Career Averages - Cameron Smotherman
Career Averages - Serhiy Sidey
Cameron Smotherman
Serhiy Sidey
Cameron Smotherman - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Asakura (-275); Smotherman (+225)
Round 1
Next up at UFC Macau are a pair of bantamweights who could really use a win, as Asakura (21-6; 0-2 UFC) and Smotherman (12-6; 1-2 UFC) have both underperformed thus far, compared to expectations. For former
Rizin Fighting Federation
star Asakura, it is a return to bantamweight, where his best pre-UFC wins took place anyway. Both men are in orthodox stance when Marc Goddard sends them into battle, and while Smotherman does look a tad larger, Asakura does not look at all like a blown-up flyweight. The early exchanges are cautious, mostly single strikes, with none of the exotic flying attacks that comprise so much of his highlight reel, but his speed advantage is obvious. He splits the guard of Smotherman with a couple of punches that land and hurt, then drops him to a knee with a beautiful switch right hook that wraps around the guard.
Smotherman manages to get back to his feet, but as he staggers back towards the fence, Asakura lands two left hooks. The second one puts Smotherman out completely, face down on the canvas where he remains for a long time.
Absolutely sensational knockout from Kai Asakura.
The Official Result
Kai Asakura def. Cameron Smotherman R1 1:50 via KO (Punches)
AJ picks Asakura (referred to as Caio Borralho in transcript, but context indicates Kai Asakura) because of his snappy kickboxing, dangerous knees, and body kicks. He notes Smotherman is a decent boxer but has no offensive grappling (zero takedowns in UFC) and had a terrible weight cut. AJ thinks Asakura's speed advantage will show and predicts a knockout, possibly via knee.
AJ picks Asakura, believing he will be reinvigorated at bantamweight after struggling with the cut to flyweight. He notes Asakura's speed, kickboxing, and knockout power will be too much for Smotherman, who is a lower-tier opponent. AJ expects a KO win, possibly in highlight-reel fashion.
Angelo picks Kai Asakura because he is the superior striker and Smotherman has no takedown attempts in the UFC. He notes that Asakura's takedown defense is nonexistent, but since Smotherman doesn't wrestle, Asakura should win on the feet. He refuses to bet on Asakura at -300 due to the takedown vulnerability, but he believes Asakura will win.
Angelo picks Kai Asakura because he is the better striker in a striking matchup. He notes that Cameron Smotherman has zero recorded takedown attempts in the UFC and is coming off a bad weight cut. He thinks Kai's speed and footwork will be the difference, but he is not betting due to the odds.
Angelo picks Kai Asakura, believing his striking is superior to Smotherman's and that Smotherman won't attempt takedowns, negating Asakura's weakness. He notes Asakura is winless in the UFC but should win if he doesn't have to defend takedowns.
Big Brady picks Asakura by first-round KO, viewing this as a massive step down in competition after Asakura's title fight debut. He notes Smotherman has a poor chin, has been knocked out multiple times, and recently fell face-first on the scale. He believes Asakura is a much better striker and grappler, and that Smotherman can't grapple, so the fight stays on the feet where Asakura has power and quick hands.
Cody picks Asakura, citing his speed and striking advantage over Smotherman. He notes Smotherman's bad weight cuts, suspect durability (KO loss in 13 seconds), and poor wrestling. Cody believes Asakura can piece him up on the feet and potentially knock him out. He also mentions that Asakura's move up to 135 may help with weight cut and speed.
Levi picks Asakura, believing he has better boxing and can knock out Smotherman. He dismisses Smotherman's UFC credentials, noting his knockout loss to Harlampos Gregorio and weight-cutting issues. Levi thinks Asakura will finally showcase his hype.
Jacob picks Kai Asakura because he should have the speed advantage and be more dynamic. He notes that Cameron Smotherman tends to plant his feet and look for counters, which could lead to inactivity. He warns that Kai should not hang out in the pocket because Cameron has power.
Lucrative James picks Kai Asakura but is not confident, calling it a 'very strange fight' and disliking the line. He notes Asakura's poor UFC performances, including submission losses, and questions his move up to bantamweight where he loses the size advantage. He sees Asakura's path via knockout due to power and speed, but worries if he doesn't get the finish, Smotherman's boxing could win rounds. He mentions Smotherman's fainting incident and chin issues but still leans Asakura as a pure pick, though he would look at props or even bet Smotherman if the line moves.
The host picks Asakura, believing his power and speed will be too much for Smotherman. He notes Asakura is more dangerous in the knockout department and may have a speed advantage. He expects Asakura to land big shots and potentially put Smotherman away, despite Smotherman's technical edge.
The host believes this is the most favorable matchup for Kai Asakura in the UFC, expecting him to utilize his flashy striking. Despite Smotherman's technical striking, Asakura's speed and power will be the difference, leading to a knockout.
Paul is tempted by Asakura but hesitant due to his age (32) and move up in weight. He notes Asakura's losses in rematches and his UFC loss to Pantoja. However, he acknowledges Smotherman's poor weight cut and durability issues, and that Asakura is the better striker. Paul leans Asakura but is not fully confident.
The Guru picks Kai Asakura over Cameron Smotherman, citing Kai's speed and power advantage. He believes Kai's explosive striking will outclass Smotherman's volume-based boxing. He notes Smotherman's back-to-back losses and expects Kai to land the bigger shots.
The Guru picks Asakura due to superior grappling and striking. He notes Asakura has good knees, combinations, and recovers quickly when hurt. Smotherman is a striker who hates grappling and has decent takedown defense but will be outmatched on the ground. Asakura should win comfortably.
The MMA Guru picks Kai Asakura to win by knockout. He notes that Asakura is a step up in competition for Smotherman, and Asakura's striking is more dynamic and powerful. He believes Asakura will keep the fight on the feet and land a knockout, as Smotherman is mostly a boxer and small for the weight class.
