Career Averages - Ricky Simón
Career Averages - Cameron Smotherman
Ricky Simón
Cameron Smotherman
Ricky Simón - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 0 | 44 of 139 | 31% | 52 of 149 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:06 |
| Adrian Yañez | 1 | 71 of 169 | 42% | 73 of 171 | 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 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 12 of 55 | 21% | 12 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 16 of 46 | 34% | 16 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 15 of 35 | 42% | 23 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:06 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 16 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 17 of 49 | 34% | 17 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Adrian Yañez | 1 | 40 of 94 | 42% | 41 of 95 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 44 of 139 | 31% | 33 of 121 | 7 of 13 | 4 of 5 | 38 of 132 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Adrian Yañez | 71 of 169 | 42% | 63 of 159 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 67 of 156 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 13 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 12 of 55 | 21% | 9 of 48 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 16 of 46 | 34% | 15 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 15 of 35 | 42% | 13 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Adrian Yañez | 15 of 29 | 51% | 13 of 26 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 17 of 49 | 34% | 11 of 42 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 40 of 94 | 42% | 35 of 88 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 36 of 81 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 13 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Simon (-145); Yanez (+120)
Round 1
It has been somewhat rough sledding for these two bantamweights on deck, as they have combined for three victories across their last eight appearances. Simon (22-7, 10-6 UFC) has fared the slightly better of the two, winner of two of his last three but coming off a decision defeat to the resurgent Raoni Barcelos. Texas-based foe Yanez (17-6, 6-3 UFC) has only gotten his hand raised once in his last four encounters, and this will his first walk to the cage since the end of 2024. Referee Blake Grice draws the charge for this second matchup of the evening, stepping back as the athletes rush towards one another without a glove touch in sight.
They peel back right before engaging, with Simon ducking and dipping to throw Yanez off his game early. Yanez lands a low kick first, and he defends against the overhand right coming back at him. Simon digs a kick to the stomach, and he is chased back by the Texan’s punches. Simon inches his way forward, stutter-stepping and using awkward movement. Yanez’ boxing is crisp so far, as he catches Simon with a slick uppercut and a few more punches before Simon can get his bearings. Simon flicks out a jab, attacks a low kick and fakes a takedown. Yanez is well out of the way before anything comes together, and he has his guard up to defend a head kick flying at him. Yanez doubles up on a jab, and he tosses Simon out of the way when Simon closes in to grapple.
Simon whiffs with a head kick and a spinning back fist, with Yanez pecking at him with his jab to fluster him just enough. Yanez goes upstairs with three punches, and he shoulder-rolls the return fire. Yanez stands tall with a hard right hand that catches Simon flush, and Simon has to blink it out before plodding forward again. They fire off jabs at one another, and Simon rushes forward with a knee but Yanez dodges it and wags his finger. Both fighters go with double jabs, and Yanez rings him up with a right hand over the top. He ducks down into a head kick to take some of the oomph out of it, blocking it and surging forward with two lunging punches. The two trade fierce hands, with Simon surprising his opponent with a hard right hand that makes Yanez backpedal. Simon times a solid uppercut, ending the round swinging for the bleachers.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Round 2
The bantamweights hurry towards one another to start off the round, where they quickly trade hands to reintroduce themselves to one another. Simon splits the guard with a front kick, and Yanez parries the punches that come after it. Yanez cannot get out of the way of a right hand, so he stands firm and slings back a heavy right. Moving just enough to dodge the worst of what is aimed at him, Yanez lets his hands go and catches Simon cleanly. Simon tanks them all and switches stances to author up a high kick, and it skims the shoulder. Simon sets up and bull-rushes his way forward to complete a takedown, putting the Texan flat on his back with Yanez closing his guard. Simon drives down two hard elbows to make Yanez think twice about keeping him in the guard, so Yanez scrambles wildly to get back to his feet and lean against the cage. Simon wraps his arms around Yanez’ waist, and he knees Yanez in the face as Yanez’ fingers are hooked in the fence. Simon lifts Yanez’ leg up to dump him to the mat, and Yanez appears discouraged.
Simon jams him to the body with a knee, and Yanez hurries his way back upright. Simon keeps kneeing when he finds a modicum of space, and he switches up to uppercut Yanez several times with his left hand. Simon sells out for a takedown, dropping down to his knees in a high-intensity effort. Yanez maintains his balance thanks in part to the cage behind him, but it wavers a bit when Simon tags him with a mean elbow on the break. Yanez backs away to reestablish his jab, and he doubles up on it to catch Simon with a right hand. Yanez mixes his jab up to aim to the body a few times, and he clubs Simon on the sides of the dome with his fists. Simon returns fire with a head kick that is blocked, and he leaps forward with a knee only to be met with a powerful right hand that freezes him. Yanez counters a lazy right hand with a speedy one-two, and he takes a power jab that backs him off. Simon fakes for a takedown, and the close round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Round 3
Yanez races out of his corner, fired up by coach Sayif Saud, and he quickly puts hands on his opponent. Yanez goes to the lead leg with a kick that opens up two punches up top, with his speed the difference-maker. The Texan connects with a powerful right hand down the middle, and he strings two more behind it while Simon is thinking about the previous blow. Simon throws back, but the volume is slowly shifting in favor of Yanez. While he lands a pair of punches, Simon blasts his foe in the cheek with a huge left hand. Yanez is stunned but still has the wherewithal to fire back, busting open a cut on the corner of Simon’s left eye that starts pouring blood. Simon wipes his eye a few times after taking jabs to the wound, with the crimson mask turning into a bullseye that Yanez targets with impunity.
