Career Averages - Joanderson Brito
Career Averages - Jonathan Pearce
Joanderson Brito
Jonathan Pearce
Joanderson Brito - Fight History
The host picks Jordan Leavitt, believing that Leavitt's grappling will be the key. He notes that on the feet, Brito wins 99 out of 100 times, but Leavitt can get takedowns and once on top, Brito will have a hard time getting back to his feet. He expects Leavitt to win, though he's not sure if it will be by finish or decision.
AJ picks Brito to win by submission, citing Brito's superior striking power, Muay Thai, and dangerous jiu-jitsu (ninja choke). He believes Leavitt's wrestling will be neutralized and that Brito will catch a neck as Leavitt leaves it exposed. AJ expects Brito to finish inside the distance, possibly in the later rounds.
AJ mentions Joanderson Brito as an honorable mention, believing he is too physical for Jordan Leavitt and could potentially stop him, maybe by submission in later stages. He notes Brito's slick jiu-jitsu and sees a potential round three submission.
Angelo picks Joanderson Brito, calling himself a Jordan Leavitt hater. He argues that Brito is dangerous both on the feet and on the ground, while Leavitt's striking is subpar and his wrestling isn't good enough to get the fight to the ground consistently. He dismisses Leavitt's recent win over Yadier Delval as beating a 'scam artist'.
Big Brady picks Joanderson Brito to win by submission in the second round. He acknowledges Leavitt's path with wrestling but notes Brito's dangerous front chokes and power on the feet. He thinks Brito's cardio is good and that Leavitt's cardio is suspect, leading to Brito catching Leavitt with a submission or big shot.
Jordan Leavitt is the underdog but has a smart game plan: take Joanderson Brito down and do pitter-patter shots. Brito's grind game has been exposed, and Leavitt can win by decision if he avoids boxing in the pocket. Leavitt's recent win over Jair Delval was dominant.
Cody picks Brito, citing his power and aggression. He notes Leavitt's wrestling is not as effective as it appears, and Brito's physicality and scrambling should prevail. He expects Brito to land bigger shots and win.
Jordan Leavitt is picked as an underdog because his pressure grappling and strength should overwhelm Joanderson Brito, who has struggled with wrestling in recent fights. Brito's gas tank is questionable, and Leavitt's relentless takedowns and top control are a recipe for success. The host already has action on Leavitt at better odds and expects a dominant decision or submission.
Brito has power and should be able to defend takedowns from Leavitt. Leavitt struggles when taken down or controlled. Brito should eventually break Leavitt and get a late second-round TKO.
Lucrative James picks Joanderson Brito, believing Jordan Leavitt's win over Yaddel Val was more due to Val underperforming than Leavitt's elite skill. He notes Brito's athleticism, cardio, and danger on the feet, and expects Brito to avoid being dominated on the ground. He predicts a knockout win for Brito.
Leavitt's persistent grappling and body-lock game should be difficult for Brito, who has poor takedown defense and tends to slow down. Leavitt's strength at featherweight and ability to hold on to takedowns should edge out a decision. This is an odds-based pick, as Brito's finishing ability diminishes in deeper water.
Paul picks Leavitt by decision, noting Leavitt's grappling could neutralize Brito. He is not confident and does not plan to bet it, but sees Leavitt's path to a grinding decision win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 33 of 57 | 57% | 66 of 93 | 8 of 12 | 66% | 2 | 1 | 7:59 |
| Isaac Thomson | 0 | 21 of 47 | 44% | 127 of 164 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 1 | 3:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 16 of 19 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:29 |
| Isaac Thomson | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 26 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 2:23 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 13 of 21 | 61% | 32 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 1 | 2:59 |
| Isaac Thomson | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 27 of 39 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:34 | |
| 3 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 18 of 31 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 3:31 |
| Isaac Thomson | 0 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 74 of 91 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 33 of 57 | 57% | 16 of 36 | 7 of 10 | 10 of 11 | 19 of 36 | 7 of 10 | 7 of 11 |
| Isaac Thomson | 21 of 47 | 44% | 14 of 33 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 4 | 14 of 37 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 4 of 7 | 57% | 1 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 4 |
| Isaac Thomson | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 7 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 2 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 13 of 21 | 61% | 9 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 9 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 7 |
| Isaac Thomson | 7 of 16 | 43% | 3 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 13 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Joanderson Brito | 16 of 29 | 55% | 6 of 16 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 5 | 13 of 26 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Isaac Thomson | 8 of 21 | 38% | 5 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 2 | 8 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brito (-230); Thomson (+205)
Round 1
Initially planning on battling Melsik Baghdasaryan tonight, Brito (17-5-1, 5-3 UFC) shifts his focus to Octagon newcomer Thomson (9-2, 0-0 UFC), who is coming in on short notice. With his last eight victories coming before the final bell, Brito will be aiming to hand the Team Alpha Male product his second career stoppage loss. Referee Eric McMahon will follow along for as long as this match lasts, and it starts with an awkward clap of hands.
Thomson backs off and jabs the body, aiming a kick to the same spot in rapid succession. Brito pitches out a body kick of his own, and Thomson grabs it and immediately counters over the top to knock the Brazilian to his back. Thomson climbs into top position, but Brito scoots to the fence in hopes of wall-walking. Brito turns his back while standing up, allowing Thomson to climb on his back so he can knee him in the face. Thomson loops one of his legs between Brito’s to trip him up, leaning on him against the wall in hopes of dragging the hard-swinging Brazilian down. Brito leans his shoulder on the wire, biding his time and ignoring short shots around the back of his head. Thomson jumps onto the back, and he drags Brito down while still maintaining partial back control.
Brito scrambles wildly to get out of the grip, and Thomson elbows him on both sides behind his back. Thomson grips a kimura in hopes of sweeping, so Brito lifts him up like a sack of potatoes and throws him down to the floor on his head. Thomson practically springboards off and back upright, and he charges at Brito and hits a clean double to put him on his back. Brito slowly works his way up without absorbing anything of note, and he grips hold of Thomson and hurls him to the floor. Brito looks to take his back, but Thomson slides out and puts Brito on his seat while attacking a one-armed guillotine choke. Brito breaks out of it without concern and pursues his own takedown, slowly dragging the Aussie to his knee and then seat. Thomson muscles his way upright, and Brito knees him in the thigh a few times until Thomson rolls. Brito follows him and knees him in the chest right before the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Round 2
Brito walks out of his corner ready to go, and Thomson is the first to land in the round when he rips a kick to the ribs. Brito blasts his inner thigh with a heavy kick that makes Thomson take a funny step, and he spins for a back fist that puts him in jeopardy. Thomson ducks it and shoots for a takedown, only for Brito to flip him over and establish top position. Thomson climbs back up with the wall at his back, and Brito disengages. Thomson sticks out a few jabs and nails Brito with a front kick, and he follows it with a body kick. Brito retaliates with a crisp right hand, and Thomson chomps his teeth at him like Iceman from “Top Gun.” Thomson fails on a shot, and Brito pushes him to his knees and sets up a brabo choke. Brito jumps guard to complete the submission, rolling him over and wrapping it up. Thomson turns his torso the proper direction to escape the sub, and he scrambles faster than his opponent and gets hold of Brito’s back.
Thomson jumps on the Brazilian’s back, who starts shimming and wriggling to get Thomson off of him. Brito finds himself taking Thomson’s back, and he knees him hard on the back of the thigh and stomps the calf viciously. Thomson’s no-look elbows keep landing too, and Brito tries for another high-amplitude slam but does not have the juice to do it. Brito settles for something smoother, tripping Thomson’s leg out from beneath him and dropping the Aussie on his face. From there, Brito clubs his foe with short, powerful left hands as he gets his hooks in to take Thomson’s back. Brito’s punches have an impact when they land, and Thomson rolls over only for Brito to cinch up the body triangle. Brito isolates Thomson’s shoulder, abandoning it to grip hold of a rear-naked choke that is over Thomson’s face. The face crank is broken up by the hand-fighting of the Team Alpha Male fighter, who rides out the round with “Tubarao” on his back.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Round 3
Jogging out of his corner, Brito knows that Thomson is about to kick him when he gets in close proximity, so he dodges it before it gets to him. When Thomson loops a head kick at him, Brito clubs him with a pair of huge right hands that Thomson eats like lamingtons. Brito appears unafraid of what comes back his direction, walking the Aussie down with impunity while swinging for the fences. Thomson is reeling, and a left hand damages his eye as he paws at it. Thomson motions to McMahon that he may have been poked, but McMahon does not see it so he has to shield up to avoid a couple heavy blows. Brito shoots in for a double, transitioning to a single as he puts Thomson’s back to the wall. Thomson responds with elbows to the side of the head, and Brito trips him up and puts him on his knees. While Brito looks to complete his takedown, Thomson continues to spam the short, effective elbows to the dome.
Thomson uses a kimura setup to work back to his feet, and he starts elbowing Brito’s forearm in hopes of breaking the grip around his waist. Brito holds him from behind, tripping him up and otherwise flustering him with an aggressive controlling position that results him Brito briefly getting him down. Thomson climbs back up and elbows any target he can find, but Brito completely ignores them while in pursuit of a dominant position. This results in a stalemate until Brito uses his remaining energy reserves to dump Thomson to the ground. Thomson bounces back up to his feet, but it is a hollow victory as Brito promptly drags him back down. The horn sounds, and Thomson helps Brito back to his feet as they embrace.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brito (30-27 Brito)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Brito (30-27 Brito)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Brito (30-27 Brito)
The Official Result
Joanderson Brito def. Isaac Thomson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Brito. He emphasizes that Brito is impossibly durable, never submitted, and fights like a 'honey badger.' He notes that Thompson would need a perfect performance to win, and that Brito's chaotic style makes him difficult to beat without a lockdown game plan.
