Archuleta vs Kim

Who won Archuleta vs Kim?

Juan Archuleta beat Soo Chul Kim by split decision in their 3 round contest during the main card of Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN, on Saturday 31st December 2022 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama.

The scorecards were announced as in favor of winner Juan Archuleta.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Bantamweight division, which meant the weight limit was 135 pounds (9.6 stone or 61.2 KG).

Archuleta vs Kim stats

Juan Archuleta stepped into the octagon with a record of 26 wins, 4 loses and 0 draws, 11 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 1 by submission.

Soo Chul Kim made his way to the cage with a record of 18 wins, 6 loses and 1 draw, with 6 of those wins by knock out and 5 by submission.

The stats suggested Archuleta had a slight advantage in power over Kim, with a 42% knock out percentage over Kim's 33%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Kim had a large advantage over Archuleta, boosting at 28% submission rate over Archuleta's 4%.

Juan Archuleta was the older man by 4 years, at 35 years old.

Archuleta was arguably the more experienced fighter, having had 5 more fights, and made his debut in 2013, 3 year later than Kim, whose first professional fight was in 2010. He had fought 35 more professional rounds, 93 to Kim's 58.

Archuleta vs Kim form

Juan Archuleta had beaten 3 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he had won against Enrique Barzola at Bellator 286 on 1st October 2022 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, Long Beach, United States.

Previous to that, he had been beaten by Raufeon Stots at Bellator 279 on 23rd April 2022 by knockout in the 3rd round at Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Honolulu.

Going into that contest, he had lost to Sergio Pettis at Bellator 258 on 7th May 2021 by unanimous decision in their Bellator Bantamweight championship fight at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville.

Before that, he had won against Patchy Mix at Bellator 246 on 12th September 2020 by unanimous decision in their Bellator Bantamweight championship fight at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville.

He had beat Henry Corrales at Bellator 238 on 25th January 2020 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at The Forum, Inglewood.

Activity check

Archuleta's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 2 months and 5 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 20 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 19 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 3.8 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Archuleta vs Kim?

Juan Archuleta was a 4/7 (-180) favourite going into the contest, while Soo Chul Kim made his way into the ring at 5/4 (+130) with oddsmakers.