Heavyweight (265)
[#3] Curtis Blaydes (14-2-0, -334) vs. [#4] Derrick Lewis (24-7-0, +259)
Curtis Blaydes is the All-Time #33 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Derrick Lewis is the All-Time #29 ranked Heavyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Curtis Blaydes (3-0-0)
2020-06-20: W vs. [#7HW+] Alexander Volkov (32-8-0) via UD (48-47, 48-46, 49-46)
2020-01-25: W vs. [#8HW+] Junior dos Santos (21-8-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:06 of round 2
2019-09-07: W vs. [#22HW+] Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-6-0) via TKO (Elbow and Punch) in 2:22 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Derrick Lewis (3-0-0)
2020-08-08: W vs. [#10HW+] Alexey Oleynik (59-14-1) via TKO (Punches) in 0:21 of round 2
2020-02-08: W vs. [#42HW+] Ilir Latifi (14-8-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2019-11-02: W vs. [#17HW+] Blagoy Ivanov (18-4-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Curtis Blaydes 161, Derrick Lewis 112
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Curtis Blaydes leads 5-4
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Light Heavyweight (205)
[#15] Anthony Smith (33-16-0, -119) vs. [#42] Devin Clark (12-4-0, -105)
Anthony Smith is the All-Time #38 ranked Light Heavyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Anthony Smith (1-2-0)
2020-08-29: L vs. [#12LHW] Aleksandar Rakic (13-2-0) via UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
2020-05-13: L vs. [#4LHW] Glover Teixeira (32-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:04 of round 5
2019-06-01: W vs. [#19LHW] Alexander Gustafsson (18-7-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:38 of round 4

Last 3 Fights: Devin Clark (2-1-0)
2020-06-06: W vs. [#64LHW] Alonzo Menifield (9-2-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
2020-02-15: W vs. [#210MW] Dequan Townsend (22-12-0) via UD (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
2019-10-12: L vs. [#27LHW] Ryan Spann (18-6-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:01 of round 2

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Anthony Smith 91, Devin Clark 175
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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Heavyweight (265)
[#92] Josh Parisian (13-3-0, -215) vs. [#178] Parker Porter (9-6-0, +174)

Last 3 Fights: Josh Parisian (3-0-0)
2020-08-18: W vs. [#222HW+] Chad Johnson (6-2-0) via KO (Punches) in 3:43 of round 1
2020-01-29: W vs. [#378MW] Marcus Maulding (8-11-0) via TKO in 3:57 of round 1
2019-12-14: W vs. [#452HW+] Matunga Djikasa (3-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:16 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Parker Porter (2-1-0)
2020-08-15: L vs. [#74HW+] Chris Daukaus (10-3-0) via TKO (Punches and Knee) in 4:28 of round 1
2019-09-07: W vs. [#209HW+] Dirlei Broenstrup (16-8-0) via TKO in 3:17 of round 3
2019-05-31: W vs. [*] Kevin Ray Sears (8-6-0) via Submission (Kimura) in 2:29 of round 2

