Career Averages - Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev
Career Averages - Raffael Cerqueira
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Yakhyaev (-550); Walker (+425)
Round 1
The heaviest bout at UFC Baku features unbeaten 205-pound prospect Yakhyaev against fellow up-and-comer Walker. The referee is Jim Perdios. They touch gloves and Yakhyaev absolutely levels Walker with his very first punch, a tight right hook to the jaw. He pounces, drops a couple hammerfists and Perdios is there for the save. One of the 10 fastest finishes in UFC history, an animated gif of a fight, is over.
The Official Result
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Julius Walker R1 0:08 via KO (Punches)
AJ DeVito is confident that Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev will defeat Julius Walker, calling it a setup fight. He notes Yakhyaev's well-rounded skills, nasty grappling, and knockout power, and expects a finish, leaning towards submission. He mentions Yakhyaev's quick win over Raphael Circada and Walker's struggles.
AJ is very confident Yakhyaev wins, calling it a setup fight. He believes Yakhyaev has superior boxing, power, and grappling, and will likely win by submission. He sees Walker as a can't-win fight and expects Yakhyaev to hurt him on the feet before securing a submission.
AJ sees this as a squash match for Yakhyaev, who is a better striker and grappler. He thinks Yakhyaev can knock out or submit Walker, who is stiff and awkward. AJ expects a finish within 15 minutes and notes the under 1.5 rounds line.
AJ expects Yakhyaev to finish Walker, likely in the first round, due to his knockout power and submission threat. Walker has defensive flaws and was recently knocked out. Yakhyaev's aggression and well-rounded game should overwhelm Walker.
Angelo picks Yakhyaev, stating he is better everywhere and that Walker is too early in his career. He notes that Walker has holes in his game and was just knocked out. He believes Yakhyaev will dominate and is worth the price despite being a heavy favorite.
Angelo thinks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev dominates the fight and earns his price tag, expecting a finish in under 1.5 rounds. He considers Julius Walker the worst fighter on the card, with only 3 years of professional experience.
Angelo picks Yakhyaev easily, noting that Julius Walker is too green with only 3 years of professional experience. He believes Yakhyaev is the better grappler and will likely win by finish. He expects the odds to move significantly.
Big Brady picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev to win by first-round knockout. He describes Yakhyaev as a beast with eight first-round wins, either knocking opponents out or submitting them early. Walker is a grappler with poor striking who has been hurt by lesser fighters. Brady sees a bad matchup for Walker, expecting Yakhyaev to finish him quickly.
Cody picks Yakhyaev, calling him a future title contender. He notes Yakhyaev's grappling and physicality, and believes he will dominate Walker. He parlayed Yakhyaev with Donchenko early in the week.
Daniel Levi considers this a lock, stating he bet Yakhyaev at -400 and would cap him at -1500. He dismisses Julius Walker's competition, particularly his life-and-death fight with Raphael Cera, and believes Yakhyaev can win by any method: head kick, punches, takedowns, submission, or grind. He expects a quick finish, possibly under a minute.
Jacob picks Yakhyaev to win by KO or submission, predicting a dominant performance. He thinks Walker has no path to victory and that Yakhyaev will finish him early, possibly earning a performance bonus. He got Yakhyaev at a good price before the line moved.
Lucrative James is very confident in Yakhyaev, calling him a legit prospect with explosive wrestling, submissions, and power. He notes that Yakhyaev finishes fights early and has shown cardio in a five-round decision. He believes Julius Walker is outskilled everywhere and predicts a first-round knockout, as Yakhyaev is due for a KO after two submission wins.
Yakhyaev is far superior in almost every aspect, with a nasty jiu-jitsu game and decent striking. Walker is athletic but lacks technical skills and has mediocre cardio. Yakhyaev will dominate positions and get a quick first-round finish, likely by knockout.
The host is stunned that Yakubov is not at minus 1000, believing he is far superior to Walker in every aspect. He thinks Yakubov may lean on his striking to find the chin of Walker and predicts a first-round knockout win.
Paul picks Yakhyaev confidently, calling him a top prospect. He notes Yakhyaev's grappling and physical strength, and believes he will overwhelm Walker. He prefers the over 1.5 rounds at plus money, expecting Walker's durability to carry him past the first round but Yakhyaev to win.
