Career Averages - Punahele Soriano
Career Averages - Nikolay Veretennikov
Punahele Soriano
Nikolay Veretennikov
Punahele Soriano - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramiz Brahimaj | 0 | 38 of 67 | 56% | 43 of 73 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 0 | 0 | 3:48 |
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 40 of 92 | 43% | 66 of 123 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 5:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ramiz Brahimaj | 0 | 31 of 56 | 55% | 31 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 17 of 52 | 32% | 21 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 | |
| 2 | Ramiz Brahimaj | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 10 of 12 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:47 |
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 26 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:35 | |
| 3 | Ramiz Brahimaj | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 5 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:59 |
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 16 of 28 | 57% | 19 of 32 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramiz Brahimaj | 38 of 67 | 56% | 16 of 42 | 21 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 35 of 63 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Punahele Soriano | 40 of 92 | 43% | 29 of 79 | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 25 of 74 | 14 of 15 | 1 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ramiz Brahimaj | 31 of 56 | 55% | 13 of 37 | 17 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 30 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Punahele Soriano | 17 of 52 | 32% | 14 of 47 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Ramiz Brahimaj | 5 of 7 | 71% | 2 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Punahele Soriano | 7 of 12 | 58% | 2 of 7 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Ramiz Brahimaj | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Punahele Soriano | 16 of 28 | 57% | 13 of 25 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 19 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 1 |
Angelo picks Punahele Soriano, citing his power, wrestling credentials, and ability to stay safe on top. He acknowledges Ramiz Brahimaj's submission threat but believes Soriano's wrestling and striking will prevail. He notes the line has flipped but remains confident in Soriano.
Big Brady picks Ramiz Brahimaj to defeat Punahele Soriano, citing Brahimaj's recent underdog wins and Soriano's poor takedown defense and cardio. He notes Soriano has success early but fades, and Brahimaj is tough and has good submissions. He predicts Brahimaj will survive the early storm, mix in takedowns, and submit Soriano in the second round. He references Soriano's losses to Dustin Stoltzfus and Nick Maximov as evidence of his vulnerability.
Cody thinks Brahimaj's jiu-jitsu and hometown crowd give him an edge. He notes Soriano's inconsistency and cardio issues. He expects Brahimaj to win by submission or decision.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Soriano. He notes that Soriano's recent wins are more trustworthy and indicative of a step forward, while Brahimaj's wins are against fighters with no defense. Connor also mentions that if Court McGee could grind Brahimaj, Soriano can too.
The host leans towards Soriano, noting his advantage on the feet with power and aggression, and his improved cardio since dropping to welterweight. He believes Soriano can outstrike and outgrapple Brahimaj if his gas tank holds up. However, he is not betting because Brahimaj has proven cardio and could make Soriano work hard, and both fighters are evolving, making it difficult to predict which version shows up.
James picks Ramiz Brahimaj, citing his superior jiu-jitsu and front choke series. He notes that Soriano's wrestling could put him in danger of submissions, and that Brahimaj is the better striker over 15 minutes. James believes Brahimaj will catch Soriano in a front headlock and submit him.
Brahimaj has improved his cardio and takedown defense since moving to Chicago, and he is more calculated now. Soriano is a power puncher but relies on wrestling to grind out wins, and he doesn't threaten submissions. Brahimaj's grappling defense should be good enough to keep it standing or scramble, and he can catch Soriano in a submission. The under 2.5 rounds also makes sense.
Paul thinks Soriano at 170 is a different beast with better cardio and power. He acknowledges Brahimaj's grappling but thinks Soriano's wrestling and strength will be enough. He calls it a pick'em and leans Soriano.
The MMA Guru picks Punahele Soriano, citing his nasty knockout power, solid chin, and physicality. He believes Soriano won't be lost on the feet and can avoid Brahimaj's guillotine. He notes Brahimaj's wins are over lesser competition and that Soriano has dominated grapplers before. He predicts a TKO finish in round one or two.
Zane picks Soriano, believing he will bully Brahimaj with his athleticism and power. He notes that Soriano has options and is too dangerous. If Soriano chooses to wrestle, he might get caught in a submission, but that's a thin chance. Zane trusts Soriano's recent wins more than Brahimaj's.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 39 of 54 | 72% | 163 of 200 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 1 | 1 | 12:35 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 9 of 12 | 75% | 34 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punahele Soriano | 0 | 21 of 30 | 70% | 82 of 105 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:05 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 6 of 7 | 85% | 21 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 | |
| 2 | Punahele Soriano | 0 | 11 of 13 | 84% | 34 of 44 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 1 | 4:13 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 | |
| 3 | Punahele Soriano | 0 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 47 of 51 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 4:17 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punahele Soriano | 39 of 54 | 72% | 38 of 51 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 37 of 49 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 9 of 12 | 75% | 2 of 2 | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punahele Soriano | 21 of 30 | 70% | 21 of 28 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 27 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 6 of 7 | 85% | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Punahele Soriano | 11 of 13 | 84% | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 12 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Punahele Soriano | 7 of 11 | 63% | 6 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 10 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Soriano (-245), Veretennikov (+200)
Round 1
Two knockout-inclined welterweights will ply their trades against one another with continued preliminary action. A win for Soriano (11-4, 5-4 UFC) would keep him above the dreaded .500 line in the promotion, while Kazakhstan’s Veretennikov (13-6, 1-2 UFC) needs to get past “Story Time” to reach that level. If a brawl ensues, referee Marc Goddard will keep a lid on it as best he can. Before that prospective slugfest, they tap gloves.
Soriano takes right to the center of the cage, hopping back to avoid a stomp kick to the knee and springing ahead to fire off a body kick. He aims a second to the same spot, and when Veretennikov counters, Soriano charges with a double and takes Veretennikov off his feet. Veretennikov bounces off and up in the air, and with Soriano on his knees, he measures and blasts the Hawaiian with a mighty knee to the ribs. Veretennikov settles down and wraps up a guillotine choke with his left arm, and when Soriano lifts him up and slams him down, the choke briefly tightens. Soriano sits up and breaks out of the choke, and he starts raining down left hands. Veretennikov attacks back with his own offense from below, but the power differential is drastic from that position. Soriano keeps pounding on his opponent, briefly trapping his foe’s right arm beneath his knee to open up more shots.
Soriano switches to hammering Veretennikov with elbow after unanswered elbow, and his position tying Veretennikov up while not keeping him flat is pinning Veretennikov to the floor. Soriano’s left hands continue to bludgeon the Kazakhstan native, and even though Goddard is not anywhere close to considering stepping in, these consistent blows are draining him. Soriano holds Veretennikov down with his left arm and beats on his ribs with his right, and the ground-and-pound may not be devastating but it is effective as can be. He continues to drive punches down, developing a pattern similar to iambic pentameter in that he lands a soft blow and then a powerful one, and alternates them like ba-dum ba-dum as the sound of the impact echoes around the ring. The one-sided round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Soriano
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Round 2
It takes Soriano 15 seconds to commit to a takedown, and he lifts Veretennikov up in the air and deposits him gingerly to the mat. Veretennikov defends instinctively with a guillotine choke, and Soriano uses this opportunity to trap him with a Von Preux shoulder choke. Veretennikov offers a thumbs-up to show he is fine, and he slowly manages to wriggle his neck out of danger. Soriano reintroduces himself with a blistering elbow from above, and even though he has his own leg stuck between Veretennikov’s, he seems to prefer this position lording over his adversary with ground strikes galore. Veretennikov does what he can to tie up Soriano and slow the beating, and Soriano lowers himself down to pursue an arm-triangle choke.
Veretennikov does not fall victim to the submission, so Soriano hacks at him with a pair of mean-spirited elbows. Soriano’s left hand keeps landing until Veretennikov wills himself to his feet, through sheer horsepower. Soriano trips and Veretennikov pounces, wrapping up a rear-naked choke and tightening it quickly. Soriano explodes out of the bad position and turns the Kazakh over, where he gets back into his groove of methodical ground attacks. Veretennikov flirts with an armbar to keep Soriano honest, but this only allows Soriano to hammer him with four or five long punches. Veretennikov sits up and gets in a position to aim a knee to the sternum, and he drives one or two in before the round wraps.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Round 3
Hands are clapped to open Round 3, and Veretennikov strikes first with a punch to the body. That one strike is all he gets off before Soriano darts in to pursue a takedown. The two twirl around while Soriano hangs onto the single, and Veretennikov grips a guillotine around the side of the head to further threaten. Soriano lifts and slams Veretennikov with an exclamation point, freeing himself from the choke and pushing his hand off Veretennikov’s face. One of Veretennikov’s coaches claims that Soriano is out from the guillotine that Veretennikov is still holding, and Goddard tells that coach to knock it off as Soriano is fine. In fact, the Hawaiian postures up a moment or two later to get out of the sub, and he works the body and head when establishing himself. Goddard asks for more, so Soriano punches Veretennikov in the face.
