Career Averages - Kyler Phillips
Career Averages - Charles Jourdain
Kyler Phillips
Charles Jourdain
Kyler Phillips - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 36 of 77 | 46% | 48 of 92 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 0 | 0 | 7:13 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 58 of 104 | 55% | 88 of 142 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 0:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 14 of 21 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:51 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 15 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 10 of 22 | 45% | 12 of 26 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 22 of 42 | 52% | 38 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:21 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 20 of 43 | 46% | 22 of 45 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:46 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 31 of 52 | 59% | 35 of 57 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 36 of 77 | 46% | 28 of 68 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 34 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Charles Jourdain | 58 of 104 | 55% | 28 of 62 | 26 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 41 of 86 | 17 of 18 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 6 of 12 | 50% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Charles Jourdain | 5 of 10 | 50% | 3 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 10 of 22 | 45% | 6 of 18 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 22 of 42 | 52% | 8 of 22 | 12 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 32 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 20 of 43 | 46% | 17 of 40 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 31 of 52 | 59% | 17 of 34 | 12 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 24 of 45 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jourdain (-140); Phillips (+110)
Round 1
Once a fighter deemed on the rise at bantamweight, Phillips (12-4, 6-3 UFC) has fallen on hard times to reach his first career losing streak. Inactivity and inconsistent results have plagued “The Matrix” since his debut with the company in 2020, so he will try to take the wind out of the sails of high-flying Canadian Jourdain (17-8-1, 8-7-1 UFC). In this co-main event, referee Jerin Valel is on standby. The athletes gladly touch gloves before handling their business.
Phillips rushes forward to put his jab in the face of the Canadian and force him to fight off his back foot. Jourdain welcomes this so he can measure a flying knee, and he misses it by a small margin. Phillips shoots in on his hips to take the fight down, and Jourdain hops around on one leg and drops to his back. “Air” Jourdain sets up a triangle choke when put down, and Phillips springs out of it and positions himself in side control. Phillips jumps over into full mount, so Jourdain times twisting to his side to thwart it partially. Phillips get stuck in a partial half guard position, and Jourdain explodes back to his feet and puts his back to the wall to try to scrape Phillips off of him. Phillips completes a mat return, and Jourdain sits down to set up a kimura in hopes of sweeping. Phillips is wise to it all and smothers as he regains half guard, fighting off the bucks and shifts of the active Canadian.
Jourdain tries to fight back while on his back, slashing with elbows until he flirts with a guillotine choke while on his seat. Phillips leaps all the way over through it to get himself in a better position, preferring to stay on top rather than go for anything in particular. When Jourdain sits up, Phillips slings him down, and Phillips has to mind his P’s and Q’s as an upkick zooms right at his face. Jourdain hunts for a triangle choke, and Phillips is about to slam him out of it but lets go before the impact. Phillips controls with his wrestling, reassuming himself on top for mere seconds as Jourdain once more bucks and escapes. Jourdain leans against the wall to keep his balance, and he hunts for a guillotine choke. Phillips immediately abandons the grappling, and Jourdain points at him. Jourdain slings two huge punches, catching the American cleanly. Phillips attacks back with a vengeance, but it is Jourdain who swings more violently as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 2
Jourdain goes right after his opponent as the round begins, backing off only when Phillips initiates a few jabs. Jourdain gets right back to crowding him after those sequences, and he boots Phillips in the gut. Phillips times the kick perfectly, sweeping the other leg to dump the Canadian on his back like a back of groceries. Jourdain scrambles and slithers his legs between Phillips to trip him up, where he briefly turns Phillips over. Phillips regains position, ignoring a possible guillotine from Jourdain to body lock him down to the floor. Jourdain on his seat thinks about another guillotine, but he does not have the leverage for it. Instead, Jourdain climbs back up even as Phillips holds his other limb, and he jacks Phillips in the jaw three times with vicious uppercuts. When Phillips adjusts his grip, Jourdain tries to actually get hold of that guillotine he is seeking, but Phillips is able to move well enough to force him back and reset. The two crash together like waves in the night, both slamming into one another with power strikes.
Jourdain misses on another jump knee, but his front kick to the stomach takes the wind out of Phillips’ sails a bit. Jourdain practically sprints at his man and belts him with a left, right and a left. Phillips kicks him in the side, but it has far less venom than before and Jourdain knows it. Phillips gloms onto the Canadian, who is looking for a standing kimura to readjust their position. They break free, and Jourdain is the aggressor, chasing “The Matrix” around and just missing with a spinning back elbow. Phillips hurls Jourdain to the mat, and Jourdain turns the tables, puts himself on his knees and threatens with a choke. There is no choke to be had, so they fight their way back up and proceed to recklessly duke it out. Phillips busts Jourdain in the chops with an uppercut and stays away from the crazy, flying moves aimed at him for the most part. Jourdain ends the round with an inaccurate rolling thunder kick.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Round 3
It is all offense, all the time as the two bruisers proceed to harm, damage, bludgeon and bash one another with anything they can find. Jourdain’s arsenal is a broad one, while Phillips wants to ultimately turn his attacks into ground control. As they go back and forth, Phillips finds an opening and trips Jourdain down. Jourdain stands even while Phillips is controlling him from behind, hands clasped around his waist, and he still turns Phillips around. Jourdain thanks him for the bit of grappling with an elbow on the temple and a high knee, and he keeps after Phillips with long punches. Phillips fires off an uppercut and a left hand to stun him for a second, but Jourdain does not need long to take a quick count of his teeth and leap at Phillips again with a flying knee.
When Jourdain goes to the well again with yet another flying knee, Phillips catches him in midair and slings him to the canvas. Jourdain wraps up Phillips left hand with a two-on-one wrist grip in hopes of sweeping Phillips off of him, but Phillips shuts it down with sheer force of will. Knowing Jourdain is about to stand, Phillips circles around to take his back standing. Jourdain keeps moving while pressed against the cage, spinning them about once before Phillips reasserts the controlling clinch posture. Jourdain trips Phillips to the floor, allows him to stand back up and belts him in the belly with his shin. Jourdain follows with a knee that busts Phillips’ left eyebrow wide open. Blood pours from the veritable axe wound on his face, and Phillips paws at it, knowing he suffered some real damage. He does not slow down, instead meeting Jourdain in the air with a right hand as Jourdain inevitably jumps. Phillips tries to throw Jourdain down one last time, but it is Jourdain who muscles him around and gives him everything he has to offer. The banger concludes with one last rolling thunder kick from Jourdain, this one banging into the back of his foe’s neck at the bell. The two bantamweights leave it all in the hands of the judges, likely about to become at least $100K richer for their back-and-forth rumble.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-28 Jourdain)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-28 Jourdain)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-28 Jourdain)
The Official Result
Charles Jourdain def. Kyler Phillips via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo leans Charles Jourdain but is hesitant, noting Kyler Phillips is not a bum and has faced tough competition. He worries about Kyler's inconsistent cardio and Charles's lack of meaningful wins. He thinks Charles's experience and toughness give him a slight edge, but advises staying away from betting.
Big Brady picks Charles Jourdain, citing Kyler Phillips' poor cardio. He notes Phillips wins the first round but fades dramatically, as seen in fights against Oliveira and Font. Brady expects Jourdain to lose round one then turn it up, finishing Phillips by third-round knockout.
Cody picks Charles Jourdain, expecting him to win by decision after losing the first round. He notes that Kyler Phillips is a strong first-round fighter but fades, and Jourdain's high pace and guillotine threat will be key. He suggests live betting Jourdain after the first round.
Daniel loves Jourdain's move to bantamweight, noting he looks incredible and has been finishing fights quickly. He believes Jourdain's pressure and durability will overcome Phillips' tendency to fade after the first round. He predicts Jourdain will win and become a top-10 contender.
Jourdain has a big advantage on the feet with high volume and power, and he is the aggressor. Phillips has poor cardio and is a point fighter. However, Jourdain's takedown defense is weak and he is easy to hold down. Phillips could grapple his way to a decision. Home advantage for Jourdain is a factor. Lean Jourdain but not confident enough to bet at these odds.
The host mentions the co-main event but does not make a pick. He only expresses excitement for the fight.
James picks Charles Jourdain to win via finish in round three. He notes that Kyler Phillips is dominant in round one but fades, while Jourdain is strong in round three and has finishing upside. He sees Jourdain's trajectory and self-belief as factors.
The host thinks Charles Jourdain is the side here, noting that Phillips has cardio issues and struggles under pressure. He expects Jourdain to apply pressure, work Phillips down, and find a finish in round two or three. He highlights Jourdain's dangerous guillotine and improved BJJ, and believes Phillips will either slow down or get caught in a submission if he grapples.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Charles Jourdain. He highlights that Phillips wins first rounds but fades, and Jourdain's work rate will take over. He also likes the split decision prop and suggests live betting.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 49 of 151 | 32% | 54 of 156 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Vinicius Oliveira | 1 | 96 of 232 | 41% | 102 of 238 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 29 of 67 | 43% | 29 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Vinicius Oliveira | 0 | 22 of 69 | 31% | 22 of 69 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 4 of 26 | 15% | 9 of 31 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Vinicius Oliveira | 1 | 41 of 81 | 50% | 47 of 87 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:17 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 16 of 58 | 27% | 16 of 58 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Vinicius Oliveira | 0 | 33 of 82 | 40% | 33 of 82 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 49 of 151 | 32% | 33 of 126 | 13 of 22 | 3 of 3 | 49 of 151 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Vinicius Oliveira | 96 of 232 | 41% | 52 of 161 | 26 of 50 | 18 of 21 | 79 of 207 | 5 of 7 | 12 of 18 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 29 of 67 | 43% | 18 of 52 | 8 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 29 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Vinicius Oliveira | 22 of 69 | 31% | 12 of 47 | 5 of 15 | 5 of 7 | 22 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 4 of 26 | 15% | 2 of 22 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Vinicius Oliveira | 41 of 81 | 50% | 27 of 65 | 9 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 60 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 18 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 16 of 58 | 27% | 13 of 52 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Vinicius Oliveira | 33 of 82 | 40% | 13 of 49 | 12 of 24 | 8 of 9 | 30 of 78 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Oliveira (-175), Phillips (+145)
Round 1
Wrapping up the unpaid portion of the event, two speedy bantamweights collide. While they are both ranked in the UFC’s top 15 at 135 pounds, the losing party may fall off on Monday or Tuesday. Phillips (12-3, 6-2 UFC) needs to get back in the win column, but to do so he has to outhustle heavy-handed Brazilian “LokDog” Oliveira (22-3, 3-0 UFC). The two will be joined in the Octagon by referee Chris Hill, and they opt against touching gloves while he watches on.
Oliveira says hello with a head kick rather than bumping gloves, and this fires up Phillips. Phillips strikes back with his own high kick and flurry of punches, hurting the Brazilian and keeping his defenses ready to stop the incoming takedown. Phillips hurts “LokDog” with another right hand, springing round side to side and pecking his foe with sharp jab and a body shot. Oliveira whiffs on a big left hook, and Phillips fires off a wheel kick that is too high and misses the target. Phillips’ right hands stagger Oliveira twice, and Oliveira has to shake it off but has his hands low. Oliveira walks Phillips down, absorbing single targeted strikes while not connecting on much power. “LokDog” gets off a front kick, and he takes a right hand on the temple. When Phillips misses on a punch, Oliveira tries to chase him down, but “The Matrix” is elusive as ever.
Oliveira drives a front kick that sounds like it ricocheted off the cup, but Phillips does not express concern and shoots in for a takedown. Oliveira staves it off and absorbs a few kicks to the midsection. Phillips is on his bouncing bike, avoiding the worst of the Brazilian’s right hands while not letting the kicks reach him either. Phillips goes toto the body and head, and Oliveira lines up a kick to the ribs. Phillips slips punches, lands his own and drives a knee to the chin that stuns Oliveira for a second. Oliveira shrugs and goes back to chasing Phillips with his hands low. Oliveira tosses out kicks from both legs, and he lowers himself down to hurl bungalows. Phillips takes the power cleanly and tries to keep him at bay with kicks, but Oliveira is starting to time and catch them. Oliveira kicks low, and Phillips jumps over it and springs away from a spinning back kick. Phillips scores a knee and falls over, and he gets back up and finds Oliveira chasing him with attacks. Phillips defends with his back to the wall as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 2
Phillips starts off the round with is own head kick to mirror what Oliveira did in the previous round, and he gets away from the wild kicks of his opponent that are feet away from his intended target. The elusive Phillips stays light on his heels, only for Oliveira to wind up a right hand that sends him flying. “The Matrix” gets back up, takes another huge right hand and then turns away and gets kicked in the face. Oliveira continues to bombard Phillips with attacks, bowling him over and finding himself lording over Phillips with standing-to-ground punches. Oliveira lowers himself in the guard, and he positions himself flat on his adversary. Oliveira briefly flirts with an arm-triangle choke until sitting up to adjust his position, and Phillips kicks him off in the chest and stands back up. Oliveira tries to hold him down or wrap up a sub, but Phillips is free and out of danger.
Oliveira tries to bring back the danger, clubbing Phillips with looping punches including a left hand that stings Phillips again. Phillips works his way back to his feet, and Oliveira stands in front of him, hands down, taking deep breaths. The Brazilian explodes back into his offense, tagging Phillips with punches that “The Matrix” would have evaded previously. He ducks a spinning wheel kick and tags Phillips with three punches down the forward bow. Oliveira kicks low and swings high, and when Phillips hits him back, he does not budge. “LokDog” tries to catch the kick, chest heaving, and he fights off a takedown and trips Philips up to put him on his back. Oliveira is pushed off when landing some ground strikes, but he hurls himself back into top position. The round ends with Oliveira riding out this position.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Round 3
Oliveira motions to the crowd to pump them up, and bows at his opponent. They resume with five minutes left to battle it out, and Oliveira starts by walking Phillips down. Phillips remains on his bike, kicking and probing with single strikes while trying to avoid the booming blows aimed at his face. Oliveira dodges a wheel kick and plods forward, slamming his shin on Phillips’ calf and drawing a short limp from him. Phillips keeps moving while Oliveira is going after him, with his head kick blocked before Oliveira gets to him and belts him in the face with three punches. “LokDog” hammers the front leg again, takes a body shot and misses on his counters. They both let go with big right hands, and Oliveira’s calf kick does further damage. Oliveira misses on a few punches and a high kick, while Phillips is jabbing aplenty. Phillips scores a body kick, and Oliveira punches him in the chest back. Once more, the Brazilian attacks the front leg, and movement from Phillips is starting to dwindle.