Angelo picks Cameron Smotherman, calling him the far better striker who will control the fight on the feet. He criticizes Ricky Turcios for getting worse in each fight, describing his style as running forward with windmill punches. He notes Smotherman's unreliability but believes he is more than a 2-to-1 favorite.
Big Brady is not a fan of either fighter, but leans Smotherman due to his slick striking and hands. He criticizes Turcios for a poor performance against Aiemann Zahabi and his taunting. However, he notes Smotherman is chinny and has been knocked out before, so he's not confident. He predicts Smotherman by decision.
Cody leans toward Ricky Turcios as an underdog, citing his durability and cardio. He notes Turcios's wrestling and volume could overwhelm Smotherman, who has poor takedown defense. Cody believes Turcios can win a decision or even a submission, and likes the plus money value.
Connor picks Smotherman because he is at least fast and powerful, while Turcios is a mess with low athleticism. He notes that Smotherman has technical skills but freezes up, while Turcios is a cyclone of activity without direction. Connor believes Smotherman has more potential to do damage if he chooses to.
Daniel Vreeland picks Cameron Smotherman simply because he dislikes Ricky Turcios as a fighter. He notes that neither fighter belongs in the UFC, but he refuses to pick Turcios. Vreeland acknowledges that Smotherman has decent hands but a suspect chin and poor ground game, making this a low-confidence pick.
James picks Smotherman, calling him the much better boxer and noting Turcios's lack of activity and focus on side ventures. He expects Smotherman to outbox Turcios and possibly hurt him.
The host picks Smotherman by decision, citing his slick striking and footwork. He believes Smotherman can counter Turcios's pressure and avoid grappling, as Turcios is not as strong a wrestler as Ricky Simone. He notes Smotherman's takedown defense has improved and expects him to win on the scorecards.
Paul picks Cameron Smotherman but is hesitant due to his takedown defense issues. He notes Smotherman's superior boxing and volume, but worries about Turcios's wrestling and durability. Paul prefers the over 2.5 rounds prop and believes Smotherman can win a decision if he stuffs takedowns.
The MMA Guru picks Cameron Smotherman, noting that Ricky Turcios has looked scared to fight and has not won recently. He likes Smotherman's body work and ability to snowball into fights, while Turcios lacks early aggression. He predicts a decision win.
Zane agrees with Connor, using the same logic: Smotherman is a solid athlete while Turcios has very little natural athleticism. He notes that Turcios has stamina and toughness but is a mess technically. Zane thinks Smotherman could do damage if he chooses to, but the fight is low level.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky SimĂłn | 0 | 34 of 74 | 45% | 50 of 94 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 9:13 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 29 of 99 | 29% | 33 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky SimĂłn | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 19 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:27 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ricky SimĂłn | 0 | 16 of 31 | 51% | 20 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:56 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 11 of 37 | 29% | 12 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ricky SimĂłn | 0 | 11 of 30 | 36% | 11 of 30 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 1:50 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 17 of 56 | 30% | 18 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky SimĂłn | 34 of 74 | 45% | 22 of 62 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 8 | 28 of 62 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 6 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 29 of 99 | 29% | 23 of 89 | 5 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 25 of 94 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky SimĂłn | 7 of 13 | 53% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 3 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ricky SimĂłn | 16 of 31 | 51% | 8 of 23 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 14 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 11 of 37 | 29% | 9 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ricky SimĂłn | 11 of 30 | 36% | 9 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 17 of 56 | 30% | 14 of 49 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 52 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Simon (-440), Smotherman (+340)
Round 1
On short notice, Simon (21-6, 9-5 UFC) now stands across the cage from high-flying Fury FC product Smotherman (12-5, 1-1 UFC). Simon was initially expected to battle Charles Jourdain, but it is what it is now. The bantamweights will be joined in the cage by referee Blake Grice, who claps them in as they choose to tap their gloves together. Smotherman jabs and low kicks, and Simon does the same. Simon turns his hips into one thudding kick, and he suddenly goes high with a kick that Smotherman barely blocks in time. Both swipe at the other with hooks, and Simon drops levels, stutter-steps and shoots for a single-leg takedown. Simon lifts Smotherman all the way in the air and chucks him to the mat, where Smotherman is quick to sit up against the wire. Simon hooks one leg in and starts peppering Smotherman with free left hands, and Smotherman is stuck unable to get back up. When Smotherman attempts to stand, Simon wrenches him back down again. Simon isolates Smotherman’s left arm in pursuit of a kimura, and Smotherman gives up position to defend against it. Simon takes advantage of this to step into full mount, and he allows Smotherman to turn over so he can start fishing for a rear-naked choke. Simon cannot get his hooks in, so Smotherman is able to fight back to his feet with about 30 seconds left in the round. Simon leans on him against the wire, kneeing him in the side of the head while trying to drag Smotherman back down. Simon rides out the round squeezing.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Round 2
Smotherman takes the center of the cage and marches forward to start off the second round, looking for a hook that he cannot find yet. Simon loops a right hand around the guard and plunks the front leg with a kick, and he dodges the counter to weave a right hand up top. Simon kicks the front leg and keeps his guard up to block the right hand aimed down the pipe, and he walks into a pair of punches but does not budge. Instead, Simon leaps in the air with a knee, and he lands and grabs hold of a double. Simon tackles Smotherman to his back, placing himself in half guard while exerting heavy shoulder pressure. Simon flattens his man out when Smotherman tries to buck and twist to get out, and he slashes down with a pair of elbows. Simon leans back a slight amount to wrap his arm around Smotherman’s neck, either for a guillotine setup or to push Smotherman down. Simon spins around to grab his foe from behind, and Smotherman stands back up in the process. Simon leans on Smotherman from the back while jamming Smotherman against the wall, and Smotherman starts chattering towards the grapple-heavy adversary. Simon ignores it and continues to embrace the grind, transitioning a single to a double and back to a single. Smotherman looks for a standing ninja choke, but Simon wriggles his neck out without concern. “The Baby-Faced Killer” drives a knee down the middle, and when it succeeds, he goes for another. Simon shrugs them off and loops a right hand up top and a left to the liver. Simon narrowly avoids a looping right hand as he scores a low kick, and Smotherman’s final strike of the round is a front kick to the chest. Grice has to get between the two when the horn sounds, ushering them back to their corners. Smotherman does not appear to be a happy man right now.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Round 3
