Career Averages - Bolaji Oki
Career Averages - Timmy Cuamba
Bolaji Oki - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolaji Oki | 0 | 84 of 170 | 49% | 108 of 196 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:23 |
| Manoel Sousa | 2 | 71 of 179 | 39% | 86 of 196 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 20 of 26 | 76% | 42 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:51 |
| Manoel Sousa | 1 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 23 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:59 | |
| 2 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 32 of 72 | 44% | 34 of 74 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Manoel Sousa | 0 | 13 of 66 | 19% | 15 of 68 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 32 of 72 | 44% | 32 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Manoel Sousa | 1 | 48 of 92 | 52% | 48 of 93 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolaji Oki | 84 of 170 | 49% | 42 of 111 | 28 of 44 | 14 of 15 | 62 of 143 | 17 of 19 | 5 of 8 |
| Manoel Sousa | 71 of 179 | 39% | 48 of 150 | 16 of 21 | 7 of 8 | 62 of 161 | 8 of 14 | 1 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bolaji Oki | 20 of 26 | 76% | 8 of 14 | 9 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 7 | 12 of 12 | 5 of 7 |
| Manoel Sousa | 10 of 21 | 47% | 8 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 4 | |
| 2 | Bolaji Oki | 32 of 72 | 44% | 16 of 49 | 11 of 18 | 5 of 5 | 28 of 65 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 1 |
| Manoel Sousa | 13 of 66 | 19% | 7 of 56 | 4 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 61 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Bolaji Oki | 32 of 72 | 44% | 18 of 48 | 8 of 17 | 6 of 7 | 31 of 71 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Manoel Sousa | 48 of 92 | 52% | 33 of 76 | 10 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 46 of 88 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Manoel Sousa, praising his incredible aggression, power, and pace. He notes that Bolaji Oki is a dangerous striker but fades significantly, and Sousa can go a full 15 minutes. He also mentions Sousa's win over Mauricio Ruffy and believes the UFC will invest in him.
Big Brady picks Manoel Sousa to win by third-round knockout. He likes Sousa's pressure style, power, and gas tank, and questions Oki's chin and durability. He notes Oki has been hurt and slowed down in fights, and believes Sousa will break him as the fight goes on. He acknowledges Oki has a path via wrestling but doubts he can maintain it for 15 minutes.
Cody picks Sousa, citing his technical striking and power. He notes Oki's poor cardio and decision-making. He thinks Sousa will catch Oki as he tires.
Connor also picks Oki, emphasizing that Sousa has learned all the wrong things and lacks defensive acumen. He notes that Oki is fearless and a fantastic athlete, while Sousa is designed to snipe opponents who are afraid of him. Connor believes Oki's functional rawness will prevail over Sousa's flawed style.
James picks Manoel Sousa to win by knockout, citing his power, pace, and pressure. He notes Oki's questionable chin and tendency to gas out after a fast start. He acknowledges Oki's grappling upside but believes Sousa's relentless style will overwhelm him.
The host picks Sousa to win by knockout but is hesitant about the high price. He believes Sousa's Muay Thai and power will eventually land on Oki, but acknowledges Oki's own power and the possibility of an upset. He would prefer the line closer to -185 and suggests waiting for better odds. He notes that Sousa's grappling improvement and learning from the Perez fight will help him keep the fight standing.
Paul picks Sousa, noting his power and technical striking. He thinks Oki's cardio and ring IQ are issues. He expects Sousa to win by knockout.
The Guru picks Manoel Sousa, citing his crafty veteran experience from Bellator and his ability to work into fights. He notes that Oki is explosive but fades after the first round, and that Sousa has the durability and finishing ability to take over in later rounds. He predicts a TKO in round 2 or 3.
Zane picks Bolaji Oki, noting that Sousa is a raw fighter with poor defense and a tendency to lunge in without setup. He believes Oki's athleticism and fearlessness will overwhelm Sousa, who struggles against aggressive opponents. Zane compares the fight to Oki's bout with Timmy Kwamba, where Oki's functional rawness outperformed Kwamba's flawed style.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolaji Oki | 1 | 38 of 99 | 38% | 40 of 101 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Mason Jones | 1 | 57 of 136 | 41% | 67 of 147 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bolaji Oki | 1 | 29 of 73 | 39% | 31 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Mason Jones | 1 | 20 of 57 | 35% | 25 of 62 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:16 | |
| 2 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 9 of 26 | 34% | 9 of 26 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Mason Jones | 0 | 37 of 79 | 46% | 42 of 85 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolaji Oki | 38 of 99 | 38% | 26 of 76 | 8 of 19 | 4 of 4 | 34 of 85 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 14 |
| Mason Jones | 57 of 136 | 41% | 52 of 128 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 5 | 23 of 84 | 2 of 3 | 32 of 49 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bolaji Oki | 29 of 73 | 39% | 21 of 61 | 6 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 59 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 14 |
| Mason Jones | 20 of 57 | 35% | 17 of 51 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 12 of 44 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 10 | |
| 2 | Bolaji Oki | 9 of 26 | 34% | 5 of 15 | 2 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mason Jones | 37 of 79 | 46% | 35 of 77 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 26 of 39 |
Angelo slightly leans towards Mason Jones, citing his superior wrestling and ability to frustrate Oki with a busy jab. He notes that Oki struggles when backing up and that Jones' offensive takedowns are better. He calls it a competitive fight but thinks Jones' wrestling gives him the edge.
Big Brady picks Bolaji Oki in a close fight, citing Oki's high volume and power. He questions Mason Jones' fight IQ, noting he didn't grapple when he should have. He expects the fight to stay standing and go to a split decision, with Oki landing the bigger shots.
Connor also picks Jones, agreeing that Oki is undercooked and that Jones's fully formed game can handle a variety of opponents. He notes that Oki's technique falls apart when the fight gets out of control, and Jones will exploit that. He sees Jones as a much more reliable fighter at this level.
The host acknowledges the fight is a potential fight of the night contender and notes the odds are shifting towards Oki. However, he picks Jones due to his experience and ability to mix up the game better. He expects Jones to land more damage, outgrapple Oki, and win on the scorecards as the fight goes into deeper waters.
The Guru picks Mason Jones, acknowledging Oki's speed and power but noting Jones' granite chin and grinding style. He believes Jones' grappling and cardio will wear Oki down as the fight progresses. He predicts a 29-28 decision, with Jones losing the first round but taking over in the second and third.
Zane picks Mason Jones because he is a known quantity with a durable, aggressive style that will test Oki's inexperience. He notes that Oki has physical talent but poor footwork and decision-making, and that Jones will turn the fight into a brawl where Oki is uncomfortable. He believes Jones's wrestling and durability will be key.
Angelo picks Marquel Mederos as an underdog, citing his cleaner striking technique and defensive soundness. He believes Mederos can use his jab to get through Bolaji Oki's guard and that Oki's power and speed will be less effective as he slows down. He also mentions a potential plus 3.5 round spread bet.
