Career Averages - Garrett Armfield
Career Averages - Brad Katona
Garrett Armfield
Brad Katona
Garrett Armfield - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 68 of 144 | 47% | 75 of 151 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 3 | 1 | 0:47 |
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 71 of 142 | 50% | 77 of 148 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 1 | 0 | 4:53 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 20 of 41 | 48% | 23 of 44 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 24 of 40 | 60% | 24 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:57 | |
| 2 | Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 39 of 86 | 45% | 40 of 87 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 43 of 92 | 46% | 44 of 93 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 12 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 1 | 0:12 |
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 9 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serhiy Sidey | 68 of 144 | 47% | 40 of 106 | 22 of 31 | 6 of 7 | 60 of 131 | 7 of 12 | 1 of 1 |
| Garrett Armfield | 71 of 142 | 50% | 57 of 127 | 9 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 65 of 133 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serhiy Sidey | 20 of 41 | 48% | 8 of 27 | 8 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 17 of 34 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Garrett Armfield | 24 of 40 | 60% | 20 of 36 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 22 of 37 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Serhiy Sidey | 39 of 86 | 45% | 28 of 68 | 9 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 37 of 84 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Garrett Armfield | 43 of 92 | 46% | 34 of 83 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 42 of 89 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Serhiy Sidey | 9 of 17 | 52% | 4 of 11 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Garrett Armfield | 4 of 10 | 40% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo picks Serhiy Sidey but admits he doesn't love Garrett Armfield for illogical reasons. He notes Sidey is tall and long, can grapple, but is chinny and was dropped in his last fight. He thinks Armfield has power and volume, but questions his durability. He expects a close fight and likely won't bet on it, though he notes Armfield is a good dog if on his side.
Big Brady picks Garrett Armfield as a dog to win by close decision. He acknowledges Sidey's volume and pressure but favors Armfield's power advantage, noting that Sidey has been dropped before. Brady worries about Armfield's cardio but notes he has improved his strength and conditioning. He expects a striking battle that goes the distance, with Armfield's power being the difference.
Cody picks Garrett Armfield, citing his wrestling background, jab, and experience. He notes that Sidey has poor takedown defense and takes too many shots, while Armfield has shown good volume and power. He believes Armfield's wrestling will be the difference, and that Sidey's face will get busted up. He also mentions Armfield's plus money value.
Daniel Vreeland picks Serhiy Sidey, citing his height and reach advantage (5'11" vs 5'6") and improved maturity after training with top bantamweights. He believes Sidey can keep the fight at range and out-volume Armfield, who has a history of gassing late. Vreeland acknowledges Armfield's power and ability to hurt opponents, but thinks Sidey's length and smart fight IQ will secure a win, possibly by decision.
Sidey has the clear striking advantage, and as long as his defensive grappling improvements showcase, he should keep the fight in the striking realm, batter Armfield, and finish him in the second or third round.
Paul also picks Armfield but is hesitant due to a video showing Armfield injuring his arm in a side-by-side accident. He believes Armfield is the better striker and wrestler, but questions his health. He notes that if Armfield is healthy, he should win, but the injury concern gives him pause.
The Guru picks Serhiy Sidey over Garrett Armfield, noting Sidey's reach advantage and prospect status. He was unimpressed by Armfield's last performance against Brady Hiestand, where he was choked out. He expects a scrappy fight on the feet and believes Sidey's straight shots will be effective.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brady Hiestand | 0 | 22 of 50 | 44% | 42 of 76 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 3 | 0 | 5:36 |
| Garrett Armfield | 1 | 49 of 83 | 59% | 59 of 94 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 2:57 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brady Hiestand | 0 | 8 of 17 | 47% | 21 of 33 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 2 | 0 | 2:47 |
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 9 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 1:05 | |
| 2 | Brady Hiestand | 0 | 10 of 26 | 38% | 17 of 36 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Garrett Armfield | 1 | 41 of 64 | 64% | 48 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:52 | |
| 3 | Brady Hiestand | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 4 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 1:17 |
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brady Hiestand | 22 of 50 | 44% | 14 of 39 | 7 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 44 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Garrett Armfield | 49 of 83 | 59% | 41 of 73 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 43 | 5 of 6 | 22 of 34 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brady Hiestand | 8 of 17 | 47% | 4 of 12 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 15 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Garrett Armfield | 6 of 12 | 50% | 3 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brady Hiestand | 10 of 26 | 38% | 7 of 21 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 22 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Garrett Armfield | 41 of 64 | 64% | 37 of 59 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 25 | 4 of 5 | 22 of 34 | |
| 3 | Brady Hiestand | 4 of 7 | 57% | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Garrett Armfield | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Garrett, citing his busy striking, forward pressure, and good takedown defense. He expects the fight to look like Garrett's win over Brad Katona, where he outworks Brady on the feet and wins a decision. He notes Brady struggles with pressure and has not shown he can dominate wrestling or striking.
