Hypothetical · three rounds · current snapshots
Independent projection
medium confidencePantoja 61%
Moderate conviction. The point estimate is the center of a band, not a prophecy.
90% interval on Pantoja: 47%–74%. Never a lock.
- Most likely
- Decision 69%
- Expected time
- 12:48
- P(over 2.5)
- 73%
- Grappling share
- 29%
Briefing
Alexandre Pantoja is the model’s side at 61% because of grappling / control, with Gregory Rodrigues live if the fight is forced into power puncher.
Alexandre Pantoja (pressure wrestler, submission hunter, pressure boxer) against Gregory Rodrigues (power puncher, pressure boxer, opportunistic) is a UFC flyweight matchup in —. The independent model puts Pantoja around 61% — a medium confidence number, not a betting line. The largest factor from 50/50 is grappling / control: Takedown threat Pantoja 1.59 vs Rodrigues 0.73 per 15. Estimated grappling share 29%.
Where this is fought matters. Estimated grappling share is 29%. Pantoja lands 4.6 significant strikes per minute at 45% accuracy with a 3.1 takedown average; Rodrigues is at 5.2 / 51% / 1.6. Takedown defense sits at 72% versus 61%. Reach is 67" against 75" — counted only if the longer fighter actually lives at range.
Pantoja's primary path: Chain takedowns on Rodrigues's 61% defense, hold mat time, and win the control/attrition round. Failure mode: Getting drawn into Rodrigues's preferred range and losing the minute-winning. Rodrigues's primary path: One clean counter or lead hook as Pantoja enters. Power is the shortcut; it is not a plan by itself. Failure mode: If the first takedown lands, Rodrigues may spend the round on the fence or on their back.
The swing variable is simple: If Pantoja cannot keep this on the mat in the first eight minutes, Rodrigues's striking becomes the fight. The model does not start from a sportsbook. If DraftKings or Fanatics disagree, that disagreement is the point of the page.
Written from the independent projection. Betting lines are not inputs. Stats as of 19 Aug 2026.
Pantoja — paths
- Chain takedowns on Rodrigues's 61% defense, hold mat time, and win the control/attrition round.
- Force a scramble, hunt the neck or the front headlock, and finish before the referee stands them up.
- Win the minute-to-minute with volume. Judges in this matchup will see the fighter who walks the other one down.
Failure modes
- Getting drawn into Rodrigues's preferred range and losing the minute-winning.
Rodrigues — paths
- One clean counter or lead hook as Pantoja enters. Power is the shortcut; it is not a plan by itself.
- Win the minute-to-minute with volume. Judges in this matchup will see the fighter who walks the other one down.
Failure modes
- If the first takedown lands, Rodrigues may spend the round on the fence or on their back.
Swing variables
- If Pantoja cannot keep this on the mat in the first eight minutes, Rodrigues's striking becomes the fight.
- First fighter to be dropped. Power is asymmetric here; the model’s decision lean dies if someone gets hurt early.
What moved it from 50/50
- Grappling / controlPantoja +0.36
Takedown threat Pantoja 1.59 vs Rodrigues 0.73 per 15. Estimated grappling share 29%.
- Striking skill (distance & pocket)Rodrigues −0.12
Pantoja striking rating 1685 vs Rodrigues 1740. Weighted by estimated standing time (71%).
- Recency and opponent-adjusted formPantoja +0.10
Last-5 opponent-adjusted form: Pantoja +0.48 vs Rodrigues +0.02. Single-fight noise is deliberately underweighted.
- Submission hunting vs defensive gapsPantoja +0.07
Pantoja generates submission attempts against opponents who spend time on the mat.
- Pressure wrestling vs takedown defensePantoja +0.06
Rodrigues's takedown defense (61%) is a hole against a high-volume wrestler. Historically this pair type tilts to control and attrition.
- Age / athletic windowRodrigues −0.05
Pantoja 36 vs Rodrigues 34. Peak assumed ~30; decline prior is gentle and never treated as destiny.
- Finishing threat vs durabilityPantoja +0.03
Who is more likely to be hurt, and who has actually finished people of this quality.
- Layoff / rust vs freshnessRodrigues −0.02
Pantoja 154 days out · Rodrigues 126 days out. Optimal window ~60–150 days; long layoffs get a conservative rust prior, not a career rewrite.
Attribute radar
Pantoja · Rodrigues
Side-by-side
Pantoja: pressure wrestler · submission hunter · pressure boxer — Rodrigues: power puncher · pressure boxer · opportunistic
| Pantoja | Rodrigues | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 28-6 | 16-6 |
| Age (fight night) | 36 | 34 |
| Height | 5'5" | 6'2" |
| Reach | 67" | 75" |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| SLpM | 4.6 | 5.2 |
| SApM | 3.7 | 4.1 |
| Str. acc. | 45% | 51% |
| Str. def. | 56% | 49% |
| KD / 15 | 0.30 | 0.92 |
| TD avg | 3.1 | 1.6 |
| TD acc. | 42% | 38% |
| TD def. | 72% | 61% |
| Sub avg | 1.1 | 0.3 |
| Control / 15 | 4.6m | 1.8m |
| Late-round diff | 0.14 | -0.08 |
| Layoff | 154d | 126d |
| Data | deep | deep |
Pantoja range mix
- Distance52%
- Clinch16%
- Ground32%
- Head62%
- Body22%
- Leg16%
Rodrigues range mix
- Distance72%
- Clinch12%
- Ground16%
- Head64%
- Body20%
- Leg16%
Method of victory
- Pantoja KO/TKO6%
- Pantoja SUB16%
- Pantoja DEC39%
- Rodrigues KO/TKO6%
- Rodrigues SUB3%
- Rodrigues DEC30%