As Phillips tries to push his way forward, Oliveira drills him with a close-range spinning back kick to the chest. Oliveira races forward behind looping hooks, and his spinning wheel kick misses the mark. Phillips kicks him in the face, and Oliveira still keeps his hands down and shrugs off anything that catches him. Oliveira tries to connect with three big punches, and he ducks down and shoulder-checks his adversary. Phillips tries to back him off with hooks, and Oliveira ducks, moves and kicks him. The Brazilian dodges, weaves, connects and shoots for a takedown. Phillips shuts the latter down but eats a hard kick on the way out. Oliveira nods when he gets elbowed in the face, because he has a plan: punch Phillips in the face. The plan succeeds. Again and again. Phillips keeps backpedaling but is featuring his jab more than usual, and he mixes in a few side kicks to not let “LokDog” get to him. Oliveira bull-rushes him with punches, tackles Phillips to the mat and is bounced back to his feet. He proceeds to chase Phillips around the cage until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (29-28 Oliveira)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (29-28 Oliveira)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira (29-28 Oliveira)
The Official Result
Vinicius Oliveira def. Kyler Phillips via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Vinicius Oliveira, calling him a dog who has beaten better competition than Kyler Phillips. He notes Oliveira's aggression, power, and takedown defense. He is surprised by the -180 line and considers it a gift, suggesting it could be parlayed.
Big Brady hesitantly picks Vinicius Oliveira due to Kyler Phillips' poor cardio. He believes Phillips wins the first round dominantly but fades, allowing Oliveira to take over in later rounds. He predicts a split decision for Oliveira, though he dislikes the pick.
The host sees this as a perfect matchup for Oliveira to showcase dominance, citing his performances against Ricky Simon and Said Nurmagomedov. He expects Oliveira to shut down Phillips's grappling and striking and produce a round three knockout.
The MMA Guru picks Vinicius Oliveira over Kyler Phillips, predicting a third-round finish. He criticizes Phillips' inability to adjust and his tendency to fade in later rounds, as seen against Rob Font and Howie PA. Oliveira is praised for his pace, durability, and pressure, having schooled Ricky Simon and broken Said Nurmagomedov. The Guru believes Oliveira will break Phillips down and finish him, comparing the matchup to Oliveira's win over Nurmagomedov.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Font | 0 | 61 of 137 | 44% | 65 of 144 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 38 of 125 | 30% | 50 of 143 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 4:42 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rob Font | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 7 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 10 of 26 | 38% | 21 of 42 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:34 | |
| 2 | Rob Font | 0 | 31 of 58 | 53% | 34 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 14 of 48 | 29% | 15 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 | |
| 3 | Rob Font | 0 | 23 of 60 | 38% | 24 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 14 of 51 | 27% | 14 of 52 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Font | 61 of 137 | 44% | 50 of 122 | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 56 of 131 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyler Phillips | 38 of 125 | 30% | 19 of 98 | 9 of 14 | 10 of 13 | 32 of 112 | 1 of 6 | 5 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rob Font | 7 of 19 | 36% | 6 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyler Phillips | 10 of 26 | 38% | 8 of 23 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 7 | |
| 2 | Rob Font | 31 of 58 | 53% | 23 of 48 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 28 of 55 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyler Phillips | 14 of 48 | 29% | 6 of 38 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 13 of 44 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rob Font | 23 of 60 | 38% | 21 of 57 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 58 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyler Phillips | 14 of 51 | 27% | 5 of 37 | 2 of 6 | 7 of 8 | 14 of 49 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Phillips (-425), Font (+330)
Round 1
Sitting in the co-main event slot is a bantamweight contest that will reestablish or coin a new contender in the talent-rich division. Having lost four of his last five, Font’s (20-8, 10-7 UFC) back is about as against the wall as it gets. As much as Font has largely struggled, Phillips (12-2, 6-1 UFC) has flourished, winner of his last three—albeit with one win in 2022, one in 2023 and the latest in March. This potential passing of the torch encounter will be officiated by referee Keith Peterson, and the 135ers touch ‘em up without a shred of nonsense between them. Font jabs his way directly into action, landing a few punches and setting up more. As Font presses forward, Phillips shoots in and easily hits a takedown, landing in side control and laughing off a guillotine choke defense from the New Englander. Phillips steps over from one side to the other, shifting to half guard as he sets up an arm-triangle choke. When Phillips abandons the choke, he secures side control almost effortlessly. Font turns to the other direction, but he stops doing so when realizing this will give his back up. Phillips controls from on top without unleashing much offense, posturing to the other side to drop down a single elbow. Any time Font tries to scramble, Phillips easily sees it coming and lays into Font with powerful elbows. Font turns over after fighting off a submission setup to explode back to his feet, and Phillips greets him with a spinning wheel kick. Font keeps his guard up and plods forward, scoring an uppercut and swinging a second before shooting in for a double. Font takes Phillips’ back standing, and Phillips breaks out of the position without much concern. Phillips scores a one-two, Font throws back, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 2
Font stalks out of his corner to engage in the second round, no-selling a leg kick so he can chamber and loose a few hard right hands. Font busts Phillips in the chops with a particularly strong right, and “The Matrix” responds with a shot that plants Font on his back. Font fights much more aggressively to get to his feet, walking up the wall and pressuring Phillips as much as he can. Font trails after Phillips, keeping his guard high and using tight boxing combinations to keep Phillips honest. Font winds up with a right hand that misses the mark, and he lets Phillips throw first so he can counter and tie him up. Font decides to disengage, taking a body kick to the side and chasing after Phillips to make Phillips turn tail and run. Phillips resets and kicks Font in the ribs, and he leans back after a leg kick to get popped with an overhand right. Font digs a body shot, and Phillips escapes and is eating powerful blows while his hands are low and his chin is high in the air. Font stabs his foe in the sternum with his foot, and he ignores a lazy high kick aimed his direction so he can blast Phillips in the face with a right hand. Fond chomps down on his mouthpiece and nails Phillips again, and swelling quickly develops around the Arizonan’s left eye. Phillips keeps on his bike, and Font is a Terminator walking through anything aimed at him so he can tag Phillips with power. A Phillips spin strike fails, as Font keeps his hands high and works the body to open up the head. Phillips tries to tie him up, and he pushes off to fire off a one-two and a spinning back fist. Phillips clinches, and Font wrenches himself away so he can keep the suffocating pace. Phillips gets backed off courtesy of several jabs, and Font utilizes the clinch to wear further on Phillips. Right before the bell, Phillips hits a foot sweep and puts Font on his seat.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Font
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Font
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Font
Round 3
Phillips starts off the round backing away from his opponent, and he lands a leg kick and shoots for a successful takedown. Font hits the ground and starts hand-fighting, eventually settling for muscling back to his feet. Phillips hacks at him with a tomahawking elbow when upright, and Font laughs it off and slugs him in the face with a right hand. Font loads up two more times on heavy rights, and both whoosh past “The Matrix.” Font surges into action behind his punches, landing and turning Phillips around. Phillips steels himself and swing back for vengeance, cracking Font with a right hand and rushing to the side to get a modicum of space. Font will not let him breathe for long, bearing down on him and crushing him against the cage wall. Phillips escapes and ducks an overhand right, kicking the side as he further escapes. Font sticks out a jab, and he sets up an uppercut when Phillips splits the distance to take him down. Font keeps pursuing Phillips fearlessly, getting his calf kicked hard but keeping his balance to stride ever forward. Font’s punches are telegraphed, as are Phillips’ takedowns. The latter is what comes next, but Font stops it in its tracks. Phillips breaks away before eating a strike, and he backpedals and has his left hand up to block Font’s wide right hooks. Phillips clips Font with his own short flurry, and Font tags him with one overhand right to slow him again. Font’s momentum leads to another clinch, and Phillips frames off with his knee. Font loads up time and again on his booming right, and Phillips gives him a little extra something to think about with a wheel kick. Font catches Phillips with a right hand on the way out, and Phillips’ legs are loose but he is still with it. Font keeps after him, watching for a spin kick that comes and advancing to sling final leather. Font stuffs one final takedown, and time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Font (29-28 Font)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Font (29-28 Font)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Font (29-28 Font)
The Official Result
Rob Font def. Kyler Phillips via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Kyler Phillips, citing the decline of the New England Cartel's takedown defense. He notes Rob Font's vulnerability to wrestling and believes Phillips' diverse striking and wrestling will make Font look old and slow. He expects Phillips to mix in takedowns and win comfortably. He criticizes the New England Cartel's inability to evolve.
Big Brady picks Kyler Phillips by any method. He notes Font's durability is diminishing, he gets wobbled often, and has poor takedown defense. Phillips can win on the feet or by takedown. He expects Phillips to get it done, possibly by knockout, submission, or decision, given Font's toughness.
Connor also picks Phillips but with hesitation, noting that Phillips' early speed and variety are key, but he fades late. He thinks Font could come on strong in the third round if Phillips hasn't put him away. Connor is not fully convinced about Phillips yet, but sees the takedowns and speed as enough to win over three rounds.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript.
Font has been on a bad slump. His volume style can be effective, but Phillips will land more significant strikes and mix in takedowns. Phillips will grind out a win on the scorecards.
The Guru picks Phillips over Font, citing Font's susceptibility to being grappled and his age (37). He notes Phillips has explosive takedowns and offensive grappling, as shown against Pedro Munhoz, and trains with Sean O'Malley. He expects Phillips to mix things up and win a decision, though he acknowledges Font is a good boxer.
Zane picks Phillips, citing his speed and variety early in the fight to stump Font for two rounds. He acknowledges that Phillips tends to fade in the third round, but believes Font's linear style and lack of adaptability will allow Phillips to build an insurmountable lead. He notes that Phillips may also use takedowns, though that could gas him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 52 of 140 | 37% | 52 of 140 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 0 | 114 of 275 | 41% | 115 of 276 | 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 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 19 of 54 | 35% | 19 of 54 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 0 | 55 of 120 | 45% | 56 of 121 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 20 of 42 | 47% | 20 of 42 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 0 | 32 of 75 | 42% | 32 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 13 of 44 | 29% | 13 of 44 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 0 | 27 of 80 | 33% | 27 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 52 of 140 | 37% | 23 of 99 | 17 of 24 | 12 of 17 | 48 of 134 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 114 of 275 | 41% | 74 of 224 | 17 of 24 | 23 of 27 | 111 of 269 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 19 of 54 | 35% | 11 of 44 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 17 of 50 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 55 of 120 | 45% | 41 of 104 | 6 of 8 | 8 of 8 | 52 of 114 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 20 of 42 | 47% | 7 of 22 | 7 of 12 | 6 of 8 | 20 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 32 of 75 | 42% | 16 of 56 | 8 of 9 | 8 of 10 | 32 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 13 of 44 | 29% | 5 of 33 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 11 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Pedro Munhoz | 27 of 80 | 33% | 17 of 64 | 3 of 7 | 7 of 9 | 27 of 80 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Phillips (-238), Munhoz (+195)
Round 1
In the talent-rich no-nonsense bantamweight division, speed sells, and both Munhoz (20-8, 2 NC; 10-8, 2 NC UFC) and Phillips (11-2, 5-1 UFC) are buying. Nine years the elder, Munhoz has served as the more active man of the two over the last few years. Referee Keith Peterson is ready to keep up with these two talented competitors, whether they need 15 seconds or 15 minutes to get things done. The fighters touch ‘em up to begin, and Munhoz moves forward, only to dodge a low kick and a pair of jabs. Phillips reaches his foe with a second leg kick, and Munhoz leaps forward to grab the leg and take the fight down. Phillips spins with a wheel kick that draws audible gasps but does not connect, and he chains a few punches into it to keep Munhoz from crowding him. “The Young Punisher” gets inside to land a right hand, and Phillips scores back with his own offense. Munhoz intercepts a striking Phillips to tackle him to the mat. Munhoz leaps into the guard, but Phillips kicks him off and pushes off with a finger when getting to his feet. Peterson sees this and allows Munhoz to recover, and Munhoz only takes a few seconds before he is ready to go. The two bantamweights jab at one another, and Phillips whips a head kick after. Both men throw leg kicks, and Munhoz crowds him and lands punches that force Phillips to turn away and escape on the edge of the cage. Munhoz pushes out a front kick, and Phillips times a right hand over the top. The two measure one another in single strikes, and Phillips kicks low and buzzes the hair with a kick. Phillips keeps his long jab outstretched, and he leans back when Munhoz wings inaccurate but powerful punches at him. Phillips dodges and spins with a back kick, and he drives a knee on the chin that stings Munhoz. Phillips unloads with a barrage of punches and kicks, and he further tags Munhoz in his long series of strikes. Munhoz gathers himself and throws back, and he knees him in the face. Phillips jabs out his finger while rattling off a long combo, and he jams it into Munhoz’ eye. Phillips also cuts Munhoz, and it was a punch that cause it and not the poke. When they get back to it, Munhoz wipes his eye and engages in a brawl. Phillips sticks and moves, landing flush and getting shoved back with a front kick. Phillips nods at him and eats a left hook that cuts him on the cheek. The fast and furious round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 2
The cut on the eyelid of Munhoz is not sealed between rounds, and blood leaks from it to start off the round. Phillips sprints forward to attack, and Munhoz is right there to greet him with strikes including a pair of low kicks. Phillips has a one-two bounce off the guard, and he comes up short with a hook kick. Munhoz checks a low kick, and he dips down to rip a left to the body. Phillips kicks him back in the leg, and Munhoz is right there to chop him back. They both crack one another with left hooks, and Munhoz slips and scores a right. Phillips connects with a solid right hand, and Munhoz’ chin is made of sterner stuff. Phillips grazes the hair with a fast head kick, and he swats away a jabbing front kick. Phillips rifles off several jabs while Munhoz comes at him, and he evades the heavier of the strikes coming his way. They both go low with a kick, and Munhoz has his guard raised to block a standing elbow but it cannot defend against a body kick after it. Munhoz keeps his head movement on full display as he dodges and ducks vicious strikes like a spinning back fist, and he remains right close to Phillips. Phillips kicks him in the mouth, and Munhoz takes it cleanly and wades forward to throw back. Munhoz shoulder-rolls when a right hand comes down the pipe, and he parries a left hook. The two trade leg kicks, and Phillips hops forward and stomps the side with a kick. Phillips digs a left to the body and right to the head, and Munhoz does not bat an eye. Phillips chains punches together into a low kick, and he slides back before Munhoz can reach him. Munhoz scores a single body kick, but it is one-and-done while Phillips is largely more active. Phillips gets off a right and a left, and he leapfrogs Munhoz when Munhoz ducks down. Phillips spins with a wheel kick that tags Munhoz, and he stops a potential takedown from coming at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 3
Munhoz sprints out of his corner ready to engage, and he tosses out a glove touch before darting in to shoot for a takedown. Phillips staves it off and pops out several jabs, keeping him away from the right hand of the Brazilian. They both smack one another with leg kicks, and then aim body shots. Phillips lands a right to the body and a spinning back kick to the other side. Munhoz jabs his way in and misses with an overhand right, and Phillips jabs and paws at the damaged eye of his opponent. Phillips shimmies as he dodges, and he flicks out a front kick that lands on the chin. The two clinch up, but nothing comes of it as Phillips is out of range when he tries to reach a left hand on the break. Phillips strafes to the side and lands a right hand up top along with a body kick. Munhoz scores a low kick, but Phillips is right in his face with punches and his own leg kick. Munhoz snaps the head back with a jab, and he absorbs a clean leg kick in response. Phillips looks to counter a leg kick with a right hand over the top, and he bounces and moves to flick out jabs. Munhoz times a right hand while Phillips is bouncing around, and Phillips has to reset. Phillips slaps a leg kick in the outer lead leg, and he steps in with a left hook and whips a head kick up on the other side. Munhoz does not bat an eye, and he spins with a back kick aimed at Phillips’ head but cannot reach him. Munhoz prods out a front kick, only to get driven back by punches and a head kick. Phillips kicks low to stop Munhoz from getting to him. It temporarily disrupts Munhoz’ constant forward movement, but Munhoz is quick to get back to racing forward. Phillips has a head kick bounce off the guard, and he clips Munhoz with an overhand right. “The Matrix” styles on his opponent with punches that leads to a spinning kick, and the fight ends as Phillips attempts and lands a back flip to celebrate.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Phillips (30-27 Phillips)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Phillips (30-27 Phillips)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Phillips (30-27 Phillips)
The Official Result
Kyler Phillips def. Pedro Munhoz via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo leans Kyler Phillips due to his youth, cardio, and well-rounded game, but acknowledges Pedro Munhoz is the better fighter on paper. He notes Munhoz is 37 and has only one win in five fights, while Phillips is younger and has momentum. He won't bet because the odds on Phillips are too wide for an untested fighter.
