Jordan Lopez

With the conclusion of UFC Orlando, the Welterweight division has entered the conversation as one of the best divisions in the UFC. In the main event, Stephen Thompson defeated Kevin Holland via TKO in a fight-of-the-year candidate for 2022 and there are some intriguing matchups for the division moving forward. 
In the co-main event, former Lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos defeated Bryan Barberena via submission in the second round. Dos Anjos looked great at Welterweight and seems like he’ll be fighting in the division going forward. This is not only great for him but the Welterweight division because it adds another great fighter into the mix. 

Having UFC Orlando and a few fight announcements finalized, we can play the role of the matchmakers and what they may be thinking in the “war room” on Tuesday. Here are five fights to make in the Welterweight division.

## Stephen Thompson vs. Jorge Masvidal 2

![MasvidalThompson2.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/08b7d844-2182-41ff-6a25-8dfe1b868b00/pub "Stephen Thompson facing off with Jorge Masvidal before UFC 217. Credits to: Josh Hedges-Zuffa LLC.")

After a spectacular performance from Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, it’s only right that the matchmakers pair him up with another striker moving forward. With that being the case, there is no one better than Jorge Masvidal. Thompson has mentioned previously that he is very interested in the rematch between them and there is no better time than now. Masvidal is coming off two championship losses to Kamaru Usman and to top contender Colby Covington. They are respectable defeats as there were the top two guys in the division at the time. Thompson currently ranks as the sixth-ranked contender in the division and with his win at UFC Orlando, he may be moving up a spot in the top five. This is a perfect fight for both men. Thompson would love to have a “big money” fight against another respectable striker and Masvidal needs a top-five opponent to jump back into the title picture. The champion, Leon Edwards has mentioned that Masvidal needs one win to get back into title contention and he’ll accept that fight. This is would great for all parties involved in the Welterweight division.

## Conor McGregor vs. Rafael Dos Anjos

![RDA.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/9834ed77-96da-40bc-553d-cc8f8f72ec00/pub "Rafael Dos Anjos and Conor McGregor facing off at UFC 197 press conference. Credits to: Jeff Bottari-Zuffa LLC.")

The time has come for both gentlemen. Conor McGregor needs a comeback fight against a notable opponent and after his win at UFC Orlando, Rafael Dos Anjos is the perfect return fight. In the post-fight interview, Dos Anjos called out McGregor in the octagon and the fans in attendance gave their approval. The two were supposed to fight at UFC 196 but Dos Anjos had pulled out of the fight due to a foot injury, setting up the famous Nate Diaz fight with McGregor. With Dos Anjos fighting in the Welterweight division going forward, it matches up perfectly. McGregor will certainly be coming back to fight at 170 pounds and Dos Anjos is the perfect matchup for him. Two former Champions with history and tension between them. The trash-talking and promotion leading up to the fight would be great and it will be everything McGregor would want in his comeback fight. 

## Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3

![LeonUsman3.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/0bc3069a-9739-4a5d-9df7-6eb1e8ae2400/pub "Leon Edwards winning the Welterweight title over Kamaru Usman. Credits to: Josh Hedges-Zuffa LLC.")

The obvious fight to make at the top of the division is the trilogy between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman for the Welterweight championship. His first title defense would most likely be in England in front of his people as Dana White has rumored it to be. After the fifth-round head-kick knockout from Edwards, it only makes sense that Usman gets the trilogy and tries to avenge his loss to get his title back. Nothing has been finalized between the two, but this championship fight has been rumored to take place in March of 2023. The trilogy will be one of the most anticipated fights in 2023 and by then, there will be answers on who is next in title contention for the Welterweight division. 

## Colby Covington vs. Khamzat Chimaev

![Chimaev.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/6bac4b24-a178-4767-fc90-d47558d54900/pub "Khamzat Chimaev getting his hand raised after defeating Kevin Holland at UFC 279. Credits to: Jeff Bottari-Zuffa LLC.")

A fight the fans all want to see in the Welterweight division is Colby Covington against Khamzat Chimaev. From the trash talk to the fight stylistically, it makes sense for everyone involved. Covington is coming off the decision win over Jorge Masvidal in UFC 272 and has kept his name relevant atop of the division. Chimaev just defeated Kevin Holland at UFC 279 in a Catchweight bout after failing to miss weight. He was originally scheduled to fight Nate Diaz at Welterweight but dealt with some weight-cutting issues and failed to reach the weight limit. This was a growing concern for the UFC due to the fact that Chimaev should be fighting against the top guys at 170 pounds. Chimaev has reiterated that he can make the weight and if he is a man of his word, Covington is the perfect fight. Chimaev has been asking for this fight for a long time and has not received a response from Covington. From the latest report, Dana White has mentioned that they are working on getting this fight done as it’ll be a massive fight in the division. It’s also rumored that it might take place on the same card as the championship trilogy fight between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman. That would be one of the most anticipated PPV cards of 2023.

## Kevin Holland vs. Jack Della Maddalena  

![Holland.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/f7dee457-6a4e-49a0-89b1-e4047c107b00/pub "Kevin Holland getting introduced by Bruce Buffer before the main event at UFC Orlando. Credits to: Jeff Bottari-Zuffa LLC.")

Kevin Holland will always be a fan favorite and a draw to the UFC. After suffering a defeat to Stephen Thompson at UFC Orlando, there are still avenues for Holland to navigate. He is always bringing the fun and entertainment in the octagon and what else is more fun than a fight with rising contender Jack Della Maddalena. This fight is one of the best fights stylistically the UFC can make in the Welterweight division. Two great strikers standing in the middle with guaranteed fireworks is everything they would want. Della Maddalena has earned the right to fight someone notable like Holland and both fighters should want this fight. This would be a great addition to a big PPV main card, but this fight would be even better if it was the main event on a UFC Fight Night. A five-round main event in front of a similar crowd like UFC Orlando as the main event would have all the makings of a great card. In terms of what it does for the division, the winner of this fight would put themselves in a prime position to enter the Welterweight rankings. Holland might be out an extended period of time as he has allegedly broken three knuckles in his right hand per his Instagram post. When Holland heals up from his injuries and takes the appropriate time off, this should be the next fight for him and Della Maddalena. 


UFC Orlando: 5 Fights to make in the Welterweight Division

Abdullah Ouazri

This was a tough one to choose as both Sergei Pavlovich and Roman Dolidze showed fans their mettle and had massive nights. Ultimately though, the award goes to Dolidze. He went from unranked to a top-10 contender that the whole division needs to be wary of overnight. 

Dolidze started his UFC career off right with a 1st-round knockout of Khadis Ibragimov but had three somewhat lackluster performances after against John Allan, Trevin Giles, and Laureano Staropoli.

The Georgian took a year off and came back reinvented, finishing three opponents in a row now. It began with his 1st-round knockout over Kyle Daukaus at UFC Austin earlier this year, then he tore Phil Hawes' knee apart in a leg lock and slept him with a nasty 3-punch combo.

![dol1.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/c2b82e6c-8594-4e82-2aec-03895d9e1f00/pub "Roman Dolidze finishes Phil Hawes in round 1. Credits to: Zuffa LLC")

Now we find ourselves in the present day, and he's just earned the biggest of them all against Jack Hermansson at UFC Orlando. He finished Jack with one of the most unique and painful-looking calf-slicer mounts to ground and pound TKOs in UFC history.

![dol2.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/97733696-a6d5-48cf-7bcd-671c9b637200/pub "Roman Dolidze stops Jack Hermansson in Orlando. Credits to: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports")

Dolidze will find himself in the Middleweight division's top 10 next week and has a name in mind for his next fight, Khamzat Chimaev.

Breakout Star of The Night: UFC Orlando

The old dog's still got it.

UFC Orlando tied the historical record for most KO/TKO finishes on a card ever, with 8. Fans were treated to perhaps the best fight of the year in the main event, and so much more. 

Let's see the results and recaps:

## Stephen Thompson def. Kevin Holland (TKO, at 5:00 Round 4)

![th2.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/99e74537-4cc2-4938-bb8b-f373553e4c00/pub "Wonderboy puts on a masterclass. Credits to: Zuffa LLC")

Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson put on one of the greatest performances inside the octagon in recent memory. The two began swinging for the fences from the opening bell. Round 1 was closely contested but Holland landed the harder strikes and had Thompson hurt. From round 2 and forward was where 'Wonderboy' began finding his groove. He consistently backed Holland up with a swiss army knife of strikes and stumbled him on a few occasions. He began building up steam into round 4 where he started using head kicks for jabs. Holland, beaten, exhausted, and suffering an injured hand, did his best and barely survived a knockdown at the end of the round. Mercifully, his corner halted the bout on the stool and the fight goes down as a TKO win for 'Wonderboy.'

## Rafael Dos Anjos def. Bryan Barbarena (Submission, at 3:20 Round 2)

The former Lightweight champ, 'RDA,' meant business in his Welterweight return. He took on Bryan 'Bam Bam' Barbarena and put on a grappling masterclass. On 4 takedowns he nearly submitted Bryan just as many times. His foe survived the first but when round 2 picked up right where they'd left off, he was forced to tap to a rear-naked choke.

## Matheus Nicolau def. Matt Schnell (TKO, at 1:44 Round 2)

Nicolau fought out his UFC contract tonight in fashion. He took on Matt Schnell in a high-stakes Flyweight bout. Schnell looked to bring the fight to the ground but had nothing for his opponent. Nicolau, on the other hand, was precise and powerful with his strikes, picking his shots en route to multiple knockdowns that lead to the finish.

## Sergei Pavlovich def. Tai Tuivasa (KO, at 0:54 Round 1)

Pavlovich wants a title shot and is wasting no time getting it. He marked his 2nd knockout in a row under a minute tonight with a barrage of strikes. His punches with fast, accurate, and could not miss. The referee gave Tuivasa every opportunity to survive, but in the end, the Russian was too much.

## Roman Dolidze def. Jack Hermansson (TKO, at 4:06 Round 2)

What started off as an excellent showing for Hermansson ended disastrously. He accepted Dolidze on short notice when his scheduled opponent, Derek Brunson, was forced to withdraw. Hermansson looked every bit the 2:1 favorite he was until he initiated a grappling exchange in the 2nd round that saw Dolidze not only reverse the position and find full mount atop his back, but he also locked up Hermansson's leg in a calf slicer, completely immobilizing him. Punches rained down and it was only a matter of time until the referee stepped in.

## Eryk Anders def. Kyle Daukaus (TKO, at 2:45 Round 2)

Anders was the bigger, stronger, and more equipped man tonight. Daukaus returned just a few months after being knocked out by Roman Dolidze, and he paid for it. He went 0/8 on takedown attempts and found himself on the wrong end of several heavy shots. Not enough can be said about the underdog Anders' performance tonight leading up to the finish.

## Philip Rowe def. Niko Price (TKO at 3:23 Round 3)

This was our pick for The Sleeper Fight of The Week, and it delivered. The two swung wild and fast from the start, but Rowe's shots had more impact all throughout. He used his range and power to pick at the openings Price presented. Up 2-0, he was nearly finished in the 3rd before coming back to earn the TKO himself.

## Angela Hill def. Emily Ducote (Unanimous Decision, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Hill found herself on the right side of a decision tonight as she sent Ducote back to the start of the line in a shutout performance. Her volume, accuracy, and experience paid dividends toward her unanimous decision win.

