Francisco Trinaldo – Page 3 – Syndication Server

UFC on ESPN 14 pre-event facts: Khamzat Chimaev makes record turnaround on historic 15-fight card

The best facts and figures about UFC on ESPN 14, which features a Robert Whittaker vs. Darren Till middleweight main event.

The final event of the UFC’s inaugural “Fight Island” stint goes down Saturday with UFC on ESPN 14, which aires on ESPN and streams on ESPN+ from Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

A high-stakes matchup between middleweight contenders takes center stage in the main event. Former champ [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] (20-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) returns for the first time since losing the belt to Israel Adesanya in October when he meets [autotag]Darren Till[/autotag] (18-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC), who looks to go 2-0 since moving to 185 pounds.

For more on the numbers behind the first 15-fight lineup in modern UFC history (and second overall along with UFC 2 in 1993), check below for 55 pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN 14.

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Main event

Whittaker is the only New Zealand-born fighter in history to win a UFC championship.

Whittaker is 8-1 since he moved up to the UFC middleweight division in November 2014.

Whittaker and Yoel Romero combined for 239 significant strikes landed at UFC 225, the single-fight record for a five-fight UFC middleweight fight.

Whittaker’s seven fight-night bonuses for UFC middleweight bouts are tied for third most in divisional history behind Anderson Silva (11) and Romero (eight).

Till was successful in his middleweight debut when he beat Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 244 in November.

Till has outlanded his opponent in all but one of his UFC victories.

Till is one of five fighters in UFC history to land zero significant strikes in a championship bout defeat, as he did against Tyron Woodley at UFC 228. His 9:19 of cage time is the most of any fighter in the group. The previous high was 3:54.

Co-main event

[autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] (26-11-1 MMA, 10-9-1 UFC) competes in his 21st UFC light heavyweight bout, the second most appearances in divisional history behind Jon Jones (22).

Rua’s 22 victories in UFC/PRIDE light-heavyweight competition are the most in combined divisional history.

Rua’s 18 stoppage victories in UFC/PRIDE/WEC/Strikeforce competition are fourth most in combined organizational history behind Mirko Filipovic (21), Wanderlei Silva (20) and Donald Cerrone (20).

Rua’s 17 knockout victories in UFC/PRIDE light-heavyweight competition are the most in combined divisional history.

Rua’s eight knockout victories in modern UFC light-heavyweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Chuck Liddell (nine).

Rua is the only light heavyweight in UFC history to earn his first six victories with the organization by knockout.

Rua’s 14 knockdowns landed in UFC light-heavyweight competition are tied with Liddell for most in divisional history.

Rua’s eight fight-night bonuses for UFC light-heavyweight fights are tied with Jones for most in divisional history.

[autotag]Antonio Rogerio Nogueira[/autotag] (23-9 MMA, 6-6 UFC), 44, is the oldest active fighter in the UFC light-heavyweight division.

Nogueira, 44, is the oldest of the 30 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

Remaining main card

[autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] (23-9-1 MMA, 11-6 UFC) is 9-4 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in February 2012.

Werdum and Marcin Tybura combined for 282 significant strikes landed at UFC Fight Night 121, the second most in a UFC heavyweight bout Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier (304) at UFC 241.

[autotag]Alexander Gustafsson[/autotag] (18-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) moves up to the UFC heavyweight division for the first time. He made his previous 16 octagon appearances at light heavyweight.

Gustafsson is one of eight fighters UFC history to go at least 0-3 in championship fights. Joseph Benavidez Dan Henderson, Chad Mendes, Kenny Florian, Urijah Faber, Pedro Rizzo and Chael Sonnen have also come up short in three title fights.

[autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag] (16-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) was the first UFC strawweight champion. She lost the belt to Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 185 in March 2015.

Esparza is 6-3 since losing the UFC strawweight title to Jedrzejczyk in March 2015.

Esparza competes in her 12th UFC strawweight bout, tied for the fourth most appearances in divisional history behind Angela Hill (15), Randa Markos (14) and Jedrzejczyk (13).

Esparza’s seven victories in UFC strawweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Jedrzejczyk (10).

Esparza has earned six of her seven UFC victories by decision.

Esparza has completed at least one takedown against 10 of her 11 UFC opponents.

Esparza’s 34 takedowns landed in UFC strawweight competition are tied with Claudia Gadelha for most in divisional history.

[autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag] (13-0-2 MMA, 2-0-2 UFC) four-fight UFC unbeaten streak at strawweight is tied for the fourth longest active streak in the division behind Tatiana Suarez (five), Yan Xiaonan (five) and Zhang Weili (five).