Big Brady picks Kyler Phillips to win by decision. He likes Phillips' movement, volume, and sneaky power, and notes that Munhoz has been outlanded in recent fights. He expects Phillips to win the first two rounds and possibly drop the third, winning 29-28. He also mentions a PrizePicks play on Phillips under 2.5 takedowns.
Cody acknowledges Phillips' speed and athleticism but worries about his cardio and durability. He thinks Phillips can win the first two rounds with movement and volume, but Munhoz's durability and pressure could lead to a late finish or decision for Munhoz.
Daniel leans towards Phillips due to youth, speed, and explosiveness. He notes Phillips goes balls to the wall and may fatigue, but Munhoz has also slowed down in later rounds recently. Daniel is not interested at the price but picks Phillips to win.
Phillips has a speed, footwork, and technical striking advantage that should allow him to dance around at range and touch up Munhoz. He tends to fade in the third round due to cardio issues, but he should win the first two rounds clearly and survive the third. Munhoz is a tough veteran with power and forward pressure, but his short reach and tendency to get outpointed by technical strikers is a concern. Phillips should put on a similar performance to his win over Barcelos, using movement and output to win a decision.
Paul agrees with Cody's assessment, noting Phillips' reach and speed advantages. He thinks Phillips can win the first two rounds and hold on in the third, but acknowledges the risk of Munhoz's leg kicks and pressure.
The MMA Guru picks Pedro Munhoz, arguing that Kyler Phillips' flashy striking style relies on hurting opponents, but Munhoz has never been dropped or wobbled. He notes Munhoz's low kicks and durability, and that even Sean O'Malley couldn't do much to Munhoz. He predicts Munhoz will win a decision, possibly 29-28, or even a draw if Phillips wins early rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 1 | 72 of 187 | 38% | 80 of 196 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 46 of 116 | 39% | 52 of 124 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 1 | 30 of 68 | 44% | 31 of 69 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 18 of 45 | 40% | 20 of 48 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 22 of 58 | 37% | 29 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 9 of 27 | 33% | 11 of 30 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 20 of 61 | 32% | 20 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 0 | 19 of 44 | 43% | 21 of 46 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 72 of 187 | 38% | 40 of 146 | 18 of 26 | 14 of 15 | 62 of 174 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 5 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 46 of 116 | 39% | 20 of 87 | 15 of 17 | 11 of 12 | 39 of 105 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 30 of 68 | 44% | 14 of 48 | 9 of 13 | 7 of 7 | 26 of 63 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 18 of 45 | 40% | 12 of 38 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 37 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 22 of 58 | 37% | 16 of 51 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 51 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 9 of 27 | 33% | 2 of 20 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 20 of 61 | 32% | 10 of 47 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 19 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Raoni Barcelos | 19 of 44 | 43% | 6 of 29 | 6 of 8 | 7 of 7 | 18 of 42 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Phillips (-198), Barcelos (+164)
Round 1
Kevin MacDonald will ref this bantamweight pairing. Phillips opens with a leg kick and a 1-2. Barcelos blocks a body kick. A right connects for the Brazilian. Phillips with a stiff jab and then he partially lands an overhand right. Barcelos catches a low kick and drives Phllips into the fence. Phillips jumps guard and hunts for an armbar. He kicks Barcelos off him and hustles back up. Barcelos with a right uppercut. They trade, and Barcelos eats a head kick but catches the leg. Phillips frees himself from the body lock. Phillips moves well, landing a 1-2. Phillips has a takedown stuffed and Barcelos tags him on the exit. Moments later, a right puts Barcelos on his seat. Barcelos recovers quickly, however. Barcelos is cut on the bridge ofhis nose. Barcelos stalks his man against the fence and lands some combinations. They tie up and Barcelos is still throwing heavy leather. Phillips fires back. Barcelos flicks out a nice jab then backs up Phillips with some heavy hooks. They clinch and Phillips shoves him off. Phillips lands a glancing head kick that Barcelos catches. They continue to trade until the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 2
Phillips lands a two-punch combo, catches a leg and takes Barcelos to the mat. Phillips drops some elbows while Barcelos is active with his guard. Barcelos eventually scrambles up. Barcelos blocks a high kick. Phillips with a leg kick. The pace has slowed from Round 1. Barcelos lands a right and a left hook, then shoots for a takedown. Phillips denies it. Phillips snaps his foe’s head back with a straight right. Another Phillips high kick is blocked, but he connects with a 1-2. Barcelos changes levels and has Phillips in a body lock. Phillips tries to use a kimura to defend, but Barcelos maintains his grip. He lifts Phillips and dumps him on the mat. Phillips rolls for a kneebar in a scramble and that allows him to stand. Phillips flicks out a couple of jabs. Barcelos pressures forward and they trade knees in close. Phillips fires off another jab and misses a combination at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 3
Phillips grabs a leg, lets it go and knees the midsection. Barcelos with a solid low kick. Phillips answers a high kick with a standing side kick to the gut. Phillips stays on the outside, but Barcelos partially lands a knee upstairs. Phillips kicks the body but it bounces off Barcelos’ elbow. Barcelos with an inside leg kick. He catches Phillips’ kick and dumps him to the canvas, but Phillips bounces right up. A Barcelos right uppercut digs to the body. Phillips is content to remain on the outside moving laterally. Barcelos stalks him and lands a jab. Barcelos just misses an uppercut through the guard of his foe. A front kick down the middle lands for Barcelos and he pressures with punches. Phillips lands a counter right in response. Barcelos shoots for a takedown against the fence and briefly pulls him down. Barcelos releases the body lock and deftly throws a kick upstairs. That draws a smile from Phillips before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Phillips)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Phillips)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barcelos (29-28 Phillips)
The Official Result
Kyler Phillips def. Raoni Barcelos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Raoni Barcelos despite his recent skid, believing he is the better fighter everywhere except age and youth. He notes Barcelos has superior wrestling, technical striking, and BJJ. He warns that Kyler Phillips is sloppy and lacks one-punch power, so Barcelos should control the fight with wrestling. Angelo has a half-unit bet on Barcelos at +143 but says this is his last time betting on him and advises not to tail blindly.
Big Brady is very uncertain. He notes Barcelos has elite takedown defense, so Phillips' wrestling won't work. However, Barcelos is 36, on short notice, coming off a brutal KO loss, and has declined. Phillips is coming off a PED suspension. He thinks it will be a close striking match and picks Barcelos by split decision with little confidence, saying he'd rather be on the dog money.
Cody picks Barcelos as a plus-money underdog, citing his well-rounded skills, wrestling, and cardio. He notes Phillips' tendency to fade in later rounds and his questionable takedown defense. He believes Barcelos can survive the first round and take over as Phillips gasses. He also suggests a live bet on Barcelos after the first round.
Daniel Levi picks Raoni Barcelos, though he admits he has no strong read. He likes Barcelos' well-rounded skills (black belt in BJJ, Brazilian wrestling team, good striking) but is concerned about his age (36). Levi notes that Phillips is explosive but slows down badly in fights, and that Barcelos' output and durability could be factors. He is not worried about the Umar Nurmagomedov knockout, crediting Umar's skill. Levi sees this as a tough fight and prefers the dog price on Barcelos.
James thinks Barcelos is past his prime, citing recent wobbles and a knockout loss to someone with no KOs. He believes Phillips can knock him out and that the minus 200 line is about right. He also mentions Phillips could get takedowns to consolidate rounds.
Phillips has a style that gives Barcelos problems: he moves a lot, uses distance striking and kicks, and stays out of range. Barcelos has a better gas tank and could push into deep waters, but it will be too little too late. The fight is closer than the odds suggest, but Barcelos's time has passed and Phillips is a bad stylistic matchup. I'd rather pass on this matchup entirely.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Phillips' cardio issues and Barcelos' wrestling advantage. He mentions that Phillips has been taken down by lesser grapplers and that Barcelos is the toughest opponent he has faced. He sees value in the plus money.
