This summer has been a never-ending marathon of UFC events, and the lack of one last week was a welcome break from the non-stop scheduling. This weekend, we’re back in action with a Sunday night fight card: UFC Fight Night 74 – Holloway vs Oliveira.  The event takes place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (along with two fairly meaningless fights on UFC Fight Pass).  The main event is an excellent top contender bout between two young featherweight prospects, and there are a few other interesting bouts on the card, to make for a very solid Fight Night line-up.

Main Event:  [#6 FW] Max Holloway vs [#7 FW] Charles Oliveira

Worth: $20

Why: I have been, at best, lukewarm on the featherweight division in the recent years as Jose Aldo decimated every contender put in front of him and was starting on the rematch circuit.  Fortunately, some much needed new blood has been recently injected into the Top 10.   With the interim champion Conor McGregor bringing a lot of eyes to the division, the title unification match between McGregor and Aldo scheduled for UFC 194 is certain to be one of the most hyped fights of the year.  And the winner of Holloway vs Oliveira will most likely have to face the currently idle Frankie Edgar for the next shot at the title.

Besides the title implications, this fight is a great matchup of styles between two young and hungry contenders. At 23 years old, Max Holloway is already 9-3 in the Octagon, winning six in a row since his decision loss to McGregor two years ago.  Holloway fights often (four times in 2014, and on his third fight this year) and seems to be improving with every bout.   Primarily a striker, Holloway has a couple of submission wins under his belt – including one in his most recent fight against Cub Swanson.  However he is unlikely to match his opponent’s skills on the ground, and would be wise to keep this fight standing.  Charles ‘do Bronx’ Oliveira is another young veteran – 25 years old with an 8-4 (1 NC) record in the UFC.  Oliveira is a grappling wizard, though his striking defense and chin have been questionable at times; he is also coming into this fight on a four win streak.  This matchup will come down to who is able to better impose their will on the opponent and keep the fight in their comfort zone.

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Featherweight (145)
[#6] Max Holloway (13-3-0) vs. [#7] Charles Oliveira (20-4-0)

Last 3 Fights: Max Holloway (3-0-0)
2015-04-18: W vs. [#10FW] Cub Swanson (21-7-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 3:58 of round 3
2015-02-14: W vs. [#44FW] Cole Miller (21-9-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2014-10-04: W vs. [*] Akira Corassani (12-6-0) via KO (Punches) in 3:11 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Charles Oliveira (3-0-0)
2015-05-30: W vs. [#15FW] Nik Lentz (25-7-2) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 1:10 of round 3
2014-12-12: W vs. [#9FW] Jeremy Stephens (24-11-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2014-06-28: W vs. [#114FW] Hatsu Hioki (27-9-2) via Submission (Anaconda Choke) in 4:32 of round 2

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Max Holloway 127, Charles Oliveira 85
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Max Holloway leads 1-0
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Welterweight (170)
[#19] Erick Silva (18-5-0) vs. [#27] Neil Magny (15-4-0)

Last 3 Fights: Erick Silva (2-1-0)
2015-03-21: W vs. [#126WW] Josh Koscheck (17-10-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 4:21 of round 1
2014-12-20: W vs. [#242WW] Mike Rhodes (5-4-0) via Technical Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 1:15 of round 1
2014-05-10: L vs. [#9WW] Matt Brown (20-13-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:11 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Neil Magny (2-1-0)
2015-08-01: L vs. [#7WW] Demian Maia (21-6-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:52 of round 2
2015-05-16: W vs. [#70WW] Hyun Gyu Lim (13-5-1) via TKO (Punches) in 1:24 of round 2
2015-02-14: W vs. [#120WW] Kiichi Kunimoto (18-6-2) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 1:22 of round 3

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Erick Silva 155, Neil Magny 22
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)
[#30] Josh Burkman (27-11-0) vs. [#47] Patrick Cote (21-9-0)