Simon loads up on power, catching Yanez again but not stopping him for long. He attempts a flying knee, and Yanez slides to the side and starts chattering to Simon. The crowd is on Simon’s side, who walks into a huge right hand and is in a bad, bad way. Yanez cuts Simon off but does not go for broke or open himself up for a counter, measuring his shots and connecting flush on his foe. Simon is not about to go quietly into this good night, and he loads up and cracks Yanez again. Yanez is quick to reply with three crisp punches, and he wipes his hands off and staves off a takedown shot. Simon proves out with a power jab, and Yanez further bloodies him up with his own offerings. The two are going tit-for-tat with strong offense this far into the match, both having been caught cleanly and still hellbent for leather. Yanez clips Simon with a right hand at the end of a short combo, and he leans back as a huge right hand soars past him. Yanez rocks Simon with a massive right hand, and Simon drops to his knees barely still with it. Simon sways and keeps his hands up while on his knees, and Yanez tries to finish the job with a mighty flurry of fiery fists. Grice watches on but does not intervene, and Simon’s face swells up like a balloon from the onslaught of punches. The buzzer sounds, Grice shoves Yanez off of Simon, and Simon stands but is out on his feet looking to hug his likely victorious opponent and stay on his feet. Cutwoman Swayze Valentine tends to the many wounds that have appeared on Simon’s face, and he has to hang onto her shoulders so he does not fall over. What a fight that turned out to be.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yanez (30-27 Yanez)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yanez (30-27 Yanez)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yanez (30-27 Yanez)
The Official Result
Adrian Yanez vs. Ricky Simon is Ruled a Majority Draw (28-29, 28-28, 28-28)
Angelo picks Ricky Simon because he believes Simon's relentless pressure and wrestling will negate Yanez's technical striking. He notes that Simon's takedown defense was exposed against Honey Balcelos, but Balcelos is a high-level wrestler, while Yanez has no offensive takedowns. Angelo also mentions the hometown advantage and the possibility of a close decision, but expects Simon's wrestling to be effective enough to secure the win.
Big Brady picks Ricky Simón to win by decision, but he is hesitant. He notes that Simón has been on a three-fight losing streak and his cardio and wrestling have declined. However, he believes Simón's wrestling upside is key, as Adrian Yañez has not faced a wrestler in the UFC. Simón is the hometown fighter, and Brady thinks he can mix in takedowns, cage push, and win minutes in the clinch to secure a decision.
Cody picks Yanez, believing his striking and takedown defense will be enough to win rounds. He's concerned about Simon's hometown advantage but thinks Yanez lands the more significant shots.
Connor picks Yañez, thinking that Simón doesn't want to win just by holding someone down and will engage in the pocket, where Yañez can catch him. He notes that Simón is square and takes his eyes off the target, and Yañez has power.
Daniel believes Yanez's boxing and takedown defense will be too much for Simon, who he thinks is past his best. He cites sources saying Yanez is sharp again and likes the underdog value.
The host picks Simón despite his poor fight IQ and tendency to strike instead of wrestle. He argues that Simón's wrestling is his path to victory, and Yanez's takedown defense is inflated because he has only faced strikers. Footage from Yanez's fight against Daniel Marcos shows he can be taken down and held down easily. However, the host warns that Simón may not commit to grappling, making this a risky bet.
The host sees Yañez as the better striker with good takedown defense and getups, allowing him to keep the fight standing. He believes Yañez's striking edge and reach advantage will allow him to piece up Simón, and he even suggests Yañez might score a knockout. He notes Simón's reliance on power and wrestling, but thinks Yañez can avoid the big shots and find a finish.
Paul leans Simon, citing his wrestling and hometown crowd. He thinks Simon's control time could sway judges, especially with the Seattle crowd.
The MMA Guru picks Ricky Simón, noting his improved demeanor and grappling ability. He believes Simón is well-rounded enough to grapple his way to a decision victory. He criticizes Adrian Yañez's recent performances, pointing out losses to Rob Font and Daniel Marcos, and suggests Yañez struggles against capable opponents. He expects Simón to mix in grappling and land good shots on the feet.