The Guru picks Yakhyaev via knockout, citing his dynamic striking, evasiveness, and well-rounded grappling. He believes Walker is too linear and stiff, and will get caught coming in. He expects Yakhyaev to land a single strike or finish on the ground.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 23 of 38 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 1:56 |
| Brendson Ribeiro | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 23 of 38 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 1:56 |
| Brendson Ribeiro | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 7 of 15 | 46% | 6 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Brendson Ribeiro | 8 of 17 | 47% | 5 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 7 of 15 | 46% | 6 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Brendson Ribeiro | 8 of 17 | 47% | 5 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Yakhyaev (-2000); Ribeiro (+1000)
Round 1
At just eight fights into his professional career, Russian Yakhyaev (8-0, 1-0 UFC) by way of Turkey is about to close as one of the biggest betting favorites in company history. He ranges anywhere from -1200 to -2000 depending on the sportsbook, which all-but dismisses the heavy-handed Brazilian Ribeiro (17-9, 1 NC; 2-4 UFC). Odds don’t say the whole picture, so the light heavyweights will handle their business as referee Mike Beltran stands vigilant. There is a glove touch before the fists fly.
Ribeiro starts first after about 12 seconds of measuring with a low kick, and Yakhyaev beans him with a right hand behind the ear. Ribeiro stumbles, resets and cracks Yakhyaev back. Yakhyaev shoots in for a takedown, surprised that he has taken some shots early, and the Brazilian bounces away. Ribeiro kicks Yakhyaev in the head through the guard and has his kick caught, with Yakhyaev taking him down to the floor. Ribeiro grabs hold of a two-on-one wrist lock to threaten with a kimura off his back in hopes of turning the fighter repping Turkey over. Yakhyaev responds with 12-to-6 elbows to the side, and Ribeiro wrenches his way back up but is under fire all the way up. Yakhyaev presses his weight down to keep Ribeiro on his knees, smothering him from behind while trying to slip a hook in. When Ribeiro stands, Yakhyaev easily mat returns him and establishes control of the back momentarily. Yakhyaev flirts with a rear-naked choke, but finds his right hand having to deal with a kimura sweep effort.
Yakhyaev pulls his arm out of it and looks to set up a choke, but he settles for punches to the sides of the dome instead.
Yakhyaev allows Ribeiro to sit up so he can ratchet on a rear-naked choke, and it is not going anywhere. Ribeiro is caught in a web, and “welcome to my parlor” says the spider to the fly. Yakhyaev cranks the neck with full power, and Ribeiro taps out lest he go out.
“The Hunter” releases the grip upon Beltran’s intervention, and he signals to someone in the crowd as if he knew he was going to get the submission the whole time. That makes it 9-0 with eight finishes for light heavyweight prospect Yakhyaev, who will not get many more opponents like this before taking a hefty step up in competition.
The Official Result
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Brendson Ribeiro R1 2:52 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo is extremely confident in Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev, calling it the easiest pick on the card. He notes Yakhyaev is a good prospect with wrestling, striking, and power, while Brendson Ribeiro is hitable and has a quit button. However, he strongly advises against betting at -1400 odds, calling it not worth the risk.
Big Brady is extremely confident Yakhyaev will win, calling it 'dumb matchmaking.' He expects Yakhyaev to knock out Ribeiro within the first minute, as he has done in recent fights. He notes Ribeiro has no chin and that Yakhyaev finishes fights quickly.
Cody is confident Yakhyaev wins by first-round knockout, given Ribeiro's history of first-round KO losses. He notes Yakhyaev's well-rounded skills and the mismatch, but warns about the prohibitive moneyline.
Connor agrees, calling it a squash match. He notes that Ribeiro is extremely hittable and has poor defense under pressure. Connor points out that Yakhyaev throws big single strikes and marches through opponents, which should be more than enough to finish Ribeiro.
James is extremely confident in Yakhyaev, calling it a 'murder scene.' He highlights Yakhyaev's explosiveness, wrestling, and finishing ability, while noting Ribeiro's lack of durability and short-notice camp. He predicts a round one KO, stating Yakhyaev is a legitimate prospect who will run through Ribeiro. He mentions the odds are too high to bet but is certain of the outcome.
James is very high on Yakhyaev, calling him one of the greatest fighters in the division and predicting he will steamroll Ribeiro and become a champion. He compares his confidence to his previous correct call on Loena Cavana.
