Career Averages - César Almeida
Career Averages - Dylan Budka
César Almeida
Dylan Budka
César Almeida - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| César Almeida | 0 | 12 of 20 | 60% | 25 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:29 |
| Cezary Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 14 of 19 | 73% | 113 of 126 | 6 of 7 | 85% | 0 | 1 | 11:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | César Almeida | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cezary Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 5 of 6 | 83% | 33 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:39 | |
| 2 | César Almeida | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 10 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:29 |
| Cezary Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 32 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 3:15 | |
| 3 | César Almeida | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cezary Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 48 of 52 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 4:21 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| César Almeida | 12 of 20 | 60% | 2 of 7 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 |
| Cezary Oleksiejczuk | 14 of 19 | 73% | 9 of 13 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | César Almeida | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cezary Oleksiejczuk | 5 of 6 | 83% | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | César Almeida | 6 of 12 | 50% | 2 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 |
| Cezary Oleksiejczuk | 6 of 10 | 60% | 4 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | César Almeida | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cezary Oleksiejczuk | 3 of 3 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Cody picks Oleksiejczuk, citing his youth, experience, and training at Fighting Nerds. He believes Oleksiejczuk's wrestling and power will be too much for Almeida, who is older and has poor takedown defense. He expects a finish, possibly by submission.
Lucrative James picks Cesari Oleksiejczuk (Michał's brother) but acknowledges it's a close fight. He notes Oleksiejczuk's youth, power, and improved grappling at Fighting Nerds, but warns about his takedown defense issues. He believes Oleksiejczuk needs to mix in takedowns to avoid Almeida's knockout power. He projects Oleksiejczuk as a -150 favorite.
Paul also picks Oleksiejczuk, noting his amateur grappling background and the improvements at Fighting Nerds. He thinks Oleksiejczuk can mix in wrestling to avoid Almeida's kickboxing and get a submission, liking the sub prop at plus 750.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| César Almeida | 1 | 20 of 29 | 68% | 21 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 1 | 17 of 33 | 51% | 19 of 35 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | César Almeida | 1 | 20 of 29 | 68% | 21 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 1 | 17 of 33 | 51% | 19 of 35 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| César Almeida | 20 of 29 | 68% | 3 of 9 | 9 of 11 | 8 of 9 | 16 of 25 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 17 of 33 | 51% | 13 of 29 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 21 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | César Almeida | 20 of 29 | 68% | 3 of 9 | 9 of 11 | 8 of 9 | 16 of 25 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | 17 of 33 | 51% | 13 of 29 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 21 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 7 |
Angelo picks César Almeida, reasoning that Abdul Razak Alhassan is essentially a striker despite his Judo background, and Almeida is the more accomplished kickboxer. He notes Alhassan's age (39) and that strikers decline faster. He believes Almeida's striking will be the difference, as Alhassan doesn't use his Judo. He has Almeida in a parlay with Uroš Medić.
Big Brady is baffled by the line and not high on Almeida. He notes Almeida's takedown defense is a serious concern, as he was taken down by Potieria and Kopylov. However, he thinks Alhassan's cardio and age (39) are issues, and Alhassan has never won a fight past 6 minutes. He predicts Almeida will win the last two rounds on the feet and win by decision, as Alhassan will slow down.
Cody fades Almeida as a -250 favorite, citing his poor takedown defense exposed by Roman Kopylov and Ihor Potieria. He notes Alhassan's power, improved cardio training at altitude, and veteran experience. He believes Alhassan can win by knockout or by grinding out a decision if he mixes in takedowns.
Connor picks Almeida because he is a more technical striker who does not get flustered, and he has shown ability to handle wrestling and grappling threats. Almeida is comfortable in the clinch and finds strikes on the break. Alhassan, despite his power, is structureless on the back foot and tends to fight off his back foot, which plays into Almeida's hands. Connor notes that Alhassan's only path is to land a big shot early, but Almeida's counter-striking and patience should prevail.
Daniel acknowledges Alhassan's devastating first-round KO power and judo background, but worries about his cardio and age (close to 40). He thinks Almeida's technical kickboxing will pick Alhassan apart if the fight goes past the first round. He leans Almeida but calls it a dog-or-pass situation for betting.
Lucrative James picks César Almeida to win, citing his superior kickboxing and cardio. He acknowledges Alhassan's power and wrestling threat, but believes Alhassan will gas if the fight goes past round one. He notes Almeida's poor grappling but thinks Alhassan won't be able to wrestle for three rounds. He also mentions a prop bet on over 1.5 rounds at -170, as he expects Almeida to survive the early storm.
Almeida has technical combinations while Alhassan has power. Almeida can shut down Alhassan's judo attempts, keep the fight on the feet, pick him apart, and win on the scorecards.