The host picks Kyler Phillips, citing his youth (28), diverse striking, and BJJ. He notes Barcelos is 36, coming off a knockout loss, and has slowed defensively. He believes Phillips will land fight-impacting shots and can capitalize on Barcelos' diminished chin and slower movement. He thinks Phillips may get a finish but is confident in a decision win. He finds the -200 line a bit high but still picks Phillips.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 80 of 164 | 48% | 90 of 176 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 2 | 0 | 2:33 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 0 | 55 of 153 | 35% | 57 of 155 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 34 of 64 | 53% | 36 of 66 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 0 | 15 of 49 | 30% | 16 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 38 of 85 | 44% | 44 of 91 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 0 | 35 of 94 | 37% | 36 of 95 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 8 of 15 | 53% | 10 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 80 of 164 | 48% | 52 of 135 | 14 of 15 | 14 of 14 | 63 of 146 | 8 of 9 | 9 of 9 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 55 of 153 | 35% | 32 of 123 | 5 of 10 | 18 of 20 | 53 of 147 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 34 of 64 | 53% | 21 of 51 | 8 of 8 | 5 of 5 | 24 of 53 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 4 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 15 of 49 | 30% | 10 of 40 | 0 of 2 | 5 of 7 | 15 of 46 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 38 of 85 | 44% | 25 of 72 | 5 of 5 | 8 of 8 | 36 of 83 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 35 of 94 | 37% | 19 of 75 | 4 of 7 | 12 of 12 | 33 of 91 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 8 of 15 | 53% | 6 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Marcelo Rojo | 5 of 10 | 50% | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
We keep things moving right along to the bantamweights, in what should be a fast-paced, high-intensity battle between Phillips (9-2, 3-1 UFC) and Rojo (16-7, 0-1 UFC) that was initially set for the main card but for late lineup shuffling. Taking charge of the cage is referee Dan Miragliotta, and the fighters touch gloves to begin what could be a fun one. At any rate, it will be better than the last fight, if one could call it that. Phillips leads off with a leg kick, and Rojo fires right back. Phillips aims a right hand over the top, and he jabs up high, throws a right hand and a left to the body. “Matrix” spins with a body kick, and he backs away when Rojo tries to counter him. Rojo just misses with a looping right hook, and Phillips delivers a one-two across the bow. The American cannot connect with a spinning wheel kick, but he does get off a flying knee. Phillips goes low with a kick that trips Rojo to the mat, and he charges ahead with a three-punch salvo. Rojo looks to counter, and Phillips changes things up with a takedown entry. Although it does not succeed, Phillips backs away just enough to whip a spinning wheel kick around, and it clatters off the high guard of his foe. They both fire off right hands at the same time, and Phillips rushes in to clip the Argentinian with an elbow and a left hand before tripping “Pitbull” to the mat. Phillips claims Rojo’s back quickly when Rojo stands, and he drags Rojo’s legs out and steps over to full mount. Rojo quickly recovers half guard, but a few short elbow strikes from Phillips have opened a cut on the side of Rojo’s eye. Rojo sits up, gets to his knees and stands up, but not before eating a crisp knee to the body on the way up. Phillips resets and paws out with a jab, and he darts out of the way when a combination whizzes past him. A high spinning back kick lands flush on Rojo’s arms, and he follows it with a jab that split the guard. Rojo fires back, only to get countered with a right hand on that damaged eye. Phillips is just a little too high from yet another spinning wheel kick, and Rojo ducked just in time. After a brief clinch, they break away where Phillips tags Rojo with a swatting left hook. Phillips steps in with a right hand, and he sweeps Rojo down to the mat with 15 seconds to go. Rojo throws his legs up for a sneaky armbar, and Phillips stands up to pull his arm out, lowering himself back down right as the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 2
Rojo strides out of his corner to attack at the beginning of Round 2, but Phillips beats him to the punch and works the body with a left hand. Chaining punches into a spinning back kick, Phillips has Rojo guessing. Rojo swings back, mostly hitting air, and he sticks out a leg kick but gets met with three punches. The Argentinian attacks the lead leg again, leading Phillips to do the same with his own strikes. “Matrix” fires off a head kick that collides with the raised guard, and he sets his leg down and is already on to stringing jabs into a combination. Rojo throws caution to the wind, swinging wildly but inaccurately, as Phillips jabs away and starts drilling Rojo’s calf with repeated kicks. Rojo meets him in the middle with a jab back, but the kicks from Phillips are quickly doing damage and changing the color of Rojo’s lead calf. Phillips is loose, light on his feet, hopping in and out of range to toss a flying knee or piercing jab out. Rojo catches Phillips at the end of a right hand after blocking a head kick, but Phillips’ strikes are straighter and sharper, and therefore finding their target at a much higher clip. The American springs out of the way when Rojo bears down on him, and he continues battering Rojo’s calf as swelling grows. Rojo fights to through the pain to swing for the fences, and as soon as he commits to a big punch, Phillips dives low for a takedown. Rojo pops right back up before staying down for more than one second, and Phillips feeds him a steady diet of jabs on an increasingly reddening nose. Rojo scores to the body, forcing Phillips to crash forward and attempt a body lock trip. Rojo sneaks in a knee and an uppercut before they separate, and the round ends with Phillips blocking a high kick.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 3
Coming out to the third round, Rojo’s lead leg is hamburger, swollen and bruised badly. Phillips picks up where he left off there, attacking the damaged leg before assailing his man with a chained takedown that set Rojo on his back. Phillips lands in side control, and he grips on to a double wrist lock that he uses to claim mount brilliantly. In a very high mount, Phillips locks up a high mounted triangle, and he sits up to smash Rojo in the head with punches and elbows. Rojo turns over, in an effort to slide his neck out.
When Phillips lands on his back, he is already setting up an armbar while he still holds on to the triangle choke. The combo submission is tight as can be, and there is no way out for the Argentinian. “Matrix” elicits the tap right when Rojo stands, with Rojo surrendering before losing consciousness or hyperextending his elbow.
That’s a rare triangle armbar on the books for the highly touted prospect from Arizona.
The Official Result
Kyler Phillips def. Marcelo Rojo R3 1:48 via Submission (Triangle Armbar)
Angelo picks Phillips, expecting a competitive back-and-forth fight where Phillips leans on his wrestling. He notes that Phillips has made mistakes in the past that cost him, but believes his technical striking and grappling will be enough. He suggests a plus 3.5 prop bet on Rojo as an underdog.
Big Brady is very impressed with Phillips, calling him a skilled striker with good wrestling and BJJ. He believes Phillips should take the fight to the mat, where Rojo has been submitted multiple times. He predicts Phillips will win by first round submission. He notes Phillips' cardio is a concern but Rojo's cardio is also questionable. He thinks Phillips will look his price tag.
Cody defends the price, noting Phillips is young and talented. He thinks Phillips' cardio issues are overblown and that he should dominate Rojo, who is a brawler with poor cardio. He expects Phillips to win, possibly by finish.
Daniel Levi picks Kyler Phillips to win a decision, but expects a tough fight. He notes that Phillips is more dynamic and explosive early, but tends to slow down. Rojo is a durable dog who can drag Phillips into deep waters. Levi thinks Phillips will win but not cover the -430 line.
Phillips is the more skilled fighter with good movement and jiu-jitsu. Rojo is a brawler with knockout power but poor submission defense. Phillips should take the fight to the ground and submit Rojo. Phillips' cardio is a concern if he gasses, but he should finish early. The under 2.5 rounds is a good prop if plus money.
Paul picks Phillips but thinks the price is too high. He notes Phillips has cardio issues but should dominate early. He warns that Rojo could be dangerous if he survives the first round, and that the weight cut for Rojo is a concern.
The MMA Guru picks Kyler Phillips by decision, citing his well-rounded skills and learning from the Paiva fight. He expects Phillips to drop Rojo early but not chase the finish, winning a clear decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raulian Paiva | 1 | 74 of 132 | 56% | 95 of 155 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 0 | 1 | 3:02 |
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 51 of 117 | 43% | 72 of 147 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raulian Paiva | 1 | 45 of 70 | 64% | 61 of 86 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 1:01 |
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 13 of 32 | 40% | 19 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:23 | |
| 2 | Raulian Paiva | 0 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 15 of 32 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 23 of 47 | 48% | 23 of 47 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 | |
| 3 | Raulian Paiva | 0 | 16 of 34 | 47% | 19 of 37 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 15 of 38 | 39% | 30 of 62 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:44 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raulian Paiva | 74 of 132 | 56% | 62 of 115 | 7 of 11 | 5 of 6 | 43 of 95 | 8 of 9 | 23 of 28 |
| Kyler Phillips | 51 of 117 | 43% | 37 of 96 | 14 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 41 of 102 | 7 of 10 | 3 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raulian Paiva | 45 of 70 | 64% | 41 of 64 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 19 of 39 | 3 of 3 | 23 of 28 |
| Kyler Phillips | 13 of 32 | 40% | 9 of 28 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | |
| 2 | Raulian Paiva | 13 of 28 | 46% | 9 of 23 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyler Phillips | 23 of 47 | 48% | 17 of 38 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 38 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Raulian Paiva | 16 of 34 | 47% | 12 of 28 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Kyler Phillips | 15 of 38 | 39% | 11 of 30 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Two top-flight teams will wage a proxy battle as the MMA Lab’s Phillips (9-1, 3-0 UFC) faces ex-flyweight and Team Alpha Male rep Paiva (20-3, 2-2 UFC) at bantamweight. The co-main event will tolerate zero nonsense as it draws oversight from referee Keith Peterson, and the gloves are touched to clock in this fight. Paiva is quick on the draw, with a few crisp punches when Phillips tries to close the distance. Phillips opens up with kicks, and he cracks the Brazilian with a right hand. Phillips opens up with a flying knee, and when he lands, he spins with a back fist that glances off the target. Paiva appears to have recovered from the big blow and partial knockdown to throw at Phillips, but “The Matrix” enters the matrix as he dodges several strikes and ducks down to clash heads with his advancing opponent. Phillips kicks the body, and his leg is caught and he takes two right hands and succumbs to a takedown from the position. When Phillips walks up the fence, he is able to spin around and spin Paiva around with a kimura. Phillips lifts his foe up in the air and slams him down like he was carrying groceries, and he lets Paiva up so that he can land a flashy kick to the body. Paiva appears unflustered and he walks Phillips down, but he eats a fierce right hand that hurts him. Another wobbles Paiva, who shoots in for a single and is stuffed. Phillips makes him pay with several punches, until the Brazilian bails on it and stands up. Phillips kicks him in the head, and spins around with a heel kick that clacks on the side of Paiva’s head. Paiva allows him to land the strike so that Phillips falls to the ground without any balance, and he climbs into Phillips’ guard to slow things down. Paiva postures up and lands a few long punches, but Phillips is quick to reverse him and put Paiva on his back. Phillips takes side control, and slices over to mount but is pulled back to half guard in an exchange. Paiva eats an elbow, scrambles back to his knees, takes another elbow, and stands back up. When Paiva stands back up, Phillips rocks him with another brutal right hand, and the Brazilian pushes for a desperation takedown. Paiva can barely stand, and Phillips cracks him with another right hand. A nasty elbow cracks the Brazilian on the jaw, and he collapses in a heap. The fight not quite over, Phillips dives in to finish the job. He continues to club Paiva with everything he has, and Paiva miraculously survives to the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Phillips
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-8 Phillips
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Phillips
Round 2
The gloves are touched to begin the round, and Paiva comes out of his corner swinging for the bleachers. Phillips spins with a wheel kick to try to throw things off, and Paiva drops down to pursue a takedown. As soon as Phillips drops to a knee, he rolls for a leglock, and Paiva abandons the position before anything gets set up. Both men get back to their feet, and Phillips is ready with pep in his step and a blistering elbow square on the chin. Paiva takes it flush and fires back with a straight right hand, knocking Phillips off of his feet. Paiva sees that Phillips may be hurt and a little gassed, and he chases Phillips around the cage and unloads a fury at him. Paiva scores a clean uppercut that stings Phillips badly, and even though he may be bloodied and has taken some damage, he appears the fresher man and ignores a flying knee when Phillips tries to recover. Paiva pursues a takedown, and when Phillips fights it off, the latter takes a very deep breath before the midpoint of the round. Phillips dives forward for a tackle takedown, landing it and putting the Brazilian on his back. Paiva scoots his way to the fence, and he calmly stands back up while Phillips tries to keep him down. Paiva is able to break free, and he lands a one-two as Phillips is tiring fast. Paiva ducks a punch and grabs a body lock to try to plant “The Matrix” on the ground, but Phillips stops it and lands a spinning back elbow. When Paiva looks to do some damage with a right hand, Phillips evades it, grabs the back and drags Paiva down to the ground. Phillips takes back control and fishes for a choke, but Paiva rolls through to his knees. Phillips flattens Paiva out to set up a choke, and Paiva turns and nearly gives up mount. Phillips turns to try to get a better position, and he is forced to stand up. Phillips smashes Paiva in the face with a huge right hand, and Paiva eats it like an acai bowl and blasts Phillips back with one of his own. The spent fighters end the round pressed against the wall.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Paiva
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Paiva
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Paiva
Round 3
The bantamweight battle well worth the price of admission, both men touch gloves to begin the last round. Whose cardio is better is anyone’s guess. Paiva starts the dance with a few jabs, and Phillips comes back at him with a long right hand and a possible takedown entry. Paiva stuffs it without much effort and connects with a right hand that wobbles Phillips. Paiva opens up with a right and a left as Phillips bears down on him to take him down, stopping the attempt before it gets too far. Phillips shrugs off a right hand on the jaw to duck down low for a single, and both men fall to the ground with neither in an advantageous position. Phillips ducks face-first into an uppercut, and Paiva lays into him with a few punches but cannot hurt him. Phillips sells out with a huge right hand, and the two fighters are so wiped out, they are slipping all over the cage and wobbling after every punch. Phillips escapes a few strikes but takes some more when Paiva gives chase, and Phillips attacks with a spinning kick that is well short of the mark. Phillips goes all-in for a double leg takedown, scooping the Brazilian’s legs out beneath him bot not able to ground him for long. Paiva scores a right hand only to get pursued with another takedown, and Paiva grits it out and turns him around to take him down. Phillips defends with his legs to set up a reversal, but he does not have the energy to land it and instead is stuck on his back while Paiva is on top of him. The Brazilian holds on tight, not wanting “The Matrix” to get off any more wild strikes on his feet, and he gets off some ground-and-pound to stay busy. Paiva in half guard continues to control his opponent and land effective if not damaging punches. At the 10-second clapper, Phillips explodes to his feet and is ready to brawl. Phillips smashes his fist into the granite chin of Paiva, and Paiva throws everything he has back at his foe. One final flurry ends the fight, and this one could be close – close enough to be dead even, depending on how the judges see the rounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Paiva (28-28)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Paiva (28-28)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Paiva (28-28)
The Official Result
Raulian Paiva def. Kyler Phillips via Majority Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Angelo picks Raulian Paiva because he thinks Paiva is a real threat on the ground with jiu-jitsu and is a good striker. He notes that Kyler Phillips has wrestling and fight IQ, but Paiva could cause problems. He is not confident and is not betting on this fight. He likes the more/more on monkey knife fight, expecting a decision.
Big Brady is very high on Kyler Phillips, especially after his impressive win over Song Yadong. He notes Paiva is moving up from 125 lbs and has poor striking defense (51%) and a negative striking differential. He expects Phillips to mix in takedowns (3 per 15 min, 63% accuracy) and win a convincing decision, as Paiva has been taken down in every UFC fight except one. He considers this a step down in competition for Phillips.
Cody picks Phillips, calling him a legitimate top ten guy. He praises Phillips' fight IQ, striking, and wrestling, noting his performance against Song Yadong. He thinks Paiva's move up to 135 removes his size advantage and that Phillips is on a different level. He considers Phillips a safe parlay piece.
Daniel Levi picks Kyler Phillips to win, acknowledging Paiva's toughness but believing Phillips is too clean and will edge a decision. He notes that Paiva is dangerous with nothing to lose, but Phillips' footwork and technique are superior. Levi expects a close fight but sees Phillips' skill set prevailing, though he wouldn't play the -300 line against Paiva.
Jacob picks Kyler Phillips as his lock of the week, calling him the 'king of lock of the weeks.' He praises Phillips' fight IQ and wrestling, noting that he gets takedowns when needed. He believes Phillips will dominate with wrestling and timely takedowns. He is very confident despite the short-notice opponent moving up in weight.