Last 3 Fights: Josh Burkman (1-1-0, 1 NC)
2015-05-23: L vs. [#10WW] Dong Hyun Kim (20-3-1) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 2:13 of round 3
2015-01-03: NC vs. [#6WW] Hector Lombard (34-4-1)
2014-03-29: W vs. [#50WW] Tyler Stinson (29-10-0) via KO (Punch) in 2:15 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Patrick Cote (2-1-0)
2015-04-25: W vs. [#179WW] Joe Riggs (40-16-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2014-09-27: L vs. [#14WW] Stephen Thompson (11-1-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2014-04-16: W vs. [#100WW] Kyle Noke (21-7-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Josh Burkman 92, Patrick Cote 120
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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After a rather mediocre (both on paper and in the cage) UFC 190 Pay-Per-View last week, the UFC is following up with a strong Fight Night event.  This one has a couple of fights with significance to the divisional Top 10 standings, a few developing prospects, and some fun matchups.  All of the main card fights are very closely matched, which is always a good thing.  The prelims will be broadcast on Fox Sports 2 and UFC Fight Pass network; however there is not much on the prelims worth writing about, so I will just focus on the Fox Sports 1 main card.

Main Event:  [#7 LHW] Glover Teixeira vs [#9 LHW] Ovince St. Preux

Worth: $15

Why: Glover Teixeira has been a big name on the international MMA scene for many years prior to making his UFC debut, which was long delayed due to visa issues.  After finally making his way to UFC, Teixeira started off by winning five straight, which earned him a shot at the champion Jon Jones.  Teixeira fell short in his bid at the title, and there is no shame in losing to Jones. However he dropped an uninspiring decision to Phil Davis in his next fight, which brought up all sorts of questions about the 35-year-old’s ability to improve his game and adapt to fighting wrestlers at this stage of his career.

Though Ovince ‘OSP’ St. Preux has wrestling as his base, he does not solely rely on it in the cage: OSP has significant KO power and decent submission grappling ability, which makes him a very dangerous opponent for any light heavyweight.  The Strikeforce veteran is 6-1 in the UFC, his sole loss an ugly decision to Ryan Bader, and has stopped all but one of his UFC opponents.  After knocking out Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Patrick Cummins in back-to-back fights, OSP will get an opportunity to rise further in the rankings and work his way up to a contender status.  On paper, St. Preux has the skill set to defeat the seemingly fading Teixeira, though Glover’s punching power cannot be counted out.  This has all the makings of an exiciting matchup with potential implications for the title picture in the rather shallow 205 lbs weight class.
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Light Heavyweight (205)
[#7] Glover Teixeira (22-4-0) vs. [#9] Ovince St. Preux (18-6-0)

Last 3 Fights: Glover Teixeira (1-2-0)
2014-10-25: L vs. [#5LHW] Phil Davis (13-3-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2014-04-26: L vs. [#1LHW/#2DD/#1P4P] Jon Jones (21-1-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
2013-09-04: W vs. [#4LHW] Ryan Bader (19-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:55 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Ovince St. Preux (2-1-0)
2015-04-18: W vs. [#32LHW] Patrick Cummins (8-2-0) via KO (Punches) in 4:54 of round 1
2014-11-08: W vs. [#10LHW] Mauricio Rua (23-10-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:34 of round 1
2014-08-16: L vs. [#4LHW] Ryan Bader (19-4-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Glover Teixeira 287, Ovince St. Preux 112
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Glover Teixeira leads 1-0
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Lightweight (155)
[#7] Michael Johnson (16-8-0) vs. [#14] Beneil Dariush (11-1-0)

Last 3 Fights: Michael Johnson (3-0-0)
2015-02-22: W vs. [#12LW] Edson Barboza (16-3-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
2014-03-08: W vs. [#28LW] Melvin Guillard (32-14-2) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2013-12-28: W vs. [#29LW] Gleison Tibau (32-11-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:32 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Beneil Dariush (3-0-0)
2015-04-18: W vs. [#31LW] Jim Miller (25-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2015-03-14: W vs. [#71LW] Daron Cruickshank (16-7-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:48 of round 2
2014-10-25: W vs. [#61LW] Carlos Diego Ferreira (11-2-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Michael Johnson 167, Beneil Dariush 112
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)
[#20] Derek Brunson (13-3-0) vs. [#25] Sam Alvey (26-6-0)

