Career Averages - Oban Elliott
Career Averages - Michael Oliveira
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Oban Elliott - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Micallef | 0 | 19 of 59 | 32% | 30 of 70 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:35 |
| Oban Elliott | 0 | 40 of 82 | 48% | 47 of 89 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Micallef | 0 | 11 of 36 | 30% | 20 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Oban Elliott | 0 | 21 of 49 | 42% | 27 of 55 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:05 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Micallef | 0 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 10 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:00 |
| Oban Elliott | 0 | 19 of 33 | 57% | 20 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Micallef | 19 of 59 | 32% | 13 of 49 | 5 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 53 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Oban Elliott | 40 of 82 | 48% | 34 of 74 | 1 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 35 of 74 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Micallef | 11 of 36 | 30% | 8 of 31 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 31 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Oban Elliott | 21 of 49 | 42% | 16 of 43 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 16 of 43 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Micallef | 8 of 23 | 34% | 5 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Oban Elliott | 19 of 33 | 57% | 18 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 19 of 31 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Micallef (-135), Elliott (+114)
Round 1
Of the 10 fights the UFC designates as UFC 325, two of them do not feature an athlete from Oceania. This is not one of those, as locals have another man in the cage to get excited about in the form of Micallef (8-1, 1-0 UFC). He collides in a classic matchup of Australia vs. Wales as he locks horns with Elliott (12-3, 3-1 UFC). The welterweights get right after it while referee Marc Goddard keeps tabs on the action.
Micallef leads off with a few kicks, and one to the midsection gets caught as Elliott slings him right down to the mat and climbs on top. Micallef scoots his way to the fence and walks up it with his face aimed towards the audience, and Elliott slugs him upside the head a few times until Micallef breaks off. Elliott intercepts his opponent with a chopping kick that sweeps him off his feet, and when Micallef gets up, he takes a power jab on the jaw. Micallef lunges recklessly, landing a front kick but nearly falling over while doing so. Elliott shrugs it off and corners Micallef, clubbing him with his fists until Micallef peels out and resets. Elliott stings Micallef with a short combination, and he whips a kick at the Aussie’s head that is blocked in time. Elliott kicks low, and Micallef is unable to get out of first gear. Both fighters miss on big hooks, and Elliott uses a second to set up an ankle pick takedown that does not materialize.
The clashing men clinch up, and when they split, Micallef drills Elliott in the temple with a right hand that sets him down. The Welshman climbs back up, and he watches Micallef load up wildly and sees the punches soar past him. Micallef offers out a one-two, and he is met with an intercepting jab. Elliott beats his man to the punch, opening a cut on Micallef’s right eye with his faster swings. Micallef lumbers forward, loading up so much that he crashes into the cage looking quite silly. Elliott does not make him pay for it, so Micallef circles around and wipes the wound that is leaking a bit. Micallef manages to get his hands on Elliott, wrapping him up and leaning on him against the fence. Elliott escapes and dodges an elbow, and he plants his left hand on the bloody face of the Aussie. Elliott further targets it before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Round 2
Elliott rushes out to start the round, where he is met with a front kick to his breadbasket. Micallef looks to establish his jab, and he guards against a high kick when pressing forward. Elliott’s boxing is crisp and quick, allowing him to beat the wide-swinging Micallef to the punch. Micallef swarms forward but misses the mark with his lobbed arms, and Elliott opens the cut up again on the side of Micallef’s eye. Elliott strings a few punches together, not getting too greedy and backing off when he sees the counter coming. Micallef winds up on his punches, allowing Elliott to see many of them coming. The Welshman slams a kick on the lead leg, and his guard is able to defend the responsive head kick. Micallef catches him coming forward with a right hand, and Elliott gets frustrated and lashes out with a storm of reaching punches.
Micallef takes them flush and bounces off the wall behind him, letting Elliott come to him so he can wrap him up and go for a level change. The body lock takedown from Micallef is successful in wresting “The Welsh Gangster” to the floor, and he is quick to set up a rear-naked choke while lacing both hooks in. Micallef slithers his arm beneath the chin in a slightly unorthodox position, and Elliott fights the hands and releases slack in his arms in hopes of loosening the grip.
Seeing this is a poor decision, Elliott frantically attacks the choke grip, but it is now fully secured and squeezing the carotid artery as tight as one can. Elliott’s defensive gestures fall away as his limbs go limp, losing consciousness as Goddard quickly identifies—and measures his resistance by lifting the lifeless arms—the submission has reached its completion.
Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat thanks to one perfectly timed takedown, the Australian adds another win on the board for home-country athletes with a technical submission of a man in Elliott who had never been submitted. There’s a first time for everything, as “The Captain” declares that he is the captain now.
The Official Result
Jonathan Micallef def. Oban Elliott R2 3:31 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Jonathan Micallef, citing his wrestling and ability to land big shots and then shoot takedowns. He notes that Oban Elliott was afraid of power in his last fight and got taken down six times. He likes that Micallef is only minus 150 and says the line moved from dog to favorite, which reassures him.
Big Brady picks the underdog Oban Elliott, believing the market overreacted to his loss against Sung Ho Ko (who is legit). He thinks Elliott is the better striker and wrestler, while Micallef only has a body kick. He expects a decision win for Elliott.
