Career Averages - Maurício Ruffy
Career Averages - Michael Chandler
Maurício Ruffy
Michael Chandler
Maurício Ruffy - Fight History
AJ does not discuss this fight in the transcript. No pick is made.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maurício Ruffy | 0 | 36 of 66 | 54% | 37 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rafael Fiziev | 1 | 55 of 88 | 62% | 60 of 93 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maurício Ruffy | 0 | 16 of 33 | 48% | 17 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rafael Fiziev | 0 | 18 of 28 | 64% | 21 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:25 | |
| 2 | Maurício Ruffy | 0 | 20 of 33 | 60% | 20 of 33 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rafael Fiziev | 1 | 37 of 60 | 61% | 39 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maurício Ruffy | 36 of 66 | 54% | 9 of 31 | 15 of 19 | 12 of 16 | 34 of 64 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Rafael Fiziev | 55 of 88 | 62% | 45 of 77 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 7 | 42 of 66 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maurício Ruffy | 16 of 33 | 48% | 2 of 12 | 7 of 11 | 7 of 10 | 14 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Rafael Fiziev | 18 of 28 | 64% | 13 of 22 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 18 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Maurício Ruffy | 20 of 33 | 60% | 7 of 19 | 8 of 8 | 5 of 6 | 20 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rafael Fiziev | 37 of 60 | 61% | 32 of 55 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 24 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 20 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruffy (-122), Fiziev (+102)
Round 1
It’s a striker’s delight in the “featured fight of the night” slot, as lightweights in need of a big win lock ‘em up. “Ataman” Fiziev (13-4, 7-4 UFC) may have struggled having to face Justin Gaethje twice in the span of about two years, but he righted the ship last June by taking out Ignacio Bahamondes. On the other side of the equation, Fighting Nerds staple Ruffy (12-2, 3-1 UFC) saw his mighty win streak come to a crashing halt last year when the co-headliner Benoit St. Denis wrangled and tapped him. This ranked lightweight contest where only man will remain in the top 10 when the dust settles will be officiated by referee Dan Movahedi. The heavy hitters touch gloves before handling their business.
Ruffy in a wide stance holds the center of the cage, avoiding a sweeping low kick while keeping his lead hand dangerously low. The head movement allows Ruffy to dodge a sudden head kick, and he answers with a quick leg kick. Fiziev slowly works his way forward, cutting off the cage and darting in behind a single left hand. Ruffy tosses out another kick, and Fiziev drills him with one that is far heavier. Fiziev ducks away from a tie-up attempt and goes low with another hard kick. Ruffy is not responding well to the calf kicks from the Tiger Muay Thai striking instructor, and Fiziev pressures him all the way to the wall to force a clinch. Ruffy turns him around, and Fiziev is able to escape out the side and nail the body with a kick. Ruffy offers a spinning elbow that is not accurate, and Fiziev walks him down without fear of reprisal.
Ruffy steps in to strike, and he gets caught with a pair of punches and a surprise head kick. Fiziev keeps Ruffy on the back foot, whipping him with kicks to remain pinned to the wall. Ruffy chains a low kick into a step-in knee, and Fiziev barely dodges in time. Both men go to the body, with tit-for-tat powerful single striking exchanges. Ruffy largely throws one at a time, while Fiziev walks through them and fires of his own combos. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ruffy
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ruffy
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ruffy
Round 2
The athletes meet in the middle, with Fiziev starting off with strong body kicks. Ruffy replies with a solid right hand to back him off, and he spins with a back kick that Fiziev evades in time. Fiziev kicks low and then to the ribs, and he ducks under a sweeping left hand. Ruffy sneaks in a right hand over the top, and he partially checks a low kick. Fiziev rushes in with a left hook, and he keeps his opponent skirting on the back wall. They trade punches, with Fiziev taking a low kick on the way out that he does not defend well. Ruffy prods out a few jabs and is met with a hard body kick, and he winds up with a huge right hand that Fiziev takes flush.
Fiziev spins with a wheel kick and bounces off, and he resets without Ruffy taking advantage of it. Fiziev kicks at the front calf, and is answered with one from his opponent. Fiziev digs a right to the midsection, and then ducks in to go left to the liver. Ruffy retreats, and he takes low kicks on both sides. Ruffy reaches out with a right, and he bats Fiziev upside the head with a standing back fist. Fiziev walks Fiziev down and boots him in the liver again, and he gets backed off with a straight jab but is right in front of Ruffy. Ruffy measures his man and blasts Fiziev in the face with a right hand down the pipe, and Fiziev goes squirrely and on ice skates trips around the cage barely able to stay upright. Movahedi thinks to step in, but allows them to keep fighting. Ruffy does not go wild, instead picking his shots and methodically clobbering Fiziev with ground strikes. Fiziev still has his head on a swivel, and he sways and moves so that he can work his way back to his feet, but after several more blistering right hands, he is in a bad way as his balance has completely abandoned him.
Ruffy is able to bully Fiziev down to the ground again, partly due to Fiziev clinging to consciousness with figurative stars over his head like a "Street Fighter" character, and he unloads with a brief but final, concussive bombardment of punches until Movahedi does intervene.
This is a huge triumph for Ruffy, earning easily the biggest win of his career by putting away a renowned muay thai striker and trainer.
The Official Result
Mauricio Ruffy def. Rafael Fiziev R2 4:30 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Rafael Fiziev, stating he is the better traditional striker and has shown he can wrestle and grapple, which is a key advantage. He notes that Ruffy is creative and powerful but was frozen by takedowns in his last fight. Fiziev has dog in him and made adjustments in his last fight. Angelo sees value at minus 115 given their resumes.
Big Brady slightly leans toward Maurício Ruffy in a close striker's delight. He notes Fiziev has slowed down in the third round historically and didn't look great against Gachi after injury. Ruffy is a high-level striker with flashy spinning attacks and won't fade. Brady sees it as a 29-28 split decision either way, but expects Ruffy to take over late.
Cody believes Fiziev is undervalued as a slight underdog. He criticizes Ruffy's reliance on flashy knockouts and low volume, noting that Ruffy was outstruck by James Llontop and only landed 3 significant strikes before his wheel kick KO of Bobby Green. He praises Fiziev's veteran savvy, volume, and ability to mix in wrestling, predicting a close decision win for Fiziev.
Connor picks Fiziev, arguing that Ruffy is a smoke-and-mirrors fighter who is not a natural counter puncher and struggles when pressured. He notes that Fiziev is a superior technician with good takedown defense and that Ruffy's only path to victory is a lucky knockout. He also points out that Ruffy's wins are against slow or limited opponents, while Fiziev has fought elite competition.
Daniel Vreeland picks Ruffy as a dog, viewing the line as a market overcorrection. He believes Ruffy is a special striker who can match Fiziev's speed and technique, and that Fiziev has slowed down since his ACL surgery. Vreeland also notes that Ruffy has improved by training with Volkanovski and that Fiziev lacks a ground threat, making this a striking match where Ruffy can win.
James picks Ruffy to win by KO, citing Ruffy's youth, distance control, and timing advantage. He believes Fiziev is on a downtrend and may be hesitant to engage. James notes Ruffy's training with Volkanovski and that Fiziev's wrestling won't be effective. He sees Ruffy's durability and power as key factors.
Fiziev is a nasty Muay Thai striker with good speed, combinations, and countering ability. He has improved his wrestling, as shown in his last fight where he landed four takedowns. Ruffy struggles with grapplers and was broken mentally by Saint Denis. Fiziev's durability is ironclad, and he should push the pace, counter effectively, and mix in takedowns. The host is baffled that Fiziev is the underdog and expects a finish in round two or three.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Ruffy is overvalued due to his flashy style and that Fiziev is a more complete fighter. He highlights Fiziev's ability to mix in takedowns and his experience against top competition. He expects Fiziev to win a close decision.
The Guru picks Rafael Fiziev, citing his superior striking, timing, and ability to chop at opponents with kicks. He notes Ruffy's weaknesses in fundamentals and predicts Fiziev will win by decision, possibly 29-28. He expects Ruffy to have a good third round but Fiziev's technical edge will prevail.
Zane picks Fiziev, emphasizing that Ruffy is limited strategically and relies on time and space to set up shots. He notes that Fiziev is a capable, controlled striker who can crowd Ruffy and take him down if needed. He also mentions that Ruffy's takedown defense is poor and that Fiziev's only losses are to elite fighters like Gaethje and Gamrot.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 17 of 38 | 44% | 37 of 61 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 | 0 | 4:38 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 0 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 6 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 6 of 18 | 33% | 19 of 32 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 3:04 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 0 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 2 | Benoît Saint Denis | 0 | 11 of 20 | 55% | 18 of 29 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 0 | 1:34 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benoît Saint Denis | 17 of 38 | 44% | 9 of 26 | 8 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 26 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 9 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 5 of 17 | 29% | 4 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benoît Saint Denis | 6 of 18 | 33% | 2 of 12 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 2 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Benoît Saint Denis | 11 of 20 | 55% | 7 of 14 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 7 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 4 of 11 | 36% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruffy (-200); St. Denis (+170)
Round 1
Buckle up, buckaroos. The co-main event is here, and it should be a wild one. St. Denis (14-3, 1 NC; 6-3 UFC) and Ruffy (12-1, 3-0 UFC) are about to trade. Nothing more needs to be said, other than that referee Herb Dean is standing by. The lightweights touch gloves. Here we go.
St. Denis introduces himself with a body kick, and then slings one up high. St. Denis rushes at the Brazilian with a looping left hand, and Ruffy bounces off the fencing. St. Denis drops to his knees in pursuit of a double, and he wrangles Ruffy to the mat in about 40 seconds. St. Denis steps over to half guard, side control and then full mount less than one minute into the bout. The crowd is predictably going nuts before St. Denis even starts setting up a chest pressure-based arm-triangle choke. Ruffy turns over to give up his back as St. Denis starts raining down punches, and he tries to pursue a choke while Ruffy stands up. Ruffy spins his opponent around while in a body lock, and he explodes back to his feet. St. Denis times a head kick and goes after a takedown, so Ruffy responds with an intercepting knee. St. Denis tackles the Brazilian to the mat, and he assumes full mount but actually steps to the side so he can retain a controlling posture.
