A battle between light heavyweight prospects Johnny Walker and Ryan Spann is the latest addition to UFC 253.
A battle between light heavyweight prospects is the latest addition to UFC 253.
[autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 4-0 UFC) will face [autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) on the Sept. 19 card, which is likely to take place on “Fight Island” at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the targeted booking to MMA Junkie after an initial report by ESPN. The person asked to remain anonymous because the promotion has yet to make an announcement.
Fortis MMA’s Spann has won his first four UFC fights and his past eight in a row overall. He is coming off a split decision win over Sam Alvey at UFC 249 in May.
After bursting into the UFC scene in 2018 with three straight “Performance of the Night” bonuses, Walker finds himself in unfamiliar territory. He is coming off back-to-back losses to Corey Anderson and most recently Nikita Krylov in March. He will look to avoid a three-fight losing skid, when he faces a stern test in Spann.
Johnny Walker opens up about his loss to Nikita Krylov at UFC on ESPN+ 28.
It’s back to the drawing board for [autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag].
After an incredible run to start out his UFC tenure, Walker (17-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) has dropped his last two in a row, most recently, a unanimous decision loss to Nikita Krylov this past weekend at UFC on ESPN+ 28 in Brasilia, Brazil.
He went the distance for the first time in his UFC career, a valuable lesson for the young Brazilian. Walker took to Instagram to open up about the loss.
“I have been thinking and reflecting since Saturday night. I learnt a lot. I feel proud that I went three rounds against a great fighter. But it revealed the holes in my game. For this, I’m thankful because its shown me what I need to work on. So back to the drawing board. My dream is still the same. I’m still focused. I didn’t win, but I learned. #ufc #illbeback #stronger #and #improved #vou #voltar #melhor #e #mais #forte #obrigado #Deus #evoluçao”
Walker stormed through the UFC light heavyweight ranks to start his octagon career, with three straight knockouts and “Performance of the Night” bonuses, but now finds himself trying to avoid a three-fight losing skid. Following his upset loss to Corey Anderson, Walker made the move to Tristar Gym in Montreal to train with Firas Zahabi, a move he hopes will pay dividends down the line.
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
Charles Oliviera
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.
Gilbert Burns
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.
Renato Moicano
[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
Brandon Moreno
[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.
Maryna Moroz
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.
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:
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:
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.
Johnny Walker suffered his second-straight loss at the hands of Nikita Krylov.
[autotag]Nikita Krylov[/autotag] gave Johnny Walker his second UFC loss.
The Ukrainian light heavyweight used his wrestling and superior grappling to grind out a 30-27, 29-28, 29-28 unanimous decision Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 28.
The light heavyweight bout was part of the main card at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil. It aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.
The bout between Krylov (27-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC) and Walker (17-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) promised to deliver a finish, but instead it went to the judges’ scorecards.
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In every round, Krylov was able to take down and control the Brazilian with relative ease. Walker connected with some solid shots early in the first round and managed to achieve top position in a couple of instances during the fight.
However, Krylov’s time on top and in control was far greater than Walker’s, which made all the difference in their 205-pound contest. As the fight got deeper, it was clear the pace was wearing far more on Walker than Krylov.
With the result, Krylov managed to bounce back from his loss to Glover Teixeira back in September. The 28-year-old is 2-2 since rejoining the UFC in late 2018.
On the other hand, Walker dropped his second consecutive defeat in the octagon. His last win came against Misha Cirkunov in March 2019.
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 28 results include:
Nikita Krylov def. Johnny Walker via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Francisco Trinaldo def. John Makdessi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Previewing Saturday’s Johnny Walker and Nikita Krylov UFC matchup, with UFC betting odds, picks and best bets.
Johnny Walker and Nikita Krylov will battle in a light heavyweight 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 kicks off in Brazil’s capital at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Walker (17-4-0) will be fighting on his home turf in Brazil, although the advantage won’t be as great as normal since the fight will be in an empty arena due to the coronavirus situation.