Soriano stacks Veretennikov up, who is searching for an armbar or otherwise using a high guard to control or attack something. Soriano steps over easily to the side to break up the setup, and he pounds an elbow down on the jaw. As Soriano slows down, Goddard asks for more activity from the fighters. Not wanting to let them just sit around and smooch—figuratively speaking, of course—he stands the fighters up. Soriano takes a deep breath and shoots for a single from afar, and Veretennikov jumps for a guillotine choke and wraps it up while standing. Soriano’s eyes go wide as he is pulled down on top of the Kazakh, and Veretennikov squeezes the choke with all his might. Soriano signals thumbs-up as he slithers his neck out of danger, and he concludes the match with emphatic elbows.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Soriano (30-26 Soriano)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Soriano (30-27 Soriano)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Soriano (30-27 Soriano)
The Official Result
Punahele Soriano def. Nikolay Veretennikov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo trusts that Punahele Soriano will use his wrestling, as a Division III All-American, to win, despite his tendency to sometimes just strike. He notes Soriano has heavy hands but poor takedown defense, while Veretennikov is a powerful striker who can be taken down. His concern is that Soriano might abandon wrestling after a recent knockout win. He is not betting on this fight.
Big Brady likes Soriano, especially at welterweight, where he seems like a different animal with improved cardio and strength. He notes that Veretennikov has awful cardio and a poor ground game, and that Soriano can wrestle him, get him tired, and finish him on the mat. He predicts a second-round TKO for Soriano.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Soriano but noting that it depends on whether Soriano fights well. He hopes to see a more aggressive, active, and wrestling-minded Soriano, as seen in his welterweight debut, but acknowledges that his previous opponents (Miguel Baeza and Eros Medich) were not reliable tests.
Soriano is expected to put his power on Veretennikov early, and if he doesn't finish within the first minute and a half, he will resort to wrestling and grind out a decision win.
The MMA Guru confidently picks Punahele Soriano, comparing him to Francisco Prado who gave Veretennikov trouble. He notes Soriano's power, pressure, and ability to close distance, while Veretennikov stands too upright and struggles with aggressive fighters. He predicts a first-round KO.
Zane picks Soriano because the welterweight move has made him feel bigger, stronger, and more confident, allowing him to wrestle more effectively. He notes that Veretennikov is a bad wrestler who gave up takedowns to Francisco Prado, and Soriano should be able to exploit that. However, he cautions that Soriano is prone to inactivity and single-idea offense.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punahele Soriano | 1 | 13 of 17 | 76% | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Uroš Medić | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 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 | Punahele Soriano | 1 | 13 of 17 | 76% | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Uroš Medić | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punahele Soriano | 13 of 17 | 76% | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 9 |
| Uroš Medić | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punahele Soriano | 13 of 17 | 76% | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 9 |
| Uroš Medić | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Uroš Medić, citing his superior striking, speed, and power. He notes that Punahele Soriano's only path to victory is wrestling, but Medić's takedown defense is a concern. However, he believes Medić is the better striker and will land clean shots. He has Medić in a parlay with César Almeida, though he expresses some nervousness about the bet.
Big Brady sees a clear path for Soriano: take Medić down. He notes Medić's takedown defense and ground game are questionable, and Soriano looked dominant at welterweight against Baeza, landing 331 strikes. He worries Soriano might strike instead of wrestle, but believes if he uses his wrestling, he can win by TKO or decision. He picks Soriano to win, possibly by TKO via ground and pound.
Cody picks Medić, questioning Soriano's one good performance at 170 against a shot Miguel Baeza. He believes Medić's power and pace will cause Soriano to fatigue. He notes Medić's finishing ability and Soriano's history of gassing.
Connor picks Soriano because he believes Soriano's wrestling and physicality will be effective at welterweight. He notes that Soriano showed a grinding game against Miguel Baeza, and Medić is bad at dealing with sustained pressure and takedowns. While Soriano is uncreative and has shown little improvement, Connor thinks his size and strength advantage will allow him to control the fight. He acknowledges it's not a smart pick but sees a path.
Daniel notes Medić is more technically sound on the feet with better volume and diversity, while Soriano has big power in his left hand but shaky in-between and cardio concerns at welterweight. He thinks Medić will win the minutes, but Soriano could land a big shot or use wrestling. He picks Medić but is not interested in betting.
Lucrative James picks Uroš Medić to win, citing Medić's superior striking and cleaner kickboxing. He acknowledges Soriano's wrestling advantage and power, but believes Medić's skill on the feet will prevail over three rounds. He notes Soriano's cardio issues and that Medić has decent takedown defense. He also mentions that Soriano moved down from 185 and Medić moved up from 155, but still favors Medić's higher ceiling.
Soriano is a solid wrestler as shown in his welterweight debut against Miguel Baeza. He will get to his grappling, keep Medić on his back, and grind out a decision win as long as he doesn't get finished early.
Paul picks Soriano as a plus-money underdog, citing his impressive wrestling at 170 in his last fight. He expects fireworks and has bet under 1.5 rounds. He acknowledges Medić's danger but likes Soriano's path via takedowns.
The Guru picks Medić, noting his size as a big lightweight at welterweight, his KO of Tim Means, and his better technique and speed. He criticizes Soriano's recent performances, including losses to Dustin Stoltzfus and a poor showing against Miguel Baeza. He predicts an early TKO for Medić.
Zane picks Medić because he is a more dangerous finisher and expects Soriano to struggle to impose his game plan. Medić's movement and kicks could frustrate Soriano, who is hittable and plotting. Zane notes that Soriano's win over Baeza was more about Baeza's poor performance than Soriano's skill. Medić's ability to keep the fight in open space and avoid being clinched gives him the edge.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 22 of 33 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 3 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Miguel Baeza | 0 | 144 of 175 | 82% | 331 of 394 | 5 of 6 | 83% | 0 | 0 | 10:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punahele Soriano | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 11 of 17 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 3 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Miguel Baeza | 0 | 42 of 59 | 71% | 54 of 80 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 | |
| 2 | Punahele Soriano | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Miguel Baeza | 0 | 49 of 59 | 83% | 93 of 111 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:46 | |
| 3 | Punahele Soriano | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Miguel Baeza | 0 | 53 of 57 | 92% | 184 of 203 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:45 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punahele Soriano | 7 of 12 | 58% | 0 of 1 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Miguel Baeza | 144 of 175 | 82% | 129 of 158 | 13 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 7 | 5 of 5 | 136 of 163 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punahele Soriano | 5 of 9 | 55% | 0 of 1 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Miguel Baeza | 42 of 59 | 71% | 40 of 56 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 36 of 49 | |
| 2 | Punahele Soriano | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Miguel Baeza | 49 of 59 | 83% | 43 of 52 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 48 of 58 | |
| 3 | Punahele Soriano | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Miguel Baeza | 53 of 57 | 92% | 46 of 50 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 52 of 56 |
Angelo picks Punahele Soriano, citing Miguel Baeza's three-fight losing streak and two-year layoff, with his last two losses being knockouts. He notes that Soriano has power and wrestling, and while he has been losing, he has been active. He thinks Baeza's chin issues and ring rust are too much to overlook, and Soriano's power could be the difference.
Big Brady picks Miguel Baeza to win by second-round submission. He notes that Baeza is more well-rounded and skilled, but his chin is worrisome after knockout losses. He expects Baeza to survive the first round and then take over as Soriano gasses. He calls it a 'club and sub' finish.
Cody picks Baeza, noting that Soriano has poor cardio and takedown defense, and is moving down to welterweight after struggling at middleweight. Baeza is a BJJ black belt who has been focusing on grappling during his layoff. Cody believes if Baeza can survive the first round, he can take Soriano down and dominate. He expects Baeza to win by decision or submission.