Cody picks Garrett Armfield, comparing him to last week's Ludovit Klein as a bettable favorite. He notes Armfield's improvement under Trey Ogden at Marathon MMA, his striking advantage, and his takedown defense. Cody believes Armfield can keep the fight standing and outbox Hiestand, who is one-dimensional and lacks activity. He expects a clear decision win for Armfield.
Daniel Vreeland has seen big improvements in Garrett Armfield's game, especially his head movement, boxing, and volume. He notes Armfield hurts everyone he fights with his right hand. He acknowledges Brady Hiestand's durability and grinding style but believes if Armfield keeps it standing, he lands the better shots and possibly gets a knockout or wins a decision.
Jacob picks Garrett but expects a close fight. He notes Garrett's low stance and reaction to faints could be exploited by Brady's overhand right. He thinks Garrett's striking should be enough to win a decision, but Brady's relentless wrestling could make it competitive. He believes Garrett has high fight IQ and knows how to win rounds.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that he has backed Hiestand before and got lucky. He points out that Hiestand's takedowns don't lead to damage and judges are not rewarding control time anymore. Paul thinks Armfield can replicate his performance against Katona and win easily.
The MMA Guru picks Garrett Armfield by second-round TKO. He believes there is a massive boxing composure difference between the two, with Armfield being more composed and able to get back to his feet after takedowns. He notes Armfield's compact frame makes him hard to keep down, and that his win over Brad Katona has aged well. He expects Armfield to push forward and land punches on the feet for a TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 64 of 155 | 41% | 76 of 172 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 0 | 0 | 4:35 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 105 of 168 | 62% | 130 of 193 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garrett Armfield | 0 | 20 of 48 | 41% | 23 of 52 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 31 of 51 | 60% | 31 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Garrett Armfield | 0 | 25 of 66 | 37% | 27 of 71 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 41 of 66 | 62% | 41 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Garrett Armfield | 0 | 19 of 41 | 46% | 26 of 49 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:54 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 33 of 51 | 64% | 58 of 76 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Armfield | 64 of 155 | 41% | 49 of 138 | 8 of 9 | 7 of 8 | 46 of 126 | 17 of 28 | 1 of 1 |
| Brad Katona | 105 of 168 | 62% | 74 of 131 | 21 of 27 | 10 of 10 | 99 of 162 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garrett Armfield | 20 of 48 | 41% | 14 of 41 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 14 of 39 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Katona | 31 of 51 | 60% | 16 of 33 | 8 of 11 | 7 of 7 | 31 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Garrett Armfield | 25 of 66 | 37% | 20 of 60 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 20 of 58 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Katona | 41 of 66 | 62% | 28 of 50 | 10 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 41 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Garrett Armfield | 19 of 41 | 46% | 15 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 29 | 6 of 11 | 1 of 1 |
| Brad Katona | 33 of 51 | 64% | 30 of 48 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 27 of 45 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Katona, citing his footwork, volume, and cardio as advantages. He expects Katona to take over as Armfield slows down, predicting a 29-28 decision. He initially thought the odds were wide but talked himself into confidence, planning to place a bet.
Big Brady picks Katona, expecting him to fight smart and use wrestling. He notes Armfield has poor takedown defense and has lost by submission twice. He believes Katona's fight IQ and experience against better competition will lead to a decision win. He thinks Katona won't brawl like he did against Cody Gibson.
Cody picks Katona due to his well-rounded skills, technical boxing, and experience. He thinks Armfield lacks the grappling to stick with Katona and will break under pressure. He predicts a late stoppage or decision win for Katona.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Brad Katona but hopes he is wrong. He notes Katona's experience and ability to slow down younger fighters, but worries about his recent war with Cody Gibson and potential decline. Armfield has heavy hands and could knock Katona out, but Vreeland expects Katona to grind out a decision or get a submission.
This fight is not discussed in the transcript. The host does not mention Armfield vs Katona.
I'm taking Katona to win by decision. He has a huge experience advantage and higher fight IQ. He can blend his wrestling behind his striking to catch Armfield by surprise. I think Armfield will be surprised by the pace Katona sets. Katona will give Armfield different looks and outpoint him. However, Armfield has potential and could showcase he's ready for this level, but I'm still going with Katona.
Paul picks Katona, noting his intelligence and well-rounded game. He jokes about Katona's fake Irish accent but respects his skills. He thinks Katona will use takedowns and top control to win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Brad Katona, calling him underrated and noting his wins over undefeated fighters in Brave CF. He criticizes Garrett Armfield's level of competition and questions his consistency. He highlights Katona's toughness, kicks, and takedown ability. He predicts a submission win via rear-naked choke in round two.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 15 of 31 | 48% | 15 of 31 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Toshiomi Kazama | 1 | 45 of 77 | 58% | 45 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garrett Armfield | 0 | 15 of 31 | 48% | 15 of 31 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Toshiomi Kazama | 1 | 45 of 77 | 58% | 45 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Armfield | 15 of 31 | 48% | 8 of 24 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Toshiomi Kazama | 45 of 77 | 58% | 36 of 67 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 40 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garrett Armfield | 15 of 31 | 48% | 8 of 24 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Toshiomi Kazama | 45 of 77 | 58% | 36 of 67 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 40 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 9 |
Angelo sees Armfield as more well-rounded but notes that he often fights to his opponent's style instead of imposing his own. He acknowledges Kazama's slick BJJ and chin issues, but leans toward Armfield due to his technical striking and takedown defense. He is not betting on this fight, just watching.