Paul also picks Alhassan, calling Almeida untrustworthy due to his grappling deficiencies. He notes that Alhassan has a judo base and has taken down good fighters. He placed a bet on under 1.5 rounds at +145, expecting a violent finish.
The Guru picks Almeida but is not fully confident. He was unimpressed by Almeida's performance against Ihor Potieria (despite the eye pokes) but notes Almeida is younger (36 vs 39), trains with Pereira, and has momentum. He acknowledges Alhassan's explosiveness and danger but points out his six losses and age. He predicts a TKO, thinking Almeida might chin Alhassan.
Zane agrees with Connor, noting that Almeida is a violent but limited kickboxer who has shown resilience and ability to adapt. He points out that Almeida's guillotine threat and comfort in the clinch make him dangerous. Alhassan is nearly 40 with only two wins since 2018, and his fight IQ is poor. Zane also mentions that Alhassan's tendency to fight off his back foot will allow Almeida to be first and land cleaner shots.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| César Almeida | 0 | 57 of 113 | 50% | 78 of 137 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 2:15 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 44 of 89 | 49% | 57 of 102 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 3:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | César Almeida | 0 | 23 of 41 | 56% | 24 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 17 of 33 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 | |
| 2 | César Almeida | 0 | 22 of 36 | 61% | 37 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 2:13 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 10 of 17 | 58% | 13 of 20 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:17 | |
| 3 | César Almeida | 0 | 12 of 36 | 33% | 17 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 18 of 40 | 45% | 27 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:17 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| César Almeida | 57 of 113 | 50% | 32 of 69 | 14 of 28 | 11 of 16 | 41 of 90 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 22 |
| Ihor Potieria | 44 of 89 | 49% | 22 of 64 | 9 of 12 | 13 of 13 | 42 of 85 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | César Almeida | 23 of 41 | 56% | 6 of 16 | 7 of 14 | 10 of 11 | 23 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ihor Potieria | 16 of 32 | 50% | 6 of 21 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | César Almeida | 22 of 36 | 61% | 17 of 29 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 22 |
| Ihor Potieria | 10 of 17 | 58% | 6 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 15 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | César Almeida | 12 of 36 | 33% | 9 of 24 | 2 of 8 | 1 of 4 | 12 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ihor Potieria | 18 of 40 | 45% | 10 of 30 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks César Almeida, citing his superior striking and kickboxing background, including a win over Alex Pereira. He notes Ihor Potieria is hittable and has poor takedown defense, but Almeida is the better striker. He wishes Almeida were more affordable at -400 but expects the win.
Big Brady confidently picks César Almeida, noting that Potieria will likely attempt takedowns but has poor wrestling (0 for 10 or 11 in the UFC). He believes Almeida will stuff takedowns and out-strike Potieria, eventually breaking him and winning by second-round knockout.
Cody picks Almeida, calling Potieria a 'bum' and noting Almeida's striking pedigree. He believes Potieria's poor chin and cardio will be exposed, and that Almeida will win by knockout. He dismisses Potieria's grappling threat.
Connor is confident Almeida will win, noting that Potieria's boxing is unstructured and he leaves massive openings. Almeida's low kicks will disrupt Potieria's tricky strikes, and Almeida's kickboxing pedigree should overwhelm Potieria, who cannot challenge him in that realm.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward César Almeida due to his superior kickboxing background, including a trilogy with Alex Pereira. However, he is concerned about Almeida's age (36) and transitioning to MMA, as he can be taken down. Vreeland notes that Potieria has improved and could win if he gets the fight to the mat, but he favors Almeida's striking.
The host acknowledges that Almeida let down many people last time against Roman Kopylov by not showing urgency to get back to his feet. However, he believes Potieria lacks that type of grappling and will be forced to strike with the better striker, leading to Almeida finding a knockout.
Paul is hesitant to pick either fighter. He acknowledges Almeida's flaws and Potieria's puncher's chance but doesn't like the minus 350 price. He calls it a 'dogger pass' and doesn't commit.
The MMA Guru picks César Almeida over Ihor Potieria, citing Almeida's superior striking and fewer flaws. He notes Almeida trains with Alex Pereira, which helps with takedown defense and striking. He believes Potieria makes mistakes on the feet and won't get takedowns, and at altitude, Almeida's better striking defense will prevail. He predicts Almeida gets the win.
