Heavyweight (265)
[#4] Junior dos Santos (21-6-0, +197) vs. [#7] Curtis Blaydes (12-2-0, -245)
Junior dos Santos is the All-Time #6 ranked Heavyweight and #25 ranked Absolute fighter.
Curtis Blaydes is the All-Time #41 ranked Heavyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Junior dos Santos (2-1-0)
2019-06-29: L vs. [#3HW+] Francis Ngannou (14-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:11 of round 1
2019-03-09: W vs. [#5HW+] Derrick Lewis (22-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:58 of round 2
2018-12-01: W vs. [#44HW+] Tai Tuivasa (10-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:30 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Curtis Blaydes (2-1-0)
2019-09-07: W vs. [#17HW+] Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-6-0) via TKO (Elbow and Punch) in 2:22 of round 2
2019-03-23: W vs. [#16HW+] Justin Willis (8-2-0) via UD (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
2018-11-24: L vs. [#3HW+] Francis Ngannou (14-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:45 of round 1

Odds Favorite (Implied): Curtis Blaydes – Win%: 67.83
Elo Favorite (Standard): Junior dos Santos (2018.18) [+70.21] – Win%: 57.95
Elo Favorite (Modified): Junior dos Santos (2029.22) [+65.99] – Win%: 57.17
Glicko-1 Favorite (Adj): Junior dos Santos (2019.20) [+66.54] – Win%: 62.07
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Junior dos Santos 210, Curtis Blaydes 140
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Curtis Blaydes leads 2-1
.

Welterweight (170)
[#7] Rafael dos Anjos (29-12-0, -260) vs. [#25] Michael Chiesa (16-4-0, +209)
Rafael dos Anjos is the All-Time #24 ranked Welterweight and #31 ranked Absolute fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Rafael dos Anjos (1-2-0)
2019-07-20: L vs. [#5WW] Leon Edwards (18-3-0) via UD (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
2019-05-18: W vs. [#6LW] Kevin Lee (18-5-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 3:47 of round 4
2018-11-30: L vs. [#1WW/#3DD/#6P4P] Kamaru Usman (16-1-0) via UD (49-45, 50-43, 48-47)

Last 3 Fights: Michael Chiesa (2-1-0)
2019-07-06: W vs. [#63WW] Diego Sanchez (29-12-0) via UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
2018-12-29: W vs. [#75WW] Carlos Condit (30-13-0) via Submission (Kimura) in 0:56 of round 2
2018-07-07: L vs. [#12LW] Anthony Pettis (22-10-0) via Submission (Triangle Armbar) in 0:52 of round 2

Odds Favorite (Implied): Rafael dos Anjos – Win%: 69.05
Elo Favorite (Standard): Rafael dos Anjos (2029.40) [+89.18] – Win%: 60.05
Elo Favorite (Modified): Rafael dos Anjos (1994.37) [+67.74] – Win%: 57.36
Glicko-1 Favorite (Adj): Rafael dos Anjos (2007.12) [+76.27] – Win%: 63.60
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Rafael dos Anjos 189, Michael Chiesa 203
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Rafael dos Anjos leads 2-0
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Featherweight (145)
[#7] Josh Emmett (15-2-0, -103) vs. [#32] Arnold Allen (15-1-0, -120)

Last 3 Fights: Josh Emmett (2-1-0)
2019-07-13: W vs. [#26FW] Mirsad Bektic (13-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:25 of round 1
2019-03-30: W vs. [#84LW] Michael Johnson (19-15-0) via KO (Punch) in 4:14 of round 3
2018-02-24: L vs. [#14FW] Jeremy Stephens (28-17-0) via KO (Elbows) in 1:35 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Arnold Allen (3-0-0)
2019-07-06: W vs. [#100FW] Gilbert Melendez (22-8-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2019-03-16: W vs. [#86FW] Jordan Rinaldi (14-7-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-26)
2018-05-27: W vs. [#81FW] Mads Burnell (13-3-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:41 of round 3

