Career Averages - Shauna Bannon
Career Averages - Sam Hughes
Shauna Bannon
Sam Hughes
Shauna Bannon - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 29 of 49 | 59% | 158 of 183 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:50 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 0 | 20 of 38 | 52% | 50 of 68 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 1 | 0 | 9:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 82 of 88 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 25 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:33 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 20 of 28 | 71% | 64 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:41 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 10 of 18 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 2:35 | |
| 3 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 7 of 14 | 50% | 12 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 0 | 8 of 15 | 53% | 15 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 29 of 49 | 59% | 16 of 31 | 9 of 11 | 4 of 7 | 19 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 9 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 20 of 38 | 52% | 18 of 35 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 6 of 9 | 66% | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 20 of 28 | 71% | 13 of 18 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 2 | 10 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 9 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 6 of 14 | 42% | 5 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | |
| 3 | Shauna Bannon | 7 of 14 | 50% | 2 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nicolle Caliari | 8 of 15 | 53% | 8 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Kerry Hatley is the referee. They swing right away during a furious and brief exchange. Caliari closes distance and executes a throw, but Bannon is able to return to her feet. Not much later, Caliari executes another head-and-arm throw and lands inside full guard. Bannon is crafty from her back, as she neutralizes the Brazilian while looking for submission openings. Caliari stands briefly, but can’t clear the legs and ends up diving back into full guard. Caliari drives her forearm into her foe’s neck, while Bannon peppers her with annoying punches from her back. Caliari tires to stay busy with short punches to the ribs. Bannon creates a scramble with her guard but Caliari stands and drops a forceful right hand. Caliari shifts to a north-south position, and Bannon has her feet on the fence. Caliari looks to frame a kimura, but Bannon won’t allow the Brazilian to separate her hands. Calaria transitions to a back take just before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Caliari
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Caliari
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Caliari
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Round 2
Caliari is aggressive, pressing forward with punches before forcing the clinch. Caliari clings to a leg, pulls Bannon off the cage and then secures a rear body lock. Caliari is able to plant Bannon on the canvas, again landing in her foe’s full guard. Caliari drops an elbow and dives back into guard. Bannon throws more short strikes from her back. Bannon is able to create space with her guard. Caliari stands and Hatley orders a standup. Bannon pressures forward, but Caliarri responds and tags her. Caliari catches a kick and shoves Bannon into the wire. Bannon lands a sharp body kick and Caliari drops low for a takedown. Bannon defends well and turns her opponent into the cage. Bannon lands a short elbow in the clinch. Caliari counters with a throw attempt, but Bannon is able to reverse into top position. She sets up in half guard, where she lands a short elbow. Bannon is heavy on top, but Caliari is active on bottom trying to create scrambles. Bannon floats on top and she ends the round with some solid ground-and-pound.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Round 3
Bannon fires off a jab and a pair of low kicks. Bannon moves in with a 1-2 and moves away. Caliari turns up the aggression, flurrying with a short punching combination before shoving the Irishwoman into the fence. Caliari denies a hip toss from her foe and rolls into top position. An earlier punching flurry seems to have had a pernicious effect on Bannon’s face, as she has a serious mouse over her left eye. Caliari seems to be in control in half guard, applying pressure while landing short punches and elbows from above. The Brazilian is thinking about an arm triangle. Caliari applies the squeeze and the passes to the correct side to complete the choke. Bannon has no choice but to tap out. A successful strawweight debut for Caliari, who has her first UFC victory to boot.
The Official Result
Nicolle Caliari def. Shauna Bannon via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) R3 3:08
Angelo picks Nicolle Caliari, heavily criticizing Shauna Bannon's skills, especially her BJJ. He believes Caliari can get the fight to the ground and will have a massive advantage there. He calls Bannon one of the worst fighters on the roster and expects Caliari to win easily.
Big Brady picks Nicolle Caliari confidently, citing her wrestling and judo advantage over Shauna Bannon. He notes Bannon's poor takedown defense and lack of power, and expects Caliari to exploit this on the ground. He predicts a second-round submission, as Bannon has shown vulnerability to grappling.
Cody is confident in Nicolle Caliari, noting that Shauna Bannon has poor takedown defense (40%) and has been taken down by lesser wrestlers. Caliari is willing to shoot takedowns and has good grappling. Bannon is a point-based karate stylist who relies on distance, but Caliari can close the distance, take her down, and dominate on the ground. Cody expects Caliari to get her first UFC win.
Connor picks Caliari, agreeing with Zane. He notes Bannon is not an athlete and struggles to generate power, while Caliari is a physical powerhouse. Bannon's only wins are over other non-athletes, and she was dominated by Sam Hughes.
Caliari is a good offensive wrestler with decent cardio, and Bannon's takedown defense and ground game are very bad. Bannon will have the advantage on the feet but will likely spend most of the fight on the ground. Caliari should win easily, but the odds are too short to bet.
Lucrative James picks Nicolle Caliari, believing she can take Bannon down and dominate on the mat. He notes Bannon's vulnerability to wrestlers and Caliari's toughness and power. He predicts a decision win for Caliari, possibly with a submission.
The host picks Montaño (Nicolle Caliari) over Shauna Bannon, citing Montaño's judo and physicality to drag the fight into uncomfortable positions for Bannon, leading to a decision win. He is surprised Montaño is such a heavy favorite but acknowledges the low level of both fighters.
The host believes Caliari's physicality and grappling will be the difference, as she can grind out takedowns and control the fight. However, he is hesitant to trust the chalk on Caliari at -240, noting Bannon's striking style could cause problems. He predicts Caliari by decision but prefers the under 2.5 rounds prop.
Paul also picks Nicolle Caliari, noting that he will never back Shauna Bannon again after she was knocked down by Puya Tomar. He believes Caliari can mix in wrestling and keep it competitive on the feet, while Bannon's strikes lack power. He parlayed Caliari with Daniel Santos earlier in the week.
Zane picks Caliari because she is a physical powerhouse who should bully Bannon. Bannon is a non-athlete with no power, coming from a traditional martial arts background, and has lost to physical powerhouses. Caliari has fought tough competition and hung with them.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 13 of 38 | 34% | 42 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 21 of 46 | 45% | 55 of 84 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 5:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 7 of 21 | 33% | 33 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 45 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:09 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 10 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:20 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 13 of 38 | 34% | 5 of 20 | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 12 of 33 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 2 |
| Sam Hughes | 21 of 46 | 45% | 19 of 43 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 21 | 3 of 5 | 14 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 7 of 21 | 33% | 3 of 10 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 5 | 6 of 18 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 13 of 29 | 44% | 11 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 12 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 6 of 17 | 35% | 2 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 |
| Sam Hughes | 8 of 17 | 47% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 8 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hughes (-310); Bannon (+250)
Round 1
After a week to catch our collective breaths, the UFC sallies forth to Paris. As part of its annual French fight card series, local fans will be treated to a bevy of European athletes with decent matchups. It all comes to a head with French fighters in the main and co-main attractions, but before then, there are 11 more fights to get through. We commence the festivities with the sole women’s match on the card, one that will play out at strawweight. Bannon (7-1, 2-1 UFC) will look to keep her momentum going as she clashes with .500 UFC fighter Hughes (10-6, 5-5 UFC) who may be better than her resume appears. The two 115ers will be joined in the Octagon by referee Lukasz Bosacki, who clocks them in as they rush towards one another without a fist bump in sight. It’s on with the show.
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They both strike at the same time to greet one another, and Hughes lands cleaner and gest Bannon’s attention right off the bat. Reddening up the Irishwoman’s nose with her fists, she prompts Bannon into shooting in for a takedown. Hughes turns the tables against her and tackles her to the mat, and various chants in French boom throughout the surprisingly populated building. When Bannon closes up her guard and slows Hughes down, members of the audience start wooing rudely. Bosacki calls for more action before long, and the crowd starts to turn on the strawweights as the grind has been embraced two minutes in. Bannon lifts her right leg up for a rubber guard, but Hughes completely ignores it and retains heavy chest pressure.
