Career Averages - Julius Walker
Career Averages - Raffael Cerqueira
Julius Walker
Raffael Cerqueira
Julius Walker - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Yakhyaev (-550); Walker (+425)
Round 1
The heaviest bout at UFC Baku features unbeaten 205-pound prospect Yakhyaev against fellow up-and-comer Walker. The referee is Jim Perdios. They touch gloves and Yakhyaev absolutely levels Walker with his very first punch, a tight right hook to the jaw. He pounces, drops a couple hammerfists and Perdios is there for the save. One of the 10 fastest finishes in UFC history, an animated gif of a fight, is over.
The Official Result
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Julius Walker R1 0:08 via KO (Punches)
AJ sees this as a squash match for Yakhyaev, who is a better striker and grappler. He thinks Yakhyaev can knock out or submit Walker, who is stiff and awkward. AJ expects a finish within 15 minutes and notes the under 1.5 rounds line.
AJ expects Yakhyaev to finish Walker, likely in the first round, due to his knockout power and submission threat. Walker has defensive flaws and was recently knocked out. Yakhyaev's aggression and well-rounded game should overwhelm Walker.
AJ is very confident Yakhyaev wins, calling it a setup fight. He believes Yakhyaev has superior boxing, power, and grappling, and will likely win by submission. He sees Walker as a can't-win fight and expects Yakhyaev to hurt him on the feet before securing a submission.
AJ DeVito is confident that Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev will defeat Julius Walker, calling it a setup fight. He notes Yakhyaev's well-rounded skills, nasty grappling, and knockout power, and expects a finish, leaning towards submission. He mentions Yakhyaev's quick win over Raphael Circada and Walker's struggles.
Angelo picks Yakhyaev easily, noting that Julius Walker is too green with only 3 years of professional experience. He believes Yakhyaev is the better grappler and will likely win by finish. He expects the odds to move significantly.
Angelo thinks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev dominates the fight and earns his price tag, expecting a finish in under 1.5 rounds. He considers Julius Walker the worst fighter on the card, with only 3 years of professional experience.
Angelo picks Yakhyaev, stating he is better everywhere and that Walker is too early in his career. He notes that Walker has holes in his game and was just knocked out. He believes Yakhyaev will dominate and is worth the price despite being a heavy favorite.
Big Brady picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev to win by first-round knockout. He describes Yakhyaev as a beast with eight first-round wins, either knocking opponents out or submitting them early. Walker is a grappler with poor striking who has been hurt by lesser fighters. Brady sees a bad matchup for Walker, expecting Yakhyaev to finish him quickly.
Cody picks Yakhyaev, calling him a future title contender. He notes Yakhyaev's grappling and physicality, and believes he will dominate Walker. He parlayed Yakhyaev with Donchenko early in the week.
Daniel Levi considers this a lock, stating he bet Yakhyaev at -400 and would cap him at -1500. He dismisses Julius Walker's competition, particularly his life-and-death fight with Raphael Cera, and believes Yakhyaev can win by any method: head kick, punches, takedowns, submission, or grind. He expects a quick finish, possibly under a minute.
Jacob picks Yakhyaev to win by KO or submission, predicting a dominant performance. He thinks Walker has no path to victory and that Yakhyaev will finish him early, possibly earning a performance bonus. He got Yakhyaev at a good price before the line moved.
Lucrative James is very confident in Yakhyaev, calling him a legit prospect with explosive wrestling, submissions, and power. He notes that Yakhyaev finishes fights early and has shown cardio in a five-round decision. He believes Julius Walker is outskilled everywhere and predicts a first-round knockout, as Yakhyaev is due for a KO after two submission wins.
Yakhyaev is far superior in almost every aspect, with a nasty jiu-jitsu game and decent striking. Walker is athletic but lacks technical skills and has mediocre cardio. Yakhyaev will dominate positions and get a quick first-round finish, likely by knockout.
The host is stunned that Yakubov is not at minus 1000, believing he is far superior to Walker in every aspect. He thinks Yakubov may lean on his striking to find the chin of Walker and predicts a first-round knockout win.
Paul picks Yakhyaev confidently, calling him a top prospect. He notes Yakhyaev's grappling and physical strength, and believes he will overwhelm Walker. He prefers the over 1.5 rounds at plus money, expecting Walker's durability to carry him past the first round but Yakhyaev to win.
The Guru picks Yakhyaev via knockout, citing his dynamic striking, evasiveness, and well-rounded grappling. He believes Walker is too linear and stiff, and will get caught coming in. He expects Yakhyaev to land a single strike or finish on the ground.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Jacoby | 1 | 42 of 71 | 59% | 47 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:59 |
| Julius Walker | 0 | 7 of 21 | 33% | 12 of 26 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 2:47 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Jacoby | 0 | 13 of 20 | 65% | 16 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Julius Walker | 0 | 5 of 15 | 33% | 10 of 20 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:29 | |
| 2 | Dustin Jacoby | 1 | 29 of 51 | 56% | 31 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Julius Walker | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Jacoby | 42 of 71 | 59% | 35 of 64 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 38 | 9 of 10 | 11 of 23 |
| Julius Walker | 7 of 21 | 33% | 3 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 12 | 2 of 7 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Jacoby | 13 of 20 | 65% | 7 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Julius Walker | 5 of 15 | 33% | 3 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 7 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Dustin Jacoby | 29 of 51 | 56% | 28 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 18 | 9 of 10 | 11 of 23 |
| Julius Walker | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jacoby (-205); Walker (+175)
Round 1
A pair of 205ers who prefer the knockout will slug it out across this three-round main card opener. Jacoby (21-9-1, 9-6-1 UFC) will come in 11 years older and far more experience, while “Juice Box” Walker (7-1, 1-1 UFC) comes in with youthful exuberance full of something and vinegar. They tap their gloves together as referee Dan Miragliotta in his 500th UFC bout handles the particulars.
