Adrian Yañez
Career Averages
Win Methods (6)
Loss Methods (3)
Fight History
Expert Picks (20)
AJ picks Adrian Yañez by violent knockout, citing Yañez's fast hands, slick boxing combinations, and knockout power. He believes Cody Garbrandt is past his prime, slower, and more passive, and that Yañez's timing and reach advantage will lead to a knockout. He notes that Garbrandt hasn't been knocked out since 2021 and Yañez is due for a knockout win.
AJ picks Yañez by KO, stating Garbrandt is cooked and a step behind, and that he got lucky in his last fight. He expects a violent, brutal KO from Yañez.
AJ is confident in Adrian Yañez, believing he will knock out Cody Garbrandt. He notes Garbrandt's decline and that Yañez has a speed and boxing advantage. He expects Yañez to force a firefight and get the KO, as Garbrandt's chin is vulnerable.
AJ thinks Adrian Yañez is due for a highlight reel knockout and that Cody Garbrandt is the perfect opponent. He calls Yañez a true lock on the card, predicting a second or third round KO. He notes that Garbrandt is past his prime and will get clipped.
AJ picks Adrian Yañez by KO, believing Garbrandt is about to get slimed out and busted up with big shots. He thinks Yañez's KO feels right and that Garbrandt may run around avoiding the fight.
AJ picks Yañez to knock out Garbrandt, citing Garbrandt's inactivity, decline, and recent losses. He believes Yañez's pressure, speed, and combinations will overwhelm Garbrandt, who is no longer the same fighter. AJ notes that Garbrandt's chin has been cracked before and that Yañez is hungry and more active.
Angelo believes Yañez is the better striker at this point, with better chin and speed. He notes Cody is a shell of his former self, with a 4-7 record in the last 10 years. He doubts a finish and expects Yañez to win a striking match.
Angelo picks Adrian Yañez because he is faster, cleaner, more technical, and younger. He notes that Cody Garbrandt is not the same fighter as 10 years ago, with seven losses in the last decade and a chinny style. He believes Yañez's takedown defense (75%) should be enough to handle Garbrandt's wrestling, and that Yañez should win by decision. He also likes the plus 200 odds on Yañez by decision.
Big Brady picks Adrian Yañez to win by second-round knockout. He believes Garbrandt is due to get knocked out again, noting his low volume and defensive style. He highlights Yañez's high volume, power, and recent knockouts. He thinks Garbrandt's chin is vulnerable and Yañez will land a big shot.
Big Brady is confident in Adrian Yañez, citing Cody Garbrandt's low volume and tendency to fight not to lose. He believes Yañez will come forward, land big shots, and knock out Garbrandt, who has a weak chin and has been knocked out multiple times. He notes Yañez is a knockout artist and that Garbrandt's only path is an early KO, which is unlikely.
Big Brady picks Adrian Yañez to win inside the distance at -105 for 1.5 units, calling the line a 'wild line' given Yañez is nearly -500 on the moneyline. He notes Garbrandt has no chin and Yañez finishes most of his wins by knockout. He also has a half-unit on Yañez by KO in rounds 2 or 3 at +280, expecting Garbrandt to run early but eventually get caught. He admits the fight has 'trap written all over it' but sees value.
Big Brady is confident Yañez wins by KO, calling it a fine parlay piece. He notes Garbrandt has no chin, doesn't throw anything, and almost lost his last fight. He thinks Yañez at -250 was a phenomenal bet, but at -410 it's wide. He expects the KO prop to be juiced and the under to be scary because Cody might try not to get hit.
Cody picks Adrian Yañez, citing Garbrandt's decline in durability, speed, and volume. He notes Garbrandt's 0-for-15 takedown streak and poor recent performances. Yañez has better cardio, speed, and is the more reliable fighter at this stage.
Daniel Levi picks Adrian Yañez to knock out Cody Garbrandt, citing Garbrandt's suspect chin and decline since his back injury. He notes that Yañez has better durability and confidence, though he acknowledges Garbrandt could land an early knockout. Levi expects Yañez to find the finish, possibly later in the fight if Garbrandt is cautious.
Jacob picks Adrian Yañez, emphasizing that the key is to stay balanced and not chase the knockout. He advises Yañez to touch and move, making Garbrandt overthrow and then counter. He believes Yañez is capable in wrestling and grappling, and should be the better striker. He warns that if Yañez tries to knock Garbrandt out, he gives Garbrandt opportunities.
Lucrative James picks Adrian Yañez via KO, stating that Cody Garbrandt is washed and his chin is gone. He notes Garbrandt's early speed and power but expects him to fade after round one, allowing Yañez to land a knockout. He highlights Yañez's durability and recent performances against tough competition.
The host is confident in Yañez's striking and defensive responsibility, expecting him to counter Garbrandt and eventually find a knockout in rounds two or three. He views Garbrandt as a faded fighter with durability issues and likes Yañez as a parlay piece.
The host loves Yanez in this spot, especially if his early durability holds up. He notes Garbrandt often fades in the second and third rounds, and expects Yanez to take full advantage and win by knockout.
Paul picks Adrian Yañez by KO, noting Garbrandt is overdue for a knockout loss. He mentions Yañez's KO prop at -115 and plans to bet it. He doesn't love the moneyline at -450.
The MMA Guru picks Adrian Yañez to win by KO in the first or second round. He is highly critical of Cody Garbrandt, stating that Garbrandt's head is not in the game and that he has been backing away in recent fights. He notes that Yañez has a solid jab that will give Garbrandt problems, similar to Rob Font's jab. He believes Yañez will pepper Garbrandt and put him away.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 0 | 44 of 139 | 31% | 52 of 149 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:06 |
| Adrian Yañez | 1 | 71 of 169 | 42% | 73 of 171 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 12 of 55 | 21% | 12 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 16 of 46 | 34% | 16 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 15 of 35 | 42% | 23 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:06 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 16 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 17 of 49 | 34% | 17 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Adrian Yañez | 1 | 40 of 94 | 42% | 41 of 95 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 44 of 139 | 31% | 33 of 121 | 7 of 13 | 4 of 5 | 38 of 132 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Adrian Yañez | 71 of 169 | 42% | 63 of 159 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 67 of 156 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 13 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 12 of 55 | 21% | 9 of 48 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 12 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 16 of 46 | 34% | 15 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 15 of 35 | 42% | 13 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Adrian Yañez | 15 of 29 | 51% | 13 of 26 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 17 of 49 | 34% | 11 of 42 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 40 of 94 | 42% | 35 of 88 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 36 of 81 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 13 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Simon (-145); Yanez (+120)
Round 1
It has been somewhat rough sledding for these two bantamweights on deck, as they have combined for three victories across their last eight appearances. Simon (22-7, 10-6 UFC) has fared the slightly better of the two, winner of two of his last three but coming off a decision defeat to the resurgent Raoni Barcelos. Texas-based foe Yanez (17-6, 6-3 UFC) has only gotten his hand raised once in his last four encounters, and this will his first walk to the cage since the end of 2024. Referee Blake Grice draws the charge for this second matchup of the evening, stepping back as the athletes rush towards one another without a glove touch in sight.
They peel back right before engaging, with Simon ducking and dipping to throw Yanez off his game early. Yanez lands a low kick first, and he defends against the overhand right coming back at him. Simon digs a kick to the stomach, and he is chased back by the Texan’s punches. Simon inches his way forward, stutter-stepping and using awkward movement. Yanez’ boxing is crisp so far, as he catches Simon with a slick uppercut and a few more punches before Simon can get his bearings. Simon flicks out a jab, attacks a low kick and fakes a takedown. Yanez is well out of the way before anything comes together, and he has his guard up to defend a head kick flying at him. Yanez doubles up on a jab, and he tosses Simon out of the way when Simon closes in to grapple.