Zane agrees, stating that Almeida is a great MMA kickboxer who will exploit Potieria's defensive flaws. He notes that Potieria's one-and-done strikes leave him out of position, and Almeida's low kicks will neutralize his boxing. This is a perfect matchup for a kickboxer dabbling in MMA.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Kopylov | 0 | 58 of 105 | 55% | 114 of 162 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| César Almeida | 1 | 41 of 71 | 57% | 74 of 114 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 0 | 0 | 8:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Kopylov | 0 | 23 of 42 | 54% | 28 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| César Almeida | 1 | 18 of 31 | 58% | 23 of 36 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:01 | |
| 2 | Roman Kopylov | 0 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 52 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| César Almeida | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 17 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:58 | |
| 3 | Roman Kopylov | 0 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 34 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| César Almeida | 0 | 14 of 21 | 66% | 34 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:40 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Kopylov | 58 of 105 | 55% | 18 of 52 | 24 of 30 | 16 of 23 | 51 of 97 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 2 |
| César Almeida | 41 of 71 | 57% | 34 of 63 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 32 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Kopylov | 23 of 42 | 54% | 4 of 15 | 7 of 10 | 12 of 17 | 23 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| César Almeida | 18 of 31 | 58% | 13 of 26 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 7 | |
| 2 | Roman Kopylov | 20 of 36 | 55% | 7 of 19 | 11 of 13 | 2 of 4 | 16 of 31 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 1 |
| César Almeida | 9 of 19 | 47% | 8 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Roman Kopylov | 15 of 27 | 55% | 7 of 18 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| César Almeida | 14 of 21 | 66% | 13 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Almeida (-112), Kopylov (-108)
Round 1
A pair of knockout artists grace the cage for the preliminary headliner, with Almeida (5-0, 1-0 UFC) and Kopylov (12-3, 4-3 UFC) tallying 15 knockouts opposite zero submissions on their respective ledgers. Referee Herb Dean steels himself for what’s about to come next. Before going all-out, the two middleweight strikers bump fists. Kopylov lands one kick, and Almeida answers with five of his own. Almeida goes after a head kick, and Kopylov lines up a right to the body and left to the head. Almeida pays it no mind and looks to set up a step-in knee when Kopylov comes after him. Almeida slams his shin on the inside and outside of Kopylov’s front leg, and he slips away from a jab. Almeida lands a low kick, and Kopylov catches the kick and trips the Brazilian up to put him down on the ground. Kopylov backs off instead of climbing into top position, and he retreats when a few big kicks fly at him. The threat of the takedown opens up a massive left hand for the Russian, who hurts Almeida badly but does not take advantage of it. Almeida resets, and the two proceed to fire off heavy blows. Almeida scores a body kick, and Kopylov shoots in for a takedown and plants the kickboxer on his back. Almeida wall-walks his way up, and Kopylov measures him to blast him with two right hands before Almeida stands back up. Almeida goes to the body, and he wipes his eye after taking a straight left hand. Kopylov takes advantage of body kick by busting Almeida in the chops with a straight left, sending Almeida crashing to the canvas. Kopylov backs away to let his man up, and he skirts away from two kicks and shoots for a takedown to take Almeida off his feet. Kopylov lands the double and puts himself in side control, keeping tight chest pressure to pin “Cesinha” down. Almeida gets the guard back and is warned for punches to the back of the head. Kopylov rides out the rest of the round on top.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov
Round 2
The middleweights double bump fists, and Almeida reintroduces himself with two body kicks. The second lands, and he leans back to let a head kick buzz past him. Almeida digs the body with two push kicks, and he turns his hips into a body kick. Almeida walks Kopylov down and kicks his lead leg, only to get countered with a powerful right hook. Almeida ducks a punch to jab the body, and his subsequent head kick glances off the shoulder. Almeida loops a left hand around the guard, and two more punches land before Kopylov shoots in for a takedown. Almeida stifles him and digs a left to the liver, and he connects with a few more punches and retreats when Kopylov measures him with a one-two. Kopylov rushes forward to take the fight down, and Almeida leans his back against the wall and slides his arm beneath the chin with a guillotine choke. From this position, the Brazilian knees Kopylov in the chest a few times. Almeida escapes, and they jab at one another. Fists fly, and Kopylov catches his man with a right hand. Almeida fires off a head kick, and he lands a body shot and chains it into a knee from up close before pushing Kopylov away. Almeida kicks the ribs, and Kopylov sweeps him off his feet and dumps him on the mat. Kopylov retains top control in half guard, keeping Almeida stuck on his back and pushing him over when Almeida sits up. Almeida kicks the side with his heel from off his back, and Dean asks for Kopylov to do more as Kopylov is just grinding. Kopylov stays tightly pressed on his foe’s chest, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Round 3
