Career Averages - Hamdy Abdelwahab
Career Averages - Mohammed Usman
Hamdy Abdelwahab
Mohammed Usman
Hamdy Abdelwahab - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 99 of 139 | 71% | 170 of 221 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 0 | 0 | 10:48 |
| Chris Barnett | 0 | 18 of 35 | 51% | 28 of 46 | 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 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 41 of 58 | 70% | 47 of 64 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:03 |
| Chris Barnett | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 27 of 44 | 61% | 60 of 87 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:13 |
| Chris Barnett | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 31 of 37 | 83% | 63 of 70 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:32 |
| Chris Barnett | 0 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 11 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamdy Abdelwahab | 99 of 139 | 71% | 88 of 125 | 8 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 16 of 25 | 13 of 14 | 70 of 100 |
| Chris Barnett | 18 of 35 | 51% | 7 of 21 | 4 of 4 | 7 of 10 | 14 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 41 of 58 | 70% | 35 of 51 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 16 | 6 of 6 | 25 of 36 |
| Chris Barnett | 8 of 16 | 50% | 3 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 27 of 44 | 61% | 27 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 22 of 37 |
| Chris Barnett | 5 of 7 | 71% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 31 of 37 | 83% | 26 of 31 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 23 of 27 |
| Chris Barnett | 5 of 12 | 41% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Chris Barnett despite acknowledging his own bias (he knows Barnett personally). He criticizes Hamdy Abdelwahab for being a boring, steroid-using fighter who doesn't wrestle enough despite being an Olympic wrestler. Angelo believes Barnett will at least move forward and throw punches, while Hamdy coasts. He advises not betting on this sloppy fight.
Big Brady picks Hamdy Abdelwahab, calling Chris Barnett the worst heavyweight on the roster due to age, injuries, and size. He notes Barnett is 39, 5'9", and has taken significant damage. Brady expects Hamdy to finally get his first UFC finish, using his power to hurt and stop Barnett early. He calls it a 'nut up or shut up' fight for Hamdy and predicts a first-round KO.
Cody picks Hamdy Abdelwahab, noting that Barnett is undersized at 5'9" and has poor takedown defense. He believes Hamdy's wrestling and power will be too much, and Barnett's only chance is a flashy KO. Cody expects Hamdy to win by boring decision or TKO.
Connor picks Barnett based on vibes, noting that Abdelwahab is undercooked and has poor fundamentals. He believes Barnett's unorthodox style and experience could confuse Abdelwahab, who has only five pro fights. Connor acknowledges Barnett's lack of fundamentals but thinks he can outmaneuver Abdelwahab, especially if Abdelwahab fades. He also notes that Barnett is a character and he wants him to win.
Daniel Vreeland is confident in Abdelwahab's athleticism and power, calling this a significant step down in competition. He criticizes Barnett's age, obesity, and gimmicky style, and believes Abdelwahab will win easily, possibly by knockout. He notes that Barnett has already overachieved with two UFC wins and doesn't expect a third.
Lucrative James picks Hamdy Abdelwahab confidently, calling Chris Barnett one of the worst fighters on the roster. He notes Barnett's massive size disadvantage (5'9" at heavyweight) and reliance on flashy moves like spinning wheel kicks, which have caused injuries. He believes Abdelwahab can out-jab him, take him down at will, and win by dominant decision or late finish when Barnett tires.
The host acknowledges Barnett's return from an Achilles injury but believes Abdelwahab's grappling, which he hasn't leaned on much, will be used to shut down Barnett's striking. He predicts Abdelwahab wins on the scorecards.
Paul agrees, calling Barnett a shell of himself after injuries and inactivity. He notes that Hamdy is an Olympic-level wrestler and will likely take Barnett down and control him. Paul believes Barnett's only win condition is a spinning kick KO, which is unlikely.
The MMA Guru picks Hamdy Abdelwahab by decision, but is hesitant. He notes that Chris Barnett is old, injury-prone, and has had knee and foot surgeries, but also sees value in Barnett as an underdog. He believes Abdelwahab can pressure Barnett, take him down, and knee him against the cage. However, he admits Barnett could win by TKO. He expects a 29-28 decision for Abdelwahab.