Daniel leans Baeza as the better talent with a nasty jab and calf kicks, but questions his chin and confidence after recent knockout losses. He notes Soriano has power and could knock Baeza out if Baeza's defense is poor. He calls it a pass due to too many question marks.
Jacob picks Miguel Baeza, disagreeing with Angelo. He argues that even at 60-70% of his former self, Baeza has the tools to box up Soriano, who is coming down in weight. He notes that Baeza is fast and has good grappling, and Soriano lacks the speed to counter him. Jacob has placed a big bet on Baeza, believing he will style on Soriano.
Baeza is more complete with his calf kicking and striking, and Soriano's weight cut to welterweight may slow him down. Baeza should chip away and win a decision, but his durability and long layoff are concerns. Soriano has early KO power, so a hedge on Soriano by KO is possible. Leaning Baeza but likely passing.
Paul picks Soriano by knockout in round one, noting that Baeza has been knocked out before and Soriano has power. He acknowledges Soriano's cardio issues but thinks the move to welterweight could help. Paul bet Soriano by knockout at plus 300 and round one knockout at plus 675, expecting an early finish.
The Guru picks Baeza because he thinks Soriano is a middleweight moving down to welterweight, which won't work. He notes Baeza is a big welterweight with reach advantage and won't be bullied. He mentions Baeza took Colby Covington to the third round and didn't get smoked early, so Soriano's power shouldn't be a problem. He predicts a second or third-round finish for Baeza.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Stoltzfus | 0 | 31 of 73 | 42% | 33 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Punahele Soriano | 1 | 64 of 123 | 52% | 78 of 140 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 1 | 0 | 2:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Stoltzfus | 0 | 22 of 47 | 46% | 22 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Punahele Soriano | 1 | 41 of 79 | 51% | 43 of 82 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 | |
| 2 | Dustin Stoltzfus | 0 | 9 of 26 | 34% | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 23 of 44 | 52% | 35 of 58 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:43 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Stoltzfus | 31 of 73 | 42% | 18 of 56 | 9 of 11 | 4 of 6 | 30 of 72 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Punahele Soriano | 64 of 123 | 52% | 24 of 79 | 23 of 27 | 17 of 17 | 60 of 116 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Stoltzfus | 22 of 47 | 46% | 13 of 35 | 7 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 21 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Punahele Soriano | 41 of 79 | 51% | 15 of 51 | 17 of 19 | 9 of 9 | 37 of 72 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Dustin Stoltzfus | 9 of 26 | 34% | 5 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Punahele Soriano | 23 of 44 | 52% | 9 of 28 | 6 of 8 | 8 of 8 | 23 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Punahele Soriano to win by first-round knockout, citing Soriano's power and wrestling advantage. He notes Soriano has eight knockouts, seven in the first round, and that Stoltzfus is hittable. However, he expresses concern about Soriano's cardio if the fight gets extended, but believes Soriano will finish early.
Cody picks Soriano, noting his power and wrestling base. He thinks Soriano's size advantage is not as big as usual and that Stoltzfus's chin is questionable. He mentions Soriano's cardio issues but believes he can finish early. He likes the Soriano round one KO prop at +335.
Lucrative James picks Punahele Soriano, stating that Dustin Stoltzfus is too hitable and has poor striking defense. He believes Soriano will knock him out, likely in round one. He notes that Soriano is a deserved favorite and could be even higher than the current line.
Soriano has explosive power and typically finishes opponents early. Stoltzfus has a chin issue and was knocked out quickly in his last fight. Soriano is expected to crash the pocket and land big shots for a knockout. However, his gas tank is a concern if the fight goes past the first round. The minus 300 price is steep, so a round 1 prop or under 1.5 rounds is recommended.
Paul picks Soriano but is not super confident. He thinks Soriano's wrestling and power should be enough against Stoltzfus, who has no real X-factor. He notes Soriano's cardio issues but believes the lower level of competition will allow Soriano to look better. He also mentions Stoltzfus's COVID issues and questionable chin.
The MMA Guru picks Punahele Soriano, citing his finishing ability and athleticism. He believes Dustin Stoltzfus lacks knockout power and is coming off a long layoff and a KO loss. He predicts Soriano will get a KO in the second round or late in the first.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Kopylov | 0 | 39 of 107 | 36% | 39 of 107 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 82 of 128 | 64% | 82 of 128 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Kopylov | 0 | 18 of 46 | 39% | 18 of 46 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 35 of 62 | 56% | 35 of 62 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 | |
| 2 | Roman Kopylov | 0 | 21 of 61 | 34% | 21 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 47 of 66 | 71% | 47 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Kopylov | 39 of 107 | 36% | 35 of 101 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 33 of 98 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Punahele Soriano | 82 of 128 | 64% | 56 of 101 | 14 of 15 | 12 of 12 | 76 of 120 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Kopylov | 18 of 46 | 39% | 18 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Punahele Soriano | 35 of 62 | 56% | 22 of 49 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 9 | 34 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Roman Kopylov | 21 of 61 | 34% | 17 of 55 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 53 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Punahele Soriano | 47 of 66 | 71% | 34 of 52 | 10 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 42 of 59 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Soriano (-165), Kopylov (+140)
Round 1
This middleweight scrap may not last long, and referee Kerry Hatley will need to keep his head on a swivel. Dueling 89% finish rates for Soriano (9-2, 3-2 UFC) and Kopylov (9-2, 1-2 UFC) crash into each other like ships in a storm, although neither man has ever been stopped by strikes. Before the fists meet faces, the fists bump into one another respectfully. Kopylov is quick to back off as Soriano comes out guns blazing, with a pair of overhand rights getting his attention in a hurry. “Story Time” suddenly goes for a double, and when that fails, he wings a huge left hand. Kopylov blocks the worst of the haymakers flying towards him, but Soriano is still gunning for him with that big left. Kopylov sticks out a jab to disrupt the swinging hammers, sticking and moving to make Soriano hit air. Kopylov chops at the lead calf and blocks high as he expects a big left aimed at him. He is correct, as it collides off the guard and he resets. Kopylov sticks out several jabs, chaining them into a right hand, and Soriano grits his teeth and slugs right back. Kopylov is more content to touch while Soriano is swinging for the bleachers, and this allows Kopylov to see the strikes coming and block the dangerous ones. The Russian pierces out a jab, splitting the guard repeatedly and stifling the worst of the worst that is fired his direction. The jab continues to find its home, a piston connecting with the nose again and again. Soriano whiffs on a bomb and bounces off the cage wall, and he takes a deep breath just three minutes into the match. Soriano winds up and misses on another overhand left, with Kopylov composed and moving comfortably. Kopylov chips at the leg and paws out jabs, and he shuts down a tackling double-leg entry from the Hawaiian. Kopylov leaves a jab out too long, and Soriano reaches him with a huge left. When Soriano advances, Kopylov turns the tables on him with his own tackle of a takedown that sets his man down briefly. When Soriano scrambles, Kopylov just lets him back up, and the two get back after it on the feet. Kopylov sticks “Story Time” with a pair of punches, and he backs off until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov
Keith Shillan scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov
Jack Dankoff scores the round: 10-9 Kopylov
Round 2
The middleweights touch ‘em up to start, and Kopylov decides to lead the dance initially. With a fast chain of punches, he knocks Soriano back, and forces Soriano to attack from a different angle. Soriano slows himself down and starts loading up on single shots, but this lets Kopylov pop him again and again with a stinging jab. Soriano swats the jab out of the way to close in and fire, and he unloads a fastball of a left hand that just misses the mark by a matter of millimeters. Kopylov spins to crack the body like a whip with a spinning back kick, and Soriano takes it flush and groans. Soriano lets them close in so that he can pound a few uppercuts on the nose, and this marks up Kopylov’s nose. Kopylov keeps his right hand out, further disrupting the Hawaiian and frustrating him. Kopylov dogs body shots, and he rips a kick to the ribs as Soriano winces in pain. The Russian knows the body is the weakness, and he targets the majority of his blows at the midsection. Soriano, with every bit of his remaining energy, swings recklessly and keeps Kopylov honest enough to not put him away.
Kopylov takes a breath, and he smashes his shin in the Hawaiian's liver. Soriano is barely on his feet, frozen in time momentarily as he cannot even take a breath. Kopylov chains together a long salvo of punches, and Soriano shells up and bends over but does not go down. Knowing that there is nothing more Soriano has to offer, Hatley mercifully halts the fight.