## Clay Guida def. Scott Holtzman (Split Decision, 29-28, 29-28, *28-29*)

Holtzman started the fight strong with his striking and power, taking round 1 on all 3 scorecards. Like many of his prior fights, however, Guida picked up the pace as the fight went on. He used his wrestling to overwhelm Holtzman and at 40 years old, picked up his 18th UFC win.

## Micheal Johnson def. Marc Diakiese (Unanimous decision, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

This fight was a fun one in the 155 lbs division. Diakiese came out showing his patented striking style that he was long known for and had early success during the fight. It was in rounds 2 and 3 that Johnson began to time his wild moves and counter well, eventually turning on the pressure to win the decision.

## Jonathan Pearce def. Darren Elkins (Unanimous Decision 30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Jonathan 'JSP' Pearce put the division on notice with a dominant win over one of its finest veterans. He showcased the crisp striking he'd been working on over the last few years and mixed in the grappling well. The damage piled on Elkins' face and the bout could have easily been stopped.

## Natan Levy def. Genaro Valdez (Unanimous Decision 30-27, 29-28, 29-28) 

Natan Levy put on a masterful performance, especially in the 1st round. He dropped Valdez and then again with a hook kick. His striking was levels above and his well-roundedness showed as well. He secured the win with a takedown and some control time in the 3rd.

## Francis Marshall def. Marcelo Rojo (KO, at 1:44 Round 2)

The debut of Francis Marshall in the UFC is one fans will remember. Showing clear signs of early jitters, he did eat a few shots in the fight. After securing a takedown and seemingly finding confidence in his abilities, he let it all loose and dropped Rojo in the 2nd, finishing him off with brutal ground and pound.

## Yasmin Jauregi def. Istela Nunes (TKO, at 4:06 Round 2)

This fight was a banger to start the night off. Nunes sat Jauregi down in the 1st, letting her opponent know she wasn't in for an easy time. Jauregi welcomed it with open arms and swung back in round 2, finding two knockdowns before securing the TKO finish.

This card was everything fans imagined and more. It showcased blossoming talent, top contenders making their mark, and old dogs showing that they aren't done just yet. 

UFC Orlando: Thompson vs. Holland Results and Recap

Garrett Kerman

On deck for this weekend we have arguably the best fight night card of the entire year. In the main event we have a battle in the Welterweight division between two fighters that will put on a show for fans in Stephen Thompson and Kevin Holland.

The rest of the fight card is littered with elite talent and it is one you will not want to miss. I'll be giving you my best picks that will have you rolling in some cash on Verdict Tournaments come fight time. With that said, let's take a look at the picks.

## Eryk Anders vs. Kyle Daukaus

To open the main card we have a Middleweight showdown between Eryk Anders and Kyle Daukaus.

Both Anders and Daukaus are desperately in need of a win here. Anders has been very lackluster with only 1 win in the last 3 years and has looked relatively off in his most recent performances. Anders is a thumper and packs some power but his inability to mix things up leaves a lot to be desired. 

Daukaus is coming off of face surgery just about 3 months or so ago after getting his face shattered by Roman Dolidze. He has shown some promise when he first bursted onto the scene but since has been very inconsistent. He is able to mix his strikes well and blend them with his grappling when he's at his best.

Daukaus has the clear advantage in the grappling in this matchup and he would be wise to utilize that. Anders has the tendency to get backed to the cage and Daukaus will take full advantage of that. Being as Anders has shown to be durable only being finished twice in his 7 losses, Daukaus by decision is the way to go.

![Screenshot_20221203_115745_Verdict.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/16486b00-bbf4-4f15-69da-89ced5e58e00/public)

## Jack Hermansson vs. Roman Dolidze

In the Middleweight division we have Jack Hermansson taking on Roman Dolidze on short notice.

Hermansson has been a mainstay in the top 10 of the Middleweight division for quite some time, beating the best of the best. In his most recent fight he showed there were levels to this as he took out the surging Chris Curtis.

Dolidze has been making strides winning 3-straight coming into this short notice opportunity. He knocked out both Phil Hawes and Kyle Daukaus enroute to his toughest opponent yet.

Hermansson is as solid as they come in all facets of the game. I thoroughly expect this fight to play a bit similar to the Curtis fight. He will be a bit better than Dolidze everywhere and if he could just avoid getting knocked out he should cruise to a unanimous decision victory and that's who I'm rolling with. 

![Screenshot_20221203_115951_Verdict.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/d22db04b-cfe8-42aa-ab9f-93e7c2969700/public)

## Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tai Tuivasa

We have an absolute banger in the Heavyweight division in a fight between Sergie Pavlovich and Tai Tuivasa.

Pavlovich is coming off of his biggest win yet with a first round knockout of Derrick Lewis. He has some of the heaviest hands mixed with some of the best technical striking in the entire division.

Tuivasa is coming off of a very entertaining defeat at the hands of Ciryl Gane. He was the only fighter to really hurt Gane on the feet in his MMA career which should give him a ton of confidence coming into this fight.

The worry about Tuivasa is that he's coming back from a brutal beating just a short time ago. It's hard to gage how well his chin will hold up going against another heavy hitter in Pavlovich. Pavlovich also boasts a 10" reach advantage which should help keep Tuivasa at the end of his strikes. Ultimately I have Pavlovich getting the knockout early in round 1.

[Screenshot_20221203_120013_Verdict.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/c12cac52-823f-42bc-a43f-ecbaad1ece00/public)

## Matheus Nicolau vs. Matt Schnell

In the Flyweight division we have a great scrap between two game opponents in Matheus Nicolau and Matt Schnell.

Nicolau has been on an absolute tear ever since departing from the UFC and is riding a 5-fight winning streak. He's one of the most well-rounded fighters in the flyweight division and really has a chance to put his name on the map with big win here against Schnell.

Schnell is coming off of arguably of the craziest fights of 2022 that saw him submit Sumudaerji. He is a dangerous fighter no matter where the fight goes and his opportunistic style of fighting will need to be in full effect to keep his winning ways going.

Even though Schnell is as dangerous as they come, Nicolau is just a bit better everywhere than Schnell. Nicolau will be able to stay on the outside, keep his distance and land the harder and more damaging shots on Schnell throughout this contest. I fully expect Nicolau to run away with this to win yet another wide decision.

![Screenshot_20221203_120038_Verdict.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/ee788fee-275f-40b9-dd37-83cd6adcd100/public)

## Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Bryan Barberena

In the co-main event we have a barn burner in the Welterweight division between Rafael Dos Anjos and Bryan Barberena. 

Dos Anjos is coming off of a 5-round war that so him get finished by Rafael Fiziev in the very last round. He's been an elite fighter in both the Lightweight and welterweight divisions for a while now and is looking to get back into the win column here.

Barberena is as tough as they come. He's been through a lot inside and outside of the octagon and his toughness is what people know him for. He may not be the best fighter in the UFC but he brings it in each and every fight.

Even though Dos Anjos may have lost a step he's still far better than Barberenain every facet of the game. He can utilize his underrated grappling in this matchup and potentially get the submission win. Ultimately Barberena is able to defend the submission attempts to get to the judges scorecards where he would lose via unanimous decision. 

![Screenshot_20221203_120101_Verdict.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/b7687485-98ef-421b-3a20-653b0a68e100/public)

## Stephen Thompson vs. Kevin Holland

In the main event we have a great fight between two of the welterweight divisions best in Stephen Thompson and Kevin Holland.

Thompson is searching for his first win since 2020 and is returning to the octagon after a year layoff. Even though he may be declining with age he is still one of the elite strikers in the division. If Holland believes he can stand and strike with Thompsons for a full 25 minutes he has another thing coming.

Holland is one of the more exciting fighters to watch in the division. He's dangerous on the feet and on the mat. He will be smart to utilize that BJJ black belt of his as we know the glaring weakness of Thompson's game lies with his defensive grappling. 

Even though Holland is in better form at this stage of their respected careers, I think this is a bad matchup for him. Holland isn't the type of grappler or wrestler that Belal Muhammad or Gilbert Burns is to take advantage of the grappling woes of Thompson. All in all Thompson does what he does best and that's stay at range and pick Holland apart enroute to a unanimous decision. 

![Screenshot_20221203_120153_Verdict.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/3d798b3d-f8a9-4708-b0dd-11b702482100/public)

The Fight Analyst's UFC Orlando Picks

Perhaps the most stacked Fight Night of the year goes down tomorrow with Stephen Thompson facing off against Kevin Holland in the main event. The co-main event sees the legend Rafael Dos Anjos return to Welterweight against all action Bryan Barbarena. Then top 5 Heavyweights collide in a pivotal matchup for the division.

Let's see how the fighters weighed in:

## MAIN CARD (START TIME 10:00 PM EST on ESPN/ESPN+)

Welterweight: *Stephen Thompson (170) vs. Kevin Holland (170.5)*

Welterweight: *Rafael dos Anjos (170) vs. Bryan Barberena (170.5)*

Welterweight: *Matheus Nicolau (126) vs. Matt Schnell (126)*

Heavyweight: *Tai Tuivasa (266) vs. Sergei Pavlovich (255)*

Middleweight: *Jack Hermansson (186) vs. Roman Dolidze (185.5)*

Middleweight: *Eryk Anders (186) vs. Kyle Daukaus (184.5)*

## PRELIMINARY CARD (START TIME 7:00 PM EST on ESPN/ESPN+)

Welterweight: *Niko Price (170) vs. Phil Rowe (173.5)*

Strawweight: *Emily Ducote (115.5) vs. Angela Hill (115.5)*

Lightweight: *Clay Guida (154.5) vs. Scott Holtzman (155.5)*

Likeweight: *Marc Diakiese (155.5) vs. Michael Johnson (156)*

Featherweight: *Darren Elkins (145) vs. Jonathan Pearce (146)*

Flyweight: *Tracy Cortez (125) vs. Amanda Ribas (125)*

Lightweight: *Natan Levy (156) vs. Genaro Valdez (156)*

Featherweight: *Francis Marshall (145) vs. Marcelo Rojo (145)*

Strawweight: *Yazmin Jauregui (115.5) vs. Istela Nunes (114.5)*

*Matt Schnell missed weight by 0.5 lbs on his first weigh-in attempt but made weight on his 2nd after shaving his hair.*

*Philip Rowe has missed weight by 2.5 lbs and will forfeit 20% of his purse. The bout has been moved to Catchweight.*

*Tracy Cortez vs Amanda Ribas is OFF due to a medical issue from Cortez.* 

**Excluding the aforementioned, all fighters have made weight and the card will proceed as planned.**


Thompson vs. Holland: UFC on ESPN 42 Weigh-in Results

The UFC has continued to saturate its roster, welcoming seven fighters to the promotion in November of 2022. 

Let's take a look at the list:

## Francis Marshall

Marshall is a promising prospect out of New Jersey and is part of the wave of talent flooding in from Dana White's Contender Series. He fought on DWCS 2022: Week 2, one of the most historical nights in the show's history. Marshall beat Connor Matthews by unanimous decision and looked as polished a fighter to ever come off of the Contender Series. He's scheduled to fight Marcelo Rojo the day after publication, at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Holland.

**Record:** *6-0-0*

**Weight Division:** *Featherweight (145 lbs)*

**Age:** *23 (1999-03-09)*

**Nickname:** *The Fire*

## Steven Koslow

A short-notice signing set to face Cameron Saaiman at UFC 282, Steven Koslow is another undefeated prospect that seemed destined for the UFC. The 10th-Planet product last fought James Dunn in July this year. He won by 1st-round submission.

