Career Averages - Alice Ardelean
Career Averages - Polyana Viana
Alice Ardelean
Polyana Viana
Alice Ardelean - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 46 of 94 | 48% | 80 of 139 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:05 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 34 of 75 | 45% | 80 of 137 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice Ardelean | 0 | 41 of 85 | 48% | 44 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 31 of 71 | 43% | 31 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 | |
| 2 | Alice Ardelean | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 36 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:05 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 49 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Ardelean | 46 of 94 | 48% | 22 of 61 | 10 of 17 | 14 of 16 | 45 of 93 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 34 of 75 | 45% | 9 of 44 | 13 of 19 | 12 of 12 | 29 of 66 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice Ardelean | 41 of 85 | 48% | 21 of 57 | 9 of 15 | 11 of 13 | 40 of 84 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 31 of 71 | 43% | 9 of 43 | 12 of 18 | 10 of 10 | 26 of 62 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alice Ardelean | 5 of 9 | 55% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Eric McMahon is the referee. They trade leg kicks early. Viana with a front kick and then a long right hand. Ardelean answers with a solid right. The fight is halted briefly due to what was thought to be an eye poke, but it’s determined that Viana was punched in the eye. The fight resumes in short order and the strawweights trade punches furiously. Ardelean is putting on the pressure and she tags Viana in close. Viana answers with a knee. They clinch and Viana lands a slashing elbow. Moments later, Ardelean stuns and briefly drops Viana. The Brazilian hustles to her feet and tries to regain her bearings. They clinch and trade knees. Viana turns her foe into the wire. Ardelean frees herself and returns to the center. Viana lands a hard body kick. Ardelean lines up a big right hand that finds the mark. Viana continues to have success with body kicks, using her superior range. Ardelean keeps the pressure on and she snaps the Brazilian’s head back with a three-punch combination. Another body kick for Viana. Ardelean ends a combination with a body kick, and Viana responds with a body kick of her own before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 2
Ardelean backs Viana up and lands a combination. Ardelean forces her way into the clinch and plants the Brazilian on the mat. Ardelean is in half guard. The Romanian utilizes heavy top pressure but isn’t doing much in the way of ground-and-pound. McMahon asks for some better work. Ardelean with some short punches to the ribs and Viana recovers full gaurd. Viana gets active from her back with elbows and punches as she controls Ardelean with a body triangle. They remain in this position, and Ardelean is doing her best to find openings from ground-and-pound from above as . McMahon calls for action from Ardelean again, and just when it seems like a standup might be ordered,
Viana suddenly taps out with the body triangle still in place. As it turns out, Ardelean had stepped over the foot while moving her foe’s leg to the inside to apply significant pressure to Viana’s knee.
A clever way to end the fight for Ardelean after what had largely been a pedestrian round. It's believed to be the first submission of its kind in UFC history.
The Official Result
Alice Ardelean def. Polyana Viana via Verbal Submission (Capsule Lock) R2 4:36
Angelo picks Alice Ardelean, citing her durability, cardio, and well-roundedness. He notes Polyana Viana has declined and has quit in her. He believes Ardelean can find a finish or win a decision. He acknowledges the -200 line seems high but thinks the matchup is favorable.
Big Brady picks Alice Ardelean, noting her superior volume and improvement compared to Polyana Viana, whom he views as more of a part-time fighter. He expects Ardelean to win by third-round TKO, as Viana tends to fade after the first round. However, he is hesitant due to the steep price.
Cody is confident in Alice Ardelean, noting her high work rate (7.3 significant strikes per minute) and physical strength. He believes Polyana Viana is not committed to fighting and relies on early submissions, but Ardelean is tough, comes forward, and can outwork her. He expects Ardelean to bully Viana and win by decision or late stoppage.
Connor picks Ardelean, agreeing with Zane. He notes Viana looks like she is hardly paying attention anymore and has unlearned her wild swinging, making her even worse. Ardelean has improved from an OnlyFans content creator to a professional fighter.
Ardelean is the better striker with better cardio, fight IQ, and pace. Viana gives up cheap takedowns and is weak off her back, while Ardelean understands position over submission. Ardelean will outwork Viana in the second half of the fight.
Lucrative James picks Alice Ardelean, citing her physicality, durability, and focus on MMA compared to Viana's social media distractions. He believes Ardelean's strength and cardio will wear down Viana, leading to a decision win.
The host picks Reedelion (Ardelean) over Polyana Viana, citing Ardelean's grit, determination, and forward movement. He expects Ardelean to catch Viana's reckless nature and finish the fight, either by submission or TKO, within two and a half rounds.
The host thinks Ardelean is well-rounded enough to take advantage of Viana's recklessness, but he is hesitant to bet her at -200 due to Viana's volatility and finishing ability. He prefers the under 2.5 rounds at +200, predicting Ardelean wins inside the distance, possibly by TKO or submission.
Paul also picks Alice Ardelean, noting that Polyana Viana's wins are all first-round submissions against low-level competition, and she has been finished in her recent losses. He believes Ardelean's toughness and wrestling will be too much for Viana, who is more focused on her OnlyFans career.
Zane picks Ardelean because Viana has regressed, now only going backward and pulling guard, and has been crushed on the ground in her last three fights. Ardelean is not a technical marvel but is willing to fight and should be able to handle Viana.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 138 of 280 | 49% | 146 of 288 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 0 | 85 of 282 | 30% | 91 of 291 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice Ardelean | 0 | 35 of 91 | 38% | 36 of 92 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 0 | 27 of 103 | 26% | 28 of 106 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 | |
| 2 | Alice Ardelean | 0 | 57 of 102 | 55% | 58 of 103 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 0 | 28 of 93 | 30% | 30 of 96 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Alice Ardelean | 0 | 46 of 87 | 52% | 52 of 93 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 0 | 30 of 86 | 34% | 33 of 89 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Ardelean | 138 of 280 | 49% | 103 of 235 | 23 of 30 | 12 of 15 | 137 of 277 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 85 of 282 | 30% | 54 of 239 | 4 of 7 | 27 of 36 | 82 of 269 | 3 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice Ardelean | 35 of 91 | 38% | 25 of 81 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 8 | 35 of 91 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 27 of 103 | 26% | 19 of 89 | 1 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 26 of 101 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alice Ardelean | 57 of 102 | 55% | 40 of 79 | 14 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 56 of 100 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 28 of 93 | 30% | 21 of 82 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 10 | 27 of 88 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Alice Ardelean | 46 of 87 | 52% | 38 of 75 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 3 | 46 of 86 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Montserrat Ruiz | 30 of 86 | 34% | 14 of 68 | 2 of 3 | 14 of 15 | 29 of 80 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ardelean (-400); Ruiz (+300)
Round 1
As the prelims roll on, the promotion tees up what will almost certainly be a pink slip derby at 115 pounds. The two women involved in this classic match up Romania vs. Mexico combined for a UFC record of 2-5, so the next triumph for either will be crucial. Ardelean (10-7, 1-2 UFC) would like to sign a new deal after getting her hand raised, while the diminutive Ruiz (10-4, 1-3 UFC) wishes the organization had an atomweight division having lost three at strawweight. Referee Chris Tognoni will take charge of the cage for the next 15 minutes or fewer. The ladies touch ‘em up.
Ardelean gets right to action, walking forward to throw down with Ruiz. She connects with a flurry of punches, and Ruiz counters her and reddens her nose up. Ardelean tries to catch a kick coming her way, and she stays out of range from others and counters one with a thudding calf kick. Ruiz stands her ground and brawls with Ardelean, snapping her head back with an especially effective left hand and pinning Ardelean down with a couple others. Ardelean bites down on her mouthpiece and trades back viciously, resulting in a fan-pleasing slugfest for a stint. Ardelean works her way in after finding her range with a pair of rights, and she sways back to evade the counter. Ruiz keeps her head on the center line the entire time, allowing Ardelean to catch and clip her practically at will.
Ruiz hurls a left hand that shakes her opponent up, and she uses the impact to bully the Romanian to the wire. Ruiz tries to set up a head lock throw, and Ardelean stands all the way up to stifle it and breaks away from the clinch. Ruiz presses forward behind her own punches, but largely misses the mark unless she sells out and does not mind getting countered. Ardelean drills her mid-advance with a pair of crisp punches, and she rips a left to the body and goes over the top with a right. Ruiz hammers Ardelean with two more big left hooks, and Ardelean sticks her tongue out and gets right back in the pocket to trade. Ardelean looks away for a second, hearing her corner say there are 30 seconds left on the clock, and she tries for a takedown. Ardelean smashes Ruiz in the nose with her right hand to draw blood, and bails on the takedown to circle around and climb on the back to ride out the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 2
The ladies bump fists, but it may be because they are throwing at one another and not necessarily offering the typically sporting gesture. Ardelean punches her way into a head kick, and Ruiz slugs her with a right hand over the top. Ardelean has already busted up Ruiz’ nose again, which is streaming red liquid down her face. Ardelean targets it with one-twos, pecking away at Ruiz who is telegraphing her big swings to hit air. Ardelean sways and moves, leaning and otherwise moving with the worst coming at her. All the while, she remains right in Ruiz’ face hammering her to the body several times. Ruiz appears to not like the body work, so Ardelean uses those blasts to open up more up top. Ardelean ducks a spinning back elbow while she marches down the Mexican woman, chaining a punch into a knee to the same spot on the side.