The host is extremely confident in Yakhyaev, citing his insane ceiling, dangerous grappling and striking, and a horrible stylistic matchup for Ribeiro. He expects a first-round finish and advises against parlaying the heavy chalk, instead looking for props. He notes Ribeiro's recent losses and lack of success against similar competition.
Paul is confident Yakhyaev wins, likely by submission or KO in the first round. He notes the price is prohibitive but suggests playing the round one prop or parlay.
The MMA Guru confidently picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev, citing his undefeated record, fast starts, and nasty finishes. He notes that Brendson Ribeiro has been finished multiple times early in fights and expects Yakhyaev to secure a first-round TKO.
Zane sees this as a walkover for Yakhyaev, noting that Ribeiro crumbles under pressure and has been finished in almost all his losses. He describes Ribeiro as a fighter who folds when going backwards, covering up and falling into the cage. Zane believes Yakhyaev's aggressive style will overwhelm Ribeiro quickly.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 1 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 11 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 1 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 11 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Yakhyaev (-1000); Cerqueira (+650)
Round 1
The under is circled on many betting sheets for this match, as prognosticators expect these two light heavyweight sluggers will bust one another up. The debuting Yakhyaev (7-0, 0-0 UFC) is the highest betting favorite of the card, with odds around -1000 (or higher) in his favor against the hapless Brazilian striker Cerqueira (11-3, 0-3 UFC). Referee Rich Mitchell dons his proverbial hard hat to protect himself from errant swings, and he steps back to allow the 205ers to clap hands.
Yakhyaev introduces himself with, of all things, a spinning wheel kick, and he proceeds to blast Cerqueira in the face with it through his guard. Cerqueira wobbles back, stung but not wrecked from the surprise kick, and Yakhyaev walks him down and busts him in the chops with an overhand left. He chases after “The Lion” and catches him with two more punches that set up a cruise missile of a head kick that sends Cerqueira crashing to his seat. Cerqueira is still with it, his eyes wide open as Yakhyaev pounces. Yakhyaev tries to finish the job with big punches, but Cerqueira works his way to his feet with the fence as his only ally in the building right now.
The Turkish fighter wraps up Cerqueira and dumps him to the ground, where he proceeds to snatch up a rear-naked choke without even bothering to get in any hooks. The choke is tight as a drum already, as Cerqueira offers little defense as he may still be dazed. Cerqueira tries to roll over to his side, but this allows Yakhyaev to slip a body triangle around his waist and complete the choke.
The Brazilian does not take more than a second or two to surrender, and just like that, Yakhyaev has successfully blown through his opponent in his promotional debut. It took a little more than 30 seconds for “The Hunter” to slay “The Lion,” and Yakhyaev remains in the ranks of the unbeaten, having justified the massive betting line in his favor.
The Official Result
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Raffael Cerqueira R1 0:33 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev over Raffael Cerqueira, calling him a solid prospect with great takedowns and power. Cerqueira is athletic but cannot defend takedowns, as seen in his loss to Julius Walker. Yakhyaev can knock him out or take him down repeatedly. The odds are wide, but Angelo is confident.
Big Brady confidently picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev by first-round knockout, describing him as a legit prospect with tons of power and vicious grappling. He expects a quick finish, possibly within the first minute, and notes Cerqueira's poor UFC record.
Cody picks Yakhyaev confidently, calling him an uber prospect. He notes Yakhyaev's well-rounded skills, power, and wrestling. Cody believes Yakhyaev will finish Cerqueira early, likely by knockout or submission. He suggests betting on a first-round finish.
Connor agrees, picking Yakhyaev. He notes that Yakhyaev is messy with his wrestling due to reckless aggression but is a good natural scrambler. He embraces chaos and doesn't shy away from resistance. He thinks Cerqueira should never have been signed and shouldn't have been kept after getting melted by Aslan.
Yakhyaev is a beast in light heavyweight and should run through Cerqueira quickly. Cerqueira has a glass chin and doesn't deserve a UFC spot. Expect a finish within two minutes.
Paul picks Yakhyaev confidently, noting his impressive resume and skills. He believes Yakhyaev will knock out Cerqueira, who is 0-3 in the UFC. Paul suggests betting on a knockout or inside the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev over Raffael Cerqueira, dismissing Cerqueira's UFC performances as disastrous. He notes Cerqueira gets KO'd in the first round and covers up. He believes Yakhyaev, an undefeated prospect with reach, will finish Cerqueira by TKO in the first or second round.
