Career Averages - Steve Erceg
Career Averages - Ode' Osbourne
Steve Erceg
Ode' Osbourne
Steve Erceg - Fight History
AJ backs Ramazan Temirov as a slight underdog, citing his explosive pressure, power striking, and impressive win over Charles Johnson. He notes Temirov's heart medication issue was doctor-prescribed, so no steroid recovery concerns. AJ thinks Temirov's physical strength and kickboxing will overwhelm Steve Erceg, who has shown durability but may get wobbled by Temirov's big shots.
AJ does not make a pick for this fight. He does not mention either fighter in the transcript.
Angelo is a self-proclaimed Steve Erceg hater and believes Erceg is overhyped, with his best win being years ago. He thinks Temirov has power, takedown defense, and pressure that will overwhelm Erceg. He notes that Erceg's wins are against low-level competition and that he nearly lost to older fighters.
Big Brady picks Erceg to win by decision, citing his superior striking, wrestling, grappling, and cardio. He acknowledges Erceg's chinny nature and hittability as concerns against Temirov's power, but believes if Erceg avoids the early knockout, he will take over and win a decision. He notes Temirov's questionable cardio and volume, and that he relies solely on power.
James picks Temirov as an underdog, acknowledging it's a close fight. He thinks Temirov's early explosiveness and power could hurt Erceg, who has been hurt in many fights. He notes Erceg's path to victory via grappling and cardio late, but favors Temirov's knockout upside and early start. He predicts a KO win for Temirov, but admits Erceg has multiple paths to victory.
Temirov has raw power and speed, and will cut off the cage to find Erceg's chin. Erceg has durability issues and has been hurt before. Temirov likely knocks him out within two rounds, though his cardio may fade. The big shots early should be enough even if it goes to decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Elliott | 0 | 90 of 261 | 34% | 93 of 265 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 136 of 254 | 53% | 136 of 254 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Elliott | 0 | 39 of 91 | 42% | 40 of 93 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 24 of 55 | 43% | 24 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Tim Elliott | 0 | 27 of 78 | 34% | 28 of 79 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 47 of 85 | 55% | 47 of 85 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 | |
| 3 | Tim Elliott | 0 | 24 of 92 | 26% | 25 of 93 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 65 of 114 | 57% | 65 of 114 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Elliott | 90 of 261 | 34% | 44 of 191 | 11 of 27 | 35 of 43 | 87 of 255 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 136 of 254 | 53% | 122 of 236 | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 129 of 245 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Elliott | 39 of 91 | 42% | 20 of 57 | 5 of 15 | 14 of 19 | 39 of 89 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 24 of 55 | 43% | 21 of 52 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 52 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tim Elliott | 27 of 78 | 34% | 10 of 56 | 4 of 8 | 13 of 14 | 24 of 75 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 47 of 85 | 55% | 44 of 82 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 44 of 81 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Tim Elliott | 24 of 92 | 26% | 14 of 78 | 2 of 4 | 8 of 10 | 24 of 91 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 65 of 114 | 57% | 57 of 102 | 8 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 64 of 112 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Elliott (21-13; 10-11 UFC), one of the flyweight division’s top spoilers over the last several years, looks to take that role once again in this featured clash with Perth’s own, “Astro Boy” Erceg (13-4; 4-3 UFC). Lukasz Bosacki is the referee on duty. Both men are in orthodox stance and Elliott immediately starts with his oddball striking attack, switching stances, hanging his hands at his waist and stabbing out with Jon Jones-style oblique kicks at Erceg’s lead leg. The contrast could not be much greater, as Erceg comes forward in his classic, composed upright stance. Through the first 90 seconds, the resulting collisions are sporadic and awkward; Erceg slides forward but refuses to be drawn into a wild firefight, while Elliott lands sporadic strikes but can’t string anything together. A little past the halfway mark, Erceg lands a clean one-two that represents the best offense by either man thus far. Erceg appears to be growing more and more comfortable, but Elliott catches him with a sweeping right hand that hurts him. Again, Elliott can’t follow up, and Erceg recovers. Erceg places a couple of stiff jabs on Elliott’s chin, and takes a glancing hook in return. Elliott changes levels and gets a fast takedown against the fence, but Erceg gets right back up. They separate, meet in the center of the cage and Elliott gets another takedown right after the 10-second clapper. The horn sounds. 10-9 Elliott.
Round 2
Elliott is switching stances constantly as they meet in the middle of the cage for Round 2. Erceg again pursues in disciplined fashion, sliding forward and cutting off the cage while Elliott springs in and out of range, spins and throws off-balance single strikes. Elliott is talking, but a minute in, it’s Erceg landing the cleaner, sharper punches. Elliott’s kicks are effective, landing to Erceg’s lead left leg from both sides, mixing in some body work. Elliott changes levels and grounds the Australian with a double-leg, but Erceg pops back to his feet instantly. They disengage and meet against in the center of the Octagon, and it’s Erceg launching a takedown attempt, which Elliott defends. Erceg gets the better of a couple of pocket exchanges, then gets a clean takedown in the middle of the cage. Elliott escapes to his feet and scores a takedown of his own. Erceg escapes to his feet with a minute left and tags Elliott with two unblocked punches. Elliott is hurt but far from out of it, marching forward and swinging big. Erceg gives ground, plants and returns fire with more accurate punches to the head. It’s still competitive, but the momentum has definitely swung the other way as the horn sounds. 10-9 Erceg.
Round 3
Erceg walks down Elliott, who comes up just short with a superman punch. Erceg’s jab continues to define the fight, as he can’t seem to miss with it. The jab is scoring for Erceg, answering everything Elliott throws at him and preventing the American from building any kind of momentum. Elliott hacks away at Erceg’s left leg with two hard low kicks. Erceg suddenly launches a big high kick that glances off of Elliott’s guard, then goes right back to work with his bread-and-butter jab and right cross. Elliott is still in Erceg’s face at the midpoint of the round, coming forward with big swinging punches, and Erceg is calmly sniping him on the counter every single time. Elliott drops levels and runs Erceg all the way across the cage with a double-leg, depositing him on his butt at the base of the fence. Erceg gets right back up and Elliott disengages rather than keep wrestling. When they meet again it’s more of the same: Erceg slipping big telegraphed attacks from Elliott and returning fire with ultra-clean punches. The horn sounds on what was, by the end, a quietly dominant performance for Steve Erceg. 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg).
The Official Result
Steve Erceg def. Tim Elliott via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Steve Erceg despite being a known hater, because he believes Erceg is the cleaner, more technical grappler. He thinks Erceg's durability and wrestling will overcome Tim Elliott's pressure. However, he criticizes the -400 odds as too high and finds it hard to connect the dots.
Big Brady picks Steve Erceg to win by third-round submission. He believes Erceg is the better striker and has underrated grappling, while Tim Elliott slows down and has poor submission defense (submitted six times). Brady expects Elliott to be competitive early but fade, allowing Erceg to catch a late submission.
Cody picks Erceg but is hesitant, noting Erceg's inconsistency and chin issues. He believes Erceg's takedown defense and counter grappling will be key, and that Elliott's age and travel fatigue may work against him.
Connor picks Elliott, arguing that if Elliott fights like he did in round two against Kai Asakura—pressuring and wrestling—he will win. He notes Erceg's footwork falls apart under heavy pressure and that Elliott is a better wrestler than people think. Connor acknowledges the risk of Elliott fighting stupidly but believes the current version of Elliott is more playful and enjoys breaking opponents.
Daniel Vreeland picks Steve Erceg, expecting him to take over in the later rounds. He notes Tim Elliott's funky style and early-round danger but believes Erceg's cardio and submission threat will prevail. He also mentions Elliott's jet lag complaints as a potential factor.
Erceg has every advantage: home crowd, younger, better striker, better grappler. Elliott has poor striking, bad takedown defense, and is weak off his back. Erceg went five rounds with Pantoja, so submission risk is low. Surprised Erceg isn't a bigger favorite; tempted to bet straight.
Lucrative James picks Steve Erceg to win via submission in round three. He expects Tim Elliott to start strong but fade, allowing Erceg to take over in later rounds with superior cardio and grappling. He references Erceg's past performances where he dominated late rounds.
The host picks Erceg, believing his Muay Thai and BJJ will nullify Elliott's grappling. He expects Erceg to land more damage on the feet and win a decision, possibly catching Elliott in a submission. The host notes Elliott's value but thinks Erceg is the more skilled fighter.
Paul picks Erceg, emphasizing his strong takedown defense and performance against top competition. He notes Elliott's age and travel issues, and believes Erceg will edge out a close decision in Australia.
The MMA Guru picks Tim Elliott after initially considering Steve Erceg. He worries about Erceg's inconsistency, citing the Ode Osbourne fight, and believes Elliott's craftiness will lead to a split decision win. He thinks Erceg may fumble in the big moment.
Zane picks Erceg, reasoning that Tim Elliott is likely to 'fuck around' and think takedowns will come easier than they will. He notes Erceg is a sharp boxer with good hands and combinations, and that Elliott's chaotic style could leave him exposed. Zane acknowledges Elliott could win if he pressures and wrestles correctly, but he's betting on Elliott's inconsistency.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 20 of 53 | 37% | 39 of 82 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 | 0 | 4:47 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 35 of 74 | 47% | 47 of 89 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 1:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 4 of 14 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 17 of 32 | 53% | 26 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:46 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 18 of 33 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 12 of 25 | 48% | 15 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 | |
| 3 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 17 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:43 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 6 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 20 of 53 | 37% | 10 of 42 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 43 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 35 of 74 | 47% | 20 of 53 | 4 of 7 | 11 of 14 | 29 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 3 of 11 | 27% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 17 of 32 | 53% | 10 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 7 of 9 | 12 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 11 of 25 | 44% | 4 of 18 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 18 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 12 of 25 | 48% | 7 of 19 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Steve Erceg | 6 of 17 | 35% | 4 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 6 of 17 | 35% | 3 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Erceg (-400); Osbourne (+300)
Round 1
We have reached the co-main event, a battle between two flyweights who decided that they would be better suited competing at 135 pounds on late notice. Former title challenger Erceg (12-4, 3-3 UFC) has run into a competitive wall as of late, and he fights down in the rankings to take on Osbourne (13-8, 1 NC; 5-6 UFC). The referee for tonight’s penultimate match will Mark Smith, and the athletes tap gloves together before getting down to it.
Osbourne claims the center of the cage, fishing with his jab and awkward up-and-down hand movement. Osbourne kicks the front leg of his foe multiple times, and he sits back when Erceg advances to aim a counter. The left hand from Osbourne bounces Erceg off the wall, who rebounds and lets go with a big overhand right. Osbourne chips at the heavy favorite, chewing up his knee with oblique kicks and parrying the oncoming fire. Osbourne times Erceg with two crisp punches, standing the former title challenger up and marking up his nose. Osbourne continues chopping at the knee with kicks, and he narrowly dodges a big right hand up top. Osbourne keeps moving his hands in circular motions, and when Erceg comes in, he pops him in the chops with a right hand. Erceg slings a right hand to set up a takedown shot, and Osbourne springboards off the wall to get out and back to kickboxing range. The Aussie just misses a looping right hand, and he stands a little too still after swinging.
Osbourne fires off a huge right hand to the temple, and Erceg crashes face-first into the wall. Still somewhat with it, Erceg looks for a single, pushing the underdog to the fence while trying to recover. Osbourne starts smacking him upside the head while defending the takedown, and he uses his weight to topple over on top of Erceg. Osbourne scrambles to take his back, and Erceg keeps moving and gets back to his feet. Erceg turns the tables on his opponent, wrangling him to the mat and snaking around to take his back. Erceg starts hunting for a rear-naked choke while getting his hooks in, and Osbourne times a moment to spin around in the guard and wind up on top without getting subbed. Osbourne tosses out a head kick as Erceg stands, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Round 2
The athletes hand-fight to start off until Osbourne looses a big body kick. Erceg’s attempted counter is caught with a right hand on the jaw. Erceg calms himself down and shoots for a single, pressing the underdog to the wall. Erceg works the body with short punches to try to take some of the sting out of the punches. They switch position while clinches until Osbourne breaks free.
Both men throw out jabs, and Osbourne connects with a hard inside leg kick. Erceg boots Osbourne upside the head, and “The Jamaican Sensation” does not bat an eye. Erceg sticks out a few right hands, using them to set up a takedown shot. A knee from Erceg bangs into the cup, and Osbourne grimaces and Smith tells the fouling fighter to watch it. There is no break, so Osbourne takes it into his own hands to separate himself. Erceg reaches after him with a body kick on the way out. Erceg steps in with a left hand, and Osbourne busts him in the chops with a right hand that staggers him. The Aussie’s takedown shot fails, but his front kick after it digs into the body. Osbourne stays elusive and trips Erceg coming forward, but he misses a few big hooks. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 3
There is a clap of hands to start the final frame, and they both land at the same time. Erceg pitches a head kick that Osbourne is able to partially block, and Osbourne shrugs it off and gets after the former title challenger. Osbourne connects with a hard right hand, and Erceg stumbles and shakes it off to go for a single. “The Jamaican Sensation” trades in the pocket for a moment, and he calms down to thrust out jabs. Erceg digs him with a single punch, chaining it into a few more with a right hand at the end. Erceg lands first and last in a flurry, and he shoots for a double and lifts Osbourne off the ground. Erceg dumps his foe to the mat, allowing Osbourne to scramble so he can get to a more advantageous position.
