2 years agoMateusz Gamrot put on a five-round show in Saturday's main event against Arman Tsarukyan, earning a unanimous decision (47-48, 47-48, 47-48). In 25 minutes of action, Gamrot tallied 81 significant strikes (108 total strikes) and landed six of his 21 takedown tries on the night. The former KSW double champion is now 4-1 in the UFC, winning his last four contest after dropping his debut in a close split decision. Gamrot is absolutely worth keeping your eye on as he continues to climb the lightweight ladder.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoUnable to break a tie for first with Georges St. Pierre for the most wins all-time by a welterweight fighter, Neil Magny suffered a second-round submission defeat at the hands of rising star Shavkat Rakhmonov in Saturday night's co-main event. In 9:58 of action, Magny tallied only 11 significant strikes (21 total strikes) while being taken down on both of Rakhmonov's takedown tries. Magny still has some fantasy relevance in future fantasy lineups, especially if you can get him at a good price point.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoWe will be sure to see Shavkat Rakhmonov's No. 15 rank climb after his dominant second-round submission win over Neil Magny in Saturday's co-main event. In 9:58 of action, Rakhmonov tallied 19 significant strikes (56 total strikes) compared to the 11 significant strikes of Magny. He used his superior ground game to dominant Round 2 until he was able to lock in the guillotine choke for the victory. In the bright lights of the co-main event, Rakhmonov has shown he's ready for a big run in the UFC. It would not be a surprise if we see him competing for a title soon.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoThe rough road in the UFC continues for Alan Baudot, who is now winless in his last four UFC appearances -- 0-3 with a no-contest. The stoppage in his fight on Saturday came at the 3:04 mark of the second round. In 8:04 of total action, Baudot landed 49 significant strikes (56 total strikes), which was seven more significant strikes landed than Josh Parisian. Still winless since joining the UFC, it is likely that we won't see Baudot for some time. Oftentimes, fighters sign a three- or four-fight contract. If that's the case with Baudot, he certainly hasn't done enough to warrant a new contract.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoThe lone heavyweight bout on Saturday's main card did not disappoint, with Josh Parisian scoring a second-round knockout over French striker Alan Baudot. In 8:04 of action, Parisian tallied 42 significant strikes (102 total strikes) and had seven fewer significant strikes than Baudot, but 46 more total strikes. Parisian was also successful with his wrestling game, landing three of his four takedown tries. Though he was dropped in the first round, Parisian rebounded nicely and earned a ground-and-pound stoppage in the middle of Round 2. Parisian moves to 2-2 in the UFC since his Contender Series win.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoAfter Saturday's first-round submission loss, Christos Giagos has now lost back-to-back matchups in the Octagon via first-round finish. In 3:05 of total action, Giagos only landed two significant strikes (13 total strikes). Giagos rose from an early takedown, but Thiago Moises was able to grab his back and lock in the rear-naked choke for the win. If Giagos continues to fight challengers of this caliber, his fantasy relevance could be relegated to a potential no-start on Saturdays.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoAble to avoid a three-fight losing streak, Thiago Moises earned a first-round submission win against Christos Giagos on Saturday. Strikes were not a big statistical scoring point for Moises, as he only landed three significant strikes (seven total strikes) in 3:05 of action. After scoring an early takedown, Moises grabbed the back of his opponent after he returned to his feet, locking in the rear-naked choke. With 16 wins in his career, seven have come by submission for a total of 10 finished victories.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoEntering Saturday's contest against Umar Nurmagomedov, Nate Maness was 3-0 in the UFC and was on a nice run. In Saturday's contest, he was dominated and suffered a unanimous-decision loss (25-30, 26-30, 27-30). In 15 minutes of action, Maness only landed two significant strikes (46 total strikes) compared to the 74 significant strikes (128 total strikes) of Nurmagomedov. Though Maness looks like he will have successful bouts in the UFC, we need to be cautious when selecting him in fantasy lineups.