Career Averages - Bryce Mitchell
Career Averages - Jean Silva
Bryce Mitchell
Jean Silva
Bryce Mitchell - Fight History
The host picks Bryce Mitchell but is hesitant, acknowledging that Luna is a solid striker and could win if the fight stays on the feet. However, he believes Mitchell's jiu-jitsu and chain wrestling will be the difference, as Luna's wrestling might not be enough to handle Mitchell's submission sequences. He notes that Mitchell has been preparing for this fight while Luna is on short notice, and that the step up in competition might be too big for Luna.
AJ picks Luna by knockout, viewing him as a bad stylistic matchup for Mitchell. He believes Luna's wrestling base will neutralize Mitchell's takedowns, and Luna's superior striking power and speed will lead to a KO. AJ notes Mitchell's striking hasn't improved and Luna's recent 15-minute fight experience is a plus.
Angelo picks Santiago Luna despite the short notice, believing Luna is the more talented fighter with excellent wrestling, good striking, and solid grappling. He trusts Luna's ability to scramble and defend takedowns. However, he is worried about the short notice, which is why the bet isn't large. He bet on Luna at +155.
Big Brady picks Bryce Mitchell to win by decision, but he is hesitant. He was surprised Mitchell isn't a bigger favorite and notes Luna's impressive takedown defense and wrestling background. He thinks Mitchell needs to take Luna down to win, but it may not be easy. He believes it's a levels fight and Luna is stepping up too soon.
Bryce Mitchell will likely take Santiago Luna down and grind out a decision, as he did against Dan Ige and Saygid. Luna has a knockout win over Quang Le but Mitchell's takedowns should neutralize him. Mitchell's chin is a concern, but he should avoid getting boomed.
Bryce Mitchell is picked because his wrestling and grappling are superior to Santiago Luna's. Luna is a solid boxer but gassed in his last fight and is taking this on short notice. Mitchell's black belt and top pressure should allow him to control the fight, though his chin is a concern. The host expects a unanimous decision or late submission, as Luna may fade.
Mitchell's wrestling and top control are elite, and Luna took the fight on short notice. Luna may have success in the first round, but Mitchell will grind him down with takedowns and win a decision.
Luna is a special prospect with Greco-Roman wrestling background and fluid striking. He has superior striking and cardio compared to Mitchell, who is a liability on the feet. Luna should stuff takedowns and eventually knock Mitchell out in round 2 or 3. The line has moved from +150 to +120, indicating public agreement.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 13 of 20 | 65% | 39 of 51 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 9:44 |
| Said Nurmagomedov | 1 | 20 of 32 | 62% | 100 of 126 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 2 | 3:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 21 of 28 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Said Nurmagomedov | 1 | 17 of 25 | 68% | 42 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:46 | |
| 2 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 10 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:56 |
| Said Nurmagomedov | 0 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 31 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 0:50 | |
| 3 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 8 of 11 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 4:11 |
| Said Nurmagomedov | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 27 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Mitchell | 13 of 20 | 65% | 3 of 6 | 7 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 11 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Said Nurmagomedov | 20 of 32 | 62% | 13 of 24 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 19 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryce Mitchell | 10 of 14 | 71% | 2 of 3 | 5 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Said Nurmagomedov | 17 of 25 | 68% | 11 of 19 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 9 | |
| 2 | Bryce Mitchell | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Said Nurmagomedov | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Said Nurmagomedov | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mitchell (-125); Nurmagomedov (+105)
Round 1
Hoping the answer to his problems is a change in weight, the much-maligned Mitchell (17-3, 8-3 UFC) is shifting gears to 135 pounds in hopes of a new lease on life. He will not receive an easy challenge in the division that many suggest is the best in the sport, as he tangles with Nurmagomedov (18-4, 7-3 UFC). While of a different mold than many of the other men that share his name, this Russian presents danger on the feet as well as on the mat. Referee Jim Perdios will keep things on the up-and-up. There is no fist bump between the bantamweights.
Although Nurmagomedov offers, Mitchell ignores it and kicks him in the lead knee. When Mitchell kicks a second time, Nurmagomedov counters with one upside the head that lands cleanly. Nurmagomedov bounces off the wall to plant a left hand on the chin, circling on the outside and waiting for Mitchell to throw so he can counter with an overhand right. Mitchell ties up the Dagestan native with a body lock, and Nurmagomedov is able to bounce off his knees when they both hit the floor together. Mitchell remains tightly pressed to his opponent, kneeing him once in the stomach while he otherwise hangs on closely. Mitchell stalls out in this position other than offering the occasional knee, and fans loudly ask for the fighters to be split up.
Nurmagomedov takes matters into his own hands, breaking free and cracking Mitchell with a right hand. Mitchell has some swelling on his left cheek and a cut under his right eye, but it is a knee that blasts into his chin that does the real damage. Mitchell goes flying to his back, and Nurmagomedov slashes through his guard to drop down punctuating punches and devastating elbows. Mitchell tries to throw his legs up for a submission setup like a triangle choke, and Nurmagomedov is wise to it as he keeps working on Mitchells side. Mitchell wraps his right leg up and around the shoulder for a moment, but his omoplata shoulder lock setup falls apart before he can get anywhere. Mitchell defends himself well while on his back, staying active to dissuade Nurmagomedov from getting reckless. Nurmagomedov hammers down a single elbow before Mitchell explodes to his feet, where the American hunts for a body lock takedown of his own. He bullies Nurmagomedov to the wall, holding him there until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nurmagomedov
Round 2
Mitchell rushes out of his corner to engage and start the second round, where it takes him less than 10 seconds to shoot for a takedown. Nurmagomedov defends with a guillotine choke, and Mitchell elevates him and trips him out to break out of the choke and establish top position. When Mitchell lands on top, he isolates Nurmagomedov’s left arm in search of a kimura. Mitchell hangs on as it could also turn into a straight armlock by the way he has the limb stretched, but Nurmagomedov does not appear remotely concerned as he knees Mitchell in the ribs while stuck flat on his back. Mitchell stays holding onto the limb, but he does not have it with both hands so Nurmagomedov raises his hand up to motion to Perdios that he should stand them up. Perdios does not take the bait, and Mitchell releases the grip and pursues an arm-triangle choke.
Nurmagomedov manages to wall-walk to not only get out of the sub but also reverse his position, and Mitchell is able to stand up as well while they are clinched. Mitchell digs a few shots to the body when exerting his weight on the Russian, and he sells out for a single and even rolls over to try to take Nurmagomedov’s back. Nurmagomedov turns to try to escape the back take, and slowly flips Mitchell over to get on top with 45 seconds left in the round. Nurmagomedov quickly advances to the side, and when he tries to take a dominant position. Mitchell uses the moment to fight to his feet and just avoids a knee. Nurmagomedov spins with a back elbow, and Mitchell times a picture-perfect double that puts Nurmagomedov on his back. Nurmagomedov looks to Perdios, who lets time expire as they are tied up in their position.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell
Round 3
Mitchell kicks off the final round looks for a takedown. After a few efforts, he wrangles Nurmagomedov to put his back to the wall, but this is just a trap the Russian has set. Nurmagomedov latches onto a guillotine choke, and he uses it to flip Mitchell to his back and take full mount. Nurmagomedov is unable to complete it, so he lets it go and starts dropping down left hands. Mitchell scrambles to his knees, and Nurmagomedov takes his back and gets a hook in. Mitchell keeps turning to defy the back take and puts the Russian flat on his back once more. Mitchell smothers his opponent, not otherwise attacking in terms of strikes or submissions, so that he can remain on top.
Mitchell holds on with an arm-triangle choke from the opposite side, and Nurmagomedov settles for kneeing him in the side a few times to little effect. Nurmagomedov is warned for putting his toes in the fence to pull himself to a more advantageous position. Nurmagomedov grabs the fence again with his fingers, and Perdios swats his hand and then foot out of the links. Nurmagomedov turns to surrender his back in an effort to stand, but Mitchell is on him like a dog with a bone and he wraps up a body triangle around the Dagestan native’s waist. Mitchell hangs on, and Nurmagomedov has his toes still hooked in the fence as Perdios has to smack his toes again to pull them out of it. They turn to an awkward position, and this 135-pound affair draws to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell (29-28 Mitchell)
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell (29-28 Mitchell)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell (29-28 Mitchell)
The Official Result
Bryce Mitchell def. Said Nurmagomedov via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Bryce Mitchell but with very low confidence (50.5%). He notes Mitchell's dominant wrestling and submission threat, but worries about his move to 135 lbs and his chin. Said Nurmagomedov has questionable takedown defense but a dangerous guillotine. Angelo will monitor the line and may flip his pick.
Big Brady picks Said Nurmagomedov, favoring his striking and submission threats. He worries about Bryce Mitchell's tendency to put his neck in bad spots when shooting takedowns, and notes Nurmagomedov has nasty front chokes. He believes Mitchell will struggle to hold Nurmagomedov down and predicts a second-round submission via front choke.
Many think Mitchell should grind out Nurmagomedov, but it only takes one mistake for Mitchell to lead to Nurmagomedov snatching up the neck and forcing the tap.