The Aussie steps into half guard, staying heavy and flat chest-to-chest to not let Osbourne buck him off. Rather than attack, Erceg smothers, to which he uses the heavy pressure to advance to full mount. Osbourne spins around to his knees, and Erceg welcomes this too so he can get his back. “Astro Boy” secures the body triangle, and he loops his left arm beneath the chin but does not have the anchor arm to complete it. Perhaps due to the sweatiness of both men, but Osbourne is able to squirm around and work his way out of bad position and upright again. Erceg aggressively grabs Osbourne and chucks him to the floor, where Osbourne lands on his knees taking fire on both sides of his head. Erceg fastens a rear-naked choke that is on the chin and not under it, and he bails on it to sit up and deliver two gnarly punches before time expires. The second round could be the difference-maker as to who prevailed in this co-headliner.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Osbourne)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
The Official Result
Steve Erceg def. Ode Osbourne via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Steve Erceg, emphasizing that Erceg is an accomplished wrestler who should use takedowns against Ode' Osbourne, who has poor takedown defense. He criticizes Erceg for not wrestling in recent fights. If Erceg wrestles, he should win; if he strikes, he could lose. Angelo hopes Erceg has learned from his mistakes.
Big Brady is confident in Steve Erceg, noting his losses came only to champions or top contenders. He believes Erceg is better everywhere, especially in grappling, and that Osbourne has poor takedown defense, cardio, and durability. Brady predicts Erceg will submit Osbourne in the second round.
Connor picks Erceg because he is a more structured, consistent fighter than Osbourne, who is fast but dysfunctional and gasses easily. He notes that Erceg's defense is a concern but that he manages distance well when on the front foot, and that Osbourne's tendency to jump into the pocket will lead to takedowns and grappling where Erceg has the advantage. Connor acknowledges the southpaw question but believes Erceg will handle it.
The host believes Erceg is the better fighter with superior Muay Thai and a BJJ black belt. He acknowledges Osbourne's speed and power shown in his last fight, which is a concern as Erceg has been dropped before. However, he thinks Erceg will dial it in to avoid a four-fight losing streak and win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Erceg, calling him a more well-rounded mixed martial artist than Ronaldo Rodriguez, who beat Osbourne. He believes Erceg has better chin, submission defense, and IQ. He predicts a 30-27 decision or a third-round finish, dismissing Osbourne's chances unless he catches Erceg early.
Zane picks Erceg, noting that Osbourne is a dark horse who can deliver a top flyweight result but is inherently dysfunctional. He highlights Osbourne's poor takedown defense (65%) and tendency to gas, while Erceg is tough, has good grappling, and doesn't make many mistakes going forward. Zane is concerned about Erceg's lack of experience against southpaws but thinks Osbourne's style will force wrestling, which favors Erceg.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 0 | 89 of 176 | 50% | 95 of 182 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 116 of 279 | 41% | 119 of 282 | 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 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 21 of 40 | 52% | 21 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 25 of 68 | 36% | 25 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 21 of 46 | 45% | 21 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 27 of 48 | 56% | 27 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 10 of 24 | 41% | 10 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 20 of 50 | 40% | 20 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 19 of 35 | 54% | 21 of 37 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 25 of 57 | 43% | 26 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Brandon Moreno | 0 | 18 of 31 | 58% | 22 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 19 of 56 | 33% | 21 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno | 89 of 176 | 50% | 59 of 138 | 18 of 25 | 12 of 13 | 87 of 174 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 116 of 279 | 41% | 90 of 237 | 11 of 24 | 15 of 18 | 115 of 278 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brandon Moreno | 21 of 40 | 52% | 14 of 33 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 25 of 68 | 36% | 18 of 57 | 1 of 4 | 6 of 7 | 25 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brandon Moreno | 21 of 46 | 45% | 14 of 37 | 1 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 20 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 27 of 48 | 56% | 20 of 39 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 26 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Brandon Moreno | 10 of 24 | 41% | 3 of 15 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 20 of 50 | 40% | 16 of 42 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 5 | 20 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Brandon Moreno | 19 of 35 | 54% | 15 of 29 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 25 of 57 | 43% | 19 of 49 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Brandon Moreno | 18 of 31 | 58% | 13 of 24 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 18 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 19 of 56 | 33% | 17 of 50 | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Moreno (-238), Erceg (+195)
Round 1
The only ranked matchup—meaning, fight between two fighters with numbers next to their names—is in the main event, and it should be a fun one. Former champ Moreno (22-8-2, 10-5-2 UFC) turned things around with a decision over Amir Albazi a few months ago, while Erceg (12-3, 3-2 UFC) has still not shaken the dust off after unsuccessfully vying for the flyweight strap. The triumphant man may position himself better towards another championship opportunity, while the defeated’s stock will take a serious hit. Referee Herb Dean brings the two 125ers to the center of the cage to issue final instructions and have the two bump their fists. They do. It’s on with the show. Jabs are outstretched to one another’s general direction, and Moreno commits first with a looping left hand. When the first misses, he fires it again and bangs it into Erceg’s temple. Moreno gets behind his jab, and he checks a kick aimed at his front leg. The lunging left gets through again, and he follows it with a left to the liver and a kick to the same spot. Moreno’s left side continues to get through, as he again blitzes with a left. Erceg sticks him with a few jabs and a right hand, and the low kick at the end of the combo is checked. Moreno pecks out a jab and a left hook, and Erceg walks him down to throw hands for a moment before splitting off. Moreno’s leaping left hand sends Erceg staggering off to the side, and he gathers his thoughts and pins a few punches on the raised guard. When Moreno’s left is established, he hurls out a right to surprise his opponent. Erceg drills him in the ribs with a pair of punches, and he comes up an inch or two shy of a snappy front kick. Chants in support of Moreno practically do not cease, with the crowd excited to celebrate each and every moment of success for their fighter. Moreno gets in again, and the audience booms in delight. Erceg gets off jabs and low kicks, but the power is firmly in the favor of the former champ. Erceg sneaks in a left shovel uppercut, and Moreno sits down with a body kick in response. Erceg flashes his jab a few more times, planting it at the top of the head. Moreno clacks him with another big overhand right, and a second shakes him up and forces him to jump away and shake it out. Moreno uses the opportunity to chop down the front leg, and jabs are where the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Round 2
Erceg rushes out of his corner to take the center of the Octagon, where he paws away jabs from his opponent and pitches a head kick up high. Moreno blocks and blasts Erceg with a right hand, and Erceg scoots away to not stay on the gunnery range. They crash together, and Erceg drives home a right hand and steps in with a knee. Erceg slips a punch to deliver an uppercut on the chin, and he tries to skirt away but takes two nasty leg kicks. Moreno steps in to fake like he will kick a third time, and goes up top with a left hand. Moreno dings Erceg with a second left, thwarting any attempt for Erceg to tie things up. Moreno times a counter right to knock Erceg back from a kick, and both men chain solid combinations together on one another. Moreno kicks the leg, and Erceg peppers out a jab. Moreno’s own jab allows him to get in and get off two left hooks, and he ducks down to mess with Erceg by grabbing his ankle. Erceg regains his balance and flicks the jab out, and he just misses a right hand and rushes away but gets kicked on the way out. Moreno drills Erceg with two clean hooks, and Erceg stands straight up and wonders what the number was of that bus. When he blinks out the damage, Erceg sticks his fists to the guard of his foe a few times. Moreno beats his man to the punch with a jab, and he lets a front kick go by so he can rip a left hand up top. Moreno capitalizes on the success with a low kick, and both men score single heavy hooks. Chins have been tested and answered the call well, with Erceg trying his foe’s out with a few punches and a high kick. Erceg hits a fade-back right hand, and the round closes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 3
The round opens with Moreno faking to reach down for a level change. Erceg is not buying it, and jabs him in the face. Moreno lunges forward with a left hook, and he raises his guard just in time to block a kick. Moreno hits air on a pair of looping punches, with Erceg starting to see the power strikes coming. Moreno jabs the body and ignores a front kick that goes by, bobbing and weaving to move with jabs and not take anything flush. Erceg drives his opponent back with an uppercut, and Moreno reaches and barely lands at the end of his right hand. Erceg is slicker and more elusive than the last two rounds, but he still gets reached with kicks that are actively targeting him. Moreno flirts with checking kicks when Erceg kicks low, and he kicks the former challenger in the side. Erceg plants his fists on Moreno’s nose, kicking him in the front leg to mix things up. The fighters slip when trying to dodge one another, and then regain their footing as Erceg plants his feet to put a few punches together. Erceg sets up a knee to the body and backs off to avoid the counter, and he surprises Moreno with a front kick up the middle. Moreno fakes high to kick low, and he reaches with a few left hooks that continue to miss the mark. Erceg is more content to touch while Moreno loads up, but neither man is connecting at a particular high volume. One solid strike from Erceg comes in the form of a knee to the body, and as the round time expires, Moreno shrugs his shoulders.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Round 4
Having reached the championship rounds, the two pick up where they left off with jab attacks and kicks. Erceg aims to split the guard while Moreno wants to dig beneath or around it. Moreno successfully loops a single left around the defense of his opponent, and he pops Erceg with a second to force Erceg to stumble away. The Aussie is no worse for wear, wide-eyed to watch out for Moreno walking him down. Erceg forces Moreno to stay honest, keeping the jab in his face when not backing off to defend himself. Erceg times a front kick on the belly, hurting Moreno for a moment as the Mexican staggers back and forth confusedly. Moreno bites down on his mouthpiece and lunges into action, landing flush until Erceg kicks him upside the head. Another front kick from Erceg gives him a moment to breathe, as Moreno bears down on him looping heavy shots at him. Erceg jabs, follows the jabs and has to guard the oncoming fire from the former champ. Moreno starts talking to him, and Erceg grins when taking a few punches on the chin. Moreno goes high and then to the ribs, with his left hook drawing blood on the side of Erceg’s right eye. Erceg pays it no mind and kicks Moreno in the melon. Moreno laughs it off and swings back, and he keeps talking while throwing hands. Erceg defends from an overhand right, and he has his head kick pushed back while Moreno chases him around the cage. Moreno jabs the body, and the fans in the building start booing the fighters for their lack of heavy engagement after three rounds. Moreno shoots in for a single to quiet the masses momentarily, and he pulls Erceg to his seat and forces Erceg to scramble right before the bell. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno
Round 5
The crowd is largely on its feet as the fighters signal to them to give it up. The athletes are all smiles, and they get down to business by punching one another in the face in the final period of the fight. Moreno loads up on big right and lefts, and he lets Erceg try to do the same so he can make the Aussie hit air. Moreno sways and moves from a combo to let fly a left hand, torqueing his body in unusual ways to keep from being struck. Moreno winds up with a nasty leg kick, and a second is checked. Moreno jumps forward and possibly goes for a level change, but Erceg is having none of it and puts his hands in the former champ’s face. Erceg lifts up a kick that bangs into the raised guard, and when Moreno stings him, Erceg slips back. Moreno charges, ripping punches and hammering Erceg with a high kick. Erceg shells up and bounces off the fencing to reset, but he finds that Moreno is still right in front of him like always. An Erceg head kick mildly bumps into the guard, and Moreno reaches him with a right hook. Doubled jabs from the former beltholder lead to a right hand, and Erceg steels himself and drills Moreno in the chin. Erceg pushes out his jab, and Moreno does not budge an inch even when tagged. Moreno gives a bit of ground to lure Erceg in towards him, and when Erceg does not bite, he meanders forward. Erceg looses a head kick, and Moreno grabs it and hurls the former title challenger to his back. With 50 seconds to go, Moreno looks for a guard pass, positioning Erceg in an uncomfortable posture nearly doing a split on his back. Moreno successfully leaps over to the side with seconds to spare, and he jams down elbows until the horn concludes this five-round entanglement. Moreno stands and screams, waving off the doctor and pacing back and forth in anticipation of the result. Barring something unusual, Mexican fighters will end the night way ahead of foreign adversaries. Meanwhile, Moreno is about to pick up his first win in the Octagon on home soil. The former champion, who is now officially on a win streak, calls for an opportunity to compete at UFC 320 in Guadalajara, Mexico, this September. If he makes it on that event, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Moreno (49-46 Moreno)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Moreno (49-46 Moreno)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Moreno (49-46 Moreno)
The Official Result
Brandon Moreno def. Steve Erceg via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Connor argues that Steve Erceg has been rushed into tough fights, facing Pantoja, Kai Kara-France, and now Moreno without proper development. He highlights Erceg's defensive boxing flaws, particularly his lack of head movement and tendency to overcommit. Connor believes Moreno's experience and technical superiority will exploit these weaknesses, leading to a Moreno win.
James picks Brandon Moreno to win, citing Moreno's vast experience advantage (over 30 fights vs 15 for Erceg), superior durability, better cardio, and higher fight IQ. He notes Erceg has been knocked out recently and has shown poor decision-making in late rounds, as seen against Pantoja. James acknowledges the elevation factor but believes Moreno's gas tank is more reliable, especially late. He predicts a late stoppage or more likely a decision win for Moreno, and mentions that if there's value, it lies with Erceg as an underdog.
