Matthews because he is the better overall fighter, younger, and has more energy. He notes that Matthews is the better wrestler and striker, and that Carlston Harris is past his prime. He is confident and expects bets on Matthews.
Angelo is very confident that Jake Matthews will win, citing his power, experience, and the fact that Carlston Harris is coming off a brutal knockout loss. He believes Matthews is the better overall fighter and expects the line to move heavily in Matthews' favor. He advises betting on Matthews now before the odds shorten.
Angelo picks Jake Matthews to win and finish, noting that Harris is past his prime, less durable, and stepping up on short notice. He believes Matthews is well-rounded and should find a finish.
Big Brady picks Jake Matthews but is hesitant, calling him the biggest ball dropper and inconsistent. He notes Harris is a front choke merchant and Matthews was just front choked by Neil Magny. He believes Matthews should win but warns he might find a way to lose. He predicts a decision win, saying Matthews should finish but probably won't.
Cody picks Harris as a live underdog, citing Matthews' history of getting submitted in the third round when tired. He notes Harris' submission skills (anaconda choke) and that Matthews has been submitted four times in the UFC. Cody believes Harris can catch Matthews late if he survives the early rounds. He also mentions that Matthews' wins are over low-level competition.
Levi picks Matthews but with low confidence, noting his history of choking in big spots. He acknowledges Harris's front choke threat and Matthews's recent submission loss. However, he believes Harris's bad chin and age give Matthews a good chance to knock him out.
Jacob picks Jake Matthews but is hesitant because he feels this fight could be a trap. He notes that Carlston Harris is unorthodox and has power, and Matthews has been submitted before. He warns that Matthews might not use his wrestling and could get caught.
Lucrative James picks Jake Matthews, citing his youth (31 vs 38), better boxing, head movement, and overall skill set compared to Carlston Harris. He notes Matthews' unfortunate last loss due to a referee error but believes he is the better fighter everywhere. He highlights Harris's poor durability, cardio, and recent knockout losses, and expects Matthews to land clean shots and get a knockout. He also mentions Matthews' improved chin and comfort in the UFC.
The host picks Jake Matthews over short-notice replacement Carlston Harris, noting Matthews' sharper striking and Harris' over-aggressiveness. He expects Matthews to counter with big shots and eventually find a knockout.
The host picks Matthews to win inside the distance, believing his well-rounded game and experience will overcome Harris's reckless striking. He notes Harris is old, hasn't fought in over a year, and is on a two-fight losing streak by knockout. He expects Matthews to counter and outgrapple Harris, leading to a knockout.
Paul also leans Harris, noting that Matthews is overpriced at -350 and has a history of late-round submissions. He mentions Harris' striking is decent and he has a knack for submissions. Paul is not confident enough to bet pre-flop but sees live betting value. He also notes that Matthews' wins are against low-level opponents.
The Guru picks Jake Matthews over Carlston Harris, citing Matthews' youth, athleticism, and technical striking. He believes Matthews' footwork and accuracy will pick apart Harris, who is hittable and fading. He notes Harris' back-to-back KO losses and Matthews' bounce-back potential.
The Guru picks Matthews to win more often than not. He notes Matthews is a solid boxer with good movement and accuracy, plus decent grappling and ground and pound. Harris has power and an anaconda choke threat but has been less active lately. He thinks if Harris wins, it's via anaconda choke.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santiago Ponzinibbio | 1 | 76 of 175 | 43% | 76 of 175 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Carlston Harris | 1 | 73 of 196 | 37% | 78 of 211 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santiago Ponzinibbio | 0 | 22 of 48 | 45% | 22 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Carlston Harris | 1 | 37 of 79 | 46% | 37 of 79 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Santiago Ponzinibbio | 0 | 27 of 70 | 38% | 27 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Carlston Harris | 0 | 28 of 86 | 32% | 28 of 86 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Santiago Ponzinibbio | 1 | 27 of 57 | 47% | 27 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Carlston Harris | 0 | 8 of 31 | 25% | 13 of 46 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santiago Ponzinibbio | 76 of 175 | 43% | 57 of 151 | 8 of 11 | 11 of 13 | 72 of 165 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 10 |
| Carlston Harris | 73 of 196 | 37% | 40 of 142 | 19 of 39 | 14 of 15 | 73 of 195 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santiago Ponzinibbio | 22 of 48 | 45% | 13 of 39 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlston Harris | 37 of 79 | 46% | 20 of 51 | 8 of 18 | 9 of 10 | 37 of 78 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Santiago Ponzinibbio | 27 of 70 | 38% | 21 of 62 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 70 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Carlston Harris | 28 of 86 | 32% | 15 of 66 | 8 of 15 | 5 of 5 | 28 of 86 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Santiago Ponzinibbio | 27 of 57 | 47% | 23 of 50 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 23 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 10 |