Zane also picks Barnett, noting that Abdelwahab has better fundamentals but is inexperienced and gasses easily. He believes Barnett's weirdness could be too much for Abdelwahab to handle, especially if Abdelwahab can't connect his game together. Zane also points out that Abdelwahab's only win is a split decision over Jamal Pogues and that he lost to Mohammed Usman.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 55 of 123 | 44% | 55 of 124 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 86 of 179 | 48% | 86 of 179 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 9 of 46 | 19% | 9 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 21 of 39 | 53% | 21 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 29 of 54 | 53% | 29 of 54 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 18 of 52 | 34% | 18 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 48 of 79 | 60% | 48 of 79 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamdy Abdelwahab | 55 of 123 | 44% | 34 of 97 | 10 of 13 | 11 of 13 | 55 of 123 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 86 of 179 | 48% | 44 of 123 | 41 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 86 of 179 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 16 of 32 | 50% | 9 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 9 of 46 | 19% | 8 of 42 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 9 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 21 of 39 | 53% | 13 of 31 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 21 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 29 of 54 | 53% | 16 of 34 | 12 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 29 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 18 of 52 | 34% | 12 of 44 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 48 of 79 | 60% | 20 of 47 | 28 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 48 of 79 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Hamdy Abdelwahab but with significant reservations. He notes that Hamdy is an Olympic wrestler but has looked sloppy, gasses easily, and hasn't shown good cardio. He mentions that Mohammed Usman is big and athletic but may not be fully committed, citing an interview where his brother said he's on the fence about continuing. Angelo ultimately fades both for fantasy but picks Hamdy due to the potential for takedowns if Usman is not prepared.
Big Brady picks Hamdy Abdelwahab but is not excited about the fight. He expects Abdelwahab to get a takedown in the first round, gas out, and then the fight becomes a low-volume affair going to decision. He thinks Abdelwahab clearly lost his last fight but will get the nod from judges. He predicts Abdelwahab by decision and says he will look to fade him in the future.
The host is not a big believer in Abdelwahab but thinks Usman is not good either. He expects Abdelwahab's aggressiveness and wrestling threat to keep Usman moving backward, allowing Abdelwahab to grind out a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Mohammed Usman as an underdog, calling Hamdy Abdelwahab 'absolute garbage' and a 'fat sack of garbage'. He believes the odds are skewed because Abdelwahab is undefeated, but sees the fight as 50/50. He expects Usman's reach advantage and better conditioning to allow him to outpoint Abdelwahab in the later rounds, predicting a 29-28 decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 44 of 87 | 50% | 52 of 103 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Jamal Pogues | 0 | 69 of 123 | 56% | 69 of 123 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 11 of 23 | 47% | 19 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:57 |
| Jamal Pogues | 0 | 22 of 40 | 55% | 22 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 12 of 25 | 48% | 12 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jamal Pogues | 0 | 22 of 44 | 50% | 22 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 21 of 39 | 53% | 21 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jamal Pogues | 0 | 25 of 39 | 64% | 25 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamdy Abdelwahab | 44 of 87 | 50% | 25 of 65 | 3 of 4 | 16 of 18 | 40 of 81 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 |
| Jamal Pogues | 69 of 123 | 56% | 43 of 94 | 0 of 0 | 26 of 29 | 68 of 122 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 11 of 23 | 47% | 8 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 |
| Jamal Pogues | 22 of 40 | 55% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 10 | 22 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 12 of 25 | 48% | 6 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 7 | 12 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jamal Pogues | 22 of 44 | 50% | 12 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 11 | 22 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 21 of 39 | 53% | 11 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 7 | 21 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jamal Pogues | 25 of 39 | 64% | 17 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 8 | 24 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Hamdy Abdelwahab despite concerns about his two-year suspension and lack of recent fights. He believes Abdelwahab's Olympic-level wrestling will allow him to get takedowns, and notes that Jamal Pogues looked poor off his back in his last fight. He expects the line to flip and plans to monitor line movement before betting.
Big Brady is not sold on either fighter. He notes Hamdy Abdelwahab has a long layoff due to a suspension and wasn't impressed with his performance against Dantel Ma. Jamal Pogues is a light heavyweight moving up, but he showed up heavy and with a weird haircut. Brady thinks Pogues has better cardio and striking down the stretch, and predicts a split decision win for Pogues. He calls the fight 'sloppy greasy gassy' and expects it to be terrible.
Pogues is the better striker and will use his jab from distance to outpoint Abdelwahab, who is returning from a long layoff after a USADA suspension. The pick is based on Pogues' striking advantage and Abdelwahab's potential ring rust.