Zane picks Yakhyaev confidently, noting that Cerqueira is not good and has a paper-thin regional record. He says Cerqueira crushes cans but collapses against anyone who can fight, as shown by his loss to Ibo Aslan. Yakhyaev is undercooked but confident, aggressive, and has a wrestling game. He thinks Yakhyaev will roll through Cerqueira.
Raffael Cerqueira - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 1 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 11 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 1 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 11 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Yakhyaev (-1000); Cerqueira (+650)
Round 1
The under is circled on many betting sheets for this match, as prognosticators expect these two light heavyweight sluggers will bust one another up. The debuting Yakhyaev (7-0, 0-0 UFC) is the highest betting favorite of the card, with odds around -1000 (or higher) in his favor against the hapless Brazilian striker Cerqueira (11-3, 0-3 UFC). Referee Rich Mitchell dons his proverbial hard hat to protect himself from errant swings, and he steps back to allow the 205ers to clap hands.
Yakhyaev introduces himself with, of all things, a spinning wheel kick, and he proceeds to blast Cerqueira in the face with it through his guard. Cerqueira wobbles back, stung but not wrecked from the surprise kick, and Yakhyaev walks him down and busts him in the chops with an overhand left. He chases after “The Lion” and catches him with two more punches that set up a cruise missile of a head kick that sends Cerqueira crashing to his seat. Cerqueira is still with it, his eyes wide open as Yakhyaev pounces. Yakhyaev tries to finish the job with big punches, but Cerqueira works his way to his feet with the fence as his only ally in the building right now.
The Turkish fighter wraps up Cerqueira and dumps him to the ground, where he proceeds to snatch up a rear-naked choke without even bothering to get in any hooks. The choke is tight as a drum already, as Cerqueira offers little defense as he may still be dazed. Cerqueira tries to roll over to his side, but this allows Yakhyaev to slip a body triangle around his waist and complete the choke.
The Brazilian does not take more than a second or two to surrender, and just like that, Yakhyaev has successfully blown through his opponent in his promotional debut. It took a little more than 30 seconds for “The Hunter” to slay “The Lion,” and Yakhyaev remains in the ranks of the unbeaten, having justified the massive betting line in his favor.
The Official Result
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Raffael Cerqueira R1 0:33 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev over Raffael Cerqueira, calling him a solid prospect with great takedowns and power. Cerqueira is athletic but cannot defend takedowns, as seen in his loss to Julius Walker. Yakhyaev can knock him out or take him down repeatedly. The odds are wide, but Angelo is confident.
Big Brady confidently picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev by first-round knockout, describing him as a legit prospect with tons of power and vicious grappling. He expects a quick finish, possibly within the first minute, and notes Cerqueira's poor UFC record.
Cody picks Yakhyaev confidently, calling him an uber prospect. He notes Yakhyaev's well-rounded skills, power, and wrestling. Cody believes Yakhyaev will finish Cerqueira early, likely by knockout or submission. He suggests betting on a first-round finish.
Connor agrees, picking Yakhyaev. He notes that Yakhyaev is messy with his wrestling due to reckless aggression but is a good natural scrambler. He embraces chaos and doesn't shy away from resistance. He thinks Cerqueira should never have been signed and shouldn't have been kept after getting melted by Aslan.
Yakhyaev is a beast in light heavyweight and should run through Cerqueira quickly. Cerqueira has a glass chin and doesn't deserve a UFC spot. Expect a finish within two minutes.
Paul picks Yakhyaev confidently, noting his impressive resume and skills. He believes Yakhyaev will knock out Cerqueira, who is 0-3 in the UFC. Paul suggests betting on a knockout or inside the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev over Raffael Cerqueira, dismissing Cerqueira's UFC performances as disastrous. He notes Cerqueira gets KO'd in the first round and covers up. He believes Yakhyaev, an undefeated prospect with reach, will finish Cerqueira by TKO in the first or second round.