Big Brady notes that Garrett Armfield has struggled with wrestlers and grapplers in his losses, being submitted twice. He sees Toshiomi Kazama as a dangerous grappler who can take the fight to the mat and submit Armfield. He also mentions the long flight to Singapore as a potential disadvantage for Armfield. He forgives Kazama for his quick loss to Rinya Nakamura and believes this is a winnable fight for him.
Cody picks Armfield, citing his well-rounded skills and training at Kill Cliff FC. He notes Kazama's chinny history and one-dimensional grappling. Cody expects Armfield to improve after moving to his natural weight class and training with top partners.
Daniel picks Garrett Armfield, noting that he is faster, more accurate, and more technically sound. He mentions that Kazama has a terrible chin and is a one-trick pony with submissions. He is confident Armfield can keep the fight standing and win by striking. He bet 2 units at -147 and is confident in the pick, though he acknowledges the submission threat.
James picks Garrett Armfield as the better all-around MMA fighter. He believes Armfield is the superior striker and that Kazama's wrestling is not good enough to take Armfield down consistently. He notes Kazama's Jiu-Jitsu is a lower-percentage path from the bottom, and Armfield should be able to avoid submissions and win on the feet.
The host describes Kazama as a BJJ black belt with poor striking who relies on pulling guard and sweeps. He believes Armfield will use his wrestling defensively to keep the fight standing and utilize his speed and striking advantage to damage Kazama. The host expects Armfield to eventually get a knockout due to accumulative damage, noting that Kazama leaves many openings.
Paul picks Kazama as an underdog, citing the Asian fighter advantage in Singapore and jet lag concerns for Armfield. He notes Kazama's submission skills but acknowledges his poor chin. Paul is not confident but likes the value.
The MMA Guru picks Garrett Armfield over Toshiomi Kazama, trusting the American regional scene and Kill Cliff FC training over Kazama's Japanese scene. He notes Armfield's tough debut against David Onama but believes he is more well-rounded. He criticizes Kazama's KO loss to a 2-2 opponent and unimpressive Road to UFC win. He predicts Armfield's superior substance of competition will prevail.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Onama | 0 | 29 of 72 | 40% | 46 of 95 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 2:35 |
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 21 of 72 | 29% | 29 of 83 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:52 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Onama | 0 | 20 of 49 | 40% | 34 of 66 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 12 of 48 | 25% | 20 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:52 | |
| 2 | David Onama | 0 | 9 of 23 | 39% | 12 of 29 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:01 |
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 9 of 24 | 37% | 9 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Onama | 29 of 72 | 40% | 16 of 55 | 13 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 27 of 66 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 3 |
| Garrett Armfield | 21 of 72 | 29% | 15 of 61 | 4 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 68 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Onama | 20 of 49 | 40% | 11 of 37 | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 46 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Garrett Armfield | 12 of 48 | 25% | 10 of 44 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | David Onama | 9 of 23 | 39% | 5 of 18 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Garrett Armfield | 9 of 24 | 37% | 5 of 17 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 20 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Cody is very high on Onama, citing his dynamic striking, footwork, and finishing ability. He notes Onama already beat Armfield as an amateur and that Armfield is not UFC quality yet. He thinks Onama will win easily, possibly by finish.
The host takes a small 0.5 unit shot on Garrett Armfield at +572. He sees Armfield as a solid wrestler who could cause problems for Onama if he employs his grappling. He notes that Onama is great on the feet but if he can't get his power going due to being stuck under Armfield, the upset is possible. He also suggests that if betting Onama, the KO prop is better than the moneyline.
Paul thinks Onama is a great prospect and that the price, though high, is justified. He notes Armfield is taking the fight on short notice and is limited. He expects Onama to win, possibly by decision since Armfield has never been knocked out.
Brad Katona - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Katona | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bekzat Almakhan | 1 | 8 of 11 | 72% | 8 of 11 | 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 | Brad Katona | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bekzat Almakhan | 1 | 8 of 11 | 72% | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Katona | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bekzat Almakhan | 8 of 11 | 72% | 7 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brad Katona | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bekzat Almakhan | 8 of 11 | 72% | 7 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Angelo picks Brad Katona, criticizing the hype around Bekzat Almakhan who lost his UFC debut despite landing one good punch. He trusts Katona's grit and forward pressure. He mentions a safer bet on Katona plus 3.5 (buying points) rather than the moneyline, noting Katona is at home and may get favorable judging.
Big Brady sees this as a very close fight, with both fighters well-rounded. He notes that Bekzat Almakhan's hype is based on one moment against Umar Nurmagomedov, but he lost most of that fight. He favors Brad Katona's volume and wrestling, and thinks the fight goes to decision. He picks the Canadian Katona in what he expects to be a close fight, relying on the judges.
