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Mehdi Dakaev vs Nikita Podkovalnikov

Mehdi Dakaev is 16-4-0; Nikita Podkovalnikov is 12-7-0. Nikita Podkovalnikov is 2 years older than Mehdi Dakaev. Nikita Podkovalnikov is 1" · 3 cm taller than Mehdi Dakaev. They have met once: Mehdi Dakaev 1, Nikita Podkovalnikov 0.

Mehdi Dakaev
France
Mehdi Dakaev
“Lion” · 16-4-0
Win · SubmissionLoss · Split DecisionLoss · TKO
LightweightMet once
Nikita Podkovalnikov
Russia
Nikita Podkovalnikov
“Lion” · 12-7-0
Loss · SubmissionLoss · Unanimous DecisionWin · TKO
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Sig. strikes by zone

Where each fighter lands, as a share of significant strikes

80%
Head
80%
8%
Body
10%
12%
Leg
10%

Time in position

Share of fight time at distance, in the clinch and on the ground

Mehdi Dakaevlast 3 fights
54%22%24%
Nikita Podkovalnikovlast 2 fights
34%16%50%
DistanceClinchGround

How good, really

Each stat against every UFC fighter, in plain words

Mehdi Dakaev· incl. 3 fights outside the UFC Nikita Podkovalnikov· incl. 2 fights outside the UFC
Strikes landed / min
6.050.58
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Mehdi Dakaev · Elite · better than 96% of UFC fightersNikita Podkovalnikov · Poor · better than 0% of UFC fighters
Strikes taken / minfewer is better
2.732.65
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Mehdi Dakaev · Good · better than 73% of UFC fightersNikita Podkovalnikov · Good · better than 75% of UFC fighters
Takedowns landed / 15 min
1.861.73
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Mehdi Dakaev · Good · better than 68% of UFC fightersNikita Podkovalnikov · Good · better than 65% of UFC fighters
Takedown accuracy
75%100%
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Mehdi Dakaev · Elite · better than 95% of UFC fightersNikita Podkovalnikov · Elite · better than 97% of UFC fighters
Takedown defence
100%25%
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Mehdi Dakaev · Elite · better than 96% of UFC fightersNikita Podkovalnikov · Poor · better than 4% of UFC fighters
Submission attempts / 15 min
2.500.90
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Mehdi Dakaev · Elite · better than 98% of UFC fightersNikita Podkovalnikov · Good · better than 77% of UFC fighters

Ranked against 1491 UFC fighters with five or more UFC fights.

Striking & grappling

Same scale left and right on every row

6.05
Strikes landed / min
0.58
2.73
Strikes taken / minfewer is better
2.65
1.86 / 2.5
Takedowns landed / 15 min
1.73 / 1.7
75%
Takedown accuracy
100%
100%
Takedown defence
25%
3:13
Control time / fight
3:25
2.50
Submission attempts / 15 min
0.90

Bars in a row share one scale. The stronger side is solid; the pale tail behind takedowns is attempts.

Where the strikes land

Range × target

Mehdi Dakaev3 fights · by range and by target
Range
23%Distance · 58
43%Clinch · 110
34%Ground · 88
Target
80%Head · 117
8%Body · 11
12%Leg · 18

The range × target cross-tab is logged for UFC fights only.

Nikita Podkovalnikov2 fights · by range and by target
Range
44%Distance · 7
38%Clinch · 6
19%Ground · 3
Target
80%Head · 8
10%Body · 1
10%Leg · 1

The range × target cross-tab is logged for UFC fights only.

Share of significant strikes landed by range and target · landed / attempted in each cell.

Head-to-Head History

Frequently asked questions

Have Mehdi Dakaev and Nikita Podkovalnikov ever fought?

Yes, once. Most recently at ACA 203 (Fri, May 8, 2026), where Mehdi Dakaev won by Submission.

What are the records of Mehdi Dakaev and Nikita Podkovalnikov?

Mehdi Dakaev is 16-4-0 and Nikita Podkovalnikov is 12-7-0.

Who is taller, Mehdi Dakaev or Nikita Podkovalnikov?

Nikita Podkovalnikov is taller at 5'10" · 178 cm; Mehdi Dakaev stands 5'9" · 175 cm.

Who is older, Mehdi Dakaev or Nikita Podkovalnikov?

Nikita Podkovalnikov is 33 and Mehdi Dakaev is 31.

Who has more finishes, Mehdi Dakaev or Nikita Podkovalnikov?

Mehdi Dakaev has 8 wins inside the distance (2 by KO/TKO, 6 by submission); Nikita Podkovalnikov has 12 wins (6 by KO/TKO, 6 by submission).

More comparisons

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