What’s At Stake? Max Holloway vs The Korean Zombie
Since 2014, Max Holloway's only defeats have come in title fights. Will Holloway maintain his reputation as the featherweight division's second-best fighter, or will the Korean Zombie bounce back and prove he still has what it takes to be a champion?
Let’s look at the Tale of the Tape:
KZ, five years older than Holloway, has a 5-inch reach advantage despite Holloway standing 2 inches taller. Although KZ joined the UFC a year earlier in 2011, Holloway has more than twice the number of fights, with 16 more bouts than KZ. Both fighters have a recent record of three wins and two losses in their last five bouts. Regarding accolades, Holloway is a former UFC featherweight champion with three successful title defenses. Meanwhile, KZ holds the record for the quickest finish in UFC featherweight history, securing a win in just 7 seconds, a record he has held since 2011.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, style, and fighting capabilities:
Physical Attributes
Holloway excels as a volume striker, while KZ is renowned for his knockout power, often needing just one clean hit to finish an opponent. This demonstrates that KZ possesses a distinct power edge over Holloway. In terms of speed, Holloway's quickness has always been a defining aspect of his fighting style. While KZ has participated in several 5-round UFC bouts, Holloway's extensive experience indicates superior pacing over longer fights. Holloway's resilience is commendable; he's arguably one of the toughest fighters, having never been dropped in the UFC. KZ's durability was once legendary, but recent matches have shown vulnerabilities. Even though KZ entered the UFC a year before Holloway, Holloway has faced top-5 contenders more frequently and has maintained his elite status for nearly a decade.
Style
Holloway calls himself as the UFC's best boxer, and his skills undeniably rank among the top. On the other hand, while KZ is proficient in stand-up combat, he excels more on the ground. Holloway's high-volume offense and straightforward defense might pose challenges for KZ's more deliberate and methodical approach. Regarding finishing capabilities, Holloway, despite being known as a prolific finisher, hasn't managed to finish any opponent since 2018. Conversely, KZ finished 6 out of his 7 UFC wins. Out of his 17 victories, only three were decided by decision, underscoring his ability to end fights early.
Fighting capabilities
While KZ has a superior reach, Holloway excels at fighting from a distance, capitalizing on this range to deploy his signature straight punches. Holloway's speed has often proven problematic for opponents struggling to establish their range on the outside.
My prediction
Holloway has fought fighters with better speed and knockout power, I don’t see KZ landing the biggest shot to Holloway’s legendary chin. I got the Blessed Express, Max Holloway via decision.
In the co-main event of UFC 292, the two-time strawweight queen, Zhang Weili, is gearing up to defend her title against the hard-hitting contender, Amanda Lemos. Will Lemos add Weili to her list of finishes, or will Weili successfully secure her first title defense in her second championship run?
Let’s look at the Tale of the Tape:
Both fighters are in their prime, with Lemos being two years older than Weili. They share the same height, though Lemos enjoys a 2-inch reach advantage. Both boast an impressive win rate of 80% or higher through finishes and have identical UFC records with 9 fights, 7 victories, and 2 defeats each. Lemos holds the record for the most finishes in the UFC women's strawweight division, whereas Weili is a distinguished two-time and reigning UFC women's strawweight champion.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, style, and fighting capabilities:
Physical attributes
While Weili has refined her striking and power, she doesn't pack the same knockout punch as Lemos, who has consistently showcased her ability to end fights abruptly. In terms of speed, Weili's explosiveness stands out in the division; she's notably quick for her weight class. When it comes to endurance, Weili has repeatedly proven herself in championship rounds, with grueling battles like the one against former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Both have tasted defeat by knockout, but only Lemos has been submitted, giving Weili a slight edge in durability.
Style
While Weili has honed her stand-up game in MMA, Lemos has consistently been a striker. Weili may possess a broader arsenal in stand-up, but striking remains Lemos' forte and comfort zone. Even though Lemos hails from Brazil, known for BJJ, Weili's evolving wrestling and BJJ techniques could tilt the scales in her favor. Offensively, Lemos appears more predictable in her approach, whereas Weili continues to showcase growth in both stand-up and ground game. Defensively, Weili's aggressive style can leave her exposed, and Lemos excels at capitalizing on such moments, especially when retreating. In terms of finishing fights, Lemos stands out with the highest number of finishes in the UFC, consistently finding a path to victory.
Fighting capabilities
Lemos' extended reach allowed her to effectively fight at a distance. While Weili's aggressive approach presented challenges when breaching Lemos's defenses, she excelled in close-quarters combat, often deploying elbows and knees. On the other hand, Lemos primarily relied on her fists, maintaining a boxing stance even in MMA settings.
My prediction
I believe Weili's dynamic and explosive style will overwhelm Lemos, who tends to be more flat-footed. Lemos' best shot at winning is by securing a knockout; otherwise, Weili will steadily overpower her, round after round. I got the Weili via submission or knockout.
