UFC Fight Night 281 · Jul 18, 2026 · Middleweight · Scheduled
UFC Fight Night 281 Next Fight
Age 38
Height 6' 1"
Reach 74.0"
Weight 185 lbs.
Stance Orthodox
Age 36
Height 6' 1"
Reach 74"
Weight 185 lbs.
Stance Orthodox
Career Averages - Brad Tavares
3.41 SLpM
43.0% Str. Acc.
3.32 SApM
54.0% Str. Def.
0.7 TD Avg
26.0% TD Acc.
80.0% TD Def.
0.0 Sub. Avg
Career Averages - Marc-André Barriault
5.65 SLpM
47.0% Str. Acc.
5.94 SApM
49.0% Str. Def.
0.34 TD Avg
28.0% TD Acc.
68.0% TD Def.
0.1 Sub. Avg
Brad Tavares - Fight History
UFC Fight Night 281 · Jul 18, 2026
LOSS vs Eryk Anders
Decision R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Vallejos · Mar 14, 2026
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Brad Tavares 1 48 of 86 55% 55 of 95 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:29
Eryk Anders 0 35 of 84 41% 68 of 133 3 of 9 33% 0 1 9:20
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Brad Tavares 0 18 of 35 51% 18 of 35 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Eryk Anders 0 20 of 41 48% 33 of 56 0 of 4 0% 0 0 3:10
2 Brad Tavares 1 18 of 31 58% 21 of 34 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:29
Eryk Anders 0 11 of 31 35% 22 of 52 0 of 1 0% 0 1 2:25
3 Brad Tavares 0 12 of 20 60% 16 of 26 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Eryk Anders 0 4 of 12 33% 13 of 25 3 of 4 75% 0 0 3:45
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Brad Tavares 48 of 86 55% 29 of 64 17 of 20 2 of 2 31 of 59 14 of 21 3 of 6
Eryk Anders 35 of 84 41% 26 of 69 9 of 15 0 of 0 15 of 47 19 of 36 1 of 1
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Brad Tavares 18 of 35 51% 7 of 23 10 of 11 1 of 1 6 of 18 12 of 17 0 of 0
Eryk Anders 20 of 41 48% 17 of 34 3 of 7 0 of 0 4 of 14 16 of 27 0 of 0
2 Brad Tavares 18 of 31 58% 11 of 22 6 of 8 1 of 1 13 of 21 2 of 4 3 of 6
Eryk Anders 11 of 31 35% 6 of 24 5 of 7 0 of 0 7 of 21 3 of 9 1 of 1
3 Brad Tavares 12 of 20 60% 11 of 19 1 of 1 0 of 0 12 of 20 0 of 0 0 of 0
Eryk Anders 4 of 12 33% 3 of 11 1 of 1 0 of 0 4 of 12 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean picked Mar 8, 2026 (6 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

Angelo picks Brad Tavares but with very low confidence, calling it too close to bet. He notes both fighters have declining chins and the fight could be a quick knockout or a sloppy decision. He thinks Tavares is more well-rounded and faster, but Eryk Anders could bull his way forward. He ultimately goes with Tavares due to technical edge.

"I'm gonna go with Brad because he's the more well-rounded of the two and he should be faster."
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Mar 9, 2026 (5 days before fight)
Eryk Anders

Big Brady hesitantly picks Eryk Anders by split decision, calling it a '1-800 Gambler fight.' He thinks both fighters are washed but gives Anders the edge due to slightly harder punching and ability to control against the cage. He predicts a low-quality fight and even considered predicting a draw.

"Give me Eric Anders by greasy greasy greasy split decision."
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Mar 11, 2026 (3 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

Cody picks Tavares, citing his experience, takedown defense, and ability to outpoint Anders. He notes Anders' declining durability and retirement announcement. He expects a close decision but Tavares edges it.

"Brad Tavvar's win. Hopefully, he just finishes the job."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert picked Mar 13, 2026 (1 day before fight)

Connor does not make a clear pick for this fight, calling it a toss-up and meaningless. He criticizes both fighters as old and irrelevant, suggesting the fight should not be happening in the UFC. He does not express a preference.

"Yeah, that's fair. It's, it's a toss up really. It's just a, this is, this is not a fight that should be happening. It's utterly, utterly meaningless."
LU
Lucrative James Expert Lean picked Mar 8, 2026 (6 days before fight)
Eryk Anders

James picks Eryk Anders as an underdog, citing his grappling advantage and power. He notes that both fighters have fading durability and that Anders is more explosive. He calls the fight volatile and says no result would shock him.

"I will pick Eric Anders for the sake of the show."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Mar 10, 2026 (4 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

The host picks Tavares to win by decision, citing his superior striking and takedown defense. He believes Anders will struggle to land a knockout and that Tavares's combinations and effective damage will win rounds. He notes that both fighters are aging but Tavares is the better striker and should outwork Anders over 15 minutes.

Anders by knockout hedge
"I have to give the edge to Dvarez. I believe he's the better striker and I don't think Anders can muster up the knockout power to put Dvaris away here."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert picked Mar 11, 2026 (3 days before fight)

Paul has no clear pick, expressing uncertainty about both fighters. He notes Tavares' recent losses and Anders' inconsistency. He doesn't want to bet either side.

"I don't know what to do with this fight, Cody."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Mar 14, 2026 (fight day)
Brad Tavares

The Guru picks Brad Tavares, emphasizing his low kicks as the key difference. He notes Anders has a wide stance and has struggled with low kicks before, and that Tavares has fought higher-level competition. He predicts a decision win, 30-27, as he doesn't see Anders finishing Tavares early.

"I'm going to go with Brad Tavares here. I think the low kicks are going to be the difference... by decision, 30-27."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Lean picked Mar 13, 2026 (1 day before fight)
Brad Tavares

Zane picks Brad Tavares, noting that Tavares looked decent in his fight against GM3 but struggled against Robert Brishik, who pushed a pace. He believes Anders is also slow and throws single strikes, giving Tavares enough space to look like his old self. However, he acknowledges Tavares tends to lose a round due to passivity.

Tavares opened at -185, currently -138; Anders opened at +160, currently +118
"I am going to pick Brad Tavares. I'm going to pick Eric Anders. Sure. Uh, Brad, Brad Tavares looked like there might actually be a little classic Brad Tavares tread left on the tires for that GM three fight."
LOSS vs Robert Bryczek
KO R3 1:43 · UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs. Borralho · Sep 06, 2025
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Brad Tavares 0 42 of 102 41% 50 of 111 1 of 3 33% 0 0 1:22
Robert Bryczek 1 68 of 138 49% 77 of 149 1 of 1 100% 0 0 1:22
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Brad Tavares 0 17 of 40 42% 25 of 49 1 of 1 100% 0 0 1:22
Robert Bryczek 1 39 of 73 53% 48 of 84 1 of 1 100% 0 0 1:16
2 Brad Tavares 0 15 of 40 37% 15 of 40 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Robert Bryczek 0 9 of 28 32% 9 of 28 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:03
3 Brad Tavares 0 10 of 22 45% 10 of 22 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Robert Bryczek 0 20 of 37 54% 20 of 37 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:03
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Brad Tavares 42 of 102 41% 17 of 69 8 of 13 17 of 20 41 of 100 1 of 2 0 of 0
Robert Bryczek 68 of 138 49% 47 of 104 16 of 27 5 of 7 43 of 101 9 of 16 16 of 21
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Brad Tavares 17 of 40 42% 12 of 34 3 of 3 2 of 3 16 of 39 1 of 1 0 of 0
Robert Bryczek 39 of 73 53% 26 of 56 11 of 15 2 of 2 22 of 46 9 of 14 8 of 13
2 Brad Tavares 15 of 40 37% 3 of 23 3 of 6 9 of 11 15 of 39 0 of 1 0 of 0
Robert Bryczek 9 of 28 32% 4 of 17 3 of 7 2 of 4 9 of 28 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Brad Tavares 10 of 22 45% 2 of 12 2 of 4 6 of 6 10 of 22 0 of 0 0 of 0
Robert Bryczek 20 of 37 54% 17 of 31 2 of 5 1 of 1 12 of 27 0 of 2 8 of 8
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Robert Bryczek vs. Brad Tavares
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tavares (-220); Bryczek (+190)

Round 1
Longtime veteran Tavares (21-10, 16-10 UFC) had his most recent contract come to an end, and after a brief time of uncertainty he was brought back to the promotion he joined by winning the 11th season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” While he has faced many of the best fighters in the history of the middleweight division, he draws a Polish adversary in Bryczek (17-6, 0-1 UFC) that may be a bit less decorated but is just as dangerous given his stoppage rate above 70%. Referee Lukasz Bosacki draws the charge to handle the 185ers, who clap hands to initiate the match.
Bryczek puts his foot on the gas, chasing the longtime vet around, and he finds himself in the pocket with Tavares. This results in them both trading, and Tavares backs off and takes a body shot and a jab up top. Tavares replies with a pushing front kick, and he catches Bryczek ducking down with a pair of punches on the temple. Tavares stays on his back foot, firing off kicks as Bryczek advances towards him. Bryczek continues marching ever forward, with Tavares more than ready to counter, his right hand ready for action. Bryczek smacks the front leg of his foe with a kick, and puts his guard up to block a one-two that he expects. Bryczek swings for the fences and knocks Tavares clean off his feet. Tavares works his way up with the wall, but Bryczek is swarming him with fists to the dome and guts. Tavares ties him up to clear the cobwebs, and Bryczek settles for a few knees to the thigh before breaking off.
Tavares circles away, letting fly kicks and a pair of punches up high, and the Polish athlete is incensed and ready for destruction. He lays into Tavares with punches in bunches, dropping Tavares to a knee as he tries to put his man away. Tavares is able to get back up despite being under fire, and he even manages some looping counters. When Bryczek overcommits on his attack, Tavares times a magnificent double-leg takedown to put the heavy-handed Polish fighter on his back. The nose of the Hawaiian is busted open and leaking on the mat, but he pays it no mind as he climbs into half guard and recovers. Tavares does some work on top but is largely content to control the remainder of the round and take a possible 10-8 score off the table—although that remains to be seen if judges believe the damage was substantial enough to award such a score. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Bryczek
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Bryczek
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-8 Bryczek