**Record:** *6-0-0*

**Weight Division** *Bantamweight (135 lbs)*

**Age:** *25 (1997-01-22)*

**Nickname:** *Obi Wan Shinobi The Pillow*

## Gaston Bolanos

Bolanos is a Muay Thai specialist with fun striking. Known for putting on a show, the Bellator-grown fighter has a 100% knockout rate. His last fight was another 1st-round KO against Daniel Carey at Bellator 277.

**Record:** *6-3-0*

**Weight Division:** *Featherweight (145 lbs)*

**Age:** *30 (1992-09-14)*

**Nickname:** *The Dreamkiller*

## Tereza Bleda

Tereza Bleda was signed to and debuted in the UFC last month. Her first fight was against Natalia Silva. Silva landed a spinning back kick in the 3rd round that ended the fight.

**Record:** *6-1-0*

**Weight Division:** *Flyweight (125 lbs)* 

**Age:** *21 (2001-11-30)*

**Nickname:** *Ronda*

## Isaac Dulgarian

Undefeated as both a pro and amateur, Isaac Dulgarian has his debut set against Dan Argueta in January next year. He earned a contract with a 1st-round knockout over TeeJay Britton early this year, and his 100% finish rate makes him a prospect to keep an eye on.

**Record:** *5-0-0*

**Weight Division:** *Featherweight (145 lbs)*

**Age:** *26 (1996-07-04)*

**Nickname:** *The Midwest Choppa*

## Gabriella Fernandes 

Fernandes is an LFA standout, going 3-0 in the promotion before being signed to the UFC. Her early career saw her face and defeat Iasmin Lucindo, another highly touted UFC newcomer from Brazil. Her last win was a 1st-round submission over Karoline Martins in September.

**Record:** *8-1-0*

**Weight Division:** *Flyweight (125 lbs)* 

**Age:** *29 (1993-08-13)*

**Nickname:** *Gabi*

## Miles Johns

Although recently signed, Johns is not new to the UFC with 6 fights already in the promotion. He was briefly removed from the roster due to a positive drug test and has since been re-signed. He's a former LFA champion and even defeated Adrian Yanez for the vacant title.

**Record:** *13-2-0*

**Weight Division:** *Bantamweight (135 lbs)*

**Age:** *28 (1994-03-30)*

**Nickname:** *Chapo*

With three undefeated fighters joining the roster and many more talented individuals, this batch of newcomers has some fighters to keep an eye on.

November 2022: UFC Signs 7 New Fighters

Douglas Vegas Bets

The UFC heads to the Amway Center in sunny Orlando, Florida, United States, for an action-packed fight night headlined by two can't-miss strikers at Welterweight as the Wonderboy Stephen Thompson +132 takes on Kevin Holland -169. This card also features a Heavyweight clash you won't want to miss, with Tai Tuivasa +170 taking on Sergei Pavlovich -220.

**All Odds Provided by Stake.com Accurate as of 1:30 PM EST 12/01/2022**

## Stephen Thompson +132 vs. Kevin Holland -169

This top-tier main event should be nothing if not a crowd-pleaser. Stephen Thompson is known as one of the best MMA strikers of all time; although he has been out-grappled of late, he has won over some of the division's best boxers, Geoff Neal and Vicente Luque. Kevin Holland is coming off a brutal loss to Khamzat Chimaev, but it's tough to hold that against him because of the circumstance. 

This is very close, and I considered betting on Thompson all week, but at his age, I have a hard time trusting his durability and defense against a striker with the length and skill of Holland. If you can find a line, I recommend betting Holland Decision No bet Line as this offers a solid price on Holland to finish the fight with no risk if Thompson outpoints him. 

Pick: Holland O/U: Under 4.5 -179

## Rafael Dos Anjos -625 vs. Bryan Barberena +400

A matchup that was made to be fun, as that is what both of these men have asked for at this stage in their careers. Rafael Dos Anjos proved in his last showing he can compete with high-level contenders even in the loss to Rafael Fiziev, and a move back up to Welterweight may give him a bit more juice for some fun fights on his way out. Bryan Barberena knows what he is, and that is a brawler, and he is a good one, although his skill set is nothing world-class. 

I'll pick Dos Anjos here as he deserves to be the favorite, but this price is a lot for a fighter of his age coming off a knockout who is moving up in weight. 

Pick: Dos Anjos O/U: Under 2.5 +149
 
## Matheus Nicolau -400 vs. Matt Schnell +285

Flyweight is alive and well and gets an excellent showcase near the top of the card. Matheus Nicolau is a very well-rounded, solid fighter who finds and attacks his path to victory well. Matt Schell is coming off a wild comeback over Sumudaerji, where he showed his toughness and reliance on the ground game. 

I like Nicolau in this one, and if this stays standing as I expect it to, he can find the knockout. 

Pick: Nicolau O/U: Under 2.5 -108

## Tai Tuivasa +170 vs. Sergei Pavlovich -222

No great card is complete without a Heavyweight banger like this one. Tai Tuivasa is as fun as it gets with his fast hands and crazy power. Sergei Pavlovich is a fighter who is looking to make a conclusive statement after a controversial stoppage over Derrick Lewis. 

I was very tempted to back Tuivasa at this price as he has cashed in these spots a lot in his career, but I am going to pass as Pavlovich is on another level to his past wins, and he is coming off a recent knockout loss in a brutal fight. 

Pick: Pavlovich O/U: Under 1.5 -204

## Jack Hermansson -192 vs. Roman Dolidze +149

This fight comes on short notice as Jack Hermansson has yet another late opponent change. Jack Hermansson is a tricky fighter with a well-rounded skill set. Roman Dolidze comes in off his destruction of Phil Hawes to continue his win streak and make a real name for himself in this division. 

I am going to lean toward Hermansson for my pick, but my bet for this fight will be on it to go the distance as Jack Hermansson has gone to a decision in each of his last four, and although Dolidze has recent finishes, I question the oppositions durability and he had three decisions before that, 

Pick: Hermansson O/U: Over 2.5 -147

## Eryk Anders +170 vs Kyle Daukaus -222

An interesting matchup here at Middleweight with both men looking to gain traction in the division. Eryk Anders has shown a solid wrestling and clinch game, but his striking is lacking aside from some power. Kyle Daukaus has often impressed me with his submission game, but his striking could be better. 

I'll take Daukaus here; although this matchup could lead to a close fight, I will bet to go over 2.5 as these two have both shown solid durability over their careers. 

Pick: Daukaus O/U: Over 2.5 -179

## Niko Price -135 vs. Phillip Rowe +106

Explosive Welterweight battle here that is sure to produce fireworks. Niko Price returns and is known for his wild style that always leads to crazy fights. Phillip Rowe is a solid striker who is good and uses his length to control range.

I was shocked this line moved towards Price as I bet Rowe early, and I am still confident as Price is not a fighter that I would look to back with my money. 

Pick: Rowe O/U: Under 2.5 -182

## Angela Hill -102 vs. Emily Ducote -125

Great matchup of veteran Strawweights here. Angela Hill is an outstanding volume striker who has shown a better grappling game in recent fights. Emily Ducote is coming off her UFC debut, but she has had plenty of experience and is entering her best form. 

This is a tough fight to pick but I'll lean Ducote because of her grappling advantage. 

Pick: Ducote O/U: Over 2.5 -400

## Clay Guida +136 vs. Scott Holtzman -175

Second of two Lightweight fights back to back here. Clay Guida is a veteran known for his pace and wrestling, although his age is a concern. Scott Holtzman is coming off fights with Mateusz Gamort and Beniel Dariush, and although he lost, it shows the UFC is willing to put him against high-level competition after all his fights with the promotion.

I'll go with Guida in this one as if he can implement his wrestling top game, and I believe he can dominate rounds of this fight. 

Pick: Guida O/U: Over 2.5 -213

## Michael Johnson +235 vs. Marc Diakiese -323

Fantastic matchup at Lightweight here on the prelims. Michael Johnson has looked excellent in his last few fights showing his speed and power are still dangerous. Marc Diakiese began his career as a flashy kickboxer, but he has since developed a strong wrestling game and mixed it well to show he is a new fighter ready to do what it takes to win. 

I like Diakiese here as he is durable and has the skill to fight Johnson on the feet, but when he mixes in his grappling, he can take over this matchup. My bet here is the over 2.5 as Diakiese likes to win rounds with control, and he has never been knocked out, but Johnson has the skill to keep any fight close. 

Pick: Diakiese O/U: Over 2.5 -227

## Darren Elkins +360 vs. Johnathan Pearce -526

Featherweight grappler clash in this matchup. Darren Elkins is known for damage more than any grappler I can think of, whether he is giving it or taking it. Johnathan Pearce is a long grappler who is very good at wearing opponents down and getting the finish. 

I've got Pearce here, but it is difficult to see how these two styles will clash, and this price is very steep for so many questions. 

Pick: Pearce O/U: Under 2.5 -141

## Tracy Cortez -106 vs. Amanda Ribas -119

Two women who are looking to break into contention at Flyweight here. Tracy Cortez has won so far using her strong wrestling, although her striking is concerning. Amanda Ribas has a great submission game and has improved her stand-up game in her recent fights. 

I'll bet Ribas here, as she has a much more well-rounded game coupled with her high-level experience across two divisions. 

Pick: Ribas O/U: Under 2.5 +235

## Natan Levy -213 vs. Genaro Valdez +160

A very intriguing matchup here at Lightweight. Natan Levy is a good grappler who likes to take the back and control from there. Genaro Valdez is a high pace finisher who was stopped in his first UFC fight by knockout.

I bet on Levy earlier in the week at [DougLasVegasBets.net](https://douglasvegasbets.net) when he was at slightly lower odds, but I still think he is the clear side in this matchup. 

Pick: Levy O/U: Under 2.5 -238

## Francis Marshall -172 vs. Marcelo Rojo +134

Here we get two Featherweights with very different paths to this fight. Francis Marshall is undefeated, coming off an impressive win on Dana White's Contender Series where he showed he could mix wrestling with boxing and do real damage. Marcelo Rojo came into the UFC and fought Charles Jourdain and Kyler Phillips and has shown he is a tough competitor. 

I've got a bet on Rojo here as the underdog, as Marshall is very unproven, with most of his opponents having losing records, and Rojo has had good showings even in losses. 

Pick: Rojo O/U: Over 1.5 -189

## Yazmin Jauregui -333 vs. Istela Nunes +245

A sleeper matchup to start the night off here at Strawweight. Yazmin Jauregui had a very impressive debut showing her aggressive striking. Istela Nunes has had a rough start to her UFC career, losing to two rather unimpressive opponents. 

I've got Jauregui here, as I think she is levels above Nunes right now. 

Pick: Jauregui O/U: Under 2.5 +165

## [DougLasVegasBets.net](https://douglasvegasbets.net) Plays

Phil Rowe +106

Natan Levy -213

Amanda Ribas -119

Marcelo Rojo +134

Kevin Holland Inside The Distance (Scorecards = No Action) 

Nicolau by TKO/KO +235

Jack Hermansson Roman Dolidze Fight Goes The Distance -147

Eryk Anders Kyle Daukaus Over 2.5 -179

Michael Johnson Marc Diakiese Over 2.5 -227

UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs Holland Odds Breakdown

November of 2022 saw 7 fighters be released from their UFC contracts, 2 of which were former undisputed champions. 

