Benardo Sopaj

Benardo Sopaj, the Albanian Orthodox-stance bantamweight, carries a 13-3-0 professional record marked by technical versatility and submission prowess. Standing 5'6" with a 66-inch reach, Sopaj operates as a balanced mixed martial artist who lands 4.39 strikes per minute with 58% accuracy while absorbing 4.69 strikes per minute and defending 52% of incoming strikes.

His grappling credentials are substantial: he averages 2.43 takedowns per 15 minutes at 60% accuracy and defends takedowns at an impressive 76% rate, complemented by 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes that reflect his ground-fighting acumen. Recent performance demonstrates momentum recovery following adversity—after suffering a third-round KO/TKO loss to Vinicius Oliveira in March 2024, Sopaj rebounded with a unanimous decision victory over Ricky Turcios in January 2025, then secured a second-round submission finish of Timmy Cuamba in May 2026.

His 11.6 knockout score indicates moderate finishing power for the division, though his submission average suggests he's more dangerous on the canvas than standing. With a 2-1 record across his three most recent bouts, Sopaj remains a developing prospect in the bantamweight ranks seeking consistent top-tier competition.