Lucrative James picks Joanderson Brito confidently, citing his elite durability and relentless grappling. He notes that Melik Baghdasaryan (the opponent) is a kickboxer with poor takedown defense and cardio issues, and believes Brito will dominate on the mat. He projects Brito as a -250 favorite.
Zane picks Brito confidently, noting that Thompson is a young, reckless fighter who lacks control and leaves himself in awkward positions. He believes Brito's durability and relentless pressure will be too much for Thompson, who has not shown he can handle this level of athlete. He also notes that Brito is not the kind of fighter who benefits from a short-notice opponent change.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 24 of 31 | 77% | 135 of 158 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 1 | 0 | 13:47 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 27 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 12 of 14 | 85% | 22 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:43 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 10 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 6 of 8 | 75% | 52 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:34 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 13 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 61 of 71 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:30 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 24 of 31 | 77% | 22 of 28 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 23 |
| Joanderson Brito | 3 of 9 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 3 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 | Pat Sabatini | 12 of 14 | 85% | 12 of 13 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 12 |
| Joanderson Brito | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Pat Sabatini | 6 of 8 | 75% | 4 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 |
| Joanderson Brito | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Pat Sabatini | 6 of 9 | 66% | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brito (-205), Sabatini (+170)
Round 1
It is a grappler against a wild man in the co-main event, one where the winner might potentially have a number next to their name on Monday. Philly-based grappler Sabatini (19-5, 6-2 UFC) will present danger for as long as the bout is on the mat, but every fight starts on the feet. Brito (17-4-1, 5-2 UFC) is no slouch when grappling, so fun exchanges could come early and often. Referee Keith Peterson will have his hands full with these featherweights, although he is able to take a breath as the fighters look to collide with no nonsense in the building. Fists are bumped before they are traded, and Brito gest right to walking the American down. Sabatini springs from side to side, tossing out one kick and having Brito respond with a kick. Sabatini follows the Brazilian’s kick with a single, which he uses to deposit Brito on the canvas easily. Brito defends with the guillotine off his back, opening himself up to Von Preux choke danger as Sabatini traps him with an arm-triangle at the same time. Brito scoots his way to the wall to take a bit of pressure off of him, and he follows the moving legs of his opponent to maintain half guard or guard. Sabatini tries again for the Von Flue, and he pulls his own head out of Brito’s sub. Sabatini stays flat on his man, squeezing down with an arm-triangle setup while Brito smacks him with short but frustrating strikes off his back. Sabatini gets off the heavier of the blows while above, but Brito still manages to put his back on the wire. Sabatini pulls him away from the fence, and Brito sits to stand while Sabatini threatening with a guillotine choke. Sabatini lands a single knee before letting go of the choke, and he lifts Brito in the air and slams him down to the floor. With Brito hanging on with the guillotine, the Von Preux counter is troubling him as Sabatini clings to his neck with his left arm. Sabatini uses his weight to push Brito against the wall and hope for the leverage to be right for a submission. Brito stays calm and wriggles his neck out of danger, and Sabatini climbs into half guard and assaults him with punches and elbows. Brito attacks off his back, and again Sabatini’s are far more effective. The one-sided round ends with both men flailing at one another.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Round 2
Sabatini motions awkwardly to his opponent, offering the glove touch while also wanting to stay far away from the grappler. Brito kicks, and Sabatini sells out for a takedown. Brito hits his seat searching for a front choke, and Sabatini laughs it off and pushes Brito to his back. Sabatini establishes himself on top in half guard, smothering Brito and preventing the expected explosions thanks in part to heavy chest pressure. Sabatini looks to hook up a crucifix with his knee, and he opens things up to try to pass guard, only for Brito to drag him back. Sabatini strikes when he finds openings, irritating the dangerous “Tubarao” while energy is drained from his tank. Brito uses butterfly hooks to push off, and Sabatini is so singularly focused on the top control that he is not budging. Sabatini scores several left hands on the chin, and he times Brito sitting up to flatten him back out in an instant. The Brazilian is out of ideas, with Sabatini two steps ahead of him at every turn. Sabatini renders his foe fairly powerless until the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sabatini
Round 3
Brito jogs out of his corner to touch gloves, and he dodges a spin strike to come up top with a huge right hand. Sabatini rolls with the punch and switches stances to work his way forward. Brito absorbs a spinning back fist to swing back a right hand, and he jumps guard with a guillotine choke when Sabatini shoots in for a single. Sabatini issues the thumbs-up a few times as the submission is not under his chin, and he threatens with another Von Preux until Brito releases the grip. Sabatini resides in the half guard, where he has spent most of this fight, and he bludgeons Brito every so often. When Brito goes for broke swinging with his back stuck on the floor, Sabatini postures up to drill him with some ground-and-pound. The smothering continues for the Renzo Gracie Philly fighter, displaying that there are levels to this grappling thing. Brito, a savvy submission artist in his own right, has been blanked tonight, with a ceiling that is very clear above him. Sabatini circles around to take Brito’s back, getting his hooks in, and he starts hunting for a kneebar. When Brito turns over, he gives up mount, and Sabatini starts whaling on him. Brito gets to a knee despite taking strikes on the sides of the head, and Sabatini takes any remaining hope and deposits it in the local trash can with dominant control and grappling wizardry. It might not have been the most scintillating to watch, but Sabatini sends a message that the fearsome marauder Brito has met his match.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini (30-25 Sabatini)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini (30-26 Sabatini)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Sabatini (30-26 Sabatini)
The Official Result
Pat Sabatini def. Joanderson Brito via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Angelo acknowledges this fight has trap written all over it. He notes Joanderson Brito has power and Pat Sabatini is chinny, but also that Brito's BJJ off his back is poor while Sabatini is phenomenal on top. He predicts the fight won't go the distance, with Brito likely knocking out Sabatini or Sabatini submitting Brito. He picks Brito due to cardio improvements and power, but warns Sabatini could sneak a win as a dog.
Big Brady picks Joanderson Brito, citing Pat Sabatini's questionable chin and Brito's power. He believes Sabatini needs a perfect 15-minute grappling performance to win, but Brito will eventually land a big shot and knock him out, likely in the first round.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Brito. He highlights Brito's dangerous athleticism and Sabatini's stiffness on the feet. Connor notes that Brito's chaotic style often leads to finishes, and while Sabatini could win by grinding him down, Brito's ability to create scrambles and his durability make him the pick. He also mentions Brito's tendency to put himself in bad positions but believes Sabatini is too breakable.
Sabatini could have success with his chain wrestling and BJJ, but Brito's striking and power are favored. Brito is expected to land big power shots that Sabatini cannot handle, leading to a knockout in the first or second round.
The Guru picks Joanderson Brito, calling him too powerful, fast, and dangerous on the feet. He notes Brito's win over Diego Lopez and believes he will stuff Sabatini's takedowns and land strikes for a TKO. He expects a first-round finish, possibly within two minutes, and considers the matchup a mismatch.
