With Alex Perez out, Rogerio Bontorin targeted to fight Matt Schnell at UFC 262

Matt Schnell has a new opponent for UFC 262.

[autotag]Matt Schnell[/autotag] has a new opponent in the works for UFC 262.

MMA Junkie learned that Alex Perez has been forced to withdraw from the card, and [autotag]Rogerio Bontorin[/autotag] (16-3-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC) is expected to face Schnell (15-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC) in a 135-pound bout at the May 15 event at Toyota Center in Houston.

A person with knowledge of the booking told MMA Junkie of the plans but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Schnell is coming off a split-decision win over Tyson Nam at UFC on ESPN 20 in January. “The Ultimate Fighter 24” alum has won five of his past six, with his lone loss in the stretch coming to Alexandre Pantoja.

After securing a contract on Season 1 of “Dana White’s Contender Series Brazil” Bontorin scored back-to-back wins over Magomed Bibulatov and Raulian Paiva before dropping two straight to Ray Borg and, most recently, Kai Kara-France at UFC 259.

With the change, the UFC 262 lineup now includes:

  • Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler – for vacant lightweight title
  • Nate Diaz vs. Leon Edwards
  • Beneil Dariush vs. Tony Ferguson
  • Edson Barboza vs. Shane Burgos
  • Jack Hermansson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
  • Mike Grundy vs. Lando Vannata
  • Rafael Alves vs. Damir Ismagulov
  • Andre Muniz vs. Ronaldo Souza
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Katlyn Chookagian
  • Rogerio Bontorin vs. Matt Schnell
  • Andrea Lee vs. Antonina Shevchenko
  • Joel Alvarez vs. Christos Giagos
  • Jamie Pickett vs. Jordan Wright
  • Kevin Aguilar vs. Tucker Lutz
  • Priscila Cachoeira vs. Gina Mazany

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UFC 259 video: Kai Kara-France’s walk-off KO of Rogerio Bontorin leads to confusion

Kai Kara-France’s win on Saturday night was impressive but also weird.

[autotag]Kai Kara-France[/autotag]’s win on Saturday night was a weird one.

The City Kickboxing fighter stopped Brazil’s [autotag]Rogerio Bontorin[/autotag] with a first-round knockout on the preliminary card of UFC 259 in Las Vegas. The stoppage came with five seconds remaining.

Kara-France (22-9 MMA, 5-2 UFC) had to work for the win, as he was dominated for the majority of the round on the ground. Bontorin (16-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) was able to get the back mount and threaten with many tight rear-naked chokes. With seconds left on the clock, Kara-France got back to his feet and connected with a combination that stunned Bontorin and then dropped him face first to the canvas.

The New Zealander walked away in celebration before referee Herb Dean stepped in. It seemed that Dean didn’t wave off the fight despite intervening, causing Kara-France to rush in to strike a downed Bontorin after taking a victory lap. Dean stopped Kara-France in his tracks before he was able to, though. Bontorin appeared upset at Kara-France’s attempt and threw his mouth piece. Nothing escalated between the two flyweights beyond that point.

Here’s video of the fight-ending sequence and ensuing confusion (via Twitter):

With the stoppage win, Kara-France was able to bounce back from a submission loss to Brandon Royval at UFC 253 back in September. The 27-year-old is 2-2 in his past four trips to the octagon. The win over Bontorin marks Kara-France’s first knockout win of his UFC career.

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UFC 259: Make your predictions for three title fights in Las Vegas

We want your predictions for UFC 259, which features title fights at light heavyweight, women’s featherweight and bantamweight.

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC 259 event in Las Vegas.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Thursday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the UFC 259 main card staff predictions we release Friday ahead of the event. UFC 259 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

Make your picks for the fights below.

Israel Adesanya’s City Kickboxing teammates Kai Kara-France, Carlos Ulberg added to UFC 259

It’s become something of a tradition that when Israel Adesanya fights, his teammates join him on the card. That won’t change at UFC 259.

It’s become something of a tradition that when [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] fights, his teammates join him on the card.

That will be no different at UFC 259, when middleweight champion Adesanya moves up to light heavyweight to fight Jan Blachowicz and try to claim a second belt in the champion vs. champion headliner of the March 6 event.

UFC officials announced Thursday that Adesanya’s City Kickboxing teammates [autotag]Kai Kara-France[/autotag] and [autotag]Carlos Ulberg[/autotag] have been added to the UFC 259 undercard.