Rodriguez is the only female fighter in UFC history to fight to multiple draws.

[autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag] (12-4-1 MMA, 4-4-1 UFC) has earned all 12 of his career victories by stoppage.

Craig’s victory at 4:59 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 127 is the latest submission in a three-round UFC fight.

[autotag]Gadzhimurad Antigulov[/autotag] (20-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has earned 19 of his 20 career victories by stoppage. He’s earned 17 of those wins in Round 1.

[autotag]Alex Oliveira[/autotag] (20-8-1 MMA, 10-6 UFC) is 8-5 (with one no contest) over his multiple stints in UFC welterweight competition.

Oliveira vs. Yancy Medeiros at UFC 218 is the only fight in UFC history to feature two knockdowns for each fighter.

[autotag]Peter Sobotta[/autotag] (17-6-1 MMA, 4-5 UFC) is 4-2 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in May 2014.

[autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) makes his second UFC appearance in a 10-day stretch. He won at UFC on ESPN 13 on July 15.

Chimaev can set the record for fastest time between UFC wins with a victory at 11 days.

Chimaev has earned all seven of his career victories by stoppage. He’s finished four of those wins in Round 1.

[autotag]Rhys McKee[/autotag] (10-2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), 24, is the youngest of the 30 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

Preliminary card

[autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag] (25-7 MMA, 15-6 UFC) 12 UFC victories in Brazil are the most in company history.

Trinaldo is the only fighter in UFC history to earn two arm-triangle submission victories from half-guard.

Trinaldo’s nine decision victories in UFC lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Gleison Tibau (11).

[autotag]Nicolas Dalby[/autotag] (18-3-1 MMA, 2-2-1 UFC) was successful in his return to the UFC for a second stint when he won at UFC on ESPN+ 18 in September.

[autotag]Jesse Ronson[/autotag] (21-10 MMA, 0-3 UFC) returns to the UFC for the first time since July 2014. He went 8-5 between stints with the promotion.

[autotag]Jake Collier[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since Nov. 11, 2017. The 987-day layoff is the longest of his nearly 10-year career.

Collier moves up to the UFC heavyweight division after spending his previous octagon appearances at light heavyweight and middleweight.

Collier can become the 11th fighter in UFC history to win in three weight classes.

Collier has alternated wins and losses over his past seven fights. He won his most recent bout at UFC Fight Night 120 in November 2017.

Collier is one of five fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning back kick to the body. He accomplished the feat at UFC Fight Night 88.

[autotag]Tanner Boser[/autotag] (18-6-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) makes his second UFC appearance in a 28-day stretch. He won at UFC on ESPN 12 on June 27.

[autotag]Bethe Correia[/autotag] (11-4-1 MMA, 5-4-1 UFC) competes in her 11th UFC women’s bantamweight bout, tied for the third most appearances in divisional history behind Raquel Pennington (13) an Amanda Nunes (12).

Correia and Marion Reneau fought to the first draw in women’s UFC history at UFC Fight Night 106.

[autotag]Nathaniel Wood[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has earned 14 of his 16 career victories by stoppage. That includes all three of his UFC wins.

Wood’s three submission victories in UFC bantamweight competition are tied for fifth most in divisional history behind Urijah Faber (six), Rani Yahya (five), Aljamain Sterling (four) and Marlon Vera (four).

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

UFC ‘Fight Island’ adds Francisco Trinaldo vs. Jai Herbert to July 25 lineup

It’ll be Brazil vs. England on UFC “Fight Island.”

A lightweight fight has been added to the promotion’s July 25 event as [autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag] and [autotag]Jai Herbert[/autotag] have been booked against one another. They’ll fight on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi as part of the UFC’s fourth event in a 15-day stretch.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie on Monday after an initial report by Combate. The person asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Trinaldo (25-7 MMA, 15-6 UFC) has won three out of his most recent four outings. He’s currently riding a two-fight winning streak, having defeated Bobby Green and John Makdessi in back-to-back fights.

Herbert (10-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), the Cage Warriors lightweight champion, will make his promotional debut. He was originally scheduled to fight March 21 against Marc Diakiese in London, but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

With the addition, the current July 25 lineup includes:

Darren Till vs. Robert Whittaker
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Mauricio Rua
Alex Oliviera vs. Peter Sobotta
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Fabricio Werdum
Nicholas Dalby vs. Danny Roberts
Tom Aspinall vs. Jake Collier
Raphael Pessoa vs. Justin Tafa
Movsar Evloev vs. Mike Grundy
Bethe Correia vs. Pannie Kianzad
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Nathaniel Wood
Ramazan Emeev vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
Jai Herbert vs. Francisco Trinaldo

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Francisco Trinaldo wants to fight Kevin Lee after UFC Brasilia, but might be out of luck

Take a look inside Francisco Trinaldo’s win over John Makdessi at UFC on ESPN+ 28 in Brasilia, Brazil.

[autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag] beat John Makdessi with a unanimous decision Saturday to open the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 28 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Take a look inside the fight with Trinaldo, who called out Kevin Lee – but before Lee lost to Charles Oliveira in the main event and said after he may be taking a hiatus for a long while.

Result: Francisco Trinaldo def. John Makdessi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Updated records: Trinaldo (25-7 MMA, 15-6 UFC), Makdessi (17-7 MMA, 10-7 UFC)
Key stat: Trinaldo, who now has back-to-back victories for his first winning streak since 2016.

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Trinaldo on the fight’s key moment

“I expected John Makdessi to be more aggressive. I thought he was going to move forward, but he didn’t. Because of my last result, which I’m sure I won, I knew I needed to come with more desire to finish as quickly as possible. I didn’t, but I dominated from beginning to end.”

Trinaldo on fighting in an emptry arena

“I have a lot of stories to tell. Besides being one of the athletes with the most number of fights in Brazil, I now had the opportunity to fight in an event without any fans. It was really cool – it felt like I was fighting in a closed-door gym.”

Trinaldo on what he wants next

“I want to fight with the top-ranked athletes in the (division). I would love to face Kevin Lee and be able to defeat him.”

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UFC on ESPN+ 28 post-event facts: Charles Oliveira sets, ties and extends all-time records

All the notable stats and figures to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 28, which took place in Brasilia, Brazil, and saw Charles Oliveira submit Kevin Lee.

The UFC returned to Brazil on Saturday for what turned out to be a historic event for multiple reasons. The card, which took place at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, was held behind closed doors because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus.

Those concerns didn’t prevent the athletes from stepping into the octagon, though, and in the main event [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (29-8 MMA, 17-8 UFC) continued to prove himself as one of the best in the UFC right now when he scored a third-round submission of [autotag]Kevin Lee[/autotag] (18-6 MMA, 11-6 UFC) to extend his winning streak and further etch his name in the record books.

For more on the numbers behind Oliveira’s win, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 50 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 28.

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General

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UFC on ESPN+ 28 tied UFC on ESPN 4 for the most consecutive decisions on a single UFC card with nine.

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $209,500.

Debuting fighters went 1-0 at the event.

Oliveira, [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag], [autotag]Maryna Moroz[/autotag] and [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag] earned $50,000 UFC on ESPN+ 28 fight-night bonuses.

UFC did not provide a live gate or attendance figure due to the closed-door nature of the event.

Betting favorites went 7-4 on the card. One fight ended in a draw.

Betting favorites fell to 5-3 in UFC headliners this year.

Total fight time for the 12-bout card was 2:28:46.

Main card

Oliveira improved to 8-1 since he returned to the UFC lightweight division April 2017. He’s 10-3 (with one no contest) in the organization at 155 pounds.

Oliveira’s seven-fight UFC winning streak at lightweight is tied for the third longest active streak in the division behind Tony Ferguson (12) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (11).

Oliveira’s seven-fight UFC stoppage streak is the longest active streak in the company.

Oliveira’s seven-fight UFC stoppage streak is tied with Chuck Liddell for second longest in company history behind Anderson Silva (eight).

Oliveira’s 16 stoppage victories in UFC competition are tied with Donald Cerrone for most in company history.

Oliveira’s 14 submission victories in UFC competition are most in company history.

Oliveira’s eight submission victories in UFC lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Jim Miller (nine).

Oliveira’s five guillotine-choke victories in UFC competition are most in company history.

Oliveira has been awarded 16 fight-night bonuses for UFC bouts, the second most in company history behind Cerrone (18).

Oliveira has been awarded 10 “Performance of the Night” bonuses, the most in company history.

Lee fell to 2-4 in UFC headline bouts.

Lee fell to 1-1 since he returned to the UFC lightweight division in November.

Lee has completed at least one takedown in 15 of his 17 UFC fights.

Lee’s 37 takedowns landed since 2014 in UFC lightweight competition are most in the division.

Lee has suffered four of his six career losses by stoppage.

Burns (18-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) improved to 3-0 since he returned to the welterweight division in August 2019. He’s 4-0 when fighting at the weight class.

