UFC Rio Rancho: Three Stats and an Odd

MMA math rarely rings true, but in this week’s deep dive we take a look into some of the more interesting stats and figures relating to the promotion’s debut in Rio Rancho, New Mexico!

Stat #1: Corey Anderson – Takedowns Landed – 53

In a rematch five years in the making, dating back to UFC 191, Corey Anderson (13-4) looks to once again stifle the creativity of Poland’s Jan Blachowicz (25-8) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 167. Their previous meeting was largely dominated by Anderson, who was able to draw from his college wrestling pedigree, picking up the pace as the fight wore on en route to a strong unanimous decision win.

The stat line from their first contest includes a total strike differential of +123 in favor of Anderson, which impressive as it may seem is due in large part to his wrestle heavy offense and ability to land all four of the takedowns that were attempted in the fight. Almost unsurprisingly, Corey Anderson’s career total of 53 takedowns landed is the current UFC record at 205 lbs (11 more than the prevailing champion Jon Jones).

With both fighters riding hot streaks over their past seven Octagon appearances (Anderson 5-2, Blachowicz 6-1), oddsmakers have Anderson pegged as more than a 2/1 favorite, compared to pick ’em odds featured when they met in 2015.

Stat #2: Diego Sanchez – Total Fight Time – 6:08:58

Contract finalized, opponent set, New Mexico’s Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez (29-12) will enter the Octagon for the 31st time as he matches up against Brazil’s Michel Pereira (23-10, 2 NC) in the night’s co-main event. Sanchez, who’s just one of three to have competed in four different weight classes in the UFC, has spent a whopping six hours, eight minutes and 58 seconds in the Octagon, good for fifth all-time in UFC history. And while he’s an hour, six minutes and 53 seconds short of Frankie Edgar’s lead, Sanchez has made the most of his appearance on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter and continues to accept difficult match-ups even at 38 years of age.

With Michel “Demolidor” Pereira, fans have almost come to expect the unexpected. His Capoeira style, combined with mind-bending moonsaults and other oddities off of the cage have made him fan favorite. The odds currently feature Pereira as a -165 favorite, with Sanchez coming in as a +140 underdog.

Stat #3: Jim Miller – Submission Attempts – 41

Jim Miller (31-13) has attempted more submissions in his UFC career at lightweight than any other fighter, past or present, at 51; a stat that’s made all the more impressive as the second most attempted have been by none other than Joe Lauzon at 29. Miller’s converted his attempts on 17 occasions and has most recently submitted the likes of Clay Guida and Jason Gonzalez in his previous two outings.

On Saturday, Tennessee’s Scott “Hot Sauce” Holtzman (13-3) enters the cage looking to solve the grappling riddle that is Miller. Another interesting stat of note is that both fighters are currently 36 years old, Holtzman younger by a full month, but Miller possesses more than six full years experience as a pro and 28 more fights under his belt than his opponent.

Odd: Biggest Spread – Chiasson vs. Young

With the inaugural women’s flyweight champ Nicco Montano bowing out due to injury on fight week, Macy Chiasson (5-1) has been paired with Knoxville Martial Arts Academy’s Shanna “The Shanimal” Young (7-2) at 135 lbs. Due in part to timing, odds on the fight are at the largest discrepancy on the card, with Chiasson trending as a -785 favorite to Young’s +525 line.

Chiasson dropped her first career pro loss in her last outing, a lopsided decision to Lina Lansberg in Copenhagen last September. The heavy-handed Fortis MMA product will be looking to rebound against a familiar face to fans of Dana White’s Contender Series, as Young featured in its previous iteration, losing to Sarah Alpar by rear-naked choke in August.

“Whoever they put in there, it’s the same result.” @Macy_Chiasson isn’t worried about a last minute opponent change after the camp she just finished.

Catch her on Saturday’s #UFCRioRancho prelims on ESPN+: https://t.co/n77lct12GS pic.twitter.com/zVozgg0da2

— UFC News (@UFCNews) February 12, 2020