Fight Matrix

This Past Weekend: Friday May 20, 2011

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Jonathan

Ultra X Combat – International Grand Prix
May 20, 2011
Exhibition Park,
Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Welterweight (170 lbs)

Gregor Gracie (5 – 1 – 0) defeated Tiago Tosato (9 – 11 – 0) by submission in round 1. Gracie, who is on a 3 fight win streak (all by 1st round submission), flies 77 spots up the ranks from [#435] to [#358]. Tosato, who is 2-6 in his last 8, remains unranked.

Middleweight (185 lbs)

Norman Paraisy (9 – 1 – 1) defeated Paulo Filho (22 – 4 – 1) by unanimous decision. Paraisy, who is 4-0-1 in his last 5, moves from [#167WW] into the middleweight “Top 350” at [#51]. Filho, who is 2-3 in his last 5, moves from [#42LHW] into the middleweight “Top 350” at [#59].
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UFC 130: How they stack up

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Jason

Light Heavyweight
[#4] Quinton Jackson vs. [#15] Matt Hamill

Heavyweight
[#7] Frank Mir vs. [#25] Roy Nelson

Heavyweight
[#34] Stefan Struve vs. [#35] Travis Browne

Welterweight
[#12] Thiago Alves vs. [#23] Rick Story

Middleweight
[#5] Jorge Santiago vs. [#18] Brian Stann

Bantamweight
[#5] Miguel Torres vs. [#20] Demetrious Johnson

Middleweight
[#47] Kendall Grove vs. [#57 LHW] Tim Botesch

Lightweight
[#22] Gleison Tibau vs. [#151] Rafaello Oliveira

Bantamweight
[#10] Michael McDonald vs. [#63] Chris Cariaso

Bantamweight
[#13] Renan Barao vs. [#30 FW] Cole Escovedo

Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)

Friday, October 16th 2026: Professional Fighters League PFL Chicago 2: Carmouche vs. Bishop 2

[#6 W125] Liz Carmouche

[#14 W125] Jena Bishop

Last Fight Date: 6/27/2026 [PFL]
Last Opponent: [#15 W125] Viviane Araujo
Last 5: L W W W W

Last Fight Date: 6/27/2026 [PFL]
Last Opponent: [#37 W125] Ariane Lipski da Silva
Last 5: W W L W W

Thursday, December 31st 2026: Rizin FF New Years Eve Event

[#5 FW] Rajabali Shaidullaev

[#16 FW] Kyoma Akimoto

Last Fight Date: 9/10/2026 [Rizin Fighting Federation]
Last Opponent: [#7 FW] A.J. McKee
Last 5: W W W W W

Last Fight Date: 8/11/2026 [Rizin Fighting Federation]
Last Opponent: [#25 FW] Kleber Koike Erbst
Last 5: W W W W W

Saturday, November 14th 2026: Professional Fighters League PFL Returns to Dubai: Nemkov vs. Bilostenniy

[#6 HW] Vadim Nemkov

[#16 HW] Sergey Bilostenniy

Last Fight Date: 12/13/2025 [PFL]
Last Opponent: [#20 HW] Renan Ferreira
Last 5: W W W W W

Last Fight Date: 5/02/2026 [PFL]
Last Opponent: [#20 HW] Renan Ferreira
Last 5: W W L W W

Featured Fighters

[#49 LW]	Mikuru Asakura	[#5 FW]	Rajabali Shaidullaev
[#1 WW]	Islam Makhachev	[#1 FW]	Alexander Volkanovski
[#29 FW]	Ren Hiramoto	[#96 FW]	Tommy McMillen
[#33 LW]	Akbar Abdullaev	[#2 LW]	Ilia Topuria
[#1 FLW]	Joshua Van	[#7 FW]	A.J. McKee

Rambling Article of the Day: Home/Away Win%

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Jason

Being involved (prior to Fight Matrix) in the rating system at BoxRec, I discovered many of the factors that prove to be advantages (or disadvantages) to fighters. One of them was the advantage of fighting on home soil. This seems pretty obvious, but the advantage was MASSIVE, much larger than you’d expect. Due to the maturity and availability of data at BoxRec, we were able to determine that this advantage was more directly correlated with a promoter advantage as nationality isn’t always “cut and dry”, case in point, the many eastern European fighters making their money in Germany.

In the end, we decided not to implement this into the rating system as it did have some difficulties; some boxing cards have multiple promoters and fans would find it strange that this influence was factored out of the ratings. Anyway, from the start of Fight Matrix we have collected nationality data and most recently, I have routines that give a “best guess” as to where a fight took place. I wanted to look at data regarding American fighters, as it was the most plentiful. Anyway, here we go:

By the way, be prepared to be surprised.