St. Denis gets in a body lock from behind as Ruffy scrambles to turn to his back, and this allows St. Denis to assume full mount again. St. Denis wraps up an arm-triangle choke, and he has it tight but the Fighting Nerds export is able to tough it out. St. Denis drills him with a few ground strikes, and Ruffy muscles his way to his feet. The two tie up against the fencing, jockeying for position and trading knees. St. Denis lands a knee to the groin, or so Ruffy claims to Dean repeatedly. Dean asks the replay official to check the foul, which indeed struck him below the belt. Ruffy gets time to recover as the audience showers him with boos and then songs. Ruffy states he is good to go less than a minute in, and they get back to it. Ruffy wings a big uppercut that misses the mark, and he is countered by a head kick, jab and takedown attempt. Ruffy rebounds off the fencing and takes a flush jab on the way out. St. Denis kicks high and slaps into the guard, and he goes after two kicks to the ribs. St. Denis launches one more head kick that is blocked as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 St. Denis
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 St. Denis
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 St. Denis
Round 2
The second round begins with St. Denis faking a takedown to open up with a head kick. St. Denis hurls a body kick and is jabbed back with a vengeance. Ruffy jumps in the air with a knee that staggers for a second, and St. Denis steels himself and forces himself into a takedown effort. St. Denis gets Ruffy down, but the Brazilian times a picture-perfect reversal to plant the local athlete on his back. St. Denis immediately opens up with an active guard, and Ruffy abandons ship and stands back up, where he misses a huge right hand. St. Denis walks him down and punches his way into a takedown shot, and a knee from St. Denis makes Ruffy cry foul once more. Dean is not hearing it this time, possibly because it is deafening in the arena. St. Denis wrangles his opponent to the ground, grappling him from behind and getting in his hooks.
With the body triangle in play, St. Denis starts clubbing Ruffy on both sides of the head. This softens the Brazilian up, so that St. Denis can fasten a rear-naked choke grip on the chin.
Ruffy is tucking in his chin to protect his neck, and St. Denis squeezes with everything he has. Ruffy is calm and composed, but the face crank is crushing his skull as the French fighter is empowered by the audience that is going positively bonkers at this point. St. Denis does not relent with his vice grip on the jaw, and Ruffy’s eyes go wide as he has tap out with the end of his fingers from the nasty submission.
At that moment, no one in the building can hear themselves think, as the legion of screaming masses explode in support of the man named “God of War.” Until today, Ruffy had never been submitted. He won’t be able to say that anymore, but he is nothing but gracious and professional as he congratulates St. Denis for beating him. That makes 11 finishes this evening, tying the UFC’s single-event record. What a night it has been, and we still have one more to go.
The Official Result
Benoit St. Denis def. Mauricio Ruffy R2 2:56 via Submission (Face Crank)
Angelo picks Maurício Ruffy confidently, criticizing the hype around Saint Denis. He points out Saint Denis' losses where he was dominated, and argues that Ruffy's dynamic striking and takedown defense will be too much. He believes Ruffy will 'style on' Saint Denis and land clean, big shots. He plans to parlay and bet on Ruffy but is waiting for the line to tighten further.
Big Brady picks Maurício Ruffy, believing he will dominate on the feet. He notes Saint Denis has poor striking defense (41%) and has been knocked out before. He thinks if Saint Denis cannot get takedowns, he is in trouble. He predicts a first-round knockout.
Connor picks Ruffy, believing he might knock Saint Denis out. He notes that Saint Denis has a Patrick Cummins-like ability to take clean shots and that his defensive flaws are severe. Connor thinks Ruffy's accuracy and power will find a home, and that Saint Denis's aggressive style plays into Ruffy's hands. He acknowledges that Ruffy's level of competition is questionable but sees the potential for a spectacular finish.
The host acknowledges Ruffy's flashy knockout style and fan support but believes he is not ready for Saint Denis's grapple-heavy, smothering approach. He expects Saint Denis to grapple Ruffy, take his back, and sink in a rear-naked choke for a submission victory.
The Guru picks Maurício Ruffy with high confidence, citing Ruffy's speed, shot selection, and ability to set traps. He criticizes Saint Denis' slow, chin-up striking and believes he is ripe for a knockout. He predicts a first-round KO, comparing it to McGregor vs Aldo, and dismisses concerns about Ruffy's grappling.
Zane picks Saint Denis because he knows what Saint Denis will do—aggressive pressure and physicality—and he doubts Ruffy is ready for that sustained onslaught. He notes that Ruffy's wins have come against inferior athletes and that his trick-striking style may not hold up against a relentless forward fighter. He acknowledges that Saint Denis is vulnerable defensively and may gas, but believes his pace will overwhelm Ruffy.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Green | 0 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 1 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King Green | 0 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 1 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Green | 4 of 15 | 26% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 4 of 9 | 44% | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | King Green | 4 of 15 | 26% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Maurício Ruffy | 4 of 9 | 44% | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruffy (-470), Green (+360)
Round 1
Two 155-pound strikers will light up the T-Mobile Arena to open up the main card. Green (31-16-1, 1 NC; 13-11-1, 1 NC UFC) has seen better days but is still dangerous even at the age of 38, but he will have to mind his P’s and Q’s against the man 10 years his younger in Ruffy (11-1, 2-0 UFC). Before the frenetic action, referee Chris Tognoni makes sure to keep things official and starts the fight. Ruffy offers a glove, but Green would rather just fight. Green backs himself intentionally to the wall, hands low, ready to counter. Ruffy is composed rather than a marauder, and he blocks a push kick when standing in front of his opponent. Ruffy is keeping Green confused with his rangy punches and movement, and this results in a stalemate and stretches of inactivity. When Green kicks low, Ruffy rings his bell with a straight right hand. Green bounces off the wall and gives a right hand back, but it has far less mustard on it than the one that shook him up. Green surges forward with a left high and a right to the ribs, and chants for “Let’s Go Ruffy” start spreading. The Brazilian absorbs all of this energy from the audience and channels it like a Spirit Bomb, only instead of into his hand, he puts it into his right foot. A picture-perfect spin from Ruffy delivers the wheel kick square into the side of Green’s head, and Green is immediately unconscious and slumps face-first the ground like he got shot by a sniper. Absolutely incredible! Forget “Knockout of the Year,” that wheel kick is up there when it comes to “Knockout of the Decade,” much less one of the best in company history. Unreal. The crowd is electric, no one can hear anyone think. Knowing that there is nothing else he needs to do tonight, Ruffy stands stoically above his fallen opponent, while Tognoni sprints in to make sure Green does not take any more damage. Meanwhile, blood pours out of the nose of the flattened Green, who manages to come to and eventually makes it back to his feet. With plenty of energy left in the tank, Ruffy goes off to perform several flips and capoeira moves, sticking the landing each and every time to further wow the fans. The Fighting Nerds have one more highlight on the reel, and the victorious Ruffy dons his team’s famed glasses and gives commentator Joe Rogan a pair to sport as well. Knowing exactly what he wants next, Ruffy calls for a headlining opportunity against Beneil Dariush. The UFC would be hard pressed to pass that up. Wow. What a knockout. Mauricio Ruffy is for real.
The Official Result
Mauricio Ruffy def. Bobby Green R1 2:07 via KO (Spinning Wheel Kick)
Connor picks Ruffy despite acknowledging that stylistically, Green should be able to outbox him. He notes that Green has been getting hurt more often and fighting in a way that leaves him vulnerable to big punchers. Connor believes that even if Green has a good first round, he is likely to get knocked out eventually. He admits the line is too wide and that Ruffy has yet to prove himself against veteran talent.
Zane picks Green, hoping for a vintage performance. He believes that if Green doesn't get knocked out, he can outwork Ruffy with smarter reads and better cardio. Zane points out that Ruffy struggled against James Llontop, who is slow and clumsy, and that Green is a much more technical boxer. He acknowledges the risk but wants to see Green replicate his win over Nasrat Haqparast.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maurício Ruffy | 1 | 67 of 113 | 59% | 74 of 120 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| James Llontop | 0 | 90 of 236 | 38% | 112 of 260 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maurício Ruffy | 0 | 21 of 31 | 67% | 21 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| James Llontop | 0 | 19 of 63 | 30% | 19 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Maurício Ruffy | 1 | 24 of 42 | 57% | 25 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| James Llontop | 0 | 26 of 78 | 33% | 28 of 80 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 3 | Maurício Ruffy | 0 | 22 of 40 | 55% | 28 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| James Llontop | 0 | 45 of 95 | 47% | 65 of 117 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maurício Ruffy | 67 of 113 | 59% | 53 of 97 | 6 of 8 | 8 of 8 | 57 of 101 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 9 |
| James Llontop | 90 of 236 | 38% | 29 of 143 | 39 of 62 | 22 of 31 | 75 of 215 | 15 of 21 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maurício Ruffy | 21 of 31 | 67% | 13 of 23 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| James Llontop | 19 of 63 | 30% | 6 of 36 | 7 of 14 | 6 of 13 | 19 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Maurício Ruffy | 24 of 42 | 57% | 21 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 9 |
| James Llontop | 26 of 78 | 33% | 8 of 49 | 10 of 19 | 8 of 10 | 25 of 76 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Maurício Ruffy | 22 of 40 | 55% | 19 of 35 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 38 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| James Llontop | 45 of 95 | 47% | 15 of 58 | 22 of 29 | 8 of 8 | 31 of 77 | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruffy (-800), Llontop (+550)
Round 1
One of the largest betting favorites on the card—but still trailing the top name in a huge way tonight—will be Fighting Nerds export Ruffy (10-1, 1-0 UFC), who battles the skidding Llontop (14-4, 0-2 UFC) instead of Charlie Campbell. “Goku” might be in for a rough night, facing an adversary with a 100% knockout rate compared to his own at 50%. There will be no energy blasts allowed in this catchweight contest, so “Goku” will need to rely on his strikes alone. Before hitting the cage, the underdog required accommodations to shift this lightweight match to one at 165, pounds, and he still could not reach that limit. Seeing that Llontop’s back is against the wall, referee Kevin MacDonald checks the fight in, and observes a quick fist bump. Ruffy moves directly to the center of the cage, hopping out of the way of a leg kick and then dodging a second. Ruffy slowly edges forward, measuring a counter right hand but not letting it go. No strike lands until Ruffy connects with a jab 45 seconds in. Llontop whiffs on the counter, and Ruffy jabs him in the belly. Ruffy kicks the front leg and slides out of the way. Llontop surges forward, and Ruffy easily parries the strikes and gets kicked in the midsection at the end. Ruffy connects with a sharp jab and absorbs a low kick, and both men get behind a jab. Ruffy swings for the bleachers with a monstrous right hand, and he only buzzes past the hair of his adversary. The Brazilian smoothly dodges winging punches coming his way, and a few jabs get in on him. Ruffy uses his own jab to break up a big swing, and Llontop goes to the body to follow. Llontop prods out with jabs, and his body kick slips under the elbow. Llontop looses three big punches, and the right hand in the middle of it clips the favorite. Ruffy fires back, only to miss the mark. Two hard leg kicks from Ruffy draw a reaction out of his opponent, who surges into action with a lunging right. Llontop kicks the body and then the front leg, and Ruffy sits down on a shovel uppercut that nearly detaches Llontop’s head from his body. Llontop manages to avoid it in the nick of time, and he kicks the body of his adversary. Ruffy rips a right hand over the top, and he nails the underdog with a big left. Ruffy times a massive right hand that hurts Llontop, and he spins with a tornado kick and falls over. Llontop allows him to stand so he can blast him in the face with a right hand. Ruffy takes it on the chin and lands a punch and spins with a back kick to the ribs. Llontop kicks the front leg once before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ruffy