Big Brady likes Bolaji Oki's volume and power, noting his strong performance against Chris Duncan before getting caught in a guillotine. He criticizes Marquel Mederos for close fights against lower-level opponents like Lanni Quinonez and Austin Hubbard, and believes Oki can out-strike and potentially out-grapple Mederos. He picks Oki by decision.
The MMA Guru picks Marquel Mederos as an underdog, citing his versatility in multiple ranges (clinch, inside, distance) compared to Bolaji Oki who is primarily effective at range. He notes Mederos' composure and Oki's occasional overzealousness. He predicts a TKO in later rounds or a decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolaji Oki | 0 | 136 of 303 | 44% | 136 of 303 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michael Aswell | 0 | 118 of 309 | 38% | 118 of 309 | 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 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 36 of 92 | 39% | 36 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michael Aswell | 0 | 24 of 84 | 28% | 24 of 84 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 54 of 108 | 50% | 54 of 108 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michael Aswell | 0 | 42 of 100 | 42% | 42 of 100 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 46 of 103 | 44% | 46 of 103 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michael Aswell | 0 | 52 of 125 | 41% | 52 of 125 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolaji Oki | 136 of 303 | 44% | 92 of 243 | 36 of 48 | 8 of 12 | 135 of 300 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Aswell | 118 of 309 | 38% | 92 of 270 | 19 of 29 | 7 of 10 | 117 of 305 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bolaji Oki | 36 of 92 | 39% | 23 of 75 | 9 of 11 | 4 of 6 | 36 of 92 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Aswell | 24 of 84 | 28% | 16 of 72 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 8 | 24 of 84 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bolaji Oki | 54 of 108 | 50% | 31 of 77 | 19 of 25 | 4 of 6 | 53 of 106 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Aswell | 42 of 100 | 42% | 35 of 87 | 6 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 42 of 98 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Bolaji Oki | 46 of 103 | 44% | 38 of 91 | 8 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 46 of 102 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Aswell | 52 of 125 | 41% | 41 of 111 | 10 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 51 of 123 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Oki (-375), Aswell (+300)
Round 1
Ever the internationally focused organization, where else can one find a tried-and-true Texan throwing down with a “Zulu Warrior” from Belgium? Right here in the Octagon is where it’s at, as “The Texas Kid” Aswell (10-2, 0-0 UFC) has made it to the promotion after riding the wave of Fury FC for a few years. He meets Oki (9-2, 1-1 UFC), who would like nothing more than to punch a hole in Aswell’s chest a la Ray Longo. The third man in the cage for this lightweight affair will be referee Herb Dean, who clocks the two in as they bump fists. It’s off to the races for these two, who quickly engage quickly with stern right hands. Oki sinks down a heavy low kick, and the two crash together. Oki backs off and pushes out a few jabs, and he swings a leg kick that makes him topple over. Aswell cannot reach him before he recovers, but he does walk Oki down and try to nail him with a right hand. Instead, it is Oki who clubs Aswell, with a nasty right hand followed by a left to the body. Oki does this again, walking through Aswell’s hammers that are swinging at the same time. Aswell calms himself down to toss out a few calf kicks, and he dodges a hook to clip Oki with a right hand. Oki shows no ill effects, and Aswell walks him down with his jab outstretched. Oki drills Aswell on the temple with a straight right hand, and Aswell busts him in the chops and may have hurt him for a second as Oki retreats. It does not take long for Oki to get back to lobbing bombs, and he mixes in a few body shots but gets popped on the way out. These two are trading effectively and flush on one another, and their chins are holding up at the three-minute mark but the pace may not be maintainable as they continue. The right hand from Oki splits a cut on the corner of Aswell’s left eyebrow, with the blood leaking into his eye slightly but not hampering his sight. Aswell still nails Oki with heavy hands, setting them up with jabs and knocking him back with a pair of rights. Aswell connects with another right, walks through a jab and fires off a right hook. Oki snaps his head back with a long jab, and his left hook to the belly finds its home a couple times. Both lightweights land hard at the end of the round, with Aswell knocking Oki back a step and possibly stealing the round with one concussive blow.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aswell
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Aswell
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Aswell
Round 2
A glove touch prompts the lightweights to get right in front of one another and punch. Oki backs him off with a step-in knee and tries to chain a high kick into it, but it is Aswell who stands firm and punches him square in the stomach. Oki sits down on big punches, but Aswell is able to roll with them just enough to not get his chin checked. Oki times another knee when Aswell steps in, and he slips back and tags Aswell as Aswell rushes at him. Oki measures several more body shots, and Aswell busts him in the chops with a right hand. Aswell fires off another right hook that snaps the head to the side, and Oki sticks his tongue out and puts three fists on Aswell’s face in rapid succession. Aswell lands a few punches, and Oki spins with a back kick to the belly. Aswell connects with two punches and is out of the way before getting countered, and he steps in and bops Oki in the chops with a left. Oki knocks him back thanks to his power punches, and he works a left to the ribs and a right up top. They both land at the same time, and Oki dodges an elbow to send Aswell retreating. Oki chains a knee into a right hand, and Aswell is tough as nails but is standing still when Oki puts hands on him. Aswell goes for two, and Oki’s lead jab and check hook to the damage. Oki knees his foe again, and he trips as he swings for the fences and recovers quickly. Oki takes a low kick on the calf and drills Aswell with a short combo, forcing the Texan to ricochet off the wall. Oki’s right hand further pounds Aswell on the jaw, and he jumps forward with a knee that flies past his foe on the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oki
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Oki
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oki
Round 3
One final glove touch kicks off the last round, and Oki starts off quickly with a jab and a chin-shaking right hand. Aswell displays near otherworldly durability as Oki is not taking it easy on him, but it is Oki in the driver’s seat. The power is substantially in his favor, and he has Aswell reacting to his strikes while he largely shrugs off the ones coming back his way. Even with Aswell’s likely higher volume, the right and left hooks from Oki are far more impactful. A few such hooks land on the chin, and Oki eats a counter, pats himself on the head to ask Aswell to bring it on and throws back. Oki leads off with his left hook, and three punches of his back Aswell up to the fence. Oki continue to chase after his opponent as Aswell is in retreat mode now, and he keeps his guard high to let Aswell’s swings bounce off him. Oki takes a hard right hand, and when Aswell doubles up his jab, Oki smiles at him and asks for more. Aswell obliges, but not before Oki clips him again hard. The strike totals are sky-high in this fight and the numbers are likely quite close, but Oki has figured out how to put volume together while still hitting Aswell harder than he gets hit back. Oki marks up Aswell’s left eye with his power right hand, and Aswell is looking for answers as his mighty swings seem to have no effect on the Belgian. Oki walks into and through a right hand, and he winds up with three hearty swings that bounce Aswell’s head around. Oki is determined to swing it out to the bell, and he does just that.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oki (29-28 Oki)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Oki (29-28 Oki)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oki (29-28 Oki)
The Official Result
Bolaji Oki def. Michael Aswell via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Matt picks Bolaji Oki to win by decision. He highlights Oki's power punching and ability to maintain his gas tank over three rounds, while Aswell is a basic pressure fighter moving up a weight class on short notice. He expects Oki to land the more eye-catching shots and win on the scorecards, noting Aswell's durability but lack of power.