Smotherman is fired up between rounds, and he starts throwing hands and grins when Simon obliges him. Simon takes a jab on the forehead and showboats while dodging the two follow-ups, looking away from the swinging Texan. Simon clips Smotherman with a right hand on the temple, and he grabs hold of Smotherman in a body lock and throws him to his knees. Smotherman powers back up to his feet, but Simon is a dog with a bone as he tries to go from a double to a single to a body lock. Simon pursues a double again when the other efforts fail, and Smotherman’s defense holds up even as he is stuck against the wire. Smotherman pushes off a knee, forcing Simon to wing two punches and shoot in for a double that finally succeeds. Smotherman is placed on his seat, and Simon holds him down and keeps his arms wrapped around a single to keep him in place. Smotherman still gets back to his feet, and he shakes Simon up with an elbow. Smotherman walks him down, firing a left to the body and a right to the head. When Simon counters, Smotherman hits him with a step-in knee. Simon eats a left hook to fire one back, and his right hand gets Smotherman’s attention and tells him it will not be as easy as walking through him with heavy fists. Simon shoots hard for a single, and Smotherman responds with a ninja choke and backs himself to the fencing. Simon is completely unfazed by the submission attempt, not budging and instead pressing on Smotherman until Smotherman bails on it. Smotherman breaks out of the takedown attempt and clinch to drive a pair of lefts to the liver and temple. Simon jabs to beat him to the punch a few times, and Smotherman is winding up with everything he has with his right hand. Simon is able to intercept him when he launches those missiles, slipping the most dangerous of the punches and hitting Smotherman back. Smotherman jabs to the body with the ball of his foot, winging a left to the same spot and a right up top. Simon shrugs at him, but he got stung with the power strikes. Smotherman unloads with pure power, tagging Simon a few times and eating some responsive blows until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon (30-27 Simon)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman (29-28 Simon)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman (29-28 Simon)
The Official Result
Ricky Simon def. Cameron Smotherman via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
The Guru picks Ricky SimĂłn, noting he is 'barely a favorite' and sees value. He highlights SimĂłn's momentum from a KO win over Javid Basharat and his power in the pocket. He criticizes Smotherman's quick turnaround after a loss where he took damage, and trusts SimĂłn's fundamentals and grappling options.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 58 of 134 | 43% | 61 of 137 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 55 of 132 | 41% | 66 of 149 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 1 | 0 | 4:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 22 of 43 | 51% | 25 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 27 of 50 | 54% | 28 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 | |
| 2 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 12 of 29 | 41% | 12 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 11 of 39 | 28% | 21 of 55 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 | |
| 3 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 24 of 62 | 38% | 24 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 17 of 43 | 39% | 17 of 43 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 0:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Smotherman | 58 of 134 | 43% | 43 of 114 | 15 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 53 of 124 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 55 of 132 | 41% | 30 of 98 | 15 of 22 | 10 of 12 | 49 of 122 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Smotherman | 22 of 43 | 51% | 16 of 34 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 40 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 27 of 50 | 54% | 12 of 33 | 7 of 8 | 8 of 9 | 23 of 45 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Cameron Smotherman | 12 of 29 | 41% | 6 of 22 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 11 of 39 | 28% | 6 of 28 | 4 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 35 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Cameron Smotherman | 24 of 62 | 38% | 21 of 58 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 57 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 17 of 43 | 39% | 12 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sidey (-135), Smotherman (+114)
Round 1
Bantamweight wild men meet next, as Sidey and Smotherman face off under the supervision of referee Dan Miragliotta. Both are in orthodox stance and Smotherman creeps forward behind a high guard, as the visibly taller Sidey gives ground, sticks out a jab and lands an outside low kick. Sidey plants and throws a glancing one-two. Sidey lands a nice jab to the body. Smotherman continues to march forward at a deliberate pace, landing a nice body shot of his own. Sidey catches Smotherman with a hard leg kick. Sidey times Smotherman for a smooth as glass double-leg, but he can’t finish as he switches to a single and Smotherman hops backward on one leg all the way to the fence, where he extricates his limb and they reset in the middle of the Octagon. The bantamweights converge and throw simultaneously, both men landing in the exchange. Smotherman throws out a jab to the body, and Sidey collapses the pocket, changes levels and runs him to the fence again. Smotherman defends the takedown with ease, but as they come off the fence, Sidey lands another hard kick to Smotherman’s lead leg. With under a minute to go in the round, they have returned to the middle of the cage and Sidey is once again sliding laterally, sticking out his long jab. Sidey comes up short on a spinning back kick to the body right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Round 2
Smotherman marches forward to open Round 2, and Sidey meets him with a feint, then a quick single-leg that he uses to haul Smotherman to the mat near the fence. Smotherman gets back to a knee, then to his feet, with the Canadian stuck to his back. Miragliotta cautions Smotherman for grabbing the fence. A few seconds later Smotherman spins toward Sidey, and Sidey disengages, giving him room to get off the cage. Smotherman takes the center of the Octagon and advances towards Sidey, whose movement continues to give the Texan problems. Smotherman catches an errant blow, but he waves off Miragliotta’s offer of a time-out. Sidey tries for another takedown, but Smotherman sprawls and gets his hips out of danger, tagging Sidey with a glancing right hand on the break. Sidey closes the distance and grabs Smotherman as they go careening into the fence. Sidey elevates and dumps Smotherman to all fours, but he pops right back up. Sidey stays on him as he gets to a knee, then back to his feet. Sidey throws a couple of punches from behind as Smotherman stands, then hauls him back down. Smotherman gets back up quickly, but the round ends with Sidey still glued to him against the cage.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Round 3
Round 3 starts with a touch of gloves, marking one of the few times so far in the fight that Smotherman has been able to get a glove on his opponent that easily. They go back to work in the center of the cage and Sidey tries for a quick takedown, which Smotherman defends. Sidey is on his horse, circling away from the pursuing Smotherman, and times him for a beautiful level change. He puts Smotherman on his behind with a double-leg, and as Smotherman stands, Sidey attempts an anaconda choke. A tense sequence ensues, as Smotherman carefully returns to his feet while keeping his air and blood supplies intact, but Sidey is eventually forced to let the choke go. They return to exchanging in space with under two minutes to go, and Sidey punctuates his stick-and-move with a little more stick, sitting down on his best single punch of the fight. Sidey tries for another takedown but Smotherman is all over it, and he returns fire with a good body shot as they come back up. Smotherman is pursuing Sidey at the 10-second clapper, coming up short on a flying knee attempt, and can’t land anything of consequence before the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (30-27 Sidey)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (30-27 Sidey)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (30-27 Sidey)
The Official Result
Serhiy Sidey def. Cameron Smotherman via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks the underdog Cameron Smotherman, believing he can get inside Serhiy Sidey's range and win. He criticizes Sidey's reliance on height and notes that Smotherman looked good on short notice against Jake Hadley. He is not sure if he will bet on it but is confident in the pick.