Simon whiffs with a head kick and a spinning back fist, with Yanez pecking at him with his jab to fluster him just enough. Yanez goes upstairs with three punches, and he shoulder-rolls the return fire. Yanez stands tall with a hard right hand that catches Simon flush, and Simon has to blink it out before plodding forward again. They fire off jabs at one another, and Simon rushes forward with a knee but Yanez dodges it and wags his finger. Both fighters go with double jabs, and Yanez rings him up with a right hand over the top. He ducks down into a head kick to take some of the oomph out of it, blocking it and surging forward with two lunging punches. The two trade fierce hands, with Simon surprising his opponent with a hard right hand that makes Yanez backpedal. Simon times a solid uppercut, ending the round swinging for the bleachers.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Round 2
The bantamweights hurry towards one another to start off the round, where they quickly trade hands to reintroduce themselves to one another. Simon splits the guard with a front kick, and Yanez parries the punches that come after it. Yanez cannot get out of the way of a right hand, so he stands firm and slings back a heavy right. Moving just enough to dodge the worst of what is aimed at him, Yanez lets his hands go and catches Simon cleanly. Simon tanks them all and switches stances to author up a high kick, and it skims the shoulder. Simon sets up and bull-rushes his way forward to complete a takedown, putting the Texan flat on his back with Yanez closing his guard. Simon drives down two hard elbows to make Yanez think twice about keeping him in the guard, so Yanez scrambles wildly to get back to his feet and lean against the cage. Simon wraps his arms around Yanez’ waist, and he knees Yanez in the face as Yanez’ fingers are hooked in the fence. Simon lifts Yanez’ leg up to dump him to the mat, and Yanez appears discouraged.
Simon jams him to the body with a knee, and Yanez hurries his way back upright. Simon keeps kneeing when he finds a modicum of space, and he switches up to uppercut Yanez several times with his left hand. Simon sells out for a takedown, dropping down to his knees in a high-intensity effort. Yanez maintains his balance thanks in part to the cage behind him, but it wavers a bit when Simon tags him with a mean elbow on the break. Yanez backs away to reestablish his jab, and he doubles up on it to catch Simon with a right hand. Yanez mixes his jab up to aim to the body a few times, and he clubs Simon on the sides of the dome with his fists. Simon returns fire with a head kick that is blocked, and he leaps forward with a knee only to be met with a powerful right hand that freezes him. Yanez counters a lazy right hand with a speedy one-two, and he takes a power jab that backs him off. Simon fakes for a takedown, and the close round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Round 3
Yanez races out of his corner, fired up by coach Sayif Saud, and he quickly puts hands on his opponent. Yanez goes to the lead leg with a kick that opens up two punches up top, with his speed the difference-maker. The Texan connects with a powerful right hand down the middle, and he strings two more behind it while Simon is thinking about the previous blow. Simon throws back, but the volume is slowly shifting in favor of Yanez. While he lands a pair of punches, Simon blasts his foe in the cheek with a huge left hand. Yanez is stunned but still has the wherewithal to fire back, busting open a cut on the corner of Simon’s left eye that starts pouring blood. Simon wipes his eye a few times after taking jabs to the wound, with the crimson mask turning into a bullseye that Yanez targets with impunity.
Simon loads up on power, catching Yanez again but not stopping him for long. He attempts a flying knee, and Yanez slides to the side and starts chattering to Simon. The crowd is on Simon’s side, who walks into a huge right hand and is in a bad, bad way. Yanez cuts Simon off but does not go for broke or open himself up for a counter, measuring his shots and connecting flush on his foe. Simon is not about to go quietly into this good night, and he loads up and cracks Yanez again. Yanez is quick to reply with three crisp punches, and he wipes his hands off and staves off a takedown shot. Simon proves out with a power jab, and Yanez further bloodies him up with his own offerings. The two are going tit-for-tat with strong offense this far into the match, both having been caught cleanly and still hellbent for leather. Yanez clips Simon with a right hand at the end of a short combo, and he leans back as a huge right hand soars past him. Yanez rocks Simon with a massive right hand, and Simon drops to his knees barely still with it. Simon sways and keeps his hands up while on his knees, and Yanez tries to finish the job with a mighty flurry of fiery fists. Grice watches on but does not intervene, and Simon’s face swells up like a balloon from the onslaught of punches. The buzzer sounds, Grice shoves Yanez off of Simon, and Simon stands but is out on his feet looking to hug his likely victorious opponent and stay on his feet. Cutwoman Swayze Valentine tends to the many wounds that have appeared on Simon’s face, and he has to hang onto her shoulders so he does not fall over. What a fight that turned out to be.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yanez (30-27 Yanez)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yanez (30-27 Yanez)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yanez (30-27 Yanez)
The Official Result
Adrian Yanez vs. Ricky Simon is Ruled a Majority Draw (28-29, 28-28, 28-28)
Expert Picks (10)
Angelo picks Ricky Simon because he believes Simon's relentless pressure and wrestling will negate Yanez's technical striking. He notes that Simon's takedown defense was exposed against Honey Balcelos, but Balcelos is a high-level wrestler, while Yanez has no offensive takedowns. Angelo also mentions the hometown advantage and the possibility of a close decision, but expects Simon's wrestling to be effective enough to secure the win.
Big Brady picks Ricky Simón to win by decision, but he is hesitant. He notes that Simón has been on a three-fight losing streak and his cardio and wrestling have declined. However, he believes Simón's wrestling upside is key, as Adrian Yañez has not faced a wrestler in the UFC. Simón is the hometown fighter, and Brady thinks he can mix in takedowns, cage push, and win minutes in the clinch to secure a decision.
Cody picks Yanez, believing his striking and takedown defense will be enough to win rounds. He's concerned about Simon's hometown advantage but thinks Yanez lands the more significant shots.
Connor picks Yañez, thinking that Simón doesn't want to win just by holding someone down and will engage in the pocket, where Yañez can catch him. He notes that Simón is square and takes his eyes off the target, and Yañez has power.
Daniel believes Yanez's boxing and takedown defense will be too much for Simon, who he thinks is past his best. He cites sources saying Yanez is sharp again and likes the underdog value.
The host picks Simón despite his poor fight IQ and tendency to strike instead of wrestle. He argues that Simón's wrestling is his path to victory, and Yanez's takedown defense is inflated because he has only faced strikers. Footage from Yanez's fight against Daniel Marcos shows he can be taken down and held down easily. However, the host warns that Simón may not commit to grappling, making this a risky bet.
The host sees Yañez as the better striker with good takedown defense and getups, allowing him to keep the fight standing. He believes Yañez's striking edge and reach advantage will allow him to piece up Simón, and he even suggests Yañez might score a knockout. He notes Simón's reliance on power and wrestling, but thinks Yañez can avoid the big shots and find a finish.
Paul leans Simon, citing his wrestling and hometown crowd. He thinks Simon's control time could sway judges, especially with the Seattle crowd.
The MMA Guru picks Ricky Simón, noting his improved demeanor and grappling ability. He believes Simón is well-rounded enough to grapple his way to a decision victory. He criticizes Adrian Yañez's recent performances, pointing out losses to Rob Font and Daniel Marcos, and suggests Yañez struggles against capable opponents. He expects Simón to mix in grappling and land good shots on the feet.