The host believes Brad Katona has been underachieving and will showcase his pace, fight IQ, and defensive grappling to keep the fight in the striking realm. He expects Katona to dictate the pace with his striking advantage and mix in some grappling to secure a decision victory.
The MMA Guru picks Almakhan, citing his physicality, power, and performance against Umar Nurmagomedov. He thinks Katona is untalented and lacks finishing ability, while Almakhan will stuff takedowns and land a TKO. He notes Almakhan's fast, dangerous striking and Katona's well-rounded but unimpressive style.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Matsumoto | 0 | 89 of 141 | 63% | 117 of 171 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 0 | 0 | 3:35 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 89 of 201 | 44% | 109 of 223 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jean Matsumoto | 0 | 30 of 44 | 68% | 39 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:40 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 20 of 53 | 37% | 24 of 57 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:04 | |
| 2 | Jean Matsumoto | 0 | 37 of 61 | 60% | 46 of 70 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 45 of 100 | 45% | 50 of 105 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 | |
| 3 | Jean Matsumoto | 0 | 22 of 36 | 61% | 32 of 48 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:29 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 24 of 48 | 50% | 35 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Matsumoto | 89 of 141 | 63% | 68 of 118 | 12 of 13 | 9 of 10 | 73 of 124 | 15 of 15 | 1 of 2 |
| Brad Katona | 89 of 201 | 44% | 62 of 164 | 6 of 10 | 21 of 27 | 85 of 196 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jean Matsumoto | 30 of 44 | 68% | 21 of 35 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 19 of 33 | 10 of 10 | 1 of 1 |
| Brad Katona | 20 of 53 | 37% | 14 of 42 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 8 | 19 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jean Matsumoto | 37 of 61 | 60% | 28 of 52 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 34 of 58 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Katona | 45 of 100 | 45% | 33 of 87 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 11 | 43 of 98 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jean Matsumoto | 22 of 36 | 61% | 19 of 31 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 20 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Brad Katona | 24 of 48 | 50% | 15 of 35 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 8 | 23 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Jean Matsumoto but is hesitant, acknowledging that Brad Katona is a tough, durable fighter who could spoil the plans. He notes Matsumoto's well-rounded skills, BJJ black belt, and Muay Thai, but also points out that he was taken down nine times by Dan Argueta and nearly lost. He thinks Matsumoto's volume and willingness to let his hands go will be key, but he is not confident enough to bet the moneyline. He is considering a plus 3.5 round prop on Katona or the over 1.5 rounds.
Big Brady picks Jean Matsumoto by decision. He acknowledges Katona's high fight IQ and ability to win minutes, but believes Matsumoto will be the more active striker and do more damage. He compares it to Katona's loss to Garrett Armfield, where Katona was out-struck. He expects a competitive fight but Matsumoto's damage will win the decision.
Connor also picks Matsumoto, citing Katona's tendency to have a bad start and not dictate the early going. He notes that Matsumoto is a strong athlete who will come forward, but acknowledges that Katona is tough and often comes on strong late. Connor sees it as a mirror match and a split decision possibility, but leans Matsumoto due to his physical advantages.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript.
Katona is a high-IQ fighter, but Matsumoto has good enough defensive grappling to keep the fight upright and utilize his striking advantage to touch up Katona en route to a decision victory. The line is a bit wide, so there could be some Katona value on his underdog line, but Matsumoto is more dangerous in the striking realm.
The Guru is impressed by Matsumoto's debut win over Dan Argueta, noting he looked amazing and showed talent. He criticizes Brad Katona's wins as being over low-level opponents and points out Katona's short reach. He believes Matsumoto, an undefeated 25-year-old prospect with a full training camp, will get the win.
Zane picks Matsumoto mainly because he expects Katona to have a slow start, as Katona often lets physically imposing fighters dictate the early going. He notes that Matsumoto is a powerful athlete who will blitz with power, but acknowledges that Katona has a good jab and could jab Matsumoto up. Zane sees it as a real 50-50 toss-up and doesn't feel great about the pick.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Katona | 0 | 68 of 113 | 60% | 148 of 217 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 10:50 |
| Jesse Butler | 0 | 30 of 82 | 36% | 32 of 90 | 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 | Brad Katona | 0 | 8 of 14 | 57% | 44 of 54 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:31 |
| Jesse Butler | 0 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Brad Katona | 0 | 15 of 24 | 62% | 41 of 64 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:49 |
| Jesse Butler | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Brad Katona | 0 | 45 of 75 | 60% | 63 of 99 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:30 |
| Jesse Butler | 0 | 21 of 68 | 30% | 22 of 71 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Katona | 68 of 113 | 60% | 59 of 101 | 3 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 27 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 40 of 56 |
| Jesse Butler | 30 of 82 | 36% | 16 of 63 | 9 of 14 | 5 of 5 | 30 of 82 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brad Katona | 8 of 14 | 57% | 8 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 9 |
| Jesse Butler | 7 of 11 | 63% | 1 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brad Katona | 15 of 24 | 62% | 15 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 20 |
| Jesse Butler | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Brad Katona | 45 of 75 | 60% | 36 of 63 | 3 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 26 of 48 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 27 |
| Jesse Butler | 21 of 68 | 30% | 14 of 59 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is very confident in Brad Katona. He notes that Brad is a two-time Ultimate Fighter winner with high fight IQ, good technical striking, and fantastic cardio. He can wrestle if needed, as shown in his last fight. Jesse Butler was knocked out quickly in his UFC debut and has terrible takedown defense. Angelo thinks Brad dominates everywhere and sees no path to victory for Jesse.