Walker takes the center of the cage, with Jacoby hand-fighting to find an opening. There is no opening found in the first 30 seconds, until Jacoby tosses out a jab. He aims another, as Walker responds with a low kick and a lancing straight right hand. The former kickboxer boots Walker in the lead leg, and he misses with a subsequent overhand right. Jacoby pounds the front leg with another kick. Walker reaches out with a right hand, and he gets knocked back to the fence with Jacoby’s swinging fists. Walker shoots for a takedown, with Jacoby defending by wrapping up an anaconda choke that is not particularly tight. Walker fights out of it and stands up without much concern, taking a jab on the way out. Jacoby swipes out a left hook, and Walker answers back with a one-two. Jacoby hits the front leg with another kick, and he is faced with a takedown shot.
Walker lifts Jacoby off the ground, carrying him over to his corner and dumping him down unceremoniously. With one hook in, Walker holds on from behind, but Jacoby is able to post off his hands and stands up. Walker clings to the ex-kickboxer, ignoring elbows to his face so he can set up a strong knee to the face. Walker lands a few more, much to Jacoby’s disappointing, lifting his leg up high to crash it square into the chin of “The Hanyak” a few more times. Walker hits a suplex to throw Jacoby to the floor, and Jacoby springs up like hit a trampoline. Walker knees Jacoby in the back of the thigh and drags him around the cage but is not able to ground him again on this effort. Walker transitions to a double, scooping Jacoby up like a child’s plaything and throwing him down much harder to the floor. This time, he hammers Jacoby with elbows, landing at least one well after the bell sounded.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Round 2
The light heavyweights touch gloves to lead off the round, with Jacoby peppering offense immediately after in the form of jabs and low kicks. Walker tries to stride in with a right hand, and Jacoby’s counter right sends Walker staggering back. Walker shakes out the cobwebs and beats on the front leg with another kick, only to take two huge punches on the side of the head. Walker hits his seat, and after a few more swings, Jacoby walks off, thinking his work here is done. Miragliotta gets close but does not wave it off, so Walker snatches up his ankle and forces Jacoby to hop away and re-engage. With Walker still down, Jacoby rails him with a thunderous uppercut that almost knocks him all the way out. Jacoby is not about to let him off the hook, raining down punches while Walker tries as hard as he can to sit up and stand. Walker goes all-out in pursuit of a single, pushing Jacoby back to the wall. Walker hangs on from behind, and Jacoby turns around and starts battering Walker on the side of the head with elbows. The damage begins to mount, and so does Jacoby, whose efforts force Walker to his back so he can climb into the dominant position.
Walker twists out of the precarious spot and turns to place his back to the wall while still seated, and Jacoby lays into his with strikes on both sides of the head. Walker miraculously stands up, and Jacoby’s onslaught knocks him right back down. Miragliotta determines that enough is enough, with blood streaming down Walker’s cheek, and waves the fight off.
For Jacoby, this was likely for the best, as he plops down on his stool when returning to his corner from near-total exhaustion. On cloud nine, the victor expresses his support for his country and current administration, asking for a place on the White House event in June and making a very unique callout. He calls for Donald Trump...to play a round of golf with him.
The Official Result
Dustin Jacoby def. Julius Walker R2 1:42 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Dustin Jacoby confidently, calling him too good of a striker and grappler with too much experience. He notes Jacoby's high-level kickboxing, technical striking, and solid takedown defense. He dismisses Julius Walker as sloppy and reliant on raw athleticism, and believes Jacoby will win easily. He hopes the odds are reasonable and will include Jacoby in parlays.
Big Brady picks Dustin Jacoby, citing his superior striking and elite takedown defense. He notes that Julius Walker was pieced up by Raphael Sakara on the feet, which bodes poorly against a much better striker in Jacoby. He expects Jacoby to knock out Walker, likely in the first round.
Cody hesitantly picks Dustin Jacoby, acknowledging the experience gap but noting Jacoby's travel and short notice. He admits his heart wants Walker but struggles to overlook Jacoby's experience. Cody does not bet on Jacoby and expects a competitive fight.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Jacobi is still dangerous with single shots and that Walker's style of walking in will give Jacobi opportunities. He thinks Jacobi will respond with offense if put in a scary situation, but the fight could be a grind. He calls it a sucky fight between two failed experiments.
Lucrative James picks Dustin Jacoby to win, citing his massive experience and striking advantage, as well as good takedown defense. However, he is hesitant due to Jacoby's age and potential chin decline. James notes that if Jacoby is an underdog, he would bet him, but he acknowledges Walker's grappling could be a threat.
The host picks Jacoby by knockout, but notes reduced confidence due to Jacoby cornering a teammate in Australia a week before the fight. He believes Jacoby's superior striking and defensive grappling will allow him to pick Walker apart and eventually land a big shot. He expects Walker to struggle to get takedowns and be forced to strike, where Jacoby has the advantage.
Paul picks Julius Walker as a dog, citing Jacoby's short notice, travel from Australia, and age (37). He notes Walker's youth, athleticism, and improvement, especially his wrestling. Paul believes Walker can take Jacoby down and control the fight, though he admits bias due to connections.
The host picks Dustin Jacoby over Julius Walker. He thinks Jacoby is underrated, citing his win over Vitor Petrino and competitive fight with Azamat Murzakanov. He notes Walker looked sloppy against Rafael Cacara. He predicts a decision win for Jacoby, 29-28 or 30-27.
Zane picks Jacoby because he is a good technical kickboxer who can finish with single shots. He notes that Walker is tough but walks in with his chin up and feet flat, making him vulnerable. However, he warns that Jacoby's hesitancy could make the fight ugly, similar to his fight against Alonzo Menifield.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julius Walker | 1 | 44 of 62 | 70% | 96 of 120 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 11:46 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 19 of 42 | 45% | 30 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julius Walker | 0 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 17 of 27 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:31 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 12 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 | |
| 2 | Julius Walker | 0 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 48 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:41 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Julius Walker | 1 | 18 of 22 | 81% | 31 of 36 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 3:34 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 12 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julius Walker | 44 of 62 | 70% | 26 of 43 | 9 of 10 | 9 of 9 | 18 of 26 | 4 of 9 | 22 of 27 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 19 of 42 | 45% | 15 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julius Walker | 13 of 22 | 59% | 5 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 13 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 4 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 11 of 25 | 44% | 7 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Julius Walker | 13 of 18 | 72% | 6 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 11 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Julius Walker | 18 of 22 | 81% | 15 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 12 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 7 of 13 | 53% | 7 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Walker (-600); Cerqueira (+450)
Round 1
It’s time for a light heavyweight slugfest, with the promotion matching two fighters holding one combined decision victory. Referee Mike Beltran will need to be on his A-game when Walker (6-1, 0-1 UFC) and Cerqueira (11-2, 0-2 UFC) throw down, and the judges may be able to take this one off. Before they try to lop one another’s head from their shoulders, the fighters opt to clap hands together.