Round 2
The second round kicks off with a barrage of kicks from the Hawaiian, using them to keep distance and prevent Bryczek from hurling big hands at him. The low kicks are starting to mark up the lead leg of Bryczek, who is lumbering awkwardly on it as he advances. Tavares is the quicker of the two, as Bryczek may have punched himself out in the first round, because Bryczek cannot reach him. As Bryczek plods towards his man, Tavares shoots in on his hips. Bryczek knows it is coming and defends it, and he stands up and avoids a right hand zooming at his jaw.
Bryczek bears down on Tavares, replying with his own chopping kicks as he makes his way forward. Tavares lets fly a three-punch salvo that hits nothing but air, but his technical kickboxing is stifling Bryczek for the most part. Tavares backs himself to the wall and quickly realizes he needs to reposition himself, scurrying to the side as he spams the leg kick. Bryczek no-sells a head kick as he goes after Tavares, but his offense is otherwise fairly muted. The fans do not like this pick-and-poke strategy of low intensity, perhaps spoiled by the action of the previous bouts as well as this one’s first round, and they start booing heartily. A storied veteran with a lot of decisions on his ledger, the audience has no effect on the Hawaiian. He keeps his distance and probes with kicks and one-twos until the not-so-great round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Tavares

Round 3
The middleweights touch ‘em up to show some respect opening the final frame, and Bryczek gets back to his forward-or-bust strategy. Tavares welcomes this, as he is able to simultaneously hop on his bike and land enough strikes to gain the upper hand. The Hawaiian puts some mustard into a body kick, and Bryczek does not like it and twirls around to take some of the sting out of it. When Bryczek gathers his thoughts, he marches Tavares down and guns for him with big, swinging fists. Tavares’ are straighter, jabbing and getting off one-twos. With a full head of steam, Bryczek attacks. Backing Tavares up to the fence, Bryczek strings together a prolonged combination of looping punches, cracking Tavares with a heavy right hand.
Stunned, Tavares starts to go down to a knee while still under fire, and Bryczek continues battering the grizzled veteran with all he has. With Bryczek hammering away with hammerfists as some land directly on the back of the head, Bosacki steps in, and Tavares immediately protests the stoppage.
His team is equally upset about what they feel was premature referee intervention, but as the referee is the sole arbiter of the bout, that’s a wrap. Bryczek notches his first UFC victory and it is a huge scalp he collects by melting a formerly ranked fighter in Tavares.

The Official Result
Robert Bryczek def. Brad Tavares R3 1:43 via TKO (Punches)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean picked Aug 31, 2025 (6 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

Angelo leans towards Brad Tavares based on experience and toughness, but is surprised Tavares is nearly a 3-to-1 favorite given his age and decline. He acknowledges Bryczek's clean boxing and power, and notes that a one-punch knockout or decision win for Bryczek wouldn't surprise him. He advises against betting Tavares at these odds, warning that Bryczek is not a bum.

"I'm gonna lean Tvarez. I'm gonna lean on his experience. I'm gonna lean on his toughness."
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Sep 4, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

Big Brady is hesitant but picks Brad Tavares, as he wants to fade Tavares but cannot trust Bryczek after his poor performance. He notes Tavares has looked done since taking heavy damage, but Bryczek looked even worse, gassing quickly. He expects a decision win for Tavares.

Tavares by decision
"Although I'm very hesitant in picking Brad Dvarez, I don't want to pick him, but I'm kind of getting forced to pick Brad Dvaris here."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Hesitant picked Sep 4, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

The host expects a classic performance from Tavares but notes his deteriorating durability and decline. He acknowledges Bryczek could spoil plans with a big shot, but thinks Tavares keeps it clean and outpoints Bryczek to a decision victory.

"I'm expecting Tavvarz to give us a bit of a classic performance here, but his deteriorating durability and his just decline is evident and Bert could definitely spoil his plans here by landing a big shot of his own."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Sep 3, 2025 (3 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

The Guru picks Brad Tavares, dismissing Robert Bryczek as 'terrible' and 'dog [__]'. He criticizes Bryczek's debut performance and regional record, while noting Tavares has been competitive against proven UFC fighters. He expects a standup fight and predicts a 29-28 split decision for Tavares, citing his experience and well-roundedness.

"I think Tvarez is more well-rounded and more experienced. He knows what to do to win certain rounds. I'm going to go Tvarez by decision."
Decision (unanimous) R3 5:00 · UFC on ESPN: Emmett vs. Murphy · Apr 05, 2025
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Brad Tavares 0 47 of 109 43% 56 of 118 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:01
Gerald Meerschaert 0 38 of 83 45% 51 of 97 0 of 8 0% 0 0 4:44
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Brad Tavares 0 13 of 36 36% 14 of 37 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Gerald Meerschaert 0 8 of 24 33% 8 of 24 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:26
2 Brad Tavares 0 26 of 51 50% 26 of 51 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:01
Gerald Meerschaert 0 23 of 44 52% 23 of 45 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:47
3 Brad Tavares 0 8 of 22 36% 16 of 30 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Gerald Meerschaert 0 7 of 15 46% 20 of 28 0 of 5 0% 0 0 3:31
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Brad Tavares 47 of 109 43% 29 of 85 12 of 18 6 of 6 45 of 105 2 of 4 0 of 0
Gerald Meerschaert 38 of 83 45% 27 of 66 7 of 10 4 of 7 36 of 79 2 of 4 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Brad Tavares 13 of 36 36% 10 of 30 2 of 5 1 of 1 13 of 36 0 of 0 0 of 0
Gerald Meerschaert 8 of 24 33% 5 of 19 0 of 1 3 of 4 8 of 23 0 of 1 0 of 0
2 Brad Tavares 26 of 51 50% 15 of 38 7 of 9 4 of 4 24 of 48 2 of 3 0 of 0
Gerald Meerschaert 23 of 44 52% 18 of 35 4 of 6 1 of 3 21 of 42 2 of 2 0 of 0
3 Brad Tavares 8 of 22 36% 4 of 17 3 of 4 1 of 1 8 of 21 0 of 1 0 of 0
Gerald Meerschaert 7 of 15 46% 4 of 12 3 of 3 0 of 0 7 of 14 0 of 1 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Brad Tavares
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tavares (-258), Meerschaert (+210)

Round 1
As the main card carries on, the few hundred fans in the building will be treated to a fascinating clash of styles pitting the UFC middleweight decision leader against the division’s all-time top finisher. Tavares (20-10, 15-10 UFC) prefers to stand, while Meerschaert (37-18, 12-10 UFC) is hunting for his 30th submission—and Tavares has never before been submitted. Something might have to give before all is said and done here. Referee Mike Beltran draws the assignment, ready to step in at a moment’s notice. The grizzled veterans show respect for one another with a glove touch, and Tavares pops out his jab. Meerschaert surges forward, pulling back before letting go with anything. Tavares prepares for a counter when Meerschaert comes at him, dinging the grappler with a hard left hand. Meerschaert zooms forward, looking for a double and ending up pushing the Hawaiian against the fencing. When Tavares breaks free, Meerschaert goes after him and plants a left hand on the chin. He ducks down to try this strike again, and this time it lands cleaner. Tavares backs him off with a crisp boxing combo, and Meerschaert shoots in for a double but is totally shut down. Tavares misses a right hand by a matter of inches, but the body kick that follows does land. Tavares puts his fist on Meerschaert’s chin, and he dips in with a shovel uppercut that brushes past the jaw. The two crash together, and Tavares rings his foe’s bell with an elbow, giving chase with a left hand and a body kick. Meerschaert fakes a level change to buzz by his foe, and he pitches out a couple calf kicks. Tavares advances, is intercepted and still snaps out a jab. Meerschaert kicks him in the lead leg again, and he leans back and gets drilled with a long two-punch string right down the middle. Tavares clips Meerschaert a second time with a right hand, and “GM3” catches a kick and zips a kick back at his adversary’s head. Tavares comes up short with a spinning back fist, and the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Tavares