Let's take a look at the list:

## Frankie Edgar

After suffering a 1st-round knockout loss against Chris Gutierrez at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden in his retirement fight, former UFC Lightweight champion and Featherweight title challenger Frankie Edgar's contract with the UFC has officially been made void. 

## Joanna Jedrzejczyk

The consensus Strawweight goat Joanna Jedrzejczyk has also retired from mixed martial arts, ending her contract with the UFC. Her last fight was a rematch against Weili Zhang at UFC 275 in Singapore. She lost via 2nd-round knockout.

## Nate Diaz

After years of love and hate between Diaz and the UFC, the two have finally parted ways. Diaz fought out the last fight on his contract in the main event of UFC 279 vs. Tony Ferguson. Diaz won by 4th-round submission.

## Sergey Khandozhko

At just 31 years of age and only three fights into his UFC career, Sergey Khandozkho has called an end to his mixed martial arts journey and retired from the sport. His last fight was a 2nd-round TKO win over Dwight Grant.

## Ramona Pascual

After an 0-3 run in the promotion riddled with weight issues, the UFC has released Pascual from her contract and cut her from the roster. Her last fight was a 1st-round knockout loss to Tamires Vidal at UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Lemos.

## Shanna Young

Young joined the UFC in 2020 and went 1-3 in her time since. Her most recent fight was a rematch against Miranda Maverick at UFC Fight Night: Rodriges vs. Lemos. She lost the bout by unanimous decision.

## Silvana Gomez Juarez

Similar to the last entry, Gomez Juarez was also 1-3 in the UFC. Her stint began in 2021 when she would lose two fights in a row via armbar. She picked up a KO win over Liang Na before losing to Karolina Kowalkiewicz by decision at UFC 281.

With this release, the UFC has also signed 7 new fighters. Keep an eye out for that article next. 

November 2022: UFC Parts Ways With 2 Former Champions, 1 Title Challenger, 7 Fighters Total

Let's start off with a little introduction of myself. My name is Garrett Kerman aka The Fight Analyst, you're avid sports bettor and daily fantasy player. I have been in the sports gambling industry for quite some time, so I have seen my fair share of ways to gamble on sports especially in MMA.

Verdict MMA brings a new way for MMA fans to make some cash while watching and enjoying the fights each and every fight card. This is by far the best take on fantasy MMA, keeping easy for even the casual fan to make a quick buck. With that said, let's take a look at what makes Verdict Tournaments different from all the rest.

# The Name of the Game is to Predict

It's just as simple as that, all you have to do is simply predict the winner and their method of victory. You choose the fighter and predict if they will by knockout, submission or decision and in what round. You gain what's called XP for a correct prediction, and with those XP you can allocate how much you want for each particular fight.

![212.png](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/6f16fc57-6a98-4052-704c-224b21b93e00/public)

Remember that if you allocate XP and your prediction loses, you lose all of those XP. It is really that simple and it is much easier than most other daily fantasy sports games. Other daily fantasy mma is predicated on creating a team of MMA fighters around a salary cap and predict the lineup of fighters that will score the most points.

# There are No Professionals Here

In most other daily fantasy sports sites there are professionals with big bankrolls that normally take over the big guaranteed contests. They will pay for the max number of entries, use what is called a lineup optimizer and use those random generated lineups into their contests. This boosts their chances of hitting because of the various different combinations they were able to use in their entries.

![Group 18.png](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/371e23ed-175e-43df-bd57-b27de95f2200/public)

With Verdict Tournaments, this is something that you will not have to worry about. There is a max entry of only 5 in the big guaranteed tournaments. Being as you're only predicting the outcomes of the fights there is only so many combinations you can really choose from, limiting those professional daily sports players. This levels the playing field, giving even the casual fan to being able to take down someone like myself.


# Verdict MMA is a Community

Verdict MMA is beyond just a platform for people to make predictions for money but it's also a community among the users. Those who play in these tournaments are always conversing during the fights and helping each other predict for future events. This brings everyone together to enjoy a night of fights. 


This is why I joined up with Verdict MMA to bring to you to my knowledge in the fight game and to help you with your predictions each and every week. This is a place that will be doing big things to come, so don't miss out on the money that you could be making all while having fun doing it. So stay tuned as there is a lot more to come!

Verdict Tournaments Is The New Wave Of Fantasy MMA

Conor McGregor has challenged one of his oldest friends, Artem Lobov, to a 1 on 1 fight tonight to settle their disputes. For those unaware, we'll give you a brief rundown of the entire situation, starting from the beginning:

## Best Friends

**Where did it all go wrong?**

![cono4.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/8c765480-a033-484c-0e6d-a55df616aa00/pub "McGregor and Lobov were best friends. Credits to: Zuffa LLC")

Conor and Artem were once extremely close friends and training partners. Having known each other in Ireland since before either had money or fame, they struggled together and built up an unshakable brotherhood. Artem supported Conor throughout his camps and fights, and Conor did the same, famously coaching him on The Ultimate Fighter 22: McGregor vs. Faber.

The two were so close that they'd do nearly anything for each other, Conor proved this way back at UFC 223 when he attacked Khabib Nurmagomedov and several other fighters to protect his friend.

Nurmagomedov heard Artem slandering his name on television and confronted him in person. Things got physical and he slapped Artem before leaving. McGregor, across the globe in Ireland, heard of this and loaded up a jet to New York where he performed the notorious 'bus attack' on Nurmagomedov and several other fighters. This sparked the most heated and animosity-filled rivalry in the sport - the biggest PPV ever, and it was all to defend his friend.

## Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey

**The start of the problem.**

![cono1.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/099e4833-1b7b-4641-5784-c79287366400/pub "McGregor starts his own whiskey brand. Credits to: Proper Twelve")

The story furthers as we learn of the root of their fallout, McGregor's whiskey brand, Proper Twelve. September 2018, just a few months after the bus incident, the Irishman released his official premium whiskey, Proper Twelve. It did massive numbers across the market and became a staple drink around the world.

In April of 2021, he sold his majority shares for numbers upwards of $600 million. This became a huge headline around the world and was also the starting point of their fall from love. 

## Where's My Money?

**The present day.**

![cono2.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/f9595dc6-4c07-4030-33cd-f60060525e00/pub "Artem Lobov demands $30 million. Credits to: Zuffa LLC")

Now in November of 2022, Artem Lobov has demanded shares from the money generated by Proper Twelve. Lawsuits have gone public and Artem is suing McGregor for $30 million. This number is 5% of the $600 million that Proper Twelve sold for, and is what Artem reveals he was promised from the deal.

Why is Artem asking for money from Proper Twelve? The plot thickens when you learn that he was the one who came up with the brand entirely. Yes, it was never Conor's idea. Artem, a business major, came up with the plan to create a whiskey around the Conor McGregor name, and it went better than he ever imagined. 

He publicly stated that he wanted no money from McGregor throughout the years that it was under the Irishman's name, and said that the experience alone would be enough, as he wanted to write a book about it. Then, when the company sold, he began demanding money and told that he was promised a share all along. 

The two have become bitter enemies and are caught up in several lawsuits. Conor, tired of this, has challenged Artem to a fight to settle it all.

> This is a callout to [Artem Lobov.] I'm challenging you to a fight tonight, at 10:30 PM. I'll meet you down at SBG Concord and we'll fight for the whole lot. [I'm] going through having lawyers message me about defamation and all this suing. . . I'll see you at SBG Concord tonight, 10:30 PM and I'll fight you for the whole lot. Answer this fookin' callout! - Conor McGregor via Twitter

Conor is fed up with legal fighting and wants to settle it with their fists tonight. Will this be the end of their battle, or will it be settled in court no matter what?

Conor McGregor Challenges Artem Lobov to a Fight: 'Tonight, 10:30 PM, I'll fight you'

We had the pleasure of a 1-1 exclusive interview with Roberto Soldic ahead of his ONE Championship debut against Murad Ramazanov at ONE on Prime Video 5: De Ridder vs. Malykhin this Friday in Manilla.

Soldic is a former KSW double-champion riding knockout wins over Mamed Khalidov and Patrik Kincl and is currently riding a 7-fight winning streak.

To begin with, we asked him about his next fight against undefeated Dagestani, Murad Ramazanov.

![murad.webp](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/533f678f-a3bb-47e2-8786-308517001300/pub "11-0 Murad Ramazanov slams his opponent. Credits to: ONE Championship")

*You're next opponent is an undefeated fighter from a very talent-rich area. Many view him as your hardest test yet. Do you agree with that?*

"Yeah, for sure. They have different wrestling, different conditioning. I've spent time with the Dagestani and Chechen guys, so I know what's coming. I've gotten used to training with those guys. It's nothing new for me, I know what I can expect from this fight."

"Also, my sparring partners [helped me prepare] like Abus Magomedov, Yaroslav Amosov, Gleison Tibau, you know." - Roberto Soldic talks about his expectations for his next fight and the men helping him.

Next, we asked him a staple question here at Verdict that we like to hear about from all fighters.

*What's one thing all fans should know about you? The first thing that comes to mind when people hear the name Roberto Soldic.*

"I wanna make something different. A different character of Robocop, [someone] who finishes my opponents. I try to make my whole legacy a collection of belts. That's why I signed to ONE Championship. I always bring good fights and try to be entertaining." - Soldic tells us what he want's fans to know about him.

![solbelt.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/1c31dcec-7669-43ae-3a02-6bbf43600b00/pub "Soldic wants to collect as many belts as he can to build a legacy. Credits to: KSW")

Soldic has been in many different types of fights. From wild brawls to technical chess matches and grappling. Because of this, we thought he'd be the perfect fighter to ask this next question.

*What teaches a fighter the most about themselves? Is it the losses where they're put down and their will to get back up is tested or is it something else?*

"The losses, for sure. When people win fights, they don't watch back and see the mistakes they made. When you lose, you always check where you made a mistake and lost." 

"When I win, I always check my fights. Like against Michał Pietrzak, in London in 2019, I won that fight by decision. He was really tough. I hit him a lot in the head. In the 2nd round, I had the opportunity to choke him but I didn't because I wanted to knock him out. I don't make this mistake [anymore]. If they survive the rounds, I try to choke them. So it's not only when you lose, but you also need to check [your mistakes] when you win the fight." - Roberto Soldic talks about learning from mistakes in fights you win and lose.

*What fight did you learn the most in?*

![soldupl.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/3d68a621-1353-4e56-72a9-c877b63c6900/pub "Roberto Soldic squares off with Dricus du Plessis. Credits to: KSW")

"When I lost to Dricus du Plessis. I lost in the 2nd round, and this fight made me a better fighter. Now I have 7 wins in a row since 2018, and this fight was good for me. I [learned] good lessons. Couple more reasons were the weight cut, I rushed trying to finish and this was not a good game plan." - Soldic tells us that his loss to Dricus du Plessis is what taught him the most, and he credits the 7 wins in a row since then as evidence.

Soldic certainly learned from the first time around as he knocked du Plessis out in their immediate rematch and also moved up in weight. He gave a prediction for Dricus' next fight against Darren Till.

"I think Dricus [wins] because he's a serious, professional guy. He's really tough. I think he's gonna finish him. He's no joke. He's a really tough opponent for anyone. I know him a lot. I've sparred with many guys, I've fought with many guys, but this guy's really, really good. He's dangerous. A really good opponent for anyone now, even the champion. He's strong, has good conditioning, good IQ, everything." - Soldic predicts his old rival's next fight and gives his reasoning behind it.