Cody is taking Elliott as a slight underdog, believing he is being undervalued after one loss. He notes that Micallef has a limited striking arsenal and questionable takedown defense. He expects Elliott to use his wrestling and win a decision.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Micallef. He notes that Elliott is a classic neutralizer who feasts on unprincipled strikers, but Micallef is a principled striker who will not get frustrated. Connor believes Micallef's comfort at range and ability to stay proactive will win him the fight.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Elliott as a dog, believing the market overcorrected after his loss to a legit opponent. He thinks Elliott's takedown defense is solid and that Micallef is overrated. Vreeland sees this as a competitive fight and likes Elliott at plus money.
James picks Micallef, citing his advantage in jiu-jitsu and outside kickboxing. He believes Elliott's wrestling could lead to submissions, and that Micallef's footwork and kicks will win the striking exchanges. James questions Elliott's durability and sees Micallef as the more well-rounded fighter.
Elliott is a well-rounded grappler with good cardio and chain wrestling. Micallef relies on mobile striking and BJJ, but Elliott should be able to shut down his striking and win the grappling exchanges. The host liked Elliott at -120 when the fight was first scheduled, so at +110 he sees value. Elliott is the better scrambler and should get more top time and damage.
Paul disagrees and picks Micallef, citing Elliott's poor performance in his last fight and questionable wrestling. He believes Micallef's length and striking will be enough to win a decision.
The Guru picks Oban Elliott despite acknowledging potential bias as a friend. He cites Elliott's experience, craftiness in scrambles, and ability to mix things up on the feet. He notes Micallef's athleticism and finishing potential but believes Elliott's experience and training camp preparation will lead to a split decision win.
Zane picks Micallef because he is a principled striker who is comfortable operating from long range, which should neutralize Elliott's passive, counter-fighting style. He notes that Elliott struggles against principled strikers and tends to give up too much momentum. Zane believes Micallef's kicking game and generalship will be key.
Angelo picks Jonathan Micallef because he has takedowns and random power, which he believes will exploit Oban Elliott's grappling holes. He notes that Elliott recently lost to a similar style fighter (Shyuko) who took him down six times and made him hesitant. Angelo admits he is not insanely confident but sees a clear path to victory for Micallef.
Big Brady picks Oban Elliott to win by decision, but is hesitant. He has never been high on Elliott and thinks he is overrated, but sees this as a winnable fight. He notes Elliott is the better striker and can get takedowns, but worries about his ground game after a poor performance against Co.
Cody picks Elliott but is nervous after his last poor performance. He believes Elliott has the skills to win if he returns to form, using his judo and takedowns. He notes Micallef is green and relies on volume, but Elliott's low volume and recent loss make him untrustworthy.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Elliott is not comfortable being a pressure fighter and will likely spend too much time on the end of Micallef's kicks. He thinks Elliott may duck into a head kick trying to play Micallef's guessing game. However, he acknowledges it's a good fight and Elliott could win if he pressures.
James leans toward Oban Elliott due to his more well-rounded skill set, better boxing, and proven UFC experience. He notes that Micallef relies heavily on kicks and jiu-jitsu, while Elliott has superior wrestling and cardio. However, he acknowledges the fight is close and passes on betting due to lack of strong read.
The host expects Elliott to bounce back after losing as a big favorite. He thinks Elliott will shut down Micallef's grappling and use pace and pressure in striking that Micallef cannot keep up with, winning on the scorecards.
The Guru picks Oban Elliott, citing his experience and well-rounded skills. He believes Micallef won't be able to impose his bully tactics and that Elliott's wrestling and striking will be key. He predicts a 29-28 decision, with Elliott winning the first and third rounds.
Zane thinks Micallef's kicking game will be effective if Elliott gives him space, which he expects Elliott to do. He notes that Elliott tends to be a neutralizer who may not pressure effectively, and that Micallef's southpaw stance and power rear leg kick could cause problems. However, he acknowledges Elliott could counter if he pressures.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ko Seok-hyun | 0 | 33 of 61 | 54% | 80 of 127 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 10:15 |
| Oban Elliott | 0 | 10 of 31 | 32% | 19 of 40 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:44 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ko Seok-hyun | 0 | 8 of 20 | 40% | 19 of 36 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:36 |
| Oban Elliott | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:41 | |
| 2 | Ko Seok-hyun | 0 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 26 of 45 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:15 |
| Oban Elliott | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 7 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ko Seok-hyun | 0 | 10 of 14 | 71% | 35 of 46 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:24 |
| Oban Elliott | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ko Seok-hyun | 33 of 61 | 54% | 25 of 51 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 32 | 3 of 6 | 16 of 23 |
| Oban Elliott | 10 of 31 | 32% | 2 of 20 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 9 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ko Seok-hyun | 8 of 20 | 40% | 5 of 16 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 12 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 3 |
| Oban Elliott | 4 of 11 | 36% | 0 of 5 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ko Seok-hyun | 15 of 27 | 55% | 12 of 23 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 10 of 15 |
| Oban Elliott | 3 of 10 | 30% | 0 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ko Seok-hyun | 10 of 14 | 71% | 8 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Oban Elliott | 3 of 10 | 30% | 2 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Elliott (-500), Ko (+380)