Round 2
Fists are bumped to start off the second round, and Tavares gets right behind a double jab. Tavares plunks Meerschaert with a right hand and has a high kick buzz past his hair. Tavares plants a heavy leg kick that strips the legs out beneath the grappler, and Beltran allows him to stand up as Tavares does not want to hit the ground with him. Meerschaert blitzes forward, landing at the end of a pair of combinations and backing off from front kicks. He then charges again, scoring twice with a solid lefts before mashing Tavares against the cage. “GM3” slashes with an elbow on the break, and he sneaks in a left hand as Tavares clutches his jaw awkwardly. Tavares overswings, and Meerschaert ducks down to level change. Tavares stonewalls him, boots him in the face and then slams a leg kick home. Two heavy punches from the Hawaiian get through, and Meerschaert answers him with two doubled lefts. He tries this double-left attack two more times, and Tavares sees it coming and circles off. Meerschaert connects with a powerful uppercut to push Tavares back, and he hammers Tavares with a body kick after they split up. Meerschaert sells out for a single that comes up way short of succeeding, and Tavares backs him away with a front kick and a blistering uppercut. Meerschaert shells up to defend a body kick, and the front kick that follows gets through. Tavares skirts away from looping punches, and they clash legs when kicking at the same moment. Tavares slips in a one-two, gets his head snapped back and still lands. Meerschaert throws back harder, and he gets Tavares’ attention just a moment. Body kicks fly from both men, and Tavares winds up with a right hand that staggers the grappler. “GM3” shakes out the cobwebs and scores as left hand down the middle. The bell rings.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Tavares

Round 3
Fists are bumped, and fighters engage right after it with clubbing punches. Meerschaert darts in for a takedown, and he runs directly into a body kick. Tavares hops back and in with a jab, and he runs forward and is tripped. Meerschaert lets him back up so he can target the body a few times, and Tavares kicks him in the guts and has to defend a takedown. Meerschaert nearly gets him down, Tavares pulls a finger off the wall and bounces off well enough to stay upright. Meerschaert clings to his side, fishing his legs in for a trip. Beltran asks for more activity as “GM3” hangs on from partial back control standing, and he kicks out Tavares’ other foot for a second of instability. He kicks the same foot again, and Tavares has to rejigger himself to not get tripped up. Meerschaert keeps attacking the feet when not trying to use his body weight to wrench Tavares down, and the Hawaiian is able to defend well enough as precious seconds tick off the clock. Beltran needs something more from the fighters, and Meerschaert exerts himself but is not able to get it down. Tavares puts his back to the fence, and his takedown defense is enough to stifle the Kill Cliff FC fighter’s every effort. Beltran breaks them apart with 70 seconds left, and Meerschaert practically runs towards his opponent flailing his fists, Tavares is more composed with straight strikes, and he has his kick parried and he rolls with a punch. Meerschaert lunges at him with two left hands to then go after a single, and Tavares breaks free with 15 seconds to go. Meerschaert runs forward, lets fly a body kick, and he slings three unsuccessful head kicks to conclude the lackluster pairing.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert (29-28 Tavares)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert (29-28 Tavares)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert (29-28 Tavares)

The Official Result
Brad Tavares def. Gerald Meerschaert via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Mar 30, 2025 (6 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

Angelo notes Brad Tavares has fought everyone and has solid striking and 80% takedown defense, while Gerald Meerschaert is a good grappler but sucks on the feet and gets hit a lot. He warns that taking Meerschaert down is dangerous, but Tavares has the fight IQ to avoid that. Angelo picks Tavares but thinks the odds are high for a guy with only one win in three years, and suggests a 'win inside the distance' prop might be a sharp play.

win inside the distance decision no action might be a Mir sharp play here
"Brad tovares is going to be the pick this actually could be an entertaining fight though."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Apr 1, 2025 (4 days before fight)
Gerald Meerschaert

Big Brady picks the underdog Gerald Meerschaert, citing Brad Tavares's decline after the Dricus du Plessis fight and poor recent performances. He believes Meerschaert has underrated striking and a huge grappling advantage, and expects him to submit Tavares in the second round.

second round submission
"give me Gerald mirart Gerald mirart second round submission"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked Apr 3, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Gerald Meerschaert

Connor agrees with Zane, picking Meerschaert. He emphasizes that Tavares is a neutralizer who no longer believes in his own power and doesn't follow up on damage. Connor notes that Meerschaert has become craftier on the feet and that Tavares's defensive shell will be his downfall. He calls the matchup terrible matchmaking but sees Meerschaert as the logical winner.

"I'm fine with it. Okay. Okay. Yeah."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Apr 3, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Gerald Meerschaert

Tavares is clearly diminishing at 1-4 in his last five fights. Meerschaert can push a pace and get the grappling going in the first and second rounds, leading to a classic Meerschaert submission in round two or three.

submission in round 2 or 3
"I think mirart can push a pace and really get the grappling going in the first and second round eventually leading to a classic mirart submission either in round one or sorry in round two or round three."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Lean picked Apr 3, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

The Guru picks Brad Tavares, emphasizing his takedown defense and ability to keep the fight standing. He thinks Meerschaert's body kicks and takedown attempts will be slow and predictable, and Tavares will be snappier on the feet. He expects a decision win for Tavares, though notes Meerschaert comes alive in the third round.

Brad Tavares by decision
"I am going to lean towards Brad Savvarez here. And I'm going to take him to win this fight by decision as the fight goes on."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked Apr 3, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Gerald Meerschaert

Zane picks Meerschaert, arguing that Brad Tavares is 'cooked' and no longer dangerous. He notes Tavares's lack of motivation, tendency to shell up when hurt, and inability to finish fights. Zane points out that Meerschaert has improved his boxing and reach usage, and has a win over Bruno Silva who knocked out Tavares. He believes Meerschaert's willingness to win and Tavares's decline make Meerschaert the clear pick.

Tavares opened -257, now -202; Meerschaert opened +206, now +191. Zane finds the line weird given Tavares's recent losses.
"You still got to pick Mirchardt, right? Yeah, you have to pick me a shirt. I can't pick Brad Tavares against anyone anymore."
LOSS vs JunYong Park
Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira · Oct 12, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
JunYong Park 0 65 of 149 43% 73 of 159 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:42
Brad Tavares 0 99 of 177 55% 124 of 210 2 of 6 33% 0 0 6:32
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 JunYong Park 0 26 of 57 45% 27 of 60 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:42
Brad Tavares 0 19 of 46 41% 21 of 48 0 of 2 0% 0 0 1:18
2 JunYong Park 0 31 of 80 38% 31 of 80 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Brad Tavares 0 67 of 108 62% 68 of 109 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:35
3 JunYong Park 0 8 of 12 66% 15 of 19 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Brad Tavares 0 13 of 23 56% 35 of 53 1 of 3 33% 0 0 4:39
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
JunYong Park 65 of 149 43% 55 of 136 2 of 3 8 of 10 62 of 143 0 of 1 3 of 5
Brad Tavares 99 of 177 55% 76 of 151 4 of 6 19 of 20 91 of 167 3 of 5 5 of 5
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 JunYong Park 26 of 57 45% 21 of 52 0 of 0 5 of 5 23 of 52 0 of 0 3 of 5
Brad Tavares 19 of 46 41% 12 of 37 2 of 3 5 of 6 19 of 46 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 JunYong Park 31 of 80 38% 27 of 73 2 of 3 2 of 4 31 of 79 0 of 1 0 of 0
Brad Tavares 67 of 108 62% 52 of 93 1 of 1 14 of 14 64 of 103 3 of 5 0 of 0
3 JunYong Park 8 of 12 66% 7 of 11 0 of 0 1 of 1 8 of 12 0 of 0 0 of 0
Brad Tavares 13 of 23 56% 12 of 21 1 of 2 0 of 0 8 of 18 0 of 0 5 of 5
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Oct 6, 2024 (6 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

Angelo picks Brad Tavares, citing his experience and takedown defense. He notes that Park Jun-yong is not dangerous enough to finish Tavares, lacking one-punch power and nasty takedowns. Angelo believes Tavares will defend takedowns and land clean strikes for a straightforward win.

"I think Brad tarus wins this fight... pretty straightforward win here."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Oct 10, 2024 (2 days before fight)
JunYong Park

Big Brady picks Park Jun-yong by decision. He thinks the fight will be close and go to the judges, but he cannot pick Brad Tavares due to his decline. Tavares has taken a lot of damage and looked poor in recent fights, including a lackluster win over Chris Weidman. Park was on a five-fight win streak before a close loss to Andre Muniz. Brady expects the fight to stay on the feet and Park to do better work, though it could be a close decision.

Park by decision
"I'm sticking with my pick here it's it's Park I do think this fight is going to be close though"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Hesitant picked Oct 10, 2024 (2 days before fight)
JunYong Park

Connor also picks Park but is hesitant, noting that Tavares still has great takedown defense and can strike. He points out that Park's best path is through grappling, but Tavares stuffs takedowns. Connor thinks Park can win a striking battle because Tavares doesn't throw combinations and is passive, but it's a risky fight for Park.

Same odds commentary.
"I trust him to win that scrap. Like I say he sets traps. He will work a low kick and work a jab until his opponent starts to provide openings."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Confident picked Oct 8, 2024 (4 days before fight)
JunYong Park

Daniel highlights Park's well-rounded skills, pace, and wrestling ability, noting that he was close to knocking out RoboCop. He criticizes Tavares's recent decline, pointing out that RoboCop walked through him with zero respect. Daniel believes Park's physicality and durability will be key, and he predicts a knockout victory, citing that Park has been overdue for his first UFC KO.

by KO
"I think he's going to and I think he might even do it by knockout... I'm gonna go Jun Young Park the Iron Turtle to come out here and knockout Brad Tavares in Vegas."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Oct 11, 2024 (1 day before fight)
Brad Tavares

Tavares is on a rough run but this is a winnable matchup if he keeps it in the striking realm. Park has decent power but not enough to catch Tavares. Tavares will land better strikes, leg kicks, stop takedowns, and win on the scorecards over 15 minutes.