Zane picks Yakhyaev confidently, noting that Cerqueira is not good and has a paper-thin regional record. He says Cerqueira crushes cans but collapses against anyone who can fight, as shown by his loss to Ibo Aslan. Yakhyaev is undercooked but confident, aggressive, and has a wrestling game. He thinks Yakhyaev will roll through Cerqueira.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julius Walker | 1 | 44 of 62 | 70% | 96 of 120 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 11:46 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 19 of 42 | 45% | 30 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julius Walker | 0 | 13 of 22 | 59% | 17 of 27 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:31 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 12 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 | |
| 2 | Julius Walker | 0 | 13 of 18 | 72% | 48 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:41 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Julius Walker | 1 | 18 of 22 | 81% | 31 of 36 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 3:34 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 12 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julius Walker | 44 of 62 | 70% | 26 of 43 | 9 of 10 | 9 of 9 | 18 of 26 | 4 of 9 | 22 of 27 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 19 of 42 | 45% | 15 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julius Walker | 13 of 22 | 59% | 5 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 13 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 4 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 11 of 25 | 44% | 7 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Julius Walker | 13 of 18 | 72% | 6 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 11 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Julius Walker | 18 of 22 | 81% | 15 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 12 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 7 of 13 | 53% | 7 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Walker (-600); Cerqueira (+450)
Round 1
It’s time for a light heavyweight slugfest, with the promotion matching two fighters holding one combined decision victory. Referee Mike Beltran will need to be on his A-game when Walker (6-1, 0-1 UFC) and Cerqueira (11-2, 0-2 UFC) throw down, and the judges may be able to take this one off. Before they try to lop one another’s head from their shoulders, the fighters opt to clap hands together.
Walker walks down the Brazilian throwing hands, and Cerqueira knocks him back with a clean right hand. Cerqueira puts a one-two down the pipe, and the jab for Cerqueira is setting up power shots. Cerqueira swings hard with two hooks, prompting Walker to clinch up. They jockey for position up against the wall, with Walker offering a few knees to the gut when otherwise imposing his weight on his foe. Cerqueira breaks free and just misses a big left hand. Walker stalks his man down and has his guard split by a left, and Cerqueira wings a right hand over the top. The Brazilian spins with a kick that slams into Walker’s knee, and Walker looks at him and hurls a head kick that makes him fall over. Walker jumps back up to initiate a clinch, and he body locks and trips Cerqueira to the mat. Walker gets his hooks in, and Cerqueira tugs his toes on the fencing to try to improve his position. Beltran admonishes him.
Walker transitions to lean over with an arm-triangle choke, and Cerqueira turns the same time to get to his knees and then up to his feet. Walker grips hold of a leg and mat returns Cerqueira, who lands on the mat and fastens his grip on Walker’s left arm for a kimura sweep effort. The American yanks his limb out, and Cerqueira crawls towards the fence and gives his back up. Walker happily takes it, imposing his weight on top while unloading with power right hands. Walker considers a rear-naked choke before Cerqueira turns to his back, and Walker transitions into a two-on-one wrist lock. Cerqueira sits up and backs his way to the fencing while Walker clings to his left arm, and Walker lets it go so he can sit up high and smack Cerqueira in the face with short right hands. As Cerqueira tries to stand, Walker counters with an anaconda choke that he uses to keep Cerqueira stuck. Cerqueira responds with a double-leg entry, and Walker considers a guillotine choke but settles for wrenching Cerqueira to the floor. Seconds after they hit the ground, the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Round 2
The 205ers touch ‘em up, and two leg kicks come fast from Walker. The second knocks Cerqueira clean over, timed when Cerqueira was throwing. Walker leaps into top control, where he drives down ground-and-pound before considering an arm-triangle again. Walker bails on the sub so he can do work to the body and head in the closed guard. The moment Cerqueira opens his guard, Walker steps into half guard. Whether due to a head clash or some surprisingly effective offense off his back, Cerqueira appears to have cut Walker, who leaks on his chest. Cerqueira backs himself to the fence to stand, and Walker drags him back down. Although Cerqueira sits up again, Walker mat returns him once more, this time briefly lacing his legs beneath his opponent’s.