The MMA Guru picks Hamdy Abdelwahab, noting he is a physical specimen with good wrestling skills and more experience than his record suggests due to fights in Gamebred MMA. He acknowledges Abdelwahab's suspension for PEDs but believes he is more talented than Jamal Pogues and will likely win via takedowns. He mentions Abdelwahab's close fight with Don'Tale May but still favors him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 47 of 116 | 40% | 54 of 123 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 1 | 58 of 110 | 52% | 106 of 164 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 6:36 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 11 of 40 | 27% | 11 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 1 | 21 of 40 | 52% | 44 of 67 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:00 | |
| 2 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 24 of 56 | 42% | 27 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 0 | 19 of 41 | 46% | 20 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:45 | |
| 3 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 12 of 20 | 60% | 16 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 0 | 18 of 29 | 62% | 42 of 55 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:51 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamdy Abdelwahab | 47 of 116 | 40% | 28 of 90 | 12 of 17 | 7 of 9 | 45 of 111 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 58 of 110 | 52% | 51 of 102 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 30 of 74 | 2 of 3 | 26 of 33 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 11 of 40 | 27% | 6 of 31 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 11 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 21 of 40 | 52% | 19 of 37 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 30 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 8 | |
| 2 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 24 of 56 | 42% | 14 of 44 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 51 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 19 of 41 | 46% | 14 of 36 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 | |
| 3 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 12 of 20 | 60% | 8 of 15 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Don'Tale Mayes | 18 of 29 | 62% | 18 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 14 of 16 |
Big Brady picks Don'Tale Mayes to win by knockout in the second or third round. He is very critical of Abdelwahab's level of competition, cardio, and ground game, calling him not UFC caliber. He expects Mayes to use his size advantage and eventually finish Abdelwahab as he slows down.
Cody picks Mayes, noting that Abdelwahab is a short-notice replacement who didn't earn his way to the UFC. He describes Abdelwahab as an Egyptian wrestling champion but with a small wrestling program, and his striking is very rudimentary. Mayes has a huge size advantage (6'6" with 81" reach) and has been improving his grappling. He thinks Mayes will feast on Abdelwahab, staying on the outside and chopping away. He also mentions he got Mayes at -125 earlier.
Daniel picks Mayes on principle, citing his experience and dues paid. He notes Mayes has fought tougher competition, including Ciryl Gane, and has a two-fight win streak. He heavily criticizes Abdelwahab's resume, calling his opponents 'ice cream vendors' and noting he has only 3 pro fights, all mismatches. He also questions the level of Egyptian Greco-Roman wrestling, citing a friend who said it's not comparable to US or Russian wrestling. He acknowledges Mayes isn't elite but believes experience will prevail.
Preet bet Mayes at -132, noting Hamdi's sketchy competition and poor cardio. He expects Mayes to keep distance with his jab and footwork, survive the first round, and take over as Hamdi slows down. He references Mayes' wrestling-heavy win over Josh Parisian as evidence of his late-round finishing ability.
Paul also picks Mayes, agreeing that Abdelwahab is a short-notice replacement who is not a legitimate prospect. He notes that Mayes has been improving, with good wins over Josh Parisian and Roque Martinez. He thinks Mayes' size and reach advantage will be key, and that Abdelwahab's wrestling won't be enough. He also mentions that Mayes has been working on his grappling and shouldn't be mistaken for the same guy from a few fights back.
The MMA Guru picks Don'Tale Mayes by TKO in the second round. He expects Hamdy Abdelwahab to come out fast with takedowns and pressure, but will gas out in round two. Mayes will then take over with body work, jabs, and a counter shot that rocks Hamdy, leading to ground-and-pound elbows.
Mohammed Usman - Fight History
Angelo picks Valter Walker, noting his wrestling and heel hook expertise. He believes Valter should win by takedown and submission, but expresses concern about Valter's striking and potential to quit if takedowns are defended. He has low confidence in Mohammed Usman's skill set, calling him not a great fighter. He advises caution due to Valter's shaky performance in his last fight.
Cody picks Usman but is not confident, noting Walker's submission threat. He believes Usman's wrestling and durability can neutralize Walker, but expects a close fight. He suggests passing or taking the sub prop on Walker.
Lucrative James picks Valter Walker, highlighting his signature heel hook and the fact that Mohammed Usman is the type of fighter to get caught in one. He notes Walker's three consecutive heel hook wins in the UFC and believes Usman's grappling defense is not elite. He also mentions Walker's improved physique and cardio, and expects a round one submission. He likes the under 2.5 rounds (-135) and Walker by submission (+175).
Manpreet picks Walker to win by submission but is not confident in the moneyline at -315. He notes Walker's heel hook threat but also his vulnerability if the submission fails. He suggests Usman at plus 265 is worth consideration if he can avoid early danger. He prefers the submission prop at +175.
Paul picks Usman as a dog, citing Walker's one-dimensional game of fishing for heel hooks. He notes Usman's wrestling defense and jab, and believes he can stuff takedowns and win a decision. He suggests the over and Usman by decision.
