Career Averages - Mike Davis
Career Averages - Natan Levy
Mike Davis - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitch Ramirez | 0 | 51 of 111 | 45% | 57 of 118 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Mike Davis | 1 | 47 of 77 | 61% | 58 of 94 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 4:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitch Ramirez | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 14 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mike Davis | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 13 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 4:20 | |
| 2 | Mitch Ramirez | 0 | 43 of 93 | 46% | 43 of 93 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Mike Davis | 1 | 44 of 69 | 63% | 45 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitch Ramirez | 51 of 111 | 45% | 27 of 85 | 8 of 10 | 16 of 16 | 46 of 105 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Mike Davis | 47 of 77 | 61% | 29 of 53 | 15 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 44 of 74 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitch Ramirez | 8 of 18 | 44% | 4 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Mike Davis | 3 of 8 | 37% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Mitch Ramirez | 43 of 93 | 46% | 23 of 71 | 8 of 10 | 12 of 12 | 40 of 89 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Mike Davis | 44 of 69 | 63% | 27 of 48 | 15 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 41 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
Angelo dismisses Mike Davis's last performance as an anomaly due to paint fumes and injuries, and focuses on his overall body of work. He sees Davis as faster, more athletic, and well-rounded, expecting him to blow through Mitch Ramirez. He notes Ramirez is a decent grappler but has had tough matchups, and this should be another he can't win.
Big Brady is hesitant despite Mike Davis being a massive favorite. He expresses concern about Davis's many excuses after his last fight and his tendency to pull guard early. However, he acknowledges Davis is much better everywhere than Mitch Ramirez. He picks Davis to win by dominant decision but says he will avoid betting on this fight.
The host believes Davis will remind everyone of his quality after a recent fumble against Ferris ZM. He expects Davis to put together a solid body of work and finish Ramirez in the second round. Davis is a prohibitive favorite at -900, reflecting strong confidence.
The MMA Guru confidently picks Mike Davis, calling it a 'no-brainer' given Davis is a -1000 favorite. He notes Mitch Ramirez starts strong but visibly slows down as lactic acid builds, citing his losses to Carlos Prates and Thiago Moises. He expects Davis to survive early exchanges and take over as the fight progresses, though he sees no betting value at the current odds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 0 | 35 of 56 | 62% | 58 of 83 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 2 | 7:11 |
| Mike Davis | 0 | 20 of 35 | 57% | 30 of 49 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 1 | 3 | 3:59 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 16 of 24 | 66% | 20 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:23 |
| Mike Davis | 0 | 8 of 15 | 53% | 10 of 18 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 10 of 18 | 55% | 23 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 2 | 2:31 |
| Mike Davis | 0 | 6 of 8 | 75% | 8 of 10 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 1 | 2 | 1:38 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 15 of 21 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:17 |
| Mike Davis | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 12 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:47 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farès Ziam | 35 of 56 | 62% | 29 of 50 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 33 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 17 |
| Mike Davis | 20 of 35 | 57% | 13 of 26 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farès Ziam | 16 of 24 | 66% | 12 of 20 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Mike Davis | 8 of 15 | 53% | 3 of 8 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Farès Ziam | 10 of 18 | 55% | 8 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 13 |
| Mike Davis | 6 of 8 | 75% | 5 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Farès Ziam | 9 of 14 | 64% | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Mike Davis | 6 of 12 | 50% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Lightweights are first up on the main card, where Davis (11-2, 4-1 UFC) tackles Ziam (16-4, 6-2 UFC) in an under-the-radar 155-pound appetizer. Tognoni serves as the third man in the cage. They touch gloves and get started. Davis follows a leg kick to the body with a left hook to the body, then shoots on a takedown and pulls guard. He scrambles to his feet and backs Ziam to the fence. They separate. Ziam fires a two-piece combo and again pulls guard. He stands behind an upkick. Ziam backs him to the cage with punches and scores with knees to the body. Jab to the head and another to the body from Ziam. The Frenchman rips a left hook to the body and a right hand over the top. Davis looks out of sorts. Ziam sticks him with a left uppercut, resets and then slams home jab. Davis shoots on a takedown but goes nowhere. He resets, scrambles behind Ziam and slams him to the mat. Davis climbs to full mount with 50 seconds to go. Ziam reclaims half guard. Davis feeds him an elbow and a knee to the body, then another. Strong close for Davis.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Round 2