The fighters shake hands and bow to one another before engaging in the final frame. Almeida strikes first, with a front kick and a body kick. Kopylov doubles up a jab and lets go with a head kick, but Almeida pushes through it swinging his mighty fists. Kopylov ducks into a right hand and he wobbles back, and Almeida takes advantage of it by planting a knee on the forehead and a right hand on the way out. Almeida lines up another right hand, and as he rushes forward to throw more, Kopylov tackles him to the floor. Kopylov climbs into the open guard of his foe, and it only takes a few seconds of inaction for Dean to clap for more activity. Dean asks a second time, and Kopylov does not oblige him. Almeida closes his guard around the waist, and Dean calls for action a third time. Kopylov gets off a left hand over the top, and there have now been four claps from Dean to improve his position or do some damage. Almeida hangs on tight, and Kopylov lands two punches after Dean claps a fifth time while saying “work.” Kopylov does just enough to keep going, and chants boom in the area to “stand them up.” Commentator Joe Rogan joins them momentarily in those calls. Kopylov stays doing nothing, and Dean finally stands them up with 90 seconds to spare as the crowd is thrilled by him. Almeida thanks him with a blitz of fists, and he cracks the Russian with a combination. To take all the wind out of his sails, Kopylov rushes ahead and take Almeida down to the ground easy as can be. Almeida kicks him off, forcing Kopylov upright again, and Dean tells Kopylov to do something rather than lord over him slapping with occasional kicks. Kopylov drops down into side control, and he clings to the Brazilian until the prolonged endeavor draws to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov (29-28 Kopylov)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov (29-28 Kopylov)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov (29-28 Kopylov)
The Official Result
Roman Kopylov def. Cesar Almeida via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Angelo picks Roman Kopylov because although César Almeida is the better pure kickboxer, Kopylov has shown he can shoot takedowns and has good takedown defense. He believes the MMA aspect, specifically Kopylov's ability to mix in wrestling, will be the difference. He notes Almeida's takedown defense in the center of the cage is poor.
Big Brady is targeting this fight heavily, expecting both guys to stand and bang with power. He thinks Roman Kopylov will be lower owned and may implement a wrestling-heavy game plan for takedown upside. He sees either guy live for a knockout. He also likes César Almeida but notes he will be very popular.
Cody picks Kopylov, arguing he can mix in wrestling to neutralize Almeida's kickboxing. He notes Kopylov has trained wrestling in Dagestan and has shown takedown defense. Cody believes Kopylov can take Almeida down and grind him out, or catch him overextending. He acknowledges Almeida's kickboxing credentials but thinks Kopylov's MMA skills will prevail. He takes a shoey bet on Kopylov.
Daniel flips a coin to decide, acknowledging both are good strikers. He notes Almeida's elite kickboxing credentials but questions the transition to MMA. He says it's a pick'em and goes with Almeida due to the coin flip.
The host is impressed with Almeida's defensive grappling and striking, predicting he will outwork Kopylov. Almeida's ability to get back to his feet and his superior striking should wear down Kopylov, who has cardio issues. Even if Kopylov tries to grapple, Almeida's defensive skills will nullify him, leading to a knockout for Almeida.
Paul picks Almeida, citing his world-class kickboxing and win over Alex Pereira (though long ago). He notes Almeida is working on his MMA skills and believes if it's a striking match, Almeida has the edge. Paul took Almeida at plus 120 earlier and likes the line movement. He acknowledges Almeida is 36 but thinks his standup is on point.
The MMA Guru picks Roman Kopylov, stating that César Almeida hasn't finished anyone legit and that his striking is not elite. He believes Kopylov is more proven in the UFC and will work into the fight, possibly mixing in grappling. He predicts Kopylov by decision, possibly finishing later rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| César Almeida | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 6 of 11 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 5:53 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 29 of 38 | 76% | 87 of 101 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | César Almeida | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 6 of 8 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:32 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 43 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | César Almeida | 0 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 28 of 36 | 77% | 44 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| César Almeida | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dylan Budka | 29 of 38 | 76% | 21 of 29 | 7 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 11 | 19 of 21 | 3 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | César Almeida | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dylan Budka | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | César Almeida | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dylan Budka | 28 of 36 | 77% | 21 of 28 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 | 19 of 21 | 3 of 6 |
Angelo leans Dylan Budka (whom he accidentally calls Gillan) because he is a grappler facing a striker. He expects Budka to shoot takedowns instantly and not stand and strike with César Almeida, a high-level kickboxer. He notes that Almeida's takedown defense is unknown and that defending trips on Contender Series is different from defending actual shots. However, he acknowledges the unknowns with UFC debuts.
Big Brady picks César Almeida as the underdog, citing that Almeida is the much better striker with an extensive kickboxing background. He notes that the judges have been emphasizing damage over control, which favors Almeida's big shots. However, he acknowledges that Budka could rack up control time with wrestling, but doubts Budka will do much with it. He sees a close fight with Almeida landing bigger shots and winning a decision.