Odds Favorite (Implied): Arnold Allen – Win%: 51.80
Elo Favorite (Standard): Josh Emmett (1954.82) [+113.53] – Win%: 62.68
Elo Favorite (Modified): Josh Emmett (1940.09) [+106.52] – Win%: 61.45
Glicko-1 Favorite (Adj): Josh Emmett (1937.01) [+96.57] – Win%: 67.16
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Josh Emmett 196, Arnold Allen 203
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Welterweight (170)
[#16] Donald Cerrone (36-13-0, +247) vs. [*] Conor McGregor (21-4-0, -316)
Conor McGregor is the All-Time #43 ranked Absolute fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Donald Cerrone (1-2-0)
2019-09-14: L vs. [#4LW] Justin Gaethje (21-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:18 of round 1
2019-06-08: L vs. [#2LW/#5DD/#9P4P] Tony Ferguson (25-3-0) via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in 5:00 of round 2
2019-05-04: W vs. [#12LW] Al Iaquinta (15-6-1) via UD (49-45, 49-45, 49-46)

Last 3 Fights: Conor McGregor (2-1-0)
2018-10-06: L vs. [#1LW/#1DD/#4P4P] Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-0-0) via Submission (Neck Crank) in 3:03 of round 4
2016-11-12: W vs. [#27WW] Eddie Alvarez (30-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:04 of round 2
2016-08-20: W vs. [#11WW] Nate Diaz (20-12-0) via MD (47-47, 48-47, 48-47)

Odds Favorite (Implied): Conor McGregor – Win%: 72.49
Elo Favorite (Standard): Conor McGregor (2172.99) [+190.54] – Win%: 70.49
Elo Favorite (Modified): Conor McGregor (2111.55) [+152.79] – Win%: 66.12
Glicko-1 Favorite (Adj): Conor McGregor (2112.86) [+120.48] – Win%: 70.54
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Donald Cerrone 126, Conor McGregor 469
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Conor McGregor leads 3-2
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Women Bantamweight (135)
[#3] Holly Holm (12-5-0, -137) vs. [#5] Raquel Pennington (10-7-0, +112)
Holly Holm is the All-Time #17 ranked Women’s fighter.
Raquel Pennington is the All-Time #47 ranked Women’s fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Holly Holm (1-2-0)
2019-07-06: L vs. [#1BW/#1DD/#1P4P] Amanda Nunes (19-4-0) via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) in 4:10 of round 1
2018-06-09: W vs. [#6FW] Megan Anderson (9-4-0) via UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
2017-12-30: L vs. [#1FW/#5DD/#4P4P] Cristiane Justino (21-2-0) via UD (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)

Last 3 Fights: Raquel Pennington (1-2-0)
2019-07-20: W vs. [#6BW] Irene Aldana (12-5-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2018-11-10: L vs. [#2BW/#8DD] Germaine de Randamie (9-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2018-05-12: L vs. [#1BW/#1DD/#1P4P] Amanda Nunes (19-4-0) via TKO (Elbows and Punches) in 2:36 of round 5

Odds Favorite (Implied): Holly Holm – Win%: 55.06
Elo Favorite (Standard): Raquel Pennington (1583.55) [+56.64] – Win%: 56.43
Elo Favorite (Modified): Raquel Pennington (1542.93) [+10.96] – Win%: 51.20
Glicko-1 Favorite (Adj): Holly Holm (1561.35) [+30.00] – Win%: 55.62
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Holly Holm 196, Raquel Pennington 182
Previous Match-up Record: Holly Holm leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Raquel Pennington leads 2-1
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Heavyweight (265)
[#18] Alexey Oleynik (59-13-1, +110) vs. [#58] Maurice Greene (8-3-0, -135)

Last 3 Fights: Alexey Oleynik (1-2-0)
2019-07-20: L vs. [#14HW+] Walt Harris (13-7-0) via KO (Knee and Punches) in 0:12 of round 1
2019-04-20: L vs. [#9HW+] Alistair Overeem (45-18-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:45 of round 1
2018-09-15: W vs. [#19HW+] Mark Hunt (13-14-1) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:26 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Maurice Greene (2-1-0)
2019-10-26: L vs. [#36HW+] Sergei Pavlovich (14-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:11 of round 1
2019-06-29: W vs. [#72HW+] Junior Albini (14-6-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:38 of round 1
2019-03-09: W vs. [#94HW+] Jeff Hughes (10-3-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Odds Favorite (Implied): Maurice Greene – Win%: 54.67
Elo Favorite (Standard): Alexey Oleynik (1634.72) [+94.73] – Win%: 60.65
Elo Favorite (Modified): Alexey Oleynik (1693.73) [+155.53] – Win%: 66.39
Glicko-1 Favorite (Adj): Alexey Oleynik (1680.24) [+164.59] – Win%: 78.08
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Alexey Oleynik 182, Maurice Greene 84
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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As a recap, most “Fighter of the Year” awards on other sites are really “Breakout Fighter of the Year” awards in that fighters who win, were usually not top fighters in the beginning of the year, but became so by the end of the year.