Round 1
To warn everyone of his power, the debuting South Korean Ko (11-2, 0-0 UFC) now goes by the nickname of “The Korean Tyson” despite a knockout rate of 55%. More importantly is that the newcomer has earned three of his last four wins by KO or TKO, so it holds up for now. Perhaps fortuitously, his first test in the UFC is Elliott (12-2, 3-0 UFC), a streaking Welshman whose only losses are via strikes. Someone’s win streak is about to go down hard, and referee Herb Dean will be here for it every step of the way. Eager to get things going, the 170ers meet in the middle and tap their gloves together. Ko comes forward, his hands wide, and he leans back to dodge an introductory head kick whizzing at his head. Ko swings hard with a left, and Elliott ducks it and ties him up immediately. Ko breaks free and chases the Welshman down, drilling his opponent in the mouth with a big left hand. Ko tries to fire off another, but Elliott is wise to it and evades it. Ko’s head kick zooms past “The Welsh Gangster,” who shoots in for a takedown beneath it. Elliott trips Ko but cannot put him down, and Ko counter-throws him to the canvas. Elliott stands up, and Ko’s judo plays a factor as he hurls Elliott down. Elliott stands up, but a mat return allows Ko to take his back and then slide over to partial half-guard when Elliott lays to his back. Elliott utilizes butterfly hooks that allow him to scramble, and as he gets to his feet, Ko lays into him with two mighty fists. Elliott shrugs them off and hammers the body twice with his shin. Ko punches his way into a clinch, where the two jockey for position until Elliott shakes out of it. Elliott kicks his way backwards, with Ko chasing him and winging a big right hand at him. The resulting momentum drags them into another clinch, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ko
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Ko
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ko
Round 2
Elliott leads the dance with an inside calf kick, and he slides back as Ko whiffs on a spinning back elbow. Ko sticks out a left hand, and he follows with another but is caught on the way back with a right hand from the Welshman. Ko goes high with a kick, and Elliott digs his own to the body twice. Ko cracks his opponent with a left hand, forcing Elliott to shoot for a single. Ko spins around to take the back and drag Elliott to his knees, and Elliott is able to wall-walk to get back up. Ko wrenches him down with his hands clasped around his foe’s waist, swirling around to get on top and drop down a handful of right hands. When Elliott stands, Ko yanks him back down, and he starts fishing for a rear-naked choke with one arm. Elliott defends it and turns to his back, and Ko accepts this by moving into his half guard. Elliott’s legs push Ko off of him for a moment, but Ko springs back to the other side in half guard, where he hacks down with elbows. Ko swarms with offense as Elliott scrambles to twist to his knees, and Ko has his leg intertwined with Elliott’s to keep him stuck. Ko grabs hold of a rear-naked choke grip that is on Elliott’s nose, crushing the face but ultimately using a pain move and not one that would likely deprive him of oxygen or blood flow. Elliott turns to get out of it and pushes off with his feet flailing, forcing Ko to get on top in half guard. Ko drops down a few 12-6 legal elbows, even kneeing Elliott on the shoulder, until the round wraps.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ko
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Ko
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ko
Round 3
The welterweights meet in the middle, and Elliott is trying to let his hands go early. Ko kicks him upside the head and nails him with two punches that stand him back up, before getting to the clinch. Ko easily trips the Welshman to the mat, where he finds himself in side control. In dominant position, Ko briefly flirts with north-south position and slashes down with elbows that shred open Elliott’s left eyebrow. Elliott uses his toes to pull off the fence to improve position, blood streaming down his face when he turns to the side. Ko smothers him, easily slicing from half guard to side control. As Ko looks to pass, Elliott bursts back to his feet, but it is a hollow victory as Ko immediately wrenches him down from behind. Elliott turns himself over in a desperate effort to get out of this mauling mess, and Ko—a huge underdog—easily rolls him over and assumes full mount with 90 seconds to go. Ko’s punches are so wildly that Elliott is able to get him back to half guard, and Elliott wall-walks with his feet but finds himself on the wrong end of north-south position once more. At the 20-second mark, Elliott wraps up a sudden inverted triangle choke, and Ko wags his finger at him and pounds on Elliott’s face with his free hand. Elliott squeezes with all his might until the final horn blares, and he releases it as Ko sits up. Ko stands, and offers to help Elliott back to his feet, while Elliott wipes the blood from his visage. The prelims go six for six with decisions, and hopefully the main card can pick things up a little.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ko (30-27 Ko)
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Ko (30-27 Ko)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ko (30-27 Ko)
The Official Result
Seok Hyeon Ko def. Oban Elliott via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Oban Elliott confidently, noting his well-rounded skills, cardio, and ability to flow. He contrasts Oban's movement with Ko's stiffness and power, predicting that Oban will avoid big shots and win early. He thinks Oban's footwork and range control will be key, and that Ko's lack of setup will be exploited.
Big Brady picks Oban Elliott, the biggest favorite on the card. He notes Elliott has fixed previous chin and cardio issues, is only 27, and trains at a good gym. Brady is not sold on Ko, who had limited footage and a boring Contender Series win. He thinks Elliott will do better work on the feet and can mix in takedowns. He predicts Elliott by decision.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Elliott has turned his neutralizing style into a potentially elite MMA game by making opponents frustrated and error-prone. He compares Ko to Bogdan Grad, describing him as a pressure fighter who trudges forward but lacks power and dynamic ability. Connor believes Elliott's length and counter-striking will frustrate Ko, leading to a violent finish.