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ruffy
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ruffy
Round 2
Before the round begins, the crowd chants “USA” but it is unclear who they are supporting between the Brazilian and the Peruvian. They get right to business after tapping gloves, and Ruffy starts promisingly with a spinning kick to the lead leg. Llontop chews up Ruffy’s front leg with a few kicks, and they both connect with jabs. Ruffy tries to time a jab with a spinning back fist, and Llontop is able to block it. Llontop walks the Brazilian down and pitches out a front kick, and he mixes things up with a leg kick and a few punches. Ruffy laughs it off and decks “Goku” with a ferocious left hand, and Llontop rolls around on the ground to regain his composure and work his to his feet. Llontop’s left eye begins swelling in a hurry, and he tries for a takedown but is shoved out of the way. Llontop doubles up on a jab, and Ruffy has his hands low and dodges back to avoid anything further. Ruffy blasts his foe in the face with a right hand from the depths of Hades, and Llontop is tough as nails and keeps on coming forward. Ruffy slips several jabs and a head kick with his hand on his hip, so Llontop goes after the front leg with kicks. Ruffy narrowly misses a big left hand counter when Llontop rushes forward, and he connects with a perfect right hand on the busted eye that stuns Llontop completely. Llontop shakes out the cobwebs, and he goes back to attacking with heavy punches. Ruffy busts him open with his mean right hand, and he lets Llontop dive after a takedown so he can counter him. Ruffy backs off, parrying and blocking a few punches, and Llontop is busy as can be. Ruffy times counters and hops away from big punches so he can pay Llontop back in spades. Ruffy throws everything he has, and he stops after missing and puts both hands on his hips. It is unclear if he is tired or trying to goad Llontop on, but the round ends before anything comes of it.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ruffy
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ruffy
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ruffy
Round 3
There is a clap of hands to open up the last round, and Llontop is ready and rearing to go. Ruffy gets behind his jab early, using it to set up and draw out strikes. Llontop kicks the side of his opponent, and Ruffy tries to slip away but is grabbed by the Peruvian. Llontop dirty boxes until Ruffy turns him around, and he misses with an elbow on the break. “Goku” is fighting just as aggressively as before, pushing the pace and not fearing Ruffy’s attacks. Ruffy’s volume diminishes as he looks for single home run strikes, and one big left misses. Llontop drives knees to the body when he ties the favorite up, and a right hand from Ruffy on the break skims the side of his head. Ruffy scores two punches and Llontop kicks his front leg on the kneecap twice. Ruffy goes wide with booming right hands, his hands low when not striking. Llontop beats on Ruffy’s front leg with kicks, and Ruffy gets sick of taking these kicks and punches Llontop in the face a few times. Llontop kicks low and then high, and he drops down after a single that fails. Llontop tries again, and when the takedown comes up short, he knees Ruffy in the chest. Two hard inside leg kicks from Llontop get Ruffy’s attention, and the Peruvian is picking it up while Llontop is flagging. Llontop stomps on the toes when he gets up tight, grinding on Ruffy and working the body with knees and punches up top. Ruffy dodges and slides away when Llontop tries to trap him, and he appears somewhat compromised when his leg gets kicked hard. Ruffy goofs around and dances in place, lifting up a no-look elbow when he sees Llontop coming at him. Ruffy connects with a blistering right hand when Llontop approaches, and he is swinging for the fences. Llontop does the same, and they let one another have it until the final horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Llontop (29-28 Ruffy)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Llontop (29-28 Ruffy)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Llontop (29-28 Ruffy)
The Official Result
Mauricio Ruffy def. James Llontop via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo is very confident in Maurício Ruffy, describing him as an insanely good striker with movement like prime Conor McGregor. He expects Ruffy to defend takedowns and pick apart James Llontop, who is tough but not very technical. He predicts a showcase win for Ruffy.
Big Brady picks Maurício Ruffy, though he thinks the line is too wide. He notes that Ruffy is a very good striker with length, speed, and power, but sometimes starts slow. He believes James Llontop has never been finished but will likely eat big shots due to his aggressive style. Brady predicts a third-round knockout, as Ruffy has a 100% finish rate.
Cody picks Maurício Ruffy by knockout, citing his power and finishing ability. He notes Ruffy has knocked out all his opponents and is a product of the Fighting Nerds gym. Cody likes Ruffy by knockout at minus 145 or better, and is not worried about the money line.
Connor also picks Ruffy confidently, agreeing that Llontop is slow and cumbersome, while Ruffy is a fast counter striker. He expects Ruffy to land clean counters and finish the fight. Connor criticizes the matchup as a squash match.
Daniel Vreeland picks Maurício Ruffy, highlighting his size, counter-striking ability, and potential to submit or ground-and-pound. He notes Llontop's slow speed and tendency to leave openings, and believes Ruffy can win by knockout, submission, or decision. He mentions Ruffy's training at Fighting Nerds and his well-rounded game.
Vreeland picks Ruffy because he hits very hard and Llontop takes too many punches. Even if Llontop is durable and doesn't get knocked out, Vreeland believes the early violence will be bad enough that Llontop will be down two rounds and cannot finish Ruffy. He expects Ruffy to throw an absurd amount of strikes and win by decision or late finish. He also notes that Llontop took 15 minutes of damage from Slava Claus, and Ruffy hits harder.
Fox picks Ruffy because he is a heavy favorite and Llontop is taking the fight on short notice, which is bad against a powerful striker. He notes Ruffy's knockout power and Llontop's recent losses. Fox is confident Ruffy will win, though he acknowledges the line is steep.
Lucrative James leans toward Maurício Ruffy to win but is skeptical of the -800 price, which he attributes to hype and recency bias from Ruffy's viral scissor sweep. He acknowledges Ruffy's dynamic striking and finishing upside but notes Ruffy has been knocked out before. He thinks Llontop can make it close and that the true line should be around -300. He will not bet on Ruffy at -800 but picks him to win before doing full tape study.
The host thinks the odds are too wide but believes Ruffy is the slicker striker. He expects Llontop's aggressiveness to get him countered, but notes Llontop has solid durability, so the fight likely goes over 1.5 rounds with Ruffy winning on the scorecards.
Paul picks James Llontop as an underdog, citing his durability, cardio from training at altitude, and volume striking. He notes Ruffy has been knocked out before and has never gone to the third round, while Llontop has a deep gas tank and has never been knocked out. Paul thinks Llontop can take Ruffy's shots and outwork him late, possibly winning a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Maurício Ruffy, expecting a first-round TKO. He notes Llontop took heavy damage in his last fight and is fighting on short notice. He believes Ruffy's flow state striking and power will overwhelm Llontop.
Zane picks Ruffy confidently, noting that Llontop is slow and hittable, while Ruffy is a fast counter striker. He thinks Ruffy will land well-timed counters and finish Llontop. Zane criticizes the matchup as a squash match.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maurício Ruffy | 1 | 25 of 40 | 62% | 25 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 14 of 38 | 36% | 14 of 38 | 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 | Maurício Ruffy | 1 | 25 of 40 | 62% | 25 of 40 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 0 | 14 of 38 | 36% | 14 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maurício Ruffy | 25 of 40 | 62% | 21 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 14 of 38 | 36% | 7 of 28 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maurício Ruffy | 25 of 40 | 62% | 21 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Jamie Mullarkey | 14 of 38 | 36% | 7 of 28 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruffy (-175), Mullarkey (+145)
Round 1
A striker’s delight at 155 pounds will treat fans to conclude the early preliminary portion of the fight card. With all of his wins and losses coming via knockout, Ruffy (9-1, 0-0 UFC) makes no bones about what he wants to do to willing brawler Mullarkey (17-7, 5-5 UFC). Fists are sure to fly in high quantity and intensity, but before they do, referee Mike Beltran checks them in. Before fists meet faces, they come together sportingly. Ruffy drops down to the floor to drill Mullarkey’s low calf with a Mortal Kombat-esque sweeping kick, and Mullarkey just looks at him. Mullarkey looks for a head kick that misses the mark, and Ruffy hammers his lead leg with a more traditional kick. Ruffy pokes out a jab that reddens the nose of his opponent, and he lands another that gets Mullarkey’s attention. Ruffy puts power behind his strikes, and multiple parts of Mullarkey are red in a hurry. Mullarkey slaps a body kick home, and it is one-and-done as he slips away. Ruffy turns to roll with a heavy right hand just in the nick of time, and he powers out a jab and a winging right hand. Ruffy hammers the lead wheel, and another jab of his opens a cut on the bridge of the nose. Ruffy slips a punch and nails Mullarkey with a right hand, and Mullarkey is tough as a two-dollar steak after eating that without flinching. Mullarkey pursues his own jabs, and Ruffy spins with a wheel kick that gets around the guard. Mullarkey crowds him with a punch salvo, and Ruffy shifts and moves and throws back with a few. Mullarkey keeps powering forward, and Ruffy’s defense is able to keep him safe from most of the harm. Mullarkey fakes a takedown, but Ruffy ignores it and smashes Mullarkey in the face with a ruthless right hand. Ruffy has a right hand skim the top of the head, and he ignores a left hand coming back at him. Ruffy dodges a wide right hand, and he leaps forward to trip Mullarkey up with a flying scissor sweep. Both men hit the ground, but they stand back up and trade. Ruffy beans Mullarkey with two stern right hands, and he times a perfect jump knee that smashes open Mullarkey’s nose. Beltran thinks about stopping the fight but lets it play out a bit longer, and Ruffy does not miss a beat as Mullarkey falls to the ground and climbs back up.
The Brazilian fearlessly marches forward, and he unloads with a long string of punches until Mullarkey collapses in a heap. With Mullarkey on his hands and knees about to take some unnecessary damage, Beltran calls a stop to the fight to save the tough Aussie from himself and the onslaught of the UFC newcomer.
This is a statement introduction for Ruffy, who dons the thick-rimmed glasses of his camp, The Fighting Nerds. Ruffy leaps on top of the cage to celebrate his handiwork, and the crowd goes wild in support of their fighter.
The Official Result
Mauricio Ruffy def. Jamie Mullarkey R1 4:42 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Ruffy based on skill sets alone, citing his power and takedown defense. He expresses concern about the huge step up in competition and stage for Ruffy, and notes Mullarkey has been knocked out multiple times. He only considers a bet on Ruffy by knockout if the odds are good.
Big Brady emphasizes Mullarkey's poor chin and Ruffy's power, predicting a first-round knockout. He notes Ruffy's low volume but believes he will land a fight-ending shot. He also mentions a prize pick play on Ruffy under 46.5 significant strikes.