The host leans toward Raulian Paiva as a dog, noting his striking and Muay Thai. He believes Paiva's move to 135 pounds will benefit his cardio and durability. He thinks the line is too wide and Paiva can make it a close fight. He likes Paiva by decision at +455 and the moneyline at +240.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing that Paiva's biggest advantage was his size at 125, which is gone at 135. He notes Paiva hasn't looked ultra impressive and arguably lost to Zalgus. He sees Phillips as a surgeon and expects him to win on the feet or ground.
The Guru confidently picks Phillips, citing his size advantage at bantamweight, chain takedown ability, and mixing strikes with takedowns. He notes Paiva is a short-notice replacement and likely views this as a free payday. He predicts a first-round rear-naked choke submission, as Paiva has been outgrappled before.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 67 of 161 | 41% | 89 of 189 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:06 |
| Song Yadong | 0 | 59 of 142 | 41% | 69 of 152 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 21 of 39 | 53% | 28 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Song Yadong | 0 | 27 of 59 | 45% | 28 of 60 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:27 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 20 of 61 | 32% | 23 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Song Yadong | 0 | 19 of 47 | 40% | 22 of 50 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 26 of 61 | 42% | 38 of 77 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:01 |
| Song Yadong | 0 | 13 of 36 | 36% | 19 of 42 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 67 of 161 | 41% | 39 of 120 | 20 of 32 | 8 of 9 | 67 of 158 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 2 |
| Song Yadong | 59 of 142 | 41% | 38 of 112 | 16 of 23 | 5 of 7 | 54 of 137 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 21 of 39 | 53% | 13 of 29 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Song Yadong | 27 of 59 | 45% | 14 of 40 | 11 of 15 | 2 of 4 | 25 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 20 of 61 | 32% | 13 of 45 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 20 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 |
| Song Yadong | 19 of 47 | 40% | 14 of 41 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 26 of 61 | 42% | 13 of 46 | 7 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 26 of 60 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Song Yadong | 13 of 36 | 36% | 10 of 31 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Back in the first season of Dana White’s Contender Series, not every fighter was signed off a win, even if they scored a stoppage. This was the case for Phillips (8-1, 2-0 UFC), who notched a 46-second finish and then had to compete two more times before earning a spot on the roster. Two wins in the UFC have led to him meeting “Kung Fu Monkey” Song (16-4-1, 1 NC; 5-0-1 UFC) tonight, with the latter undefeated at bantamweight inside the Octagon. This 135-pound clash will draw officiating from referee Mark Smith, and a glove touch starts things off. Phillips quickly marches forward with a one-two, and he swings a leg kick shortly after it. “Matrix” is elusive and throwing strikes from distance, and he gets off a head kick that rolls off Song’s shoulder. Phillips sticks out a long jab, and Song strides forward with a shovel uppercut. Phillips scores a body kick, and a right hand when Song bears down on him. Song gets off a jab and then a left hand gets Song’s attention. Phillips nails Song with a head kick, and Song miraculously stays upright only to take a crisp spinning back kick to the body. The Chinese fighter bounces off the cage and survives a flurry from Phillips, and he gathers himself to throw back at Phillips. Song swings a right hand, and Phillips ducks it and scores a leg kick on the way out. Song stings Phillips with an uppercut, and he avoids a long jab and a sweeping leg kick. Song spins with a hook kick that bounces off Phillips’ guard, and the American is no worse for wear as he sticks out a stiff jab. Song stabs his toes into Phillips’ midsection, and he eats a one-two as he takes a step back. Song leaps in the air with a knee that glances off its intended target, and Phillips sticks him with a single right hand. Song gathers his thoughts and flicks out a few jabs, and he gets smashed on the chops with a monster right hand. Song does not even wobble, but Phillips uses the momentum to bowl Song over and take the fight down. “Kung Fu Monkey” simply powers his way back up to his feet, and he tries to throw back but Phillips is well out of the way in time. Phillips delivers a stiff left hand to the jaw, and Song times an uppercut counter that makes Phillips shake his head. Phillips tries to get off a head kick, and Song walks through a low kick to make his opponent stumble. Song tries to clinch up, and the two jockey for position on the cage as they spam knees. Phillips tries to separate and gets elbows in the face, and he backs off to absorb a spinning back kick on the torso. Phillips lets him have it with a barrage as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 2
Phillips begins the round with a long jab, and he takes a right hand on the chops when he aims for a leg kick. Phillips drills Song with another head kick, but the Chinese fighter is completely unfazed and ready to brawl with a pair of hooks. Phillips sticks out a few jabs and the two start trading violently. Both men clip the other with right hands, and Song backs off to connect with a kick to the midsection. Song presses his man into the fence, and Phillips pushes off and nails Song with a spinning back kick that surprises “Kung Fu Monkey.” Song gathers his thoughts, circles around, and tries to kick Phillips in the chest. Both men land right hands at the same time, and Phillips resets to score a leg kick. Song targets the body with a few kicks, and Phillips ducks down to sling a huge right hand. Song does not even register that he took a shot, and he ducks a spinning wheel kick that zooms past him. Song throws a monster right hand that Phillips is barely able to duck in time, and both swing and hit nothing but air. Phillips dings him with a right hand, and when Song steps forward to kick, Phillips nearly drops him with a jab. Song does a quick count of his teeth and starts throwing looping shots as Phillips is backed into the fence, and Song chases him down with big strikes. Phillips ducks a punch to hit a speedy takedown, and Song bucks him off but cannot get the American away from him. “Matrix” climbs over and takes the half guard using a fierce elbow from above, and the two scramble until they both split up and stand. Phillips gets off a right hand, and then circles to pepper Song with a few jabs. Song crashes the pocket with several huge punches, and he stings Phillips with a right hand. Song is ready to throw with bad intentions, and he does just that until the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 3
Phillips starts off with a quick jab, keeping Song at bay, who has already enabled headhunter mode. Song tries to lob huge shots to figuratively take Phillips’ head off, and “Matrix” avoids most of the damaging blows. Phillips lands a few jabs and shoots in for a takedown, but Song stuffs it and does not go down. Song takes a right hand to rip four punches to the body, and he gets Phillips’ attention with a left hook to the jaw at the end of it. Phillips chops down the lead leg with a kick, and Song scores a counter right hand across the forward bow. Song swings recklessly, and he clips Phillips with a ferocious left hand that makes Phillips back away to the fence. Phillips jabs a few times to keep an aggressive Song at bay, but “Kung Fu Monkey” is ready to brawl. A right hand from the Chinese fighter opens up a cut on the corner of Phillips’ left eye, and Phillips answers with a spinning wheel kick that does not land flush. Song plants his fist on the side of Phillips’ head, and Phillips throws back and misses the mark. Song rushes in with a pair of punches that force Phillips to ricochet off the fencing, and he circles and sticks out a jab. Song tattoos his fist on the chin three times, so Phillips responds with a takedown that puts Song on his back. Song scoots his way to the fence to sit up, and when he tries to wall-walk, Phillips circles around to take his back. Phillips cannot secure the body lock, and instead Song reverses him and places Phillips flat on his back. Song sits up to land punches, and Phillips closes his guard to lock the fighter down and ride out the round. Song gets off some ground-and-pound from above, and Phillips rolls for an armbar and a kneebar as time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Song (29-28 Phillips)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Song (29-28 Phillips)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Song (29-28 Phillips)
The Official Result
Kyler Phillips def. Yadong Song via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Big Brady picks Song Yadong, initially leaning toward fading him but changing his mind after tape study. He notes Yadong's takedown defense is solid and he lands harder shots. He questions Phillips' chin, recalling Yadong's power against Marlon Vera. He predicts a knockout win for Yadong.
Daniel picks Song Yadong to win a decision, arguing that Song is undervalued after close fights with top competition. He believes Song's level of competition is higher than Phillips' and that Song's power and durability will be too much.
Phillips has a five-inch reach advantage and good movement, which should help him stay at range and avoid Yadong's power. Yadong has cardio issues in the third round, and Phillips can potentially secure a takedown there. The host picks Phillips by decision.
The MMA Guru picks Song Yadong over Kyler Phillips. He notes Yadong's takedown defense, KO power, and youth, while Phillips has not beaten anyone significant. He believes Yadong is more battle-tested and will win by 29-28 unanimous decision, with Phillips possibly coming back in the third.
Charles Jourdain - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 0 | 36 of 77 | 46% | 48 of 92 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 0 | 0 | 7:13 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 58 of 104 | 55% | 88 of 142 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 0:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 14 of 21 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:51 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 15 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 10 of 22 | 45% | 12 of 26 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 22 of 42 | 52% | 38 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:21 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 0 | 20 of 43 | 46% | 22 of 45 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:46 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 31 of 52 | 59% | 35 of 57 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Phillips | 36 of 77 | 46% | 28 of 68 | 6 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 34 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Charles Jourdain | 58 of 104 | 55% | 28 of 62 | 26 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 41 of 86 | 17 of 18 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyler Phillips | 6 of 12 | 50% | 5 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Charles Jourdain | 5 of 10 | 50% | 3 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kyler Phillips | 10 of 22 | 45% | 6 of 18 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 22 of 42 | 52% | 8 of 22 | 12 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 13 of 32 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kyler Phillips | 20 of 43 | 46% | 17 of 40 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 31 of 52 | 59% | 17 of 34 | 12 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 24 of 45 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jourdain (-140); Phillips (+110)
Round 1
Once a fighter deemed on the rise at bantamweight, Phillips (12-4, 6-3 UFC) has fallen on hard times to reach his first career losing streak. Inactivity and inconsistent results have plagued “The Matrix” since his debut with the company in 2020, so he will try to take the wind out of the sails of high-flying Canadian Jourdain (17-8-1, 8-7-1 UFC). In this co-main event, referee Jerin Valel is on standby. The athletes gladly touch gloves before handling their business.
Phillips rushes forward to put his jab in the face of the Canadian and force him to fight off his back foot. Jourdain welcomes this so he can measure a flying knee, and he misses it by a small margin. Phillips shoots in on his hips to take the fight down, and Jourdain hops around on one leg and drops to his back. “Air” Jourdain sets up a triangle choke when put down, and Phillips springs out of it and positions himself in side control. Phillips jumps over into full mount, so Jourdain times twisting to his side to thwart it partially. Phillips get stuck in a partial half guard position, and Jourdain explodes back to his feet and puts his back to the wall to try to scrape Phillips off of him. Phillips completes a mat return, and Jourdain sits down to set up a kimura in hopes of sweeping. Phillips is wise to it all and smothers as he regains half guard, fighting off the bucks and shifts of the active Canadian.
Jourdain tries to fight back while on his back, slashing with elbows until he flirts with a guillotine choke while on his seat. Phillips leaps all the way over through it to get himself in a better position, preferring to stay on top rather than go for anything in particular. When Jourdain sits up, Phillips slings him down, and Phillips has to mind his P’s and Q’s as an upkick zooms right at his face. Jourdain hunts for a triangle choke, and Phillips is about to slam him out of it but lets go before the impact. Phillips controls with his wrestling, reassuming himself on top for mere seconds as Jourdain once more bucks and escapes. Jourdain leans against the wall to keep his balance, and he hunts for a guillotine choke. Phillips immediately abandons the grappling, and Jourdain points at him. Jourdain slings two huge punches, catching the American cleanly. Phillips attacks back with a vengeance, but it is Jourdain who swings more violently as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Phillips
Round 2
Jourdain goes right after his opponent as the round begins, backing off only when Phillips initiates a few jabs. Jourdain gets right back to crowding him after those sequences, and he boots Phillips in the gut. Phillips times the kick perfectly, sweeping the other leg to dump the Canadian on his back like a back of groceries. Jourdain scrambles and slithers his legs between Phillips to trip him up, where he briefly turns Phillips over. Phillips regains position, ignoring a possible guillotine from Jourdain to body lock him down to the floor. Jourdain on his seat thinks about another guillotine, but he does not have the leverage for it. Instead, Jourdain climbs back up even as Phillips holds his other limb, and he jacks Phillips in the jaw three times with vicious uppercuts. When Phillips adjusts his grip, Jourdain tries to actually get hold of that guillotine he is seeking, but Phillips is able to move well enough to force him back and reset. The two crash together like waves in the night, both slamming into one another with power strikes.
Jourdain misses on another jump knee, but his front kick to the stomach takes the wind out of Phillips’ sails a bit. Jourdain practically sprints at his man and belts him with a left, right and a left. Phillips kicks him in the side, but it has far less venom than before and Jourdain knows it. Phillips gloms onto the Canadian, who is looking for a standing kimura to readjust their position. They break free, and Jourdain is the aggressor, chasing “The Matrix” around and just missing with a spinning back elbow. Phillips hurls Jourdain to the mat, and Jourdain turns the tables, puts himself on his knees and threatens with a choke. There is no choke to be had, so they fight their way back up and proceed to recklessly duke it out. Phillips busts Jourdain in the chops with an uppercut and stays away from the crazy, flying moves aimed at him for the most part. Jourdain ends the round with an inaccurate rolling thunder kick.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Round 3
It is all offense, all the time as the two bruisers proceed to harm, damage, bludgeon and bash one another with anything they can find. Jourdain’s arsenal is a broad one, while Phillips wants to ultimately turn his attacks into ground control. As they go back and forth, Phillips finds an opening and trips Jourdain down. Jourdain stands even while Phillips is controlling him from behind, hands clasped around his waist, and he still turns Phillips around. Jourdain thanks him for the bit of grappling with an elbow on the temple and a high knee, and he keeps after Phillips with long punches. Phillips fires off an uppercut and a left hand to stun him for a second, but Jourdain does not need long to take a quick count of his teeth and leap at Phillips again with a flying knee.