Burns has earned 14 of his 18 career victories by stoppage. That includes seven of his 11 UFC wins.

[autotag]Demian Maia[/autotag] (28-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) fell to 13-6 since he dropped to the UFC welterweight division in July 2012.

Maia’s total fight time of 6:34:40 in UFC competition is third most in company history behind Frankie Edgar (7:15:51) and Rafael Dos Anjos (6:43:11).

Maia suffered his first knockout loss since Aug. 29, 2009 – a span of 3,850 days (more than 10 years) and 26 fights.

Maia’s 67 takedowns landed in UFC competition are sixth most in company history.

Maia’s 253 takedown attempts in UFC competition are the most in company history.

[autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag] (14-3-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC) was successful in his UFC lightweight debut.

Moicano has earned all three of his UFC stoppage victories by submission.

[autotag]Damir Hadzovic[/autotag] (13-6 MMA, 3-4 UFC) suffered the first submission loss of his career.

[autotag]Nikita Krylov[/autotag] (26-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC) improved to 2-2 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in September 2018.

Krylov improved to 11-4 since he dropped to the light heavyweight division in March 2014.

Krylov earned the first decision victory of his career.

[autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) suffered consecutive losses for the first time in his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since March 2019.

Walker suffered the first decision loss of his career.

[autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag] (25-7 MMA, 15-6 UFC) has earned nine of his past 12 victories by decision.

Preliminary card

[autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] (17-5-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC) improved to 2-0-1 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in September 2019.

[autotag]Jussier Formiga[/autotag] (23-7 MMA, 9-6 UFC) suffered consecutive losses for the first time in his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since March 2019.

[autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag] (10-8-1 MMA, 6-7-1 UFC) fell to 3-4-1 in her past seven UFC appearance dating back to August 2017.

Markos’ seven losses in UFC competition are tied with Angela Hill for most by any female in company history.

Markos has suffered seven of her eight career losses by decision.

[autotag]Aleksei Kunchenko[/autotag] (20-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has suffered consecutive losses after starting his career on a 20-fight winning streak.

Kunchenko has suffered both of his career losses by decision.

Moroz (10-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) improved to 2-0 since she moved up to the UFC women’s flyweight division in March 2019.

Moroz’s 130 significant strikes landed set a new single-fight record for a three-round UFC women’s flyweight fight.

Moroz has earned four of her five UFC victories by decision.

Silva (6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) had her six-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of her career.

[autotag]Bea Malecki[/autotag] (4-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) earned the first decision victory of her career.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

Callout Collection: Who UFC on ESPN+ 28 winners want next – and how likely they’ll get them

Gilbert Burns and Renato Moicano were among those with specific names in mind for their next fights after UFC on ESPN+ 28 in Brasilia.

Earning wins in the UFC is certainly no easy task, but what comes next is often even more important: the post-fight callout.

So after Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 28 event in Brasilia, who took advantage of their time on the mic? See below for this week’s Callout Collection – and just how realistic each one is.

* * * * *

First up, let’s take a look at the preliminary card.

Amanda Ribas

Wants to fight: [autotag]Paige VanZant[/autotag]

The callout: “I want two weeks to enjoy the victory. And then I want to fight Paige VanZant. We were scheduled, and I still want to face her. If she wants to fight at flyweight, I’m here, waiting.

“But I am ambitious. I would also like to fight the winner of the fight between Carla Esparza and Michelle Waterson. I’m sure it would be a great fight.”

The reality: Will we ever see Paige VanZant in the octagon again? If she does come back, [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] is as interesting an opponent as anyone, but she’s just one of a number of UFC fighters who have expressed an interest in welcoming “12 Gauge” back to the octagon. VanZant would likely want the highest-ranked opposition available and, while Ribas is certainly on the up, she might not carry enough upside to convince PVZ to sign the bout agreement. If and when she returns, I’d expect VanZant to face a more established name. As for Ribas, there’s another exciting matchup waiting to be made, with Angela Hill tweeting UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard saying she’d like to face the Brazilian next.

I like that Ribas fight. Miiiiick! @Mickmaynard2 #UFCBrasilia #UFCSanDiego pic.twitter.com/v8kt05dFh5

— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) March 14, 2020

I like the look of that matchup a lot, and far prefer it to a possible bout with VanZant.

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Next up: “The Assassin Baby” shoots his shot.

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UFC on ESPN+ 28 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Multiple veterans net maximum money

UFC on ESPN+ 28 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 28 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $209,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN+ 28 took place Saturday at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil. The entire card aired on ESPN.