Cody picks Ruffy, citing his knockout power and Mullarkey's questionable chin. He notes Ruffy is coming down from 170 and has finishing ability. Cody expects Ruffy to knock out Mullarkey early.
Daniel Vreeland picks Ruffy by KO, citing his 100% finish rate and sniper-like counter right hand. He notes Ruffy's excellent takedown defense and calf kicks that slow opponents. He believes Mullarkey's chin is vulnerable and that Ruffy will find the big shot in the second or third round after frustrating Mullarkey on the feet.
Ruffy is on a four-fight winning streak and utilizes a Conor McGregor-like striking style with a straight punch down the pipe. Mullarkey has been knocked out three times in the last two years, so his chin won't hold up against Ruffy's precision striking. Ruffy wins by knockout.
Paul picks Ruffy, highlighting Mullarkey's history of getting knocked out and Ruffy's power. He notes Mullarkey's takedown threat is minimal and Ruffy's striking will be too much. Paul expects a knockout.
The MMA Guru picks Maurício Ruffy, believing Jamie Mullarkey is on borrowed time in the UFC. He criticizes Mullarkey's recent performances and close decisions, while praising Ruffy's power, finishing ability, and toughness shown on the Contender Series. He expects Ruffy to win, possibly by knockout, and notes Ruffy's size and dangerous striking.
Michael Chandler - Fight History
AJ does not discuss this fight in the transcript. No pick is made.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 20 of 39 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 2:44 |
| Paddy Pimblett | 0 | 80 of 143 | 55% | 121 of 197 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 1 | 4:41 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Chandler | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 7 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:10 |
| Paddy Pimblett | 0 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 25 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Michael Chandler | 0 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 11 of 21 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 |
| Paddy Pimblett | 0 | 34 of 63 | 53% | 49 of 83 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:15 | |
| 3 | Michael Chandler | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Paddy Pimblett | 0 | 30 of 40 | 75% | 47 of 64 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:26 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Chandler | 11 of 28 | 39% | 6 of 18 | 3 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 |
| Paddy Pimblett | 80 of 143 | 55% | 61 of 119 | 4 of 5 | 15 of 19 | 43 of 96 | 4 of 5 | 33 of 42 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Chandler | 5 of 11 | 45% | 4 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 |
| Paddy Pimblett | 16 of 40 | 40% | 7 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 10 | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Michael Chandler | 5 of 14 | 35% | 1 of 6 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Paddy Pimblett | 34 of 63 | 53% | 26 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 9 | 19 of 41 | 4 of 5 | 11 of 17 | |
| 3 | Michael Chandler | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Paddy Pimblett | 30 of 40 | 75% | 28 of 38 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 25 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pimblett (-148), Chandler (+124)
Round 1
With plenty of bluster and hoopla surrounding the match, Chandler (23-9, 2-4 UFC) vs. Pimblett (22-3, 6-0 UFC) has now arrived. Perhaps unexpectedly, the Liverpudlian has a second home in Miami even though Chandler trains in Deerfield Beach, not far north from there. Far from a prototypical striker vs. grappler matchup, this fight could end up anywhere. Because of that, referee Kerry Hatley has his running shoes laced up and ready to follow the lightweights wherever they may roam. Before the two get down to their non-title five-round pairing, they decide to touch gloves after all. Pimblett paws out a jab and a low kick to take advantage of his reach, and he hammers the front leg with two more kicks. Chandler’s leg is already welted less than a minute in, and Pimblett jams him to the body with a teep kick. Pimblett lashes out with another low kick, and Chandler ducks down and swings for the fences with a right hand. Pimblett darts out of the way and dings Chandler with an uppercut. Chandler tries to take the fight down, and Pimblett grabs the fence to prevent it. A second effort, where Chandler lifts “The Baddy” in the air to slam him down, results in a successful takedown. Chandler hangs on from behind, wrapping up his arms on the waist. Pimblett gets to a knee and hacks at Chandler without looking, elbowing “Iron Mike” on the nose. Pimblett threatens with a kimura, and Chandler lowers Pimblett down and hammers him in the face with a right hand to release the sub grip. Chandler imposes his weight on the former Cage Warriors fighter, and Pimblett suddenly jumps for a flying triangle choke. He succeeds in dragging Chandler to the floor, but there is no chance of him getting the choke as Chandler bucks out of it and resets. Pimblett follows him and slugs him in the face with a right hand, and his low kick right after it further damages his opponent. Chandler connects with a clean right, and Pimblett kicks him in the same spot on the front leg once more. Pimblett comes up short with a right hand, and he skips it off the shoulder when firing again. Chandler slips when backpedaling, just getting out of the way from two looping punches. Chandler sits down on a hard left, and Pimblett goes not flinch and instead throws back with a heavy right hand. Pimblett runs at him to keep attacking, forcing Chandler to ricochet off the fencing as time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pimblett
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pimblett
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pimblett
Round 2
The fighters high-five to get going again, and Pimblett reintroduces himself with a snappy jab. Chandler reddens his foe’s nose with his own jab, and he ducks down to evade the counter. Chandler walks into a few body shots, with Pimblett fighting smartly behind his jab. He strings a few punches together to make Chandler back off and regather himself, and he dings Chandler with a left hook and a leg kick. Chandler kicks him back, and he retreats to block a head kick. Chandler’s leg is getting beaten up from kicks, and Pimblett walks him down and jabs him up. Pimblett gets off a head kick that bangs into the neck, and he lands a low kick and three punches to follow. Chandler backs off, wipes his hand, and they kick at the same time. Pimblett groans as he takes the kick flush on the cup, and Hatley calls time. Pimblett calls Chandler a cheater, and they decide to high-five a couple times to bury any beef. Chandler shoots in for takedown when they restart, and Pimblett shuts it down and boots Chandler upside the head. Chandler counters with two hooks and a takedown shot, and he elects to lift Pimblett in the air and dump him to the ground. Pimblett works to a knee and upright, not allowing Chandler to control him, and he lets go more elbows on the face. Chandler hurls him to the mat again and takes his back, and he is too high and falls off the back. Pimblett asserts himself in top position, stepping into half guard and fastening up an arm-triangle choke. The Brit steps to the side while still holding the choke setup, and he looks to step into mount or otherwise advance to a dominant position. Pimblett lets go of the grip to hack down with elbows, and Chandler explodes only to give up his back. Pimblett gets a hook in and bowls Chandler over, where he proceeds to leap into mount and lash out with elbows. Chandler spins around, his back still taken, and Pimblett wraps the body triangle around his waist. Pimblett smacks the former Bellator champ upside the head, and he prevents Chandler from turning with his body lock. Pimblett lumps Chandler up with a few 12-to-6 elbows as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pimblett
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pimblett
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pimblett
Round 3
Ice is spilled in Chandler’s corner, and commentator Joe Rogan does not freak out. Hatley has to use a towel to clean the area, and the fighters re-engage when he says fight. Chandler ducks in to punch, and he walks face-first into a destructive knee that splits his cheek wide open. Pimblett rushes after him, and Chandler explodes with a huge right hand. Pimblett measures his options, and he decides to lift the former Bellator great in the air and throw him down. Pimblett immediately assumes back control, getting one hook in, and Chandler looks to his team for answers. Pimblett elbows a few times, landing one on the back of the head, and Hatley warns him for the foul. Chandler keeps swaying and moving to recover, and Pimblett goes for a rear-naked choke grip. When Pimblett releases it, he slashes down with elbows to target the large cut on Chandler’s cheek. Pimblett nails Chandler with another elbow, and he shifts into mount and keeps attacking. Chandler turns through to not get caught in a choke, and blood pours down his face. Pimblett postures up to rain down elbows and punches, and Hatley is watching closely. Pimblett rains down elbows and punches, unleashing one last hellacious salvo of offense that makes Hatley say enough is enough. “The Baddy” dismounts his defeated foe, and he shouts to the camera, “What now?” Chandler returns to his feet, and he is ushered out of the cage to seek immediate medical attention, in part due to the substantial gash on his cheek. Happy as a claim, the victorious Pimblett dances around, and he brushes his face to indicate that he did not take any damage while throwing down with the heavy-handed Chandler.
The Official Result
Paddy Pimblett def. Michael Chandler R3 3:07 via TKO (Elbows and Punches)
Connor picks Chandler, arguing that despite Chandler's recent losses, he remains a powerful wrestler and striker who has hurt every opponent he's faced. He notes that Pimblett's cardio is suspect and that Chandler's functional aggression in later rounds could be decisive. Connor believes Pimblett's striking has improved only in that he makes fewer mistakes, but he still lacks the tools to handle Chandler's pressure and power. He sees Chandler's wrestling as a key advantage, even if Chandler's technique has declined.
Daniel Levi notes that Paddy Pimblett destroyed Michael Chandler, outstriking him 8 to 1 and winning by TKO via elbows in round three. He calls it one of the best bets of the year at minus 150. He believes the market hasn't caught up on Pimblett yet, offering value.
Lucrative James picks Paddy Pimblett to win, citing Chandler's volatility and potential decline. He notes that Chandler has been out of the octagon for two years waiting for Conor McGregor, which may have aged him. He believes Pimblett has better durability, range control, and fight IQ. He expects Pimblett to find a submission, possibly a guillotine, as the fight progresses. He acknowledges Chandler's power and wrestling but thinks Pimblett can weather the early storm and take over.
Zane picks Pimblett, but hesitantly, because he sees Chandler as prone to creating scrambles and giving up his back, which is Pimblett's strength. He notes that Chandler is a powerful wrestler but has been reckless and hittable, and that Pimblett's submission game could capitalize on Chandler's tendency to get into messy positions. Zane acknowledges that Chandler has the tools to win and that this should be a bridge too far for Pimblett, but he feels Chandler's willingness to engage in chaos favors Pimblett.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Oliveira | 0 | 88 of 122 | 72% | 117 of 153 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 2 | 0 | 14:52 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 84 of 113 | 74% | 150 of 181 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:59 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Oliveira | 0 | 11 of 16 | 68% | 18 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:31 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 8 of 9 | 88% | 35 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Charles Oliveira | 0 | 24 of 35 | 68% | 27 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:48 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 15 of 22 | 68% | 38 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Charles Oliveira | 0 | 27 of 36 | 75% | 41 of 51 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 3:11 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 13 of 19 | 68% | 15 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Charles Oliveira | 0 | 14 of 18 | 77% | 15 of 19 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 3:55 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 10 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Charles Oliveira | 0 | 12 of 17 | 70% | 16 of 21 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 40 of 47 | 85% | 52 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:59 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Oliveira | 88 of 122 | 72% | 56 of 82 | 18 of 25 | 14 of 15 | 67 of 98 | 3 of 5 | 18 of 19 |
| Michael Chandler | 84 of 113 | 74% | 59 of 85 | 16 of 18 | 9 of 10 | 60 of 89 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 24 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Oliveira | 11 of 16 | 68% | 4 of 7 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Chandler | 8 of 9 | 88% | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Charles Oliveira | 24 of 35 | 68% | 19 of 27 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 13 |
| Michael Chandler | 15 of 22 | 68% | 11 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Charles Oliveira | 27 of 36 | 75% | 21 of 29 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 28 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 |
| Michael Chandler | 13 of 19 | 68% | 8 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 13 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Charles Oliveira | 14 of 18 | 77% | 7 of 11 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Michael Chandler | 8 of 16 | 50% | 6 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Charles Oliveira | 12 of 17 | 70% | 5 of 8 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 12 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Chandler | 40 of 47 | 85% | 30 of 36 | 9 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 24 of 24 |
Angelo picks Charles Oliveira but is hesitant. He acknowledges Chandler's incredible shape and the possibility of a smart game plan, but trusts Oliveira's well-rounded game and the fact that he already beat Chandler. He warns against putting Oliveira in parlays due to the uncertainty.
