Career Averages - Ateba Gautier
Career Averages - Andrey Pulyaev
Ateba Gautier - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 1 | 23 of 82 | 28% | 27 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ozzy Diaz | 0 | 6 of 20 | 30% | 8 of 22 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ateba Gautier | 0 | 12 of 55 | 21% | 16 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ozzy Diaz | 0 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 6 of 14 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:03 | |
| 2 | Ateba Gautier | 1 | 11 of 27 | 40% | 11 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ozzy Diaz | 0 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 23 of 82 | 28% | 15 of 69 | 6 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 79 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Ozzy Diaz | 6 of 20 | 30% | 5 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ateba Gautier | 12 of 55 | 21% | 8 of 49 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 54 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Ozzy Diaz | 4 of 12 | 33% | 4 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ateba Gautier | 11 of 27 | 40% | 7 of 20 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Ozzy Diaz | 2 of 8 | 25% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Ateba Gautier as the easiest pick on the card. He notes Gautier's nasty striking, speed, power, and early finishes. He says Ozzy Diaz can be knocked out and Gautier knocks people out. He mentions Gautier's cardio looked good in his last decision win. He acknowledges the odds are unaffordable at minus 1000.
Angelo is very confident in Ateba Gautier, describing him as hitting like a freight train and being fast. He notes that Ozzy Diaz has been knocked out before and that Gautier carries his power late. He expects Gautier to knock him out.
Big Brady confidently picks Ateba Gautier, expecting him to regain hype after a lackluster win. He notes Ozzy Diaz will come forward and likely walk into a big shot. Brady predicts a first-round knockout and also likes the Underdog prop for fight time under 7.5 minutes.
Cody picks Gautier, citing his power and Diaz's poor striking defense. He notes Gautier's improvements and Diaz's tendency to get knocked out. Cody expects Gautier to win by first-round knockout.
Connor agrees that Gautier is being well-managed and that this fight is a showcase. He highlights that Diaz is a 'normal guy living his dream' who lacks the athleticism to compete with Gautier. Connor notes that Diaz's losses come from being 'absolutely fucked up as fast as possible' and expects Gautier to crush him.
Daniel picks Gautier, noting that despite criticism for a recent decision win, Gautier is a young prospect who gained valuable octagon time. He expects Gautier to dominate Diaz, possibly by first-round knockout.
The host does not bet this fight. He notes Gautier is a huge favorite (1.09) and unplayable, while Diaz is weak on the ground. He considers the over 1.5 rounds at 3.50 tempting but decides to protect his money.
Predicted method: KO/TKO Round 1. Gautier is undefeated with four first-round finishes, showcasing devastating KO power and a 100% takedown accuracy. Diaz has only one win and was knocked out in his UFC debut, absorbing 7.23 strikes per minute. Gautier's reach advantage (81" vs 79") and switch stance will create problems for Diaz, who has no takedown attempts in his career. This is a massive mismatch; Gautier will likely land a clean shot early and finish the fight within the first round.
Jacob picks Ateba Gautier by first-round KO, calling it the 'hammer of the week'. He notes that Gautier has power early and that Ozzy Diaz has been knocked out before. He advises against playing under 1.5 rounds at minus odds.
Lucrative James picks Ateba Gautier to win by knockout in round one. He believes Gautier's elite striking setups and power will be too much for Ozzy Diaz, who has been finished early in fights before. He notes that Diaz's pressure style could lead him into Gautier's strikes, and that Gautier carries power into later rounds. He acknowledges Diaz's cardio but thinks Gautier's power is decisive.
The host picks Gautier by first-round knockout, emphasizing his power and youth. He notes that Diaz is 35 and lacks the power to hurt Gautier, while Gautier's power is significant. He expects Gautier to run through Diaz quickly, as Diaz cannot absorb the same shots that Pulv did.
Paul picks Gautier, citing his power and Diaz's vulnerability. He notes Gautier's athleticism and expects a quick finish. However, Paul is cautious about the value due to the short odds.
The MMA Guru picks Ateba Gautier emphatically, calling it a destruction. He notes Gautier is a -1100 favorite and predicts a first-round KO. He believes Gautier is being built as a prospect and that Ozzy Diaz is outmatched, having lost to Joe Pyfer and Mingyang Zhang. He expects Gautier to finish Diaz in 60-120 seconds.
Zane sees this as a showcase for Gautier, who is being carefully managed. He notes that Ozzy Diaz is a tough, hard-nosed fighter but lacks the athleticism and dynamic offense to threaten Gautier. Zane believes Gautier's superior athleticism and technique will overwhelm Diaz, especially since Diaz tends to get crushed quickly when facing better athletes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 2 | 34 of 112 | 30% | 34 of 112 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 59 of 123 | 47% | 59 of 123 | 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 | Ateba Gautier | 1 | 8 of 42 | 19% | 8 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 19 of 37 | 51% | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ateba Gautier | 1 | 15 of 41 | 36% | 15 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ateba Gautier | 0 | 11 of 29 | 37% | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 34 of 112 | 30% | 24 of 98 | 9 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 30 of 103 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 59 of 123 | 47% | 34 of 83 | 19 of 32 | 6 of 8 | 57 of 121 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ateba Gautier | 8 of 42 | 19% | 8 of 39 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 19 of 37 | 51% | 12 of 26 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ateba Gautier | 15 of 41 | 36% | 9 of 35 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 34 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 24 of 46 | 52% | 15 of 33 | 5 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ateba Gautier | 11 of 29 | 37% | 7 of 24 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 16 of 40 | 40% | 7 of 24 | 7 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gautier (-900), Pulyaev (+600)
Round 1
It’s knock out or get knocked out as these prelims keep racing towards the finish line. With a mighty 2025 campaign of three first-round strike stoppages at his back, Gautier (9-1, 3-0 UFC) is aiming to become not only a breakout competitor at the age of 23, but a bona fide contender. To get there, he will have to defeat brick that hits back in the form of Pulyaev (10-3, 1-1 UFC). Ready on standby with the smelling salts is—well, it’s not referee Mark Smith, and instead the medical team, but you get the drill—and the power punchers tap their gloves together before swinging them.