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoWith an absolute dominating performance, Umar Nurmagomedov improved to 3-0 in the UFC with his lopsided defeat of Nate Maness on Saturday's main card. In 15 minutes of action, Nurmagomedov landed 74 significant strikes (128 total strikes) compared to the two significant strikes landed by Maness. He also landed three of his four takedowns and had a control time of 10:49. Previously unranked, it should not be a surprise if we see Nurmagomedov enter the rankings and face tougher competition. With his recent performances, though, he could find himself at the very top of the division in short order.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoNow 3-2 in the UFC (8-2 overall) after Saturday's decision loss, Rodolfo Vieira went all 15 minutes with a streaking opponent in Chris Curtis. In 15 minutes of action, Vieira landed 86 significant strikes (90 total strikes), 23 fewer than his opponent. The biggest statistical failure leading to Vieira's loss was the fact that he was 0-for-20 on his takedown tries. The jiu-jitsu ace needed the bout to go to the mat for a finishing opportunity, but Curtis did not allow that to happen. Vieira can be still a sneaky value pick for fantasy managers, depending on his opponent.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoChris Curtis opened up the main card of action on Saturday with a solid unanimous-decision win (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) against a tough opponent in Rodolfo Vieira. In 15 minutes of action, Curtis tallied 109 significant strikes (128 total strikes) and stuffed all 20 of Vieira's takedown tries. We knew coming into this one that Curtis needed to keep the fight off the mat against the dangerous jiu-jitsu ace, and he did that perfectly. Curtis moves to 29-8 in his career and 3-0 in the UFC. Curtis is showing that he's the real deal, and he should be rostered in fantasy at every opportunity.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

2 years agoWith back-to-back Performance of the Night fights, Arman Tsarukyan (18-2) is set for Saturday's main event against a very tough task in Mateusz Gamrot. Tsarukyan has won five straight fights since his decision loss to Islam Makhachev in April of 2019. With the majority of his 18 career victories coming by the finish, 12 have been earned by submission or knockout/TKO. DraftKings sees Tsarukyan as the big favorite with a salary of $9,100. Throughout his UFC career, he averages 90.6 fantasy points per contest. Though he has been on a nice run thus far in the UFC, Gamrot is a dangerous foe on a hot run of his own. Be careful if you chose to pay Tsarukyan's salary for a main-eventer.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoFormer KSW double champion Mateusz Gamrot (20-1) is set for his first UFC main event when he battles Arman Tsarukyan on Saturday. After a controversial split-decision loss in his UFC debut, Gamrot has won his last three bouts, all by finish. Overall in his career, 13 of his 20 wins have come via the finish, with seven of those coming by knockout/TKO. DraftKings sees Gamer as the big underdog with a salary of $7,100. Throughout his UFC career, Gamrot averages 90.7 fantasy points per contest. Though Tsarukyan is on a nice run in the UFC, Gamrot brings finishing ability to this main event. He's worth the roster spot in fantasy, especially if you are low on salary space.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoOn an impressive run since joining the UFC, undefeated former M-1 welterweight champion Shavkat Rakhmonov (15-0) is set for Saturday's co-main event against Neil Magny, who is tied for first in the UFC's welterweight division in victories. 3-0 in the UFC, all three of Rakhmonov's victories have come via the finish. Overall in his career, all 15 of his wins have come by the finish, with eight of those via knockout/TKO. DraftKings sees Nomad as the second-biggest favorite with a salary of $9,300. Throughout his UFC career, Rakhmonov averages 103.6 fantasy points per contest. Proceed with caution, though, as Magny is a dangerous veteran. A win here for Rakhmonov could solidify him as a legitimate title contender.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC

2 years agoWith a win in Saturday's co-main event, Neil Magny (26-8) can become the winningest welterweight in UFC history by breaking his tie with Georges St. Pierre at 19 wins. That victory will have to come against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov. 5-1 in his last six contests, Magny has won all of those fights by decision. Nineteen of his 26 career wins have actually come by decision. DraftKings sees Magny as the second-biggest underdog on the card with a salary of $6,900. Throughout his UFC career, Magny averages 71.4 fantasy points per contest. With all of his wins coming via finish, Magny will need to find a way to weather the early storm of Rakhmonov if he wants the underdog win here.--Matt Bricker - RotoBallerSource: UFC