The MMA Guru picks Bryce Mitchell, citing his size and strength advantage at bantamweight, and his ability to grapple tall to avoid guillotines. He notes Said Nurmagomedov's guillotine threat but believes Mitchell's physicality and grappling control will be the difference. He predicts a close 29-28 decision win for Mitchell.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 36 of 64 | 56% | 37 of 66 | 1 of 14 | 7% | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
| Jean Silva | 1 | 27 of 63 | 42% | 29 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 3 | 0 | 0:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 22 of 34 | 64% | 23 of 35 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 9 of 29 | 31% | 10 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 2 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 14 of 31 | 0 of 11 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Jean Silva | 1 | 18 of 34 | 52% | 19 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Mitchell | 36 of 64 | 56% | 7 of 25 | 8 of 18 | 21 of 21 | 35 of 61 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 27 of 63 | 42% | 11 of 44 | 13 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 23 of 56 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryce Mitchell | 22 of 34 | 64% | 5 of 11 | 3 of 9 | 14 of 14 | 22 of 33 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 9 of 29 | 31% | 2 of 20 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bryce Mitchell | 14 of 30 | 46% | 2 of 14 | 5 of 9 | 7 of 7 | 13 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 18 of 34 | 52% | 9 of 24 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 28 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Silva (-278), Mitchell (+225)
Round 1
What started as an interesting stylistic matchup turned into something far deeper and darker thanks to the idiocy of
Hitler-praising, Holocaust-denying
Mitchell (17-2, 8-2 UFC). We won’t sugarcoat this one, as it does not deserve a “both sides” treatment. The Fighting Nerds talent Silva (15-2, 4-0 UFC) wants to crush Mitchell for his absurd comments that range from
embracing the flat earth conspiracy theory
to
suggesting that he would change his nickname to “White Power” if he could
. The sides have been chosen and the lines have been drawn, so it is just a matter of time until referee Mike Beltran clocks the featherweights in. Unsurprisingly, there is no touch of gloves, even though Silva offered. Mitchell walks Silva down, and Silva motions that he attack him. Mitchell does not bite on the opportunity, instead backing off to toss out kicks to the lead leg and side. Combating chants ring through the building, with Silva’s louder as he buzzes the hair with a spinning wheel kick. Mitchell chops at the front leg with a kick, and Silva stands and stares at him. Silva looks to catch a kick, and he pump-fakes level changes. Mitchell reaches the target with a front kick and a low kick, and Silva’s body kick response is louder. Mitchell puts a side kick through the guard, and he hand-fights to back off and not take a strike coming back his direction. Mitchell uses his push kick on the chest to keep Silva from him, and Silva grabs his foot and tosses it aside. Silva fails on a jumping switch kick, and he comes up short on a pair of punches. Mitchell scores a low kick and absorbs a right hand, and he continues to batter the front leg of the Brazilian. A right hand from Silva zips past the ear, and he smiles at his opponent when Mitchell flings a spinning back fist at him. Silva comfortably sprawls when Mitchell shoots on him, and he pushes off the back of the head to stand. Mitchell follows suit, circling away while Silva comes towards him. Two left hands fly out from “Thug Nasty,” followed by a leg kick and a solid right hand. Silva smiles and points at him, jumping to kick him in the side. Silva looks away and darts forward, and he wings a wheel kick that catches Mitchell on the side of the head. Mitchell shoots for a takedown, and Silva snatches up a guillotine choke and grips it with all his might. Mitchel sits up, but Silva adjusts the grip to keep the choke tight. Mitchell wriggles to take some pressure off of his neck, and he works out of the submission to stand back up. Silva answers with a quick ninja choke when Mitchell leans over for a takedown, and Silva chases him around until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Round 2
Silva asks Mitchell to touch gloves with him, and once more, the Arkansas native refuses. Silva walks him down, talking to him, and he checks a low kick. Silva connects with a left and then a right, flooring “Thug Nasty” and backing off to force the grappler to stand. Silva points at him and blasts him in the ribs with a kick, and he fakes a spin kick to draw out a reaction. Mitchell shoots in for a double, and Silva defends by bouncing off the cage and using a guillotine grip on the side. Mitchell pulls guard to take the fight to the floor by any means, and Silva is having none of it and stands back up. Silva frees himself from the grip and no-sells a low kick, continuing to pressure “Thug Nasty” and showboat. Silva looks away and punches, ducking out of the way of a knee and spinning with an elbow that skims the temple. “Lord” nails Mitchell with a step-in elbow, and he steps back to absorb a few body shots. Mitchell shoots, and Silva turns him about and pushes off. Mitchell ducks and dips to set up a takedown, and Silva tosses it aside and misses an uppercut by a whisker. Silva plants the ball of his foot on Mitchell’s chin, and he is met with a low kick. Silva scores a left hand, a jumping kick to the body and another left up top. Silva goes to the body and head, and he shakes off a takedown attempt and wraps up a ninja choke in the blink of an eye. Mitchell goes for a single to fight it off, and he rolls over to his side but is in big trouble. Silva’s vice-like squeeze is so daunting that Mitchell frantically taps out, and before Silva lets the grip go, Mitchell goes to sleep. Silva releases the sub and leaps to the top of the cage to motion to the President, who is less-than-enthused clapping for the Brazilian over the MAGA American. He then climbs off the top and interlocks his limbs on the fence, barking loudly as if he was about to be let off the leash. The Fighting Nerds quickly sport their trademark black-rimmed glasses, handing commentator Joe Rogan a pair for the interview. A rare occurrence, Rogan lets Silva have the microphone for a second, who thanks Miami and barks again. He then suggests that Mitchell seek professional help because he is “not right in the head.” The barking continues, with Silva on top of the world after his thrilling victory over a bitter, reviled rival. Meanwhile, the de facto technical submission could not have happened to a nicer guy.
The Official Result
Jean Silva def. Bryce Mitchell R2 3:52 via Submission (Ninja Choke)
Connor picks Silva, agreeing with Zane that Silva's patient, counter-striking style and knockout power will exploit Mitchell's tendency to make mistakes early. He notes that Mitchell is a crafty grappler who learns in fights, but Silva is adept at waiting for one opening and capitalizing. Connor acknowledges Mitchell could win if he gets takedowns and controls the ground, but Silva's ability to pick out weaknesses without giving much information makes him the favorite.
Daniel Levi praises Jean Silva for destroying Bryce Mitchell, highlighting Silva's physicality, creativity, and willingness to try different techniques. He loved the ninja choke submission and believes Silva can go all the way to the top, citing his striking creativity, athleticism, and submission game.
Lucrative James picks Jean Silva to win, citing his superior striking, angles, and timing. He believes Silva's athleticism and cardio will allow him to get back to his feet if taken down. He thinks Silva will find his reads and land a fight-ending shot, possibly an uppercut or knee, as the fight progresses. He acknowledges Mitchell's grappling threat but doubts he can submit Silva. He expects Silva to win inside the distance, possibly by cutting Mitchell open.
Zane picks Silva, believing Silva's patient, counter-striking style and knockout power will exploit Mitchell's tendency to make mistakes early. He notes that Mitchell is a crafty grappler who learns in fights, but Silva is adept at waiting for one opening and capitalizing. Zane acknowledges Mitchell could win if he gets takedowns and controls the ground, but Silva's ability to pick out weaknesses without giving much information makes him the favorite.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 26 of 36 | 72% | 147 of 177 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 8:33 |
| Kron Gracie | 0 | 6 of 31 | 19% | 90 of 118 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 6 of 8 | 75% | 64 of 74 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:23 |
| Kron Gracie | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 41 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 70 of 86 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:06 |
| Kron Gracie | 0 | 1 of 18 | 5% | 46 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Kron Gracie | 0 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Mitchell | 26 of 36 | 72% | 14 of 23 | 9 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 26 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Kron Gracie | 6 of 31 | 19% | 4 of 25 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryce Mitchell | 6 of 8 | 75% | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Kron Gracie | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bryce Mitchell | 10 of 14 | 71% | 6 of 9 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Kron Gracie | 1 of 18 | 5% | 1 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Bryce Mitchell | 10 of 14 | 71% | 7 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 |
| Kron Gracie | 3 of 6 | 50% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mitchell (-700), Gracie (+500)
Round 1
With the previous pairing on paper one between two fearless strikers, the match that follows is a potential grappler’s delight. Mitchell (16-2, 7-2 UFC) has never landed a knockout or even scored an injury or doctor stoppage, while Gracie (5-2, 1-2 UFC) has only won by submission. It could play out in a number of ways, and referee Keith Peterson will keep it on the up-and-up while making certain there will be no nonsense allowed. The 145ers have no plan on touching gloves, and instead Mitchell hops forward to attack with a front kick. Both men kick low at the same time, and Gracie works his way forward and misses with a right hook. Mitchell kicks the front leg and drives a knee to the body when Gracie works his way towards him, and Gracie jumps into Mitchell’s arms and drags him down to the mat without having a submission set up. Mitchell lowers himself unafraid into half guard, and Gracie closes his guard around his waist. Mitchell keeps his hand covering Gracie’s mouth, and the two otherwise stall one another out while horizontal. Mitchell stacks Gracie up but his arms are stuck, and all he can attack with is short left hands to the ribs. The audience is not impressed by the relative stalemate, with Mitchell making no reckless moves while Gracie is not able to set anything up. Mitchell gets off a few punches when seeing openings, and he ignores when Gracie throws his legs up for a high guard. Mitchell drops down a single elbow, and he softens up the midsection with a couple additional punches to stay busy enough to remain in this position. Gracie raps his hand on the back of Mitchell’s head a few times with meaningless rabbit punches, and Mitchell remains smothering on top until the tepid round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell
Round 2
The second round opens with Mitchell jabbing with the ball of his foot, and he reaches over the guard with a right hand. Gracie steels himself and rocks Mitchell with a left hand, and Mitchell shakes it out and kicks several more times. Gracie overswings and bounces off the fence, and Mitchell catches him with a right hand, a knee up the middle and an elbow. Gracie runs at him, hands down, and hops into Mitchell’s arms once more to drag Mitchell into his guard. The crowd is not amused. Gracie keeps his guard closed for the most part, stuck on his back as Mitchell grinds him out. Mitchell gets bored in this position, and he backs out of the guard and stands up. Gracie follows him, walking directly into a few knees. Mitchell considers a body lock takedown, but before he can do this, Gracie pulls him down to the floor by jumping guard. Even the commentary booth is not happy about this development, and they express this openly. As Mitchell comfortably lowers himself into the guard, Gracie sets a trap with an armbar. Mitchell’s eyes go wide as he is suddenly caught in a scary predicament, and he stacks Gracie up to keep pressure and take the submission off the table. Gracie repositions his legs to wrap up a triangle choke, and Mitchell remains safe by staying as tight as he can to the Brazilian. Gracie transitions back to an armbar, and this time Mitchell is in a bad spot and standing upright. Somehow, Mitchell slides out of it, and he unloads with a torrent of punches until the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell
Round 3
Mitchell is not as keen to sprint at his opponent as he was the last two rounds, and he tries to back an advancing Gracie away only to fall to his back when kicking. Gracie looks to take advantage of it, and Mitchell stands up. Mitchell digs the body with a left hand, knees him in the same spot, and Gracie ties him up in a body lock and falls to his back. This time, “Thug Nasty” has a plan. Mitchell slams him down by pressing his forearm on Gracie’s head. When landing with emphasis, Mitchell sits up just enough to unleash a blazing elbow that bounces Gracie’s head off the canvas and knocks him clean out. As Mitchell strikes again, he actually wakes Gracie up, all while Peterson is dashing between them to wave the fight off. Gracie comes to, and he may not know where he is at the moment. Meanwhile, the victorious Mitchell goes over to UFC chief Dana White, who congratulates him for slaying the dangerous grappler.