Angelo picks Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady because of his relentless pressure and ability to maintain pace, while Bolaji Oki tends to slow down as fights go on. He notes that Al-Selwady had a full camp and is a pressure striker who mixes in takedowns. He acknowledges that Oki is a tough opponent with a good jab and fast sprawls, but believes Al-Selwady's cardio and pressure will be the difference.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Duncan | 0 | 28 of 50 | 56% | 29 of 51 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
| Bolaji Oki | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 12 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Duncan | 0 | 28 of 50 | 56% | 29 of 51 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
| Bolaji Oki | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 12 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Duncan | 28 of 50 | 56% | 25 of 47 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 39 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 3 |
| Bolaji Oki | 10 of 25 | 40% | 7 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Duncan | 28 of 50 | 56% | 25 of 47 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 39 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 3 |
| Bolaji Oki | 10 of 25 | 40% | 7 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Chris Duncan as an underdog. He believes Duncan's willingness to stand in the pocket and pump a jab non-stop will frustrate Oki, who has defensive issues and gets hit often. Duncan's durability and ability to survive being dropped are key factors. Angelo notes he might sprinkle a small bet if Duncan's line becomes a bigger underdog.
Big Brady picks Bolaji Oki but is hesitant due to Chris Duncan's poor striking defense (49%) and tendency to walk into shots. He notes Oki has power and could hurt Duncan, but thinks the fight could be close and competitive. He expects Oki to win by decision, possibly dropping Duncan at some point.
Cody leans towards Duncan as an underdog, citing Oki's questionable cardio and takedown defense. He notes that Duncan has wrestling and can take Oki down, potentially tiring him. However, he acknowledges Oki's power and the risk of getting knocked out. He doesn't plan to bet heavily.
Cody picks Bolaji Oki as his tournament play, highlighting his physicality, power, and early knockout potential. He notes Oki is minus 105 to win inside the distance and that Chris Duncan has been badly hurt in past fights. Cody believes Oki is a more technical and powerful striker with better durability, making him a sneaky tournament target at 8.8k.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Oki is a much cruder fighter despite being a better athlete. He thinks Duncan's experience and ability to game plan will be key. Connor also mentions that Duncan has shown flexibility in his approach, which should help him avoid Oki's early power.
Daniel Vreeland picks Bolaji Oki to win by knockout. He thinks Oki is much faster and more powerful on the feet, and that Duncan is hittable and slow. He notes Oki's good takedown defense and counter-striking. He expects Oki to hurt Duncan and finish him, possibly with body shots.
JP picks Bolaji Oki because of his power and nine-fight win streak. He notes Oki has never been finished and Chris Duncan has been KO'd by Slava Claus and submitted by Manuel Torres, which he views as poor performances. JP believes Oki's power will be too much for Duncan.
Paul leans towards Oki, believing his power will eventually catch Duncan, who has a questionable chin. He notes that Oki's takedown defense is a concern, but Duncan's wrestling isn't elite. He expects Oki to land a knockout at some point, though he's not confident enough to bet heavily.
The MMA Guru picks Bolaji Oki over Chris Duncan, citing Oki's superior speed and fluidity. He notes that Duncan is slow for the division and hasn't impressed, while Oki looked technical in his UFC debut. He predicts Oki will land more damaging shots and win by decision.
Zane picks Duncan as an experience pick, noting that Duncan is reasonably well-rounded and can game plan. He thinks Duncan can lean on wrestling or aggressive striking to pressure Oki. However, he acknowledges Duncan has meltdown potential, but Oki doesn't have a grappling threat to trouble Duncan.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolaji Oki | 0 | 60 of 152 | 39% | 61 of 157 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 33 of 94 | 35% | 35 of 96 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 29 of 61 | 47% | 30 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 9 of 43 | 20% | 9 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 13 of 23 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 | |
| 3 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 21 of 66 | 31% | 21 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 13 of 30 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolaji Oki | 60 of 152 | 39% | 51 of 139 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 5 | 58 of 145 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 3 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 33 of 94 | 35% | 20 of 67 | 8 of 14 | 5 of 13 | 26 of 86 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bolaji Oki | 29 of 61 | 47% | 24 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 28 of 56 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 3 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 9 of 43 | 20% | 5 of 30 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 10 | 9 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bolaji Oki | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 11 of 21 | 52% | 9 of 15 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 14 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Bolaji Oki | 21 of 66 | 31% | 17 of 60 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 64 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 13 of 30 | 43% | 6 of 22 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: N/A
Round 1
On August 29, 2023, both Oki (8-1, 0-0 UFC) and Cuamba (8-1, 0-0 UFC) competed on the fourth episode of Dana White’s Contender Series in its 2023 season. Both men ended up getting their hands raised—Oki by knockout, and Cuamba by decision—and the former was signed. The latter went back to the regionals, where he fought at Tuff-N-Uff, the former all-amateur promotion, and smoked Michael Stack just one week ago. The round robin of fighters ends with this lightweight pairing of 8-1 newcomers, and it will be joined in the cage by referee Chris Tognoni. There is no plan on touching gloves, as they would rather get down to business. Oki presents himself as the immediate aggressor, chasing Cuamba down and reaching out with a low kick and some wide punches. Cuamba does not engage with much of his own offense in the opening 90 seconds, but for a few jabs and low kicks. Oki throws back one leg kick and unloads with two big right hands that mark up Cuamba’s face. Cuamba looses a right hand of his own back Oki off, but Oki is driving jabs to the increasingly red eye of his opponent. Oki times an advancing Cuamba with a short right, and the offense slows down from both parties. Oki shuffles in place as he tosses out a single right hand, and when that misses, Cuamba lets rip two overhand rights. Oki pokes out several more jabs and avoids the counter, and he lands a low kick with an audible thud. Cuamba comes back with a jab and slings a right hand after it, and he presses forward but pulls back before shooting. Oki gladly remains in boxing range, jabbing his opponent up, until Cuamba spurs into action with a head kick. Oki catches it and pushes Cuamba to the floor, where he unloads with a series of punches until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oki
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Oki
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oki
Round 2
The lightweights reach out to exchange a glove touch to start off the round, and Oki starts to chase Cuamba around the cage with jabs. Cuamba looks to mix things up with low kicks, but Oki walks through it and doubles up a jab to nail Cuamba with a right hand. Cuamba comes back with a two-punch combination, but it does not fluster Oki in the slightest. Oki continues to jab without fear of reprisal, and even when a counter comes from Cuamba, it is one-and-done. Oki peppers his man with a jab and occasional follow-up punches, and Cuamba attacks in response with a single-leg takedown effort. Oki backs up to the wall in defense, and he stifles Cuamba from getting him down and ends up taking Cuamba’s back in the process. Oki considers a rear-naked choke but falls off the side, although he gets a single hook in momentarily. Cuamba turns him back and stays doggedly pursuing the single, and he transitions to a double and manages to ground Oki after all. Cuamba steps over to the side and sits in an open half guard as he postures up to elbow Oki. When Oki sits up, Cuamba considers a guillotine choke at the 10-second clapper. Oki stands up, ignores a few elbows on the side of his head, and he hangs on as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Round 3