Pulyaev looks for a stomp kick to the knee, and is out of range from a high kick from the other leg. Gautier wings a range-finding right hand, and he misses the mark. He stalks the Russian down and blasts him in the face with a cruise missile of a right hand, knocking Pulyaev clean off his feet. Gautier allows him to come back up to his feet and backs off, so that he can stalk his prey further. Pulyaev gets clipped again as he backpedals, with Gautier’s power so overwhelming that he is questioning his life decisions at the moment. The Russian proceeds to work the body with a kick, and sneaks in a left hand to get Gautier’s attention. Gautier gives him a right hand right back, and Pulyaev rolls with the punches and bounces off the cage wall. Gautier scores twice more with clubbing rights, and Pulyaev gets on his bike and starts jabbing. He reaches the target with a left, and dodges a telegraphed Gautier overhand right.
The Alexander Shlemenko protégé surprises Gautier with distance strikes, fighting through a storm and continuing to target the midsection. Gautier lays into him with a right hand, and Pulyaev strikes back and opens a cut on the corner of the betting favorite’s left eye. Pulyaev sticks his man with a one-two, and he knocks Gautier off-balance when Gautier sells out in attack. Pulyaev thumps the body again and unloads with a heavy left, and Gautier is starting to slow and increasingly look for the knockout blow. Pulyaev scores once and dodges the responses, and he jabs Gautier on the way out. Gautier continues stalking forward, his volume falling off fairly fast, and Pulyaev has been staging a comeback effort with multiple effective body shots. Pulyaev takes a groin shot, tells Smith he wants to keep at it, and they trade hands until the bell. Pulyaev may have stolen the round back after the early adversity, but judges’ scores may vary.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev
Round 2
The middleweights clap hands before getting to business, and Pulyaev starts off with distant kicks. He brings a high kick up that gets blocked, and takes a right hand across the forward bow as he bounces off the fencing. The Russian rips the body with a kick, and he smacks Gautier with a solid left. Gautier is left swinging at air, as he is a fraction of his former speed but still throwing with everything he has. This allows Pulyaev to potshot him with strikes, and his investment of body work has already paid off handsomely. Pulyaev gets in with a left hand and out of the way before Gautier can respond, and he belts his man in the gut again. Gautier steels himself to absorb a left hand so he can hurl back a big right, and Pulyaev wears it well. Body kicks fly from both sides, and Pulyaev doubles up on the midsection work but is caught with an overhand right. The Russian stumbles and falls on his seat, and as if he had springs in his shorts, bounds right back upright no worse for wear.
Gautier continues slowly plodding forward like a Terminator, loading up his right hand but getting nailed with a high kick and a sharp jab before tossing it out. Gautier is not about to stop hurling heavy leather, and he backs Pulyaev up against the wall and sets him down once more. Pulyaev gets back up, and Gautier stalks him down and unloads on him as Pulyaev largely defends the worst of the blows. Gautier takes some time to regenerate his energy resources, and he pitches a high kick that brushes his foe’s face. Pulyaev gets in a left hand, ducks the right, and slips. A Pulyaev head kick goes wide, and his efforts to target the body have slowed. Both men land push kicks to the knee, and Pulyaev slaps Gautier in the face with the instep of his foot. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Round 3
Pulyaev back-hands a glove touch and stays out of range, wrapping his foot upside Gautier’s head to reintroduce himself. Gautier strikes back with a brutal right hand that stings the Russian once more, but Pulyaev is able to shake it off and keep strafing to the right away from the power. Gautier still loads up on his haymakers, and Pulyaev sees them coming a mile away and tosses back a kick. Pulyaev’s distant strikes have bloodied up Gautier’s nose, and he knows Gautier is going to throw everything at him. He does just that, and Pulyaev zips away. The volume drops off a cliff from these two middleweights, largely relegated to single swings at one another as the action slows.
Gautier keeps his guard up to defend a high kick, and he times Pulyaev bending to the side with a shin to the chin. Pulyaev’s chin is made of sterner stuff, as he absorbs what comes at him and manages to tag Gautier right back. When Pulyaev attacks the body, Gautier counters him with a scooping left. As Pulyaev stays to a wide berth, he chips at the heavy swinger and ducks down to land a big left. Gautier’s looping counters hit air and little more, so he elects to work the body with a kick. Pulyaev lines up a jab to nail the torso with another kick, and Gautier wears it well but is slow as molasses. Pulyaev whiffs on a high kick and walks around the cage as time expires, with the two surprising the masses and going to a decision. It’s anyone’s guess how the judges will value the damage and knockdowns in this matchup.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev (29-28 Gautier)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev (29-28 Pulyaev)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev (29-28 Pulyaev)
The Official Result
Ateba Abega Gautier def. Andrey Pulyaev via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Ateba Gautier, calling him a nasty striker with incredible speed and power. He notes Gautier fades but usually finishes early. He acknowledges Andrey Pulyaev is a capable striker with a good jab but believes Gautier will likely win by knockout. He suggests looking for prop bets to find value at minus 800.
Big Brady calls this a 'sanctioned murder,' praising Gautier's manager for feeding him easy opponents. He notes Gautier has spent only about 5-6 minutes in the UFC and has knocked out everyone. He believes Pulyaev will back up and get knocked out in round one, possibly fatally.
Cody is very confident in Ateba Gautier, comparing him to Francis Ngannou in terms of athleticism and power. He believes Gautier's physicality and striking will overwhelm Pulyaev, who has poor grappling and a weak chin. Cody expects a first-round finish and has bets on Gautier by KO and under 1.5 rounds.
Connor sees Gautier as a promising prospect with a great head for MMA, while Pulyaev has terrible retreating defense and collapses inward when backing up. He notes that Gautier is an insistent pressure fighter who manages his range well, stepping in with a one-two and then taking a half-step back to land again. Connor believes Pulyaev's poor footwork and tendency to fold under pressure will be exploited.