Zane picks Simón for the wrestling, noting that Simón has shown more interest in keeping people down recently. He is hesitant because Yañez has good defensive wrestling and is a higher output fighter, but he thinks Simón's wrestling will be the difference in a close fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 0 | 79 of 183 | 43% | 85 of 189 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:15 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 86 of 147 | 58% | 95 of 156 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 24 of 55 | 43% | 29 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 29 of 46 | 63% | 30 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:46 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 41 of 98 | 41% | 41 of 98 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 39 of 70 | 55% | 39 of 70 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Daniel Marcos | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 15 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 18 of 31 | 58% | 26 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:37 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Marcos | 79 of 183 | 43% | 57 of 156 | 8 of 10 | 14 of 17 | 79 of 182 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 86 of 147 | 58% | 60 of 111 | 9 of 16 | 17 of 20 | 81 of 142 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Marcos | 24 of 55 | 43% | 15 of 46 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 7 | 24 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 29 of 46 | 63% | 14 of 30 | 4 of 5 | 11 of 11 | 27 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Daniel Marcos | 41 of 98 | 41% | 29 of 82 | 5 of 6 | 7 of 10 | 41 of 97 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 39 of 70 | 55% | 29 of 52 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 8 | 39 of 70 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Daniel Marcos | 14 of 30 | 46% | 13 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 18 of 31 | 58% | 17 of 29 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marcos (-180), Yanez (+150)
Round 1
Keith Peterson will oversee the bantamweight fight. Both men meet at the center of the cage and Yanez is throwing fast hooks at his opponent. Marcos is throwing out his jab and measuring distance well. An overhand right from Marcos lands. Yanez is hurt! Marcos is keeping the pressure on and throws a front kick. Yanez is recovered. Marcos lands a simultaneous low blow and an eye poke all at once. Brutal. Yanez is hurt and taking time to recover. Marcos gets a stern warning, but no points are taken. Yanez scores with a leg kick. A wild exchange occurs, with Marcos eating an uppercut and then coming over the top with his own right hand. Yanez clinches and gets Marcos against the fence. Marcos reverses the position and is now going for a takedown of his own. Marcos lands a nice right elbow as time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marcos
Round 2
Marcos goes for a single-leg takedown but comes up short. Yanez punishes him with a nice right hand. A hard left hook lands for Yanez that hurts Marcos. Yanez is keeping up the attack but eats a right hand from Marcos. Clean bodywork by Marcos, who has a varied attack and throws out a front kick. An overhand right lands for Marcos. A short left hook and then an extended right hand finds their mark for Marcos. Yanez is really struggling not to get hit. Yanez times a right hand as Marcos comes in. Really fun fight so far. Yanez lands a nice left hook but eats a right hand from Marcos. The harder shots are coming from Marcos but this is a much better round for Yanez. The round ends with Marcos attempting a single-leg and then landing a clubbing overhand right.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Round 3
Wild start to the round as Yanez and Marcos are both exchanging wild punches. Marcos winds up getting a takedown and takes the fight to the ground for the first time. Yanez has his legs locked and is in full guard. Marcos is trying to keep his opponent grounded, but Yanez is able to use the cage to get back to his feet. They separate, and Marcos lands a nice overhand right and then gets another takedown. Yanez goes for a guillotine choke that goes nowhere. The round is halfway over. Marcos is sneaking in some small elbows. Yanez gets back up after losing a minute of the fight on the ground. Yanez clinches and gets Marcos against the cage. They separate with a minute left. Marcos looks tired but is landing his jab. Marcos enters with a nice left hook. 30 seconds left. Yanez isn't attacking and then clinches with 10 seconds left, securing a win for Marcos, who survives some sloppy punches in the last few moments.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Marcos (29-28 Marcos)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Marcos (29-28 Marcos)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Marcos (29-28 Marcos)
The Official Result
Daniel Marcos def. Adrian Yanez via Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28); R3, 5:00.
Expert Picks (10)
Angelo picks Yañez as the better boxer with faster hands, expecting a striking-only fight. He notes Yañez's technical boxing, fight IQ, and 100% takedown defense, while Marcos is undefeated but untested against high-level strikers. He believes Marcos will be forced into a boxing match where Yañez has the edge. He cannot bet on this fight due to unknowns about Marcos.
Big Brady picks Daniel Marcos to win by second-round knockout. He likes Marcos's diverse striking (leg kicks, body kicks, head kicks) and thinks Yañez is hittable and has durability issues, noting Yañez was knocked out by Rob Font. He expects Marcos to hurt Yañez and finish him.
Cody picks Daniel Marcos, citing his durability, cardio, and pressure fighting. He notes that Yañez has been knocked out by strikers and struggles against volume. Marcos's ability to take a shot and keep coming forward is key. Cody sees this as a striker vs striker matchup where Marcos's durability gives him the edge.
Connor picks Marcos, citing that his game has smaller gaps and he is more consistent. He notes that Marcos can target Yañez's leg kicks and build momentum over rounds, while Yañez may fade if his initial blitz fails. Connor acknowledges it's a close fight and could go either way.
Daniel Vreeland picks Daniel Marcos, citing his high fight IQ and well-rounded skills. He notes that Yañez is one-dimensional with fast hands but predictable, while Marcos can box, kickbox, wrestle, and do jiu-jitsu. Vreeland expects Marcos to avoid unnecessary pocket exchanges and use a varied attack. He mentions the price (-225) is a bit high but still picks Marcos.
Lucrative James picks Daniel Marcos to win, citing Marcos' superior striking skills, clinch work, and leg kicks. He acknowledges Marcos' cardio issues in round three but believes Marcos has enough early upside to win the first two rounds or secure a finish. He notes Yañez's toughness and cardio but points out Yañez's vulnerabilities to leg kicks and head punches, as seen in past losses.
Marcos's calf-kicking abilities will render Yañez defenseless, leading to a TKO victory within the second or third round. The public line movement from -170 to -230 supports this pick.
Paul leans towards Marcos, citing his durability and undefeated record. He notes that Yañez has questionable durability and has been knocked out before. Paul is concerned if Marcos doesn't push the pace, but overall favors Marcos's volume and pressure.
The MMA Guru initially leans toward Adrian Yañez due to his slick hands and underdog status, but after reviewing Marcos' undefeated record and tougher competition on the regional scene, he switches to Daniel Marcos. He predicts Marcos will use lateral movement and leg kicks to win a close decision (29-28). He admits Yañez may have the talent edge but trusts Marcos' resume.
Zane leans toward Yañez because of his flashier punching and ability to hurt opponents. He notes that Marcos has a tendency to have inactive periods and can be hurt, which could be dangerous against Yañez. However, Zane is concerned about Yañez's leg kick defense and his tendency to start fast and fade.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Yañez | 1 | 36 of 56 | 64% | 36 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Vinicius Salvador | 0 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 17 of 34 | 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 | Adrian Yañez | 1 | 36 of 56 | 64% | 36 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Vinicius Salvador | 0 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 17 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Yañez | 36 of 56 | 64% | 27 of 45 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 9 | 15 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 28 |
| Vinicius Salvador | 17 of 34 | 50% | 6 of 20 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 8 | 17 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adrian Yañez | 36 of 56 | 64% | 27 of 45 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 9 | 15 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 28 |
| Vinicius Salvador | 17 of 34 | 50% | 6 of 20 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 8 | 17 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Yanez (-360), Salvador (+285)
Round 1
A pair of struggling fighters meet with hopes of one of the two turning things around. The strength of schedule has not remotely been the same for bantamweight Yanez (16-5, 5-2 UFC) compared to former flyweight Salvador (14-6, 0-2 UFC), but the latter is hoping the relocation up in weight will help him out. The Octagon ranger for this critical contest will be referee Chris Tognoni, and the fight kicks off as the two men touch gloves. Yanez probes with a front kick, and he releases a right hand that buzzes the hair of his opponent. Salvador’s eyes go wide as he dodged a bullet, and he decides to throw caution to the wind and unload his own hellacious haymaker. Yanez is out of harm’s way from it, and he takes a jab on the way out. The two clash together and swing wildly, and Salvador escapes to kick the body while Yanez turns his hips into a nasty leg kick. Salvador drops down to sweep the leg after landing a strike up top, and Yanez looks at him and tries to counterattack. Salvador gets off a kick to the body, and Yanez comes at him and smacks him in the nose while Salvador’s arms are dangerously low. Salvador comes out swinging, and Yanez slips the strikes and checks a leg kick that follows. Salvador unloads with a body kick, and Yanez times an overhand right hand and very nearly knocks the Brazilian’s block off. A similar exchange occurs again, with Salvador kicking him in the inner thigh instead of the midsection, and this time,
Yanez sends him flying with a blistering right hand. The Brazilian falls to his back, and Yanez races after him and unloads a barrage of ferocious punches. Yanez switches to hammerfists as he pounds on the Brazilian, and Salvador’s arms fall to his side and his lights appear to briefly go out.
Tognoni sees the potential loss of consciousness and moves between them to call off the fight, and Yanez strides away and goes to promise the UFC brass watching outside the cage that his losing year of 2023 will never happen again. Salvador is down for an extended and worrying amount of time, but he manages to eventually get back to his stool and is helped out of the Octagon.
The Official Result
Adrian Yanez def. Vinicius Salvador R1 2:47 via TKO (Punches)
Expert Picks (5)
Angelo acknowledges Adrian Yañez is the more technical striker with fast hands and real power, but he is coming off back-to-back finish losses and is a 3-to-1 favorite, which Angelo considers poor value. Vinicius Salvador is durable, has forward pressure, and is more well-rounded. Angelo leans Yañez due to his takedown defense and striking edge, but will not bet at current odds.
Cody sees this as a bounceback fight for Yañez, who is a slow starter but has the skills to take over. He notes Salvador is a career flyweight moving up, with no real power and poor takedown defense. Cody predicts Yañez will find his rhythm in the second round and potentially knock Salvador out in the third, as Salvador will feel the power of a true bantamweight.