As little else happens besides a few Hughes punches, Bosacki calls for them to do something more. “Sampage” listens this time around, and she slugs Bannon with several powerful blows. Bannon’s eyes go wide as she takes fire, and she grabs hold of Hughes to slow her down. Hughes looks to pass guard, and Bannon uses upkicks to push off her foe’s chest. The upkicks do not slow Hughes, who steps over to a crucifix position and starts hammering “Mama B” with elbows. Bosacki asks for Bannon to fight back as Hughes thumps Bannon up with her elbows, and Bannon desperately bucks to get her arm free and drags Hughes back to half guard. Hughes explodes over to take the back briefly during a scramble, and she settles for side control so she can beat down Bannon further. When Bannon sits up, Hughes tries for a no-hook rear-naked choke. The Irish fighter is able to escape the choke and work to her feet with the wall behind her, and Hughes knees her in the face and pops her with a left hand before the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Round 2
The ladies get right to business, with Bannon knowing she dropped the round and starting off aggressively. Kicks from the Irish athlete fly to all targets, as she sets up one high by starting on the lead leg. Hughes shrugs it off and counters with an overhand right, and a bit of a mouse develops under her left eye. Hughes is tough as nails as she catches a head kick and slings Bannon to the mat, where she punches her foe all the way down to the canvas. Hughes sits comfortably in an open guard, and Bannon hooks her fingers inside of her opponent’s gloves. Bosacki warns her for the foul, and Hughes punishes her for this by bashing her with heavy ground-and-pound. “Sampage” works her way to side control, where she hunts for another crucifix position—perhaps emulating the recent success of middleweight champ Khamzat Chimaev—and this makes Bannon scramble like a madwoman. Hughes allows her to turn because she has set a trap. When Bannon posts of her hands to sit up, her neck is exposed and Hughes knows it.
Hughes snatches up a textbook rear-naked choke, looping both hooks in and securing her grip beneath the chin. Bannon knows her goose is cooked, and she has no choice but to tap out.
The victorious American has performed her first submission—and second finish overall—in the Octagon, while handing Bannon her first stoppage loss as a pro.
The Official Result
Sam Hughes def. Shauna Bannon R2 1:58 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo is extremely confident in Sam Hughes, calling her his most confident pick on the entire card. He criticizes Shauna Bannon's unorthodox and ineffective striking style, describing her as having low fight IQ and a 'weirdo fight style.' He believes Hughes' relentless pressure, cardio, and grinding ability will overwhelm Bannon, leading to takedowns and forward pressure. He notes the line has moved from -250 to -320 and expects it to go even higher. He also mentions the over 2.5 rounds as a prop.
Big Brady picks Sam Hughes, noting she is a favorite for the first time in her UFC career. He believes this is her easiest fight yet, citing her pressure, cardio, and pace. He mentions she can mix in grappling but is not willing to bet at -310. He predicts a decision win.
The host believes Sam Hughes is a great matchup to expose Shauna Bannon as not a UFC-level talent. He expects Hughes to control the fight from the start with her pressure striking or takedowns and top control, grinding out a decision win.
The Guru picks Sam Hughes because she has a clear method of victory: her wrestling and gritty cardio. He criticizes Shauna Bannon for lacking any standout skill, noting her win over Pujitoma was circumstantial. He expects Hughes to win a close decision by securing takedowns at the end of rounds, which often sways judges in women's MMA.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 52 of 104 | 50% | 64 of 117 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:59 |
| Puja Tomar | 1 | 36 of 72 | 50% | 38 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 36 of 74 | 48% | 43 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Puja Tomar | 0 | 23 of 50 | 46% | 24 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 16 of 30 | 53% | 21 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Puja Tomar | 1 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 14 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 52 of 104 | 50% | 16 of 37 | 24 of 46 | 12 of 21 | 49 of 99 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Puja Tomar | 36 of 72 | 50% | 22 of 51 | 10 of 12 | 4 of 9 | 27 of 60 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 36 of 74 | 48% | 6 of 20 | 20 of 39 | 10 of 15 | 35 of 71 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Puja Tomar | 23 of 50 | 46% | 14 of 36 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 6 | 22 of 48 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 16 of 30 | 53% | 10 of 17 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 6 | 14 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Puja Tomar | 13 of 22 | 59% | 8 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 8 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bannon (-180), Tomar (+150)
Round 1
Lukasz Bosacki will ref this strawweight tilt. Bannon rushes in with a side kick to the knee. Tomar lands a rear kick to the liver. Tomar with a combination before Bannon secures the clinch and shoves the Indian into the fence. Bannon stays busy with knees in close before they separate. Tomar is just winging punches. Bannon follows a punching combination with a kick. A high kick connects for Tomar, but Bannon is unfazed. Bannon is feinting her lead leg often, and then it pays off as she lands a head kick with her rear leg. Bannon forces the clinch and lands an elbow before backing off. Wild punches from Tomar miss the mark. Bannon pressures looking for openings while hopping on her back foot. Tomar rushes in and eats a clean side kick to the face. Bannon is upset as a Tomar kick lands to the groin and time is called. Tomar swings wildly to get past Bannon’s kicks. A couple punches land and Bannon backs up for a moment. Bannon steps in and lands a body kick with her rear leg. They trade kicks and Bannon fires an overhand that partially connects at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Round 2
Bannon is right back to threatening with her side kick. Bannon uses it to back Tomar up before flurrying with a series of punches. A side kick shoves Tomar into the fence, and Bannon forces the clinch. They trade knees in close. Bannon lands an elbow on the break and then fires off another side kick. Tomar seems frozen by the threat of the side kick. Then out of nowhere, Tomar catches Bannon with a crushing head kick and the Irishwoman crumbles to the mat. Tomar unleashes ground-and-pound in search of the finish, but Bannon is able to defend enough to keep the fight going. The wild sequence continues as Bannon transitions to an armbar. Tomar stands, doing her best to fend off the maneuver.
Bannon adjusts the submission and finds a better angle, bringing Tomar to the mat. Moments later, Tomar is forced to tap out.
The Official Result
Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar via Submission (Armbar) R2 3:22
Angelo picks Shauna Bannon despite thinking Puja Tomar is the better fighter. He believes Shauna's size, strength, and forward pressure will allow her to get Puja against the cage and exploit grappling holes. He also factors in crowd support since Ireland is close to England. He expects a close decision and notes the fight is low-level but potentially fun.
Brady calls this a coin flip and expects a split decision. He favors Puja Tomar as the plus-money underdog because she is active with kicks and judges like activity. He criticizes Shauna Bannon for hitting air and thinks the fight is very low quality.
The host views this as a low-level matchup with neither woman threatening finishes, but Bannon's jiu-jitsu could cause issues for Tomar. Even in striking, Bannon's variety of strikes should trump Tomar's kicking game, leading to a decision or submission win.