A fighter like this can and has won our FotY awards, but our award is more about maintaining a high standing during the award year by performing well a sufficient number of times and against a sufficient quality of opponents.  It is more comparable to a season MVP in major team sports, not a playoffs/surprise MVP.

Co-Winners: Amanda Nunes, Valentina Shevchenko

The Top 2 from 2018, share the title for 2019 as their achievements were virtually identical.

3rd Place: Weili Zhang

With two dominant wins in the UFC, the new Strawweight champion rounds out the Top 3.

Since we now post Glicko-based ratings, a 100% mathematically pure, albeit very limited system, I thought I’d use those ratings for more than just ranking.  You may have noticed in a recent award post, I mentioned the biggest upset of the year based on Glicko rating point difference, which was Asakura KO(1) Horiguchi.

That upset still had some basic requirements, you can check the MMA Awards page for more details.  Simply put, the loser has to be active and relevant on the world scale.

I thought it’d be interesting to see what the absolute biggest upset was in 2019, regardless of relevance.

I was shocked to see a 852.34 point difference where a fighter named Anthony Formoso (7-0) lost by submission, to a fighter named Chris “The Killer Skater” Sandt (1-16).  Yes, an undefeated fighter lost to a 1-16 opponent.  An 852.34 point difference roughly equates to a 0.1% chance of an upset.

Using this method, this is actually the third biggest upset of all-time, with the biggest being King Mo beating Travis Wiuff (+913.22) in his debut back in 2008, and the runner-up being Mark Hunt’s 2005 split decision victory over Cro Cop (+911.67).  Though, in these contests, King Mo and Mark Hunt both had a past high-level combat sports related pedigree.  The same applies in the fourth biggest upset — Joe Schilling KO(2) Melvin Manhoef.

Men: Juancamilo Ronderos

This one wasn’t close.  4-0 on the year, with a ranking easily within the Top 50 at Flyweight.

Women: Maria Laura Alves

No real breakaway candidate for this award, but Alves edges it, ending at #50 in the 115 division.

Honorable Mentions: Ewelina Wozniak, Nong Stamp

As a refresher, our “comeback” award is about coming back from inactivity or major injury (that we know about) and in doing so, really impressing.  You can see more details on the awards page about specific qualifiers.

Comeback Fighter of the Year: Nate Diaz

Although he went an even .500 on the year, he ended on the fringes of the Top 10 at Welterweight.

Most Improved Fighter of the Year: Jairzinho Rozenstruik

5-0 on the year and stoppages over Arlovski and Overeem elevate Rozenstruik to the doorstep of a title opportunity, but he’ll need to get past Ngannou before that becomes a reality.

Most Noteworthy Match of the Year:

Khabib Nurmagomedov SUB(3) Dustin Poirier

A fairly easy choice.  The undefeated Khabib, takes on Dustin Poirier, recent conquerer of Alvarez and Holloway.

Note: We have three ways that we derive biggest “upsets” based on points difference between winner and loser.

“Most Noteworthy” (X minus Y / normalized by division)
“Most Noteworthy – Glicko” (GlickoX minus GlickoY)
“Most Lopsided” (X divided by Y)

Most Noteworthy: Walt Harris KO(1) Alexey Oleynik

While not a betting upset, Oleynik was fringe Top 10 and Harris was still an unproven fighter prior to this.

Most Noteworthy (Glicko): Kai Asakura TKO(1) Kyoji Horiguchi

Horiguchi was that rare fighter who’d occasionally show up at the bottom of the P4P lists, yet not actively competing in the UFC.  Asakura knocked him out and down a few notches in the rankings.

Most Lopsided: Timofey Nastyukhin TKO(1) Eddie Alvarez

Alvarez was annihilated by a totally unknown fighter in his first One Championship fight.  Maybe he took the competition a bit too lightly, or maybe he left a piece of himself in the UFC.