[lawrence-related id=579997,579497]

Kara-France (21-9 MMA, 4-2 UFC), who is No. 10 in the latest USA TODAY Sport/MMA Junkie flyweight rankings, will meet No. 11-ranked [autotag]Rogerio Bontorin[/autotag] (16-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) in a matchup of 125-pound competitors looking to take the next step into title contention.

Ulberg (3-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), meanwhile, will attempt to make a splash in his first official octagon appearance. The striking specialist earned a contact on a November Dana White’s Contender Series card, impressing UFC president White with a knockout in just over two minutes. He’ll take on [autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), who is also a veteran of DWCS and has split his first two UFC appearances.

UFC 259 airs on pay-per-view following prelims expected on ESPN and ESPN+. The event does not have an official location or venue at this time.

With the additions, the latest UFC 259 lineup now includes:

  • Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya – for light heavyweight title
  • Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson – for women’s featherweight title
  • Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling – for bantamweight title
  • Aleksandar Rakic vs. Thiago Santos
  • Dominick Cruz vs. Casey Kenney
  • Drew Dober vs. Islam Makhachev
  • Askar Askarov vs. Joseph Benavidez
  • Sean Brady vs. Jake Matthews
  • Randy Costa vs. Trevin Jones
  • Aalon Cruz vs. Uros Medic
  • Tim Elliott vs. Jordan Espinosa
  • Amanda Lemos vs. Livinha Souza
  • Kyler Phillips vs. Song Yadong
  • Rogerio Bontorin vs. Kai Kara-France
  • Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Carlos Ulberg

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Manel Kape to make UFC debut against Rogerio Bontorin at UFC 252

Former Rizin FF bantamweight champion Manel Kape will look to gatecrash the flyweight Top 10 as he takes on Rogerio Bontonin on his debut at UFC 252.

Former Rizin bantamweight champion [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag] will look to instantly blast his way into title contention as he faces Top 10 opposition on his octagon debut.

Kape (15-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will take on No. 9-ranked flyweight contender [autotag]Rogerio Bontorin[/autotag] at UFC 252, which is scheduled to take place on August 15 at a venue to be confirmed.

Kape recently confirmed the fight on his Facebook page after an initial report from Combate earlier this month.

After going 9-1 on the regional scene in Portugal, Kape built his name during a nine-fight stint with Japanese promotion Rizin FF. His tenure in Japan saw him go 6-3 with the promotion, with all six victories coming by way of stoppage. He arrives in the UFC’s flyweight division riding a three-fight win streak, with his most recent performance featuring an eye-catching second-round knockout of Kai Asakura as he captured the Rizin FF bantamweight title.

Now a UFC fighter, Kape will take on Bontorin (16-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who is looking to bounce back to form after suffering the second loss of his professional career. A graduate of the inaugural season of Dana White’s Contender Series, Bontorin picked up UFC victories over Magomed Bibulatov and Raulian Paiva before dropping a unanimous decision to former title challenger Ray Borg at UFC on ESPN+ 25 in February.

UFC 252 takes place Saturday, August 15 at a venue to be confirmed. The card airs on ESPN+ pay per view following prelims on ESPN+ and ESPN.

The latest UFC 252 lineup now includes:

  • Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier
  • Livinha Souza vs. Ashley Yoder
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba
  • Felice Herrig vs. Virna Jandiroba
  • Junior Dos Santos vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
  • Rogerio Bontorin vs. Manel Kape
  • Zelim Imadaev vs. Laureano Staropoli

[vertical-gallery id=489741]

[vertical-gallery id=465833]

UFC on ESPN+ 25 post-event facts: History made with multiple disqualifications

All the notable stats and figures to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 25, which saw Jan Blachowicz knock out Corey Anderson in the main event.

The UFC returned to New Mexico on Saturday with UFC on ESPN+ 25. The 13-fight card took place at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho and streamed on ESPN+ 25.

The main event saw a potentially new top light heavyweight contender emerge to fight Jon Jones. Poland’s [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) extended his winning streak to three fights with a thunderous first-round knockout of [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC), avenging a decision loss from September 2015.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 45 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 25.

* * * *

General

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UFC on ESPN+ 25 was the first event in UFC history to feature two disqualification results.

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $186,500.

Debuting fighters went 2-1 at the event.

Blachowicz, [autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag], [autotag]Scott Holtzman[/autotag] and [autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag] earned $50,000 UFC on ESPN+ 25 fight-night bonuses.

UFC on ESPN+ 25 drew an announced attendance of 6,449 for a live gate of $596,820.