Yañez has superior technical striking and underrated power. Salvador is 0-2 in the UFC, showboats, and has an unorthodox style but a good chin. Yañez should counter Salvador's flashy strikes and chip away to win a decision. A knockout is possible but not likely due to Salvador's durability.
Paul expects Yañez to get back on track after two tough losses. He notes Salvador is moving up from flyweight, where he was 0-2, and his striking volume and wrestling are not elite. Paul believes Yañez's boxing and body work will be too much, and he expects a finish later in the fight.
The MMA Guru picks Adrian Yañez to win by TKO over Vinicius Salvador, calling it a 'layup' for Yañez. He criticizes Salvador's losses and lack of urgency, and believes Yañez's boxing will be superior. He notes that Yañez has shown takedown defense improvements and expects him to get back on track with a finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Martinez | 2 | 36 of 58 | 62% | 36 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 20 of 72 | 27% | 20 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Martinez | 1 | 16 of 30 | 53% | 16 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 14 of 46 | 30% | 14 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Martinez | 1 | 20 of 28 | 71% | 20 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 6 of 26 | 23% | 6 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Martinez | 36 of 58 | 62% | 7 of 15 | 0 of 2 | 29 of 41 | 36 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 20 of 72 | 27% | 9 of 59 | 10 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 66 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Martinez | 16 of 30 | 53% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 2 | 15 of 23 | 16 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 14 of 46 | 30% | 5 of 37 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 44 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jonathan Martinez | 20 of 28 | 71% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 18 | 20 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Adrian Yañez | 6 of 26 | 23% | 4 of 22 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 22 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Martinez (-112), Yanez (-108)
Round 1
Top 15-ranked bantamweights answer the call to arms, as Yanez (16-4, 5-1 UFC) collides with Martinez (18-4, 9-3 UFC) in a pivotal showdown at 135 pounds. Martinez, 29, has rattled off five consecutive victories to put himself on the fringes of contention in one of the UFC’s deepest weight classes. Hatley officiates. Yanez circles on the outside, away from Martinez’s power hand. Martinez connects with a kick to the chest and another to the inside of the leg. Martinez cracks him with another inside leg kick. Yanez answers with a body-head combination. An inside leg kick draws a visible reaction from Yanez. Martinez continues to focus on the lead leg. Yanez circles on the outside and eats another kick. He hobbles around the cage. Yanez flurries with punches, but Martinez drops him to a knee with another kick. Yanez lets his hands go and gets his counterpart to move backward briefly. Martinez drops him with another inside leg kick, then allows him to get to his feet.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Martinez
Round 2
Yanez presses forward, then takes a kick south of the border. He chooses not to take advantage of his allotted time to recover. Martinez snatches the thai clinch, then drifts back into open space once they separate. Martinez continues to target the leg. Yanez hits the deck and grabs his knee. Martinez forces him to rise, then gets back to battering the leg. This is almost over, as Yanez can barely stand.
Martinez connects with a one-two, backs Yanez to the fence and tears into the leg with three more kicks. Yanez eats another kick and collapses to his back, at which point Hatley calls for the stoppage
.
The Official Result
Jonathan Martinez def. Adrian Yanez—TKO (Leg Kicks) 2:26 R2
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Adrian Yañez despite the massive line movement toward Martinez. He believes Yañez's boxing is cleaner and faster, and his 100% takedown defense should keep the fight standing. However, he notes Yañez needs to not be gun-shy after his knockout loss and let his hands go. He expects a great fight and potential Fight of the Night.
Big Brady picks Adrian Yañez in a close fight. He thinks Yañez has the volume and power advantage, with great boxing and hand speed, while Martinez relies on kicks. He sees it as a 15-minute striking match that goes to decision, and worries about judges but leans Yañez as a bounce-back spot after his loss to Rob Font.
Cody picks Martinez, arguing that Yañez is overhyped and has not faced top competition. He points to Yañez's struggles against Randy Costa and Davey Grant, and his loss to Rob Font. Cody highlights Martinez's five-fight win streak, including a dominant win over Cub Swanson, and believes his jab and kicks will trouble Yañez. He also notes Martinez's improved cardio and seasoning at Factory X.
The host picks Adrian Yañez as an underdog, surprised at the betting public flipping on him after his loss to Rob Font. He believes Yañez's boxing combinations and power will counter Martinez's kicking game. He expects Yañez to crash the pocket and land a knockout, likely in the first two rounds.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Yañez has not been tested by wrestlers and that Martinez could mix in takedowns. He points out that Martinez's kicks can keep the fight at range, neutralizing Yañez's boxing. Paul also mentions that Martinez's volume is lower but his striking is effective, and he expects Martinez to win two of three rounds.
The MMA Guru picks Jonathan Martinez over Adrian Yañez. He notes Yañez's boxing is good but he has a weakness against kicks, as shown in his fight with Davey Grant (which he thinks Grant won). He praises Martinez's five-fight win streak, including wins over Cub Swanson and Said Nurmagomedov, and his ability to mix in low kicks. He believes Martinez has better momentum and will be more switched on, winning a close decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Font | 1 | 33 of 75 | 44% | 33 of 75 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 25 of 54 | 46% | 25 of 54 | 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 | Rob Font | 1 | 33 of 75 | 44% | 33 of 75 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 25 of 54 | 46% | 25 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Font | 33 of 75 | 44% | 30 of 69 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 27 of 66 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 7 |
| Adrian Yañez | 25 of 54 | 46% | 21 of 49 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 25 of 51 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rob Font | 33 of 75 | 44% | 30 of 69 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 27 of 66 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 7 |
| Adrian Yañez | 25 of 54 | 46% | 21 of 49 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 25 of 51 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Yanez (-180), Font (+155)
Round 1
Another fantastic striker vs. striker battle will play out much to the delight of the Miami fans, as bantamweight bangers Font (19-6, 9-5 UFC) and Yanez (16-3, 5-0 UFC) get ready to duke it out. High volume, plenty of power and durability for days – neither man has ever been knocked out – mean that this one could be a lot of fun. The third man in the Octagon is no nonsense referee Keith Peterson, and he stands back as the two speedsters touch ‘em up and prepare to fire. Font immediately loops a right hand around the guard to catch Yanez unaware, and he celebrates his work and lines up another. Yanez answers with a sharp jab, and he chains a right hand into it. Font starts to activate his jab, and they both connect with heavy right hands. Yanez clips Font with a right hand on the chin, and he gets caught in a response. Font walks forward with a standing elbow, and Yanez sticks him and moves. Yanez flicks out a speedy jab that even Font cannot see, so Font settles down and jabs him back. Font stings Yanez with a jab, and he steps forward with a knee on the chin. Yanez takes it flush and absorbs a second one to follow. Yanez’ right hands have drawn some swelling around Font’s left eye, but he does not waver as he stands in the pocket and trades. They get off alternating jabs, and Font lands two uppercuts in an exchange. Yanez’ knees wobble, and Font backs him off with a right hand down the pipe. Yanez is in trouble, and Font gives chase and beans him with a slick right hand. Yanez’ nose is busted up, and Font rushes after him and continues with jackhammering punches. Yanez falls back, not totally with his wits about him, and Font unloads with an unorthodox right hook from downtown that looked partially like an uppercut. Yanez flies back to the ground, and Font leaps on top to batter him with hammerfists. Peterson watches on carefully, and as Font is not slowing down and Yanez improving his position, he waves the fight off. What a fight for as long as it lasted, and what a reminder that Font is still very much a bantamweight contender. When Yanez recovers, he tries to protest the stoppage, but Peterson covered it well.
The Official Result
Rob Font def. Adrian Yanez R1 2:57 via TKO (Punches)
Expert Picks (9)
Angelo picks Adrian Yañez but is not highly confident, noting that Rob Font is a clean technical striker who is very live. He thinks Yañez is a younger version of Font, faster and with more power, but Font has a good chin and could win. He warns that this could be a changing of the guard, but Font could also remind everyone he's still elite.
Big Brady picks Adrian Yañez despite wanting to pick Rob Font, due to Font's recent durability issues. He notes Font has taken massive damage in his last two fights and has been dropped repeatedly. He believes Yañez has power and volume, and can win by decision or knockout. He predicts a decision win for Yañez.
Cody agrees with Paul on Font. He points out that Yañez struggled early against Randy Costa, getting dominated in round one before Costa gassed. Cody believes Font's constant jab and long-range strikes will disrupt Yañez's timing and prevent him from landing his power shots. He sees Font's volume as overwhelming and thinks Yañez may struggle to find his rhythm. Cody also notes Font by decision at +200 is worth a look.