Zane agrees with Connor that Erceg is being mishandled by the UFC, taking too many high-level fights in a row. He notes that Erceg's takedown attempt against Pantoja was a rookie mistake, and that he hasn't had time to develop. Zane sees Moreno as a tough test that Erceg isn't ready for, and picks Moreno to win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kai Kara-France | 2 | 18 of 51 | 35% | 18 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 9 of 29 | 31% | 9 of 29 | 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 | Kai Kara-France | 2 | 18 of 51 | 35% | 18 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 9 of 29 | 31% | 9 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kai Kara-France | 18 of 51 | 35% | 11 of 35 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 15 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Steve Erceg | 9 of 29 | 31% | 8 of 26 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kai Kara-France | 18 of 51 | 35% | 11 of 35 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 15 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Steve Erceg | 9 of 29 | 31% | 8 of 26 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Erceg (-166), Kara-France (+140)
Round 1
The lone all-Oceania battle comes in the co-main event, with New Zealand’s Kara-France (24-11, 1 NC; 7-4 UFC) aiming to snap his first losing streak in nearly a decade at the expense of former undisputed title challenger and Western Australia native Erceg (12-2, 3-1 UFC). Even with both men coming up short in past championship opportunities, a win tonight and maybe one more may propel the victor into contention once more. Referee Rich Mitchell will be the first to know who that is, and he sits back as the fighters come together to clap hands. Erceg shifts directly to the center of the cage, and they both are prepared for the other’s leg kick as they anticipatorily lift their lead legs when squaring up. Kara-France lunges forward after 45 seconds elapse with three looping hooks, and Erceg dances away from them all and pokes out a jab. Erceg jabs again, prompting Kara-France to do the same to the midsection. Erceg ducks just in time to dodge a looping right hand, and Kara-France is out of the way before he can get countered. Erceg jabs his way forward, and Kara-France sticks him to the ribs. Kara-France kicks the front leg and attacks the body, and Erceg kicks him back. Erceg keeps Kara-France at the end his punches, and Kara-France still manages to reach him with winging strikes. Erceg rolls with them just in time, and his own jab reddens the nose of the City Kickboxing product. Erceg puts an uppercut on the guard, bouncing Kara-France back to the fence. Kara-France unleashes a big right hand, and Erceg fires back fearlessly. “Don’t Blink” thumps the front leg and aims a jab to the body, and he strafes to the side but is still met with a jab. Kara-France winds up with a massive left hand, sending Erceg flying. The back of Erceg’s head clatters off the mat, possibly reactivating him after a flash knockout. Kara-France aims and misses two standing-to-ground punches before Erceg dives after his leg, and Erceg uses the close range to explode back to his feet. Kara-France is on him loaded for bear, firing off a huge right hand that forces Erceg to retreat as fast as he can. Kara-France connects with a massive right hook on the temple, and Erceg shifts to the side to dodge. Unfortunately for “Astro Boy,” he circles right into the power right hand of the Kiwi. Kara-France detonates a bomb of a right hand on Erceg’s dome, sending him down in a heap. Two punctuating punches to the side finish the job as Mitchell races in to rescue Erceg from further harm. Kara-France has done it, springing the sizeable upset and becoming the first fighter to knock out the durable youngster. Erceg does not protest the stoppage when he gets back to his feet while in Mitchell’s protective embrace, instead showing disappointment in himself for getting caught like this. Meanwhile, Kara-France jumps to the top of the fence and celebrates his handiwork with the elated audience.
The Official Result
Kai Kara-France def. Steve Erceg R1 4:04 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Steve Erceg because of his size advantage and grappling, believing he can use his size to lean on Kai Kara-France and get the fight to the ground. He notes that Kara-France has great takedown defense but is tiny, and Erceg is big for the division. He considers it a close fight and suggests a plus 3.5 bet on Kara-France might be good.
Big Brady picks Steve Erceg to win by third-round submission. He favors Erceg due to durability (never knocked out or submitted) and grappling upside (BJJ black belt). He notes Kara-France has been finished six times and is hittable. He believes Erceg can hurt Kara-France on the feet and then submit him. He acknowledges the striking could be competitive but thinks Erceg has more paths to victory, including the younger age and grappling advantage.
Cody sees Erceg as the bigger, more durable fighter with better takedown defense and a higher ceiling after nearly beating Pantoja. He notes Kara-France is on a two-fight losing streak, has been knocked down multiple times, and lacks power against top competition. Cody also mentions Erceg's hometown advantage in Perth.
Vreeland picks Erceg, calling him the better all-around fighter. He notes Kara-France is good at stuffing takedowns but Erceg's striking power (brutal KO) will make him hesitant. He also highlights Erceg's ground game shown against Pantoja, suggesting a possible submission. He envisions a 'tag and bag' scenario similar to Kara-France's loss to Brandon Royval.
Daniel Vreeland picks Kai Kara-France via split decision, arguing that Erceg is overrated off his title shot and that Kara-France has the defensive grappling and striking to make it close. He notes that Kara-France has been training hard and won the bleep test at his gym, and that the line movement toward Kara-France suggests sharp action. Vreeland acknowledges the risk of Kara-France's layoff and concussion narrative but believes the fight is a dog-or-pass situation.
Fox agrees with Erceg for the same reasons: more well-rounded and dangerous everywhere. He emphasizes Erceg's ability to hurt Kara-France on the feet and potentially submit him. He notes Kara-France has been submitted before after being stunned.
The host is confident in Erceg, citing his technical striking, height advantage, and defensive grappling. He expects Erceg to land straight shots and counter Kara-France's power shots. He also notes Erceg's submission threat. He believes Erceg is the more complete fighter and will win by decision or submission.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing Erceg's performance against Pantoja as a revelation that he belongs at the top. He notes Kara-France's takedowns won't be effective because Erceg gets back up easily, and that Erceg's size and durability will be key. Paul also points out the travel advantage for Erceg fighting in Perth.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Erceg over Kai Kara-France. He praises Erceg's activity, technical striking, and game planning, noting he is taller and good at picking shots against shorter opponents. He criticizes Kara-France for being one-dimensional, always stepping in with the same overhand. He acknowledges Kara-France's takedown defense but believes Erceg will win a decision, possibly dropping Kara-France. He mentions Kara-France's long layoffs and losses.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 125 of 242 | 51% | 143 of 262 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 0 | 0 | 8:15 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 111 of 212 | 52% | 129 of 233 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 1 | 0:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 30 of 55 | 54% | 34 of 59 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:00 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 23 of 48 | 47% | 27 of 53 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 28 of 43 | 65% | 33 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:13 | |
| 3 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 34 of 57 | 59% | 37 of 60 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 22 of 45 | 48% | 26 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 23 of 55 | 41% | 23 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 31 of 63 | 49% | 31 of 63 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 22 of 35 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:46 |
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 20 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja | 125 of 242 | 51% | 75 of 184 | 33 of 39 | 17 of 19 | 96 of 207 | 14 of 16 | 15 of 19 |
| Steve Erceg | 111 of 212 | 52% | 87 of 181 | 16 of 23 | 8 of 8 | 107 of 207 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandre Pantoja | 30 of 55 | 54% | 17 of 39 | 7 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 20 of 40 | 2 of 4 | 8 of 11 |
| Steve Erceg | 17 of 35 | 48% | 12 of 29 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alexandre Pantoja | 23 of 48 | 47% | 16 of 39 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 16 of 41 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 |
| Steve Erceg | 28 of 43 | 65% | 23 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Alexandre Pantoja | 34 of 57 | 59% | 15 of 36 | 15 of 17 | 4 of 4 | 26 of 49 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 |
| Steve Erceg | 22 of 45 | 48% | 17 of 38 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Alexandre Pantoja | 23 of 55 | 41% | 18 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 23 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Steve Erceg | 31 of 63 | 49% | 23 of 52 | 6 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 31 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Alexandre Pantoja | 15 of 27 | 55% | 9 of 21 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Steve Erceg | 13 of 26 | 50% | 12 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pantoja (-185), Erceg (+154)
Round 1
The evening concludes in the flyweight division, as extremely violent champion Pantoja (27-5, 11-3 UFC) welcomes the next challenge of his belt. That comes in the form of relative neophyte Erceg (12-1, 3-0 UFC), who was not on the UFC roster one year ago. Make no mistake, Erceg has shown he has the skills to be a legitimate contender, and he is calm as a cucumber in the biggest fight of his life. Referee Marc Goddard receives the honor of officiating the final bout of the evening, and it begins with the two coming together to bump fists as they receive instructions. Pantoja immediately surges into action, chasing the challenger around the cage with reckless flurries of punches. One such press bullies Erceg to the wall, and he fights off a takedown attempt and gains some separation as his nose is already reddening. Erceg keeps his jab outstretched to keep the champ at bay, and he lines up several punches and a head kick to surprise Pantoja. Pantoja gathers himself and lets loose with a number of body shots, and they tie up and knee at the same time to force them apart. Erceg jabs with his foot, toes outstretched. Pantoja comes in close, stringing together three punches and a knee that cuts the challenger on the top of his forehead. They trade low kicks, and Erceg looks for a right hand but is beaten to the punch when Pantoja gets off a left hand and a leg kick. Pantoja lands a big right hand, and he races forward and tackles Erceg to the mat. Erceg utilizes a butterfly guard to keep Pantoja from claiming top position, and he bucks the champ off momentarily. Pantoja rushes at him and knees him in the chest before smothering down to get into half guard and climb on top. Pantoja drops down a few punches before Erceg works his way back upright, only for Pantoja to drag him down from behind. Pantoja holds Erceg’s leg in a strange position to keep him pinned to the mat, and he knees Erceg in the side and forces Erceg to turn the other direction to nearly surrender his back. Pantoja unleashes a blitz of ground-and-pound, and Erceg steels himself and works back to his feet, although Pantoja still has the waist lock behind him. Pantoja wrangles Erceg down to his seat again, and Erceg scrambles madly to climb back up. Erceg walks Pantoja down with seconds left in the round, and he misses with a knee before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Round 2
The flyweights clock in, and Erceg looks to establish his jab only for the champion to bull-rush him with an unorthodox slew of punches, elbows and knees. Pantoja uses his aggression to tie Erceg up and consider a single, but he breaks off so he can knee Erceg in the guts. Pantoja jumps forward to land a jab, and Erceg pushes him away with a front kick. Pantoja crowds the pocket with flying fists, and Erceg struggles to land in response. Erceg gets in a few jabs, breaking up the looping shots from Pantoja. Pantoja wanders into a firefight, and he chucks Erceg to the mat just when Erceg lands cleanly on him. Pantoja climbs over to full mount, and Erceg sits up in an effort to escape it and recover back to half guard. Erceg sweeps the champion, and Pantoja does not mind as he knees Erceg in the belly twice before they split apart, back on their feet again. Erceg lets go a left hook that bangs into the temple, and he dips down with an uppercut and shoots for a takedown. Pantoja lets him do this so he can snatch up a guillotine choke, and Erceg bails on the attempt immediately to get out of the submission danger. Erceg lands first and last during an exchange, and he brushes past the face with a front kick. Pantoja lashes out with a right hand, and he catches Pantoja coming in with a vicious elbow and a powerful left hand. Pantoja decides to shoot for a takedown, but Erceg shuts it down and starts walking the champion down. Erceg pops out a jab, and he elbows Pantoja as Pantoja strides forward. Erceg scores rapid strikes and only slows when Pantoja slaps him with a body kick. Pantoja grabs hold of Erceg, slinging the challenger to the mat with seconds to spare. Pantoja rains down punches, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 3
Pantoja is ready to attack to start off the round, and Erceg intercepts him on the way in immediately with a stern elbow. Pantoja still manages to tie him up and knee the body a few times before they split. Erceg loops a left hand around the guard, and he scores a low kick and lands a few punches before escaping to avoid the counter. Erceg catches his man with a right hand, and Pantoja races after him and plants a kick on the lead calf. Erceg flicks his jab out, and he eats several body shots and gives back a left hand over the top. The challenger misses with a high kick and barely reaches with a front kick, and he backs off when Pantoja charges him. Pantoja goes to the body and head, and Erceg answers the call with a right hand. Erceg lands a few shots, slides to the side and evades the counter. Erceg slips a looping punch, and Pantoja catches him on the way out with a pair of hooks. “The Cannibal” sprints forward and clinches up, and he has a knee bounce off the cup as Erceg grimaces. Goddard is about to pause the action, and Erceg calls him off. The fighters split up, and they throw bombs and detonate them on one another. Erceg lands a body shot, and Pantoja attacks with mighty punches. Pantoja takes an elbow on the forehead that splits him open, and he shoots for takedown and touches the cut that has already started bleeding. Pantoja settles to pursue a body lock takedown, and he gets the challenger down to the mat and lands in half guard. Blood leaks into Erceg’s mouth as Pantoja lords over him, and he takes the back during a mad scramble. Erceg fights and shifts, and Pantoja pounds him with punches until Erceg stands up. Pantoja lands a trip takedown right at the bell, and he holds the wound on his forehead until the cutman tends to it.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Round 4
Erceg leads off in the championship rounds aggressively, and Pantoja meets him in the middle ready to counter and let fly a kick. Pantoja overswings with a right hand, and Erceg is composed and jabs while kicking low. Pantoja lands two jabs, and Erceg tries a trip takedown that Pantoja is easily able to get away from. Erceg lands at the end of a right hand, and he scores an elbow as well. Pantoja tries for a takedown that is shut down, with Erceg making him pay courtesy of an uppercut and left hand. Erceg lands first in the battle of the jab, and Pantoja races into action with three punches that appear to sting the challenger. Erceg tries for a takedown, and Pantoja again tosses him to the side. Erceg sticks him with a jab and a right hand to follow, and he snaps the head back with his sharp jab. Pantoja kicks low, and it is one-and-done as is volume has taken a downturn as he appears to be taking the round off, relatively speaking. Pantoja throws three punches, and the cut opens back up on his forehead as crimson fluid leaks into his eye. Pantoja wipes at it and clips Erceg with a right hand, and Erceg fearlessly moves forward before shooting for a takedown. Pantoja staves it off and considers a guillotine choke, but opts to release it and circle away. Erceg gives chase and hammers the liver with a left hand, and blood obscures Pantoja’s vision in his left eye. Pantoja whiffs on big hooks, and the few that follow land flush. Pantoja jabs, and he ducks right into an uppercut but does not flinch. Instead, Pantoja grabs hold of the challenger, landing a right hand when Erceg breaks. The round ends, and it could all be up for grabs in the next five minutes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 5
Erceg has plenty of pep in his step, as he practically runs towards the champion to engage. Pantoja meets him standing firm, throwing big hands, and Erceg stumbles as he tries to escape the assault. Erceg switches gears and throws Pantoja off his feet, landing a takedown but finding himself in an uncomfortable position with Pantoja pushes off his groin with his foot. Pantoja turns the tables, works his way back around to take the challenger down, and he circles around to take the back. Erceg stands back up, grabbing the fence to keep himself upright. Pantoja clings to him from behind, looking to drag him down, and Goddard warns Erceg about fouls. Erceg elbows him a few times without looking, and Pantoja drags him down from behind. Erceg spins during a scramble, and he manages to free himself from the grip and back to striking range. Erceg scores an uppercut, and he gets knocked back with a left hand. Pantoja sticks out a left hand as he gets kicked in the head, and he blasts the challenger with a good left hand. Erceg slashes open Pantoja with another elbow, opening a cut on the other side of the head. Pantoja digs a body shot and chains it into a right hand that stuns “Astro Boy.” Pantoja defends a takedown by allowing Erceg to attempt it and roll through it to wind up on top. Blood from the Brazilian pools on the chest of his opponent, with him residing in half guard until Erceg tries to explode and get away. Pantoja drags him back down, and he works the body while Erceg looks to twist and turn. Erceg gives up his back as he moves, and Pantoja follows him and leaps into mount. The champion drops punches on the Aussie until Erceg sits up, and the bloody battle comes to a conclusion. Scorecards could be all over the map here, but no matter the victor, Erceg proved he is among the best 125-pounders in the world.