Big Brady picks Brad Katona to win by decision. He thinks Katona should not be a -600 favorite but sees no path to victory for Jesse Butler, who is cutting to bantamweight for the first time and has poor takedown defense. He doubts Katona will finish but expects a clear decision win.
Cody picks Katona, noting that Butler has been inactive for two years and was knocked out quickly by Jim Miller in his UFC debut. Katona is a decision machine with six UFC fights all going to decision, and he has faced better competition. Cody expects Katona to use his wrestling and control to win a decision, though he warns that the minus 600 price is steep for a decision fighter.
Daniel expects Katona to win a decision but calls it a dog-or-pass situation due to the steep price. He notes Katona is on a decline and fights on slim margins, while Butler has a nine-inch reach advantage and is dropping two weight classes. However, he doubts Butler's skills are UFC-level.
Jacob picks Brad Katona, but adds a caveat about Jesse Butler's weight cut. He notes that Butler is dropping from 170 to 135, which could be a huge disadvantage. Brad is not a dangerous finisher, but the weight cut might make Butler vulnerable. Jacob thinks Brad will win, possibly by decision, but the weight cut could lead to a finish. He also mentions that Brad's takedown prop might be interesting.
Katona is a solid all-around fighter with great fight IQ and cardio, who should outwork Butler with his grappling and grinding style. Butler has power but was knocked out quickly by Jim Miller. Katona's experience and reliability should lead to a decision win, though the -600 price is steep.
Paul picks Katona, noting that Butler has not impressed and Katona is a proven UFC fighter. He expects Katona to win by decision or submission, but acknowledges the price is high. Paul thinks Katona's wrestling and experience will be too much for Butler.
The Guru initially leans Katona but switches to Butler after considering Butler's massive reach advantage (73-inch reach vs Katona's 64.5). He says Katona has no ability to finish on the feet and looked incapable of inflicting pain against Garrett Armfield. He thinks Butler is too big, strong, and powerful, and will catch Katona and finish him. He acknowledges Butler lost to 'absolute schmucks' but is willing to risk the underdog pick.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Armfield | 0 | 64 of 155 | 41% | 76 of 172 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 0 | 0 | 4:35 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 105 of 168 | 62% | 130 of 193 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garrett Armfield | 0 | 20 of 48 | 41% | 23 of 52 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 31 of 51 | 60% | 31 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Garrett Armfield | 0 | 25 of 66 | 37% | 27 of 71 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 41 of 66 | 62% | 41 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Garrett Armfield | 0 | 19 of 41 | 46% | 26 of 49 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:54 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 33 of 51 | 64% | 58 of 76 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Armfield | 64 of 155 | 41% | 49 of 138 | 8 of 9 | 7 of 8 | 46 of 126 | 17 of 28 | 1 of 1 |
| Brad Katona | 105 of 168 | 62% | 74 of 131 | 21 of 27 | 10 of 10 | 99 of 162 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garrett Armfield | 20 of 48 | 41% | 14 of 41 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 14 of 39 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Katona | 31 of 51 | 60% | 16 of 33 | 8 of 11 | 7 of 7 | 31 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Garrett Armfield | 25 of 66 | 37% | 20 of 60 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 20 of 58 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Katona | 41 of 66 | 62% | 28 of 50 | 10 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 41 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Garrett Armfield | 19 of 41 | 46% | 15 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 29 | 6 of 11 | 1 of 1 |
| Brad Katona | 33 of 51 | 64% | 30 of 48 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 27 of 45 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Katona, citing his footwork, volume, and cardio as advantages. He expects Katona to take over as Armfield slows down, predicting a 29-28 decision. He initially thought the odds were wide but talked himself into confidence, planning to place a bet.
Big Brady picks Katona, expecting him to fight smart and use wrestling. He notes Armfield has poor takedown defense and has lost by submission twice. He believes Katona's fight IQ and experience against better competition will lead to a decision win. He thinks Katona won't brawl like he did against Cody Gibson.
Cody picks Katona due to his well-rounded skills, technical boxing, and experience. He thinks Armfield lacks the grappling to stick with Katona and will break under pressure. He predicts a late stoppage or decision win for Katona.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Brad Katona but hopes he is wrong. He notes Katona's experience and ability to slow down younger fighters, but worries about his recent war with Cody Gibson and potential decline. Armfield has heavy hands and could knock Katona out, but Vreeland expects Katona to grind out a decision or get a submission.