Daniel Vreeland picks Ateba Gautier to win. He notes Gautier's physicality, knockout power, and youth at 23. He acknowledges that Pulyaev is a step up in competition and is durable, but believes Gautier's confidence and power will be the difference. Vreeland is curious about the over 1.5 rounds prop but ultimately picks Gautier.
James is extremely confident, calling Gautier an elite striker with amazing ringcraft and patience. He dismisses the narrative that Gautier only wins due to athleticism, emphasizing his technical striking. He predicts a KO win, possibly in the first round.
The host picks Gautier by first-round knockout, citing his power and explosiveness. He notes that Pulyaev is a striker but may struggle with Gautier's power and could try grappling unsuccessfully. He recommends the under 1.5 rounds as a better bet than the moneyline, as Gautier is a heavy favorite.
Paul is also confident in Gautier, calling him a future champion. He notes Gautier's youth, athleticism, and power, and believes Pulyaev's striking-heavy style plays into Gautier's hands. Paul expects a dominant performance and will include Gautier in parlays despite the high price.
The MMA Guru picks Ateba Gautier, calling it a lock due to the massive odds (-1000). He notes Gautier's finishing ability and Pulyaev's hesitancy, but also mentions a potential grappling weakness for Gautier. He predicts a first-round TKO via body shots.
Zane agrees that Gautier is the pick, highlighting that Pulyaev is not a step up from previous opponents and that Gautier's pressure and range management will be too much. He notes that Pulyaev's retreating defense is terrible and that Gautier will keep him trapped and land consistently. Zane also comments on the smart booking for Gautier's development.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 1 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 6 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Treston Vines | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ateba Gautier | 1 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 6 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Treston Vines | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 6 of 12 | 50% | 4 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 3 |
| Treston Vines | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 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 | Ateba Gautier | 6 of 12 | 50% | 4 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 3 |
| Treston Vines | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gautier (-1600), Vines (+900)
Round 1
Two knock-er-outers enter, and one knock-er-outer will leave. Cameroonian slugger Gautier (8-1, 2-0 UFC) will come in as a ludicrous betting favorite against late replacement Vines (10-3, 0-0 UFC). Referee Marc Goddard will make sure that the middleweights do not go too far when they lay into one another. Before swinging for the bleachers, the power punchers wade towards one another, without a glove touch in sight.
Vines takes a very wide berth on the outside staying way out of range. Gautier walks him down and is still feet away from most strikes. He lands a single uppercut when getting in close, and Vines is too far out to kick him in the front leg. Gautier scores a right hand, and Vines bounces into the fencing and retreats further. Fans do not love the approach of Vines, who changes his mind and runs forward shooting for a takedown. Gautier sees the telegraphed shot and blasts his man in the face with a knee, and Vines hits the ground in trouble. Vines bounces back up as Gautier allows him to do this, and he pursues another takedown.
This time, Gautier defends with elbows to the side of the dome, and he throws Vines to his seat and unloads with vicious power punches. Three demolishing punches completely separate Vines from his senses, and Goddard has to step in earlier than he expected because Vines is done like dinner
. That is another knockout for the powerhouse from Cameroon, who is not far from ranked opposition if he carries on like this.
The Official Result
Ateba Abega Gautier def. Treston Vines R1 1:41 via KO (Elbows and Punches)
Angelo is extremely confident in Ateba Gautier, calling him a minus-950 favorite who should knock out Treston Vines. He highlights Gautier's nasty striking, incredible speed, and power, and notes that Vines doesn't use his range well. He expects an early knockout.
Big Brady is extremely confident in Ateba Gautier, calling the fight inhumane and suggesting it could result in the first death in UFC history. He believes Gautier will win by first-round knockout and expresses concern for Treston Vines' safety. He even holds a moment of silence for Vines.
Gautier is predicted to win by first-round knockout against Vines, who comes in on short notice for his UFC debut.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 1 | 19 of 37 | 51% | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Robert Valentin | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 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 | Ateba Gautier | 1 | 19 of 37 | 51% | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Robert Valentin | 0 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 19 of 37 | 51% | 16 of 34 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
| Robert Valentin | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ateba Gautier | 19 of 37 | 51% | 16 of 34 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 |
| Robert Valentin | 2 of 5 | 40% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gautier (-470), Valentin (+360)
Round 1
The UFC matchmakers did their best to put together pairs of fighters that could produce fireworks, and this middleweight tilt is one more on the board. Cameroon’s Gautier (7-1, 1-0 UFC) knows one speed, while Valentin (10-5, 1 NC; 0-2 UFC) needs to slow him down and engage the grappling if he wants to leave with his head attached to his shoulders. The third man in the Octagon for this ESPN prelim opener will be referee Herb Dean. The fighters do not touch ‘em up.
Valentin hops forward behind knees that he does not launch, doing so three times as Gautier does not bite once. The Swiss competitor lands a low kick, and Gautier is ready to brawl. He lets loose a flurry of punches staring with a left that stuns Valentin and bounces him off the fencing. Gautier lashes out again with another clean series of punches, and Valentin tries to run away and falls over. Valentin gets his bearings again and shakes his head to wave Gautier on, but this is the worst idea he can have as Gautier gladly obliges him. Valentin keeps his guard up, and Gautier still whips punches around them. “The Silent Assassin” loudly crashes forward with a slew of punches concluding with a vicious uppercut, and a subsequent knee makes Valentin think twice about his career decisions to that point.
Gautier unleashes right-hand bombs that explode on Valentin’s chin again and again until Valentin’s legs give way beneath him. The Cameroonian batters the downed Valentin with standing-to-ground punches until Dean has seen enough and forces his way between them.
This was one-way traffic for the Manchester Top Team-trained athlete, who is quick to embrace the defeated Valentin and his team before seeking his own. That makes it seven knockouts in eight wins for the middleweight out of Cameroon.