| Carlston Harris | 8 of 31 | 25% | 5 of 25 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In the co-headlining spot, two action welterweights throw down with aspirations of making one last run in a division unkind to the elderly. At the age of 38, Ponzinibbio (29-8, 11-7 UFC) knows his back is against the wall, and four losses in his last five fights do not help his case. Harris (19-6, 4-2 UFC), at 37, is not in as dire of a roster situation, but his chin was checked by Kalinn Williams last year in a gnarly way. The exciting combatants will collide as referee Kerry Hatley watches on, aware that this one could end with one concussive blow. There is a glove touch first, and Ponzinibbio stalks down the taller man early on. Harris tries to use his range to jab out and keep Ponzinibbio away, and he kicks at the front leg as well. Ponzinibbio jabs him back, brushing past a left hook to rifle off a one-two on the chin. Ponzinibbio goes to the body with another one-two, and Harris hops back and forth while kicking the plant leg again. Ponzinibbio connects at the end of a right hand, and Harris counters well enough to make Ponzinibbio reset. Harris jabs to the head and midsection, and his right hook brushes the waist. When Ponzinibbio sells out for a hook, Harris shoots even lower for a takedown, but the effort is for naught as he is completely shut down. Ponzinibbio further backs him away with a one-two and a low kick, and he blocks the head kick that zips at his melon. Harris gets off a short left hook to the ribs, and he aims another to the same spot. Ponzinibbio sways and moves, evading the worst of the strikes and lobbing big right hands back at the lankier man. They clash legs together when kicking, and Ponzinibbio scores and takes fire as they trade leather. A one-two from Ponzinibbio leads to a takedown effort from “Mocambique,” but Harris still cannot get him down. Instead, it is the power left from Harris that gets Ponzinibbio’s attention, staggering the fighter from Argentina after a blitz. Harris lobs a big right hand that puts Ponzinibbio to the ground, and he somehow opens a cut on the back of Ponzinibbio’s head wrapping the strike around him. Harris drills Ponzinibbio with a one-two that sets him down, and Ponzinibbio scrambles and gets to his feet. A kick from Harris nearly puts Ponzinibbio down again, and he gets up and clutches the back of his head as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Harris
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Harris
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Harris
Round 2
The welterweights touch ‘em up, with Ponzinibbio appearing to have his feet beneath him again. Harris does not blitz him, instead jabbing to the body and measuring with his clubbing left hook head of winding it up. Ponzinibbio works the front leg twice to turn Harris about, and he sways away from a hook aimed his direction. Ponzinibbio walks through a low kick to put two punches on Harris’ chin, and Harris tanks them and responds in kind. Ponzinibbio blazes out with a one-two, and the right side of Harris’ face is bloodied up and swelling from absorbing strikes. Harris ducks a big left hand, and a jab draws blood from his mouth. The Argentinian doubles up on a jab and follows with a right that gets Harris’ attention, and Harris shoots for a takedown that is stopped in its tracks. Harris digs an uppercut to the body when Ponzinibbio bends over, and Ponzinibbio clubs him back with an overhand right. Splitting the guard with a right hand, Ponzinibbio gets through, but Harris knocks him back and then drops him with a jab. Ponzinibbio bounces up to his feet as if he had springs in his shorts, and he gets right in Harris’ face to keep throwing hands. Harris uses his longer range to chew up Ponzinibbio from his own preferred distance, and a leg kick from Harris disrupts Ponzinibbio’s movement briefly. Because of this, Ponzinibbio winds up and misses with a right hand, and he is in the wrong spot when Harris catches him with a right hook over the top. Harris digs to lefts to the liver to follow, and Ponzinibbio goes to the sternum with a left hand. They trade hooks at the same time, and their chins hold up even though they are taking massive damage at this point. Harris kicks, his foot is caught, and he still loops a left hand at his man. Ponzinibbio swings back with a vengeance, and Harris’ jab keeps him honest. Ponzinibbio comes up short with a one-two, and the horn sounds at matching lands.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Harris
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ponzinibbio
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Harris
Round 3
To the surprise of some, the fighters have reached the third round, and they high-five to celebrate their handiwork. Harris commences the round with a tackling takedown effort, and Ponzinibbio pitches him out of the way like a farmer tossing sacks of grain around. Harris rolls to his back and welcomes Ponzinibbio into the guard, and he forces a scramble that allows him to fight to his feet. They resets in kickboxing range, with Ponzinibbio loading up on right hands as he chases after Harris. Harris lets loose with a right hand that buzzes past his target, and both men land cleanly with power. Harris jabs the body and absorbs a one-two to the chest, and he slips when advancing but does not lose his footing. Harris doubles up on body shots with his left hook, and he kicks the same spot. Ponzinibbio scores with a big left and a heavy right, rocking Harris badly. Harris wobbles back, absorbing another fierce right hand on the jaw, and he is somehow on his feet despite getting blasted. Ponzinibbio unloads everything he has, setting Harris down, and Harris tries to engage his grappling as a safety valve. Ponzinibbio wants nothing to do with it and backs off to let Harris up, and he connects with looping lethal strikes. Harris gets rocked from one side of the cage to the other, but he is still in the fight and swings back with reckless abandon.
Ponzinibbio sets him down to a knee with a clubbing power shot, and Hatley rushes forward but pulls back before stopping the fight. Harris stands back up and lets his hands go, and during an exchange, Hatley inexplicably gets between them to stop the fight and save Harris from further punishment.
Harris is understandably upset because even though he took massive damage and was on baby deer legs, he was engaging and striking his opponent. Like the odd stoppage in the Curtis fight, the protests from the losing fighter fall on deaf ears. Ponzinibbio leaps out of the cage to high-five the commentary booth, and Harris quickly regains his cool and is all smiles after an uproarious battle.
The Official Result
Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Carlston Harris R3 3:13 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Santiago Ponzinibbio, citing his speed, cleaner striking, and better cardio. He notes that Carlston Harris has more power and aggressive grappling, but believes Ponzinibbio's volume and pressure will win. He expresses concern about Ponzinibbio's commentating job potentially distracting him, but still picks him. He mentions Ponzinibbio was an underdog but may flip to favorite.
Big Brady likes Harris's grappling advantage, noting his elite submission game and front chokes. He thinks Ponzinibbio's chin is declining, having been knocked out by the Leech and Kevin Holland. He believes Harris has more ways to win, either by submission or a club-and-sub. He also likes the under 2.5 rounds prop, as both guys have poor durability and can finish each other.