With that sterling performance in the books, Kopylov has now become the first fighter to ever finish the durable Hawaiian.
The Official Result
Roman Kopylov def. Punahele Soriano R2 3:19 via TKO (Body Kick and Punches)
Angelo picks Soriano because he has more ways to win, including wrestling and power. He notes Kopylov is the better striker but Soriano's wrestling could be the difference. However, he doesn't trust Soriano to execute and advises not betting. He mentions Soriano's takedown defense issues and Kopylov's vulnerability to takedowns.
Big Brady picks Roman Kopylov as an upset, citing Kopylov's technical striking advantage and better cardio. He notes that Soriano has a wrestling background but rarely uses it, and if the fight stays on the feet, Kopylov has more tools and body kicks. He worries about Soriano's power but trusts Kopylov to outwork him as the fight goes on, predicting a decision win. He acknowledges Soriano could knock out Kopylov but leans toward Kopylov's consistency.
Cody leans towards Kopylov, agreeing that Soriano's cardio is a major issue. He notes Soriano fades after 7.5 minutes and doesn't wrestle due to gas concerns. He sees Kopylov as live if the fight goes the distance, and mentions a possible Kopylov by decision bet.
Connor picks Soriano because he is insanely tough and has many ways to win, including powerful striking and a solid wrestling background. He notes that Soriano can soak up damage and has a good left hand and low kicks. However, Connor expresses concern that Soriano doesn't always use his wrestling and can be inconsistent, but believes his toughness and power will carry him against Kopylov's predictable boxing.
Jacob picks Kopylov as a live underdog, believing he is the better striker and may even wrestle. He notes Soriano's poor defensive wrestling and Kopylov's toughness. He thinks Soriano can't be trusted and Kopylov has good value. He mentions Kopylov's camp and takedown defense.
Paul picks Kopylov as an underdog, citing Soriano's poor cardio and reluctance to wrestle. He notes Kopylov's improved performance against Dichirico and believes he can outwork Soriano with leg kicks and combinations. He mentions a possible Kopylov by decision prop at +430.
Zane picks Soriano because he is too tough and has too many other options, including wrestling and low kicks. He notes that Kopylov is a predictable boxer who struggles with opponents who can mix in kicks and takedowns. Zane also points out that Soriano's wrestling background gives him an edge if he chooses to use it, and that Kopylov's lack of defensive wrestling is a liability.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punahele Soriano | 1 | 17 of 35 | 48% | 19 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 17 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punahele Soriano | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 13 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 16 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 | |
| 2 | Punahele Soriano | 1 | 6 of 7 | 85% | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punahele Soriano | 17 of 35 | 48% | 8 of 25 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 26 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 4 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 11 of 22 | 50% | 6 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punahele Soriano | 11 of 28 | 39% | 3 of 19 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 23 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 10 of 21 | 47% | 6 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 17 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Punahele Soriano | 6 of 7 | 85% | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Dalcha Lungiambula, citing his power, takedown defense, and durability. He notes Soriano's poor takedown defense and that Lungiambula looked great in his last fight before a bad decision. He placed a half-unit moneyline bet and plans an inside the distance decision no action bet.
Big Brady picks Punahele Soriano to win by decision. He notes that both fighters have poor cardio, but Soriano's is slightly better. He thinks Soriano wins the first round and may take over later. He mentions that Soriano has better finishing ability but expects the fight to go to decision due to both fighters' durability. He does not recommend betting Soriano at -275.
Cody picks Soriano but with low confidence, noting that both fighters are untrustworthy. He acknowledges Soriano's durability and power, but also his poor wrestling and cardio. He believes Soriano's chin and training at a world-class gym give him an edge, but he won't bet this fight.
Daniel Levi leans Punahele Soriano but is not confident at the -225 price. He notes both fighters have knockout power and that Soriano is cleaner and more well-rounded, but Lungiambula is dangerous. He considers it closer than the odds suggest and wants more info on sparring sessions before committing.
Paul also picks Soriano but with hesitation, citing Lungiambula's tendency to gas out and make mistakes. He notes that Soriano has a good chin and has shown improvement. However, he agrees the -240 price is too steep and will not bet it.
The MMA Guru picks Punahele Soriano over Dalcha Lungiambula, citing Soriano's toughness and power. He notes Lungiambula's poor cardio and that Soriano is difficult to finish. He predicts Soriano will catch Lungiambula with body shots and knees in the clinch, leading to a second-round TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Maximov | 0 | 45 of 63 | 71% | 74 of 93 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 29 of 45 | 64% | 60 of 82 | 11 of 16 | 68% | 1 | 1 | 8:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nick Maximov | 0 | 15 of 21 | 71% | 22 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 10 of 20 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 1 | 0 | 2:16 | |
| 2 | Nick Maximov | 0 | 21 of 32 | 65% | 32 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 13 of 19 | 68% | 19 of 27 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 2:20 | |
| 3 | Nick Maximov | 0 | 9 of 10 | 90% | 20 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 11 of 12 | 91% | 31 of 35 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 4:09 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Maximov | 45 of 63 | 71% | 28 of 46 | 17 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 38 | 2 of 2 | 23 of 23 |
| Punahele Soriano | 29 of 45 | 64% | 19 of 33 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 31 | 10 of 10 | 4 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nick Maximov | 15 of 21 | 71% | 11 of 17 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 8 |
| Punahele Soriano | 5 of 14 | 35% | 2 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nick Maximov | 21 of 32 | 65% | 16 of 27 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 6 |
| Punahele Soriano | 13 of 19 | 68% | 11 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 14 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Nick Maximov | 9 of 10 | 90% | 1 of 2 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 9 |
| Punahele Soriano | 11 of 12 | 91% | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 4 |
Angelo picks Punahele Soriano as a striker with power. He notes Soriano's takedown defense is untested but his striking is far superior to Maximov's. Maximov is a BJJ specialist with raw striking and okay takedowns. Angelo expects Soriano to win on the feet, but warns he gassed against Allen. If Soriano gasses, Maximov could take over, making it a live bet situation.
Cody agrees with Soriano but is hesitant due to Soriano's suspect cardio. He notes that Maximov has a wrestling background and could take the fight to the ground, where he has slick transitions. However, Soriano has the striking advantage and power. Cody worries that if Maximov gets an early takedown, Soriano may gas, but he still leans Soriano.
Daniel Levi picks Punahele Soriano, emphasizing his All-American wrestling background which should allow him to stuff Maximov's takedowns. He notes Soriano has faced tougher competition like Dusko Todorovic and Brendan Allen, while Maximov is less tested. Levi expects Soriano to land big shots after stuffing takedowns, potentially getting a finish. He respects Maximov's toughness but sees Soriano as the more proven fighter.
Lock of the Night picks Soriano, expecting him to defend takedowns and land enough on the feet to win a decision. He notes Soriano's wrestling background and power, but questions his durability if extended. He thinks Maximov will close distance irresponsibly and leave himself open to shots, but Soriano may not knock him out. He likes Soriano by decision at +350 and the over 1.5 rounds.
Paul thinks Soriano has the striking and power advantage, and if he keeps the fight upright, he will likely finish Maximov. He notes that Maximov's stand-up is a work in progress and that his grappling transitions looked solid but he struggled with cardio. Paul is concerned about Soriano's cardio but still picks him because Maximov's takedown entries may not be good enough.
The MMA Guru picks Punahele Soriano, criticizing Nick Maximov's lack of athleticism and power. He expects Soriano to stuff takedowns and land a big overhand right, knocking Maximov out in the first round. He references Maximov's fight with Cody Brundage where he did no damage, and calls the matchup a 'mismatch'.
Nikolay Veretennikov - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 0 | 13 of 25 | 52% | 20 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 1 | 21 of 56 | 37% | 36 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 0 | 13 of 25 | 52% | 20 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 1 | 21 of 56 | 37% | 36 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaos Williams | 13 of 25 | 52% | 8 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 21 of 56 | 37% | 9 of 35 | 7 of 9 | 5 of 12 | 20 of 52 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khaos Williams | 13 of 25 | 52% | 8 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 21 of 56 | 37% | 9 of 35 | 7 of 9 | 5 of 12 | 20 of 52 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Nikolay Veretennikov, considering him the better technical striker. He notes Khaos Williams has no takedown attempts in the UFC, so if Veretennikov has success striking, Williams has no backup plan. He expects Veretennikov's forward pressure to disrupt Williams. He calls it a crazy close fight.