The MMA Guru picks Valter Walker over Mohammed Usman, citing Walker's recent leg lock submissions and Usman's tentative, scared fighting style. He believes Walker will march forward and secure a heel hook submission in the first round. He notes Usman is more of an athlete than a fighter.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 55 of 123 | 44% | 55 of 124 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 86 of 179 | 48% | 86 of 179 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 9 of 46 | 19% | 9 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 21 of 39 | 53% | 21 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 29 of 54 | 53% | 29 of 54 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 0 | 18 of 52 | 34% | 18 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 48 of 79 | 60% | 48 of 79 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamdy Abdelwahab | 55 of 123 | 44% | 34 of 97 | 10 of 13 | 11 of 13 | 55 of 123 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 86 of 179 | 48% | 44 of 123 | 41 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 86 of 179 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 16 of 32 | 50% | 9 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 9 of 46 | 19% | 8 of 42 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 9 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 21 of 39 | 53% | 13 of 31 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 21 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 29 of 54 | 53% | 16 of 34 | 12 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 29 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Hamdy Abdelwahab | 18 of 52 | 34% | 12 of 44 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 48 of 79 | 60% | 20 of 47 | 28 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 48 of 79 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Hamdy Abdelwahab but with significant reservations. He notes that Hamdy is an Olympic wrestler but has looked sloppy, gasses easily, and hasn't shown good cardio. He mentions that Mohammed Usman is big and athletic but may not be fully committed, citing an interview where his brother said he's on the fence about continuing. Angelo ultimately fades both for fantasy but picks Hamdy due to the potential for takedowns if Usman is not prepared.
Big Brady picks Hamdy Abdelwahab but is not excited about the fight. He expects Abdelwahab to get a takedown in the first round, gas out, and then the fight becomes a low-volume affair going to decision. He thinks Abdelwahab clearly lost his last fight but will get the nod from judges. He predicts Abdelwahab by decision and says he will look to fade him in the future.
The host is not a big believer in Abdelwahab but thinks Usman is not good either. He expects Abdelwahab's aggressiveness and wrestling threat to keep Usman moving backward, allowing Abdelwahab to grind out a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Mohammed Usman as an underdog, calling Hamdy Abdelwahab 'absolute garbage' and a 'fat sack of garbage'. He believes the odds are skewed because Abdelwahab is undefeated, but sees the fight as 50/50. He expects Usman's reach advantage and better conditioning to allow him to outpoint Abdelwahab in the later rounds, predicting a 29-28 decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Petersen | 0 | 63 of 185 | 34% | 63 of 185 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 76 of 138 | 55% | 98 of 164 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas Petersen | 0 | 22 of 50 | 44% | 22 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 22 of 41 | 53% | 24 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Thomas Petersen | 0 | 17 of 60 | 28% | 17 of 60 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 25 of 45 | 55% | 30 of 52 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 | |
| 3 | Thomas Petersen | 0 | 24 of 75 | 32% | 24 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 29 of 52 | 55% | 44 of 69 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Petersen | 63 of 185 | 34% | 44 of 151 | 19 of 33 | 0 of 1 | 61 of 181 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 76 of 138 | 55% | 58 of 117 | 13 of 16 | 5 of 5 | 72 of 134 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas Petersen | 22 of 50 | 44% | 18 of 44 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 46 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 22 of 41 | 53% | 13 of 32 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 20 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Thomas Petersen | 17 of 60 | 28% | 9 of 46 | 8 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 17 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 25 of 45 | 55% | 20 of 37 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 24 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Thomas Petersen | 24 of 75 | 32% | 17 of 61 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 29 of 52 | 55% | 25 of 48 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 28 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Mohammed Usman because he is the larger, more physically imposing fighter with a brick for a head and decent power. He notes that neither fighter is very good or entertaining, and that Usman's takedown defense should hold up against Petersen's wrestling. However, he explicitly says he cannot bet on low-level heavyweight fights, so this is a lean with no stake.
Cody picks Petersen, noting his youth (29) and wrestling pedigree. He thinks if Petersen can get takedowns, he can control Usman. He admits Usman has better striking and cardio but believes Petersen's southpaw stance and sophomore improvement could be factors. He calls it a dogger pass situation and sides with the underdog.
Daniel Vreeland picks Mohammed Usman, noting his improvements and ability to last three rounds. He believes Usman can defend takedowns and tire out Petersen, who gasses when his takedown game fails. Vreeland expects Usman to take over late in the fight.
Petersen is a slight dog at +110. He has a wrestling-heavy approach but needs to improve his striking to avoid being picked apart. Usman is not as crisp a striker as Jamal Pogues, which could allow Petersen to have more success with his wrestling. Petersen's pressure and pace should wear down Usman around the 6-minute mark, leading to a decision win. However, I need to see improvements in Petersen's striking before I'm confident enough to invest heavily.