After setting a new record for bantamweight title defenses by defeating the former champion, Henry Cejudo, just three months ago, Aljamain Sterling is now aiming to further his title defense streak by facing the UFC's emerging talent, 'Suga' Sean O'Malley.
Let’s look at the Tale of the Tape:
Sterling, being six years older, seems to be midway through his career, whereas Sean is steadily making a mark in the history books and nearing his physical prime. As the tallest bantamweight in the UFC with the division's longest reach, Sean will have a notable size advantage over the champion. While Sterling boasts almost twice as many victories as Sean, he has also faced more defeats. Both fighters have suffered one knockout loss in their UFC tenure.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, style, and fighting capabilities:
Out of his 16 wins, Sean O’Malley has delivered knockouts to 11 opponents. Sterling, while undeniably strong and powerful, doesn't have much lethal striking precision and finesse like O’Malley. A frequently overlooked asset of Sterling is his agility, particularly evident when he swiftly changes levels, catching his opponents off guard. Stamina-wise, Sterling holds an edge. He has fought championship rounds a few times, while O’Malley hasn't yet. Both are incredibly resilient fighters; however, O’Malley hasn't experienced being seriously rocked or knocked out, whereas Sterling has faced such moments a couple of times. In the bantamweight division, no one surpasses Sterling's championship experience and number of fights.
O’Malley undeniably holds the upper hand in striking, courtesy of his greater reach and diverse striking techniques. However, the real uncertainty lies in Sean's ground game. He hasn't yet faced a formidable wrestler in the octagon, and Sterling could potentially exploit this potential vulnerability in their matchup.
Sterling may not have more finishes but he definitely has better all-around tools especially in clinches and ground game, his stand-up game isn’t bad as people first thought of it but it serves a guide to his ground game. Sean has yet to experience truly deep waters and in his 10 UFC fights, he has only faced one loss and that speaks volume to how good his defense is. When Sean smells blood, he is good at finding the rhythm to close the show without leaving himself vulnerable.
While Sterling might not have as many finishes, he possesses a comprehensive skill set, particularly in clinches and on the ground. His stand-up game, contrary to initial perceptions, effectively complements his ground strategy. On the other hand, Sean's resilience and defense are evident. In his 10 UFC bouts, he's only tasted defeat once, highlighting his defensive skills. Moreover, when Sean senses an opportunity to end the fight, he establishes a rhythm to finish fights without compromising his defense.
Sean's optimal strategy is to maintain the fight in the center and at a long distance. Otherwise, Sterling will likely force him into the clinch and attempt to take him down as he gets within his preferred range.
What’s at stake if Sterling wins?
He'll continue his reign with the longest winning streak in the bantamweight division and set the record for the most title defenses in the bantamweight division. This momentum could catapult him into challenging for a second belt in the featherweight division.
What’s at stake if O’Malley wins?
Crowning him as the new champion will propel him into stardom and breed new exciting matchups to the division.
My prediction
I see Sterling ragdolls O’Malley from start to finish and might get a submission. I got the Funkmaster, Aljamain Sterling via submission.
Rafael Dos Anjos (RDA) marked his 15th year in the UFC with a bout against the dangerous finisher, Vicente Luque. To put it into perspective, when RDA had his UFC debut in 2008, Luque was yet to make his professional MMA debut. This highlights the extent of RDA's tenure competing against the world's elite MMA fighters.
Will Luque overcome his two-fight losing streak and make a fresh start in 2023? Or does RDA, drawing from his extensive career, have enough endurance to counter Luque's aggressive approach, which has a 90% finishing rate?
Let’s look at the Tale of the Tape:
RDA, at 38 years old, is confident he still has numerous opportunities to clinch his second belt. Luque has a height and reach advantage over RDA. With 15 years in the UFC and 33 fights to his name, RDA is tied for the sixth-most bouts in the promotion's history. Currently, Luque is on the first two-fight losing streak of his career. RDA stands out as the only UFC fighter to have logged over 8 hours of fight time inside the octagon.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, style, and fighting capabilities:
Luque knocked out 19 of his 21 opponents; only two have lasted until the final bell. His punching power is often the determining factor in his bouts: if he connects, he can often secure a knockout, but if he misses, he's vulnerable.
Even at 38, RDA's agility and burst of speed remain intact, often catching his adversaries off guard. Stamina-wise, RDA is accustomed to enduring longer, 5-round fights, successfully navigating them, while Luque hasn't yet experienced such extended MMA bouts. As for resilience, RDA has faced the canvas four times during his career, all in the lightweight division. He's remained unshaken in the welterweight category, suggesting his durability improves in heavier divisions. Luque experienced his first career knockout in his last bout, raising questions about potential changes in his fighting approach. Notably, neither fighter has been submitted, thanks to their proficient ground skills.
