The UFC Vancouver preliminary card features an intriguing bantamweight clash between 2 skilled veterans at different career stages. Charles Jourdain vs Davey Grant brings together a rising contender and an experienced fighter defying ‘Father Time.’ Jourdain made a successful drop to 135 pounds last November, submitting Victor Henry with a slick guillotine choke. Grant has been on an impressive run lately, stringing together back-to-back unanimous decision victories over Da’Mon Blackshear and Ramon Taveras.
The age difference between these fighters tells an interesting story about where they are in their careers. Grant will turn 40 in December, making him a true veteran of the sport. Jourdain is nearly a decade younger at 29 years old, turning 30 next month. This UFC matchup pits Jourdain’s athleticism and finishing ability against Grant’s experience and technical refinement. The stylistic clash makes this one of the more compelling fights on the entire card.
Jourdain brings a record of 16-8-1 and stands 5’9 tall with a 69 inch reach. He lands an impressive 5.43 significant strikes per minute at 48% accuracy. Jourdain absorbs 4.27 strikes per minute, showing his willingness to engage in firefights and take risks. His striking defense sits at 56%, which is respectable but leaves room for improvement. Jourdain rarely shoots for takedowns, averaging just 0.34 per fight at 21% accuracy. His takedown defense is concerning at only 47%, making him vulnerable to grapplers who can impose their will. However, he averages 0.6 submissions per fight, and his standing guillotine has become a dangerous weapon.
Grant enters with a solid record of 17-7 and stands 5’8” inches with a 69 inch reach. He lands 5.18 significant strikes per minute at 44% accuracy. Grant only absorbs 3.74 strikes per minute thanks to solid striking defense at 55%. His wrestling shows 1.04 takedowns per fight at 40% accuracy, giving him options when needed. His takedown defense checks in at 63%, making him difficult to hold down. Grant averages just 0.2 submissions per fight, as finishing on the ground hasn’t been a major part of his game.
According to FanDuel, they have installed Charles Jourdain as the favorite at -178. Meanwhile, Davey Grant comes back as the underdog at +138. These odds reflect Jourdain’s youth advantage and finishing ability compared to Grant’s advanced age.
The odds for the fight going the distance have also come out. The odds for the fight seeing the judges scorecards stand at -164. The probability of the fight ending before the final bell is lower and the odds (+128) reflect that.
This fight will likely be decided on the feet, as Grant will want to avoid Jourdain’s standing guillotine threat. Shooting takedowns against Jourdain is risky business given how quickly he can latch onto necks. If this stays standing, Jourdain holds advantages in speed, power, and athleticism.
Grant’s technical striking and discipline give him a path to victory through patience and smart shot selection. The key is whether Grant’s improved skills can overcome the natural physical decline that comes with turning 40. Over 15 minutes, Jourdain’s youth and activity level should accumulate enough points for a decision victory.
If we bet on the fight, we are going with Charles Jourdain to win via unanimous decision.
(All odds taken from FanDuel. Bet on the most up-to-date MMA odds, lines, and spreads with FanDuel Sportsbook)
(Image Credit: Perry Nelson – Imagn Images)
mma I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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