Zane picks Simón for the wrestling, noting that Simón has shown more interest in keeping people down recently. He is hesitant because Yañez has good defensive wrestling and is a higher output fighter, but he thinks Simón's wrestling will be the difference in a close fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 0 | 67 of 181 | 37% | 77 of 191 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:25 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 82 of 187 | 43% | 86 of 194 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 24 of 52 | 46% | 34 of 62 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:45 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 19 of 39 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 16 of 47 | 34% | 16 of 47 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 32 of 71 | 45% | 33 of 72 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 27 of 82 | 32% | 27 of 82 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 34 of 83 | 40% | 34 of 83 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 67 of 181 | 37% | 57 of 165 | 9 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 58 of 170 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 7 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 82 of 187 | 43% | 53 of 150 | 19 of 24 | 10 of 13 | 80 of 184 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 24 of 52 | 46% | 20 of 46 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 7 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 16 of 33 | 48% | 9 of 26 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 16 of 47 | 34% | 13 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 32 of 71 | 45% | 21 of 57 | 8 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 32 of 71 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 27 of 82 | 32% | 24 of 75 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 27 of 82 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 34 of 83 | 40% | 23 of 67 | 8 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 33 of 82 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Simon (-160); Barcelos (+130)
Round 1
Sticking to the bantamweight division but flipping over to men, a pair of relative elder statesmen in the promotion come to blows with hopes of pushing their unlikely win streaks one step forward. Some six and a half years after getting wasted by Urijah Faber and totally written off, Simon (22-6, 10-5 UFC) has gone on a pair of respectable runs since then. The same can be said for 38-year-old Barcelos (20-5, 9-4 UFC), who once had a rough patch where he dropped four of five. Someone’s fortuitous stretch is about to crash into the proverbial wall, and referee Keith Peterson will follow the athletes every step of the nonsense-free way. Fists are bumped before they are traded.
Simon sprints to the center of the cage and looses a head kick that goes wide. He pushes out a front kick, and Barcelos whizzes past him with a fireball of a right hand. Barcelos jabs the body and allows Simon to leap at him, staying out of range so there is no strike to come from it. Simon sticks the Brazilian and moves, and Barcelos strides forward and is belted with an uppercut. Barcelos takes it well, and the two consider grappling but bail on it to brawl it out. Both men are putting everything into their swings, and Barcelos clips Simon and then shoots in for a double. Simon scrambles wildly and flips Barcelos over, where he starts smacking Barcelos around with high-arcing hammerfists.
Simon lashes out with elbows while Barcelos keeps him contained with butterfly hooks, and both men trade while in a horizontal position until Barcelos kicks off to stand up. Simon reaches him at the end of a right hand, and Barcelos wings on the overhand right counter. Simon dings the Brazilian with a one-two, and his jab is money. Barcelos smashes Simon in the face with a ruthless right hand, and somehow Simon not only sticks with it but returns fire with an uppercut that nearly lifts his man off the ground. Both men are no worse for wear from the mighty exchange, and Simon tries to sneak in a head kick that is blocked in time. Barcelos opens up upstairs with a pair of punches, and Simon backs him off with jabs. Barcelos tries to take the fight down, and he abandons it to slash out with an elbow up top. A final Simon takedown is blocked to end what was a close, tense round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Round 2
Barcelos starts off the round with a double jab and a right hand up top. Simon swings back with a huge overhand right, and Barcelos ducks it and plants a right on the jaw. Barcelos times a thumping calf kick and overswings on a right hand while chasing the man, and Simon knees him in the jaw. Barcelos digs a left to the body, and Simon’s quick kick and right hand greet him in rapid succession. Barcelos scrapes the side of his uppercut off the head, and he drops down for a low single and hurls Simon to a knee. Simon scrambles out of reach and gets back to his feet, only for Barcelos to ring his bell with a crisp uppercut and a power right hand. Barcelos crashes into his foe with a leaping uppercut, and Simon tries to time a double when he lands. Simon pushes Barcelos up against the wire, but the sprawl of Barcelos prevents the Washington native from going anywhere. Barcelos escapes with little more than a knee to the belly, and he allows Simon to circle all the way around him so he can find his angle in. Simon lands first with a right, but Barcelos connects last and the heavier of the two.
Barcelos goes to the body and then head, and he scoops Simon up and deposits him gingerly on the canvas. Simon jumps right back up, and Barcelos does not mind as he can trade hands with his foe. Simon scores an uppercut, and Barcelos reaches him with three punches over the guard. A naked leg kick from Simon is met with a two-punch salvo, and Barcelos rips a right to the body to punctuate the combo. Simon counters a low kick with a right hand, and Barcelos stands firm and jacks him in the jaw with a right hand and an uppercut. Simon dances and keeps Barcelos guessing with awkward movement, entries and exits that rely on speed and potshots with evasive movement. They both shoot at the same time and clash heads like bulls, and proceed to trade punches and kicks to end what is another tight round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos
Round 3
The final round opens with the Brazilian pushing the pace. He watches Simon attack and sways to dodge everything but an uppercut, and he storms back to nail Simon with a one-two that forces a takedown shot. Barcelos sits down on a right hand, Simon replies, and Barcelos comes over the top. Barcelos leaps in and lands a right after Simon’s strike connects on him, and Simon’s jab has bloodied the bridge of the Brazilian’s beak. Barcelos rubs his nose and busts Simon in the chops with a stiff right hand. Simon’s one-two also scores, but Barcelos still has the power edge and is putting more strikes together.
