UFC on ESPN 36: Davey Grant vs. Louis Smolka Picks and Predictions

Davey Grant and Louis Smolka face off on Saturday in a bantamweight showdown on the main card of UFC on ESPN 36 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. This is a big fight for both guys in a bantamweight showdown. 

Davey Grant comes into this fight with a 13-6 record overall but he has lost two fights in a row, and there is a ton of pressure for him to find success here. Two fights ago Grant lost to Marlon Vera, and in his last fight, he lost to Adrian Yanez. Grant was outstruck by two, and he ended up losing by a split decision. Grant is averaging 4.55 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.75 significant strikes per minute. He is averaging 1.77 takedowns every 15 minutes and he is successful on 44 percent of his attempts. He also stops 60 percent of his opponent's takedown attempts. Grant is also averaging 0.1 submission attempts every 15 minutes. 

On the other side of this matchup is Louis Smolka who sits with a 17-8 record overall, but over his last ten fights, he only has three wins. Smolka’s last fight came against Vince Morales in December of 2021, and it was midway through the first round he was finished by knockout. His last win came back in December of 2020, against Jose Quinonez, and he won that fight by knockout. Smolka is averaging 4.54 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 3.87 significant strikes per minute. He is averaging 1.81 takedowns every 15 minutes, and he is successful on 37 percent of his takedown attempts. Smolka will try to win by submission and he averages 1.9 submission attempts every 15 minutes.