Cerqueira muscles his way back to a knee, and Walker has no interest in letting him as he rips knees to the chest while Cerqueira is on his seat. Cerqueira bursts back up, and Walker continues to knee him from up close. Cerqueira breaks free and lets his hands go, and Walker greets him with a heavy leg kick and three fierce punches. With Cerqueira shaken up by the third swing, Walker tackles him to the floor and lands in half guard. Walker looks for a guard pass, and he grips hold of the arm of Cerqueira again with 15 seconds to spare. Walker, his right eyebrow shredded open, tugs on the arm until the bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Walker
Round 3
There is a glove touch to commence the final frame, and they both get right to striking. Walker lands, and Cerqueira counters him and rocks him. Walker shoots desperately, and Cerqueira stands him up and tags him with three more punches. Walker is in big trouble, and he goes for a double again and is shoved to his back. Cerqueira allows him to stand back up, and he gets kneed in the groin and unloads huge punches. Walker summons every bit of energy remaining, opening up with two crushing punches that knock Cerqueira down to the ground. Walker celebrates this and lowers himself in the guard to smother him and get some wind back, but Cerqueira is not having it and forces his way to his feet. Cerqueira lobs the most telegraphed haymaker in history, and somehow it drills “Juice Box” in the jaw and puts him on ice skates. Walker wobbles back, and he shoots for a double in hopes of slowing things down. Cerqueira stuffs him and thinks about a guillotine choke, but he stands up instead. Walker strides forward, with a head of steam again, and he drills Cerqueira in the jaw with his fists. Chaining a takedown behind it, Walker is given a gift as Cerqueira jumps guard for a guillotine choke.
This is the best thing Walker could ask for, as he slowly but effectively beats Cerqueira up from on top. An arm-triangle choke is briefly in play, but Walker lets it go so he can stay on top and keep Cerqueira from hitting him back. Beltran asks for more activity, and Walker transforms into a wet blanket by smothering Cerqueira and keeping him stuck on the floor. Both men totally gassed, Cerqueira is still resorting to explosive escapes that somehow succeed. Cerqueira is dragged to a knee shortly after getting up, and Walker imposes every one of his 206-plus pounds on his opponent from behind. Cerqueira tries to hit a reversal, but he does not have enough reserves to pull it off. Walker remains sitting on top of his foe, working on him with punches until he hops over into mount with 15 seconds to spare. Walker wraps a rear-naked choke grip around the jaw, but Cerqueira turns to his back and lays down to end the one-sided match.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Walker (30-27 Walker)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Walker (30-27 Walker)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Walker (30-27 Walker)
The Official Result
Julius Walker def. Raffael Cerqueira via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Angelo picks Julius Walker but strongly advises against betting on him at -600. He notes Walker is winless in the UFC and lost to a 40-year-old, while Cerqueira has more KO wins than Walker has fights. Angelo thinks Walker will win due to raw athleticism but the risk-reward is terrible. He separates picks from bets.
Big Brady is confident in Julius Walker, describing Cerqueira as not a real fighter based on limited footage showing him getting knocked out and fighting in a mall food court. He believes Walker's pressure will break Cerqueira quickly, as Cerqueira doesn't like to get hit. Brady predicts a first-round knockout for Walker.
Connor picks Walker because he has durability and will eventually land something on Cerqueira, who overreacts on defense and gets badly hurt when clipped. He notes Walker sat down and swung back against Menefield, and Cerqueira can't take that kind of power.
The host is critical of Cerqueira's ability to take shots, citing his previous fight. He believes Walker's athleticism, speed, and power will land big shots and get Cerqueira out of there in the first round.
The MMA Guru picks Julius Walker, criticizing Cerqueira's tendency to freeze under pressure. He notes Walker's competitive loss to Alonzo Menifield and believes Walker is underrated. He expects Walker to be aggressive early and finish Cerqueira, though he's unsure of the round.