Both men go back and forth with their offensive offerings, with Simon just missing an uppercut when Barcelos ducked down. Barcelos jams a knee to the body, and he plants his shin on the side of Simon’s lead leg. Barcelos drops down for a snatch single, and he releases it and busts open Simon’s nose with power punches. Barcelos follows a punch with a high kick, and then goes back to a one-two. Simon’s stabbing jab is effective, as is his overhand right and uppercut to follow, but Barcelos stuns him when landing flush. Barcelos’ rights have Simon’s attention, and Simon tries to walk him down to attack the liver but finds himself in a slugfest. Barcelos goes after a double and bails on it to come back with an elbow, and knees fly from both men effectively after. Simon steps in with a sharp elbow, and both fighters unload their gas tanks and swing for the bleachers. Simon takes a kick in the face and screams for Barcelos to keep engaging, and they bang it out to the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-27 Barcelos)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Barcelos)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (30-27 Barcelos)
The Official Result
Raoni Barcelos def. Ricky Simon via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Ricky Simon because of his non-stop wrestling pace and power in his hands. He believes even if Raoni Barcelos has early takedown defense, Simon's relentless pressure will eventually get takedowns. He notes that Barcelos is aging and that wrestlers are not spectacular off their backs.
Big Brady struggles with this pick, noting Simón has looked awful in recent fights and may be slowing down due to accumulated damage. He thinks Barcelos has better striking and both have questionable chins. He leans with the 38-year-old Barcelos to win by decision, but admits it's a sketchy pick.
Cody picks Barcelos, citing his takedown defense, BJJ black belt, and superior boxing volume. He thinks Simón's wrestling will be neutralized and Barcelos will outwork him over three rounds.
Lucrative James is confident in Ricky Simón, going against the market. He believes Simón's wrestling and cardio advantage will be key, as Barcelos ages and has shown a deteriorating chin and gas tank. He expects Simón to mix takedowns and land big overhands, possibly finishing Barcelos. He also notes Barcelos has been hurt in recent fights.
The host acknowledges Barcelos is the better striker on paper, but believes Simón's wrestling, athleticism, speed, and power will be decisive. He expects Simón to find a big shot and knock Barcelos out.
Paul sees it as a 50/50 fight but likes Barcelos at plus money. He thinks if Simón can't get takedowns, Barcelos's striking and experience will carry him.
The Guru picks Ricky Simón to win by first-round TKO. He believes Simón's well-rounded game and explosiveness will overwhelm the aging Barcelos, who relies on exploiting specific weaknesses. He notes Simón has no glaring holes in his grappling or pressure defense, unlike Barcelos's previous opponents.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 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 Simón | 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 Simón | 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 Simón | 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 Simón | 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 Simón | 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 Simón | 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 Simón | 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)
Connor is confident in Simón, believing his confidence is restored after a recent knockout win. He notes that Simón is a busy, multi-level fighter with good wrestling and striking, while Smotherman is not at this level and will give away initiative. Connor thinks Simón's speed and aggression will overwhelm Smotherman, who struggled against rangy fighters.
The Guru picks Ricky Simón, noting he is 'barely a favorite' and sees value. He highlights Simón'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 Simón's fundamentals and grappling options.
Zane agrees that Simón is too good across the board. He notes that Smotherman is a good athlete but lacks initiative and will be stuck in place against Simón's pressure. Zane points out that Simón's wrestling and striking are superior, and that Smotherman's recent loss showed his limitations. He calls it a terrible fight for Smotherman on short notice.
Angelo picks Ricky Simón because of his relentless wrestling and cardio. He believes Charles does not have good enough takedown defense to stop multiple shots. He notes that Ricky's losses are to top competition and he is consistent.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 1 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 18 of 29 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 21 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 1 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 18 of 29 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Javid Basharat | 0 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 21 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 11 of 21 | 52% | 9 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Javid Basharat | 20 of 36 | 55% | 12 of 27 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 20 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 11 of 21 | 52% | 9 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Javid Basharat | 20 of 36 | 55% | 12 of 27 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 20 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Javid Basharat but is hesitant because of Javid's frustratingly passive performance in his last fight. He acknowledges Ricky Simón's relentless wrestling pressure and cardio could sway judges if Javid is too patient. He trusts Javid's takedown defense and superior striking, but admits it's hard to be confident given Javid's tendency to stare.