Cody picks Ponzinibbio despite his recent 2-5 record, arguing that Harris is also flawed with poor takedown accuracy and stiff striking. He believes Ponzinibbio's veteran savvy, range, and power will allow him to land first. He also likes the under 2.5 rounds, expecting a knockout.
Connor picks Ponzinibbio because Harris is fundamentally bad at MMA, relying on wild aggression and grappling without structure. Ponzinibbio is a good defensive wrestler and strong in the clinch, and his straight punches and footwork make him difficult to clinch against. While Ponzinibbio is older and slower, he still has a process and toughness, and his losses have come against sharp strikers, not wild punchers like Harris. Connor notes that if Ponzinibbio loses, it would be his worst loss since 2011.
Daniel notes both fighters are washed up and chinny, but historically Ponzinibbio was one fight away from a title shot and has better credentials. He thinks Ponzinibbio's experience and jab/straight right will be enough, though he's not confident. He mentions Harris has dangerous front chokes but Ponzinibbio rarely shoots. He picks Ponzinibbio to win and retire.
Lucrative James gives a lean toward Santiago Ponzinibbio, but admits he hasn't done extensive research. He believes Ponzinibbio is the better striker and can defend takedowns, while Harris's best chance is an early knockout. He predicts a decision win for Ponzinibbio in a lackluster fight. He cautions that this is an early read and he may not bet it.
Ponzinibbio's technical striking should allow him to pick apart Harris and eventually find a knockout, but he must be wary of Harris's big power and reckless swinging. As long as Ponzinibbio's speed hasn't diminished, he should find openings to put Harris away.
Paul leans toward Harris as a slight plus-money underdog, citing Ponzinibbio's age and damage absorbed. He notes Harris's crafty submission game and power, but admits both are flawed. He prefers the under 2.5 rounds as a bet rather than the moneyline.
The Guru picks Ponzinibbio despite questioning why this is a co-main event. He notes Ponzinibbio's split decision loss to Muslim Salikhov and leg kicks against Holland, and his win over Alex Morono. He contrasts Harris's inactivity, age (37), and KO loss to Chaos Williams. He acknowledges Ponzinibbio's recent chinny reputation but thinks he's good enough to beat Harris.
Zane agrees with Connor, noting that Ponzinibbio has not lost his innate understanding of how to fight and is still tough. He points out that Ponzinibbio's recent losses are to elite fighters, and he has competed well against fringe contenders. Harris, despite being a natural athlete, has poor technique and has never been that good. Zane also mentions that Ponzinibbio's pattern of slow starts and strong finishes could be a factor, but Harris is unlikely to capitalize early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 1 | 12 of 20 | 60% | 12 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Carlston Harris | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 14 of 30 | 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 | Khaos Williams | 1 | 12 of 20 | 60% | 12 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Carlston Harris | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 12 of 20 | 60% | 5 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 11 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Carlston Harris | 14 of 30 | 46% | 10 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 12 of 20 | 60% | 5 of 9 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 11 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Carlston Harris | 14 of 30 | 46% | 10 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Williams (-130), Harris (+110)
Round 1
Coming into the co-main event, two welterweights with the ability to procure especially violent and fascinating finishes will clash. Williams (14-3, 5-2 UFC) prefers to smash people in the face, while Harris (19-5, 4-1 UFC) can hit hard and is not afraid to go for a neck. Referee Dan Miragliotta may be needed when it’s all said and done. The two men tap their gloves together before the melee ensues, and Williams moves right to the center of the cage. Harris slaps out a low kick, and he leans to the side to evade a front kick aimed at his face. They both jab at one another, with Williams going to the body. Williams aims a body shot and follows with a right hand over the top. Harris stays on the outside with rangy punches to the head and midsection. They trade low kicks, and Harris prods out with a jab. Harris comes up short with a pair of overhand rights, and a third partially lands.
Williams absorbs a clubbing right hand behind the ear when jabbing to the body, and he ducks down and unleashes a devastating right that completely demolishes “Mocambique.” Harris hits the ground on his side in a heap, totally wrecked, and Williams leaps down to finish the job with one unnecessary diving right hand.
When Miragliotta gets between them, he walks off pounding his chest to celebrate a crushing knockout, having flattened a dangerous adversary in about 90 seconds.
The Official Result
Kalinn Williams def. Carlston Harris R1 1:30 via KO (Punch)
Angelo picks Khaos Williams due to his power, durability, and takedown defense, but he is not fully confident because Williams looked flat in his last fight with no head movement. Carlston Harris is well-rounded with slick grappling and power. Angelo trusts Williams' takedown defense over Harris's 29% takedown accuracy, but hopes Williams shows improvement.
Cody believes Williams has evolved from a pure power puncher to a more well-rounded fighter who uses inside kicks to set up his right hand. He notes Williams has 80% takedown defense and hasn't been taken down since Michel Pereira. Cody argues Harris's striking is limited and his cardio is suspect; if Harris doesn't get a quick submission, Williams will outwork him on the feet. He also highlights Williams's training camp at Michigan with top welterweights.
Williams has improved his takedown defense and gas tank, and is a crisper striker. Harris relies on clinching and BJJ but will struggle to get the fight to the ground against Williams' physicality. Expects Williams to land the more effective damage and win a decision.
Paul leans on Harris's grappling advantage, noting that if Harris can get the fight to the mat, he should have a significant edge. He questions whether Khaos Williams has been tested against someone with Harris's jiu-jitsu pedigree. Paul expects a striker vs. grappler dynamic and favors the grappler.