Finally, we explained to him what we do here at Verdict and how we're revolutionizing judging in MMA. 

We described how we sample from tens of thousands of scorecards submitted by the Verdict Community, then average those scorecards out for a final score. As such, it does not end up as an even 10-9 all the time. Rather, a round can be scored as close as it is, perhaps 9.6-9.4. This allows for rounds to be accurately judged and reflects both fighters' efforts instead of just 1. Further, when only three judges are involved, a single error from one of them alters the score of the entire fight.

> Yeah, that's true. Judges also make big mistakes sometimes. [Verdict] is good, this is what I like. - Soldic likes the idea of having more judges and the system Verdict uses.

That's all we have today, make sure to catch Roberto's ONE debut against Murad Ramazanov at ONE on Prime Video 5: De Ridder vs. Malykhin this Friday in Manilla. Let us know your prediction in the comments below!

Roberto Soldic talks ONE Debut, Till vs. du Plessis, Verdict Scoring, and More

The most under-the-radar and slept-on fight this week is Niko Price vs. Philip Rowe at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Holland in Orlando.

**This fight takes place in the Welterweight (170 lbs) division.**

Niko Price holds a professional record of 15-5-0 2 NC and is currently unranked. His notable wins include Alex Oliveira, Tim Means, and Randy Brown.

Philip Rowe holds a professional record of 9-3-0 and is currently unranked. His notable wins include Jason Witt, Orion Cosce, and Leon Shahbazyan.

Price has finished all but 1 of his UFC wins emphatically. His knockout of Randy Brown came by way of hammerfists from the bottom, and his clean KO of James Vick was via upkick. He's lethal everywhere and has the cardio to keep it up. 

![price.webp](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/25d22646-b29f-4850-9aaf-5bc9e66b6900/pub "Out of 15 wins, only 2 have been by decision for Price. Credits to: Zuffa LLC")

He's known for his wars and Fight of The Year contenders against the best of the best. Among the names on his list are Michel Pereira, Vicente Luque x2, and Geoff Neal. He's all action from the moment the bell rings until the referee calls the fight to a stop.

'The Fresh Prince' Philip Rowe is known for the same violence. His finish rate is 100%, and he's ended his last 2 fights by knockout. He also has a knack for seeking out the best competition no matter what and even grappled against the pound-for-pound king of Jiu-Jitsu, Gordon Ryan. With just 1 loss in the UFC to Gabriel Green, Rowe is on a roll and will look to continue the momentum. 

![rowe.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/2edd84c7-1053-4954-71d9-0aac7d547100/pub "Philip Rowe continues his knockout streak in the UFC. Credits to Zuffa LLC")

These two fighters have a combined 92% finish rate and fight with everything they have. It's a matchup you definitely want to keep your eye on. 

Let us know your prediction in the comments below!

Verdict's Sleeper Fight of The Week: Niko Price vs. Philip Rowe

Liam Lindsay

The PFL delivered, and it delivered big. The biggest night of PFL history exceeded all expectations. As a total of $6,000,000 was competed for across six fights, we all knew the stakes would be massive. So let's recap this historic event: "PFL 10: 2022 Championship".

## Kayla Harrison vs. Larissa Pacheco
![harrison-pacheco.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/4c8a11a8-76e3-4acc-ec65-3d17e1711100/pub "Larissa Pacheco outclassing Kayla Harrison on her way to a decision victory. Credits to: Damon Martin - MMA Fighting")

It's the biggest upset in PFL History. The undefeated 15-0 Olympic gold medalist, Kayla Harrison, was defeated by Larissa Pacheco. The first round saw Pacheco start aggressively and was quickly taken down with ease by Harrison. Harrison dominated the entirety of the round, but Pacheco showed promise landing nasty shots off her back; regardless, Kayla took the first. It seemed to be going to plan for Harrison, but the second round began, Harrison went for a takedown, but Pacheco jumped for a guillotine choke and had Harrison in the most danger she's ever faced. She survived, however, and they got back to their feet, but Pacheco wasn't done, as she landed a massive uppercut and started to flurry on Harrison. The round ended and was the first round that Harrison had ever lost in her entire career. The rest of the fight was grueling, with a seemingly exhausted Harrison eating shots on the feet and inside of Pacheco's guard. They both had their moments, but at the end of it all, Larissa Pacheco won a unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) and, with it, claimed the final $1,000,000 prize of the night and the Woman's Featherweight PFL Tournament belt. Incredible scenes to cap off one of, if not the greatest, PFL event.

## Brendan Loughnane vs. Bubba Jenkins
![Brendan-def-jenkins.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/c9009e04-ada9-4c32-a0e3-7bf8691d6600/pub "Brendan Loughnane using his laser straights against Bubba Jenkins. Credits to: Damon Martin - MMA Fighting")

The incredible fight of the night came from the talented Featherweights Brendan Loughnane and Bubba Jenkins, with Loughnane finishing the durable Jenkins in the fourth round. It was an excellent start for Jenkins, who stunned Loughnane with some big shots in the first. Throughout the fight, Loughnane targeted the lead leg of Jenkins, which was badly swollen by the stoppage, causing Jenkins to overreach on his straight shots. Into the second round, Loughnane found his footing and started to flow, landing an extensive array of strikes, including well-timed teeps, leg kick combinations, a bullet of a right hand, and tried to time Jenkins with a head kick more than once. By the fourth round, Loughnane was beginning to take over, but Jenkins held strong behind his piston jab and attempted takedowns, but they were all stopped by Loughnane. Then, in the center of the cage, Loughnane landed a massive straight on Jenkins, which sat him down. Next, Loughnane landed some punishing ground and pound-shots, and the referee had no choice but to stop the fight. Loughnane improved to an impressive 26-4, with his only loss in PFL being a split decision to the undefeated Movlid Khaybulaev. The win over Jenkins claimed him the $1,000,000 prize and the Featherweight PFL tournament championship.

## Ante Delija vs Matheus Scheffel
![ante-delija-matheus-scheffel-2022-pfl-championships-video.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/94bacc9b-b0db-47f9-5c7a-0b6b634edd00/pub "Ante Delija finishing off Matheus Schefful after dropping him with a flurry of straights. Credits to: MMA Junkie Staff - MMA Junkie")

If you want finishes, you bring out the Heavyweights, and that's exactly what we got in this matchup, as Ante Delija stops Matheus Scheffel in the first round, claiming his second victory and second finish over the tough Scheffel. It was an entertaining fight while it lasted, as both men stood in close range, firing shots at each other. Both men worked their jabs, with Delijas straight taking the spotlight, just outshining Scheffel's lead hook. After a takedown attempt from Delija, both men trade in the pocket again, and massive straight rocks Scheffel, and a calculated flurry drops the Brazillian, and it's all over in the first. A confident performance from Delija grants him the 4th million-dollar award of the night, and big fights are to come in 2023 for the talented Heavyweight.

## Julia Budd vs. Aspen Ladd
![Budd-Ladd.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/934ad136-38e1-47d7-19af-568c9bcabc00/pub "Aspen Ladd out-pointing Julia Budd en-route to a split decision victory. Credits to: Jay Anderson - Cageside Press")

Julia Budd and Aspen Ladd was a skilled match that mixed all the martial arts, with Ladd claiming a split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) victory over Budd. In the first, Ladd landed a crucial takedown, which allowed her to control position for the rest of the first. Off of Budd's back, she landed heavy ground and pound shots and maintained position. A moment of success was found for Budd as she reversed Ladd, but Ladd quickly swept Budd back and controlled the position for the rest. The second and third were highly contested rounds, with Budd finding great success with her Thai clinch knees and straight shots and Ladd finding success with her looping shots and wrestling attempts. At the end of the third, they fought it out, with Budd getting the better of the exchanges. However, it was not enough to sway the judges, as Aspen Ladd claimed her first victory under the PFL promotion and her first win in over three years, her last being a TKO over Yana Kunitskaya in the UFC. Ladd is looking to be a likely contender for that 2023 PFL season.

## Stevie Ray vs Olivier Aubin-Mercier
![olivier-aubin-mercier-stevie-ray-2022-pfl-championships-10.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/b497fd75-6176-4872-a80e-d0ed8605cd00/pub " Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Stevie Ray during their exciting Lightweight matchup. Credits to: MMA Junkie Staff - MMA Junkie")

Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Stevie Ray would fight it out until a spectacular knockout from Aubin-Mercier in the second. The first round was all Aubin-Mercier, as he started with heavy pressure and even heavier leg kicks, which he found massive success with, dropping Ray multiple times with them. Aubin-Mercier also found a home for his step-in right hand, which put a stamp on a successful first round for Aubin-Mercier. In the second, Aubin-Mercier threw a poorly timed head kick, which Ray capitalized on fully, catching it and slamming Aubin-Mercier to the mat. Ray took Aubin-Merciers back and worked for a submission, but the experienced Aubin-Mercier worked his way back to his feet. It wasn't long after that Aubin-Mercier landed an emphatic right hook which landed clean on Ray's chin, sending him to the canvas and forcing the referee to wave it off. With that incredible shot, Aubin-Mercier claimed the PFL Lightweight Tournament strap, $1,000,000, his 6th straight PFL victory, and his first finish under the PFL banner. 

## Delano Taylor vs. Sadibou Sy
![sy-taylor.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/df8a357d-b238-4846-0b9b-4f63b7bd5c00/pub "Sadibou Sy using his jab to keep Delano Taylor at bay. Credits to: MMA Junkie Staff - MMA Junkie")

A striking lesson from the Swedish Kickboxer Sadibou Sy was on display in the second of six title fights, as he picked up a 49-46, 49-46, 49-46 unanimous decision over a game Delano Taylor. Sy started with his signature loose stance and lighting fast kicks, as Taylor attempted to pressure and take Sy down, to no avail. In the third, Sy opened up with his boxing more, landing stiff jabs and chopping up the leg of Taylor as he continued to press. The best round for Taylor was the fourth, as he relentlessly pressured and threw his jab more, looking for a big straight shot. Finally, in the fifth, Sy controlled the distance expertly, demonstrating his head movement, which was present throughout the fight. At the end of it all, Sy was the clear winner as he picked up the unanimous decision and the $1,000,000 reward, becoming the Welterweight Tournament 2022 PFL Champion.

## Rob Wilkinson vs. Omari Akhmedov
![wilkinson-akhmedov.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/8d0be54e-71dd-4c00-4570-20c50d8b8f00/pub "Rob Wilkinson outclassing Omari Akhmedov. Credits to: MMA Junkie Staff - MMA Junkie")

An exciting Light Heavyweight matchup between Rob Wilkinson and Omari Akhmedov started the main card with a bang, with Rob Wilkinson claiming glory and becoming the first Australian-born PFL Champion, via doctor stoppage after the second round. Wilkinson started the fight by pressuring the older Akhmedov, and a clear speed advantage was present throughout the contest. Despite this, Akhmedov had no fear of coming into the pocket, drawing Wilkinson into a slugfest at specific points and attempting to chop down the lead leg. Wilkinson found his rhythm much faster than Akhmedov and started to land his straight right and uppercuts. Wilkinson had a massive end to the first, landing flying switch knee, which dropped the slowing Akhmedov, but the veteran survived. In the second, a nasty knee was thrown by Wilkinson, causing a massive cut over Akhmedovs left eye. The doctor entered momentarily, but the fight continued. Wilkinson had an even better end to the second, flurrying with hooks, uppercuts, and knees to the head. After the second, the doctor called a stop to a dominant performance by Rob Wilkinson, as Akhmedovs cut was worsening by the minute, and Rob Wilkinson claimed his title and his well-earned $1,000,000. Wilkinson has now won 4 straight in the PFL, and all four fights by the finish; Wilkinson certainly has a bright future in the 2023 PFL Season.