Big Brady picks Serhiy Sidey, citing his length, rangy striking, body shots, toughness, and sneaky grappling. He notes that Smotherman has terrible takedown defense and questionable durability, having been knocked down by a jab and starched by Charalampos Grigoriou. Brady expects a back-and-forth war but trusts Sidey's durability and ability to mix it up. He predicts Sidey will knock out Smotherman in the third round.
Connor picks Sidey, citing his dynamic striking and ability to build rhythm under pressure. He notes that Sidey's wildness and reach advantage could disrupt Smotherman's methodical pressure. Connor points out that Smotherman's win over Hadley may have been more about Hadley's poor performance than Smotherman's excellence. He believes Sidey's unpredictability and volume will be too much for Smotherman to handle.
Sidey has a range and height advantage that will help him dictate the pace. He has been training at MMA Lab and should show improvements. I expect him to land more shots from distance and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Cameron Smotherman, noting his body work and forward pressure. He believes Serhiy Sidey slows down and covers up when pressured, and that Smotherman can take over in the later rounds. He predicts a 29-28 decision win for Smotherman, with momentum shifting in the second round.
Zane picks Smotherman, impressed by his improved combination punching and pressure against Jake Hadley. He believes Smotherman can replicate that performance by targeting Sidey's body and staying consistent. However, he worries that Sidey's wild, unpredictable style could throw Smotherman off his game. Zane acknowledges that Smotherman's previous wins came against opponents who offered little resistance, and Sidey is more dynamic.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 60 of 165 | 36% | 70 of 176 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| Jake Hadley | 0 | 96 of 259 | 37% | 97 of 260 | 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 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 24 of 58 | 41% | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jake Hadley | 0 | 37 of 79 | 46% | 37 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 18 of 57 | 31% | 27 of 67 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:07 |
| Jake Hadley | 0 | 25 of 75 | 33% | 26 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 18 of 50 | 36% | 19 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Jake Hadley | 0 | 34 of 105 | 32% | 34 of 105 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Smotherman | 60 of 165 | 36% | 28 of 124 | 17 of 24 | 15 of 17 | 59 of 163 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Hadley | 96 of 259 | 37% | 43 of 181 | 48 of 72 | 5 of 6 | 96 of 259 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Smotherman | 24 of 58 | 41% | 8 of 40 | 7 of 7 | 9 of 11 | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Hadley | 37 of 79 | 46% | 13 of 48 | 23 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 37 of 79 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Cameron Smotherman | 18 of 57 | 31% | 6 of 40 | 7 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 17 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Hadley | 25 of 75 | 33% | 13 of 52 | 10 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Cameron Smotherman | 18 of 50 | 36% | 14 of 44 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Hadley | 34 of 105 | 32% | 17 of 81 | 15 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 34 of 105 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Smotherman (+350), Hadley (-450)
Round 1
On short notice, Hadley (11-3, 3-3 UFC) goes from taking on Brady Hiestand to welcoming Fury FC staple Smotherman (11-4, 0-0 UFC) to the Octagon. When the dust settles, one of these two bantamweights will celebrate a record in the UFC above .500. The other will fall below the even line. Referee Chris Tognoni will be the third man in the cage for this one, and he observes a glove touch as they get started. Hadley strikes first with a low kick, using it to disrupt the forward movement of his opponent. Hadley lands it again as Smotherman comes towards him, and he keeps chipping away at a safe range. Smotherman lands a jab to the body and reaches with a right hand over the top, forcing Hadley to bounce off the fencing. Smotherman connects with a right to the body and checks a kick to unload a right hand around the guard. Hadley stays composed working on the front leg of his foe, and Smotherman is measuring his right hand for it. Smotherman digs a right to the solar plexus, and he walks Hadley down throwing hands. Hadley tries to catch him first, but Smotherman’s right hand is loaded for bear. Hadley lands a kick to the ribs, and Smotherman gives him a right hand to the side to think about. Smotherman keeps attacking the body, stalking Hadley down but not getting reckless, and he just misses with a massive left hand. Smotherman opens up head shots with rights to the midsection, and Hadley keeps moving so as to not get cornered. Smotherman is devoted to body shots, and he slips a left hand over the top. Smotherman kicks his way into a punch combo, and Hadley chomps down on his gumshield and lets go with a big left. Smotherman slips a few punches, mostly targeting the body with his responses, and he scores a solid body kick while Hadley escapes. Smotherman clips Hadley with one big right hand before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman
Round 2