Last 3 Fights: Derek Brunson (2-1-0)
2015-01-31: W vs. [#46MW] Ed Herman (22-11-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:36 of round 1
2014-08-30: W vs. [#18WW] Lorenz Larkin (16-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2014-01-15: L vs. [#3MW] Yoel Romero (10-1-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbows) in 3:23 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Sam Alvey (3-0-0)
2015-05-10: W vs. [#88MW] Daniel Kelly (9-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:49 of round 1
2015-02-22: W vs. [#152WW] Cezar Ferreira (8-5-0) via KO (Punches) in 3:34 of round 1
2014-11-07: W vs. [#181MW] Dylan Andrews (17-7-0) via KO (Punches) in 2:16 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Derek Brunson 189, Sam Alvey 90
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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No rest for the weary MMA fans!  After putting on five events in July, UFC is rolling in a new month with another Pay-Per-View.  This one is somewhat of an oddity, for several reasons.  First, it’s the only UFC PPV to feature seven bouts on the main card.  The reason for deviating from the usual five fights on a PPV card are the two ‘TUF: Brazil’ finale fights, originally slated to take place at UFC Fight Night 70.  Besides the TUF bouts, this card features an interesting mix of the ‘old school’ nostalgia-type bouts, and the ‘new school’ WMMA.  I normally don’t valuate women’s bouts highly, however this will be the first time they are valuated on par (or higher) with the men’s fights on the same card.  This is partially caused by WMMA starting to grow on me as the UFC develops the women’s bantamweight and strawweight divisions.  Even though they are still very shallow and good matchups are hard to find, here we have two bouts that I consider interesting and relevant.

The flip side of the coin are the nostalgic matchups.  Despite an occasional exception, combat sports are no place for old men… or young men who absorbed so much damage over their fighting career that it makes me cringe watching them receive yet another traumatic brain injury.  There are a handful of such fighters on this card, and some of them are even fighting each other.  It comes to a point where watching these guys get their block knocked off is no longer enjoyable, and so a few of the fights on this card will receive a much lower valuation than you might expect.  I suppose this is a bit hypocritical of me to say as an MMA fan, especially as one who prefers finishes to decisions – perhaps I should just shut up and watch the fights, accepting TBIs to be the inevitable reality of a sport where people punch and kick each other in the head.  However, I am paying to watch these fights and here I am writing about it, and of course this is all based strictly on my personal, subjective opinion.  As always, your mileage may vary.

Main Event: (C) [#1 W135] Ronda Rousey vs [#13 W135] Bethe Correia for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship

Worth: $15

Why: The majority of the MMA world has already written off Bethe Correia as a legitimate challenger, looking past this fight to the inevitability of Rousey – Tate 3.  Ronda Rousey is anywhere between 10-1 and 15-1 betting favorite, and I don’t see Correia pulling off the huge upset here.  However, I think Bethe will last longer in the Octagon with Rousey than Ronda’s last three opponents combined. I expect that Correia will come into to the fight with some semblance of strategy besides rushing Rousey at the opening bell trying to land a hail-mary. Hopefully we will get to see Rousey showcase her cardio, striking, and perseverance – not another arm handed to her on a silver platter.