They greet each other in the center. Jabs from Ziam. Davis plows forward behind a burst of power punches and connects with a left hook. Ziam clinches to protect himself, and they jockey for position along the fence. Ziam lands a knee with Davis crouched and opens a cut. Ziam scoops up the American and dumps him to the floor in the center of the cage. Blood streaming from the wound. Davis threatens with a heel hook, then positions himself for a calf slicer and uses it to take top position. He scrambles into a bid for an arm-triangle but loses position. Ziam scores with standing-to-ground punches. He flirts with an anaconda choke after sprawling on a takedown attempt, then frames an arm-triangle. Too much blood, and Davis slips free. Ziam closes on top with punches and elbows.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam
Round 3
Back at it. Davis crashes forward with a right hand over the top. Ziam circles off the fence and shoots on the hips. He eventually dumps Davis to the mat. Ziam works in full guard. He stands, hovers above Davis and moves to north-south, firing punches to the body. Ziam stands again and scores with punches and an elbow. Davis gets to his knees. Ziam threatens with an anaconda choke, then settles in half guard. Davis looks spent—and understandably so. Davis gets back to his feet and presses the Frenchman into the cage. They separate. Two punch volley from Ziam, followed by an elbow over the top. He shoots on the hips and dumps Davis to the canvas yet again. Davis goes for a leg lock, but Ziam slips free. Davis gets to top position, in full guard, and opens a serious cut above Ziam’s left eye with a vicious elbow strike. Dark red blood pours from the wound as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
The Official Result
Fares Ziam def. Mike Davis—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Mike Davis, citing his speed, power, athleticism, and well-rounded skills. He notes that Farès Ziam has improved but Davis is a more dangerous striker with better wrestling. He expresses concern about Davis's long layoff due to a bicep injury and his age (32), but still believes Davis wins. He includes Davis in a parlay with Shamil Gaziev.
Big Brady is a fan of Mike Davis but notes his inactivity and injury issues. He thinks Davis has a clear path to victory via wrestling and BJJ, as Farès Ziam has been taken down easily in the past, including seven times by Claudio Puelles. Brady predicts Davis will submit Ziam in the second round, citing Davis's black belt and Ziam's submission losses.
Connor picks Ziam, believing his recent performance against Matt Frevola showed significant improvement. He notes that Ziam displayed excellent striking combinations, body work, and clinch transitions, and that he now looks like a complete fighter. Connor thinks Mike Davis, while powerful, makes poor decisions under pressure and relies on wrestling as a crutch, which Ziam can exploit.
James picks Ziam to win, but is not confident due to Davis's grappling upside. He notes Ziam has improved recently while Davis may have declined. He thinks Ziam can defend takedowns and win on the feet, possibly by knockout. However, he acknowledges Davis's athleticism and wrestling could be a problem, as seen in Ziam's loss to McKinney. He is undecided on betting.
Davis is far superior to Ziam, with a tremendous grappling advantage that will lead to a submission. Despite Ziam's recent improvements, Davis has the striking to be competitive and will eventually get the submission. The line around -140 to -150 is surprising value.
The MMA Guru picks Mike Davis despite initially leaning toward Ziam. He notes Davis has good entries on takedowns and wicked stand-up, but worries about Ziam's improvements and the takedowns he gave up to Claudio Puelles. He trusts Davis's inactivity means he shows up at 100% and believes Davis is the better fighter overall.
Zane picks Ziam, agreeing that his last fight showed a new level of maturity and consistency. He notes that Davis has stagnated and often makes desperate moves when uncomfortable, while Ziam now has the tools to capitalize. Zane acknowledges the risk that Ziam's performance could be a one-off, but believes the improvement is real and that Ziam's well-rounded game will be too much for Davis.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Davis | 0 | 8 of 9 | 88% | 18 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Natan Levy | 1 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 10 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 5:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Davis | 0 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 15 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Natan Levy | 1 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:46 | |
| 2 | Mike Davis | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Natan Levy | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Davis | 8 of 9 | 88% | 2 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Natan Levy | 3 of 7 | 42% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Davis | 5 of 5 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Natan Levy | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Mike Davis | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Natan Levy | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
Angelo is surprised Davis is a 3-to-1 favorite but agrees with the logic. Davis is a fast, athletic striker with real power and excellent wrestling, as shown in his last fight with 14 takedowns over three fights. He thinks Davis can implement the same game plan as Hafa Garcia did against Levy: wrestle and avoid BJJ. He hopes the line tightens to 2-to-1 or 1.5-to-1 before he bets.
Big Brady picks Mike Davis to win by third-round knockout. He believes Davis is better everywhere and should dominate if he shows up healthy. He acknowledges inactivity concerns but thinks Davis' skill advantage will lead to a finish.