Big Brady picks Javid Basharat despite not loving the -300 price tag. He notes that Ricky Simón looks washed at only 32, with poor recent performances against Vinicius Oliveira, Mario Bautista, and Song Yadong. He believes Simón needs to wrestle for 15 minutes but doubts he can take down or hold down Basharat. He predicts Basharat wins by decision.
The host notes Simón is on a three-fight losing streak and faces a tough opponent in Basharat, who has stellar takedown defense and superior striking. He expects Basharat to pick Simón apart from distance and win on the scorecards.
The Guru feels Ricky Simón has lost his mojo, citing recent losses where he was walked down. He believes Basharat is at a level similar to Victor Henry and will outpoint Simón in a striking fight. He doesn't see Simón overpowering Basharat in grappling or striking, predicting a decision win for Basharat.
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Simon (-218), Oliveira (+180)
Round 1
At long last, UFC 303 is upon us, but not how many would have hoped. In the weeks prior to the event, the final three bouts on the lineup transformed dramatically. Before we get to those, there will be 10 other matchups pleasing fight fans throughout the billing, with some fascinating stylistic clashes and others that promise immediate violence. We start off in the bantamweight division, where perennial contender Simon (20-5, 8-4 UFC) looks to get back in the win column after a rare skid. He faces high-flying Brazilian Oliveira (20-3, 1-0 UFC), who has seen 19 of his 23 pro outings end by knockout, win or lose. Referee Mark Smith is on call for the first fight of the night, geared up for what could be something wild. There is no fist bump to get things going, perhaps in part to the fiery weigh-ins the night before. The two feint and fake at one another in the opening 20 seconds, and Oliveira lunges for a few strikes but misses the mark. Oliveira prods out a front kick to the midsection and skirts away, his hands low as he aims a low calf kick. Simon reaches him with two punches up top, and Oliveira slips away from the rest. The Brazilian misses the mark with a jumping front kick, but his leg kick that follows does connect. Simon rushes him to get off a few punches before evading the counter. Oliveira uses his front kick as a jab, and he follows one with a rifling one-two down the middle. Oliveira switches stances regularly, keeping Simon guessing and flicking out a sharp left and a heavy right. Simon keeps his guard up to defend the worst of the blows, and he slams a low kick on the rear shin before crashing the pocket to sling “Lok Dog” to the canvas. Oliveira jumps right back up and stabs out a right hand that gets Simon’s attention, and Simon tags him with a counter that makes Oliveira drop his hands and march forward like a Terminator. Oliveira lets Simon have it with a number of unanswered leg kicks, and he whiffs on a head kick. Simon gets off a right hand, and Oliveira jabs him back. Oliveira walks through jabs, taking one on the nose and shrugging his shoulders before loosing a head kick that pounds into the guard. Oliveira gets off another head kick that nails the guard, and Simon dips down and lands a body shot that skips off the cup. Oliveira signals to Smith that he is fine, and he gets back to a stalking mode where his hands are low and he is swinging hard. Simon rushes at him to tie him up, but Oliveira wants nothing to do with it. Simon times a right hand as Oliveira ducks, and Oliveira shakes it off and tosses out two kicks. Simon snaps the head back as a gob of saliva launches from the mouth of “Lok Dog,” and they trade hands until the horn sounds.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Round 2
Oliveira marches out of his corner, shouting something at Simon to get started. Oliveira’s hands low, he engages in a brief slugfest, and a left hand from Simon smashes into his ear and breaks open the cauliflower, resulting in a trickle of blood streaming down his neck. Oliveira laughs off anything Simon throws at him and lobs back hooks, and the two end up in the clinch until “Lok Dog” wants to push off and swing hands. Simon shoots through the hips with a solid double-leg takedown entry, and he lands on top comfortably. Oliveira keeps moving, and he scrambles back to his feet without issue. Simon ducks a punch and lifts Oliveira off the ground to slam him down to a knee, and when Oliveira tries to recover, Simon looks to take his back standing. Simon lets loose with a sharp elbow from a close proximity, and Oliveira pushes off and takes a deep breath. The punches from the Brazilian are labored less than two minutes into the second round, although his leg kicks do keep landing. Oliveira is frustrated about a warning to close his fingers, and he snaps out a jab that draws a frown from the Washington native. Simon looks for his own jab, all while trying to meander around the unorthodox looping punches from “Lok Dog.” Oliveira goes all power, and Simon blocks the strikes and drives him back with a few straight punches and a body shot. Simon attempts a takedown, and Oliveira stonewalls him and pursues a spinning wheel kick that Simon evades. Oliveira chains several strikes together including a few leg kicks, and he stumbles and returns to his feet to keep attacking. A few punches from Oliveira get through to shake up Simon, who escapes out the side and whips a head kick at the Brazilian’s melon. Oliveira takes it without issue and swings back with bad intentions, and he defends a takedown shot and uses rangy strikes to get to Simon. As Oliveira lazily tosses out calf kicks, Simon checks a few, and Oliveira staggers back, compromised from the defense. Simon rushes at him, letting his hands go. The two trade leather until the bell rings, and Simon barks at his opponent. Oliveira does not know what to do when hearing this, and he punches Simon in the face well after the round ended. Smith drags him to the corner while shouting at him, and cooler heads prevail to get to the third round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Round 3
