Da'Mon Blackshear
Da Monster
USA
Fades following fast start
Blackshear lost to Davey Grant via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
This is the exact type of fight Blackshear cannot be losing as a -300 favorite if he hopes to make any sort of headway in a loaded bantamweight division. He started quickly, landing a knockdown in Round 1 and doing some solid work on the mat, but it appeared as if all the grappling in the opening frame tired Blackshear out. He failed on all four of his takedown attempts the rest of the way, allowing Grant to pull away on the feet. Blackshear struggles in prolonged striking exchanges and this fight was no exception. Da'Mon is solid on the mat and very durable, but his lack of power and questionable cardio is a concern moving forward. This loss snaps a three-fight winning streak for the North Carolina native.
This is the exact type of fight Blackshear cannot be losing as a -300 favorite if he hopes to make any sort of headway in a loaded bantamweight division. He started quickly, landing a knockdown in Round 1 and doing some solid work on the mat, but it appeared as if all the grappling in the opening frame tired Blackshear out. He failed on all four of his takedown attempts the rest of the way, allowing Grant to pull away on the feet. Blackshear struggles in prolonged striking exchanges and this fight was no exception. Da'Mon is solid on the mat and very durable, but his lack of power and questionable cardio is a concern moving forward. This loss snaps a three-fight winning streak for the North Carolina native.
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Booked vs. Grant
Blackshear will take on Davey Grant in a bantamweight bout at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26, per Nolan King of USA Today.
ANALYSIS
Blackshear is in the midst of a hot streak, winning his last three bouts. His last victim was Heili Alateng, whom he disposed of via unanimous decision back in April. Now, he'll look to make it four straight against an opponent in Grant who is nine years his senior and gives up two inches of height and three inches of reach.
Blackshear is in the midst of a hot streak, winning his last three bouts. His last victim was Heili Alateng, whom he disposed of via unanimous decision back in April. Now, he'll look to make it four straight against an opponent in Grant who is nine years his senior and gives up two inches of height and three inches of reach.
Changes game plan in victory
Blackshear defeated Heili Alateng via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Kansas City.
ANALYSIS
This was a weird fight. It was widely assumed that Blackshear's greatest advantage would be in the grappling, and thus he would try to get it to the mat. Instead, he didn't attempt a single takedown and suddenly became a high-volume striker. Da'Mon closed with 125 significant strikes in 15 minutes. To give you an idea how out of character this was, he had only topped 66 significant strikes once before in eight prior UFC bouts. Blackshear has long had trouble against better competition, but now riding a three-fight winning streak, he's going to get another chance to correct that coming up.
This was a weird fight. It was widely assumed that Blackshear's greatest advantage would be in the grappling, and thus he would try to get it to the mat. Instead, he didn't attempt a single takedown and suddenly became a high-volume striker. Da'Mon closed with 125 significant strikes in 15 minutes. To give you an idea how out of character this was, he had only topped 66 significant strikes once before in eight prior UFC bouts. Blackshear has long had trouble against better competition, but now riding a three-fight winning streak, he's going to get another chance to correct that coming up.
Next fight scheduled
Blackshear will face Heili Alateng in a bantamweight fight at UFC Kansas City on Apr. 26, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Blackshear is coming off a victory over Cody Gibson by kimura submission at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. In his upcoming bout, he will be taking on Heili Alateng who is coming off a victory of his own and holds a 3-1 record over his past four fights.
Blackshear is coming off a victory over Cody Gibson by kimura submission at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. In his upcoming bout, he will be taking on Heili Alateng who is coming off a victory of his own and holds a 3-1 record over his past four fights.
Second straight submission win
Blackshear defeated Cody Gibson via submission (kimura) at 4:09 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
There hadn't been a kimura submission in the UFC since 2015, so of course Blackshear picked up the second here in a span of two bouts. That's not to say this was a cakewalk for Da'Mon as a -425 favorite. In fact, Gibson was the better man most of this fight. Blackshear started suspiciously slowly, getting pounded on the feet early on. He was never really able to find his range in the stand-up, but Gibson eventually tired out, and Blackshear was able to take advantage of an opening on the mat to find the submission. The 30-year-old North Carolina native has more talent than his 4-3-1 career UFC would lead you to believe, but it would be nice to see him go on a run sooner rather than later.
There hadn't been a kimura submission in the UFC since 2015, so of course Blackshear picked up the second here in a span of two bouts. That's not to say this was a cakewalk for Da'Mon as a -425 favorite. In fact, Gibson was the better man most of this fight. Blackshear started suspiciously slowly, getting pounded on the feet early on. He was never really able to find his range in the stand-up, but Gibson eventually tired out, and Blackshear was able to take advantage of an opening on the mat to find the submission. The 30-year-old North Carolina native has more talent than his 4-3-1 career UFC would lead you to believe, but it would be nice to see him go on a run sooner rather than later.
Fighting Gibson in March
Blackshear will fight Cody Gibson at UFC Vegas 104 on March 15, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Blackshear was able to end his two-fight losing streak with a win over Cody Stamann in November. Another victory would put the 30-year-old bantamweight back above .500 in the UFC, and he'll get his shot to do so against Gibson, who went 2-1 in 2024.
Blackshear was able to end his two-fight losing streak with a win over Cody Stamann in November. Another victory would put the 30-year-old bantamweight back above .500 in the UFC, and he'll get his shot to do so against Gibson, who went 2-1 in 2024.