The host acknowledges that Ko will provide resistance, especially if Elliott looks for a takedown-heavy approach. However, he expects Elliott to mix it up well with volume striking and takedown threat to grind out a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Oban Elliott, despite acknowledging bias as a friend. He praises Elliott's ability to overcome adversity and resistance in fights, citing his comebacks against Val Woodburn and others. He believes Elliott's well-roundedness and durability will overcome Ko Seok-hyun, predicting a third-round finish.
Zane sees Oban Elliott as a neutralizing fighter who frustrates opponents and capitalizes on their mistakes, as shown in recent wins. He views Ko Seok-hyun as a stodgy, flat-footed fighter with poor defense and limited dynamic ability, making him a poor matchup for Elliott's style. Zane notes that Elliott has developed a logical progression from frustration to finishing, and expects Ko to walk into counter shots and make big errors.
Angelo picks Oban Elliott confidently, noting his well-rounded skills, cardio, and ability to get back to his feet after takedowns. He contrasts this with Ramiz Brahimaj's tendency to grapple off his back and lack of striking. He expects the odds to widen further and advises betting early.
Big Brady picks Billy Goff despite the wide line, noting that Ramiz Brahimaj is essentially first-round sub or bust and fades after the first five minutes. Goff is tough, has great cardio, and applies constant pressure. Brady expects Goff to break Brahimaj and finish him in the second round, possibly by knockout.
Matt picks Billy Goff to win by decision. He notes that Goff is an all-gas fighter who wears opponents down, while Brahimaj is an early-finish threat who fades. Goff has never been finished and should survive the early onslaught, then take over in the second and third rounds. Matt likes Goff by decision at +220.
The MMA Guru picks Billy Goff over Ramiz Brahimaj, citing Goff's pressure, body work, and grit. He criticizes Brahimaj's level, noting losses to Court McGee and others. He predicts Goff will win by second or third round TKO, mixing body shots and low kicks.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oban Elliott | 0 | 24 of 70 | 34% | 24 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Bassil Hafez | 1 | 65 of 117 | 55% | 66 of 118 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oban Elliott | 0 | 10 of 27 | 37% | 10 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Bassil Hafez | 0 | 25 of 49 | 51% | 26 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Oban Elliott | 0 | 12 of 37 | 32% | 12 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bassil Hafez | 0 | 29 of 53 | 54% | 29 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Oban Elliott | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Bassil Hafez | 1 | 11 of 15 | 73% | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oban Elliott | 24 of 70 | 34% | 16 of 55 | 2 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 23 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Bassil Hafez | 65 of 117 | 55% | 22 of 60 | 16 of 24 | 27 of 33 | 55 of 107 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oban Elliott | 10 of 27 | 37% | 7 of 21 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Bassil Hafez | 25 of 49 | 51% | 6 of 21 | 5 of 9 | 14 of 19 | 23 of 47 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Oban Elliott | 12 of 37 | 32% | 8 of 29 | 0 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 12 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bassil Hafez | 29 of 53 | 54% | 7 of 27 | 10 of 13 | 12 of 13 | 29 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Oban Elliott | 2 of 6 | 33% | 1 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bassil Hafez | 11 of 15 | 73% | 9 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 8 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS:
Round 1
Kicking right along, welterweights take center stage as two men that present as strikers but maintain very low knockout rates come to blows. Hafez (9-4-1, 1-1 UFC) has only procured one stoppage due to strikes early into his career, while Elliott (11-2, 2-0 UFC) has pulled that off twice. Nevertheless, referee Marc Goddard will be on his A-game for this contest, one that kicks off with a touch of gloves. Both men swing hard at one another early, missing the mark but not by much. Hafez punches his way into a clinch, landing an elbow and breaking off before levels are changed. Elliott picks at his foe with a low kick, and he flicks out a few jabs to not let Hafez’ looping fists reach him. Elliott maintains distance until Hafez bears down on him, with “The Habibi” taking a body kick so he can get in close and club the Welshman on the side of the head. Hafez tries to do this again, but Elliott’s legs keep him at leg’s length. Elliott prods out jabs and a front kick, and Hafez bears down on him hitting little more than air. Elliott goes high with a kick that brushes off the guard, and he avoids a huge right hand by a matter of inches. Hafez slings another haymaker, and “The Welsh Gangster” makes him miss by a wide margin. Elliott jabs the body with the ball of his foot, and Hafez complains of a groin shot as Goddard tells them to fight on. Elliott zings his man with a quick left hand, and he slaps the lead leg with a kick. Hafez is perturbed about another low body kick, and he chambers and fires as head kick as Elliott ducks down. Elliott tanks it, wagging his finger despite getting drilled upside the head. Hafez tries to kick him again, and Elliott’s defense holds up. Elliott fakes a jump knee to land with a front kick, and he beats on the front leg three times before Hafez does something. Hafez catches a body kick and tosses Elliott down to his hands, and Elliott recovers without issue and whips a high kick at “The Habibi” to conclude the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Round 2
The round begins with both fighters hesitant to engage with much, largely aiming single strikes at one another. Elliott connects with a clean body kick, and he comes over the top with a solid right hand. Hafez forces a high kick and slips, but Elliott lets him stand up so he can work the front leg with another kick. Hafez swings for the bleachers and is knocking out the air around him, but Elliott is able to pick and poke with jabs and kicks. Elliott chews up the front leg and body with kicks from safe range, as Hafez’ big strikes are largely telegraphed and not reaching him. Elliott grabs a low kick and is surprised by Hafez spinning with a back fist, but he keeps his wits about him and slaps “The Habibi” in the face with the instep of his foot. Elliott’s foot jab is met with a kick to the body and front leg, and they clash shins at the same time. Elliott’s stance switches keep Hafez guessing, as he can chain kicks together from both sides and stay slick enough to avoid the power coming back at him. Elliott ducks a big kick to scoop an uppercut on the chin, and Hafez wears it well and comes out swinging. Elliott’s footwork and head movement keeps him safe, even when Hafez gets up close and personal and dings him with a short left hook. Elliott tosses out a reverse crescent kick, and Hafez does not know what to think and stutter-steps his way into winging full power hooks. Elliott slides away and smacks his opponent’s leg with a kick, and he ends the round with a front kick. The audience is not enjoying the action thus far, and they let their voices be heard.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Round 3
Hafez runs out of his corner to attack, reaching his man with a left hand and a high kick. Elliott gets on his bike and manages the distance well, nearly ducking into a head kick and then somehow leaning back to not get caught. Elliott chips at the front leg with a thumping kick, and Hafez is wearing it from the repeated kicks and welts are developing fast.