## Wrapping up
As you can see, the main card did not disappoint, and as PFL closes its doors in 2022, an event as incredible as this one is only going to bring more eyes to the rising PFL, and with huge fights on the horizon, 2023 is going to be a great year for MMA.



PFL 10: Harrison vs. Pacheco Post-Fight Review

Taylor Dow

Since the UFC began at UFC 1, the premise was to find the best martial art for actual combat. As time has passed, we continue to wonder what the answer is. With Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling and Boxing excelling today, only one traditional martial art still shows success in the present day, Karate.

Over the years, the UFC has seen talented fighters with Karate backgrounds, such as one-half of this weekend's main event, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson. In his fight with Kevin "Trailblazer" Holland, we get a taste of UFC 1 when Karate goes up against Kung Fu. 

Leading up to this pivotal Welterweight matchup, let us look at the best UFC fighters with Karate backgrounds in recent years.



## 5. Michelle Waterson-Gomez
![karate hottie.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/7d7e6a47-4de5-4c74-4034-ff28143bd900/public "Michelle Waterson showcasing her Karate against Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC")

Michelle "The Karate Hottie" Waterson-Gomez was introduced to American Freestyle Karate at age 10, when her parents were unable to pay for Gymnastics classes. Waterson-Gomez continued with Karate until she received her black belt and then transitioned to Muay Thai and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu. "The Karate Hottie" rose to fame when she appeared in a Muay Thai-themed reality TV show named "Fight Girls" in 2006. Shortly after that, "The Karate Hottie" made her MMA debut, finishing most of her fights by submission, despite being a Karate practitioner, which led her to become Invicta Atomweight champion and, ultimately, a UFC fighter. Over Michelle Waterson's UFC tenure, she became a hot prospect with a record of 18-10 (6-6 UFC). She has become a household name in the MMA community and a staple Karate fighter in the eyes of the fans.


## 4. Lyoto Machida
![machida.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/48f50306-f27f-46b1-4022-ffa0137f3200/public "Lyoto Machida front kicks Randy Couture in the face. Credit: Esther Lin - MMAFighting.")

Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida was born into a Shotokan Karate family to his parents, Yoshizo Machida and Ana Claudia. Yoshizo moved to Brazil from Japan, where he married and started his family. Yoshizo became the head of the Brazillian branch of the Japan Karate Association and made his children train not long after they could walk. Lyoto began training at age 3 and received his black belt 10 years later. Lyoto Machida began training in boxing and Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu at age 16, followed by Muay Thai before pursuing his UFC career. To start his MMA journey, Machida went 8-0 with big wins over Stephen Bonnar, Rich Franklin and B.J Penn before debuting in the UFC. In the UFC, Machida won another 8-straight fights to win and defend the Light Heavyweight championship. Lyoto Machida fought most of his career in the UFC and earned the nickname "The Karate Kid" from fans when he knocked out Randy Couture with a front kick in 2011. Lyoto Machida's record currently stands at 26-12 (16-8 UFC), with some of the flashiest Karate kick knockouts in history.

## 3. Stephen Thompson
![wonderboy.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/a290f1ef-5804-491b-f71a-3d5ff6ac4700/public "Stephen Wonderboy Thompson lands the head kick on Vicente Luque. Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC")

Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson is the first fighter to prove that solely training in Karate is viable in MMA. From his debut to today, Wonderboy's style has not changed. He keeps his side-on Karate stance, dexterous kicks and quick counter-striking at the forefront of his arsenal. Stephen Thompson has been at the top of the Welterweight division for 6 years, even fighting for the title on 2 occasions. Wonderboy began training at age 3 under his father, Ray Thompson, who was an ex-professional kickboxer and the owner of Upstate Karate in South Carolina. As an amateur and professional in Kickboxing, Wonderboy amassed an undefeated record of 56-0 before transitioning to MMA in 2010. Wonderboy went 13-1 prior to facing Tyron Woodley for the Welterweight title in 2016 and scoring knockout wins over Robert Whittaker, Jake Ellenberger and Johnny Hendricks on the way there. Wonderboy fought back-to-back title fights with Tyron Woodley after their first fight ended in a majority draw and earned both men Fight of the Night. The rematch was not as close as Woodley walked away with the majority decision and retained his title. Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson currently has a record of 16-6-1 (11-5-1 UFC) and is looking to make a statement this weekend against Kevin Holland.

## 2. Robert Whittaker
![robert_whittaker.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/6ad202d5-a280-4035-fbda-4bd585d39600/public "Robert Whittaker rocks Yoel Romero with a head kick. Credit: Jim Young - AP Photo.")

Shortly after moving from New Zealand to Australia, Robert "The Reaper" Whittaker's father enrolled him into Gōjū-ryū Karate at age 7 to encourage discipline and self-defence. Whittaker carried on training in Karate for 8 years until he earned his black belt. As Whittaker got older, he switched to a Hapkido gym run by Henry Perez. Perez's gym soon transformed into an MMA gym which introduced Whittaker to the sport, where he quickly became obsessed. Even with all the other martial arts training Whittaker has received, you can still see him utilize a Karate stance, standing side-on and bouncing on his toes. Whittaker earned his UFC contract by winning The Ultimate Fighter: Smashes in 2012. After an unsuccessful run at Welterweight, Whittaker chose to move up in weight to Middleweight. Since moving to Middleweight, Whittaker has gone undefeated except to one man, Israel Adesanya, and held his number 1 ranking for 5 years. Whittaker fought some of the most formidable opponents in the division and came out on top, even winning the title in a fight against Yoel Romero. Robert Whittaker's next fight is rumoured to be against Middleweight powerhouse Paulo Costa, where he hopes to make a statement enough to face new champion Alex Pereira.



## 1. Georges St-Pierre

![gsp.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/3f90b69c-9601-44dd-a366-6486a7486a00/public "Georges St-Pierre fires a head kick on Michael Bisping. Cedit: Zuffa LLC - Getty Images.")

Georges St-Pierre began training in Kyokushin Karate at age 7 to defend himself against bullies at school. St-Pierre earned his black belt at age 12 and trained for 9 years until his Karate teacher died, leading him to find boxing, wrestling and BJJ. St-Pierre is a martial artist with experience in nearly every facet of fighting, having trained all over the world under many disciplines. St-Pierre shows the definition of "mixing the arts." when he fights, but his Karate roots still show strongly. Georges St-Pierre debuted in MMA in 2002 and earned a UFC contract 2 years later, followed by a subsequent title shot against Matt Hughes for the Welterweight title. When the title fight didn't go his way,  Georges secured a 5-fight winning streak to rematch the champion Matt Hughes, where this time he won by TKO in the second round and became the undisputed champion. St-Pierre lost his first title defence in a big upset against Matt Serra, this being the last time St-Pierre would lose a fight. St-Pierre would get his hand raised in 13 consecutive fights and win both the Welterweight and Middleweight titles, scoring wins over Josh Koscheck, B.J Penn, Nick Diaz and Michael Bisping. Georges St-Pierre finished his career as one of the only two division champions ever, with a record of 26-2 (21-2 UFC) and being potentially the greatest of all time.

Top 5 UFC fighters with Karate backgrounds

Kayla Harrison lost to Larissa Pacheco at the 2022 PFL Championships in Madison Square Garden. The fight was a grueling action-packed affair and as close of a contest as we've seen. Let's see if the judges got it right:

**Official result: Larissa Pacheco def. Kayla Harrison (Unanimous decision 48-47, 48-47, 48-47)**

## Round 1

Harrison got off to a hot start, landing and then finding the judo throw. From the ground, she chipped away while Pacheco tried to find submissions and remain active from the bottom position. Not much worked for her as Harrison continued to control and land until the round ended.

*Score: 10-9 Harrison*

## Round 2

Pacheco opened the round with a huge right hand, bloodying Harrison's nose. Kayla finds the takedown but also finds herself deep in a chokehold, barely escaping. They return to the feet and Pacheco continues to unload, stumbling Harrison. They hit the mat and Harrison looks for an armbar but gets nothing before the bell sounds.

*Score: 10-9 Pacheco*

## Round 3

Harrison shoots but gets countered with some heavy strikes. She shoots again and finds the takedown but Pacheco is still throwing from the bottom. She throws up a triangle that looks as tight as can be. However, Harrison's arm is out of position for the choke and Pacheco can't generate a strong enough squeeze. Kayla gets out and starts raining down strikes on a fatigued opponent from top position till the end of the round.

*Score: 10-9 Harrison*

## Round 4:

Harrison gets a takedown early but Pacheco reverses position and gets the back. Harrison now reverses and takes her back. They scramble again and Pacheco lands on top in side control. She goes to work landing heavy shots to the body and head as they return to the feet. Harrison shoots again but doesn't get it. 

*Score: 10-9 Pacheco*

## Round 5

Harrison briefly gets the fight down to the ground but Pacheco bounces back up and starts teeing off with knees. Kayla shoots again but is eating big shots in the process. She gives up on the takedown and ends up giving her back too. Harrison reverses and gets on top but does nothing but eat shots from Pacheco. 

*Score: 10-9 Pacheco*

**Final Score: 48-47 Pacheco**

That wraps up the fight review and scoring. Let's take a look at the Verdict Scorecard and see The Final Verdict.

![harry2.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/8a88b263-114b-41b4-ca59-e5049b211900/pub "The judges agreed with the Verdict Scorecard on every round, calling the unanimous decision.")

**The Final Verdict:** 

The Judges got it right. The fight was certainly close, but Pacheco did enough to win 3 out of 5 rounds.

The Final Verdict: Kayla Harrison vs. Larissa Pacheco 3

Nikita Krylov and Ryan Spann have earned a main event together on February 25th next year, per Mike Bohn and Nolan King.

**This 5-round fight takes place in the Light Heavyweight (205 lbs) division.**

Ryan Spann holds a professional record of 21-7-0 and is currently ranked #10. His notable wins include Dominick Reyes, Mischa Cirkunov, and Ion Cutelaba.

Nikita Krylov holds a professional record of 29-9-0 and is currently ranked #7. His notable wins include Alexander Gustafsson, Volkanovski Oezdemir, and Johnny Walker.

Krylov has been a strong staple of the UFC's Light Heavyweight top 10, losing only to the best such as Magomed Ankalaev, Paul, Craig, and Jan Blachowicz. His well-rounded style and finishing ability have led to some impressive stats over the years.

![889C2C7A-9FD4-40D5-A856-509311FB40F5.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/49ffd242-ddd4-4dd9-97f9-e85f34ba2900/pub "Nikita Krylov knocks Alexander Gustafsson out in London. Credits to: Zuffa LLC")

Sporting a Superman tattoo on his chest, Ryan Spann brings power into the octagon in every fight. He's 11-2 in his last 13 with losses only to Anthony Smith and Johnny Walker. Of those 11 wins, 9 came by finish, none bigger than his most recent knockout of Dominick Reyes at UFC 281.

