Ramon Taveras
"The Savage"Career Averages
Win Methods (1)
Loss Methods (2)
Fight History
Expert Picks (12)
Angelo picks Ramon Taveras (referred to as Rodrigo Vera), praising his aggression, ability to mix striking and grappling, and high pace. He believes Taveras is a real prospect and that the fight is not as close as some think, with Taveras likely to score well in DraftKings.
Angelo picks Ramon Taveras because he is more aggressive, has better grappling, and his wrestling is too good for Zhu's takedown defense. He is surprised the odds are so close and considers minus 115 a deal of a lifetime. He trusts the judges in China to be fair.
Angelo is confident that Ramon Taveras will dominate Zhu Kangjie, citing Taveras's ability to overwhelm on the feet and on the ground. He notes that Zhu's takedown defense is not good enough to handle Taveras's wrestling pressure. He is only slightly worried about Zhu's random power but doesn't think it will matter. He loves the current odds and plans to place a bet, waiting for the line to potentially improve.
Cody picks Taveras (Rodrigo Vera), citing his skill set, durability, and winning streak. He notes that Zhu Kangjie won Road to the UFC via split decisions and questionable judging, and that the UFC has not given him a fight for a year. Taveras is a proven regional fighter with wins over Juan Diaz. Cody believes Taveras' wrestling and experience will be key, though he worries about the judges in China.
Jacob picks Zhu because he has power in his hands and is live for an early knockout. He notes that Zhu has never had a second or third round finish, but his takedown defense is good enough to get back to his feet. He thinks Vera's wrestling is overrated and Zhu can weather the storm.
Lucrative James picks Zhu Kangjie as an underdog, believing he is the better striker with more power and experience against wrestlers. He notes that Ramon Taveras likely lost on The Ultimate Fighter (since he took a short-notice fight), which suggests a recent loss. He thinks Zhu's takedown defense and striking will be enough to win a decision, though he acknowledges Taveras is tough and durable. He feels the line should be closer to pick'em.
The host leans with Vera, citing his higher output and overall game compared to Kangjie's counter-heavy style. He worries that Kangjie is too reliant on waiting for opponents and may be muzzled by Vera's volume. He predicts Vera wins by decision as long as he avoids getting knocked out.
The host picks Ramon Taveras (referred to as 'Vera') over Zhu Kangjie, citing Taveras's activity and output as key factors. He expects Taveras to land more volume and survive Zhu's power, winning on the scorecards as the fight goes into deeper waters.
Paul also picks Taveras, noting his durability, cardio, and wrestling. He mentions that Zhu's wrestling is suspect and that Taveras can employ a takedown-heavy strategy. Paul is concerned about judging but prefers the known quantity in Taveras.
The Guru picks Rodrigo Vera (Ramon Taveras) over Kang Zi Xu, citing Vera's win over Juan Diaz as a key indicator. He believes Vera's technical, high-volume striking and footwork will frustrate the power-punching Zhu, who is a knockout hunter. He expects Vera to use lateral movement and a consistent jab to win a decision.
The Guru favors Vera due to his output, Thai clinch knees, and ability to shell up against Zhu's single power shots. He notes Zhu has heavy hands and a head kick that could end the fight, but thinks Vera's volume and clinch work will be decisive. He mentions Vera took the fight on short notice but still picks him.
