Pace: 2.6 vs 0 landed / min
Read matchup Real analysis. Smarter reads. A deeper understanding of the card.
The evidence points to a volume gap (3 vs 1.6 strikes per minute) and a finishing gap (33% vs 100% of archived wins); that is the read to test in the first five minutes.
Opposite stances create an open-side geometry from the first exchange — lead-foot position and the rear-hand lane matter more than usual.
Supporting evidenceDanger zone: 4 recent R1 finishes
| Attribute | Liddell | Belfort |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 32 | 25 |
| Height | 6′2″ | 6′0″ |
| Reach | 76″ | 74″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Southpaw |
| Rank | Unranked | Unranked |
Highlighted rows mark a meaningful factual difference, not an advantage. Unpublished values stay unpublished.
Belfort has finished 100% of archived wins (4 KO/TKO, 1 submission), 4 of them inside round one in the last 5.
Favors BelfortLiddell lands 3 significant strikes per minute to Belfort’s 1.6: a real volume gap.
Favors LiddellLiddell holds a 2-inch reach edge (76" to 74"); Belfort has to cross distance to land, and opposite stances open the lead-side lane.
Favors LiddellBelfort has 4 first-round finishes in the last 5 archived results — the opening minutes carry real finishing risk.
The middle rounds belong to whoever sets the pace: Liddell averages 3 landed per minute to Belfort at 1.6, so Belfort needs the counters to land clean (46% accuracy on record).
Three rounds only: a slow first round is expensive, and round three is often fought by whoever has the gas tank and the lead on the cards.