Walker walks down the Brazilian throwing hands, and Cerqueira knocks him back with a clean right hand. Cerqueira puts a one-two down the pipe, and the jab for Cerqueira is setting up power shots. Cerqueira swings hard with two hooks, prompting Walker to clinch up. They jockey for position up against the wall, with Walker offering a few knees to the gut when otherwise imposing his weight on his foe. Cerqueira breaks free and just misses a big left hand. Walker stalks his man down and has his guard split by a left, and Cerqueira wings a right hand over the top. The Brazilian spins with a kick that slams into Walker’s knee, and Walker looks at him and hurls a head kick that makes him fall over. Walker jumps back up to initiate a clinch, and he body locks and trips Cerqueira to the mat. Walker gets his hooks in, and Cerqueira tugs his toes on the fencing to try to improve his position. Beltran admonishes him.
Walker transitions to lean over with an arm-triangle choke, and Cerqueira turns the same time to get to his knees and then up to his feet. Walker grips hold of a leg and mat returns Cerqueira, who lands on the mat and fastens his grip on Walker’s left arm for a kimura sweep effort. The American yanks his limb out, and Cerqueira crawls towards the fence and gives his back up. Walker happily takes it, imposing his weight on top while unloading with power right hands. Walker considers a rear-naked choke before Cerqueira turns to his back, and Walker transitions into a two-on-one wrist lock. Cerqueira sits up and backs his way to the fencing while Walker clings to his left arm, and Walker lets it go so he can sit up high and smack Cerqueira in the face with short right hands. As Cerqueira tries to stand, Walker counters with an anaconda choke that he uses to keep Cerqueira stuck. Cerqueira responds with a double-leg entry, and Walker considers a guillotine choke but settles for wrenching Cerqueira to the floor. Seconds after they hit the ground, the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Round 2
The 205ers touch ‘em up, and two leg kicks come fast from Walker. The second knocks Cerqueira clean over, timed when Cerqueira was throwing. Walker leaps into top control, where he drives down ground-and-pound before considering an arm-triangle again. Walker bails on the sub so he can do work to the body and head in the closed guard. The moment Cerqueira opens his guard, Walker steps into half guard. Whether due to a head clash or some surprisingly effective offense off his back, Cerqueira appears to have cut Walker, who leaks on his chest. Cerqueira backs himself to the fence to stand, and Walker drags him back down. Although Cerqueira sits up again, Walker mat returns him once more, this time briefly lacing his legs beneath his opponent’s.
Cerqueira muscles his way back to a knee, and Walker has no interest in letting him as he rips knees to the chest while Cerqueira is on his seat. Cerqueira bursts back up, and Walker continues to knee him from up close. Cerqueira breaks free and lets his hands go, and Walker greets him with a heavy leg kick and three fierce punches. With Cerqueira shaken up by the third swing, Walker tackles him to the floor and lands in half guard. Walker looks for a guard pass, and he grips hold of the arm of Cerqueira again with 15 seconds to spare. Walker, his right eyebrow shredded open, tugs on the arm until the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Round 3
There is a glove touch to commence the final frame, and they both get right to striking. Walker lands, and Cerqueira counters him and rocks him. Walker shoots desperately, and Cerqueira stands him up and tags him with three more punches. Walker is in big trouble, and he goes for a double again and is shoved to his back. Cerqueira allows him to stand back up, and he gets kneed in the groin and unloads huge punches. Walker summons every bit of energy remaining, opening up with two crushing punches that knock Cerqueira down to the ground. Walker celebrates this and lowers himself in the guard to smother him and get some wind back, but Cerqueira is not having it and forces his way to his feet. Cerqueira lobs the most telegraphed haymaker in history, and somehow it drills “Juice Box” in the jaw and puts him on ice skates. Walker wobbles back, and he shoots for a double in hopes of slowing things down. Cerqueira stuffs him and thinks about a guillotine choke, but he stands up instead. Walker strides forward, with a head of steam again, and he drills Cerqueira in the jaw with his fists. Chaining a takedown behind it, Walker is given a gift as Cerqueira jumps guard for a guillotine choke.
This is the best thing Walker could ask for, as he slowly but effectively beats Cerqueira up from on top. An arm-triangle choke is briefly in play, but Walker lets it go so he can stay on top and keep Cerqueira from hitting him back. Beltran asks for more activity, and Walker transforms into a wet blanket by smothering Cerqueira and keeping him stuck on the floor. Both men totally gassed, Cerqueira is still resorting to explosive escapes that somehow succeed. Cerqueira is dragged to a knee shortly after getting up, and Walker imposes every one of his 206-plus pounds on his opponent from behind. Cerqueira tries to hit a reversal, but he does not have enough reserves to pull it off. Walker remains sitting on top of his foe, working on him with punches until he hops over into mount with 15 seconds to spare. Walker wraps a rear-naked choke grip around the jaw, but Cerqueira turns to his back and lays down to end the one-sided match.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Walker (30-27 Walker)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Walker (30-27 Walker)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Walker (30-27 Walker)
The Official Result
Julius Walker def. Raffael Cerqueira via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Angelo picks Julius Walker but strongly advises against betting on him at -600. He notes Walker is winless in the UFC and lost to a 40-year-old, while Cerqueira has more KO wins than Walker has fights. Angelo thinks Walker will win due to raw athleticism but the risk-reward is terrible. He separates picks from bets.
Big Brady is confident in Julius Walker, describing Cerqueira as not a real fighter based on limited footage showing him getting knocked out and fighting in a mall food court. He believes Walker's pressure will break Cerqueira quickly, as Cerqueira doesn't like to get hit. Brady predicts a first-round knockout for Walker.