When Jourdain goes to the well again with yet another flying knee, Phillips catches him in midair and slings him to the canvas. Jourdain wraps up Phillips left hand with a two-on-one wrist grip in hopes of sweeping Phillips off of him, but Phillips shuts it down with sheer force of will. Knowing Jourdain is about to stand, Phillips circles around to take his back standing. Jourdain keeps moving while pressed against the cage, spinning them about once before Phillips reasserts the controlling clinch posture. Jourdain trips Phillips to the floor, allows him to stand back up and belts him in the belly with his shin. Jourdain follows with a knee that busts Phillips’ left eyebrow wide open. Blood pours from the veritable axe wound on his face, and Phillips paws at it, knowing he suffered some real damage. He does not slow down, instead meeting Jourdain in the air with a right hand as Jourdain inevitably jumps. Phillips tries to throw Jourdain down one last time, but it is Jourdain who muscles him around and gives him everything he has to offer. The banger concludes with one last rolling thunder kick from Jourdain, this one banging into the back of his foe’s neck at the bell. The two bantamweights leave it all in the hands of the judges, likely about to become at least $100K richer for their back-and-forth rumble.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-28 Jourdain)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-28 Jourdain)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-28 Jourdain)
The Official Result
Charles Jourdain def. Kyler Phillips via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo leans Charles Jourdain but is hesitant, noting Kyler Phillips is not a bum and has faced tough competition. He worries about Kyler's inconsistent cardio and Charles's lack of meaningful wins. He thinks Charles's experience and toughness give him a slight edge, but advises staying away from betting.
Big Brady picks Charles Jourdain, citing Kyler Phillips' poor cardio. He notes Phillips wins the first round but fades dramatically, as seen in fights against Oliveira and Font. Brady expects Jourdain to lose round one then turn it up, finishing Phillips by third-round knockout.
Cody picks Charles Jourdain, expecting him to win by decision after losing the first round. He notes that Kyler Phillips is a strong first-round fighter but fades, and Jourdain's high pace and guillotine threat will be key. He suggests live betting Jourdain after the first round.
Daniel loves Jourdain's move to bantamweight, noting he looks incredible and has been finishing fights quickly. He believes Jourdain's pressure and durability will overcome Phillips' tendency to fade after the first round. He predicts Jourdain will win and become a top-10 contender.
Jourdain has a big advantage on the feet with high volume and power, and he is the aggressor. Phillips has poor cardio and is a point fighter. However, Jourdain's takedown defense is weak and he is easy to hold down. Phillips could grapple his way to a decision. Home advantage for Jourdain is a factor. Lean Jourdain but not confident enough to bet at these odds.
The host mentions the co-main event but does not make a pick. He only expresses excitement for the fight.
James picks Charles Jourdain to win via finish in round three. He notes that Kyler Phillips is dominant in round one but fades, while Jourdain is strong in round three and has finishing upside. He sees Jourdain's trajectory and self-belief as factors.
The host thinks Charles Jourdain is the side here, noting that Phillips has cardio issues and struggles under pressure. He expects Jourdain to apply pressure, work Phillips down, and find a finish in round two or three. He highlights Jourdain's dangerous guillotine and improved BJJ, and believes Phillips will either slow down or get caught in a submission if he grapples.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Charles Jourdain. He highlights that Phillips wins first rounds but fades, and Jourdain's work rate will take over. He also likes the split decision prop and suggests live betting.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 1 | 25 of 43 | 58% | 25 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Davey Grant | 0 | 9 of 26 | 34% | 9 of 26 | 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 | Charles Jourdain | 1 | 25 of 43 | 58% | 25 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:20 |
| Davey Grant | 0 | 9 of 26 | 34% | 9 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 25 of 43 | 58% | 20 of 35 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 12 |
| Davey Grant | 9 of 26 | 34% | 3 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 9 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Jourdain | 25 of 43 | 58% | 20 of 35 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 12 |
| Davey Grant | 9 of 26 | 34% | 3 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 9 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jourdain (-170); Grant (+140)
Round 1
Hold onto your hats, because Jourdain (16-8-1, 7-7-1 UFC) and Grant (17-7, 8-6 UFC) are about to trade leather. The bantamweights that tend to put on a show will be officiated by referee Jason Herzog. They opt to bump fists before jacking one another on the jaw.
Grant strides forward, and he catches an oncoming body kick. He releases it and lets fly a clubbing calf kick. Jourdain bounces off the fence and is just out of range from another kick to the midsection. Jourdain tags his man with a one-two, and Grant opens up with his own overhand right. Jourdain times a jump knee as Grant bears down on him, and he misses by a matter of inches. Grant hammers home another low kick, and he blocks a big knee. Jourdain lines up a straight left hand down the middle, and he whiffs on a looping left of his own. Jourdain absorbs a pair of punches and has to bounce on his heels to gets his bearings, and then leaps into action with a head kick and a powerful right hand. Grant grins at him and asks for more, so Jourdain obliges him. Grant throws back hard. Jourdain catches Grant with his jump knee, and Grant is tough but his forehead is split ever so slightly.
Grant calms himself and looses a heavy leg kick, and he gets blasted with another head kick. Jourdain finds the target with his flying knee, and Grant’s nose explodes in a bloody mess and topples to his back in a bad way.
Jourdain leaps on top and hammers the Brit with ground-and-pound, and Grant somehow survives even though his face is quickly transforming into a crimson mask. Grant turns over, and the Canadian sees his opening and snatches up his preferred move of a power guillotine choke. The moment that Jourdain, who has the grip clutched tight as can be, rolls Grant over, Grant taps out as fast as he can.
Even with Herzog getting between them in a timely manner, Grant appears to at least partially go out, as when he stands back up looking like a victim in an 80's slasher film, he finds that he is not quite capable of doing so on his own. The crowd goes ballistic.
The Official Result
Charles Jourdain def. Davey Grant R1 3:05 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Angelo picks Davey Grant, citing his forward pressure, solid defense, and durability. He notes Charles Jourdain has cleaned up his wild style but may still be exploitable. Grant's age and chin are concerns, but his recent wins over Blackshear and a close fight with Marcos give confidence.
Big Brady likes Jourdain fighting at home and thinks the judges favor him. He notes Grant is 39 and father time is undefeated, especially at lower weight classes. He thinks Jourdain is getting Grant at the right time and picks him by decision, though he won't lay -170.
Cody picks Jourdain, citing his volume and unorthodox striking. He notes Grant doesn't wrestle much, which plays into Jourdain's strengths. Jourdain's takedown defense is a concern, but Grant doesn't shoot. Cody expects Jourdain to win by decision or late stoppage.
Connor leans toward Davey Grant, citing Grant's consistent toughness, awkwardness, and ability to capitalize on retreating opponents. He notes that Jourdain can drift and have wrong ideas, and that Grant's pressure and durability could cause Jourdain trouble, especially given Jourdain's poor defensive wrestling and tendency to improvise. Connor also mentions the age gap (Grant is 39) but still favors Grant's reliability.
James finds this a tough fight to call, noting both fighters have struggled with certain styles. He leans toward Jourdain due to his better career trajectory and Grant's age (39). James mentions Jourdain's guillotine threat but expects a close fight.
The host thinks Jourdain's youth, speed, unorthodox striking, and dangerous BJJ will help him chip away at Grant, pull off a desperation takedown, and eventually snatch a submission victory.
Paul picks Grant, citing his value as a dog. He notes Grant is always game and has good volume. Jourdain's weight cut to 135 is a concern, and Grant can exploit that. Paul plans to bet Grant at plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Charles Jourdain over Davey Grant. He initially considered Grant due to his underdog success but believes Jourdain's skills are superior. He notes Jourdain's ability to beat opponents to the punch on the inside and his guillotine threats. He predicts Jourdain will catch Grant with a straight shot and possibly finish by TKO or guillotine, citing Grant's neck surgeries.
Zane agrees with Connor, picking Davey Grant. He emphasizes that Grant is always tough and crafty, and that Jourdain often shows up with the wrong plan or no plan, resorting to wild brawling that doesn't work well. Zane acknowledges that Grant's success can't last forever at 39, but he still expects Grant to deliver.
Angelo picks Ricky Simón because of his relentless wrestling and cardio. He believes Charles does not have good enough takedown defense to stop multiple shots. He notes that Ricky's losses are to top competition and he is consistent.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 39 of 73 | 53% | 50 of 87 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 24 of 54 | 44% | 39 of 75 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Jourdain | 0 | 28 of 46 | 60% | 38 of 59 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 18 of 34 | 52% | 28 of 45 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 | |
| 2 | Charles Jourdain | 0 | 11 of 27 | 40% | 12 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Victor Henry | 0 | 6 of 20 | 30% | 11 of 30 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:31 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 39 of 73 | 53% | 19 of 49 | 14 of 18 | 6 of 6 | 31 of 62 | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 24 of 54 | 44% | 8 of 30 | 11 of 17 | 5 of 7 | 22 of 51 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Jourdain | 28 of 46 | 60% | 12 of 27 | 13 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 21 of 36 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 18 of 34 | 52% | 5 of 15 | 8 of 12 | 5 of 7 | 16 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Charles Jourdain | 11 of 27 | 40% | 7 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Henry | 6 of 20 | 30% | 3 of 15 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jourdain (-125), Henry (+105)
Round 1
Meeting in the middle after plenty of time in different divisions, ex-featherweight Jourdain (15-8-1, 6-7-1 UFC) shifts gears down to 135 pounds in hopes of keeping that explosiveness. He greets former flyweight Henry (24-6, 1 NC, 3-1, 1 NC UFC) at bantamweight, with the two drawing oversight from referee Black Grice. Speed will be the name of the game in this one, and they intend on showing it off just as soon as they complete their expected glove touch. Jourdain slowly plods forward, hand-fighting Henry’s probing jabs. Henry lands a pair of low kicks as Grice issues a warning for outstretched fingers. Jourdain whips a kick up high that is barely blocked, and Henry gets busy with low and body kicks. Henry secures a body kick that splits the guard, and he absorbs a clean low kick that makes him recoil his limb. Jourdain leaps in the air with a knee, and Henry swats it away. The two trade low kicks, and Jourdain prods out a front kick that knocks Henry back a step. A Jourdain jab is met with a leg kick, and Henry walks his foe down and connects with a left hook. Jourdain looses another quick head kick, and he races forward and puts as right hand on the jaw of “La Mangosta.” Henry keeps striding forward, but Jourdain is pecking at him with low kicks and longer punches. Henry attacks the body and lead leg with kicks, and Jourdain comes out firing with a pair of looping hooks. Henry gets off a body kick, and Jourdain trips Henry up and dumps him to the floor. The well-schooled Henry does not show any concern when Jourdain grips hold of a guillotine choke, and he escapes and resets. Henry walks him down and trips him out, putting Jourdain on his back thanks to sheer pressure. Jourdain posts off an arm to sit up, and Henry slickly shuts him down. Jourdain still explodes to his feet despite Henry’s wishes, and he trips Henry to a knee but does not complete it. Jourdain stands, wraps up a guillotine, and releases it to nails Henry with a flush elbow on the forehead. Henry blinks it out and loads up on a pair of right hands, and he gets countered and clips. Jourdain’s power shakes Henry up briefly, but Henry keeps marching onward throwing punches. Jourdain uses a sharp front kick and a head kick to slow Henry, and he tries to time a jump knee but Henry is wise to it and waits to press forward into a clinch. As Jourdain looks to frame off of Henry’s face, Henry trips his legs out. Henry no-sells a guillotine choke until the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Round 2
The two touch gloves before getting going, and Henry is quick to assert heavy pressure. Jourdain is lighter on his feet, swinging harder and landing cleaner. Jourdain clips Henry, forcing Henry to close in on him and trying to clinch. Jourdain shucks him off and rips an uppercut up the middle, and he chews up Henry’s lead leg and strafes to the side. Henry gives chase, pushing out a front kick and a body kick, and he gets caught with an uppercut moving forward. Henry keeps his guard high, allowing Jourdain’s offense to throw him off-balance. Henry wrangles Jourdain to the floor, and he wraps up his opponent with a body lock while fishing for a rear-naked choke. Henry rolls when Jourdain scrambles, and he hunts for a choke any time he can spot an opening. Jourdain defends well and keeps turning, eventually settling to lean his side against the cage. Henry is warned for an elbow to the spine, and he lets Jourdain turn over so he can slip an arm on the side of the chin. Henry moves into top position, but he is dragged back to the guard of “La Mangosta.” Jourdain snatches up a guillotine choke on his back, and Henry pays it no mind as it is not locked up. The Canadian hacks with elbows off his back, and he sits up and nearly works his way up. Henry stifles a guillotine choke without issue by remaining calm, and Jourdain uses the grip to work to his feet.
The choke is still wrapped around Henry’s neck, and Jourdain jumps guard to set up and lock down the guillotine. This time, it is exceptionally tight, and Henry does not have a way out. With no more options, Henry frantically taps out, surrendering for the first time in his lengthy career.
Jourdain sends a message to his new division with his stoppage win, while also showing off his new, impressive back tattoo.
The Official Result
Charles Jourdain def. Victor Henry R2 3:43 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Angelo is confident Victor Henry wins, calling Charles Jourdain 'just not that good' despite being fun. He thinks Henry has better technique and cardio, and will outwork Jourdain. He notes Henry is 37 but still looks good and fights smart. He placed a half unit bet on Henry at even money (minus 110). He acknowledges Jourdain has a fanbase but insists he is not an upper echelon fighter.
Big Brady picks Victor Henry to win by decision. He likes Henry's nonstop volume (8.5 significant strikes per minute) and notes that Jourdain is a slow starter and has struggled with wrestling recently. Brady thinks Jourdain won't be able to take Henry down and that Henry's pace will overwhelm Jourdain over 15 minutes. He is picking against another Canadian.
Cody picks Victor Henry, citing his volume, wrestling, and experience. He questions Jourdain's weight cut to bantamweight and notes his recent KO loss and poor performances. He believes Henry's well-rounded game and durability will allow him to outwork Jourdain, especially if Jourdain struggles with the cut. He expects a close decision but favors Henry.
Daniel Vreeland picks Charles Jourdain to win his bantamweight debut, citing the size advantage after dropping down. He believes Jourdain's movement, kicks, and range will trouble Victor Henry, who has been outclassed by faster opponents. Vreeland notes Henry's toughness but thinks Jourdain's experience at higher weight classes and finally being the bigger fighter will lead to a win, though he wants to see the weigh-ins first.