The Official Result
Bryce Mitchell def. Kron Gracie R3 0:39 via KO (Slam and Elbows)
Angelo picks Bryce Mitchell confidently, calling it a 'bum fight' and a gift at -550. He believes Mitchell's wrestling and grappling will overwhelm Kron Gracie, who is one-dimensional and has poor striking. The only concern is Gracie's high-level BJJ, but Angelo thinks Mitchell's control and scrambles will prevail. He expects a dominant win.
Cody picks Mitchell, expecting a clear decision victory. He notes Gracie's inactivity and poor striking, while Mitchell's wrestling and physicality should dominate. He doesn't see Gracie having offensive tools to win.
Connor picks Mitchell because he is a much better wrestler than Gracie, which will likely force the fight to the ground where Mitchell has the advantage. He notes that Mitchell is a resourceful problem-solver with a well-rounded game, while Gracie is erratic and has not fought consistently. Connor hopes for a grappling battle but expects Mitchell to control the fight.
Daniel Vreeland picks Bryce Mitchell, questioning Kron Gracie's path to victory. He acknowledges Gracie is better at jiu-jitsu but notes Mitchell is also very good and may be one of the best in the division. He points out Mitchell's poor boxing defense, as seen in losses to Josh Emmett and Giga Chikadze, but argues that Gracie won't beat him on the feet. Since Gracie can't outbox him, Mitchell wins.
Daniel sees this as a bounce-back spot for Mitchell after his knockout loss. He believes Mitchell's MMA jiu-jitsu and striking (side kicks, distance management) will nullify Gracie's one-dimensional BJJ. He notes Gracie's lack of knockout threat and Mitchell's takedown defense.
Jeff Fox agrees with Mitchell, noting that Mitchell only gets beaten by people who rock him on the feet, which is not what Kron Gracie does. He points out that Gracie looked horrible in his last fight and has been gone forever, making Mitchell the obvious pick.
Lucrative James picks Bryce Mitchell to win by decision, citing his superior MMA grappling and cage wrestling. He notes that Kron Gracie's BJJ is less effective in the Octagon due to cage pressure and strikes. He expects Mitchell to control the fight but not finish, recommending the over 2.5 rounds prop.
Mitchell will take control of this fight by grinding out Gracie from top position or keeping him in uncomfortable positions. Gracie has little to offer other than his jiu-jitsu, so Mitchell will dictate the pace and win on the scorecards.
Paul picks Gracie as a PRP pick, despite acknowledging his flaws. He notes Gracie's world-class jiu-jitsu and potential to catch Mitchell if he shoots takedowns. He questions Mitchell's training camp and chin after the Emmett knockout, making the underdog appealing at +650.
The MMA Guru picks Bryce Mitchell, expressing frustration that Kron Gracie is getting a ranked opponent despite being 0-2 against unranked featherweights. He trusts Mitchell's wrestling defense to avoid being submitted and believes Mitchell's underrated standup will carry him to a 29-28 decision. He expects Gracie might get his back late but Mitchell will escape.
Zane agrees, emphasizing Mitchell's wrestling and problem-solving skills. He notes that Gracie's game is unpredictable and that Mitchell's consistent preparation gives him a clear edge. Zane also mentions that Mitchell has a few clean paths to victory, while Gracie's approach is chaotic.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Emmett | 1 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 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 | Josh Emmett | 1 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Emmett | 2 of 10 | 20% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryce Mitchell | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Emmett | 2 of 10 | 20% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryce Mitchell | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mitchell (-225), Emmett (+185)
Round 1
On short notice, this featherweight pairing turned from a striker’s delight to a classic striker vs. grappler affair. Ready to throw hands aplenty will be Emmett (18-4, 9-4 UFC), while late replacement and grappling ace Mitchell (16-1, 7-1 UFC) wishes to shut that all down. 2023 Referee of the Year Herb Dean will be the third man in the Octagon, and the fighters are glad to be fighting tonight but do not express it with a glove touch. Mitchell starts off with pressure, but Emmett reaches out with a right hand to the body. Mitchell backs off and aims a low kick, and Emmett evades it and responds in kind. The fighters keep a wide berth from one another, and Emmett eventually moves forward and aims another right to the midsection. Emmett gets off a left hand and tries to follow it with a huge right hook, but Mitchell is out of the way before the latter connects. With malice in his eyes, Emmett unloads a bomb of a right hand that detonates flush on Mitchell’s chin. Mitchell goes down on his side in a heap, and he is completely out. Emmett lets out a guttural victory scream as Dean grabs him from behind to make sure that Emmett will not pursue a follow-up shot. As Dean lets go, he tends to the fallen Mitchell, who begins convulsing in unconsciousness. Medical staff members rush into the cage when alerted to Mitchell’s scary condition, as Mitchell goes into a full-blown grand mal seizure. After some time, Mitchell recovers and learns that he was starched. He tries to get back to his feet, but he cannot stand on his own. Mitchell is helped out of the cage, in good spirits despite just suffering a crushing defeat, and when Emmett feels comfortable celebrating, he does so with his corner of Team Alpha Male—which went 3-0 tonight, after Fili, Garbrandt and Emmett all recorded knockout wins. Hello, "Knockout of the Year"? You have a new contender calling.
The Official Result
Josh Emmett def. Bryce Mitchell R1 1:57 via KO (Punch)
Angelo picks Bryce Mitchell, trusting his wrestling to overcome Josh Emmett's power. He notes that Emmett is older and has abandoned wrestling for knockouts, while Mitchell is a relentless grappler. He has a half-unit bet on Mitchell at -140.
Big Brady picks Josh Emmett as an underdog, citing concerns about Bryce Mitchell's short notice and reliance on relentless wrestling. He notes Emmett's wrestling background and that no one has consistently taken him down and controlled him. Brady highlights Emmett's power (7 consecutive fights with a knockdown) and believes if Mitchell can't get takedowns, he'll get knocked out. He predicts a damage-based decision or knockout for Emmett.
Cody picks Mitchell, arguing that Mitchell's wrestling and physical strength will be too much for Emmett. He notes that Emmett has poor takedown defense and that Mitchell will grind on him, break him down, and secure a finish. Cody also points out that Emmett is 38 and coming off a brutal beating from Ilia Topuria, while Mitchell is a contender on the rise. He expects Mitchell to win inside the distance.
Lucrative James picks Bryce Mitchell, believing he will get takedowns and work from top. He notes that Josh Emmett gets taken down often and gives up his back, and that Emmett is slowing down. He thinks Mitchell's tenacity and youth (29) will be key, and that even on the feet Mitchell can hold his own. He sees this as a spot where the favorite is justified, unlike other fights on the card.
The host believes Mitchell's smothering grappling will be too much for Emmett, who is 38 and coming off a brutal loss to Topuria. He notes that Mitchell can close the distance, initiate the clinch, and bully Emmett to the mat, where he can grind out a decision or find a submission. He acknowledges Emmett's power but thinks Mitchell's durability and ability to avoid clean shots will allow him to implement his game plan. He predicts Mitchell by decision.
Paul picks Emmett at +200, questioning why Mitchell is such a big favorite. He notes that Emmett has power and can make it a tough night for Mitchell if the fight stays standing. He acknowledges Emmett's takedown defense is a concern (46%) but believes Emmett's explosiveness and power give him a chance. Paul is not fully confident but sees value at the underdog price.
The Guru picks Josh Emmett over Bryce Mitchell, noting Emmett's power, wrestling background, and full camp (originally preparing for Giga Chikadze). He believes Mitchell's takedowns won't succeed due to Emmett's short, stocky build and takedown defense, and that Mitchell will be vulnerable on the feet. He predicts a TKO win for Emmett.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 23 of 40 | 57% | 37 of 59 | 5 of 15 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 7:33 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 18 of 55 | 32% | 32 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 14 of 22 | 63% | 20 of 30 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:56 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 13 of 23 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 0 | 2:30 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 14 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:31 | |
| 3 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 4 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:07 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Mitchell | 23 of 40 | 57% | 13 of 22 | 7 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 17 of 29 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 8 |
| Dan Ige | 18 of 55 | 32% | 13 of 47 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 51 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryce Mitchell | 14 of 22 | 63% | 7 of 11 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 11 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 6 |
| Dan Ige | 10 of 25 | 40% | 7 of 20 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bryce Mitchell | 5 of 12 | 41% | 3 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Dan Ige | 8 of 26 | 30% | 6 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 22 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Bryce Mitchell | 4 of 6 | 66% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Dan Ige | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mitchell (-205), Ige (+170)
Round 1
In the co-headliner spot, fans will be treated to a striker vs. grappler affair, at least on paper. Longing to take this fight to the ground, Mitchell (15-1, 6-1 UFC) would like nothing more than to hand Ige (17-6, 9-5 UFC) his first career submission defeat. On the other hand, the Hawaiian is hunting for his third win in a row, which would continue his run up the logjammed featherweight division. Referee Mark Smith draws the charge for this big fight, and he looks confused when Mitchell grabs a bible out of his cornerman’s hand and holds it up while screaming “Freedom.” When that odd moment ends, Smith clocks them in. There is no glove touch, as Mitchell is on a mission. Ige jabs to start the fight, and he counters a kick from Mitchell with a hard right hook. Mitchell wears it well and backs off when Ige chases after him to land a few punches. Mitchell pushes off with a side kick, and Ige misses a hook by a matter of inches. Ige clips “Thug Nasty” with a right hand, and Mitchell leaps at him to go after a double. Ige pushes him over, lands a punch that slips open a cut on Mitchell’s left cheek, and backs off. Ige is calm as a cucumber as he measures his opponent, and his third hook connects on the chin. Mitchell charges for a takedown attempt, and Ige defends the first try but gets tossed down on the second effort. Ige works his way back up and separates without much concern, and he blitzes with a winging right hook that just misses. Ige doubles up on a jab, and he counters a low kick with a left hook. As Mitchell recoils from the blow, his kick slaps into Ige’s cup. Ige is good to go, and Mitchell offers an apology from the accidental foul. Mitchell runs at Ige, where he does not get the takedown but does push Ige to the wall. The Hawaiian defends until he doesn’t, as Mitchell uses a body lock to put Ige on his back. “Thug Nasty” lands in full mount, and Ige defends himself from any ground strikes. Mitchell sets up an arm-triangle choke, and Ige bucks to stop it. Ige turns to his side, swaying around to dodge all but a pair of punches. The round ends with Mitchell riding on top.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ige
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ige
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ige
Round 2
Ige starts off the round flicking out several jabs, looking for his range so he can follow one with an overhand right. Mitchell pushes off with a front kick, and Ige belts him in the face with a left and a devastating right. Mitchell grimaces in pain and shoots in for a double, only to get turned around and elbows in the side of the head a few times. Ige stands him up, and the two jockey for position in the clinch. The Hawaiian slips away to restart in striking range, and damage has developed above and below Mitchell’s right eye. Ige loops a big hook on the busted eye, which splits open an enormous cut and draws some swelling. Smith calls time and brings in the doctor, but she clears Mitchell in a few seconds when Mitchell states he can see. When they resume, Mitchell tries for a naked takedown, and Ige tackles him over and lands on top. As Mitchell defends with rubber guard, Ige thinks better of the situation and stands back up. Mitchell follows after him, and he dives down after an ankle. Ige hops out of the way, parries a front kick and lands a right hand on the temple. Ige walks into a short left hand, and Mitchell times Ige’s blitz to take him off his feet and land right in mount. Ige keeps moving, turning to a side and then his knee. Mitchell follows him and takes his back with Ige leaning on the fence on his knees. “Thug Nasty” wrenches his right arm on the chin of his opponent, and he gets both hooks in and tries to flatten the Hawaiian out. Ige looks to slide out the back door, and Mitchell does not let him off the hook as he turns over to attack an arm-triangle choke. Ige defends it as Mitchell has him mounted, punching Mitchell in the side a few times. Mitchell lets go with the choke, and Ige bucks as the round comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ige
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ige
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ige
Round 3
Mitchell is once more cleared to keep fighting, even with the swollen eye and the serious cut above it. Ige peppers that damaged eye immediately when the last round kicks off, with a number of jabs. Mitchell replies with a body kick, and he runs at Ige to grab hold of a single. Ige gets taken down, but he is quick to power back to his feet even with Mitchell clinging to him. Ige turns Mitchell over, until Mitchell slides his legs around to keep the back take intact. Mitchell locks down a body triangle, and he switches it to the other side when Ige tries to break it. Ige slowly, calmly looks to spin in this position, and Mitchell hangs on without offering any offense of his own. When Ige is about to escape, Mitchell slithers over to take mount while Ige is on his back. Ige still manages to get upright, and Mitchell stays tight to him like a cheap suit. Ige leans up against the fence and shakes Mitchell with all his might to get some space. Mitchell elects to lift Ige completely off the ground to throw him down, and Ige lands and switches things around to turn Mitchell to his seat. Mitchell grips both of his hands on Ige’s left arm for a possible armlock, and Ige keeps tight from on top. Ige sits up to lean on Mitchell, and he moves into mount with 10 seconds to spare. Ige is unable to land anything until the horn sounds, and this fight could go either way depending on how the second round is scored.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell (29-28 Ige)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell (29-28 Ige)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Mitchell (29-28 Ige)
The Official Result
Bryce Mitchell def. Dan Ige via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Mitchell but with very low confidence. He notes Mitchell's wrestling is dominant and his control is phenomenal, but his personal life is a mess and Dan Ige is a tough, experienced opponent. He is staying away from betting this fight.