These two have enough finishes between them to make several highlight-reel promo videos and have the shortest average fight time in the Light Heavyweight division. The judges will likely not be needed at all.

Let us know your prediction in the comments below!

Nikita Krylov vs. Ryan Spann Set For UFC Main Event Feb. 25th

Anthony Smith will face Jamahal Hill on March 11th in a 5-round main event, location to be determined, per Mike Bohn and Nolan King.

**This 5-round fight takes place in the Light Heavyweight (205 lbs) division.**

Anthony Smith holds a professional record of 36-17-0 1NC and is currently ranked #5. His notable wins include Alexander Gustafsson, Volkanovski Oezdemir, and Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua.

Jamahal hill holds a professional record of 11-1-0 and is currently ranked #6. His notable wins include Thiago Santos, Ovince St. Preux, and Johnny Walker.

Prior to his most recent fight, a loss to Magomed Ankalaev in which he'd severely compromised his leg, Smith was riding a 3-fight finishing streak over Devin Clark, Jimmy Crute, and Ryan Spann. He's been a long-time contender in the division and even challenged Jon Jones for the title. He will look to protect his top 5 ranking against Hill, much like he virally protected his wife and family from a home invasion in 2020. 

![EF7E11CC-C440-4E80-BBC6-85EEF6F99F49.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/c2868d62-2da5-428b-3a56-abfe98066c00/pub "Anthony Smith challenges for undisputed gold at UFC 235. Credits to: Zuffa LLC")

Jamahal Hill is riding a 3-fight finishing streak of his own, winning all by knockout. His lone loss was a TKO to Paul Craig in which he suffered a dislocated arm. Hill boasts fast hands and excellent defensive striking but prefers to go on the offense and end his opponents early and often. Each performance leaves fans anticipating his next fight. He now gets a chance to enter the top 5 and potentially insert himself into the title picture.

Will Smith show his veteran's experience or will Hill find the KO? Let us know your prediction in the comments below!



Anthony Smith vs. Jamahal Hill Set For UFC Main Event March 11th

The UFC did not tell Jan Blachowicz he would be fighting for a world title until hours after it was announced.

Jan Blachowicz landed in Las Vegas at around 8:00 PM local time several hours after the UFC officially announced that he'd be fighting Magomed Ankalaev for the title. Blachowicz had never heard of this news as he had no WiFi on the plane. 

> Jan Blachowicz landed in Vegas minutes ago. He didn't have WiFi on the plane. He JUST found out he is now fighting for the belt on Dec. 10, he tells me. - Ariel Helwani via Twitter

This is not the first time the UFC has made major plans without telling the fighters involved. As many know, the UFC revealed on the 281 live broadcast that Yair Rodriguez will fight Josh Emmett at UFC 284 for the interim Featherweight title.

![2D04299C-69E4-44DB-B633-D4923E80BD3F.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/e666025e-78d6-4f6f-10b6-dc0162946c00/pub "The UFC did not disclose to all parties involved before announcing that an interim title match would happen between them at UFC 284. Credits to: Zuffa LLC")

Fans had no idea this was happening, and neither did one of the people in that fight. Ariel revealed on The MMA Hour that he had been speaking to one of the men in that title fight earlier in the day and was slightly surprised that they didn't tell him the news. He called them back and learned that they found they'd be fighting for a world title at the same time as him. Ariel did not reveal which fighter it was.

Jan now has a chance to become a two-time UFC champion, while Ankalaev could give Dagestan its 2nd UFC belt this year.

Jan Blachowicz ‘Had no idea’ He Was Fighting For A World Title Until After it Was Announced

Ariel Helwani recently spoke to Glover Teixeira and his team regarding Prochazka's title vacation and the new championship bout between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev.

According to Helwani, Prochazka's injury took place around a week ago at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. He originally wished to fight through it and would "fight with one arm" if necessary. Unfortunately, doctors told him the injury was so severe that fighting would risk permanent and irreversible damage.

There was talk of an interim title, but the UFC chose to move on and put on a vacant title fight. They reached out to Glover Teixeira earlier today and offered him a chance to fight Magomed Ankalaev for the undisputed title. Teixeira felt as though he didn't have enough time to prepare for the new opponent and asked to face Blachowicz instead. 

![BDB17BE4-2B93-4391-8F90-35C437E2886C.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/7d86e67c-41b7-458e-8ceb-d3125f1b9e00/pub "Glover Teixeira believes that a rematch with Jan Blachowicz is the fight to make. Credits to: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC")

The UFC cited Blachowicz's age coupled with the fact that the two had already fought and turned down the proposal. They insisted the Ankalaev fight be made. Teixeira asked for a different compromise and wanted to fight Ankalaev in Brazil in late January. UFC denied it, saying that there must be a title for UFC 282, "It's you vs. Ankalaev or we're moving on." 

Glover could not take the fight on such short notice without proper preparation, and so the UFC announced Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev as the new main event for the vacant title.

Glover hopes he'll fight the winner but there are 'no guarantees' just yet. He's very upset, frustrated, and disappointed. He feels like just a few more weeks would have been fair considering all he's done for the promotion. He also feels as though a rematch vs. Blachowicz would have been a bigger fight than what the UFC decided on.

Glover Teixeira 'Upset' and 'Disappointed' with UFC, Feels Pushing Fight Back 'Would Have Been Fair'

Per Kevin Iole, Jiri Prochazka has sustained a severe long-term orthopedic shoulder injury that has forced him to vacate the UFC Light Heavyweight title and withdraw from his Pay-Per-View main event spot vs. Glover Teixeira at UFC 282. He will be out for the forseeable future and likely over a year. Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev will be the new main event and will fight for the vacant title. Glover Teixeira was offered a spot in the fight but turned it down. 

> This is the worst shoulder injury the doctors have seen in UFC history. It's really f******* bad. His shoulder is very, very bad. He's going to have serious surgery that will require extensive rehab. - Dana White gives an update on Prochazka's injury.

Prochazka's manager came out and talked about the situation as well:

"The shoulder got wrecked in a standard wrestling accident type of thing. . . You know how shoulders are, right? It pops out and a lot of the time, you pop it right back in. There was a wait and it popped out, and you never really know with a shoulder until you dig into it. " - Manager Tim Simpson shed light on the situation.

Let's take a look at the new main event:

**This undisputed title fight takes place in the Light Heavyweight (205 lbs) division.**

Jan Blachowicz holds a professional record of 29-9-0 and is currently ranked #2. His notable wins include Israel Adesanya, Dominick Reyes, and Luke Rockhold. 

Magomed Ankalaev holds a professional record of 18-1 and is currently ranked #3. His notable wins include Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, and Nikita Krylov.

Blachowicz is coming off of a 3rd-round TKO win over Alessandra Rakic. The bout was 1-1 heading into the 3rd but Rakic sustained an ACL injury that forced an end to the contest.

Ankalaev is coming off a 2nd-round TKO win over Anthony Smith who likewise sustained a leg injury in the fight. Ankalaev finished Smith off with ground strikes after injuring his leg with a kick in the 1st round.

Per Brett Okamoto, Jiri Prochazka chose to vacate the title out of respect for the contenders of his division and did not want to hold it up. The UFC has released a statement and revealed that Prochazka will recieve and immediate title shot upon his return.

Jiri Prochazka VACATES Title, Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev New UFC 282 Main Event For Vacant Championship

Bobby Green will face Drew Dober at UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland on December 17th per ESPN.

**This fight takes place in the Lightweight (155 lbs) division.**

Drew Dober holds a professional record of 25-11-0 and is currently unranked. His notable wins include Terrence McKinney, Rafael Alves, and Alexander Hernandez. 

Bobby Green holds a professional record of 29-13-1 and is currently unranked. His notable wins include Al Iaquinta, Nasrat Haqparast, and Clay Guida.

Drew Dober is an all-action striker who comes to bring it every time. His only losses in the last five years are to champion Islam Makhachev, Brad Riddell, and Beneil Dariush. His most recent fight was a 3rd-round body shot knockout of Rafael Alves, and the two fights before that were Fight of The Year candidates.

![dober 2.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/23b3d5ac-1246-42c3-c735-dba4e74ac300/pub "Drew Dober lets the hands go against Alexander Hernandez. Credits to: Zuffa LLC")

Bobby Green is a longtime staple of the UFC who's been there and done that. He's not afraid to say anything and is known as one of the realest in the game. Notably, on the Joe Rogan Experience, he attributed his success to his adopted dad and coach who helped set him straight from prison and jail. Hid last fight was a short-notice loss to Islam Makhachev, but prior to it, he looked to be at his career best agsint Al Iaquinta and Nasrat Haqparast.

![bobby.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/d00a2fd5-8ba9-4eee-0158-1c4cdaaf8e00/pub "Bobby Green puts on an amazing performance vs. Nasrat Haqparast. Credits to: Zuffa LLC")

This fight is expected to be one of the most exciting bouts of the year. Let us know your prediction in the comments below!

Drew Dober vs. Bobby Green Set For Dec. 17th

ROUNDHOUSE MMA

Unfortunately, we are not getting the highly anticipated rematch between Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeira this weekend, but in honor of Glover, I still wanted to talk about the “old guys” who defied all odds and became the best in the world. 

Let's go over the five oldest champions in UFC history. 

## Fabricio Werdum: 37 years, eleven months

Fabricio Werdum exemplifies the long list of fighters who had a carer resurgence and won their way to the top. From 2012-2015, Werdum won six fights in a row, including the interim heavyweight title over Mark Hunt at UFC 180 and then the undisputed title against Cain Velasquez at UFC 188. Werdum won the title at almost 38 years old and then lost it in his first defense against Stipe Miocic. 

## Anderson Silva: 38 years, two months

Obviously, Anderson Silva won the UFC title in his younger years but held the middleweight title from 2006 to 2013. When he lost his title to Chris Weidman at UFC 162, Silva was 38 years old. Silva holds an endless amount of UFC records. The most title defenses, one of the longest title reigns, and is also one of the oldest fighters to ever hold a UFC title in an illustrious Hall of Fame career. 

## Daniel Cormier: 39 years, three months

DC is one of four fighters to hold two UFC titles simultaneously, and won the heavyweight title at 39 years old against Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 in 2018. DC has held the light heavyweight title and became the heavyweight champion after knocking out Miocic. As the baddest man on the planet, Cormier defended his title against Derrick Lewis, but then lost his final two fights to Miocic. 

## Glover Teixeira: 42 years old

The only active fighter on this list, Glover Teixeira is the reason this list was created, and became the oldest first-time champion in UFC history at 42 years old age. Glover defeated Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267 to win the light heavyweight title. The rise to the top from Teixeira so late in his career was truly incredible. From 2019-2021, he won six fights in a row and became the best light heavyweight on the planet. He lost his title to Jiri Prochazka shortly thereafter but has an opportunity to regain the belt that was once his, as he will face the winner of the UFC 282 main event this weekend between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev. 

## Randy Couture: 45 years, four months

Randy Couture is a five-time UFC champion, winning titles in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. One of the most significant accomplishments of Couture’s career was when he defeated Tim Sylvia at UFC 68 to win the heavyweight title as a massive underdog. Always counted out, Couture has proved doubters wrong multiple times and is the oldest champion in UFC history at 45 years of age. 

All five of these fighters have one thing in common: they have been doubted at some point in their career. Not a lot of people gave Glover a chance when he submitted Jan Blachowicz, and it was one of the biggest upsets of the year. Glover is the reason this list was built, and it will be amazing to watch him try to beat his record of the oldest first time champion when he faces the winner of the UFC 282 main event this weekend. 