Zane picks Brito, emphasizing Sabatini's stiff striking and vulnerability to being overwhelmed. He notes Brito's athleticism and tendency to finish fights, but also his recklessness. Zane believes Sabatini's anxious, structured style will struggle with Brito's chaotic, high-pressure approach, and that Brito's athleticism will create a moment where Sabatini can't secure a takedown and gets caught.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Gomis | 0 | 43 of 71 | 60% | 69 of 101 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 3:52 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 29 of 67 | 43% | 57 of 105 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 6:40 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Gomis | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 22 of 33 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 3:07 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 20 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:08 | |
| 2 | William Gomis | 0 | 11 of 20 | 55% | 22 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 16 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 3:34 | |
| 3 | William Gomis | 0 | 23 of 34 | 67% | 25 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 12 of 27 | 44% | 21 of 38 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Gomis | 43 of 71 | 60% | 16 of 35 | 18 of 27 | 9 of 9 | 30 of 57 | 13 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Joanderson Brito | 29 of 67 | 43% | 9 of 39 | 5 of 8 | 15 of 20 | 23 of 60 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Gomis | 9 of 17 | 52% | 3 of 8 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Joanderson Brito | 9 of 19 | 47% | 3 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 5 | 7 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | William Gomis | 11 of 20 | 55% | 4 of 9 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 18 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Joanderson Brito | 8 of 21 | 38% | 4 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | William Gomis | 23 of 34 | 67% | 9 of 18 | 10 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 26 | 8 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Joanderson Brito | 12 of 27 | 44% | 2 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 11 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Paris native and MMA Factory staple Gomis (13-2, 3-0 UFC) is firmly in the hearts and minds of the majority of the fans in the building in this “featured fight of the night” slot. However, he stands across from Brito (17-3-1, 5-1 UFC), a veritable featherweight wrecking machine who has crushed his last five foes. Keeping his head on a swivel for this one will be referee Rich Mitchell, although the fighters touch gloves before the ferocity begins. Brito advances rapidly, parrying a few front kicks so he can crowd the local. Gomis sticks out a jab and slides away from a winging right hand, and he boots the Brazilian in the side. Brito swings his way into a clinch, with Gomis glad to turn him about so he can lean on him and take some of the sting out of his offense. Brito decides he does not want to deal with this and he scoops Gomis up and flips him over. Brito attempts to take back control while they are shifting, but he falls the wrong direction and lands on his back. Gomis resides in the guard of his foe, smothering and looking for positional improvements over inflicting damage thus far. Brito sits up, but he is unable to get upright. Gomis drags him back down flat, and Brito hooks his toes in the cage to turn himself over. Brito pursues an armbar off his back, and Gomis fights out of it and flattens his chest down on top of Brito’s. When Gomis advances, Brito scrambles at that exact moment to fight to his feet. Brito looks for a single of his own, and he bails on it to go for a sneaky right hand up top. Gomis ducks it, and Brito ties him up again. The two jockey for position, and Brito is smiling and laughing while watching video of himself on the big screen. Gomis tries and fails to toss Brito down, and Brito knees him flush in the belly before being warned for grabbing his opponent’s shorts. Gomis turns him around and knees him repeatedly, and Mitchell asks for more activity from the Frenchman. Gomis elevates Brito but cannot deposit him to the mat, with Brito’s balance keeping him upright. When they separate, Brito is frantic, lashing out with big punches and kicks. A massive right hand from “Tubarao” hurts Gomis, and he hunts him down and jumps guard for a guillotine choke. Before he can complete it, the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Round 2
Unsurprisingly, the two fighters go right after it as soon as Mitchell says “fight.” Brito swarms Gomis, throwing with everything and the kitchen sink until he gets so close to Gomis that he elects to pursue a takedown. The Brazilian wrestles the underdog to the mat, where he lands in side control raining down right hands. Brito keeps swinging until Gomis turns to the side, and Brito latches on with an arm-triangle choke from an odd angle. Brito lowers himself down to try to complete the submission, and Gomis signals a thumbs-up to indicate he is fine. Brito changes angles, and he moves himself to half guard while squeezing with all his might. Once more, Gomis shows Mitchell a thumbs-up, and Brito looks surprised that he cannot choke his foe out. Gomis is still fine, so Brito bails on it. Brito pounds on Gomis with free left hands, and Gomis sits up and gets to his knees. Brito belts him in the chops with a left hand, and Gomis explodes upright. Brito leans heavily until Gomis bursts out of the position, and Brito walks him down. Brito connects with a few hard calf kicks, and he winds up his right hand to get the French fighter’s attention. Gomis takes it on the chin and retains his composure, and Brito tightly presses himself against his opponent instead of getting completely reckless. Mitchell tells Brito he needs to do more than hold, and it is Gomis who completes the break with a knee on the chin. Gomis backs off and boots Brito in the face with his foot, and he targets the body with a kick and nearly takes Brito’s head off with his shin. Brito responds with his own kicks, and the two trade vicious leg strikes until the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Round 3
The featherweights clap hands after 10 minutes of action, and then resume kicking one another mercilessly. Gomis catches Brito on the way in with a right hand, and he backs away and raises his guard when Brito whips a kick at him. Brito plods forward and hammers the front calf with a kick, and he sprints his way in to land another. Gomis counters him with a left hand, and Brito has to shake it off. The Frenchman lets go with is hands and a kick, and he sneaks in another power punch to intercept his marauding opponent. Brito walks through it and loads up with even bigger, more telegraphed power, and Gomis is sniping him and keeping him from hurting him. A Brito leg kick gets his adversary’s attention, and Gomis pushes him to the fence. Brito smiles to Mitchell as he takes a breath with his back on the cage, and he wriggles out of the grasp and into a front kick. Brito scores a low kick and eats a left, and he walks square into a thudding body kick. Brito keeps chasing and missing, with few strikes but his leg kicks landing cleanly. Brito stops an ankle pick from getting anywhere, jamming Gomis against the wire and going after a single. Brito wrangles Gomis down to his seat, and Gomis tugs on the fence to prevent himself from going to his back. With Brito at the right angle, he slugs Gomis in the side of the head and moves around to the back to load up with high-amplitude knees to the thigh. Brito has his hands clasped around the waist, not giving Gomis a modicum of space, all while working on him with any offense he can muster. Gomis gets in a knee before Brito dives after a single, and Gomis defends with a guillotine that he uses to drag Brito to the floor. Brito climbs up with 10 seconds to spare, and Gomis kicks him square in the head. One more high kick from the French fighter punctuates a tense and exciting battle.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gomis (29-28 Brito)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gomis (29-28 Brito)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gomis (29-28 Brito)
The Official Result
William Gomis def. Joanderson Brito via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Angelo picks Joanderson Brito, calling him the most dangerous guy at this weight class. He notes Brito's ability to finish by KO, submission, or leg kicks. He worries about Brito's cardio since he hasn't been to a decision in a long time, but believes his insane pressure will overwhelm Gomis, who is low volume and may not handle the pace.
Big Brady picks Joanderson Brito by first-round submission, calling him a killer with dangerous striking and a huge grappling advantage. He criticizes Gomis for doing nothing in fights and having poor submission defense. He expects Brito to take Gomis down and submit him quickly.
Cody picks Brito due to his physicality, power, and grappling advantage. He notes that Brito is always aggressive and finishes fights early. However, he expresses concern about Brito's cardio and the possibility of Gomis evading him with footwork. Despite the trap potential, Cody believes Brito's strength and pressure will overwhelm Gomis.
Connor picks Brito because he believes Brito's overwhelming physicality and pressure will be too much for Gomis, who relies on a range striking game without a jab. He notes that Gomis has struggled against fighters who simply storm forward, as seen in his close fights with Yannis Ghemmouri and Frank Marshall. Connor points out that Brito is a game-breaking athlete who has crushed technically superior fighters like Jack Shore. He sees no clear path to victory for Gomis.
Daniel Vreeland picks William Gomis for the upset. He believes Gomis is better than he has shown, with good footwork, speed, and takedown defense. He thinks the big cage and home crowd will help Gomis frustrate Brito at distance. He notes Brito's cardio issues and that Gomis has a path to victory if he avoids getting bullied.
JP picks Joanderson Brito because he thinks Brito has more paths to victory, including power and submissions. He notes Gomis is a one-trick pony kickboxer and Brito has impressive wins over Diego Lopes and Chape. He thinks Brito's pressure and grappling will be too much.
Paul picks Brito, citing his physicality and power. He notes that Gomis is a low-volume point striker who may struggle with Brito's pressure. However, Paul acknowledges the risk of Gomis using movement to frustrate Brito, especially in a big cage in Paris. He still expects Brito to find a takedown or land a big shot.
The MMA Guru picks Joanderson Brito over William Gomis, praising Brito's power and explosiveness. He notes Brito's wins over Diego Lopez and Shep Mariscal. He believes Gomis' rangey, low-threat style will not work against Brito's pressure. He predicts a TKO win for Brito.
Zane picks Brito because he sees Gomis as a limited range striker who lacks a jab and has poor defensive wrestling. He notes that Brito is a powerful, athletic fighter who has dominated better opponents. Zane points out that Gomis's wins have been close decisions against lower-level competition, while Brito has crushed fighters like Jack Shore. He believes Brito's crude but effective pressure will overwhelm Gomis.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 24 of 40 | 60% | 31 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Jack Shore | 0 | 30 of 56 | 53% | 57 of 86 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 5:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 13 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Jack Shore | 0 | 15 of 31 | 48% | 29 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:31 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 15 of 23 | 65% | 18 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jack Shore | 0 | 15 of 25 | 60% | 28 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:38 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 24 of 40 | 60% | 16 of 32 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 25 | 14 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Jack Shore | 30 of 56 | 53% | 4 of 29 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 23 | 20 of 46 | 10 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 9 of 17 | 52% | 5 of 13 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 13 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Jack Shore | 15 of 31 | 48% | 1 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 13 | 11 of 27 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 15 of 23 | 65% | 11 of 19 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 12 | 10 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Jack Shore | 15 of 25 | 60% | 3 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 10 | 9 of 19 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brito (-148), Shore (+124)
Round 1
A place in the top 15 at the talent-rich featherweight division may loom for the victor between Welshman Shore (17-1, 6-1 UFC) and the ultraviolent Chute Boxe fighter Brito (16-3-1, 4-1 UFC). Finish rates of 76% for the former and 87% for the latter mean that the judges might be able to take off this preliminary headliner, while referee Joao Claudio Soares should be ready to step in at a moment’s notice. Before they try to lop the other’s head off at the neck, the heavy hitters bump fists. Brito is the initial aggressor, landing long strikes and finding his range early. Shore throws back to back him away, and he checks a low kick. Brito jabs his way in, and he has another calf kick checked hard. Brito swings for the bleachers, and Shore barely dodges it. The low kick that follows separates Shore from his balance, and he drops to a knee and pops back up. Shore gathers himself and ties the Brazilian up to slow him down, and Brito is quick to turn him around and pepper him with knees. Brito breaks off to throw big hands, and Shore slides away but cannot get away from a heavy leg kick. Brito shreds the front leg again and loads up on power punches, and Shore clinches him up as Brito smiles and sticks his tongue out. Brito pursues a single when turning his man around, kneeing the inner thighs when the takedown is not there. Shore chucks him to the side and looks for a takedown, but Brito hip-checks him and pushes him back to the wire. Shore attempts another level change and hangs on tight to slow Brito down, and they both lower themselves to the ground in a minute when locked up. Brito gets up first and pursues a double, and Shore elbows him in the side of the head to have him knock it off. Brito shoulder strikes his foe while up close and personal in the clinch, and he takes a knee to the belly as the grinding round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Christian Stein scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Brito
Round 2
Brito offers a glove touch that is accepted, and he gets right back to his forward momentum. Brito lands a couple leg kicks, completely no-sells getting kicked in the head by the Welshman, and clinches him up. Brito hammers knees on the legs of his opponent and slings him to the mat, and Shore climbs back up without issue. Brito remains stuck to him like he was made of Saran wrap, and Shore pushes him away with a knee up the middle. Brito scores a couple calf kicks, and he ducks when punches are aimed at his face. Shore tries to check a kick and the skin tears open from the impact, as the swelling and welting makes that left leg a horror show less than halfway through the match. Brito sells out for a takedown, and Shore defends it with elbows on the sides of the head. Brito lands a few more short knees as blood leaks out of Shore’s shin. Brito doggedly presses ahead, and he punches the shin several times to further rip open the cut. The apparent damage is so significant that Soares calls in the doctor, who examines the roughly inch-long wound that is at this point gaping. The physician wipes the blood away and feels the bone beneath it, and determines that the bout should not continue. Soares waves the fight off. It is unclear if there is a broken bone, or what the specific reason for the stoppage is, but it will go down as a technical knockout victory for the Brazilian—who hands Shore his first loss by knockout, however unusual.