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This Past Weekend: Bellator 45

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Jonathan

Bellator Fighting Championships 45
May 21, 2011
L’Auberge du Lac Casino and Resort,
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Final/Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship
Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)

Christian M’Pumbu (18 – 3 – 1) defeated Richard Hale (17 – 4 – 1) by TKO via punches at 4:17 of the 3rd round. M’Pumbu blasted Hale with a left hook that sent Hale to the canvas. M’pumbu tried to finish the dazed Hale with a brabo choke, but Hale escaped. Hale started to gain momentum in the second round, controlling the passive M’Pumbu on the feet. This continued until midway into the 3rd round, when M’Pumbu again blasted Hale-this time with a strong right hand. Hale again crashed to the mat, and after a brief pause M’Pumbu followed him with hammerfists. Hale struggled to regain his guard but was unable to, forcing the ref to stop the bout. M’Pumbu, who is on a 3 fight win streak (all by TKO via punches), jumps 16 spots up from [#44] to [#28]. M’Pumbu became the inaugural Bellator Light Heavyweight champ with this victory. Hale, who had a 4 fight win streak broken by this loss, drops 16 spots from [#34] to [#50].

Bellator Featherweight Tournament Final
Featherweight (145 lbs)

Patricio Freire (17 – 1 – 0) defeated Daniel Straus (16 – 4 – 0) by unanimous decision. Freire kept the distance close, not allowing Straus to use his reach and size advantage. Freire pressed Straus up against the fence and peppered him with knees to the body. Freire mocked Straus twice during the fight imploring Straus to come forward, garnering boos from the crowd. Ultimately, Straus was never able to implement his wrestling based game plan. Freire, who is on a 3 fight win streak after rebounding from his lone career loss to current Bellator featherweight champ [#4BW] Joe Warren, jumps 6 spots up from [#12] to [#6]. Freire will now get a rematch against Joe Warren. Straus, who had a tremendous 12 fight win streak broken by this loss, drops 8 spots from [#16] to [#24].

Middleweight (185 lbs)

Sam Alvey (15 – 2 – 0) won a contentious split decision over Karl Amoussou (12 – 5 – 1). The 1st round was all Amoussou, who landed powerful kicks and a slick judo throw. He transitioned to mount and landed elbows that opened Alvey up. These cuts would gush torrents of blood for the remainder of the fight. Amoussou slowed in the 2nd round, and Alvey started to find his stride. However, it was not until the 3rd round that Alvey truly got into the driver’s seat. Alvey took Amoussou down near the end of the 3rd frame and flailed away in guard as the round came to a close. Alvey, who is on a 4 fight win streak (2 by split decision), moves from [#92LHW] to [#92MW]. Alvey qualified for the upcoming Bellator middleweight tournament with this win. Amoussou, who is 2-2-1 in his last 5, holds his rank at [#128].
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UFC 130: A Gambling Analysis

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Jason

Here it is.. Part 3 in the “Gambling Analysis” series. With the first two parts going so well, I may never stop. However, when I actually take my own advice and bet… that’s when my predictions will falter.

In the first two series, I focused on the main event, with the second providing an additional pick – the surefire win for Machida. This time, I don’t see much value in UFC 130‘s main event of Rampage/Hamill, so my pick for the bet of the night is to take Frank Mir over Roy Nelson.

BetUS, the online sportsbook offers Mir as a -125 favorite, which essentially equates to a “pick’em” type of fight. To me, Mir is a great value.

Yes, everyone loves Nelson and a lot of people love to hate Mir. Nelson also holds two recent wins over Struve, and Schaub, young guys who many rate very highly. But I sit and wonder, how much did that thrashing that dos Santos delivered take out of Nelson?

Mir on the other hand, did look piss poor against CroCop, and as I type this, am having “better’s remorse”. I just don’t see Nelson being explosive enough to catch Mir with a big shot, or being able to submit him. Nelson has never been submitted either, which seems to suggest that Mir will win a decision. However, in Mir’s entire career, he has only finished a three round fight once.

It would seem the planets are aligning against me in picking Mir, but I am still going to go with him. Mir by a split decision, that is perhaps a bit more controversial than your average split decision.