The Official Result
Ateba Abega Gautier def. Robert Valentin R1 1:10 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Ateba Gautier, citing his speed, power, and combinations. He notes that Robert Valentin is a creative but hittable striker who doesn't wrestle early. He believes Gautier will be too much on the feet and finish early.
Big Brady picks Ateba Gautier, citing his dynamite power and physical strength. He notes Gautier knocked out durable Jose Medina and expects him to finish Robert Valentin in the first round. He believes Valentin will stand and trade, which favors Gautier.
Connor picks Gautier confidently, citing his impressive fundamentals, range management, and finishing ability. He notes that Valentin is a messy brawler with poor technique, and Gautier's simple but effective striking should overwhelm him. However, he acknowledges a chance that Valentin could make it messy with grappling.
The host notes Gautier is a physical specimen but still young at 23, and Valentin could make things difficult. He picks Gautier to land a big shot and put Valentin away, but warns not to get carried away with the minus 500 odds, indicating hesitation.
The MMA Guru picks Ateba Gautier over Robert Valentin, predicting a first or second-round TKO. He notes that Valentin is wild and often jumps into his strikes, lifting his chin, which Gautier can exploit. Gautier is described as a young prospect with potential, though he showed some problems in his Contender Series fight. The Guru acknowledges that Valentin is dangerous and has finishing potential, but believes Gautier will find the chin and finish him.
Zane picks Gautier, noting his impressive performance against Medina and his physical attributes. He contrasts Gautier's refined skills with Valentin's poorly defined game, but warns that Valentin's pressure and grappling could pose a test.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Daniel Medina | 0 | 17 of 33 | 51% | 17 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ateba Gautier | 1 | 28 of 50 | 56% | 28 of 50 | 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 | José Daniel Medina | 0 | 17 of 33 | 51% | 17 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ateba Gautier | 1 | 28 of 50 | 56% | 28 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Daniel Medina | 17 of 33 | 51% | 6 of 21 | 6 of 7 | 5 of 5 | 17 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ateba Gautier | 28 of 50 | 56% | 24 of 43 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 48 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | José Daniel Medina | 17 of 33 | 51% | 6 of 21 | 6 of 7 | 5 of 5 | 17 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ateba Gautier | 28 of 50 | 56% | 24 of 43 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 48 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Connor picks Gautier, calling him a 'monster' despite being unrefined. He believes Gautier's physicality will overwhelm Medina, who is underpowered and uncoordinated. Even if Medina wrestles, Connor expects Gautier to come back and knock him out.
Zane picks Gautier, agreeing with Connor that there is a huge physical gulf. He notes that Medina might try to wrestle but doubts he can do enough damage. Zane expects it to look like a man fighting a bear.
Andrey Pulyaev - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruziboev (-225); Pulyaev (+180)
Round 1
Lanky middleweights Ruziboev and Pulyaev engage at a word from referee Marc Goddard. Pulyaev is southpaw, Ruziboev orthodox. Pulyaev is mobile early, circling around the outside as Ruziboev moves more conservatively, cutting off the cage and reaching out with range-finding jabs. Ruziboev grabs a snatch single-leg and dumps Pulyaev to his seat at the base of the fence. Pulyaev stands back up, and Ruziboev drags him to the canvas once more, moving to the Russian’s back and going supine in the middle of the cage with nearly three full minutes to work. Pulyaev guards his neck and tries to sit up, but Ruziboev is ultra-patient, locking up a modified body triangle, boxing Pulyaev’s ears with short punches and looking for a chance to reapply the choke. This is like watching a python swallow a goat. Ruziboev sinks an arm under the chin and squeezes, and Pulyaev is astral traveling within seconds. The man is out cold, eyes wide open, and Goddard steps in for the save. Ruziboev gets up to celebrate, leaving Pulyaev facedown and snoozing. Wow.
The Official Result
Nursulton Ruziboev def. Andrey Pulyaev R1 3:58 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
AJ picks Ruziboev due to his veteran savvy, 47-fight experience, and 20 submission wins. He thinks Pulyaev's resume is thin and that Ruziboev can outwork him, possibly mixing in takedowns. He expects the fight to go over 1.5 rounds and likes Ruziboev by decision or late finish.
AJ DeVito mentions Nursulton Ruziboev by submission at +1000 as a DGEN prop, noting he has many submission wins. He is not overconfident but thinks it's live.
AJ thinks Ruziboev can outgrapple Pulyaev and win a decision or submission. He notes Pulyaev is not physical, skinny, and lacks damaging power, while Ruziboev has a decent ground game and hits harder. AJ expects Ruziboev to bully Pulyaev in the clinch and on the mat.
AJ leans towards Ruziboev by decision, citing his superior MMA grappling, experience (47 pro fights), and ability to control the cage. He expects Ruziboev to outwork Pulyaev over three rounds, mixing in clinch work and takedowns. Pulyaev is durable but less versatile.
Angelo picks Ruziboev, highlighting his wrestling and grappling skills from regional tape. He notes that Ruziboev is a good striker and a very good grappler, and expects him to win by wrestling after getting jabbed a few times. He is surprised the line is tightening.
Angelo is very confident in Nurullo, citing his well-rounded skills and size advantage. He believes Nurullo will mix in takedowns and win on the ground or striking. He notes that Andre Pulyaev is tough but that this matchup is worse for him than his last fight. He thinks -225 is a discount.
Angelo includes Ruziboev in a parlay of confident picks, suggesting he expects him to win. No further analysis is provided in the transcript.
Big Brady picks Andrey Pulyaev to win by decision, though he dislikes the fight. He notes Pulyaev runs away and throws low-volume kicks, but Ruziboev is also low-volume and won't grapple. Brady thinks Pulyaev's 'BS' striking might be enough to win a terrible decision, calling it a potential 'worst fight in UFC history.' He will not bet on it.
Cody passes on this fight, not having strong conviction. He might consider a Ruziboev round one prop at plus 300, but otherwise no play.