Henry is a very experienced and difficult opponent who has never been finished in his 30-fight career. He will put a pace, pressure, and volume that Jourdain is not used to, allowing Henry to grind out a win on the scorecards.
Paul also picks Henry, noting his superior volume and wrestling. He is concerned about Jourdain's weight cut and recent knockout loss, and believes Henry's pressure and grappling will be too much. He sees the fight as close but expects Henry to edge it out, possibly by split decision.
The Guru picks Charles Jourdain over Victor Henry, citing Jourdain's physicality and dynamic striking. He believes Jourdain's clinch work and knees to the body will be key, and he predicts a TKO finish from the clinch. He notes that if Jourdain makes bantamweight effectively, he will have a significant advantage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Silva | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 24 of 48 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 1:17 |
| Charles Jourdain | 2 | 34 of 55 | 61% | 35 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jean Silva | 0 | 20 of 40 | 50% | 20 of 41 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Charles Jourdain | 1 | 25 of 45 | 55% | 26 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 2 | Jean Silva | 0 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 4 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Charles Jourdain | 1 | 9 of 10 | 90% | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Silva | 23 of 46 | 50% | 6 of 26 | 11 of 14 | 6 of 6 | 17 of 39 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 2 |
| Charles Jourdain | 34 of 55 | 61% | 26 of 47 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 31 | 16 of 19 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jean Silva | 20 of 40 | 50% | 4 of 22 | 10 of 12 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 35 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 |
| Charles Jourdain | 25 of 45 | 55% | 21 of 41 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 27 | 11 of 14 | 3 of 4 | |
| 2 | Jean Silva | 3 of 6 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 9 of 10 | 90% | 5 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jourdain (-120), Silva (+100)
Round 1
An all-action battle originally scheduled at 145 pounds takes center stage next, as ultra-aggressive Canadian striker Jourdain (15-7-1, 6-6-1 UFC) runs into the 92% finish rate of “Lord” Silva (12-2, 1-0 UFC). The latter came in heavy by 2.5 pounds, and he has surrendered 20% of his purse to Jourdain. With three decision wins across their 27 victories, referee Marc Goddard better bring his A-game to this catchweight match. Silva offers an apologetic glove touch to get things started, and Jourdain accepts. Jourdain says hello with a loud body kick, and Silva responds with a Mortal Kombat-esque extremely low leg sweep. Silva bounces out of the way from a left hand, and he leans back as a head kick buzzes past him. Two more head kicks from the Canadian miss, and Silva offers him a high-five after an exchange. Jourdain connects with a heavy low kick, and a front kick lands as well. Silva again whiffs on the head kick, and Silva once more high-fives him. Jourdain pounds on the front leg, and Silva is walking forward but not throwing anything of note. Jourdain jumps forward with a high body kick, and Silva pounces with two punches but lets up. “Air” lands another big kick, and Silva eats a left hand and tells his opponent to keep throwing. Jourdain changes things up with a sudden double-leg takedown, and he shucks off a guillotine choke but cannot keep his foe down. Jourdain gets to his feet first, and he fires off a head kick that misses the mark by a matter of inches. Silva leaps forward with a hacking elbow, and Jourdain bounces off the fence to find another angle. Silva misses with a jumping front kick, and his looping left hook is just slightly inaccurate. As Jourdain crashes the pocket, Silva blasts him in the face with a left hand. Jourdain hits the ground like a sack of potatoes, and Silva drops to his knees to land strikes before standing up and motioning for Jourdain to follow him up and trade hands. Silva moves awkwardly to mess with Jourdain, who is still struggling on his feet, and he connects with a number of heavy strikes including a huge left. Jourdain tries for another takedown, and Silva blocks it and elbows him several times in the side of the head until Jourdain abandons it. Silva pursues his man recklessly, unafraid of the Canadian’s power so he can throw bombs. Jourdain catches a kick and puts Silva on his back, but he cannot do anything with it before the wild round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Silva
Round 2
Silva claps hands and hugs Jourdain to start off the round, and he wants to say something but Jourdain is more interested in fighting. Silva gets off first, landing power strikes and otherwise making Jourdain react from mere feints. Jourdain shoots in for a single, and he drags Silva to a knee but Silva bounces back up to his feet with his back to the wall. Silva hacks at his man with an elbow in the side, and he allows Jourdain to abandon the takedown and lift his head up.
At the perfect moment, “Lord” unloads an uppercut that completely knocks Jourdain off his feet, and it is a done deal. Goddard steps in to wave off the one-sided beatdown, with Jourdain clutching the back of his head after it rattled off the floor.
Silva, who will unfortunately sacrifice a post-fight bonus for missing weight, is the first fighter to knock out the durable Canadian. When Jourdain comes to his senses, the two fighters embrace, and Silva proudly dons his team’s black-rimmed glasses of the Fighting Nerds. He even draws a smile from the stoic Goddard.
The Official Result
Jean Silva def. Charles Jourdain R2 1:22 via KO (Punch)
Cody picks Silva, citing his speed, power, and game planning. He notes that Jourdain is inconsistent and has poor takedown defense, while Silva comes from a strong camp (Fighting Nerds) and has a clear game plan. Cody believes Silva's physicality and striking will overwhelm Jourdain, and that he can win by knockout or decision. He also mentions that Jourdain often chases bonuses instead of fighting smart.
Daniel believes in 'paying your dues' and thinks Jourdain's experience and veteran tactics will be the separator. He notes that Jourdain's loss to Woodson was a bad stylistic matchup and that this fight is different. He expects a back-and-forth banger where Jourdain edges out a decision, though Silva may have moments and raise his stock.
The host does not discuss this fight at all in the transcript. The entire podcast is focused on the Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler fight, which is not on the provided fight card. Therefore, no pick is made for this fight.
The host leans Silva as a slight underdog, citing his speed and power advantage. He expects both fighters to engage in a wild striking battle, and believes Silva's physical attributes will allow him to land first and potentially get a knockout. He notes Jourdain has never been knocked out but thinks this could be the first time.
Paul leans toward Silva, noting that the line has moved from Jourdain being a favorite to a pick 'em. He believes Silva will land the more impactful strikes and that Jourdain's recent performances have been disappointing. Paul acknowledges that Jourdain has experience but thinks Silva's youth and power give him the edge.
The Guru picks Charles Jourdain over Jean Silva. He believes Jourdain is more technical and better under pressure. He notes Jourdain's submission skills and ability to finish. He thinks Jourdain's best work comes against shorter, wild opponents. He predicts a second or third round TKO for Jourdain.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 60 of 156 | 38% | 78 of 175 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:58 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 80 of 168 | 47% | 102 of 193 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 18 of 51 | 35% | 20 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 31 of 72 | 43% | 39 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 22 of 46 | 47% | 27 of 51 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 28 of 51 | 54% | 41 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 20 of 59 | 33% | 31 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:45 |
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 21 of 45 | 46% | 22 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 60 of 156 | 38% | 19 of 98 | 20 of 32 | 21 of 26 | 52 of 147 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 80 of 168 | 47% | 59 of 143 | 10 of 13 | 11 of 12 | 70 of 156 | 8 of 9 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 18 of 51 | 35% | 5 of 35 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 14 | 18 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 31 of 72 | 43% | 19 of 60 | 6 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 28 of 68 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 22 of 46 | 47% | 8 of 29 | 9 of 11 | 5 of 6 | 18 of 42 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 28 of 51 | 54% | 23 of 44 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 23 of 46 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 20 of 59 | 33% | 6 of 34 | 10 of 19 | 4 of 6 | 16 of 54 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Charles Jourdain | 21 of 45 | 46% | 17 of 39 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jourdain (-190), Woodson (+145)
Round 1
It’s a likely firefight at featherweight as Jourdain and Woodson take to the cage, with Jerin Valel there to make sure things stay nice and clean. Jourdain immediately goes for a head kick, perhaps to give the tallest man in the division something to think about. Woodson switches stances constantly in the opening moments, sticking out a fast, long jab from both sides. A minute and a half in, neither man has committed to much in the way of full-speed power shots. Woodson catches Jourdain cleanly with a straight from each side. Jourdain comes in with a low stance, shoulder-rolling, but can’t get off any punches before he is forced to retreat. Jourdain lands a hard leg kick, then a solid punch upstairs. Woodson goes southpaw and snaps Jourdain’s head back with a right straight. Jourdain moves in and tries to corner Woodson against the fence, but Woodson puts his hands on his foe and pushes him aside as he slides out of the pocket. Jourdain steps in and runs right into an intercepting knee from Woodson. Jourdain lands a slapping spin kick at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Round 2
Jourdain wades forward behind a trio of punches but Woodson steps back, evades and lands a clean counter on the end of it. Jourdain comes in with another combo that clatters off the guard of the taller man. Woodson lands an outside leg kick. Jourdain responds with one of his own a second later. Two minutes in, Woodson is beginning to flow, waving his hands and switching stances before launching long single punches. Jourdain drops for a single-leg and gets it, but can’t finish the takedown even after running Woodson to the fence. They end up in a stalemate, with Jourdain trying to hoist the leg as Woodson counters with an overhook. They disengage and Jourdain lands a glancing spinning strike on the break. Jourdain is back to stalking, but continues to have trouble getting inside against the lanky boxer. Jourdain drops for another takedown attempt, getting onto Woodson’s hips and driving him into the fence. Woodson defends calmly, and Jourdain gives it up, launching another spin kick in an attempt to surprise Woodson on the break. Jourdain lands a head kick right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Round 3
Woodson stands his ground as Jourdain advances, tagging him with a couple of glancing short punches, before circling out. Jourdain, looking perhaps to change things up, rushes forward with a flurry of hooks, then throws a spinning back elbow that comes up short. They collide and clinch, and it’s Woodson who ends up on Jourdain’s back standing against the fence. Jourdain hits him with a hard shot on the break, then immediately pursues and charges forward. He’s landing more, his relentless forward pressure clearly making Woodson uncomfortable. At the midpoint of the round, Woodson is back on the outside, and he counters a kick with a long uppercut to the body. Jourdain throws a spinning back kick, then another, but he’s out of range both times. He throws a third, with similar lack of success. Woodson hits his man with a body punch. Jourdain grabs a snatch single-leg, but cannot finish, and the takedown shutout by Woodson continues. With 45 seconds to go, Jourdain is throwing haymakers and spinning attacks, looking for a moment of fight-changing offense. Woodson goes for a reactive takedown and Jourdain grabs a guillotine, falling to his back and closing his guard as he does so. The choke is tight but time is short, but Woodson pops his head out at the 10-second clapper and is throwing punches from top position at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (29-28 Woodson)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (30-27 Woodson)
The Official Result
Sean Woodson def. Charles Jourdain via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo picks Jourdain despite acknowledging Woodson's reach and takedown defense. He believes Jourdain's pressure, chin, and ability to keep the fight ugly will be key. He notes that Woodson showed grappling in his last fight but Jourdain's takedown defense is poor, yet still favors Jourdain's doggedness.
Big Brady picks Jourdain, noting that Woodson is a boxer who won't take Jourdain down, and if he does, he risks getting submitted. He compares the fight to Woodson's loss to Julian Erosa, where Erosa pressured and broke Woodson. He believes Jourdain's power, grappling, and third-round mythical status will lead to a late submission.
Cody picks Jourdain, citing his power, cardio, and home-field advantage. He notes Woodson's lack of power and wrestling, and believes Jourdain will overwhelm him with volume and power. He sees Jourdain winning by KO or decision.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Charles Jourdain in a fight he sees as a 50-50 banger. He notes both fighters build into fights and have opportunistic submissions. He gives a slight edge to Jourdain's aggressiveness and the Canadian crowd possibly influencing judges. He expects a back-and-forth war with a close decision or finish.
This fight is not discussed in the transcript. The host does not mention Woodson vs Jourdain.
I'm picking Woodson to win this fight on the scorecards. He is the better technical striker with a significant height and reach advantage. If he can stick with his jab and stay on the outside, he can outvolume Jourdain from distance. Jourdain's unorthodox striking could allow him to crash the pocket, but Woodson's chin might be suspect. However, I think Woodson does a good enough job rolling with shots and sticking to his game plan. I don't think Jourdain can successfully take a grapple-heavy approach either.
Paul picks Jourdain but is hesitant due to the -220 price. He thinks the fight could be close and Woodson's reach could pose problems. He notes the line movement suggests sharp money on Jourdain but still sees value in the Canadian favorite.
The MMA Guru picks Charles Jourdain, despite Woodson's 9-inch reach advantage. He questions Woodson's chin and level of competition, calling his opponents not UFC-level. He praises Jourdain's improved shot selection, patience, and submission skills. He predicts a TKO win for Jourdain in Canada.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 0 of 9 | 0% | 0 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 1:58 |
| Ricardo Ramos | 0 | 8 of 9 | 88% | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Jourdain | 0 | 0 of 9 | 0% | 0 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 1:58 |
| Ricardo Ramos | 0 | 8 of 9 | 88% | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 0 of 9 | 0% | 0 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ricardo Ramos | 8 of 9 | 88% | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Jourdain | 0 of 9 | 0% | 0 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ricardo Ramos | 8 of 9 | 88% | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jourdain (-135), Ramos (+114)
Round 1
Kicking off the main card is a potential banger at 145 pounds, as the wild and crazy Ramos (16-4, 7-3 UFC) throws down with a man in Jourdain (14-6-1, 5-5-1 UFC) that properly represents his nickname of “Air” any time he can. Referee Herb Dean will join the two high-flying, frequently spinning, hard-swinging and extremely exciting combatants in the cage, hoping to not be struck by errant blows. Before the violence ensues, the featherweights tap their gloves together. Jourdain snaps into action with a body kick, and he swats away a front kick. Jourdain aims another kick to the midsection, where he leans back from three head kicks – the third grazes off his guard. Ramos tosses out a low kick, and he gets sniped with a right hand over the top. Jourdain slaps a head kick up high, and he grabs hold of a guillotine when Ramos charges towards him for a possible takedown. Ramos jumps over the legs and is in Von Preux position with Jourdain still holding on with the guillotine, and he presses his shoulder down on Jourdain’s throat. Ramos pushes his weight down to keep Jourdain in submission danger, but he lets it go to re-posture himself. Jourdain keeps his left arm around the neck until Ramos wriggles his head out of it, and Ramos looks to sneak into side control while sitting comfortable in half guard. Jourdain turns to his side, and Ramos times this so he can pass.