Ruiz backs off to get her wind back and her bearings, and she winds up with three big right hands that all miss the mark. It is her short one-two that finds its home, prompting Ardelean to clip her with the same two-piece with a diet soda. Ardelean jabs her way into range, beating Ruiz to the punch and knocking her back with the clubbing impact of her strikes. Ruiz gets a full head of steam and swings wildly, and Ardelean dances out of the way without concern. Ardelean slips a hook and comes back up top with a right, and she shrugs off a body kick to put two more hands on Ruiz’ face. Ardelean allows her opponent to kick her in the shin so that she can retaliate with a body shot when up close, and she follows the retreating Ruiz with a two-punch salvo. Ruiz swings back, and Ardelean crashes into her with a body lock takedown attempted. Ruiz puts her back to the fence and absorbs a few knees to the body, and she pops Ardelean in the chops a few times to force a break right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 3
Ardelean is brimming with confidence and acts accordingly, walking her shorter opponent down and punching her square in the face. Ruiz hits her back, only for Ardelean to bounce back and peg her with two check right hooks. Ruiz misses on a salvo and gets popped with a jab, and she finds that Ardelean is laying into her with a number of punches before she throws back. Ardelean has her kick caught between Ruiz’ legs, so Ardelean decides to just slug it out while her foot is midair. Ruiz thinks better of this and releases the limb, and the blood starts flowing out of both nostrils in a hurry again. Ardelean snipes the Mexican with a long right hand, and she pushes out a few more when Ardelean commits to something. Both women sit down in heavy single strikes, and it is Ardelean who wants more.
Ruiz whiffs when throwing back, but she does manage to bloody up Ardelean when she does manage to connect. Ardelean fades back and allows Ruiz to crash towards her so she can dodge them all, and she crushes Ruiz’ midsection with a well-timed knee. Ruiz toughs it out but remains a step behind, with Ardelean seeing many of her punches coming while also maintaining the power and volume advantage the whole way through. Ruiz lets a naked leg kick fly and she gets tagged with three over the top, and she walks straight into a step-in elbow. Ardelean celebrates the success of the blow by hurling two more, and Ruiz jabs her back and causes Ardelean’s nose to stream. This does not bother either woman, who practically race towards one another when the 10-second clapper sounds. Ardelean scores and scoops Ruiz off her feet to dump her to the ground, and the scramble is where the bloody match wraps.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean (30-27 Ardelean)
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean (30-27 Ardelean)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean (30-27 Ardelean)
The Official Result
Alice Ardelean def. Montserrat Ruiz via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Alice Ardelean, describing her as durable, gritty, and aggressive. He notes Montserrat Ruiz has good wrestling but quits when things get tough, having been finished in her last three fights. He believes Ardelean's toughness and forward pressure will overwhelm Ruiz, and she may even finish her. He is surprised by her price point but thinks she gets after it.
Big Brady is very confident in Alice Ardelean, noting Montserrat Ruiz has been terrible in her last three fights, with poor takedown defense (33%) and landing less than one strike per minute. He highlights Ardelean's power and aggression, and that Ruiz has been TKO'd before. He sees a third-round TKO as likely, only worried about a potential head-and-arm throw decision for Ruiz.
Connor picks Ardelean because she is improving, takes fighting seriously now, and is fundamentally aggressive. He thinks Ruiz's gimmick won't work if Ardelean rushes in aggressively, and if the throw fails, Ruiz has no backup plan and will get beaten up on the ground.
Lucrative James picks Alice Ardelean confidently, noting that Montserrat Ruiz relies heavily on a single move (the scarf hold) and has been out of action for over two years. He believes Ardelean's size, power, and volume will be too much, and that Ruiz will struggle to implement her game plan. He also mentions Ardelean's recent win over Rayanne dos Santos as evidence of her form.
Ardelean should stifle Ruiz's head and arm throw and land more shots on the feet. The fight will go to the scorecards and Ardelean will win. The host advises against betting the minus 400 line.
The MMA Guru picks Alice Ardelean, citing her physicality, pressure, and volume. He notes Montserrat Ruiz has lost consistently since beating Shayna Lismann and is too small. He expects Ardelean to push Ruiz against the cage and outwork her, predicting a close 29-28 decision.
Zane picks Ruiz because her meme-like head-and-arm throw gimmick could work against Ardelean, who is aggressive but not prepared for that specific technique. He notes that if the throw works, Ruiz can lock her down; if not, she is inert off her back. He thinks Ardelean is improving but still low-level.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rayanne dos Santos | 0 | 78 of 225 | 34% | 79 of 227 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 154 of 352 | 43% | 159 of 359 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 0:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rayanne dos Santos | 0 | 23 of 45 | 51% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 26 of 86 | 30% | 28 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 2 | Rayanne dos Santos | 0 | 21 of 62 | 33% | 21 of 63 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 45 of 107 | 42% | 45 of 108 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Rayanne dos Santos | 0 | 34 of 118 | 28% | 34 of 118 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 83 of 159 | 52% | 86 of 162 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rayanne dos Santos | 78 of 225 | 34% | 67 of 210 | 6 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 75 of 217 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 154 of 352 | 43% | 115 of 300 | 28 of 39 | 11 of 13 | 150 of 344 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rayanne dos Santos | 23 of 45 | 51% | 17 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 21 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 26 of 86 | 30% | 18 of 73 | 6 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 24 of 83 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rayanne dos Santos | 21 of 62 | 33% | 20 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 45 of 107 | 42% | 32 of 90 | 9 of 12 | 4 of 5 | 44 of 105 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rayanne dos Santos | 34 of 118 | 28% | 30 of 111 | 3 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 34 of 115 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 83 of 159 | 52% | 65 of 137 | 13 of 17 | 5 of 5 | 82 of 156 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: dos Santos (-265), Ardelean (+215)
Round 1
After an essential recovery weekend from the UFC’s never-ending train of fight cards, the engines of the promotion rev up very slowly as the UFC Apex will be its first stop. This much-maligned fight card has fallen down to 10 bouts with a few catchweights and some missed opportunities for the fighters that needed them most. The action begins at 115 pounds, where a pair of ladies with 0-2 records in the promotion thus far vie for their first win. Whether it is dos Santos (14-8, 0-2 UFC) or Ardelean (9-7, 0-2 UFC) who gets their hand raised after the next possible 15 minutes of combat, referee Chris Tognoni will be the first to know. The strawweights touch ‘em up to signal respect towards one another, and then they let the fun begin. Ardelean leads off immediately behind a jab, and she walks dos Santos down and measures her with a one-two. Dos Santos stands her ground and slugs right back, clipping Ardelean with heavy hooks. Ardelean grins, wanting to trade leather, and the Brazilian is happy to oblige her. They take turns one after the other to engage their offense, with dos Santos landing cleaner but showing a bit of swelling on the side of her right eye. When dos Santos pushes off a kick, Ardelean counters her over the top. Ardelean swings right into a clinch, with dos Santos bullying her to the wall as Ardelean works the body with knees. The Romanian turns her foe around in the clinch, and she breaks off with an elbow that bangs into dos Santos’ face. Ardelean presses forward, looking for long, straight punches that are more far-reaching than the hooks dos Santos lobs back at her. They both land flush, and Ardelean shakes it off and comes out swinging with short combinations. Ardelean walks into a right hand, but she still connects a few strikes before backing off. Dos Santos has her right hand chambered ready to fire massive hooks, and Ardelean beats her to the punch with a one-two down the pipe. Ardelean laughs off a right hand to ding the Brazilian with a left, and dos Santos frowns and circles away to reset. Ardelean pitches out a few fastballs down the middle, and she rings dos Santos’ bell with one final combo before the bell.
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Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 2
Ardelean marches forward to engage and start off the round, and when dos Santos counters, she ducks down and hits a takedown to put the Brazilian on the mat. Dos Santos pulls on the fence to work her way upright, and Ardelean is on her putting her fists in dos Santos’ face. Ardelean’s jab snaps the head back, and dos Santos responds with a double-leg takedown that runs into a Romanian wall. Dos Santos pushes off with her fingers out, and they jam into Ardelean’s eye socket. She says it is all good and asks Tognoni to let them continue. When given his blessing, she gets right back in dos Santos’ face, using her jab to do work. Dos Santos clubs her with a hook, but the volume discrepancy is growing as Ardelean chains punches in bunches. Dos Santos gets Ardelean’s attention, but this only makes her smile and spurs her on to brawl. Brawl is exactly what she does. Ardelean takes her foot off the gas before expending her tank, and goes back to measuring her opponent with jabs and follow-ups. Dos Santos steps in for an attempted trip and throw, but Ardelean’s base is too solid. Ardelean goes to the body with a right hand, and dos Santos responds with a left hook and a one-two that lands with an audible thud. Ardelean pushes off from a clinch setup, and she leans back to watch a massive right hand buzz by her. Dos Santos times a knee on the chin, and Ardelean no-sells it and quickly is able to defuse a takedown effort that follows. Ardelean plods forward, flicking the jab, and she smacks dos Santos with a low kick. When dos Santos swings high, Ardelean ducks and rips the body. Ardelean connects with a right hand, and she walks into one from the Brazilian that does not make her flinch. A three-punch combo from Ardelean lands on the last one, and she winds up and starts throwing heavier leather and knocks dos Santos back a few steps. Dos Santos tries for another takedown, and Ardelean shrugs it off and ignores a one-two on the chin as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 3
The ladies get right to fighting in the final frame, where they reach the center of the cage and bang it out. Dos Santos leads with a jab, and Ardelean adds up several punches and surprises dos Santos. The Brazilian steels herself and puts everything she has into several power punches, and she lands them cleanly and still does not get her to back off. The right hands from dos Santos mark up Ardelean’s cheek, but she is just as in the fight as ever. Dos Santos keeps Ardelean honest with her firepower, with Ardelean just touching while dos Santos is winging shots. Ardelean’s jab is an effective tool at disrupting the looping blows, but not at stopping them. Dos Santos, who might know she is down on the scorecards, is giving it all she has. Dos Santos cracks her foe with a crisp one-two, and she lets Ardelean swing past her so she can keep hitting her. Punches from Ardelean make a wound that bleeds in the shape of a Joker smile on one side of her face, while Ardelean’s own face is starting to leak around her eyebrow. They show no concern for damage or defense, instead pounding on one another in an entertaining and action-packed manner. Ardelean smiles when she gets tagged, and as she confidently marches forward, dos Santos succeeds in taking her down. Ardelean gets to a knee, and she reverses a second effort from the Brazilian to find top position. Dos Santos kicks her off, and the two get back to their feet and resume their brawl. Dos Santos’ face is swollen and busted up, while Ardelean’s is not much better—although she has a smile that she cannot wipe off of her mug. Dos Santos keeps whipping that right hand, and Ardelean is a welcome recipient of it and is willing to give it back in spades. The two women throw hammers at one another, with Ardelean getting the better of the final exchange. Time expires, and the Romanian raises her arms in the air in expectation that she has done enough.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 dos Santos (29-28 Ardelean)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean (30-27 Ardelean)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 dos Santos (29-28 Ardelean)
The Official Result
Alice Ardelean def. Rayanne dos Santos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Rayanne dos Santos because she is the better overall fighter with fluid striking, good movement, and solid takedown defense. He notes that Alice Ardelean is tough and a gamer but lacks technique and hasn't shown improvement. He expects a decision win for dos Santos, who should win two out of three rounds.