The MMA Guru picks Zhu Kangjie to win by decision. He acknowledges that Zhu struggles with pressure, which is Taveras's game, but believes Zhu's striking is fantastic and he can land early. He notes Zhu's takedown defense is good and that he has been training at City Kickboxing. He also mentions that Taveras is tiny for 145 and that Zhu is not big either, but he loves the fight and is confident in Zhu's ability to outpoint Taveras.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Jenkins | 0 | 65 of 109 | 59% | 73 of 123 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:58 |
| Ramon Taveras | 0 | 43 of 113 | 38% | 68 of 142 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Jenkins | 0 | 32 of 56 | 57% | 32 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ramon Taveras | 0 | 16 of 43 | 37% | 16 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 2 | Jack Jenkins | 0 | 29 of 42 | 69% | 29 of 43 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:04 |
| Ramon Taveras | 0 | 20 of 58 | 34% | 30 of 68 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 | |
| 3 | Jack Jenkins | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 12 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 2:54 |
| Ramon Taveras | 0 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 22 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 1:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Jenkins | 65 of 109 | 59% | 29 of 68 | 16 of 21 | 20 of 20 | 58 of 95 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 9 |
| Ramon Taveras | 43 of 113 | 38% | 36 of 98 | 6 of 14 | 1 of 1 | 38 of 106 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Jenkins | 32 of 56 | 57% | 14 of 33 | 11 of 16 | 7 of 7 | 29 of 52 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Ramon Taveras | 16 of 43 | 37% | 11 of 34 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jack Jenkins | 29 of 42 | 69% | 12 of 25 | 5 of 5 | 12 of 12 | 28 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Ramon Taveras | 20 of 58 | 34% | 18 of 52 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 57 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jack Jenkins | 4 of 11 | 36% | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 |
| Ramon Taveras | 7 of 12 | 58% | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 |
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks Jack Jenkins despite thinking he is overrated, because he believes Jenkins can win with forward pressure and volume, similar to how Davy Grant beat Taveras. He notes Taveras chases overhands and power, which Jenkins can counter. He attributes the line collapse to Jenkins' ironic mustache, not his skills.
Big Brady picks Jack Jenkins to win by decision. He notes Jenkins has more tools, including leg kicks that will target Taveras's lead leg. He also mentions Jenkins can mix in takedowns. He thinks the line is a bit wide but still expects Jenkins to win at home.
Cody picks Jenkins, citing his devastating leg kicks that will slow Taveras down over time. He notes Taveras is a better boxer but flat-footed and has no takedown attempts in his UFC career, making him vulnerable to Jenkins' kicks and potential wrestling. He also mentions Taveras missed weight in past fights and is traveling to Perth, which could affect his performance.
Connor also picks Jenkins, agreeing that Taveras is a good matchup for him. He notes that Taveras is an expert at letting things happen to him and has a big head, making him easy to hit. Connor thinks Jenkins's low kicks and counter punching will be effective, and that Taveras's toughness won't be enough to overcome Jenkins's advantages. He cautions that Jenkins's game is thin, but Taveras is not the kind of fighter to expose it.
James has not done tape study on this fight and passes on making a pick. He mentions he likes Jack Jenkins as a fighter but does not provide a prediction.
The host notes Taveras is moving up to 145 lbs after weight issues at 135. He thinks Taveras will struggle against Jenkins' calf kicking and grappling game, keeping Taveras on the defensive and leading to a decision win for Jenkins.
The Guru picks Jack Jenkins, citing his ability to break bones with strikes and his kicking game. He notes Taveras is moving up from bantamweight and has been victimized by kicks before. He expects a sustained beating leading to a TKO in round two or three.
Zane picks Jenkins confidently, noting that Taveras has trouble with low kicks and has a big head that is easy to punch. He believes Jenkins's crushing low kicks and top game will be too much for Taveras, who is tough but not skilled enough to deter Jenkins. Zane expects Jenkins to look great in this fight, though he acknowledges Jenkins's game is narrow and he struggles against fighters who can control distance.