"I think we'll see Tavares land the better strikes land some good leg kicks stop the takedowns and land the better shots over the course of 15 minutes winning this fight on the scorecards"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Oct 8, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

The MMA Guru picks Brad Tavares, noting that Tavares cannot be taken down and has good cardio. He criticizes Park Jun-yong's striking and believes Tavares will out-strike him for a TKO or decision. He acknowledges Tavares has been KO'd recently but sees Park lacking the power to finish him.

TKO or decision
"I'm gonna say Brad tarez I don't see yunong Park having the power to put him away by TKO... I'm going to go with Brad tarez getting this one done by TKO on the feet or a decision"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Hesitant picked Oct 10, 2024 (2 days before fight)
JunYong Park

Zane picks Park but is hesitant because Tavares has excellent takedown defense, which neutralizes Park's best weapon. He notes that Park's striking is crafty but he is short and gets hit often, and Tavares is a durable defensive striker who doesn't leave many openings. Zane trusts Park to win a kickboxing match due to his volume and trap-setting, but acknowledges it's a tough fight.

Tavares opened at +147, now +159; Park opened at -166, now -180. Zane thinks the line could be wider.
"I think in that weird way is kickboxing is best served when his opponent is not a comfortable striker at all. And otherwise the highlight of his game tends to be his wrestling game."
TKO (punches) R3 0:55 · UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Pyfer · Feb 10, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Gregory Rodrigues 0 37 of 84 44% 42 of 90 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Brad Tavares 0 71 of 123 57% 79 of 135 2 of 6 33% 0 0 3:18
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Gregory Rodrigues 0 14 of 30 46% 19 of 36 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Brad Tavares 0 25 of 49 51% 29 of 55 1 of 3 33% 0 0 1:56
2 Gregory Rodrigues 0 18 of 39 46% 18 of 39 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Brad Tavares 0 22 of 40 55% 26 of 46 1 of 3 33% 0 0 1:22
3 Gregory Rodrigues 0 5 of 15 33% 5 of 15 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Brad Tavares 0 24 of 34 70% 24 of 34 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Gregory Rodrigues 37 of 84 44% 28 of 70 4 of 9 5 of 5 36 of 83 1 of 1 0 of 0
Brad Tavares 71 of 123 57% 53 of 102 8 of 9 10 of 12 64 of 114 7 of 9 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Gregory Rodrigues 14 of 30 46% 10 of 24 1 of 3 3 of 3 14 of 30 0 of 0 0 of 0
Brad Tavares 25 of 49 51% 19 of 41 4 of 5 2 of 3 20 of 43 5 of 6 0 of 0
2 Gregory Rodrigues 18 of 39 46% 14 of 32 2 of 5 2 of 2 17 of 38 1 of 1 0 of 0
Brad Tavares 22 of 40 55% 13 of 30 3 of 3 6 of 7 20 of 37 2 of 3 0 of 0
3 Gregory Rodrigues 5 of 15 33% 4 of 14 1 of 1 0 of 0 5 of 15 0 of 0 0 of 0
Brad Tavares 24 of 34 70% 21 of 31 1 of 1 2 of 2 24 of 34 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Feb 4, 2024 (6 days before fight)
Gregory Rodrigues

Angelo describes Gregory Rodrigues as a powerful striker with a BJJ black belt and good takedown defense, and notes he is a threat everywhere. Brad Tavares is tough and experienced but not dangerous, with only two finishes in 15 UFC wins. Angelo believes Rodrigues' forward pressure and power will win the fight, likely by decision due to Tavares' durability.

"Gregory Rodriguez is going to win this fight."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Feb 5, 2024 (5 days before fight)
Gregory Rodrigues

Big Brady picks Gregory Rodrigues to win by second-round knockout. He notes that Rodrigues has power and durability issues, but Tavares has no finishing ability and is getting older. He expects Rodrigues to march forward and land a big shot, knocking out Tavares. He mentions that Tavares couldn't finish 41-year-old Matt Wyman, which was a terrible look.

second round knockout
"give me Rodriguez here I'll take him to win this fight by second round knockdown"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Feb 7, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Gregory Rodrigues

Cody picks Rodrigues, noting Tavares lacks power and has not knocked anyone out in years. He thinks Rodrigues' size and pressure will be too much, and that Tavares' low volume and lack of finishing ability play into Rodrigues' hands. Cody expects a decision win for Rodrigues, possibly 29-28 or 30-27.

"Rodriguez is the pick for me"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Lean picked Feb 5, 2024 (5 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

Tavares has a striking advantage and solid takedown defense. He should be able to control the fight with leg kicks and counter striking. Rodrigues may strike himself exhausted trying to finish. Tavares' durability is a non-issue, and his losses are to top-tier competition. At +195, this is a no-brainer spot for the veteran to win by decision.

"I'm going to lean with Tavaris here the veteran experience the Striking Advantage hopefully his durability holds up which I believe again is a nonissue and at plus 195 no brainer spot here give me the veteran brat tarz to …"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Feb 7, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Gregory Rodrigues

Paul agrees, calling Tavares a gatekeeper who doesn't pose many threats. He notes Tavares' lack of knockout power and that Rodrigues is huge for the weight class. Paul thinks Rodrigues' grappling and pressure will be decisive, and that Tavares' takedown defense may not hold up. He expects a clear decision for Rodrigues.

"I'm GNA have to agree as well Brad tarz is very serviceable like you said but uh he's he's a gatekeeper"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Feb 7, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Gregory Rodrigues

The MMA Guru picks Gregory Rodrigues with high confidence, criticizing Brad Tavares for not finishing a compromised Chris Weidman. He believes Tavares is not high-level and lacks punch power. He expects Rodrigues to find a TKO win on the feet, as he does not think Tavares can put him away.

TKO win
"I'm going to go Gregory Rodriguez no doubt in my mind about this either... I'm gonna side with Gregory Rodriguez finding some kind of TKO win over Brad Tavarez on the feet."
WIN vs Chris Weidman
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) R3 5:00 · UFC 292: Sterling vs. O'Malley · Aug 19, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Brad Tavares 0 37 of 92 40% 39 of 94 0 of 8 0% 0 0 1:21
Chris Weidman 0 70 of 115 60% 71 of 116 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Brad Tavares 0 7 of 20 35% 7 of 20 0 of 3 0% 0 0 0:12
Chris Weidman 0 16 of 29 55% 16 of 29 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Brad Tavares 0 20 of 41 48% 22 of 43 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:54
Chris Weidman 0 27 of 44 61% 28 of 45 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Brad Tavares 0 10 of 31 32% 10 of 31 0 of 3 0% 0 0 0:15
Chris Weidman 0 27 of 42 64% 27 of 42 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Brad Tavares 37 of 92 40% 30 of 77 5 of 12 2 of 3 35 of 90 2 of 2 0 of 0
Chris Weidman 70 of 115 60% 21 of 61 8 of 9 41 of 45 68 of 113 2 of 2 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Brad Tavares 7 of 20 35% 5 of 17 1 of 2 1 of 1 7 of 20 0 of 0 0 of 0
Chris Weidman 16 of 29 55% 8 of 21 0 of 0 8 of 8 16 of 29 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Brad Tavares 20 of 41 48% 16 of 32 3 of 8 1 of 1 18 of 39 2 of 2 0 of 0
Chris Weidman 27 of 44 61% 8 of 23 5 of 5 14 of 16 25 of 42 2 of 2 0 of 0
3 Brad Tavares 10 of 31 32% 9 of 28 1 of 2 0 of 1 10 of 31 0 of 0 0 of 0
Chris Weidman 27 of 42 64% 5 of 17 3 of 4 19 of 21 27 of 42 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Hesitant picked Aug 13, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

Angelo picks Brad Tavares despite believing Chris Weidman is the better fighter everywhere. He cites Weidman's two-year layoff, age (39), and horrific leg injury as major unknowns. He thinks Tavares will be a step ahead and faster, but admits he could be wrong and hopes Weidman wins. He advises against betting this fight due to the uncertainty.

"I still think that line is wide... Brad Tavares is going to win this fight... save your money just watch this fight."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Aug 12, 2023 (7 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

Big Brady picks Brad Tavares to win by third-round knockout, calling it his hot take. He believes Weidman's takedown attempts will be stuffed by Tavares' elite takedown defense, wearing on Weidman's gas tank. Brady notes Weidman hasn't impressed since 2017 and has been knocked out in all six losses, while Tavares is tough and has never been knocked out.

win by KO, round 3
"my hot take for the week is actually think uh Brad Tavares knocks out Chris Weidman... third round finish"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Lean picked Aug 15, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Chris Weidman

Cody argues that Tavares is a gatekeeper with no knockout power and all his wins are by decision against lower-level opponents. Weidman, despite the leg break and layoff, has a wrestling advantage and could control Tavares. He thinks the line is too favorable to Tavares and likes Weidman as a value underdog, likely by decision.

over 1.5 rounds at -200; fight time over 11 minutes; Weidman by decision
"I will take that plus money on Chris Weidman but Whiteman on the PRP don't be a coward"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Aug 17, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

Daniel Levi confidently picks Brad Tavares, arguing that Weidman has been washed up since pre-pandemic and has declined significantly since USADA testing. He notes that Weidman has been knocked out in six of his last eight fights and gasses after round one. Levi praises Tavares' takedown defense and balance, and believes Tavares will stuff takedowns, get Weidman to a fatigue state, and either out-volume or knock him out. He is waiting for a better price but is comfortable with Tavares.