Big Brady picks Rayanne dos Santos but is hesitant due to her poor fight IQ, as seen in her loss to Puja Tomar where she chose to strike instead of using her black belt. He believes dos Santos has a clear grappling advantage but worries she will stand and strike, leading to a split decision. He ultimately picks her by decision, noting the risk of leaving it to the judges.
Matt picks Rayanne dos Santos to win by decision. He notes that dos Santos is the better striker and BJJ specialist, but has underperformed in her first two UFC fights, losing split decisions. He believes she will kick it up a notch with her back against the wall, mixing in takedowns and top pressure. He is not confident in the moneyline at -265 but likes the decision prop.
The MMA Guru picks Rayanne dos Santos based on her higher ceiling and younger age (27 vs 34). He acknowledges Alice Ardelean could out-physical her but believes dos Santos is the better technical fighter. He notes both are low-level but sees more potential in dos Santos.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Martinez | 0 | 72 of 145 | 49% | 78 of 151 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 92 of 224 | 41% | 103 of 240 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Martinez | 0 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 18 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 27 of 71 | 38% | 29 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 2 | Melissa Martinez | 0 | 29 of 56 | 51% | 29 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 45 of 90 | 50% | 48 of 94 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 3 | Melissa Martinez | 0 | 25 of 47 | 53% | 31 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 20 of 63 | 31% | 26 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Martinez | 72 of 145 | 49% | 33 of 90 | 18 of 29 | 21 of 26 | 72 of 145 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 92 of 224 | 41% | 59 of 179 | 15 of 21 | 18 of 24 | 91 of 222 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melissa Martinez | 18 of 42 | 42% | 10 of 29 | 3 of 8 | 5 of 5 | 18 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 27 of 71 | 38% | 17 of 60 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 9 | 26 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Melissa Martinez | 29 of 56 | 51% | 13 of 36 | 6 of 9 | 10 of 11 | 29 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 45 of 90 | 50% | 31 of 70 | 9 of 12 | 5 of 8 | 45 of 90 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Melissa Martinez | 25 of 47 | 53% | 10 of 25 | 9 of 12 | 6 of 10 | 25 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 20 of 63 | 31% | 11 of 49 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 20 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Martinez (-135), Ardelean (+114)
Round 1
From the heaviest weight class to the lightest we go, as two strawweights looking to make their most of their second chance at a first impression. Martinez (7-1, 0-1 UFC), out of Combate Americas-turned-Combate Global, will take on European Instagram influencer Ardelean (9-6, 0-1 UFC). The two with fairly high finish rates come together with referee Keith Peterson making sure there is no nonsense to deal with. There is no glove touch, with the two women instead ready to get down to business. Ardelean takes to the center of the cage and chases Martinez around, landing a low kick and avoiding a right hand. The Romanian walks into clean left, and she charges winging punches that largely miss the mark. Martinez slips a right over the top and dodges the counter, staying out the outside with her guard up. Ardelean absorbs a left hand as she keeps pacing forward, and her counter is not there. Leg kicks are traded, and Ardelean motions that she was poked in the eye but Peterson does not say anything. Martinez strafes from side to side, not allowing Ardelean to determine a pattern, which results in a lot of chasing and little action for lengthy stretches. Ardelean swarms her way forward with three right hands, and all three hit air. Martinez potshots her from afar, not letting Ardelean sit down on her punches or hit her flush. Ardelean pokes out a jab, and Martinez pushes her back with a front kick to the chest. Martinez puts two punches on the chin, drawing a grin from Ardelean. Martinez is constantly a moving target, dodging and weaving but not before she nails Ardelean with a left hook. Ardelean pays her back with a right hook, but it is not a full connect. They go after leg kicks, and Ardelean runs forward only to swing her way into nothing. Martinez clips Ardelean coming in, and Ardelean tries and fails to tie her up. Martinez strings a few punches together into a front kick, and she nicks an advancing Ardelean with a left at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Round 2
Ardelean is a bit more aggressive than the first round, swinging her way forward rather than leading with her face. Martinez counters her effectively, even getting off an axe kick when Ardelean stands in front of her. Ardelean looks to get up close and personal, only to get kicked in the face again. Ardelean tries to use the foot in her grill to push Martinez against the wire, but Martinez skirts away to get her footing. Ardelean is consistently chasing her but not cutting her off entirely, although she has landed more cleanly in this round than practically anything she connected with in the previous frame. Martinez throws low kicks from both sides, and Ardelean responds with one and smiles. The Romanian marches forward, with a right hand that smacks into Martinez’ cheek. Ardelean sits down on a punch, only to get met with a right hand on the button. Ardelean is still all smiles, even when Martinez tags her with another left and a right. Martinez whiffs on a one-two, and Ardelean rushes after her with fists flying and a low kick that connects. Martinez kicks her in the ribs, and she is out of the way before more than a quick right gets to her. Martinez winds up two left hands, and Ardelean is in her face with power punches back her direction. Martinez steps in with a solid left hand, and she dodges a spinning attempt from her opponent. Martinez connects with a left that makes Ardelean consider changing levels, and Martinez pushes her away and kicks her in the leg and body. Ardelean reaches out with a few punches, and a right does get off before Martinez slides away. As Ardelean comes after her, Martinez turns her back and runs to get a bit of space. Martinez smacks her in the face with a head kick, and as Ardelean charges, Martinez drills her with an axe kick, narrowly misses a second and pushes off with a high side kick. As Martinez is kicking away, the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 3
To start off the last round, Ardelean is amped up and ready to let her hands fly. Ardelean strings together multiple combinations, and Martinez breaks them up with counters or consistent footwork and movement. Martinez pushes out with a teep kick and then turns her kicks to throw one to the body, and Ardelean shrugs them all off to keep rushing forward. Ardelean connects with a low kick, only for Martinez to counter with a solid left hook. Ardelean keeps after her opponent, and Martinez dances out of harm’s way without absorbing anything harsher than a body shot. Ardelean uses the momentum to grab hold of Martinez, throwing punches on her way forward to wrap her arms around her adversary. When Ardelean pushes Martinez against the fence, Martinez slashes her with a few short elbows that open up Ardelean’s right eyebrow. Martinez breaks away in the clinch, and she kicks Ardelean in the ribs while taking a right hand over the top. Martinez slips to the side, stabs her toes out to the liver, and Ardelean bends over and is in big trouble. Martinez rushes after her to finish the job, and Peterson calls time to review the strike to determine if it was low. The replays show it was a clean blow, and Peterson starts them up against instead of waving the fight off—due to the rules, he could not call it a TKO as it was initially considered a foul, but it could have gone to a technical decision. Ardelean has gathered herself enough to continue, and they start spamming kicks. Martinez uses an axe kick and a few side kicks to keep Ardelean from getting to her, but Ardelean still wants to clinch up. Martinez keeps moving on the outside, whipping high-risk kicks at her opponent until the match concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Martinez (30-27 Martinez)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Martinez (30-26 Martinez)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Martinez (29-28 Martinez)
The Official Result
Melissa Martinez def. Alice Ardelean via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo leans towards Alice Ardelean, citing her constant forward pressure, threat of takedowns, and the fact that she's coming off a short-notice win he thought she deserved. He notes Melissa Martinez is returning from a two-year layoff due to a knee injury, which could be a factor. However, he is hoping the line moves so Martinez becomes a big favorite, allowing him to bet on Ardelean via a plus 3.5 round spread. He is not fully confident in the moneyline pick but sees value in the prop.
Big Brady picks Alice Ardelean by decision, but is hesitant. He notes Martinez has poor takedown defense and ground game, as seen in her loss to Elise Reed, and Ardelean can replicate that. However, Martinez has been away for two years and may have improved. He doubts he'll bet on this fight.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Martinez. He notes that Ardelean's game falls apart after five minutes, while Martinez doesn't fall apart. He thinks Martinez can survive the early aggression and take over as Ardelean tires.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript.