The victorious Pantoja gives Brazilian fighters 10 wins in 13 fights tonight, in a nailbiter that might look quite different if they run it back in a year or two. The defending flyweight champion now is tied with the active record of consecutive title defenses in the UFC with two, and it remains to be seen who will challenge him next. Pantoja asks for some time off, given his high level of activity. When “The Cannibal” returns, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja (48-47 Pantoja)
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja (49-46 Pantoja)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja (48-47 Pantoja)
The Official Result
Alexandre Pantoja def. Steve Erceg via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Angelo picks Pantoja, expecting him to wrestle his way to a win similar to his fight with Brandon Royval. He notes Erceg's unassuming look but acknowledges his skill. He says the 2-1 odds are fair given Pantoja's experience and path to victory.
Big Brady emphasizes Pantoja's superior resume and proven championship rounds. He doubts Erceg's power and finishing ability, predicting Pantoja wins a decision in Brazil. He also mentions a prize pick play on Pantoja over 2.5 takedowns.
Cody picks Pantoja, citing his championship experience, improved cardio, and elite grappling with back-taking ability. He notes Erceg hasn't faced a top-tier grappler like Pantoja and is more of a decision fighter. Cody also likes Pantoja by submission at plus money as a prop.
Daniel Vreeland picks Pantoja to win by decision, citing Pantoja's experience, durability, and ability to manage the home crowd emotions. He acknowledges Erceg's toughness but believes Pantoja's path to victory involves taking the back and grinding out a decision. He disagrees with Cody Duran's early finish prediction, leaning toward a decision due to Erceg's durability.
Daniel Vreeland picks Alexandre Pantoja confidently. He wants to root for Steve Erceg because his story is fun, but he doesn't think Erceg's skills match up. Vreeland notes that Erceg's best grappling moments come from countering shots, but Pantoja is nearly impossible to counter on takedowns. Erceg's striking power is also neutralized by Pantoja's defensive soundness. Vreeland emphasizes Pantoja's top game as possibly the best in MMA, comparing it to Islam Makhachev. He says Erceg's scrambling and countering style won't work against Pantoja's positional dominance.
Jeff Fox picks Alexandre Pantoja, surprised the line is as close as -185. He thinks this fight is too early for Erceg, who hasn't faced high-caliber opponents. Fox notes that Pantoja is happy to be champion and fights in Brazil, so he won't drop the ball. Technically, Pantoja is dangerous everywhere, with strong grappling and striking. Fox doesn't think Erceg's strengths (countering shots, throwing bombs) will work against Pantoja, who is defensively sound and has arguably the best top game in MMA. He says if Erceg were +300 or higher he might talk himself into it, but at these odds he sees Pantoja steamrolling him.
Erceg's BJJ black belt and ability to stay out of bad positions will allow him to survive Pantoja's early onslaught. He will force Pantoja to work and turn up the volume in the later rounds, eventually finding a finish as Pantoja slows down. Erceg's slicker striking in deep waters will catch Pantoja off guard, leading to a TKO victory.
Paul picks Pantoja, emphasizing his superior grappling control and ability to take backs. He questions Erceg's competition level and notes Pantoja's cardio has held up in five-round fights. Paul sees Erceg's path to victory as low and recommends Pantoja as a money-line play.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Erceg, arguing he is technically superior to Pantoja in all areas. He praises Erceg's takedown defense, clinch work, straight punches, and low kicks, and believes Pantoja's reliance on toughness is a weakness. He also notes Erceg's training with Craig Jones and the UFC's desire for an Australian star. He predicts Erceg will break Pantoja over five rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 22 of 78 | 28% | 25 of 84 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matt Schnell | 1 | 34 of 72 | 47% | 34 of 72 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 20 of 69 | 28% | 23 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matt Schnell | 0 | 32 of 67 | 47% | 32 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matt Schnell | 1 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 22 of 78 | 28% | 18 of 70 | 1 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 21 of 74 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Matt Schnell | 34 of 72 | 47% | 24 of 60 | 9 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 30 of 67 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 20 of 69 | 28% | 17 of 63 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 19 of 65 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Matt Schnell | 32 of 67 | 47% | 23 of 56 | 8 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 28 of 62 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 2 of 9 | 22% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Matt Schnell | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Erceg (-325), Schnell (+260)
Round 1
It is all action on the main card, which begins with a flashy flyweight affair between wild man Schnell (16-7, 1 NC; 6-5, 1 NC UFC) and surging up-and-comer Erceg (11-1, 2-0 UFC). The Fortis MMA fighter has not fared well as of late, but his most recent win was a spectacular technical submission over Su Mudaerji. The third man in the Octagon will be referee Chris Tognoni, who starts the fight as the speedy gentlemen clap hands together. Schnell immediately gets behind his jab, flicking it out repeatedly to back the once-beaten Erceg away. Schnell connects with a series of punches to shake up the Aussie, and he crowds him and eventually clinches with him and uses an elbow on the inside. Erceg separates, and on the break, he lands a strike to open a cut on the top of Schnell’s left eyebrow. Schnell wings punches, and Erceg sees them coming and dodges before jabbing that already damaged eye. Erceg ducks a punch and misses on a counter, and his jab continues to mark up Schnell’s face. Schnell tries for a knee on the inside when they get up close, and Erceg backs him off with two punches to splatter some blood on Schnell’s cheek. Erceg sinks in a leg kick and slides away, and he puts a one-two on the mark and slides to the side to evade the counter. Schnell swings hard but does not land flush, while Erceg is much tighter and more compact. Schnell pushes out his own jab, and he bloodies the nose of his opponent, but his own eye is turning into a crime scene. Erceg gets in a left and pounds Schnell on the cheek with a heavy right, and Schnell wears it well and jabs his way back out. Erceg staggers his foe with a right hand, and cracks him a second time as Schnell backpedals. Erceg wades in a little too carelessly, and he gets rocked by a fiery right hand from “Danger.” Schnell cracks Erceg again with a series of punches, and Erceg defends by shooting. Schnell sprawls perfectly and pops back up without issue, but Erceg bust him in the chops with a right hand. The Aussie connects with a body kick shortly thereafter, and a one-two and a snappy jab find Schnell’s face before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 2
The flyweights meet in the middle and touch ‘em up, and Schnell is ready and rearing to go. He starts off with a pair of low kicks and a combination, and he reaches a right hand around the jab.
Erceg continues to jab, and as Schnell comes loaded for bear, “Astro Boy” rips a right to the body and a left that sends Schnell into orbit. There is no need for anything else from the Aussie, and Tognoni intervenes just in case before tending to the unconscious flyweight.
Schnell comes to, and Erceg has now earned the second knockout of his professional career—doing so against one of the best foes he could in a top-ranked Schnell.
The Official Result
Steve Erceg def. Matt Schnell R2 0:26 via KO (Punch)
Angelo picks Steve Erceg, noting his slick grappling and ability to scramble. He thinks Erceg will use his length and grappling to win, despite not looking like a professional fighter. He acknowledges Matt Schnell's toughness but believes Erceg will get the win, possibly by decision.
Big Brady picks Erceg to win by second-round submission. He worries about Schnell's chin and durability, noting Schnell has been finished in 6 of 7 losses and has taken massive damage. He thinks Erceg will hurt Schnell and then submit him. He acknowledges Schnell's grappling but believes his durability is a major issue.
Cody picks Erceg, emphasizing Schnell's poor durability and history of getting knocked down. He notes that Erceg is a scrappy fighter with good grappling and volume, and that Schnell's best chance is a Hail Mary submission. Cody believes Erceg will eventually hurt Schnell and finish him, possibly in the middle rounds. He disagrees with the over, leaning towards the fight not going the distance.
Erceg is too clean and precise with his striking for Schnell, who lacks the reaction time to stop him. Erceg should land straight shots down the pipe, drop Schnell, and find the finish. Schnell has durability issues and has been in trouble in fights he even won. Erceg's BJJ is also a threat, but the host prefers a TKO finish. The under 1.5 rounds is plus money, and Erceg inside the distance is the play.
Paul picks Erceg and likes the over 1.5 rounds at -130. He notes Erceg is not a big power puncher but has a high pace and good grappling. He thinks Schnell is chinny and has been knocked out multiple times, but Erceg may not have the power to finish early, making the over likely. He mentions Schnell's durability issues but believes Erceg will wear him down.