This fight is not discussed in the transcript. The host does not mention Armfield vs Katona.
I'm taking Katona to win by decision. He has a huge experience advantage and higher fight IQ. He can blend his wrestling behind his striking to catch Armfield by surprise. I think Armfield will be surprised by the pace Katona sets. Katona will give Armfield different looks and outpoint him. However, Armfield has potential and could showcase he's ready for this level, but I'm still going with Katona.
Paul picks Katona, noting his intelligence and well-rounded game. He jokes about Katona's fake Irish accent but respects his skills. He thinks Katona will use takedowns and top control to win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Brad Katona, calling him underrated and noting his wins over undefeated fighters in Brave CF. He criticizes Garrett Armfield's level of competition and questions his consistency. He highlights Katona's toughness, kicks, and takedown ability. He predicts a submission win via rear-naked choke in round two.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Katona | 0 | 160 of 311 | 51% | 173 of 327 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cody Gibson | 0 | 164 of 268 | 61% | 169 of 273 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brad Katona | 0 | 36 of 87 | 41% | 39 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cody Gibson | 0 | 49 of 85 | 57% | 49 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Brad Katona | 0 | 58 of 108 | 53% | 59 of 111 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cody Gibson | 0 | 64 of 94 | 68% | 66 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Brad Katona | 0 | 66 of 116 | 56% | 75 of 125 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Cody Gibson | 0 | 51 of 89 | 57% | 54 of 92 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Katona | 160 of 311 | 51% | 116 of 254 | 25 of 37 | 19 of 20 | 127 of 262 | 33 of 49 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Gibson | 164 of 268 | 61% | 130 of 228 | 22 of 27 | 12 of 13 | 134 of 233 | 30 of 35 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brad Katona | 36 of 87 | 41% | 22 of 70 | 5 of 7 | 9 of 10 | 29 of 76 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Gibson | 49 of 85 | 57% | 39 of 73 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 42 of 78 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brad Katona | 58 of 108 | 53% | 45 of 91 | 6 of 10 | 7 of 7 | 47 of 89 | 11 of 19 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Gibson | 64 of 94 | 68% | 47 of 76 | 12 of 13 | 5 of 5 | 52 of 79 | 12 of 15 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Brad Katona | 66 of 116 | 56% | 49 of 93 | 14 of 20 | 3 of 3 | 51 of 97 | 15 of 19 | 0 of 0 |
| Cody Gibson | 51 of 89 | 57% | 44 of 79 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 40 of 76 | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Katona (-168), Gibson (+142)
Round 1
There could be some history in the making for this bantamweight battle that will kick off the ESPN portion of the prelim card. The first of two victors of Season 31 of TUF will be crowned, with the first coming at 135 pounds. Both men are UFC veterans, but Katona (12-2, 2-2 UFC) is the one who could break new ground by becoming the first two-time TUF winner ever. Of note, his opponent, Gibson (19-8, 1-3 UFC), faced future champ and UFC 292 headliner Aljamain Sterling in his promotional debut back in 2014, where he ultimately dropped a decision. The “six-figure contract” and bragging rights will be awarded to the winner, in a matchup that will be governed by referee Marc Goddard. The former show teammates do not decide to clap hands, and instead they rush out towards one another to strike. They do just that, one after the other, until they end up swinging at the same time and ending up in a clinch. Gibson pushes off and lands a pair of hooks, and Katona knocks him back with a counter. Gibson connects with a clean right hand, and Katona shakes it off and gets off a jab. Katona comes up hitting nothing but air when he looses hooks, and Gibson attempts to reach him with a front kick and fails. Katona sticks his man with a left, and Gibson ducks down to get off a body kick. Katona retaliates with a leg kick, and Gibson dips and strikes while avoiding offense that wings towards him. Both fighters are amped up and trading shots, and Gibson pushes out two jabs and dings Katona with a left hand. Gibson trips on his way in, and this allows Katona the briefest amount of time to shake it off. Gibson clubs his man with a right, and Katona stands firm and bashes him with a solid left hook. Gibson is not remotely concerned as he meanders forward, and he swings himself into a clinch. Gibson absorbs a right hand and misses with a second, and Katona counters with a left that marks up Gibson’s eye. Gibson continues to surge forward, hurling offense and making Katona have to match his pace. “The Renegade” mixes things up with a chopping kick, and he shrugs off anything that Katona lands on him to throw his own heavy blows. The two tie up, but nothing comes up it other than a right hand from Gibson on the break. Gibson tries to follow it, and he ends up lobbing strikes that are way off the mark. Katona strings together several low kicks, and they both work the body. The furiously paced round ends with a sharp left from Katona.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gibson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gibson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gibson