Martinez has a striking advantage but will struggle with the aggressiveness and grappling of Ardelean. Ardelean should be able to wrangle Martinez, drag her to the ground, and keep her in uncomfortable positions. If Ardelean showcases a more assertive approach like she did in the first and second round of her last matchup, she should get the win on the scorecards.
The Guru initially considers Melissa Martinez due to her youth but ultimately picks Alice Ardelean as a decent underdog. He notes Ardelean looked okay against Shauna Bannon and trains at a decent gym, while Martinez lost to Elise Reed in her debut. He expects Ardelean to be too physical and get takedowns.
Zane picks Martinez because she doesn't fall apart as the fight goes on, unlike Ardelean who gets tired after five minutes. He notes that Ardelean's aggression will likely lead to clinch exchanges, and Martinez is well-equipped to survive early aggression. He thinks Martinez's durability and ability to maintain will be key.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 0 | 77 of 169 | 45% | 151 of 252 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 57 of 105 | 54% | 80 of 139 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 5:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 52 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 14 of 21 | 66% | 26 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:25 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 47 of 75 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 17 of 26 | 65% | 28 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:28 | |
| 3 | Shauna Bannon | 0 | 50 of 101 | 49% | 52 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 26 of 58 | 44% | 26 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shauna Bannon | 77 of 169 | 45% | 44 of 119 | 22 of 36 | 11 of 14 | 73 of 164 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 57 of 105 | 54% | 42 of 84 | 10 of 15 | 5 of 6 | 50 of 97 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shauna Bannon | 11 of 28 | 39% | 5 of 18 | 2 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 14 of 21 | 66% | 12 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | |
| 2 | Shauna Bannon | 16 of 40 | 40% | 11 of 31 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 4 | 15 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 17 of 26 | 65% | 11 of 20 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Shauna Bannon | 50 of 101 | 49% | 28 of 70 | 17 of 25 | 5 of 6 | 47 of 98 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Alice Ardelean | 26 of 58 | 44% | 19 of 47 | 5 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bannon (-185), Ardelean (+155)
Round 1
For the first time in what seems like ages, the UFC is taking to a city in the United Kingdom other than London. Packing the Co-op Live, a building that recently finished construction with a capacity of over 20,000 seats, the promotion is doing its best to make sure fans get their money’s worth. Of the marathon 14-fight billing, all 14 bouts feature at least one fighter out of the U.K. or Ireland, or at the very least fight out of there in the case of Modestas Bukauskas. The first international contest comes in a classic battle between the Emerald Isle and the Land of Dracula at 115 pounds. “Mama B” Bannon (5-1, 0-1 UFC) will try to make the most of her second chance for a first impression, and she welcomes OnlyFans-famous Ardelean (9-5, 0-0 UFC) to the Octagon. The ladies will be joined in the cage by referee Mike Beltran, and they decide not to touch ‘em up to commence the curtain jerker. The crowd is lathered up, with the local time of 11 p.m., and the ladies are just as energized. Bannon leads off with a side kick, and the two ladies throw hands wildly at one another. The two come together a few times swinging their hands recklessly, smacking one another in the chops early and often. A few right hands from the Romanian redden Bannon’s nose, and commentator Daniel Cormier short-circuits momentarily on the broadcast as he repeats Ardelean’s name again and again awkwardly. Cormier recovers thanks perhaps due to tech support, and Ardelean pushes forward to change levels and slow Bannon down. Bannon grabs the fence to stop a takedown, and Ardelean redoubles her effort to put her on her back as Bannon pulls on the links once again. Beltran shouts warnings at the Irishwoman, who pays him no mind as she tugs her toes on the fencing to improve her position after getting dumped on her back. Bannon shifts to her side to pursue an armbar, and Ardelean shrugs it off and lowers herself into the closed guard of her adversary. Ardelean opens up with ground-and-pound, and Bannon once more uses her digits to pull herself around, and she snags hold of an armbar again. Ardelean stands up, but Bannon rolls her over and nearly locks the maneuver down. Ardelean keeps turning all the way through the submission to put Bannon flat again, and she breaks out of the move. Bannon uses a high guard to threaten with a triangle choke, and she hacks with elbows from off her back to stay busier than the woman on top of her. Ardelean keeps heavy pressure until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bannon
Round 2
Between rounds, Bannon’s corner, ex-UFC fighter Paddy Holohan, bangs his face into the camera, as the cameraman is hovering very close to them. When they resume, Bannon sports a wry grin, and she springs into action with combinations of punches. As she succeeds in landing, her right hand lumps up Ardelean’s nose, and she times a knee when Ardelean ducks down right on the forehead. Ardelean smiles and meanders forward, but she backs off to reset momentarily before surging back into action. Bannon slips back and slaps Ardelean in the face with the top of her foot, and she marches forward and grabs hold of her foe to attempt to hip toss her down. Ardelean fights her way out of the grip, and Bannon walks her down and rings her up with four straight punches. As Bannon blitzes a second time, Ardelean ducks around it to grab the Irishwoman from behind. Ardelean pushes her foe to the wall, and although she cannot get Bannon down, she grinds her and plants knees on her belly repeatedly. They continue to dirty box, with Bannon offering short right hands around the guard while Ardelean offers light lefts back at her. Bannon uses a knee shield to try to stop knees from landing on her midsection, and when she looks for a throw, Ardelean counters her and chucks Bannon to the canvas like a side of beef. Ardelean lands in side control, and she grabs hold of a scarf hold headlock. Bannon uses the position to try to take Ardelean’s back, and the two scramble and end up on their sides with neither in a good position. Ardelean decides to stand back up, and Bannon follows her with a few punches before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 3
The ladies rush to the center of the cage to engage, and when Bannon kicks, Ardelean counters with a right hand over the top. Bannon retreats and then sprints forward, landing a few punches but getting driven back by counters. Bannon kicks the body three times with the side of her foot, and she uses the side kick to keep Ardelean at bay. When Bannon surges forward, Ardelean stuns her with a left and a big right, and she grapples Bannon but abandons the takedown effort and breaks out of the clinch. Ardelean lands but gets caught with a right hand and a knee, and she smiles from ear to ear after getting punched in the face. Bannon spins with a strike that misses, and Ardelean bears down on her with a pair of hooks. Bannon chains a few punches together into a high kick, and Ardelean laughs it off quite literally and swings back with bad intentions. Bannon comes up short with another head kick, and Ardelean sees the timing and waits for her openings to engage. Bannon races forward and connects with a pair of hooks, and she backs off before eating anything in response. Bannon strafes from side to side, and she side kicks Ardelean in the ribs a few times as Ardelean nods at her. Bannon stays at her preferred range until wading into close proximity, and Ardelean clips her with a one-two. Bannon darts in and out with attacks, catching Ardelean flat-footed and escaping quickly. Ardelean is unable to land first in most of the exchanges, but she does manage to connect at least once during their in-and-out flurries. Bannon zooms at her opponent and dings her with two punches and a kick, and Beltran calls time to cut a piece of tape off of Ardelean’s glove. They get right back to it when time is called in, with Bannon kicking Ardelean in the face and drawing immediate blood. Ardelean is smiling but getting busted up, and she chases after Bannon but cannot reach her. Bannon spins with a wheel kick that misses the mark, and Ardelean busts her in the chops with a left hand that wobbles the Irishwoman’s legs. Bannon decides to attempt one final takedown, and they both wind up landing on their respective heads before the final bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Bannon)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Ardelean)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bannon (29-28 Bannon)
The Official Result
Shauna Bannon def. Alice Ardelean via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo picks Alice Ardelean, citing her forward pressure, toughness, and willingness to fight. He notes that Shauna Bannon forces things and doesn't flow smoothly, while Ardelean is a busy striker who chases finishes. Angelo expects a sloppy back-and-forth fight that goes to a decision, and he plans to bet on Ardelean plus 3.5 if she is the underdog.
Cody hesitantly picks Shauna Bannon, citing her grappling as the key. He notes that Alice Ardelean is an influencer with limited fighting skills and that Bannon's takedowns and top control should be enough. However, he acknowledges that Bannon looked lost in her UFC debut and that the line is too high. He expects a close, ugly fight.
Daniel admits he didn't know Alice Ardelean was a fighter and notes she has more experience against UFC-level competition, though she lost. He thinks Shauna Bannon is green. He picks Ardelean but warns not to tail him because he is unsure.
Daniel picks Shauna Bannon as his lock, noting it's a good matchup for her against a questionable opponent making her UFC debut on short notice.
Paul leans towards Bannon, noting that Ardelean is a TikTok star with no real MMA credentials. He believes Bannon's grappling should be enough, but he is not confident due to Bannon's poor performance in her debut. Paul calls it a 'dogger pass' fight and may not bet it.
The MMA Guru picks Shauna Bannon despite calling her 'garbage' initially. He reasons that her full training camp is a significant advantage over Alice Ardelean, who stepped in on short notice and hasn't fought in a year. He notes Ardelean's only win came against an 0-3 opponent, though it was impressive. The Guru expects Bannon to win by decision, but acknowledges the unpredictability of women's MMA.