Cody is confident in Mike Davis, highlighting his well-rounded skills, nasty leg kicks, and wrestling. He notes Levy relies on wrestling but Davis is the better wrestler and will stuff takedowns. He predicts Davis will out-strike Levy, shatter his lead leg, and win decisively, likely by decision.
Lucrative James leans toward Mike Davis, citing his superior wrestling and striking. He notes that Levy couldn't finish Dano Valdez and that Davis has fought tough competition. However, he expresses concern about Davis's inactivity and potential lack of focus due to streaming, which could lead to an upset. Overall, he sees Davis as the much better fighter.
The host considers Davis the overall better fighter in both striking and grappling, which is what Levy normally relies on. He expects the fight to be slightly competitive early but Davis will pull away late and eventually find a finishing opportunity in the final round, specifically circling the submission prop.
Paul agrees, noting Davis has skills everywhere but has been inactive. He sees Levy as a reasonable matchup and expects Davis to win however he wants, likely by decision. He mentions Davis by decision at +120 as a prop.
The Guru picks Mike Davis by TKO in round one. He praises Davis's striking and grappling, noting his win over Mason Jones has aged well. He criticizes Levy's performances, calling his win over Jairo Valdez unimpressive and his loss to Hakeem Dawodu. He believes Davis is another level on the feet and will be too quick, catching Levy on the jaw.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Davis | 0 | 65 of 133 | 48% | 101 of 174 | 9 of 11 | 81% | 1 | 0 | 8:02 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 0 | 63 of 118 | 53% | 84 of 139 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Davis | 0 | 37 of 61 | 60% | 59 of 87 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:52 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 0 | 21 of 34 | 61% | 22 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:14 | |
| 2 | Mike Davis | 0 | 20 of 46 | 43% | 22 of 49 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:17 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 0 | 26 of 60 | 43% | 29 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Mike Davis | 0 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 20 of 38 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:53 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 0 | 16 of 24 | 66% | 33 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Davis | 65 of 133 | 48% | 53 of 118 | 5 of 7 | 7 of 8 | 27 of 75 | 1 of 1 | 37 of 57 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 63 of 118 | 53% | 29 of 81 | 10 of 13 | 24 of 24 | 62 of 115 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Davis | 37 of 61 | 60% | 34 of 57 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 27 of 40 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 21 of 34 | 61% | 8 of 20 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 11 | 20 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Mike Davis | 20 of 46 | 43% | 16 of 41 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 15 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 26 of 60 | 43% | 11 of 43 | 5 of 7 | 10 of 10 | 26 of 59 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Mike Davis | 8 of 26 | 30% | 3 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Viacheslav Borshchev | 16 of 24 | 66% | 10 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Cody picks Mike Davis to win, highlighting Davis's talent and the praise from training partners. He notes Davis has been inactive but is still young and improving. He expects Davis to counter Borshchev's hooks and low kicks with his jab and straight right, and to mix in takedowns to secure rounds. He is confident Davis gets the job done despite the layoff.
Paul picks Mike Davis by decision, citing Davis's superior wrestling and ability to mix in takedowns. He notes that Borshchev gives up takedowns frequently and Davis has underrated wrestling. He expects Davis to use his jab and hand speed to outpoint Borshchev on the feet if he chooses, but believes mixing in wrestling will solidify rounds. He mentions the 2.5 takedown prop on PrizePicks.
The MMA Guru picks Mike Davis, emphasizing his multiple paths to victory. He notes that Davis is a smart fighter who can implement wrestling and grappling, similar to Mark D. Casey's game plan against Borshchev. He warns Davis not to get into a pure striking affair, as Borshchev is a world-class kickboxer. He expects Davis to mix takedowns with striking and win a decision, citing Davis's layoff and Borshchev's short notice as factors.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Davis | 0 | 108 of 207 | 52% | 111 of 210 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Mason Jones | 0 | 117 of 313 | 37% | 132 of 329 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Davis | 0 | 31 of 58 | 53% | 31 of 58 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Mason Jones | 0 | 29 of 69 | 42% | 38 of 78 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Mike Davis | 0 | 40 of 77 | 51% | 40 of 77 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Mason Jones | 0 | 48 of 125 | 38% | 52 of 129 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 | |
| 3 | Mike Davis | 0 | 37 of 72 | 51% | 40 of 75 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mason Jones | 0 | 40 of 119 | 33% | 42 of 122 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Davis | 108 of 207 | 52% | 54 of 131 | 42 of 61 | 12 of 15 | 97 of 189 | 8 of 14 | 3 of 4 |
| Mason Jones | 117 of 313 | 37% | 83 of 265 | 18 of 31 | 16 of 17 | 104 of 285 | 11 of 21 | 2 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Davis | 31 of 58 | 53% | 16 of 37 | 11 of 15 | 4 of 6 | 27 of 50 | 1 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Mason Jones | 29 of 69 | 42% | 17 of 53 | 3 of 7 | 9 of 9 | 24 of 63 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Mike Davis | 40 of 77 | 51% | 22 of 50 | 14 of 22 | 4 of 5 | 37 of 74 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Mason Jones | 48 of 125 | 38% | 39 of 112 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 44 of 114 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 7 | |
| 3 | Mike Davis | 37 of 72 | 51% | 16 of 44 | 17 of 24 | 4 of 4 | 33 of 65 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Mason Jones | 40 of 119 | 33% | 27 of 100 | 11 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 36 of 108 | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady calls this a very close fight and says the line should be closer. He likes both fighters but gives a slight edge to Mike Davis due to better competition. He notes Davis's boxing is very good and he is powerful, while Mason Jones is a black belt in BJJ and a good finisher. He predicts a decision win for Davis, but says Mason Jones at +150 is a value play and he doesn't hate anyone taking a shot on him.
