Jack Jenkins vs Ramon Taveras fight analysis
Fight Overview
The featherweight clash between Jack Jenkins and Ramon Taveras is set to ignite the UFC Fight Night: Ulberg vs Reyes card on Sunday, September 28, 2025, with the main card slated to begin at 02:00 UTC (10:00 AM AWST) inside the iconic RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. This non-title bout features two well-rounded 31-year-olds with distinct styles: Australia’s own Jenkins brings a potent blend of wrestling and precision striking, while New York native Taveras counters with finishing power and unrelenting pace.
As part of the Main Card, this matchup promises high-octane action for fans both in attendance and tuning in worldwide. With the event taking place in the heart of WA’s capital, expect a fervent local crowd rallying behind Jenkins, who will be looking to stake his claim in the ever-deep featherweight division.
Favorite vs. Underdog
-
Jack Jenkins (–300 to –280)
• Record: 13-4-0
• Significant Striking Accuracy: 61%
• Takedown Accuracy: 64%
Jenkins enters as the clear favorite, with multiple sportsbooks listing him around –300, reflecting respect for his crisp combination work and wrestling pedigree. He owns six knockouts and three submissions, showcasing his ability to end fights both on the feet and on the mat. Jenkins has gone the distance just five times in his 17-fight career, underscoring his finishing mentality. -
Ramon Taveras (+230 to +240)
• Record: 10-3-0
• First-Round Finishes: 5
• Significant Strike Defense: 57%
Taveras arrives as the underdog at roughly +240, yet his résumé speaks to his dangerous power and gas tank: half of his victories have come in the opening frame, and he’s earned three submissions. Though he suffers a noticeable takedown deficit (0% TD accuracy), his 100% takedown defense suggests he’s able to keep the fight where he wants.
What to Expect
Stylistically, this bout shapes up as a classic striker vs. wrestler puzzle. Jenkins will look to utilize his superior wrestling and elite takedown conversion rate to nullify Taveras’s power, dragging the action to the mat or clinch to land ground-and-pound. On the feet, his 61% striking accuracy should allow him to pick apart the underdog with jab-lead combinations and well-timed takedown entries.
Conversely, Taveras will attempt to keep the fight standing, relying on volume striking and lightning-fast finishes—especially in round one, where he’s most dangerous. His 45% significant strike accuracy paired with five first-round stoppages indicates he can end the contest swiftly if Jenkins neglects distance management. Expect Taveras to blitz early, test Jenkins’s chin, and force the favorite to respect his power before implementing his grappling game plan.
In this pivotal featherweight showdown, Jenkins’s wrestling and striking precision clash directly with Taveras’s power and finishing instincts. Whether the local favorite can control the cage or the underdog shocks the world with an early knockout will define this key bout on UFC Fight Night in Perth.
Live odds
Live and historic odds as well as more fighter statistics and insights for Jack Jenkins vs Ramon Taveras can be found on the fighter matchup page. All the fighter matchups and live odds for Ulberg vs Reyes can be found on the Ulberg vs Reyes event page.
Matchup Breakdown & Fighter Profiles
Jack Jenkins Profile
Background
- Age: 31
- Country: Australia (Bacchus Marsh)
- Fighting Style: Freestyle wrestling-based MMA
- UFC Debut: Feb. 11, 2023
With a 13-4-0 record and six knockouts to his name, Jenkins has carved out a reputation as a well-rounded featherweight capable of dictating where the fight takes place. His imposing 64% takedown accuracy and 61% striking accuracy speak to a dual-threat skill set, while a 12:37 average fight time underlines his willingness to grind through three rounds when early finishes don’t materialize.
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights)
- Feb. 8, 2025 – Loss (Submission) vs Gabriel Santos (R3, 2:06)
- Aug. 17, 2024 – Win (KO/TKO) vs Herbert Burns (R3, 0:48)
- Sep. 9, 2023 – Loss (KO/TKO) vs Chepe Mariscal (R2, 3:19)
- Jun. 24, 2023 – Win (Decision – Split) vs Jamall Emmers (R3, 5:00)
- Feb. 11, 2023 – Win (Decision – Unanimous) vs Don Shainis (R3, 5:00)
Strengths
- Wrestling & Grappling: Elite takedown conversion (64%) allows Jenkins to control pace, land ground-and-pound and nullify dangerous strikers.
- Striking Precision: At 61% significant strike accuracy, he selectively picks shots—jab, low-kick and takedown feints—to set up finishes.
- Cardio & Durability: Three decision victories in five outings demonstrate the ability to maintain output and resist late-round rally attempts.
Weaknesses
- First-Round Finishes: Only 3 first-round stoppages suggest he can be slow to start; opponents who weather early storms can find openings later.
- Striking Defense (59%): Although respectable, it trails his offense, leaving him susceptible to volume punchers in tight exchanges.
