Marquel Mederos vs Bolaji Oki

Two rising lightweight prospects, MarQuel Mederos and Bolaji Oki, are set to clash May 31st. Both fighters bring impressive records and distinct fighting styles to the octagon, promising an engaging matchup that could move them up .

Core Stats Comparison

*** Stats from DWCS/TUF/Road to UFC are not included in this analysis. Each athlete has 1 fight in DWCS.

Striking Breakdown:

While Marquel Mederos holds a slight edge in striking accuracy (49%) compared to Bolaji Oki’s 44%, Oki shines in the other striking areas. His striking differential is stronger at 4.34 significant strikes per minute and absorbing just 2.32, showcasing sharp efficiency and solid defensive stats (64%). Mederos, by comparison, deals 3.47 strikes and absorbs 2.7 strikes per minute. Both athletes post strong striking defenses.

Grappling Breakdown:

In limited pro data, Oki stands out in the grappling department, landing takedowns at an impressive 75% success rate, and defending them at 86%. Mederos, meanwhile, hasn’t landed a takedown yet and owns a respectable but less dominant 75% takedown defense. Oki’s ability to mix in his wrestling gives him a key edge in versatility, especially in close rounds or if striking momentum shifts.

Summary:

Oki is coming off a submission loss, while Mederos enters on a 3-fight win streak, including solid performances in the UFC and DWCS. That said, the stats clearly lean toward Oki—his superior defense, cleaner striking differential, and efficient wrestling game all point to him as the more complete fighter at this stage. In a matchup with limited high-level experience on both sides, early indicators favor Bolaji Oki to control where the fight goes and how it’s scored.