Zane picks Cerqueira because he is sharp and quick enough to nail Walker at will on the feet, and Walker is so undercooked that Cerqueira's durability might hold up. However, he calls it a coin flip because Walker could land something given his durability.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 1 | 16 of 41 | 39% | 16 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 9 of 22 | 40% | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 1 | 16 of 41 | 39% | 16 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 9 of 22 | 40% | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 16 of 41 | 39% | 11 of 36 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 9 of 22 | 40% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 16 of 41 | 39% | 11 of 36 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 9 of 22 | 40% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The UFC treks to Seattle for the first time since 2013, when flyweight king Demetrious Johnson put his belt on the line against John Moraga. The sport never stops moving, and none of the 24 fighters on the lineup of that event will be competing tonight at UFC Fight Night 252. The matchmakers put together a show that even with a ton of injuries and changeups, it has the potential to be hot fire, just like Dylan. A pair of light heavyweight sluggers grace the cage first, and with 22 finishes across their 27 combined wins, referee Jeff Hoiby is already hyper-focused on what’s about to happen next. With a fresh look at the division after leaving the company for a pair of fights, Bukauskas (16-6, 4-4 UFC) has fared better his second time around. On the other hand, Cerqueira (11-1, 0-1 UFC) introduced himself to the masses in October and had his block knocked off by a man in Ibo Aslan who will be competing later. It’s likely knock out or be knocked out, but before they try for that, the fighters bump fists. Bukauskas introduces himself with an axe kick of all strikes, and the Brazilian is well away from him as he watches it go wide. Bukauskas walks his man down and busts him in the chops with a right hand and a left, and Cerqueira bounces off the cage wall and sets up a body kick. Bukauskas reaches with a long right hand, and he paws out with a front kick and a low kick. Cerqueira strikes back at the lead leg, but he leaves himself over for an overhand right that skims the forward bow. Bukauskas turns his hips into a low kick, and this time it is him who is wide-open for a one-two down the pipe. Bukauskas targets the pectoral with a right hand, only to get his chin checked with another clean one-two. Cerqueira loads up on a power punch and gets the attention of “The Baltic Gladiator,” but he also gets tagged on the way out. Bukauskas strides forward, fired up and ready to go, and he unleashes a flurry of fists that crash into the chin of “The Lion.” Cerqueira’s eyes go wide as he is surprised he got clipped, and he backs towards the wall in hopes of getting his balance.
This is the worst thing he can do, as he leans back and has his chin straight up in the air. Bukauskas does not let his man off the hook, blasting him in the face with powerful punches that shake the Brazilian up and separate him from his senses. Cerqueira crumbles to the floor, lights on but no one is home, and Hoiby rushes in to stop the fight.
The victorious Lithuanian walks off triumphantly and hits a picture-perfect back flip to further wow the masses. That is one heck of a way to start the night, as the crowd goes wild.
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The Official Result
Modestas Bukauskas def. Raffael Cerqueira R1 2:12 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Bukauskas but is hesitant because he sees Cerqueira as dangerous and unproven. He notes Bukauskas has been knocked out four times and had trouble with Marcin Prachnio, while Cerqueira has 10 stoppages in 11 wins but was knocked out in his UFC debut. He says there's no world where he bets on Bukauskas at -350 and will leave this fight alone.
Big Brady picks Raffael Cerqueira despite being a complete unknown with only two fights available to watch. He notes that Modestas Bukauskas is low-volume, lacks power, and has never looked like a -310 favorite against anyone. He believes Cerqueira has a significant advantage on the ground as a BJJ black belt training with Guto Almeida, and that Bukauskas's technical striking advantage is negated by his low output. He calls this a '100% gambler fight' and picks Cerqueira by knockout, though he admits the fight is awful.
The host believes the line is too wide but expects Bukauskas's striking style to shut down Cerqueira's BJJ and Muay Thai. He predicts Bukauskas will chip away and win on the scorecards.
The Guru dismisses Raffael Cerqueira after his poor debut where he covered up and accepted defeat. He believes Bukauskas is more technical, matches in size and athleticism, and is a real fighter. He refuses to pick Cerqueira again, calling him a non-fighter who fought weak regional competition.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibo Aslan | 0 | 28 of 36 | 77% | 28 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ibo Aslan | 0 | 28 of 36 | 77% | 28 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibo Aslan | 28 of 36 | 77% | 26 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 28 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ibo Aslan | 28 of 36 | 77% | 26 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 28 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Ibo Aslan but is hesitant due to lack of tape on Cerqueira and Aslan's cardio issues. He notes Aslan is a heavy-handed striker with power but has holes in his game and cardio problems. Cerqueira is patient and athletic but not aggressive, and it's unknown how he handles getting hit. Angelo will likely avoid betting on this fight.
Big Brady picks Cerqueira due to the unknowns and his potential paths to win. He notes that Cerqueira is a black belt in BJJ and could submit Aslan if he gets the fight to the mat. However, he acknowledges there is little tape on Cerqueira and that both fighters are front-loaded. He predicts a first-round submission for Cerqueira.
Cody picks Ibo Aslan, believing his UFC experience and cardio will be key against a debuting opponent. He notes that Cerqueira is 34, started late, and has fought low-level competition. Cody thinks Aslan's power and ability to push the pace will lead to a finish in the second round. However, he is not highly confident.
Connor picks Cerqueira, noting that Aslan seems like a guy used to dominating with strength but crumbles when pushed back. Cerqueira is more of a fighter who enjoys the fight and has a better defensive feel, though it's hard to have a strong feeling either way.
