This article is part of our Fight Stat Wrap series.
In the main event of UFC 240, featherweight champion Max Holloway needed to change up his style a bit, but he still managed to take home the decision victory over former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. The following is a by-the-numbers recap that highlights the stats and milestones that stood out on the main card, with stats courtesy of UFCStats.com.
Max Holloway wins over Frankie Edgar without his trademark volume
Edgar actually did a great job limiting Holloway's volume. However, the champion was still able to turn it up following the first round and continually out-land the former lightweight champion and perennial featherweight contender. For the fight, Holloway out-landed Edgar 129 to 96 on significant strikes. In the opening frame, Edgar had the advantage 18 to 13, but Holloway owned the next four rounds. He out-landed the challenger 27 to 13 in the second, 30 to 17 in the third, 29 to 22 in the fourth and 30 to 26 in the final round. Holloway's significant strikes landed per minute rate was 5.16, which was his lowest rate since his victory over Jeremy Stephens (3.80) in 2015.
Thanks partially to the championship rounds, Holloway finished with 94.5 points on DraftKings. It was the fifth-highest score of the night and the highest score among decision winners. Holloway's volume approach continues to make him nearly a must-play in DFS.
Cris Cyborg dominates a very game Felicia Spencer
Spencer received a lot of credit for staying in this fight, but it was really was a one-sided beating. Cyborg out-landed Spencer 122 to 38, and none of the rounds were particularly close. The opening and closing rounds were especially brutal. Cyborg out-landed Spencer 45 to 10 in the first and 53 to 18 in the third.
This was only the second decision victory of Cyborg's UFC/Strikeforce career. The performance bumped up her career SLpM (significant strikes landed per minute) rate to 7.28.
Cyborg finished with 94 points, which was the sixth-highest score of the night. She earned points via her significant strikes and a single pass on the ground.
Geoff Neal stages a comeback against Niko Price
Neal had to get off the canvass to pick up this win. In the opening round, he absorbed 16 significant strikes and absorbed a knockdown. However, he was able to shake that off in the second round. Neal turned the tide with 27 significant strikes, including 23 on the ground, and finished the fight. Despite the tough opening round, Neal looked overly impressive. He is now 4-0 in the UFC with three stoppage victories.
Neal's TKO earned him 106.5 points on DraftKings, which was the highest score of the night. His ability to both finish and get into high volume fights makes him often an interesting prospect for DFS games.
Arman Tsarukyan takes Olivier Aubin-Mercier out of his game
Aubin-Mercier has never really been much of a striker at distance. He basically needs top position to be successful. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to score a takedown in this fight. Tsarukyan scored a pair and out-landed Aubin-Mercier 47 to 23 on total significant strikes. His advantage of 22 to five on the ground really contributed to his victory.
Even though it was an impressive victory for Tsarukyan, he was not overly active. This really held him back on DraftKings. He finished with 63.5 points, which was the second-lowest score among winning fighters on the night.
Krzysztof Jotko edges Marc-Andre Barriault in lackluster fight
There was not really much to this fight. Neither fighter was really able to distinguish themselves from each other. For the totals, Jotko slightly outlanded Barriault 40 to 39. They both had their opportunities, but this fight was mostly spent in the clinch along the fence.
Thanks to the lack of action, Jotko earned players only 60 points on DraftKings. That was the lowest score among winners. Outside of the win bonus, he only earned points through 40 landed significant strikes, one takedown and one reversal.