The MMA Guru picks Carlston Harris to win by submission (rear-naked choke) in rounds one or two over Khaos Williams. He believes Harris will grapple heavily and that Williams' takedown defense is not bad but Harris is more likely to shoot offensively. He notes Williams' inactivity and real estate business as potential distractions, and trusts Harris' grappling pedigree.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlston Harris | 0 | 18 of 48 | 37% | 41 of 78 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 | 0 | 9:26 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 5 of 19 | 26% | 19 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlston Harris | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 10 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 4:24 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 6 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Carlston Harris | 0 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 29 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:34 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Carlston Harris | 0 | 2 of 18 | 11% | 2 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlston Harris | 18 of 48 | 37% | 16 of 46 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 20 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 5 of 19 | 26% | 1 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlston Harris | 3 of 8 | 37% | 2 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Carlston Harris | 13 of 22 | 59% | 12 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 15 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Carlston Harris | 2 of 18 | 11% | 2 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jeremiah Wells | 4 of 15 | 26% | 1 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Wells (-130), Harris (+110)
Round 1
Jason Herzog gets his first assignment of the night for this welterweight bout. Wells moves in with a standing side kick that sends Harris into the cage. Wells explodes into punching range then assumes top position after a failed Harris takedown. Wells is working from half guard, covering Harris’ mouth with his glove. Wells stays heavy on top, grinding his forearm into his foe’s face. As Harris attempts to stand, Wells secures a brabo choke. They roll over into the center of the cage, with Harris on his back now. The choke is not properly applied, but Wells continues to drive his shoulder. Wells adjusts the position, and now he has a ninja choke. Wells has a tight squeeze, but Harris defends with his back to the mat. Harris scrambles to his feet and Wells drives him into the fence. Wells drops for a single leg, adjusts and connects his hands before pulling Harris off the cage and planting him on the canvas. Wells has Harris mounted near the fence, controlling the wrist of his opponent. Wells goes back to half guard and tees off with left hands. He ends the round with more left hands on his grounded foe.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Round 2
Wells steps in with an uppercut-left hand combination. A spinning attack from Wells misses the mark, but he shoves Harris to the mat and takes top position. He lands some solid shots and then puts Harris back on the mat. Harris scoots to a seated position with his back to the fence, but Wells is still heavy on top. Wells passes to mount, then returns to half guard. Harris is being overpowered here. Every time he posts, Wells lifts the legs and adjusts his position. Wells is back in half guard, landing the occasional right hand. Wells continues to grind away, but Harris can do no better than a seated position. Wells puts him on his back and drops some heavy elbows. Wells’ offense has been more forceful from inside Harris’ full guard, as he ends the round with more solid elbows.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wells
Round 3
Wells comes out winging heavy leather, but Harris is avoiding the majority of it. Wells uses his punches to shoot for a takedown. Harris defends with a choke and they separate. Harris lands a nice punch to the body, but Wells shoots a powerful takedown. Harris defends well and goes to the mat,
locking in an anaconda choke in the process. For a moment it doesn’t seem like Wells is in danger, but Harris flips him to his back and lifts his foe’s head. Harris maintains the grip and Herzog steps in to take a look. Wells is unconscious
and this one, along with his four-bout UFC winning streak, is over. A nice comeback victory for Harris.
The Official Result
Carlston Harris def. Jeremiah Wells via Submission (Anaconda Choke) R3 1:50
Angelo picks Jeremiah Wells but is hesitant, noting the fight is very close. He gives Wells a slight edge in wrestling and notes his toughness after being dropped twice in his last fight. He acknowledges Carlston Harris has a better chin and is dangerous on the ground. Angelo does not place a bet because Harris is dangerous, but thinks Wells will get it done.
Big Brady thinks this is a very close fight and expects a first-round knockout. He notes both fighters have power and are hittable. He picks Harris slightly because he thinks Harris can land a big shot and Wells won't be able to grapple his way out like he did against Semelsberger. He predicts Harris by first-round KO.
Cody is confident in Harris as an underdog, citing his unorthodox striking, reach (77 inches), power, and BJJ black belt. He notes Wells' struggles against grapplers and his tendency to get rocked. He believes Harris can chop Wells up on the feet and has a good chance of finishing inside the distance.
Daniel Levi leans toward Carlston Harris, citing his length, jab, and volume striking. He worries about Wells' wrestling success but thinks Harris can defend takedowns and pick him apart at range. Levi notes both fighters have questionable chins, but believes Harris' activity and process give him an edge. He sees this as a dog-or-pass situation and prefers Harris at plus money.
James disagrees with the line moving toward Harris. He acknowledges Harris's front choke series is dangerous, especially if Wells shoots. However, he thinks Wells has insane punching power and good takedown top upside. He believes Wells is the deserved favorite but says it's not a hill he wants to die on.
Both fighters are reckless strikers looking for knockouts, but Wells is shorter and stockier while Harris is long and lanky. Wells has a slight edge in Jiu-Jitsu, but Harris has a better gas tank. I think Wells gets an early knockout under 2.5 rounds, likely in the first, but I don't have any real interest in betting this matchup.
Paul agrees with Harris, noting that the market has moved and Harris is now the rightful favorite. He cites Wells' poor performance against Samuelsberger and his vulnerability early. He plans to take a small bet on Harris and considers a live bet after the first round.