Connor picks Yañez because Font's defensive flaws are well-documented: he has poor footwork after committing to his right hand and relies on a static high guard. Yañez is a fantastic counter puncher who will find openings as Font falls into predictable rhythms. However, Connor notes that Yañez can be a slow starter and may lose the first round if Font's jab takes over. He also mentions that Yañez's high-output style can lead to fatigue, as seen against Davey Grant. Despite these concerns, Connor believes Yañez's sharp countering will eventually catch Font.
Jacob is extremely high on Adrian Yañez, calling him his guy and predicting he will be champion by 2025. He praises Yañez's beautiful boxing, combinations, and power. He believes Yañez will find the timing and land the more impactful shots, possibly finishing inside the distance. He acknowledges that Yañez can be a slow starter but trusts his dog mentality.
Font has high output, a great jab, and good footwork, but his durability is questionable after losses to Aldo and Vera. Yañez is a crisp boxer with power, but this is his toughest test. Font's volume and jab could frustrate Yañez, and Font's cardio should hold up. However, if Font's chin is shot, Yañez could land a big shot. I lean Font by decision but with hesitation.
Paul likes Rob Font as a plus-money underdog. He questions Yañez's level of competition, noting his wins are over lower-tier fighters and his only step-up against Davey Grant was a close split decision. Paul highlights Font's elite striking volume, footwork, and jab, and notes that Font has gone five rounds with top bantamweights. He acknowledges Font's tendency to get knocked down but believes his volume and experience will overwhelm Yañez.
The MMA Guru picks Adrian Yañez to win by decision. He expects Font to have success early with his jab and takedowns, but Yañez will weather the storm and start finding his range. He predicts Yañez will hurt Font badly in rounds two and three, with moments of near-finishes, but Font will survive to the final bell. He compares it to a Marlon Vera-esque performance.
Zane picks Yañez because Font's defensive issues are severe: he gets hit cleanly in every fight and has been knocked down repeatedly. Yañez is a sharp counter puncher who will exploit Font's tendency to leave himself open after throwing the right hand. Zane acknowledges that Yañez may start slow and lose the first round, but he expects Yañez to figure out Font's rhythm and land big shots. He also notes that Font's chin is a major concern, as even if Yañez fades, he only needs one clean shot to change the fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Yañez | 1 | 35 of 67 | 52% | 36 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Tony Kelley | 0 | 20 of 49 | 40% | 21 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adrian Yañez | 1 | 35 of 67 | 52% | 36 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Tony Kelley | 0 | 20 of 49 | 40% | 21 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Yañez | 35 of 67 | 52% | 29 of 60 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 29 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| Tony Kelley | 20 of 49 | 40% | 12 of 29 | 6 of 16 | 2 of 4 | 20 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adrian Yañez | 35 of 67 | 52% | 29 of 60 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 29 of 60 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| Tony Kelley | 20 of 49 | 40% | 12 of 29 | 6 of 16 | 2 of 4 | 20 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Yanez (-320), Kelley (+250)
Round 1
A rivalry as old as time immemorial will kick off the main card, when proud Texan Yanez (15-3, 4-0 UFC) throws down with Louisiana’s own Kelley (8-2, 2-1 UFC) – and the latter has been in the headlines again not for his fight but for his words as of late. Yanez will hope to punch him in it repeatedly, and look to add another knockout to his already eight-fight win streak with six stoppages due to strikes along he way. Kelley, however, has never been finishes, so something’s gotta give here in this catchweight contest – a contest now taking place at 138 pounds due to Kelley missing weight. There is ample bad blood ahead of this one, and there is no interest at all in a glove touch. Referee Kerry Hatley will have to be on his A game here. Kelley strikes first with a kick to the body, and he goes high with one to the head. Both are blocked, so Kelley leaps in the air with a flying knee. Yanez nearly intercepts him like Fedor Emelianenko against Andrei Arlovski, and Kelley falls to the ground. Kelley scrambles back up, unhurt from the strike, and he finds himself moving back when Yanez comes towards him calmly. Yanez times a body kick when Kelley throws a punch, with the kick reaching while the punch comes up short. The Texan swats away a low kick and a punch or two, and he comes out swinging with an overhand right. Kelley has a body kick left out too long, allowing Yanez to come over the top with a pair of hooks. Kelley stabs his toes in the midsection with a kick, and Yanez is there to target the body with a stiff punch. Yanez freezes Kelley with one punch, and Kelley gathers himself and starts working the body with kicks from both legs and a step-in elbow. Kelley stays busy with front kicks down the middle, and Yanez pushes through one to score three punches. Yanez times a front kick so that he can smash Kelley with a left hook, and Kelley is stunned. Yanez unleashes a quick flurry of punches to knock Kelley back to the fence, and Kelley takes them well but still absorbs several of them flush. Yanez gets rocked with a counter elbow, cutting open a spot near his nose. Yanez gathers himself and throws back to counter a kick, and Kelley is stung again.
The Texan releases a lengthy barrage of punches that knock Kelley around, and he clubs Kelley behind the guard and sends the Louisiana native down to the mat on his knees. Kelley, barely conscious, tries to sit up, but his hands are down. This allows Yanez to unload bombs on an unguarded head, and a few more put Kelley out.
Hatley steps in mid-combination, and Yanez still manages to connect with one more blow that puts Kelley on his back, down for good. Kelley tries to get up, and he trips Hatley up. Hatley is able to catch himself, and he turns himself around to then catch Kelley, who is about to fall towards his stool, clearly still hurt badly. Yanez wants to keep going, clearly incensed by Kelley’s behavior, and Hatley has to back him off several times. Yanez, who is now on a five-fight UFC win streak, cools down and takes a bow in front of the crowd, which showers him in the loudest cheers in the building thus far tonight.
The Official Result
Adrian Yanez def. Tony Kelley R1 3:49 via TKO (Punches)
Expert Picks (6)
Angelo picks Tony Kelley in an upset, citing his forward pressure, volume, and ability to disrupt Adrian Yañez's rhythm. He notes Yañez's slow starts and willingness to brawl, which plays into Kelley's hands. He mentions Kelley's impressive win over Randy Costa (129 strikes to 32) and believes Kelley can maintain pace.
Big Brady picks Adrian Yañez to win by third-round knockout. He notes Yañez is a slow starter but has clear power advantage and good combinations, while Kelley is very hittable with 45% striking defense. He expects Kelley to win the first round but Yañez's damage to accumulate and lead to a late knockout.
Cody picks Yañez but emphasizes the over 2.5 rounds as the best bet on the card. He notes neither fighter has been finished and Yañez tends to have close fights. He thinks Yañez's technical striking will win but the fight goes to decision. He calls the over 2.5 a 'face slapper' line.
Daniel Levi leans Adrian Yañez, citing his cleaner hands and improved kicking game, plus the hometown advantage in Texas. However, he notes Yañez absorbs a lot of strikes (nearly six per minute) and Tony Kelley is a durable, high-output fighter who could make it competitive. Levi thinks it will be a close three-round fight and Yañez may get a decision, but the -280 price is too high for comfort. He acknowledges Kelley at +240 has value.
Paul is considering a Tony Kelley play, noting Yañez's struggles against aggressive fighters and his close split decisions. He thinks Kelley's durability and improved training with Andrea Lee make him a live underdog. He also likes the over 2.5 rounds.
The MMA Guru picks Adrian Yañez, though he worries about his performance against Davey Grant. He believes Tony Kelley is tough but has been eking out close decisions. He expects Yañez to use better distance control and body shots, winning a decision (29-28 or 30-27) in a scrappy fight, with Kelley surviving but losing.