Big Brady picks Nikolay Veretennikov as a slight underdog, citing his striking tools and durability. He notes that Khaos Williams has not completed a takedown in the UFC, so the fight will likely stay standing, where Veretennikov has the edge. He predicts a decision win but is not confident enough to bet.
Cody picks Nikolay Veretennikov, noting that Khaos Williams has looked disinterested and reluctant to engage in recent fights. Veretennikov is a versatile striker with good body work and durability, while Williams relies on power but has low volume. Cody believes Veretennikov's higher work rate and shot selection will allow him to outwork Williams over three rounds.
Connor picks Williams but with hesitation, noting that Veretennikov could win if he circles away and throws one-twos, but Veretennikov doesn't circle. He emphasizes that Williams is a power-based fighter with no technique and has been brutally bullied in recent fights, but Veretennikov is not good enough to exploit that.
Williams lands harder shots and has better cardio. Veretennikov slows down and has poor takedown offense. However, Williams can be passive and head-hunts. The fight spread is a better bet than the moneyline.
Lucrative James picks Nikolay Veretennikov to win by KO, citing Veretennikov's Muay Thai clinch and knees against a striker like Williams. He notes Williams's recent losses and potential lack of focus, while Veretennikov is all-in on MMA. He predicts a second-round finish via knee to the body.
The host picks Khaos Williams over Nikolay Veretennikov, expecting Williams to thwart Veretennikov's approach and land big power shots early and often, leading to a decision win.
The host believes Williams' defensive grappling is good enough to keep the fight standing, where he has the striking advantage. He expects Williams to pull away in the later rounds and win by decision, though a knockout is possible. He is confident in Williams at -130.
Paul hesitantly picks Nikolay Veretennikov at plus 110, noting that both fighters' opponents usually try to take them down. He hopes that Veretennikov's training camp with high-level wrestlers may have improved his offensive wrestling, allowing him to steal close rounds. He acknowledges it's a volatile fight and is not heavily invested.
Zane picks Khaos Williams because Veretennikov is low-output, can't wrestle, and doesn't use his length effectively. He notes that Williams is powerful and should be able to blitz Veretennikov, though he acknowledges Williams has never beaten a really good fighter and his last two fights were brutal losses.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 19 of 30 | 63% | 20 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Niko Price | 0 | 9 of 23 | 39% | 12 of 27 | 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 | Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 19 of 30 | 63% | 20 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Niko Price | 0 | 9 of 23 | 39% | 12 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 19 of 30 | 63% | 12 of 22 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 21 | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Niko Price | 9 of 23 | 39% | 7 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikolay Veretennikov | 19 of 30 | 63% | 12 of 22 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 21 | 9 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Niko Price | 9 of 23 | 39% | 7 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Veretennikov (-225); Price (+185)
Round 1
A pink slip derby at 170 pounds comes next as Kazakhstan native Veretennikov (13-7, 1-3 UFC) looks to get back in the win column at the expense of the similarly skidding Price (16-9, 2 NC; 8-9, 2 NC UFC). Referee Chris Tognoni will know first who ends up prevailing, and he stands guard until needed. Late replacement Price offers a sporting tap of gloves, and it is accepted.
Price leads off with a sweeping low kick, and he leaps forward to engage, throwing hands. Veretennikov meets him in the pocket with his fists, and he ends a combo with a low kick that makes Price wince. Veretennikov lands on the Floridian cleanly upstairs, knocking him back and winding up in a clinch. Veretennikov’s lumps up the midsection with knees, setting them up when an opening presents itself to unleash them. He frames off with right hands, and Price beats him to the punch on the way to a reset. Price wades into the fray, and Veretennikov busts him in the chops with his counters. Veretennikov’s heavy hands back Price against the fence after blocking a front kick, and he smashes Price in the face with a right hand that shakes him up badly. Veretennikov appears surprised that Price’s hands dropped from the first blow, and he delivers a concussive knee to the jaw that puts Price on ice skates.
Veretennikov stands Price back up with an elbow that partially shut his lights off, and he knocks a semi-conscious Price’s head around with huge swings until an intervening Tognoni realizes that Price is completely out on his feet with one finger stuck in the cage the only thing keeping him from collapsing.
The mighty knockout is a huge feather in the cap of Veretennikov, whose roster spot might have been terminated with a defeat. Price comes to, and he does not know what happened, upset that the fight has been stopped but unsure why. He manages to come around, and he gives it up for the fighter named “Gladiator” who just deprived him of his consciousness.
The Official Result
Nikolay Veretennikov def. Niko Price R1 1:42 via KO (Elbow and Punches)
Angelo picks Nikolay Veretennikov, reasoning that he is a powerful striker who hits hard, while his opponent Jose Henrique (Niko Price) is very hittable. He acknowledges that Veretennikov has trouble with takedowns but thinks if he doesn't worry about that and just moves forward, he can win or finish the fight. He calls it a low-level fight and uses simple math: good striker vs guy who gets hit.
Cody leans towards Niko Price as a dog, noting Veretennikov's unimpressive record and Price's toughness. He admits Price is a shell of his former self but sees a path via takedowns or durability. Cody is not confident and will wait for weigh-ins.
Connor agrees with Zane, calling the fight terrible but picking Veretennikov. He notes that Price is a glass cannon who no longer has the speed or willingness to pull the trigger, and that Veretennikov should have this in the bag even if he doesn't press. Connor emphasizes that Price will walk onto shots.
Paul picks Nikolay Veretennikov, citing Price's decline in durability and cardio. He notes Veretennikov's power and body work, and Price's poor takedown defense. Paul expects Veretennikov to win by knockout or decision, though the price is high.
The host picks Nikolay Veretennikov over Niko Price. He notes Veretennikov took Michael Morales to a split decision, though he looked iffy against Prado. He thinks Price has lost too many times, moves slow, and despite some power and athleticism, Veretennikov should win a competitive 29-28 decision.
Zane picks Veretennikov despite calling the fight awful. He argues that Niko Price is washed up, slower, and more hittable, and that Veretennikov should win by using his reach and straight punches. Zane notes that Price can't do anything without running into a straight punch, and Veretennikov could also take him down.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punahele Soriano | 0 | 39 of 54 | 72% | 163 of 200 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 1 | 1 | 12:35 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 9 of 12 | 75% | 34 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punahele Soriano | 0 | 21 of 30 | 70% | 82 of 105 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:05 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 6 of 7 | 85% | 21 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 | |
| 2 | Punahele Soriano | 0 | 11 of 13 | 84% | 34 of 44 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 1 | 4:13 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 | |
| 3 | Punahele Soriano | 0 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 47 of 51 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 4:17 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punahele Soriano | 39 of 54 | 72% | 38 of 51 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 37 of 49 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 9 of 12 | 75% | 2 of 2 | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punahele Soriano | 21 of 30 | 70% | 21 of 28 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 27 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 6 of 7 | 85% | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Punahele Soriano | 11 of 13 | 84% | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 12 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Punahele Soriano | 7 of 11 | 63% | 6 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 10 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Soriano (-245), Veretennikov (+200)
Round 1
Two knockout-inclined welterweights will ply their trades against one another with continued preliminary action. A win for Soriano (11-4, 5-4 UFC) would keep him above the dreaded .500 line in the promotion, while Kazakhstan’s Veretennikov (13-6, 1-2 UFC) needs to get past “Story Time” to reach that level. If a brawl ensues, referee Marc Goddard will keep a lid on it as best he can. Before that prospective slugfest, they tap gloves.
Soriano takes right to the center of the cage, hopping back to avoid a stomp kick to the knee and springing ahead to fire off a body kick. He aims a second to the same spot, and when Veretennikov counters, Soriano charges with a double and takes Veretennikov off his feet. Veretennikov bounces off and up in the air, and with Soriano on his knees, he measures and blasts the Hawaiian with a mighty knee to the ribs. Veretennikov settles down and wraps up a guillotine choke with his left arm, and when Soriano lifts him up and slams him down, the choke briefly tightens. Soriano sits up and breaks out of the choke, and he starts raining down left hands. Veretennikov attacks back with his own offense from below, but the power differential is drastic from that position. Soriano keeps pounding on his opponent, briefly trapping his foe’s right arm beneath his knee to open up more shots.