The final round commences as Oki looks to pick up where he left off on the feet with a veritable cornucopia of jabs. Cuamba attempts a kick, but Oki is too close and irritating him with jabs. Oki drops his hands and puts them behind his back to showboat, and Cuamba punches him square in the face. Oki continues to march forward with jabs outstretched, and he surprises his adversary by attempting a level change. Cuamba pushes him away and returns to kickboxing range. Oki welcomes this by reintroducing his jab to the face of his opponent, and he is light enough on his feet to dodge the counters that careen his direction. Cuamba sneaks out a left hand as he gets constantly driven back, but he cannot seem to stop the methodical strategy of “The Zulu Warrior.” Cuamba tries to swing for the fences, and Oki watches them soar past him. Oki sprawls to stop a takedown, and he marches down Cuamba and strings four punches together. Oki catches Cuamba with an uppercut, as he puts a bit more mustard on his punches with less than a minute to go. Cuamba keeps circling and absorbing punches, and he occasionally looks for a brawl but is telegraphing the majority of his power strikes. Oki fearlessly presses ahead with punches in bunches, gets in a knee, and reaches out with a Superman punch right before this lackluster offering comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oki (29-28 Oki)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Oki (29-28 Oki)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oki (29-28 Oki)
The Official Result
Bolaji Oki def. Timothy Cuamba via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo describes Bolaji Oki as a busy striker with a good jab, power, and fast sprawl, though he slows down. He notes that Timmy Cuamba (referred to as deir hadzic) is an okay striker who relies on closing distance and takedowns, but his wide strikes leave him open to counters. Angelo believes Oki can defend takedowns and land effectively, and picks him to win. He suggests under 2.5 rounds might make sense.
Big Brady picks Bolaji Oki to win by decision. He notes that Oki has many ways to win, including wrestling, as Cuamba has the worst takedown defense in the lightweight division. He thinks Oki can brawl on the feet but can also take Cuamba down easily. He is not laying -300 on a debutant but picks Oki.
Cody picks Oki, noting his size and power. He thinks Cuamba is taking the fight on short notice and moving up a weight class, which are disadvantages. Oki has shown good wrestling and knockout power. Cody expects Oki to land the bigger shots and win by decision or late stoppage.
Oki is a young, powerful striker with speed and explosiveness. He should be able to find an early knockout against the aging and injury-returning Hadzovic. Hadzovic's ring rust and knee surgery recovery are major concerns. Oki's power will be too much, and he should win by first-round knockout.
Paul also picks Oki, citing size and preparation. He notes Cuamba fought last week and is moving up, which could affect his performance. Oki is the more proven prospect. Paul is not planning to bet it but leans Oki.
The MMA Guru picks Bolaji Oki because he is a dangerous athlete with good reach and power, and he is facing Timothy Cuamba on short notice. He recalls Oki's nasty first-round finish on the Contender Series. He notes that Cuamba is moving up from featherweight and taking the fight on short notice, which he sees as a disadvantage.
Timmy Cuamba - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 29 of 80 | 36% | 29 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 1 | 37 of 56 | 66% | 66 of 92 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 2 | 0 | 1:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 20 of 60 | 33% | 20 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 0 | 11 of 20 | 55% | 17 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:52 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 9 of 20 | 45% | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 1 | 26 of 36 | 72% | 49 of 64 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 29 of 80 | 36% | 12 of 54 | 9 of 13 | 8 of 13 | 29 of 80 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 37 of 56 | 66% | 34 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 24 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 20 of 60 | 33% | 7 of 40 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 11 | 20 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 11 of 20 | 55% | 9 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 9 of 20 | 45% | 5 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Benardo Sopaj | 26 of 36 | 72% | 25 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 24 |
Angelo picks Benardo Sopaj, considering him the better fighter everywhere. He notes Sopaj is cleaner, faster, and a better wrestler. He trusts Sopaj's pressure and cardio despite a year layoff. He thinks -160 is a good spot.
Big Brady leans toward Benardo Sopaj, citing his power, wrestling, and grappling upside. He expects Sopaj to be more active in striking and have a grappling advantage, as long as his cardio holds up. He predicts a decision win in a close fight.
Cody picks Benardo Sopaj, citing his higher striking volume (4.24 significant strikes per minute vs Cuamba's 2.77) and aggression. He notes that Cuamba has a reach advantage and uses his jab well, but Sopaj lands more and is the better striker. He expects a close 29-28 decision but is not overly confident due to Sopaj's one-dimensional style.
Cuamba is well-rounded and has good cardio, but is passive. Sopaj is more technical but fades. The fight depends on Cuamba's aggression. No strong read, so pass.
Lucrative James leans toward Benardo Sopaj, citing his power, grappling upside, and potential ceiling. He notes Sopaj's ability to get takedowns and hurt opponents, while Cuamba may struggle with speed at bantamweight. He predicts a decision win for Sopaj.
The host is confident in Sopaj's ability to dictate the pace and pressure, exploiting Cuamba's discomfort in the pocket. He expects Sopaj's superior striking and scrambling to wear down Cuamba, leading to a clear decision win. He sees Cuamba's only path to victory as a lucky knockout.
The host picks Bernardo Sopai over Timmy Kuamba, liking Sopai's bright future. He expects Sopai's aggressiveness, grappling defense, and cardio edge to wear down Kuamba and win on the scorecards.
Paul also picks Benardo Sopaj, noting that he thought Sopaj would have success with offensive wrestling. He mentions that Cuamba has size issues and that Sopaj's volume and wrestling could be key. He hopes for a better price on fight day but is still going with Sopaj.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 23 of 32 | 71% | 39 of 48 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 5:55 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 0 | 15 of 26 | 57% | 88 of 141 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 6:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 49 of 90 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 4:52 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 21 of 28 | 75% | 23 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:35 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 13 of 25 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 | |
| 3 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 14 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 4:20 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 26 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 23 of 32 | 71% | 17 of 26 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 22 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 15 of 26 | 57% | 10 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 13 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 21 of 28 | 75% | 16 of 23 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 20 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 11 of 22 | 50% | 8 of 16 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Timmy Cuamba | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Lee Chang-ho | 3 of 3 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cuamba (-140); Lee (+110)
Round 1
Two bantamweights who tend to punch first and ask questions later will handle their business in this three-round engagement. Cuamba (9-3, 1-2 UFC) cemented himself forever as a winner in the UFC by acing Roberto Romero with a flying knee in April. His South Korean opponent Lee (11-1, 2-0 UFC) plowed through the second season of the Road to UFC, and together they combine for exactly one submission win. Referee Eric McMahon dons his proverbial hard hat, expecting these 135-pounders to swing on one another as soon as he says go. He says go, and they speed towards one another, fists extended to greet.