Waiting for minus 250 or better; Tavares by knockout or decision
"I think Brad's close to the end but I think Chris is past the end... I'm gonna go Brad Tavares"
LU
Lucrative James Expert Confident picked Aug 18, 2023 (1 day before fight)
Brad Tavares

Lucrative James confidently picks Brad Tavares, citing Chris Weidman's horrific leg injury, age (39), and being washed before the injury. He believes Tavares will finish Weidman, as Weidman has been finished in six of his last seven fights. He sees no value on the underdog here.

"I think Tavares is going to go out there and finish him"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Aug 15, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Chris Weidman

Weidman has a clear path to victory via grappling. Tavares is not a knockout threat and has been taken down by wrestlers before. Weidman's durability has held up recently, and at +220 the line is too wide. He should be able to grind out a decision or possibly find a submission.

"I'm going to take a shot on the All-American for him to go out there and get his hand raised by a decision"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Aug 14, 2023 (5 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

The MMA Guru picks Brad Tavares over Chris Weidman. He cites Weidman's long layoff after a leg break and doubts his KO ability. He praises Tavares' takedown defense and durability, noting he hung in with Dricus du Plessis. He expects Tavares to outpoint Weidman on the feet, possibly winning by TKO in rounds 2-3 or a 30-27 decision.

TKO in round 2 or 3, or decision 30-27
"I'm gonna have to go with Brad Tavarez over Weidman"
LOSS vs Bruno Silva
TKO (knee and punch) R1 3:35 · UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes · Apr 22, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Bruno Silva 0 15 of 64 23% 15 of 65 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Brad Tavares 1 23 of 51 45% 24 of 52 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:02
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Bruno Silva 0 15 of 64 23% 15 of 65 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Brad Tavares 1 23 of 51 45% 24 of 52 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:02
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Bruno Silva 15 of 64 23% 11 of 56 4 of 8 0 of 0 15 of 64 0 of 0 0 of 0
Brad Tavares 23 of 51 45% 17 of 40 5 of 9 1 of 2 21 of 48 1 of 2 1 of 1
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Bruno Silva 15 of 64 23% 11 of 56 4 of 8 0 of 0 15 of 64 0 of 0 0 of 0
Brad Tavares 23 of 51 45% 17 of 40 5 of 9 1 of 2 21 of 48 1 of 2 1 of 1
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Bruno Silva vs. Brad Tavares
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tavares (-155), Silva (+135)

Round 1
A banger at 185 pounds is on deck for the co-headliner of this Fight Night, as Tavares (19-7, 14-7 UFC) looks to hold the middleweight line against the lead-fisted Silva (22-8, 3-2 UFC). One of these two fighters will get back in the win column here and potentially push their way back into the top 15, and they will have 15 minutes at max to do so. Referee Mark Smith has donned his hard hat, and the two fighters bump fists in front of his eyes. Tavares doubles up on the jab after the bump, and Silva springs out of the way. Silva walks forward and ducks a big punch, and he misses the mark with his own heavy left hook. Silva lets go with a leg kick, and Tavares intercepts him with a powerful body kick. Tavares times a right and a left, with the left landing behind the ear and getting Silva’s attention. Tavares boots Silva upside the head, and Silva blocks most of it and throws back with a vengeance. A long jab from Tavares makes Silva stumble, but Silva gathers his bearings and knocks Tavares back with a right hand. The Hawaiian releases a kick to the ribs, a one-two and a front kick in rapid succession, and Silva attempts to tie him up and knee him in the face. The two middleweights throw from their hips, and they reset to exchange from a distance. Silva leans down to guard a body kick, and he counters a reaching Tavares with an uppercut. They trade single, long punches, and Tavares lets fly a high kick. Silva sneaks a right hand over the top to rock Tavares, and the Hawaiian wobbles back but is still very much in the fight. Silva trades back when Tavares engages with him, and Silva stings Tavares with a short combination.
“Blindado” uncoils a powerful knee and a blindingly fast right hand that gets around the guard, and Tavares collapses to his back. Smith halts the fight when Tavares goes down, and Tavares immediately complains that he was not knocked out and was still in the fight.
Regardless of the feelings of the stoppage, the result is what it is, and Silva has turned things around to record a very important knockout. Silva reminds the division of the power in his fists with this victory, and he may have claimed a spot in the top 15 at the expense of ranked Chris Curtis.

The Official Result
Bruno Silva def. Brad Tavares R1 3:35 via TKO (Knee and Punch)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Hesitant picked Apr 16, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Bruno Silva

Angelo picks Bruno Silva despite his recent loss, attributing it to a bad night. He believes in Silva's raw talent, power, and BJJ, and thinks he can beat Brad Tavares who is well-rounded but not exceptional at anything. He acknowledges the risk and advises others to do their own research, noting that if you think Silva is broken, then pick Tavares. He is not betting on this fight.

No bet on this fight.
"I'm still gonna ride with Bruno here... Bruno Silva's gonna be the pick I'm not touching it with bets."
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Apr 18, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Bruno Silva

Big Brady picks Bruno Silva as a dog to knock out Brad Tavares in the first round. He is hesitant because Silva looked awful in his last fight, appearing sluggish and drunk, but if the 'sober' Silva shows up, he has the power to knock out Tavares, who has been knocked out multiple times. Brady is scared by Silva's last performance and won't put a ton of money on him, but he still picks Silva to win early.

first round knockout
"I'm going to take Bruno Silva here as a dog I'm gonna say he does knock out Brad Tavares ... I'll say first round knockout"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Apr 19, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Bruno Silva

Cody picks Bruno Silva as an underdog, criticizing Brad Tavares as one-dimensional and not exceptional. He notes Tavares fades in later rounds and allows opponents to outwork him, as seen against Dricus du Plessis. Cody believes Silva has power and can land damaging strikes, possibly getting a knockout or winning a decision. He mentions Silva went 15 minutes with Alex Pereira and landed heavy shots.

"this is a dog or pass fight so I'll actually take the underdog in a second straight one Bruno uh it's no disrespect to Brad Tavares just him favorite versus anybody I'm not particularly interested"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked Apr 20, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

Connor picks Tavares, arguing that Silva is one-dimensional and falls apart when his wild hooks are neutralized. He notes that Tavares is a solid defensive wrestler and technical striker, and that Silva's inefficiency will cause him to gas. However, he acknowledges that Silva hits hard and could catch Tavares if he gets into a lull, but overall Tavares should grind out a win.

"I guess I'll pick Brad, but I do have a feeling that like these dudes are just going to continue having more and more chances at hurting Brad."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Apr 17, 2023 (5 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

Brad Tavares has good striking defense and durability, as shown against Dricus du Plessis where he was not knocked down. He can mix in takedowns to avoid Bruno Silva's power. Silva is knockout-reliant and has poor takedown defense; he tends to get outstruck by technical strikers. Tavares should be able to outwork Silva over three rounds, using combinations and leg/body kicks. Silva may slow down, allowing Tavares to increase output and win a decision.

Tavares by decision
"Brad Tavares does great in terms of throwing combinations ending with leg kicks or body kicks and I think he has a good enough overall game... I'm going to say Brad Tavares by decision"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Hesitant picked Apr 19, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Bruno Silva

Paul also picks Bruno Silva, agreeing with Cody that Brad Tavares is not someone he likes as a favorite. He sees a path for Silva to win by decision or knockout, noting Tavares' durability may be fading. However, Paul admits he is not actually betting this fight, calling it a pass for betting purposes.

"plus 130 not a fight that I'm actually gonna bet but for this purposes of this show uh Bruno Silva will be my pick as well"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Lean picked Apr 18, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

The MMA Guru picks Brad Tavares over Bruno Silva. He notes Silva's loss to GM3 and damage from Pereira, while Tavares has a granite chin and good grappling. He thinks Tavares can use his takedowns and technical striking to win. He is not fully confident but leans toward Tavares.

"I'm gonna go with Brad Tavares over Bruno Silva here Bruno Silva lost to gm3... I'm gonna side with Tavares he's got a granite chin so I don't see Bruno Silva finishing him"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Hesitant picked Apr 20, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Brad Tavares

Zane picks Tavares but is hesitant, noting that Tavares is fundamentally solid but hasn't evolved and often lulls in fights. He worries that Silva's power and awkwardness could catch Tavares, similar to how Dricus du Plessis did. However, he thinks Silva is too messy and inefficient, and that Tavares's defensive wrestling and jab should carry him to a decision win.