Big Brady picks Dan Ige as an underdog, expecting a decision win. He analyzes Ige's past fights against wrestlers (Evalov, Korean Zombie, Bektich) and notes Ige was not controlled for long periods. He believes if Ige keeps the fight standing for at least half the fight, his striking advantage will win rounds. He thinks it could be a split decision based on damage vs control.
Cody picks Bryce Mitchell by decision, citing Mitchell's superior wrestling and physicality. He notes Ige's poor takedown defense (58% in UFC) and that Mitchell has dominated similar opponents. He acknowledges Ige's durability and power but believes Mitchell's game plan of takedowns and control will prevail.
Daniel thinks Mitchell's price is too high at -200 and sees value in Ige as a dog. He notes Ige's confidence is back after two wins, he's physical, and has never been submitted. He questions Mitchell's focus after a bad knockout and personal issues, and points out Mitchell's low striking output and reliance on takedowns. He believes Ige can win a split decision if he avoids extended grappling, and likes the plus money.
Lucrative James sees value on Ige at plus 170, noting Ige's power and takedown defense when fresh. He questions Mitchell's mindset after a loss and possible retirement talk. However, he acknowledges Mitchell could dominate on the ground. He considers a small shot on Ige but is not fully committed.
The host picks Dan Ige as a plus 180 underdog, citing Ige's takedown defense and BJJ black belt to neutralize Mitchell's grappling. He expects Ige to use his crisp boxing to draw out desperation takedowns and angle off, accruing damage on the feet. He notes Mitchell's striking is empty and only sets up takedowns, and that Ige's experience against better grapplers (like Movsar Evloev) prepares him for this.
Paul also picks Mitchell by decision, despite acknowledging Ige's live underdog potential due to Mitchell's injuries and personal issues. He believes Mitchell's takedown entries are sharp and that he will stick to his wrestling game plan. He mentions Ige's durability but thinks Mitchell's wrestling will be the difference.
The MMA Guru picks Bryce Mitchell, believing his grappling will be the difference. He notes Mitchell's poor stand-up but excellent wrestling, and thinks he can take down Dan Ige, who struggled with Damon Jackson's takedown threat. He acknowledges Ige's wrestling at Team Alpha Male but believes Mitchell's positional grappling is superior. He mentions potential value on Ige by KO if Mitchell is distracted by personal issues, but expects a composed Mitchell to outwrestle Ige.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilia Topuria | 0 | 36 of 82 | 43% | 46 of 94 | 1 of 9 | 11% | 0 | 0 | 1:29 |
| Bryce Mitchell | 1 | 40 of 77 | 51% | 53 of 93 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ilia Topuria | 0 | 21 of 52 | 40% | 31 of 64 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:29 |
| Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 17 of 38 | 44% | 27 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ilia Topuria | 0 | 15 of 30 | 50% | 15 of 30 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bryce Mitchell | 1 | 23 of 39 | 58% | 26 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 1:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilia Topuria | 36 of 82 | 43% | 22 of 57 | 11 of 22 | 3 of 3 | 34 of 79 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Bryce Mitchell | 40 of 77 | 51% | 34 of 63 | 5 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 29 of 64 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ilia Topuria | 21 of 52 | 40% | 13 of 38 | 6 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Bryce Mitchell | 17 of 38 | 44% | 12 of 27 | 4 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ilia Topuria | 15 of 30 | 50% | 9 of 19 | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryce Mitchell | 23 of 39 | 58% | 22 of 36 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 27 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 9 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Topuria (-135), Mitchell (+115)
Round 1
In this main card opener, only one undefeated fighter will remain shortly. Entering into his seventh outing as a UFC fighter, “Thug Nasty” Mitchell (15-0, 6-0 UFC) would very much like to spoil the fellow perfect record of Topuria (12-0, 4-0 UFC), all while sporting special camouflage fight shorts. Topuria does not receive special apparel, but he does celebrate a 92% finish rate that could play a factor very soon. 2022 Referee of the Year award winner Marc Goddard is on the call for this important featherweight pairing, and the fighters he oversees do not bother touching gloves first. Topuria stays low, and he wades forward into action. After Mitchell leads off with a kick to the knee and a side kick, Topuria blasts the Arkansas native in the face with four powerful punches. Topuria digs into the lead calf with a kick to force an immediate stance switch, and Mitchell shoots in for a takedown that fails. Topuria meet him in the middle and catches Michell cleanly with a right hand, and Mitchell responds with a few solid jabs and a low kick. Topuria connects with a right hand down Broadway, and Mitchell replies with a left. The single hooks from Topuria get around the guard and get Mitchell’s attention, with his right finding the target again and again. Mitchell tosses out a front kick that aims at the face, and he shoots for a failed takedown that Topuria easily avoids. As they clash together, a cut opens on the inner left eyebrow of the American. Mitchell lines up two punches and changes levels for a low single, but Topuria springs away to push his back to the wall. Topuria nearly turns things around, forcing Mitchell to drop to a knee, and ultimately stopping the entry. Mitchell releases the clinch and gets off a body shot, but Topuria rings his bell with an overhand right. “El Matador” throws two punches so hard he stumbles, but Mitchell does not capitalize on this and instead allows Topuria to return to striking stance. Topuria dodges a kick and uses head movement to work his way in, and Mitchell crashes forward and practically tackles Topuria to put him on his back. “Thug Nasty” lands in half guard, but Topuria pulls him back to the guard and boxes the ear from off his back. Mitchell scores a few punches, but Topuria stings him with a left hand off his back. Mitchell rides out the top position until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Topuria
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Topuria
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Topuria
Round 2
Mitchell starts the second round rushing forward, but ultimately he walks into two lightning-quick punches. Mitchell attempts to respond with a side kick, but Topuria pushes it aside and stuffs a takedown try. When Mitchell stands up, Topuria nails his man in the face with a pair of strikes. Mitchell recovers and gets backed off by the swinging offense of his opponent, and they clash together again and may bump heads, but Mitchell cannot ground him with another effort. Mitchell looks to time the overhand right with takedown tries, but time and time again, he falls short. Topuria overthrows a punch, and Mitchell gets his attention with a short combo that fires up the crowd. Topuria sets up an uppercut with two punches to follow it, and he knocks the Arkansan off his feet and down to the mat. Topuria leaps down to possibly pull off a neck-based choke, but a bloodied Mitchell welcomes this so that he can set up a scramble or go for a submission. Topuria does not let him off the hook, bludgeoning him repeatedly with thunderous blows until Mitchell works his way up. Mitchell attempts to get a takedown when Topuria is laying into him, but Topuria throws him over to the mat like a kid wrestling with his dad. A deflated Mitchell tries with all his might to turn or twist, and he manages to sit up. This is not the best position for him, as Topuria snatches on to a seated arm-triangle choke and hurls Mitchell back down, with the submission exceptionally tight. The submission specialist Mitchell, who had won 15 fights as a pro – the loss the UFC claimed took place on “The Ultimate Fighter” and was an exhibition match – surrenders for the first time in his career. This is a massive victory for Topuria, who stamps himself as a featherweight contender and calls for a UFC card in Spain.
The Official Result
Ilia Topuria def. Bryce Mitchell R2 3:10 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Angelo is extremely confident Topuria wins, calling him a world-class wrestler from Georgia who can outstrike and outwrestle Mitchell. He compares it to Roman Dolidze vs Jack Hermansson, where the world-class wrestler dominated. He has a moneyline bet on Topuria placed earlier and is shocked Topuria isn't a 9-1 favorite. He believes Mitchell's Arkansas wrestling is no match for Topuria's lifelong Georgian wrestling.
Big Brady slightly leans toward Bryce Mitchell as a dog, citing Mitchell's superior cardio and wrestling. He notes Topuria has shown cardio issues in his only decision win, while Mitchell has improved striking and can push a pace. He expects a back-and-forth war with Mitchell edging out a split decision, but has low confidence.