The Official Result
Joanderson Brito def. Jack Shore R2 3:35 via TKO (Doctor Stoppage)
Angelo picks Brito due to his danger on the feet, but feels the fight is closer to 50/50 than the 2-1 odds suggest. He notes Brito's 50% takedown defense and that Shore could win if he avoids power and gets takedowns. He does not bet on this fight.
Big Brady calls Brito a 'moment winner' with power and finishing ability. He notes Shore's vulnerability to being hurt and questions his takedown success at featherweight. He predicts Brito will land a big shot and knock Shore out in the first round.
Cody picks Brito, citing his physical strength, power, and Brazilian crowd advantage. He notes Shore struggled with physical wrestlers at bantamweight and hasn't looked great at featherweight. Cody expects Brito to land bigger shots and potentially submit Shore.
Daniel Vreeland picks Brito, emphasizing his physicality, power, and multiple finishing threats. He notes that Shore's best wins are against lower-level competition and that Brito has fought tougher opponents. He believes Brito's grappling and striking are superior and that Shore may struggle at featherweight. He considers Brito underpriced and expects him to look like a -600 favorite after the fight.
Shore is the underdog but will put the grind on Brito and win by decision. Brito is dangerous with knockout power and choking ability, but Shore won't make the same mistakes as Jonathan Pearce and will wear on Brito over 15 minutes.
Paul picks Brito, highlighting his power and physicality. He notes Shore's takedown defense and durability are questionable, and Brito's damaging blows will impress judges. Paul expects Brito to win the first two rounds and hold on.
The MMA Guru picks Joanderson Brito, citing his physicality, fast-twitch athleticism, and momentum. He doubts Jack Shore's strength at featherweight and believes Brito will revel in the pay-per-view moment. He also notes Brito's win over Lucas Alexander has aged well, and that Shore was finished by Ricky Simon.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 14 of 16 | 87% | 81 of 96 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 6:15 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 33 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 12 of 14 | 85% | 43 of 48 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:28 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 8 of 19 | 42% | 21 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 38 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:47 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 12 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 14 of 16 | 87% | 6 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 4 of 4 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 8 of 20 | 40% | 4 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 12 of 14 | 85% | 4 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 2 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 8 of 19 | 42% | 4 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 4 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pearce (-130), Brito (+110)
Round 1
A potentially violent featherweight encounter rounds out this long preliminary slate. Winner of five straight, “JSP” Pearce (14-4, 5-1 UFC) will be in for a fight against the hard-charging Brito (15-3-1, 3-1 UFC). Referee Herb Dean may have his hands full for this one, although there is a sporting glove touch before it begins. Pearce lets loose with a kick to start things off, and Brito slings a right hand in response. Pearce shoots for a takedown, and Brito defends the double with a guillotine choke. Brito turns his foe around and keeps tightly pressed against him, and he starts digging right hands to the body as Pearce shakes his head. Brito lifts Pearce clean off the ground and slams him down, and he instantly lands in side control and starts slugging Pearce in the face with left hands. A bit too excited, Brito jumps over and looks to take a scrambling Pearce’s back, but he falls off the back and lands on his own back. Pearce lines him up for a solid right hand, and he attempts to set up a guillotine choke when Brito fights his way up. Brito clubs Pearce in the temple on the break, and he chases after Pearce throwing haymakers. Pearce responds with a body kick and a double, and Brito stops it and backs himself against the wall. Pearce redoubles his effort to take the fight down, and he is stonewalled but pressing the Brazilian against the wall. Brito slugs Pearce in the belly a few times as they turn one another around while clinched. Pearce claims that Brito grabbed his cup, as Brito tried to defend from a takedown. Pearce falls to his back in search of an armbar, and Brito stacks Pearce up to break out of the submission setup. “JSP” hunts for a triangle, and Brito lifts him up and slams him down to stop that as well. Pearce jumps back to his feet and looks for a takedown, and he sneaks in two uppercuts and dodges a windmilling right hand before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Round 2
The fists are bumped, and Pearce dives forward to hit a single in the opening seconds. Pearce lands on half guard and starts slamming down elbows. Pearce steps over into mount for a moment, and Brito bucks and fights off an arm-triangle set up to drag Pearce back to guard. Brito twists and bucks, but Pearce gladly grinds on his opponent to wear him down. “JSP” continues holding Brito down, landing sporadic shots, and the two start talking to one another. Pearce tells him to get up and do something, and Brito tries to explode out but his power is not what it was in the previous round. Pearce rides and lands right hands, and Brito laughs at him for his feeble strikes while irritated he is being held down. Brito scoots his way to the wall on one knee, and he works his way up.
Out of nowhere, “Tubarao” snatches up a ninja choke with his back still against the wall, and it is shockingly tight. Pearce falls to his side to wriggle out, and Brito cranks down hard on it with his chest pressed tightly. Pearce starts tapping as Brito completes the submission
, and the stunning comeback has been completed by the powerhouse Brazilian.
The Official Result
Joanderson Brito def. Jonathan Pearce R2 3:54 via Submission (Ninja Choke)
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, citing his insane wrestling pressure and ability to take down Joanderson Brito. He notes Brito is a dangerous striker but expects Pearce to dive at legs immediately. He expresses some hesitation due to the Grant Dawson knockout, but still picks Pearce.
Big Brady calls this his favorite fight on the card. He thinks Brito is very live for a first-round knockout or submission because Pearce is very hitable and leaves himself in bad spots on the mat. He notes Pearce has great pressure and cardio but Brito has power and submission skills. He predicts Brito wins by first-round knockout, but acknowledges if it goes to the second round, Pearce takes over.
Cody picks Joanderson Brito as a slight underdog, calling it a 50/50 fight. He notes Brito's power and physicality, and believes he can catch Pearce with something. He acknowledges Pearce's wrestling and cardio but thinks Brito's power and submission threat early make him the value play.
Brito is a relentless pressure fighter who doesn't give opponents room to breathe. He has good takedown defense and gets back to his feet quickly. Pearce is a wrestler who may get takedowns early, but Brito's ability to scramble and return to striking will break Pearce. Brito will land big punches and eventually find a knockout in the third round.
Paul also picks Brito, citing his power and the danger he poses early. He notes that Pearce has been hurt before and Brito hits hard. Paul thinks Brito's submission threat, especially a guillotine, is real early. He sees this as a dog or pass and takes the plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Joanderson Brito to finish Jonathan Pearce in round one. He criticizes Pearce's competition and notes that Pearce struggled against Darren Elkins, Makwan Amirkhani, and Christian Rodriguez. He highlights Brito's finishing potential with first-round wins over Lucas Alexander, Andre Fili, and Weston Wilson, and believes Brito's run will continue.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 22 of 30 | 73% | 24 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:08 |
| Westin Wilson | 0 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 22 of 30 | 73% | 24 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:08 |
| Westin Wilson | 0 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 22 of 30 | 73% | 21 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 17 |
| Westin Wilson | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 22 of 30 | 73% | 21 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 17 |
| Westin Wilson | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brito (-1400), Wilson (+850)
Round 1
The biggest betting favorite on the card by a country mile, Brito (14-3-1, 2-1 UFC) at -1400 odds is widely expected to blaze through his short-notice replacement foe. Rather than fighting Khusein Askhabov, the well-traveled Wilson (16-7, 0-0 UFC) steps in for his UFC debut as around a +800 underdog. The sport is a wild one and even massive favorites can lose – just look at Kutateladze earlier tonight – and Wilson does celebrate a 100% finish rate across his 16 pro victories. Referee Chris Tognoni will need to be on his A-game for what should be a fast and furious affair for as long as it lasts. Before the two featherweights engage, they touch gloves to signal they are glad to be competing tonight. Brito is the one to push the pace early, and Wilson fades back and eats a right hand. Brito wings another overhand right, and Wilson is out of the way in time. The karate style and stance from Wilson works against him, as Brito busts him in the chops with a pair of furious hooks. Wilson wobbles back to the fence, and Brito is so aggressive that Wilson grabs him to slow him down. Brito wings a right hand over the top, and Wilson responds with a potential trip attempt. Brito presses Wilson tightly on the fence, and he takes a knee to the chest. Brito slings him to the mat, and Wilson pulls on the cage with his toes. Brito lands in side control, keeping his shoulder pressed tightly on the Utah native. Wilson is again warned for grabbing the fence, and Brito stands up and grabs it to fight off a sudden, unexpected leglock. Tognoni swats his fingers out of the fence, and Brito drops down and busts Wilson in the face with a right hand.
