As you can see, the linear regression line (blue) does seem to have a negative trajectory as the level of competition increases. Since the R squared is as low as 0.1872, the relationship is clearly not linear, but there does seem to be some sort of a trend. Then again, that is to be expected. Tougher fights are just that. To simplify, we could simply say, Nurmagomedov has never scored a StrikeScore higher than 186 when facing off against a fighter in the top 20. With that being said, he has still been able to pick up wins over all of his opponents including current champion Rafael dos Anjos, and that is what really matters in the end.

Hacran Dias is mostly a one-round striker

Last week, StrikeScoreMMA noted that Dias has never landed more sig strikes than his opponent in a UFC fight. That trend continued on Saturday, and Dias dropped a decision to Cub Swanson. The Team Nova Uniao product looked solid in the first round and led the sig striking battle 20-18. However, after that it was all Swanson.

Over the course of his UFC career, this has been the consistent story for Dias. He has outlanded opponents 81-75 in first rounds but fallen behind 92-48 in second rounds and 84-63 in thirds.