Women Featherweight (154)
[#5] Larissa Pacheco (13-3-0, 153.6lb, +711) vs. [#7] Kayla Harrison (6-0-0, 154.8lb, -1245)

Last 3 Fights: Larissa Pacheco (2-1-0)
2019-10-11: W vs. [#8FW] Sarah Kaufman (21-5-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
2019-07-11: W vs. [#29FW] Bobbi Jo Dalziel (5-2-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 2:31 of round 1
2019-05-09: L vs. [#7FW] Kayla Harrison (6-0-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)

Last 3 Fights: Kayla Harrison (3-0-0)
2019-10-11: W vs. [#29FW] Bobbi Jo Dalziel (5-2-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 3:32 of round 1
2019-07-11: W vs. [#55FW] Morgan Frier (4-3-0) via Submission (Key Lock) in 3:35 of round 1
2019-05-09: W vs. [#5FW] Larissa Pacheco (13-3-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)

Odds Favorite (Implied): Kayla Harrison – Win%: 88.24
Elo Favorite (Standard): Kayla Harrison (1440.10) [+10.97] – Win%: 51.25
Elo Favorite (Modified): Kayla Harrison (1547.65) [+50.90] – Win%: 55.55
Glicko-1 Favorite (Adj): Kayla Harrison (1481.80) [+14.37] – Win%: 52.79
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Larissa Pacheco 81, Kayla Harrison 81
Previous Match-up Record: Kayla Harrison leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Welterweight (169)
[#39] David Michaud (18-5-0, 169.5lb, +113) vs. [#53] Ray Cooper III (19-7-1, 168.6lb, -142)

Last 3 Fights: David Michaud (3-0-0)
2019-10-11: W vs. [#69WW] Glaico Franca (22-6-0) via MD ()
2019-10-11: W vs. [#62WW] John Howard (28-16-1) via UD ()
2019-07-11: W vs. [#80WW] Handesson Ferreira (14-3-1) via TKO (Punches) in 4:37 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Ray Cooper III (1-1-1)
2019-10-11: W vs. [#89WW] Chris Curtis (21-8-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:11 of round 2
2019-10-11: D vs. [#88WW] Sadibou Sy (8-5-2) via Draw (Majority) in 5:00 of round 2
2019-07-11: L vs. [#62WW] John Howard (28-16-1) via KO (Punches) in 3:23 of round 1

Odds Favorite (Implied): Ray Cooper III – Win%: 55.55
Elo Favorite (Standard): David Michaud (1821.04) [+103.32] – Win%: 61.59
Elo Favorite (Modified): David Michaud (1785.77) [+65.77] – Win%: 57.15
Glicko-1 Favorite (Adj): David Michaud (1763.86) [+5.34] – Win%: 51.00
Days Since Last Pro Fight: David Michaud 81, Ray Cooper III 81
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: David Michaud leads 2-1
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Heavyweight (258)
[#20] Ali Isaev (8-0-0, 258.8lb, -507) vs. [#36] Jared Rosholt (20-7-0, 250.6lb, +366)

Last 3 Fights: Ali Isaev (3-0-0)
2019-10-31: W vs. [#35HW+] Denis Goltsov (25-6-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:59 of round 3
2019-10-31: W vs. [#51HW+] Kelvin Tiller (11-5-0) via UD ()
2019-08-08: W vs. [#138HW+] Carl Seumanutafa (12-11-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Jared Rosholt (3-0-0)
2019-10-31: W vs. [#51HW+] Kelvin Tiller (11-5-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2019-10-31: W vs. [#86HW+] Muhammed DeReese (8-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:41 of round 1
2019-08-08: W vs. [#55HW+] Satoshi Ishii (22-10-1) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Odds Favorite (Implied): Ali Isaev – Win%: 79.55
Elo Favorite (Standard): Ali Isaev (1777.99) [+35.78] – Win%: 54.08
Elo Favorite (Modified): Ali Isaev (1818.91) [+48.46] – Win%: 55.28
Glicko-1 Favorite (Adj): Ali Isaev (1799.19) [+51.12] – Win%: 59.42
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ali Isaev 61, Jared Rosholt 61
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 3 win(s) against common opposition.
.