Betting favorites went 9-4 on the card.

Betting favorites improved to 3-1 in UFC headliners this year.

Total fight time for the 13-bout card was 2:18:54.

Main card

Jan Blachowicz

Blachowicz improved to 7-1 in his past eight UFC appearances dating back to October 2017. The only defeat in that stretch came to Thiago Santos.

Blachowicz’s three-fight UFC winning streak at light heavyweight is tied for the second longest active streak in the division behind Jon Jones (four).

Anderson has suffered all four of his career stoppage losses by knockout.

[autotag]Diego Sanchez[/autotag] (30-12 MMA, 19-12 UFC) improved to 3-2 since he returned to the UFC welterweight division in November 2017. He’s 12-6 at the weight under the UFC banner.

Sanchez’s 19 victories in UFC competition are seventh most in company history. Donald Cerrone holds the record with 23.

Sanchez has absorbed 1,362 total head strikes in his UFC career, the second-most in company history behind B.J. Penn (1,434).

[autotag]Montana De La Rosa[/autotag]’s (11-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC) four victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Valentina Shevchenko (five).

[autotag]Mara Romero Borella[/autotag] (12-7 MMA, 2-3 UFC) has suffered both of her UFC losses by decision.

Ray Borg

[autotag]Ryan Borg[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) has earned five of his seven UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Rogerio Bontorin[/autotag] (16-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) suffered the first decision loss of his career.

[autotag]Yancy Medeiros[/autotag] (15-7 MMA, 6-7 UFC) fell to 0-2 since he returned to the UFC lightweight division in January 2019. He’s 3-6 (with one no contest) in the weight class overall.

Preliminary card

Daniel Rodriguez

Rodriguez (11-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) has earned 10 of his 11 career victories by stoppage.

[autotag]Tim Means[/autotag] (29-12-1 MMA, 11-9 UFC) fell to 9-7 (with one no contest) since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in May 2014.

[autotag]John Dodson[/autotag] (21-11 MMA, 10-6 UFC) improved to 4-4 since he returned to the UFC bantamweight division in April 2016. He’s 5-4 in the weight class overall.

Dodson has earned all six of his UFC stoppage victories by knockout.

[autotag]Nathaniel Wood[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has suffered all four of his career losses by stoppage.

Miller’s (31-14 MMA, 20-13 UFC) total fight time of 5:21:47 in UFC lightweight competition is most in divisional history.

Miller’s 11 fight-night bonuses for UFC lightweight bouts are tied with Nate Diaz for third most in divisional history behind Cerrone (15) and Joe Lauzon (15).

[autotag]Devin Clark[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past seven UFC appearances.

Clark has earned all five of his UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Dequan Townsend[/autotag]’s (21-11 MMA, 0-3 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since March.

Townsend has suffered nine of his 11 career losses by decision.

Merab Dvalishvili

[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) has earned seven of his 10 career victories by decision. That includes all four of his UFC wins.

Dvalishvili’s 12 takedowns landed set a new single-fight record for a UFC/WEC bantamweight fight. He was previously tied with two other fighters with 11 in a fight.

Dvalishvili became the fourth in UFC history to have multiple fights with 10 or more takedowns landed. Georges St-Pierre, Demetrious Johnson and Colby Covington also accomplished the feat.

Dvalishvili has completed 39 total takedowns in his five UFC appearances.

[autotag]Casey Kenney[/autotag] (13-2-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has suffered both of his career losses by decision.

[autotag]Mark De La Rosa[/autotag]’s (11-4 MMA, 2-4 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since November 2018.

De La Rosa suffered the first knockout loss of his career.

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

UFC on ESPN+ 25 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Main event combine for $20k total

UFC on ESPN+ 25 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.

RIO RANCHO, N.M. – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 25 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $186,500.

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+ 25 took place Saturday at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, N.M. The entire card streamed ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN+ 25 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Diego Sanchez[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]Michel Pereira[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Montana De La Rosa[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Mara Romero Borella[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Brok Weaver[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Kazula Vargas[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Ray Borg[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Rogerio Bontorin[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Lando Vannata[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Yancy Medeiros[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Tim Means[/autotag]: $20,000

[autotag]John Dodson[/autotag]: $15,000
def. [autotag]Nathaniel Wood[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Scott Holtzman[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag]: $20,000

[autotag]Devin Clark[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Dequan Townsend[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Casey Kenney[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Macy Chiasson[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Shanna Young[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Raulian Paiva[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Mark De La Rosa[/autotag]: $5,000

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:

Year-to-date total: $577,000
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: $31,581,500

Fight Tracks: The walkout songs of UFC Rio Rancho with Bon Jovi vs. Loverboy showdown

Check out all the fighter walkout songs from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 25 event in Rio Rancho, N.M.