Cody picks Almeida as a dog, citing his win over Alex Pereira in kickboxing and his striking advantage. He notes Budka is a one-dimensional wrestler with poor cardio, and that Almeida's takedown defense, while not great, may be enough to get back to his feet. Cody thinks Almeida's striking will be the difference, especially if Budka tires.
Daniel Vreeland picks César Almeida, expecting him to overcome early grappling scares and take over on the feet in later rounds. He notes Almeida's kickboxing pedigree from fighting Patan three times and his ability to get back up after takedowns. Vreeland believes Almeida's body shots, leg kicks, and jab will slow Budka's takedown attempts, allowing Almeida to finesse him on the feet.
Almeida is technically the better striker with kickboxing experience, including a win over Alex Pereira. He showed improved grappling in his last fight, which should help nullify Budka's clinch and grinding. Budka is physically strong but lacks technique; Almeida can damage him in close with knees and elbows, then win by decision.
Paul picks Budka but with low conviction. He notes Budka is a one-dimensional wrestler, while Almeida is a kickboxer with poor takedown defense. Paul thinks Budka can grind out a win by takedowns and control, but acknowledges Almeida's striking pedigree and the possibility of a knockout. He calls it a pass fight.
The host emphasizes Budka's elite high school wrestling credentials (87-5 record, national champion, All-American) and contrasts it with Almeida's kickboxing background. He notes that Almeida was taken down by Lucas Fernando, who has no wrestling background, and argues Budka's wrestling will be the decisive factor. He predicts Budka will dominate with takedowns and calls it a lock, threatening to quit covering the sport if Budka doesn't outwrestle Almeida.
Dylan Budka - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 1 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 1 of 16 | 6% | 1 of 16 | 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 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 1 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 1 of 16 | 6% | 1 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 7 of 15 | 46% | 5 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Dylan Budka | 1 of 16 | 6% | 1 of 12 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 7 of 15 | 46% | 5 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Dylan Budka | 1 of 16 | 6% | 1 of 12 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Shahbazyan (-355), Budka (+280)
Round 1
In the “featured fight of the night” slot, a .500 fighter with 10 UFC outings goes up against one that has fought and lost twice. Momentum may not be the word of the day here, but the terms ‘pink slip’ or ‘destruction’ could be. Hoping to keep their jobs, Shahbazyan (13-5, 5-5 UFC) aims to follow the successes that David Gladfelter and Cesar Almeida had against Budka (7-4, 0-2 UFC). Keep tabs on the middleweights is referee Chris Tognoni, who stands by as the fighters engage in a clap of hands. Shahbazyan walks forward, through a right hand that catches him fairly cleanly, so he can flick out a pair of jabs. Budka lets fly a body kick, and he parries Shahbazyan coming forward. Budka drives forward behind a pair of jabs, and Shahbazyan sees this coming as a wry grin wraps across his face from ear to ear.
“The Golden Boy” fades back and plants a right hand square on the chin, and Budka’s balance immediately betrays him as he stumbles back and hits the deck. Shahbazyan rushes at “The Mindless Hulk,” depriving him of any further brain cells with a few hammerfists before Tognoni has seen more than enough.
Shahbazyan races off to celebrate with his corner, shocked that their timely advice of a pull-back right hand played out perfectly. That is one more highlight on the reel of the 27-year-old, who may not be totally washed despite the complaints of critics and colleagues.
The Official Result
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dylan Budka R1 1:35 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Dylan Budka despite acknowledging that many people think Budka is not good. He argues that Budka has very good offensive wrestling and Edmen Shahbazyan has poor takedown defense (65%) and is useless on the ground. He believes Budka can win with wrestling alone, and that the odds are upside down.
Big Brady picks Shahbazyan by first-round submission, arguing Budka is not on the level of Shahbazyan's previous opponents. Shahbazyan has a huge striking advantage and is even the better grappler. He expects Shahbazyan to hurt Budka, who will panic wrestle, and then snatch a submission. If Shahbazyan loses, he should retire.
Connor picks Edmen Shahbazyan, agreeing with Zane that Budka is not ready for this level. He emphasizes Budka's lack of range game and his need for constant coaching, which makes him operate three steps behind. Connor notes that Shahbazyan, despite his own issues, has the depth of skill to bulldoze opponents like Budka. He also suggests that Shahbazyan might have benefited from being cut from the UFC earlier, like Zalal, to fix his problems.