- Submission Defense: One submission loss indicates potential vulnerability if tangled in scrambles against high-level grapplers.
Ramon Taveras Profile
Background
- Age: 31
- Country: United States (New York)
- Fighting Style: Well-rounded MMA with explosive finishing instincts
- UFC Debut: Jan. 20, 2024
Taveras owns a 10-3-0 record highlighted by five knockouts and three submissions, showcasing multi-dimensional power. His 100% takedown defense in UFC competition underscores his ability to keep fights upright, where his 45% striking accuracy and heavy hands become most dangerous.
Recent Form (Octagon & Regional)
- Dec. 14, 2024 – Loss (Decision – Unanimous) vs Davey Grant (R3, 5:00)
- Jan. 20, 2024 – Win (Decision – Split) vs Serhiy Sidey (R3, 5:00)
- Pre-UFC Run: Compiled four first-round finishes in his final five regional appearances, demonstrating a high-gear, aggressive start.
Strengths
- Finishing Power: Half of his wins come in round one—Taveras lives for lightning-fast knockouts and tight submissions when opponents hesitate.
- Takedown Defense: A flawless 100% rate in the UFC means he rarely gets grounded, forcing wrestlers to work for every shot.
- Pace & Pressure: His average fight time of 8:14 reflects a tendency to push pace early, testing chin and cardio before foes can settle.
Weaknesses
- Takedown Offense (0%): Complete lack of takedown offense limits his ability to change levels and score points against high-wrestling opponents.
- Striking Accuracy (45%): Below-average precision can lead to energy drainage when missing in high-volume exchanges.
- Experience Gap: Only two UFC fights to date mean he’s still adapting to the Octagon’s speed, depth and tactical nuance.
In this clash, Jenkins’s wrestling pedigree and pinpoint striking collide with Taveras’s explosive power and takedown resilience. Understanding each man’s blueprint—and their statistical peaks and troughs—will be crucial for bettors seeking an edge in this pivotal featherweight showdown.
Odds & Betting Analysis
Current Betting Lines
- Jack Jenkins:
• Consensus Odds: –300 to –280
• Available at top books: –300 (Caesars, BetMGM), –280 (BetOnline.ag, BetUS), –305 (BetRivers) - Ramon Taveras:
• Consensus Odds: +230 to +240
• Available at top books: +240 (Caesars, BetMGM, BetRivers), +230 (BetUS), +240 (BetOnline.ag)
Jack Jenkins is the clear favorite, trading around –300, while Ramon Taveras sits firmly in underdog territory at approximately +240. That line gap reflects the market’s confidence in Jenkins’s wrestling acumen and precision striking versus Taveras’s explosive but less consistent toolkit.
Line Movement & Trends
- Jack Jenkins:
• Started at –270 (BetOnline.ag on Sept. 8)
• Sharpened to –300 by Sept. 14 (Caesars, BetMGM, BetUS)
• Settled slightly shorter at –280 by Sept. 15 (BetOnline.ag, BetUS) - Ramon Taveras:
• Opened at +230 (BetOnline.ag on Sept. 8)
• Drifted out to +250 by Sept. 14 (BetOnline.ag)
• Pulled in slightly to +240 by Sept. 15 (Caesars, BetMGM, BetRivers)
The lines have oscillated modestly, with Jenkins briefly touching –300 before easing back to –280 and Taveras drifting out to +250 only to pull back to +240. There are no dramatic swings, but these small shifts suggest bettors are nibbling on both sides as fight week unfolds.
Betting Payouts & Implied Probabilities
- $1,000 on Jack Jenkins (–300):
• Payout: ~$1,333 total return (~$333 profit)
• Implied Win Chance: ~75% - $1,000 on Ramon Taveras (+240):
• Payout: ~$3,400 total return (~$2,400 profit)
• Implied Win Chance: ~29%
Jenkins’s shorter line offers a conservative return but aligns with his favored status. Taveras, as the underdog, would deliver a lucrative payout for bettors confident in his one-punch power or submission prowess.
Recommended Sportsbook
- For Betting the Favorite (Jack Jenkins):
• Best Line: –280 at BetOnline.ag or BetUS
• Why: Gives you slightly better value than the –300 offered elsewhere. - For Betting the Underdog (Ramon Taveras):
• Best Line: +240 at Caesars, BetMGM, BetRivers, or BetOnline.ag
• Why: Maximizes your payout if the underdog pulls off the upset.
No matter which fighter you back, shopping around is key. Small differences in odds can add up to real profit, especially on larger stakes. With these lines settling in the late –200s and +200s, bettors have clear choices and juicy underdog value if they believe Taveras can weather Jenkins’s wrestling storm and land a fight-changing blow.
AI Pick: Jack Jenkins
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