Paul picks Usman, citing his wrestling background, takedown defense (never taken down in UFC), and better striking. He thinks Petersen's wrestling won't be effective and that Usman will edge a decision or get a late finish. He calls the line very playable.
The MMA Guru picks Mohammed Usman over Thomas Petersen, calling Petersen 'garbage' and a 'fat dum dum'. He notes Usman has knockout power and is more technical, with better conditioning and athleticism. He dismisses Petersen's size and recent loss to Jamal Poges, concluding Usman should win easily.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mick Parkin | 0 | 57 of 167 | 34% | 57 of 168 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 72 of 150 | 48% | 72 of 150 | 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 | Mick Parkin | 0 | 15 of 48 | 31% | 15 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Mick Parkin | 0 | 18 of 51 | 35% | 18 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 20 of 41 | 48% | 20 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Mick Parkin | 0 | 24 of 68 | 35% | 24 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 36 of 69 | 52% | 36 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mick Parkin | 57 of 167 | 34% | 26 of 114 | 30 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 57 of 167 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 72 of 150 | 48% | 37 of 109 | 4 of 4 | 31 of 37 | 71 of 149 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mick Parkin | 15 of 48 | 31% | 11 of 39 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 16 of 40 | 40% | 6 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 13 | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Mick Parkin | 18 of 51 | 35% | 5 of 32 | 12 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 20 of 41 | 48% | 9 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 12 | 20 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Mick Parkin | 24 of 68 | 35% | 10 of 43 | 14 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mohammed Usman | 36 of 69 | 52% | 22 of 55 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 12 | 35 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Mick Parkin because he is the more technical fighter with sharper striking and slightly better takedowns. He expects a boring, slow, sloppy heavyweight decision, possibly with a stoppage from Parkin via takedown and ground control. He will stay away from betting unless the over 1.5 rounds line is available, which he would hammer.
Big Brady picks Mick Parkin, believing the fight will primarily be standing. He notes Parkin's striking looked good in his debut but was inconsistent against Kyle Machado. He thinks Parkin will land more strikes at range, while Usman has low volume and relies on power. Brady doubts Usman can knock out Parkin and expects a decision win for Parkin.
Cody picks Parkin, citing his size, mobility, and superior boxing. He criticizes Usman's low output and lack of power. Cody believes Parkin will outwork Usman and win a decision.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Mohammed Usman, admiring his ability to find a way to win even in ugly fights. He notes Usman has power and wrestling, and can take Parkin down. He thinks Parkin is the cleaner striker but Usman's physicality and grit could carry him.
Parkin has a great gas tank for a heavyweight, good output, and excellent scrambling ability. He will pressure Usman, who has a low-volume kickboxing style and tends to slow down late. Parkin can win by decision or even snatch a late submission, as Usman has been submitted before. Usman's only path is a flash KO, but Parkin should control the fight.
Paul picks Parkin, noting his training with Tom Aspinall and his ability to go the distance. He acknowledges the line movement toward Usman but still favors Parkin's overall game.
The MMA Guru picks Mohammed Usman over Mick Parkin, citing Parkin's poor last performance where he arguably lost and looked bad. He believes Usman's athleticism and wrestling will wear on Parkin as the fight goes on, with Usman landing takedowns in rounds two and three. He notes Parkin's eye swelling in his last fight and thinks Usman's power and pressure will be too much. He predicts a decision win for Usman.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 85 of 191 | 44% | 118 of 234 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:07 |
| Jake Collier | 0 | 87 of 183 | 47% | 100 of 198 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:53 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohammed Usman | 0 | 32 of 72 | 44% | 34 of 74 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jake Collier | 0 | 41 of 89 | 46% | 41 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:49 | |
| 2 | Mohammed Usman | 0 | 36 of 85 | 42% | 37 of 87 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jake Collier | 0 | 34 of 68 | 50% | 34 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 3 | Mohammed Usman | 0 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 47 of 73 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:07 |
| Jake Collier | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 25 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Usman | 85 of 191 | 44% | 58 of 156 | 27 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 83 of 186 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 |
| Jake Collier | 87 of 183 | 47% | 53 of 145 | 22 of 25 | 12 of 13 | 80 of 171 | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohammed Usman | 32 of 72 | 44% | 26 of 60 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 69 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Collier | 41 of 89 | 46% | 25 of 71 | 11 of 13 | 5 of 5 | 35 of 79 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Mohammed Usman | 36 of 85 | 42% | 22 of 71 | 14 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 36 of 85 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Collier | 34 of 68 | 50% | 17 of 49 | 11 of 12 | 6 of 7 | 33 of 66 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Mohammed Usman | 17 of 34 | 50% | 10 of 25 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Jake Collier | 12 of 26 | 46% | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Usman due to size and speed advantage, but notes Collier has a great chin, busy jab, and more experience. He thinks Collier could win a close decision. He is not confident and only considers betting the over 1.5 rounds if available.