Round 2
The bantamweights come back to the middle to start off the round, and Katona is the first to spring into action with a combination of fists. Katona then switches to a leg kick, and he rips a left to the body and nails Gibson with a right over the top. Gibson steels himself and throws back with gravitas, drawing a takedown attempt out of the Canadian. Gibson drills his man with an uppercut, and he pressures forward until they tie up and trade additional uppercuts. Katona does not register a leg kick, and he pops Gibson with a jab. Gibson does the same with his own jab and a follow-up right hand, and the two are taking turns to smack the other around. Katona flicks out a jab, and Gibson counters him with an uppercut and a body shot. Gibson walks face-first into a left hand, and he fires off a right hook and then goes to the body. Gibson again eats a few strikes, and the two start fighting in a phone booth and lay into each other. Gibson slings a right hand that bounces off the temple, and Katona smiles and delivers a right hand on the chin and a clean left shortly thereafter. Gibson lands a leg kick, gets up close to land a body shot, and then backs off when Katona scores with two hooks. Gibson overswings with a left hand, and Katona tags him a few times while he is recoiling. Katona suddenly goes up high with a kick, and frowns when it is blocked. Gibson misses the mark with a huge uppercut, and a few right hands from Gibson have developed some swelling around Katona’s left eye. Gibson targets it with a clubbing right and an elbow, and Katona tries to tie him up for a moment but ends up eating a few clinch strikes before releasing. Katona sits down on a right hand, timing it perfectly as Gibson ducked right into it, and Gibson powers forward to clinch up and recover. Katona jumps at him with a knee, and he fires off a short salvo of strikes that knock Gibson back again. Katona keeps Gibson honest with pawing jabs and a right hand, and Gibson appears to be fading. Katona lines up a right hand down the middle, and the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Katona
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Katona
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Katona
Round 3
Gibson waves to the crowd to get them fired up, and the audience reacts positively. Going into the last round, it could be all tied up, and they treat things as such as they get right after it. Gibson walks through the fast fists that fly at his face so that he can drive a right hand home, and Katona reels but comes back. Katona slides to the side and avoids the huge hooks, and he starts peppering Gibson with jabs. When Gibson changes this up to let go with his own jabs, Katona lets him have it with big punches. Gibson parries a jump knee and a kick to the body, and he drills Katona with a right hand down the pipe. Katona backpedals and eats another one like a plate of poutine, and the two let the other have it. This results in them coming together for a brief clinch, and Katona pushes him back and lets fly a high kick that slaps into the shoulder. Katona kicks with his other leg, and he books Gibson in the calf when he speedily moves. Gibson takes a punch to give one back, and he stings Katona with a right hook. Gibson plants two uppercuts on the chin, and he slides back and pops Katona with a clean right. Katona ignores a leg kick, and he knees the body and sneaks in a short right. Katona loads up and connects with a right, and he digs a few punches to the body and might have hurt Gibson. A few left hands force Gibson to cover his eye, and it is swelling badly. Gibson backs up to the wall as Katona lays into him, until Gibson decides to activate and sling fire back at him. Katona staggers back and then rushes back into action, and the two proceed to give it everything they have in an absolutely terrific brawl. Katona lands, Gibson gets him back, Katona stings him and Gibson shakes Katona up. This back-and-forth trading ends only when they tie up to catch their breath. Gibson pushes off and then sprints at Katona, who is backing away to try to let time expire. Gibson reaches him and blasts him with a few punches, and this all-action thriller comes to a close – unless there is an unexpected “sudden victory” round in the event of a draw. No matter who gets their hand raised, this is an instant “Fight of the Night” frontrunner as well as a scrap that might earn “Fight of the Year” consideration when it is all said and done. The two bantamweights embrace, having put on a display reminiscent of Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Katona (29-28 Katona)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Katona (29-28 Katona)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Katona (29-28 Katona)
The Official Result
Brad Katona def. Cody Gibson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Cody expects Katona to win by decision regardless of opponent. He notes Gibson is the better fighter but has a knee injury, and if Rico wins, Katona still wins. He sees Katona as a talented favorite.