Five Oldest Champions in UFC History

Watch. The. Prelims.

That's our message going into UFC 282: Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev as they're absolutely stacked with banger fights. It was tough to choose, but the most underrated fight on the card is Billy Quarantillo vs. Alexander Hernandez.

**This fight takes place in the Featherweight (145 lbs) division.**

Billy Quarantillo holds a professional record of 16-4-0 and is currently unranked. His notable wins include Gabriel Benitez, Khama Worthy, and Spike Carlyle.

Alexander Hernandez holds a professional record of 13-5-0 and is currently unranked. His notable wins include Beniel Dariush, Francisco Trinaldo, and Olivier Aubin-Mercier. 

The stats for Billy Quarantillo's last fight against Shane Burgos are incredible. Between the two of them, 428 strikes were landed, and 712 were thrown. It was one of the 2021 Fight of The Year candidates and is the type of fight Quarantillo brings every time he steps in the octagon. 

![billy2.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/054a0b65-c805-40a5-8de8-edbbc487c000/pub "Billy Quarantillo holds some incredible UFC stats. Credits to: Zuffa LLC")

Quarantillo is the only fighter in the UFC with more than 5 fights to have landed over 100 strikes in every single one of them. He's an all-action volume striker with excellent grappling that he can rely on confidently if the fight ever hits the mat.

His opposition is a unique challenge for any fighter on the roster. Alexander Hernandez is a power striker that can throw for days, and will if he has to. Most opponents fall in the 1st round, however, like in his UFC debut vs. Beniel Dariush and his last win over Mike Breeden. 

![alih.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/d885d691-66b5-4603-6a21-06f1841f0e00/pub "Alexander Hernandez defeats Francisco Trinaldo. Credits to: Zuffa LLC")

It is to note that Hernandez will drop down from 155 lbs to 145, following his most recent loss to Renato Moicano at UFC 271. A lot is being made of the weight cut as Hernandez is not a small fighter even for a Lightweight, and now has to drop another 10 pounds before Saturday. We spoke to Matt Frevola, a close training partner of Quarantillo and he told us that the camp is not worried about their opponent's weight, they expect Hernandez to be professional and make it and are looking for a fight nonetheless. 

Don't miss this one and leave your prediction in the comments below!

Verdict's Sleeper Fight of The Week: Billy Quarantillo vs. Alexander Hernandez

The UFC returns to the world's fight capital at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. United States to crown a new Light Heavyweight Champion of the world between Jan Blachowicz +245 and Magomed Ankalaev -286. This card features plenty of can't-miss matchups like undefeated Featherweights Bryce Mitchell +122 and Ilia Topuria -139, opening the main card so don't miss out. 

**All Odds Provided by Stake.com Accurate as of 12/6/2022 12:00 AM EST**

## Jan Blachowicz +245 vs. Magomed Ankalaev -286

The new main event for the Light Heavyweight belt features a former champ taking on who many have seen to be the future one in a great matchup. Jan Blachowicz has worked his way to another opportunity at the title; through his long UFC run, he has won fights using many different weapons. Magomed Ankalaev has been the boogeyman of the division for the last few years as he has used his powerful striking and heavy wrestling to dominate all his opponents. 

I've got Ankalaev here, as he is just too good and only getting better compared to Blachowicz, who is up there in age.

Pick: Ankalaev O/U: Under 3.5 -128

## Paddy Pimblett -238 vs. Jared Gordon +210

Lightweights get bumped up to the co-main event here in a high-stakes clash. Paddy Pimblett has had an exciting UFC run so far, with him needing to come from behind in all three of his wins which he finished within the first two rounds using his excellent submission game and a surprising bit of power to help. Jared Gordon has had his ups and downs in the UFC, but his skill set is well-rounded, and he is no easy task.

If the odds had stayed where they were, I was leaning toward Pimblett; however, with the massive shift, I am taking Gordon as we have seen Pimblett struggle against mid-level fighters in his recent fights, and I have seen nothing to suggest him being worth this price. 

Pick: Gordon O/U: Over 2.5 +102

## Santiago Ponzinibbio -180 vs Alex Morono +155

A short notice matchup at Welterweight. Santiago Ponzinibbio is a dangerous striker who is creative and dangerous through all three rounds. Alex Morono steps up here and has good boxing, which earned him a win his last time out, although he was hurt badly and had to survive. 

I'll go with Ponzinibbio in this one as I do not believe Morono can take his power, especially on such short notice.

Pick: Ponzinibbio O/U: Under 2.5

## Darren Till +155 vs. Dricus Du Plessis -175

Big time Middleweight matchup. Darren Till returns after partnering with Khamzat Chimaev to train; it will be interesting if he can reach the potential we saw in him early in his UFC career. Dricus Du Plessis has been a fun prospect to watch as he is not the most technical fighter, but he has tremendous power and is willing to commit to grappling exchanges. 

I'm going to take Till as an underdog here as in Du Plessis' last fight, we saw him get caught with a lot of straight punches on the way in, and I see Till finding a home for his left hand repeatedly. 

Pick: Till O/U: Under 2.5 -154

## Bryce Mitchell +122 vs. Ilia Topuria -139

This is my most anticipated fight on the card as two undefeated level Featherweights clash. Bryce Mitchell has used his high-level wrestling to control opponents with relative ease. Ilia Topuria gets a massive jump in competition, which is likely best for the safety of unranked contenders, and he does so boasting one of the most dangerous offensive attacks in the UFC with his black belt that earned him many submissions before the UFC or his devastating power that has toppled his recent opponents. 

I'm taking Topuria, and I'm taking him by knockout, as his grappling game is good enough to force this fight to take place on the feet for long portions. Mitchell has been backed up in striking before by Andre Fili, and if Topuria gets him good, he can take out anyone. 

Pick: Topuria O/U: Under 2.5 +109

## Jairzinho Rozenstruik -167 vs. Chris Daukaus +148

An absolute must-win matchup for these two Heavyweights. Jairzinho Rozenstruik is a dangerous striker with a lot of kickboxing experience, although he does not throw very high volume. Chris Daukaus is a fast guy for the division, although he has been knocked out in his last few fights. 

I'll pick Daukaus as an underdog here, as he will be the guy throwing more volume, although I do not trust either guy very much. 

Pick: Daukaus O/U: Over 1.5 +123

## Jay Perrin +205 vs. Raul Rosas Jr. -238

A Bantamweight matchup here with a lot of intrigue behind it. Jay Perrin has lost each of his UFC fights thus far, although he has had to fight tough competition. Raul Rosas Jr. has made headlines for making it into the UFC at such a young age, and he did so primarily using his grappling skill.

I'm going to bet Perrin at this price as the skill level is pretty even, and with his experience edge, I could see Perrin taking over this matchup. 

Pick: Perrin O/U: Over 2.5 -133

## Edmen Shahbazyan -286 vs. Dalcha Lungiambula +245

This should be an explosive battle here at Middleweight. Edmen Shahbazyan had a fast rise and a faster fall in the UFC but is looking to get back on track here as he has shown incredible striking, although his wrestling and cardio have yet to hold up. Dalcha Lungiambula is on a three-fight losing streak, although he still has shown dangerous power in those fights. 

I like the change in camps from Shahbazyan, and I expect it to have great results for him on Saturday.

Pick: Shahbazyan O/U: Under 1.5 +105

## Chris Curtis +128 vs. Joaquin Buckley -145

Much anticipated Middleweight battle between two names to watch in the division. Chris Curtis is a solid boxer, although he had a lot of trouble with the movement of Jack Hermansson his last time out. Joaquin Buckley has shown much in his recent fights to prove he is more than the knockout artist people know him as. 

This fight opened at even odds and moved to Buckley as the favorite, and I agree with that as he has shown a more developed game and higher upside as a fighter. 

Pick: Buckley O/U: Over 1.5 -164

## Billy Quarantillo -167 vs. Alexander Hernandez +147

Must see action at Featherweight here. Billy Quarantillo is a very high pace fighter with tricky grappling as well. Alexander Hernandez moves down in weight possessing immense power and a solid wrestling game. 

I've got Quarantillo here, as it is an excellent matchup for him to use his pressure to overwhelm Hernandez.

Pick: Quarantillo O/U: Over 2.5 -179

## Erik Silva -110 vs TJ Brown -102

A fun matchup between guys off Dana White's Contender Series here. Erik Silva has breezed through his last five finishing each of them in the first round by submission or ground and pound. TJ Brown is a strong wrestler with some solid UFC experience.

I'll lean with Brown here as Silva is very untested, and I think Brown can force this fight past the first round, which is a new game for Silva. 

Pick: Brown O/U: Over 1.5 -200

## Daniel da Silva +170 vs. Vinicius Salvador -192

This exciting Flyweight matchup is almost certain not to require judges. Daniel da Silva has lost his first three UFC matchups within the first two rounds; however, he is still very dangerous as each opponent has had to weather the storm. Vinicius Salvador comes in off Dana White's Contender Series, having a very high finish rate on the regional scene.

I'll take Salvador in this matchup, but I am not eager to bet on either side, as this one could get wild and unpredictable. 

Pick: Salvador O/U: Under 1.5 -192

## Cameron Saaiman -294 vs. Steven Koslow +255

A battle between undefeated Bantamweight prospects here. Cameron Saaiman comes in off an impressive win on Dana White's Contender Series in which he showcased his diverse skillset and potential. Steven Koslow enters his UFC debut having just six fights and winning each by first-round submission. 

I'm taking Saaiman here as he has dealt with the tougher competition to prepare him for the UFC level.

Pick: Saaiman O/U: Over 1.5 -132

## [DougLasVegasBets.net](https://douglasvegasbets.net) Plays

Magomed Ankalaev -286

Darren Till +155

Jay Perrin +205

Billy Quarantillo -167

Jared Gordon by Decision

Ilia Topuria by TKO/Knockout

UFC 282 Odds Breakdown

ONE Championship makes its long-awaited arrival on U.S. soil on March 5th at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado. The event is ONE on Prime Video 10 and will showcase the trilogy bout between Demetrious Johnson and Adriano Moraes for Flyweight gold.

**This fight takes place in the ONE Flyweight (135 lbs) division.**

Demetrious Johnson holds a professional record of 24-4-1 and is the current champion. His notable wins include Hemry Cejudo, Adriano Moraes, and Joseph Benavidez.

Adriano Moraes holds a professional record of 20-4-0 and is currently ranked #1. His notable wins include Demetrious Johnson, Kairat Akhmetov, and Yuya Wakamatsu. 

These two first met at ONE on TNT 1 in April of last year. Moraes shocked the world and knocked Johnson out in the 2nd round with brutal knees. He fought one more time before their next meeting, while Johnson took an extended period of time off.

![mdj 1.webp](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/8630de24-9f7f-44cc-42a9-bc69a75f8600/pub "Adriano Moraes shocks the world. Credits to: ONE Championship")

They met again in August this year at ONE on Prime Video 1. The event was a historical night for the promotion and marked the night of Johnson's revenge. He finished Moraes with a knee, ending the fight in a similar manner to their first.

![mdj 2.webp](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/b858c6b4-1423-4c2a-0dfc-22250c599b00/pub "Demetrious Johnson exacts his revenge. Credits to: ONE Championship")

Now they settle the rivalry on U.S. soil at ONE on Prime Video 10.