Physicians come in to assess the damage of Oliveira’s leg, and he is cleared to continue. Oliveira rushes out of his corner once more, but this time, Simon meets him in the middle to trade with him. Simon ducks the punch and lets go with a kick, and he engages in a back-and-forth session of strikes with him coming out slightly better. Simon pushes Oliveira back, and he checks a kick as Oliveira shakes his head uncomfortably. Simon leads off with punches, and Oliveira pushes off and a finger jabs into Simon’s eye. Oliveira shakes his finger as if to say it was from a punch, and Smith does not call anything. Simon fails on one takedown attempt, and his second is much deeper but he is spun around on the fence. Oliveira breaks free and jabs out with a front kick, circling to the left and switching stances regularly. Oliveira sticks out several jabs in an effort to launch a big right hand to follow, and he jabs the body and starts showboating and raising his hands to signal for Simon to fight him. Oliveira blocks a head kick and gives him one back, and he motions to Simon that his was much more effective. Oliveira walks Simon down, backing off only to block the offense his way, and he loops a left hand over the top. When Oliveira lets go with two punches, Simon shoots in for a double, and “Lok Dog” shuts it down and strings a number of punches and a kick together. Simon cannot reach his man, and Oliveira tags him back and raises his arms in the air to celebrate. Oliveira lands a few shots and looks over to his corner in a Max Holloway-esque display, and he decides to change things up and take Simon down. Oliveira backs off to stand back up, and he uses several unusual strikes including a kick behind his other leg to mess with Simon. Oliveira lands a head kick right at the bell, and the two stop fighting and hug it out to squash any beef that may have developed between them.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (30-27 Oliveira)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (30-27 Oliveira)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (30-27 Oliveira)
The Official Result
Vinicius Oliveira def. Ricky Simon via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Simon (-175), Bautista (+145)
Round 1
A spot in the top 15 at bantamweight is on the line for this “featured fight of the night.” Simon (20-4, 8-3 UFC) lost in his last fight in a main event, and Bautista (13-2, 7-2 UFC) has rattled off five straight in the Octagon. The two speedy fighters will be overseen by referee Mark Smith, and they race towards one another without a glove touch in sight. As Bautista starts off with leg kicks, Simon opts to jump over one. Bautista continues spamming kicks, and one glances off the cup. Simon shakes it and signals to Smith he does not need a break. Bautista changes his trajectory and aims a kick at the head, and Simon cannot find his distance with Bautista kicking again and again. Simon times one advancing movement of his foe with a big left hand, and he clips Bautista with a right hand when Bautista does not get away in time. Bautista lances the guard with two punches, and he connects with a flying knee as well but he is the one that hits the ground. Bautista jumps back to his feet before Simon can climb on top of him, and he leaps at Simon with a knee. Simon catches him in the air and tackles him to the canvas, where he lands on top of his man and quickly gets to half guard. Simon skitters over to the side, and he threatens with a guillotine choke before Bautista scrambles back to his feet. Bautista escapes the choke and scores two big punches on the way up and out. Simon chambers and fires a pair of heavier low kicks, and he walks through a step-in knee so he can take Bautista down. Bautista fights off one attempt, and he gets away and prepares a knee when Simon comes at him. Simon takes it like a champ and keeps plowing forward, and he succeeds in pushing Bautista against the wall. Bautista fights his way out of the tie-up and chases Simon down, working on the lead leg of his opponent and sticking out a few jabs. Bautista unloads with a right hand after a jab, and he falls forward to his face. Simon lets him up so he can slug it out with him, and Bautista responds with two jabs and a body shot. Bautista aims a kick to the ribs, and he follows it with two more. Bautista rushes after his foe with a jump knee, and he gets cracked with a left hand and falls over. Bautista scrambles wildly and fights off a back take to get back upright, and Simon gives chase until the wild round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bautista
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bautista
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bautista
Round 2
The round kicks off with several kicks for Bautista, who spins his way into a wheel kick that misses by a matter of inches. Both fighters swing with major power and do not find their home, and Simon opens up with a combination only to get countered and driven back. Simon kicks low and gets checked, and Bautista strings together five punches and keeps the pace up. Simon chambers but does not release his strikes until unloading with a left to the body, and Bautista’s volume triples him up. Bautista swings so hard with a right and a left hook that he almost goes down, and he catches himself in the process. Simon scores a right and shoots in for a double, pushing Bautista back to the wire but halted from lifting Bautista up in the air. Bautista escapes the position and chains a number of punches together before Simon can get him back. Bautista connects with a crisp elbow, and Simon gets stunned and winds up to throw back but learns that Bautista is out of the way. Bautista rips a few shots to the body that land with thumps, and Simon looks for a straight right hand. Bautista retaliates with his own straight right, and Simon sneaks forward and catches him with a knee. Simon pushes out a right hand, and Bautista belts him in the body with a powerful liver kick. Bautista drives a knee to the solar plexus and takes a left hand that bloodies his nose, and he looks for an uppercut. Simon jabs and digs a right to the body, and Bautista counters him with multiple powerful blows. Simon shakes off the cobwebs and shoots for a double, and Bautista shuts him down and pushes off. Bautista lands at the end of a right hand, and Simon gets backed off by subsequent jabs and a knee that bounces off his guard. Bautista reaches out with a right, and Simon responds with a takedown. Bautista stops it, dodges a right hand and sticks out a front kick that smacks Simon in the face right before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bautista