The host believes Mike Davis's speed, crisp striking, and wrestling background will be too much for Mason Jones, who is stepping up from Cage Warriors. He notes Davis's hand speed and kicks as key advantages, and expects a finish in the second round via KO. He is confident Davis is on a higher level than Jones's previous competition.
The MMA Guru picks Mason Jones as an underdog, believing the odds should be even. He argues Jones has faced better competition, including a first-round TKO of previously undefeated Adam Proctor, and has more pro experience (10-0 vs 8-2). He expects a slugfest where Jones' power, which knocked out welterweights, will be too much for Davis, leading to a first-round TKO. He calls the underdog odds a 'steal'.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Davis | 2 | 139 of 222 | 62% | 141 of 224 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:56 |
| Thomas Gifford | 0 | 88 of 242 | 36% | 89 of 243 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Davis | 0 | 67 of 109 | 61% | 68 of 110 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Thomas Gifford | 0 | 36 of 111 | 32% | 37 of 112 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Mike Davis | 0 | 39 of 64 | 60% | 40 of 65 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Thomas Gifford | 0 | 24 of 73 | 32% | 24 of 73 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Mike Davis | 2 | 33 of 49 | 67% | 33 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
| Thomas Gifford | 0 | 28 of 58 | 48% | 28 of 58 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Davis | 139 of 222 | 62% | 96 of 166 | 32 of 40 | 11 of 16 | 98 of 173 | 17 of 18 | 24 of 31 |
| Thomas Gifford | 88 of 242 | 36% | 45 of 189 | 18 of 23 | 25 of 30 | 80 of 229 | 8 of 11 | 0 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Davis | 67 of 109 | 61% | 46 of 81 | 18 of 22 | 3 of 6 | 41 of 75 | 14 of 15 | 12 of 19 |
| Thomas Gifford | 36 of 111 | 32% | 22 of 93 | 8 of 10 | 6 of 8 | 32 of 105 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Mike Davis | 39 of 64 | 60% | 31 of 51 | 6 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 29 of 54 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 7 |
| Thomas Gifford | 24 of 73 | 32% | 9 of 55 | 4 of 5 | 11 of 13 | 24 of 73 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Mike Davis | 33 of 49 | 67% | 19 of 34 | 8 of 8 | 6 of 7 | 28 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Thomas Gifford | 28 of 58 | 48% | 14 of 41 | 6 of 8 | 8 of 9 | 24 of 51 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 1 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert Burns | 0 | 49 of 87 | 56% | 81 of 122 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 5:26 |
| Mike Davis | 0 | 13 of 44 | 29% | 17 of 49 | 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 | Gilbert Burns | 0 | 31 of 61 | 50% | 40 of 72 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Mike Davis | 0 | 12 of 41 | 29% | 12 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Gilbert Burns | 0 | 18 of 26 | 69% | 41 of 50 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:54 |
| Mike Davis | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert Burns | 49 of 87 | 56% | 36 of 71 | 4 of 6 | 9 of 10 | 28 of 62 | 4 of 5 | 17 of 20 |
| Mike Davis | 13 of 44 | 29% | 5 of 29 | 6 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gilbert Burns | 31 of 61 | 50% | 20 of 47 | 4 of 6 | 7 of 8 | 24 of 53 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 |
| Mike Davis | 12 of 41 | 29% | 5 of 28 | 6 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Gilbert Burns | 18 of 26 | 69% | 16 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 17 |
| Mike Davis | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
It’s time for a lightweight bout between Mike Davis and Gilbert Burns. The referee is Keith Peterson. They touch gloves and the fight begins. Burns with a kick to the body right away and he follows it up with a low kick. Davis lands a straight right of his own. Burns with a left hook. He changes levels for a double leg but Davis stuffs it and lands a knee to the body on the break. Burns with another kick to the body. He shoots for another double leg and this time completes it. Burns is now looking to take the back of Davis. He has one hook in and is looking to open up Davis with punches to take control of his back. Davis is able to defend the choke attempt and get back to his feet. Davis lands a straight right that rocks Burns but Burns recovers quickly and lands a straight right of his own. Low kick by Burns. Left hook by Burns and then a body kick by Burns. Davis moves forward and lands a straight right. Burns returns with an uppercut. Low kick by Burns. Davis with a left hook and straight right behind it. Left hook by Burns. Davis moves forward but Burns changes levels and completes a double leg takedown. He finishes the round on top of Davis in side control.
Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Burns
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Burns
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Burns
Round 2
Round two begins. Burns immediately changes levels for a double leg takedown and completes it. He quickly takes the back of Davis and has both hooks in. Burns is using his punches to try and open Davis up. Burns lands some hard elbows that makes Davis roll over. Now Burns is searching for the rear-naked choke. Davis defends it and rolls over but Burns remains strong on top in half guard. Burns once again changes positions and is looking to take the back. He has the hooks in now and is looking to put his arms around the neck of Davis. Burns continues to land punches on Davis even without getting the choke.
Hard elbow by Burns lands. That opens Davis up for the choke. Burns puts his arms around the neck of Davis, squeezes, and Davis is forced to tap out. Another great submission win for Burns
.
The Official Result
Gilbert Burns def. Mike Davis via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2, 4:15
Natan Levy - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Davis | 0 | 8 of 9 | 88% | 18 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Natan Levy | 1 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 10 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 5:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Davis | 0 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 15 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Natan Levy | 1 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:46 | |
| 2 | Mike Davis | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Natan Levy | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Davis | 8 of 9 | 88% | 2 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Natan Levy | 3 of 7 | 42% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Davis | 5 of 5 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Natan Levy | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Mike Davis | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Natan Levy | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
Angelo is surprised Davis is a 3-to-1 favorite but agrees with the logic. Davis is a fast, athletic striker with real power and excellent wrestling, as shown in his last fight with 14 takedowns over three fights. He thinks Davis can implement the same game plan as Hafa Garcia did against Levy: wrestle and avoid BJJ. He hopes the line tightens to 2-to-1 or 1.5-to-1 before he bets.
Big Brady picks Mike Davis to win by third-round knockout. He believes Davis is better everywhere and should dominate if he shows up healthy. He acknowledges inactivity concerns but thinks Davis' skill advantage will lead to a finish.
Cody is confident in Mike Davis, highlighting his well-rounded skills, nasty leg kicks, and wrestling. He notes Levy relies on wrestling but Davis is the better wrestler and will stuff takedowns. He predicts Davis will out-strike Levy, shatter his lead leg, and win decisively, likely by decision.
Lucrative James leans toward Mike Davis, citing his superior wrestling and striking. He notes that Levy couldn't finish Dano Valdez and that Davis has fought tough competition. However, he expresses concern about Davis's inactivity and potential lack of focus due to streaming, which could lead to an upset. Overall, he sees Davis as the much better fighter.
The host considers Davis the overall better fighter in both striking and grappling, which is what Levy normally relies on. He expects the fight to be slightly competitive early but Davis will pull away late and eventually find a finishing opportunity in the final round, specifically circling the submission prop.
Paul agrees, noting Davis has skills everywhere but has been inactive. He sees Levy as a reasonable matchup and expects Davis to win however he wants, likely by decision. He mentions Davis by decision at +120 as a prop.