The MMA Guru picks Erceg but is not entirely confident. He criticizes Schnell's chin and submission defense, saying he taps easily. He expects Erceg to outdamage Schnell over a decision, possibly dropping him, but notes Erceg's finishing instincts are not great. He predicts a decision win for Erceg.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 74 of 125 | 59% | 104 of 162 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 1 | 1 | 6:29 |
| Alessandro Costa | 0 | 54 of 97 | 55% | 85 of 129 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 31 of 54 | 57% | 31 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:49 |
| Alessandro Costa | 0 | 16 of 36 | 44% | 16 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 24 of 45 | 53% | 37 of 60 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:06 |
| Alessandro Costa | 0 | 24 of 42 | 57% | 33 of 51 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:49 | |
| 3 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 19 of 26 | 73% | 36 of 48 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 3:34 |
| Alessandro Costa | 0 | 14 of 19 | 73% | 36 of 42 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 74 of 125 | 59% | 41 of 87 | 25 of 30 | 8 of 8 | 43 of 91 | 26 of 28 | 5 of 6 |
| Alessandro Costa | 54 of 97 | 55% | 31 of 70 | 14 of 17 | 9 of 10 | 35 of 76 | 19 of 21 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 31 of 54 | 57% | 18 of 38 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 7 | 26 of 49 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
| Alessandro Costa | 16 of 36 | 44% | 6 of 25 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 24 of 45 | 53% | 15 of 35 | 8 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 30 | 9 of 11 | 3 of 4 |
| Alessandro Costa | 24 of 42 | 57% | 18 of 34 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 18 of 35 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Steve Erceg | 19 of 26 | 73% | 8 of 14 | 11 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 14 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Alessandro Costa | 14 of 19 | 73% | 7 of 11 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 5 | 13 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Erceg (-166), Costa (+140)
Round 1
Crashing into the UFC in June with a huge upset win over a ranked David Dvorak, Australia’s Erceg (10-1, 1-0 UFC) hopes his sophomore effort is just as solid as his UFC debut. Looking to halt his momentum will be Costa (13-3, 1-1 UFC), a former Lux Fight League champ who holds eight first-round finishes on his resume. They will be joined in the cage by referee Marc Goddard, and the preliminary headliner commences as the two flyweights touch gloves. Erceg takes to the center of the cage, and he slowly works his way forward without throwing much of note. When Costa aims a kick low, Erceg counters with a piston-like right hand. Erceg tosses out a leg kick, and a second kick makes Costa spring into action with a hard right hand. Costa flicks out a jab, and Erceg pushes out one back and kicks the inside and outside of his leg. When Costa kicks back, Erceg has a check ready. Costa’s big right hand bounces off the guard, and he swings two hooks as Erceg bears down on him. Erceg gets backed off, but still connects with a power jab. Costa flails long and connects with part of an overhand right, but Erceg is able to move with it to take some of the sting out of it. Erceg prods out his jab and snaps the head back with a right hand, and Costa kicks him in response. Costa rings Erceg’s bell with an overhand right, and he tries to chain another and is met with a knee up the middle and a right hook. Erceg splits the guard with a one-two, and he puts three together and sways to the side to make Costa hurl punches at nothing but air. Erceg goes between the gloves with an uppercut, and he lines up a huge right hand and busts Costa in the face. Costa attempts to take him down as he is rattled, and Erceg spins him around and climbs straight into full mount. Costa turns to his side, and Erceg snatches up a rear-naked choke. Costa is in huge trouble but manages to gut out the submission, as he turns his body and keeps moving. Erceg tries to trap him with another choke attempt, but Costa explodes to get back to his feet, and he pushes the Aussie to the wire. The round ends with both men attempting inaccurate front kicks.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 2
To start off the second stanza, the Australian fighter again claims the middle of the Octagon and moves forward, to force Costa to immediately backpedal. Erceg launches a head kick that pounds into the guard, and he shoves Costa and bounces him off the fence. Costa goes for a home run right hand, and Erceg evades it by a matter of millimeters. Costa is a man on a mission, looking for giant strikes, and he connects with numerous huge strikes as Erceg takes them or tries to keep moving. Costa drives a knee up the middle, and Erceg recovers and returns to put pressure on his opponent. Costa winds up with a hefty leg kick, and a subsequent overhand right stings Erceg again. Costa swings with a mighty right hook once more, and he shoots in low for a single to catch Erceg unaware. Erceg defends himself by getting pushed back to the wall, and Costa drags him down and shifts himself to half guard in a hurry. Costa tries to smash his foe with ground-and-pound, but he throws himself off-balance and allows Erceg to sneak out the back door and climb back to his feet, where he pushes Costa into the wall from behind. Erceg lowers himself down to grip hold of a single, and Costa gets away with a fence grab to stay upright. Erceg knees the body a few times while tightly pressed on his adversary, and Costa jumps guard for an armbar out of nowhere. Erceg defends himself smoothly and lets them both stand, but he continues to press his weight on his aggressive opponent. Costa pushes off, and he lets his hands go to knock Erceg back. As Erceg is wobbled, Costa tackles him to the canvas. The Brazilian turns over to pursue an armlock, and Erceg flips him over and grinds him with elbows on the face until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 3
The flyweights have reached Round 3, and Erceg is quick to resume the trend where he started the first two rounds pushing the pace early. Erceg backs Costa off, threatening knees and level changes, and Costa blocks a jump knee that is aimed at his dome. Erceg pushes him up to the fencing, and he fights off a trip to keep on his feet. Erceg looks to drag his man down, but Costa awkwardly keeps his balance and may have grabbed the cage again. Erceg transitions to a single, and Costa belts him with an elbow to back him off. Costa comes up short with a sweeping low kick, and Erceg jabs him multiple times in the face before timing a clean level change. Costa is on the mat for barely a second before jumping back up, and Erceg squeezes him up against the fencing to control him further. Costa gets off a solid right hand to back off the Aussie, and Erceg gathers his thoughts and pushes him back to the wall. Erceg looks to tie the legs up and trip Costa down, and Costa hits his knees and powers back up without batting an eye. Costa attempts his own far-side trip that does not succeed, and Erceg elbows him and eats two knees in the belly for his effort. Costa turns him around and sells out for a single, and he dumps Erceg down but cannot control him. Erceg is upright before Costa knows it, and he is pushing the Brazilian against the wall to run out the clock. Costa frames off with knees to the body, and Erceg responds in kind. Erceg cannot get his foe down, and he settles for clinch control until the final horn wraps the fight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
The Official Result
Steve Erceg def. Alessandro Costa via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Costa as an underdog, citing Costa's solid striking, tight guard, and real power. He notes Erceg is high volume and hittable, but Costa's power and combination striking could be the difference. He is not betting on this fight yet and may flip later.
Big Brady picks Steve Erceg to win by knockout in the third round. He notes Erceg is not on short notice, has a size advantage, and his striking has leveled up. He worries about Costa's durability, as Costa has been knocked out twice before and gets hurt often. Brady believes Erceg's power and improved striking will lead to a finish.
Cody picks Erceg, impressed by his debut on short notice against a ranked opponent. He notes Erceg's durability, scrambling, and ability to push a pace. He thinks Costa's low output and reliance on leg kicks won't be enough, and that Erceg has more dog in him.
Costa is the better fighter and the line is close to even, so taking the underdog at +130 is worth a small shot. Costa will be more aggressive and can stay out of danger if Erceg tries to take it to the ground. Expects Costa to control distance in the striking realm, land big shots, and win by decision.
Paul leans Costa as a dog, citing his leg kicks and power. He thinks Erceg's tall frame may be vulnerable to leg kicks, and that Costa's takedown defense is solid. He notes the line movement towards Costa and sees value at plus money, though he's not overly confident.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Erceg, citing his impressive debut win over David Dvorak on short notice and strong regional career. He notes that Alessandro Costa was pieced up by Amir Albazi on the feet, which he sees as a bad sign. He predicts a competitive decision win for Erceg, possibly 29-28, but expresses a slight worry that Erceg might get knocked out due to his build.
Ode' Osbourne - Fight History
AJ picks Alessandro Costa to win by submission, noting Costa's knockout power and submission threat. He believes Costa's low stance and power make him hard to takedown, and that Cody Durden will struggle with Costa's boxing and grappling. He expects Costa to hurt Durden on the feet and potentially submit him.
This fight was removed from the card. Big Brady mentions it was replaced by Alessandro Costa vs Cody Durden. No pick is made for the original matchup.
Daniel Levi picks his personal friend Cody Durden to win, citing Durden's high pace and ability to outwork opponents. He acknowledges Costa's power but believes Durden can avoid getting caught and mix in wrestling to secure a decision. Levi notes Durden's recent reinvigorated performance against Jafel Filho.
The host believes Cody Durden's pace, pressure, and cardio will overwhelm Alessandro Costa, who is on short notice. He notes Durden's durability is a concern but expects him to outwork Costa in striking and scrambles, leading to a decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 32 of 90 | 35% | 48 of 107 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:58 |
| Alibi Idiris | 0 | 30 of 75 | 40% | 62 of 117 | 5 of 15 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 6:10 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 8 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alibi Idiris | 0 | 12 of 30 | 40% | 19 of 37 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 2:00 | |
| 2 | Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 14 of 33 | 42% | 15 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alibi Idiris | 0 | 7 of 23 | 30% | 19 of 41 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:15 | |
| 3 | Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 10 of 31 | 32% | 25 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:58 |
| Alibi Idiris | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 24 of 39 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ode' Osbourne | 32 of 90 | 35% | 21 of 74 | 11 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 27 of 84 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Alibi Idiris | 30 of 75 | 40% | 22 of 58 | 1 of 5 | 7 of 12 | 22 of 64 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ode' Osbourne | 8 of 26 | 30% | 6 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alibi Idiris | 12 of 30 | 40% | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 12 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Ode' Osbourne | 14 of 33 | 42% | 7 of 23 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 29 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Alibi Idiris | 7 of 23 | 30% | 5 of 17 | 0 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | |
| 3 | Ode' Osbourne | 10 of 31 | 32% | 8 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Alibi Idiris | 11 of 22 | 50% | 9 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Dan Miragliotta is the referee. Idiris opens with an inside low kick and then shoots for a takedown. Osbourne shucks him aside. Idiris leaps in with a right and it sits Osbourne down. The flyweights are back to it and Idiris lands another impactful right. Osbourne kicks the body. Idiris lands a leg kick and drives Osbourne into the fence. Idiris goes from a foot stomp to a shoulder strike. They move off the fence and Idiris trips Osbourne down. Idiris is inside his foe’s full guard. Osbourne creates space with his guard momentarily, but Idiris dives right back into top position. Idiris advances to side half guard. Osbourne stands but Idiris is attached to his back. Osbourne is able to free himself, and he counters a leaping Idiris nicely. Idiris steps in and lands another big right. A 1-2 lands for Osbourne and he eludes a takedown attempt. Osbourne catches Idiris with a right hook. Idiris moves in an lands an upward elbow.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Idiris
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Idiris
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Idiris
Round 2
Osbourne pressures early and connects with a combination followed by a body kick. Idiris shoots and Osbourne defends and breaks form the clinch. Idiris absorbs a couple body shots from Osbourne, who sprawls on a takedown. Idiris lands a leg kick. Osbourne lines up a left hand. Idiris lunges in with a right. Idiris grabs a hold of a leg and takes Osbourne down near the fence. Idiris is looking to work his way to the back against the cage. Idiris softens him with punches, but Osbourne turns. Now Idiris is in half guard, flat on his back. Osbourne stands and lands a couple knees before the break. Idiris lands a glancing head kick. Osbourne answers with a 1-2. A counter right lands for Idiris, who shoots for a takedown against the fence. Osbourne knees the body as he defends. Idiris nonetheless powers Osbourne to the mat with a body lock takedown. Idiris drops some heavy elbows from above, then switches to hammerfists as Osbourne scrambles. Idiris unloads with a couple more shots as they stand.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Idiris
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Idiris
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Idiris
Round 3
Idiris follows a body kick with a combination. Osbourne throws a kick that Idiris catches, and he dumps his foe to the mat. Idiris drops a heavy elbow from inside guard. Osbourne scrambles up and creates space, landing a combination. A left backs up Idiris temporarily. Osbourne partially lands a high kick. A stiff jab hits the mark for Osbourne. Osbourne ducks under a punch for a takedown but Idiris defends without issue. Idiris loads up and lands a big left. Idiris turns the corner and grounds Osbourne about halfway through the frame. Osbourne reverses into top position. Idiris is still throwing strikes from his back. Idiris is looking to turn this into a takedown. While that doesn’t happen, Idiris works his way back up and goes on the attack. He fires punches and shoves Osbourne back into the fence. From the clinch, Idiris lands a knee late, and he’ll end the fight in control.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Idiris (30-27 Idiris)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Idiris (30-27 Idiris)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Idiris (30-27 Idiris)
The Official Result
Alibi Idiris def. Ode Osbourne via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Ode' Osbourne, despite his poor takedown defense, because Alibi Idiris prefers to strike rather than wrestle. He believes Osbourne's superior striking and power will dominate if Idiris doesn't exploit the takedown weakness. He expresses frustration with Osbourne's lack of improvement in takedown defense.
Big Brady picks Alibi Idiris to defeat Ode' Osbourne, citing Osbourne's tendency to fade after a round and a half. He notes Osbourne is dangerous early but has poor cardio and suspect submission defense. He likes Idris's cardio, ability to mix in takedowns, and believes he can hurt Osbourne on the feet. He predicts a second-round knockout for Idris, though he acknowledges a submission is possible.
Cody thinks Osbourne's experience and reach advantage will be key. He notes Idiris looked poor against Joseph Morales and questions his heart. He expects Osbourne to edge a decision or get a late finish.
Connor takes a flyer on Idiris, noting that the style matchup is different from the Morales fight—Idiris will get to strike with Osbourne, which suits him better. He points out Idiris has actual pocket fighting feel and Osbourne is tense at range. However, he acknowledges Idiris may still not be ready.
James picks Alibi Idiris to win by finish, likely submission, citing Osbourne's struggles with grappling. He notes that Idiris trains with Asu Almabayev, who dominated Osbourne with takedowns and submissions. James believes Idiris will mix in grappling and eventually submit or ground-and-pound Osbourne.
Idiris is the better grappler and wrestler, and he should have a cardio advantage. Osbourne has power but fades after the first round and struggles with grappling. Idiris can survive the first round and then dominate with takedowns and control in the later rounds. The line has moved due to Osbourne's recent performance, but Idiris should win a decision.
Paul agrees, citing Osbourne's five-inch reach advantage and experience against tougher competition. He thinks Idiris is unproven and that Osbourne's speed and length will cause problems. He expects Osbourne to win.
The MMA Guru picks Alibi Idiris, believing his grappling will be the difference. He notes that Idiris is well-rounded with good kicks, boxing, and grappling, and that Osbourne can be held down by grapplers. He references Idiris' fight with Vince Morales and thinks he can keep Osbourne on the ground.