Connor picks Walker because he has durability and will eventually land something on Cerqueira, who overreacts on defense and gets badly hurt when clipped. He notes Walker sat down and swung back against Menefield, and Cerqueira can't take that kind of power.
The host is critical of Cerqueira's ability to take shots, citing his previous fight. He believes Walker's athleticism, speed, and power will land big shots and get Cerqueira out of there in the first round.
The MMA Guru picks Julius Walker, criticizing Cerqueira's tendency to freeze under pressure. He notes Walker's competitive loss to Alonzo Menifield and believes Walker is underrated. He expects Walker to be aggressive early and finish Cerqueira, though he's unsure of the round.
Zane picks Cerqueira because he is sharp and quick enough to nail Walker at will on the feet, and Walker is so undercooked that Cerqueira's durability might hold up. However, he calls it a coin flip because Walker could land something given his durability.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alonzo Menifield | 0 | 87 of 147 | 59% | 113 of 179 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Julius Walker | 0 | 86 of 171 | 50% | 114 of 200 | 1 of 9 | 11% | 0 | 0 | 5:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alonzo Menifield | 0 | 23 of 33 | 69% | 38 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Julius Walker | 0 | 27 of 47 | 57% | 41 of 62 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:52 | |
| 2 | Alonzo Menifield | 0 | 31 of 56 | 55% | 33 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Julius Walker | 0 | 36 of 73 | 49% | 39 of 76 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:15 | |
| 3 | Alonzo Menifield | 0 | 33 of 58 | 56% | 42 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Julius Walker | 0 | 23 of 51 | 45% | 34 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alonzo Menifield | 87 of 147 | 59% | 64 of 120 | 19 of 22 | 4 of 5 | 78 of 132 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Julius Walker | 86 of 171 | 50% | 37 of 112 | 33 of 43 | 16 of 16 | 51 of 124 | 35 of 47 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alonzo Menifield | 23 of 33 | 69% | 21 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 26 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Julius Walker | 27 of 47 | 57% | 8 of 27 | 18 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 20 | 21 of 27 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alonzo Menifield | 31 of 56 | 55% | 20 of 43 | 9 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 29 of 51 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Julius Walker | 36 of 73 | 49% | 20 of 51 | 9 of 15 | 7 of 7 | 27 of 59 | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Alonzo Menifield | 33 of 58 | 56% | 23 of 46 | 8 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 31 of 55 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Julius Walker | 23 of 51 | 45% | 9 of 34 | 6 of 9 | 8 of 8 | 18 of 45 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The UFC knew exactly what it was doing when it matched this event. One more fight is about to play out with a battle-tested aggression machine in Menifield (15-5-1, 8-5-1 UFC) against a newcomer in Walker (6-0, 0-0 UFC) allergic to boring fights. It would be a surprise if this lasts more than five minutes, likely giving the judges some respite while referee Jason Herzog needs to be more ready than usual. There is no fist bump to get going, as Walker instead walks forward and grabs right hold of his opponent and pushes him to the wall. Menifield thwarts any early trip effort, while the newcomer mashes him against the fencing, working him with short knees. Walker attempts to elevate his foe, and this allows Menifield to briefly turn him about. The crowd does not particularly appreciate the lengthy clinch exchange, prompting Walker to drop down in pursuit of a double. Menifield stops this abruptly and knees his man in the belly, but he remains pinned to the wire. Walker breaks free and suddenly lurches forward with an overhand right that gets the veteran’s attention. Menifield shakes out the cobwebs and halts another takedown try, but he gets popped on the exit with a right hand. Walker loses his balance when kicking high, falling to the ground, and Menifield charges at him in pursuit of his own double. Walker springs away and turns things around on his foe, but Menifield pushes him back around. Walker scores a knee and a few punches, but Menifield breaks and responds with strikes far heavier. A rocked Walker desperately goes after a double, and “Atomic Alonzo” stifles the try and pushes off. Menifield walks his man down and socks him in the face, and he leans back to dodge a knee. Menifield goes for broke with winging strikes, and he walks through an elbow to knock Walker’s head around the Octagon. Walker smashes Menifield in the face with a crisp knee, and Menifield does not bat an eye and goes all-out on attack. Menifield wraps up a standing arm-triangle choke after brushing off a spin strike, and Walker breaks out of it and jams several knees to the body. They continue jockeying for position, with Walker the one striking more frequently when clinched. Menifield gets away and is slapped in the face by the unbeaten fighter’s foot, and the two trade vicious leather until the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Menifield
Round 2
The light heavyweights meet in the middle after five sloppy, dangerous minutes, and they both are a bit tired from it. Walker keeps behind his jab early, punching his way into a takedown, only to get dropped to a knee from a Menifield right hand. Walker keeps himself together enough to crash forward and pursue a takedown, and he lets it go so he can knee Menifield in the face a few times. Menifield evades a few front kicks and absorbs two low kicks so he can let Walker fly past him with a follow-up jump knee, and he stands firm in defiance of a takedown effort. Walker drills his man in the face with another knee, and Menifield ducks a strike and clinches. Menifield reaches out with a right hand, and he counters a jab with a left hook. Walker strides forward to attack, with Menifield’s hands down by his waist, but this might be a trap. Menifield sits down on a powerful counter, and Walker walks through it and throws everything he has at his opponent. Menifield takes the strikes flush or off his guard, and he swings back with reckless abandon. Technique and energy might be low, but the aggression remains high. Menifield takes a knee so he can give back a punch, and he keeps his guard up long enough to defend a pair of high kicks. A jab to the body from Menifield stumbles Walker, who gathers his thoughts and eats a cracking low kick. Walker kicks him back, draws a visible reaction, and absorbs a pair of punches on the chin. Menifield surges forward, putting his hands on the chin, and Walker stumbles forward and catches himself before going down. Menifield works the body and opens a left hook up, and he beans Walker with a right hand on the beard. Walker keeps him on his feet and flashes a jab, and a second is met with a power right hand. Walker succeeds to get the fight down, and Menifield springs up by elbowing his man on the side of the dome. One more attempted takedown from Walker wraps up the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Menifield
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Menifield
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Menifield
Round 3