Nov 20, 2021
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Yañez | 0 | 98 of 273 | 35% | 98 of 274 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Davey Grant | 0 | 100 of 255 | 39% | 100 of 255 | 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 | Adrian Yañez | 0 | 29 of 74 | 39% | 29 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Davey Grant | 0 | 24 of 65 | 36% | 24 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Adrian Yañez | 0 | 27 of 92 | 29% | 27 of 93 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Davey Grant | 0 | 31 of 81 | 38% | 31 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Adrian Yañez | 0 | 42 of 107 | 39% | 42 of 107 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Davey Grant | 0 | 45 of 109 | 41% | 45 of 109 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Yañez | 98 of 273 | 35% | 40 of 182 | 40 of 68 | 18 of 23 | 98 of 272 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Davey Grant | 100 of 255 | 39% | 66 of 212 | 14 of 22 | 20 of 21 | 100 of 255 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adrian Yañez | 29 of 74 | 39% | 5 of 42 | 15 of 21 | 9 of 11 | 29 of 74 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Davey Grant | 24 of 65 | 36% | 15 of 52 | 5 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 24 of 65 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Adrian Yañez | 27 of 92 | 29% | 19 of 66 | 3 of 18 | 5 of 8 | 27 of 91 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Davey Grant | 31 of 81 | 38% | 21 of 70 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 31 of 81 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Adrian Yañez | 42 of 107 | 39% | 16 of 74 | 22 of 29 | 4 of 4 | 42 of 107 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Davey Grant | 45 of 109 | 41% | 30 of 90 | 5 of 8 | 10 of 11 | 45 of 109 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The prelims were rough, but an immediate “Fight of the Night” contender greets fans in the main card opener between Yanez (14-3, 3-0 UFC) and Grant (13-5, 4-4 UFC), in an intriguing striker-grappler affair at 135 pounds. Yanez has won all three of his UFC outings by knockout, while Grant has never been knocked out with his last two victories also by KO. Something might have to give, and referee Herb Dean is ready to catch the chips that fall where they may. They touch gloves before getting down to business, and Yanez tries to get the fight over early with a huge right hand that whizzes past his target. Grant backs away, chops at the leg a few times, and then goes up higher with a kick. Yanez looks to counter Grant’s kicks, or attempts to check them down low. Yanez walks through a few kicks, and Grant keeps letting go with leg strikes of all direction. The front kicks land flush, and the Brit turns through a kick to spin with a back fist that just misses. An inside leg kick from Grant trips Yanez down to the ground, but Yanez gets up and aims a right hand across the bow. Grant stays composed, but Yanez bears down on him with one to the body and one to the head. Yanez scores a leg kick, and he clips his foe with a left hand. “Dangerous Davey” just misses with a spinning wheel kick, and Yanez blocks a subsequent flying knee so that he can let go with a few punches up top. Body kicks from both feet connect for Grant, and he just misses with a looping left hand. Yanez does not appear concerned and is calmly attempting to counter, with a right hook that is not far from the mark. Grant kicks Yanez in the calf again, causing Yanez to lose his footing, and Yanez gathers himself with a one-two that cuts Grant on the nose. Grant puts a few punches on Yanez, and Yanez slips a spinning wheel kick that comes right after. Grant stands tall and gets nailed with a left and a right, and the Houstonian ducks a punch to nail Grant with a right hand. Grant shakes it off and raises his arms in the air to celebrate a tough scrap, and they stand right in front of one another and bang. When they back away, Grant keeps his distance with reaching front and high kicks. Grant takes a leg kick, and a punch that busts his nose up a little more. The Brit spins with a hook kick to the legs in the vein of Andy Hug, and Yanez shrugs it off so that he can wind up a right hand. Grant swings and misses, and he turns all the way through with a tornado punch after a full rotation. Right after that bounces off Yanez’ shoulder, the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Round 2
The bantamweights clap hands before getting right to it, with heavy strikes right out of the gate. Grant backs off to land a low kick, and then a combination of punches follows. Shortly after another kick to the calf from Grant, Yanez snipes him with a right hand but Grant is not fazed. They trade ferociously, and one kick collides with Yanez’ cup, but Yanez does not want to pause. Grant keeps his range with kicks, and he tries to spin with them but Yanez sees them coming. Yanez brushes off punches and kicks, but a scraping finger to the eye makes the American take a break. Dean brings in the doctor, who lets Yanez wipe his own eye out. After a minute to recover and blink it out, they clap hands to start off again. Grant surges forward with a single-leg takedown try immediately, and Yanez stuffs it and even tags Grant with a right hand as they separate. Yanez begins to chop at Grant’s legs with kicks, and they go back to full-throated brawling, with each landing cleanly and not budging. Grant’s nose gets battered even more after absorbing blows, but he does not seem to care as he spins with a back fist and then a follow-up punch with the momentum. Yanez stays composed, but Grant swipes a right hand around the guard right in the face. Yanez scores a one-two, and Grant is right there to answer back. These two bantamweights are not afraid of the other’s power, and they have complete faith in their chins as they are unloading with ferocious strikes. A looping punch leads to a knee, and Grant lands to score a few punches and shake Yanez up a little. The Houstonian wears it well and marches forward to engage, but Grant’s looping shots still find their home on the nose. Grant keeps his hands wide, using awkward striking and the occasional head kick to keep Yanez honest. A few more dangerous shots from “Dangerous Davey” connect right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Round 3
The gloves get touched to start the last round, and they unload immediately. Grant lands a few kicks, including a head kick that glances off the side of Yanez’ head, and Yanez tries to return fire. Yanez flicks out a jab or two, and Grant still manages to connect with his wild right hand. Grant rushes forward with his sprinting, spinning blow, but Yanez sees it coming and tries to intercept him with a heavy calf kick. Grant checks it, and Yanez marks him up with a one-two. Grant shrugs it off to attack with a flying knee, and he winds up with power punches even as Yanez scores a clean combination right on the face. Yanez sinks in a one-two, and Grant comes back at him with a spinning back kick. Yanez connects with a single right hand, and Grant eats it so that he can chain together a combination of punches and a head kick. Yanez’ strikes are cleaner and crisper, while Grant’s looping punches sound louder. Yanez dings Grant with a few punches, and Grant is right there every time to throw right back at him even as the blood continues to flow. Yanez sticks out a piston-like jab several times to bloody Grant up badly, and Grant is able to still be in his face throwing everything and the kitchen sink. The easiest pick for “Fight of the Night” so far is going down in the cage tonight, and Yanez triples up on a jab only to absorb a flush overhand right. Grant lines up a left hook, and then another, as Yanez tries to defend himself. Yanez continues to batter Grant with a jab, and the jab is disrupting the ridiculous hooks of his opponent. Yanez is able to stick and move, rolling with the telegraphed power punches and letting them hit his shoulder. Yanez lands jab after jab, and Grant lets it go with a leaping kick, a few wild punches, a knee and a couple more punchers for good measure. Yanez stays light on his feet, dodging and weaving from most of them while piercing the guard with his jab. The fight ends with a fun exchange, putting a cap on the best fight on the card so far. When the battle ends, Yanez collapses to the ground in tears, letting out all of his emotions as he mourns his fallen coach Saul Soliz.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yanez (29-28 Yanez)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Yanez (30-27 Yanez)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Yanez (29-28 Yanez)
The Official Result
Adrian Yanez def. Davey Grant via Split Decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Expert Picks (7)
Angelo picks Adrian Yañez but is hesitant, noting Davey Grant has a clear path to victory via grappling. He acknowledges Yañez is the cleaner striker with a good chin, but Grant is a grappler at heart who could mix in takedowns. He does not place a bet because he sees value on Grant as a live dog. He expects Yañez to win but not confidently enough to bet.
Big Brady picks Adrian Yañez to win by third-round knockout. He praises Yañez's striking, speed, and volume, and notes his 100% takedown defense in the UFC. He believes Davey Grant's recent striking success won't work against Yañez, and that Yañez has paths to victory both on the feet and on the ground. He predicts Yañez will be the first to knock out Grant.
Cody picks Yañez despite the high price. He praises Yañez's crisp boxing and compares him to Jorge Masvidal. He notes that Yañez is a slow starter but takes over as opponents fade, as seen against Randy Costa. He believes Yañez's striking is superior and that Grant is hittable, having been wobbled in recent fights. Cody is concerned about Grant's takedowns and top game, but thinks Yañez's takedown defense will hold up and he will win rounds two and three.
Daniel Levi confidently picks Adrian Yañez to knock out Davey Grant. He praises Yañez's clean hands, countering ability, and toughness, noting that he has never been knocked out. He criticizes Grant's chin-up style and wild looping shots, believing Yañez's superior boxing will capitalize on openings. Levi predicts Yañez will be the first to knock out Grant.
Lock thinks Yañez will be the first to knock out Grant. He notes Grant has never been KO'd but has taken damage, especially in his last fight. Yañez has straight punches and speed advantage, and Lock believes he will counter Grant's looping hooks. He likes Yañez by KO at around -105 rather than the -310 moneyline.