Zane picks Osbourne, believing Idiris is not ready for a veteran like Osbourne. He notes that Idiris gassed quickly against Morales and was overwhelmed by being the nail. Zane thinks Osbourne can make Idiris the nail for a round and a half, and Idiris won't handle it.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 0 | 20 of 53 | 37% | 39 of 82 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 | 0 | 4:47 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 35 of 74 | 47% | 47 of 89 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 1:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 4 of 14 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 17 of 32 | 53% | 26 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:46 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 18 of 33 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 12 of 25 | 48% | 15 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 | |
| 3 | Steve Erceg | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 17 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:43 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 6 of 17 | 35% | 6 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Erceg | 20 of 53 | 37% | 10 of 42 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 43 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 35 of 74 | 47% | 20 of 53 | 4 of 7 | 11 of 14 | 29 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Erceg | 3 of 11 | 27% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 17 of 32 | 53% | 10 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 7 of 9 | 12 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | |
| 2 | Steve Erceg | 11 of 25 | 44% | 4 of 18 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 18 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 12 of 25 | 48% | 7 of 19 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Steve Erceg | 6 of 17 | 35% | 4 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 6 of 17 | 35% | 3 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Erceg (-400); Osbourne (+300)
Round 1
We have reached the co-main event, a battle between two flyweights who decided that they would be better suited competing at 135 pounds on late notice. Former title challenger Erceg (12-4, 3-3 UFC) has run into a competitive wall as of late, and he fights down in the rankings to take on Osbourne (13-8, 1 NC; 5-6 UFC). The referee for tonight’s penultimate match will Mark Smith, and the athletes tap gloves together before getting down to it.
Osbourne claims the center of the cage, fishing with his jab and awkward up-and-down hand movement. Osbourne kicks the front leg of his foe multiple times, and he sits back when Erceg advances to aim a counter. The left hand from Osbourne bounces Erceg off the wall, who rebounds and lets go with a big overhand right. Osbourne chips at the heavy favorite, chewing up his knee with oblique kicks and parrying the oncoming fire. Osbourne times Erceg with two crisp punches, standing the former title challenger up and marking up his nose. Osbourne continues chopping at the knee with kicks, and he narrowly dodges a big right hand up top. Osbourne keeps moving his hands in circular motions, and when Erceg comes in, he pops him in the chops with a right hand. Erceg slings a right hand to set up a takedown shot, and Osbourne springboards off the wall to get out and back to kickboxing range. The Aussie just misses a looping right hand, and he stands a little too still after swinging.
Osbourne fires off a huge right hand to the temple, and Erceg crashes face-first into the wall. Still somewhat with it, Erceg looks for a single, pushing the underdog to the fence while trying to recover. Osbourne starts smacking him upside the head while defending the takedown, and he uses his weight to topple over on top of Erceg. Osbourne scrambles to take his back, and Erceg keeps moving and gets back to his feet. Erceg turns the tables on his opponent, wrangling him to the mat and snaking around to take his back. Erceg starts hunting for a rear-naked choke while getting his hooks in, and Osbourne times a moment to spin around in the guard and wind up on top without getting subbed. Osbourne tosses out a head kick as Erceg stands, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Round 2
The athletes hand-fight to start off until Osbourne looses a big body kick. Erceg’s attempted counter is caught with a right hand on the jaw. Erceg calms himself down and shoots for a single, pressing the underdog to the wall. Erceg works the body with short punches to try to take some of the sting out of the punches. They switch position while clinches until Osbourne breaks free.
Both men throw out jabs, and Osbourne connects with a hard inside leg kick. Erceg boots Osbourne upside the head, and “The Jamaican Sensation” does not bat an eye. Erceg sticks out a few right hands, using them to set up a takedown shot. A knee from Erceg bangs into the cup, and Osbourne grimaces and Smith tells the fouling fighter to watch it. There is no break, so Osbourne takes it into his own hands to separate himself. Erceg reaches after him with a body kick on the way out. Erceg steps in with a left hand, and Osbourne busts him in the chops with a right hand that staggers him. The Aussie’s takedown shot fails, but his front kick after it digs into the body. Osbourne stays elusive and trips Erceg coming forward, but he misses a few big hooks. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg
Round 3
There is a clap of hands to start the final frame, and they both land at the same time. Erceg pitches a head kick that Osbourne is able to partially block, and Osbourne shrugs it off and gets after the former title challenger. Osbourne connects with a hard right hand, and Erceg stumbles and shakes it off to go for a single. “The Jamaican Sensation” trades in the pocket for a moment, and he calms down to thrust out jabs. Erceg digs him with a single punch, chaining it into a few more with a right hand at the end. Erceg lands first and last in a flurry, and he shoots for a double and lifts Osbourne off the ground. Erceg dumps his foe to the mat, allowing Osbourne to scramble so he can get to a more advantageous position.
The Aussie steps into half guard, staying heavy and flat chest-to-chest to not let Osbourne buck him off. Rather than attack, Erceg smothers, to which he uses the heavy pressure to advance to full mount. Osbourne spins around to his knees, and Erceg welcomes this too so he can get his back. “Astro Boy” secures the body triangle, and he loops his left arm beneath the chin but does not have the anchor arm to complete it. Perhaps due to the sweatiness of both men, but Osbourne is able to squirm around and work his way out of bad position and upright again. Erceg aggressively grabs Osbourne and chucks him to the floor, where Osbourne lands on his knees taking fire on both sides of his head. Erceg fastens a rear-naked choke that is on the chin and not under it, and he bails on it to sit up and deliver two gnarly punches before time expires. The second round could be the difference-maker as to who prevailed in this co-headliner.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Osbourne)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Erceg (29-28 Erceg)
The Official Result
Steve Erceg def. Ode Osbourne via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Steve Erceg, emphasizing that Erceg is an accomplished wrestler who should use takedowns against Ode' Osbourne, who has poor takedown defense. He criticizes Erceg for not wrestling in recent fights. If Erceg wrestles, he should win; if he strikes, he could lose. Angelo hopes Erceg has learned from his mistakes.
Big Brady is confident in Steve Erceg, noting his losses came only to champions or top contenders. He believes Erceg is better everywhere, especially in grappling, and that Osbourne has poor takedown defense, cardio, and durability. Brady predicts Erceg will submit Osbourne in the second round.
Connor picks Erceg because he is a more structured, consistent fighter than Osbourne, who is fast but dysfunctional and gasses easily. He notes that Erceg's defense is a concern but that he manages distance well when on the front foot, and that Osbourne's tendency to jump into the pocket will lead to takedowns and grappling where Erceg has the advantage. Connor acknowledges the southpaw question but believes Erceg will handle it.
The host believes Erceg is the better fighter with superior Muay Thai and a BJJ black belt. He acknowledges Osbourne's speed and power shown in his last fight, which is a concern as Erceg has been dropped before. However, he thinks Erceg will dial it in to avoid a four-fight losing streak and win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Erceg, calling him a more well-rounded mixed martial artist than Ronaldo Rodriguez, who beat Osbourne. He believes Erceg has better chin, submission defense, and IQ. He predicts a 30-27 decision or a third-round finish, dismissing Osbourne's chances unless he catches Erceg early.
Zane picks Erceg, noting that Osbourne is a dark horse who can deliver a top flyweight result but is inherently dysfunctional. He highlights Osbourne's poor takedown defense (65%) and tendency to gas, while Erceg is tough, has good grappling, and doesn't make many mistakes going forward. Zane is concerned about Erceg's lack of experience against southpaws but thinks Osbourne's style will force wrestling, which favors Erceg.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ode' Osbourne | 1 | 18 of 43 | 41% | 22 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 12 of 34 | 35% | 26 of 49 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 5 of 19 | 26% | 5 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 21 of 33 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:07 | |
| 2 | Ode' Osbourne | 1 | 13 of 24 | 54% | 17 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Luis Gurule | 0 | 5 of 15 | 33% | 5 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ode' Osbourne | 18 of 43 | 41% | 11 of 33 | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 5 |
| Luis Gurule | 12 of 34 | 35% | 3 of 13 | 0 of 7 | 9 of 14 | 11 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ode' Osbourne | 5 of 19 | 26% | 1 of 13 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Luis Gurule | 7 of 19 | 36% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 3 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ode' Osbourne | 13 of 24 | 54% | 10 of 20 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Luis Gurule | 5 of 15 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gurule (-218), Osbourne (+180)
Round 1
His back likely against the wall in this flyweight pairing, Osbourne (12-8, 1 NC; 4-6 UFC) will try to put his three-fight skid in the past. He welcomes Factory X product Gurule (10-0, 0-0 UFC) to the promotion, with the latter working his way up the Fury FC circuit to reach the Contender Series last year. The 125ers will have referee Jason Herzog watching over the action to make sure nothing goes awry, and they elect to touch gloves first. Gurule leads off with a kid to the side, and Osbourne pays him back immediately with one. Gurule kicks low, and he darts away to the side and offers another. Osbourne kicks him in the side twice, and Gurule answers with a left hand and a high kick—both are blocked, but the sheer momentum budges him a bit. Osbourne walks Gurule down and punches him square in the face, and Gurule has to rebound off the fence to blink it out. “The Jamaican Sensation” goes after his foe with his rangy strikes, and he catches a body kick to come up with his other leg and boot Gurule in the face. They trade kicks on the outside, and Gurule ducks a punch and flips Osbourne all the way over to slam him down on his back. Gurule lands directly in side control and uses his shoulder to press down on Osbourne’s face and keep him flat on the canvas. Gurule looks for full mount, and he is bounced out of it while slashing down with an elbow. Osbourne pulls him back to half guard, and Gurule accepts this so he can elbow the Wisconsin native further. Gurule drops down some ground-and-pound, spurring Osbourne into desperately returning to his feet with 20 seconds left. Gurule drops for a single, and he lets it go to wing a left hand over the top. Gurule has a head kick bounce off the guard, and they clash with kicks at the same time to conclude the frame.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gurule
Round 2
A fist bump leads into the action, where Gurule lets loose three kicks in rapid succession. Gurule ducks a strike to come up with a left hand, and he dances away from a one-two but is still in range for a front kick. Osbourne catches his man at the end of a right, and he times a ducking Gurule with an uppercut. The strike stops Gurule from completing the takedown, as Osbourne breaks free and jabs out a few times. Both men sting one another with long, straight punches, and Osbourne blocks a kick to drive a one-two down the pipe. When Gurule offers out a kick, Osbourne snipes him from his distance. This happens a second time, a naked kick from the unbeaten fighter is met with a concussive left hand that sends him to the floor in a heap.
Osbourne is surprised at the success of his blow, and he has to commit to finishing the fight rather than walking off. He leaps on the side of his opponent and hammers him with a number of unanswered right hands. As the punches continue to mount, Herzog says enough is enough and calls a halt to the match.
Just like that, the upset has been completed, while Gurule has been firmly ejected from the ranks of the unbeaten. Meanwhile, Osbourne can rest a little easier with that win on his belt, having put Gurule down with what he called a “Dewey Cooper special.”
The Official Result
Ode Osbourne def. Luis Gurule R2 1:54 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo acknowledges Ode' Osbourne is better than his recent record and nearly won his last fight, but he thinks Osbourne may be dejected after three losses and that his grappling gaps remain. He picks Luis Gurule due to his pressure, power, and grappling, but warns that undefeated UFC debuts often lose and advises against betting. He calls it a trap fight where Osbourne could win out of nowhere.
Big Brady picks Luis Gurule despite not being impressed with him. He notes Ode' Osbourne has durability and cardio issues, often fading after the first round. He expects Gurule's solid cardio and durability to take over as the fight progresses, leading to a decision win.
Connor picks Osbourne but is not confident. He notes that Osbourne is a stiff test for Gurule, who has a raw game and may not be on the level. He mentions that Osbourne's experience against better competition should matter, but also that Osbourne's losses follow a pattern of losing to better athletes.
Gurule is making his UFC debut with a 10-0 record and is expected to put on a pace and pressure that Osbourne cannot keep up with, leading to a third-round stoppage.
The Guru picks Luis Gurule, noting his undefeated record and grindy style. He criticizes Ode' Osbourne for losing to Ronaldo Rodriguez and having multiple submission losses. He expects a close decision but thinks the prospect will get the nod over Osbourne, who he considers not good enough.