The Guru picks Mike Davis by TKO in round one. He praises Davis's striking and grappling, noting his win over Mason Jones has aged well. He criticizes Levy's performances, calling his win over Jairo Valdez unimpressive and his loss to Hakeem Dawodu. He believes Davis is another level on the feet and will be too quick, catching Levy on the jaw.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natan Levy | 0 | 92 of 141 | 65% | 99 of 150 | 9 of 16 | 56% | 0 | 0 | 3:39 |
| Mike Breeden | 0 | 104 of 210 | 49% | 115 of 221 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 1:56 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natan Levy | 0 | 25 of 41 | 60% | 26 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Mike Breeden | 0 | 19 of 45 | 42% | 20 of 46 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 | |
| 2 | Natan Levy | 0 | 21 of 27 | 77% | 27 of 35 | 7 of 8 | 87% | 0 | 0 | 2:40 |
| Mike Breeden | 0 | 23 of 45 | 51% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 | |
| 3 | Natan Levy | 0 | 46 of 73 | 63% | 46 of 73 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Mike Breeden | 0 | 62 of 120 | 51% | 71 of 129 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natan Levy | 92 of 141 | 65% | 68 of 115 | 19 of 21 | 5 of 5 | 80 of 124 | 4 of 8 | 8 of 9 |
| Mike Breeden | 104 of 210 | 49% | 64 of 158 | 39 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 89 of 185 | 13 of 22 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natan Levy | 25 of 41 | 60% | 10 of 25 | 11 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 20 of 35 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Mike Breeden | 19 of 45 | 42% | 14 of 38 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Natan Levy | 21 of 27 | 77% | 17 of 23 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 6 |
| Mike Breeden | 23 of 45 | 51% | 12 of 32 | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 40 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Natan Levy | 46 of 73 | 63% | 41 of 67 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 45 of 69 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Mike Breeden | 62 of 120 | 51% | 38 of 88 | 23 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 52 of 102 | 8 of 15 | 2 of 3 |
Angelo picks Natan Levy, but expresses doubts about his prospect status. He thinks Levy's relentless takedown attempts will get the fight to the ground and impress judges, but notes Levy gets too excited and ends up in bad scrambles. He says if Levy blows through Breeden, he may be wrong about him, but if he's sloppy, it's too soon for the UFC.
Big Brady picks Natan Levy, praising his well-rounded game, wrestling, top control, and cardio. He believes Levy can compete on the feet and take the fight to the mat if needed. He expects Levy to win a decision, as Breeden is not UFC caliber and has limited tools.
Cody agrees with Levy, noting Breeden's lack of offensive wrestling and poor striking defense. He thinks Levy's kicks and outside fighting will be effective, and that Levy's grappling looked improved in his last fight. Cody mentions Levy trains at Syndicate MMA with high-level partners, which should help. He doesn't see Breeden as a threat.
Daniel Levi picks Natan Levy but is not crazy about the -185 price. He likes Levy's karate style and grappling, and believes Breeden may not be UFC caliber. Levi sees Levy getting back on track but passes on betting due to lack of value.
The host picks Levy, citing his karate style and grappling. He notes Breeden's takedown defense is decent but Levy's leg kicks and wrestling will be effective. Levy's boxing is poor but he will use range and takedowns to control the fight. He expects Levy to win a decision, as Breeden is tough but not UFC caliber.
Paul picks Natan Levy, citing Breeden's poor performance against Alexander Hernandez and his susceptibility to leg kicks. He notes Levy's karate background and kicking game, and thinks Levy can stay on the outside and pick Breeden apart. Paul acknowledges Levy's greenness but believes he is improving and should be good enough to beat Breeden.
The Guru picks Natan Levy, noting his close loss to Rafael Alves was not bad and that he showed technical prowess in his UFC debut. He criticizes Mike Breeden for being a replacement who was knocked out by Alexander Hernandez. The Guru believes Levy is young and hungry, and that Breeden has lost every time he stepped up against decent opponents. He predicts Levy by decision 29-28.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafa García | 0 | 35 of 91 | 38% | 55 of 117 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 0 | 0 | 5:37 |
| Natan Levy | 0 | 47 of 127 | 37% | 56 of 136 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafa García | 0 | 13 of 24 | 54% | 20 of 32 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:14 |
| Natan Levy | 0 | 13 of 44 | 29% | 16 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Rafa García | 0 | 11 of 35 | 31% | 15 of 40 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Natan Levy | 0 | 17 of 40 | 42% | 17 of 40 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 | |
| 3 | Rafa García | 0 | 11 of 32 | 34% | 20 of 45 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:25 |
| Natan Levy | 0 | 17 of 43 | 39% | 23 of 49 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafa García | 35 of 91 | 38% | 21 of 74 | 10 of 13 | 4 of 4 | 31 of 83 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 5 |
| Natan Levy | 47 of 127 | 37% | 21 of 94 | 19 of 26 | 7 of 7 | 45 of 121 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafa García | 13 of 24 | 54% | 7 of 17 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Natan Levy | 13 of 44 | 29% | 6 of 32 | 3 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 12 of 41 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rafa García | 11 of 35 | 31% | 6 of 28 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 |
| Natan Levy | 17 of 40 | 42% | 5 of 27 | 9 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rafa García | 11 of 32 | 34% | 8 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 3 |