Lucrative James picks Edmen Shahbazyan to win by KO, viewing this as a clear step down in competition for Shahbazyan. He notes that Shahbazyan's losses have come against high-level opponents like Gerald Meerschaert, Anthony Hernandez, and Nassourdine Imavov, while Dylan Budka has not shown UFC-level skills. He believes Shahbazyan's improved grappling and pace will be enough, and that Budka lacks the tools to exploit Shahbazyan's known cardio issues. He expects a finish inside the distance.
Shahbazyan has a big technical gap over Budka and can put him away early, likely within the first round. If it goes longer, his cardio becomes an issue. The -360 odds are iffy but Shahbazyan wins inside the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Edmen Shahbazyan to win by early TKO in round one or two. He acknowledges Shahbazyan's past struggles with wrestling and cardio but believes Dylan Budka won't be able to take him down until it's too late. He trusts Shahbazyan's development at Xtreme Couture.
Zane picks Edmen Shahbazyan confidently, despite acknowledging Shahbazyan's well-documented flaws. He notes that Shahbazyan still crushes low-level middleweights and that Dylan Budka is a particularly limited fighter with no range game, no jab, no kicks, and a history of needing excessive in-cage coaching. Zane compares Budka to a 'no-legged man' in an ass-kicking contest, making Shahbazyan the clear pick. He also mentions that Shahbazyan's issues (fading after strong starts) are unlikely to be exploited by Budka.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 78 of 109 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 9:20 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 17 of 53 | 32% | 23 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Petroski | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 15 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:46 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 4 of 16 | 25% | 7 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Andre Petroski | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 36 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:47 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Andre Petroski | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 27 of 36 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:47 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 5 of 19 | 26% | 7 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Petroski | 23 of 46 | 50% | 16 of 36 | 5 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 7 |
| Dylan Budka | 17 of 53 | 32% | 14 of 48 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 13 of 49 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Petroski | 8 of 17 | 47% | 5 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 |
| Dylan Budka | 4 of 16 | 25% | 3 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andre Petroski | 7 of 12 | 58% | 5 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Dylan Budka | 8 of 18 | 44% | 6 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Andre Petroski | 8 of 17 | 47% | 6 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Dylan Budka | 5 of 19 | 26% | 5 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Petroski (-278), Budka (+225)
Round 1
Despite holding a UFC record with six wins opposite two defeats, Pennsylvania-based grappler Petroski (11-3, 6-2 UFC) finds himself deposited haphazardly on the early prelims. Instead of reaching towards opposition in the top 20, he collides with a man in Budka (7-3, 0-1 UFC) who calls himself “The Mindless Hulk” that cannot find the middleweight limit. The favored Petroski will receive 20% of his foe’s purse, and he will be thanking his lucky stars the fight is still on considering the poor condition of Budka on the scales on Friday. The two receive oversight from referee Mark Smith in the cage, and while Budka offers an apologetic glove touch, Petroski wants nothing to do with it. Instead, he proceeds to walk Budka down, parrying a high kick and a few big punches, and he sees Budka active but inaccurate when approaching him. Petroski digs a kick to the ribs, and it is one-and-done as the two feint and fake at one another. Budka circles on the outer edge of the cage, lifting up an intercepting knee and doing so a second time but bumping into Petroski’s cup. Petroski walks him down, swinging his right hand out, but he pulls back when seeing “The Mindless Hulk” mindlessly leaps at him and missing by a wide margin. Petroski punches his way into a body kick, and he scoops Budka up and dumps him to the floor. Petroski lands in half guard, where he grinds his elbow into the jaw and is otherwise focused on control over damage. Petroski lowers himself flat on top, and when he wraps a few punches around the head, he is warned for punching the back of Budka’s melon. Budka bucks but is completely nullified on his back, although he hands on to prevent Petroski from getting off much. Petroski frees his right arm and rattles off five or six punches to the head and side, and Budka wraps him up once more. Petroski keeps smothering as he looks to step over to mount, and he succeeds in moving to the dominant position with 10 seconds to spare. Budka hangs on tight, and the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Round 2
Petroski begins the round aggressively as before, ducking a punch to counter with a left. Budka bites down on his mouthpiece and slings leather, and Petroski largely ducks and rolls with the worst of the blows. Budka tosses out a high kick that bounces off the shoulder, and he slides to the side to avoid a two-hook swarm. Petroski slips on his way in, and when he regains his footing, he walks face-first into an uppercut. Petroski shoots for a takedown, bailing on it to knee his man in the sternum, and then softening up the inner thigh with additional knees. Budka breaks free and looks for an uppercut, but Petroski catches him with a clean left hand to stagger him for a moment. Budka lashes out with a head kick that gets Petroski’s attention, leading Petroski to pursue a takedown that he lands successfully. Budka remains defensively minded, protecting his mug from much of Petroski’s attacks. Petroski elbows the body of his opponent as he stays busy to keep Smith from asking for more action, and Budka clings to him like Saran wrap to force a standup. Petroski relocates himself to half guard while Budka scoots his side to the cage wall, and “The Mindless Hulk” tugs his toes on the chain links to try to improve his position. Smith sees the foul and tells Budka to knock it off, and then calls for Petroski to do more from on top. Petroski is warned for gouging Budka’s eyes as he holds his hand on Budka’s mouth and nose. Petroski grabs the fence hard to turn himself to a better posture, and Smith loudly warns him for the clear and obvious foul. Petroski postures up but still hangs on in a controlling position instead of inflicting a great deal of damage. Budka is stuck on his back, but at least he is not getting beaten down. Petroski tries to drop down a pair of elbows, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Round 3