The Guru picks Shauna Bannon, citing her 6-inch reach advantage and forward pressure. He notes that Puja Tomar gives up ground and backs up too much, which in close women's MMA fights often leads to pressure winning. He acknowledges Tomar's home crowd advantage in London but still favors Bannon's pressure and cage work. He expects a close 29-28 decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 77 of 169 | 45% | 151 of 252 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 57 of 105 | 54% | 80 of 139 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 5:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 52 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 14 of 21 | 66% | 26 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:25 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 47 of 75 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 17 of 26 | 65% | 28 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:28 | |
| 3 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 50 of 101 | 49% | 52 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 26 of 58 | 44% | 26 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 77 of 169 | 45% | 44 of 119 | 22 of 36 | 11 of 14 | 73 of 164 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 57 of 105 | 54% | 42 of 84 | 10 of 15 | 5 of 6 | 50 of 97 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 11 of 28 | 39% | 5 of 18 | 2 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 14 of 21 | 66% | 12 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 16 of 40 | 40% | 11 of 31 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 4 | 15 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 17 of 26 | 65% | 11 of 20 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Shauna Bannon | 50 of 101 | 49% | 28 of 70 | 17 of 25 | 5 of 6 | 47 of 98 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 26 of 58 | 44% | 19 of 47 | 5 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bannon (-185), Ardelean (+155)
Round 1
For the first time in what seems like ages, the UFC is taking to a city in the United Kingdom other than London. Packing the Co-op Live, a building that recently finished construction with a capacity of over 20,000 seats, the promotion is doing its best to make sure fans get their money’s worth. Of the marathon 14-fight billing, all 14 bouts feature at least one fighter out of the U.K. or Ireland, or at the very least fight out of there in the case of Modestas Bukauskas. The first international contest comes in a classic battle between the Emerald Isle and the Land of Dracula at 115 pounds. “Mama B” Bannon (5-1, 0-1 UFC) will try to make the most of her second chance for a first impression, and she welcomes OnlyFans-famous Ardelean (9-5, 0-0 UFC) to the Octagon. The ladies will be joined in the cage by referee Mike Beltran, and they decide not to touch ‘em up to commence the curtain jerker. The crowd is lathered up, with the local time of 11 p.m., and the ladies are just as energized. Bannon leads off with a side kick, and the two ladies throw hands wildly at one another. The two come together a few times swinging their hands recklessly, smacking one another in the chops early and often. A few right hands from the Romanian redden Bannon’s nose, and commentator Daniel Cormier short-circuits momentarily on the broadcast as he repeats Ardelean’s name again and again awkwardly. Cormier recovers thanks perhaps due to tech support, and Ardelean pushes forward to change levels and slow Bannon down. Bannon grabs the fence to stop a takedown, and Ardelean redoubles her effort to put her on her back as Bannon pulls on the links once again. Beltran shouts warnings at the Irishwoman, who pays him no mind as she tugs her toes on the fencing to improve her position after getting dumped on her back. Bannon shifts to her side to pursue an armbar, and Ardelean shrugs it off and lowers herself into the closed guard of her adversary. Ardelean opens up with ground-and-pound, and Bannon once more uses her digits to pull herself around, and she snags hold of an armbar again. Ardelean stands up, but Bannon rolls her over and nearly locks the maneuver down. Ardelean keeps turning all the way through the submission to put Bannon flat again, and she breaks out of the move. Bannon uses a high guard to threaten with a triangle choke, and she hacks with elbows from off her back to stay busier than the woman on top of her. Ardelean keeps heavy pressure until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Round 2
Between rounds, Bannon’s corner, ex-UFC fighter Paddy Holohan, bangs his face into the camera, as the cameraman is hovering very close to them. When they resume, Bannon sports a wry grin, and she springs into action with combinations of punches. As she succeeds in landing, her right hand lumps up Ardelean’s nose, and she times a knee when Ardelean ducks down right on the forehead. Ardelean smiles and meanders forward, but she backs off to reset momentarily before surging back into action. Bannon slips back and slaps Ardelean in the face with the top of her foot, and she marches forward and grabs hold of her foe to attempt to hip toss her down. Ardelean fights her way out of the grip, and Bannon walks her down and rings her up with four straight punches. As Bannon blitzes a second time, Ardelean ducks around it to grab the Irishwoman from behind. Ardelean pushes her foe to the wall, and although she cannot get Bannon down, she grinds her and plants knees on her belly repeatedly. They continue to dirty box, with Bannon offering short right hands around the guard while Ardelean offers light lefts back at her. Bannon uses a knee shield to try to stop knees from landing on her midsection, and when she looks for a throw, Ardelean counters her and chucks Bannon to the canvas like a side of beef. Ardelean lands in side control, and she grabs hold of a scarf hold headlock. Bannon uses the position to try to take Ardelean’s back, and the two scramble and end up on their sides with neither in a good position. Ardelean decides to stand back up, and Bannon follows her with a few punches before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 3
The ladies rush to the center of the cage to engage, and when Bannon kicks, Ardelean counters with a right hand over the top. Bannon retreats and then sprints forward, landing a few punches but getting driven back by counters. Bannon kicks the body three times with the side of her foot, and she uses the side kick to keep Ardelean at bay. When Bannon surges forward, Ardelean stuns her with a left and a big right, and she grapples Bannon but abandons the takedown effort and breaks out of the clinch. Ardelean lands but gets caught with a right hand and a knee, and she smiles from ear to ear after getting punched in the face. Bannon spins with a strike that misses, and Ardelean bears down on her with a pair of hooks. Bannon chains a few punches together into a high kick, and Ardelean laughs it off quite literally and swings back with bad intentions. Bannon comes up short with another head kick, and Ardelean sees the timing and waits for her openings to engage. Bannon races forward and connects with a pair of hooks, and she backs off before eating anything in response. Bannon strafes from side to side, and she side kicks Ardelean in the ribs a few times as Ardelean nods at her. Bannon stays at her preferred range until wading into close proximity, and Ardelean clips her with a one-two. Bannon darts in and out with attacks, catching Ardelean flat-footed and escaping quickly. Ardelean is unable to land first in most of the exchanges, but she does manage to connect at least once during their in-and-out flurries. Bannon zooms at her opponent and dings her with two punches and a kick, and Beltran calls time to cut a piece of tape off of Ardelean’s glove. They get right back to it when time is called in, with Bannon kicking Ardelean in the face and drawing immediate blood. Ardelean is smiling but getting busted up, and she chases after Bannon but cannot reach her. Bannon spins with a wheel kick that misses the mark, and Ardelean busts her in the chops with a left hand that wobbles the Irishwoman’s legs. Bannon decides to attempt one final takedown, and they both wind up landing on their respective heads before the final bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Bannon)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Ardelean)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Bannon)
The Official Result
Shauna Bannon def. Alice Ardelean via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo picks Alice Ardelean, citing her forward pressure, toughness, and willingness to fight. He notes that Shauna Bannon forces things and doesn't flow smoothly, while Ardelean is a busy striker who chases finishes. Angelo expects a sloppy back-and-forth fight that goes to a decision, and he plans to bet on Ardelean plus 3.5 if she is the underdog.
Cody hesitantly picks Shauna Bannon, citing her grappling as the key. He notes that Alice Ardelean is an influencer with limited fighting skills and that Bannon's takedowns and top control should be enough. However, he acknowledges that Bannon looked lost in her UFC debut and that the line is too high. He expects a close, ugly fight.
Daniel admits he didn't know Alice Ardelean was a fighter and notes she has more experience against UFC-level competition, though she lost. He thinks Shauna Bannon is green. He picks Ardelean but warns not to tail him because he is unsure.
Daniel picks Shauna Bannon as his lock, noting it's a good matchup for her against a questionable opponent making her UFC debut on short notice.
Paul leans towards Bannon, noting that Ardelean is a TikTok star with no real MMA credentials. He believes Bannon's grappling should be enough, but he is not confident due to Bannon's poor performance in her debut. Paul calls it a 'dogger pass' fight and may not bet it.