Polyana Viana - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Ardelean | 0 | 46 of 94 | 48% | 80 of 139 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:05 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 34 of 75 | 45% | 80 of 137 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice Ardelean | 0 | 41 of 85 | 48% | 44 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 31 of 71 | 43% | 31 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 | |
| 2 | Alice Ardelean | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 36 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:05 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 49 of 64 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Ardelean | 46 of 94 | 48% | 22 of 61 | 10 of 17 | 14 of 16 | 45 of 93 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 34 of 75 | 45% | 9 of 44 | 13 of 19 | 12 of 12 | 29 of 66 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice Ardelean | 41 of 85 | 48% | 21 of 57 | 9 of 15 | 11 of 13 | 40 of 84 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 31 of 71 | 43% | 9 of 43 | 12 of 18 | 10 of 10 | 26 of 62 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alice Ardelean | 5 of 9 | 55% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Eric McMahon is the referee. They trade leg kicks early. Viana with a front kick and then a long right hand. Ardelean answers with a solid right. The fight is halted briefly due to what was thought to be an eye poke, but it’s determined that Viana was punched in the eye. The fight resumes in short order and the strawweights trade punches furiously. Ardelean is putting on the pressure and she tags Viana in close. Viana answers with a knee. They clinch and Viana lands a slashing elbow. Moments later, Ardelean stuns and briefly drops Viana. The Brazilian hustles to her feet and tries to regain her bearings. They clinch and trade knees. Viana turns her foe into the wire. Ardelean frees herself and returns to the center. Viana lands a hard body kick. Ardelean lines up a big right hand that finds the mark. Viana continues to have success with body kicks, using her superior range. Ardelean keeps the pressure on and she snaps the Brazilian’s head back with a three-punch combination. Another body kick for Viana. Ardelean ends a combination with a body kick, and Viana responds with a body kick of her own before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ardelean
Round 2
Ardelean backs Viana up and lands a combination. Ardelean forces her way into the clinch and plants the Brazilian on the mat. Ardelean is in half guard. The Romanian utilizes heavy top pressure but isn’t doing much in the way of ground-and-pound. McMahon asks for some better work. Ardelean with some short punches to the ribs and Viana recovers full gaurd. Viana gets active from her back with elbows and punches as she controls Ardelean with a body triangle. They remain in this position, and Ardelean is doing her best to find openings from ground-and-pound from above as . McMahon calls for action from Ardelean again, and just when it seems like a standup might be ordered,
Viana suddenly taps out with the body triangle still in place. As it turns out, Ardelean had stepped over the foot while moving her foe’s leg to the inside to apply significant pressure to Viana’s knee.
A clever way to end the fight for Ardelean after what had largely been a pedestrian round. It's believed to be the first submission of its kind in UFC history.
The Official Result
Alice Ardelean def. Polyana Viana via Verbal Submission (Capsule Lock) R2 4:36
Angelo picks Alice Ardelean, citing her durability, cardio, and well-roundedness. He notes Polyana Viana has declined and has quit in her. He believes Ardelean can find a finish or win a decision. He acknowledges the -200 line seems high but thinks the matchup is favorable.
Big Brady picks Alice Ardelean, noting her superior volume and improvement compared to Polyana Viana, whom he views as more of a part-time fighter. He expects Ardelean to win by third-round TKO, as Viana tends to fade after the first round. However, he is hesitant due to the steep price.
Cody is confident in Alice Ardelean, noting her high work rate (7.3 significant strikes per minute) and physical strength. He believes Polyana Viana is not committed to fighting and relies on early submissions, but Ardelean is tough, comes forward, and can outwork her. He expects Ardelean to bully Viana and win by decision or late stoppage.
Connor picks Ardelean, agreeing with Zane. He notes Viana looks like she is hardly paying attention anymore and has unlearned her wild swinging, making her even worse. Ardelean has improved from an OnlyFans content creator to a professional fighter.
Ardelean is the better striker with better cardio, fight IQ, and pace. Viana gives up cheap takedowns and is weak off her back, while Ardelean understands position over submission. Ardelean will outwork Viana in the second half of the fight.
Lucrative James picks Alice Ardelean, citing her physicality, durability, and focus on MMA compared to Viana's social media distractions. He believes Ardelean's strength and cardio will wear down Viana, leading to a decision win.
The host thinks Ardelean is well-rounded enough to take advantage of Viana's recklessness, but he is hesitant to bet her at -200 due to Viana's volatility and finishing ability. He prefers the under 2.5 rounds at +200, predicting Ardelean wins inside the distance, possibly by TKO or submission.
The host picks Reedelion (Ardelean) over Polyana Viana, citing Ardelean's grit, determination, and forward movement. He expects Ardelean to catch Viana's reckless nature and finish the fight, either by submission or TKO, within two and a half rounds.
Paul also picks Alice Ardelean, noting that Polyana Viana's wins are all first-round submissions against low-level competition, and she has been finished in her recent losses. He believes Ardelean's toughness and wrestling will be too much for Viana, who is more focused on her OnlyFans career.
Zane picks Ardelean because Viana has regressed, now only going backward and pulling guard, and has been crushed on the ground in her last three fights. Ardelean is not a technical marvel but is willing to fight and should be able to handle Viana.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaqueline Amorim | 0 | 6 of 8 | 75% | 29 of 43 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 6:34 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 23 of 31 | 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 | Jaqueline Amorim | 0 | 5 of 6 | 83% | 25 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:54 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 21 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jaqueline Amorim | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:40 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaqueline Amorim | 6 of 8 | 75% | 5 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaqueline Amorim | 5 of 6 | 83% | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jaqueline Amorim | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Amorim (-550), Viana (+410)
Round 1
A pair of Brazilian strawweights with 100% finish rates collide with hopes of involving referee Dan Miragliotta before too long. The judges might be able to take this one off, as these two women combine for 15 submissions in their 22 pro victories. The submission rate for Amorim (9-1, 3-1 UFC) may be a bit higher, and of the two, she has not been finished. Viana (13-7, 4-6 UFC) cannot say the same, with a trio of stoppage losses in the past for her including two in a row. Amorim offers a glove touch, and when Viana accepts it, Amorim shoots in for a takedown. Viana falls to her back, and she searches for a submission off her back including an inverted triangle choke that excites the crowd because of the position. Amorim pulls her head out between Viana’s legs and shifts to the side, and positions herself in north-south where she can sit on Viana’s face. Viana looks for another inverted triangle, but Amorim sees it coming and steps out of it. Amorim exerts heavy shoulder pressure as she attempts to step into mount, and she wraps up a kimura on Viana’s left side. Amorim cranks on the limb, even considering a straight armbar with the two-on-one wrist lock, and she maintains her grip so she can successfully pass into mount. Viana puts her hand on Amorim’s mouth to disrupt her breathing and frustrate her, and Amorim postures up and looks for offense. Amorim drops down ground-and-pound, punching and elbowing her fellow countrywoman. Viana bucks and kicks her hips back and forth, but she cannot get Amorim off of her. Amorim delivers a handful of 12-to-6 elbows as she maintains her dominant position, and she fights off a half guard recovery from Viana to get back to side control in a hurry. Amorim allows Viana to turn to her knees so she can take her back, and she fastens a body triangle around the waist. Miragliotta appears to mistakenly consider the 10-second clapper as the bell, and the women look awkwardly at one another until the bell actually rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Amorim
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Amorim
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Amorim
Round 2
Viana tries to start the round off with striking, but it takes less than 10 seconds for Amorim to engage and take her down with ease. Viana offers little defense to stop the takedown, perhaps hoping she can keep playing jiu-jitsu to catch something. Amorim gets to side control in the blink of an eye, and Viana sets up a partial crucifix position off her back by wrapping her legs around Amorim’s right arm. This allows Viana to shift to her knees, but Amorim laughs off the escape and takes her back in an instant.
Displaying that there are levels to this game, Amorim locks down the body triangle and a rear-naked choke almost simultaneously. Amorim can only cling one arm beneath the chin, and Viana is struggling but still with it. Amorim adjusts her grip, snaking her other arm under the chin and putting her palm-to-palm grip out of reach so that Viana can no longer hand-fight
. Viana knows her goose is cooked, and she taps out before long, expressing frustration that she was outdueled but otherwise accepting her defeat gracefully as she embraces her corner.
The Official Result
Jaqueline Amorim def. Polyana Viana R2 1:49 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo is very confident in Jaqueline Amorim, calling her a high-level grappler with power in her hands. He contrasts her serious approach with Polyana Viana's lack of career dedication, comparing it to Danni Barbosa vs. Belb. He notes the odds are moving quickly and expects Amorim to be a huge favorite by fight night.
Big Brady is very confident in Jaqueline Amorim, citing her high-level BJJ and Polyana Viana's poor takedown defense (38%). He expects Amorim to take Viana down and submit her quickly, noting Viana's vulnerability on the ground as seen in past fights. He predicts a first-round submission.
The host believes Amorim is significantly better than Viana, expecting her to get the fight to the ground easily and eventually sink in a submission.