Before the last round kicks off, Smith issues a stern warning to Petroski for fence grabs and additional fouls. Petroski nods and the round begins. Budka looses an early head kick, and he finds that even bouncing off the guard it has a noticeable effect, so he chucks another. Petroski walks Budka down, sticking his left hand in Budka’s jaw when Budka advances. Petroski sits down on a low kick, and Budka considers a counter but pulls back on it at the last second. Petroski pushes out a one-two, and he sneaks a jab under the raised guard. Budka whiffs on his own one-two, and Petroski slips and counters with a short right. Petroski turns a single-leg takedown entry into a double-leg takedown, and he lifts the Ohio native off his feet to deposit him gingerly to the mat. Petroski positions himself in half guard, and he hammers Budka with a clean right hand. Petroski drops down a few more, and he thwarts Budka’s desperate escape attempt with heavy shoulder pressure and an elbow on Budka’s nose. Budka pushes off the wall to get to a better position and potentially wall-walk, but this only allows Petroski to step over to full mount. Petroski has firmly embraced the grind, with so little activity offensively that Smith is calling for more action while Petroski has Budka mounted. Budka pushes off the fence, but he does not escape before the grinder of a matchup concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Petroski (30-27 Petroski)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Petroski (30-27 Petroski)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Petroski (30-27 Petroski)
The Official Result
Andre Petroski def. Dylan Budka via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Andre Petroski because he is the better wrestler with good takedowns and power, and if he sticks to his wrestling he should win. He notes that Dylan Budka is also a grappler but not as good a striker, and Andre's path to victory is straightforward. However, he is hesitant to bet at the current odds of nearly 3-to-1, preferring closer to 1.5-to-1.
Big Brady picks Andre Petroski to win by second-round submission. He believes Petroski has a striking advantage and is the much better grappler, with slick BJJ and multiple submissions. He notes that Budka has been submitted before and that Petroski's cardio looked improved in his last fight. Brady sees many avenues for Petroski to win, including knockout or decision, but leans submission.
Cody picks Petroski, citing his superior wrestling and BJJ, and Budka's lack of improvement. He notes Budka's gym is low-level and he has not faced good competition. He expects Petroski to win by submission or decision.
Daniel is not confident in this pick. He calls both fighters boring wrestlers but notes that when two wrestlers fight, it often becomes a striking match. He picks Petroski by default due to UFC experience, but admits he doesn't trust Petroski and hasn't seen enough from Budka.
Petroski is a superior wrestler and BJJ specialist who should dominate Budka on the ground. Budka is more of a bully with size than a technical fighter, and his cardio is suspect. Petroski can dictate the pace and likely wins easily, possibly by submission. Budka's only path is a Hail Mary KO.
Paul picks Petroski, noting his wrestling and BJJ advantage over Budka, who has poor striking and cardio. He believes Petroski can take Budka down and control him, and has shown ability to finish. He is not confident in the price but sees it as a good matchup.
The MMA Guru picks Andre Petroski but expresses concern about his chin. He heavily criticizes Dylan Budka, calling him awful at fighting and accusing him of faking wrestling credentials. He believes Petroski has better MMA grappling and stand-up, but worries about his 'diabolical chin' after being KO'd by a hip in his last fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| César Almeida | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 6 of 11 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 5:53 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 29 of 38 | 76% | 87 of 101 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | César Almeida | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 6 of 8 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:32 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 43 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | César Almeida | 0 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 28 of 36 | 77% | 44 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| César Almeida | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dylan Budka | 29 of 38 | 76% | 21 of 29 | 7 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 11 | 19 of 21 | 3 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | César Almeida | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dylan Budka | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | César Almeida | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dylan Budka | 28 of 36 | 77% | 21 of 28 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 | 19 of 21 | 3 of 6 |
Angelo leans Dylan Budka (whom he accidentally calls Gillan) because he is a grappler facing a striker. He expects Budka to shoot takedowns instantly and not stand and strike with César Almeida, a high-level kickboxer. He notes that Almeida's takedown defense is unknown and that defending trips on Contender Series is different from defending actual shots. However, he acknowledges the unknowns with UFC debuts.