The MMA Guru picks Shauna Bannon despite calling her 'garbage' initially. He reasons that her full training camp is a significant advantage over Alice Ardelean, who stepped in on short notice and hasn't fought in a year. He notes Ardelean's only win came against an 0-3 opponent, though it was impressive. The Guru expects Bannon to win by decision, but acknowledges the unpredictability of women's MMA.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruna Brasil | 0 | 54 of 144 | 37% | 124 of 223 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:05 |
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 56 of 90 | 62% | 73 of 111 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruna Brasil | 0 | 16 of 51 | 31% | 16 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 20 of 34 | 58% | 20 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Bruna Brasil | 0 | 19 of 42 | 45% | 56 of 86 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 16 of 25 | 64% | 28 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:45 | |
| 3 | Bruna Brasil | 0 | 19 of 51 | 37% | 52 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 20 of 31 | 64% | 25 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruna Brasil | 54 of 144 | 37% | 22 of 84 | 19 of 38 | 13 of 22 | 51 of 139 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Shauna Bannon | 56 of 90 | 62% | 30 of 58 | 14 of 19 | 12 of 13 | 39 of 72 | 12 of 13 | 5 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bruna Brasil | 16 of 51 | 31% | 9 of 36 | 1 of 6 | 6 of 9 | 16 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Shauna Bannon | 20 of 34 | 58% | 12 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 7 | 20 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bruna Brasil | 19 of 42 | 45% | 6 of 22 | 10 of 15 | 3 of 5 | 16 of 38 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Shauna Bannon | 16 of 25 | 64% | 6 of 12 | 7 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 17 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Bruna Brasil | 19 of 51 | 37% | 7 of 26 | 8 of 17 | 4 of 8 | 19 of 50 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Shauna Bannon | 20 of 31 | 64% | 12 of 21 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 21 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brasil (-150), Bannon (+130)
Round 1
The lone fighter from Ireland on the lengthy billing will make her company debut low on the undercard, as unbeaten “Mama B” Bannon (5-0, 0-0 UFC) tries to get the British Isles on the board early. She will collide with a Brazilian strawweight whose name is actually Brasil (8-3-1, 0-1 UFC), and not a nickname the likes of “Paulo Shogun” or “Thiago Vampiro” from days past. The ladies do not touch ‘em up before the watchful eyes of referee Dan Movahedi. Bannon starts off with a leg kick, and Brasil gives one right back to her just the same. Brasil sprints forward suddenly to rip the body with a kick, and she slips on the way out. The Brazilian gathers herself and loads up on a right hand, and Bannon shakes it out and pushes out a jab. Brasil stands firm and pops her with a left hook, and she beats Bannon to the punch with another few quick punches. The Dubliner whiffs on an axe kick, and she comes up short on a wide overhand right. Brasil crashes the pocket swinging her fists, and “Mama B” is able to skirt out of the way but cannot avoid the sweeping low kick at the end. Brasil whips a high kick that comes up over the guard and smacks Bannon in the face. Bannon steels herself and charges forward, but Brasil is able to evade her oncoming attack and get out of harm’s way. Brasil fakes a spin and loads up on a pair of leg kicks, and the second draws a reaction out of her opponent. Brasil shrugs off a step-in high kick that slaps into her cheek, and she strafes when Bannon charges with a flurry of punches. Bannon pushes out with a body kick, and Brasil swings with a haymaker and glances off the side of Bannon’s head. Brasil’s left hand down the pipe busts up the nose of the undefeated fighter, and she snipes a charging Bannon with a short left hook. Bannon misses with a head kick and then one down low, and her kicks are largely missing the mark. Brasil winds up with a big right hand, and it bounces off the shoulder as she then leans back from a head kick. Bannon pushes off the chest with the ball of her foot, and Brasil is out of the way when Bannon attempts another axe kick. Brasil backs her off with a head kick try, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brasil
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brasil
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Brasil
Round 2
Bannon is a woman on a mission leaving her corner, hopping forward to fire off a side kick right when the round begins. Brasil easily evades it and ignores the traditional martial arts-style movement of her adversary, instead chambering an overhand right and smacking Bannon with it. Bannon tries to keep a safe distance with front kicks and side kicks, and Brasil is the one who continues moving actively to not let most of the blows reach her. Bannon presses forward into the clinch, and after holding on, Brasil is able to turn her around and knee her up the middle. Bannon hunts for trips, but the Brazilian woman is easily able to stifle them and muscle her into the wire. Movahedi asks for them to do more when they are locked up together, leading Bannon to fishing for a trip. Bannon redoubles her effort, and Brasil nearly succeeds in hitting a reversal. At the last second, the Irishwoman is able to keep her balance, and she drives her knee to the body. Movahedi splits them up, and Bannon sprints at Brasil and belts her with a huge right hand. Brasil counters effectively with a left hook, and Bannon is the one reaching her with a jab and a side kick. Brasil replies with a right hand, but Bannon is spamming front kicks and quick high kicks. Bannon backpedals to dodge a looping right hand, and she loads up with one of her own to tag Brasil. Both ladies swing for the bleachers, and they proceed to miss the mark. Brasil jumps and spins with a back kick that collides with the liver, and she keeps her momentum going by spinning with a back fist that whacks Bannon in the face. With Bannon reeling from the two blows, Brasil runs at her and tackles her to the canvas. Brasil moves right into half guard, where she grinds her elbow on the face of Bannon until the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brasil
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brasil
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Brasil
Round 3
Like the last round, Bannon opens up with side kicks right out of the gate. Brasil is quick to get on her bike, making sure the biggest kicks from Bannon do not find their target. Bannon comes up short with a spinning wheel kick, and Brasil counters her with a few punches. Bannon strings together a one-two, and she chains an axe kick into it. Brasil catches the leg and dumps her foe to the floor, where she slams her shin into Bannon’s lower leg down on the floor. Bannon springs back up and gets back into her kickfighting game, using her foot as a jab. The axe kicks keep coming, but Brasil does not bite on many of them. Brasil is more composed and throwing standard strikes, and Bannon settles down and lets her hands go. Brasil gets tagged with a few punches and shakes her head, and Bannon is psyched up as she bounces in and out of range to land. Brasil whiffs on a step-in left hook, and Bannon is able to dodge her and bust her in the chops with a right hand. Brasil stumbles back, and before Bannon can capitalize, the Brazilian races forward to tie her up and potentially go after a takedown. Bannon stonewalls her and jams her up against the fence, and Brasil turns her about. Brasil sneaks up a few knees and tries to tangle Bannon’s legs up for a trip. Bannon uses her right hand to bop Brasil in the mouth several times, and when she opens her fist to start landing short palm strikes, Brasil trips her up and throws her to the mat. Brasil lands and claims three-quarter mount, and she hammers Bannon with a right hand. Brasil drops down a heavy elbow, and Bannon snatches that arm up in pursuit of an armbar. The final horn sounds before anything can come from it, and the two ladies have gone to the judges.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Brasil)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Brasil)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Brasil)
The Official Result
Bruna Brasil def. Shauna Bannon via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo believes Bruna Brasil is the more technical striker with power, and that her power will force Shauna Bannon to back up, which is key since Brasil struggles when pressured. He notes the line is near even money and plans to monitor it, possibly betting if Brasil becomes a favorite. He rates it as medium confidence.
Big Brady picks Chris Duncan by decision, leaning on his wrestling game plan. He notes Duncan has poor striking defense but showed improved wrestling against Omar Morales. He thinks Duncan can grind out a decision by taking Ashmouz down and controlling him. He acknowledges Ashmouz has power and could knock Duncan out if it stays standing.
Cody bet Brasil earlier at -120 and sees this as a bounce-back spot. He thinks Brasil is a better technical striker and that her loss to Denise Gomes is not a big concern. He is willing to make a shoei bet against Paul.
Daniel picks Shauna Bannon, expressing skepticism about Bruna Brasil's toughness and mental fortitude. He believes Brasil is a front-runner who breaks when pressured, as seen in her loss to Denise Gomes. He notes Bannon has a kickboxing background and good dexterity, and thinks the line should be closer to a pick'em. He is not confident enough to bet it but goes with the underdog. He hopes his co-host wins his bet on Brasil but disagrees with the hype.
The host picks Shauna Bannon, noting her aggressiveness, forward pressure, and takedowns as key advantages. He mentions that Bruna Brasil falters when pressured and that Bannon is a small underdog worth the price. He predicts Bannon wins by decision, but cautions about debuting women.
Paul picks Bannon, citing her aggressive style, judo background, and wrestling. He thinks Brasil fights on the back foot with her hands low and is hittable. He expects Bannon to come forward and outwork Brasil for a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Shauna Bannon as an underdog, highlighting her undefeated record and 'main character syndrome'. He praises her grappling, top control, and clinch work, noting she trains with Paddy Holohan. He criticizes Bruna Brasil's performance against Denise Gomes, where she folded under pressure, and questions her quick turnaround. The Guru expects Bannon to push forward and win a 29-28 decision.
Sam Hughes - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piera Rodríguez | 0 | 107 of 231 | 46% | 111 of 237 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 2:35 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 77 of 144 | 53% | 91 of 160 | 0 of 7 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Piera Rodríguez | 0 | 40 of 85 | 47% | 41 of 87 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:04 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 33 of 43 | 76% | 37 of 47 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 | |
| 2 | Piera Rodríguez | 0 | 30 of 63 | 47% | 32 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 22 of 37 | 59% | 27 of 44 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Piera Rodríguez | 0 | 37 of 83 | 44% | 38 of 84 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 22 of 64 | 34% | 27 of 69 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piera Rodríguez | 107 of 231 | 46% | 52 of 163 | 45 of 55 | 10 of 13 | 72 of 188 | 34 of 42 | 1 of 1 |
| Sam Hughes | 77 of 144 | 53% | 47 of 110 | 13 of 17 | 17 of 17 | 65 of 132 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Piera Rodríguez | 40 of 85 | 47% | 18 of 59 | 16 of 19 | 6 of 7 | 29 of 70 | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 33 of 43 | 76% | 13 of 23 | 9 of 9 | 11 of 11 | 30 of 40 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Piera Rodríguez | 30 of 63 | 47% | 15 of 46 | 13 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 48 | 12 of 14 | 1 of 1 |
| Sam Hughes | 22 of 37 | 59% | 16 of 29 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 18 of 33 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Piera Rodríguez | 37 of 83 | 44% | 19 of 58 | 16 of 21 | 2 of 4 | 26 of 70 | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 22 of 64 | 34% | 18 of 58 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 59 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Piera Rodríguez but is hesitant. He thinks Rodríguez's takedowns will be the key, as Sam Hughes's takedown defense has not been great. However, he warns that Las Vegas judges may not value wrestling, and if Hughes is busier on the feet, she could get the decision. He would not bet Rodríguez and prefers Hughes as a dog.
