Significant strikes in UFC stats make no sense: we break it all down!
Alexandre Herbinet breaks down the real definition of significant strikes in UFC stats.
- Show : Aldric & Herbi of Jab Life, aired on October 16, 2026, 13:54.
- People discussed : Jonathan Pierret, José Aldo, Pedro Munhoz, Chris Weidman, Max Holloway, Ciryl Gane.
- Topics : UFC statistics, significant strikes, FightMetric, fight analysis, MMA.
- Source : transcript of the show, 11 981 views on YouTube.
What is said in the show
Alexandre Herbinet explains the history of official UFC statistics, from CompuStrike in 2007 to FightMetric, founded by Rami Genauer, absorbed by the UFC around 2013 to become UFC Fight Stats. He reveals that significant strikes do not refer to impactful strikes but to a counting category: all strikes landed at distance are automatically classified as significant, whether they are blocked, checked, or land on the chin. In the clinch and on the ground, a distinction is made between light strikes and power strikes. Aldric Cassata reacts by explaining that this is why he regularly challenges these statistics. The show illustrates the problem with the Jose Aldo versus Pedro Munhoz fight: the 37 leg kicks checked by Aldo are counted as significant strikes for Munhoz. The example of Chris Weidman against Uriah Hall is also cited: the only significant strike of the fight is officially credited to Weidman, even though it breaks his own leg. The conclusion is that these statistics do not reflect the reality of a fight and should not be used as a basis for analysis.
Chapters
- 0:00Introduction to UFC stats
- 0:30History of CompuStrike and FightMetric
- 2:00Data collection method
- 4:00Real definition of significant strikes
- 8:00Aldo vs Munhoz and checked kicks
- 10:00Weidman and the limits of the system
- 12:00Conclusion: stop relying on these stats
Key moments
« All strikes at distance are significant strikes. All of them. The distinction they make is distance, clinch, or ground. »
Alexandre Herbinet · at 4:41
« Significant - it has nothing to do with impact. It is a counting category. »
Alexandre Herbinet · at 7:36
« It is still crazy. Because you know it, but who actually knows it? Even among commentators, nobody knows that. »
Aldric Cassata · at 7:47
« The official stat is that the only significant strike of the fight is landed by Weidman. A low kick on Uriah Hall who checks it and who destroys his leg. »
Alexandre Herbinet · at 10:24
« Do not look at the stats and let us watch the fights, because you, true fans like us, have watched plenty of fights and you know how to judge a strike. »
Alexandre Herbinet · at 11:25