Big Brady picks Jake Collier with low confidence, calling the fight a mess. He notes Collier is the better striker by far, has a wrestling background, and appears to be in better shape after dropping weight. He worries about Collier's grappling at heavyweight but believes he can stuff takedowns and keep the fight standing. He is not betting this fight.
Cody picks Jake Collier as a live underdog, citing his volume and speed advantage if his cardio holds. He notes Usman's low output and stiffness. He is encouraged by Collier looking trimmer on social media and thinks if Collier can last past the first round, he wins.
Daniel picks Usman confidently, comparing Collier to Jared Vandera as a fan-favorite who loses. He notes Collier is 2-5 at heavyweight and was finished by Chris Barnett. He thinks Usman's physicality and takedowns will be too much, and Collier has never faced a takedown attempt at heavyweight. He expects Usman to control and possibly finish.
Lucrative James picks Collier, believing he should be favored. He notes Collier's high volume and finishing upside, while Usman lacks finishing ability. He thinks Collier can win by decision or finish, and sees value at plus 150. He acknowledges Collier's cardio issues but expects him to do enough early.
The host picks Collier as a live underdog, expecting the best version of him given his improved shape and urgency. He notes Collier has advantages in combination striking and volume, and that Usman is a low-volume kickboxer who may struggle if he can't grapple. He predicts a decision win for Collier and also likes the over 2.5 rounds prop.
Paul sides with Collier at plus money, noting Usman's low volume (7 significant strikes in his last fight). He thinks Collier's experience and volume will be too much if he doesn't gas. He mentions Collier's takedown defense against Buday.
The MMA Guru picks Mohammed Usman, criticizing Jake Collier as a 'morbidly obese middleweight' who no longer cares. He praises Usman's athleticism, knockout power, and commitment, noting he is on a two-fight win streak and won The Ultimate Fighter. He acknowledges Collier's decent hands but believes Usman's wrestling and power will be too much. He mentions Collier could catch him as an underdog but ultimately favors Usman's style.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Usman | 0 | 7 of 29 | 24% | 79 of 133 | 2 of 12 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 12:03 |
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 22 of 61 | 36% | 37 of 78 | 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 | Mohammed Usman | 0 | 1 of 12 | 8% | 16 of 36 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:26 |
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 8 of 24 | 33% | 11 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Mohammed Usman | 0 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 38 of 59 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 4:09 |
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 6 of 18 | 33% | 13 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Mohammed Usman | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 25 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:28 |
| Junior Tafa | 0 | 8 of 19 | 42% | 13 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Usman | 7 of 29 | 24% | 6 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 5 |
| Junior Tafa | 22 of 61 | 36% | 17 of 55 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 45 | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohammed Usman | 1 of 12 | 8% | 1 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Junior Tafa | 8 of 24 | 33% | 6 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Mohammed Usman | 4 of 12 | 33% | 3 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 4 |
| Junior Tafa | 6 of 18 | 33% | 4 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 15 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Mohammed Usman | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Junior Tafa | 8 of 19 | 42% | 7 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tafa (-115), Usman (-105)
Round 1
Up now, heavyweights take center stage, when two brothers of more established UFC competitors come to blows. Tachi Palace Fights vet Usman (8-2, 1-0 UFC) aims to go 2-0 in the promotion, while “The Juggernaut” Tafa (4-0, 0-0 UFC) would like nothing more than to keep his 100% knockout rate intact. It’s high alert for referee Mark Smith, as the likelihood that this reaches the scorecards is low. Fists are tapped, and Usman moves to lead the dance immediately. Tafa is comfortable putting his back against the wall, but they are extremely respectful of the other’s power as they do not trade a strike in the first 35 seconds. Tafa finally reaches Usman with a left hand, and he tosses out a front kick to draw an exaggerated, energetic charging double-leg takedown attempt. Tafa gets pushed back to the wire, and he looks to fight out of this position by framing his elbow on Usman’s face. “The Motor” stalls as he pushes the Kiwi out of Australia up against the fencing, holding him there without bothering to swing a single strike. Smith asks Usman to work as they pummel for underhooks, and Usman gets a knee off to the body while searching for a better posture. Tafa briefly turns him out, and they spin one another around. Tafa releases a high knee that glances off the side of the head, and Usman drops to a knee and tries for another takedown. Tafa grabs the top of the cage to stay afloat, and Usman squeezes him tightly like he is trying to make play-do shapes out of his back. Tafa gets just enough space to unload a combination of punches, and Usman gets staggered and wobbles back. Tafa swings everything he has into his punches, and Usman is on ice skates as he backs off. Tafa misses with some massive hooks, lands with others, and reaches Usman with a head kick. The round ends before Tafa can completely hammer the nail.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tafa