Paul likes Yañez's hands but is concerned about the -320 price. He points out that Yañez had a bad first round against Randy Costa, looking gun-shy and overwhelmed by volume. He notes that Davey Grant is tough, has never been knocked out, and brings volume and pressure. Paul thinks Yañez could be a live bet candidate if he starts slow again. He is waiting for weigh-ins before committing fully.
The MMA Guru picks Adrian Yañez to win by KO in the first round. He notes that Davey Grant is open to shots, as seen in his fight against Jonathan Martinez where he was dropped. He highlights Yañez's quick hands, reach advantage, and training with Aljamain Sterling, which gives him confidence in grappling defense. He expects Yañez to find his range, land a big shot as Grant loads up, and finish with ground and pound.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Yañez | 1 | 64 of 184 | 34% | 64 of 184 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Randy Costa | 0 | 69 of 153 | 45% | 69 of 153 | 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 | Adrian Yañez | 0 | 33 of 106 | 31% | 33 of 106 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Randy Costa | 0 | 57 of 123 | 46% | 57 of 123 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Adrian Yañez | 1 | 31 of 78 | 39% | 31 of 78 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Randy Costa | 0 | 12 of 30 | 40% | 12 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Yañez | 64 of 184 | 34% | 41 of 146 | 6 of 19 | 17 of 19 | 58 of 172 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 12 |
| Randy Costa | 69 of 153 | 45% | 61 of 144 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 69 of 153 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adrian Yañez | 33 of 106 | 31% | 17 of 83 | 4 of 11 | 12 of 12 | 33 of 106 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Randy Costa | 57 of 123 | 46% | 50 of 115 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 57 of 123 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Adrian Yañez | 31 of 78 | 39% | 24 of 63 | 2 of 8 | 5 of 7 | 25 of 66 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 12 |
| Randy Costa | 12 of 30 | 40% | 11 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The main card begins with a bantamweight matchup many were calling to slide into the co-main event slot with the loss of Aspen Ladd vs. Macy Chiasson, but instead Yanez (13-3, 2-0 UFC) and Costa (6-1, 2-1 UFC) will whet the appetites of those tuning into this five-fight ESPN showcase. While Yanez is riding a three-fight knockout streak, Costa has never competed beyond 6:12 as a pro, so referee Chris Tognoni has his game face on for as long as it lasts. The gloves are touched, and they are locked and loaded to come at their foes much faster next time. Yanez is first to strike, with a front kick up the middle, and Costa is there with a pair of speedy head kicks. Yanez sticks his hands in his foe’s face, and Costa brushes his own hair back and spins with a wheel kick. Costa’s head kick is his main weapon, and Yanez blocks them in time until he changes it up to throw low. High kicks from both legs soar at Yanez, who is forced to stay defensive as Costa is bearing down on him with kicks. The Houstonian rolls through a head kick and checks a calf kick shortly thereafter, and he remains composed to chop at Costa’s calf. Costa loops a right hand over the top, and Yanez is eating blows but trying to reply with left hands. Costa sets up a head kick with punches, and Yanez eats several punches on the nose that bloody him up. Costa intermittently spams jabs that split the guard, and he ducks and dodges when Yanez looks to counter. A kick to the body from Costa draws a visible reaction out of Yanez, and “The Zohan” is out of the way when Yanez is reach to fire back at him. Costa stings Yanez with a right hand, doubles up his jab and fires off another looping right hand. Yanez’ nose is a bloody mess as he takes punch after punch cleanly, and Costa is sharp and accurate as he tattoos Yanez’ face with these strikes. A fierce one-two snaps the head back of Yanez, and Yanez looks to jab and put a few punches together and gain some respect from Costa. He gets Costa’s attention with a right hand, and he begins to turn the tide as he starts walking Costa down to land accurately. Costa slings heavy leather, and Yanez starts to piece him up with jabs. Costa’s pace has waned significantly as Yanez is continually pressing the pace on him, and just as Yanez looks to gain the upper hand, Costa kicks him in the face. Yanez stretches his jaw out and walks forward like a Texas Terminator, ignoring kicks from “The Zohan” and busting Costa’s nose up. The round ends with a tense exchange.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Costa
Round 2
Tognoni wipes a bloodied Yanez down right before the round begins, and the bantamweight bangers touch hands to start it off. Yanez gets right back to his jab, and he chips at the Boston native with low kicks. Costa mixes up his own jab string with a high kick, and he tags Yanez with a right hand and just misses with a follow-up shot. Yanez gets Costa’s attention with a left hook, and the accuracy and damage is high while defense is not nearly as important. Costa fakes high with a kick and digs his shin in the liver, and Yanez does not even register the blow and pressures Costa with a long series of punches. Yanez starts to get in his groove, pressuring Costa and landing with several punches until Costa shoots for a possible takedown. Yanez is easily out of the way, and Yanez’ jabs have bloodied Costa’s nose up badly.
Yanez rips the body with a few punches, and an uppercut up the middle drops Costa to his knees. Costa looks pained and in trouble, but he sways back and forth to avoid strikes that come. Yanez pours it on with standing punches while Costa is kneeled down, teeing off on a spent Costa with a vicious barrage of punches until Tognoni is forced to step in and rescue Costa.
That’s three UFC knockouts in a row for Yanez, who collects his most impressive scalp by outlasting a storm and beating “The Zohan” at his own game.
The Official Result
Adrian Yanez def. Randy Costa R2 2:11 via TKO (Punches)
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks Adrian Yañez because he is a technical striker with fast hands, power, and an incredible chin. He expects Yañez to win by knockout in the late first or early second round. He has already bet the over 1.5 rounds and the more/more on monkey knife fight, believing the fight will be active and go past the first round despite Costa's history of early finishes. He thinks the odds are a bit wide and the fight is more competitive than implied.
Big Brady picks Adrian Yañez to win by second-round knockout. He notes Yañez's power, volume, cardio, and durability (never knocked out), while Costa is a first-round finisher who fades if the fight extends. He highlights Costa's entire career has lasted about 12 minutes and he was finished in his only fight past the first round. He acknowledges Costa is live for an early finish but believes Yañez has more paths to victory.
Cody picks Yanez, calling him a different level striker. He notes Yanez has never been finished by strikes and has a good chin. He thinks Costa is explosive but only dangerous in round one, and that Yanez's counter striking and boxing are clinical. He loaded up on Yanez at -170.
Daniel Levi picks Adrian Yañez, emphasizing his smooth counter-striking, footwork, and head movement. He notes that Costa's wild style plays into Yañez's game, and that Yañez has a rock-solid chin and underrated ground game. Levi predicts a mid-second round TKO, as Costa lacks the experience to win a long battle and must finish early. He dismisses Costa's high-kick threat, stating Yañez has never been rocked.
Jacob picks Adrian Yañez because he is more technical and precise, while Randy Costa throws looping shots. He notes that Costa needs to use his length but doesn't throw straight punches. He also jokes that Costa's Twitter bio says 'professional bad decision maker,' which swayed him. He has Yañez in his DraftKings lineup and expects him to get the job done.
The host picks Adrian Yañez, praising his striking defense and counter-striking ability. He expects Yañez to weather Costa's early wild attacks and then find a knockout in the second round. He notes Costa's cardio issues and wild style play into Yañez's hands. He likes Yañez by KO at -110 and Yañez in round two at +425.
Paul agrees, calling Yanez a top ticket play. He praises Yanez's slick counter punching, high guard, and ability to bait opponents. He notes Costa's only path is a bomb rush in the first round, and that Costa's social media focus on the peanut butter cup vs Dr Pepper meme might distract him. He thinks Yanez is a green version of Masvidal.