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Josh Parisian 102, Parker Porter 105
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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Flyweight Championship (125)
[#1/#4DD/#6P4P] Deiveson Figueiredo (19-1-0, -306) vs. [#4] Alex Perez (24-5-0, +241)
Deiveson Figueiredo is the All-Time #8 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Alex Perez is the All-Time #31 ranked Flyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Deiveson Figueiredo (3-0-0)
2020-07-18: W vs. [#2FLY] Joseph Benavidez (28-7-0) via Technical Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:48 of round 1
2020-02-29: W vs. [#2FLY] Joseph Benavidez (28-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:54 of round 2
2019-10-12: W vs. [#27FLY] Tim Elliott (16-11-1) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 3:08 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Alex Perez (3-0-0)
2020-06-06: W vs. [#8FLY] Jussier Formiga (23-8-0) via TKO (Leg Kick) in 4:06 of round 1
2020-01-25: W vs. [#32FLY] Jordan Espinosa (15-8-0) via Technical Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 2:33 of round 1
2019-03-30: W vs. [#189BW] Mark De La Rosa (11-5-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Deiveson Figueiredo 126, Alex Perez 168
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Deiveson Figueiredo leads 2-1
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Women Flyweight Championship (125)
[#1/#3DD/#3P4P] Valentina Shevchenko (19-3-0, -1569) vs. [#4] Jennifer Maia (18-6-1, +860)
Valentina Shevchenko is the All-Time #5 ranked Women’s fighter.
Jennifer Maia is the All-Time #22 ranked Women’s fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Valentina Shevchenko (3-0-0)
2020-02-08: W vs. [#3FLY] Katlyn Chookagian (14-4-0) via TKO (Elbows and Punches) in 1:03 of round 3
2019-08-10: W vs. [#6FLY] Liz Carmouche (14-7-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
2019-06-08: W vs. [#9FLY] Jessica Eye (15-8-0) via KO (Head Kick) in 0:26 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Jennifer Maia (2-1-0)
2020-08-01: W vs. [#16FLY] Joanne Calderwood (14-5-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 4:29 of round 1
2019-11-02: L vs. [#3FLY] Katlyn Chookagian (14-4-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2019-07-20: W vs. [#12FLY] Roxanne Modafferi (25-17-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Valentina Shevchenko 287, Jennifer Maia 112
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Valentina Shevchenko leads 2-0
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Welterweight (170)
[#27] Mike Perry (14-6-0, -153) vs. [#61] Tim Means (30-12-1, +127)

Last 3 Fights: Mike Perry (1-2-0)
2020-06-27: W vs. [#151WW] Mickey Gall (6-3-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2019-12-14: L vs. [#16WW] Geoff Neal (13-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:30 of round 1
2019-08-10: L vs. [#12WW] Vicente Luque (19-7-1) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Tim Means (2-1-0)
2020-08-08: W vs. [#93WW] Laureano Staropoli (9-3-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
2020-02-15: L vs. [#44WW] Daniel Rodriguez (13-1-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 3:37 of round 2
2019-12-07: W vs. [#89WW] Thiago Alves (23-15-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:38 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Mike Perry 147, Tim Means 105
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Mike Perry leads 1-0
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In 2001, Vince McMahon’s first XFL attempt didn’t last long. Though billing the league as a faster and less controversial version of the NFL with more entertainment value, the league floundered and then flopped.

In 2018, McMahon announced his revitalization of the XFL with his Alpha Entertainment group. Fans of the original buckled up, while pro wrestling and football fans alike saw their interest piqued by intriguing ads for the league that highlighted its offerings.

Slowly but surely, the XFL managed to contract talented players who were released by NFL and CFL teams or who were free agents. At the moment, sites that offer NFL picks have yet to take an analytical dive into the XFL.

However, that may be due to the lack of stats available rather than disinterest. The league’s second kickoff in February 2020 came to a screeching halt only weeks later in March, then eventually folded for bankruptcy by mid-April.

This means the XFL is lean on player stats and other information that helps drive predictions by sportsbooks. However, since the latest start-then-stop of the XFL, the league has changed ownership with a new relaunch date set for 2022.

RedBird Capital bought out the XFL with ex-couple Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia leading the charge. Since the XFL has shifted hands, fans will have to wait another two years before sinking their teeth into the next Spring League. However, RedBird Capital seems on track to deliver on the main selling points better than McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment could.

Let’s take a look at what fans hope to see the most in the renewed XFL.

50-45, 50-45, 47-48

The odd decision of Felder/dos Anjos surfaced some questions on how to handle split decisions where there is one super obvious outlier.  Do you respect that all judges have an equal say?  Do you take the one in the middle (median)?  Something else?

Let’s take a look at the effects of Felder’s rating in the various systems — dos Anjos switched divisions, while Felder remained at 155, which makes him a better subject for this within the standard system.

The win weights list three weights (the “power” of a win out of 100) for:

1. The actual fight.
2. The fight if it were scored 49-46 x3 UD (average).
3. The fight if it were scored 50-45 x3 UD (majority & median).

In all systems but the standard, Felder lost points.  OK, if we are to get technical, Felder lost 0.0051 points in the standard system, but that had nothing to do with the fight itself.  The standard and the WHR systems were the least affected by this egregious error.