Big Brady picks Charles Oliveira by second-round submission. He expects Chandler to hurt Oliveira early, as he often gets dropped, but believes Oliveira's heart and durability will carry him through. He notes that Chandler fades in later rounds and has poor submission defense, as seen against Dustin Poirier. He predicts Oliveira will survive the first round and submit Chandler in the second.
Cody picks Charles Oliveira, expecting him to weather Chandler's early storm and finish him in the second round. He notes Chandler's athletic but low-volume style leads to gassing, and Oliveira is a zombie who fights better after getting dropped. Cody predicts Oliveira by submission or knockout inside the distance, likely by submission.
Connor also picks Oliveira but with hesitation, noting that Chandler has the power to knock him out and that Oliveira's chin may be fading. He points out that Oliveira's comeback ability is key, but Chandler's aggression could overwhelm him. Connor thinks Oliveira's submission threat and durability give him the edge, but it's a toss-up.
Daniel Vreeland picks Charles Oliveira, arguing that Chandler redlines early and if he doesn't finish Oliveira, Oliveira will come back and finish him. He highlights Oliveira's calf kicks, submission threats off his back, and ability to extend his records. He notes Chandler's tendency to fade and make mistakes, as seen in the Poirier fight.
Vreeland picks Oliveira because Chandler has a long layoff and was preparing for Conor McGregor, a completely different fighter. He notes that even in their first fight, Chandler's early success faded as he walked into punches and submissions. Vreeland believes Chandler will be rusty and Oliveira's durability and ground game will be too much.
Fox picks Oliveira, noting that Chandler's UFC record is poor (2-3) and he has been inactive. He believes Oliveira is better in all aspects at this point and that Chandler's obsession with McGregor hurt his preparation. Fox is confident Oliveira wins.
Lucrative James picks Charles Oliveira to win but is hesitant, noting the line (-275) may be too wide. He acknowledges Chandler's power and explosivity, and that Chandler almost finished Oliveira in their first fight. However, he believes Oliveira has more tools—better striking at all ranges, brutal clinch work, and superior submission grappling—and a better gas tank for five rounds. He also mentions Chandler's fragile chin and tendency to get hurt, but admits Chandler has a good shot and the odds (+225) are disrespectful.
The host recalls Chandler's success in the first round of their first fight, getting two 10-8s, but ultimately getting knocked out early in the second. He believes Oliveira still holds all the advantages but can be touched up. He loves the under 1.5 rounds and leans Oliveira, but notes Chandler as an underdog above +200 is worth considering.
Paul picks Charles Oliveira, noting Chandler's two-year layoff and 1-3 record in his last four. He expects Chandler to have a good first round but fade, and Oliveira to find a finish. Paul mentions the gloves change might affect submissions but still likes Oliveira inside the distance, possibly by submission or knockout.
The MMA Guru picks Charles Oliveira, predicting a rear-naked choke in the first or second round. He believes Chandler makes too many mistakes and that Oliveira will catch a kick and take him down. He notes Chandler's inactivity and age as factors.
Zane picks Oliveira but is hesitant, acknowledging that Chandler could easily knock him out. He notes that Oliveira's style is high-risk and he often gets hurt before recovering, and that Chandler's power and aggression make this a dangerous fight. Zane believes Oliveira's durability and ability to find submissions will prevail, but it's not a confident pick.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Poirier | 0 | 38 of 76 | 50% | 63 of 105 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 43 of 100 | 43% | 65 of 135 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 5:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Poirier | 0 | 28 of 57 | 49% | 31 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 23 of 69 | 33% | 24 of 73 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:05 | |
| 2 | Dustin Poirier | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 23 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 18 of 25 | 72% | 39 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:34 | |
| 3 | Dustin Poirier | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Poirier | 38 of 76 | 50% | 34 of 71 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 32 of 66 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 6 |
| Michael Chandler | 43 of 100 | 43% | 32 of 80 | 10 of 17 | 1 of 3 | 25 of 76 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 22 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Poirier | 28 of 57 | 49% | 25 of 53 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 25 of 53 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Chandler | 23 of 69 | 33% | 16 of 54 | 6 of 12 | 1 of 3 | 21 of 66 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Dustin Poirier | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Chandler | 18 of 25 | 72% | 16 of 22 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 21 | |
| 3 | Dustin Poirier | 8 of 16 | 50% | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 6 |
| Michael Chandler | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Poirier (-210), Chandler (+180)
Round 1
Two of the lightweight division’s best action fighters are set to square off, and both Poirier and Chandler are hoping to get back in the championship picture after recent losses in title bouts. Dan Miragliotta is the third man in the cage. Chandler misses on a big low kick. Poirier misses his first leg kick too, and Chandler answers with a right hand. Chandler comes forward and lands a hard body kick. Chandler shoots and Poirier shucks him off. Poirier jabs the body. Chandler has a leg kick checked. Chandler pressures with punches and front kicks, but Poirier defnds well. Moments later, a right lands clean for Chandler, and Poirier is on the defensive. Chandler lands some heavy shots with his foe’s back to the fence. Poirier gets off the fence and they’re back in the center of the cage. Chandler is swinging heavy leather as usual. A crisp right connects for Poirier. They collide heads and Chandler tees off with right hands. he backs Poirier into the fence and continues to land power punches. Poirier looks hurt and Chandler takes him down near the fence. Chandler thinks about a kimura, but Poirier scoots to the fence. Chandler almost jumps on the back as Poirier works his way up. Chandler has a body lock and he gets Poirier down once, then follows with a suplex. Poirier is right back up, and he’s moving forward with punches now. They’re trading, and it’s Poirier who buckles his man with a right. Poirer goes on the attack, and he’s unloading on a reeling Chandler near the fence as time runs out. Chandler, whose face is battered and bloodied, may have been saved by the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Poirier
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Poirier
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Poirier
Round 2
Poirier sticks a jab at the outset. Chandler presses forward with a body-head combo followed by a kick. That sets up a high amplitude takedown, and now Chandler is in Poirier’s closed guard. Poirier lands elbows from his back. Chandler is leaking blood from his nose, and it’s getting all over Poirier. Poirier is framing a triangle, but Chandler passes and takes the back. Chandler attempts to get his left arm under the chin, but Poirier defends well. Chandler gets both hooks in and continues to hunt for the choke. Chandler is too high and the choke isn’t under the neck, but he is winning the round at this point. Chandler continues to hold a dominant position, but Poirier is able to turn and get his back to the cage. Poirier has full guard and he frames a kimura. Chandler makes him eat a big right and he gives up on that. Chandler switches to hammerfists and Miragliotta warns him for landing blows to the back of the head. Chandler relents and he traps the wrist of Poirier while landing solid right hands to the head. Chandler stays heavy on top as the round draws to a close, and he’ll end a dominant frame in top position.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Chandler
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Chandler
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Chandler
Round 3
Poirier attacks the lead leg of Chandler. Poirier with a straight left. Chandler blocks a head kick and then is denied on a half-hearted takedown. Chandler pressures behind a combination and changes levels. He gets a high crotch and lifts Poirier for a slam, only to see Poirier scramble into top position on the deposit. From there, Poirier transitions to the back of his opponent. Poirier has a body triangle secured with Chandler still on his knees in the center of the Octagon. Poirier locks in a rear-naked choke and falls back to the canvas, drapping his adversary with him. Poirier’s arm is under the chin and the squeeze is tight. Chandler has no choice but to tap in a matter of seconds.
The Official Result
Dustin Poirier def. Michael Chandler via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R3 2:00
Angelo acknowledges Chandler's power and wrestling but does not trust him to fight to win rather than slug it out. He believes Poirier is the smarter, more composed fighter focused on winning a title. He picks Poirier because Chandler cannot be trusted to try to win, though he expects an exciting fight.
Big Brady picks Dustin Poirier to win by knockout in the second round. He believes Poirier is the better technical striker with better cardio, and that Chandler's chin is questionable after taking damage. He compares it to Chandler's fight with Gaethje, but notes Poirier has more power and better cardio. He expects a stand-up war with no takedowns, and that Chandler will slow down as the fight goes on.
Cody picks Michael Chandler as a plus money underdog, expecting chaos in the fight. He notes that both fighters will eat massive shots and that Chandler has a legitimate chance on any given night due to his athleticism, wrestling, and power. Cody believes Chandler's willingness to throw down and his durability make him live at the plus price, and he sees the fight as a 50/50 proposition.
Daniel Levi picks Dustin Poirier to knock out Michael Chandler, citing Poirier's volume, knockout power, and finishing ability when he smells blood. He notes that Chandler is susceptible to calf kicks and tends to get wild, which could lead to a straight left from Poirier. Levi respects Chandler's explosiveness and D1 wrestling but believes Poirier's experience and the 'Poirier Blitz' will be the difference. He mentions that he wanted to bet Poirier but missed the line at -175, so he is passing on a bet. He also discusses the danger of Chandler's one-punch power and the potential for a first-round knockout from either side.
The host sees Poirier as the better technical striker and believes his discipline will keep him out of trouble. He acknowledges Chandler's power and speed but thinks Poirier will outbox him and potentially get a late KO. He notes the line at -210 is a bit wide but still picks Poirier. He expects knockdowns and a possible finish from Poirier.