Hafez lazily reaches out with a right hook, and Elliott sits down on a monstrous right hand that sends “The Habibi” flying. Hafez is out before he hits the ground, and he wakes up when Elliott drills him with a few standing-to-ground punches. Goddard watches closely until seeing that Hafez is not intelligently defending himself, and he waves the fight off.
The Welshman becomes the first fighter to stop the durable, bloodied Hafez, and he walks off and starts posing like a pro wrestler. Meanwhile, Hafez tries to stand up a bit too quickly, and he stumbles across the cage and has to be caught by Goddard and his corner. They seat him on his stool, and he needs to be informed what happened.
The Official Result
Oban Elliott def. Bassil Hafez R3 0:40 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Bassil Hafez as an underdog, liking his pressure, takedowns, and power. He notes that Oban Elliott has good cardio and tools but is not very dangerous and can be taken down. He believes if Hafez's cardio holds up, he wins. He plans to bet on Hafez if the line moves in his favor.
Big Brady picks Oban Elliott but thinks the line is too wide. He notes Elliott's improved takedown defense in his last fight against Preston Parsons and believes he is the cleaner striker. However, he acknowledges that Bassil Hafez has solid wrestling and that Elliott has been taken down by lesser fighters in the past. He predicts a close decision win for Elliott, possibly 29-28.
Cody picks Bassil Hafez, citing his durability and grappling. He notes Hafez was competitive with Jack Madalena and has a strong top game. Cody expects Hafez to neutralize Elliott with takedowns and control, possibly winning a decision. He likes the plus money.
Connor agrees with Zane, noting that Hafez's aggression and willingness to scramble will trouble Elliott. He mentions that Elliott's defensive wrestling and footwork are good, but Hafez's pace and power could overwhelm him. Connor sees it as a close fight but leans toward Hafez.
Vreeland picks Hafez as his dog, noting he has been fading Oban Elliott from day one. He thinks the plus 200 line is juicy and that Hafez can submit Elliott, who gave up his back to B Woodburn.
Daniel Vreeland picks Oban Elliott, expecting him to take over after the first round. He notes Hafez's tendency to gas out and Elliott's improving takedown defense and fight IQ. He acknowledges Hafez's early power but believes Elliott's pace and durability will win him the decision.
Fox does not make a clear pick for this fight. He comments that he doesn't like the Hafez submission prop but does not state his own pick.
The host was impressed by Elliott's pressure approach against Preston Parsons, where he turned the takedowns against Parsons and landed big shots. He expects Elliott to replicate that against Hafez, using his speed and technical striking advantage to win a decision as Hafez slows down in deeper waters.
Paul picks Bassil Hafez, noting the growing plus money and Hafez's durability. He expects a close fight that could go to a split decision, and likes Hafez as an underdog. Paul is waiting for the line to move further before betting.
The MMA Guru picks Oban Elliott, citing his volume striking and underrated grappling. He notes Bassil Hafez looked awful against Mickey Gall and struggled with takedowns. He believes Elliott will out-volume Hafez on the feet and won't be taken down.
