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 in favor of the 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 losses 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 losses and 1 draw, 6 of those wins coming by knock out and 5 by submission.

This was Juan Archuleta's 12th fight in Bellator, having made his debut for the promotion in 2018. Soo Chul Kim marked his 1st fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2022.

Juan Archuleta's Bellator record stood at 9-3-0, while Soo Chul Kim's came in at 0-1-0.

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, boasting a 28% submission rate over Archuleta's 4%.

Juan Archuleta was the older man by 4 years, at 37 years old.

Archuleta was arguably the more experienced fighter, having had 5 more fights, and made his debut in 2013, 3 years later than Kim, whose first professional fight was in 2010. He had fought 35 more professional rounds, 101 to Kim's 66.

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 lost to 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 been beaten by 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 beaten 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 defeated 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 4 years, 11 months and 25 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 11 months and 30 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.