Cody picks Bryce Mitchell, citing his development, wrestling, durability, and cardio. He thinks Mitchell's pressure and takedowns will be key, and that Topuria's wrestling may not be enough to stop him. He notes Topuria's close fight with Herbert Burns and that Mitchell has better cardio and can take over late. He predicts Mitchell by decision.
Connor picks Mitchell, citing his versatility, wrestling, and ability to take advantage of opportunities. He notes Topuria has a narrow approach and Mitchell has proven he can adapt and take fights where he wants. Connor believes Mitchell's takedowns and top control will be decisive, as Topuria hasn't faced a grappler of Mitchell's caliber.
Daniel Levi picks Ilia Topuria to hand Bryce Mitchell his first loss. He is impressed by Topuria's fast-twitch athleticism, nasty hands, body work, and Greco-Roman wrestling background. Levi notes Topuria's ability to stuff takedowns and his proven heart (coming back from a head kick knockdown). He believes Topuria's athleticism and well-rounded game will be too much for Mitchell, who relies on relentless takedown attempts. Levi acknowledges Mitchell's toughness and top control but thinks Topuria can sprawl and brawl, making Mitchell pay for his shots.
Lock likes Topuria on the moneyline and on PredictionStrike, noting that at -130 and $1.75 on PredictionStrike, there is good value. He acknowledges question marks about Topuria's third round against Yousuff and getting rocked by Jai Herbert, but credits him for battling back from adversity. He believes Topuria has tremendous potential and that the hype is justified, though he needs to prove it. He recommends taking Topuria on PredictionStrike and moneyline, while for Mitchell, he suggests just the moneyline as a dog.
Paul picks Mitchell, noting his intelligence in the fight and ability to pick his spots. He thinks Mitchell's wrestling and submission threat will be a factor, and that Topuria's power and speed are dangerous early. He suggests a Mitchell round 3 prop or live betting, as Mitchell may take over later. He is not fully confident but leans Mitchell.
The MMA Guru picks Ilia Topuria over Bryce Mitchell by first-round TKO via body shots. He respects Mitchell's skills but believes Topuria's boxing is too clean and he will push Mitchell backwards, ripping body shots. He notes Topuria's scrambling ability and submission threats, and thinks Mitchell will struggle to get takedowns. He predicts Topuria finishes him early.
Zane picks Topuria, citing his confidence on the ground from the Ryan Hall fight and his superior athleticism. He believes Topuria's grappling will get him back to his feet repeatedly, and his striking pressure will force Mitchell to process the fight too often. Zane notes Mitchell's striking gaps when he's indecisive, and Topuria's body punching will be key.
Jean Silva - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 0 | 56 of 116 | 48% | 60 of 121 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 74 of 136 | 54% | 78 of 141 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 22 of 45 | 48% | 22 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 16 of 31 | 51% | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 18 of 43 | 41% | 18 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 32 of 60 | 53% | 35 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 0 | 16 of 28 | 57% | 20 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 26 of 45 | 57% | 27 of 46 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Allen | 56 of 116 | 48% | 37 of 86 | 11 of 22 | 8 of 8 | 53 of 113 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 74 of 136 | 54% | 43 of 103 | 22 of 23 | 9 of 10 | 68 of 127 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arnold Allen | 22 of 45 | 48% | 12 of 33 | 4 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 22 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 16 of 31 | 51% | 9 of 23 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Arnold Allen | 18 of 43 | 41% | 15 of 36 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 42 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 32 of 60 | 53% | 19 of 46 | 6 of 6 | 7 of 8 | 27 of 53 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Arnold Allen | 16 of 28 | 57% | 10 of 17 | 4 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 26 of 45 | 57% | 15 of 34 | 9 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Silva (-278), Allen (+225)
Round 1
Due to the cancelation of the second title tilt scheduled for this billing—Kayla Harrison against Amanda Nunes—featherweights will now open up the main card that is still a pay-per-view in some locales. This dramatic clash of styles between a calm sniper in Allen (20-3, 11-2 UFC) and an emotional marauder Silva (16-3, 5-1 UFC) has had people circle their calendars for this potentially spectacular showcase. Before they begin, referee Chris Tognoni takes charge of the cage, and the competitors elect to touch ‘em up.
Allen introduces himself with a chopping kick to the lead leg, with Silva heavy on his front foot. Allen chips away at the body while Silva stares him down. Silva spurs into action with a body shot, only for Allen to nail his front leg on the way out. Silva hand-fights to work his way in, using his lead hand to try to pull down Allen’s guard to set something up. Allen is not having it, as he stays on the outside with pitter-patter strikes that are scoring. Silva misses on a right to the sternum, and Allen is paying close attention to how Silva cocks back his right hand. The Brazilian fakes a kick and draws out a reaction, and he sends Allen staggering back with a jab. Allen fires back with his own jab, sticking and moving to plant a left hand on the nose. Allen counterstrikes his man with a right hand when Silva advances, and he misses the mark by a hair when kicking high. Silva tries to kick him high as well, but he too whiffs.
Allen quickly wraps a kick up around the guard to draw some swelling on the temple, and he flashes several jabs as Silva loads up. Allen gets a one-two through the guard, and the audience starts barking to urge Silva to fight. Allen pushes off with his fingers outstretched and pokes Silva in the eye, and he apologizes profusely as Tognoni briefly calls time. Silva is not concerned and wants to get right back to it, where he starts chasing Allen around the cage. Allen works his front leg to set up good work upstairs, and he is freezing Silva when he commits. Silva keeps loading up, and Allen beats him to the punch and puts his guard up to block the head kick he sees coming. Silva puts on even heavier pressure, going with a right to the head and left to the body. Silva winds up his power strikes but largely brush them off the guard, and Silva suddenly nails his man with a high kick and an elbow. Allen backpedals fast, stung by the blow, and Silva lets him have it with a barrage of offense until the horn sounds. Allen winks at him, and when they do not separate, he shoves the Brazilian away.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Round 2
Kicks fly from both sides to start off the round, and Allen bides his time before splitting the guard cleanly with a one-two. Silva wags his finger at him, allowing Allen to fire off a pair of head kicks at him. Silva kicks the lead calf, and he rushes forward with a right hand and bowls Allen over. Allen stands, and he keeps his guard up to block a kick but gets popped with a right hand. Allen gathers himself and leaps at his foe with a jump knee, and lands to connect several powerful punches that make Silva wag his finger at him again. Silva goes to the body and tries for a right hand upstairs, but Allen skips past it and scores his own left. Silva waves him on, the jab of the Brit starting to do damage as Silva’s right cheek swells. Allen targets it with two punches, a head kick and a flying knee in rapid succession, and Silva tanks it all and slugs back with a dangerous one-two.
Silva tries to tie his man up, and this time, Allen drills him in the nose with a knee. Silva spins with an elbow that bangs into the top of the head, and he spins with another after delaying himself to open up. The Tristar Gym fighter keeps light on his feet and fights behind his jab, not falling into a brawl. Silva hammers both legs with kicks, and he connects with two hooks as Allen’s nose is busted up. Allen just misses with an axe kick and a spin kick, and Silva lets out a woo and tries to high-five him. Allen does not want to play that game, so Silva punches and kicks him in the face. Allen intercepts his opponent with a right hand, and Silva staggers him momentarily with a spinning back elbow. Allen jabs and kicks high with the opposite leg, and Silva smiles and dodges a subsequent kick. Silva tries for a takedown with seconds to spare, and instead tosses out a knee and gets thrown down before the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Round 3
The featherweights bump fists to get going, and Silva immediately lashes out with punches and a high kick. Allen takes it well but his nose is already leaking again, and Silva strikes out at it some more. A high kick from the Brazilian is barely blocked, and he stands in place too long and takes a left hand on the schnoz. Shins are clashed when Silva fires off his kick, and he goes to the body with a right hand and sweeps the leg unsuccessfully that opens up a left up top. Allen’s head kick is telegraphed, allowing Silva to get in on him and lands hammers. Allen waves him on, and then pitches a front kick to the face only to duck under in pursuit of a level change. Silva is warned for grabbing the gloves to defend the takedown, and Allen knees him in the side while holding on from behind, with Silva leaning his head on the wall. Allen spams with knees until Silva senses an opening and turns out, breaking free after landing a right.
Allen flicks out his jab, and he is answered by a hacking elbow from the Brazilian. Allen comes up short with a kick and shuts down a single, but Silva is able to latch onto him and nearly take him for a ride. Allen protests that Silva is grabbing something, and Silva keeps on going and trips the Brit to a knee. Silva elevates his foe and slams him down, so Allen springs back up and nails Silva with a front kick. Silva punches his way into a clinch, but it is a fake as he intends on slipping up a head kick that Allen sees coming in time. Allen lets a spinning elbow buzz past him, and he walks into a standing elbow. Silva points to the ground to signal it’s time to brawl, and Allen does not ball for it and instead jabs. Silva keeps looking for the slugfest, and he roars and lets go with bombs. Silva jumps but does not throw anything, landing instead to pitch two high kicks. Silva hurls Allen to the mat with emphasis, and while Allen is on his knees, Silva steps on his back and jumps off of it like a child wrestling with his father—this has been considered unsportsmanlike conduct in the past, ask Drew Chatman. Silva then offers a glove touch or something to signal that he pulled off something quite unusual, and Allen pushes his hand away and wants to strike to the bitter end. The two go the distance, and any tension dissolves when time expires as a tearful Silva actually apologizes to the man in Allen he calls a "legend."
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva (29-28 Silva)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Silva (30-27 Silva)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Silva (30-27 Silva)
The Official Result
Jean Silva def. Arnold Allen via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Jean Silva but with low confidence, citing uncertainty about Arnold Allen's health after a long layoff and injuries. He thinks Silva's creativity and aggression will overwhelm Allen, but he worries about Silva coming off a knockout loss. He says he is staying away from betting on this fight.
Big Brady is surprised by the wide odds but picks Silva due to his power, durability, and volume. He thinks Silva hits harder and is more active, and expects a war with Silva landing bigger shots. He predicts Silva by decision, though a knockout wouldn't shock him.
Cody leans toward Arnold Allen, citing Jean Silva's recklessness and poor fight IQ. He notes Silva often gets outworked early and makes mistakes, while Allen is defensively sound and can outpoint him. Cody is wary of Silva's power but believes Allen can win a decision or catch Silva with a counter.