"I'll pick Brad Tavares along with you because Bruno Silva really does... seem like he fits the absolute bill of the kind of fighter that gets into the UFC, gets a couple of really good, shocking wins while people don't …"
Marc-André Barriault - Fight History
SCHED vs Brad Tavares
UFC Fight Night 281 · Jul 18, 2026
Decision R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira · Feb 07, 2026
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Michał Oleksiejczuk 0 140 of 221 63% 143 of 225 1 of 3 33% 0 0 0:30
Marc-André Barriault 0 77 of 201 38% 79 of 204 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:02
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Michał Oleksiejczuk 0 47 of 73 64% 47 of 73 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:08
Marc-André Barriault 0 19 of 54 35% 19 of 54 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Michał Oleksiejczuk 0 41 of 68 60% 42 of 69 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Marc-André Barriault 0 33 of 80 41% 34 of 81 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Michał Oleksiejczuk 0 52 of 80 65% 54 of 83 0 of 2 0% 0 0 0:22
Marc-André Barriault 0 25 of 67 37% 26 of 69 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:02
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Michał Oleksiejczuk 140 of 221 63% 91 of 161 39 of 49 10 of 11 138 of 218 1 of 1 1 of 2
Marc-André Barriault 77 of 201 38% 57 of 178 16 of 19 4 of 4 59 of 173 18 of 28 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Michał Oleksiejczuk 47 of 73 64% 32 of 56 8 of 9 7 of 8 46 of 71 0 of 0 1 of 2
Marc-André Barriault 19 of 54 35% 9 of 44 6 of 6 4 of 4 19 of 54 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Michał Oleksiejczuk 41 of 68 60% 27 of 49 11 of 16 3 of 3 40 of 67 1 of 1 0 of 0
Marc-André Barriault 33 of 80 41% 28 of 74 5 of 6 0 of 0 21 of 60 12 of 20 0 of 0
3 Michał Oleksiejczuk 52 of 80 65% 32 of 56 20 of 24 0 of 0 52 of 80 0 of 0 0 of 0
Marc-André Barriault 25 of 67 37% 20 of 60 5 of 7 0 of 0 19 of 59 6 of 8 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Feb 1, 2026 (6 days before fight)
Michał Oleksiejczuk

Angelo picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing his fast hands and power, with 8 knockouts in 9 UFC wins. He notes that Barriault's chin seems to be fading and that Oleksiejczuk hits incredibly hard. He acknowledges Barriault's wrestling could be a problem but thinks Oleksiejczuk's speed and power will prevail. He suggests under 2.5 rounds might be solid.

Under 2.5 rounds might be solid
"I'm going to pick McCall here because I think the chin's kind of fading a little bit on Mark Andre. McCall hits hard as hell."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Feb 1, 2026 (6 days before fight)
Michał Oleksiejczuk

Big Brady picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing that Marc-André Barriault's chin has been cracked recently, with three knockout losses in his last four fights. He believes Oleksiejczuk's pressure and power will be too much for Barriault, who has taken a lot of damage. He predicts a first-round finish.

by first round finish
"Mikuel Jose by first round finish."
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Feb 4, 2026 (3 days before fight)
Michał Oleksiejczuk

Cody agrees, highlighting Oleksiejczuk's 8 first-round KOs in 9 UFC wins. He notes Barriault's history of being knocked out in the first round and his inability to change his game. Cody expects Oleksiejczuk to win by KO or decision, but is confident in the victory.

"He's either going to knock out Mark Andre Barry in the first round or he's going to win a split decision. But I think he wins in either case."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked Feb 5, 2026 (2 days before fight)
Michał Oleksiejczuk

Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Oleksiejczuk is a good athlete who is not shot, while Barriault is past his prime and gets hurt easily. He thinks Oleksiejczuk will put it all on Barriault and likely hurt him early. He mentions that Barriault's only chance is if Oleksiejczuk's cardio fades.

Same odds discussion.
"I'll take a look at Sajak too."
LU
Lucrative James Expert Confident picked Feb 1, 2026 (6 days before fight)
Michał Oleksiejczuk

Lucrative James picks Michał Oleksiejczuk to win by KO in round one. He believes Barriault's chin is compromised and that Oleksiejczuk's power and early-round danger will be too much. James notes that Barriault's style of walking forward plays into Oleksiejczuk's hands, and he expects a quick finish.

KO in round 1
"My official prediction on this fight is Michelle Alex to KO Mar Andre Bariel in round one."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Feb 3, 2026 (4 days before fight)
Michał Oleksiejczuk

The host picks Oleksiejczuk by knockout, but notes the line is too wide at -350. He believes Oleksiejczuk's power will eventually find Barriault's chin, but warns that Barriault could make it tough if his chin holds up, using clinch work and cardio to wear Oleksiejczuk down. He suggests a live bet on Barriault in later rounds.

plus 285 on Barriault is worth a sprinkle; live betting Barriault in rounds 2-3
"So the prediction is going to be Ole Shuk by knock. I think he eventually lands that big shot and puts Bario away. But in terms of odds, minus 350 is just far too wide to be confident enough on …"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Feb 4, 2026 (3 days before fight)
Michał Oleksiejczuk

Paul picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, expecting a first-round knockout. He notes Barriault's recent durability issues and Oleksiejczuk's power, especially since joining Fighting Nerds. Paul believes Oleksiejczuk's improved patience and game planning will lead to an early finish.

"Mikey O knockout round one for me."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Feb 7, 2026 (fight day)
Michał Oleksiejczuk

The host picks Michał Oleksiejczuk over Marc-André Barriault. He notes Oleksiejczuk has real power at middleweight and a resurgence since joining Fighting Nerds. He thinks Barriault has been on the receiving end of too many TKO losses. He predicts a first-round TKO.

first round TKO
"I think Michał Oleksiejczuk's dusting him up in round one by TKO."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked Feb 5, 2026 (2 days before fight)
Michał Oleksiejczuk

Zane picks Oleksiejczuk because he is not physically washed and has a good multi-level striking attack. He notes that Barriault gets hurt too easily and is vulnerable, as seen in his fight against Shara Bullet. He thinks Oleksiejczuk will hurt Barriault quickly, though if it doesn't work out, it could become a hairy fight.

Oleksiejczuk opened at -225, currently -550; Barriault at +400.
"I think I have to take Michael Oksajuk."
Decision R3 5:00 · UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder · Jul 26, 2025
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Sharabutdin Magomedov 0 93 of 142 65% 103 of 153 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:57
Marc-André Barriault 0 39 of 77 50% 60 of 100 2 of 6 33% 0 0 4:30
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Sharabutdin Magomedov 0 22 of 36 61% 23 of 37 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:17
Marc-André Barriault 0 5 of 17 29% 12 of 24 1 of 2 50% 0 0 1:27
2 Sharabutdin Magomedov 0 37 of 61 60% 37 of 61 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:11
Marc-André Barriault 0 29 of 44 65% 39 of 55 1 of 2 50% 0 0 1:47
3 Sharabutdin Magomedov 0 34 of 45 75% 43 of 55 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:29
Marc-André Barriault 0 5 of 16 31% 9 of 21 0 of 2 0% 0 0 1:16
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Sharabutdin Magomedov 93 of 142 65% 42 of 82 27 of 33 24 of 27 58 of 93 30 of 39 5 of 10
Marc-André Barriault 39 of 77 50% 24 of 54 13 of 19 2 of 4 21 of 56 18 of 21 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Sharabutdin Magomedov 22 of 36 61% 5 of 15 4 of 7 13 of 14 19 of 30 3 of 6 0 of 0
Marc-André Barriault 5 of 17 29% 4 of 12 1 of 5 0 of 0 3 of 14 2 of 3 0 of 0
2 Sharabutdin Magomedov 37 of 61 60% 19 of 40 14 of 15 4 of 6 20 of 40 17 of 21 0 of 0
Marc-André Barriault 29 of 44 65% 16 of 28 12 of 13 1 of 3 13 of 26 16 of 18 0 of 0
3 Sharabutdin Magomedov 34 of 45 75% 18 of 27 9 of 11 7 of 7 19 of 23 10 of 12 5 of 10
Marc-André Barriault 5 of 16 31% 4 of 14 0 of 1 1 of 1 5 of 16 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Jul 20, 2025 (6 days before fight)
Sharabutdin Magomedov

Angelo picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, noting he is the much better striker with power and a granite chin. He expects Shara to test Barriault's chin and light him up, as Barriault relies on empty forward pressure and volume but lacks power. He dismisses Shara's loss to MVP as a stylistic mismatch.

"Shara Bullet is the pick."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jul 22, 2025 (4 days before fight)
Sharabutdin Magomedov

Big Brady picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, calling it a clear setup spot. He notes Barriault is likely washed and has a compromised chin, having been knocked out by lesser fighters. He expects Barriault to stand and trade, which plays into Magomedov's hands. He predicts a third-round knockout.

third round knockout
"I got Shara here. I think Shara knocks him out."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked Jul 24, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Sharabutdin Magomedov

Connor believes Barriault's recent durability issues and tendency to stand and trade will play into Shara's hands. He notes Shara's incredible speed and creativity, and while Barriault could win by clinch pressure, he expects him to kickbox and get outclassed.

Odds are too wide; Connor says 'That's a little wide, frankly.'
"I got to take Shara, like Barrio is going to go out there and try to kick box with him and just be a step slower."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jul 23, 2025 (3 days before fight)
Sharabutdin Magomedov

Although the host usually fades Magomedov at high chalky lines, Barriault cannot eat the shots Magomedov will throw. Magomedov will land big shots and find a finish within a round and a half.

finish within 1.5 rounds
"Look for Magov to land those big shots and find that finish within a round and a half."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jul 24, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Sharabutdin Magomedov

The MMA Guru picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, calling it a 'layup' and criticizing the matchmaking. He notes Magomedov's high-volume striking on the back foot and believes Barriault's pressure will play into his hands. He predicts a second or third-round TKO after breaking Barriault down.