The full UFC on ESPN+ 28 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]Kevin Lee[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Demian Maia[/autotag]: $20,000

[autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Damir Hadzovic[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Nikita Krylov[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]John Makdessi[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Jussier Formiga[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Aleksei Kunchenko[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Rani Yahya[/autotag]: $20,000
vs. [autotag]Enrique Barzola[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Maryna Moroz[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]David Dvorak[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Bea Malecki[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Veronica Macedo[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

“UFC on ESPN+ 28: Lee vs. Oliveira” – $209,500
“UFC 248: Adesanya vs. Romero” – $257,000
“UFC on ESPN+ 27: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo” – $119,500
“UFC on ESPN+ 26: Felder vs. Hooker” – $130,000
“UFC on ESPN+ 25: Anderson vs. Blachowicz 2” – $186,500
“UFC 247: Jones vs. Reyes” – $243,000
“UFC on ESPN+ 24: Blaydes vs. Dos Santos” – $169,000
“UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy” – $165,000

Year-to-date total: $1,293,000
2019 total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $32,297,500

Fight Tracks: The walkout songs of UFC Brasilia, where no fans heard Jay-Z or Macklemore

Check out all the fighter walkout songs from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 28 event in Brasilia, Brazil – which featured no fans in attendance.

While it takes intense training, world-class skills and maybe even a bit of luck to register a UFC win, picking the right song to accompany you to the cage is a key talent, as well.

Inside, see what the fighters from UFC on ESPN+ 28 went with as their backing tracks in Brasilia, Brazil.

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UFC on ESPN+ 28: Francisco Trinaldo vs. John Makdessi odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Francisco Trinaldo vs. John Makdessi UFC matchup, with UFC betting odds, picks and best bets

Francisco Trinaldo and John Makdessi lock horns in a lightweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 28 — also called UFC Fight Night 170 — at the Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia. The card gets underway in Brazil’s capital Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.

Trinaldo (24-7-0), the Brazilian southpaw, stands one inch taller than his counterpart while holding a two-inch reach advantage. He is also fighting in his native Brazil, although the advantage is somewhat negated by the fact a raucous crowd will all be at home due to the COVID-19 situation. The Constrictor Team fighter, nicknamed “Massaranduba,” is a striker-style fighter and 41 years old. Over his past seven bouts he has alternated wins and losses. Last time out he won a unanimous decision against Bobby Green on the Blachowicz-Jacare card Nov. 16, 2019. Across his past seven wins, three have been won by KO/TKO, including a quick first-round belting of Chad Laprise, also a Canadian like Makdessi. There is no doubt he’ll be looking to keep Makdessi upright, although he can do the ground and pound when necessary.

Makdessi (17-6-0) is the younger fighter at 34, and he enters on a three-bout win streak since being knocked out by Lando Vannata at UFC 206 back on Dec. 10, 2016. He has had nearly a year off since his last fight against Jesus Pinedo, and he generally has had nine to 12 months between each of his past four bouts. It has been a winning recipe, obviously, but he enters as a moderate underdog. Makdessi has a big advantage in Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute (LPM) at 5.43 to 3.09. He is also more accurate with the striking, holding a 50.9-44.0 percent advantage in that category. Makdessi is not a guy who goes to the mat, as is evidenced by his zeroes across the board in Takedown Average, Takedown Accuracy and Submission Average. All three of those categories point to Trinaldo.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 3 a.m. ET.

Place a sports bet on this mixed martial arts action or other events at BetMGM.

Francisco Trinaldo vs. John Makdessi betting odds

Per BetMGM, Trinaldo (-182) is a rather moderate favorite over Makdessi (+150) despite being seven years older and north of 40. While taking the favorite can be a rather risky proposition, Trinaldo is the play on the 2-way line, and it will be especially satisfying for bettors if he can control the fight early. The worry is going deeper into fights if Makdessi might have the advantage because he is younger.

TRINALDO TO WIN BY KO/TKO OR DQ (+370) is an attractive play which could pay rather handsomely, and Trinaldo by Submission (+600) is even more tempting, albeit a lot more unlikely, too. If you like Trinaldo to win this one by Decision/Technical Decision (+190), or on Points (+190), have at it, but that’s not for me. The oddsmakers are feeling that this one goes the distance (-189), but if you’re betting the knockout, you might as well go NO (+135) on the fighting going the full three rounds.

A two-fighter parlay of Trinaldo and GILBERT BURNS (-189) might be a nice parlay if you want to pair the two moderate fighters together.