Wilson latches on to a sudden kneebar, and Brito pushes off and batters Wilson with thunderous right hands. As Wilson hangs on, rolled to his side with the submission no longer a serious option, Brito does not let him off the hook. “Tubarao” concludes his bombardment with fierce flurry of fists, and Tognoni jumps in to stop the fight as Wilson’s lights go out.
The enormous favorite made short work of the late replacement, having now performed three first-round finishes in a row. An energized Brito loudly and angrily calls out Dan Ige for a future fight, flipping off double birds and calling for a main event spot. If not Ige, he will also take Alex Caceres, as he is very interested in a ranked adversary.
The Official Result
Joanderson Brito def. Westin Wilson R1 2:54 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Joanderson Brito to win inside the distance. He describes Brito as an absolute savage with fast, athletic striking and solid top pressure. He believes Westin Wilson, despite high fight IQ, is outmatched by Brito's size, strength, and aggression. He plans to parlay Brito if under -400 or bet the finish prop.
Big Brady picks Joanderson Brito to win by first-round knockout, calling it one of the most lopsided matchups he's ever seen. He notes Wilson has no takedown defense, poor striking defense, and has been knocked out several times. Brito is a black belt in BJJ with power and can finish anywhere. Brady expects a finish within the first 60 seconds.
Cody is very confident Brito wins, likely by submission. He notes Brito's significant advantages in striking, wrestling, and grappling. Wilson is a regional fighter making his UFC debut at 34, with losses to lower-level competition. Cody thinks Brito will take him down and submit him, possibly by rear-naked choke. He prefers the submission prop at +200.
Daniel confidently picks Brito to finish Wilson, predicting a first-round submission. He notes Brito's high ceiling, as praised by UFC matchmakers, and his dangerous grappling. He sees Wilson as a 'kill or be killed' fighter who will be outmatched physically and technically. He expects Brito to dominate wherever the fight goes, and calls it a mismatch.
Paul agrees Brito wins inside the distance, likely by KO. He notes the huge disparity in experience and skill, with Wilson being a career regional fighter. Paul thinks Brito will knock him out by backing him up and landing a big shot. He mentions Brito's cauliflower ears as a sign of his toughness.
The Guru picks Joanderson Brito, noting his momentum with two wins in a row over decent competition, including a KO and a submission. He believes Brito's grappling will be too much for Westin Wilson, who trains at Upstate Karate with Stephen Thompson but has a tendency to give up his back. He predicts a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 7 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Lucas Alexander | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 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 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 7 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Lucas Alexander | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 4 of 8 | 50% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Lucas Alexander | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 4 of 8 | 50% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Lucas Alexander | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Brito (-350), Alexander (+255)
Round 1
The action ticks up one notch as we move to the featherweight division. After a veritable revolving door of opponents, heavy-handed Brazilian finisher Brito (13-3-1, 1-1 UFC) now squares off against fellow countryman Alexander (7-2, 0-0 UFC) in the latter’s UFC debut. While both are the same age, Brito holds greater high-level experience, having fought up through the LFA to DWCS and then the UFC. Meanwhile, his opponent comes in on a five-fight win streak, with most of those victories coming in Florida-based leagues. The third man in the Octagon is referee Chris Tognoni, and there is a touch of gloves to get things started. Brito immediately starts racing forward, and he wings a low kick that comes up short. Alexander responds with one that lands, but he already finds himself backed up to the cage and ducking a haymaker. Brito bears down on him and loads up on right hands, and he ducks a head kick by a matter of millimeters and allows Alexander to fall to the mat. Brito lifts his man up and slams him down, and then does this a second time when Alexander gets to his knees. Brito knees the thigh a few times before scooping “The Lion” up and dropping him down once more. When Alexander moves back to his feet, Brito jumps on his back to serve as a malicious backpack, while setting up some form of a rear-naked choke.
Brito tightens his legs around the waist and switches his arms to sink his right forearm under the chin. The choke is instantly tight and Brito has plenty of energy to crush it like a vice, and he drags the newcomer from behind down to the ground to make the submission purely academic. Barely one second after they hit the mat, and Alexander taps out frantically from the maneuver, as he would likely go out if the grip remained tight for too much longer.
Tubular work for "Tubarao" Brito, who now posts an even number of knockouts and submissions on his ledger while lifting his finish rate above 85%.
The Official Result
Joanderson Brito def. Lucas Alexander R1 2:02 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Cody picks Brito confidently, noting he is a powerhouse and coming off a career-best win. He points out that Alexander has missed weight multiple times and is taking the fight on short notice, which could affect his performance. He expects Brito to press forward and score takedowns.
Paul also picks Brito, noting he is a solid prospect and Alexander is a late replacement with questionable credentials. He thinks Brito's aggression and takedowns will be too much, and Alexander may struggle to make weight.
The MMA Guru picks Joanderson Brito by first-round KO, citing his full camp and the short-notice replacement Lucas Alexander. He believes Alexander will be overly aggressive early, which will be his downfall against Brito. He notes that Brito's win over Andre Fili has aged well, and he trusts Brito's power and timing.
Jonathan Pearce - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 32 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 19 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 3:56 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 32 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 19 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 3:56 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Sabatini | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Sabatini | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 3 of 5 | 60% | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pearce (-130), Sabatini (+110)
Round 1
Grapplers enter the Octagon in what should be a fun stylistic clash. On a rare losing streak, Pearce (14-6, 5-3 UFC) has his back against the wall, but the same might be said for Sabatini (18-5, 5-2 UFC), who has dropped two of three. Someone will turn things around in the next 15 minutes or less, and referee Chris Tognoni will follow them every step of the way. Before throwing hands, “JSP” walks over to the other corner to deliver a friendly fist bump. Pearce takes to the center of the cage, and they clash body kicks at the same time. As they tangle up, Sabatini manages to sneak around and grab Pearce from behind, where he hops on his back to take the form of a mean-spirited backpack. Sabatini locks a body triangle around the waist, slugging his left hand around the raised guard of his foe. Pearce leans against the wall to relieve himself of some of the extra weight, and he turns his shoulder to sling Sabatini off of him. The Pennsylvanian turns the corner to get his arms around Pearce once more, and “JSP” is warned for fence grabs to keep himself on his feet. Rules are mere suggestions in the sport of MMA. Sabatini scoops up Pearce’s legs and steps over him to ground him, and Pearce is warned for elbowing the spine and attempting 12-6 elbows—these will be allowed next month. Pearce uses a butterfly guard to keep Sabatini from establishing a more traditional top position, only for Sabatini to smother him and move to half guard. Sabatini steps over to three-quarter mount, hunting for a choke when Pearce turns the wrong direction. Sabatini looks for another submission as Pearce gets to his knees, and Sabatini’s body triangle is wrapped firmly around the ribs. Pearce stands up and elbows Sabatini’s thigh to try to break up the body lock.
Sabatini leans to add his weight to different places on the back, and he slithers his forearm beneath the chin and fastens a nasty rear-naked choke. Pearce’s head turns a brilliant shade of red, and he thinks about going out on his shield but elects to fight another day and taps out.
Sabatini releases the lock and walks to the center of the cage, letting out one triumphant shout before calming himself. Sabatini tries his best to stay cool, but cannot help but flip around the cage, bellowing and fist-pumping in celebration.
The Official Result
Pat Sabatini def. Jonathan Pearce R1 4:06 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, citing his relentless wrestling pressure and awareness of Sabatini's jiu-jitsu. He notes that Sabatini hasn't improved his skills since entering the UFC and that Pearce's non-stop takedown attempts will be key. Angelo also thinks Pearce can have success on the feet, as Sabatini's striking is technical but lacks head movement. He mentions he placed a half-unit bet on Pearce at -131.
Big Brady picks Jonathan Pearce to win by TKO in the second round. He considers this one of his favorite fights on the card, noting both have paths: Sabatini via submission (Pearce has been submitted three times), but Pearce via knockout (Sabatini has been knocked out by Diego Lopes, Damon Jackson, and dropped by Jamall Emmers). He worries about Sabatini's durability and cardio, and believes Pearce's pace will break him down. Despite Pearce potentially getting into bad spots, Brady trusts his ability to fight out of them.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Pearce's striking is all fencing and he cannot keep opponents down. He points out that Pearce lost to David Onama despite having control time, and that Sabatini is a better grappler who can win if he gets top position. Connor is surprised Sabatini is the underdog.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Daniel thinks Pearce is more well-rounded and has better volume on the feet, but he acknowledges Sabatini's grinding wrestling and durability. He is not confident because Sabatini could easily grind out a win. Daniel leans toward Pearce to outwork him but admits he wouldn't be surprised by a Sabatini decision.
Pearce is on a two-fight losing streak but looked good in his last fight against David Onama even in defeat. He should use defensive grappling to keep the fight standing and put a pace on Sabatini, who is uncomfortable in the striking realm. Pearce will keep it upright, push the pace, and finish Sabatini in the second or third round.