Paul picks Dustin Poirier by TKO, believing Poirier's boxing combinations and durability will be the difference. He notes that Chandler has durability issues and has been knocked out before, and that Poirier's pressure and volume will break Chandler down. Paul also mentions that Poirier is highly motivated and looks good in training, and that Chandler's recklessness could lead to him getting caught. He prefers the Poirier by TKO prop at plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Dustin Poirier, emphasizing Chandler's tendency to get hit and Poirier's granite chin and experience against elite competition. He believes Poirier will trade in the pocket and finish Chandler with a first-round TKO, noting that Chandler only shoots takedowns when hurt and may gas from wrestling. He references Chandler's struggles against Ferguson on the feet.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Chandler | 1 | 27 of 53 | 50% | 43 of 73 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:31 |
| Tony Ferguson | 0 | 20 of 50 | 40% | 27 of 58 | 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 | Michael Chandler | 0 | 26 of 52 | 50% | 42 of 72 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:29 |
| Tony Ferguson | 0 | 20 of 50 | 40% | 27 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Michael Chandler | 1 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Tony Ferguson | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Chandler | 27 of 53 | 50% | 15 of 39 | 6 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 18 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 15 |
| Tony Ferguson | 20 of 50 | 40% | 13 of 38 | 2 of 7 | 5 of 5 | 17 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Chandler | 26 of 52 | 50% | 14 of 38 | 6 of 8 | 6 of 6 | 17 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 15 |
| Tony Ferguson | 20 of 50 | 40% | 13 of 38 | 2 of 7 | 5 of 5 | 17 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | |
| 2 | Michael Chandler | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tony Ferguson | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Chandler (-380), Ferguson (+290)
Round 1
At one time, Ferguson (25-6, 15-4 UFC) had amassed an outstanding 12-fight win streak, where he claimed the interim title at one point, but he has fallen on hard times the last few years. On a three-fight skid, “El Cucuy” is at a crossroads at the age of 38, and he will take on hard-charging, granite-chinned Chandler (22-7, 1-2 UFC) in a match that still holds significance at 155 pounds. Referee Jason Herzog may have his hands full depending on how this battle plays out, and these two hope to bring out a firefight while not bothering to touch gloves. Ferguson reaches out with a low kick to see how far he can reach, and Chandler picks his leg up and scoots back. Ferguson arcs out a standing elbow, expecting Chandler to come at him, but Chandler does not oblige. Ferguson’s front kick brushes pass Chandler’s hand, and Chandler chops down the leg with a pair of heavy kicks. Chandler just misses with a left hook, and Ferguson meets him in the middle with his own left. Ferguson clips the former Bellator champ with a left hand, and he kicks high and stings Chandler. Ferguson hurts him again with a few punches, and he backs Chandler up to the wall. Ferguson does not go wild, instead working the body and getting caught with a left hand. They trade heavily and both connect and get the other’s attention, and it is Ferguson that lands the flusher strikes and backs Chandler off. Chandler throws a leg kick, only to get countered over the top. Blasting through with a double, “Iron Mike” knocks Ferguson clean off his feet with a tackling takedown, and Ferguson kicks off the fence and slashes with elbows off his back to open a cut on Chandler’s head. Ferguson cleverly holds on to Chandler with his feet on his hips, and he pushes Chandler off and nearly flips his man over as he keeps a high guard and attempts to hook up an omoplata. Ferguson snatches hold of a triangle choke until Chandler blasts him in the face, and he loads up on several punches to make Ferguson readjust his attempts at submission. Ferguson protests that Chandler is lowering his head down and clacking him in the face with his forehead, and Herzog warns Ferguson for grabbing the fence. Ferguson turns and nearly sweeps, but Chandler deftly remains on top and gets off some short ground-and-pound. Ferguson hacks with elbows off his back, and the blood from Chandler is leaking down into Ferguson’s eyes. Chandler looses a few punches and cuts Ferguson’s right eye, and the thrilling round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ferguson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ferguson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ferguson
Round 2
Between rounds, Chandler’s right eye swells up substantially, but he does not appear remotely concerned about it as the round opens up. Before Ferguson can throw a single punch, Chandler summons all of his strength and calls on the legends of Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida to empower his right leg. In the most spectacular move tonight by a landslide, Chandler smashes the ball of his foot into Ferguson’s chin, and the light fades from Ferguson’s eyes in an instant. “El Cucuy” topples over, completely unconscious, and he slumps over on his face and is communing with his ancestors. Chandler celebrates, knowing there is nothing left for him to do today, and he hits several back flips in rapid succession, sticking the landing for each and every one. The video cuts to Molly McCann and Paddy Pimblett in the crowd, and appropriately so, as this knockout might have topped her incredible spinning back elbow earlier this year with the cleanest front kick knockout you will ever see. As Chandler is with his team, Ferguson is still out, but he finally manages to come around to the delight of everyone in the building. What an incredible knockout, one that will stand on highlight reels for years to come. Absolutely amazing. To top it off, Chandler calls for a fight with Conor McGregor in his post-fight interview, but good luck getting “Notorious” to take that fight after witnessing that astounding knockout.
The Official Result
Michael Chandler def. Tony Ferguson R2 0:17 via KO (Front Kick)
Angelo picks Michael Chandler, stating that everything Tony Ferguson does well, Chandler does better. He believes Chandler's chin has held up after the Gaethje war and expects a war similar to Chandler's last fight. He notes that Ferguson may not be the same after the Gaethje loss.
Big Brady picks Michael Chandler to win by decision. He notes that the blueprint to beat Ferguson is to take him down and control him, as Oliveira and Dariush did. However, Chandler is more of a striker and may not follow that blueprint. Brady thinks Chandler's power and wrestling could still get the job done, and he expects Chandler to mix in takedowns and win minutes on top. He is not laying -400 on Chandler but believes he will cruise to a decision. He acknowledges Ferguson's toughness and danger on the feet but thinks Chandler is closer to his prime.
Cody picks Michael Chandler but also dislikes the -380 price. He provides a detailed breakdown of Ferguson's decline, noting that Ferguson hasn't looked good in years, even in wins. Cody points out that Ferguson's game hasn't evolved, he trains alone, and his unorthodox style is no longer effective. He believes Chandler's wrestling and power will be too much, and that Chandler can take Ferguson's best shots. Cody expects Chandler to dominate early and possibly knock Ferguson out, but acknowledges Ferguson could win 3 out of 10 times.
Daniel Levi picks Michael Chandler confidently, though he does not bet the fight due to the high price. He notes Chandler's first-round explosiveness and wrestling fallback, while Ferguson has declined significantly, losing 11 straight rounds. He thinks Chandler's speed and power are too much for this version of Ferguson, but he is not interested in laying -425. He passes on betting entirely.
The host picks Michael Chandler to win by first-round knockout. He questions Chandler's wrestling approach, expecting him to stand and trade. He notes Ferguson's unorthodox style and durability, but believes Chandler's power will find the chin early. He is not betting Chandler at -400, but likes 'fight doesn't go to decision' at -180 and Ferguson submission at +750 as small shots. He acknowledges Ferguson's crafty jiu-jitsu and Chandler's history of being knocked out.
Paul picks Michael Chandler to win but is not confident at -380. He thinks Ferguson is washed and that Chandler will dominate early, possibly getting a finish. However, Paul is more interested in the 'fight goes to decision' prop at +150, citing Ferguson's durability. He notes that Ferguson has only been knocked out once (by Gaethje) and is tough to finish, so the decision prop offers value.
The MMA Guru picks Michael Chandler by first-round KO, believing Tony Ferguson is done. He argues Ferguson's ground game is overrated and that Chandler can take him down or KO him. He notes Chandler's speed and leg kicks, and that Ferguson's chin is up in the air. He thinks Chandler will slip inside Ferguson's jab and land a big right hand. He also mentions Chandler has more to fight for, including a potential McGregor fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Gaethje | 1 | 116 of 183 | 63% | 133 of 205 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:37 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 103 of 245 | 42% | 104 of 246 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justin Gaethje | 0 | 40 of 77 | 51% | 41 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 49 of 99 | 49% | 50 of 100 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Justin Gaethje | 1 | 38 of 60 | 63% | 51 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:09 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 24 of 69 | 34% | 24 of 69 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Justin Gaethje | 0 | 38 of 46 | 82% | 41 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 30 of 77 | 38% | 30 of 77 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Gaethje | 116 of 183 | 63% | 83 of 143 | 7 of 12 | 26 of 28 | 102 of 164 | 5 of 5 | 9 of 14 |
| Michael Chandler | 103 of 245 | 42% | 64 of 199 | 28 of 35 | 11 of 11 | 99 of 241 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justin Gaethje | 40 of 77 | 51% | 27 of 58 | 3 of 7 | 10 of 12 | 36 of 73 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Michael Chandler | 49 of 99 | 49% | 35 of 85 | 7 of 7 | 7 of 7 | 46 of 96 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Justin Gaethje | 38 of 60 | 63% | 29 of 51 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 7 | 30 of 47 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 13 |
| Michael Chandler | 24 of 69 | 34% | 11 of 51 | 10 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 24 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Justin Gaethje | 38 of 46 | 82% | 27 of 34 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 9 | 36 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Michael Chandler | 30 of 77 | 38% | 18 of 63 | 11 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 29 of 76 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Strap in, fight fans, the “Just Bleed” fight of the year is upon us: Gaethje (22-3, 5-3 UFC) and Chandler (22-6, 1-1 UFC) are about to throw down. Referee Mike Beltran doesn’t know what to do with his hands, he’s so excited for what is about to happen before our very eyes. Needing no further introduction, the lightweights touch gloves and come out swinging. Gaethje opens with a leg kick, and Chandler is right there to throw bombs. Another successful leg kick for Gaethje scores, and Chandler is aiming his left hook. The leg kick continues to do damage for Gaethje, who rolls from the power punches and measures his own right. Gaethje scores a right hook, ducks a right hand counter and scores a heavy leg kick. They both start throwing caution to the wind, and they start slamming their fists into one another’s chins just as everyone had hoped. Chandler starts getting off his own leg kicks to surprise Gaethje, and these two are throwing everything they have in their punches. There is no feeling-out process, and even Chandler’s jab is a power punch. Gaethje walks through a huge right hand as if it were never there, and he sits down on another leg kick as Chandler starts to pop out a jab. Chandler has a jab countered with a calf kick, and he meets Chandler with a huge left hand that stuns the former Bellator champ. Chandler measures himself and throws a huge right hand that hurts Gaethje. They are blasting each other, and no fear is shown between the two. Gaethje gets rocked with a flying knee and a few punches, and he stings him with punches and forces Gaethje to back up wobbled to the fence. Gaethje might be slightly out on his feet, but he still bites down on his mouthpiece and nails Chandler right back. Chandler is throwing power punches that are nearly making him fall over, and both men are damaged but still throwing. This is insanity! The punches begin to mount as Chandler’s face is busted up, and he spits out some blood. Gaethje gets off a few uppercuts and a leg kick, and Chandler shoots in for a takedown but gets stuffed. The leg kick from Gaethje makes Chandler switch stances briefly, and he chains it together with a couple punches. Chandler spits out blood and fires right back in a round that is instantly in contention for “Round of the Year.” The action goes right to the bell, and they touch gloves after a ridiculous five minutes of combat.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje
Round 2
The second round begins and they meet in the center of the cage. Chandler is flinching from possible leg kicks, and he hops back when Gaethje fakes to throw one. A right hand from Gaethje makes Chandler wag his finger at him, and Gaethje smashes his shin into Chandler’s calf. Chandler may be hobbled but he is still winding up with haymakers. Gaethje scores a pair of right hands, and Chandler returns fire only to have his lead leg kicked hard. Gaethje stings Chandler with a right hand, and then a left hand on the temple sends him reeling. Gaethje clips him with an uppercut, and Chandler backs off to recover. Gaethje lets him do this, and he times a crisp uppercut. A second uppercut sends Chandler flying to the ground, and Gaethje pounces to try to finish the job. Beltran lets them fight on as Chandler survives. A desperation takedown try from Chandler lets him get his wits about him, as he pursues a low single that is stuffed without any concern at all. Gaethje rips the body with right hands as they are both on their knees, and he flirts with an anaconda choke setup before opting to circle around and take Chandler’s back. Instead of going after submissions, he backs off to let Chandler stand back up. Chandler’s face is a bloody mess but he is still game and in this fight, nodding when Gaethje lands cleanly on him. Chandler tags his opponent with his own uppercut, and then he shoots in for a takedown that gets stuffed. Gaethje steps in with an uppercut, and Chandler reels and reacts with a right hand that knocks Gaethje back. Gaethje reintroduces his shin to Chandler’s leg, and the former Bellator king’s leg is jacked up but he is able to remain on his feet. Gaethje takes a deep breath as Chandler attacks, and Chandler assaults the body with a short barrage of blows. Gaethje aims for his uppercut, but Chandler nails him with a right hand and then gets off an eye poke. Beltran does not know what to do, so he lets Chandler punch Gaethje in the face once before intervening. Beltran gives Gaethje a brief respite and asks if he is good, and then they resume. A few more punches land from both men before the horn sounds, and Gaethje complains to Beltran about the poor handling of the eye poke.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Gaethje
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Gaethje
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Gaethje
Round 3
The gladiators touch gloves to clock in the third round, and Gaethje leads off with a nasty calf kick. Gaethje flicks out a jab and then hits Chandler in the leg so hard that Chandler spins around. Chandler is forced to switch stances because of the clear pain in his face, and Gaethje lands a few punches and then kicks the leg when Chandler goes back to orthodox stance. Chandler gets off a huge right hand, and Gaethje eats it like a steak and fires right back. The former Bellator champ aims a massive right hand that connects with the side of the head, but Gaethje rolls through it. Chandler gives chase and digs punches to the body a few times, and the body shots are getting reactions out of Gaethje. Gaethje chops down the leg, and an uppercut and a left hand snap Chandler’s head back. Gaethje cannot believe that Chandler is still standing, so he kicks the leg hard enough to nearly buckle Chandler’s legs. Chandler grabs hold of Gaethje, and although he picks Gaethje up and slams him to the ground, as soon as they hit the mat, Gaethje gets on top. Gaethje rips a few right hands that hurt Chandler for the umpteenth time, but Chandler is incredibly tough and fights through it to get back to his feet. When they get back to striking range, Chandler waves Gaethje on and starts throwing everything he has left. He manages to rock Gaethje with a few punches, and Gaethje wobbles but still manages to sling back a right hand that would have felled a bull moose. Gaethje blasts his opponent with a right hand, and Chandler drops his hands and is somehow still on his feet. Gaethje does this again, and he follows this one with a leg kick as Chandler is barely on his feet. Having switched stances from the damage of the kicks, Chandler signals to the crowd to get pumped up as if they were not already on their feet for the last 14 minutes. They take a moment to measure themselves, and Chandler leaps in the air with a jumping switch kick that is nowhere near the mark. Gaethje calmly, comfortably stalks Chandler down, and Chandler’s hands are down by his waist as he springs back and forth. Chandler jumps with a punch, and Gaethje kicks him in the chest. When the bell sounds, this absolutely incredible slugfest comes to a shocking end, and they hug it out and high five after the most obvious “Fight of the Night”-winning battle this year. It would behoove you to watch this fight as soon as you can, if you have not seen it yet reading this play-by-play – the sheer ferocity of this battle could not quite be captured in all of its grandeur.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje (30-26 Gaethje)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje (30-26 Gaethje)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gaethje (30-26 Gaethje)
The Official Result
Justin Gaethje def. Michael Chandler via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Angelo picks Michael Chandler, but hesitantly. He believes Chandler's wrestling threat and power give him an edge, and that Gaethje's chin will eventually give out. He notes that Gaethje gets hit a lot and that Chandler can take him down. However, he worries about Chandler's chin and his tendency to brawl. He thinks if Chandler wrestles, he wins; if he stands and trades, it's dangerous.
Big Brady picks Justin Gaethje to win by second-round knockout. He notes Gaethje's better cardio and durability, while Chandler fades after the first round and has a questionable chin. Brady thinks Chandler will be live early with power and potential submissions, but if it gets past the first round, Gaethje will take over and knock him out. He expects a stand-up war with Gaethje finishing Chandler in the second.
Cody strongly favors Gaethje, citing his legendary durability and Chandler's history of fading and getting knocked out. He highlights Gaethje's leg kicks targeting Chandler's weak calves and believes Chandler needs a quick KO to win. He expects Gaethje to get the job done, likely by TKO.
Daniel Levi leans toward Justin Gaethje as a pure pick but considers the fight a dog-or-pass situation at the current line. He acknowledges Gaethje's leg kicks and durability, but notes that Chandler is explosive early and could knock Gaethje out. Levi mentions that Gaethje has been rocked in many fights and that Chandler's cardio is a concern if the fight extends. He says the opener was closer to -140, and at -225 he disagrees with the value, but picks Gaethje to win.
Jacob is extremely confident in Michael Chandler, calling him the lock of the week. He believes Chandler will use his wrestling to dominate Gaethje, who is useless on the ground. He notes that Gaethje's wins are overrated and that Chandler has a clear path via takedowns. He also mentions that Chandler is a Missouri wrestler who coaches wrestling. He has a parlay with Chandler and Colby Covington.
The host picks Gaethje by second-round TKO, citing his pace, leg kicks, and improving boxing. He expects Chandler's blitzing style to fade. He prefers the 'fight doesn't go to decision' prop at -300/-350 as a safer play.
Paul leans Gaethje based on durability, believing Gaethje's chin and cardio are superior to Chandler's. He notes Chandler's history of slowing down and getting knocked out in later rounds. He suggests Gaethje inside the distance at -115, preferring the ITD prop over KO only.
The Guru picks Michael Chandler, believing Gaethje's wrestling deficiencies will be exposed. He notes Gaethje's poor performance against Khabib and his inactivity. The Guru thinks Chandler's chain wrestling, body shots, and power will be too much, and predicts a rear-naked choke submission in round one or two. He also mentions Chandler is a big underdog, implying value.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Oliveira | 2 | 24 of 32 | 75% | 32 of 41 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 30 of 55 | 54% | 36 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 2:27 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Oliveira | 0 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 18 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 28 of 51 | 54% | 34 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 2:27 | |
| 2 | Charles Oliveira | 2 | 14 of 17 | 82% | 14 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Oliveira | 24 of 32 | 75% | 20 of 26 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 20 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 9 |
| Michael Chandler | 30 of 55 | 54% | 22 of 42 | 6 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 29 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Oliveira | 10 of 15 | 66% | 6 of 10 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Michael Chandler | 28 of 51 | 54% | 21 of 39 | 5 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 29 | |
| 2 | Charles Oliveira | 14 of 17 | 82% | 14 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 |
| Michael Chandler | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Oliveira (-258), Chandler (+210)
Round 1
In the main event of UFC 262 in 2021, Oliveira (34-10, 1 NC; 22-10, 1 NC UFC) and Chandler (23-8, 2-3 UFC) threw everything they had at one another for five minutes and 19 seconds of pure carnage. When the dust settled, the lightweight strap remained around the waist of “Do Bronx,” although Chandler had the champ on the ropes more than once in the first round. Three and a half years later, they meet again, again with five rounds to work but no gold up for grabs. Referee Keith Peterson will enjoy officiating this lightweight affair for as long as it lasts, and the fighters bump fists with ample respect for one another and a whole lot of excitement for what’s about to come. There will be no nonsense…inside the cage, at least. Around its perimeter, however, some may disagree. The fighters square up, with Oliveira moving to the center of the cage, and he backs off after an exchange and wipes at his eye as if he was poked. Chandler jabs at the right eye a few times, otherwise measured and not going wild like the first fight. Chandler connects with a left to the body and eats a right up top. Oliveira shoots in for a double, lifting Chandler up and not dropping him down because Chandler egregiously grabbed the top of the fence. This works to his disadvantage greatly, as Oliveira traps Chandler’s left leg and sits on top of Chandlers chest. Oliveira frees his left arm and swats at Chandler to make him think of other strikes, and Chandler hooks his leg around Oliveira’s right wrist and puts the limb in a triangle. Oliveira lowers himself down to wrench his arm out, and he wriggles it free and unwraps Chandler’s other hand from the back of his head. Chandler hangs on in hopes of a standup, and Oliveira sits up and starts pulsing his hips to yank his leg free to move to mount. All the while, Oliveira remains on top in control, with Chandler stuck unable to do anything but smack him on both sides of the head. Peterson pays close attention, asking for more action and warning Oliveira for putting his fingers in the cage to hang on and keep the position. Oliveira rides out the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Round 2
The fighters clap hands to get going, and Oliveira walks Chandler down and paws out front kicks. Oliveira lets fly a leg kick that turns Chandler slightly, and he backs off and scores another before Chandler can reach him. Chandler jabs to the body and head, and he misses when swinging harder. Oliveira rushes forward, knocking Chandler to a knee courtesy of a three-punch combination. Chandler works his way up and escapes, and Oliveira follows him and clubs him with a powerful right hand. Chandler sprints away, tripping on the outer edge of the cage to try not to get cornered and hurt any further. Chandler smiles, bounces off the cage and attacks. Oliveira blocks and counters, kicking Chandler when resetting. Oliveira kicks high and stumbles his opponent, and he drives a knee to the chin. Chandler bites down on his mouthpiece and throws bombs, and one heavy left gets in. Oliveira pitches a front kick and rushes after the former Bellator champ, bowling him over with ease and landing into full mount. Oliveira stays tightly pressed to his adversary, getting in the occasional elbow before he is able to posture up. The elbows keep coming from the Brazilian, and every time he sits up, Chandler looks for a way to escape but is stifled each and every time. Oliveira’s elbows inflict damage, cutting Chandler slightly as they start to add up. Chandler tries to turn his head to the side, and Oliveira hacks down with 12-6 elbows when his corner reminds him he can use these strikes. Chandler looks to tug his fingers off the fence to get in better position, and Oliveira thumps him with a few more strikes before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Round 3