Big Brady picks Piera Rodríguez to win by decision, citing her improved cardio and wrestling since their first fight. He notes her elite takedown numbers (4.5 per 15 minutes, 54% accuracy) and believes she will mix in takedowns and control the fight. He sees the rematch playing out similarly to the first, with Rodríguez winning rounds 1 and 2 and possibly not slowing down in round 3.
Cody picks Hughes as a dog, citing her toughness, scrambling, and striking advantage. He notes Rodríguez's takedowns don't lead to control. He thinks Hughes can outwork her and win a decision.
Connor also picks Rodríguez, emphasizing that she was consistently ahead in the first fight and has the speed and technical edge. He notes that Hughes's wins come against inexperienced fighters, while Rodríguez is more well-rounded. He sees the rematch as unnecessary but expects a similar outcome.
James picks Sam Hughes as an underdog, expecting a close decision. He notes Hughes' improved takedown defense and cardio, and believes she can win by outworking Rodríguez. He acknowledges Rodríguez's grappling advantage but thinks Hughes can edge a split decision.
The host believes Sam Hughes has improved since their first fight, particularly in strength and conditioning, and that her pressure and volume will be key. He notes that Hughes has better takedown defense now and can get back to her feet quickly, negating Rodriguez's clinch advantage. He expects Hughes to outdamage Rodriguez and win a decision, citing that rematches often play out differently and Hughes is the one who has improved more.
Paul leans Rodríguez, citing her wrestling and previous win over Hughes. He thinks she can get takedowns and control. He acknowledges it's close but favors the wrestler.
The Guru picks Piera Rodríguez to win the rematch, believing she will improve her striking and that her grappling will be more recognized by the judges this time. He notes that in the first fight, Rodríguez outgrappled Hughes but lost due to striking, and he thinks Rodríguez's youth gives her more room to improve. He predicts a split decision or 29-28.
Zane picks Piera Rodríguez, noting that she was faster and stronger in the first fight and controlled the grappling exchanges. He believes Hughes struggles against fighters with better athleticism and that Rodríguez's speed and technical edge will again be decisive. He acknowledges a chance for Hughes if she comes in more aggressive, but sees Rodríguez as the likely winner.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 13 of 38 | 34% | 42 of 68 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 21 of 46 | 45% | 55 of 84 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 5:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 7 of 21 | 33% | 33 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 45 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:09 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 10 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:20 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 13 of 38 | 34% | 5 of 20 | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 12 of 33 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 2 |
| Sam Hughes | 21 of 46 | 45% | 19 of 43 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 21 | 3 of 5 | 14 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 7 of 21 | 33% | 3 of 10 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 5 | 6 of 18 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 13 of 29 | 44% | 11 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 12 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 6 of 17 | 35% | 2 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 |
| Sam Hughes | 8 of 17 | 47% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 8 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hughes (-310); Bannon (+250)
Round 1
After a week to catch our collective breaths, the UFC sallies forth to Paris. As part of its annual French fight card series, local fans will be treated to a bevy of European athletes with decent matchups. It all comes to a head with French fighters in the main and co-main attractions, but before then, there are 11 more fights to get through. We commence the festivities with the sole women’s match on the card, one that will play out at strawweight. Bannon (7-1, 2-1 UFC) will look to keep her momentum going as she clashes with .500 UFC fighter Hughes (10-6, 5-5 UFC) who may be better than her resume appears. The two 115ers will be joined in the Octagon by referee Lukasz Bosacki, who clocks them in as they rush towards one another without a fist bump in sight. It’s on with the show.
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They both strike at the same time to greet one another, and Hughes lands cleaner and gest Bannon’s attention right off the bat. Reddening up the Irishwoman’s nose with her fists, she prompts Bannon into shooting in for a takedown. Hughes turns the tables against her and tackles her to the mat, and various chants in French boom throughout the surprisingly populated building. When Bannon closes up her guard and slows Hughes down, members of the audience start wooing rudely. Bosacki calls for more action before long, and the crowd starts to turn on the strawweights as the grind has been embraced two minutes in. Bannon lifts her right leg up for a rubber guard, but Hughes completely ignores it and retains heavy chest pressure.
As little else happens besides a few Hughes punches, Bosacki calls for them to do something more. “Sampage” listens this time around, and she slugs Bannon with several powerful blows. Bannon’s eyes go wide as she takes fire, and she grabs hold of Hughes to slow her down. Hughes looks to pass guard, and Bannon uses upkicks to push off her foe’s chest. The upkicks do not slow Hughes, who steps over to a crucifix position and starts hammering “Mama B” with elbows. Bosacki asks for Bannon to fight back as Hughes thumps Bannon up with her elbows, and Bannon desperately bucks to get her arm free and drags Hughes back to half guard. Hughes explodes over to take the back briefly during a scramble, and she settles for side control so she can beat down Bannon further. When Bannon sits up, Hughes tries for a no-hook rear-naked choke. The Irish fighter is able to escape the choke and work to her feet with the wall behind her, and Hughes knees her in the face and pops her with a left hand before the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Round 2
The ladies get right to business, with Bannon knowing she dropped the round and starting off aggressively. Kicks from the Irish athlete fly to all targets, as she sets up one high by starting on the lead leg. Hughes shrugs it off and counters with an overhand right, and a bit of a mouse develops under her left eye. Hughes is tough as nails as she catches a head kick and slings Bannon to the mat, where she punches her foe all the way down to the canvas. Hughes sits comfortably in an open guard, and Bannon hooks her fingers inside of her opponent’s gloves. Bosacki warns her for the foul, and Hughes punishes her for this by bashing her with heavy ground-and-pound. “Sampage” works her way to side control, where she hunts for another crucifix position—perhaps emulating the recent success of middleweight champ Khamzat Chimaev—and this makes Bannon scramble like a madwoman. Hughes allows her to turn because she has set a trap. When Bannon posts of her hands to sit up, her neck is exposed and Hughes knows it.
Hughes snatches up a textbook rear-naked choke, looping both hooks in and securing her grip beneath the chin. Bannon knows her goose is cooked, and she has no choice but to tap out.
The victorious American has performed her first submission—and second finish overall—in the Octagon, while handing Bannon her first stoppage loss as a pro.
The Official Result
Sam Hughes def. Shauna Bannon R2 1:58 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo is extremely confident in Sam Hughes, calling her his most confident pick on the entire card. He criticizes Shauna Bannon's unorthodox and ineffective striking style, describing her as having low fight IQ and a 'weirdo fight style.' He believes Hughes' relentless pressure, cardio, and grinding ability will overwhelm Bannon, leading to takedowns and forward pressure. He notes the line has moved from -250 to -320 and expects it to go even higher. He also mentions the over 2.5 rounds as a prop.
Big Brady picks Sam Hughes, noting she is a favorite for the first time in her UFC career. He believes this is her easiest fight yet, citing her pressure, cardio, and pace. He mentions she can mix in grappling but is not willing to bet at -310. He predicts a decision win.
The host believes Sam Hughes is a great matchup to expose Shauna Bannon as not a UFC-level talent. He expects Hughes to control the fight from the start with her pressure striking or takedowns and top control, grinding out a decision win.
The Guru picks Sam Hughes because she has a clear method of victory: her wrestling and gritty cardio. He criticizes Shauna Bannon for lacking any standout skill, noting her win over Pujitoma was circumstantial. He expects Hughes to win a close decision by securing takedowns at the end of rounds, which often sways judges in women's MMA.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephanie Luciano | 0 | 82 of 251 | 32% | 101 of 273 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:15 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 76 of 152 | 50% | 146 of 233 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 1 | 0 | 4:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephanie Luciano | 0 | 42 of 104 | 40% | 52 of 114 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 35 of 68 | 51% | 42 of 75 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 | |
| 2 | Stephanie Luciano | 0 | 18 of 44 | 40% | 20 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 71 of 98 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:19 | |
| 3 | Stephanie Luciano | 0 | 22 of 103 | 21% | 29 of 112 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 28 of 55 | 50% | 33 of 60 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephanie Luciano | 82 of 251 | 32% | 45 of 202 | 23 of 34 | 14 of 15 | 79 of 246 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 76 of 152 | 50% | 43 of 113 | 15 of 20 | 18 of 19 | 69 of 144 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephanie Luciano | 42 of 104 | 40% | 21 of 76 | 13 of 19 | 8 of 9 | 41 of 102 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 35 of 68 | 51% | 21 of 48 | 6 of 11 | 8 of 9 | 32 of 64 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Stephanie Luciano | 18 of 44 | 40% | 9 of 35 | 7 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 41 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 13 of 29 | 44% | 8 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | |
| 3 | Stephanie Luciano | 22 of 103 | 21% | 15 of 91 | 3 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 103 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 28 of 55 | 50% | 14 of 41 | 8 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 28 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Stephanie Luciano over Sam Hughes. He believes Luciano is better everywhere—striking, wrestling, and cardio. He notes that Hughes is a pressure fighter but Luciano won't fade early. He also mentions the plus 3.5 round line as a potential value bet on Hughes.
