MMA Math is a regular feature on The MMA Manifesto where we mine the data over at the great mixed martial arts stats site, FightMetric, to highlight some of the pertinent numbers heading into a MMA event. Since many of you would rather take an Anderson Silva front kick to the face than do math, we’ve done all the work for you. First up: UFC 140
Jon Jones vs Lyoto Machida
10.5″: Jon Jones’s reach advantage over Lyoto Machida.
64.5%: Jones’s takedown accuracy, ninth-best in UFC history.
85%: Machida’s takedown defense, fifth-best all-time.
2.53: Jones’s strike differential, fifth-best all-time.
58.2%: Machida’s significant strike accuracy, fourth-best all-time.
10: Machida’s career knockdowns, fourth-best all-time.
What have we learned? We are dealing with a couple of legendary strikers in Jones and Machida, but
we knew that before we even looked at the numbers. The difference in this fight, other than Jones’s striking advantage due to his immense reach, could be whether or not Jones can get Machida down to the canvas – Machida isn’t just elusive dodging strikes, he is also next to impossible to take down.
Frank Mir vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
19: Career submissions attempted by Frank Mir, eighth-best in UFC history and best all-time for a heavyweight.
3.13, 2.5: Submissions attempted per 15 minutes for Mir (tenth-best all-time) and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, respectively.
33%, 37%: Nogueira’s takedown accuracy and defense, respectively.
What have we learned? Mir and Big Nog are two of the rare heavyweights who prefer to battle it out on the groundrather than standing. But considering Nog’s dismal takedown stats, Mir should have an easier time getting him down as well as staving off Nog’s takedown attempts.
Tito Ortiz vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
4:42:38: Tito Ortiz’s total UFC fight time, second-longest all-time behind B.J. Penn.
1198: Ortiz’s total strikes landed, ninth-best all-time.
33%: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira’s striking accuracy.
65%: Little Nog’s takedown defense.
What have we learned? The term “grisled veteran” was invented for guys like these two. But which of the two is the most grisled? The winner of this match (and answer to that question) is probably going to come down to whether or not Ortiz can get Little Nog down to the mat. And for a guy who prides himself on his striking, shouldn’tNog be a more accurate striker?
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