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+ 25 went with as their backing tracks in Rio Rancho, N.M.

UFC on ESPN+ 25 predictions: Who stays in title contention – Corey Anderson or Jan Blachowicz?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN+ 25 main card in Rio Rancho, N.M.

Anderson
vs.
Blachowicz
Pereira
vs.
Sanchez
Borella
vs.
De La Rosa
Vargas
vs.
Weaver
Bontorin
vs.
Borg
Medeiros
vs.
Vannata
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2020: 13-7
anderson2020
Anderson
(57%)
pereira2020
Pereira
(58%)
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
(83%)
weaver2020
Weaver
(71%)
borg2020-1
Borg
(61%)
medeiros2020
Medeiros
(62%)
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2020: 17-3
trophy copy 2017 Champion
anderson2020
Anderson
pereira2020
Pereira
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
weaver2020
Weaver
borg2020-1
Borg
medeiros2020
Medeiros
Simon Head
@simonhead
2020: 16-4
trophy copy 2019 Champion*
anderson2020
Anderson
pereira2020
Pereira
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
weaver2020
Weaver
bontorin2020-1
Bontorin
medeiros2020
Medeiros
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2020: 16-4
anderson2020
Anderson
sanchez2020
Sanchez
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
weaver2020
Weaver
bontorin2020-1
Bontorin
medeiros2020
Medeiros
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2020: 16-4
anderson2020
Anderson
pereira2020
Pereira
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
weaver2020
Weaver
borg2020-1
Borg
medeiros2020
Medeiros
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2020: 16-4
trophy copy 2014 Champion
anderson2020
Anderson
pereira2020
Pereira
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
weaver2020
Weaver
borg2020-1
Borg
medeiros2020
Medeiros
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2020: 16-4
anderson2020
Anderson
sanchez2020
Sanchez
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
weaver2020
Weaver
borg2020-1
Borg
medeiros2020
Medeiros
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2020: 15-5
trophy copy 2018 Champion
anderson2020
Anderson
pereira2020
Pereira
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
weaver2020
Weaver
bontorin2020-1
Bontorin
medeiros2020
Medeiros
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2020: 15-5
anderson2020
Anderson
pereira2020
Pereira
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
weaver2020
Weaver
borg2020-1
Borg
vannata2020
Vannata
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2020: 15-5
anderson2020
Anderson
sanchez2020
Sanchez
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
weaver2020
Weaver
bontorin2020-1
Bontorin
medeiros2020
Medeiros
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2020: 15-5
anderson2020
Anderson
sanchez2020
Sanchez
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
weaver2020
Weaver
borg2020-1
Borg
medeiros2020
Medeiros
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2020: 14-6
anderson2020
Anderson
sanchez2020
Sanchez
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
weaver2020
Weaver
borg2020-1
Borg
medeiros2020
Medeiros
Dave Doyle
@davedoylemma
2020: 14-6
blachowicz2020
Blachowicz
pereira2020
Pereira
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
weaver2020
Weaver
borg2020-1
Borg
vannata2020
Vannata
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2020: 12-8
blachowicz2020
Blachowicz
pereira2020
Pereira
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
weaver2020
Weaver
borg2020-1
Borg
medeiros2020
Medeiros
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2020: 11-9
anderson2020
Anderson
pereira2020
Pereira
delarosa2020
De La Rosa
vargas2020
Vargas
bontorin2020-1
Bontorin
medeiros2020
Medeiros

The UFC is in New Mexico this week for the first time in more than five years with a pair of light heavyweight contenders topping the bill.

UFC on ESPN+ 25 takes place Saturday at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, N.M., near Albuquerque. The event streams on ESPN+.

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

In the main event, [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) takes on [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (25-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC) in a fight that will see the winner stay in the light heavyweight title picture for a possible meeting with champion Jon Jones. Anderson is more than a 2-1 favorite from the oddsmakers, and he has a big 12-2 lead in the picks from our 14 MMA Junkie editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers.

In the co-main event, [autotag]Michel Pereira[/autotag] (23-10 MMA, 1-1 UFC) takes on longtime Albuquerque resident [autotag]Diego Sanchez[/autotag] (29-12 MMA, 18-12 UFC) at welterweight. Pereira is the slight favorite, and he’s got a 9-5 edge in the picks.