Daniel Levi leans towards Nursulton Ruziboev, citing his urgency and willingness to push the pace compared to Andrey Pulyaev, who tends to get on his bike and not do enough. He respects Pulyaev's durability and craftiness but believes Ruziboev will try harder and take the fight to him. Levi expects a competitive fight but trusts Ruziboev's gas pedal more.
Jacob picks Ruziboev by submission, noting his submission arsenal is more dangerous than anything Pulyaev has faced. He thinks Ruziboev has sneaky power and can finish via submission or KO. He likes the submission prop at a good price.
Lucrative James picks Andrey Pulyaev despite it being a risky pick, because he believes Pulyaev's activity, body shots, and improving striking will be key. He notes that Ruziboev has cardio issues and doesn't look good outside round one, and that Pulyaev has faced tough competition recently. He expects Ruziboev to hurt Pulyaev early, but Pulyaev to take over in rounds two and three and win a decision.
Ruziboev is aggressive and will bully Pulyaev, finding a big shot to wobble him and then jumping on a submission. Pulyaev has a striking base but Ruziboev's pressure and reach disadvantage for Pulyaev should allow Ruziboev to control the pace. However, Ruziboev is not a favorite to play at chalk.
The host is not a big fan of Ruziboev but thinks this matchup allows him to land big shots on Pulyaev and mix in his grappling. He predicts a submission victory for the Uzbek native.
Paul picks Pulyaev as a dog, citing his southpaw stance, volume, and reach advantage. He notes Ruziboev's low volume and limited skills, and believes Pulyaev will outwork him. He sees value at plus money.
The Guru leans with Pulyaev via decision, considering him a live underdog. He notes Pulyaev's mobility, southpaw stance, and difficulty to finish, while Ruziboev has not fought in a while and may struggle with Pulyaev's range and kicks. He sees it as a pick'em fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 2 | 34 of 112 | 30% | 34 of 112 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 59 of 123 | 47% | 59 of 123 | 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 | Ateba Gautier | 1 | 8 of 42 | 19% | 8 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 19 of 37 | 51% | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ateba Gautier | 1 | 15 of 41 | 36% | 15 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ateba Gautier | 0 | 11 of 29 | 37% | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 34 of 112 | 30% | 24 of 98 | 9 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 30 of 103 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 59 of 123 | 47% | 34 of 83 | 19 of 32 | 6 of 8 | 57 of 121 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ateba Gautier | 8 of 42 | 19% | 8 of 39 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 19 of 37 | 51% | 12 of 26 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ateba Gautier | 15 of 41 | 36% | 9 of 35 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 34 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 24 of 46 | 52% | 15 of 33 | 5 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ateba Gautier | 11 of 29 | 37% | 7 of 24 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 16 of 40 | 40% | 7 of 24 | 7 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gautier (-900), Pulyaev (+600)
Round 1
It’s knock out or get knocked out as these prelims keep racing towards the finish line. With a mighty 2025 campaign of three first-round strike stoppages at his back, Gautier (9-1, 3-0 UFC) is aiming to become not only a breakout competitor at the age of 23, but a bona fide contender. To get there, he will have to defeat brick that hits back in the form of Pulyaev (10-3, 1-1 UFC). Ready on standby with the smelling salts is—well, it’s not referee Mark Smith, and instead the medical team, but you get the drill—and the power punchers tap their gloves together before swinging them.
Pulyaev looks for a stomp kick to the knee, and is out of range from a high kick from the other leg. Gautier wings a range-finding right hand, and he misses the mark. He stalks the Russian down and blasts him in the face with a cruise missile of a right hand, knocking Pulyaev clean off his feet. Gautier allows him to come back up to his feet and backs off, so that he can stalk his prey further. Pulyaev gets clipped again as he backpedals, with Gautier’s power so overwhelming that he is questioning his life decisions at the moment. The Russian proceeds to work the body with a kick, and sneaks in a left hand to get Gautier’s attention. Gautier gives him a right hand right back, and Pulyaev rolls with the punches and bounces off the cage wall. Gautier scores twice more with clubbing rights, and Pulyaev gets on his bike and starts jabbing. He reaches the target with a left, and dodges a telegraphed Gautier overhand right.
The Alexander Shlemenko protégé surprises Gautier with distance strikes, fighting through a storm and continuing to target the midsection. Gautier lays into him with a right hand, and Pulyaev strikes back and opens a cut on the corner of the betting favorite’s left eye. Pulyaev sticks his man with a one-two, and he knocks Gautier off-balance when Gautier sells out in attack. Pulyaev thumps the body again and unloads with a heavy left, and Gautier is starting to slow and increasingly look for the knockout blow. Pulyaev scores once and dodges the responses, and he jabs Gautier on the way out. Gautier continues stalking forward, his volume falling off fairly fast, and Pulyaev has been staging a comeback effort with multiple effective body shots. Pulyaev takes a groin shot, tells Smith he wants to keep at it, and they trade hands until the bell. Pulyaev may have stolen the round back after the early adversity, but judges’ scores may vary.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev
Round 2
The middleweights clap hands before getting to business, and Pulyaev starts off with distant kicks. He brings a high kick up that gets blocked, and takes a right hand across the forward bow as he bounces off the fencing. The Russian rips the body with a kick, and he smacks Gautier with a solid left. Gautier is left swinging at air, as he is a fraction of his former speed but still throwing with everything he has. This allows Pulyaev to potshot him with strikes, and his investment of body work has already paid off handsomely. Pulyaev gets in with a left hand and out of the way before Gautier can respond, and he belts his man in the gut again. Gautier steels himself to absorb a left hand so he can hurl back a big right, and Pulyaev wears it well. Body kicks fly from both sides, and Pulyaev doubles up on the midsection work but is caught with an overhand right. The Russian stumbles and falls on his seat, and as if he had springs in his shorts, bounds right back upright no worse for wear.