Zane picks Osbourne, citing his experience and speed advantage. He notes that Osbourne is too quick and experienced for Gurule, who is raw and not a great athlete. However, he acknowledges that Osbourne tends to fade after the first round and that Gurule's pressure could be a factor in the later rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ronaldo Rodríguez | 0 | 35 of 69 | 50% | 68 of 117 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 9:14 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 1 | 37 of 68 | 54% | 55 of 93 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 2 | 1 | 1:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ronaldo Rodríguez | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 25 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 4:14 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 1 | 18 of 32 | 56% | 30 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Ronaldo Rodríguez | 0 | 19 of 24 | 79% | 29 of 40 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:10 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:22 | |
| 3 | Ronaldo Rodríguez | 0 | 10 of 31 | 32% | 14 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 19 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ronaldo Rodríguez | 35 of 69 | 50% | 29 of 61 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 25 of 38 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 37 of 68 | 54% | 28 of 59 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 22 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 22 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ronaldo Rodríguez | 6 of 14 | 42% | 4 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 8 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 18 of 32 | 56% | 15 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 18 | |
| 2 | Ronaldo Rodríguez | 19 of 24 | 79% | 18 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 22 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 6 of 10 | 60% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | |
| 3 | Ronaldo Rodríguez | 10 of 31 | 32% | 7 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 8 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 13 of 26 | 50% | 8 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rodriguez (-135), Osbourne (+114)
Round 1
Before the main card commences, the UFC really shows off what the Sphere can do. A few videos play, and we find ourselves in Level 2, in front of some Aztec-looking pyramids. This is the real deal. As far as fights go, a bit of a sleeper matchup became one much noisier on Thursday courtesy of Rodriguez’ (16-2, 1-0 UFC) on-stage verbal confrontation with Osbourne (12-7, 1 NC; 4-5 UFC). Spanish-speaking viewers might have had their ears filled with all sorts of obscenity, but it may have been just what the doctor ordered to spice up this 125-pound affair. Referee Chris Tognoni will keep clean what has turned into a slight grudge match, one that has devolved to the point that they opt not to touch ‘em up before proceeding. Osbourne immediately fights behind his jab, landing two clean left hands behind them. Rodriguez tries to parry the blows and ends up eating two hard body kicks. Rodriguez recklessly attacks with a naked kick, and Osbourne counters him with a blistering right hand that sends “Lazy Boy” collapsing to the mat. Osbourne follows him to the ground to finish the job, dropping down hammerfists and punches, and he snatches up a triangle choke and rolls to his back to lock it down. Rodriguez clings to consciousness and absorbs several elbows at the top of the head, and he miraculously stands himself up to free himself from the seemingly fight-ending choke. Rodriguez lowers himself back down into the guard, and he gathers his thoughts as Osbourne hacks at him with elbows from his back. Osbourne continues to slash from his back, and Rodriguez has his thoughts about him and he delivers some mean ground-and-pound back. Rodriguez slams home a few elbows that stun Osbourne, and Osbourne angrily swings back at him from the bottom. A few wide-arcing hammerfists sting Rodriguez again, making Rodriguez lower himself back down instead of sitting up to attack again. Osbourne turns to his side and closes his guard, and he absorbs a few ground strikes from his opponent. Rodriguez jams down several punches and elbows to stay busy and perhaps stave off a 10-8 score, and he maintains this position until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Osbourne
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Osbourne
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Osbourne
Round 2
Osbourne is ready to trade when the fight resumes on the feet in Round 2, and he quickly blocks a head kick to counter with a pair of punches. Osbourne goes up with a kick, and he fights off a takedown attempt by hooking up a power guillotine choke. Rodriguez takes Osbourne off his seat and wrenches his neck out of the submission, and as Osbourne scrambles, Rodriguez takes his back and gets a hook in. Rodriguez sits up and connects with a number of left hands while hanging on from on top, and Osbourne is stuck on one knee before getting lowered down and flattened out. Rodriguez sits up in full mount and blasts Osbourne in the face with unrelenting elbows. Tognoni asks Osbourne to fight back, and Osbourne bucks and twists before exploding to turn Rodriguez to his side. Rodriguez rides him like a bucking bronco, and he reclaims full mount after a tense exchange. Osbourne sits up, but he does not turn, so Rodriguez happily takes his back and sets up a face crank. “Lazy Boy” sets up the body triangle and elbows Osbourne on the side of the head from a funny angle until he hunts for a rear-naked choke. The submission is on the jaw, and Osbourne rides it out and sits up again. Rodriguez hits him in the back of the head and cranks his face again. Rodriguez is warned for eye gouging, and he reclaims his position to get to mount thanks to his body triangle. Osbourne turns to break up the body triangle, but the hooks keep him stuck in position until the Mexican secures it again. Osbourne stomps and pushes off the mat to explode, but without spinning, he remains trapped in a dominant position. Osbourne finally twists with all his might with 20 seconds to spare, and he drills Rodriguez with a number of long, meaningful punches that bounce Rodriguez’ head off the mat. Time expires, and both fighters are fatigued but still have five minutes to go.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Round 3
The exhausted fighters try to bump fists, but they miss and shrug it off. Rodriguez level changes into a huge overhand left, and Osbourne springs away to defend against a takedown try. Rodriguez blocks a head kick and shoots for another takedown, and Osbourne sprawls it effectively and digs a kick to the ribs. Rodriguez whiffs on a home run punch, and his leg is tenderized a few times with kicks. Rodriguez is warned for outstretched fingers, and Osbourne snaps out a handful of jabs. Osbourne clicks a short right hand off the jaw, and Rodriguez has to hang on to not lose his footing. Osbourne fires a jab out, and Rodriguez tags him with an overhand right as “The Jamaican Sensation” acknowledges the blow. Osbourne dodges a pair of spinning wheel kicks, and he jabs Rodriguez up. Rodriguez loads up on haymakers, and he overswings his way into a double-leg attempt coming his way. Rodriguez stops the takedown and make them reset. Osbourne clinches his foe up, but he cannot hold him there as they back off. They trade left hooks, and Osbourne blinks it out and shoots for a double. Rodriguez latches onto the kimura immediately to sweep his man, but Osbourne remains heavy on top. Rodriguez returns to his knees and then feet to stand, and Osbourne backs off. Osbourne peppers his adversary with jabs, and he shoots a double when Rodriguez swings so hard he nearly falls over. Osbourne sits up after bailing on it, and Rodriguez holds on with a guillotine choke grip before aiming to take the back. Osbourne opts to falling to his back instead of giving it up, and they start trading with offense on both sides. Rodriguez lands several strikes, and Osbourne whips elbows back at him. The wild match comes to a close, and the judges will have their hands full with this one.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (28-28)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (28-28)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (28-28)
The Official Result
Ronaldo Rodriguez def. Ode Osbourne via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Angelo picks Ronaldo Rodríguez but advises against betting. He notes Ronaldo has multiple paths to victory (striking, ground) but his takedowns are not great, while Osbourne is a dangerous striker who has only lost due to wrestling, not striking. Angelo warns against the narrative that Osbourne is a free bet, as he is a good striker. He picks Ronaldo but stays away from betting.
Big Brady initially had concerns about Rodríguez after his first round against Bonder, but he favors Rodríguez's durability and heart over Osbourne's questionable durability. He predicts Rodríguez will lose the first round but break Osbourne in the second via submission.
Daniel Vreeland also picks Ronaldo Rodríguez, citing Osbourne's wrestling background being more wrestling than jiu-jitsu, and that Rodríguez is a sharp grappler who can reverse positions. He notes Osbourne has lost a step and is too slow and hitable. He also mentions Rodríguez's youth and speed at 125 pounds.
Daniel picks Ronaldo Rodríguez, calling Ode' Osbourne a 'busted prospect' who hasn't improved and struggles with weight cuts. He notes Rodríguez's durability, faster hands, and scrambling ability, and believes Rodríguez will win despite being green. He expects to fade Rodríguez later but not this fight.
Jeff Fox picks Ronaldo Rodríguez because he is ascending and much younger, while Ode' Osbourne is on the way down. He notes Osbourne's wrestling background hasn't played out well recently and that Rodríguez is a sharp grappler who can handle Osbourne's takedowns. He also mentions Rodríguez's speed and athleticism at flyweight.
The transcript does not discuss this fight.
Rodriguez is a very solid fighter who will cause Osborne a lot of trouble. Osborne may have early success with takedowns and control time, but Rodriguez will provide resistance and pressure Osborne on the feet, eventually finding a finish in the second round, likely by submission.
The MMA Guru picks Ronaldo Rodríguez. He notes Osbourne has been beaten too many times and has been submitted in his last two fights. Rodríguez is a consistent finisher with submissions, and Osbourne has been put away by submission recently. He also mentions Rodríguez's win over Dennis Bondar and that Osbourne lost to Charles Johnson (though he thought Johnson won).
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jafel Filho | 0 | 21 of 35 | 60% | 43 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 3:21 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jafel Filho | 0 | 21 of 35 | 60% | 43 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 3:21 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jafel Filho | 21 of 35 | 60% | 18 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 28 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jafel Filho | 21 of 35 | 60% | 18 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 28 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Filho (-180), Osbourne (+150)
Round 1
Two flyweight finishers meet in hopes of advancing in the wide-open division, where three wins can get you a title shot these days. Filho (15-3, 1-1 UFC) has earned all but one of his career victories via stoppage, while Osbourne’s (12-6, 1 NC; 4-4 UFC) 75% finish rate is nothing to sneeze at either. Referee Herb Dean may have his hands full for as long as this lasts. It begins with a glove touch, and Filho is quick to move right to the middle of the cage. Filho goes wide with a low kick, and has a front kick parried. Osbourne comes back at him with a front kick, and he darts away when Filho sprints with a body kick. Filho slams a low kick home, and he comes up short with a left hook. Filho eats a punch coming in for a takedown, and he flips Osbourne over with a sweep to put Osbourne down on the ground. Osbourne turns to his side, and he absorbs a bunch of right hands before giving up his back. Filho gets one hook in as he searches for a rear-naked choke, and Osbourne sits up to defend the submission. Filho sneaks in several undercuts beneath the armpit to fluster Osbourne, and he stifles “The Jamaican Sensation” before climbing on top of him again. Osbourne defends to not let Filho get both hooks in, but Filho ultimately flattens him out with sheer horsepower. Filho wrenches on with a neck crank that is all power, and Osbourne grits it out and turns to put his back on the floor. Filho leans down while hooking up an arm-triangle choke, and when this fails, he sits up and tugs on the fence before opening up with ground-and-pound. Filho rains down a barrage of punches, and Osbourne defends against several strikes but not all of them.
As Filho’s punches do damage, he opens up an opportunity to get the rear-naked choke he has wanted all this time. “Pastor” locks down the submission and forces Osbourne to confess with a tap.
When Dean splits them up, Filho scurries to his corner, where he grabs his bible and walks around the cage pointing at it.
The Official Result
Jafel Filho def. Ode Osbourne R1 4:27 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo is surprised Filho is a legitimate favorite. He acknowledges Filho's grappling advantage and size on the ground, and that Osbourne was taken down easily in his last fight. However, he has too much respect for Osbourne's striking and scramble skills to bet on this fight. He decides to leave it alone, making no pick.
Big Brady picks Jafel Filho to win by second-round submission. He believes Filho's toughness and ground game will be too much for Osbourne, who has poor cardio and has been submitted before. He expects Filho to survive an early onslaught and then take over.
Cody picks Jafel Filho, praising his grappling and finishing ability. He notes Osbourne is prone to mistakes and has submission issues. Filho can take a punch and will relentlessly pursue takedowns and submissions. He expects Filho to catch a submission once the fight hits the ground.
The host acknowledges Osbourne's early danger with speed and power but expects Filho to deal with that, wear on Osbourne against the cage, and drag him to the ground for a submission in the second or third round. He notes Osbourne tends to slow down and give up bad positions, similar to his fight against Alateng.
Paul also picks Filho, highlighting Osbourne's durability and submission issues. He likes the under 2.5 rounds prop at -185, noting Filho comes hot and Osbourne may not withstand the onslaught. He mentions Filho has third-round finishes, showing he can finish late.
The Guru picks Jafel Filho, calling it a no-brainer. He highlights Filho's submission win over Daniel Barez while concussed, and his near-submission of Muhammad Mokaev. He dismisses Osbourne's wins as against low-level opponents like Jerome Rivera and Zhalgas Zhumagulov, and notes Osbourne is 32 and not a young prospect. He expects Filho to find a submission in round one or two.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asu Almabayev | 0 | 4 of 18 | 22% | 8 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 26 of 40 | 65% | 52 of 78 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 | 0 | 5:24 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asu Almabayev | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 21 of 31 | 67% | 35 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:23 | |
| 2 | Asu Almabayev | 0 | 1 of 10 | 10% | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 17 of 26 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 2:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asu Almabayev | 4 of 18 | 22% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 26 of 40 | 65% | 17 of 31 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 26 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asu Almabayev | 3 of 8 | 37% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 21 of 31 | 67% | 14 of 24 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 25 | |
| 2 | Asu Almabayev | 1 of 10 | 10% | 1 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ode' Osbourne | 5 of 9 | 55% | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Almabaev (-185), Osbourne (+154)
Round 1
Gary Copeland will be the third man in the cage for this flyweight affair. They touch gloves and Almabaev opens with a low kick right away. Almabaev stays on the outside and attacks with an inside leg kick. Almabaev steps in and connects with an overhand right. Osborne shakes it off and looks for openings to attack. Almavaev loads up for another overhand right and shoots for a single leg takedown, planting Osbourne on his seat in the center of the cage. Almabaev pushes Osbourne to his back and settles into his opponent’s full guard. Almabaev works to create space for ground-and-pound, landing the occasional punch or elbow. Osbourne works his legs up and briefly threatens with a triangle before absorbing a solid left hand. Almabaev is content to work inside guard while methodically landing punches with either hand. Osbourne brings his leg up again, but Almabaev clears the legs and passes to side control. Almabaev lands an elbow that Osbourne doesn’t like, and he transitions to a modified guillotine choke. Osbourne survives until the horn. It's noteworthy that Almabaev is bleeding, presumably from an elbow Osbourne landed from his back.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Almabaev
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Round 2
Almabaev throws a head kick before shooting for a takedown. Osbourne does a good job using the fence to remain upright before separating from the clinch. Almabaev is throwing big strikes: a head kick, an overhand right and then a spinning kick, which is followed by a failed double leg. Almabaev goes for a couple low kicks, then gets deep on a body lock and trips Osbourne to the canvas. Almabaev works his way to Osbourne’s back. Osbourne gets to a knee before his foe jumps on his back and pulls him down with a body triangle in place. Almabaev lands some punches while hunting for the rear-naked choke. Osbourne briefly has wrist control before
Almabaev deftly slides his right arm around his opponent’s jaw. The choke isn’t completely under Osbourne’s neck, but the squeeze is tight.