Zane picks Hafez, feeling that Hafez's relentless aggression and power will be too much for Elliott's neutralization style. He notes that Elliott has been knocked out before and that Hafez is faster and harder to dissuade. Zane expects a split decision but leans toward Hafez.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oban Elliott | 0 | 44 of 125 | 35% | 49 of 142 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:56 |
| Preston Parsons | 0 | 36 of 93 | 38% | 71 of 133 | 1 of 9 | 11% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oban Elliott | 0 | 9 of 35 | 25% | 12 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:56 |
| Preston Parsons | 0 | 12 of 34 | 35% | 25 of 50 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 | |
| 2 | Oban Elliott | 0 | 13 of 46 | 28% | 14 of 53 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:54 |
| Preston Parsons | 0 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 23 of 38 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 | |
| 3 | Oban Elliott | 0 | 22 of 44 | 50% | 23 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Preston Parsons | 0 | 8 of 30 | 26% | 23 of 45 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oban Elliott | 44 of 125 | 35% | 36 of 116 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 41 of 122 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Preston Parsons | 36 of 93 | 38% | 15 of 66 | 4 of 9 | 17 of 18 | 31 of 85 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oban Elliott | 9 of 35 | 25% | 6 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Preston Parsons | 12 of 34 | 35% | 3 of 21 | 2 of 5 | 7 of 8 | 9 of 30 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Oban Elliott | 13 of 46 | 28% | 9 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Preston Parsons | 16 of 29 | 55% | 7 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 7 | 15 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Oban Elliott | 22 of 44 | 50% | 21 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 43 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Preston Parsons | 8 of 30 | 26% | 5 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Parsons (-155), Elliott (+130)
Round 1
Capping off the early prelims is now a welterweight clash between Welshman Elliott (10-2, 1-0 UFC) and submission specialist Parsons (11-4, 2-2 UFC). The Floridian will try to become the first man to tap out Elliott and spoil his six-fight win streak, while aiming to go on his own run for the first time since 2021. Referee Dan Movahedi draws the charge for this stylistic clash, and it kicks off with a spirited clap of hands. Elliott tries to strike first with a spinning wheel kick, and Parsons walks past it slinging hands. “Pressure” pressures his opponent right to the wall, and Elliott spins him around and nails him with an elbow. The two jockey for position against the wire, peppering one another with elbows until Parsons decides to disengage and try another way in. As he circles, he lands a low kick, and his head kick that follows goes wide. Elliott spins with a back kick that lands right above the cup, and Parsons shows no concern and goes right at his man kicking the upper thigh twice. As Elliott parries punches, he is forced to deal with a spin kick to the ribs. Elliott gives him a strike back immediately in the form of a spinning wheel kick, and the two take turns punching one another. Elliott marches forward but his leg is kicked out, and Parsons tries to take advantage but is shoved to the fencing. Elliott flirts with a takedown, and Parsons meets him low with a guillotine setup to thwart it. Parsons fights out of the tie-up and walks forward swinging for the fences. Elliott meets him in the middle, gunslinging right back, and he allows Parsons to leap at him with a Superman punch to tag him with a right hand in response. Elliott shuts down a takedown effort from Parsons and squeezes him against the wall until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Round 2
The two hurry out of their corners so promptly that they forget they want to touch gloves and are too close to one another to offer. They elect to throw hands, and Parsons ducks down to time a single-leg entry that Elliott successfully and comfortable defends. Elliott manages to turn Parsons around and push him against the cage, and he releases the grip and dodges or parries most of the kicks that fly at him. Parsons gets off an effective calf kick and has his head snapped back with a jab, and he comes up just short of a counter left hook. Parsons reaches his man with a left hand, swaying to dodge the counter, and he ducks a trio of punches to shoot on the hips. Elliott perfectly defends the double-leg takedown and sprawls away, managing to circle around and take the back standing in the process. Elliott drags Parsons to a knee for a moment, and he releases his hands clasped around the waist and backs away to reset. Parsons surges after him swinging with a big right hand, and Elliott effectively counters him and ducks a punch to try to take Parsons down. Parsons stays on his feet while Elliott’s hands wrap around his waist, and Parsons grabs the fence but is still taken down. Parsons powers back to his feet and frees himself from the grip, but Elliott is right there in front of him to box him up. Elliott slips back to avoid the counter and escapes, and Parsons gives chase and connects at the end of a right hand. Elliott steps in with a knee to the body and sticks out a jab, and the pressure of “Pressure” continues as he doggedly pursues a takedown he cannot find. The Welshman defends flawlessly and uses a kimura to roll Parsons over, sweeping his man and jumping back up before Parsons can get hold of him to initiate more ground fighting. Elliott pushes his man on the links until the conclusion of Round 2.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Round 3
When the round begins, Parsons is the initial aggressor until he walks face-first into a one-two, and he thinks twice about this approach. Elliott beats him to the punch repeatedly, splitting the guard to frustrate Parsons further. Parsons hunts for a takedown in open cage, and Elliott scrambles quickly to defend it. Parsons jumps after a submission, and Elliott wrenches his limb out and shuts down Parsons’ subsequent double that does not work. Parsons stands up labored when Elliott backs off, and he allows Parsons to meander forward so he can counter him with a solid combination. A one-two from Elliott gets Parsons’ attention, who loads up on strikes and gets popped with another one-two before getting bullied to the wall. Elliott disengages so he can keep working Parsons over from boxing range, and he ignores a low kick while fighting behind his jab. Parsons comes up well short with a head kick and eats a jab, and he overswings but manages to connect with a left hook. Elliott pushes “Pressure” to the wall again and sneaks in a left hand on the way, stifling a takedown as well. Elliott elbows on the break, and he ducks a right hook to flash out a jab. Elliott meets a diving takedown and gets pushed back to the chain links, and Parsons manages to scoop his man up and toss him down but falls directly into an armbar setup. The Welshman holds tight on the submission while Parsons holds his knee down on the face, and Elliott continues hanging on with the maneuver and has his toes interlocked in the fence. Parsons shucks it off and turns the corner, but both men get back to their feet in the clinch. Parsons works the body with knees and a few punches, and the fight comes to a conclusion.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott (30-27 Elliott)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Parsons (29-28 Elliott)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Elliott (30-27 Elliott)
The Official Result
Oban Elliott def. Preston Parsons via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Preston Parsons, expecting him to dive for takedowns and either submit or decision Oban Elliott. He notes that Oban is well-rounded but not dangerous, and Parsons has 9 submissions in 11 wins. Angelo acknowledges the fight could be boring but believes Parsons will get the grappling going and win.