The MMA Guru picks Jaqueline Amorim, believing she takes her career more seriously than Viana. He notes Amorim's submission skills and cheating incident against Demopoulos, but still favors her. He expects a finish, as Viana is not fully committed to fighting. He criticizes Viana's dedication and says Amorim trains harder.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gillian Robertson | 0 | 23 of 39 | 58% | 49 of 91 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 6:06 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 12 of 41 | 29% | 33 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:27 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillian Robertson | 0 | 8 of 13 | 61% | 16 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:52 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 20 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:27 | |
| 2 | Gillian Robertson | 0 | 15 of 26 | 57% | 33 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:14 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 4 of 23 | 17% | 13 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gillian Robertson | 23 of 39 | 58% | 20 of 35 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 26 |
| Polyana Viana | 12 of 41 | 29% | 10 of 37 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 9 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillian Robertson | 8 of 13 | 61% | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 8 |
| Polyana Viana | 8 of 18 | 44% | 7 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | |
| 2 | Gillian Robertson | 15 of 26 | 57% | 13 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 18 |
| Polyana Viana | 4 of 23 | 17% | 3 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Robertson (-230), Viana (+190)
Round 1
Strawweight grapplers are up next, with Robertson trying to even things up at 2-2 for Team Canada against her Brazilian counterpart. The referee is Kevin Macdonald. Both women are in orthodox stance, and Viana is the first to land, sticking Robertson with a long jab. They exchange jabs and Viana punctuates with a body kick. Robertson times a nice single-leg and hauls Viana down with ease. Robertson is on top in Viana’s half guard, leaning across her body and elbowing the ribs. Viana locks down the left leg and Robertson works for a straight armlock on the far arm. Robertson gives up on the arm attack and goes heavy on top, working to pass her guard as she does. Robertson throws two elbow strikes and slides right into mount. A couple more elbow strikes and Viana turns to the side. Robertson applies an arm-triangle choke and tries to move out to the side to finish. Viana manages to regain guard, but gives up her back a moment later. A minute to go in the round and Robertson is in back mount. She goes supine, rolls Viana on top of her, and Viana gives up mount. Robertson peels off for an armbar. It’s locked in and close to danger territory, but Viana extricates her arm and escapes. They return to their feet at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Robertson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Robertson
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Robertson
Round 2
Viana lands a low kick and slips the counter coming back her way. Viana tags Robertson with a straight right, then another, both of which glance off the guard. Robertson steps in, grabs a single-leg and gets another effortless takedown. She moves quickly to mount and Viana turns her back. Robertson is on top, drops an elbow and is in position to look for a choke if the opportunity presents itself. Robertson throws several hard punches that bounce off the forearm but still rattle the Brazilian’s head.
Robertson is all over Viana at the halfway point of the round, landing ground-and-pound. She keeps pouring it on and after 10 or more solid blows with no reaction from the turtled Viana, Macdonald steps in for the stoppage.
The Official Result
Gillian Robertson def. Polyana Viana R2 3:12 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Robertson but with medium confidence, noting her grappling credentials and record submission wins. He criticizes her inability to get fights to the ground despite being a great grappler, and acknowledges Viana's own dangerous ground game. He expects Robertson to win via grappling but is wary of Viana's toughness and cardio.
Big Brady is confident in Robertson because Viana has poor takedown defense and is content to play off her back, which plays into Robertson's strength. He notes Robertson has good ground and pound and submissions, while Viana's only path is a knockout. He predicts Robertson will get the fight down and submit Viana in the second round.
Cody picks Robertson, citing her superior wrestling and grappling. He questions Viana's jiu-jitsu and cardio, noting she gets tired and gives up submissions. He believes Robertson will take her down and control the fight.
Daniel Vreeland picks Gillian Robertson by submission. He notes Robertson is one-dimensional but dangerous on the mat, while Viana can crack on the feet but is susceptible to submissions. He expects Robertson to chain takedowns and have her way on top, leading to a submission win.
This fight is not discussed in the transcript. The host does not mention Robertson vs Viana.
I expect Robertson to drag this fight to the ground and utilize her superior Jiu-Jitsu to control top position and eventually open up a submission opportunity. Viana relies too much on her guard off her back, and Robertson has good enough Jiu-Jitsu to stay out of submission threats. I think it's just a matter of time once the fight hits the mat that Robertson can work to a dominant position and sink in a submission. I like the under 2.5 rounds prop as well.
Paul picks Viana as a chaos pick, noting her volatility and submission threat. He acknowledges Robertson is more likely to win but has a gut feeling Viana could pull off an armbar. He suggests Viana inside the distance as a better bet.
The MMA Guru picks Gillian Robertson, calling her a slight step above 'bottom feeder trash.' He criticizes Polyana Viana's lack of commitment and poor competition, noting she hasn't beaten anyone good. He believes Robertson can get top position safely and avoid Viana's submission threat.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iasmin Lucindo | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 41 of 68 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 10 of 24 | 41% | 31 of 48 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:13 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iasmin Lucindo | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 26 of 43 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 17 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 | |
| 2 | Iasmin Lucindo | 0 | 4 of 13 | 30% | 15 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 14 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:52 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iasmin Lucindo | 10 of 25 | 40% | 2 of 15 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 10 of 24 | 41% | 5 of 18 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iasmin Lucindo | 6 of 12 | 50% | 2 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 6 of 12 | 50% | 3 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | |
| 2 | Iasmin Lucindo | 4 of 13 | 30% | 0 of 7 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 4 of 12 | 33% | 2 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Lucindo (-198), Viana (+164)
Round 1
Multiple fighters on this billing celebrate 100% finish rates, and Brazilian Viana (13-5, 4-4 UFC) is one of them. In fact, she has landed 12 of her 13 victories in the first round, with her latest a minute and change into Round 2. This likely means that youthful countrywoman Lucindo (14-5, 1-1 UFC) will need to be on her guard and not fall into any early traps if she hopes to put herself on a win streak. Standing by will be referee Chris Tognoni, and the bout opens up as the strawweight clap hands. Viana leads off with a kick that whizzes past the target, and Lucindo counters with a clubbing left hand that staggers Viana briefly. Viana gathers her thoughts and whips down a leg kick, and she partially checks one that eventually comes back her way. Viana scores a low kick and a punch, and she decks Lucindo in the face with her shin. Lucindo tries to punch back, and Viana closes in and grabs hold of her. Viana looks for a takedown, and she slugs Lucindo in the face a few times before dragging her down to the mat violently. Lucindo closes up her guard to try to stall things out, and Viana stays heavily pressed to her to keep her otherwise grounded. Tognoni asks for Viana to do more than sit there, and Viana does not improve her position or attack with anything else. Tognoni once again tells Viana to do something, and Lucindo is clinging tightly to shut down anything. Tognoni stands them up, and Viana helps her opponent to her feet and then offers a glove touch. Lucindo spins with a back kick that grazes off the side, and she misses with a back fist and ends up getting her leg grabbed in the air. Viana looks for a level change, but it is Lucindo who ends up tripping her up and throwing “Dama de Ferro” down to the mat. Viana hits her back and ignores light, frustrating punches bopping her on the side of the head. Viana turns to her side to potentially escape, and Tognoni now asks Lucindo to work. Lucindo postures up with a few hammerfists, and Viana kicks her off right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lucindo
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lucindo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Lucindo
Round 2
The strawweight bump fists together to start off the second stanza, and after a lull, Lucindo springs into action with a head kick and spinning back kick. Lucindo strings together a right and a left, and she hurts Viana. “Dama de Ferro” bounces off the cage wall and shakes out any cobwebs, and Lucindo does not give her chase or pressure her one iota. Instead, Lucindo lets Viana back in the fight, as she slowly works her way forward and tosses out a blocked overhand right. Lucindo spins with a kick that ricochets off the guard, and she tries to boot the ribs only to have that blocked as well. Lucindo drills Viana with a fierce overhand right, and Viana wobbles but does not fall down. Lucindo does not follow it with anything, allowing Viana to shake it off and spin at her with a back fist and keep turning into a body kick. Lucindo meets her in the middle and tackles her to the ground, where she plops on top in half guard. Lucindo smothers and grinds without the occasional short punch. Viana has no offense of her own, prompting Tognoni to tell Lucindo to do something.
Lucindo looks to pass over to three-quarter mount, and she suddenly attacks with an arm-triangle choke. Jumping straight over to the side, the submission is complete and Viana has nothing left to offer. One single tap comes from Viana, and Tognoni recognizes it and pulls the two apart.
For the first time since 2019, Lucindo forced an opponent to tap out, doing so over a woman in Viana that typically is the one submitting others.
The Official Result
Iasmin Lucindo def. Polyana Viana R2 3:42 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Angelo picks Lucindo, trusting her takedown ability and top pressure. He notes Viana is a BJJ threat but Lucindo's defense should hold up. He expects a decision win.
Big Brady picks Iasmin Lucindo to win by decision, but hates the pick. He notes Lucindo's striking advantage and ability to win minutes, but fears Viana's submission threat, especially the armbar from guard. He says there are two outcomes: Lucindo by decision or Viana by submission. He chooses Lucindo because she has more paths to victory, but will not bet the fight.
Cody picks Lucindo, praising her scrappy style, speed, cardio, and volume. He criticizes Viana's inconsistency and inability to get takedowns against good competition. He thinks Lucindo's strength will prevent takedowns and that she will outwork Viana on the feet. He acknowledges the risk in women's MMA but is confident Lucindo gets the job done.
James picks Lucindo, believing she is a good fighter with strong ground skills. He thinks Lucindo's jiu-jitsu is better than Viana's and that she can even submit Viana. He notes Viana's only path to victory is on the ground, but Lucindo is likely better there. James sees value on Lucindo at the current odds, thinking she should be a bigger favorite.
Lucindo is young but has good training partners and experience. Viana is an aggressive BJJ black belt who finishes early or fades. Lucindo should be able to use Viana's recklessness against her with takedowns and forward pressure to win a decision. It's a close fight, and a value shot on Viana is not bad, but Lucindo is cleaner.
Paul picks Viana by submission or inside the distance, citing the armbar from guard as a real threat. He thinks Lucindo might be hesitant to take Viana down due to her submission skills, and if the fight goes to the ground, Viana has a clear advantage. However, he admits he's not confident and may not bet it, as he understands Cody's points about Lucindo's volume and strength.