It takes one punch landed on Lee’s cheek for him to shoot for a takedown. The South Korean whips around to take Cuamba’s back standing, and he wrenches him to the mat from behind while getting both hooks in. Lee wraps up a body lock, and Cuamba stands up and puts his back against the cage all while Lee is threatening him. Cuamba hand-fights to defend any choke from getting set up, so Lee chills on his back smacking him on the sides of the head and body.
Cuamba uses the wall behind him to keep the weight of Lee, who remains busy softening away at Cuamba and making his life miserable. This results in a stalemate, as Lee cannot find a choke, and his strikes are not terribly damaging. The round ends with Lee trying to force the fight horizontally, with tons of time spent with Lee on Cuamba’s back controlling him but doing little else.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Lee
Round 2
Cuamba does not want to get taken down or otherwise controlled for this round, so he opens up with a flying knee. Cuamba meets an advancing Lee with his right hand cocked back, as Lee wants to take the fight down. Lee punches his way into his takedowns, backing off to find another way in. Cuamba hits his seat and pulls for an unorthodox submission, and Lee explodes out of it to pursue his grappling in another way.
Lee lumps Cuamba up with his clean right hand, which seems to connect almost every time he is about to go for a takedown. Cuamba stuffs the takedown and knees him in the chest to stand him back up, and Lee is not about to back off. Lee walks through a spinning back elbow and a number of knees to the body, with “Twilight Timmy” cranking up his offense while Lee appears to be more plodding forward straight ahead. Cuamba counters a front kick with a takedown shot, where he forces Lee to drop to his knees so he can turn the tables complete and take the Korean’s back. Cuamba isolates the neck and settles to wrap it around the jaw. Lee hand-fights to stave it all off, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Round 3
Cuamba wants to touch gloves, but Lee wants to fight instead. It is Cuamba who engages his wrestling first, however, and Lee easily shuts him down but gets his back pushed against the wire. The two split up, and Cuamba fires off a body kick that Lee snatches so he can take the back. Cuamba tries to slide out the back door, and his arm is in a precarious position as Lee wants to set up an armbar or something from the limb. He is positioned upside-down, and Cuamba flips him about to stop him from the submission. Lee tries to pursue a single, but he does not have the gas to do so.
Cuamba laces his leg around Lee’s to keep him grounded, and he lets Lee stand up so he can take his back standing. Lee drops back to his knees to try to get Cuamba off of him, and Cuamba’s hooks are preventing his escape. Cuamba stretches out Lee’s torso by pulling back on his shoulders while Lee’s legs are pushed down from the body triangle. Lee toughs it out and keeps preventing chokes from materializing, but Cuamba is firmly in the driver’s seat with 30 seconds to go. With Lee twisting and turning, Cuamba hangs on until the rough match ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba (29-28 Cuamba)
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba (29-28 Cuamba)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba (29-28 Cuamba)
The Official Result
Timothy Cuamba def. Chang Ho Lee via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Timmy Cuamba, but it's a lean. He notes both fighters are similar, with forward pressure, striking, and takedowns. He likes Cuamba's body work and toughness, but worries about Lee's grappling (Korean Khabib style). He wishes the line were closer and may sit this one out in DFS due to the risk of Cuamba being on his back.
Big Brady leans toward Lee Chang-ho, calling it a striker vs grappler matchup. He notes Timmy Cuamba has a striking advantage with power, but Lee is a relentless wrestler with good cardio, nicknamed the South Korean Khabib. He sees Lee mixing in takedowns and cage pushing to win a decision, though he acknowledges Cuamba could win if he keeps it standing.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Lee is aggressive and will take a crazy fight to his opponent. He acknowledges Cuamba might feel bigger at bantamweight but thinks Lee's established aggression gives him the edge.
Lucrative James picks Timothy Cuamba, believing he is the superior striker with better boxing, footwork, and range control. He notes that Cuamba can be hurt but expects him to land the cleaner shots and potentially drop Lee. He acknowledges Lee's pace and pressure but thinks Cuamba will win a close decision, possibly with a knockdown.
Lee can cut off the cage as Cuamba likes to move a lot. Lee will be more successful in grappling and put together a better body of work to win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Chang Ho Lee, impressed by his grappling and pressure against Cortavious Romious. He thinks Timmy Cuamba's win over a low-level opponent is not convincing. He believes Lee's layers of attack (stand-up and grappling) will be too much, predicting a finish by ground and pound or rear naked choke in the first or second round.