Daniel Levi leans toward Brad Katona, believing he should be favored but is not confident. He notes that Katona fights close decisions and that Gibson has a seven-inch reach advantage and is four inches taller. Levi thinks Gibson is live at plus money, especially if he can keep the fight standing and use his reach. He mentions that Gibson had a knee injury on The Ultimate Fighter and wants more information on that.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter Azure | 0 | 21 of 60 | 35% | 40 of 83 | 3 of 12 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 6:23 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 41 of 118 | 34% | 55 of 133 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hunter Azure | 0 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 16 of 25 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:05 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 8 of 22 | 36% | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Hunter Azure | 0 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 13 of 30 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:36 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 18 of 46 | 39% | 23 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Hunter Azure | 0 | 8 of 25 | 32% | 11 of 28 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 15 of 50 | 30% | 21 of 56 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:26 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter Azure | 21 of 60 | 35% | 18 of 51 | 2 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 17 of 54 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Katona | 41 of 118 | 34% | 25 of 91 | 11 of 20 | 5 of 7 | 33 of 105 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hunter Azure | 5 of 12 | 41% | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Katona | 8 of 22 | 36% | 6 of 14 | 0 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 17 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Hunter Azure | 8 of 23 | 34% | 7 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Katona | 18 of 46 | 39% | 10 of 38 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 43 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Hunter Azure | 8 of 25 | 32% | 7 of 19 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Katona | 15 of 50 | 30% | 9 of 39 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 13 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merab Dvalishvili | 0 | 32 of 56 | 57% | 43 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 55 of 102 | 53% | 215 of 274 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 0 | 0 | 8:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merab Dvalishvili | 0 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 20 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 25 of 54 | 46% | 49 of 80 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 | |
| 2 | Merab Dvalishvili | 0 | 8 of 11 | 72% | 12 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 7 of 10 | 70% | 114 of 122 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 4:20 | |
| 3 | Merab Dvalishvili | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 11 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brad Katona | 0 | 23 of 38 | 60% | 52 of 72 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:53 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merab Dvalishvili | 32 of 56 | 57% | 21 of 41 | 4 of 5 | 7 of 10 | 17 of 36 | 12 of 16 | 3 of 4 |
| Brad Katona | 55 of 102 | 53% | 43 of 85 | 6 of 10 | 6 of 7 | 24 of 65 | 4 of 5 | 27 of 32 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merab Dvalishvili | 16 of 29 | 55% | 10 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 9 | 11 of 20 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Brad Katona | 25 of 54 | 46% | 19 of 43 | 3 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 12 | |
| 2 | Merab Dvalishvili | 8 of 11 | 72% | 5 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 |
| Brad Katona | 7 of 10 | 70% | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | |
| 3 | Merab Dvalishvili | 8 of 16 | 50% | 6 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Brad Katona | 23 of 38 | 60% | 18 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 20 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 15 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Katona | 0 | 76 of 158 | 48% | 86 of 170 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Matthew Lopez | 0 | 69 of 142 | 48% | 79 of 155 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 0:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brad Katona | 0 | 37 of 54 | 68% | 45 of 64 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matthew Lopez | 0 | 28 of 56 | 50% | 30 of 61 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 | |
| 2 | Brad Katona | 0 | 23 of 50 | 46% | 25 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Matthew Lopez | 0 | 18 of 35 | 51% | 20 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 | |
| 3 | Brad Katona | 0 | 16 of 54 | 29% | 16 of 54 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Matthew Lopez | 0 | 23 of 51 | 45% | 29 of 57 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Katona | 76 of 158 | 48% | 40 of 106 | 12 of 26 | 24 of 26 | 67 of 146 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 6 |
| Matthew Lopez | 69 of 142 | 48% | 41 of 99 | 17 of 31 | 11 of 12 | 65 of 134 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brad Katona | 37 of 54 | 68% | 18 of 33 | 6 of 7 | 13 of 14 | 31 of 48 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 |
| Matthew Lopez | 28 of 56 | 50% | 19 of 39 | 8 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 54 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brad Katona | 23 of 50 | 46% | 11 of 32 | 3 of 8 | 9 of 10 | 21 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Matthew Lopez | 18 of 35 | 51% | 13 of 26 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Brad Katona | 16 of 54 | 29% | 11 of 41 | 3 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 51 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Matthew Lopez | 23 of 51 | 45% | 9 of 34 | 5 of 7 | 9 of 10 | 21 of 46 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks Katona, citing his footwork, volume, and cardio as advantages. He expects Katona to take over as Armfield slows down, predicting a 29-28 decision. He initially thought the odds were wide but talked himself into confidence, planning to place a bet.
Big Brady picks Katona, expecting him to fight smart and use wrestling. He notes Armfield has poor takedown defense and has lost by submission twice. He believes Katona's fight IQ and experience against better competition will lead to a decision win. He thinks Katona won't brawl like he did against Cody Gibson.
Cody picks Katona due to his well-rounded skills, technical boxing, and experience. He thinks Armfield lacks the grappling to stick with Katona and will break under pressure. He predicts a late stoppage or decision win for Katona.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Brad Katona but hopes he is wrong. He notes Katona's experience and ability to slow down younger fighters, but worries about his recent war with Cody Gibson and potential decline. Armfield has heavy hands and could knock Katona out, but Vreeland expects Katona to grind out a decision or get a submission.
This fight is not discussed in the transcript. The host does not mention Armfield vs Katona.
I'm taking Katona to win by decision. He has a huge experience advantage and higher fight IQ. He can blend his wrestling behind his striking to catch Armfield by surprise. I think Armfield will be surprised by the pace Katona sets. Katona will give Armfield different looks and outpoint him. However, Armfield has potential and could showcase he's ready for this level, but I'm still going with Katona.
Paul picks Katona, noting his intelligence and well-rounded game. He jokes about Katona's fake Irish accent but respects his skills. He thinks Katona will use takedowns and top control to win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Brad Katona, calling him underrated and noting his wins over undefeated fighters in Brave CF. He criticizes Garrett Armfield's level of competition and questions his consistency. He highlights Katona's toughness, kicks, and takedown ability. He predicts a submission win via rear-naked choke in round two.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!