Dec 14, 2024
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davey Grant | 0 | 147 of 290 | 50% | 147 of 290 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ramon Taveras | 0 | 69 of 156 | 44% | 69 of 156 | 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 | Davey Grant | 0 | 39 of 72 | 54% | 39 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ramon Taveras | 0 | 12 of 34 | 35% | 12 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Davey Grant | 0 | 45 of 89 | 50% | 45 of 89 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ramon Taveras | 0 | 25 of 49 | 51% | 25 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Davey Grant | 0 | 63 of 129 | 48% | 63 of 129 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ramon Taveras | 0 | 32 of 73 | 43% | 32 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davey Grant | 147 of 290 | 50% | 50 of 158 | 42 of 67 | 55 of 65 | 147 of 290 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ramon Taveras | 69 of 156 | 44% | 63 of 149 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 67 of 152 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davey Grant | 39 of 72 | 54% | 5 of 28 | 15 of 22 | 19 of 22 | 39 of 72 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ramon Taveras | 12 of 34 | 35% | 10 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Davey Grant | 45 of 89 | 50% | 16 of 46 | 12 of 22 | 17 of 21 | 45 of 89 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ramon Taveras | 25 of 49 | 51% | 23 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 23 of 45 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Davey Grant | 63 of 129 | 48% | 29 of 84 | 15 of 23 | 19 of 22 | 63 of 129 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ramon Taveras | 32 of 73 | 43% | 30 of 70 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 32 of 73 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Taveras (-130), Grant (+110)
Round 1
The bantamweight fight will be overseen by Keith Peterson. Grant lands a solid leg kick to start. Taveras takes the center of the Octagon. A nice straight right lands for Taveras, who is timing it well as Grant comes in. Grant is finding distance with his kicks. Grant is staying on the outside and throwing side kicks. Nice right hand from Grant to the body. A body kick from Grant slaps into the side of Taveras. Grant is the much more active fighter so far. A sneaky right hand lands for Grant, who then lands a head kick. Taveras eats two leg kicks but throws a nice straight left. A low blow lands for Grant, so Taveras will take time to recover. The fight restarts with under two minutes left. Nice side kick from Grant. Taveras avoids a big right hand and is able to counter with some hooks. A night left for Taveras, who is starting to find his distance. Grant still finding success with leg kicks. Grant misses a spinning kick. A nice combination of hooks land for Grant, who misses a spinning back fist as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Round 2
Taveras takes the center of the cage again but comes up short trying to fire punches back at Grant, who continues to land kicks at range. Grant gets clipped by a big left hand from Taveras, who allows his opponent to get back up. Grant still looks rocked, but Taveras isn't rushing. Grant seems to have recovered but isn't nearly as confident. Taveras is loading up on big shots as an overhand left misses. A head kick for Grant is blocked. Grant falls after attempting a spin kick but gets back up without taking much damage. Taveras is once again failing to do much in terms of output. Big left hook comes up short for Taveras. Grant lands a big swinging right hook of his own. Several kicks land for Grant. Big hooks land for Grant as Taveras shows how good his chin is. Taveras avoids a spinning back fist but is being outstruck here despite the big moment early on. Grant doing a good job of following up his punches with kicks. The round ends with Grant swinging wildly with hooks and then landing a kick to the shin.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Round 3
Taveras eats a big right hook to start the final round. Grant was told not to spin by his coaches between rounds and has been following their direction. Taveras is finding his distance and landing a nice jab. Grant gets busier and hurts Taveras with a left hook. Grant is once again staying busier. Nice body kick lands for Grant, who follows it up with hooks. Grant's pace is really impressive to be getting busier in the third round. Grant lands a nice leg kick and is throwing hard to the body. Two minutes left. Taveras is defending well but needs to be landing. A big right straight lands for Grant, who stuns Taveras late. Really strong performance from Grant, who has really separated himself from Taveras as a far more varied and better striker. One minute left, and Taveras needs something big. Taveras is looking for a big shot but not throwing. Grant eats a right hand but comes back with several punches of his own. Taveras is swinging wildly in the last 20 seconds but most aren't connecting. The fight ends with Grant jabbing his way to what will be a clear-cut decision.
Sherdog Scores
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Grant (30-27 Grant)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Grant (30-27 Grant)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Grant (30-27 Grant)
The Official Result
Davey Grant def. Ramon Taveras via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27); R3, 5:00.
Expert Picks (9)
Angelo picks Taveras due to his power and hand speed, which he believes will be too much for the aging Davey Grant. He notes Grant's blind forward pressure and lack of output, while Taveras is a powerful southpaw striker with good takedown defense. He expects Taveras to look good despite the experience gap.
Big Brady picks Ramon Taveras to win by decision, but is hesitant due to concerns about Grant's neck surgery and long layoff. He notes Taveras has heavy hands and has knocked down opponents in almost every fight, but worries about Taveras's chin. He originally leaned Grant but flipped after learning about Grant's neck surgery and age (39). He thinks Grant might look like a shell of himself.