The MMA Guru initially considered Polyana Viana but switched to Iasmin Lucindo, noting Lucindo's better competition and ability to go three rounds. He mentions Lucindo's wins over Brogan Walker and Yasmine Uruguay, and her experience against Sarah Frota. He believes most people are picking Viana incorrectly and that Lucindo will win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyana Viana | 1 | 11 of 18 | 61% | 11 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Jinh Yu Frey | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 6 of 14 | 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 | Polyana Viana | 1 | 11 of 18 | 61% | 11 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Jinh Yu Frey | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyana Viana | 11 of 18 | 61% | 10 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Jinh Yu Frey | 6 of 14 | 42% | 0 of 5 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polyana Viana | 11 of 18 | 61% | 10 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Jinh Yu Frey | 6 of 14 | 42% | 0 of 5 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Viana (-135), Frey (+115)
Round 1
Strawweights toe the line in this next encounter, and their fighting styles could scarcely be more different. Viana (12-5, 3-4 UFC) maintains a 100% finish rate with exactly two-thirds of her victories coming by tapout, while former Invicta champ Frey (11-7, 2-3 UFC) has not procured a stoppage since December 2014. Referee Herb Dean is ready for anywhere this fight goes, and it begins with a touch of hands. They calmly start to trade punches, going tit-for-tat with jabs and straight punches. Frey slaps a low kick, and Viana responds in kind. Out of nowhere, Frey leaps forward in a blitz of blows, and Viana stands firm to knee her square to the body. With Frey stunned, Viana wings hooks that are far more powerful than what Frey can muster, and she has Frey’s attention in a hurry.
Viana knocks her foe back with a long barrage of nasty punches, and she does not let a wobbled Frey off the hook. The brutal swinging fists from “Dama de Ferro” continue to blast into Frey, and Frey falls to the ground in big trouble. To hammer the nail, Viana keeps her 100% finish rate intact by smashing Frey with two hammerfists.
Those blows put Frey flat on her back with her arms reached out, frozen in time, and she has nothing left to give. Dean leaps in, and Frey snaps back to life as if she had just been woken up from a deep slumber. Brazil’s Viana is now one stoppage away from the women’s strawweight record held by Jessica Andrade and Rose Namajunas, and she calls for a fight in January in Rio de Janeiro.
The Official Result
Polyana Viana def. Jinh Yu Frey R1 0:47 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Frey, citing her physicality, veteran savvy, and well-roundedness. He expects Frey to slow the pace, hold Viana against the cage, and avoid ground threats. He notes Viana is dangerous with submissions but relies on opponents to get to the ground. He is on the fence about betting, waiting for prop bets.
Big Brady criticizes Frey's low volume and poor cardio, while noting Viana's dangerous submission game and 100% finish rate. He expects Viana to pull guard and get the fight to the mat, where she is very dangerous with arm bars and triangles. He predicts a first-round submission, though he acknowledges Frey's takedown defense is strong.
Cody picks Polyana Viana by submission. He notes that Viana is the 'armbar queen' and that submission is very much on the table. He references the Kate Hanson fight where Frey was submitted by armbar, and thinks Viana can do the same. He acknowledges that Viana has had travel issues from Brazil but still likes her to find a submission. He prefers Viana by sub at +350 over the moneyline.
Connor agrees, noting that Frey's cautious style and lack of confidence make her unlikely to take advantage of Viana's chaotic approach. Viana will insist on making the fight happen, and Frey has historically frozen under pressure. Viana's finishes (12 inside the distance) contrast with Frey's lack of finishing ability.
Daniel Levi picks Polyana Viana, citing her will to win and opportunistic armbar from guard. He notes Jinh Yu Frey is more polished standing, but Viana's aggression and submission threat on the mat give her the edge. He is not laying chalk on it.
The host sees this as a difficult fight but leans Viana due to her chaotic style and submission threat. He notes Frey could grind out a decision, but Viana's aggression and BJJ make her dangerous. He prefers the under 2.5 rounds prop rather than the moneyline, expecting a finish from Viana.
Paul picks Jinh Yu Frey as an underdog. He argues that Frey is a BJJ black belt and has not been submitted lately, surviving against Ashley Yoder and Vanessa Demopoulos. He thinks Frey is better standing, with improved volume (88 significant strikes against Yoder, 62 against Demopoulos). He criticizes Viana as one-dimensional, with poor striking and a tendency to get controlled on the ground, as seen against Tabatha Ricci. He believes Frey can win a decision by outworking Viana.
The MMA Guru picks Polyana Viana, noting Frey's submission loss to Kay Hansen and decision loss to Vanessa Demopoulos. He believes Viana, at 30, is in her prime and has submission skills, particularly armbars. He predicts Viana will get a submission, likely an armbar or triangle, after making Frey shoot for takedowns.
Zane picks Viana because Frey is too tentative and cautious, lacking the aggression to capitalize on Viana's defensive lapses. Viana is aggressive, throws from all ranges, and will force the action. Frey's inability to pull the trigger, as seen in her loss to Vanessa Demopoulos, makes her unreliable even against a flawed opponent like Viana.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tabatha Ricci | 0 | 36 of 97 | 37% | 126 of 212 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 33 of 73 | 45% | 72 of 126 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 9:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tabatha Ricci | 0 | 7 of 20 | 35% | 53 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 9 of 18 | 50% | 28 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:00 | |
| 2 | Tabatha Ricci | 0 | 20 of 58 | 34% | 40 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 12 of 34 | 35% | 24 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:57 | |
| 3 | Tabatha Ricci | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 33 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 12 of 21 | 57% | 20 of 40 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 3:34 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tabatha Ricci | 36 of 97 | 37% | 18 of 74 | 11 of 14 | 7 of 9 | 29 of 86 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 4 |
| Polyana Viana | 33 of 73 | 45% | 11 of 43 | 3 of 8 | 19 of 22 | 21 of 57 | 0 of 1 | 12 of 15 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tabatha Ricci | 7 of 20 | 35% | 3 of 16 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Polyana Viana | 9 of 18 | 50% | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 9 | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 | |
| 2 | Tabatha Ricci | 20 of 58 | 34% | 8 of 43 | 6 of 7 | 6 of 8 | 16 of 52 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Polyana Viana | 12 of 34 | 35% | 5 of 22 | 2 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 30 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | |
| 3 | Tabatha Ricci | 9 of 19 | 47% | 7 of 15 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Polyana Viana | 12 of 21 | 57% | 4 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 7 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 6 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ricci (-120), Viana (+100)
Round 1
Chris Tognoni will officiate this clash of Brazilian strawweights. Viana connects with a hard body kick at the outset. Ricci goes for a single leg takedown and Viana jumps on a guillotine. Ricci escapes without issue, but Viana transitions to an armbar. Ricci stands and kicks at her grounded foe’s legs. Viana is content to remain on her back, kicking at the knees of her opponent, one of which makes Ricci stumble. Tognoni orders a standup as Ricci backs away. Ricci moves in behind a solid jab. Ricci closes the distance and Viana jumps on a guillotine again. Ricci dumps her foe down and frees her head. Viana is active off her back with strikes as she attempts to frame a triangle. Not much action from Ricci from above. Viana remains busy with short shots to the head. With 1:00 to go, Ricci is still in top position, but it’s Viana who is more active offensively from her back. Ricci stands and backs away just before the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ricci
Keith Shillan scores the round: 10-9 Ricci
Tudor Leonte scores the round:10-9 Ricci
Round 2
Viana moves forward behind a kick, and the strawweights clinch briefly before separating. A lot of swings and misses from both sides early in the ruond. Ricci with an outside leg kick. Another leg kick lands with authority for Ricci. They tie up and separating in short order once again. A spinning back fist lands for Viana, at least partially. Viana steps in and lands an elbow. Ricci executes a beautifully timed level change and ground Viana near the fence. Ricci stands, and another kick to the knee by Viana makes Ricci stumble. Ricci looks to work her way in and winds up in the full guard of her opponent. Viana holds her close, landing short punches. Ricci stands and Viana is perfectly content to stay on her back, kicking at the knees of her opponent. Tognoni orders them up with 20 seconds left. Ricci powers Viana back down in the waning seconds and ends the round on top.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ricci
Keith Shillan scores the round: 10-9 Ricci
Tudor Leonte scores the round:10-9 Ricci
Round 3
Ricci wastes little time forcing the clinch and pressing Viana into the cage. They separate and return to the center of the Octagon. Ricci rushes forward and lands a right hand. Ricci shoots for a takedown against the fence, then trips Viana to the mat. Ricci stands, then briefly dives to side control before standing again. We’re back in a familiar position, with Viana on her back and Ricci standing and looking for openings to dive into top position. Tognoni doesn’t like the lack of action and orders them up. Ricci ducks under a punch for a single leg takedown but Viana briefly ends up on top. They scramble back up and Ricci plants Viana on her back. Ricci stands and backs away, kicking at the legs of Viana. Not much is happening here, but Viana is content to let things play out this way. Ricci can’t quite get past the legs of Viana to get on top and land ground-and-pound. The fight ends with Viana on her back and Ricci kicking away at her legs.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ricci (30-27 Ricci)
Keith Shillan scores the round: 10-9 Ricci (30-27 Ricci)
Tudor Leonte scores the round:10-9 Ricci (30-27 Ricci)
The Official Result
Tabatha Ricci def. Polyana Viana via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Tabatha Ricci because she is a very good grappler with solid forward pressure and frequent takedowns. He notes that Viana is submission-or-bust and struggles with takedown accuracy. Ricci's last win at 115 pounds showed her takedown ability. Angelo expects Ricci to wrestle heavily and win a decision, and he plans to include her in his DraftKings lineup.