There’s a unanimous pick on the card, and another that nearly is unanimous. [autotag]Montana De La Rosa[/autotag] (10-5 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is a -175 favorite over [autotag]Mara Romero Borella[/autotag] (12-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) in their women’s flyweight fight. But despite fairly close betting odds, De La Rosa, whose husband Mark De La Rosa fights on the prelims, is a 14-0 pick from our staff.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Brok Weaver[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) nearly is a unanimous pick in his lightweight fight against [autotag]Kazula Vargas[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC). Only one of our pickers is taking Vargas in an upset – Weaver nearly is a 3-1 favorite.

[autotag]Ray Borg[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) takes on [autotag]Rogerio Bontorin[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) in a flyweight fight that was moved up to the main card from the prelims mid-week. The fight is one of our two most contentious ones with Borg at a 9-5 lead.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Yancy Medeiros[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 6-6 UFC) takes on [autotag]Lando Vannata[/autotag] (10-4-2 MMA, 2-4-2 UFC) in a lightweight fight that is a near pick’em at the sportsbooks. But it’s Medeiros who has a whopping 12-2 lead in the picks with only two staff members taking Vannata.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Anderson (57 percent), Pereira (58 percent), De La Rosa (83 percent), Weaver (71 percent), Borg (61 percent) and Medeiros (62 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

UFC on ESPN+ 25 pre-event facts: Husband and wife share a card for the first time

The best stats and figures about UFC on ESPN+ 25, which features a Corey Anderson vs. Jan Blachowicz rematch in the main event.

The UFC visits New Mexico for the second time in company history on Saturday with UFC on ESPN+ 25, which takes place at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho and streams entirely on ESPN+.

A rematch between light heavyweight contenders takes center stage in the main event. [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) will attempt to continue his winning streak with a second victory over [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (25-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC), who will attempt to avenge his unanimous-decision loss from UFC 191 in September 2015.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the 13-fight card, check below for 55 pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN+ 25.

* * * *

Main event

Corey Anderson

Anderson’s four-fight UFC winning streak at light heavyweight is tied with Jon Jones for the longest active streak in the division.

Anderson is one of 12 fighters in UFC history with 10 or more light heavyweight wins.

Anderson’s 10 victories since 2014 in UFC light heavyweight competition are tied with Ovince Saint Preux for most in the division.

Anderson’s 61-second knockout of Matt Van Buren at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale stands as the fastest finish in a “TUF” tournament final.

Anderson’s 53 takedowns landed in UFC light heavyweight competition are most in divisional history.

Anderson lands 50 percent of his takedown attempts in UFC light-heavyweight competition, the third-highest rate in divisional history behind Lyoto Machida (65 percent) and Blachowicz (52 percent).

Anderson lands 4.98 takedowns per 15 minutes of fighting in UFC light heavyweight competition, the highest rate in divisional history.

Anderson’s 12 takedowns landed against Patrick Cummins at UFC Fight Night 128 are the single-fight record for a UFC light-heavyweight bout.

Anderson’s 12 takedowns landed vs. Cummins at UFC Fight Night 128 are tied for the fifth most in a single UFC fight.

Jan Blachowicz

Blachowicz competes in his third UFC headliner. He’s 1-1 in previous main events.

Blachowicz is 6-1 in his past seven UFC appearances dating back to October 2017. The only defeat in that stretch came to Thiago Santos.

Blachowicz is one of two light heavyweights in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a body kick. He accomplished the feat at UFC Fight Night 53.

Blachowicz lands 52 percent of his takedown attempts in UFC light-heavyweight competition, the second highest rate in divisional history behind Machida (65 percent).

Co-main event

Diego Sanchez

[autotag]Diego Sanchez[/autotag] (29-12 MMA, 18-12 UFC), 38, is the oldest of the 26 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

Sanchez competes in his 31st UFC bout, tied for the fourth most appearances in company history behind Donald Cerrone (34), Jim Miller (33) and Jeremy Stephens (32).

Sanchez is the only active UFC fighter who was a cast member on “The Ultimate Fighter 1.”

Sanchez is one of two fighters in UFC history to compete in four different weight classes. Kenny Florian also accomplished the feat.

Sanchez is one of nine fighters in UFC history to earn victories in three different weight classes.

Sanchez is 2-2 since he returned to the UFC welterweight division in November 2017. He’s 11-6 at 170 pounds under the UFC banner.