Big Brady picks César Almeida as the underdog, citing that Almeida is the much better striker with an extensive kickboxing background. He notes that the judges have been emphasizing damage over control, which favors Almeida's big shots. However, he acknowledges that Budka could rack up control time with wrestling, but doubts Budka will do much with it. He sees a close fight with Almeida landing bigger shots and winning a decision.
Cody picks Almeida as a dog, citing his win over Alex Pereira in kickboxing and his striking advantage. He notes Budka is a one-dimensional wrestler with poor cardio, and that Almeida's takedown defense, while not great, may be enough to get back to his feet. Cody thinks Almeida's striking will be the difference, especially if Budka tires.
Daniel Vreeland picks César Almeida, expecting him to overcome early grappling scares and take over on the feet in later rounds. He notes Almeida's kickboxing pedigree from fighting Patan three times and his ability to get back up after takedowns. Vreeland believes Almeida's body shots, leg kicks, and jab will slow Budka's takedown attempts, allowing Almeida to finesse him on the feet.
Almeida is technically the better striker with kickboxing experience, including a win over Alex Pereira. He showed improved grappling in his last fight, which should help nullify Budka's clinch and grinding. Budka is physically strong but lacks technique; Almeida can damage him in close with knees and elbows, then win by decision.
Paul picks Budka but with low conviction. He notes Budka is a one-dimensional wrestler, while Almeida is a kickboxer with poor takedown defense. Paul thinks Budka can grind out a win by takedowns and control, but acknowledges Almeida's striking pedigree and the possibility of a knockout. He calls it a pass fight.
The host emphasizes Budka's elite high school wrestling credentials (87-5 record, national champion, All-American) and contrasts it with Almeida's kickboxing background. He notes that Almeida was taken down by Lucas Fernando, who has no wrestling background, and argues Budka's wrestling will be the decisive factor. He predicts Budka will dominate with takedowns and calls it a lock, threatening to quit covering the sport if Budka doesn't outwrestle Almeida.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo leans Dylan Budka (whom he accidentally calls Gillan) because he is a grappler facing a striker. He expects Budka to shoot takedowns instantly and not stand and strike with César Almeida, a high-level kickboxer. He notes that Almeida's takedown defense is unknown and that defending trips on Contender Series is different from defending actual shots. However, he acknowledges the unknowns with UFC debuts.
Big Brady picks César Almeida as the underdog, citing that Almeida is the much better striker with an extensive kickboxing background. He notes that the judges have been emphasizing damage over control, which favors Almeida's big shots. However, he acknowledges that Budka could rack up control time with wrestling, but doubts Budka will do much with it. He sees a close fight with Almeida landing bigger shots and winning a decision.
Cody picks Almeida as a dog, citing his win over Alex Pereira in kickboxing and his striking advantage. He notes Budka is a one-dimensional wrestler with poor cardio, and that Almeida's takedown defense, while not great, may be enough to get back to his feet. Cody thinks Almeida's striking will be the difference, especially if Budka tires.
Daniel Vreeland picks César Almeida, expecting him to overcome early grappling scares and take over on the feet in later rounds. He notes Almeida's kickboxing pedigree from fighting Patan three times and his ability to get back up after takedowns. Vreeland believes Almeida's body shots, leg kicks, and jab will slow Budka's takedown attempts, allowing Almeida to finesse him on the feet.
Almeida is technically the better striker with kickboxing experience, including a win over Alex Pereira. He showed improved grappling in his last fight, which should help nullify Budka's clinch and grinding. Budka is physically strong but lacks technique; Almeida can damage him in close with knees and elbows, then win by decision.
Paul picks Budka but with low conviction. He notes Budka is a one-dimensional wrestler, while Almeida is a kickboxer with poor takedown defense. Paul thinks Budka can grind out a win by takedowns and control, but acknowledges Almeida's striking pedigree and the possibility of a knockout. He calls it a pass fight.
The host emphasizes Budka's elite high school wrestling credentials (87-5 record, national champion, All-American) and contrasts it with Almeida's kickboxing background. He notes that Almeida was taken down by Lucas Fernando, who has no wrestling background, and argues Budka's wrestling will be the decisive factor. He predicts Budka will dominate with takedowns and calls it a lock, threatening to quit covering the sport if Budka doesn't outwrestle Almeida.
Comments (1)
Nice high kick, takedown down by Budka rd1. Cesar is 36 in this fight, Budka is 24. Ceasar defend takedowns rd2 and elbow'd him for the KO. Lame.
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