As the third round opens, Menifield paws out and pokes Walker square in the eyeball. Herzog rolls his eyes and calls time, allowing the fighters to recover while warning Menifield for his obvious foul. Walker does not take long to get going again, and Menifield starts off first with a pair of lunging punches. The second knocks Walker’s mouthguard out, and he gets a second to replace it. Menifield intercepts his man coming in with a left hook, and he catches Walker a second time with one. Walker answers in kind, but Menifield’s knock his foe’s head about while Walker is more touching. One body kick from Walker is much harder, but his jabs that follow are about setting things up rather than sheer damage. On the other hand, Menifield fires off a power jab that snaps the head back. Walker moves forward to push Menifield against the wall, and he drives a knee directly into the cup. Menifield cries foul, and Herzog acknowledges it and gives the Texan time to recover. After less than a minute, Herzog brings the two together to tell them that even though they are both tired, more fouls equal point deductions. The fight kicks off again, and Menifield swings for the bleachers. Walker takes several strikes up top, and he sits down on a few low kicks to disrupt the balance of “Atomic Alonzo.” Menifield is all power, all day, and he swings his way open to defend a double. The prolonged clinch exchange allows Walker to score a few knees while keeping the wide swinging blows from Menifield off the table. Walker looks for a single or double, and Menifield is having none of it. The audience expresses its disapproval of the fighters as 90 seconds remain on the clock, clearly spoiled from the action from tonight. They split up and keep throwing, and Menifield catches his man with a left and just misses on a follow-up right. This happens a few more times, with Walker dancing just far enough away to not get cracked. Menifield keeps landing cleanly, and he takes a knee on the jaw that makes a clicking sound. Menifield steels himself and unloads a few bombs, and Walker is tough as nails as he keeps plodding forward. Menifield chases the newcomer around with a final flurry, and Walker escapes before getting downed. The fighters reach the 15-minute mark, with the final bell sounding for the first time tonight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Menifield (29-28 Menifield)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Menifield (29-28 Menifield)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Menifield (30-27 Menifield)
The Official Result
Alonzo Menifield def. Julius Walker via Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Alonzo Menifield confidently, arguing that despite a two-fight losing streak, Menifield's losses are to elite competition (Carlos Ulberg, Azamat Murzakanov) who would steamroll a newcomer like Julius Walker. He notes Walker has only been a pro for two years and has holes in takedown defense. Angelo placed a full unit on Menifield at -140.
Big Brady picks Alonzo Menifield despite back-to-back brutal knockout losses, because he loves the stylistic matchup. He notes that Julius Walker is a wild striker who is hittable and looks to grapple, but Menifield has good takedown defense and is physically strong. He believes if the fight stays standing, Menifield is the much better striker and will land something big, predicting a first-round knockout. However, he is worried about Menifield's chin at 37.
Connor picks Menifield, agreeing that Walker looks like a complete novice and is not UFC ready. He notes that Menifield can win any way he wants, and that Walker has never faced a good fighter. Connor expects Menifield to win easily, possibly by knockout.
The host expects Menifield's experience and power to exploit Walker's striking defense flaws. He predicts Menifield will score a knockout victory, though notes Walker could surprise.
The Guru picks Menifield as an underdog, believing Walker is being brought up too soon. He notes Menifield's grappling can shut down offense, he has power throughout the fight, and decent cardio. Despite Pat Barry being his coach (which he mocks), he thinks Menifield will teach the younger Walker a lesson.
Zane picks Menifield because Walker is a raw novice with terrible footwork and no comfort on the feet. He notes that Walker's only path is to take Menifield down and use his top game, but Menifield is a good athlete with much more experience. Zane expects Menifield to knock Walker out easily.
Raffael Cerqueira - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 1 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 11 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 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 | Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 1 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 11 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Yakhyaev (-1000); Cerqueira (+650)
Round 1
The under is circled on many betting sheets for this match, as prognosticators expect these two light heavyweight sluggers will bust one another up. The debuting Yakhyaev (7-0, 0-0 UFC) is the highest betting favorite of the card, with odds around -1000 (or higher) in his favor against the hapless Brazilian striker Cerqueira (11-3, 0-3 UFC). Referee Rich Mitchell dons his proverbial hard hat to protect himself from errant swings, and he steps back to allow the 205ers to clap hands.
Yakhyaev introduces himself with, of all things, a spinning wheel kick, and he proceeds to blast Cerqueira in the face with it through his guard. Cerqueira wobbles back, stung but not wrecked from the surprise kick, and Yakhyaev walks him down and busts him in the chops with an overhand left. He chases after “The Lion” and catches him with two more punches that set up a cruise missile of a head kick that sends Cerqueira crashing to his seat. Cerqueira is still with it, his eyes wide open as Yakhyaev pounces. Yakhyaev tries to finish the job with big punches, but Cerqueira works his way to his feet with the fence as his only ally in the building right now.
The Turkish fighter wraps up Cerqueira and dumps him to the ground, where he proceeds to snatch up a rear-naked choke without even bothering to get in any hooks. The choke is tight as a drum already, as Cerqueira offers little defense as he may still be dazed. Cerqueira tries to roll over to his side, but this allows Yakhyaev to slip a body triangle around his waist and complete the choke.
The Brazilian does not take more than a second or two to surrender, and just like that, Yakhyaev has successfully blown through his opponent in his promotional debut. It took a little more than 30 seconds for “The Hunter” to slay “The Lion,” and Yakhyaev remains in the ranks of the unbeaten, having justified the massive betting line in his favor.
The Official Result
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Raffael Cerqueira R1 0:33 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev over Raffael Cerqueira, calling him a solid prospect with great takedowns and power. Cerqueira is athletic but cannot defend takedowns, as seen in his loss to Julius Walker. Yakhyaev can knock him out or take him down repeatedly. The odds are wide, but Angelo is confident.
Big Brady confidently picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev by first-round knockout, describing him as a legit prospect with tons of power and vicious grappling. He expects a quick finish, possibly within the first minute, and notes Cerqueira's poor UFC record.
Cody picks Yakhyaev confidently, calling him an uber prospect. He notes Yakhyaev's well-rounded skills, power, and wrestling. Cody believes Yakhyaev will finish Cerqueira early, likely by knockout or submission. He suggests betting on a first-round finish.