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Tafa
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Tafa
Round 2
The heavyweights have reached Round 2, and Usman is light on his feet as he tries to get them completely beneath him. Tafa slowly walks him down instead of swinging for the bleachers, and he aims an uppercut to just miss the mark of a shooting Usman. Tafa drops his hands and starts throwing bungalows, and Usman takes several on the chin and wobbles back, stung again from the blows. Usman tries to connect with a short right hook, and settles for a single-leg entry. The Kiwi considers elbowing Usman on the side of the head like Travis Brown to Josh Barnett, but he stops throwing them to keep his balance. Usman gains the upper hand, and he elevates Tafa and dumps him to the floor. Usman smothers his man in half guard when he jumps on top, much more interested than position than a dropping a few feeble hammerfists. Tafa lays flat on his back, seemingly disappointed and totally unable to buck off or move to get “The Motor” off of him. Usman slowly scoots his way to a better offensive posture while still in half guard, but his strikes have practically nothing on them as he seems to be heavily fatigued. Usman sits up and drives a few punches to the body to better effect, as he remains chest-to-chest to keep Tafa down. The round ends with Usman throwing a few labored punches.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Round 3
The heavyweights come out lumbering from their corners, and Tafa is the aggressor to start with a few winging punches. Usman jams him up with an attempted tackle, and he smushes Tafa into the chain-link fence. Using the remaining energy he has, Usman lifts Tafa up in the air and deposits him gingerly to the floor, where he steps over to half guard. Tafa leans up against the fence to try to wall-walk or at least be in a less disadvantageous position, but Usman is fully equipped to ruin the rest of his day with his wrestling. Usman holds on from above with his chest pinning Tafa to the mat, and Tafa starts talking to him to try to inspire some different approach. “The Motor” ignores him, hanging on from above in grueling, exhausting fashion, and he decides against taking mount so that he can keep Tafa pinned. With the last vestiges of his gas, Tafa bursts to his knees with 45 seconds to spare, and he walks up the wall. Usman doggedly pursues a single to put him back down, and time is Tafa’s greatest enemy right now as Usman controls him. Tafa elbows his man on the side of the head, and he pushes Usman back to belt him with a few punches. “The Juggernaut” charges at the spent Usman, unleashing everything he has left, but it is not enough before time expires to conclude the heavyweight slog.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman (29-28 Usman)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Usman (29-28 Usman)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Usman (29-28 Usman)
The Official Result
Mohammad Usman def. Junior Tafa via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Junior Tafa but is hesitant, calling it a sketchy pick. He notes Tafa's power, speed, and technical kickboxing, but questions his takedown defense. He bet $25 on Tafa at -195 as an experiment based on line movement (Tafa opened as underdog, now favorite). He acknowledges the risk and advises not to blindly tail.
Big Brady picks Mohammad Usman to win by a greasy decision, but he wants nothing to do with this fight from a betting perspective. He notes that Usman's path to victory is to wrestle and take the fight to the mat, as Tafa is a much better striker but has questionable takedown defense and cardio. However, Brady is not confident in Usman, calling him 'very bad' and noting he got lucky in his last fight. He also mentions the wild line movement but stayed away from betting it.
Cody picks Tafa, calling him a world-class kickboxer while Usman is not good. He criticizes Usman's wrestling, cardio, and tendency to rely on one-punch power. Cody notes Usman's wins on The Ultimate Fighter were close and he struggled against older competition. He believes Tafa will win by knockout if the fight stays standing, which is likely.
Connor picks Mohammed Usman, reasoning that Usman is much bigger and stronger than Tafa, and that neither fighter is likely to get knocked out. He expects a wild brawl for five minutes followed by a slog, and thinks Usman's size will allow him to hold Tafa enough to win. Connor notes that Usman hits like a truck and has never been knocked out.
Mohammad Usman has a massive experience advantage over Junior Tafa, who has less than a year of MMA experience. Usman is a mediocre fighter but has fought higher-level competition. Tafa is a raw kickboxer with poor takedown defense, as seen in his regional fights. Usman should be able to take the fight to the ground and grind out a decision or TKO. The odds have moved significantly in Tafa's favor, but Usman's MMA experience should prevail.