Big Brady picks Tabatha Ricci to win by decision, citing her superior wrestling and BJJ black belt. He notes Viana relies on pulling guard and submissions off her back, but Ricci is a legitimate black belt who should be able to avoid submissions and control the fight on the mat. He expects Ricci to take Viana down with little resistance and win a decision.
Cody picks Ricci, citing her wrestling, BJJ black belt, and better striking. He notes Viana's reliance on armbars from guard but believes Ricci's jiu-jitsu pedigree will prevent her from getting caught. He thinks Ricci can out-strike Viana, take her down, and win a decision, even if she fades in the third.
The host picks Tabatha Ricci to win, expecting her to grind out a victory. He notes that Viana is always live for a submission but does not think she gets it tonight. He believes Ricci's grappling and control time will be the difference, and he does not see the Viana side himself. He does not have a bet on Ricci but is confident in her winning.
Paul picks Ricci, saying she should have the wrestling to keep the fight upright and the grappling to avoid Viana's submissions. He notes Viana's craftiness off her back but believes Ricci is the side.
The MMA Guru picks Polyana Viana, citing her experience, size, and reach advantage. He thinks Tabatha Ricci is a small strawweight and may get overexcited on the ground, leading to a submission. He predicts an armbar win for Viana.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 4 of 16 | 25% | 71 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 5 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Mallory Martin | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 14 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polyana Viana | 0 | 4 of 16 | 25% | 71 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 5 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Mallory Martin | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 14 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyana Viana | 4 of 16 | 25% | 0 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mallory Martin | 5 of 7 | 71% | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polyana Viana | 4 of 16 | 25% | 0 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Mallory Martin | 5 of 7 | 71% | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Up next is a women’s strawweight bout as finish-minded Brazilian Viana (11-4, 2-3 UFC) looks to even her UFC record to .500 at the expense of Invicta FC vet Martin (7-3, 1-1 UFC). Drawing the assignment for this interesting style matchup is referee Mark Smith, and the two ladies touch ‘em up before getting down to business. Martin immediately throws a pair of punches to the body, and she gets countered but walks forward to plant her fists on Viana’s midsection again. Martin walks forward with a similar salvo, but this time, Viana is ready for her. Viana has a one-two blocked, but she lands a body kick and falls to her back pulling guard. Martin obliges by wading into the Brazilian’s guard, where she stays tight and does not expose her limbs or put herself in unnecessary danger. Viana starts throwing strikes off her back, with punches landing on the ear and elbows hacking on the scalp. Martin postures up, and she falls into a triangle choke that is instantly locked up. Martin rolls with the position but does not break it, and Viana pursues an armbar before bailing it to slash at Martin’s forehead with elbows. Martin loosens the grip to breathe a little as she gets to a crouching position, but she slams Viana down and puts herself in even worse position. “Dama de Ferro” tightens her legs and Martin is still fighting through the very bad spot, taking elbows all the while.
Viana wrenches on to a keylock while Martin is trapped tightly, and Martin rolls to her back but falls victim to an armbar attempt. Viana wrenches on the arm with everything she has, and Martin can gut through it no more, tapping out lest her arm get snapped.
With her submission victory, Viana maintains her perfect finish rate through 12 career wins.
The Official Result
Polyana Viana def. Mallory Martin R1 3:18 via Submission (Armbar)
Big Brady picks Mallory Martin to win by decision. He initially leaned towards Viana but after digging in, he thinks Martin will get top control and stay safe. He notes that Viana was submitted by Veronica Macedo and that Hannah Cifers stayed safe on top against Viana. He believes Martin's wrestling and top control will be the difference, though he is not high on Martin after her fight with Cifers.
Daniel Levi picks Polyana Viana to win by first-round finish. He notes that Viana is a first-round finish or bust, with most wins coming in the first round. He acknowledges Martin's toughness and heart but points out her slow starts. He believes Viana can catch Martin early, but if it goes to the scorecards, he would edge Martin. He predicts a first-round finish for Viana.
The host picks Viana as a dog, believing her jiu-jitsu will be the difference if the fight goes to the ground. He notes that Martin's wrestling could play into Viana's submission game, and that Viana's reckless style makes a finish likely. He also likes the under 2.5 rounds prop at +190.
The Guru picks Mallory Martin, largely because Polyana Viana lost to Hannah Cifers, which he considers disqualifying. He believes Martin will win the ground exchanges and positional control, earning a unanimous decision. He does not see a submission for Martin but expects her to edge out a grappling-heavy decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyana Viana | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 18 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Emily Whitmire | 0 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 5 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polyana Viana | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 18 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Emily Whitmire | 0 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 5 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyana Viana | 9 of 15 | 60% | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Emily Whitmire | 2 of 11 | 18% | 1 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polyana Viana | 9 of 15 | 60% | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
| Emily Whitmire | 2 of 11 | 18% | 1 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Remaining at what should be the strawweight division for another tilt is TUF 26 vet Whitmire (4-3, 2-2 UFC) against “Dama de Ferro” – or Iron Lady -- Viana (10-4, 1-3 UFC). Drawing the assignment for this match between a woman whose losses are all by finish (Whitmire) and a woman whose wins are all by stoppage (Viana) is referee Jason Herzog. The glove touch precedes what comes shortly after in the form of a leg kick from Viana, and Whitmire fires back. Viana slings another kick, and Whitmire throws several punches that land flush. Both women trade leg kicks, and Viana has already switched stances. They come together and land right hands at the same time, but a right hand from Viana forces Whitmire to shoot in and take the Brazilian down. Viana tries to trip her, but Whitmire counters to take top position. “Spitfire” lands in side control and hangs on to two-on-one wrist control until Viana shucks her off and gets her back to full guard. Viana slams several elbows in the side of her opponent’s head, and looks to set up an armbar off her back but Whitmire sees it coming and adjusts.
Viana repositions and snags the arm, and Whitmire falls to her back but is still trapped. She screeches as she taps out in obvious pain, and “Dama de Ferro” racks up another finish.
All 11 of Viana’s career wins have come inside the distance, with 10 now in the first round.
The Official Result
Polyana Viana def. Emily Whitmire R1 1:53 via Submission (Armbar)
Big Brady favors Whitmire slightly in striking and wrestling, expecting her to get takedowns and control the fight. However, he is hesitant because Whitmire has been submitted in all three losses, and Viana has good BJJ. He notes that Viana was unable to submit Hannah Cifers, which gives him some confidence, but he cannot bet this fight at the current line.
Daniel Levi picks Polyana Viana, arguing that her ceiling is higher than Whitmire's. He points out that Viana has beaten Amanda Ribas (who Whitmire lost to) and that Whitmire's ground game is questionable. He believes Viana can finish with an armbar or triangle, but acknowledges she is inconsistent.
Viana has better overall jiu-jitsu and both women are finishers, so the fight likely ends via submission. Whitmire is overrated due to recency bias; Viana's submission skills should be the difference. I see a first-round rear-naked choke.
The host favors Polyana Viana due to her jiu-jitsu world champion background and better stand-up. He notes that Viana's back is against the wall and she knows a loss could mean being cut. He believes Whitmire's only path is grappling, but Viana has the jiu-jitsu to avoid submissions. He also mentions Viana's reach advantage and better striking.
Expert Picks (10)
Angelo picks Alice Ardelean, citing her durability, cardio, and well-roundedness. He notes Polyana Viana has declined and has quit in her. He believes Ardelean can find a finish or win a decision. He acknowledges the -200 line seems high but thinks the matchup is favorable.
Big Brady picks Alice Ardelean, noting her superior volume and improvement compared to Polyana Viana, whom he views as more of a part-time fighter. He expects Ardelean to win by third-round TKO, as Viana tends to fade after the first round. However, he is hesitant due to the steep price.
Cody is confident in Alice Ardelean, noting her high work rate (7.3 significant strikes per minute) and physical strength. He believes Polyana Viana is not committed to fighting and relies on early submissions, but Ardelean is tough, comes forward, and can outwork her. He expects Ardelean to bully Viana and win by decision or late stoppage.
Connor picks Ardelean, agreeing with Zane. He notes Viana looks like she is hardly paying attention anymore and has unlearned her wild swinging, making her even worse. Ardelean has improved from an OnlyFans content creator to a professional fighter.
Ardelean is the better striker with better cardio, fight IQ, and pace. Viana gives up cheap takedowns and is weak off her back, while Ardelean understands position over submission. Ardelean will outwork Viana in the second half of the fight.
Lucrative James picks Alice Ardelean, citing her physicality, durability, and focus on MMA compared to Viana's social media distractions. He believes Ardelean's strength and cardio will wear down Viana, leading to a decision win.
The host picks Reedelion (Ardelean) over Polyana Viana, citing Ardelean's grit, determination, and forward movement. He expects Ardelean to catch Viana's reckless nature and finish the fight, either by submission or TKO, within two and a half rounds.
The host thinks Ardelean is well-rounded enough to take advantage of Viana's recklessness, but he is hesitant to bet her at -200 due to Viana's volatility and finishing ability. He prefers the under 2.5 rounds at +200, predicting Ardelean wins inside the distance, possibly by TKO or submission.
Paul also picks Alice Ardelean, noting that Polyana Viana's wins are all first-round submissions against low-level competition, and she has been finished in her recent losses. He believes Ardelean's toughness and wrestling will be too much for Viana, who is more focused on her OnlyFans career.
Zane picks Ardelean because Viana has regressed, now only going backward and pulling guard, and has been crushed on the ground in her last three fights. Ardelean is not a technical marvel but is willing to fight and should be able to handle Viana.
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