UFC 9: Motor City Madness
Detroit, USA
17 May 1996
Open Weight
VS
49%
Nelmark
51%
Bowden
Win Probability
SN
Steve Nelmark
"The Sandman"
2 – 1
6'0"OrthodoxNaNWell-Rounded
CFR 22
TB
Tai Bowden
1 – 1
Knockout ArtistNaN5'11"
CFR 22

Combatrics Intelligence

Data-driven breakdown · fighter metrics

Edge: Bowden

This is a genuine toss-up — Nelmark at 49% vs Bowden at 51% (CFR ratings). One of the hardest fights to call on the card.

Key angles

Bowden has beaten significantly higher-quality opposition — a QoV edge of 18 points.

Striking split: Nelmark throws more volume but Bowden connects at a higher rate — quality vs quantity.

Nelmark
Bowden
Physical Matchup
Height · Reach · Age · Stance
6'0"+
Height
5'11"
—
Age
—
Orthodox
Stance
—
Nelmark
Bowden
Composite Fighter Rating
Overall score combining performance, win quality, momentum & durability
21.5
22.2
51.9
Performance Avg
56.0
42
Quality of Victory
60
95
Momentum Score
59
Nelmark
Bowden
Striking
Significant strikes per minute & accuracy
2.0
0.8
83%
Strike Accuracy
100%
1.3
Striking Style Score (/10)
10.0
0 KOs
KO Finishes
1 KOs
Strike targetStrike target
12
Head
2
1
Body
0
0
Leg
2
RangeRange
1Distance2
1Clinch2
11Ground0
Nelmark
Bowden
Grappling
Takedowns, submissions & wrestling
4.0
/ 10
0.0
/ 10
2.8
Wrestling Style (/10)
0.0
5.0
Submission Style (/10)
0.0
1
Submission wins
0
Per-fight takedown stats will populate after live card results are scraped
Nelmark
Bowden
Durability / Chin
Resilience against knockouts and stoppages
78
98
Moderate
Verdict
Never stopped
1
KO/TKO Losses
0
0
Sub Losses
0
Avg R1.0 stoppage
KO round context
—
Most recent fight
Last KO loss
—
—
Strikes absorbed / min
—
3 fights
Chin rating based on
2 fights
Nelmark
Bowden
Form & Momentum
Recent fight performance — most recent weighted 30%
95
59
L · KO · R1
W · Sub · R1
W · R1
Last 5
W · KO · R1
L · R1
Nelmark
Bowden
Finish Rate
Percentage of wins by KO/TKO or Submission
50%
100%
0
KO / TKO Wins
1
1
Submission Wins
0
1
Decision Wins
0

Style Fingerprint

Combatrics radar — 6 fighting dimensions scored 0–10

Nelmark
Bowden
Striking1.3 / 10.0Volume1.3 / 1.0Grappling4.0 / 0.0Wrestling2.8 / 0.0Submission5.0 / 0.0Pressure5.5 / 8.5
Fighter 1
Fighter 2
1.3
Striking
KO power & stand-up volume
10.0
4.0
Grappling
Ground control & clinch
0.0
2.8
Wrestling
Takedown threat & defence
0.0
5.0
Submission
Submission attack frequency
0.0
5.5
Pressure
Clinch/ground work rate
8.5
1.3
Volume
Decision-pace fighting
1.0
Nelmark
Strike Zones
Bowden
Nelmark
Attacking
12HEAD1BODY0LEGS13 landed
Absorbing
2HEAD0BODY2LEGS4 absorbed
Bowden
Attacking
2HEAD0BODY2LEGS4 landed
Absorbing
12HEAD1BODY0LEGS13 absorbed
Targeting Overlap
🎯Nelmark targets the head (92% of attacks) — Bowden absorbs 92% of strikes there
🎯Bowden targets the head (50% of attacks) — Nelmark absorbs 50% of strikes there

Round by Round

This fight · per-round breakdown

Nelmark
RND
Bowden
0/0R00/0

Nelmark · QOF Timeline

Avg: 3.5
0104.0W5.0W1.5L1996-051996-121996-12
WinLossTrend

Bowden · QOF Timeline

Avg: 4.5
0104.0L5.0W1996-051996-12
WinLossTrend

Nelmark · Last 3

L · KO · R1
David AbbottRating 1.5
KO/TKO
UFC - Ultimate Ultimate '96 · 1996-12
W · Sub · R1
Marcus BossettRating 5
Submission
UFC - Ultimate Ultimate '96 · 1996-12
W · R1
Tai BowdenRating 4
UFC 9: Motor City Madness · 1996-05

Bowden · Last 2

W · KO · R1
Jack NilsonRating 5
KO/TKO
UFC - Ultimate Ultimate '96 · 1996-12
L · R1
Steve NelmarkRating 4
UFC 9: Motor City Madness · 1996-05

News & Media

Steve Nelmark · Tai Bowden
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