Daniel Vreeland picks Aslan, noting that Cerqueira gets hit a lot and relies on home-run punches. He points out that Aslan showed durability in his last fight, taking punishment but not getting finished. Vreeland expects Aslan's volume to overwhelm Cerqueira, and thinks the line may move in Aslan's favor by fight time.
Daniel Vreeland picks Ibo Aslan to win, but with low confidence due to limited tape on Cerqueira. He notes that Aslan has shown power that carries into later rounds and that Cerqueira's unorthodox striking and lack of high-level competition make him a risk. Vreeland would be more interested if Aslan returns to underdog odds.
Jeff Fox also picks Aslan, though he initially considered Cerqueira. After film study, he saw Cerqueira getting hit a lot and relying on a spinning backfist knockout against a regional opponent. Fox doubts that will work against Aslan, who has proven durable. He also notes Cerqueira's body kicks but questions their effectiveness against higher-level competition.
Cerqueira will get the fight to the ground and use his BJJ black belt to put Aslan in bad positions, opening up a submission opportunity. Look for Cerqueira to wrap up a submission within five minutes.
Paul picks Aslan, citing Cerqueira's lack of high-level competition and telegraphing of strikes. He believes Aslan's power and durability will be too much, and that Cerqueira's late start and age are disadvantages. Paul is not fully confident but leans Aslan.
The Guru picks Raffael Cerqueira, citing his dynamic finishing ability and size advantage. He notes that Ibo Aslan was hit a lot by Anton Turkalj, and believes Cerqueira's power and athleticism will put Aslan away. He acknowledges Cerqueira's unimpressive regional competition but is swayed by his vicious body kicks and spinning elbows. The Guru predicts Cerqueira will catch Aslan at some point and finish him.
Zane picks Cerqueira because he seems like an actual fighter who enjoys fighting, whereas Aslan is a strong guy who doesn't like fighting and panics when pushed back. Cerqueira has a better feel for navigating exchanges and is more willing to scrap, though neither is a clean technician.
Zane admitted he was wrong about this fight, having doubted Aslan due to his loss to Anton Turkalj. He credited those who said Aslan would crush Cerqueira, noting Cerqueira is clearly not ready for this level. However, Zane remains unsold on Aslan, describing him as a guy who took up MMA just to get chicks, but acknowledged that's a better base than Cerqueira's.
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev over Raffael Cerqueira, calling him a solid prospect with great takedowns and power. Cerqueira is athletic but cannot defend takedowns, as seen in his loss to Julius Walker. Yakhyaev can knock him out or take him down repeatedly. The odds are wide, but Angelo is confident.
Big Brady confidently picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev by first-round knockout, describing him as a legit prospect with tons of power and vicious grappling. He expects a quick finish, possibly within the first minute, and notes Cerqueira's poor UFC record.
Cody picks Yakhyaev confidently, calling him an uber prospect. He notes Yakhyaev's well-rounded skills, power, and wrestling. Cody believes Yakhyaev will finish Cerqueira early, likely by knockout or submission. He suggests betting on a first-round finish.
Connor agrees, picking Yakhyaev. He notes that Yakhyaev is messy with his wrestling due to reckless aggression but is a good natural scrambler. He embraces chaos and doesn't shy away from resistance. He thinks Cerqueira should never have been signed and shouldn't have been kept after getting melted by Aslan.
Yakhyaev is a beast in light heavyweight and should run through Cerqueira quickly. Cerqueira has a glass chin and doesn't deserve a UFC spot. Expect a finish within two minutes.
Paul picks Yakhyaev confidently, noting his impressive resume and skills. He believes Yakhyaev will knock out Cerqueira, who is 0-3 in the UFC. Paul suggests betting on a knockout or inside the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev over Raffael Cerqueira, dismissing Cerqueira's UFC performances as disastrous. He notes Cerqueira gets KO'd in the first round and covers up. He believes Yakhyaev, an undefeated prospect with reach, will finish Cerqueira by TKO in the first or second round.
Zane picks Yakhyaev confidently, noting that Cerqueira is not good and has a paper-thin regional record. He says Cerqueira crushes cans but collapses against anyone who can fight, as shown by his loss to Ibo Aslan. Yakhyaev is undercooked but confident, aggressive, and has a wrestling game. He thinks Yakhyaev will roll through Cerqueira.
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