The round begins with Hadley leading with a few punches, and he kicks low and bangs his instep into the newcomer’s cup. Tognoni calls time as Smotherman grimaces, and Hadley apologizes profusely for the inadvertent groin kick. Smotherman asks to get going after a little under a minute, and they resume fighting by trading jabs. The two box one another, setting their big punches up in combination. Smotherman lands, Hadley hits him back and Smotherman gives him one more to think about. Smotherman knocks his man back with a short left, and Hadley steps in to drill the debutant with a sharp left hook. Smotherman blinks it out, jabs the body and comes in with a short flurry. Hadley is away before most of the strikes find their target, constantly circling to his left which is in the direction of Smotherman’s power right hand. Jabs fly out from both sides, and Smotherman is the one to successfully chain one into four more punches including a pair of body shots. Smotherman digs two more under the guard, and he puts a right hand straight on the sternum. Hadley swings back with a right hand off the temple, and Smotherman is in front of him ready to pay him back with a hooking left. They trade body shots at the same time, a rare occurrence, and when trading hands, Hadley jams his fingers into both eye sockets like Moe from “The Three Stooges.” Smotherman turns away, not thrilled by the foul one bit, and Tognoni calls in the doctor to check on him before long. Smotherman informs the physician that some Vaseline slid into his eye, causing him issues seeing. Tognoni tells Smotherman he needs to take all the time he should to recover, and not hurry back. Smotherman wipes his eye a few times with a piece of gauze, before asking for a towel to help clear his vision better. Smotherman keeps checking to see how much time he has, and he is still having a hard time seeing even after a few minutes. Smotherman informs both Tognoni and the doctor that he is still fighting, and that he is good to go after four minutes. Tognoni takes one point for the eye poke, and Hadley protests but his complaint falls in deaf ears. When they resume, Smotherman is amped up, swinging wildly until Hadley threatens with a takedown. While Hadley gets him down, Smotherman climbs back to his feet before long. Hadley presses his man against the wire, and Smotherman gets free at the sound of the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Smotherman
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Smotherman
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Smotherman
Round 3
There is a double clap of hands to get started, and Smotherman is as aggressive as ever, swinging his way into close range. Hadley throws back but gets backed to the wall, and he is forced to shoot in for a double. Smotherman defends against it while being pinned to the fence, and Tognoni asks for more work as Hadley is largely stalling. Smotherman bursts out of the tie-up to walk Hadley down, eating a left hand so he can let his hands go. Hadley retreats and fails to counter effectively, with a leg kick his best weapon while Smotherman marches him down. Smotherman kicks him in the side, and he throws another kick to the same spot but absorbs a flush one-two in response. Smotherman digs a left to the liver and looks for a right to the head, and Hadley has a head kick waiting for him. Smotherman loads up a bit too much on his power strikes, and Hadley beats him to the punch when evading. Smotherman pounds on the ribs from both sides, landing cleanly and stepping in to knee “White Kong” in the guts. Smotherman goes body to head and then chains a knee after one, flowing with punches and knees while Hadley’s back is up against the fence. Hadley surprises the Texan with a left hand, and Smotherman’s legs wobble briefly as he gathers himself. Hadley measures out another big left, and Smotherman wears it well this time and lets off a front kick that bounces into Hadley’s cup. Tognoni is on top of it, giving Hadley time to recover as it is now Smotherman who has to apologize. Hadley is ready after about 40 seconds, and Smotherman walks him down as soon as they resume. Smotherman shoves an uppercut through the guard, and Hadley is warned for outstretched fingers as he tries to fence off. Smotherman strings several punches together, only for Hadley to blast him in the face with heavy blows and a head kick that further makes his knees quake. Hadley swings wildly, Smotherman defends from a body kick and gives his man one final overhand right to think about before the third round comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hadley (29-27 Smotherman)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Hadley (29-27 Smotherman)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman (30-26 Smotherman)
The Official Result
Cameron Smotherman def. Jake Hadley via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Angelo picks Cameron Smotherman (referred to as Brady Hiestand, but the fight is Smotherman vs Hadley; likely a transcript error) because he believes Smotherman's wrestling, size, and strength will be too much for Jake Hadley. He notes Hadley's win over Ken Laramie was more about Laramie's poor performance than Hadley's skill. He thinks Smotherman's grit and takedown ability will dominate, and he expects the odds to widen further.
Big Brady picks Jake Hadley by second-round submission. He notes Smotherman has a questionable chin and non-existent takedown defense. Hadley can take him down easily and has a big BJJ advantage. He expects Hadley to make it look easy, possibly finishing by submission in the second round.
Connor also picks Hadley, emphasizing that Smotherman's lack of movement and poor defense make him a perfect opponent for Hadley's slick offensive boxing. He notes that Smotherman's only path to victory is if opponents let him pressure them, but Hadley will pour on volume and not be intimidated.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript.
Hadley has a big grappling advantage and Smotherman is taking this fight on short notice, having to cut to 135 lbs and flying from Abu Dhabi. Hadley is the better grappler and should have no problems taking the fight to the ground where Smotherman has shown issues. Look for Hadley to get a submission.
The Guru picks Smotherman (referred to as Brady Hiestand) despite acknowledging that picking against Jake Hadley often backfires. He notes Smotherman is bigger and has more experience, and expects him to lead the dance with pressure and cardio, winning a 29-28 decision by taking over in the last two rounds. He doubts Hadley's offensive grappling and sees him looking for submissions from bottom.
Zane picks Hadley, noting that Smotherman is extremely flat-footed and stands still, making him an easy target for Hadley's offensive boxing. He compares Smotherman to a statue who gets clocked when facing speed. Hadley's last fight against a similar flat-footed opponent (Caolan Loughran) went well, and this matchup is even more forgiving.