Gautier continues slowly plodding forward like a Terminator, loading up his right hand but getting nailed with a high kick and a sharp jab before tossing it out. Gautier is not about to stop hurling heavy leather, and he backs Pulyaev up against the wall and sets him down once more. Pulyaev gets back up, and Gautier stalks him down and unloads on him as Pulyaev largely defends the worst of the blows. Gautier takes some time to regenerate his energy resources, and he pitches a high kick that brushes his foe’s face. Pulyaev gets in a left hand, ducks the right, and slips. A Pulyaev head kick goes wide, and his efforts to target the body have slowed. Both men land push kicks to the knee, and Pulyaev slaps Gautier in the face with the instep of his foot. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Round 3
Pulyaev back-hands a glove touch and stays out of range, wrapping his foot upside Gautier’s head to reintroduce himself. Gautier strikes back with a brutal right hand that stings the Russian once more, but Pulyaev is able to shake it off and keep strafing to the right away from the power. Gautier still loads up on his haymakers, and Pulyaev sees them coming a mile away and tosses back a kick. Pulyaev’s distant strikes have bloodied up Gautier’s nose, and he knows Gautier is going to throw everything at him. He does just that, and Pulyaev zips away. The volume drops off a cliff from these two middleweights, largely relegated to single swings at one another as the action slows.
Gautier keeps his guard up to defend a high kick, and he times Pulyaev bending to the side with a shin to the chin. Pulyaev’s chin is made of sterner stuff, as he absorbs what comes at him and manages to tag Gautier right back. When Pulyaev attacks the body, Gautier counters him with a scooping left. As Pulyaev stays to a wide berth, he chips at the heavy swinger and ducks down to land a big left. Gautier’s looping counters hit air and little more, so he elects to work the body with a kick. Pulyaev lines up a jab to nail the torso with another kick, and Gautier wears it well but is slow as molasses. Pulyaev whiffs on a high kick and walks around the cage as time expires, with the two surprising the masses and going to a decision. It’s anyone’s guess how the judges will value the damage and knockdowns in this matchup.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev (29-28 Gautier)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev (29-28 Pulyaev)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev (29-28 Pulyaev)
The Official Result
Ateba Abega Gautier def. Andrey Pulyaev via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Ateba Gautier, calling him a nasty striker with incredible speed and power. He notes Gautier fades but usually finishes early. He acknowledges Andrey Pulyaev is a capable striker with a good jab but believes Gautier will likely win by knockout. He suggests looking for prop bets to find value at minus 800.
Big Brady calls this a 'sanctioned murder,' praising Gautier's manager for feeding him easy opponents. He notes Gautier has spent only about 5-6 minutes in the UFC and has knocked out everyone. He believes Pulyaev will back up and get knocked out in round one, possibly fatally.
Cody is very confident in Ateba Gautier, comparing him to Francis Ngannou in terms of athleticism and power. He believes Gautier's physicality and striking will overwhelm Pulyaev, who has poor grappling and a weak chin. Cody expects a first-round finish and has bets on Gautier by KO and under 1.5 rounds.
Connor sees Gautier as a promising prospect with a great head for MMA, while Pulyaev has terrible retreating defense and collapses inward when backing up. He notes that Gautier is an insistent pressure fighter who manages his range well, stepping in with a one-two and then taking a half-step back to land again. Connor believes Pulyaev's poor footwork and tendency to fold under pressure will be exploited.
Daniel Vreeland picks Ateba Gautier to win. He notes Gautier's physicality, knockout power, and youth at 23. He acknowledges that Pulyaev is a step up in competition and is durable, but believes Gautier's confidence and power will be the difference. Vreeland is curious about the over 1.5 rounds prop but ultimately picks Gautier.
James is extremely confident, calling Gautier an elite striker with amazing ringcraft and patience. He dismisses the narrative that Gautier only wins due to athleticism, emphasizing his technical striking. He predicts a KO win, possibly in the first round.
The host picks Gautier by first-round knockout, citing his power and explosiveness. He notes that Pulyaev is a striker but may struggle with Gautier's power and could try grappling unsuccessfully. He recommends the under 1.5 rounds as a better bet than the moneyline, as Gautier is a heavy favorite.
Paul is also confident in Gautier, calling him a future champion. He notes Gautier's youth, athleticism, and power, and believes Pulyaev's striking-heavy style plays into Gautier's hands. Paul expects a dominant performance and will include Gautier in parlays despite the high price.
The MMA Guru picks Ateba Gautier, calling it a lock due to the massive odds (-1000). He notes Gautier's finishing ability and Pulyaev's hesitancy, but also mentions a potential grappling weakness for Gautier. He predicts a first-round TKO via body shots.
Zane agrees that Gautier is the pick, highlighting that Pulyaev is not a step up from previous opponents and that Gautier's pressure and range management will be too much. He notes that Pulyaev's retreating defense is terrible and that Gautier will keep him trapped and land consistently. Zane also comments on the smart booking for Gautier's development.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 19 of 33 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 1 | 0 | 4:45 |
| Nick Klein | 1 | 23 of 31 | 74% | 30 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 9 of 18 | 50% | 18 of 30 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 3:55 |
| Nick Klein | 0 | 12 of 18 | 66% | 17 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Nick Klein | 1 | 11 of 13 | 84% | 13 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrey Pulyaev | 10 of 21 | 47% | 5 of 13 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 11 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Nick Klein | 23 of 31 | 74% | 15 of 22 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 18 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrey Pulyaev | 9 of 18 | 50% | 5 of 12 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Nick Klein | 12 of 18 | 66% | 7 of 12 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 10 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andrey Pulyaev | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Nick Klein | 11 of 13 | 84% | 8 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pulyaev (-160); Klein (+130)
Round 1
With both of these middleweights coming off of miserable promotional debuts, something’s gotta give in the next 15 minutes or less. Klein (6-2, 0-1 UFC) had his chin checked in February, while Pulyaev (9-3, 0-1 UFC) found himself offensively muted in March. When the dust settles, someone will likely earn their first win in the Octagon, and they will be accompanied by referee Chris Tognoni every step of the way. A clap of hands precedes the action.