Connor also picks Jean Silva, emphasizing that Silva is the most difficult fighter to game plan for due to his unpredictable, instinctive style. He notes that Arnold Allen's patient, professional approach may not account for Silva's ability to change intensity and land unexpected strikes. Connor points out that Silva has never faced a top-level professional like Allen, but believes Silva's unique talents will cause Allen to get surprised. He also mentions the layoff as a concern for Allen.
Daniel Vreeland picks Jean Silva but with low confidence due to Silva's discipline issues. He notes that Silva has power and shot selection, but his tendency to get cocky and taunt could cost him against a technical fighter like Allen. Vreeland says it's a pass for betting but as a pure pick, he goes with Silva, contingent on him staying disciplined.
James picks Silva, calling him a standout striker with crazy power, reminiscent of Conor McGregor. He believes Allen lacks a standout skill and will be outclassed on the feet. James predicts a KO or decision win for Silva, leaning KO, and notes Silva's hunger for redemption.
The host picks Jean Silva by knockout, citing his activity, power, and ability to walk down opponents. He notes Arnold Allen's low output and inactivity, which could be a problem against Silva's pressure. He also mentions the under 2.5 rounds as a strong prop, given both fighters' power and finishing ability. He is not willing to bet Silva at -255 but likes the under.
Paul picks Jean Silva by KO, taking a small shot on the prop. He acknowledges Silva's flaws but believes his power and pressure can overwhelm Allen, who has never been knocked out. Paul notes Silva's durability and ability to land big shots, but is not confident enough to bet the money line.
The MMA Guru picks Jean Silva, citing Arnold Allen's brittle hands and susceptibility to being dropped. He notes Silva's nasty lead hook and believes Allen's tendency to leave fights to decision will be exploited. He predicts a late first or second round TKO.
Zane picks Jean Silva, citing his incredible timing, sense of distance, and ability to land fight-changing shots. He notes that Arnold Allen, while well-rounded and professional, lacks dynamic finishing ability and often lets opponents stay competitive. Zane argues that Silva's chaotic, vibey style will create opportunities that Allen cannot capitalize on, and that Allen's long layoff and mental health struggles are additional concerns. He acknowledges that Silva can be gameplanless but believes his intangibles will prevail.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 1 | 74 of 135 | 54% | 86 of 154 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 2:40 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 43 of 91 | 47% | 43 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 0 | 43 of 77 | 55% | 50 of 86 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Diego Lopes | 1 | 31 of 58 | 53% | 36 of 68 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 33 of 71 | 46% | 33 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diego Lopes | 74 of 135 | 54% | 63 of 118 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 16 | 31 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 42 of 68 |
| Jean Silva | 43 of 91 | 47% | 26 of 67 | 10 of 17 | 7 of 7 | 42 of 90 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diego Lopes | 43 of 77 | 55% | 36 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 10 | 14 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 29 of 53 |
| Jean Silva | 10 of 20 | 50% | 5 of 11 | 2 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Diego Lopes | 31 of 58 | 53% | 27 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 17 of 41 | 1 of 2 | 13 of 15 |
| Jean Silva | 33 of 71 | 46% | 21 of 56 | 8 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 32 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Silva (-270); Lopes (+220)
Round 1
Mike Beltran is the referee. Lopes alnds an outside leg kick. Silva with a front kick close to Lopes’ chin. Lopes is attacking with low kicks. Another front kick up high for Silva, just missing the mark. Lopes with another low kick. Silva working the front kick. Silva throws a couple leg kicks of his own. Lopes gets a takedown to counters a Silva spinning back kick. Lopes wants to take the back. Silva gives up full mount instead. Silva wants to buck him off. Lopes cuts his foe with a downward elbow. He smiles and drops more elbows. Lopes alternates between elbows and punches and Silva gives up his back. Silva is in defensive mode. More elbows and punches for Lopes, who isn’t giving up mount. Lopes drops elbows on the smiling mug of Silva. He switches to punches and Silva rolls. Lopes continues the beating, but finally Silva breaks free. He is bloodied but ready to get to work. Silva jabs and rocks Lopes with a snap kick to the chin. Lopes goes bck to the leg kick and Silva lands a jab. Lopes avoids the snap kick this time. Lopes pumps his jab and Silva lands a left hook to the body. Silva with a right. Silva wipes the blood off his head and smiles as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Lopes
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Lopes
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-8 Lopes
Round 2
Silva comes out with a couple leg kicks. Silva with a right to the body. Silva steps in with a solid one-two. Lopes counters with a right during an exchange. Silva with a right hook and he smiles. Silva goes body-head, and he does it again. Lopes is eating heavy shots. That propels Lopes to fire back. Silva steps in with an elbow and he just misses a spinning back elbow. Lopes lands a calf kick and he advances. Silva rocks his foe with a counter right. Silva touches the chin of Lopes again, and now he’s opening up, landing punches in bunches. Silva is mixing in some elbows to his offense. They trade low kicks. Silva digs to the body, but Lopes counters with a right. A big right lands for Silva. Lopes is still in Silva’s face. Silva over extends and Lopes gets a takedown. He lands a series of rights from Silva’s back as he laces the right leg. Lopes slams Silva, but “Lord” rolls. Lopes is able to transition to side control during a scramble. Silva uses a single-leg to stand and he’s unloading now. They’re both trading heavy punches and a finish seems like it could be imminent. Silva kicks the body and is in pursuit of his opponent. A spinning elbow from Lopes — virutally the same one “Lord” has been using repeatedly — drops Silva near the fence.
The Fighting Nerds product is stunned, and Lopes tees off with ground-and-pound. Silva isn’t recovering, and the assault continues. Beltran has finally seen enough, and he waves off the fight to save a badly bloodied Silva.
In the aftermath of the stoppage, an upset Silva attempts to go after Lopes, but he’s held back by security. The slump for the Fighting Nerds continues, but there’s no shame in this defeat: This is a “Fight of the Year” candidate.
The Official Result
Diego Lopes def. Jean Silva via TKO (Spinning Back Elbow and Punches) R2 4:48
Angelo picks Jean Silva, calling him the fighting nerds' last hope. He says Silva is a powerful striker, loose, creative, and composed. He notes Diego Lopez has dangerous BJJ and power, but his technique goes out the window as the fight goes on, and he is too busy coaching others. He thinks Silva will beat the hell out of Lopez, and the odds reflect that accurately.
Big Brady picks Silva because of his exceptional power and Lopes's poor striking defense. He notes Lopes has only two takedowns in the UFC and Silva has good takedown defense, so the fight stays standing. He predicts Silva knocks out Lopes, who has been knocked out twice before, in the third round.
Connor picks Jean Silva, emphasizing Silva's superior positioning and distance management, which he compares to Anderson Silva. He notes that Silva's natural feel for the fight and ability to remain unanxious will allow him to handle Lopes's pressure. Connor acknowledges Lopes's power and durability but believes Silva's style is better suited for an unstructured fight, where his innate skills shine.
The host believes people are realizing Lopes is not as good as he seemed. He expects Silva to dictate the pace, take the center, land big shots, break Lopes down, fend off takedowns, and eventually find a knockout, cementing himself as a top contender.
The MMA Guru picks Diego Lopes, arguing that Jean Silva is being overhyped and that the 'Fighting Nerds' mystique has faded. He notes Lopes has championship experience, having gone five rounds with Volkanovski, and crashes well, which will trouble Silva. He believes Silva's loose, goofy style will be shut down when Lopes lands power. He predicts a second-round finish.
Zane picks Jean Silva, citing Silva's natural positioning and ability to evolve over rounds, which allows him to time opponents better as the fight progresses. He notes that Silva's lack of anxiety and tendency to stay composed under pressure will be key against Lopes's aggressive but unstructured style. Zane acknowledges Lopes's finishing ability and toughness but believes Silva's natural gifts and adaptability will prevail in an unstructured fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 36 of 64 | 56% | 37 of 66 | 1 of 14 | 7% | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
| Jean Silva | 1 | 27 of 63 | 42% | 29 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 3 | 0 | 0:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 22 of 34 | 64% | 23 of 35 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Jean Silva | 0 | 9 of 29 | 31% | 10 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 2 | Bryce Mitchell | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 14 of 31 | 0 of 11 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Jean Silva | 1 | 18 of 34 | 52% | 19 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Mitchell | 36 of 64 | 56% | 7 of 25 | 8 of 18 | 21 of 21 | 35 of 61 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 27 of 63 | 42% | 11 of 44 | 13 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 23 of 56 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryce Mitchell | 22 of 34 | 64% | 5 of 11 | 3 of 9 | 14 of 14 | 22 of 33 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 9 of 29 | 31% | 2 of 20 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bryce Mitchell | 14 of 30 | 46% | 2 of 14 | 5 of 9 | 7 of 7 | 13 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jean Silva | 18 of 34 | 52% | 9 of 24 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 28 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Silva (-278), Mitchell (+225)
Round 1
What started as an interesting stylistic matchup turned into something far deeper and darker thanks to the idiocy of
Hitler-praising, Holocaust-denying
Mitchell (17-2, 8-2 UFC). We won’t sugarcoat this one, as it does not deserve a “both sides” treatment. The Fighting Nerds talent Silva (15-2, 4-0 UFC) wants to crush Mitchell for his absurd comments that range from
embracing the flat earth conspiracy theory
to
suggesting that he would change his nickname to “White Power” if he could
. The sides have been chosen and the lines have been drawn, so it is just a matter of time until referee Mike Beltran clocks the featherweights in. Unsurprisingly, there is no touch of gloves, even though Silva offered. Mitchell walks Silva down, and Silva motions that he attack him. Mitchell does not bite on the opportunity, instead backing off to toss out kicks to the lead leg and side. Combating chants ring through the building, with Silva’s louder as he buzzes the hair with a spinning wheel kick. Mitchell chops at the front leg with a kick, and Silva stands and stares at him. Silva looks to catch a kick, and he pump-fakes level changes. Mitchell reaches the target with a front kick and a low kick, and Silva’s body kick response is louder. Mitchell puts a side kick through the guard, and he hand-fights to back off and not take a strike coming back his direction. Mitchell uses his push kick on the chest to keep Silva from him, and Silva grabs his foot and tosses it aside. Silva fails on a jumping switch kick, and he comes up short on a pair of punches. Mitchell scores a low kick and absorbs a right hand, and he continues to batter the front leg of the Brazilian. A right hand from Silva zips past the ear, and he smiles at his opponent when Mitchell flings a spinning back fist at him. Silva comfortably sprawls when Mitchell shoots on him, and he pushes off the back of the head to stand. Mitchell follows suit, circling away while Silva comes towards him. Two left hands fly out from “Thug Nasty,” followed by a leg kick and a solid right hand. Silva smiles and points at him, jumping to kick him in the side. Silva looks away and darts forward, and he wings a wheel kick that catches Mitchell on the side of the head. Mitchell shoots for a takedown, and Silva snatches up a guillotine choke and grips it with all his might. Mitchel sits up, but Silva adjusts the grip to keep the choke tight. Mitchell wriggles to take some pressure off of his neck, and he works out of the submission to stand back up. Silva answers with a quick ninja choke when Mitchell leans over for a takedown, and Silva chases him around until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Round 2
Silva asks Mitchell to touch gloves with him, and once more, the Arkansas native refuses. Silva walks him down, talking to him, and he checks a low kick. Silva connects with a left and then a right, flooring “Thug Nasty” and backing off to force the grappler to stand. Silva points at him and blasts him in the ribs with a kick, and he fakes a spin kick to draw out a reaction. Mitchell shoots in for a double, and Silva defends by bouncing off the cage and using a guillotine grip on the side. Mitchell pulls guard to take the fight to the floor by any means, and Silva is having none of it and stands back up. Silva frees himself from the grip and no-sells a low kick, continuing to pressure “Thug Nasty” and showboat. Silva looks away and punches, ducking out of the way of a knee and spinning with an elbow that skims the temple. “Lord” nails Mitchell with a step-in elbow, and he steps back to absorb a few body shots. Mitchell shoots, and Silva turns him about and pushes off. Mitchell ducks and dips to set up a takedown, and Silva tosses it aside and misses an uppercut by a whisker. Silva plants the ball of his foot on Mitchell’s chin, and he is met with a low kick. Silva scores a left hand, a jumping kick to the body and another left up top. Silva goes to the body and head, and he shakes off a takedown attempt and wraps up a ninja choke in the blink of an eye. Mitchell goes for a single to fight it off, and he rolls over to his side but is in big trouble. Silva’s vice-like squeeze is so daunting that Mitchell frantically taps out, and before Silva lets the grip go, Mitchell goes to sleep. Silva releases the sub and leaps to the top of the cage to motion to the President, who is less-than-enthused clapping for the Brazilian over the MAGA American. He then climbs off the top and interlocks his limbs on the fence, barking loudly as if he was about to be let off the leash. The Fighting Nerds quickly sport their trademark black-rimmed glasses, handing commentator Joe Rogan a pair for the interview. A rare occurrence, Rogan lets Silva have the microphone for a second, who thanks Miami and barks again. He then suggests that Mitchell seek professional help because he is “not right in the head.” The barking continues, with Silva on top of the world after his thrilling victory over a bitter, reviled rival. Meanwhile, the de facto technical submission could not have happened to a nicer guy.