Serhiy Sidey - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 58 of 134 | 43% | 61 of 137 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 55 of 132 | 41% | 66 of 149 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 1 | 0 | 4:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 22 of 43 | 51% | 25 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 27 of 50 | 54% | 28 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 | |
| 2 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 12 of 29 | 41% | 12 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 11 of 39 | 28% | 21 of 55 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 | |
| 3 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 24 of 62 | 38% | 24 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 17 of 43 | 39% | 17 of 43 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 0:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Smotherman | 58 of 134 | 43% | 43 of 114 | 15 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 53 of 124 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 55 of 132 | 41% | 30 of 98 | 15 of 22 | 10 of 12 | 49 of 122 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Smotherman | 22 of 43 | 51% | 16 of 34 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 40 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 27 of 50 | 54% | 12 of 33 | 7 of 8 | 8 of 9 | 23 of 45 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Cameron Smotherman | 12 of 29 | 41% | 6 of 22 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 11 of 39 | 28% | 6 of 28 | 4 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 35 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Cameron Smotherman | 24 of 62 | 38% | 21 of 58 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 57 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 17 of 43 | 39% | 12 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sidey (-135), Smotherman (+114)
Round 1
Bantamweight wild men meet next, as Sidey and Smotherman face off under the supervision of referee Dan Miragliotta. Both are in orthodox stance and Smotherman creeps forward behind a high guard, as the visibly taller Sidey gives ground, sticks out a jab and lands an outside low kick. Sidey plants and throws a glancing one-two. Sidey lands a nice jab to the body. Smotherman continues to march forward at a deliberate pace, landing a nice body shot of his own. Sidey catches Smotherman with a hard leg kick. Sidey times Smotherman for a smooth as glass double-leg, but he can’t finish as he switches to a single and Smotherman hops backward on one leg all the way to the fence, where he extricates his limb and they reset in the middle of the Octagon. The bantamweights converge and throw simultaneously, both men landing in the exchange. Smotherman throws out a jab to the body, and Sidey collapses the pocket, changes levels and runs him to the fence again. Smotherman defends the takedown with ease, but as they come off the fence, Sidey lands another hard kick to Smotherman’s lead leg. With under a minute to go in the round, they have returned to the middle of the cage and Sidey is once again sliding laterally, sticking out his long jab. Sidey comes up short on a spinning back kick to the body right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Round 2
Smotherman marches forward to open Round 2, and Sidey meets him with a feint, then a quick single-leg that he uses to haul Smotherman to the mat near the fence. Smotherman gets back to a knee, then to his feet, with the Canadian stuck to his back. Miragliotta cautions Smotherman for grabbing the fence. A few seconds later Smotherman spins toward Sidey, and Sidey disengages, giving him room to get off the cage. Smotherman takes the center of the Octagon and advances towards Sidey, whose movement continues to give the Texan problems. Smotherman catches an errant blow, but he waves off Miragliotta’s offer of a time-out. Sidey tries for another takedown, but Smotherman sprawls and gets his hips out of danger, tagging Sidey with a glancing right hand on the break. Sidey closes the distance and grabs Smotherman as they go careening into the fence. Sidey elevates and dumps Smotherman to all fours, but he pops right back up. Sidey stays on him as he gets to a knee, then back to his feet. Sidey throws a couple of punches from behind as Smotherman stands, then hauls him back down. Smotherman gets back up quickly, but the round ends with Sidey still glued to him against the cage.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Round 3
Round 3 starts with a touch of gloves, marking one of the few times so far in the fight that Smotherman has been able to get a glove on his opponent that easily. They go back to work in the center of the cage and Sidey tries for a quick takedown, which Smotherman defends. Sidey is on his horse, circling away from the pursuing Smotherman, and times him for a beautiful level change. He puts Smotherman on his behind with a double-leg, and as Smotherman stands, Sidey attempts an anaconda choke. A tense sequence ensues, as Smotherman carefully returns to his feet while keeping his air and blood supplies intact, but Sidey is eventually forced to let the choke go. They return to exchanging in space with under two minutes to go, and Sidey punctuates his stick-and-move with a little more stick, sitting down on his best single punch of the fight. Sidey tries for another takedown but Smotherman is all over it, and he returns fire with a good body shot as they come back up. Smotherman is pursuing Sidey at the 10-second clapper, coming up short on a flying knee attempt, and can’t land anything of consequence before the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (30-27 Sidey)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (30-27 Sidey)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (30-27 Sidey)
The Official Result
Serhiy Sidey def. Cameron Smotherman via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks the underdog Cameron Smotherman, believing he can get inside Serhiy Sidey's range and win. He criticizes Sidey's reliance on height and notes that Smotherman looked good on short notice against Jake Hadley. He is not sure if he will bet on it but is confident in the pick.
Big Brady picks Serhiy Sidey, citing his length, rangy striking, body shots, toughness, and sneaky grappling. He notes that Smotherman has terrible takedown defense and questionable durability, having been knocked down by a jab and starched by Charalampos Grigoriou. Brady expects a back-and-forth war but trusts Sidey's durability and ability to mix it up. He predicts Sidey will knock out Smotherman in the third round.
Connor picks Sidey, citing his dynamic striking and ability to build rhythm under pressure. He notes that Sidey's wildness and reach advantage could disrupt Smotherman's methodical pressure. Connor points out that Smotherman's win over Hadley may have been more about Hadley's poor performance than Smotherman's excellence. He believes Sidey's unpredictability and volume will be too much for Smotherman to handle.
Sidey has a range and height advantage that will help him dictate the pace. He has been training at MMA Lab and should show improvements. I expect him to land more shots from distance and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Cameron Smotherman, noting his body work and forward pressure. He believes Serhiy Sidey slows down and covers up when pressured, and that Smotherman can take over in the later rounds. He predicts a 29-28 decision win for Smotherman, with momentum shifting in the second round.