New to sports betting? A $10 parlay of Burns (-189) and Trinaldo (-182) returns a potential profit of $13.72.

To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.

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UFC on ESPN+ 28 predictions: Is it Kevin Lee or Charles Oliveira in Brasilia?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN+ 28 main card in Brasilia, Brazil.

	Lee vs. Oliveira	Burns vs. Maia	Hadzovic vs. Moicano	Krylov vs. Walker	Makdessi vs. Trinaldo
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2020: 36-18	Lee (56%)	Maia (59%)	Moicano (89%)	Walker (75%)	Trinaldo (71%)
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2020: 41-13	Lee	Burns	Moicano	Walker	Trinaldo
Simon Head @simonhead 2020: 40-14 2019 Champion*	Lee	Burns	Moicano	Walker	Trinaldo
Dave Doyle @davedoylemma 2020: 40-14	Lee	Burns	Moicano	Walker	Makdessi
Nolan King @mma_kings 2020: 40-14	Lee	Burns	Moicano	Krylov	Trinaldo
John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2020: 40-14	Lee	Burns	Moicano	Walker	Trinaldo
Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2020: 40-14	Oliveira	Burns	Moicano	Krylov	Trinaldo
Simon Samano @SJSamano 2020: 40-14	Lee	Burns	Moicano	Walker	Trinaldo
Brian Garcia @thegoze 2020: 40-14 2017 Champion	Lee	Burns	Moicano	Walker	Trinaldo
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 2020: 39-15	Lee	Maia	Moicano	Walker	Trinaldo
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2020: 38-16	Lee	Burns	Moicano	Walker	Makdessi
Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2020: 38-16 2014 Champion	Oliveira	Burns	Moicano	Krylov	Trinaldo
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2020: 38-16 2018 Champion	Oliveira	Burns	Moicano	Walker	Trinaldo
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2020: 33-21	Lee	Maia	Moicano	Walker	Trinaldo
Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2020: 25-29	Oliveira	Maia	Hadzovich	Krylov	Makdessi

The UFC is back in Brazil this week with a pair of lightweight contenders at the top of the card.

UFC on ESPN+ 28 takes place Saturday at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil. The card streams on ESPN+. The event is closed to fans due to concerns over the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, but the fights still will take place and will be broadcast with essential personnel on site.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, [autotag]Kevin Lee[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) takes on [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (28-8 MMA, 16-8 UFC) in a fight between lightweight contenders. Lee is a slight favorite in the fight, and he’s got a sizable 10-4 lead in the picks from our 14 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts.

In the co-main event, [autotag]Demian Maia[/autotag] (28-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) meets fellow Brazilian [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] (17-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) at welterweight. Burns is the favorite from the oddsmakers, and only three of our 14 pickers are taking Maia to pull off the upset.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag] (13-3-1 MMA, 5-3 UFC) is the event’s biggest betting favorite at -350 in his lightweight bout against [autotag]Damir Hadzovic[/autotag] (13-5 MMA, 3-3 UFC), and accordingly only one picker is taking Hadzovic in an upset.

Brazil’s [autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has a big 10-4 picks lead over [autotag]Nikita Krylov[/autotag] (26-7 MMA, 7-5 UFC) in their light heavyweight bout.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC) is a mild favorite against [autotag]John Makdessi[/autotag] (17-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) in their lightweight bout, but he’s got a big 11-3 lead in the picks.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Lee (56 percent), Maia (59 percent), Moicano (89 percent), Walker (75 percent) and Trinaldo (71 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

UFC on ESPN+ 28 pre-event facts: Demian Maia can tie all-time wins record

The best stats and figures about UFC on ESPN+ 28, which features a Kevin Lee vs. Charles Oliveira lightweight main event.

The UFC travels to Brazil for the 37th time in company history on Saturday with UFC on ESPN+ 28. It’s the third stop in Brasilia, as the event takes place at Ginasio Nilson Nelson with a 12-fight lineup set to stream on ESPN+.

A pair of surging lightweight contenders match up in the main event. [autotag]Kevin Lee[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) will attempt to stay unbeaten since returning to 155 pounds when he meets red-hot [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (28-8 MMA, 16-8 UFC), who has won six consecutive fights – all by stoppage.

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as a deep supporting cast, check below for 60 pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN+ 28.

* * * *

Main event

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Lee was successful in his return to the lightweight division when he knocked out Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244 in November.

Lee’s 11 victories since 2014 in UFC lightweight competition are tied with Tony Ferguson for second most in the division behind Beneil Dariush (12).