The Official Result
Jean Silva def. Bryce Mitchell R2 3:52 via Submission (Ninja Choke)
Connor picks Silva, agreeing with Zane that Silva's patient, counter-striking style and knockout power will exploit Mitchell's tendency to make mistakes early. He notes that Mitchell is a crafty grappler who learns in fights, but Silva is adept at waiting for one opening and capitalizing. Connor acknowledges Mitchell could win if he gets takedowns and controls the ground, but Silva's ability to pick out weaknesses without giving much information makes him the favorite.
Daniel Levi praises Jean Silva for destroying Bryce Mitchell, highlighting Silva's physicality, creativity, and willingness to try different techniques. He loved the ninja choke submission and believes Silva can go all the way to the top, citing his striking creativity, athleticism, and submission game.
Lucrative James picks Jean Silva to win, citing his superior striking, angles, and timing. He believes Silva's athleticism and cardio will allow him to get back to his feet if taken down. He thinks Silva will find his reads and land a fight-ending shot, possibly an uppercut or knee, as the fight progresses. He acknowledges Mitchell's grappling threat but doubts he can submit Silva. He expects Silva to win inside the distance, possibly by cutting Mitchell open.
Zane picks Silva, believing Silva's patient, counter-striking style and knockout power will exploit Mitchell's tendency to make mistakes early. He notes that Mitchell is a crafty grappler who learns in fights, but Silva is adept at waiting for one opening and capitalizing. Zane acknowledges Mitchell could win if he gets takedowns and controls the ground, but Silva's ability to pick out weaknesses without giving much information makes him the favorite.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Silva | 1 | 18 of 27 | 66% | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Melsik Baghdasaryan | 0 | 7 of 25 | 28% | 7 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jean Silva | 1 | 18 of 27 | 66% | 18 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Melsik Baghdasaryan | 0 | 7 of 25 | 28% | 7 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Silva | 18 of 27 | 66% | 11 of 19 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 7 |
| Melsik Baghdasaryan | 7 of 25 | 28% | 5 of 20 | 0 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jean Silva | 18 of 27 | 66% | 11 of 19 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 7 |
| Melsik Baghdasaryan | 7 of 25 | 28% | 5 of 20 | 0 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The action continues with a potential featherweight banger as Silva (14-2, 3-0 UFC) looks to push his win streak to 12 at the expense of Baghdasaryan (8-2, 3-1 UFC). Both men are capable and willing to author a dramatic knockout, and referee Kevin MacDonald needs to mind his P’s and Q’s for as long as it lasts. There is a calm glove touch to get started, and Baghdasaryan bounces back and forth to engage. Silva lets rip a body kick, and he sways back to avoid one aimed at his upper chest. The two present in alternate stances, out of range of one another. Baghdasaryan whiffs on a big kick, and Silva offers him a glove touch with a big grin. Silva fires off a booming kick that is blocked in the nick of time, and he is all smiles thus far. Silva goes high again with a kick, and he wraps one around the waist only to get popped with a right hook. A one-two from Baghdasaryan misses the mark, and Silva throws one back and follows it with a body kick. Silva crashes forward, and nothing results from the clash. Silva intercepts his opponent with a left hook and spins with a back kick to the body, prompting Baghdasaryan to fire a few big punches and a head kick at him. Silva lets the shin skim his forehead so he can ducks down and jab to the body, and he steps in with an elbow. Silva walks into a right hand, and he slaps Baghdasaryan in the face. They high-five and motion for the crowd to get interested, and
Silva opens up with a huge one-two. The Brazilian knocks Baghdasaryan clean off his feet, and he lords over his opponent looking to MacDonald to intervene. When MacDonald does not step in, a confused Baghdasaryan looks around on his back and shells up. One final assault from Silva is all that is required—who did not even want to cause any further harm—as he lays into the doomed Baghdasaryan with punches and 12-6 elbows to the body.
This is enough for MacDonald to step in, and the smile from “Lord” stretches from ear to ear on not only him but his whole Fighting Nerds team. That makes it 12 in a row for the Brazilian, including four wins in the UFC all by stoppage.
The Official Result
Jean Silva def. Melsik Baghdasaryan R1 4:15 via TKO (Punches and Elbows)
Angelo picks Jean Silva confidently but notes the line may be inflated due to Silva's recent success and Baghdasaryan's layoff. He acknowledges Baghdasaryan is a real striker with a long kickboxing background, not a sloppy brawler like Drew Dober. He thinks the fight likely goes to decision and considers the over 2.5 rounds prop.
Big Brady picks Jean Silva despite the wide line (-560), noting that Melsik Baghdasaryan has major cardio and ground game liabilities. He thinks Baghdasaryan is a high-level kickboxer for the first seven minutes but fades, and his submission defense is poor. He expects Silva to pressure, potentially take him down, and finish him in the second round, either by knockout or submission. He notes that Baghdasaryan is coming off a torn labrum and a year and a half off.
Connor picks Silva, agreeing that Baghdasaryan is a bad style matchup for Silva. He notes that Baghdasaryan has a lot of blank space and discomfort in the pocket, which Silva can exploit. Connor compares Silva's ability to Yoel Romero, where he can just decide to end the fight with one punch.
The host thinks the line is too wide but still picks Silva. He expects Silva's activity and power to overcome Baghdasaryan, who may be slow and rusty after a 1.5-year layoff and torn labrum. He predicts Silva wins on the scorecards and suggests the over 1.5 rounds is interesting.
The Guru picks Silva by TKO, but warns that Baghdasaryan is tricky and may be winning before the finish. He predicts Baghdasaryan edges the first round, then Silva catches him in the second with his bruiser style, using elbows and knees in the pocket. He acknowledges Baghdasaryan's technical skill but gives Silva the X-factor.
Zane picks Silva because he believes Silva's timing and accuracy are exceptional, comparing him to prime Anderson Silva. He notes that Baghdasaryan is uncomfortable in the pocket and relies on range striking, which Silva can exploit by luring him into mistakes. Zane expects Silva to land a devastating knockout, similar to his win over Drew Dober.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Silva | 0 | 59 of 147 | 40% | 59 of 148 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Drew Dober | 0 | 53 of 109 | 48% | 53 of 109 | 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 | Jean Silva | 0 | 20 of 58 | 34% | 20 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Drew Dober | 0 | 16 of 42 | 38% | 16 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jean Silva | 0 | 30 of 70 | 42% | 30 of 71 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Drew Dober | 0 | 31 of 55 | 56% | 31 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jean Silva | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 9 of 19 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Drew Dober | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Silva | 59 of 147 | 40% | 29 of 109 | 21 of 28 | 9 of 10 | 55 of 138 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Drew Dober | 53 of 109 | 48% | 37 of 89 | 15 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 48 of 101 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jean Silva | 20 of 58 | 34% | 7 of 41 | 8 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 20 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Drew Dober | 16 of 42 | 38% | 10 of 34 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jean Silva | 30 of 70 | 42% | 17 of 53 | 10 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 26 of 61 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Drew Dober | 31 of 55 | 56% | 23 of 45 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 29 of 51 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Jean Silva | 9 of 19 | 47% | 5 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Drew Dober | 6 of 12 | 50% | 4 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Jean Silva, having bet on him at +105. He believes Silva is the better striker and would win with a full camp, but cautions about the quick turnaround (fighting two weeks after UFC 303) and moving up in weight. He notes that Silva opened as an underdog but has become the favorite, and advises that betting at plus money was good but at current minus odds may not be worth it. He acknowledges Drew Dober's durability and chin.
Cody picks Jean Silva, impressed by his power and durability shown against Charles Jourdain. He believes Dober's chin is declining and that Silva's pressure and power will be too much. He notes Silva's camp at Fighting Nerds and his ability to generate power from any position.
Daniel Vreeland picks Drew Dober over Jean Silva. He cites Dober's experience, power, and size advantage as a true lightweight, while Silva is moving up from featherweight. He notes Dober's status as a lightweight KO king and that he lives in Colorado, giving him an altitude advantage. He acknowledges Silva's impressive performances but thinks the quick turnaround and elevation may affect him. He leans with the veteran Dober.