Soriano switches to hammering Veretennikov with elbow after unanswered elbow, and his position tying Veretennikov up while not keeping him flat is pinning Veretennikov to the floor. Soriano’s left hands continue to bludgeon the Kazakhstan native, and even though Goddard is not anywhere close to considering stepping in, these consistent blows are draining him. Soriano holds Veretennikov down with his left arm and beats on his ribs with his right, and the ground-and-pound may not be devastating but it is effective as can be. He continues to drive punches down, developing a pattern similar to iambic pentameter in that he lands a soft blow and then a powerful one, and alternates them like ba-dum ba-dum as the sound of the impact echoes around the ring. The one-sided round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Soriano
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Round 2
It takes Soriano 15 seconds to commit to a takedown, and he lifts Veretennikov up in the air and deposits him gingerly to the mat. Veretennikov defends instinctively with a guillotine choke, and Soriano uses this opportunity to trap him with a Von Preux shoulder choke. Veretennikov offers a thumbs-up to show he is fine, and he slowly manages to wriggle his neck out of danger. Soriano reintroduces himself with a blistering elbow from above, and even though he has his own leg stuck between Veretennikov’s, he seems to prefer this position lording over his adversary with ground strikes galore. Veretennikov does what he can to tie up Soriano and slow the beating, and Soriano lowers himself down to pursue an arm-triangle choke.
Veretennikov does not fall victim to the submission, so Soriano hacks at him with a pair of mean-spirited elbows. Soriano’s left hand keeps landing until Veretennikov wills himself to his feet, through sheer horsepower. Soriano trips and Veretennikov pounces, wrapping up a rear-naked choke and tightening it quickly. Soriano explodes out of the bad position and turns the Kazakh over, where he gets back into his groove of methodical ground attacks. Veretennikov flirts with an armbar to keep Soriano honest, but this only allows Soriano to hammer him with four or five long punches. Veretennikov sits up and gets in a position to aim a knee to the sternum, and he drives one or two in before the round wraps.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Soriano
Round 3
Hands are clapped to open Round 3, and Veretennikov strikes first with a punch to the body. That one strike is all he gets off before Soriano darts in to pursue a takedown. The two twirl around while Soriano hangs onto the single, and Veretennikov grips a guillotine around the side of the head to further threaten. Soriano lifts and slams Veretennikov with an exclamation point, freeing himself from the choke and pushing his hand off Veretennikov’s face. One of Veretennikov’s coaches claims that Soriano is out from the guillotine that Veretennikov is still holding, and Goddard tells that coach to knock it off as Soriano is fine. In fact, the Hawaiian postures up a moment or two later to get out of the sub, and he works the body and head when establishing himself. Goddard asks for more, so Soriano punches Veretennikov in the face.
Soriano stacks Veretennikov up, who is searching for an armbar or otherwise using a high guard to control or attack something. Soriano steps over easily to the side to break up the setup, and he pounds an elbow down on the jaw. As Soriano slows down, Goddard asks for more activity from the fighters. Not wanting to let them just sit around and smooch—figuratively speaking, of course—he stands the fighters up. Soriano takes a deep breath and shoots for a single from afar, and Veretennikov jumps for a guillotine choke and wraps it up while standing. Soriano’s eyes go wide as he is pulled down on top of the Kazakh, and Veretennikov squeezes the choke with all his might. Soriano signals thumbs-up as he slithers his neck out of danger, and he concludes the match with emphatic elbows.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Soriano (30-26 Soriano)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Soriano (30-27 Soriano)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Soriano (30-27 Soriano)
The Official Result
Punahele Soriano def. Nikolay Veretennikov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo trusts that Punahele Soriano will use his wrestling, as a Division III All-American, to win, despite his tendency to sometimes just strike. He notes Soriano has heavy hands but poor takedown defense, while Veretennikov is a powerful striker who can be taken down. His concern is that Soriano might abandon wrestling after a recent knockout win. He is not betting on this fight.
Big Brady likes Soriano, especially at welterweight, where he seems like a different animal with improved cardio and strength. He notes that Veretennikov has awful cardio and a poor ground game, and that Soriano can wrestle him, get him tired, and finish him on the mat. He predicts a second-round TKO for Soriano.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Soriano but noting that it depends on whether Soriano fights well. He hopes to see a more aggressive, active, and wrestling-minded Soriano, as seen in his welterweight debut, but acknowledges that his previous opponents (Miguel Baeza and Eros Medich) were not reliable tests.
Soriano is expected to put his power on Veretennikov early, and if he doesn't finish within the first minute and a half, he will resort to wrestling and grind out a decision win.
The MMA Guru confidently picks Punahele Soriano, comparing him to Francisco Prado who gave Veretennikov trouble. He notes Soriano's power, pressure, and ability to close distance, while Veretennikov stands too upright and struggles with aggressive fighters. He predicts a first-round KO.
Zane picks Soriano because the welterweight move has made him feel bigger, stronger, and more confident, allowing him to wrestle more effectively. He notes that Veretennikov is a bad wrestler who gave up takedowns to Francisco Prado, and Soriano should be able to exploit that. However, he cautions that Soriano is prone to inactivity and single-idea offense.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 47 of 77 | 61% | 64 of 94 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 | 0 | 6:49 |
| Francisco Prado | 0 | 56 of 105 | 53% | 84 of 133 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 2:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 7 of 9 | 77% | 11 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:59 |
| Francisco Prado | 0 | 17 of 28 | 60% | 36 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:04 | |
| 2 | Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 24 of 43 | 55% | 32 of 51 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 |
| Francisco Prado | 0 | 26 of 55 | 47% | 32 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 16 of 25 | 64% | 21 of 30 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 2:55 |
| Francisco Prado | 0 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 16 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 47 of 77 | 61% | 34 of 58 | 5 of 11 | 8 of 8 | 34 of 62 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 10 |
| Francisco Prado | 56 of 105 | 53% | 32 of 78 | 21 of 24 | 3 of 3 | 34 of 75 | 15 of 17 | 7 of 13 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikolay Veretennikov | 7 of 9 | 77% | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Francisco Prado | 17 of 28 | 60% | 8 of 19 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 13 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 9 | |
| 2 | Nikolay Veretennikov | 24 of 43 | 55% | 16 of 31 | 2 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 22 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Francisco Prado | 26 of 55 | 47% | 15 of 43 | 10 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 47 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Nikolay Veretennikov | 16 of 25 | 64% | 14 of 21 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 9 |
| Francisco Prado | 13 of 22 | 59% | 9 of 16 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Prado (-148), Veretennikov (+124)
Round 1
Coming to the promotion two years ago with a head full of steam, then-21-year-old Prado (12-3, 1-3 UFC) has largely struggled, earning one victory among three deflating losses. He takes a much-needed step back in level of competition when he faces Veretennikov (12-6, 0-2 UFC), who lost on the 2021 season of the Contender Series and worked his way into the promotion with a trio of stoppages. Since then, not so much for the man fighting out of Kings MMA. The welterweight clash, a historic battle between Argentina and Kazakhstan, will be overseen by referee Jason Herzog. They clap hands to get started.
Prado marches his man down hurling a leg kick, and on the counter, he charges to tackle Veretennikov down to the ground. In the first 15 seconds, Prado has assumed half guard, keeping Veretennikov flat on his back while looping his left arm around the head for an arm-triangle choke setup. Prado is on half guard on the other side, and Veretennikov defends with a guillotine choke off his back. This is not a wise decision, as Prado cinches up the counter in the form of a Von Flue—or as we call it on the play-by-play, Von Preux—which forces a wild scramble. Prado spins around to north-south position, and he winds up taking Veretennikov’s back momentarily. Prado willingly turns over to his back to lace up a triangle choke, while Veretennikov comfortably sits on him landing body shots. Prado keeps his legs high even if they may not be quite long enough to lock it up from this position. He transitions to an armbar, and Veretennikov lifts him in the air and violently slams him on his face to break up the submission.