The lanky Walker stands 6-foot-6, three inches taller than Krylov. In addition, he had a distinct 4 1/2-inch reach advantage. Walker also has the arrow pointed in his favor as far as Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute (LPM), leading slightly 5.17-4.86. He is much more accurate with his strikes, however, hitting to the tune of a 69.13 percent Significant Strike Accuracy to 57.6 percent for Krylov. While Walker trails in Takedown Average at 1.06 to 0.75, Walker is 100 percent in Takedown Accuracy to 38.46 percent, and his Submission Average is 2.26 to 1.90 for Krylov.
Walker will be looking to bounce back after being knocked out by Corey Anderson last time out at UFC 244. Before that he was on a nine-bout winning streak, including 3-0 in the UFC since his debut knockout win of Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC Fight Night (Nov. 17, 2018). He also made quick work of a very good fighter in Misha Cirkunov at UFC 235, recording a knockout in just 36 seconds.
Krylov, who fights in the style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is coming off a split-decision setback to Glover Teixeira. He has dropped two of his past three bouts, although he has fought some of the division’s top fighters in Teixeira, Ovince Saint Preux and Jan Blachowicz. If you’re looking for common opponents, Krylov lost to Cirkunov via first-round submission at UFC 206.
Place a sports bet on this mixed martial arts action or other events at BetMGM.
Johnny Walker vs. Nikita Krylov betting odds
Per BetMGM, WALKER (-143) is a moderate favorite over Krylov (+120) on the 2-way line. As such, Walker isn’t a bad standalone play since the risk isn’t too severe. If he wins, it will likely be done by knockout. As such, Walker by KO/TKO or DQ (+105) is a sharp play.
New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Walker at -143 returns a profit of $6.99. If you bet the underdog Krylov, a $10 wager nets a profit of $12.00.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
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.
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.
MMA Junkie senior editor Dave Doyle takes you through five key storylines going into what promises to be a memorable night in Brazil.
If you read the headlines, the world might seem to be burning down around us, but the UFC’s relentless machine marches on.
Just one week after a memorable UFC 248, the company returns to one of its favorite destinations, Brazil, for UFC on ESPN+ 28.
In the interim, life as we know it got turned upside down, as the world woke up to the fact that coronavirus is everywhere. That includes Brasilia, which issued a ban on large public gatherings, putting UFC on ESPN+ 28 behind closed doors.
You have to feel for those who bought tickets for the card but can’t go. For a Fight Night-level card just one week after a blockbuster pay-per-view, this event is a pretty solid offering.
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That starts right at the top, with the main event. [autotag]Kevin Lee[/autotag], a former interim lightweight title challenger who seemed right on the brink of big things, is looking to get back to that status. Opponent [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag], himself, is knocking on that door. Put these two all-action competitors in the same cage and lock the door, and you’ve got the recipe for one hell of a fight.
UFC on ESPN+ 28 takes place Saturday at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Brazil. The card streams on ESPN+.
Without further ado, then, here are six burning questions leading into UFC on ESPN+ 28.
Is Kevin Lee back on track?
Kevin Lee and Gregor Gillespie
Lee’s career is the case study in why the UFC should consider a 165-pound weight class.
A superbly talented competitor, Lee (18-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) is just a little too big for the lightweight class – as has been evidenced by his troubles making 155 pounds – and just a little bit too small for the elite welterweights – as evidenced by his loss to Rafael dos Anjos, the Brazilian’s only win in his past five fights, in Lee’s attempt to go 170.
If there’s ever change in the divisional structure, though, it’s not likely to happen during Lee’s prime. So he went back to 155 pounds, where he made an emphatic statement with a first-round knockout of Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244.
Now he’s back in the main event spotlight, with an interesting challenge in Oliveira (28-8 MMA, 16-8 UFC). Lee needs to prove two things this time out: First, fair or not, we still need to see him get through a string of weigh-ins without looking like death warmed over before we’re going to declare his issues with 155 over. Next, Lee has been submitted twice in his three losses over his past three fights, and this time out, he faces the guy who blew right past Royce Gracie’s UFC submission record and never looked back in Oliveira.
If Lee can ace this both of this week’s tests, then he might just be back in the elite mix after all.
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.
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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.
Charles Oliveira
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.
Charles Oliveira
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
Demian Maia
[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
Renato Moicano
[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.
Francisco Trinaldo
[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
Jussier Formiga
[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.
Rani Yahya
[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.