Cody picks Preston Parsons, citing his relentless pressure, grappling, and power. He notes that Oban Elliott was taken down by Val Woodburn, which is a red flag, and that Parsons has better wrestling and cardio. Cody believes Parsons can grind out a win or even knock Elliott out.
Daniel thinks Preston Parsons is more battle-tested and has faced better competition. He notes Oban Elliott is unathletic and boring but tough. He picks Parsons but not confidently, citing potential jet lag and judging issues.
Daniel picks Modestas Bukauskas inside the distance as his prop. He notes Bukauskas has good takedowns and back-takes from his Cage Warriors days, and expects him to work his grappling. He thinks there's a real chance of a ground-and-pound finish, and the inside distance line at +240 offers value.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Elliott's takedown defense is questionable and that Parsons' wrestling will be the difference. He mentions that Parsons has a clear game plan and that Elliott's love from the betting market is unwarranted.
The MMA Guru picks Preston Parsons, believing he is the better fighter with tougher competition. He notes Parsons' well-rounded game, including grappling and submission attempts, and his impressive win over Matthew Semelsberger. The Guru is less impressed with Oban Elliott's striking, calling it slow, and thinks Parsons will mix things up effectively. He acknowledges Elliott's size and potential but trusts Parsons' experience and skill.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oban Elliott | 0 | 70 of 111 | 63% | 136 of 188 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 8:58 |
| Val Woodburn | 1 | 23 of 61 | 37% | 30 of 70 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 1:56 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oban Elliott | 0 | 28 of 40 | 70% | 51 of 66 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:09 |
| Val Woodburn | 1 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 5 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 | |
| 2 | Oban Elliott | 0 | 23 of 40 | 57% | 53 of 75 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:40 |
| Val Woodburn | 0 | 6 of 20 | 30% | 6 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 3 | Oban Elliott | 0 | 19 of 31 | 61% | 32 of 47 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:09 |
| Val Woodburn | 0 | 12 of 24 | 50% | 19 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 1:25 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oban Elliott | 70 of 111 | 63% | 60 of 96 | 7 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 33 of 65 | 3 of 3 | 34 of 43 |
| Val Woodburn | 23 of 61 | 37% | 19 of 55 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 46 | 5 of 10 | 3 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oban Elliott | 28 of 40 | 70% | 24 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 22 of 29 |
| Val Woodburn | 5 of 17 | 29% | 5 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 | 0 of 4 | 2 of 4 | |
| 2 | Oban Elliott | 23 of 40 | 57% | 19 of 33 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 |
| Val Woodburn | 6 of 20 | 30% | 5 of 17 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Oban Elliott | 19 of 31 | 61% | 17 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 11 |
| Val Woodburn | 12 of 24 | 50% | 9 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 18 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Elliott (-290), Woodburn (+235)
Round 1
Keeping things pushing, two natural welterweights meet both searching for their first win in the Octagon. Welshman Elliott (9-2, 0-0 UFC) fooled a few not paying attention into believing he would not make weight, while the stocky Woodburn (7-1, 0-1 UFC) made his way down to 170 pounds with relative ease. Before the feet and fists fly, referee Jonathan Romero checks the fighters in while they share a glove touch. Woodburn practically sprints at his man to start fighting, and Elliott is quick to stifle that by grabbing hold of him, turning him around and kneeing him in the gut. Elliott backs off, measures a head kick and nails Woodburn upside the head, and this only ticks “The Animal” off. Woodburn blitzes with wild hooks, cracking Elliott and hurting him badly, dropping the Welshman to the mat. Woodburn continues throwing until Elliott fights out of a bad position, and he manages to get up and pursue a takedown, where he drags Woodburn to his seat against the fence. Elliott slides around to the back and gets a hook in, and he starts flattening Woodburn out and drilling him on the side of the head with left hands. Woodburn sits up and has to immediately fight off a rear-naked choke attempt from “The Welsh Gangster,” and this only leads to more shots to the side of his head from Elliott. Elliott uses softening punches to mix in submission efforts, and those chokes turn to cranks of any time as Elliott just wants to grip something and torque it. Woodburn defends against the various maneuvers, fighting the hands and staying in the fight even if Elliott is controlling him completely with both hooks in from behind. Elliott jams down an elbow to push Woodburn over, and he climbs into half guard and drops down a few more elbows for good measure. The Welshman shifts into full mount with ease, and he postures up and batters Woodburn with powerful elbows and punches before forcing Woodburn to turn over. Woodburn goes flat as he takes shots, and he grits out a choke attempt and survives to hear the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Round 2