Zane picks Smotherman, impressed by his improved combination punching and pressure against Jake Hadley. He believes Smotherman can replicate that performance by targeting Sidey's body and staying consistent. However, he worries that Sidey's wild, unpredictable style could throw Smotherman off his game. Zane acknowledges that Smotherman's previous wins came against opponents who offered little resistance, and Sidey is more dynamic.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 68 of 144 | 47% | 75 of 151 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 3 | 1 | 0:47 |
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 71 of 142 | 50% | 77 of 148 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 1 | 0 | 4:53 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 20 of 41 | 48% | 23 of 44 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 24 of 40 | 60% | 24 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:57 | |
| 2 | Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 39 of 86 | 45% | 40 of 87 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 43 of 92 | 46% | 44 of 93 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 12 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 1 | 0:12 |
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 9 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serhiy Sidey | 68 of 144 | 47% | 40 of 106 | 22 of 31 | 6 of 7 | 60 of 131 | 7 of 12 | 1 of 1 |
| Garrett Armfield | 71 of 142 | 50% | 57 of 127 | 9 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 65 of 133 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serhiy Sidey | 20 of 41 | 48% | 8 of 27 | 8 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 34 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Garrett Armfield | 24 of 40 | 60% | 20 of 36 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 37 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Serhiy Sidey | 39 of 86 | 45% | 28 of 68 | 9 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 37 of 84 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Garrett Armfield | 43 of 92 | 46% | 34 of 83 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 42 of 89 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Serhiy Sidey | 9 of 17 | 52% | 4 of 11 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Garrett Armfield | 4 of 10 | 40% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo picks Serhiy Sidey but admits he doesn't love Garrett Armfield for illogical reasons. He notes Sidey is tall and long, can grapple, but is chinny and was dropped in his last fight. He thinks Armfield has power and volume, but questions his durability. He expects a close fight and likely won't bet on it, though he notes Armfield is a good dog if on his side.
Big Brady picks Garrett Armfield as a dog to win by close decision. He acknowledges Sidey's volume and pressure but favors Armfield's power advantage, noting that Sidey has been dropped before. Brady worries about Armfield's cardio but notes he has improved his strength and conditioning. He expects a striking battle that goes the distance, with Armfield's power being the difference.
Cody picks Garrett Armfield, citing his wrestling background, jab, and experience. He notes that Sidey has poor takedown defense and takes too many shots, while Armfield has shown good volume and power. He believes Armfield's wrestling will be the difference, and that Sidey's face will get busted up. He also mentions Armfield's plus money value.
Daniel Vreeland picks Serhiy Sidey, citing his height and reach advantage (5'11" vs 5'6") and improved maturity after training with top bantamweights. He believes Sidey can keep the fight at range and out-volume Armfield, who has a history of gassing late. Vreeland acknowledges Armfield's power and ability to hurt opponents, but thinks Sidey's length and smart fight IQ will secure a win, possibly by decision.
Sidey has the clear striking advantage, and as long as his defensive grappling improvements showcase, he should keep the fight in the striking realm, batter Armfield, and finish him in the second or third round.
Paul also picks Armfield but is hesitant due to a video showing Armfield injuring his arm in a side-by-side accident. He believes Armfield is the better striker and wrestler, but questions his health. He notes that if Armfield is healthy, he should win, but the injury concern gives him pause.
The Guru picks Serhiy Sidey over Garrett Armfield, noting Sidey's reach advantage and prospect status. He was unimpressed by Armfield's last performance against Brady Hiestand, where he was choked out. He expects a scrappy fight on the feet and believes Sidey's straight shots will be effective.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramon Taveras | 0 | 79 of 226 | 34% | 81 of 229 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 1 | 62 of 147 | 42% | 62 of 148 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ramon Taveras | 0 | 17 of 51 | 33% | 17 of 52 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 22 of 45 | 48% | 22 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ramon Taveras | 0 | 39 of 108 | 36% | 41 of 110 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 1 | 24 of 58 | 41% | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 3 | Ramon Taveras | 0 | 23 of 67 | 34% | 23 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 16 of 44 | 36% | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramon Taveras | 79 of 226 | 34% | 51 of 181 | 20 of 36 | 8 of 9 | 73 of 218 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 62 of 147 | 42% | 48 of 131 | 8 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 60 of 144 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ramon Taveras | 17 of 51 | 33% | 7 of 36 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 17 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 22 of 45 | 48% | 11 of 33 | 5 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 21 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ramon Taveras | 39 of 108 | 36% | 30 of 94 | 8 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 33 of 100 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 24 of 58 | 41% | 23 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | |
| 3 | Ramon Taveras | 23 of 67 | 34% | 14 of 51 | 7 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 23 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 16 of 44 | 36% | 14 of 41 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sidey (-185), Taveras (+154)
Round 1
This odd rematch of a “TUF” bout marred by an early stoppage took another turn when Taveras missed weight badly on Friday, but they plan to settle their unfinished business, nonetheless. Third man in the cage, charged with making sure things don’t get any weirder, is referee Todd Anderson. Taveras is southpaw, Sidey orthodox to kick things off. Taveras switches stances freely, however, and there are several awkward clashes in space where neither man lands solidly. Sidey walks Taveras to the fence and clinches, looking perhaps for a takedown, but they disengage. Sidey catches Taveras with a short left hook, then a nice right hand. Taveras tags Sidey with a right outside leg kick and Sidey responds with a right hand that has him stumbling back off balance. Sidey throws a straight kick up the middle, backing Taveras up, and Taveras nails him with a left to the body that drops him to his seat. He pops right back up. Two minutes left and Sidey marches forward. Taveras lands another hard left to the body. Sidey is coming forward constantly, but Taveras’ stance switches and lateral movement are giving him trouble. Sidey lands a big low kick that spins Taveras halfway around. Taveras springs forward with a three-punch combo that has Sidey backing off. Taveras rocks Sidey badly with a sweeping left hand right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Taveras