Drew Dober is the more technical striker. If he can stay competitive early, Jean Silva will slow down due to altitude and whiffing. Dober's solid striking defense will allow him to turn up the pace and potentially put Silva away in the second or third round.
Paul picks Jean Silva, citing his power and the fact that Dober's chin may be fading. He notes Silva's performance against Jourdain and believes Silva's pressure will overwhelm Dober. He expects an entertaining fight with a finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Silva | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 24 of 48 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 1:17 |
| Charles Jourdain | 2 | 34 of 55 | 61% | 35 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jean Silva | 0 | 20 of 40 | 50% | 20 of 41 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Charles Jourdain | 1 | 25 of 45 | 55% | 26 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 2 | Jean Silva | 0 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 4 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Charles Jourdain | 1 | 9 of 10 | 90% | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Silva | 23 of 46 | 50% | 6 of 26 | 11 of 14 | 6 of 6 | 17 of 39 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 2 |
| Charles Jourdain | 34 of 55 | 61% | 26 of 47 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 31 | 16 of 19 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jean Silva | 20 of 40 | 50% | 4 of 22 | 10 of 12 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 35 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 |
| Charles Jourdain | 25 of 45 | 55% | 21 of 41 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 27 | 11 of 14 | 3 of 4 | |
| 2 | Jean Silva | 3 of 6 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 9 of 10 | 90% | 5 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jourdain (-120), Silva (+100)
Round 1
An all-action battle originally scheduled at 145 pounds takes center stage next, as ultra-aggressive Canadian striker Jourdain (15-7-1, 6-6-1 UFC) runs into the 92% finish rate of “Lord” Silva (12-2, 1-0 UFC). The latter came in heavy by 2.5 pounds, and he has surrendered 20% of his purse to Jourdain. With three decision wins across their 27 victories, referee Marc Goddard better bring his A-game to this catchweight match. Silva offers an apologetic glove touch to get things started, and Jourdain accepts. Jourdain says hello with a loud body kick, and Silva responds with a Mortal Kombat-esque extremely low leg sweep. Silva bounces out of the way from a left hand, and he leans back as a head kick buzzes past him. Two more head kicks from the Canadian miss, and Silva offers him a high-five after an exchange. Jourdain connects with a heavy low kick, and a front kick lands as well. Silva again whiffs on the head kick, and Silva once more high-fives him. Jourdain pounds on the front leg, and Silva is walking forward but not throwing anything of note. Jourdain jumps forward with a high body kick, and Silva pounces with two punches but lets up. “Air” lands another big kick, and Silva eats a left hand and tells his opponent to keep throwing. Jourdain changes things up with a sudden double-leg takedown, and he shucks off a guillotine choke but cannot keep his foe down. Jourdain gets to his feet first, and he fires off a head kick that misses the mark by a matter of inches. Silva leaps forward with a hacking elbow, and Jourdain bounces off the fence to find another angle. Silva misses with a jumping front kick, and his looping left hook is just slightly inaccurate. As Jourdain crashes the pocket, Silva blasts him in the face with a left hand. Jourdain hits the ground like a sack of potatoes, and Silva drops to his knees to land strikes before standing up and motioning for Jourdain to follow him up and trade hands. Silva moves awkwardly to mess with Jourdain, who is still struggling on his feet, and he connects with a number of heavy strikes including a huge left. Jourdain tries for another takedown, and Silva blocks it and elbows him several times in the side of the head until Jourdain abandons it. Silva pursues his man recklessly, unafraid of the Canadian’s power so he can throw bombs. Jourdain catches a kick and puts Silva on his back, but he cannot do anything with it before the wild round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Round 2
Silva claps hands and hugs Jourdain to start off the round, and he wants to say something but Jourdain is more interested in fighting. Silva gets off first, landing power strikes and otherwise making Jourdain react from mere feints. Jourdain shoots in for a single, and he drags Silva to a knee but Silva bounces back up to his feet with his back to the wall. Silva hacks at his man with an elbow in the side, and he allows Jourdain to abandon the takedown and lift his head up.
At the perfect moment, “Lord” unloads an uppercut that completely knocks Jourdain off his feet, and it is a done deal. Goddard steps in to wave off the one-sided beatdown, with Jourdain clutching the back of his head after it rattled off the floor.
Silva, who will unfortunately sacrifice a post-fight bonus for missing weight, is the first fighter to knock out the durable Canadian. When Jourdain comes to his senses, the two fighters embrace, and Silva proudly dons his team’s black-rimmed glasses of the Fighting Nerds. He even draws a smile from the stoic Goddard.
The Official Result
Jean Silva def. Charles Jourdain R2 1:22 via KO (Punch)
Cody picks Silva, citing his speed, power, and game planning. He notes that Jourdain is inconsistent and has poor takedown defense, while Silva comes from a strong camp (Fighting Nerds) and has a clear game plan. Cody believes Silva's physicality and striking will overwhelm Jourdain, and that he can win by knockout or decision. He also mentions that Jourdain often chases bonuses instead of fighting smart.
Daniel believes in 'paying your dues' and thinks Jourdain's experience and veteran tactics will be the separator. He notes that Jourdain's loss to Woodson was a bad stylistic matchup and that this fight is different. He expects a back-and-forth banger where Jourdain edges out a decision, though Silva may have moments and raise his stock.
The host does not discuss this fight at all in the transcript. The entire podcast is focused on the Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler fight, which is not on the provided fight card. Therefore, no pick is made for this fight.
The host leans Silva as a slight underdog, citing his speed and power advantage. He expects both fighters to engage in a wild striking battle, and believes Silva's physical attributes will allow him to land first and potentially get a knockout. He notes Jourdain has never been knocked out but thinks this could be the first time.
Paul leans toward Silva, noting that the line has moved from Jourdain being a favorite to a pick 'em. He believes Silva will land the more impactful strikes and that Jourdain's recent performances have been disappointing. Paul acknowledges that Jourdain has experience but thinks Silva's youth and power give him the edge.
The Guru picks Charles Jourdain over Jean Silva. He believes Jourdain is more technical and better under pressure. He notes Jourdain's submission skills and ability to finish. He thinks Jourdain's best work comes against shorter, wild opponents. He predicts a second or third round TKO for Jourdain.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Silva | 0 | 11 of 36 | 30% | 11 of 36 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Westin Wilson | 1 | 25 of 36 | 69% | 25 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jean Silva | 0 | 11 of 36 | 30% | 11 of 36 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Westin Wilson | 1 | 25 of 36 | 69% | 25 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Silva | 11 of 36 | 30% | 8 of 28 | 0 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Westin Wilson | 25 of 36 | 69% | 24 of 32 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jean Silva | 11 of 36 | 30% | 8 of 28 | 0 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Westin Wilson | 25 of 36 | 69% | 24 of 32 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Jean Silva, acknowledging his savage striking and creativity, but notes that the -800 odds are inflated due to low respect for Westin Wilson. He sees a small chance of Wilson winning via submission if he gets Silva to the ground, but considers it unlikely. He will not bet or parlay Silva at these odds for a UFC debutant.
Big Brady is very high on Jean Silva, citing his impressive performance on the Contender Series and his power. He criticizes Westin Wilson's lack of process and poor striking defense, predicting Silva will knock him out early. However, he warns that if the fight goes to the ground, Wilson is dangerous with submissions, but believes the knockout comes first.
Cody picks Silva, stating that Wilson doesn't belong in the UFC and has durability issues. He notes Silva's power and ability to finish, and that Wilson's long frame makes him prone to getting hit. He expects a first-round knockout, but acknowledges the price is too high to bet.
Daniel Vreeland picks Jean Silva to win in devastating fashion. He highlights Silva's highlight-reel finishes and toughness, contrasting with Wilson's non-committal style and weak chin. Vreeland expects Silva to get a knockout and become a fighter to watch.
James does not discuss this fight in the transcript.
Jean Silva is a 27-year-old debutant on a winning streak, training at MMA Fight Nerds under Kyle Bajayo. He uses unorthodox and flashy strikes to hurt opponents and has solid Jiu-Jitsu. Westin Wilson is a 34-year-old who is clearly not UFC-level, with losses to former UFC fighters and a short-notice debut loss. Wilson's karate style and blitz attacks are ineffective against higher competition. Silva should make quick work of Wilson, likely finishing him early. The under 1.5 rounds is chalky but likely to cash.
Paul picks Silva, agreeing that Wilson is not UFC caliber. He notes Silva's proven cardio from the Contender Series fight and believes he can go 15 minutes if needed. He thinks Silva will win, possibly by mixing in grappling, but the price is too high to bet.
The MMA Guru picks Jean Silva, dismissing Westin Wilson as not UFC level. He criticizes Wilson's padded record and losses to low-level opponents, including a loss to Teruto Ishihara. He believes Silva has a legitimate career and will win easily.
Expert Picks (4)
Connor picks Silva, agreeing with Zane that Silva's patient, counter-striking style and knockout power will exploit Mitchell's tendency to make mistakes early. He notes that Mitchell is a crafty grappler who learns in fights, but Silva is adept at waiting for one opening and capitalizing. Connor acknowledges Mitchell could win if he gets takedowns and controls the ground, but Silva's ability to pick out weaknesses without giving much information makes him the favorite.
Daniel Levi praises Jean Silva for destroying Bryce Mitchell, highlighting Silva's physicality, creativity, and willingness to try different techniques. He loved the ninja choke submission and believes Silva can go all the way to the top, citing his striking creativity, athleticism, and submission game.
Lucrative James picks Jean Silva to win, citing his superior striking, angles, and timing. He believes Silva's athleticism and cardio will allow him to get back to his feet if taken down. He thinks Silva will find his reads and land a fight-ending shot, possibly an uppercut or knee, as the fight progresses. He acknowledges Mitchell's grappling threat but doubts he can submit Silva. He expects Silva to win inside the distance, possibly by cutting Mitchell open.
Zane picks Silva, believing Silva's patient, counter-striking style and knockout power will exploit Mitchell's tendency to make mistakes early. He notes that Mitchell is a crafty grappler who learns in fights, but Silva is adept at waiting for one opening and capitalizing. Zane acknowledges Mitchell could win if he gets takedowns and controls the ground, but Silva's ability to pick out weaknesses without giving much information makes him the favorite.
Comments (2)
Terrible matchup for Bryce. He cant handle power. Jean is a freak
Ninja choke, perhaps the whole team be pulling it now. Fighting nerds!!!
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