Pulyaev takes to the center of the cage but has to dodge two front kicks right out of the gate. Klein crashes forward and takes him to the mat, where he starts bludgeoning the Russian with powerful punches. Pulyaev fights back to his feet, and Klein dramatically mat returns him. When they land, Klein circles around to take Pulyaev’s back, getting both hooks in while fishing for a rear-naked choke. Pulyaev fights the hands to defend the submission, and he pushes his feet off the wall to get some leverage to escape. This allows him to kick off, and Klein is on him like a dog with a bone as he goes after a double. Pulyaev posts off his hands to not go down, but Klein is still behind him trying to wrangle him to the floor. Klein transitions to a single, but the taller fighter staves it off and knees Klein in the belly. Klein responds in kind. Tognoni asks for Klein to do more.
They trade short knees and body shots on the inside, with Klein imposing his weight all the while. The knees from Klein produce a louder sound upon impact, and he tries for a single or two but is stood up each time. Pulyaev desperately escapes with a minute to go, and he lets his hands go and blasts Klein in the face with three crisp punches. Klein hurries to clinch him back up rather than getting smacked in the face repeatedly, looping his leg around Pulyaev’s for a body lock effort. Pulyaev fights it off and knees his man in the jaw, following with a left hand. Klein hits him back and races after him to bowl him over, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Klein
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Klein
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Klein
Round 2
Pulyaev shakes his arms out before getting going, and they bump fists. Pulyaev reintroduces himself with a head kick that shakes Klein’s mullet, and Klein responds with a single-leg entry. The attempt pushes the Russian to the wall, where Klein gladly embraces the grind as he knees his opponent a few times as he searches for a body lock. Pulyaev tries to grab the fence to stay upright, and Tognoni is paying close attention. Pulyaev reverse-somersaults to get out and stands back up, where he grabs hold of a clinch to hammer Klein with knees to the body. One stern knee from Pulyaev slashes open Klein’s right eyebrow. Klein backs off, his body language changing drastically, and
Pulyaev blasts him in the liver with his shin that makes a popping sound. Klein reels from the savage blow, backing up a bit but not fast enough to avoid a one-two down the pipe. The destructive left hand from Pulyaev sends Klein collapsing to the mat, and on the way down, Pulyaev delivers one punctuating soccer kick of questionable legality—replays show it appears to have snuck under the arms to connect to the body. To finish the job, Pulyaev smashes his foe in the face with a left hand, and Klein slumps over as Tognoni rushes in to stop the fight.
That tale of two fights could scarcely be more different, and the end result is what matters: Pulyaev records a knockout in his first UFC win, as he puts Klein on his first losing streak.
The Official Result
Andrey Pulyaev def. Nick Klein R2 1:31 via TKO (Body Kick and Punches)
Connor picks Nick Klein because he has a clear, direct game plan focused on wrestling and pace, while Pulyaev is a passive range fighter who struggles when opponents get inside. However, Connor notes that Klein's striking is underdeveloped and he may struggle to set up takedowns if he can't close distance effectively. He acknowledges the fight is low-level and either fighter could win if they implement their game.
Zane also picks Klein, agreeing that Pulyaev's game is structured to keep him away from a fight, while Klein will pursue and chase. However, Zane worries that if Klein can't get his wrestling going early, he could get picked apart by Pulyaev's range tools. He notes Klein's striking is raw and he may struggle to set up takedowns.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 73 of 141 | 51% | 116 of 187 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 5:36 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 18 of 55 | 32% | 36 of 78 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 16 of 34 | 47% | 44 of 62 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:50 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 14 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 28 of 57 | 49% | 31 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 12 of 36 | 33% | 14 of 38 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 3 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 29 of 50 | 58% | 41 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 8 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 73 of 141 | 51% | 35 of 87 | 17 of 28 | 21 of 26 | 47 of 105 | 26 of 36 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 18 of 55 | 32% | 8 of 43 | 7 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 48 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 16 of 34 | 47% | 6 of 17 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 8 of 23 | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 4 of 11 | 36% | 1 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 28 of 57 | 49% | 10 of 33 | 5 of 9 | 13 of 15 | 27 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 12 of 36 | 33% | 6 of 28 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 34 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 29 of 50 | 58% | 19 of 37 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 26 | 17 of 24 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 2 of 8 | 25% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Duncan (-625), Pulyaev (+455)
Round 1
Jason Herzog will be the third man in the cage for this middleweight bout. Duncan lands a couple leg kicks early. Pulyaev just misses on a head kick. Duncan applies pressure and then moves in behind a spinning back elbow and a punching combination against the fence. Duncan forces the clinch and throws a few knees in close quarters.Pulyaev is able to reverse and turn his foe into the fence. Pulyaev tries to lift Duncan but is unsuccessful as they remain engaged. Now Duncan reverses position as the clinch battle continues. Duncan creates space to land a right hand but they remain in something of a stalemate. Duncan lands some knees and Herzog checks with Pulyaev to make sure they weren’t low. Pulyaev says he’s good. The grinding fight continues, and it’s Duncan staying busy with knees to the thighs and body. With about 50 seconds to go, Herzog breaks them up. Pulyaev lands a body kick and Dunan moves forward with a jab. Pulyaev slams a kick up high off Duncan’s forearm. They end the round at distance.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Round 2