Women Atomweight Championship (108)
[#1/#6DD/#5P4P] Ayaka Hamasaki (19-2-0, 107.7lb, -106) vs. [#2/#10DD] Seo Hee Ham (22-8-0, 107.8lb, -128)
Ayaka Hamasaki is the All-Time #6 ranked Women’s fighter.
Seo Hee Ham is the All-Time #35 ranked Women’s fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Ayaka Hamasaki (3-0-0)
2019-08-18: W vs. [#14AW] Suwanan Boonsorn (4-2-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 3:29 of round 1
2019-06-02: W vs. [#3AW] Jinh Yu Frey (8-4-0) via UD ()
2018-12-31: W vs. [#8AW] Kanna Asakura (16-4-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 4:34 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Seo Hee Ham (3-0-0)
2019-10-12: W vs. [#7AW] Miyuu Yamamoto (5-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:42 of round 2
2019-07-28: W vs. [#9AW] Tomo Maesawa (13-10-0) via TKO (Knees) in 3:14 of round 1
2018-12-15: W vs. [#11AW] Jeong Eun Park (7-6-1) via UD ()

Odds Favorite (Implied): Seo Hee Ham – Win%: 52.17
Elo Favorite (Standard): Ayaka Hamasaki (1721.26) [+148.00] – Win%: 66.29
Elo Favorite (Modified): Ayaka Hamasaki (1718.22) [+128.62] – Win%: 63.71
Glicko-1 Favorite (Adj): Ayaka Hamasaki (1697.97) [+94.67] – Win%: 67.12
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ayaka Hamasaki 135, Seo Hee Ham 80
Previous Match-up Record: Ayaka Hamasaki leads 2-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Ayaka Hamasaki leads 6-4
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Lightweight (157)
[#43] Tofiq Musayev (16-3-0, 156.9lb, -170) vs. [#45] Johnny Case (27-6-1, 156.9lb, +132)

Last 3 Fights: Tofiq Musayev (3-0-0)
2019-10-12: W vs. [#87LW] Damien Brown (19-13-0) via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) in 4:14 of round 1
2019-06-02: W vs. [#119LW] Daron Cruickshank (22-13-0) via UD ()
2018-12-31: W vs. [#431LW] Nobumitsu Osawa (12-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:19 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Johnny Case (3-0-0)
2019-10-12: W vs. [#129LW] Roberto de Souza (9-1-0) via TKO (Submission to Punch) in 1:15 of round 1
2019-07-28: W vs. [#202LW] Satoru Kitaoka (42-20-9) via TKO (Corner Stoppage) in 5:00 of round 1
2018-12-31: W vs. [#103LW] Yusuke Yachi (21-9-0) via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in 4:47 of round 2

Odds Favorite (Implied): Tofiq Musayev – Win%: 59.36
Elo Favorite (Standard): Johnny Case (1811.05) [+18.84] – Win%: 52.15
Elo Favorite (Modified): Johnny Case (1806.39) [+9.23] – Win%: 51.01
Glicko-1 Favorite (Adj): Johnny Case (1802.04) [+8.14] – Win%: 51.54
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Tofiq Musayev 80, Johnny Case 80
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Lightweight (157)
[#12] Patricky Freire (22-8-0, 156.4lb, -443) vs. [#82] Luiz Gustavo Felix dos Santos (10-1-0, 155.8lb, +316)
Patricky Freire is the All-Time #46 ranked Lightweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Patricky Freire (3-0-0)
2019-10-12: W vs. [#203LW] Tatsuya Kawajiri (37-14-2) via KO (Flying Knee and Punches) in 1:10 of round 1
2019-02-09: W vs. [#88LW] Ryan Scope (10-3-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2018-09-21: W vs. [#345LW] Roger Huerta (24-12-1) via KO (Punch) in 0:43 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Luiz Gustavo Felix dos Santos (2-1-0)
2019-10-12: W vs. [#210LW] Hiroto Uesako (18-9-0) via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in 3:55 of round 1
2019-04-21: L vs. [#95FW] Mikuru Asakura (12-1-0) via UD ()
2018-08-12: W vs. [#103LW] Yusuke Yachi (21-9-0) via KO (Punch) in 2:32 of round 2

Odds Favorite (Implied): Patricky Freire – Win%: 77.23
Elo Favorite (Standard): Patricky Freire (1998.49) [+376.15] – Win%: 84.80
Elo Favorite (Modified): Patricky Freire (1941.33) [+300.83] – Win%: 78.86
Glicko-1 Favorite (Adj): Patricky Freire (1906.50) [+211.70] – Win%: 83.01
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Patricky Freire 80, Luiz Gustavo Felix dos Santos 80
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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