Cody picks Davey Grant, citing his experience, durability, and well-rounded skills. He notes that Taveras is a one-round fighter who gasses, and Grant's volume and pressure will overwhelm him. Cody believes Grant's grappling and striking are superior, and he expects a finish or clear decision.
Connor also picks Grant, emphasizing that Grant's game makes sense despite his poor technique, and that he has a good understanding of tempo and momentum. He notes that Taveras is a fighter who backs up against the cage and throws counter combinations, leaving himself open. Until Grant shows signs of decline, Connor will pick him over a fighter like Taveras.
Daniel Vreeland picks Ramon Taveras, citing his fast hands and boxing skills for MMA. He notes Davey Grant is coming off neck surgery at 39, and Taveras is nearly 10 years younger. Vreeland believes Taveras could knock out Grant, though he acknowledges Grant's calf kicks could be a factor. He expects a banger and leans toward the younger fighter.
Grant's strength of schedule, durability, and cardio advantage will allow him to land big shots on Ramon Taveras, leading to a knockout victory. The public has been backing Grant this week, which aligns with the pick.
Paul picks Davey Grant, citing his experience and ability to go toe-to-toe with top fighters. He notes that Taveras is untested and Grant's submission skills could be a factor. Paul expects Grant to win, possibly by submission.
The MMA Guru picks Davey Grant, citing his history as a tricky underdog who has been competitive against tough opponents. He believes Grant's leg kicks and body work will keep Taveras at bay, and notes that Taveras is a flat-footed boxer who has been finished before. He acknowledges Grant's recent neck surgery and age (38) but dismisses those as reasons to bet against him, stating that Taveras is not a dangerous enough prospect to beat Grant.
Zane picks Grant confidently, describing him as a legitimate technical brawler with a great feel for fighting, despite his ugly technique. He notes that Grant has given tough fights to better strikers like Adrian Yanez and Daniel Marcos, while Taveras has a record built on beating low-level competition and barely beat Serhiy Sidey. Zane sees this as a levels matchup where Grant should win by knockout.
Jan 20, 2024
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramon Taveras | 0 | 79 of 226 | 34% | 81 of 229 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 1 | 62 of 147 | 42% | 62 of 148 | 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 | Ramon Taveras | 0 | 17 of 51 | 33% | 17 of 52 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 22 of 45 | 48% | 22 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ramon Taveras | 0 | 39 of 108 | 36% | 41 of 110 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 1 | 24 of 58 | 41% | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 3 | Ramon Taveras | 0 | 23 of 67 | 34% | 23 of 67 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 16 of 44 | 36% | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramon Taveras | 79 of 226 | 34% | 51 of 181 | 20 of 36 | 8 of 9 | 73 of 218 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 62 of 147 | 42% | 48 of 131 | 8 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 60 of 144 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ramon Taveras | 17 of 51 | 33% | 7 of 36 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 17 of 51 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 22 of 45 | 48% | 11 of 33 | 5 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 21 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ramon Taveras | 39 of 108 | 36% | 30 of 94 | 8 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 33 of 100 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 24 of 58 | 41% | 23 of 57 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | |
| 3 | Ramon Taveras | 23 of 67 | 34% | 14 of 51 | 7 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 23 of 67 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 16 of 44 | 36% | 14 of 41 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sidey (-185), Taveras (+154)
Round 1
This odd rematch of a “TUF” bout marred by an early stoppage took another turn when Taveras missed weight badly on Friday, but they plan to settle their unfinished business, nonetheless. Third man in the cage, charged with making sure things don’t get any weirder, is referee Todd Anderson. Taveras is southpaw, Sidey orthodox to kick things off. Taveras switches stances freely, however, and there are several awkward clashes in space where neither man lands solidly. Sidey walks Taveras to the fence and clinches, looking perhaps for a takedown, but they disengage. Sidey catches Taveras with a short left hook, then a nice right hand. Taveras tags Sidey with a right outside leg kick and Sidey responds with a right hand that has him stumbling back off balance. Sidey throws a straight kick up the middle, backing Taveras up, and Taveras nails him with a left to the body that drops him to his seat. He pops right back up. Two minutes left and Sidey marches forward. Taveras lands another hard left to the body. Sidey is coming forward constantly, but Taveras’ stance switches and lateral movement are giving him trouble. Sidey lands a big low kick that spins Taveras halfway around. Taveras springs forward with a three-punch combo that has Sidey backing off. Taveras rocks Sidey badly with a sweeping left hand right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Taveras