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bautista
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bautista
Round 3
The bantamweights are ready and rearing to go to start off the final frame, and they proceed to open up with flurries of punches. The heavy shots from Simon continue to bloody the nose of his opponent, but Bautista is accurate and putting up decent numbers. Bautista ducks under a big punch and goes after his own takedown, but Simon turns the tables and lifts him up in the air. In true Matt Hughes fashion, Simon carries Bautista from one side of the cage to the other, and he slams Bautista down on his elbow. Simon lowers himself down in half guard to squeeze with an arm-triangle choke, but Bautista’s leg fighting drags him back to guard. The two scramble madly until Bautista escapes well enough to wall-walk, and he is back up in the blink of an eye. Simon slips a punch and scores a left, and Bautista steps in with a knee that is just short. Bautista does not allow Simon to take a break, but Simon is ready and willing to trade furious. Simon continues to pursue takedowns, and Bautista fights them off and backs Simon up against the cage. Bautista dings Simon with straight punches, more content to touch than load up on anything of merit. Bautista boots Simon in the guts with a kick, and he chains punches together with cardio not an issue at all. Bautista plinks Simon with accurate punches, and Simon desperately goes for a takedown as his gas tank appears to be fading. Bautista stands him up and busts him up with a continuously flood of fists. Simon is tough and still looking for takedowns, but Bautista is a stone wall at this point and ready to throw hands. Simon gets stood up again and tries for a jump knee, and Bautista pursues a takedown to conclude the fight. He does not get it before the bell, ending one heck of a scrap.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bautista (30-27 Bautista)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bautista (30-27 Bautista)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bautista (30-27 Bautista)
The Official Result
Mario Bautista def. Ricky Simon via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Simon (-115), Song (-105)
Round 1
This bantamweight clash was supposed to be a co-main event one week ago before UFC Fight Night 223 lost its originally scheduled headliner. Now Song and Simon get two extra rounds with which to work. Herb Dean gets the final officiating assignment of the night. Simon tests the waters with a high kick and front kick. Song defends without issue. Simon lands a leg kick as both fighters remain patient. Song sidesteps a takedown and lands a leg kick. Song steps in with a knee and misses a right hand. Song blocks a body kick and then lands a hard one of his own. Song catches a kick and Simon spins out of it. A 1-2 connects for Simon and Song responds with a leg kick. Simon doubles up on his jab and follows with a right. They clinch against the fence and battle for position before Simon shakes his foe off. Simon lands a clubbing right. A leg kick connects for Simon and Song smiles. A left lands for Song and then Simon can’t finish a takedown. Song avoids a level change and fires off punches as Simon moves out of danger. Another three-punch combo lands for Simon and Song answers with a leg kick. Simon sticks a jab before the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Round 2
Song opens with a front kick to the midsection. He follows up with a leg kick and Simon backs him up with a combination. Simon lands another jab. Another jab for Simon gets through. Song backs up Simon with a powerful combination and Simon briefly falls to the canvas after a clash of heads. He quickly transitions to a double leg takedown, giving him time to recover. Song is able to scramble up in a hurry. Simon sticks his jab and Song responds with a hard right to the body. Song with a push kick down the middle and Simon circles away. A clean left hook catches Simon. Another hard left lands for Song, who seems to have found his timing. Simon backs up his foe with multiple jabs. Song pressures and swings heavy leather. Simon continues to work his jab, but Song is undeterred. Song lands a leg kick. Simon evades some jabs but Song lands a left to the liver. Simon eats a right but gets a takedown in the waning moments of the round. He unloads with a flurry of hammerfists from above while Song attacks from his back in a frantic final exchange.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Song
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Song
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Song
Round 3
Song kicks the lead leg and avoids a hook. Simon shoots for a takedown but Song stuffs it and they’re back at distance. Song tries to land another body shot during an exchange but it lands below the belt, and time is called. Simon needs less than a minute to recover and the fight resumes. Simon just dodges a head kick but Song does connect with a leg kick. Song with two more leg kicks. Simon jabs and follows with a takedown but Song easily evades it. Song misses a pair of high kicks but he digs a left hook to the body moments later. A right lands clean for Song. A left from Song puts Simon on wobbly legs, and he circles away. A right to the body finds a home for Simon. Song pressures with punches and Simon circles away. A right uppercut lands to the body for Song. Song misses a high kick followed by a spinning back fist. The round concludes with Song being warned by Dean for leading with his head.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Song
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Song