The host picks Jeremiah Wells, calling him an 'absolute dog' with power and grit. He believes Wells has the power advantage and can get inside, while Harris is lengthy but not on the same level. He notes Wells is a BJJ black belt and can handle grappling exchanges. He likes Wells at -163 or lower, and sees value on Harris as a dog if the line moves.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlston Harris | 0 | 63 of 110 | 57% | 140 of 194 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 0 | 0 | 9:38 |
| Jared Gooden | 0 | 51 of 84 | 60% | 93 of 126 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlston Harris | 0 | 43 of 84 | 51% | 44 of 85 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Jared Gooden | 0 | 44 of 71 | 61% | 53 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 2 | Carlston Harris | 0 | 7 of 10 | 70% | 47 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:44 |
| Jared Gooden | 0 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 28 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Carlston Harris | 0 | 13 of 16 | 81% | 49 of 55 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:41 |
| Jared Gooden | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlston Harris | 63 of 110 | 57% | 52 of 99 | 10 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 35 of 74 | 11 of 15 | 17 of 21 |
| Jared Gooden | 51 of 84 | 60% | 22 of 49 | 21 of 27 | 8 of 8 | 41 of 74 | 10 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlston Harris | 43 of 84 | 51% | 34 of 75 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 33 of 70 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Jared Gooden | 44 of 71 | 61% | 20 of 42 | 17 of 22 | 7 of 7 | 39 of 66 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Carlston Harris | 7 of 10 | 70% | 5 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 9 |
| Jared Gooden | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Carlston Harris | 13 of 16 | 81% | 13 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 12 |
| Jared Gooden | 3 of 7 | 42% | 2 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Harris (-300), Gooden (+250)
Round 1
The UFC is holed up in Las Vegas this weekend for another Fight Night card, but not where you’d expect. Instead of the Apex or the T-Mobile Arena, the promotion will make its debut inside of the Theater at Virgin Hotels, which seats over 4,000 – some may remember it as called “The Joint” in years past. Fans will be cheering throughout this 13-fight event, and it begins with an unplanned catchweight contest now set at 177 pounds. Harris (17-5, 2-1 UFC) expected to face a member of the Nurmagomedov clan, but on short notice, he now welcomes Gooden (22-8, 1-3 UFC) back to the promotion. The latter was unable to make the 171-pound limit, and even though he checked in a whopping six pounds heavy, the fight is still on. Referee Keith Peterson will boot out nonsense from this new venue in the first fight of the night, and there is no touch of gloves to get things started from the fighters. The two test one another’s range early with long, lunging single strikes. Gooden sits down on a hard leg kick, and Harris catches his foe with his hands low with a two-hook combo. Harris swings so hard he almost hits the deck, and Gooden does not take advantage of this and lets him clinch up instead. They separate, and Harris lets fly a head kick that careens off the shoulder. “Mocambique” dings his opponent with a few sharp strikes, as Gooden’s hands are by his waist, but Gooden seems no worse for wear and steps in with a left hand. Harris pushes out a jab and a follow-up leg kick, and Gooden replies with a heavier low kick. They jab at the same time, and Harris follows one with a left hand that backs Gooden off. Harris wings a right hand that cracks “Nite Train” behind the ear, and Gooden wobbles but does not pick his guard up. Harris’ right hook collides with a few more oddly arcing overhand rights, and Gooden walks through them and tries to counter with a huge left hook. Harris nails Gooden with a few punches, and Gooden takes them on the chin and side of the dome without budging. Harris shoots in for a takedown in the center of the cage, and when that is stuffed, he blasts Gooden in the nose with a knee. Harris stands in the pocket and unloads with a haymaker of a right, and Gooden blinks it out but does not seem overly concerned. Harris swings for the bleachers with most of his blows, and they are already beginning to slow with a minute remaining in the opening frame. Harris sticks a jab, and Gooden answers him with two back. Gooden comes over the top with a right, and it has a near tomahawk motion than a typical right hook angle. Harris nails Gooden with a standing elbow, and he unloads with a combination of heavy blows to the head that rock Gooden and drive him back to the wall. The horn sounds as the two are clinched.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Harris
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Harris
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Harris
Round 2
The second round opens up with a low kick from Gooden, and Harris shoots in for a double-leg takedown. “Nite Train” stands him up although he gets pushed back to the wall, and Harris tries for trips on the inside as Gooden talks to him. Harris redoubles his effort, and he manages to scoop Gooden’s legs out and dump him on the mat. Harris moves to half guard as soon as he hits the ground, and he actively works with ground-and-pound from on top. The punches and elbows are not individually damaging, but they stay busy and stave off the watchful Peterson from a possible standup. Harris lays down flat on top of his man, and he softens up the ribs with a series of unanswered, thudding right hands. Gooden prevents any guard passing even when absorbing elbows on the face, and he start throwing punches off his back. Gooden sits up, and Harris welcomes this and snatches up a guillotine choke in a hurry. Gooden moves to his knees while in submission danger, doing enough to fight the hands and preventing the choke from cinching up. As Harris holds on, he pushes Gooden down to his back again, and he squeezes his forearm on the throat and elbows Gooden until the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Harris
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Harris
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Harris
Round 3
The final round kicks off with an aggressive Gooden, who marches out of his corner and swings heavily. Harris takes a few punches before jumping on a leaning Gooden to push him down to the ground on his face. Gooden looks to defend himself from a potential choke setup, but in the process, Harris circles around to take his back and drag him to the canvas. Harris jumps over to the mount position in pursuit of an arm-triangle choke, only for a Gooden buck to break up the choke. Harris postures up while still mounting his man, and he rains down punches and elbows that bounce Gooden’s head off the mat. Gooden scoots his way to the wall, and Harris lets him off the hook and tries to take his back on the way up. Gooden shucks him off, but Harris turns around to drop down for a single-leg takedown. Gooden stands him up and knees him in the upper chest, and Harris powerfully replies by wrenching Gooden’s feet off the floor and chucking him to the mat. Gooden lands on his backside with a disappointed look on his face, but he still powers his way back up to his feet before Harris can drill him with any strikes. Gooden breaks free from a tie-up, and he throws hands recklessly in hopes of catching Harris on the way in. Harris rings his bell with a fierce jab and shoots for a double, and he succeeds in grounding “Nite Train.” Gooden looks to keep his back against the cage to possibly wall-walk, and Harris slides around the side and back to try to take it. Gooden explodes out of the inopportune position, and Harris doggedly pursues doubles or any kind of takedown he can find. On his second try, while Gooden is halfway to escaping, Harris trips his legs up and throws him to the canvas. Harris climbs into half guard and lets loose with a stream of elbows, and he lumps Gooden’s head up with strikes right to the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Harris (30-27 Harris)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Harris (30-27 Harris)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Harris (30-27 Harris)
The Official Result
Carlston Harris def. Jared Gooden via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Abubakar Nurmagomedov (Jared Gooden) as the aggressive wrestler who will lay on top of the older, slower Carlston Harris. He expects a boring but effective performance, with Nurmagomedov controlling the fight with takedowns and top pressure. He is surprised Nurmagomedov is the underdog and considers a moneyline bet at plus money.