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Taveras
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Taveras
Round 2
The two waste no time in getting back to work, and both men land hard shots in the opening seconds. Sidey changes levels for a takedown, and Taveras sprawls easily. Sidey marches down his foe and lands a big shot that sends him back to the fence. He tries to swarm with more punches, but Taveras is already recovered and sliding out the side. Taveras drops Sidey with a clean one-two. Sidey scrambles to his feet and backs away before Taveras can add more damage, but Sidey is suddenly a mess, blood all over his face and hair. His nose is smashed. Sidey nails Taveras with a right hand, but Taveras escapes the left. Sidey corrals Taveras against the fence with a kick and tags him with a body punch. Taveras escapes again. Sidey lands another body kick, then a punch upstairs that rings the American’s bell. Taveras careens back to the fence but recovers instantly. Taveras is using lateral movement to evade Sidey’s haymakers, as he throws everything into every shot. The horn sounds on a fantastic round of striking.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Round 3
It's still anyone’s fight, on our scorecards at least, and the fighters are fighting like it, as they once again get right to business. Sidey reaches out with the jab and right cross as Taveras looks to counter with hooks. Sidey throws a high kick that bounces off Taveras’ shoulder. Taveras comes back with a three-piece combination that lands cleanly. Taveras throws a crisp body kick to the open left side. Sidey fires off a head kick that just misses short. Sidey comes forward with a pair of punches and slips the delayed counter. Sidey once again backs Taveras up to the fence and once again lets him escape out the side. A hard jab from Taveras dislodges the mouthpiece of Sidey at the midpoint of the round. Sidey replaces his gear and lands a nice right body kick. Sidey backs Taveras into the fence and launches a flying knee that lands on the chin, though without too much force. Under a minute to go in the fight, and Sidey is still pressing forward, landing shots but never quite corralling the shorter man. The horn sounds on the best fight of the evening so far.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (29-28 Sidey)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (29-28 Sidey)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (29-28 Sidey)
The Official Result
Ramon Taveras def. Serhiy Sidey via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks Sidey based on his previous knockout win over Taveras, but is hesitant to bet due to both fighters being UFC debutants. He notes Sidey's leg exposure but doubts Taveras will exploit it. He advises against laying minus 180 and prefers to watch the fight.
Big Brady picks Taveras as a dog, citing his incredible power and hand speed for bantamweight. He notes Taveras has a high knockdown ratio and dropped his last opponent three times. He believes the first fight was stopped too early and that Taveras will flip the script with a first-round knockout. He questions Sidey's takedown game but expects a striking battle.
Cody picks Sidey, noting he already finished Taveras in their first fight. He questions Taveras's chin and durability, citing his loss to Edward Massey and fight with Charles Bennett. He believes Sidey's grappling and power will lead to another finish.
Daniel Vreeland picks Serhiy Sidey to win again, crediting his beautiful combination that dropped Taveras in their first fight. He notes Sidey's outside kicking game and defense, while Taveras is a violent brawler with power. He expects Sidey to be more confident and potentially finish again, but acknowledges Taveras's knockout power.
This fight is not discussed in the transcript. The host does not mention Taveras vs Sidey.
I'm taking Sidey again. He is the superior striker and as long as he can stay safe, he should be able to find Taveras's chin and get the knockout. In their first fight, Sidey landed a perfect counter and followed up with hammer strikes, though it was a quick stoppage. I expect him to run the same script and win by knockout.
Paul picks Sidey and has already bet under 1.5 rounds. He notes Taveras's aggressive style and questionable chin, and believes Sidey will finish him again. He sees the under as a pick'em and good value.
The MMA Guru picks the underdog Ramon Taveras, despite losing to Sidey on the Contender Series. He argues the TKO was premature and off-balance, and that Taveras looked better on the feet. He cites Taveras's move to Team Alpha Male, his superior boxing, and Sidey's potential lack of motivation. He predicts Taveras will win.
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