| Tale of the Tape | Sal Everett |
Ozzy Martin
|
|---|---|---|
| Record | 4-0 | 4-0 |
| Age | 29 | 23 |
| Height | 6’3″ | 6’0″ |
| Reach | 77.0″ | ? |
| Hometown | Las Vegas, Nevada, US | Raymond, New Hampshire, US |
| Combined Opp. Record | 9-9 | 9-14 |
| Gym | Freestyle MMA | |
| Championships | N/A | N/A |
Shawn Bitter- It’s clear Everett is only getting this fight because he works for the UFC. His first two pro opponents are a combined 0-6, and although he finished both, he was taken down by both. His third fight was a four-second KO over a Power Slap guy, and his latest win came against an 8-8 opponent who is 1-9 in his last ten. Everett is a legit finisher with slick submission grappling and good tools on the feet at 6’3”, but it’s impossible to know how good he actually is.
Martin hasn’t fought much better competition. All four opponents have losing records, and he’s a fast-starting striker with every win coming in under three minutes. He fights behind a high guard, throws a lot of kicks, and has nice body-head combinations, but he’s reckless and leaves himself open. Everett is the much better athlete with more ways to win, especially with Martin having no real ground game. This fight doesn’t belong here, but it should bring violence.
Pick: Everett by Round 1 KO/TKO
Cedric Dumas– This is probably the fight on the card where I disagree most with the obvious narrative.
Everett has been dominant on the Tuff-N-Uff circuit, but that résumé has not exactly been a gauntlet. Martin, meanwhile, has spent his career fighting through a New England regional scene that has produced plenty of fighters who can test prospects.
Martin is also younger, has more striking experience, and has been forced to develop through a wider range of regional fights. More importantly, he has less of a narrative attached to him. He is here to prove that he belongs.
If Everett can use his size and power immediately, this could end quickly. But if Martin survives the first exchanges, I expect his experience to matter more. He is the fighter I trust more once this becomes an actual fight rather than a showcase.
I’m taking the younger New England prospect to spoil the UFC employee’s opportunity.
Pick: Martin by Round 1 KO/TKO
Nicholas Holt- I get while this is happening but I simply can’t see any logic applying to this fight. Earlier this year I would’ve been all over Ozzy Martin to win this fight, but I doubt the UFC is going to have their former employee lose. My read is that something stupid will happen and Sal Everett will end up victorious… seems on brand for this year.
Pick: Everett by Round 1 KO/TKO
Xavi Ryder– While I think both of these guys are fun finishers, at 4-0 they could each use some more time on the regional scene. Everett is a giant welterweight at 6’3” and can finish a fight wherever it takes place. On the feet, he is a powerful puncher who likes to stay at the end of his range and is a submission threat on the ground. Offensively on the ground, Everett tries to get his opponent’s back but always looks for submissions if he ends up in bottom position. On the other side, Ozzy Martin likes to get off to a hot start and bring the pressure. He likes to close the distance quickly while putting together combinations as he gets in range. Against a big power puncher like Everett, I think that gets him caught.
Pick: Everett by Round 1 KO/TKO
Drew Beaupre– We all know that Everett is here because of his association with Dana White, and he’s been given a matchup that should at least be entertaining even if it’s quite clearly not UFC-level.
Boasting a big frame for the welterweight division, Everett has shown off good finishing ability and some grappling against an admittedly low-caliber of competition. Martin has also been running through weak opposition on the New England regional scene using a high-octane but very reckless striking style.
“Toro” stopped his last two MMA opponents in less than a minute and could just blitz Everett in the early going given how many question marks there are about the latter fighter’s overall ability, but if Everett is able to get this to the ground, then I expect Martin will be in serious trouble.
Pick: Everett by Round 1 Submission
Cangrejo Ruiz– This fight would be a prelim fight in a few regional shows, but alas, Everett seems to be a grappler with some striking skills, while Ozzy is more of a striker with decent power and a decent TDD. Many unknowns here, as the level of opposition is quite low on both sides. I lean Martin, as his path to victory is clearer and kind of counters Everett’s style.
Pick: Martin by Round 1 KO/TKO
Benjamin Keith- Neither fighter here is prepared for the UFC; this fight shouldn’t be happening. Bet the under on this one. Neither fighter has beaten anyone of note, and a win here honestly won’t change that. I am not ignorant as to why this fight is happening, but it still upsets me. And when nothing about a fight makes sense, bet on size. Sal Everett is a towering 6’3 and possesses grappling that Martin hasn’t displayed.
Pick: Everett by Round 1 Sub