TKO, round 2 or 3
"I'm going to go with Sharon Magamemedov getting this one done. second or third round TKO after breaking down Mar Andre Barry all in the first and second."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked Jul 24, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Sharabutdin Magomedov

Zane agrees, noting that Barriault's best chance is to wrestle and clinch, but he expects Barriault to stand and trade. He points out that Shara's speed and power will be too much, and Barriault's chin is questionable after recent knockouts.

"Yeah."
WIN vs Bruno Silva
KO R1 1:27 · UFC 315: Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena · May 10, 2025
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Marc-André Barriault 1 14 of 24 58% 14 of 24 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:18
Bruno Silva 0 6 of 12 50% 6 of 12 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Marc-André Barriault 1 14 of 24 58% 14 of 24 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:18
Bruno Silva 0 6 of 12 50% 6 of 12 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Marc-André Barriault 14 of 24 58% 11 of 19 3 of 4 0 of 1 4 of 10 7 of 10 3 of 4
Bruno Silva 6 of 12 50% 4 of 10 2 of 2 0 of 0 1 of 6 5 of 5 0 of 1
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Marc-André Barriault 14 of 24 58% 11 of 19 3 of 4 0 of 1 4 of 10 7 of 10 3 of 4
Bruno Silva 6 of 12 50% 4 of 10 2 of 2 0 of 0 1 of 6 5 of 5 0 of 1
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Bruno Silva (187: Missed Weight)
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Barriault (-148), Silva (+124)

Round 1
Two skidding knockout artists will try to smash the other, with a pink slip very likely awarded to the losing party. What was a middleweight contest transformed into a catchweight affair as Silva (23-12, 4-6 UFC) missed weight by a pound after asking matchmaker Mick Maynard to give him one more chance. Barriault (16-9, 1 NC; 5-8, 1 NC UFC) also has his back against the wall, but he will have the crowd on his side at least. The two hard-swinging gentlemen do not touch gloves, as referee Luc Lefebvre watches on. Barriault sticks out his jab almost immediately, and he walks face-first into a right hand and fires back to make Silva clutch his eye. The Brazilian recovers and resets, lashing out with two punches that miss the mark and darting back to avoid the counter. Silva reaches out with a right hand and digs a knee to the body, switching stances to set up a kick that does not come. Barriault boots him in the body, and Silva catches the kick and knocks him over with swarming punches. Barriault climbs back up to his feet and jams Silva against the fence, where he unloads with titanic elbows.
His power bar maximum, “Power Bar” smashes Silva in the temple with elbow after ruthless elbow. Silva’s legs wobble and quickly give way, and he collapses face-first on the mat, totally done while Barriault finishes the job with four concussive punches
. The crowd explodes in favor of the Canadian, with “Ole ole ole” chants drowning out any other thought. Silva is still down, as medical officials tend to him. He slowly regains consciousness, but is completely disoriented and clutches his head while Barriault walks to the center of the cage and puts his hands in the prayer gesture. Silva rolls to his back, in serious agony, and Barriault’s celebration is tempered but emotional as he embraces his team. This marks the first time that Silva had ever been knocked out as a pro, and it is a rough one as the medical team tends to him and stretchers him out of the cage.

The Official Result
Marc-Andre Barriault def. Bruno Silva R1 1:27 via KO (Elbows and Punches)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked May 4, 2025 (6 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Angelo picks Marc-André Barriault confidently, noting Bruno Silva is on a four-fight losing skid and looks like a shell of himself. He believes Barriault will win with sheer volume and that Silva will fade. He advises jumping on the -179 odds before they shorten further, predicting Barriault may become a 3-1 favorite by fight night.

"This has to be a Mark Andre pick. He's on his own losing skid, but it's very different vibes. His losses are more about skill and matchup. Mark Andre is just losing to better people."
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked May 6, 2025 (4 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Big Brady calls this the '1800 gambler fight of the week', comparing it to choosing between a turd sandwich and a giant douche. He notes Barriault has no chin and was brutally knocked out recently, but at least he wants to be there. Bruno Silva has lost 7 of 8 and admitted he doesn't want to fight. Brady leans Barriault because Silva's lack of desire is worse than a weak chin. He predicts a second-round knockout for Barriault.

Barriault wins by knockout in round 2
"I'm going to lean with the guy that can't take a shot in Mark Andrebario. ... I'll take him to win this fight by second round knockout."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Lean picked May 7, 2025 (3 days before fight)
Bruno Silva

The host expresses low confidence due to both fighters being flaky—Barriault's durability issues and Silva's anxiety. He leans on Silva landing a big shot within a round and a half to get a knockout victory.

Wins by KO within 1.5 rounds
"I'm going to lean on Silva landing that big shot on Bario within a round and a half and eventually getting that knockout victory."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked May 6, 2025 (4 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

The MMA Guru picks Barriault, believing Bruno Silva has declined significantly since the Pereira fight. He thinks Barriault's pressure, volume, and grappling will overwhelm Silva, who lacks pop and aggression. He predicts a decision win, noting Barriault's consistency and Silva's recent poor performances.

decision
"I actually feel like Mark Andre Barry is going to get this one done. I think he's going to win it by decision."
KO (punches) R1 4:28 · UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi · Nov 02, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Dustin Stoltzfus 0 7 of 11 63% 13 of 17 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:01
Marc-André Barriault 1 13 of 20 65% 23 of 32 0 of 0 --- 1 0 3:54
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Dustin Stoltzfus 0 7 of 11 63% 13 of 17 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:01
Marc-André Barriault 1 13 of 20 65% 23 of 32 0 of 0 --- 1 0 3:54
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Dustin Stoltzfus 7 of 11 63% 6 of 10 1 of 1 0 of 0 0 of 2 7 of 9 0 of 0
Marc-André Barriault 13 of 20 65% 11 of 17 1 of 2 1 of 1 2 of 5 7 of 10 4 of 5
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Dustin Stoltzfus 7 of 11 63% 6 of 10 1 of 1 0 of 0 0 of 2 7 of 9 0 of 0
Marc-André Barriault 13 of 20 65% 11 of 17 1 of 2 1 of 1 2 of 5 7 of 10 4 of 5
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Oct 27, 2024 (6 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Angelo picks Marc-André Barriault, expecting him to weather an early storm from Dustin Stoltzfus and take over with volume. He notes Barriault has impressive striking volume (almost 6 sig strikes per minute) but is also hit a lot. He thinks Stoltzfus is dangerous early with power but has a questionable chin. He suggests betting the over if a 1.5 round line is available, as the fight could go long.

over 1.5 rounds if available
"Mark Andre is going to be the pick I think he can weather an early storm Dustin is dangerous and Mark was just knocked out but I think Joe pyer hits at like a completely different velocity than most other …"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Oct 30, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Big Brady picks Marc-André Barriault to win by decision. He likes Barriault's cardio, volume, and takedown defense. He thinks Stoltzfus's striking is not good and that Barriault will piece him up over 15 minutes. Brady expects Barriault to stuff takedowns and outwork Stoltzfus on the feet.

"give me bario bario to win this fight by decision"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Oct 30, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Cody picks Marc-André Barriault, citing his pressure, power, and volume advantage over Stoltzfus. He notes that Stoltzfus relies on wrestling but has poor takedown success against strong grapplers, and Barriault's takedown defense is solid. He also mentions Stoltzfus's recent KO loss and potential psychological issues, and believes Barriault can finish him late or win a decision.

"I feel like bario should be one of them."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Lean picked Oct 30, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Daniel Vreeland picks Marc-André Barriault, citing his durability and tendency to get better as the fight progresses. He questions Dustin Stoltzfus's confidence and ability to handle adversity, noting that Barriault will expose any weaknesses in cardio or chin. Vreeland acknowledges Stoltzfus's skills but believes Barriault's toughness and pressure will prevail, though the price (-205) makes it a pass for betting.

"I'mma pick Mark Andre bario"
LU
Lucrative James Expert Confident picked Oct 30, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Lucrative James picks Marc-André Barriault, expecting him to dominate with pace and pressure in the clinch. He believes Stoltzfus will be competitive in round one but fade, and that Barriault will get a third-round finish or decision. He highlights Barriault's body shots and uppercuts in the clinch.

round three or decision
"I'm taking mab to survive T some type of storm to have a competitive round one but start to dominate round two and round three"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Oct 31, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Barriault is coming back too quickly after a knockout, but if his durability holds up, he should put pace and pressure on Stoltzfus and finish him in the second or third round via TKO.

finish in second or third round via TKO
"I do believe if his durability hold up holds up here he should do a good enough job in terms of putting pace and pressure on Stoltzfus and finishing him in the second or third round via TKO."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Oct 30, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Paul agrees with Cody, adding that Stoltzfus's recent facial fracture and nerve damage may affect his performance. He notes that Barriault's constant pressure and power should overwhelm Stoltzfus, and he sees a potential late stoppage. He also suggests live betting Barriault if he loses the first round.

