This article is part of our Fight Stat Wrap series.
It did not seem like many people were expecting much from the UFC's trip to Mexico. However, it turned out to be an exciting event with plenty of interesting finishes. 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 FightMetric.com.
Sergio Pettis edges Brandon Moreno
The main event is a pretty easy fight to breakdown. Moreno had his moments when he was able to land takedowns. On the feet, Pettis was simply too technical, and he controlled the range well. Unfortunately for Moreno, he simply could not generate enough power from the top position. Despite landing four takedowns in the fight, FightMetric only credited him six significant ground strikes. In the first round, he landed 28 total strikes but only seven were considered significant. At distance, that is standing and not in the clinch, Pettis controlled the fight and outlanded Moreno 72 to 38. That is what won him the fight.
Pettis finished with 68 points on DraftKings. For a flyweight, many players probably expected a higher number of significant strikes. On a night with so many quick finishes, this did not turn out to be a strong score.
Alexa Grasso takes split nod versus Randa Markos
Markos wisely returned to her wrestling roots for this fight. In her previous outing, she had tried to stand and trade with less than favorable results. In this fight, she landed four of 11 takedown attempts and nearly pulled off the upset. However, Grasso was too strong in the striking department. She outlanded Markos 64 to 45 for the fight. Statistically, Grasso's best round was the first. She landed 35 significant strikes at a 47 percent clip while also stuffing both of Markos' takedown attempts.
Grasso managed to earn players 70 DraftKings points. In addition to her significant strikes, she also scored points for a reversal and a pass. Despite losing, Markos had a solid outing. She finished with 62.5 points thanks for bonus points for five passes and four takedowns.
Niko Price has the fight of his life against Alan Jouban
In the past, Jouban has been able to hang with power strikers like Mike Perry. However, Price was able to make quick work on the veteran. He landed 10 of his 19 significant strike attempts, scored a knockdown and finished the fight. Jouban had not been finished via strikes since falling to Albert Tumenov in 2015.
Price finished with a 108 DraftKings points. Despite DraftKings being a stat-based game, finishing ability still remains the most valuable commodity.
Humberto Bandenay shocks Martin Bravo and the bookmakers
Coming into this fight, Bravo was the biggest betting favorite and the biggest DraftKings favorite. Unfortunately for him, Bandenay made sure the unlikely outcome became reality. He stopped the fight in only 26 seconds. In that time, he landed five significant strikes and a knockdown. Per FightMetric, this was the third fastest successful debut in UFC featherweight history. The only other quicker finishes were Doo Ho Choi (18 seconds) and Makwan Amirkhani (8 seconds).
Despite costing only $7,000 on DraftKings, Bandenay ended up with 102.5 points. That comes out to only $68.29 per point, which is an incredible value.
Sam Alvey does just enough against Rashad Evans
This turned out to be yet another tough night for Evans. The former UFC light heavyweight champion landed only 17 significant strikes, which is 1.13 significant strikes per minute. In his UFC career, he has only had a lower rate in a fight once, when he defeated Thiago Silva (0.80 significant strikes per minute). Alvey did enough to win and landed 40 significant strikes. Statistically, his best round was the third round, in which he outlanded Evans 20 to six on significant strikes.
Alvey has some power, so he is often attractive for DraftKings players. However, in this fight, he scored only 50 points. That score is dreadful for a winner fighter. The total was eclipsed by multiple losing fighters on this card.
Alejandro Perez takes a close decision over Andre Soukhamthath
Per FightMetric, Soukhamthath earns the dubious distinction of becoming the first UFC fighter to lose a fight while scoring three knockdowns. Perez ended up taking the judge's decision, as well as the edge in terms of significant strikes 44 to 43. Perez stayed much more active during the course of the fight. In terms of total strikes, he landed 97, which means that he stayed busy throughout the contest. That is something judges almost always reward.
Perez finished with 60 DraftKings points for the victory. Despite taking the loss, Soukhamthath earned players 51.5 points. His three knockdowns, 30 points, equalled the decision win bonus earned by Perez.