Big Brady picks Ricardo Ramos (note: transcript says Ramos vs Lingo, but fight_id 1327 is Harris vs Gooden; however the transcript discusses Ramos vs Lingo, which is not on the card. This appears to be a mismatch. Based on the transcript, the fight discussed is Ramos vs Lingo, but that fight is not in the fight list. I will skip this as it doesn't match any fight_id. Actually, the transcript mentions 'Ricardo Ramos going against Austin lingo' but that fight is not in the provided card. So I will not include it.)
Connor picks Harris confidently, noting that Gooden is a stiff, upright striker who gets hurt early in fights and has poor head movement. Harris is a powerful, dynamic wrestler-striker who will pressure Gooden and take him down. He expects Harris to overwhelm Gooden with pace and power, likely leading to a finish.
I think Gooden's discipline and jab from distance, combined with timely takedowns, will allow him to grind out a decision. Harris is dangerous early with submissions and power, but if Gooden can survive the initial onslaught and avoid the front choke, he should take over. Gooden's performance against Harris showed he can implement a smart game plan. I expect a decision win for Gooden.
The MMA Guru picks Carlston Harris, citing his finishing ability as a key advantage. He notes that Harris has a massive finishing edge over Abubakar Nurmagomedov, who tends to win by decision. Harris has shown KO and submission finishes, while Nurmagomedov lacks finishing ability and has been submitted before. The Guru trusts Harris to get the job done, likely by finish.
Zane picks Harris, agreeing that Gooden's stiff striking and tendency to get hit will be exploited by Harris's power and wrestling. He notes that Harris is an awkward but powerful fighter who can maintain a high pace, and Gooden has historically struggled against aggressive opponents. He expects Harris to win by decision or late TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shavkat Rakhmonov | 1 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 16 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
| Carlston Harris | 0 | 10 of 27 | 37% | 15 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shavkat Rakhmonov | 1 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 16 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
| Carlston Harris | 0 | 10 of 27 | 37% | 15 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shavkat Rakhmonov | 13 of 28 | 46% | 10 of 25 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 |
| Carlston Harris | 10 of 27 | 37% | 3 of 13 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 4 | 8 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shavkat Rakhmonov | 13 of 28 | 46% | 10 of 25 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 |
| Carlston Harris | 10 of 27 | 37% | 3 of 13 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 4 | 8 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
It’s a welterweight rumble on the docket now between two surging prospects each looking for their third win in as many tries when Rakhmonov (14-0, 2-0 UFC) takes on Harris (17-4, 2-0 UFC). This classic battle of Kazakhstan vs. Guyana will draw the attention of referee Mike Beltran, although the tensions are not high as they show respect with a touch of gloves. The center of the cage immediately belongs to Rakhmonov, who swats away a punch to the body as he slowly advances. Harris kicks the body and swipes out with a left as Rakhmonov comes towards him, and Harris whiffs on a big right hand as well. Harris has a left hand bounce off the cheek, only to walk into a one-two that makes him bend over. Harris fires back with a strike to the body, as he lunges in with a few right hands to the torso. Rakhmonov’s volume is low, as the Kazakh picks his shots from range. Rakhmonov catches a swinging Harris with a right hand, and Harris recklessly attacks and gets kicked hard to the body with a spinning kick. Rakhmonov races ahead, sensing he might have hurt “Mocambique,” and he lands a body shot before Harris grabs hold of him. They dance back and forth in pursuit of takedowns from each man, and Rakhmonov pushes him hard against the fence before lifting Harris in the air. Harris manages to keep his balance as Rakhmonov lifts him up, sets him down and picks him up again to elevate and drop. The Guyana native turns Rakhmonov to the fence, and he starts stomping on toes in an old-school manner. While Harris thwarts one trip attempt, the second succeeds, and Rakhmonov drops his foe right on his head. Harris keeps moving, scrambling well enough to get back to his feet without issue.
In the blink of an eye, Rakhmonov spins with a hook kick to the head, and the heel smashes into the side of Harris’ dome. Harris topples to the mat, and Rakhmonov leaps down to hunt for a finish. Harris throws his legs up to try to keep Rakhmonov off of him, but Rakhmonov tosses them aside and drops down hammers in the form of punches. “Nomad” blasts Harris a couple times with long standing-to-ground punches until Harris’ consciousness is stripped away, and Beltran is quick to notice this and halt the fight.
That’s 15 wins in 15 tries for Rakhmonov, with all 15 ending inside the distance. As he makes the sign to the crowd for dollar bills, he also signals to the UFC that he is a serious contender on the rise at 170 pounds.