| Natan Levy | 17 of 43 | 39% | 10 of 35 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 41 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Now in three of five matches on the card so far, one UFC fighter will likely pick up their first win. Whether it is ex-Combate champ Garcia (11-2, 0-2 UFC) or unbeaten Israeli upstart Levy (6-0, 0-0 UFC), referee Jason Herzog draws the charge and is ready for what happens next. No one wants to touch gloves, and instead Garcia marches forward to pressure the newcomer. Levy avoids a punch combination and just skims the top of his foe’s head with a kick. Garcia gives it back with a few punches, and they slug it out before returning to the center of the cage. The Israeli fighter throws so hard that he falls to a knee, and Garcia grabs hold of his neck to hold him down and consider a choke attempt. Levy on one knee fights off the back take tries of “Gifted,” but he cannot break this head lock grip until Garcia pushes through to take him down. Levy is quick to roll to his knees and back up, and they trade single punches. Levy sits down on a body kick, and he chops at Garcia’s lead calf. Again, Levy swings with all his might to take him off-balance, and Garcia sees this and avoids the wind-up. Levy lets loose with a high kick that misses the mark, and Garcia tags him with a right hand. As Levy aims a counter, Garcia is faster and slugs him with an overhand right. Standing right in front of the other, they proceed to trade at will one after the other. Garcia fires a body kick that gets caught, and Levy pursues a takedown from it but cannot ground Garcia. Instead, Garcia pulls his leg out and grabs hold of Levy to push him into the wire. As Garcia grinds him against the fence, Levy sweeps the leg out and drops Garcia down to the mat. Garcia gathers himself, gets up, and hits his own single to put Levy down seconds before the round ends. The frame concludes with Garcia on top.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Levy
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Round 2
They both trade strikes to start off the round, and as Levy tries to go up high with a kick, Garcia catches it. “Gifted” takes advantage of a gift opportunity to plant Levy on his back, and the newcomer is able to blast right back up to his feet. When they break, it is Garcia who scores with a straight right hand, while Levy’s attempt to knock his head off goes wide as he throws too hard. They both get back to boxing range and bang it out, before deciding to alternate with kicks. Levy just misses with a left hand, and Garcia counters him with a left hook. Garcia is able to deliver a kick to the body, but Levy does not miss a beat and gives him one right back that lands with an audible thud. Levy’s head kick glances off the shoulder, and he digs one to the body that makes Garcia grimace. Garcia charges ahead, loading up on power punches to get Levy to backpedal, but Levy stands firm and throws back. Garcia scores a clean one-two, and Levy’s kicks land heavily in response. As Garcia plods forward, Levy grabs him and takes him down. Garcia walks up to his feet as Levy takes his back standing, and when Garcia gets up, Levy wrenches him right back down to the mat. Garcia, on one knee, lets go with no-look elbows that do not do much. Instead, Garcia fights the hands, and he powers up as he watches himself on the video screen. When they both get upright, Garcia pursues a single, but Levy stops it and kicks him in the head. As soon as Levy puts his foot down, he dives in for a single, only to get stuffed. Garcia walks straight into a knee to the side, and Levy boots him in the body right after. As he is eating these strikes unanswered, he grits it out and swarms ahead to take Levy down. Levy rolls to his knees, gets punched in the side of the head, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Levy
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Garcia
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Levy
Round 3
Right before the final frame opens, Levy has to get tape cut off, buying the fighters a few extra seconds of recovery. Levy strides out of his corner when it begins with a loud kick to the body. Garcia answers with a kick on the inside thigh, only for it to clatter off the cup. Levy waves it off and they back off to re-find their range. Levy engages first after a brief staring contest, with a head kick that is partly blocked. Garcia aims a counter, only to get uppercutted for his trouble. Garcia pursues a takedown, and when Levy pushes him off, he throws a looping punch that misses and allows Garcia to latch on to him like an Alabama tick. Levy is able to remain on his feet and fight out of the clinch, but Garcia marks him up with several uppercuts before the separation. Garcia dives forward with a takedown effort, and Levy stands him up, clinches with him and knees “Gifted” in the body several times. A spinning back kick from Levy lands cleanly to the liver, and Garcia grits his teeth and goes after a takedown. They clash heads, and Levy drops to a knee while he tries to gather himself and stand back up. Garcia relentlessly goes after takedown after takedown, bullying the unbeaten fighter into the fence until Levy explodes and wings a right hand that misses. Levy gathers his thoughts and changes levels for his own takedown, and Garcia’s sprawl stops this from succeeding. Garcia times a knee to the head just after Levy pulls his hands off the ground, and Levy groans. They split apart, and when Levy swings for the bleachers, Garcia hits a picturesque takedown to plant Levy on his back for the remainder of the round. Levy pulls rubber guard, but there are no submissions to be found as Garcia lands punches from on top to the final bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garcia (29-28 Garcia)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Garcia (29-28 Garcia)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Garcia (29-28 Garcia)
The Official Result
Rafa Garcia def. Natan Levy via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Rafa García despite cardio concerns, citing his experience, power, and takedown defense. He notes Natan Levy is a good grappler but inexperienced and gets into bad scrambles. He does not place a moneyline bet but likes a prop: Rafa García wins inside the distance with decision no action at -150, which refunds if Rafa loses a decision. He expects Rafa to threaten a finish early.