The MMA Guru picks Pat Sabatini, highlighting his technical grappling edge over Jonathan Pearce. He notes that Pearce is tough with good cardio but makes mistakes in grappling, often losing position. Sabatini has good submissions and control, and the Guru believes he can submit Pearce. He acknowledges Pearce could TKO Sabatini due to a suspect chin, but favors Sabatini's grappling.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript. No picks were made.
Zane thinks Sabatini will win because he is a more willing and confident striker, though both are stiff. He notes Sabatini has paid for trying to do other things and will just go for takedowns. Zane points out that Pearce has poor control time (23%) and cannot keep opponents down, while Sabatini has 52% control time. He believes Sabatini can get takedowns and win on the ground.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Onama | 0 | 57 of 129 | 44% | 87 of 165 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 1 | 1 | 4:49 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 58 of 104 | 55% | 66 of 115 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 5 | 2:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Onama | 0 | 15 of 41 | 36% | 15 of 41 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 14 of 23 | 60% | 18 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:49 | |
| 2 | David Onama | 0 | 14 of 18 | 77% | 29 of 37 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 3:16 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 3 | 0:36 | |
| 3 | David Onama | 0 | 28 of 70 | 40% | 43 of 87 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 39 of 71 | 54% | 42 of 75 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:50 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Onama | 57 of 129 | 44% | 37 of 102 | 13 of 19 | 7 of 8 | 44 of 114 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 14 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 58 of 104 | 55% | 50 of 94 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 54 of 99 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Onama | 15 of 41 | 36% | 6 of 28 | 6 of 9 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 14 of 23 | 60% | 11 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | David Onama | 14 of 18 | 77% | 10 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 10 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 5 of 10 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | David Onama | 28 of 70 | 40% | 21 of 61 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 27 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 39 of 71 | 54% | 35 of 66 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 37 of 68 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo has a half-unit bet on Jonathan Pearce at -140, beating the line. He attributes the pick solely to wrestling: Pearce is a relentless wrestler who averages almost six takedowns per fight. He believes David Onama, a good kickboxer, will struggle to stop the takedowns, as Nate Landwehr was able to take him down. He notes Pearce dominated his last fight before a submission loss due to showboating, but expects him to dominate here.
Cody picks Onama as an underdog, citing his reach and striking advantage. He notes that judges score damage over control time, and if Onama can get back to his feet after takedowns, he can win rounds with strikes. He sees this as close to a 50/50 fight.
Daniel likes Pearce's high pace, cardio, and improved striking, but notes he's inconsistent and sticks his neck into guillotines. He thinks Pearce can grind out a win via takedowns and top control, but acknowledges Onama's power and heart make him dangerous. He leans Pearce but calls it a dog-or-pass situation.
Pearce has a dominant grappling style and should be able to nullify Onama's power punching by taking him down and keeping him in uncomfortable positions. Onama has shown defensive grappling improvements but may still struggle with Pearce's smothering style. I lean Pearce by decision, but Onama could find a finish late if Pearce slows down.
Paul picks Pearce, arguing his wrestling and top control will be decisive. He notes Pearce's chain wrestling and ability to improve position, and believes Onama's takedown defense is questionable. He expects a grinding decision win for Pearce.
The MMA Guru picks David Onama as an underdog. He criticizes Jonathan Pearce's striking as atrocious and lacking hand-eye coordination. He praises Onama's speed, grappling defense, and cardio, noting his KO of Gabriel Santos and competitive fight with Mason Jones. He predicts Onama will catch Pearce with a straight right in the second or third round for a TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 0 | 14 of 16 | 87% | 81 of 96 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 6:15 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 33 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 12 of 14 | 85% | 43 of 48 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:28 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 8 of 19 | 42% | 21 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 0 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 38 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:47 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 12 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanderson Brito | 14 of 16 | 87% | 6 of 6 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 4 of 4 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 8 of 20 | 40% | 4 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanderson Brito | 12 of 14 | 85% | 4 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 2 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 8 of 19 | 42% | 4 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 4 | |
| 2 | Joanderson Brito | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pearce (-130), Brito (+110)
Round 1
A potentially violent featherweight encounter rounds out this long preliminary slate. Winner of five straight, “JSP” Pearce (14-4, 5-1 UFC) will be in for a fight against the hard-charging Brito (15-3-1, 3-1 UFC). Referee Herb Dean may have his hands full for this one, although there is a sporting glove touch before it begins. Pearce lets loose with a kick to start things off, and Brito slings a right hand in response. Pearce shoots for a takedown, and Brito defends the double with a guillotine choke. Brito turns his foe around and keeps tightly pressed against him, and he starts digging right hands to the body as Pearce shakes his head. Brito lifts Pearce clean off the ground and slams him down, and he instantly lands in side control and starts slugging Pearce in the face with left hands. A bit too excited, Brito jumps over and looks to take a scrambling Pearce’s back, but he falls off the back and lands on his own back. Pearce lines him up for a solid right hand, and he attempts to set up a guillotine choke when Brito fights his way up. Brito clubs Pearce in the temple on the break, and he chases after Pearce throwing haymakers. Pearce responds with a body kick and a double, and Brito stops it and backs himself against the wall. Pearce redoubles his effort to take the fight down, and he is stonewalled but pressing the Brazilian against the wall. Brito slugs Pearce in the belly a few times as they turn one another around while clinched. Pearce claims that Brito grabbed his cup, as Brito tried to defend from a takedown. Pearce falls to his back in search of an armbar, and Brito stacks Pearce up to break out of the submission setup. “JSP” hunts for a triangle, and Brito lifts him up and slams him down to stop that as well. Pearce jumps back to his feet and looks for a takedown, and he sneaks in two uppercuts and dodges a windmilling right hand before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Round 2
The fists are bumped, and Pearce dives forward to hit a single in the opening seconds. Pearce lands on half guard and starts slamming down elbows. Pearce steps over into mount for a moment, and Brito bucks and fights off an arm-triangle set up to drag Pearce back to guard. Brito twists and bucks, but Pearce gladly grinds on his opponent to wear him down. “JSP” continues holding Brito down, landing sporadic shots, and the two start talking to one another. Pearce tells him to get up and do something, and Brito tries to explode out but his power is not what it was in the previous round. Pearce rides and lands right hands, and Brito laughs at him for his feeble strikes while irritated he is being held down. Brito scoots his way to the wall on one knee, and he works his way up.
Out of nowhere, “Tubarao” snatches up a ninja choke with his back still against the wall, and it is shockingly tight. Pearce falls to his side to wriggle out, and Brito cranks down hard on it with his chest pressed tightly. Pearce starts tapping as Brito completes the submission
, and the stunning comeback has been completed by the powerhouse Brazilian.
The Official Result
Joanderson Brito def. Jonathan Pearce R2 3:54 via Submission (Ninja Choke)
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, citing his insane wrestling pressure and ability to take down Joanderson Brito. He notes Brito is a dangerous striker but expects Pearce to dive at legs immediately. He expresses some hesitation due to the Grant Dawson knockout, but still picks Pearce.
Big Brady calls this his favorite fight on the card. He thinks Brito is very live for a first-round knockout or submission because Pearce is very hitable and leaves himself in bad spots on the mat. He notes Pearce has great pressure and cardio but Brito has power and submission skills. He predicts Brito wins by first-round knockout, but acknowledges if it goes to the second round, Pearce takes over.
Cody picks Joanderson Brito as a slight underdog, calling it a 50/50 fight. He notes Brito's power and physicality, and believes he can catch Pearce with something. He acknowledges Pearce's wrestling and cardio but thinks Brito's power and submission threat early make him the value play.
Brito is a relentless pressure fighter who doesn't give opponents room to breathe. He has good takedown defense and gets back to his feet quickly. Pearce is a wrestler who may get takedowns early, but Brito's ability to scramble and return to striking will break Pearce. Brito will land big punches and eventually find a knockout in the third round.
Paul also picks Brito, citing his power and the danger he poses early. He notes that Pearce has been hurt before and Brito hits hard. Paul thinks Brito's submission threat, especially a guillotine, is real early. He sees this as a dog or pass and takes the plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Joanderson Brito to finish Jonathan Pearce in round one. He criticizes Pearce's competition and notes that Pearce struggled against Darren Elkins, Makwan Amirkhani, and Christian Rodriguez. He highlights Brito's finishing potential with first-round wins over Lucas Alexander, Andre Fili, and Weston Wilson, and believes Brito's run will continue.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 57 of 193 | 29% | 67 of 203 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 110 of 222 | 49% | 154 of 276 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 1 | 3:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 11 of 57 | 19% | 14 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 30 of 64 | 46% | 35 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 15 of 47 | 31% | 22 of 54 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 44 of 68 | 64% | 74 of 106 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:29 | |
| 3 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 31 of 89 | 34% | 31 of 89 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Darren Elkins | 0 | 36 of 90 | 40% | 45 of 100 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 57 of 193 | 29% | 47 of 176 | 9 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 49 of 177 | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Elkins | 110 of 222 | 49% | 80 of 188 | 18 of 22 | 12 of 12 | 66 of 159 | 14 of 20 | 30 of 43 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 11 of 57 | 19% | 9 of 51 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 55 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Elkins | 30 of 64 | 46% | 16 of 47 | 11 of 14 | 3 of 3 | 21 of 51 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 8 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 15 of 47 | 31% | 14 of 43 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 37 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Elkins | 44 of 68 | 64% | 37 of 61 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 13 of 27 | 8 of 10 | 23 of 31 | |
| 3 | Jonathan Pearce | 31 of 89 | 34% | 24 of 82 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 29 of 85 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Darren Elkins | 36 of 90 | 40% | 27 of 80 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 32 of 81 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 4 |
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, trusting him to wrestle early and use his power and grappling. He notes Pearce is a good size favorite and should be, but expresses concern that Pearce was taken down three times in his last fight, and Darren Elkins will be looking for takedowns. He believes Pearce needs to grapple first and not wait for Elkins, otherwise Elkins could control the fight and win a decision.