Paul also picks Tafa, agreeing with Cody. He notes that if Usman doesn't shoot for takedowns, Tafa will likely clip him. Paul acknowledges the risk that Usman could use wrestling, but doubts he will. He calls it a low-level heavyweight fight where anything can happen.
The MMA Guru picks Junior Tafa, going against Mohammad Usman. He sees no skill in Usman's game and notes Tafa's combat sports experience in boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. He thinks Tafa's activity and momentum are advantages, and that Usman is unimpressive with losses to Brandon Sales and a split decision over Eduardo Perez. He predicts a first-round KO.
Zane also picks Mohammed Usman, but with low confidence, calling it a coin flip. He notes that Usman is stiff and disconnected but hits hard, while Tafa is a wild combination puncher who gasses. Zane thinks the fight will be a mess and that Usman's size advantage might be the deciding factor.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Usman | 1 | 12 of 40 | 30% | 13 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Zac Pauga | 0 | 32 of 50 | 64% | 33 of 51 | 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 | Mohammed Usman | 0 | 9 of 35 | 25% | 10 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Zac Pauga | 0 | 31 of 46 | 67% | 32 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Mohammed Usman | 1 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Zac Pauga | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Usman | 12 of 40 | 30% | 11 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 35 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
| Zac Pauga | 32 of 50 | 64% | 14 of 29 | 9 of 10 | 9 of 11 | 31 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohammed Usman | 9 of 35 | 25% | 8 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Zac Pauga | 31 of 46 | 67% | 14 of 26 | 8 of 9 | 9 of 11 | 30 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Mohammed Usman | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Zac Pauga | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo has a slight lean towards Mohammed Usman due to his size, power, and physicality. He notes that Pauga is the better overall fighter but his size disadvantage at heavyweight could be decisive. He references Pauga being dropped by Terence Jacquez and believes a similar shot from Usman could finish him. However, he acknowledges Usman has had issues with wrestlers in the past.
Big Brady picks Zac Pauga, noting his speed and cardio advantages over Mohammed Usman. He criticizes Usman's low volume and poor cardio, and praises Pauga's takedown defense and improved striking. He predicts Pauga will stuff takedowns and win a decision, though he notes Pauga is undersized for heavyweight. He also mentions Pauga's training at Elevation Fight Team with Curtis Blaydes.
Cody also picks Pauga, highlighting his undefeated record and clean performances on TUF. He notes that Pauga is a natural 205-pounder who moved up for the show and will likely move back down. Cody contrasts Pauga's refined skills with Usman's poor losses and questionable wins, including a controversial decision. He believes Pauga's speed and output will overwhelm Usman.
Paul picks Pauga, noting that Pauga is a former football player with good mobility and athleticism. He mentions that Pauga looked impressive on The Ultimate Fighter, throwing spinning attacks and showing improvement. Paul is wary of laying -250 on a debuting heavyweight but sees Pauga as the clear pick.
The MMA Guru picks Zac Pauga by third-round ground-and-pound TKO. He praises Pauga's technique and undefeated record, and criticizes Mohammed Usman's lack of commitment and poor performances. He believes Pauga's Samoan chin will allow him to take shots and break Usman down.
Expert Picks (4)
Angelo picks Hamdy Abdelwahab but with significant reservations. He notes that Hamdy is an Olympic wrestler but has looked sloppy, gasses easily, and hasn't shown good cardio. He mentions that Mohammed Usman is big and athletic but may not be fully committed, citing an interview where his brother said he's on the fence about continuing. Angelo ultimately fades both for fantasy but picks Hamdy due to the potential for takedowns if Usman is not prepared.
Big Brady picks Hamdy Abdelwahab but is not excited about the fight. He expects Abdelwahab to get a takedown in the first round, gas out, and then the fight becomes a low-volume affair going to decision. He thinks Abdelwahab clearly lost his last fight but will get the nod from judges. He predicts Abdelwahab by decision and says he will look to fade him in the future.
The host is not a big believer in Abdelwahab but thinks Usman is not good either. He expects Abdelwahab's aggressiveness and wrestling threat to keep Usman moving backward, allowing Abdelwahab to grind out a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Mohammed Usman as an underdog, calling Hamdy Abdelwahab 'absolute garbage' and a 'fat sack of garbage'. He believes the odds are skewed because Abdelwahab is undefeated, but sees the fight as 50/50. He expects Usman's reach advantage and better conditioning to allow him to outpoint Abdelwahab in the later rounds, predicting a 29-28 decision.
Hamdy wrestling was solid again. No subs attemps with his crocodile arms. All available. Could do kimura at best in the future. Most likely will train gnp for the next fight.