- Melissa Croden vs Daria Zhelezniakova
- UFC Winnipeg Showdown
- Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg
- Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
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On Saturday, April 18, 2026, Melissa Croden is set to face off against Daria Zhelezniakova in the Octagon at UFC Winnipeg. Current odds place Croden at -153 while Zhelezniakova stands at +133.
Melissa “Scare” Croden enters this contest boasting a record of 7 wins, 3 losses, and no draws. The 35-year-old fighter weighs in at 135 lbs and measures 5’9″. With an arm reach of 68 inches, she’s looking to capitalize on her experience. Daria “Iron Lady” Zhelezniakova, also 5’9″ and 135 lbs, aims to extend her professional record to 11-2-0. The 30-year-old fighter has an identical reach of 68 inches. In terms of striking efficiency, Croden lands an average of 4.10 significant strikes per minute, while Zhelezniakova averages 4.75. Croden has a striking accuracy of 48%, whereas Zhelezniakova connects at a rate of 41%. Defensively, “Scare” absorbs 1.83 significant strikes per minute, while “Iron Lady” takes in 2.83. Croden effectively defends against 53% of significant strikes aimed at her, while Zhelezniakova boasts a higher defense rate of 68%.
| UFC Winnipeg | Melissa Croden | Daria Zhelezniakova |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Odds | -153 | +133 |
| Fight Record | 7-3-0 | 10-2-0 |
| Average Fight Duration | 14:46 | 11:17 |
| Height | 5’9″ | 5’9″ |
| Weight | 135 lbs | 135 lbs |
| Reach | 68″ | 68″ |
| Strikes Landed Per Minute | 4.10 | 4.75 |
| Striking Accuracy | 48% | 41% |
When it comes to grappling, Melissa Croden excels, achieving 1.02 takedowns every 15 minutes. She successfully completes 50% of her takedown attempts and defends 66% of those against her. In comparison, Zhelezniakova scores takedowns on 80% of her attempts and defends against half of the takedowns she faces. Additionally, Croden averages 0.5 submission attempts per three rounds, while Zhelezniakova aims for 0.8 submissions within the same timeframe.
In her most recent fight, Melissa Croden squared off against Luana Santos, ultimately losing by unanimous decision after round 3. During this match, Santos landed 93 of 110 total strike attempts. Croden only managed to land 56 of 109 attempts. Notably, Santos connected with 12 of 24 significant strikes, achieving a 50% success rate. In this bout, Croden was significantly less effective, landing only 22 of 74 significant strikes (29% accuracy), with 9 of those strikes directed at the head. Both fighters primarily engaged in distance striking, with 83% of Santos’s significant strikes and 81% of Croden’s executed from distance.
Daria Zhelezniakova’s last Octagon encounter was against Melissa Mullins, where she achieved a unanimous decision victory in round 3. Mullins had an impressive distance striking rate, landing 95% of her significant strike attempts, while Zhelezniakova connected on 98% of her own distance attempts. Zhelezniakova managed to land 99 of 223 overall strikes, achieving an efficiency of 44%, including 67 significant strikes directed at the head. On the other hand, Mullins landed 64 of 148 strikes, with 43 aimed at the head. Throughout the fight, Mullins landed 77 of 165 total strikes compared to Zhelezniakova’s 103 of 228 total attempts.
Key Fights on the Card
Another matchup to note is JJ Aldrich versus Jamey-Lyn Horth. Aldrich enters the clash with a 14-7-0 record, weighing 125 lbs and measuring 5’5″. This southpaw fighter has a reach of 67 inches. Horth, on the other hand, is 5’7″, also weighing 125 lbs, and brings a record of 9-2-0 into the Octagon. Regarding grappling, Aldrich manages 0.75 takedowns per 15 minutes, compared to Horth’s 1.17. For striking stats, Aldrich lands 3.96 strikes per minute with an accuracy of 47%, while Horth hits 55% of her strikes, averaging 3.63 strikes per minute.
Another exciting bout features Mike Malott facing Gilbert Burns. Burns has a professional record of 22-9-0, fighting at 170 lbs, standing 5’10” tall with a reach of 71 inches. Malott, at 6’1″ and also fighting at 170 lbs, presents a record of 13-2-1. In wrestling, Burns effectively defends against 53% of takedown attempts and successfully completes 37% of his takedowns. Malott, meanwhile, completes 50% of his takedown attempts but struggles with 14% takedown defense. On the striking front, Burns averages 3.64 strikes absorbed per minute and 3.15 strikes landed, in contrast to Malott, who absorbs 3.06 strikes per minute while landing 3.93.
Who will prevail in tonight’s UFC matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Bet on Daria Zhelezniakova (+133)
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