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Song
Round 4
Simon fires off a combination but Song dodges it. Song lands a leg kick. Simon hits a low kick of his own. Simon attempts a flying knee but Song shoves him back. Song then puts together a nice combination, landing to the body and head. Song sticks a jab then sprawls on a takedown. Simon resets and tries again, but yet again Song denies it. Song moves in with a left hook to the head, and Simon circles away. Song backs up Simon with a combination and then digs a hook to the body. Simon fires off a right hand and then a pair of leg kicks. Another right for Song. Song again lands a combination, but Simon answers with a jab. Song has a low kick checked. Simon moves forward behind his jab and Song answers with a body kick. Simon thinks about a takedown but Song is wise to it. Song with a right hook. Simon moves in with a straight left. Another jab lands for Simon. Song doubles up on his jab and follows with a right hand. Son lands a leg kick and sits Simon down with a left hand right at the horn. Song dives into top position as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Song
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Song
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Song
Round 5
Simon will likely need something big to get the win. Simon jabs forward. Song lands a left hook to the body. A nicely timed overhand right stops Simon in his tracks. Shortly thereafter,
Song drops Simon with a left hook during an exchange. Song pounces on his reeling foe, unloading with heavy punches. Simon tries to scramble out of danger, but the barrage continues and he falls back to the canvas, still absorbing damage.
Finally, Dean has seen enough and steps in to wave off the bout.
The Official Result
Yadong Song def. Ricky Simon via TKO (Punches) R5 1:10
Connor is impressed with Simón's rapid improvement, especially his boxing and wrestling integration since the Rob Font loss. He notes Simón's flexibility, ability to counter off the back foot, and scrambling prowess. However, he acknowledges Song's power and chin, and the risk of a knockout. He ultimately favors Simón due to Song's stagnation and Simón's adaptability.
Zane agrees with Connor, citing Simón's improvement and Song's plateau. He highlights Simón's wrestling threat and pace, and Song's tendency to throw everything hard and get tracked down. He notes Song's potential to knock Simón out but leans on Simón's recent performances and adaptability.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Connor picks Asakura, emphasizing that Smotherman cannot control the pace and has no takedown game. Asakura's speed and power will be overwhelming, and Smotherman's defensive flaws will leave him vulnerable. Connor notes that Asakura is essentially a high-level kickboxer and should be matched with other borderline elite talents, not a struggling bantamweight like Smotherman.
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 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 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 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.
Zane picks Asakura, noting that Smotherman has zero takedown average and no wrestling game, while Asakura is a fast, powerful striker who can knock out anyone who stands with him. He acknowledges Asakura's grappling deficiencies but points out that Smotherman doesn't have the skills to exploit them. Zane also mentions that Smotherman has two first-round KO losses, which bodes well for Asakura's one-shot power.
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 Simón | 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 Simón | 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 Simón | 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 Simón | 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 Simón | 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 Simón | 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 Simón | 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 Simón | 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)
Connor is confident in Simón, believing his confidence is restored after a recent knockout win. He notes that Simón is a busy, multi-level fighter with good wrestling and striking, while Smotherman is not at this level and will give away initiative. Connor thinks Simón's speed and aggression will overwhelm Smotherman, who struggled against rangy fighters.
The Guru picks Ricky Simón, noting he is 'barely a favorite' and sees value. He highlights Simón'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 Simón's fundamentals and grappling options.
Zane agrees that Simón is too good across the board. He notes that Smotherman is a good athlete but lacks initiative and will be stuck in place against Simón's pressure. Zane points out that Simón's wrestling and striking are superior, and that Smotherman's recent loss showed his limitations. He calls it a terrible fight for Smotherman on short notice.
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.
Expert Picks (3)
Connor is confident in Simón, believing his confidence is restored after a recent knockout win. He notes that Simón is a busy, multi-level fighter with good wrestling and striking, while Smotherman is not at this level and will give away initiative. Connor thinks Simón's speed and aggression will overwhelm Smotherman, who struggled against rangy fighters.
The Guru picks Ricky Simón, noting he is 'barely a favorite' and sees value. He highlights Simón'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 Simón's fundamentals and grappling options.
Zane agrees that Simón is too good across the board. He notes that Smotherman is a good athlete but lacks initiative and will be stuck in place against Simón's pressure. Zane points out that Simón's wrestling and striking are superior, and that Smotherman's recent loss showed his limitations. He calls it a terrible fight for Smotherman on short notice.
Comments (1)
Cameron has excellant cardio, dude recovers almost immediately between rounds. Grand performance from Simon
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