The Guru picks Yañez for his superior technique and chin, contrasting with Costa's wildness and chin issues. He notes Costa's tendency to get clipped and his weight cut problems. He predicts a first-round KO via straight right hand as Costa loads up a switch kick. He also suggests betting on the fight ending in the first round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Yañez | 2 | 41 of 103 | 39% | 41 of 103 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Gustavo Lopez | 0 | 23 of 51 | 45% | 23 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adrian Yañez | 0 | 20 of 54 | 37% | 20 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gustavo Lopez | 0 | 12 of 29 | 41% | 12 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Adrian Yañez | 1 | 17 of 43 | 39% | 17 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Gustavo Lopez | 0 | 10 of 19 | 52% | 10 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Adrian Yañez | 1 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Gustavo Lopez | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Yañez | 41 of 103 | 39% | 32 of 83 | 8 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 41 of 102 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Gustavo Lopez | 23 of 51 | 45% | 14 of 40 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 23 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adrian Yañez | 20 of 54 | 37% | 16 of 48 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 20 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gustavo Lopez | 12 of 29 | 41% | 10 of 25 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Adrian Yañez | 17 of 43 | 39% | 13 of 30 | 4 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Gustavo Lopez | 10 of 19 | 52% | 3 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Adrian Yañez | 4 of 6 | 66% | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gustavo Lopez | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Switching gears to the bantamweight category, Yanez (12-3, 1-0 UFC) and Lopez (12-5, 1-1 UFC) square off in what should be a fun one between two men who vastly prefer the finish. Trying to keep up with these fast-paced fighters will be referee Chris Tognoni, and they respectfully touch gloves to begin their melee. Both men come out hesitant, jumping back and forth but not engaging with anything of note. It takes 50 seconds before a man lands a strike, as they both trade left hands. Lopez comes out to take his foe’s head off, throwing a winding left hand but just missing as it blows Yanez’ head back. Yanez backs off to land a leg kick, and he scores a right hand that forces Lopez to retreat. Lopez kicks the calf once, and he has another checked when Yanez walks him down to throw a one-two. Lopez advances and gets clipped by a right hand, but he wears it well and takes another on the chin for good measure. Yanez starts sizing up that right hand and Lopez is looking for angles but cannot close the distance. Lopez lands a short combination, only to get disrupted by a quick left hand. Lopez boots Yanez in the body and strafes away to avoid the counter. Lopez paws out a jab, and Yanez gives him one back only to take a right hand square on the chin. Yanez quickly brings up a front kick on the jaw, and a heavy left-right stings Lopez. Yanez follows the punches with a front kick right to the sternum, and he nails Lopez coming in with a sharp left hand that drops him to a knee. Lopez stumbles off and gathers himself, where he starts dancing on the outside and gets worked with crisp punches. Yanez’ boxing is crisp, and he hurts Lopez with a few punches and busts Lopez’ nose up. Yanez catches a body kick and walks Lopez down, where he lands a one-two and resets. Two more punches find their mark before the horn sounds, and a confident Yanez strides away.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Round 2
Yanez takes the center of the cage to start the second frame, and he catches Lopez on the end of a right hand. Lopez darts in, lobs a bomb that comes up short, and ducks away in time to not get countered. Both men throw front kicks at the same time, and one clicks off a cup but there is no pause. Yanez threatens with a flying knee, and Lopez sees it coming just in time to back away. The Texan gets off a right hand even while Lopez lands on him, and he slowly marches Lopez down. When Lopez lets go, Yanez fires big shots. Yanez cracks Lopez on the chin and sets him down, and although he tries to finish the fight, he cannot secure the stoppage when Lopez shoots in for a desperation takedown from his seat. Yanez stuffs it, lands a few more shots and tries to punctuate a combination with a flying knee. Yanez does not step on the accelerator to force a stoppage, and instead backs off to keep his counter-happy gameplan in full display. Yanez fakes and feints as he waves his hands around and switches his stances, freezing Lopez in place but neither man commit to any strikes. Yanez stays out of range from jabs, but he does take a stiff calf kick as the two stare at one another from a distance. Yanez sneaks up a head kick, and it is just blocked in time. The pace wanes as neither want to make any mistakes, and out of nowhere, Yanez blasts Lopez with a right hand. Lopez eats it like a sandwich and starts advancing, but he backs off when Yanez threatens with a head kick. Yanez aims and misses with another head kick, spinning around but keeping Lopez at bay. A body kick from Yanez leads to a single punch from Lopez, and Yanez is able to counter him right before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Yanez
Round 3
The bantamweights touch gloves, and Lopez grins as he comes out of his corner. Yanez jabs out with a punch and a kick, and he steps back to admire his handiwork.
Lopez winds up with a strike, and a pinpoint-accurate right hand cracks him square on the jaw. Lopez falls face-first to the ground, and Tognoni leaps in to halt the action as Lopez’ forehead bounces off the canvas.
This was a masterful performance for Yanez, who looks every bit a future contender after that impressive victory over a tough foe.
The Official Result
Adrian Yanez def. Gustavo Lopez R3 0:27 via KO (Punch)
Expert Picks (4)
Big Brady picks Adrian Yañez, praising his striking combinations, power, and takedown defense. He notes Yañez is a black belt in BJJ with good get-up game, while Lopez is hittable and has been knocked out twice. Brady expects Yañez to knock out Lopez in the second round, as Lopez's path to victory via takedown is unlikely.
Daniel Levi picks Gustavo Lopez as an underdog, citing his well-rounded attack and power. He compares Yañez to a young Jorge Masvidal in terms of coasting and questionable decisions. He believes if Yañez doesn't get an early knockout, Lopez can mix in takedowns and win a close fight or even knock him out.
Yañez is crisp and precise with his striking, using straight shots down the middle. Lopez is too looping and wide with his hooks, which Yañez should counter. Yañez has good takedown defense and has never been knocked out. He should piece Lopez up and likely finish him in the first or second round. The under 2.5 rounds is a solid play.
The MMA Guru picks Adrian Yanez to win, predicting a first-round KO. He praises Yanez's patience and calmness in the cage, noting he doesn't overthrow shots and waits for his moment. He references Yanez's wins over Brandy Huang and Victor Rodriguez (head kick KO). He acknowledges it's a dangerous fight but believes Yanez will put Lopez out cold, as Lopez has been KO'd before by Andre Ewell and John Castaneda.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Yañez | 1 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 18 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Victor Rodriguez | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 9 of 16 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adrian Yañez | 1 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 18 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Victor Rodriguez | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 9 of 16 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Yañez | 17 of 34 | 50% | 15 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Rodriguez | 6 of 13 | 46% | 5 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adrian Yañez | 17 of 34 | 50% | 15 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Victor Rodriguez | 6 of 13 | 46% | 5 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Fury FC and LFA vet Yanez (11-3, 0-0 UFC) gets his long-awaited call up to the UFC at bantamweight, and he will meet fellow newcomer and Alaska native Rodriguez (5-2, 0-0 UFC), with the latter posting a few wins on his record that have not been verified. The Octagon ranger for this potentially exciting scrap is referee Herb Dean, and there is no gloves touch as these two want to get right down to it. Yanez lines up a left hand, but Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown. Yanez defends it and rolls his eyes, getting his feet back beneath him before fighting off another and landing a knee. Yanez spins him about, only to get pinned back to the fence once more, and a few heavy knees ring off Rodriguez’ forehead. Yanez pushes off and sticks out a front kick, and Rodriguez winds up with a huge right hand. Rodriguez follows the overhand right with a takedown attempt, and Yanez blocks it and pushes off. Rodriguez tries to do this same thing again, but Yanez sees it coming and stops it. Yanez clips him with a right hand, and Rodriguez is hurt. Yanez cracks him with another straight right hand and Rodriguez is not taking these strikes well. Yanez drops him with a right hand, and Rodriguez bites down on his mouthpiece and tags Yanez on the chin. Yanez tosses Rodriguez to the ground, and the Alaskan springs back to his feet. Yanez chases after him with a few heavy punches that collide with his opponent’s chin, and Rodriguez holds himself up from falling over by interlocking his fingers in the fence.
When Rodriguez stands still to get his bearings, Yanez winds up and takes his left foot and whops Rodriguez on the side of his face…and there’s not a darn thing that Rodriguez can do about it, as he crumples to the ground, out cold.
What a way for Yanez to make his UFC debut.
The Official Result
Adrian Yanez def. Victor Rodriguez R1 2:46 via KO (Head Kick)
Expert Picks (3)
Big Brady is extremely confident in Yañez, citing a huge skill gap. He notes Rodriguez's low-level competition and poor technique, while Yañez is technical, accurate, and has solid takedown defense. He predicts a first-round knockout.
Yañez is a polished striker with beautiful hands and footwork. Rodriguez comes from Alaska with low-level competition and will be outclassed on the feet. Yañez should finish him in the first or second round by KO.
The MMA Guru picks Adrian Yañez to win by TKO, noting that Yañez is a good fighter with a viral KO on the contender series, while Victor Rodriguez has beaten mostly nobodies and failed when stepping up in competition. He expects Yañez to finish him.
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