Duncan lands a kick to the knees and then another up high. Pulyaev answers with a high kick that’s blocked. Duncan pressures with punches, backing Pulyaev up before shooting for the takedown. Now we’re back in the clinch, with Duncan shoving the Russian into the wire. Pulyaev uses a body lock to turn his man around and he lands a solid knee. They seprate and Duncan moves in with a clean right hand .Duncan keeps the pressure on, as Pulyaev is on the defensive. A spinning back kick from Duncan lands on his foe’s leg. Duncan lands a leg kick. A left partially lands for the Englishman. Pulyaev kicks the body, but Duncan answers with a 1-2 and a kick to the body. A spinning back elbow and a left puts Pulyaev on the defensive. Duncan keeps moving forward with a front kick. Pulyaev finds space to land a body kick. Duncan keeps stalking, looking for openings. He lands a couple solid leg kicks as Pulyaev circles on the outside. Duncan misses on a spinning high kick at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Round 3
Duncan gets back to work with a kick heavy attack, some that land, and some that keep his opponent guessing. Pulyaev has a head kick blocked. Duncan grabs the clinch and lands a forceful shoulder strike, pulling his foe’s head down from the plum. They battle for control in the clinch, a recurring theme at various times in this fight. Herzog urges the fighters to keep working and they separate on their own. Pulyev gets a body lock, but Duncan denies the takedown. Pulyaev has double underhooks, but not much is happening here. Pulyaev throws an elbow as they break. Duncan misses a right and Pulyaev forces the clinch again. Duncan reverses and lands a knee against the fence. Duncan whiffs on a spinning elbow and the Russian takes the opportunity to shove his man into the cage. Pulyaev briefly gets a rear body lock, but it’s fleeting, as Duncan takes control of the ongoing clinch battle. Duncan creates space and lands a forceful knee. Moments later, Duncan lands a glancing flying knee before the combatants return to the clinch. Herzog tells them to work. Duncan finds space and lands a few elbows. Late in the round, Duncan hurts his foe near the fence and tees off with punches, elbows and knees. Pulyaev covers up and is able to survive until the end of the fight.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Duncan (30-27 Duncan)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Duncan (30-27 Duncan)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Duncan (30-27 Duncan)
The Official Result
Christian Leroy Duncan def. Andrey Pulyaev via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Christian Leroy Duncan as a massive favorite, stating the odds are spot on. He notes that while Duncan was out-wrestled in his last fight, Pulyaev's striking is limited to an occasional jab, so Duncan won't have to worry about power. He believes Duncan's takedown defense will hold up, and as the fight goes on, Pulyaev's takedowns will become sloppier.
Brady sees Duncan as a big favorite who beats lower-level guys in spectacular fashion. He thinks Pulyaev is in the same category as Duncan's previous wins. Brady predicts a second-round knockout, noting Pulyaev looked good on the contender series but fought a punching bag.
Connor agrees with Zane, calling Pulyaev a failed experiment with very low level competition. He notes Duncan is tough, athletic, and has developing clinch skills. Connor thinks Pulyaev's main instinct to yank his head back will be exploited by Duncan's dynamic striking.
The host believes Duncan is far more athletic, powerful, and quicker on the feet, which will lead to a knockout in the second or third round. He emphasizes Duncan's physical advantages.
The Guru confidently picks Christian Leroy Duncan, believing he is too powerful and dense for Pulyaev, who he describes as frail and manipulatable. He expects Duncan to pressure Pulyaev backwards, push him against the cage, and land knees and elbows. He predicts a TKO in round two, as Pulyaev becomes more hesitant after being pressured early.
Zane picks Duncan confidently, noting Pulyaev's wins are built on being the only tall guy on his regional scene. He thinks Pulyaev has bad defensive reactions and is hittable, while Duncan is athletic, fast, powerful, and aggressive. Zane believes Duncan will cover distance well and find the holes in Pulyaev's game.
Expert Picks (10)
Angelo picks Ateba Gautier, calling him a nasty striker with incredible speed and power. He notes Gautier fades but usually finishes early. He acknowledges Andrey Pulyaev is a capable striker with a good jab but believes Gautier will likely win by knockout. He suggests looking for prop bets to find value at minus 800.
Big Brady calls this a 'sanctioned murder,' praising Gautier's manager for feeding him easy opponents. He notes Gautier has spent only about 5-6 minutes in the UFC and has knocked out everyone. He believes Pulyaev will back up and get knocked out in round one, possibly fatally.
Cody is very confident in Ateba Gautier, comparing him to Francis Ngannou in terms of athleticism and power. He believes Gautier's physicality and striking will overwhelm Pulyaev, who has poor grappling and a weak chin. Cody expects a first-round finish and has bets on Gautier by KO and under 1.5 rounds.
Connor sees Gautier as a promising prospect with a great head for MMA, while Pulyaev has terrible retreating defense and collapses inward when backing up. He notes that Gautier is an insistent pressure fighter who manages his range well, stepping in with a one-two and then taking a half-step back to land again. Connor believes Pulyaev's poor footwork and tendency to fold under pressure will be exploited.
Daniel Vreeland picks Ateba Gautier to win. He notes Gautier's physicality, knockout power, and youth at 23. He acknowledges that Pulyaev is a step up in competition and is durable, but believes Gautier's confidence and power will be the difference. Vreeland is curious about the over 1.5 rounds prop but ultimately picks Gautier.
James is extremely confident, calling Gautier an elite striker with amazing ringcraft and patience. He dismisses the narrative that Gautier only wins due to athleticism, emphasizing his technical striking. He predicts a KO win, possibly in the first round.
The host picks Gautier by first-round knockout, citing his power and explosiveness. He notes that Pulyaev is a striker but may struggle with Gautier's power and could try grappling unsuccessfully. He recommends the under 1.5 rounds as a better bet than the moneyline, as Gautier is a heavy favorite.
Paul is also confident in Gautier, calling him a future champion. He notes Gautier's youth, athleticism, and power, and believes Pulyaev's striking-heavy style plays into Gautier's hands. Paul expects a dominant performance and will include Gautier in parlays despite the high price.
The MMA Guru picks Ateba Gautier, calling it a lock due to the massive odds (-1000). He notes Gautier's finishing ability and Pulyaev's hesitancy, but also mentions a potential grappling weakness for Gautier. He predicts a first-round TKO via body shots.
Zane agrees that Gautier is the pick, highlighting that Pulyaev is not a step up from previous opponents and that Gautier's pressure and range management will be too much. He notes that Pulyaev's retreating defense is terrible and that Gautier will keep him trapped and land consistently. Zane also comments on the smart booking for Gautier's development.
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