Prado appears to be stunned from the slam, and Veretennikov stands over him dropping down hammers until moving himself back into Prado’s guard. The strikes from above have caused some damage on Prado’s forehead, and he keeps his guard open until Veretennikov stands. Prado just stands back up to follow him, and he takes two stiff knees to the body when pushing forward. Veretennikov connects with two punches and a body kick, and he walks through ha left hand to work the body with several more strikes. Veretennikov spins with a wheel kick to the side of the dome, and he plants his feet and knees the Argentinian in the midsection once more. Prado looks for a takedown, and Veretennikov breaks out of the first effort. Prado transitions from double to single as he looks for a takedown with Veretennikov’s back on the fence, and Veretennikov defends the attempt and tries to counter-throw his adversary to the mat. Veretennikov gives him a few more knees to think about until the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Veretennikov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Veretennikov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Veretennikov
Round 2
The fighters get right to business to start off the second round. Prado appears to already be flagging a bit, while Veretennikov is sharp as a tack. He clips Prado with a short burst of punches, shaking up Prado but not forcing him to back again. Instead, Prado doggedly pursues a double, and he lifts Veretennikov up but cannot ground him. Prado is forced to disengage, and he measures a strong calf kick that forces Veretennikov to recoil his leg. Prado uses that success to land a few more strikes, and he allows Veretennikov to spin with a kick. Prado grabs him from behind and suplexes him, turning himself around to assume half guard while Veretennikov has an arm around his neck. Like the last round, this opens Veretennikov up to a Von Flue shoulder choke again.
Veretennikov release his own grip before getting trapped, and Prado blasts him in the face with an elbow that bounces his head off the canvas. Prado stays heavy, smothering Veretennikov with chest-to-chest pressure. Only lifting himself up to strike or set something up, Prado pursues the arm-triangle once more. Veretennikov explodes to turn out of the sub and power back to his feet, and Prado chases him upright. The ground strikes from Prado open a cut on the side of Veretennikov’s eye, but he pays it no mind as he slams his fist on Prado’s body. Prado retaliates with a six-punch flurry ending with one to the liver. Veretennikov shrugs them off and lets fly a high kick, hopping back to avoid another body shot but still taking some damage on the way. Prado dodges a high kick, eats a right hand and fires one back up top. Veretennikov scores a few knees, trips Prado up but does not ground him. They land blows at the same time, with Prado’s the heavier of the two. Veretennikov scores a single body kick before the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Prado
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Prado
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Prado
Round 3
There is a glove touch to open the final frame. Prado surges into action, ignoring a low kick to loop a pair of punches over the top. Prado fakes up top to shoot in on the hips, getting hold of a single and lifting Veretennikov in the air. Veretennikov is able to turn him about mid-air to put the Argentinian on his back, but he is quick to bail on the grappling to stand up. Prado follows him with another takedown shot, abandoning to bash Veretennikov with an elbow and a thumping low kick that makes Veretennikov take a turn. Both men crash together letting fists fly, and Veretennikov tries to spin with a wheel kick but is so tired that Prado grips him from behind before the foot comes off the ground. Prado easily gets his foe down and advances to full mount with over three minutes left. Prado slashes down with 12-to-6 elbows, and he allows Veretennikov to turn partially so he can take his back. Prado attacks a choke before he gets a hook in, and he lets it go to drill down another elbow or two.
Veretennikov fights back to his feet, shaking Prado off his back, and he goes to the well with a failed spin kick that results him in getting taken down again. The two scramble, with Prado standing first and trying to get hold of another takedown from the side. Prado settles for a knee to the jaw with Veretennikov leaned over, and he drops down in pursuit of a single. Veretennikov stifles the attempt and looks for his own trip, kneeing Prado in the belly when he does not ground the Argentinian. Veretennikov jumps guard for a guillotine choke, and Prado takes advantage of this play by stepping over to half guard to set up a Von Preux again. Prado pulls his neck out and calms himself down with 20-ish seconds to go. Rather than go for broke and allow Veretennikov to get back up, he wraps up the fight with some moderate ground-and-pound. For the first time tonight, the fighters go the distance.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Prado (29-28 Prado)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Prado (29-28 Prado)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Prado (29-28 Prado)
The Official Result
Nikolay Veretennikov def. Francisco Prado via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Francisco Prado despite being too small for welterweight, because he can exploit Veretennikov's wrestling holes. He notes Prado's power and durability, and loves the -140 odds, calling it a discount due to Prado's last loss. He plans to bet on Prado.
Big Brady picks Nikolay Veretennikov, questioning Francisco Prado's decision to move up to welterweight. He notes Veretennikov's reach, technical striking, and better volume, while Prado is undersized with poor wrestling. He predicts Veretennikov wins by decision, calling the line questionable.
Connor picks Prado due to his pace, durability, and ability to pressure. He notes that Veretennikov has limited output and poor grappling, while Prado is tough and can push the pace. However, he warns that Veretennikov's range could cause problems if Prado doesn't close distance effectively.
The host cites Veretennikov's experience and strength of schedule advantage, and believes he can thwart Prado's power punching approach. He expects a full mixed martial arts performance and a win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Nikolay Veretennikov over Francisco Prado, arguing that Prado is not a welterweight and is too small for the division. He notes Prado's reach disadvantage (69" vs 74") and lack of power, while Veretennikov is well-rounded, taller, and rangier. The Guru believes Prado's game plan is predictable as a shorter fighter, and Veretennikov will win by decision or TKO.
Zane agrees with Connor, picking Prado for his durability and pressure. He notes that Veretennikov has limited ideas and output, and Prado's toughness should carry him. However, he mentions the fight could be ugly if Prado wrestles.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Vanderford | 0 | 5 of 19 | 26% | 21 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 39 of 52 | 75% | 102 of 121 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 7:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Vanderford | 0 | 3 of 13 | 23% | 12 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 8 of 11 | 72% | 56 of 62 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:56 | |
| 2 | Austin Vanderford | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 9 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 31 of 41 | 75% | 46 of 59 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Vanderford | 5 of 19 | 26% | 0 of 12 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 39 of 52 | 75% | 37 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 36 of 44 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Vanderford | 3 of 13 | 23% | 0 of 8 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 8 of 11 | 72% | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 6 | |
| 2 | Austin Vanderford | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 31 of 41 | 75% | 30 of 40 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 30 of 38 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
On late notice, Vanderford (12-2, 0-0 UFC), famously known as the husband of Paige VanZant, will be making his organizational debut. Due to short training camp, this fight will be contested at a pre-arranged 175-pound catchweight. He faces fellow LFA vet Veretennikov (12-5, 0-1 UFC), whose 83% finish rate is nothing to sneeze at. Before chins are tested, the fighters touch ‘em up while referee Kevin MacDonald watches on. Vanderford moves to the center of the cage with the crowd loudly on his side, but the first strikes come from his opponent in the form of a jab and a low kick. They lean in and out looking for strikes, and Veretennikov leaps forward suddenly with a Superman punch that misses by a matter of inches. Veretennikov lunges again, catching Vanderford with a left up top and a right to the ribs. When he loads up on more strikes, Vanderford scoops his man up and deposits him gingerly to the mat. In his foe’s guard, Vanderford nevertheless starts opening up with strikes, grinding with elbows on the jaw and staying tight to not let Veretennikov buck or force a scramble. The strikes from above shred open a cut on the top of the Kazakhstan native’s forehead, and Vanderford targets that wound with additional sporadic strikes. Vanderford attacks with more elbows, causing more blood to flow from the gash. The activity of the newcomer is enough to stave off referee intervention, and he shifts gears to lock up an arm-triangle choke from across the body. The submission is on the wrong side, and Veretennikov does not panic and protects himself from it effectively. This excites Vanderford, who wants to wrap up the submission after all. Jumping into full mount, Vanderford squeezes with all his might for the arm-triangle choke, and he does not get the tap he is seeking even after shifting over to side control. Instead of burning his arms out, Vanderford lets it go and moves back to mount, where he rides out the round landing strikes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vanderford
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Vanderford
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Vanderford
Round 2
The fighters clap hands to get going, with the crowd already at Vanderford’s back with “USA” chants. Veretennikov walks his foe down with long jabbing kicks, hoping to utilize his range and not let Vanderford get his hands on him. Vanderford slings a head kick and is dinged with a reaching strike, but he allows Veretennikov to overswing so he can wrap him up. Vanderford clasps his hands from behind, searching for a level change and lifting Veretennikov off his feet with a double-leg takedown. Veretennikov’s long legs keep him upright for the time being, but the second attempt puts him on his back. Vanderford is quick to open up with elbows as he has Veretennikov jammed up in the awkward spot between the floor and the corner of the cage wall. Vanderford’s elbows split the guard and give Veretennikov something nasty to think about, and he sees that he can land his left hand at will and does just that repeatedly. The open guard where Veretennikov is keeping his foe is not slowing him one iota, and Vanderford elects to step over to half guard while clinging to Veretennikov’s wrist to nullify him. Vanderford slugs away with a long series of left hands, and Veretennikov is moving and swaying while blocking his face but still taking damage.