Don’t let the fact this is not a title fight scare you away – UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis has so many implications. For starters, the winner of this fight could be poised to fight Francis Ngannou for the No. 1 contender spot. Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis are scheduled to fight on Saturday, November 28th in Las Vegas at the UFC Apex. The free fight will be streamed on ESPN, and all fans of the UFC should tune in. 

There has been a lot of drama surrounding the heavyweight division for the UFC. This fight adds one more layer. 

All combat athletes have to call time on their careers at some stage, but 2020 has seen the UFC lose some of the biggest pay-per-view draws to ever grace MMA and the Octagon.

As great cage fighters retire, it makes room for others to step up and take their place in the spotlight. That is something Dana White needs in the lightweight division as two of the main attractions in that category won’t compete again.

Khabib Nurmagomedov unanimously takes the top spot in ESPN’s pound-for-pound rankings 🦅

Complete P4P rankings ➡️ https://t.co/iBsac24vXn pic.twitter.com/KsGoYbhhgo

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 28, 2020

All sports move on when a big name hangs it up, and so must the UFC. Here we take a look back and celebrate three MMA superstars that retired in 2020.

Lightweight (155)
[#10WW] Rafael dos Anjos (29-13-0) vs. [#11] Paul Felder (17-5-0)
Rafael dos Anjos is the All-Time #7 ranked Lightweight and #33 ranked Absolute fighter.
Paul Felder is the All-Time #44 ranked Lightweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Rafael dos Anjos (1-2-0)
2020-01-25: L vs. [#9WW] Michael Chiesa (17-4-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2019-07-20: L vs. [*] Leon Edwards (18-3-0) via UD (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
2019-05-18: W vs. [#9LW] Kevin Lee (18-6-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 3:47 of round 4

Last 3 Fights: Paul Felder (2-1-0)
2020-02-22: L vs. [#6LW] Dan Hooker (20-9-0) via SD (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
2019-09-07: W vs. [#10FW] Edson Barboza (21-9-0) via SD (27-30, 29-28, 30-27)
2019-02-17: W vs. [#122WW] James Vick (13-5-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Rafael dos Anjos 294, Paul Felder 266
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)
[#61] Kalinn Williams (10-1-0, +186) vs. [#127] Abdul Razak Alhassan (10-2-0, -231)

Last 3 Fights: Kalinn Williams (3-0-0)
2020-02-08: W vs. [#72WW] Alex Morono (17-6-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:27 of round 1
2019-11-27: W vs. [#363WW] Jeremie Holloway (10-4-0) via UD ()
2019-10-26: W vs. [#648MW] Bo Yan (8-11-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:24 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Abdul Razak Alhassan (2-1-0)
2020-07-15: L vs. [#108WW] Mounir Lazzez (10-1-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
2018-09-08: W vs. [#36WW] Niko Price (14-4-1) via KO (Punch) in 0:43 of round 1
2018-01-20: W vs. [#58WW] Sabah Homasi (15-8-0) via KO (Punch) in 3:47 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Kalinn Williams 280, Abdul Razak Alhassan 122
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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Middleweight (185)
[*] Julian Marquez (7-2-0, -295) vs. [#230] Saparbek Safarov (9-3-0, +234)

Last 3 Fights: Julian Marquez (2-1-0)
2018-07-06: L vs. [#97MW] Alessio Di Chirico (12-5-0) via SD (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)
2017-12-16: W vs. [#55MW] Darren Stewart (12-6-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:42 of round 2
2017-08-01: W vs. [#145MW] Phil Hawes (9-2-0) via KO (Head Kick) in 2:20 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Saparbek Safarov (1-2-0)
2020-03-07: L vs. [#58MW] Rodolfo Vieira (7-0-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 2:58 of round 1
2019-03-16: W vs. [*] Nicolae Negumereanu (9-1-0) via UD (29-27, 29-26, 29-26)
2018-02-10: L vs. [*] Tyson Pedro (7-3-0) via Submission (Kimura) in 3:54 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Julian Marquez 862, Saparbek Safarov 252
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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