Chandler wipes his feet on the floor a few times before the round opens, and he is fired up and looking for offense as soon as it does. Chandler rushes forward, going past a front kick to back the Brazilian against the wall. Oliveira sticks out a left hand and a front kick to make Chandler retreat, and he crashes the pocket in pursuit of a labored takedown. Chandler gets out of the way and works the lead leg with a kick. Oliveira races after him, drilling Chandler with an uppercut and putting his back against the cage. Chandler sways and leans with his back on the wall, waiting for Oliveira to engage so he can counter. Chandler pounds his foe on the front leg, and he clips Oliveira. Oliveira gives him back an uppercut to think about, and he jumps at “Iron Mike” with a knee. Oliveira strides forward with the utmost of confident, letting Chandler have it and watching him swing way too hard. Oliveira strings an elbow into an uppercut and a level change, and Chandler defends the takedown that comes with a fence grab. Oliveira takes his back and gets both hooks in, and he secures the body triangle and squeezes it tight. Chandler hand-fights to keep his neck free of harm, and Oliveira complains of glove grabs. Chandler turns and twists, and Oliveira elbows him on the top of the head—these blows are still illegal because they are landing on the crown of the head. Peterson mentions this, and Oliveira adjusts his trajectory and keeps his right arm fastened on Chandler’s face to smack him with his free left hand. The Brazilian resets the body triangle, attempting to hook Chandler’s arm in the leglock but not successfully doing so. Oliveira wraps his arm on the chin, and he squeezes a face crank that does not have enough strength to stop him. Chandler turns and sits up, and he smiles at someone sitting cageside. The round ends, and Chandler lightly shoves the Brazilian away with a grin.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Oliveira
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Round 4
Having reached the championship rounds, the two touch ‘em up. Chandler swats away a few early kicks and swings hard with a right to the body. Oliveira chips at him with low kicks, walking through a Chandler strike to put a right hand on his chin. Chandler opens up with a left hand and is hurt from the response, but he knows Oliveira wants the finish and winds up with looping hooks. One big blow stings “Do Bronx,” and Oliveira closes in a bit more carefully so as to not get caught. Oliveira works his way in to wrap up Chandler and drag him down from behind, where he takes the ex-Bellator fighter’s back and wraps up a hook. Chandler turns to his stomach, and Oliveira wrenches on him to turn him to the side so he can complete a body triangle. “Iron Mike” knows the choke is incoming, so he retains an iron grip on the right wrist of his foe. Chandler turns all the way around, and Oliveira follows him but is unable to get both hooks in. Slowly and methodically, the Brazilian sneaks in the second hook, and he tries to force Chandler down to flatten him out. Oliveira wraps up a rear-naked choke, and Chandler yanks on Oliveira’s hand to break up the submission. Oliveira tries again, and Chandler grits it out and again survives the choke. Both fighters decide to go for anything else, and time eventually ticks away to conclude Round 4. Chandler, likely way down on the scorecards, flashes a grin to the commentary booth.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Oliveira
Round 5
The fighters double clap hands, and Chandler chooses not to participate in a hug or whatever else Oliveira offers. He comes out swinging, and a big left to the body lands hard. Oliveira intercepts him with a clean leg kick that hurts him, and he shoots in deep for a takedown that fails miserably. Seeing the leg kick is succeeding, he kicks the knee twice, and Chandler comes back at him with three powerful punches. Oliveira backs off, clutching his right eye—not the one that was poked early on Round 1. Oliveira falls over due to the oncoming fire, and he rolls over as Chandler smashes him time and again all to the back of the head. Peterson somehow allows a long series of blatantly illegal strikes, and Oliveira hangs on tight despite this. Chandler keeps on pounding on his opponent until Oliveira turns to his back. Peterson asks him to fight back, and Chandler slows down and does not want to burn himself out swinging so much, so hard. Oliveira miraculously sits up and works to his feet, and Chandler stalks him down and slings with bad intentions. Oliveira responds, and Chandler waves him on. Chandler swings as hard as he can and falls over, allowing Oliveira to take his back in a hurry. Oliveira wraps up a rear-naked choke that is on top of the chin—that is a face crank, not a choke—and Chandler’s toughness keeps him safe. Through sheer force of will, Chandler stands up despite Oliveira hanging on, and he screams “F--- yeah” and jumps in the air to slam Oliveira down with his own body adding to the impact. Oliveira hangs onto his back like a malicious backpack, and Chandler stands up again and once more smashes him down like a pro wrestler doing a super move. The crowd explodes in favor of Chandler’s high-amplitude attacks, and Oliveira is no worse for wear from the assault. Chandler taps Oliveira hands, not to surrender but to ask him if he is having fun yet. The five-round affair comes to a close, with high drama and excitement littered across this rematch. Both men put it out there and had a blast, and Chandler walks to his corner and collapses to his seat to catch his breath. Oliveira, on the other hand, climbs out of the cage to have a conversation with a few people watching, including the President-elect. What an interesting battle, and what a final round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Chandler (49-46 Oliveira)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Chandler (49-45 Oliveira)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Chandler (49-46 Oliveira)
The Official Result
Charles Oliveira def. Michael Chandler via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)
Chandler has tremendous power and pressure, and Oliveira has been knocked out before. Chandler's takedown defense is excellent, so the fight likely stays on the feet where Chandler's power is a major threat. I think Chandler catches Oliveira early and finishes him in the first round by knockout. I also like the under 2.5 rounds.
Cody is confident in Michael Chandler as a plus-money underdog. He highlights Chandler's athleticism, explosiveness, and power, noting that he knocked out Dan Hooker in the first round. Cody believes Chandler can knock out Oliveira early, as Oliveira has a good chin but not a great one. He also mentions that Chandler's wrestling can stuff Oliveira's takedowns. Cody suggests a live betting strategy: bet Chandler after the first round if Oliveira survives, or bet Oliveira at plus money later. He notes the odds suggest the fight may not go past the second round.
Daniel Levi picks Charles Oliveira, citing his eight-fight win streak, improved striking, and mental fortitude. He notes Oliveira's evolution from a quitter to a composed fighter, and believes the mental game has finally caught up with his physical skills. Levi acknowledges Chandler's power and early-finish threat but thinks Oliveira's length, jiu-jitsu, and calf kicks will be key. He mentions that if Oliveira can overcome adversity like he did against Tamer, he will become champion.
The host picks Chandler to land an early bomb and knock out Oliveira. He notes Oliveira's head movement is poor and Chandler has explosive power. He acknowledges Oliveira's improved striking and dangerous jiu-jitsu but thinks Chandler's wrestling and durability could be key. He says the under 2.5 rounds is his strongest read on the card.
Paul is leaning towards Oliveira based on his longer, straighter punches and submission threat. He notes that Oliveira doesn't need a takedown to grab a hold and find a submission. However, he is not too confident and wants to watch the Ferguson vs Dariush fight first to assess if Ferguson is completely washed, which would devalue Oliveira's win. He mentions that Oliveira's performance against Ferguson could be inflated if Ferguson is done.
The MMA Guru picks Michael Chandler to win by KO in the first round. He believes Chandler's explosiveness and power will be too much for Oliveira, who reacts poorly when hit hard. He predicts Chandler will dictate the pace, land a big right hand, and finish Oliveira against the cage. He also speculates Chandler may be on steroids.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Chandler | 0 | 8 of 19 | 42% | 8 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dan Hooker | 1 | 17 of 24 | 70% | 17 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Chandler | 0 | 8 of 19 | 42% | 8 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dan Hooker | 1 | 17 of 24 | 70% | 17 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Chandler | 8 of 19 | 42% | 0 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 12 | 8 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dan Hooker | 17 of 24 | 70% | 12 of 17 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 13 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Chandler | 8 of 19 | 42% | 0 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 12 | 8 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Dan Hooker | 17 of 24 | 70% | 12 of 17 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 13 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In our co-main event, “The Hangman” Hooker (20-9, 10-5 UFC) wins the prize of welcoming three-time former Bellator MMA lightweight champ Chandler (21-5, 0-0 UFC) to the UFC after years of speculating how he would fare inside the promotion. That time is now, and referee Marc Goddard will see to it that this fight takes place on the up-and-up. The fighters do not touch gloves before coming out swinging. Hooker gets crowded early on as he paws out long punches, and he lands a heavy leg kick. Chandler stops, stares at a retreating Hooker, and resets. Hooker gets off a few more chopping calf kicks, and Chandler is cocking back his right hand but not unleashing it. Chandler again looks frustrated at Hooker’s strategy, and he reaches but cannot connect with an overhand right. Hooker stays from a distanced with a few more leg kicks, and Chandler finally bears down on him looking for right hands. Chandler goes to the body and head with right hands, and he gets off a push kick that bounces Hooker off the cage. A Hooker calf kick makes Chandler take a weird step back, and gathers himself to advance and attack. A right hand to the body from Chandler is followed by a leaping left hook that could fell a much larger man. Hooker goes down in a heap, and “Iron Mike” charges forward to finish the job. The newcomer pounds away at Hooker with a fury, unloading strike after strike in a blistering pace until Goddard has seen enough. What a finish for Chandler, who then announces himself to the UFC, the lightweight division, Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov as the new king of the division with a killer promo that will put him on the map in a major way.
The Official Result
Michael Chandler def. Dan Hooker R1 2:30 via TKO (Punches)
Big Brady leans towards Dan Hooker, citing Hooker's reach advantage (75.5 inches vs 69 inches), durability, and power. He thinks Hooker's takedown defense (79%) will keep the fight standing, and that Chandler's history of being knocked out is a concern. He predicts Hooker wins by knockout.
Daniel Levi picks Michael Chandler as the underdog, citing Chandler's D1 wrestling, power, and fresher mindset. He notes Hooker's recent damage and potential overrated status, but acknowledges Hooker's striking weapons like the knee up the middle and calf kicks. Levi believes Chandler can land a big right hand or use wrestling to control the fight, though he admits it's a close matchup.
Hooker has a huge reach and height advantage, and he is excellent at using calf kicks to neutralize opponents. Chandler has a suspect chin and struggles with distance. Hooker's takedown defense has been excellent since moving to 155, stuffing 19 of 21 attempts. Chandler will have difficulty closing the distance and may get countered. I expect Hooker to win by knockout, possibly with a left hook or calf kick setup.
The MMA Guru picks Dan Hooker to win by KO in the first round, citing Hooker's calf kicks and reach advantage. He believes Chandler will struggle to get inside due to Hooker's length and will be vulnerable to a knee up the middle. He notes Chandler's history of leg issues (Brent Primus fight) and thinks Hooker's early calf kicks will slow Chandler's explosiveness. He also mentions Hooker's toughness and ability to survive grappling exchanges.
Expert Picks (1)
AJ does not discuss this fight in the transcript. No pick is made.
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