UFC Stockholm: Three Stats and an Odd

MMA math rarely yields positive results, but in this week’s deep dive we take a look into what exactly makes the UFC’s return to Sweden so enticing.

Stat #1: Alexander Gustafsson – Total Fight Time – 2:45:13

In the span of two years, eight months and 29 days, Alexander Gustafsson will have stepped into the Octagon for the fourth time compared to his opponent Smith set to make his ninth appearance in as much time at UFC Stockholm. It might come as a shock to some that over Gustafsson’s nine year, 15-fight tenure with the promotion he’s been able to withstand a whopping 2:45:13 of cage time putting the Swedish star in fourth place among active light heavyweights in the category of “total fight time” behind Jon Jones (4:50:15), Maurício Rua (3:27:09) and Ovince Saint Preux (2:57:13).

Stat #2: Frank Camacho – Strikes Landed Per Minute 6.23

While Camacho has only fought with the promotion on four occasions, split between lightweight and welterweight, the Guamanian fighter has picked up an impressive three “Fight of the Night” bonuses (tying Yoshihiro Akiyama and Justin Gaethje for most consecutive FOTN bonuses to begin UFC career).

With “The Crank” lining up awkwardly between divisions and set to take on Nick Hein in his return to 155 lbs, Camacho does stack up well compared to the best of both divisions at 6.23 SLpM, he would sit atop the welterweight throne ahead of Bryan Barberena (6.05) and Nate Diaz (5.34) while slotting in third at lightweight between the second ranked interim champ Dustin Poirier (7.11) and fourth ranked Polo Reyes (6.13).

Stat #3: Jo Sungbin – Nine Win Finish Streak

Set to make his promotional debut this Saturday, the former ACF, WCF and TFC featherweight champ brings an undefeated professional record with nine finishes along to Sweden. “The Korean Falcon” was also able to best Korean Zombie MMA prospect Jun Young Hong in his latest outing at TFC 17, finishing off his opponent with a pressured offence that lasted for the majority of the fourth round culminating in a TKO call by the referee.

Sungbin faces a former finish threat in Daniel Teymur (6-3), who began his career on a six-fight finish streak but has stalled since joining the UFC in 2017 dropping his last three to Danny Henry, Julio Arce and Chris Fishgold.

Odd: Biggest Spread – Main Event

Rarely will a card have such close spreads, and this weekend fight fans can expect pick em’ odds across the board with few exceptions. The main event will see the biggest discrepancy with Smith posting an average +243 and Gustafsson hovering around a -302 according to BestFightOdds. Gustafsson’s line opened at -240 with Smith at +180.