Connor agrees, picking Yakhyaev. He notes that Yakhyaev is messy with his wrestling due to reckless aggression but is a good natural scrambler. He embraces chaos and doesn't shy away from resistance. He thinks Cerqueira should never have been signed and shouldn't have been kept after getting melted by Aslan.
Yakhyaev is a beast in light heavyweight and should run through Cerqueira quickly. Cerqueira has a glass chin and doesn't deserve a UFC spot. Expect a finish within two minutes.
Paul picks Yakhyaev confidently, noting his impressive resume and skills. He believes Yakhyaev will knock out Cerqueira, who is 0-3 in the UFC. Paul suggests betting on a knockout or inside the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev over Raffael Cerqueira, dismissing Cerqueira's UFC performances as disastrous. He notes Cerqueira gets KO'd in the first round and covers up. He believes Yakhyaev, an undefeated prospect with reach, will finish Cerqueira by TKO in the first or second round.
Zane picks Yakhyaev confidently, noting that Cerqueira is not good and has a paper-thin regional record. He says Cerqueira crushes cans but collapses against anyone who can fight, as shown by his loss to Ibo Aslan. Yakhyaev is undercooked but confident, aggressive, and has a wrestling game. He thinks Yakhyaev will roll through Cerqueira.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julius Walker | 1 | 44 of 62 | 70% | 96 of 120 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 11:46 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 19 of 42 | 45% | 30 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julius Walker | 0 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 17 of 27 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:31 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 12 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 | |
| 2 | Julius Walker | 0 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 48 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:41 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Julius Walker | 1 | 18 of 22 | 81% | 31 of 36 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 3:34 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 12 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julius Walker | 44 of 62 | 70% | 26 of 43 | 9 of 10 | 9 of 9 | 18 of 26 | 4 of 9 | 22 of 27 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 19 of 42 | 45% | 15 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julius Walker | 13 of 22 | 59% | 5 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 13 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 4 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 11 of 25 | 44% | 7 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Julius Walker | 13 of 18 | 72% | 6 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 11 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Julius Walker | 18 of 22 | 81% | 15 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 12 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 7 of 13 | 53% | 7 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Walker (-600); Cerqueira (+450)
Round 1
It’s time for a light heavyweight slugfest, with the promotion matching two fighters holding one combined decision victory. Referee Mike Beltran will need to be on his A-game when Walker (6-1, 0-1 UFC) and Cerqueira (11-2, 0-2 UFC) throw down, and the judges may be able to take this one off. Before they try to lop one another’s head from their shoulders, the fighters opt to clap hands together.
Walker walks down the Brazilian throwing hands, and Cerqueira knocks him back with a clean right hand. Cerqueira puts a one-two down the pipe, and the jab for Cerqueira is setting up power shots. Cerqueira swings hard with two hooks, prompting Walker to clinch up. They jockey for position up against the wall, with Walker offering a few knees to the gut when otherwise imposing his weight on his foe. Cerqueira breaks free and just misses a big left hand. Walker stalks his man down and has his guard split by a left, and Cerqueira wings a right hand over the top. The Brazilian spins with a kick that slams into Walker’s knee, and Walker looks at him and hurls a head kick that makes him fall over. Walker jumps back up to initiate a clinch, and he body locks and trips Cerqueira to the mat. Walker gets his hooks in, and Cerqueira tugs his toes on the fencing to try to improve his position. Beltran admonishes him.
Walker transitions to lean over with an arm-triangle choke, and Cerqueira turns the same time to get to his knees and then up to his feet. Walker grips hold of a leg and mat returns Cerqueira, who lands on the mat and fastens his grip on Walker’s left arm for a kimura sweep effort. The American yanks his limb out, and Cerqueira crawls towards the fence and gives his back up. Walker happily takes it, imposing his weight on top while unloading with power right hands. Walker considers a rear-naked choke before Cerqueira turns to his back, and Walker transitions into a two-on-one wrist lock. Cerqueira sits up and backs his way to the fencing while Walker clings to his left arm, and Walker lets it go so he can sit up high and smack Cerqueira in the face with short right hands. As Cerqueira tries to stand, Walker counters with an anaconda choke that he uses to keep Cerqueira stuck. Cerqueira responds with a double-leg entry, and Walker considers a guillotine choke but settles for wrenching Cerqueira to the floor. Seconds after they hit the ground, the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Round 2
The 205ers touch ‘em up, and two leg kicks come fast from Walker. The second knocks Cerqueira clean over, timed when Cerqueira was throwing. Walker leaps into top control, where he drives down ground-and-pound before considering an arm-triangle again. Walker bails on the sub so he can do work to the body and head in the closed guard. The moment Cerqueira opens his guard, Walker steps into half guard. Whether due to a head clash or some surprisingly effective offense off his back, Cerqueira appears to have cut Walker, who leaks on his chest. Cerqueira backs himself to the fence to stand, and Walker drags him back down. Although Cerqueira sits up again, Walker mat returns him once more, this time briefly lacing his legs beneath his opponent’s.
Cerqueira muscles his way back to a knee, and Walker has no interest in letting him as he rips knees to the chest while Cerqueira is on his seat. Cerqueira bursts back up, and Walker continues to knee him from up close. Cerqueira breaks free and lets his hands go, and Walker greets him with a heavy leg kick and three fierce punches. With Cerqueira shaken up by the third swing, Walker tackles him to the floor and lands in half guard. Walker looks for a guard pass, and he grips hold of the arm of Cerqueira again with 15 seconds to spare. Walker, his right eyebrow shredded open, tugs on the arm until the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Round 3
There is a glove touch to commence the final frame, and they both get right to striking. Walker lands, and Cerqueira counters him and rocks him. Walker shoots desperately, and Cerqueira stands him up and tags him with three more punches. Walker is in big trouble, and he goes for a double again and is shoved to his back. Cerqueira allows him to stand back up, and he gets kneed in the groin and unloads huge punches. Walker summons every bit of energy remaining, opening up with two crushing punches that knock Cerqueira down to the ground. Walker celebrates this and lowers himself in the guard to smother him and get some wind back, but Cerqueira is not having it and forces his way to his feet. Cerqueira lobs the most telegraphed haymaker in history, and somehow it drills “Juice Box” in the jaw and puts him on ice skates. Walker wobbles back, and he shoots for a double in hopes of slowing things down. Cerqueira stuffs him and thinks about a guillotine choke, but he stands up instead. Walker strides forward, with a head of steam again, and he drills Cerqueira in the jaw with his fists. Chaining a takedown behind it, Walker is given a gift as Cerqueira jumps guard for a guillotine choke.