Big Brady picks Pearce, citing his youth (eight years younger) and less wear and tear. He notes both fighters have similar styles but Pearce has better cardio and takedown ability. He expects Pearce to win a decision, though he acknowledges Elkins is tough and could have moments.
Cody picks Pearce, seeing it as a passing of the torch. He notes Pearce's wrestling and pace, and Elkins' age and damage. He thinks Pearce will win by decision or late finish.
Connor picks Jonathan Pearce, agreeing that Elkins is declining and that Pearce is too young and athletic. He notes that Pearce won't be afraid to grapple and is a giant at featherweight, making it a bad matchup for Elkins.
Daniel Levi picks Jonathan Pearce, calling it a passing of the torch. He notes Pearce's wrestling, cardio, and output, and believes Elkins' damage over the years is a factor. He is not betting at the heavy price but is confident in the pick.
The host is confident in Pearce, calling it a horrible matchup for Elkins. He thinks Pearce's speed, power, and youth will overwhelm Elkins early. He expects a first-round finish and likes the under 2.5 rounds at minus 135 as a steal. He notes that Pearce has all the advantages except heart, which won't be enough for Elkins.
Paul picks Elkins hesitantly, thinking the price is too wide. He notes Elkins' durability and pace, and Pierce's questionable cardio. He likes Elkins by decision at +800 as a sprinkle.
The MMA Guru picks Jonathan Pearce as a lock of the card, citing Darren Elkins' decline in speed and performance. He notes Elkins has looked slower in recent fights and that Pearce is a tough, momentum-driven fighter who has been melting opponents. He predicts a dominant decision or late TKO for Pearce.
Zane picks Jonathan Pearce, stating that Elkins is in decline and has been toughing out wins against lesser competition. He notes that Pearce is younger, bigger, and won't crumble; he will play his own game rather than being drawn into Elkins' strengths.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 12 of 23 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Makwan Amirkhani | 0 | 90 of 112 | 80% | 144 of 178 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 0 | 0 | 4:46 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 7 of 12 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Makwan Amirkhani | 0 | 46 of 51 | 90% | 61 of 67 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Makwan Amirkhani | 0 | 44 of 61 | 72% | 83 of 111 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 11 of 22 | 50% | 9 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Makwan Amirkhani | 90 of 112 | 80% | 75 of 94 | 11 of 14 | 4 of 4 | 16 of 28 | 37 of 37 | 37 of 47 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 6 of 11 | 54% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Makwan Amirkhani | 46 of 51 | 90% | 43 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 37 of 37 | 6 of 7 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 5 of 11 | 45% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Makwan Amirkhani | 44 of 61 | 72% | 32 of 47 | 9 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 40 |
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, noting it's a grappler vs grappler matchup and it will come down to who shoots first. He believes Pearce will initiate the takedowns and has a high pace. He mentions Amirkhani just submitted a better wrestler in Mike Grundy, and all of Pearce's losses are grappling-based, so he suggests a live bet on Amirkhani if he gets early takedowns.
Big Brady picks Makwan Amirkhani for the upset by early submission. He likes Jonathan Pearce's style but notes Pearce often gets in bad spots on the mat. Amirkhani has dangerous submissions and good wrestling. However, Amirkhani's cardio is a concern; if he doesn't finish in round one, Pearce takes over. He suggests a live bet on Pearce if Amirkhani doesn't finish round one.
Cody picks Makwan Amirkhani, agreeing the line is fraudulent. He notes Pearce's striking defense is poor and he almost got submitted in his last fight. Cody thinks Amirkhani is dangerous early and can submit Pearce if he shoots. He also notes Amirkhani has good wrestling and could take Pearce down. Cody likes the moneyline at +170.
Daniel Levi picks Jonathan Pearce, emphasizing his high pace and ability to put up large strike and takedown numbers. He acknowledges that Amirkhani is dangerous in the first round with his wrestling and submissions, but notes that Amirkhani gasses out due to health issues. Levi believes if Pearce can survive the first round, his pace will be too much in the later rounds.
Pearce has the striking advantage, overall MMA advantage, and cardio advantage. Amirkhani's only threat is the anaconda choke. Pearce's team will have him prepared. Pearce can finish later or win a decision. I might pull the trigger at -200.
Paul picks Makwan Amirkhani at +170, calling it a dogger pass. He thinks the line is off and the fight is closer to 50-50. Paul notes Pearce's cardio looked poor in his last fight and that Amirkhani is dangerous on the ground. He believes if Pearce takes Amirkhani down, he'll be in trouble. Paul also likes Amirkhani by submission at +350.
The MMA Guru picks Makwan Amirkhani as an underdog, noting he always likes him but often loses when picking him. He believes Amirkhani is dangerous in the first round with submissions, and Jonathan Pearce leaves himself in bad positions during scrambles. Pearce's pressure and cardio are good, but his technical scrambles are not. The Guru expects an anaconda choke finish early.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 18 of 44 | 40% | 59 of 102 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 2 | 0 | 11:17 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 26 of 60 | 43% | 38 of 77 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 3 | 1 | 1:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 17 of 36 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:23 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 11 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 34 of 50 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:15 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 14 of 32 | 43% | 14 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 0:14 | |
| 3 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 8 of 16 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 3:39 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 0 | 9 of 18 | 50% | 13 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:45 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 18 of 44 | 40% | 9 of 31 | 5 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 10 of 33 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 5 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 26 of 60 | 43% | 21 of 54 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 55 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 5 of 12 | 41% | 1 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 3 of 10 | 30% | 0 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 8 of 20 | 40% | 3 of 13 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 14 of 32 | 43% | 12 of 30 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Jonathan Pearce | 5 of 12 | 41% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 3 |
| Christian Rodriguez | 9 of 18 | 50% | 9 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In another fight featuring a more established fighter against a UFC newcomer, Pearce (11-4, 2-1 UFC) will welcome “CeeRod” Rodriguez (7-0, 0-0 UFC) to the organization. On the one hand, “JSP” has not gone the distance in any of his eight fights, and on the other, Rodriguez celebrates a finish rate of 86%. It’s not likely this will make it into the hands of the judges, and referee Jason Herzog is ready for where the fight takes them. The featherweights do not bothering to touch gloves, and want to get after it right away. Both men land strikes from a distance to test one another, and Pearce sits down with a left hand before shooting in to put Rodriguez on the defensive early. Rodriguez keeps himself upright on the first attempt, and he sneaks in a knee when Pearce presses him to the wall heavily. Pearce gives him several knees back, and he looks to throw the newcomer to the ground but cannot quite get Rodriguez to the mat – possibly thanks to Rodriguez grabbing the cage with his toes. Pearce redoubles his effort for a takedown, and as soon as they hit the ground, “CeeRod” locks him down with a nasty guillotine choke. Rodriguez wraps his legs around Pearce’s waist, and Pearce slowly, methodically works his neck out of this dangerous choke. Rodriguez scrambles, but in the process, he gives up his back, and Pearce is quick to snatch on to it. Rodriguez twists through to not surrender dominant position, but “JSP” rolls through it to get a hook around the side of Rodriguez’ legs. The scrambles are wild and frantic, and even when Pearce holds a body lock, he cannot quite assume full back control. Pearce begins to soften his foe up with punches and elbows, and he holds on to an arm-triangle choke when Rodriguez tries to turn into top position. Rodriguez falls to his back after the ground exchange, with Pearce holding on tight, and the round concludes in this posture.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Round 2
The round begins with Pearce coming out aggressively, but Rodriguez is there to greet him with powerful punches. Pearce jumps in the air with a knee, and Rodriguez intercepts him and tags him with a few shots. The strikes force “JSP” to shoot for a takedown, and it get stuffed in his first try. Rodriguez backs Pearce off with his hands, checking a leg kick and stalking him down. His forward momentum gets used against him, as Pearce manages to hit a takedown when Rodriguez is off-balance. Pearce resumes the strange quasi-back control position he held in the end of the round, and he looks to turn it to a twister. “CeeRod” bucks and twists to get out of this precarious position, and he fights his way back to his feet. Pearce threatens with a standing rear-naked choke, and he bails on it so that he can turn about and slam Rodriguez in the face with a jump knee. In the ensuing scramble, Rodriguez attacks with an armbar, and they fall to the mat. “JSP” slides his elbow out of the bad spot and wrenches his arm free, and as soon as they get to their knees, Pearce is on him with a takedown. Pearce manages to climb on top in search of an arm-triangle choke, and he abandons it when Rodriguez turns so that he can slug him in the face. Rodriguez sits up, but Pearce will not give him any space, as he takes Rodriguez’ back and assumes back control. Pearce fishes for a rear-naked choke but he cannot get his hooks in, and this allows Rodriguez to pop back up to his knees. Pearce follows him until he slides out the back door, and he lets Pearce up so that he can drill him with a heavy salvo of punches. Pearce winces but backs away against the fence to make it to Round 3.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pearce
Round 3
To start off the final round, Rodriguez comes out firing, possibly aware that he is down on the scorecards. He tees off on Pearce with a few right hands, and he catches Pearce with a right hand when “JSP” attacks with a flying knee. Pearce falls forward into a takedown, and Rodriguez reverses him and goes after a rear-naked choke. The scramble is furious and fast-pace, and Rodriguez manages to take Pearce’s back as Pearce may be fading from two rounds of heavy grappling. Rodriguez clings to him with a body triangle, and Pearce still stands up. Rodriguez drills him in the face with a blistering elbow, and Pearce is wobbled badly and staggers back to the cage wall. “CeeRod” will not let him off the hook, giving chase and tagging Pearce with a few more punches. Hurt but not out, Pearce ducks down for a double-leg takedown, and he grounds Rodriguez to save his own chin. Rodriguez tries and ultimately fails to scramble, but he fights out of a submission attempt or two that Pearce sets up as he looks to secure Rodriguez’ back. Pearce successfully gets a hook around the waist with his leg, disallowing Rodriguez to turn towards him. Pearce uses this position to hunt for an arm-triangle choke from the back, and Rodriguez turns to his knees to break the grip but cannot get Pearce off of him. “JSP” locks on to a rear-naked choke, and Rodriguez successfully holds it off with wrist control and turns to try to stand up. Pearce wrangles him back down to the ground, making Rodriguez’ life miserable with ground control and back takes. Pearce nearly slides off the top, but he rejiggers himself to claim full mount briefly and hang on tight to the back when Rodriguez turns. Pearce rides out the position to the end of the fight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pearce (30-27 Pearce)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Pearce (29-28 Pearce)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pearce (30-27 Pearce)
The Official Result
Jonathan Pearce def. Christian Rodriguez via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Big Brady picks Jonathan Pearce despite being high on Rodriguez. He notes Rodriguez is coming up a weight class on short notice, which is a huge disadvantage against a pressure wrestler like Pearce. He predicts Pearce will break Rodriguez with his pace and get a second or third round finish.