The Official Result
Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Carlston Harris R1 4:10 via KO (Spinning Hook Kick and Punches)
Angelo picks Shavkat Rakhmonov but warns the odds are too wide. He notes Rakhmonov is a special prospect with finishes everywhere, but Harris is a gamer with solid grappling and opportunistic submissions. Angelo gives the edge to Rakhmonov for his power and wrestling, but expects a tough fight. He suggests buying a round on the judges' scorecards.
Cody is torn but leans Rakhmonov. He loves Rakhmonov's skills and thinks he is a future star. He notes that Harris is a savvy veteran with good grappling and power, and that Rakhmonov had some clinch struggles against Cowboy Oliveira. However, he thinks Rakhmonov's overall game is superior and that he will get the job done.
Daniel Levi picks Shavkat Rakhmonov, praising his well-rounded game, durability, and finishing ability. He notes Rakhmonov has beaten solid competition and has a 77-inch reach. Levi believes Carlston Harris may gas in later rounds due to his bouncing movement, while Rakhmonov's cardio and pressure will take over. He respects Harris's awkward power and experience but sees Rakhmonov as a buzzsaw who will outwork him down the stretch.
Lock of the Night favors Rakhmonov, citing his cleaner striking and better gas tank. He notes that Rakhmonov gives up double underhooks easily, which is Harris's strength, but believes Rakhmonov's jiu-jitsu and cardio will allow him to take over later. He expects Rakhmonov to clip Harris and finish via ground and pound or submission. He likes the over 1.5 rounds and Rakhmonov inside the distance.
Paul is high on Rakhmonov, calling him a future title challenger. He notes Rakhmonov's smooth striking, good wrestling, and physical strength. He acknowledges that Harris is a live underdog with good grappling and power, but he thinks Rakhmonov's skills are special. He is backing Rakhmonov but admits he has been burned by having too much faith in prospects.
The MMA Guru picks Carlston Harris as an upset, calling it an 'evens matchup' despite wide odds. He notes Harris has beaten a Dagestani phenom before (Sajid Izakanev) and is more explosive. He predicts a second-round TKO, with Harris cracking Rakhmonov on the chin and finishing with ground strikes. He criticizes Rakhmonov's previous competition as weak.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlston Harris | 0 | 6 of 21 | 28% | 6 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Impa Kasanganay | 1 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 24 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlston Harris | 0 | 6 of 21 | 28% | 6 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Impa Kasanganay | 1 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 24 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlston Harris | 6 of 21 | 28% | 5 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Impa Kasanganay | 24 of 46 | 52% | 16 of 37 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 11 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlston Harris | 6 of 21 | 28% | 5 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Impa Kasanganay | 24 of 46 | 52% | 16 of 37 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 11 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Drifting up to the welterweight division, two men with impressive submission victories in their last outings come to blows when Kasanganay (9-1, 2-1 UFC) meets Harris (16-4, 1-0 UFC). Neither man has ever been tapped out before, so will tonight be the first? Like referee Mark Smith, we will find out soon. The gloves are not touched, as both men instead take a stride on the edge of the cage. Harris is the first to engage, waltzing forward to lob a wide right hand. Kasanganay dodges and moves away, but Harris is intent on closing the distance with it as he punches his way into a clinch. When Kasanganay is able to escape, Harris just misses with a right hand on the break. “Mocambique” slaps away a punch to score a heavier one of his own, and he fires off a head kick. They both exchange with huge punches, and Harris appears stunned but keeps a stiff upper lip to not let his opponent know he may be hurt. They bite down on their mouthpieces and throw for the fences, with little interest in defense as they both go for a home run shot. Harris backs off with a leg kick, and he blocks a punch with an elbow so that he can swing a left hand. Harris swats at his man with a right hand over the top, and he digs his shin into Kasanganay’s liver. Both men blast the other with massive punches, and it is Harris that gets the better of the exchange as Kasanganay staggers back.
Harris follows him and smashes him in the face with a left hand that sends Kasanganay careening to the ground. Kasanganay rolls over and gets to his knees, but Harris is on him in a hurry as he tries to finish the job. As the Guyanan pounds on his foe with strike after unanswered strike, one or two may land to the back of the head, but enough mount until Smith steps in to call a halt to the fight.
Kasanganay stands back up and protests the stoppage, but there is nothing more he can do as the fight is over.
The Official Result
Carlston Harris def. Impa Kasanganay R1 2:38 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Carlston Harris despite Impa's superior striking because Harris is relentless with takedowns. He notes that Impa has good takedown defense but lacks knockout power to keep Harris off him. He worries that Impa's hesitation and Harris's non-stop wrestling will lead to Harris grinding out a win. He briefly considers switching to Impa but sticks with Harris.
Big Brady picks underdog Carlston Harris, impressed by his relentless wrestling and cardio. He notes Harris attempted over 20 takedowns in a 25-minute fight and has a good fight IQ. He believes Harris will pressure Kasanganay for 15 minutes, and predicts a submission win as Kasanganay is green on the mat. He is surprised Harris is the underdog.
Cody leans toward Harris as a slight underdog, citing his experience, submission game, and clear identity as a grappler. He notes that Kasanganay is still figuring out his game after being knocked out by Buckley. Cody believes Harris' pressure and grappling will be key.
Daniel Levi leans with Impa Kasanganay over Carlston Harris. He has scouted Impa for a long time, saw him fight in Atlanta, and praises his mental fortitude and physicality. He notes Harris has a nasty d'arce/anaconda choke but thinks Impa's mindset and athleticism give him the edge in a close fight. He calls it a coin flip but edges Impa.