Zane picks Lee Chang-ho because he is an aggressive front-foot fighter who will press a hard pace, while Cuamba is inactive and tends to neutralize himself. He notes that Cuamba has potential but hasn't realized it consistently, and Lee's aggression should overwhelm him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 1 | 33 of 64 | 51% | 35 of 66 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Roberto Romero | 0 | 35 of 67 | 52% | 45 of 79 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 9 of 27 | 33% | 9 of 27 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Roberto Romero | 0 | 22 of 34 | 64% | 27 of 40 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:28 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 1 | 24 of 37 | 64% | 26 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Roberto Romero | 0 | 13 of 33 | 39% | 18 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timmy Cuamba | 33 of 64 | 51% | 25 of 53 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 29 of 59 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
| Roberto Romero | 35 of 67 | 52% | 5 of 32 | 19 of 22 | 11 of 13 | 29 of 60 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timmy Cuamba | 9 of 27 | 33% | 7 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Roberto Romero | 22 of 34 | 64% | 2 of 13 | 14 of 15 | 6 of 6 | 17 of 28 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Timmy Cuamba | 24 of 37 | 64% | 18 of 29 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 22 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Roberto Romero | 13 of 33 | 39% | 3 of 19 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 12 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Romero (-115), Cuamba (-105)
Round 1
The overstuffed prelims roll on with a featherweight contest, one pitting two men against one another that have yet to earn a UFC victory in three combined tries. Cuamba (8-3, 0-2 UFC) tried and failed twice last year, while Romero (8-4-1, 0-1 UFC) came up short in his single UFC appearance in 2024. Something’s gotta give, and referee Nick Berens will know first which man will break out of a short slump. Gloves are touched, and Cuamba goes to start circling on the outside. Romero stands firmly in the center of the cage, and eventually pitches out a single leg kick. After some inaction, the “woo” birds come out, and Cuamba answers them by shooting in for a takedown when absorbing a few strikes. Romero turns him about and presses him on the fencing, and Berens warns for glove grabbing. The fighters stall out, and fans are not thrilled. They trade short knees and the occasional elbow, all while stuck in a clinch. Cuamba goes low with a knee to the groin—it looks like Romero lands his own at the same time in the exchange—and Berens calls time. After about 30 seconds, both fighters are good to go, and they resume where they started the fight, with Romero in the middle of the Octagon and Cuamba searching for angles. The latter finds one, driving through a one-two on the chin to get Romero’s attention. Romero fires back, but Cuamba is quicker and more accurate as reddens the Mexico native’s nose with his one-two. He flashes another one-two out when Romero offers a body kick, and Romero takes advantage of a body kick by catching it and looking for a takedown. Cuamba scrambles back to his feet, and he adjusts his glove in discomfort. Romero lets fly his body kick, and Cuamba’s one-two quickly meets him on the forehead to open up a tiny cut. Romero breaks off and lets go with two hard body kicks, the second of which makes Cuamba frown. Romero walks his foe down, not selling out to walk into a flying knee, and instead measuring his foe with a head kick. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Round 2
Romero starts the round as the aggressor, offering a glove touch that is partially accepted so that he can start kicking. Cuamba spins with a back kick to the ribcage, and Romero is not amused. As Romero bears down on his opponent, he trips Cuamba up but cannot keep him on the mat. Cuamba breaks free and again checks his left glove, but seems good to go. They trade single punches, with Romero beating him to the punch and not taking a flying knee on the chin. Romero grabs hold of the leg to take the fight down, and Cuamba’s balance holds out as he bounces to the side and introduces his fist to Romero’s face. Romero leans back to give him a pair of body kicks, and he gets in a low kick after it. Cuamba surges into action with a flurry of punches, and Romero answers him with a high kick. Cuamba’s right hand finds the mark again, staggering the Mexican but not backing him down. Romero keeps pushing forward despite the damage, and Cuamba boots him in the face. Once more, Romero is rocked, and he has to blink it out as he marches ever forward, blood streaming down his face. As Romero shoots in on his hips,
Cuamba times a picture-perfect flying knee that blasts Romero square on the jaw, and Romero crashes to the canvas in big trouble. Berens is immediately rushing in to rescue Romero, but not before Cuamba hammers his downed foe with a pair of thudding punches
. Romero rushes back to his feet and races towards Cuamba to re-engage, unaware that Berens has called the fight. Romero is upset, but the fight is already over and there is nothing that can be done tonight about what commentators questioned may have been a bit premature. Regardless of the stoppage, it is a crucial win for “Twilight Timmy,” who demonstrates that he is not in the twilight of his UFC career and instead earns a mighty victory to save his place on the roster.
The Official Result
Timothy Cuamba def. Roberto Romero R2 3:55 via TKO (Flying Knee)
Angelo picks Roberto Romero, citing his forward pressure, grappling, and toughness. He notes that Romero dropped David Onama early in his last fight and has a gritty demeanor. He is waiting for better odds before placing a bet, as Romero is a slight favorite.
Big Brady leans toward Roberto Romero, emphasizing his doggedness and urgency compared to Timmy Cuamba's lack of finishing instinct. He notes Romero's impressive short-notice debut against David Onama, where he had early success but faded. He criticizes Cuamba for sparring-like performances and lack of urgency, predicting a close decision win for Romero.
The host picks Cuamba based on his speed and athleticism advantage, expecting him to land better shots from distance and use wrestling at opportune moments to secure a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Roberto Romero, impressed by his debut against David Onama where he hurt Onama early and showed pressure. He notes Cuamba has lost both UFC fights and didn't look good. He expects a gritty decision win for Romero, likely 29-28, as Romero leads the dance and is hard to finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Almeida | 0 | 59 of 116 | 50% | 73 of 136 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 1 | 70 of 196 | 35% | 91 of 220 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Almeida | 0 | 13 of 26 | 50% | 13 of 26 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 1 | 22 of 59 | 37% | 30 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 | |
| 2 | Lucas Almeida | 0 | 22 of 44 | 50% | 22 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 32 of 84 | 38% | 36 of 88 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 3 | Lucas Almeida | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 38 of 66 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 16 of 53 | 30% | 25 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Almeida | 59 of 116 | 50% | 35 of 87 | 14 of 17 | 10 of 12 | 48 of 100 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 16 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 70 of 196 | 35% | 43 of 153 | 13 of 28 | 14 of 15 | 65 of 190 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Almeida | 13 of 26 | 50% | 6 of 19 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 22 of 59 | 37% | 13 of 42 | 3 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 21 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Lucas Almeida | 22 of 44 | 50% | 14 of 33 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 22 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 32 of 84 | 38% | 18 of 66 | 9 of 12 | 5 of 6 | 28 of 79 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Lucas Almeida | 24 of 46 | 52% | 15 of 35 | 8 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 13 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 16 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 16 of 53 | 30% | 12 of 45 | 1 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cuamba (-205), Almeida (+170)