Big Brady picks Stephanie Luciano, noting her excellent cardio and output, which should allow her to maintain pace for all 15 minutes. He observes that Sam Hughes' wins come against opponents who slow down after the first 7-8 minutes, but Luciano won't fade. Brady thinks if Luciano can stuff takedowns, she will pick Hughes apart on the feet. He predicts a decision win but does not like the -225 price.
Cody picks Yur Medeiros, but with low confidence due to his volatile style and durability issues. He notes that Medeiros is a finisher but has been knocked out. He prefers the under on the fight, expecting a finish. He considers Gilbert Urbina as a dog play because of the high line.
Daniel does not make a clear pick for this fight. He discusses the matchup briefly but does not state a preference or bet.
The host believes Luciano's striking advantage will prove decisive, though the fight might be closer than odds indicate. He expects Luciano to land more damage and win on the scorecards.
Paul picks Gilbert Urbina as a dog, citing Medeiros's inconsistency and durability issues. He notes that Urbina has a reach advantage and has been off for a while, possibly making improvements. He believes the line is too high and that Urbina has a chance to win, especially if he can avoid early knockout.
The MMA Guru picks Stephanie Luciano, citing her improved takedown defense after facing an opponent who shot 24 takedowns in her last fight. He notes she's tall for the division with nasty striking, planting her feet when she throws punches. He dismisses Sam Hughes as a 'fraud checker' who has beaten prospects but thinks Luciano's takedown defense and striking will be too much. He also suggests judges might rob Hughes even if she wins, so he's confident in Luciano.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 61 of 144 | 42% | 104 of 199 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 4:38 |
| Viktoriia Dudakova | 0 | 97 of 193 | 50% | 139 of 240 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Hughes | 0 | 25 of 66 | 37% | 34 of 79 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 |
| Viktoriia Dudakova | 0 | 30 of 70 | 42% | 39 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:33 | |
| 2 | Sam Hughes | 0 | 25 of 53 | 47% | 34 of 65 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:23 |
| Viktoriia Dudakova | 0 | 41 of 80 | 51% | 54 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:31 | |
| 3 | Sam Hughes | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 36 of 55 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:51 |
| Viktoriia Dudakova | 0 | 26 of 43 | 60% | 46 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Hughes | 61 of 144 | 42% | 45 of 122 | 15 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 50 of 125 | 11 of 19 | 0 of 0 |
| Viktoriia Dudakova | 97 of 193 | 50% | 65 of 147 | 24 of 38 | 8 of 8 | 86 of 179 | 6 of 9 | 5 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Hughes | 25 of 66 | 37% | 16 of 54 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 53 | 8 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
| Viktoriia Dudakova | 30 of 70 | 42% | 19 of 51 | 7 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 26 of 64 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sam Hughes | 25 of 53 | 47% | 19 of 46 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 48 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Viktoriia Dudakova | 41 of 80 | 51% | 29 of 66 | 10 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 39 of 77 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Sam Hughes | 11 of 25 | 44% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Viktoriia Dudakova | 26 of 43 | 60% | 17 of 30 | 7 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 |
Angelo picks Dudakova but is hesitant because the odds are too high for a close fight. He thinks Dudakova is the better fighter skill-for-skill and expects her to wrestle early, but warns that if she lets Hughes pressure, she could have a tough night. He advises against betting the moneyline and recommends the over 2.5 rounds.
Big Brady acknowledges Sam Hughes is a live dog but thinks Dudakova can go the full 15 minutes without gassing. He notes Hughes has poor takedown defense and striking defense, while Dudakova should do enough to win a close decision. He mentions Dudakova's last poor performance was due to a staph infection on her ass, which should not be a factor this time.
Cody picks Sam Hughes, citing Dudakova's poor performances, weight miss, and medical issues. He notes that Dudakova has low volume and overrated wrestling, while Hughes has faced better competition and is constantly in your face. Cody thinks Hughes can outwork Dudakova and win a decision. He also mentions that Hughes is always an underdog and fights to the last minute.
Daniel leans towards Dudakova, citing her reach advantage, youth, and takedown ability against Hughes' poor takedown defense. He acknowledges Hughes' higher pace but thinks Dudakova can seal rounds with takedowns and win a close decision. He is not fully confident due to Dudakova's greenness.
Hughes is a live underdog if not at a huge physical disadvantage. She should put on a pace and grind out Dudakova, winning at least two rounds on the scorecards.
Paul picks Sam Hughes, noting that Dudakova has not impressed and has had weight issues. He thinks Hughes can make the fight ugly and grind out a decision. Paul also mentions that Hughes is underrated and always gives 100% effort. He believes the line is too wide and that Hughes has a good chance to win.
The MMA Guru picks Victoria Dudakova over Sam Hughes, calling Hughes 'awful' and past her prime. He notes Dudakova is a younger, improving Russian prospect with a win streak, including a win over Maria Silva on the contender series. He expects Dudakova to do enough to win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yazmin Jauregui | 0 | 94 of 269 | 34% | 97 of 272 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 83 of 197 | 42% | 88 of 206 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yazmin Jauregui | 0 | 28 of 88 | 31% | 29 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 19 of 47 | 40% | 21 of 52 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 2 | Yazmin Jauregui | 0 | 32 of 91 | 35% | 33 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 36 of 75 | 48% | 39 of 78 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 3 | Yazmin Jauregui | 0 | 34 of 90 | 37% | 35 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 28 of 75 | 37% | 28 of 76 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yazmin Jauregui | 94 of 269 | 34% | 52 of 197 | 24 of 42 | 18 of 30 | 84 of 253 | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 83 of 197 | 42% | 40 of 143 | 17 of 24 | 26 of 30 | 80 of 190 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yazmin Jauregui | 28 of 88 | 31% | 16 of 65 | 8 of 14 | 4 of 9 | 22 of 78 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 19 of 47 | 40% | 11 of 36 | 3 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 19 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Yazmin Jauregui | 32 of 91 | 35% | 18 of 67 | 9 of 14 | 5 of 10 | 29 of 87 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 36 of 75 | 48% | 15 of 53 | 11 of 11 | 10 of 11 | 34 of 70 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Yazmin Jauregui | 34 of 90 | 37% | 18 of 65 | 7 of 14 | 9 of 11 | 33 of 88 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 28 of 75 | 37% | 14 of 54 | 3 of 7 | 11 of 14 | 27 of 73 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is very confident in Jauregui, believing the UFC set this up for her to get back on track. He notes her striking and grappling are impressive, and while she was knocked out quickly in her last fight, Sam Hughes doesn't hit as hard. He trusts the process.
Big Brady picks Yazmin Jauregui to win by second-round knockout. He notes that Jauregui is the biggest favorite on the card at -500 and that the matchup is favorable. He praises Jauregui's takedown defense and striking, while criticizing Sam Hughes's hittability and toughness. He thinks Jauregui will dominate on the feet and potentially finish Hughes, though he questions Jauregui's chin after being dropped in her last two fights.
Cody picks Jauregui but is hesitant, calling it the coward's way out. He notes Jauregui's durability is a question mark after being knocked out by Denise Gomes, but her takedown defense held against Lendo. He thinks Jauregui has a massive advantage on the feet and is more interested in live betting.
The host believes Hughes will be the best wrestler Jauregui has faced, despite Jauregui's 100% takedown defense rate (only two attempts faced). He thinks Hughes's improvement at Fortis MMA and game planning will allow her to take the fight into deep waters and win on the scorecards, springing a massive upset.