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Taveras
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Taveras
Round 2
The two waste no time in getting back to work, and both men land hard shots in the opening seconds. Sidey changes levels for a takedown, and Taveras sprawls easily. Sidey marches down his foe and lands a big shot that sends him back to the fence. He tries to swarm with more punches, but Taveras is already recovered and sliding out the side. Taveras drops Sidey with a clean one-two. Sidey scrambles to his feet and backs away before Taveras can add more damage, but Sidey is suddenly a mess, blood all over his face and hair. His nose is smashed. Sidey nails Taveras with a right hand, but Taveras escapes the left. Sidey corrals Taveras against the fence with a kick and tags him with a body punch. Taveras escapes again. Sidey lands another body kick, then a punch upstairs that rings the American’s bell. Taveras careens back to the fence but recovers instantly. Taveras is using lateral movement to evade Sidey’s haymakers, as he throws everything into every shot. The horn sounds on a fantastic round of striking.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Round 3
It's still anyone’s fight, on our scorecards at least, and the fighters are fighting like it, as they once again get right to business. Sidey reaches out with the jab and right cross as Taveras looks to counter with hooks. Sidey throws a high kick that bounces off Taveras’ shoulder. Taveras comes back with a three-piece combination that lands cleanly. Taveras throws a crisp body kick to the open left side. Sidey fires off a head kick that just misses short. Sidey comes forward with a pair of punches and slips the delayed counter. Sidey once again backs Taveras up to the fence and once again lets him escape out the side. A hard jab from Taveras dislodges the mouthpiece of Sidey at the midpoint of the round. Sidey replaces his gear and lands a nice right body kick. Sidey backs Taveras into the fence and launches a flying knee that lands on the chin, though without too much force. Under a minute to go in the fight, and Sidey is still pressing forward, landing shots but never quite corralling the shorter man. The horn sounds on the best fight of the evening so far.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (29-28 Sidey)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (29-28 Sidey)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (29-28 Sidey)
The Official Result
Ramon Taveras def. Serhiy Sidey via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo picks Sidey based on his previous knockout win over Taveras, but is hesitant to bet due to both fighters being UFC debutants. He notes Sidey's leg exposure but doubts Taveras will exploit it. He advises against laying minus 180 and prefers to watch the fight.
Big Brady picks Taveras as a dog, citing his incredible power and hand speed for bantamweight. He notes Taveras has a high knockdown ratio and dropped his last opponent three times. He believes the first fight was stopped too early and that Taveras will flip the script with a first-round knockout. He questions Sidey's takedown game but expects a striking battle.
Cody picks Sidey, noting he already finished Taveras in their first fight. He questions Taveras's chin and durability, citing his loss to Edward Massey and fight with Charles Bennett. He believes Sidey's grappling and power will lead to another finish.
Daniel Vreeland picks Serhiy Sidey to win again, crediting his beautiful combination that dropped Taveras in their first fight. He notes Sidey's outside kicking game and defense, while Taveras is a violent brawler with power. He expects Sidey to be more confident and potentially finish again, but acknowledges Taveras's knockout power.
This fight is not discussed in the transcript. The host does not mention Taveras vs Sidey.
I'm taking Sidey again. He is the superior striker and as long as he can stay safe, he should be able to find Taveras's chin and get the knockout. In their first fight, Sidey landed a perfect counter and followed up with hammer strikes, though it was a quick stoppage. I expect him to run the same script and win by knockout.
Paul picks Sidey and has already bet under 1.5 rounds. He notes Taveras's aggressive style and questionable chin, and believes Sidey will finish him again. He sees the under as a pick'em and good value.
The MMA Guru picks the underdog Ramon Taveras, despite losing to Sidey on the Contender Series. He argues the TKO was premature and off-balance, and that Taveras looked better on the feet. He cites Taveras's move to Team Alpha Male, his superior boxing, and Sidey's potential lack of motivation. He predicts Taveras will win.
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks the underdog Cameron Smotherman, believing he can get inside Serhiy Sidey's range and win. He criticizes Sidey's reliance on height and notes that Smotherman looked good on short notice against Jake Hadley. He is not sure if he will bet on it but is confident in the pick.
Big Brady picks Serhiy Sidey, citing his length, rangy striking, body shots, toughness, and sneaky grappling. He notes that Smotherman has terrible takedown defense and questionable durability, having been knocked down by a jab and starched by Charalampos Grigoriou. Brady expects a back-and-forth war but trusts Sidey's durability and ability to mix it up. He predicts Sidey will knock out Smotherman in the third round.
Connor picks Sidey, citing his dynamic striking and ability to build rhythm under pressure. He notes that Sidey's wildness and reach advantage could disrupt Smotherman's methodical pressure. Connor points out that Smotherman's win over Hadley may have been more about Hadley's poor performance than Smotherman's excellence. He believes Sidey's unpredictability and volume will be too much for Smotherman to handle.
Sidey has a range and height advantage that will help him dictate the pace. He has been training at MMA Lab and should show improvements. I expect him to land more shots from distance and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Cameron Smotherman, noting his body work and forward pressure. He believes Serhiy Sidey slows down and covers up when pressured, and that Smotherman can take over in the later rounds. He predicts a 29-28 decision win for Smotherman, with momentum shifting in the second round.
Zane picks Smotherman, impressed by his improved combination punching and pressure against Jake Hadley. He believes Smotherman can replicate that performance by targeting Sidey's body and staying consistent. However, he worries that Sidey's wild, unpredictable style could throw Smotherman off his game. Zane acknowledges that Smotherman's previous wins came against opponents who offered little resistance, and Sidey is more dynamic.
Comments (3)
Tall fighter Sidney, gully td defence , small sub defence, small bit of heart , weaknesses tall man getting punched defence, weak on td,
Smother man tight solid off boxing game, head susceptible to strikes
They are going slapping the shit out of each other
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