Lee has completed at least one takedown in 14 of his 16 UFC fights.

Lee’s 35 takedowns landed since 2014 in UFC lightweight competition are most in the division.

Lee’s 258 significant ground strikes landed in UFC lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Khabib Nurmagomedov (308).

Lee’s 96 significant ground strikes landed at UFC Fight Night 128 are the second most in a single UFC fight behind Neil Magny’s 100 landed at UFC Fight Night 85.

Oliveira is 7-1 since he returned to the UFC lightweight division April 2017. He’s 9-3 (with one no contest) in the organization at 155 pounds.

Oliveira’s average fight time of 4:51 in UFC lightweight competition is the second shortest in divisional history behind Manny Gamburyan (4:45).

Oliveira’s six-fight UFC winning streak at lightweight is tied for the third longest active streak in the division behind Tony Ferguson (12) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (11).

Oliveira’s six-fight UFC stoppage streak is the longest active streak in the company.

Oliveira’s 15 stoppage victories in UFC competition are second most in company history behind Donald Cerrone (16).

Oliveira’s 13 submission victories in UFC competition are most in company history.

Oliveira’s six submission victories in UFC featherweight competition are the most in divisional history.

Oliveira’s four guillotine-choke victories in UFC competition are tied with Nate Diaz for most in company history.

Oliveira is one of two fighters in UFC history with multiple submission victories via anaconda choke. Phil Davis also accomplished the feat.

Oliveira is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn submission victories with six different techniques. Frank Mir also accomplished the feat.

Oliveira is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn a calf-slicer submission victory. Brett Johns also accomplished the feat.

Oliveira has been awarded 15 fight-night bonuses for UFC bouts, the tied with Nate Diaz and Joe Lauzon for second most in company history behind Cerrone (18).

Oliveira has been awarded nine “Performance of the Night” bonuses, the most in company history.

Oliveira is the only fighter in UFC history to be awarded five or more fight-night bonuses in two separate divisions.

Co-main event

[autotag]Demian Maia[/autotag] (28-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC), 42, is the oldest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

Maia competes in his 32nd UFC bout, tied with Jeremy Stephens for the third-most appearances in company history behind Cerrone (34) and Jim Miller (34).

Maia’s 22 victories in UFC competition are second most in company history behind Donald Cerrone (23).

Maia’s 22 victories in UFC competition are the most of any Brazilian fighter in company history.

Maia’s total fight time of 6:32:06 in UFC competition is third most in company history behind Frankie Edgar (7:15:51) and Rafael Dos Anjos (6:43:11).

Maia is 13-5 since he dropped to the UFC welterweight division in July 2012.

Maia’s 11 submission victories in UFC competition are second most in company history behind Oliveira (13).

Maia’s nine submission victories via rear-naked choke in UFC competition are most in company history.

Maia’s 65 takedowns landed in UFC competition are sixth most in company history.

Maia’s 251 takedown attempts in UFC competition are the most in company history.

Maia once went a combined 0-for-49 on takedown attempts over a three-fight UFC stretch. It’s the longest streak of failed attempts in UFC history without a takedown landed.

Maia was unsuccessful on all 21 of his takedown attempts against champ Tyron Woodley at UFC 214, the second worst title-fight output in UFC history behind Diego Sanchez’s 0-for-27 effort against B.J. Penn at UFC 107.

Maia completed just two of 22 takedown attempts in his unanimous-decision loss to Rory MacDonald at UFC 170. Those 22 takedown attempts were the most in a single UFC welterweight bout.

[autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] (17-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) is 2-0 since he returned to the welterweight division in August 2019. He’s 3-0 when fighting at the weight class.

Burns’ three armbar victories in UFC competition are tied for third most in company history behind Royce Gracie (four) and Demetrious Johnson (four).

Remaining main card

[autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag] (13-3-1 MMA, 5-3 UFC) moves up to the UFC lightweight division after spending his previous eight promotional appearances at featherweight.

Moicano enters the event on the first losing skid of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since August 2018.

[autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has earned 16 of his 17 career victories by stoppage. That includes all three of his UFC wins.

Walker is one of seven fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning back fist. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN+ 2.

Walker is one of two fighters in UFC history to win a light heavyweight bout by knockout stemming from a flying knee. James Irvin also accomplished the feat.

Walker is one of five fighters in modern UFC history to win a light heavyweight bout by knockout in 15 seconds or less. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN+ 2.

[autotag]Nikita Krylov[/autotag] (25-7 MMA, 7-5 UFC) is 1-2 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in September 2018.