MacDonald watches on asking for Veretennikov to fight back, and Vanderford keeps punching. As the dozens of strikes mount, MacDonald determines that Veretennikov is no longer intelligently defending himself and stops the fight.
Veretennikov is incensed at the referee intervention, shouting at MacDonald and his opponent. Veretennikov gets to his feet, marches over to Vanderford and angrily shoves him after the fight has been stopped, and a UFC security staff member leaps in to prevent any further nonsense. Vanderford presents the double bird before getting the microphone, where he is all smiles and shouts out his wife, who will be getting slapped soon. Meanwhile, this may be the last we see of Veretennikov in the Octagon, although the promotion has allowed a blatant eye gouger in Priscila Cachoeira to keep fighting so anything is possible.
The Official Result
Austin Vanderford def. Nikolay Veretennikov R2 4:13 via TKO (Punches)
The host acknowledges Vanderford is on short notice and three years removed from a title fight loss, but believes his wrestling and power striking will keep Veretennikov on the defensive. He expects a dirty, ugly fight with Vanderford winning on the scorecards.
The Guru picks Veretennikov by TKO early, citing a skill difference in setting up strikes. He notes Vanderford is known as Paige VanZant's boyfriend, lost to Mousasi, and seems 'chiny'. He rates Veretennikov's losses (to Danny Barlow, Michael Morales) higher than Vanderford's wins, and expects a first or second round finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Barlow | 0 | 47 of 99 | 47% | 52 of 107 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 50 of 92 | 54% | 59 of 101 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danny Barlow | 0 | 17 of 32 | 53% | 18 of 33 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 10 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 2 | Danny Barlow | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 15 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 11 of 29 | 37% | 19 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 3 | Danny Barlow | 0 | 19 of 42 | 45% | 19 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 0 | 29 of 48 | 60% | 30 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Barlow | 47 of 99 | 47% | 25 of 63 | 7 of 13 | 15 of 23 | 46 of 98 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 50 of 92 | 54% | 23 of 59 | 22 of 28 | 5 of 5 | 45 of 87 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danny Barlow | 17 of 32 | 53% | 5 of 14 | 4 of 7 | 8 of 11 | 17 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 10 of 15 | 66% | 2 of 5 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Danny Barlow | 11 of 25 | 44% | 7 of 16 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 6 | 10 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 11 of 29 | 37% | 3 of 18 | 5 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Danny Barlow | 19 of 42 | 45% | 13 of 33 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 6 | 19 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nikolay Veretennikov | 29 of 48 | 60% | 18 of 36 | 10 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 28 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barlow (-355), Veretennikov (+280)
Round 1
Welterweights are next to the stage, as the undefeated Barlow (8-0, 1-0 UFC) takes on Veretennikov (12-4, 0-0 UFC) in a three-round attraction. Barlow, who missed weight, has stopped six of his first eight opponents, five of them inside one round. Beltran administers the law and order. Glove touch gets us started. Feeling-out process unfolds. Inside leg kick from Barlow, who gets warned for extending his fingers. Veretennikov targets the body with a right hand. Barlow jumps into a knee to the body, then swipes away a front kick from his opponent. Standing hammerfist from Barlow, who steps into a left hand moments later. Barlow heavy on the kicks so far. Inside leg kick from the Memphis, Tennessee, native. Veretennikov crashes into the clinch but goes nowhere. Barlow extricates himself and floats back into open space. Barlow shoots a left hand, dodges the return fire and jumps into another knee. Front kick to the body from Veretennikov. Neither man has seized the initiative yet. Back-to-back body kicks from Barlow. They clinch in the center of the cage. Veretennikov avoids the takedown. Barlow misses a left hand over the top and wanders into the clinch once more. The horn sounds while Barlow was completing a takedown.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barlow
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barlow
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barlow
Round 2
Barlow probes with low kicks. Veretennikov seems a little gun-shy to this point. Barlow counters a leg kick with an overhand left. Jabs from Barlow, though not much behind them. Veretennikov blocks a head kick. Output an issue for both welterweights. Jab from Barlow, who avoids a two-punch volley from the Kazakhstan native. They circle one another in the center of the cage. Jab from Barlow. Midway through the round. Barlow walks him into a clubbing left hand and forces Veretennikov to briefly shell up. He engages Barlow in the clinch but loses the battle for head position and winds up with his back to the fence. Barlow feeds him knees to the legs. A knee from Veretennikov strays south of the border and prompts Beltran to pause the action. They restart in the clinch. Ninety seconds on the clock. Barlow bails on double underhooks and moves back to the center of the cage. Veretennikov throws out his jab but fails to find a home for it. Jab from Barlow, who is doing just enough to stay in front. Uneventful round.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barlow
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barlow
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barlow
Round 3
Veretennikov tests the waters with his jab, but his punches lack conviction. He airmails an overhand right. Barlow alternating stances. Veretennikov steps into a right hand to the chest, fires an overhand behind it and wanders into the clinch. Front kick to the body from Veretennikov. One-two narrowly misses for the newcomer. Barlow chops away with punches. Veretennikov answers with a multi-punch volley. He then clips Barlow with a right hand and follows up with sharp jabs. Veretennikov lands a left hand over the top. Barlow responds with a jab. Leg kick from Barlow. Veretennikov picking up the pace with his jabs, finally showing some urgency. He steps into a right hand and sneaks in a looping left hook. Barlow on the defensive here, perhaps believing he has already salted away two rounds. Thirty seconds left. They trade left hands. Veretennikov plods forward, throws shots with both hands and connects with a body kick. He lands a right hand over the top before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Veretennikov (29-28 Barlow)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Veretennikov (29-28 Barlow)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Veretennikov (29-28 Barlow)
The Official Result
Danny Barlow def. Nikolay Veretennikov—Split Decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
Angelo picks Danny Barlow due to his well-roundedness and range striking, but is hesitant because Barlow is unproven with only 8 fights and the odds are too wide at 3-to-1. He notes that Veretennikov is durable, powerful, and pressures forward, which could exploit Barlow's weakness against pressure. He advises staying away from betting this fight due to lack of value.
Barlow is a talented prospect with speed and power, especially his straight left. He has good takedown defense and should showcase it against Veretennikov, who may look to grapple. Barlow's striking advantage should lead to a knockout within the first two rounds.
The MMA Guru picks Danny Barlow, noting his reach advantage (79 inches) and power. He acknowledges Veretennikov's good first round against Michael Morales but worries about his short notice and tendency to slow down. He predicts a first-round TKO for Barlow, calling it a 'star-making performance.'
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo trusts that Punahele Soriano will use his wrestling, as a Division III All-American, to win, despite his tendency to sometimes just strike. He notes Soriano has heavy hands but poor takedown defense, while Veretennikov is a powerful striker who can be taken down. His concern is that Soriano might abandon wrestling after a recent knockout win. He is not betting on this fight.
Big Brady likes Soriano, especially at welterweight, where he seems like a different animal with improved cardio and strength. He notes that Veretennikov has awful cardio and a poor ground game, and that Soriano can wrestle him, get him tired, and finish him on the mat. He predicts a second-round TKO for Soriano.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Soriano but noting that it depends on whether Soriano fights well. He hopes to see a more aggressive, active, and wrestling-minded Soriano, as seen in his welterweight debut, but acknowledges that his previous opponents (Miguel Baeza and Eros Medich) were not reliable tests.
Soriano is expected to put his power on Veretennikov early, and if he doesn't finish within the first minute and a half, he will resort to wrestling and grind out a decision win.
The MMA Guru confidently picks Punahele Soriano, comparing him to Francisco Prado who gave Veretennikov trouble. He notes Soriano's power, pressure, and ability to close distance, while Veretennikov stands too upright and struggles with aggressive fighters. He predicts a first-round KO.
Zane picks Soriano because the welterweight move has made him feel bigger, stronger, and more confident, allowing him to wrestle more effectively. He notes that Veretennikov is a bad wrestler who gave up takedowns to Francisco Prado, and Soriano should be able to exploit that. However, he cautions that Soriano is prone to inactivity and single-idea offense.
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