Big Brady picks Natan Levy but with low confidence, calling it his least confident pick on the card. He notes that Levy is undefeated and well-rounded with solid striking, wrestling, and grappling, but his competition has been weak. He acknowledges Rafa Garcia has fought much better opposition and is tough. He expects a close fight and predicts Levy by decision, but he has no bet on this fight.
Cody picks Garcia but is nervous due to Garcia's last performance where he gassed after a fast start against Chris Gruetzemacher. He believes that loss was an anomaly, as Gruetzemacher is a durable grinder, while Levy is not. He notes that Levy has fought mostly at featherweight and may be undersized at lightweight. Garcia should have advantages in size, experience, and striking. Cody hopes Garcia paces himself better this time.
Daniel Levi picks Rafa García despite acknowledging Natan Levy's talent. He notes that García is very tough and has displayed heart in previous fights, even in losses. He questions whether Levy can handle a rough, bloody fight, while García has proven he can. Levi believes García's experience and toughness give him the edge, but he is hesitant because Levy has a brighter future.
Lock leans Garcia because he has fought more proven competition and has heavy hands. He thinks Garcia will be the one completing takedowns and controlling Levy on top. He notes Levy has been in trouble before, nearly getting knocked out by Ben Lugo. Lock sees a decision win for Garcia at +175, but also likes the KO prop at +650.
Paul agrees with Garcia but is cautious. He notes that Garcia opened at +110 and money has come in on him, but the loss to Gruetzemacher was horrible. He thinks Garcia's size and experience should be enough against Levy, who has been off for a year and may not have fought top competition. Paul is not fully confident but leans Garcia.
The MMA Guru picks Natan Levy over Rafa García. He expresses skepticism about Levy's kung fu background but notes that Levy looked good on the Contender Series, beating a bigger opponent in Shaheen Santana by triangle choke. He criticizes García for losing to Chris Gruetzemacher, calling it a disgrace. He expects Levy to win with his grappling, possibly by submission in the later rounds.
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo is surprised Davis is a 3-to-1 favorite but agrees with the logic. Davis is a fast, athletic striker with real power and excellent wrestling, as shown in his last fight with 14 takedowns over three fights. He thinks Davis can implement the same game plan as Hafa Garcia did against Levy: wrestle and avoid BJJ. He hopes the line tightens to 2-to-1 or 1.5-to-1 before he bets.
Big Brady picks Mike Davis to win by third-round knockout. He believes Davis is better everywhere and should dominate if he shows up healthy. He acknowledges inactivity concerns but thinks Davis' skill advantage will lead to a finish.
Cody is confident in Mike Davis, highlighting his well-rounded skills, nasty leg kicks, and wrestling. He notes Levy relies on wrestling but Davis is the better wrestler and will stuff takedowns. He predicts Davis will out-strike Levy, shatter his lead leg, and win decisively, likely by decision.
Lucrative James leans toward Mike Davis, citing his superior wrestling and striking. He notes that Levy couldn't finish Dano Valdez and that Davis has fought tough competition. However, he expresses concern about Davis's inactivity and potential lack of focus due to streaming, which could lead to an upset. Overall, he sees Davis as the much better fighter.
The host considers Davis the overall better fighter in both striking and grappling, which is what Levy normally relies on. He expects the fight to be slightly competitive early but Davis will pull away late and eventually find a finishing opportunity in the final round, specifically circling the submission prop.
Paul agrees, noting Davis has skills everywhere but has been inactive. He sees Levy as a reasonable matchup and expects Davis to win however he wants, likely by decision. He mentions Davis by decision at +120 as a prop.
The Guru picks Mike Davis by TKO in round one. He praises Davis's striking and grappling, noting his win over Mason Jones has aged well. He criticizes Levy's performances, calling his win over Jairo Valdez unimpressive and his loss to Hakeem Dawodu. He believes Davis is another level on the feet and will be too quick, catching Levy on the jaw.
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