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Women Bantamweight Championship (135)
[#1/#1DD/#1P4P] Ronda Rousey (11-0-0, -1522) vs. [#13] Bethe Correia (9-0-0, +858)
Ronda Rousey is the All-Time #1 ranked Women’s fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Ronda Rousey (3-0-0)
2015-02-28: W vs. [#4BW/#9P4P] Cat Zingano (9-1-0) via Submission (Straight Armbar) in 0:14 of round 1
2014-07-05: W vs. [#2BW/#7DD/#6P4P] Alexis Davis (17-6-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:16 of round 1
2014-02-22: W vs. [#6BW] Sara McMann (8-2-0) via TKO (Knee to the Body) in 1:06 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Bethe Correia (3-0-0)
2014-08-30: W vs. [#40BW] Shayna Baszler (15-10-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:56 of round 2
2014-04-26: W vs. [#48BW] Jessamyn Duke (3-3-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
2013-12-07: W vs. [NA] Julie Kedzie (16-13-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ronda Rousey 154, Bethe Correia 336
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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Light Heavyweight (205)
[#11] Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (21-6-0, +162) vs. [#16] Mauricio Rua (22-10-0, -204)
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is the All-Time #13 ranked Light Heavyweight fighter.
Mauricio Rua is the All-Time #6 ranked Light Heavyweight and #23 ranked Absolute fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (2-1-0)
2014-07-26: L vs. [#3LHW] Anthony Johnson (19-5-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:44 of round 1
2013-02-02: W vs. [*] Rashad Evans (21-3-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2011-12-10: W vs. [#12LHW] Tito Ortiz (19-11-1) via TKO (Punches and Elbows to the Body) in 3:15 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Mauricio Rua (1-2-0)
2014-11-08: L vs. [#9LHW] Ovince St. Preux (18-6-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:34 of round 1
2014-03-23: L vs. [#10MW] Dan Henderson (31-13-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:31 of round 3
2013-12-07: W vs. [#146MW] James Te Huna (16-8-0) via KO (Punch) in 1:03 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira 371, Mauricio Rua 266
Previous Match-up Record: Mauricio Rua leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira leads 5-3
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Lightweight (155)
[#61FW] Fernando Bruno (15-2-0, +119) vs. [#233] Glaico Franca Moreira (12-3-0, -151)

Last 3 Fights: Fernando Bruno (3-0-0)
2014-08-24: W vs. [#168FW] Julio Cesar de Almeida (22-10-0) via SD ()
2014-02-04: W vs. [*] Jorge Luis Paico (3-1-1) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in ? of round 1
2014-02-04: W vs. [#409FW] Enrique Barzola (10-2-1) via UD ()

Last 3 Fights: Glaico Franca Moreira (2-1-0)
2014-08-30: W vs. [NA] Wellington Soares (0-1-0) via KO (Knee) in 1:17 of round 1
2014-05-10: W vs. [#1261LW] Piero Severo (4-10-0) via Submission (Anaconda Choke) in 1:55 of round 1
2014-03-15: L vs. [#430LW] Daniel Reis (6-1-0) via UD ()

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Fernando Bruno 342, Glaico Franca Moreira 336
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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It’s been a marathon of a month for UFC.  After a Pay-Per-View, a TUF Finale, and a couple of Fight Nights, we’re wrapping up July with the fifth UFC event for the month.  This one has a very solid line up: a bantamweight title fight topping the bill, backed by seven other interesting matchups – all broadcast for free on Fox.  Even the Fight Pass prelims have a couple of fights worth tuning into.  All the fights are very closely matched-up, at least according to sports betting odds if not from the ranking standpoint.

Main Event: (C) [#1 BW] T.J. Dillashaw vs [#2 BW] Renan Barao for the UFC Bantamweight Championship

Worth: $20

Why:  In most cases, I would valuate a title fight featuring the top two ranked fighters in their weight class at or near the $25 single-fight limit that I’ve set for myself.  However, for this fight I was struggling to even give it $20. The main reason for this is the weird state of the bantamweight division.  This is the most splintered men’s division in the sport, with four of the Top 10 fighters outside of the UFC (and only two of those four are in the same organization).  The rest of the Top 10 is taken up by Dominic Cruz, who’s fought once since 2011 and suffered another injury after his only fight; Urijah Faber, who has pretty much run out of title shots at any weight class and is now in the stage of his career where he will mostly be involved in ‘feature fights’; Raphael Assuncao; and somehow Manny Gamburyan.  Assuncao is on a seven win streak and holds a split decision win over Dillashaw, so he will almost certainly be the next challenger for the title, but he is a rather bland decision fighter.  Outside of the Top 10, the UFC’s best prospects are Aljamain Sterling and Thomas Almeida, and it would be logical to match them up next, but I don’t believe that either man is ready for a title shot.  Unfortunately one of them will most likely be rushed into it anyhow, unless UFC is able to steal one of the other top bantamweights away from the competition.