Paul leans towards Hughes due to the massive plus price. He notes Hughes is 3-1 in her last four, gritty, and has been using more wrestling lately. He questions what makes Jauregui such a huge favorite, as she hasn't excelled in hard 15-minute fights. However, he admits Hughes isn't a power puncher and if it's a striking affair, Jauregui likely wins.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 12 of 52 | 23% | 52 of 109 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 3 | 0 | 3:42 |
| Jaqueline Amorim | 0 | 46 of 104 | 44% | 107 of 176 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 7:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Hughes | 0 | 7 of 25 | 28% | 11 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 3 | 0 | 3:24 |
| Jaqueline Amorim | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 13 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:02 | |
| 2 | Sam Hughes | 0 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 8 of 11 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Jaqueline Amorim | 0 | 6 of 21 | 28% | 34 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:29 | |
| 3 | Sam Hughes | 0 | 2 of 21 | 9% | 33 of 64 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Jaqueline Amorim | 0 | 29 of 58 | 50% | 60 of 94 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:31 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Hughes | 12 of 52 | 23% | 12 of 42 | 0 of 7 | 0 of 3 | 11 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Jaqueline Amorim | 46 of 104 | 44% | 45 of 101 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 62 | 6 of 7 | 21 of 35 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Hughes | 7 of 25 | 28% | 7 of 17 | 0 of 5 | 0 of 3 | 6 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Jaqueline Amorim | 11 of 25 | 44% | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 18 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sam Hughes | 3 of 6 | 50% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jaqueline Amorim | 6 of 21 | 28% | 6 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | |
| 3 | Sam Hughes | 2 of 21 | 9% | 2 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jaqueline Amorim | 29 of 58 | 50% | 28 of 56 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 30 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Amorim (-245), Hughes (+205)
Round 1
For the third time in five weeks, the UFC is asking its fans to empty their pocketbooks and shell out $80 for a fight card. This event in Miami, with a championship rematch a mere six months in the making sitting atop the marquee, might have something to offer everyone. The now dozen-bout billing begins in the women’s strawweight division, with a match that would be well-suited for an LFA headliner. Unbeaten Amorim (6-0, 0-0 UFC) will make her first walk to the Octagon tonight, where she meets “Sampage” Hughes (7-5, 2-4 UFC). The first fight of the night begins with a touch of gloves in front of referee Andrew Glenn, and it’s on with the show. Amorim introduces herself with a few sweeping kicks, and Hughes dodges or blocks them all. Hughes paws forward a jab, and she is met with a pair of right hooks from the Brazilian. Hughes claims she was poked in the eye, and Glenn does not recognize it so they do not stop. Hughes walks her opponent down, but she gets countered repeatedly by Amorim. Hughes presses forward with jabs outstretched, and Amorim shoots in from afar with a takedown. Hughes defends from her back with an armbar, but Amorim laughs this off and steps over to a dominant position. As Hughes scrambles, Amorim takes her back and briefly considers an armbar setup. Hughes fights it off and explodes back to her feet, and she elbows her foe in the face before defending another level change. Amorim grabs hold of a single-leg takedown and lifts Hughes off the ground to toss her to the mat like a sack of potatoes. Hughes instinctually keeps her legs high for a potential triangle choke, and Amorim slides through and allows Hughes to move to her knees so she can take the back. Briefly flirting with a kimura lock from the back, she instead gets both hooks in and hunts for a rear-naked choke. Amorim secures the body triangle and strangles Hughes, but the tough Hughes grits it out and fights the hands to defend from the choke. Hughes stands up, and Amorim remains on her back and wrenches on the neck. Amorim locks it down, and Hughes fights the hands again to defend the choke and does so by getting her fingers in the gloves. Amorim switches to a palm-to-palm grip as Hughes falls to her back, and once again Hughes survives while still firmly entrenched in the danger zone. Amorim retains her tight body triangle around the waist, and she abandons the back take to step over into mount and set up an arm-triangle choke. Hughes scrambles and gets slugged in the chops, and she manages to stand up. The round ends as she chases Amorim across the cage.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Amorim
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Amorim
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Amorim
Round 2
Amorim has reached the second round for the first time as a pro, and Hughes appears energized as she pushes forward and drives Amorim to the wall. Amorim jumps to guard, and Hughes backs off and lets her stand up. Amorim swings with a body kick, and Hughes lays into her with a pair of punches. Amorim rushes in for a takedown, and Hughes bowls her over and moves into the guard. Amorim sets up the body triangle off her back, keeping Hughes from dropping down ground-and-pound. Hughes looks to free her hands to bust the Brazilian in the face, but Amorim is clinging tightly and looking to sneak her arm under Hughes’ knee. Hughes wrenches out her left hand to bop Amorim in the nose a few times, and Amorim flails with her legs and pushes Hughes off of her to force the standup. Hughes strides forward with a few punches, and a takedown effort from Amorim is again thwarted by “Sampage.” Hughes makes Amorim stand up again, and she dings her with a few punches. Amorim falls to her back, and Hughes complains to Glenn about grabbing the glove. Amorim fastens the body triangle with Hughes on top, and she postures up in the guard and rains down punches. Amorim turns to pursue a leglock, and Hughes rips it out and stands. Amorim is slow to follow her up, seemingly running out of steam, and she pursues a desperation takedown that is easily stuffed. The crowd rains down boos as Amorim overcommits to a single, and she turns it to a double-leg and ends up pulling guard instead. Amorim goes after a heel hook, but Hughes slides the leg free and stands up. Hughes decides to pursue a single of her own, and she dumps Amorim on her back and holds her there until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Round 3
Everyone and their brother in Hughes’ corner informs her that her opponent is exhausted. The third round opens with a glove touch, and Hughes is the immediate aggressor to pick up right where she left off. Amorim flails feebly with her fists, and Hughes ignores them and gets off a right hand. “Sampage” fires off a high kick, and Amorim flops to her back and looks to tie Hughes up. Hughes escapes, and the Brazilian stands and backs up against the cage. Hughes punts her in the face with a front kick, and Amorim moves to her back again and puts her legs around the waist. Hughes opens up with heavy hammerfists and elbows, and Amorim tries to fight back but is getting into a failed slugfest from her back. Hughes settles down when Amorim gets the body triangle around the waist again, and Amorim turns to a side in hopes of setting up a two-on-one wrist lock. Hughes continues to fight off that kimura setup, all while punching the body and otherwise frustrating the unbeaten fighter. Hughes does not slow her methodical offense, and a long series of left hands land on the jaw. Amorim paws back every time to little effect, and she turns over with the body triangle still in play for an armlock. Amorim is warned for grabbing the inside of the glove, and Hughes does not like this and opens up with some heavy ground-and-pound. Hughes bails on the position and stands up, and a fatigued Amorim stands and backs away. Hughes pushes out a front kick and a few punches, and she has Amorim on the ropes and totally spent. Amorim leans forward for a takedown, but has no energy to secure it, so Hughes pushes her to her seat and pounds on her. Hughes pushes off and stands, and Amorim wings a big right hand and follows with a front kick. Amorim gets caught with a few punches, drops down for a takedown, and the match comes to a close. Depending on the scoring of Round 1, a draw could theoretically be in play.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hughes (29-28 Hughes)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hughes (29-28 Hughes)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hughes (29-28 Hughes)
The Official Result
Sam Hughes def. Jaqueline Amorim via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo sees Jaqueline Amorim as the clear winner due to her undefeated record, all stoppage wins, and superior grappling with blast double takedowns and a wild array of submissions. He notes she also has legitimate one-punch power. However, he is cautious about betting because Sam Hughes is extremely tough and has UFC experience, which could lead to a fade if Amorim doesn't finish early. He suggests an under 2.5 rounds play might be the way to go.
Big Brady is confident in Jaqueline Amorim due to her elite BJJ credentials and six first-round finishes. He notes that Sam Hughes has poor takedown defense (47%) and has been taken down multiple times by previous opponents. He believes once Amorim gets the fight to the mat, it will be over quickly via submission. He predicts a first-round submission.
Cody picks Amorim but is slightly hesitant due to the price. He notes Amorim's submission skills are elite and that she finishes fights quickly. He points out Hughes' poor takedown defense and believes Amorim will get the fight to the ground and submit her. Cody says he won't parlay her but thinks she wins. He mentions the under on the fight time as a potential play.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Hughes. He notes that Amorim is a great prospect but very raw, and Hughes has shown she can break opponents who expect to win quickly.
Jacob agrees that Amorim should dominate, highlighting her methodical takedown timing and excellent top control. He notes that Sam Hughes's toughness may actually work against her because she scrambles to get back to her feet, which opens up submission opportunities for Amorim. He is concerned about Amorim's cardio if the fight goes past the first round, but believes she is good enough to get the job done early.