Krylov is 9-5 since he dropped to the light heavyweight division in March 2014.

Krylov has earned all of his 25 career victories by stoppage. He’s finished 20 of those wins in Round 1.

Krylov lands 56.1 percent of his significant strike attempts in UFC light heavyweight competition, the second best rate among active fighters in the weight class behind Jon Jones (57.9 percent).

Krylov’s 25-second knockout at UFC on FOX 10 marked the fastest finish stemming from a head kick in UFC history.

[autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC), 41, is the oldest active fighter in the UFC lightweight division.

Trinaldo has alternated wins and losses over his past seven fights. He won his most recent bout at UFC on ESPN+ 22 in November.

Trinaldo’s 12 UFC victories in Brazil are the most in company history.

Trinaldo is the only fighter in UFC history to earn two arm-triangle submission victories from half-guard.

[autotag]John Makdessi[/autotag] (17-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) is one of seven fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning back fist. He accomplished the feat at UFC 129.

Makdessi defends 71.4 percent of opponent significant strike attempts in UFC lightweight competition, the second highest rate among active fighters in the weight class behind Nasrat Haqparast (74.1 percent).

Makdessi defends 86.8 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC lightweight competition, the third best among active fighters in the weight class behind Cerrone (90 percent) and Mairbek Taisumov (88.5 percent).

Preliminary card

[autotag]Jussier Formiga[/autotag] (23-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC) competes in his 15th UFC flyweight bout, tied with Demetrious Johnson for the second most appearances in divisional history behind Joseph Benavidez (17).

Formiga’s nine victories in UFC flyweight competition are third most in divisional history behind Johnson (13) and Benavidez (13).

Formiga’s three submission victories in UFC flyweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Johnson (five).

Formiga defends 86.2 percent of all opponent takedown attempts in UFC flyweight competition, the third best rate in divisional history behind Kai Kara-France (90.9 percent) and Ian McCall (90 percent).

[autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] (16-5-1 MMA, 4-2-1 UFC) is 1-0-1 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in September.

[autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag] (10-7-1 MMA, 6-6-1 UFC) competes in her 14th UFC strawweight bout, tied with Angela Hill for the most appearances in divisional history.

Markos is 3-3-1 in her past seven UFC appearance dating back to August 2017.

Markos’ six victories in UFC strawweight competition are tied for fourth most in divisional history behind Joanna Jedrzejczyk (10), Jessica Andrade (seven) and Hill (seven).

Markos has completed at least one takedown against 10 of her 13 UFC opponents.

Markos’ four split-decision results in UFC strawweight competition are most in divisional history.

Markos and Marina Rodriguez fought to the first draw in UFC strawweight history at UFC Fight Night 137 in September 2018.

[autotag]Rani Yahya[/autotag] (26-10 MMA, 11-4 UFC) has earned 20 of his 26 career victories by submission. He’s finished 13 of those wins in Round 1.

Yahya’s eight stoppage victories in UFC/WEC bantamweight competition are tied with T.J. Dillashaw, Urijah Faber and Eddie Wineland for most in combined divisional history.

Yahya’s eight submission victories in UFC/WEC bantamweight competition are most in combined divisional history.

Yahya is one of four fighters in UFC history to earn a north-south choke submission in UFC competition. Jake Ellenberger, Jeff Monson and Michel Prazeres have also accomplished the feat.

Yahya’s 21 takedowns landed in UFC bantamweight competition are tied for fourth most in divisional history behind Merab Dvalishvili (39), Urijah Faber (26) and Dominick Cruz (23).

[autotag]Enrique Barzola[/autotag] (16-5-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC) drops to the UFC bantamweight division after spending his previous nine promotional appearances at featherweight.

Barzola has earned all six of his UFC victories by decision.

Barzola’s 36 takedowns landed in UFC featherweight competition are third most in divisional history behind Dennis Bermudez (46) and Darren Elkins (40).

Barzola is one five fighters in history to earned 10 or more takedowns in a UFC/WEC featherweight bout. He accomplished the feat at UFC Fight Night 129.

[autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag] (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since Sept. 22, 2018. The 539-day layoff is the longest of her nearly four-year career.

[autotag]Veronica Macedo[/autotag] (6-3-1 MMA, 1-3 UFC), 24, is the youngest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

Macedo returns to the UFC women’s bantamweight division after going 1-2 in the flyweight division.

Macedo’s submission victory at 1:09 of Round 1 at UFC on ESPN+ 15 is the fastest finish in UFC women’s flyweight history.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.