Round 1
When he punted Michael Stack at the beginning of February, “Twilight Timmy” Cuamba (8-2, 0-1 UFC) could have scarcely predicted his UFC debut would come one week later. While it did not go his way against Bolaji Oki, Cuamba gets a second chance to make a first impression. He takes on aggressive Almeida (14-3, 1-2 UFC) and his 100% finish rate. Referee Mike Beltran dons his hard hat, and he tells the fighter’s it’s time to fight. The 145ers do not bother bumping fists, as Almeida wants to start something. He does that with a low kick, and he jabs the body shortly thereafter. Almeida cuts Cuamba off around the cage, walking him down and throwing a low kick. Cuamba pays him back with a speedy one-two, and he gets off a jab on the outside. Another one-two from “Twilight Timmy” finds its home on the chin, and Almeida shakes it off and continues pressuring. The Brazilian swipes out with a left hand, and he chips at the front leg with kicks. Cuamba stands his man up with a left hand, but the right misses. On the way back, Cuamba plants a stern kick on the lead leg of his adversary. Almeida jabs with the fall of his foot, and a ferocious one-two stuns Cuamba and sits him down. Almeida tries to pound him out with ground strikes while leaning on Cuamba, but Cuamba does not go all the way down and instead muscles his way back upright. Almeida keeps firing the right hand, drawing a shot in response from the Las Vegas native. Almeida stands his foe up and knees him once before splitting off, and he returns to stalking mode. Two punches get around the guard, and Cuamba takes them flush and keeps retreating. Almeida tags him with another right hand to set him down, and Cuamba scrambles and gets up. To take some of the venom out of his foe’s shots, Cuamba presses Almeida against the cage wall for a time. Almeida escapes and starts potshotting Cuamba, until Cuamba is tired of the one-sided exchanges and starts brawling. Cuamba dislodges the mouthpiece of his foe, but Almeida puts on the pace with punches and a high kick that wraps up around the guard. Almeida ducks back to dodge a head kick, and he eats a right hand while plodding forward. Cuamba strikes the body a few times, and he makes it to the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Almeida
Round 2
Almeida is loaded for bear to start off the second round, as he gets right back to cutting Cuamba off while throwing hands. Cuamba sits down on single strikes, thumping a left to the body and one to the head. Almeida lunges forward, and Cuamba counters him with a sharp left. Cuamba checks a low kick and tosses one back, and they trade jabs shortly thereafter. The jabs are landed again at the same time, and Cuamba again targets the liver with a left. Almeida steps through a punch to wing three of his own, and he scores a solid low kick. They both start swinging bungalows, and Almeida catches Cuamba with a clean left hand that drops “Twilight Timmy” to a knee. Cuamba sits up and rushes after a single-leg takedown, but Almeida is able to shove him away without much concern. Cuamba gets his sea legs with the successful dilatory tactic, but he is not slowing Almeida’s momentum. Almeida chops at his leg and walks through a jab to rifle off a right hand, and he slips a counter jab. Almeida sinks in a left hand and laughs off a leg kick, and a one-two along with two hooks at least partially connect. Almeida surges into a left hand, and he clips Cuamba once more as he lines up punches to the head and then body. Cuamba strafes away, and Almeida is on him with a left to the body and right to the head. Cuamba’s legs wobble, but Almeida is buttering his bread as he seems to find that right hand any time he wants. Cuamba scrambles to the side, and Almeida plants two fists and a head kick up top right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Almeida
Round 3
The fighters reach the last round and share a brief glove touch, and Almeida returns quickly to his predatory best. Walking Cuamba down, throwing jabs, follow-up punches, leg kicks and the occasional power strike, Almeida beats Cuamba to the punch while not getting answered by anything overly concerning. Cuamba slams a kick to the ribs, but it is one-and-done as Almeida walks him down. Cuamba shoots for a single, and he drags the Brazilian to his seat but does not establish control. Almeida turns the corner and pushes down on the back of Cuamba’s head to stop him from going anywhere until he moves enough to escape and reset. Almeida jabs the head and body without fear of reprisal, and he shrugs off a front kick to pump out more jabs. Cuamba lands at the end of a right hand, drawing a wide counter from his foe. They both jab at one another, and Almeida’s range gives up the upper hand. Cuamba lands once, but Almeida rings him up for four in the same flurry. Almeida just misses with a high kick, and they double jab at one another. Almeida hacks at the front leg and absorbs a body kick, and the two start swinging recklessly. Cuamba catches his adversary with a left hook, and he moves to take the brunt out of the overhand right counter. Almeida collides his fist on the dome and spins with a wheel kick that buzzes the tower, and Cuamba decides two can spin and lands his own back kick on the belly. Cuamba closes in to strike, and although Almeida lands two on the inside, Cuamba uses the momentum and a trip to put the Brazilian on the canvas. Cuamba sits up and drops down a few punches and some fierce elbows, and he looks for a finish with seconds to go and rains down blows until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Almeida (30-27 Almeida)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Almeida (30-27 Almeida)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba (29-27 Almeida)
The Official Result
Lucas Almeida def. Timothy Cuamba via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Lucas Almeida as an underdog, citing his deeper resume and higher level of competition. He notes Lucas is a powerful striker who comes forward, while Timmy is more technical but less experienced. He thinks Lucas's power and chin could be the difference, though Timmy's accuracy is a concern. He mentions the plus 165 odds are appealing.
Cody picks Lucas Almeida as a dog, arguing that Cuamba is a low-volume striker who relies on a knockout and has shown poor cardio and wrestling. He notes that Almeida has better wins and has fought tougher competition, including a competitive fight with Daniel Zellhuber. Cody believes Almeida's volume and leg kicks can overwhelm Cuamba, and that the line is too wide for a fighter of Cuamba's level.
Daniel Vreeland is concerned about Lucas Almeida's recent performances, noting he only landed two strikes in his last fight and looked stiff. He speculates a possible health issue. He likes Timothy Cuamba's technical soundness and ability to fight everywhere, though he's not the most physical. He believes Cuamba can pick Almeida apart and mix in wrestling.
Jacob picks Timmy, thinking he is the more technical striker and could mix in takedowns against Lucas's poor takedown defense. He notes Timmy held his own against Bolaji on short notice. He acknowledges Lucas is more dangerous but believes Timmy's technique will prevail.
Cuamba's lateral movement will frustrate Almeida, opening up takedown opportunities and allowing Cuamba to land damage from distance. The line is too wide for someone taking a step up in competition, but Cuamba's potential and body of work should get the judges' favor.
Paul agrees with Cody, stating that Cuamba is a low-volume Contender Series guy and that he would never bet that type of fighter at minus 200. He notes that Almeida gave Zellhuber a tough fight and that plus 180 is generous. Paul thinks Almeida can win with volume and pressure.