Both men somersault in a wild scramble, and Jourdain recovers first to latch on with a guillotine choke and pulls guard. This time, the submission is extremely tight, and the Brazilian finds himself firmly entrenched in the danger zone. Ramos has no way out, and before going out on his shield, he taps out.
This is a huge win for the no-longer-.500 Jourdain, as he becomes the first fighter to submit Ramos since 2016.
The Official Result
Charles Jourdain def. Ricardo Ramos R1 3:12 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Angelo gives a slight lean to Ramos, thinking he can pick his shots and work in takedowns. He notes Jourdain is tough but not technical, and if Ramos avoids the chaos, he can pot-shot his way to a win. Not insanely confident.
Big Brady picks Charles Jourdain to win by third-round knockout, citing durability as the key edge. He notes Jourdain has never been knocked out in 21 fights, while Ramos has been finished in three of four losses. He expects a stand-up war and trusts Jourdain's third-round cardio and power. He acknowledges Ramos may have early wrestling success but thinks Jourdain will take over late.
Cody picks Charles Jourdain, highlighting his doggedness and ability to thrive in tough fights. He notes Ramos's weight cut issues (missed by 9 pounds) and tendency to fold under pressure. Jourdain's volume and durability should overwhelm Ramos, especially if the fight goes deep.
Daniel picks Jourdain due to consistency and maturity, contrasting Ramos's flakiness. He notes Jourdain improves as fights go on, with high volume in later rounds, while Ramos tends to fade or get finished early. He respects Ramos's talent but questions his work ethic and mental fortitude. He thinks Jourdain's durability and pressure will be too much, and he can win by knockout or decision.
Lucrative James leans Jourdain due to durability edge and pressure. He notes Ramos needs a perfect game with takedowns, while Jourdain can have big moments on the feet. He thinks Jourdain may drop Ramos if the fight stays standing. However, he hasn't fully taped the fight and wants to review Ramos's top control.
The host picks Ramos (Hakaru Hokamura) as a plus 120 underdog, expecting him to use a grapple-heavy approach to neutralize Jourdain's striking. He notes Jourdain's takedown defense issues and that Ramos has improved his wrestling at Team Alpha Male. He believes Ramos will mix in takedowns behind his striking, control Jourdain on the mat, and win a decision.
Paul picks Ramos pending weigh-ins, citing his takedown-heavy game plan from the Bill Algeo fight. He thinks Ramos can control Jourdain on the ground, but is concerned about Ramos's weight cut. He would swap if Ramos looks sick at weigh-ins.
The MMA Guru picks Charles Jourdain, acknowledging he is 'too fun to be good' but believes he has the skills to win. He notes Jourdain's recent win over Kron Gracie and his training camp for this fight. He criticizes Ricardo Ramos for fading in fights and being wild, while Jourdain is durable and technical. He predicts Jourdain will catch Ramos in round two with crisper striking, as Ramos swings wildly and Jourdain counters.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 0 | 32 of 57 | 56% | 171 of 216 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Kron Gracie | 0 | 80 of 168 | 47% | 175 of 266 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 6:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Jourdain | 0 | 12 of 22 | 54% | 48 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Kron Gracie | 0 | 21 of 46 | 45% | 34 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:33 | |
| 2 | Charles Jourdain | 0 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 68 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Kron Gracie | 0 | 21 of 47 | 44% | 55 of 82 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:03 | |
| 3 | Charles Jourdain | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 55 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kron Gracie | 0 | 38 of 75 | 50% | 86 of 124 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Jourdain | 32 of 57 | 56% | 18 of 37 | 1 of 6 | 13 of 14 | 32 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kron Gracie | 80 of 168 | 47% | 59 of 145 | 14 of 16 | 7 of 7 | 54 of 138 | 16 of 20 | 10 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Jourdain | 12 of 22 | 54% | 4 of 12 | 0 of 2 | 8 of 8 | 12 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kron Gracie | 21 of 46 | 45% | 19 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 40 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Charles Jourdain | 10 of 14 | 71% | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 10 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kron Gracie | 21 of 47 | 44% | 17 of 43 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 35 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 5 | |
| 3 | Charles Jourdain | 10 of 21 | 47% | 9 of 17 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kron Gracie | 38 of 75 | 50% | 23 of 58 | 8 of 10 | 7 of 7 | 27 of 63 | 6 of 7 | 5 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jourdain (-180), Gracie (+155)
Round 1
Styles make fights, and that could scarcely be said more appropriately the UFC 288 main card opener. Submission master Gracie (5-1, 1-1 UFC), competing for the first time since October 2019, will be hoping to shake off any rust in short order. He will collide with high-flying striker Jourdain (13-6-1, 4-5-1 UFC), who aims to lift his UFC record to an even .500. The Octagon ranger for this featherweight matchup will be referee Gary Copeland, and the fighters do not touch gloves ahead of the bout. They meet in the middle of the cage but do not throw much of note, pawing out with occasional jabs and hand-fighting. Jourdain splits the guard with a few such jabs, and he chains a few sharp punches and powerful uppercuts together to get Gracie’s respect early. Gracie walks forward, and reaches out with a right hand simply to distract Jourdain enough to close the distance. Jourdain fights off a takedown attempt frantically, and when Gracie re-engages, the Canadian chucks his man down to the canvas. Jourdain intercepts the rushing Gracie with an uppercut, and he stays on his back foot as Gracie is committed to stalking him down and looking for some kind of level change. Jourdain stops this in its track momentarily with a fierce combination, and he slides away from the plodding Gracie. Jourdain cracks Gracie again and pushes him off when Gracie tries to tie him up, and his uppercut continues to split the guard. As Jourdain is moving and sticking, Gracie snatches him up just enough to pull guard. The Brazilian gladly lands on his back, and he slowly moves his guard up high to threaten with a potential triangle choke or armbar setup. Jourdain is wise to it, and he slowly slides his upper body out of danger and softens Gracie up with body shots. Jourdain leaps back to his feet and hops away before Gracie can trip him up, and Gracie scoots on his posterior until the crowd boos him. Gracie stands back up, and he meanders forward to close in and tie Jourdain up. The two trade short body shots until Jourdain breaks out, and he scores a few uppercuts when backpedaling. Gracie throws two naked leg kicks, and Jourdain tags him with a few punches that damage his nose before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Round 2
Jourdain opens the round up with a few quick punches, landing fast enough to quell Gracie’s never-ending forward movement. Gracie wanders forward into the fray, throwing little in the way of offense as he is singularly obsessed with just getting his hands or legs on his foe. As they clinch, Gracie pulls guard, and he succeeds in managing to bring Jourdain with him. The Canadian positions Gracie in a bad place with his neck up against the wire, and Gracie is quick to roll for an armbar as Jourdain opens up with ground-and-pound. “Air” resets on top and starts absorbing elbows to the top of his dome, but he is not in submission danger. Gracie puts a high guard up again and looks to isolate Jourdain’s left arm, and Jourdain maintains heavy chest pressure to not let Gracie get enough space to secure anything. Jourdain ignores offense coming from his adversary, as it is short and not particular effective, and more of a setup for Gracie to try a submission. Jourdain explodes out of the guard and gets back to his feet, and he backs off and knees Gracie in the body when Gracie bears down on him. Jourdain strings several punches together that get around the guard, and he whiffs on an uppercut that lets Gracie close in. Jourdain swings out with an elbow, and he gets tagged with an unexpected left hand before getting mashed up against the wall. Gracie pulls guard once more to force the fight horizontal, and Jourdain shucks off arm control to drop down a solid elbow. The round ends with Jourdain in no particular danger.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain
Round 3
The last round kicks off, and Gracie slowly lumbers from out of his corner. Jourdain dances his way in and out, ripping body shots and keeping out of reach. Jourdain lands an uppercut and takes one punch on the chin, with Gracie throwing a modicum more of offense but not enough to make a difference. Jourdain tags Gracie with a right hand, and Gracie attempts to pull guard. Jourdain drives him to the fence and slides him off, and Gracie crashes forward and bangs his head into his opponent’s. Jourdain releases clean combinations, rarely throwing single blows and landing en masse. Gracie takes them on the chin, generally, and succeeds to pull guard again. The crowd lets Gracie have it for this tactic, and he does not adjust his approach and hopes to secure a submission. Jourdain pounds on the ribcage with short punches and elbows, not concerned with the grappling chops of his opponent, and he stacks Gracie up briefly. Gracie hangs on from beneath, until Jourdain sees and opening and darts back upright. Gracie follows him while on his seat, aiming kicks to the knees, and Jourdain answers with slapping kicks. Copeland forces Gracie to stand up, and Gracie carries out his perpetual forward motion that is unable to lock Jourdain down and do anything. Jourdain breaks away thanks to a knee to the body, and he slams a shin into Gracie’s liver. Jourdain slips a few punches and tees off on Gracie, who is taking a beating but not slowing. Jourdain jumps in the air with a flying knee with seconds to go, and he lets fly a few more punches and kick until the lackluster match ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (30-27 Jourdain)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (30-27 Jourdain)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jourdain (30-27 Jourdain)
The Official Result
Charles Jourdain def. Kron Gracie via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Charles Jourdain because he is the more complete MMA fighter. He notes that Kron Gracie has been away for four years and in his last fight against Cub Swanson, he didn't attempt to grapple effectively and was pieced up on the feet. Angelo believes Jourdain's takedown defense should be sufficient against Gracie's poor wrestling, and that Jourdain's striking and speed will be decisive. He sees the most likely outcomes as Jourdain by decision or Gracie by submission, but favors the MMA fighter.
Big Brady picks Gracie despite a 3.5-year layoff. He notes Jourdain has poor takedown defense (48%), and Gracie only needs one takedown to submit him. He acknowledges the layoff is a huge risk but believes Gracie's path to victory is clear: take Jourdain down, take his back, and choke him out. He predicts a first-round submission.
Cody highlights that Jourdain has 48% takedown defense in the UFC and gets taken down frequently by lesser grapplers. He believes Gracie's world-class jiu-jitsu can exploit Jourdain's wild striking style, which creates openings for takedowns. Despite Gracie's four-year layoff, he sees value at plus money because Jourdain's recklessness plays into Gracie's strengths.
Connor also picks Jourdain, citing the X factors of Gracie's long layoff and uncertainty about his training. He notes that Jourdain is a very good striker who can stop takedowns after the first round, and that Gracie's best chance is an early submission. Connor believes Jourdain's power and pressure will be too much as the fight progresses.
The host picks Kron Gracie by submission in round one, hoping Gracie learned from his loss to Cub Swanson and will be more aggressive with takedowns. He believes Gracie's high-level BJJ will find a submission against Charles Jourdain, who has struggled against grapplers.
Paul agrees with Cody and has already bet Gracie by submission at +230. He notes that Jourdain is dangerous at range but gives opportunities to grapple, and Gracie's path is clear: get the fight to the mat. He sees the line moving and expects Gracie to find a submission.
The Guru picks Jourdain, citing Gracie's four-year layoff and Jourdain's takedown defense and ability to get back up. He believes Jourdain will use kicks to bust up Gracie's lead leg and set up a body kick KO. He predicts a finish in the first or second round via body kick.
Zane picks Jourdain, noting that Jourdain's striking improves as the fight goes on and that he has good takedown defense after the first round. He acknowledges the risk of Gracie submitting him early but believes Jourdain's power and fluid boxing will take over in later rounds. Zane also mentions that Gracie's long layoff is a concern.
Expert Picks (9)
Angelo leans Charles Jourdain but is hesitant, noting Kyler Phillips is not a bum and has faced tough competition. He worries about Kyler's inconsistent cardio and Charles's lack of meaningful wins. He thinks Charles's experience and toughness give him a slight edge, but advises staying away from betting.
Big Brady picks Charles Jourdain, citing Kyler Phillips' poor cardio. He notes Phillips wins the first round but fades dramatically, as seen in fights against Oliveira and Font. Brady expects Jourdain to lose round one then turn it up, finishing Phillips by third-round knockout.
Cody picks Charles Jourdain, expecting him to win by decision after losing the first round. He notes that Kyler Phillips is a strong first-round fighter but fades, and Jourdain's high pace and guillotine threat will be key. He suggests live betting Jourdain after the first round.
Daniel loves Jourdain's move to bantamweight, noting he looks incredible and has been finishing fights quickly. He believes Jourdain's pressure and durability will overcome Phillips' tendency to fade after the first round. He predicts Jourdain will win and become a top-10 contender.
Jourdain has a big advantage on the feet with high volume and power, and he is the aggressor. Phillips has poor cardio and is a point fighter. However, Jourdain's takedown defense is weak and he is easy to hold down. Phillips could grapple his way to a decision. Home advantage for Jourdain is a factor. Lean Jourdain but not confident enough to bet at these odds.
The host mentions the co-main event but does not make a pick. He only expresses excitement for the fight.
James picks Charles Jourdain to win via finish in round three. He notes that Kyler Phillips is dominant in round one but fades, while Jourdain is strong in round three and has finishing upside. He sees Jourdain's trajectory and self-belief as factors.
The host thinks Charles Jourdain is the side here, noting that Phillips has cardio issues and struggles under pressure. He expects Jourdain to apply pressure, work Phillips down, and find a finish in round two or three. He highlights Jourdain's dangerous guillotine and improved BJJ, and believes Phillips will either slow down or get caught in a submission if he grapples.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Charles Jourdain. He highlights that Phillips wins first rounds but fades, and Jourdain's work rate will take over. He also likes the split decision prop and suggests live betting.
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