This is the best thing Walker could ask for, as he slowly but effectively beats Cerqueira up from on top. An arm-triangle choke is briefly in play, but Walker lets it go so he can stay on top and keep Cerqueira from hitting him back. Beltran asks for more activity, and Walker transforms into a wet blanket by smothering Cerqueira and keeping him stuck on the floor. Both men totally gassed, Cerqueira is still resorting to explosive escapes that somehow succeed. Cerqueira is dragged to a knee shortly after getting up, and Walker imposes every one of his 206-plus pounds on his opponent from behind. Cerqueira tries to hit a reversal, but he does not have enough reserves to pull it off. Walker remains sitting on top of his foe, working on him with punches until he hops over into mount with 15 seconds to spare. Walker wraps a rear-naked choke grip around the jaw, but Cerqueira turns to his back and lays down to end the one-sided match.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Walker (30-27 Walker)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Walker (30-27 Walker)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Walker (30-27 Walker)
The Official Result
Julius Walker def. Raffael Cerqueira via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Angelo picks Julius Walker but strongly advises against betting on him at -600. He notes Walker is winless in the UFC and lost to a 40-year-old, while Cerqueira has more KO wins than Walker has fights. Angelo thinks Walker will win due to raw athleticism but the risk-reward is terrible. He separates picks from bets.
Big Brady is confident in Julius Walker, describing Cerqueira as not a real fighter based on limited footage showing him getting knocked out and fighting in a mall food court. He believes Walker's pressure will break Cerqueira quickly, as Cerqueira doesn't like to get hit. Brady predicts a first-round knockout for Walker.
Connor picks Walker because he has durability and will eventually land something on Cerqueira, who overreacts on defense and gets badly hurt when clipped. He notes Walker sat down and swung back against Menefield, and Cerqueira can't take that kind of power.
The host is critical of Cerqueira's ability to take shots, citing his previous fight. He believes Walker's athleticism, speed, and power will land big shots and get Cerqueira out of there in the first round.
The MMA Guru picks Julius Walker, criticizing Cerqueira's tendency to freeze under pressure. He notes Walker's competitive loss to Alonzo Menifield and believes Walker is underrated. He expects Walker to be aggressive early and finish Cerqueira, though he's unsure of the round.
Zane picks Cerqueira because he is sharp and quick enough to nail Walker at will on the feet, and Walker is so undercooked that Cerqueira's durability might hold up. However, he calls it a coin flip because Walker could land something given his durability.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 1 | 16 of 41 | 39% | 16 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 9 of 22 | 40% | 9 of 22 | 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 | Modestas Bukauskas | 1 | 16 of 41 | 39% | 16 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 9 of 22 | 40% | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 16 of 41 | 39% | 11 of 36 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 9 of 22 | 40% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 16 of 41 | 39% | 11 of 36 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 9 of 22 | 40% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The UFC treks to Seattle for the first time since 2013, when flyweight king Demetrious Johnson put his belt on the line against John Moraga. The sport never stops moving, and none of the 24 fighters on the lineup of that event will be competing tonight at UFC Fight Night 252. The matchmakers put together a show that even with a ton of injuries and changeups, it has the potential to be hot fire, just like Dylan. A pair of light heavyweight sluggers grace the cage first, and with 22 finishes across their 27 combined wins, referee Jeff Hoiby is already hyper-focused on what’s about to happen next. With a fresh look at the division after leaving the company for a pair of fights, Bukauskas (16-6, 4-4 UFC) has fared better his second time around. On the other hand, Cerqueira (11-1, 0-1 UFC) introduced himself to the masses in October and had his block knocked off by a man in Ibo Aslan who will be competing later. It’s likely knock out or be knocked out, but before they try for that, the fighters bump fists. Bukauskas introduces himself with an axe kick of all strikes, and the Brazilian is well away from him as he watches it go wide. Bukauskas walks his man down and busts him in the chops with a right hand and a left, and Cerqueira bounces off the cage wall and sets up a body kick. Bukauskas reaches with a long right hand, and he paws out with a front kick and a low kick. Cerqueira strikes back at the lead leg, but he leaves himself over for an overhand right that skims the forward bow. Bukauskas turns his hips into a low kick, and this time it is him who is wide-open for a one-two down the pipe. Bukauskas targets the pectoral with a right hand, only to get his chin checked with another clean one-two. Cerqueira loads up on a power punch and gets the attention of “The Baltic Gladiator,” but he also gets tagged on the way out. Bukauskas strides forward, fired up and ready to go, and he unleashes a flurry of fists that crash into the chin of “The Lion.” Cerqueira’s eyes go wide as he is surprised he got clipped, and he backs towards the wall in hopes of getting his balance.
This is the worst thing he can do, as he leans back and has his chin straight up in the air. Bukauskas does not let his man off the hook, blasting him in the face with powerful punches that shake the Brazilian up and separate him from his senses. Cerqueira crumbles to the floor, lights on but no one is home, and Hoiby rushes in to stop the fight.
The victorious Lithuanian walks off triumphantly and hits a picture-perfect back flip to further wow the masses. That is one heck of a way to start the night, as the crowd goes wild.
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The Official Result
Modestas Bukauskas def. Raffael Cerqueira R1 2:12 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Bukauskas but is hesitant because he sees Cerqueira as dangerous and unproven. He notes Bukauskas has been knocked out four times and had trouble with Marcin Prachnio, while Cerqueira has 10 stoppages in 11 wins but was knocked out in his UFC debut. He says there's no world where he bets on Bukauskas at -350 and will leave this fight alone.
Big Brady picks Raffael Cerqueira despite being a complete unknown with only two fights available to watch. He notes that Modestas Bukauskas is low-volume, lacks power, and has never looked like a -310 favorite against anyone. He believes Cerqueira has a significant advantage on the ground as a BJJ black belt training with Guto Almeida, and that Bukauskas's technical striking advantage is negated by his low output. He calls this a '100% gambler fight' and picks Cerqueira by knockout, though he admits the fight is awful.