MMA Rankings Updated: 5/22/2011

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Jason

This Weekend: Saturday May 21, 2011

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Jonathan

British Association of Mixed Martial Arts 6
May 21, 2011
Wembley Arena,
London, England

BAMMA Middleweight Championship

Middleweight (185 lbs)
[#62] Tom Watson (13 – 4 – 0) vs. [#88] Murilo “Ninja” Rua (20 – 11 – 1)

Middleweight (185 lbs)
[#56] Frank Trigg (20 – 8 – 0) vs. [#104] John Phillips (13 – 3 – 0)

Middleweight (185 lbs)
[#230] Matt Ewin (21 – 9 – 1) vs. [*] Ivan Salaverry (13 – 7 – 0)

Lightweight (155 lbs)
[#141] Jason Ball (18 – 8 – 0) vs. [#152] Leonardo Santos (8 – 3 – 0)

Welterweight (170 lbs)
[#87] Che Mills (12 – 4 – 0) vs. [#437] Marcio Cesar (14 – 4 – 1)

Lightweight (155 lbs)
[#191FW] Shane Omer (6 – 0 – 0) vs. [#500WW] Aaron Wilkinson (7 – 4 – 0)

Heavyweight (265 lbs)
[#152] Oli Thompson (8 – 2 – 0) vs. [*] Marcin Bartkiewicz (3 – 3 – 0)
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This Saturday: Bellator 45

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Jonathan

Bellator Fighting Championships 45
May 21, 2011
L’Auberge du Lac Casino and Resort,
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Final
Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)
[#34] Richard Hale (17 – 3 – 1) vs. [#44] Christian M’Pumbu (17 – 3 – 1)

Bellator Featherweight Tournament Final
Featherweight (145 lbs)
[#12] Patricio Freire (16 – 1 – 0) vs. [#16] Daniel Straus (16 – 3 – 0)

Middleweight (185 lbs)
[#92LHW] Sam Alvey (13 – 6 – 0) vs. [#128] Karl Amoussou (12 – 4 – 1)

Welterweight (170 lbs)
[#66] Luis Santos (48 – 6 – 0) vs. [#491] Nicolae Cury (4 – 1 – 0)

Catchweight (140 lbs)
[*] Joseph Abercrombie (2 – 1 – 0) vs. [*] Ben Parpart (1 – 1 – 0)

Heavyweight (265 lbs)
[*] Shawn Jordan (9 – 2 – 0) vs. [*] John Hill (3 – 1 – 0)

Middleweight (185 lbs)
[#205] Tim Ruberg (5 – 0 – 0) vs. [*] Mike Fleniken (3 – 3 – 0)

Lightweight (185 lbs)
[#117] Rene Nazaere (8 – 0 – 0) vs. [#376] Kelvin Hackney (9 – 1 – 0)

This Weekend: Friday May 20th, 2011

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Jonathan

Ultra X Combat – International Grand Prix
May 20, 2011
Exhibition Park,
Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Welterweight (170 lbs)
[#47] Delson Heleno (21 – 5 – 0) vs. TBA

Welterweight (170 lbs)
[#197] Leonardo Pecahna (13 – 7 – 0) vs. [*] Matias Ezequiel Lemon (3 – 6 – 0)

Middleweight (185 lbs)
[#131] Gustavo Machado (20 – 8 – 1) vs. [*] Jeremy Johnson (0 – 0 – 0)

Middleweight? (185 lbs)
[#197LHW] Paulo Filho (22 – 3 – 1) vs. [#167WW] Norman Paraisy (8 – 1 – 1)

Fight for Wrestling 3 – Back in Bakersfield
May 20, 2011
Icardo Center,
Bakersfield, California, United States

Lightweight (155 lbs)
[#23] Brian Cobb (17 – 6 – 0) vs. [#106] Radley Martinez (9 – 1 – 0)

Heavyweight (155 lbs)
[#179] John Devine (6 – 4 – 0) vs. [*] Mike Cook (11 – 9 – 0)

Welterweight (170 lbs)
[#199] Brock Jardine (6 – 1 – 0) vs. [#428] Kenny Ento (11 – 5 – 0)
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This Past Weekend: Saturday May 14th, 2011

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Jonathan

Rock and Brawl
May 14, 2011
Kouvola Hockey Arena,
Kouvola, Kymenlaakso, Finland

Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)

Attila Vegh (22 – 4 – 2) defeated Marcus Vanttinen (20 – 3 – 0) by unanimous decision. Vegh, who is on a 2 fight win streak (3-1-1 in his last 5) jumps 15 spots up from [#53] to [#38]. Vanttinen, who was on an 11 fight win streak prior to this loss, drops 17 spots from [#47] to [#64].

(To Be Updated)

Lightweight (155 lbs)

[#112] Juha Pekka Vainikainen (17 – 5 – 0) defeated [#209FW] Josh Pulsifer (14 – 6 – 0) by unanimous decision. Vainikainen is on a career best 6 fight win streak (5 by stoppage). Pulsifer is on a 2 fight losing streak, preceded by a 4 fight win streak (3 by submission via Brabo choke).
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