Cody is very confident in Pearce, calling him a potential parlay piece. He notes that Rodriguez is taking the fight on short notice, is young and inexperienced, and comes from a kickboxing gym with poor grappling. Cody highlights Pearce's dominant performances at 145, where he ragdolls opponents with takedowns and ground-and-pound. He believes Pearce will press Rodriguez against the cage, take him down, and finish him.
Levi picks Pearce, citing his size (6' at featherweight), relentless pace, and takedown volume. He notes that Rodriguez is talented but too small for featherweight and that Pearce's style of constant pressure and grappling will break him. Levi acknowledges Rodriguez's bright future but believes this is a tough matchup for him.
Pearce has a significant size and strength advantage, with a 5-inch height edge. He will likely implement a takedown-heavy game plan, and Rodriguez is making a short-notice debut at a weight class not his own. Pearce's blueprint from training partners and his own grappling should lead to a finish inside the distance. Pearce inside distance is the pick.
Paul picks Pearce, agreeing that he deserves to be the biggest favorite on the card. He notes that Pearce's pace and strength at 145 are overwhelming, and that Rodriguez is a short-notice replacement with no notable wins. Paul thinks Pearce will use his size and wrestling to dominate.
The MMA Guru picks Jonathan Pearce to win by third-round rear-naked choke. He questions Christian Rodriguez's level of competition, noting his last opponent was 19-36 and that his record looks padded. He believes Pearce's grappling will be too much for Rodriguez, as Pearce has proven himself against better competition and will take Rodriguez into deep waters.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 12 of 35 | 34% | 55 of 83 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 1 | 0 | 5:33 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 12 of 25 | 48% | 27 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 2 | 0:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 10 of 29 | 34% | 28 of 48 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 2:22 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 21 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:08 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 27 of 35 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:11 |
| Omar Morales | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 6 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:11 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 12 of 35 | 34% | 9 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 3 | 11 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 12 of 25 | 48% | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 18 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 10 of 29 | 34% | 7 of 22 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 3 | 10 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 11 of 21 | 52% | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 15 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Omar Morales | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Omar Morales, citing his strong kickboxing, solid takedown defense, and forward pressure. He notes that Morales' only loss is to Giga Chikadze, which looks better after Giga's recent win. Angelo believes Morales' striking and ability to control the cage will be key, and he expects a stoppage win.
Big Brady picks Omar Morales to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Jonathan Pierce is very hittable and relies on his chin, while Morales has good takedown defense and is a black belt in BJJ. He believes Morales can take advantage of Pierce's sloppy striking and potentially finish him early, though he acknowledges Pierce's cardio could be a factor if the fight goes longer.
Cody picks Pearce as an underdog, citing his volume, pace, cardio, and wrestling. He notes Morales' low output and questions his power at UFC level. He worries about Morales' calf kicks but believes Pearce's pressure will overwhelm Morales over three rounds.
Daniel Levi picks Omar Morales because he believes Morales can slow the pace and fight at his own methodical rhythm. He notes that Jonathan Pearce absorbs too many strikes (upwards of seven per minute) and that Morales has a solid wrestling base and is in his prime at 35. Levi also mentions that Morales addressed medical issues that held him back previously, and expects a finish or decision win.
Jacob picks Jonathan Pearce, citing his wrestling, pace, and a quote from Pearce: 'I've never seen a striker out wrestle a wrestler.' Jacob believes Pearce will get takedowns and wear down Omar Morales. He also notes that Pearce has already beaten Morales once before.
The host believes Omar Morales will win via decision. He thinks Morales has a much more hard-nosed striking style that will march down Jonathan Pierce. He expects Pierce to struggle to close the distance and land takedowns due to the heavy onslaught from Morales. He notes that Pierce's grappling success is necessary for him to win, but he doubts Pierce can break Morales.
Paul does not have a clear pick. He is staying away from this fight, noting he has been burned by Pearce before (the Joe Lauzon loss). He respects others who like Morales but has no edge.
The MMA Guru picks Omar Morales over Jonathan Pearce, citing Morales' composed striking and takedown defense. He notes that Morales' only loss is to Giga Chikadze, which has aged well, and that Pearce, while looking good against Kaikamaka, is not at Morales' level. He expects Morales to win a unanimous decision, as he doesn't see the fight hitting the ground and believes Morales is a more versatile and dangerous striker.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 51 of 100 | 51% | 113 of 172 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 1 | 0 | 3:26 |
| Kai Kamaka III | 0 | 47 of 83 | 56% | 48 of 84 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 1 | 0:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 22 of 55 | 40% | 23 of 56 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Kai Kamaka III | 0 | 35 of 64 | 54% | 36 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 0 | 29 of 45 | 64% | 90 of 116 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:51 |
| Kai Kamaka III | 0 | 12 of 19 | 63% | 12 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 0:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Pearce | 51 of 100 | 51% | 34 of 76 | 12 of 19 | 5 of 5 | 27 of 71 | 6 of 9 | 18 of 20 |
| Kai Kamaka III | 47 of 83 | 56% | 20 of 51 | 20 of 25 | 7 of 7 | 44 of 79 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Pearce | 22 of 55 | 40% | 10 of 37 | 9 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 19 of 51 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Kai Kamaka III | 35 of 64 | 54% | 13 of 37 | 15 of 20 | 7 of 7 | 35 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Pearce | 29 of 45 | 64% | 24 of 39 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 20 | 3 of 5 | 18 of 20 |
| Kai Kamaka III | 12 of 19 | 63% | 7 of 14 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Jonathan Pearce, citing his insane wrestling pressure and ability to take down Joanderson Brito. He notes Brito is a dangerous striker but expects Pearce to dive at legs immediately. He expresses some hesitation due to the Grant Dawson knockout, but still picks Pearce.
Big Brady calls this his favorite fight on the card. He thinks Brito is very live for a first-round knockout or submission because Pearce is very hitable and leaves himself in bad spots on the mat. He notes Pearce has great pressure and cardio but Brito has power and submission skills. He predicts Brito wins by first-round knockout, but acknowledges if it goes to the second round, Pearce takes over.
Cody picks Joanderson Brito as a slight underdog, calling it a 50/50 fight. He notes Brito's power and physicality, and believes he can catch Pearce with something. He acknowledges Pearce's wrestling and cardio but thinks Brito's power and submission threat early make him the value play.
Brito is a relentless pressure fighter who doesn't give opponents room to breathe. He has good takedown defense and gets back to his feet quickly. Pearce is a wrestler who may get takedowns early, but Brito's ability to scramble and return to striking will break Pearce. Brito will land big punches and eventually find a knockout in the third round.
Paul also picks Brito, citing his power and the danger he poses early. He notes that Pearce has been hurt before and Brito hits hard. Paul thinks Brito's submission threat, especially a guillotine, is real early. He sees this as a dog or pass and takes the plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Joanderson Brito to finish Jonathan Pearce in round one. He criticizes Pearce's competition and notes that Pearce struggled against Darren Elkins, Makwan Amirkhani, and Christian Rodriguez. He highlights Brito's finishing potential with first-round wins over Lucas Alexander, Andre Fili, and Weston Wilson, and believes Brito's run will continue.
Comments (1)
Interesting fight. Dom talked about how Brito was using power to defend the takedowns. Rd2 Pearce gets an easy takedown. Rd2 Pearce is slapping Brito to advance the position. Brito mocks him in turn. Pearce talks thrash and a min or two later gets ninja choked.
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