Fight Night ~ JUL 17
- Thread starter mrpickem
- Start date
mrpickem
SDQL Badass Stat Boss
random thots on prelims...
- Nascimento SUB ...Nascimento is your typical lumbering
Heavyweight, fighting behind an honest 1-2 with the added snakingly good "ugly" submissions. Nascimento’s steadfast commitment to countering almost everything with a powerful right hook is A+ Heavyweight quality. Baudot is a LHW masquerading as a HW. While Baudot employs an entertaining selection of spinning attacks, once Nascimento gets on top of him, the weight difference alone will prove too much. - Figueiredo ...The worse Figgy brother should only be slightly favored in this bout. Sharing Deiveison’s durability, but forgetting to bring the power, Francisco can make this a 3-round affair. By fighting deep, Francisco will give himself the best opportunity to crack Gordon’s glassy chin. Although Francisco’s relatively pillow fists will allow Gordon reprieve, and an opportunity to showcase his wrestling, Figgy is gritty enough to keep this standing and most likely eek out a decision win.
- Johns ...Dos Santos is a bang average fighter but that doesn’t mean he isn’t fun to watch. Flying out the blocks early, the Brazilian aims to break opponents with pressure. Periods of inactivity are interrupted with huge overhand blitzes before clinching opponents against the cage. Johns is a wrestle-boxer with a solid jab that lacks a ‘wow’ factor. While the uppercut KO over Natividad was a beauty, Johns more often fights behind his jab after failing to kickstart his wrestling. Don't be too surprised if Miles gets a late stoppage, but more likely pieces ADS up for 3 rounds and a solid decision.
- Taha ...Khalid Taha is a big boy at Bantamweight. With a stellar chin and a willingness to trade in the pocket, Taha has ridden his athleticism on more than one occasion. Contrasted to the woeful physicality of Morozov, it is difficult to see how the Kazakh’s rounded skillset can get him through this. Although Morozov gives little away on the feet, he also offers little in way of volume, and could always drop a dull decision.
- Lemos KO ...An athletic specimen, Lemos has ironed out her technicals since a brutal debut stoppage defeat to Leslie Smith. Restarting two divisions below at Strawweight, Lemos looks a different beast. Using front kicks to keep opponents back to the cage, Lemos patiently stalks her opponent before countering their desperate attempts to create space. While Ruiz’s shock victory over Cheyanne Buys was a meme to view, it is difficult to see how Ruiz can once again secure the W with just the headlock again.
- Rodriguez KO ...Despite clocking in at 34 years of age, Rodriguez is constantly improving. Supremely durable, willing to wade through damage to land his shots and a surprisingly tight TDD, Rodriguez is easy to support. Possessing a ramrod jab, Rodriguez can consistently thwart Parson’s wild entries before setting up his powerful left counter. Debutant, Preston Parsons, lacks the striking or wrestling ability to test Rodriguez. High volume is used to paper over the cracks in Parsons’ disjointed kickboxing...not nearly enough tonight.
mrpickem
SDQL Badass Stat Boss
main card thots...
- Quarantillo ...Benitez is a hugely entertaining striker who brings the violence. A decent eye for a counter, Benitez’s greatest attribute is his hellacious body kicks. While Billy’s awkward pressure boxing leaves Benitez with ample opportunity to land powerful counters, he will struggle to crack the American’s chin. Benitez’s tendency to freely back himself against the cage will also enable Billy Q to snatch a clinch and create an ugly, grinding affair. Expect a back-and-forth affair, with Quarantillo’s work against the cage and on the mat tipping the scorecards.
- Vieira SUB ...Vieira very may well be a BJJ wizard, but as Anthony Hernandez proved, MMA is a multi-faceted game. Immense physicality, Vieira has the power to brute force opponents to the cage and bully them to the mat. Dustin Stoltzfus is a tough, durable bugger but is content with hitting the mat and work from his back. While Stoltzfus could replicate Hernandez’s success if he survives to the later rounds, it is far too risky against the supreme submission threat Vieira poses. Likely an early finish here.
- Stephens ...A nicely balanced bout despite Stephens’ four-fight slide. Given Stephens’ extremely hit or miss TDD, it seems foolish to back Lil Heathen, but there are too many holes in Gamrot’s striking defense for Stephens not to tag him early. While Stephens’ power is often overrated, his early aggression should bank enough rounds that he can spare a round if Gamrot finally gets his wrestling going. The Pole is a competent striker with a solid jab, but his tendency to eat heavy shots is fatal against a heavy-handed veteran.
- Tate ...After 5 years of retirement, Tate seems set on rising back to take back her title. It is very difficult to say what kind of Tate will be returning. Comebacks are often cruel in MMA, and the fact that Tate looked wary of being hit nearing the end of her first career stint raises red flags. Still, Tate’s youth and ability to grind out rounds will prove key against a slowing OAP in Reneau. Reneau’s four-fight slide, and particularly her failing gas tank (due to her age and volume-heavy style) are cause for concern. Whatever happens, this isn’t even near co-main quality.
- Makhachev ITD ...An extremely talented wrestler, Makhachev may opt to limit his wrestling against Moises. The Brazilian is a slick grappler off the back, and while Makhachev’s dominant top game will still likely trump Moises, it creates a risk that the Dagestani needn’t take. Patient on the feet, Makhachev prefers to stand at range and pick educated shots. While Makhachev is wild with his counter left, often dropping his right hand in the process, it is primed to connect on Moises when he inevitably falls into his loose jab. Moises’ leg kicks may prove a nuisance during the early rounds, but Makhachev can always opt to grind the Brazilian against the cage before making a clean read. This one will only be a matter of time and I believe Islam wears him down by 3rd or 4th round.
Big daddy naught
Pretty much a regular
Miesha was the bet tonight. Ufc fed her a bone. Her opponent was very average, was retiring, and they desperately need a “star” in the women’s division with it being so one sided with Amanda and Valentina. They really couldn’t afford her comeback to end before it even began.