The MMA Guru picks Timmy Cuamba by decision. He notes Cuamba stepped up on short notice in his debut against Boki and took him to a split decision, showing composure. He thinks Cuamba has been tested and that Lucas Almeida's wins have asterisks, including a first-round KO loss to Andre Fili. He believes Cuamba's experience against a larger, powerful opponent in Boki will help him handle Almeida's physicality.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolaji Oki | 0 | 60 of 152 | 39% | 61 of 157 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 33 of 94 | 35% | 35 of 96 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 29 of 61 | 47% | 30 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 9 of 43 | 20% | 9 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 13 of 23 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 | |
| 3 | Bolaji Oki | 0 | 21 of 66 | 31% | 21 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 13 of 30 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolaji Oki | 60 of 152 | 39% | 51 of 139 | 5 of 8 | 4 of 5 | 58 of 145 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 3 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 33 of 94 | 35% | 20 of 67 | 8 of 14 | 5 of 13 | 26 of 86 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bolaji Oki | 29 of 61 | 47% | 24 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 28 of 56 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 3 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 9 of 43 | 20% | 5 of 30 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 10 | 9 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Bolaji Oki | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 11 of 21 | 52% | 9 of 15 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 14 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Bolaji Oki | 21 of 66 | 31% | 17 of 60 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 64 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Timmy Cuamba | 13 of 30 | 43% | 6 of 22 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: N/A
Round 1
On August 29, 2023, both Oki (8-1, 0-0 UFC) and Cuamba (8-1, 0-0 UFC) competed on the fourth episode of Dana White’s Contender Series in its 2023 season. Both men ended up getting their hands raised—Oki by knockout, and Cuamba by decision—and the former was signed. The latter went back to the regionals, where he fought at Tuff-N-Uff, the former all-amateur promotion, and smoked Michael Stack just one week ago. The round robin of fighters ends with this lightweight pairing of 8-1 newcomers, and it will be joined in the cage by referee Chris Tognoni. There is no plan on touching gloves, as they would rather get down to business. Oki presents himself as the immediate aggressor, chasing Cuamba down and reaching out with a low kick and some wide punches. Cuamba does not engage with much of his own offense in the opening 90 seconds, but for a few jabs and low kicks. Oki throws back one leg kick and unloads with two big right hands that mark up Cuamba’s face. Cuamba looses a right hand of his own back Oki off, but Oki is driving jabs to the increasingly red eye of his opponent. Oki times an advancing Cuamba with a short right, and the offense slows down from both parties. Oki shuffles in place as he tosses out a single right hand, and when that misses, Cuamba lets rip two overhand rights. Oki pokes out several more jabs and avoids the counter, and he lands a low kick with an audible thud. Cuamba comes back with a jab and slings a right hand after it, and he presses forward but pulls back before shooting. Oki gladly remains in boxing range, jabbing his opponent up, until Cuamba spurs into action with a head kick. Oki catches it and pushes Cuamba to the floor, where he unloads with a series of punches until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oki
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Oki
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oki
Round 2
The lightweights reach out to exchange a glove touch to start off the round, and Oki starts to chase Cuamba around the cage with jabs. Cuamba looks to mix things up with low kicks, but Oki walks through it and doubles up a jab to nail Cuamba with a right hand. Cuamba comes back with a two-punch combination, but it does not fluster Oki in the slightest. Oki continues to jab without fear of reprisal, and even when a counter comes from Cuamba, it is one-and-done. Oki peppers his man with a jab and occasional follow-up punches, and Cuamba attacks in response with a single-leg takedown effort. Oki backs up to the wall in defense, and he stifles Cuamba from getting him down and ends up taking Cuamba’s back in the process. Oki considers a rear-naked choke but falls off the side, although he gets a single hook in momentarily. Cuamba turns him back and stays doggedly pursuing the single, and he transitions to a double and manages to ground Oki after all. Cuamba steps over to the side and sits in an open half guard as he postures up to elbow Oki. When Oki sits up, Cuamba considers a guillotine choke at the 10-second clapper. Oki stands up, ignores a few elbows on the side of his head, and he hangs on as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cuamba
Round 3
The final round commences as Oki looks to pick up where he left off on the feet with a veritable cornucopia of jabs. Cuamba attempts a kick, but Oki is too close and irritating him with jabs. Oki drops his hands and puts them behind his back to showboat, and Cuamba punches him square in the face. Oki continues to march forward with jabs outstretched, and he surprises his adversary by attempting a level change. Cuamba pushes him away and returns to kickboxing range. Oki welcomes this by reintroducing his jab to the face of his opponent, and he is light enough on his feet to dodge the counters that careen his direction. Cuamba sneaks out a left hand as he gets constantly driven back, but he cannot seem to stop the methodical strategy of “The Zulu Warrior.” Cuamba tries to swing for the fences, and Oki watches them soar past him. Oki sprawls to stop a takedown, and he marches down Cuamba and strings four punches together. Oki catches Cuamba with an uppercut, as he puts a bit more mustard on his punches with less than a minute to go. Cuamba keeps circling and absorbing punches, and he occasionally looks for a brawl but is telegraphing the majority of his power strikes. Oki fearlessly presses ahead with punches in bunches, gets in a knee, and reaches out with a Superman punch right before this lackluster offering comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oki (29-28 Oki)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Oki (29-28 Oki)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oki (29-28 Oki)
The Official Result
Bolaji Oki def. Timothy Cuamba via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo describes Bolaji Oki as a busy striker with a good jab, power, and fast sprawl, though he slows down. He notes that Timmy Cuamba (referred to as deir hadzic) is an okay striker who relies on closing distance and takedowns, but his wide strikes leave him open to counters. Angelo believes Oki can defend takedowns and land effectively, and picks him to win. He suggests under 2.5 rounds might make sense.
Big Brady picks Bolaji Oki to win by decision. He notes that Oki has many ways to win, including wrestling, as Cuamba has the worst takedown defense in the lightweight division. He thinks Oki can brawl on the feet but can also take Cuamba down easily. He is not laying -300 on a debutant but picks Oki.
Cody picks Oki, noting his size and power. He thinks Cuamba is taking the fight on short notice and moving up a weight class, which are disadvantages. Oki has shown good wrestling and knockout power. Cody expects Oki to land the bigger shots and win by decision or late stoppage.
Oki is a young, powerful striker with speed and explosiveness. He should be able to find an early knockout against the aging and injury-returning Hadzovic. Hadzovic's ring rust and knee surgery recovery are major concerns. Oki's power will be too much, and he should win by first-round knockout.
Paul also picks Oki, citing size and preparation. He notes Cuamba fought last week and is moving up, which could affect his performance. Oki is the more proven prospect. Paul is not planning to bet it but leans Oki.
The MMA Guru picks Bolaji Oki because he is a dangerous athlete with good reach and power, and he is facing Timothy Cuamba on short notice. He recalls Oki's nasty first-round finish on the Contender Series. He notes that Cuamba is moving up from featherweight and taking the fight on short notice, which he sees as a disadvantage.
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo describes Bolaji Oki as a busy striker with a good jab, power, and fast sprawl, though he slows down. He notes that Timmy Cuamba (referred to as deir hadzic) is an okay striker who relies on closing distance and takedowns, but his wide strikes leave him open to counters. Angelo believes Oki can defend takedowns and land effectively, and picks him to win. He suggests under 2.5 rounds might make sense.
Big Brady picks Bolaji Oki to win by decision. He notes that Oki has many ways to win, including wrestling, as Cuamba has the worst takedown defense in the lightweight division. He thinks Oki can brawl on the feet but can also take Cuamba down easily. He is not laying -300 on a debutant but picks Oki.
Cody picks Oki, noting his size and power. He thinks Cuamba is taking the fight on short notice and moving up a weight class, which are disadvantages. Oki has shown good wrestling and knockout power. Cody expects Oki to land the bigger shots and win by decision or late stoppage.
Oki is a young, powerful striker with speed and explosiveness. He should be able to find an early knockout against the aging and injury-returning Hadzovic. Hadzovic's ring rust and knee surgery recovery are major concerns. Oki's power will be too much, and he should win by first-round knockout.
Paul also picks Oki, citing size and preparation. He notes Cuamba fought last week and is moving up, which could affect his performance. Oki is the more proven prospect. Paul is not planning to bet it but leans Oki.
The MMA Guru picks Bolaji Oki because he is a dangerous athlete with good reach and power, and he is facing Timothy Cuamba on short notice. He recalls Oki's nasty first-round finish on the Contender Series. He notes that Cuamba is moving up from featherweight and taking the fight on short notice, which he sees as a disadvantage.
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