Osbourne has no choice but to tap after a few seconds of resistance.
The Official Result
Asu Almabaev def. Ode Osbourne via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 3:11
Angelo picks Asu Almabayev despite it being his UFC debut, citing his flashy striking and dominant wrestling. He notes that Almabayev lifts opponents off the mat and controls them, which will exhaust Osbourne. He acknowledges Osbourne has power and can wrestle, but thinks he will be outmatched. Angelo has a half-unit bet on Almabayev at -155.
Big Brady likes Almabayev's wrestling and control, noting he is position-over-submission and doesn't make mistakes. He thinks Almabayev will push a wrestling-heavy pace and has a cardio advantage. He acknowledges Osbourne is dangerous off his back and has power, but expects Almabayev to win by decision, staying safe on top.
Cody picks Almabayev by submission at +300, citing his strong takedown entries and transitions to the back. He notes Osbourne's poor takedown defense and history of being submitted. He believes Almabayev will wrestle heavily and eventually find a submission.
Daniel Levi picks Ode' Osbourne, expressing skepticism about Almabayev's level of competition. He notes that Almabayev struggled against aging UFC vets and has a low-output style. Levi believes Osbourne is more active and dangerous on the feet, with good length and submissions off his back. He is concerned about Osbourne's durability and tendency to play off his back, but thinks Osbourne's offensive skills can overcome Almabayev's wrestling.
James thinks the line is too wide favoring Almabayev. He notes Almabayev is a grappler but may not consolidate position for 15 minutes, while Osbourne is a good athlete with a decent sprawl. He also mentions the UFC debut trend often leads to underperformance. He picks Osbourne outright but says he wouldn't go crazy betting him.
Almabayev is a solid Kazakhstani wrestler with a 17-2 record, showing good takedowns and reversals. Osbourne has cardio issues after the first round and is expected to drown under pressure. Unless Osbourne lands a Hail Mary knockout or submission early, Almabayev will finish him in the second or third round.
Paul agrees with Almabayev, citing Osbourne's struggles against grapplers and his poor takedown defense. He notes Almabayev's wrestling and cardio, and expects him to grind out a decision or get a submission. He is confident in the pick despite Almabayev's debut.
The host picks Ode' Osbourne as an underdog, citing his UFC experience against legit competition versus Almabayev's padded resume. He notes Osbourne's southpaw stance, reach advantage, and improved grappling, but acknowledges the risk if Almabayev gets takedowns. He sees value at +148 and believes Osbourne can keep it standing and use his athleticism.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 48 of 154 | 31% | 50 of 157 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 2:53 |
| Charles Johnson | 0 | 60 of 127 | 47% | 74 of 147 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 23 of 62 | 37% | 24 of 63 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Charles Johnson | 0 | 21 of 38 | 55% | 24 of 42 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 | |
| 2 | Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 11 of 48 | 22% | 12 of 50 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Charles Johnson | 0 | 16 of 39 | 41% | 20 of 48 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:33 | |
| 3 | Ode' Osbourne | 0 | 14 of 44 | 31% | 14 of 44 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:47 |
| Charles Johnson | 0 | 23 of 50 | 46% | 30 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ode' Osbourne | 48 of 154 | 31% | 17 of 110 | 10 of 15 | 21 of 29 | 45 of 150 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Johnson | 60 of 127 | 47% | 28 of 78 | 10 of 24 | 22 of 25 | 42 of 101 | 17 of 25 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ode' Osbourne | 23 of 62 | 37% | 5 of 37 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 21 | 23 of 62 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Johnson | 21 of 38 | 55% | 6 of 22 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 10 | 13 of 28 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Ode' Osbourne | 11 of 48 | 22% | 4 of 38 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 7 | 11 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Johnson | 16 of 39 | 41% | 12 of 29 | 0 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 35 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ode' Osbourne | 14 of 44 | 31% | 8 of 35 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 40 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Johnson | 23 of 50 | 46% | 10 of 27 | 5 of 12 | 8 of 11 | 15 of 38 | 8 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Johnson (-170), Osbourne (+145)
Round 1
Jumping up on late notice to compete on the card, Osbourne (11-5, 1 NC; 3-3 UFC) will look to lift his UFC record above .500 when he faces Johnson (13-3, 2-1 UFC). Due to this coming together within a few weeks of the event, what was once a flyweight affair between Johnson and Denys Bondar will now take place at 130 pounds. This catchweight contest will receive oversight by referee Kerry Hatley, and despite being happy to be fighting after all, they elect not to touch gloves. They two meet in the middle but are fairly cautious to engage, with a few kicks thrown by either man in the first 30-second stretch. Osbourne works on Johnson’s lead wheel with a few calf kicks, and he steps forward with a one-two to knock “InnerG” back. Johnson tries to grab the low leg when Osbourne whips it at his lead leg, but this fails and he eats a few powerful leg kicks. Johnson switches stances to take some of the burden off the kicking damage, and he flicks a front kick at his man that gets him thrown to the floor. Osbourne chops at his foe a few more times, and he gest one off on the inside that draws a physical reaction out of Johnson. Johnson paws out a few jabs, and he has a head kick blocked. Osbourne turns his hips into an inside low kick, and Johnson changes stances after absorbing that flush. Osbourne looks to let his hands go, and Johnson weaves out of the way. The two hand-fight in front of one another, and Osbourne manages to get off a jab and check a kick. When Johnson throws one, Osbourne throws two or three back. Osbourne is making Johnson flinch every time, and Johnson starts talking to him as he switches stances taking these unblocked kicks. Osbourne catches a dipping Johnson with an uppercut, and he leans back when getting countered. Johnson bears down on his opponent with a few punches, and Osbourne catches his leg and pushes him back. Johnson leaps in the air and ends up landing a right hand instead of the flying knee while midair, and when he lands, he grabs “The Jamaican Sensation” and throws him down to the canvas with emphasis. Osbourne works his way back up quickly against the fence, and Johnson knees him several times on the way up before Osbourne breaks the grip and escapes. Osbourne scores a one-two, Johnson uses head movement to dodge the worst of the blows, and he has a low kick caught when responding. Both men land shots at the bell, and they hug it out when landing shots after it concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Round 2
The two measure one another in the early going of Round 2, pawing at one another with little on their strikes. Johnson powers forward in an attempt for a possible takedown, only to get thwarted. When he backs off, Johnson pushes off with a front kick that slams square into the cup. Osbourne goes down in a heap, writhing in pain as Hatley stops the clock to give him five minutes to recover – and Osbourne might need it. Johnson goes to his corner to have a seat, having apologized for the foul. Hatley informs him to be careful, and Johnson is not defiant and knows what happened. Osbourne crawls towards the commentary team and tells color commentator Michael Bisping that this was one of the worst groin shots he’s ever taken. Osbourne pulls himself up to his feet after 4:15 of recovery time, and he bounces and tries to get his wind back as he is still compromised. Osbourne signals that he is good to go with just 15 seconds left of the five-minute window, and they get right back to fighting. Osbourne gets back to kicking at the lead leg, and he turns to plant a side kick on the knee to hyperextend it. Johnson grimaces, and Osbourne attacks the same knee with the same kick to great success. Johnson looks to step in with an elbow, and he pushes off the chest with a side kick. Johnson dips forward to strike, and Osbourne intercepts him with two punches and catches a high kick that flies at him. Osbourne lets it go and releases a heavy body kick, and he strafes on the outside. Johnson gets up close and ties up his man, belting him with a clean elbow on the inside before pushing him up to the wall. Johnson considers a trip or level change, and Osbourne turns him around and drops down for a single of his own. Johnson stands him up and knees him a few times, as they jockey for position on the cage. Osbourne redoubles his effort for a single, and when he leans low, Johnson swirls around and takes his back standing up. Johnson slides down to the ground and ends up on his back, with his legs up high fishing for a triangle choke or some submission from that angle. A wild scramble leads to Osbourne tripping his foe back to the mat, and they both jump back up and resume striking. An elbow or two from Johnson up close opened up a cut on Osbourne’s face, and he pays it no mind. They throw caution to the wind in the waning seconds of the round, throwing punches and high kicks before Osbourne shoots for a takedown at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne
Round 3
Before the last round begins, the two fighters touch gloves. When they begin, it is Johnson pushing the accelerator with several kicks low and high. Osbourne catches one such front kick and is unsuccessful to throw Johnson to the floor. Johnson pulls it back and fires off a high kick, slipping and landing on the canvas. Osbourne dives on top, but cannot gain dominant position before Johnson climbs back to his feet. The two clinch up as Johnson targets knees to the body, and Osbourne drops down for a level change but opts for a possible body lock to trip. “InnerG” protects himself and pushes them out to the middle of the cage, and he works on Osbourne’s lead leg. Johnson continues to land knees until a responsive knee from Osbourne breaks them apart. Johnson steps forward with a straight left hand, and he ducks to his side. Osbourne times a head kick that very nearly takes him out, but Johnson moves just enough to take the full sting out of it. Johnson jabs his way in, frustrating Osbourne until Osbourne shoots for a naked takedown. Johnson snatches up a guillotine choke on the way down, and he lets it go so that he can muscle his way back to his feet. Osbourne gets one leg around the side to try to take the back standing, but there is nothing to it as Johnson pushes off with 90 seconds to spare. A spent Johnson meanders forward, hands down, taking punches until Osbourne grabs him and puts him on the mat. Johnson’s guillotine defensive reaction is less strong this time, and he lets it go so that he can wall-walk rather than spend time on his seat. Osbourne steps back to knee the body and comes up short with a left hand, and he ducks a punch to pursue a takedown. Johnson sprawls and jumps around to take the back, but Osbourne just stands back up. They both stand up, and decide it’s time to empty their gas tanks with one final slugfest. They both smack one another around, but ultimately reach the final bell. Judges could have their hands full with this one, depending on how the last two close rounds were scored.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne (30-27 Osbourne)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne (30-27 Osbourne)
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Osbourne (30-27 Osbourne)
The Official Result
Ode Osbourne def. Charles Johnson via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Johnson. He highlights that Johnson has become a more aggressive fighter since his loss to Muhammad Mokaev, and that Osbourne is a tricky but fragile fighter who often loses by getting knocked out. He notes that Johnson is a big flyweight with good range and durability, and that Osbourne's style of gambling with strikes makes him vulnerable.
Zane picks Johnson, noting that Johnson has added an aggressive mindset to his already solid technical skills. He believes Johnson will knock Osbourne out, as Osbourne is not very durable and tends to get cracked when his gambles don't pay off. He also notes that Johnson is a big flyweight who is tough to hit clean and has never been knocked out.
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Steve Erceg, emphasizing that Erceg is an accomplished wrestler who should use takedowns against Ode' Osbourne, who has poor takedown defense. He criticizes Erceg for not wrestling in recent fights. If Erceg wrestles, he should win; if he strikes, he could lose. Angelo hopes Erceg has learned from his mistakes.
Big Brady is confident in Steve Erceg, noting his losses came only to champions or top contenders. He believes Erceg is better everywhere, especially in grappling, and that Osbourne has poor takedown defense, cardio, and durability. Brady predicts Erceg will submit Osbourne in the second round.
Connor picks Erceg because he is a more structured, consistent fighter than Osbourne, who is fast but dysfunctional and gasses easily. He notes that Erceg's defense is a concern but that he manages distance well when on the front foot, and that Osbourne's tendency to jump into the pocket will lead to takedowns and grappling where Erceg has the advantage. Connor acknowledges the southpaw question but believes Erceg will handle it.
The host believes Erceg is the better fighter with superior Muay Thai and a BJJ black belt. He acknowledges Osbourne's speed and power shown in his last fight, which is a concern as Erceg has been dropped before. However, he thinks Erceg will dial it in to avoid a four-fight losing streak and win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Erceg, calling him a more well-rounded mixed martial artist than Ronaldo Rodriguez, who beat Osbourne. He believes Erceg has better chin, submission defense, and IQ. He predicts a 30-27 decision or a third-round finish, dismissing Osbourne's chances unless he catches Erceg early.
Zane picks Erceg, noting that Osbourne is a dark horse who can deliver a top flyweight result but is inherently dysfunctional. He highlights Osbourne's poor takedown defense (65%) and tendency to gas, while Erceg is tough, has good grappling, and doesn't make many mistakes going forward. Zane is concerned about Erceg's lack of experience against southpaws but thinks Osbourne's style will force wrestling, which favors Erceg.
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