The host believes the line is too wide but expects Bukauskas's striking style to shut down Cerqueira's BJJ and Muay Thai. He predicts Bukauskas will chip away and win on the scorecards.
The Guru dismisses Raffael Cerqueira after his poor debut where he covered up and accepted defeat. He believes Bukauskas is more technical, matches in size and athleticism, and is a real fighter. He refuses to pick Cerqueira again, calling him a non-fighter who fought weak regional competition.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibo Aslan | 0 | 28 of 36 | 77% | 28 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 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 | Ibo Aslan | 0 | 28 of 36 | 77% | 28 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibo Aslan | 28 of 36 | 77% | 26 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 28 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ibo Aslan | 28 of 36 | 77% | 26 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 28 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Ibo Aslan but is hesitant due to lack of tape on Cerqueira and Aslan's cardio issues. He notes Aslan is a heavy-handed striker with power but has holes in his game and cardio problems. Cerqueira is patient and athletic but not aggressive, and it's unknown how he handles getting hit. Angelo will likely avoid betting on this fight.
Big Brady picks Cerqueira due to the unknowns and his potential paths to win. He notes that Cerqueira is a black belt in BJJ and could submit Aslan if he gets the fight to the mat. However, he acknowledges there is little tape on Cerqueira and that both fighters are front-loaded. He predicts a first-round submission for Cerqueira.
Cody picks Ibo Aslan, believing his UFC experience and cardio will be key against a debuting opponent. He notes that Cerqueira is 34, started late, and has fought low-level competition. Cody thinks Aslan's power and ability to push the pace will lead to a finish in the second round. However, he is not highly confident.
Connor picks Cerqueira, noting that Aslan seems like a guy used to dominating with strength but crumbles when pushed back. Cerqueira is more of a fighter who enjoys the fight and has a better defensive feel, though it's hard to have a strong feeling either way.
Daniel Vreeland picks Aslan, noting that Cerqueira gets hit a lot and relies on home-run punches. He points out that Aslan showed durability in his last fight, taking punishment but not getting finished. Vreeland expects Aslan's volume to overwhelm Cerqueira, and thinks the line may move in Aslan's favor by fight time.
Daniel Vreeland picks Ibo Aslan to win, but with low confidence due to limited tape on Cerqueira. He notes that Aslan has shown power that carries into later rounds and that Cerqueira's unorthodox striking and lack of high-level competition make him a risk. Vreeland would be more interested if Aslan returns to underdog odds.
Jeff Fox also picks Aslan, though he initially considered Cerqueira. After film study, he saw Cerqueira getting hit a lot and relying on a spinning backfist knockout against a regional opponent. Fox doubts that will work against Aslan, who has proven durable. He also notes Cerqueira's body kicks but questions their effectiveness against higher-level competition.
Cerqueira will get the fight to the ground and use his BJJ black belt to put Aslan in bad positions, opening up a submission opportunity. Look for Cerqueira to wrap up a submission within five minutes.
Paul picks Aslan, citing Cerqueira's lack of high-level competition and telegraphing of strikes. He believes Aslan's power and durability will be too much, and that Cerqueira's late start and age are disadvantages. Paul is not fully confident but leans Aslan.
The Guru picks Raffael Cerqueira, citing his dynamic finishing ability and size advantage. He notes that Ibo Aslan was hit a lot by Anton Turkalj, and believes Cerqueira's power and athleticism will put Aslan away. He acknowledges Cerqueira's unimpressive regional competition but is swayed by his vicious body kicks and spinning elbows. The Guru predicts Cerqueira will catch Aslan at some point and finish him.
Zane picks Cerqueira because he seems like an actual fighter who enjoys fighting, whereas Aslan is a strong guy who doesn't like fighting and panics when pushed back. Cerqueira has a better feel for navigating exchanges and is more willing to scrap, though neither is a clean technician.
Zane admitted he was wrong about this fight, having doubted Aslan due to his loss to Anton Turkalj. He credited those who said Aslan would crush Cerqueira, noting Cerqueira is clearly not ready for this level. However, Zane remains unsold on Aslan, describing him as a guy who took up MMA just to get chicks, but acknowledged that's a better base than Cerqueira's.
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Julius Walker but strongly advises against betting on him at -600. He notes Walker is winless in the UFC and lost to a 40-year-old, while Cerqueira has more KO wins than Walker has fights. Angelo thinks Walker will win due to raw athleticism but the risk-reward is terrible. He separates picks from bets.
Big Brady is confident in Julius Walker, describing Cerqueira as not a real fighter based on limited footage showing him getting knocked out and fighting in a mall food court. He believes Walker's pressure will break Cerqueira quickly, as Cerqueira doesn't like to get hit. Brady predicts a first-round knockout for Walker.
Connor picks Walker because he has durability and will eventually land something on Cerqueira, who overreacts on defense and gets badly hurt when clipped. He notes Walker sat down and swung back against Menefield, and Cerqueira can't take that kind of power.
The host is critical of Cerqueira's ability to take shots, citing his previous fight. He believes Walker's athleticism, speed, and power will land big shots and get Cerqueira out of there in the first round.
The MMA Guru picks Julius Walker, criticizing Cerqueira's tendency to freeze under pressure. He notes Walker's competitive loss to Alonzo Menifield and believes Walker is underrated. He expects Walker to be aggressive early and finish Cerqueira, though he's unsure of the round.
Zane picks Cerqueira because he is sharp and quick enough to nail Walker at will on the feet, and Walker is so undercooked that Cerqueira's durability might hold up. However, he calls it a coin flip because Walker could land something given his durability.
Comments (1)
Julius was pretty green here given an easy opponent. Opted for takedowns at the end of a few punches. Where is if he stayed on his feet he could have got the finish. Raffael is now on three straight loses but his body has improved massively. Originally I bet him to finish IBO as he has some skills but he got blown out the water. Julius unfortunately is on everyone radar and the odds for the KO this fight were 1.57. He has subs in him and throughout the fight he was going for them when the KO was the better option. Julius can run on empty but if he sharpen his tool set he should be walking through some of the competition
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