As for the actual fight at hand, it also has some odd circumstances surrounding it.  Dillashaw came into the first fight with Barao as a huge underdog, but overcame the odds and dominated the reigning champion, hurting him early in the first round and finishing him in the fifth.  An immediate rematch was scheduled (of course), but disintegrated at the last minute when Barao fell ill as he was attempting to make weight.  TJ Dillashaw ended up defending against the fight night substitute Joe Soto, while Barao had to take on Mitch Gagnon to earn his rematch again. Though both men finished their opponents, neither looked particularly impressive considering how much of a step down they were taking.  Still, this is a good fight – the best that the UFC has to work with in the division at the moment.  It just doesn’t feel like the winner of this fight can truly claim to be the best bantamweight in the world, with Dominic Cruz still in the game and so many top fighters competing outside of the UFC.

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Bantamweight Championship (135)
[#1] T.J. Dillashaw (11-2-0, -217) vs. [#2] Renan Barao (33-2-0, +177)
T.J. Dillashaw is the All-Time #10 ranked Bantamweight fighter.
Renan Barao is the All-Time #1 ranked Bantamweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: T.J. Dillashaw (3-0-0)
2014-08-30: W vs. [#73BW] Joe Soto (15-4-0) via KO (Head Kick and Punches) in 2:20 of round 5
2014-05-24: W vs. [#2BW] Renan Barao (33-2-0) via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) in 2:26 of round 5
2014-01-15: W vs. [#225BW] Mike Easton (13-5-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Last 3 Fights: Renan Barao (2-1-0)
2014-12-20: W vs. [#28BW] Mitch Gagnon (12-3-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 3:53 of round 3
2014-05-24: L vs. [#1BW] T.J. Dillashaw (11-2-0) via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) in 2:26 of round 5
2014-02-01: W vs. [#3BW] Urijah Faber (32-8-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:42 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: T.J. Dillashaw 329, Renan Barao 217
Previous Match-up Record: T.J. Dillashaw leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Women Bantamweight (135)
[#3/#10DD/#8P4P] Miesha Tate (16-5-0, -196) vs. [#5/#10P4P] Jessica Eye (11-2-0, +163)
Miesha Tate is the All-Time #9 ranked Women’s fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Miesha Tate (3-0-0)
2015-01-31: W vs. [#7BW] Sara McMann (8-2-0) via MD (29-27, 29-28, 28-28)
2014-09-20: W vs. [#19BW] Rin Nakai (16-1-1) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2014-04-19: W vs. [#11BW] Liz Carmouche (10-5-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Jessica Eye (1-1-0, 1 NC)
2014-11-15: W vs. [#16BW] Leslie Smith (7-6-1) via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in 1:30 of round 2
2014-02-22: L vs. [#2BW/#7DD/#6P4P] Alexis Davis (17-6-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2013-10-19: NC vs. [#10BW] Sarah Kaufman (17-3-0)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Miesha Tate 175, Jessica Eye 252
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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Lightweight (155)
[#15] Edson Barboza (15-3-0, -130) vs. [#41] Paul Felder (9-0-0, +108)

Last 3 Fights: Edson Barboza (2-1-0)
2015-02-22: L vs. [#7LW] Michael Johnson (16-8-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
2014-11-22: W vs. [#18LW] Bobby Green (23-6-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2014-07-16: W vs. [#23LW] Evan Dunham (16-6-0) via TKO (Kick to the Body and Punches) in 3:06 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Paul Felder (3-0-0)
2015-01-03: W vs. [#57LW] Danny Castillo (17-8-0) via KO (Spinning Back Fist) in 2:09 of round 2
2014-10-04: W vs. [#141LW] Jason Saggo (10-2-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2014-08-09: W vs. [#713WW] Craig Johnson (7-4-0) via KO (Spinning Back Heel) in 3:44 of round 2

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Edson Barboza 153, Paul Felder 203
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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