Amorim is a BJJ black belt with all six wins by first-round finish. Her grappling should overwhelm Hughes, who has good cardio but may struggle to stop takedowns. The line at -230 is too wide for a debutant, but Amorim's submission threat is real. I expect her to lock up a submission after getting the fight to the ground.
Paul picks Amorim, believing her BJJ is elite and that she will take Hughes down and submit her. He notes Hughes has poor takedown defense and has been taken down by many opponents. Paul thinks Amorim's grappling is a level above and that she will progressively improve position. He acknowledges Amorim's striking is unproven but expects her to get the fight to the ground quickly. He suggests live betting Hughes if the fight goes past the first round.
The MMA Guru predicts Jaqueline Amorim will win by first-round submission via rear-naked choke. He envisions a scramble early on where Amorim gets Hughes against the cage, executes an inside or outside trip to get on top in half guard, then takes the back as Hughes scrambles and sinks in the choke. He is confident in this outcome, describing the sequence in detail.
Zane picks Hughes because Amorim is raw and has never been outside the first round. He notes that Hughes has been building a functional game and is aggressive with intelligent pressure. Zane also mentions that Amorim's grappling is not complex and she may not get clean takedowns.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piera Rodríguez | 0 | 83 of 160 | 51% | 89 of 166 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 0 | 0 | 1:56 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 69 of 155 | 44% | 78 of 164 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Piera Rodríguez | 0 | 19 of 53 | 35% | 20 of 54 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 21 of 56 | 37% | 22 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 2 | Piera Rodríguez | 0 | 34 of 51 | 66% | 37 of 54 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 17 of 43 | 39% | 20 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Piera Rodríguez | 0 | 30 of 56 | 53% | 32 of 58 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 31 of 56 | 55% | 36 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piera Rodríguez | 83 of 160 | 51% | 32 of 101 | 42 of 48 | 9 of 11 | 47 of 122 | 33 of 35 | 3 of 3 |
| Sam Hughes | 69 of 155 | 44% | 55 of 135 | 11 of 15 | 3 of 5 | 55 of 140 | 14 of 14 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Piera Rodríguez | 19 of 53 | 35% | 7 of 35 | 9 of 13 | 3 of 5 | 14 of 47 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
| Sam Hughes | 21 of 56 | 37% | 18 of 50 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 18 of 52 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Piera Rodríguez | 34 of 51 | 66% | 13 of 29 | 17 of 18 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 35 | 13 of 14 | 2 of 2 |
| Sam Hughes | 17 of 43 | 39% | 12 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 39 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Piera Rodríguez | 30 of 56 | 53% | 12 of 37 | 16 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 40 | 16 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
| Sam Hughes | 31 of 56 | 55% | 25 of 48 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 24 of 49 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Piera Rodríguez, believing she is the more talented fighter with a higher ceiling. He notes that Sam Hughes has evolved into a grappler and needs takedowns to win, but Piera has good takedown defense and inflicts damage in scrambles. He calls it a no-bet situation because Sam is live, but he might bet Sam Hughes by decision (+3.5 points) if the odds drop.
Big Brady picks Piera Rodríguez to win by decision. He highlights Rodríguez's improved grappling and powerful striking, and notes that Sam Hughes has poor striking defense and takedown defense. He believes Rodríguez is a bad stylistic matchup for Hughes, who relies on grinding but will struggle to get takedowns. Brady expects a competitive fight but sees Rodríguez winning clearly on the feet and possibly with takedowns.
Cody picks Rodríguez, citing her striking advantage and takedown defense. He notes Hughes has been winning with wrestling against weak opposition, but Rodríguez should be able to keep the fight standing and out-strike her. He is hesitant due to Rodríguez's cardio concerns.
Rodríguez is the better striker with power and leg kicks, and her wrestling is on par with Hughes. Hughes relies on pressure and wrestling, but Rodríguez should be able to stuff takedowns and win the striking exchanges. The host expects a decision win for Rodríguez and likes the decision prop at +105. However, the odds are slightly wide, and Hughes could be live.
Paul picks Rodríguez but is hesitant. He notes Rodríguez has good takedown defense and a striking advantage, but her cardio and ground game are question marks. He thinks Hughes could tire her out with wrestling, but ultimately Rodríguez should win.
The MMA Guru picks Piera Rodríguez, noting her undefeated record and experience in main events. He believes she has too much power for Sam Hughes and will drop her in the first round, lose the second, and win the third on pace. He predicts a 29-28 decision, citing Rodríguez's sting in her shots and ability to withstand pressure.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Hughes | 0 | 17 of 41 | 41% | 70 of 100 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Elise Reed | 0 | 43 of 65 | 66% | 130 of 161 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 11:59 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Hughes | 0 | 16 of 35 | 45% | 57 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Elise Reed | 0 | 15 of 31 | 48% | 23 of 41 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 3:38 | |
| 2 | Sam Hughes | 0 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 11 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Elise Reed | 0 | 13 of 15 | 86% | 55 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:49 | |
| 3 | Sam Hughes | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Elise Reed | 0 | 15 of 19 | 78% | 52 of 60 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:32 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Hughes | 17 of 41 | 41% | 10 of 34 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 37 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Elise Reed | 43 of 65 | 66% | 33 of 51 | 6 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 7 of 19 | 6 of 10 | 30 of 36 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Hughes | 16 of 35 | 45% | 9 of 28 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 31 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Elise Reed | 15 of 31 | 48% | 9 of 21 | 4 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 17 | 6 of 10 | 3 of 4 | |
| 2 | Sam Hughes | 1 of 6 | 16% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Elise Reed | 13 of 15 | 86% | 10 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 15 | |
| 3 | Sam Hughes | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Elise Reed | 15 of 19 | 78% | 14 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 17 |
Angelo picks Sam Hughes based on her grappling performance in her last fight, where she showcased takedowns and control time. He notes that Elise Reed was taken down four times in two fights, making the takedown the difference. However, he acknowledges it's a close fight and that Elise Reed is better than people think. He is hesitant because both women are coming off career-saving wins.
Big Brady picks Elise Reed because she is the better striker with improved takedown defense. He notes Sam Hughes is a walking punching bag with poor striking defense, and Reed should win on the feet. He predicts a decision win for Reed but says he is not betting on this fight.
Cody picks Reed confidently, citing her superior striking, footwork, and cardio. He notes Hughes' lack of offense and tendency to rely on opponents gassing. He believes Reed will outpoint Hughes from range and avoid takedowns, winning a decision.
The host picks Sam Hughes as his free pick of the night at +145. He believes Hughes's path to victory involves grappling, either takedowns or control time against the cage. He expects Hughes to implement her grappling and grind out a win. He is confident enough to bet one unit on her.
Paul agrees with Cody, saying Reed's kicking game and cardio should be too much for Hughes. He notes Hughes' only win came against a gassed opponent and that Reed won't tire. He is confident in Reed.
The MMA Guru believes Elise Reed is better on the feet and can mitigate damage on the ground, working her way back up. He thinks Sam Hughes will get takedowns but the damage from Reed's striking will be too much. He predicts a razor close 29-28 decision for Reed.
Expert Picks (4)
Angelo is extremely confident in Sam Hughes, calling her his most confident pick on the entire card. He criticizes Shauna Bannon's unorthodox and ineffective striking style, describing her as having low fight IQ and a 'weirdo fight style.' He believes Hughes' relentless pressure, cardio, and grinding ability will overwhelm Bannon, leading to takedowns and forward pressure. He notes the line has moved from -250 to -320 and expects it to go even higher. He also mentions the over 2.5 rounds as a prop.
Big Brady picks Sam Hughes, noting she is a favorite for the first time in her UFC career. He believes this is her easiest fight yet, citing her pressure, cardio, and pace. He mentions she can mix in grappling but is not willing to bet at -310. He predicts a decision win.
The host believes Sam Hughes is a great matchup to expose Shauna Bannon as not a UFC-level talent. He expects Hughes to control the fight from the start with her pressure striking or takedowns and top control, grinding out a decision win.
The Guru picks Sam Hughes because she has a clear method of victory: her wrestling and gritty cardio. He criticizes Shauna Bannon for lacking any standout skill, noting her win over Pujitoma was circumstantial. He expects Hughes to win a close decision by securing takedowns at the end of rounds, which often sways judges in women's MMA.
Comments (1)
Shauna would rather look like a "model" than sacrifice to be an athlete. Has good leg kicks but the cardio ect is hard against essentially Iron man Sam Hughes. Sam brought her to the crucifix position a few times. A beat down.
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