Preet picks Impa Kasanganay because he believes Impa is the more technically sound striker with better range understanding and serviceable grappling to avoid trouble. He notes that Harris has power and a good top game but questions his takedown entries and thinks Impa's defensive grappling is improving. He expects Impa to win by decision and likes the decision prop at +175.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Harris' experience and that Kasanganay turned into a grappler in his last fight. He thinks Harris' submission threat is real and that the plus money is attractive.
The MMA Guru picks Impa Kasanganay over Carlston Harris, praising Kasanganay's technical soundness and composure. He believes Kasanganay won't be outgrappled and notes his youth and better gym. He predicts a close 29-28 unanimous decision, with Kasanganay winning the later rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlston Harris | 0 | 1 of 10 | 10% | 5 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Christian Aguilera | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 6 of 16 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:52 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlston Harris | 0 | 1 of 10 | 10% | 5 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Christian Aguilera | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 6 of 16 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:52 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlston Harris | 1 of 10 | 10% | 1 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Aguilera | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 9 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlston Harris | 1 of 10 | 10% | 1 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Aguilera | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 9 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
This ESPN fight card that took hit after hit proceeds with 9 fights tonight, and we start things off in the welterweight division. “The Beast” Aguilera (14-7, 1-1 UFC) will try to make Guyanese newcomer Harris (15-4, 0-0 UFC) feel unwelcome in the Octagon – win or lose, Harris will become the first fighter from Guyana to set foot in the UFC cage. Referee Marc Goddard will be in charge of this card opener, and there is no glove touch to commence the violence for the evening. Instead, Aguilera hops forward with odd angles, but rushes right into a takedown attempt from the debutant. Harris grabs hold of a body lock, spins him around, and cannot get Aguilera down. Harris does manage to get Aguilera’s back for a moment, but the American powers his way to spin out of the precarious position to press “Mocambique” into the cage wall. Aguilera pushes him away, and he narrowly avoids a front kick. Aguilera reaches out with a few jabs and bumped back with a kick, and he stings Harris with a quick uppercut. “The Beast” throws so hard after this strike that he falls over, but Harris is still recovering so he does not take advantage of it. The two clinch up, giving Harris a moment to clear out the cobwebs. When Harris gets free, he rocks Aguilera with a right hand, and he fires off another big looping shot that makes Aguilera shoot in for a desperation takedown. “The Beast” falls neck-first into an anaconda choke while on his knees, as Harris snatches up the grip and cinches it around Aguilera’s neck in an instant.
The choke is immediately tight, and Aguilera is doomed. A few seconds elapse as Aguilera tries to break the grip or wriggle himself free, but there is nothing for him to do but surrender. The American does not decide to tap, and Harris’ vice-like squeeze sends Aguilera off to dreamland.
Goddard recognizes that Aguilera is sleeping with his eyes open, and he halts the fight to award the win to the UFC neophyte. That is a great way to start the night, with a slick technical submission in the first round.
The Official Result
Carlston Lindsay Harris def. Christian Aguilera R1 2:52 via Technical Submission (Anaconda Choke)
Big Brady likes Harris's wrestling and top control, believing he will take Aguilera down and grind out a decision. He notes Aguilera is dangerous on the feet early but has a suspect chin and has been dropped multiple times. Brady expects Harris to survive the first round and then take over with his grappling, winning a clear decision. He mentions Harris's gas tank is on point and his striking is not bad, but there are question marks due to lack of recent tape.
Daniel Levi picks Carlston Harris, citing his wrestling-heavy game plan and ability to implement his style. He notes Harris' wins over good regional competition and expects him to take Aguilera down and control the fight. He acknowledges Aguilera's power but thinks Harris' wrestling will be too much. He predicts a decision win for Harris.
The host believes Carlston Harris is the real deal, with good striking defense, cardio, and the ability to get the fight to the ground. He expects Harris to grind out a win, possibly by decision, but also likes the over 1.5 rounds and Harris by decision prop. He is slightly cautious due to being burned by Anthony Ivy's debut but overall confident in Harris.
The MMA Guru picks Carlston Harris over Christian Aguilera, citing Harris's recent evolution as a fighter. He notes Harris used to brawl but now uses takedowns and control, as seen in his win over a 17-1 Dagestani opponent. He predicts a second-round submission, specifically a rear-naked choke, as Harris will take Aguilera down and neutralize his power.
Expert Picks (5)
Angelo picks Khaos Williams due to his power, durability, and takedown defense, but he is not fully confident because Williams looked flat in his last fight with no head movement. Carlston Harris is well-rounded with slick grappling and power. Angelo trusts Williams' takedown defense over Harris's 29% takedown accuracy, but hopes Williams shows improvement.
Cody believes Williams has evolved from a pure power puncher to a more well-rounded fighter who uses inside kicks to set up his right hand. He notes Williams has 80% takedown defense and hasn't been taken down since Michel Pereira. Cody argues Harris's striking is limited and his cardio is suspect; if Harris doesn't get a quick submission, Williams will outwork him on the feet. He also highlights Williams's training camp at Michigan with top welterweights.
Williams has improved his takedown defense and gas tank, and is a crisper striker. Harris relies on clinching and BJJ but will struggle to get the fight to the ground against Williams' physicality. Expects Williams to land the more effective damage and win a decision.
Paul leans on Harris's grappling advantage, noting that if Harris can get the fight to the mat, he should have a significant edge. He questions whether Khaos Williams has been tested against someone with Harris's jiu-jitsu pedigree. Paul expects a striker vs. grappler dynamic and favors the grappler.
The MMA Guru picks Carlston Harris to win by submission (rear-naked choke) in rounds one or two over Khaos Williams. He believes Harris will grapple heavily and that Williams' takedown defense is not bad but Harris is more likely to shoot offensively. He notes Williams' inactivity and real estate business as potential distractions, and trusts Harris' grappling pedigree.
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