"I think bario but I'm going to avoid like the split decision kind of angle... I do actually think it's possible that barrier gets him out of there."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Oct 31, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

The Guru picks Marc-André Barriault over Dustin Stoltzfus, believing Barriault's pace and activity will be decisive. He notes Stoltzfus lacks finishing ability and cardio, while Barriault keeps a high output. He expects a decision win for Barriault.

decision
"I'm G to go against Dustin stsus shock twist I know and go of Mark Andre barel I just see this making it into the decision area"
LOSS vs Joe Pyfer
KO (punches) R1 1:25 · UFC 303: Pereira vs. Prochazka 2 · Jun 29, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Joe Pyfer 1 8 of 10 80% 8 of 10 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:01
Marc-André Barriault 0 0 of 5 0% 0 of 5 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Joe Pyfer 1 8 of 10 80% 8 of 10 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:01
Marc-André Barriault 0 0 of 5 0% 0 of 5 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Joe Pyfer 8 of 10 80% 4 of 5 1 of 2 3 of 3 7 of 9 0 of 0 1 of 1
Marc-André Barriault 0 of 5 0% 0 of 3 0 of 1 0 of 1 0 of 5 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Joe Pyfer 8 of 10 80% 4 of 5 1 of 2 3 of 3 7 of 9 0 of 0 1 of 1
Marc-André Barriault 0 of 5 0% 0 of 3 0 of 1 0 of 1 0 of 5 0 of 0 0 of 0
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Hesitant picked Jun 26, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Joe Pyfer

Cody picks Pyfer but is hesitant due to his cardio issues. He notes that Pyfer has heavy hands and usually finishes fights early, but if Barriault survives the first round, Pyfer may fade. Cody believes Pyfer will learn from his loss to Jack Hermansson and pace himself better, but acknowledges that Barriault's pressure and cardio could cause problems. He expects Pyfer to win a decision or get an early knockout.

"I am going to pick Pyfer... he is the play, I just think the number's way off."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Confident picked Jun 27, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Joe Pyfer

Daniel thinks Pyfer has more power and is more physically imposing than Barriault. He notes that Barriault struggles against higher competition and lacks athleticism. He believes Pyfer learned from his loss to Hermansson and will come back better. He expects a three-round scrap where Pyfer's firepower makes the difference, whether by decision or knockout.

"I think the Firepower of Joe Pyfer is gonna make the difference here... I'm going Joe Pyfer to win this fight and get back on track."
LU
Lucrative James Expert picked Jun 26, 2024 (3 days before fight)

The host does not discuss this fight at all in the transcript. The entire podcast is focused on the Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler fight, which is not on the provided fight card. Therefore, no pick is made for this fight.

MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Hesitant picked Jun 25, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Joe Pyfer

The host picks Pyfer by knockout but is hesitant, noting that Barriault's cardio and volume could cause problems if Pyfer doesn't finish early. He says the longer the fight goes, the more it favors Barriault. He suggests the knockout prop at +200 is a better way to play Pyfer, and also mentions Barriault's decision prop and round 3 prop as potential plays.

Pyfer by knockout at +200; Barriault by decision; Barriault round 3 at +1500
"I ultimately lean with The Knockout power of pyer as I do think he'll end up catching bario clean here I'm putting him out but the longer that this fight goes the more it plays in Bario's favor."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Jun 26, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Paul leans toward Barriault as a live underdog, noting that Pyfer has cardio issues and that Barriault has a high-volume pressure style. He points out that Barriault has gone the distance with tough opponents and that Pyfer tends to slow down after the first round. Paul suggests betting Barriault live after the first round if he survives, as his odds will improve significantly.

"I don't mind Barriault... if you're looking for a dog, you could do a lot worse."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jun 25, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Joe Pyfer

The Guru picks Joe Pyfer over Marc-André Barriault. He notes that Barriault has no power and is a grindy fighter who gets into brawls. He believes Pyfer's technical striking and takedown entries will be key. He predicts Pyfer will finish Barriault by TKO in the first round, as Barriault is hittable and has been KO'd before.

TKO first round
"I'm going to go Joe pyer... TKO first round"
LOSS vs Chris Curtis
Decision (split) (30–27, 28–29, 30–27) R3 5:00 · UFC 297: Strickland vs. du Plessis · Jan 20, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Chris Curtis 0 140 of 258 54% 144 of 262 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Marc-André Barriault 0 122 of 243 50% 124 of 245 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Chris Curtis 0 23 of 48 47% 23 of 48 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Marc-André Barriault 0 18 of 46 39% 18 of 46 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Chris Curtis 0 51 of 99 51% 51 of 99 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Marc-André Barriault 0 45 of 85 52% 45 of 85 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Chris Curtis 0 66 of 111 59% 70 of 115 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Marc-André Barriault 0 59 of 112 52% 61 of 114 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Chris Curtis 140 of 258 54% 101 of 210 35 of 44 4 of 4 116 of 230 24 of 28 0 of 0
Marc-André Barriault 122 of 243 50% 77 of 189 33 of 42 12 of 12 105 of 218 17 of 25 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Chris Curtis 23 of 48 47% 15 of 36 5 of 9 3 of 3 23 of 48 0 of 0 0 of 0
Marc-André Barriault 18 of 46 39% 8 of 35 4 of 5 6 of 6 18 of 46 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Chris Curtis 51 of 99 51% 40 of 85 10 of 13 1 of 1 47 of 95 4 of 4 0 of 0
Marc-André Barriault 45 of 85 52% 28 of 64 14 of 18 3 of 3 45 of 84 0 of 1 0 of 0
3 Chris Curtis 66 of 111 59% 46 of 89 20 of 22 0 of 0 46 of 87 20 of 24 0 of 0
Marc-André Barriault 59 of 112 52% 41 of 90 15 of 19 3 of 3 42 of 88 17 of 24 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean picked Jan 14, 2024 (6 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Angelo leans Barriault, citing his forward pressure, toughness, and Canadian home advantage. He worries that Curtis's counter-striking style may not impress judges if he's backing up. He notes Barriault must avoid Curtis's big hook. He has placed a quarter unit on Barriault at plus 150 and may add more if the line moves.

Quarter unit bet at +150; may add more if line moves to +200
"I am G to pick Mark Andre here I'm going to lean Mark Andre here"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jan 15, 2024 (5 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Big Brady picks Barriault as a dog, saying the odds make no sense. He notes Curtis is a slow starter who gets outlanded in most fights, while Barriault has high volume and is fighting in Canada. He expects a close fight that goes to decision, with Canadian judges potentially favoring Barriault. He doubts either fighter gets a knockout.

split decision
"give me the dog here Mark andario I do not get this line whatsoever"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Jan 17, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Chris Curtis

Cody picks Curtis due to his higher level of competition and power advantage. He notes Curtis is a slow starter but has nasty power and volume. He expects a third-round TKO or decision win for Curtis.

Curtis by TKO in round 3
"I think it's going to be a third round stoppage for by TKO for Action Man or a decision win."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Lean picked Jan 18, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Vreeland picks Barriault as a home dog, noting his grappling and durability. He sees the fight as even but likes the plus money on Barriault. Vreeland acknowledges Barriault's cardio and durability as strengths, but doesn't elaborate on a specific path to victory beyond the value.

plus 165 dog money on home soil
"I'll go with bario I think it's worth a stab at at the dog money on his on his home soil um good Grappler doesn't doesn't rely on grappling very much better Striker but less power than than Curtis so …"
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Lean picked Jan 16, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

Daniel Vreeland picks Marc-André Barriault as a live dog. He notes that Curtis often needs a knockout to win, otherwise he loses decisions. Barriault is durable, has nasty uppercuts and elbows in the clinch, and can crack. Vreeland expects Barriault to win by decision if he survives Curtis's early power.

by decision
"I'm actually gonna pick him to win this fight probably by decision"
JE
Jeff Fox Expert Confident picked Jan 18, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Chris Curtis

Fox picks Curtis, believing he is the right style to beat Barriault. He notes that Barriault's best weapons are cardio and durability, but Curtis doesn't overextend and stays within himself. Fox points to Curtis's defensive grappling against opponents like Brendan Allen and Nassourdine Imavov as evidence he can handle Barriault's grappling. He thinks Barriault gets hit a lot and isn't overly sharp on the feet, so Curtis should win if he doesn't get drawn into prolonged exchanges.

"I think Chris Curtis is the right kind of guy to beat Mark Andre bario uh if if you ask me what Bario's best weapon is I think it's pretty obvious it's disc cardio um it's cardio and his durability …"
LU
Lucrative James Expert picked Feb 6, 2025 (fight day)

This fight is not discussed in the transcript. The host does not mention Curtis vs Barriault.

MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Lean picked Jan 15, 2024 (5 days before fight)
Marc-André Barriault

I'm going with Barriault as an underdog. He is active, high pressure, high pace, and has great cardio. He can stick at distance, utilize kicks, and mix in the clinch. Curtis is reliant on a knockout to win, but Barriault's style should be tough for Curtis to overcome. I think Barriault puts together a better overall body of work and wins by decision.

decision victory
"as an underdog got to go with the guy bario here to go out there and put together their better overall body of workc to get his hand raised by decision"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Jan 17, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Chris Curtis

Paul picks Curtis by KO, citing his power advantage and Barriault's chinny history. He thinks Curtis will land a big shot after a slow start, possibly in round 2 or 3. He notes Barriault's cardio but believes Curtis's power is the difference.

Curtis by KO at +225
"I think Curtis by KO is how I see this fight playing out."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jan 15, 2024 (5 days before fight)
Chris Curtis

The MMA Guru picks Chris Curtis, citing his body work and pressure. He notes Barriault's tendency to get overwhelmed by volume and gassing, and believes Curtis's body shots will be key. He mentions Curtis's power advantage and the motivation from training with Sean Strickland. He predicts a TKO via body shots in round two or three.

TKO via body shots, round 2 or 3
"I'm going with Chris Curtis here over Mark Andre barot"