Sanchez’s 12 victories by decision in UFC competition are tied with Georges St-Pierre for most in company history.

Sanchez has fought to a decision 20 times in UFC competition, the most in company history.

Sanchez has absorbed 1,342 total head strikes in his UFC career, the second-most in company history behind B.J. Penn (1,434).

Remaining main card

Montana De La Rosa

[autotag]Montana De La Rosa[/autotag]’s (10-5 MMA, 3-1 UFC) three stoppage victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are tied with Valentina Shevchenko for second most in divisional history behind Gillian Robertson (four).

De La Rosa’s three submission victories in UFC women’s flyweight competition are tied with Robertson for most in divisional history.

[autotag]Rogerio Bontorin[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has earned 14 of his 16 career victories by stoppage.

[autotag]Ray Borg[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) returns to the flyweight division for the first time since October 2017. He’s 5-3 in the weight class under the UFC banner.

Lando Vannata

[autotag]Lando Vannata[/autotag] (10-4-2 MMA, 2-4-2 UFC) is 1-3-2 in his past six UFC appearances.

Vannata’s two draws in men’s UFC competition are tied with Ken Shamrock, B.J. Penn and Caol Uno for most in company history.

[autotag]Yancy Medeiros[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 6-6 UFC) was unsuccessful in his return to the UFC lightweight division at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in January 2019. He’s 3-5 (with one no contest) in the weight class overall.

Medeiros’ average fight time of 6:58 in UFC lightweight competition is third shortest among active fighters in the weight class behind Charles Oliveira (4:51) and Drew Dober (6:41).

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

Preliminary card

Tim Means

[autotag]Tim Means[/autotag] (29-11-1 MMA, 11-8 UFC) is 9-6 (with one no contest) since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in May 2014.

[autotag]John Dodson[/autotag] (20-11 MMA, 9-6 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since Feb. 23, 2019. The 357-day layoff is the longest of his 15-year career.

Dodson enters the event on the first losing skid of his career. He’s 1-3 in his past four bouts and hasn’t earned a victory since March 2018.

Dodson is 3-4 since he returned to the UFC bantamweight division in April 2016. He’s 4-4 in the weight class overall.

Dodson has fought to three split decision results in UFC bantamweight competition, tied for second most in divisional history behind Kyung Ho Kang (four).

[autotag]Nathaniel Wood[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 3-0 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 third most in divisional history behind Urijah Faber (six) and Rani Yahya (five).

Wood’s three-fight submission streak in UFC competition is tied with Claudio Silva for the longest among active fighters on the roster.

Jim Miller

[autotag]Jim Miller[/autotag] (31-13 MMA, 20-12 UFC) competes in his 34th UFC bout, tied with Cerrone for the most appearances in company history.

Miller competes in his 33rd UFC lightweight bout, the most in divisional history.

Miller’s total fight time of 5:06:47 in UFC lightweight competition is most in divisional history.

Miller’s 20 victories in UFC competition are tied with Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping for third most in company history behind Cerrone (23) and Demian Maia (22).

Miller’s 19 victories in UFC lightweight competition are the most in divisional history.

Miller’s 12 stoppage victories in UFC lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Joe Lauzon (13).

Miller’s nine submission victories in UFC lightweight competition are most in divisional history.

Miller’s 42 submission attempts in UFC competition are the most in company history.

[autotag]Devin Clark[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past six UFC appearances. He was defeated in his most recent bout at UFC on ESPN+ 19 in October.

Clark has earned all of his UFC victories by decision. He’s suffered all of his career losses by stoppage.

[autotag]Dequan Townsend[/autotag] (21-9 MMA, 0-1 UFC) becomes the first fighter to make two UFC appearances in 2020. He suffered a defeat at UFC on ESPN+ 24 on Jan. 25.

Merab Dvalishvili

[autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag]’s (9-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) 11 takedowns landed at UFC Fight Night 123 are tied for the single-fight UFC/WEC bantamweight record.

Dvalishvili’s 11 takedowns landed at UFC Fight Night 123 are tied for the single-fight UFC record for most in a loss.

Dvalishvili outlanded Terrion Ware by 183 total strikes at UFC Fight Night 136, the biggest differential in a single UFC/WEC bantamweight bout.

[autotag]Mark De La Rosa[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC), along with his wife Montana, become the first spouses in UFC history to compete on the same card.

[autotag]Raulian Paiva[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC), 24, is the youngest of the 26 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

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