At the beginning of the second round, Woodburn is still sucking wind, and he throws telegraphed strikes when the round begins. Elliott is more composed but willing to engage in a brawl, which is the one place where Woodburn can still hurt him. The Florida native welcomes such an exchange, stinging the Welshman and forcing him to back off and adjust his position. Woodburn slowly meanders forward, lunging into action with three hooks as Elliott grapples him and changes levels in pursuit of a single-leg takedown. Woodburn stands him up with his back to the wall, and Elliott backs off and lands an elbow on the break. Woodburn flails back to little effect, and he takes a flush body kick as he hurls an overhand right that comes up short. Elliott goes after another body kick, and Woodburn looks to catch his kick and throw him to the mat. On the next attempt, Woodburn actually catches it and tosses Elliott down, and he jumps on his back. The fresher Elliott turns the tables and gets Woodburn down, and he sneaks a hook in as he isolates Woodburn’s neck. Woodburn again defends the choke setup, but Elliott is firmly in the driver’s seat when the other hook gets around the waist. Elliott works his foe upside the head with his fists, and he opts to try another choke but there is nothing to it. As Elliott hangs on, the crowd gets bored, and starts booing his controlling effort. As Woodburn slides off the side and gets on top, the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Elliott
Round 3
The welterweights have reached the third round, and Woodburn appears less exhausted than in the previous round. The Floridian surges into action with a wild and inaccurate flurry, and Elliott closes the distance to prevent any of the power shots from reaching him cleanly. Woodburn pushes him away, only to eat a few jabs on the way out. They crash together when Woodburn swings for the fences, and he lands a single uppercut only for Elliott to connect with three or four. Elliott leaves a kick out too long, allowing Woodburn to thump him with a big right hand. Elliott shoots in for a single, and he succeeds in scooping Woodburn up and putting him on his back as the crowd voices its disapproval. Elliott controls from a high half guard in hopes of moving into mount, and his offense dwindles while he tries for positional control. The Welshman takes full mount at the midpoint of the round, and he stays tightly pressed to his spent foe rather than posturing up. Elliott drops down a single elbow that gets through, and he sits up to drop down three punches and an elbow to follow. Elliott throws too recklessly while on top, which lets Woodburn slither out and sneak around to take Elliott’s back while Elliott is surprised and on his knees. Elliott stands back up, and Woodburn presses him to the wire and searches for a double-leg takedown. Woodburn drags the Welshman to his knee as he transitions to a single, and Elliott wall-walks back upright. A feeble foot stomp from “The Animal” is all he has the energy to muster, and he clings to Elliott until there are a few seconds left. Woodburn breaks, and he swings inaccurately until the fight comes to a conclusion.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Elliott (30-27 Elliott)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Elliott (30-27 Elliott)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Elliott (30-27 Elliott)
The Official Result
Oban Elliott def. Valentine Woodburn via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Oban Elliott as the more well-rounded fighter who can grind out a decision. He notes that Val Woodburn is dangerous but Oban is the better fighter. He plans to bet Val Woodburn inside the distance decision no action, expecting a refund if Oban wins by decision.
Big Brady picks Oban Elliott to win by third-round submission. He notes Elliott's solid wrestling and grappling, expecting him to wear down Val Woodburn and eventually finish him. He expresses concerns about Elliott's durability, as he has been nearly finished before, but believes Woodburn's lack of tested grappling will be his downfall. He says he wouldn't lay -300 on Elliott but still picks him.
Cody picks Woodburn as a dog, noting his appearance and the fact that he is dropping to 170, which may be a better fit. He admits he has no interest in betting Elliott at -270 and sees Woodburn as a live underdog. He acknowledges it's a pass for him but picks Woodburn for the show.
Daniel picks Val Woodburn as a value underdog. He explains that he initially dismissed Woodburn but after watching his regional fights, he was impressed by his strength and cardio. He notes that Woodburn fought up at light heavyweight and manhandled opponents. He criticizes Oban Elliott's Contender Series performance, saying he tired and his wrestling may not hold up. He believes Woodburn's power and clinch work will be decisive and that the -286 price on Elliott is too high.
Daniel Vreeland picks Oban Elliott, believing he will break Woodburn down with his attritional style and cardio. He notes Woodburn is dropping to welterweight and is relatively unknown. He looks forward to fading Elliott in the future but picks him here.
Jeff picks Oban Elliott, citing his better overall skills and experience. He acknowledges that UK fighters can be overhyped but believes Elliott is the more well-rounded fighter. He is not willing to pay the -286 price, however, and says he won't bet him in real life.
Elliott has experience and grappling advantages. Woodburn is moving down to welterweight for the first time and lacks tools. Elliott grinds out a late finish. The -310 line is too wide, so late-round props are recommended.
Paul picks Elliott, noting his experience on the European regional scene and his win on Contender Series. He questions Woodburn's durability and cardio after his quick KO loss to Bo Nickal. He believes Elliott's wrestling and well-rounded game will be too much for Woodburn.
The MMA Guru picks Oban Elliott, noting his skill advantage over Val Woodburn if the fight leaves the first few exchanges. He criticizes Woodburn's strength of schedule, saying his wins are against older, past-it fighters. He predicts Elliott wins by decision, possibly an arm triangle submission in the late second or third round. He also mentions concern about Elliott's weight cut after a brutal KO loss.
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