Luque certainly excels in stand-up combat, using his pressure to achieve powerful knockouts. However, RDA's formidable ground game might neutralize this advantage. If RDA can slightly outperform Luque's offensive stand-up and successfully wrestle and pin him, he could dominate the fight. RDA thrives in mid to close-range combat, often due to a reach disadvantage against taller opponents. He swiftly closes the gap to deliver powerful strikes and then takes his adversaries to the ground. Conversely, Luque prefers to maintain distance, methodically breaking down his foes until he finds the ideal moment to deliver a decisive blow.
What’s at stake if Luque wins?
It will put him back on track fighting higher rated fighters since he is close to fighting for the title before he lost twice in a row.
What’s at stake if RDA wins?
It will propel him into the top 10 in the welterweight division once again.
My prediction
I believe RDA's combination of experience and dynamism can challenge even younger fighters like Luque. Luque's somewhat static footwork might be more evident against a quicker adversary. My prediction is a victory for RDA by decision.
Here are my other predictions in this upcoming bout:
Marcus McGhee
Josh Fremd
Tafon Nchukwi
Polyana Viana
Khalil Rountree
Weekly winners: Jake Paul (Boxing), Cory Sandhagen (MMA)
Aftermath: Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz
Even at an old fighting age of 38, Nate Nate Diaz performed better against Jake Paul's other opponents. This fight revealed that if Jake's most powerful punches don't significantly affect his opponent, he could be in serious trouble. Despite Jake's victory, he found the fight challenging because he was not accustomed to fighting defensively. He would have fared better by maintaining distance, but instead, he allowed Diaz to dictate the pace, which in turn slowed Jake down as each round progressed.
As anticipated, Diaz's stamina was Jake's biggest challenge. Jake began each round strong, but as he began to tire and started backpedaling, Diaz took control of the latter part of the rounds.
Jake did not manage to knock out Diaz, but he did maintain his streak of knocking down all of his opponents at least once in each fight. Jake was too young, too fast, and too powerful for Nate, but it's doubtful that he could secure a victory against ranked opponents. To compete with real boxers, Jake needs to greatly improve his stamina and jab.
What’s next for Jake?
He said that he’ll either have a rematch with Nate inside the octagon or he’ll rematch Tommy Fury. Honestly, I don’t think he is ready for that rematch.
Aftermath: Sandhagen vs Font
The fight might have been boring for some, but for Sandhagen, it was a testament to other bantamweights that his ground game and wrestling are improving. It was marketed as a stand-up fight and I honestly thought it was going to be, but Sandhagen had other plans.
While some people might call him a 'coward', I consider it smart. In the post-fight interview, he revealed that he tore up his triceps in the first round, which resulted in him fighting that way.
What’s next for Sandhagen?
He expressed his desire for a title shot, but it might be beneficial for him to face Merab Dvalishvili first, to further demonstrate his improvements in wrestling.
After destroying an undefeated up-and-coming fighter, Rob Font now faces another top contender. Seemingly on the brink of reclaiming his top contender status, he now faces 'The Sandman' Cory Sandhagen. Sandhagen's consecutive victories place him in a prime position for a shot at the bantamweight title. With a win, he can solidify his status as the top contender and prove he is ready for a rematch with the champion.
Sandhagen, though younger and with less MMA experience compared to Font, has shown his ability to devastate opponents. Despite Font's greater reach and additional UFC experience, Sandhagen's performance has been exceptional, except when facing a current or former champion.
In terms of accolades, Sandhagen has earned four post-fight bonuses, whereas Font has earned six post-fight bonuses and holds the record for the most significant strikes landed in the bantamweight division's history, with 1,151.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, style, and fighting capabilities:
Both fighters possess the ability to deliver a knockout. Sandhagen overwhelms his opponents with a barrage of strikes, while Font goes for the knockout blow. Font holds an advantage in raw power.
Sandhagen confounds opponents with his quick, elusive attacks, while Font often remains flat-footed, granting Sandhagen the advantage in speed.
Both fighters have demonstrated considerable stamina. However, Sandhagen maintains a higher pace in the later rounds, whereas Font seems to taper off.
Durability-wise, while neither fighter has ever been knocked out, Font has been rocked multiple times and faced significant damage. Sandhagen, on the other hand, has only been knocked down once and has remained relatively unscathed throughout his fights.
Font, having competed in the UFC since 2014, has four years of additional experience compared to Sandhagen. Although Sandhagen has achieved notable success, Font's losses have contributed to his growth as a fighter which makes his experience helpful throughout the years.
In terms of their stand-up game, Sandhagen appears to have a wider array of tools compared to Font, who primarily uses boxing. Their ground game is more evenly matched with both holding brown belts in BJJ. However, Sandhagen's ground defense, though solid, does not match Font's.
Overall, Sandhagen's variety of strikes, counterpunching, long-range attacks, and clinch work could be the deciding factors in this fight. Font's best chances lie in keeping the fight at a close range and going toe-to-toe, while Sandhagen's best opportunities may come from setting up strikes and fighting at a distance.
What’s at stake if Sandhagen wins?
Continuing his streak of victories against all non-champions and former champions, a third consecutive win would almost certainly guarantee Sandhagen his next title shot.
What’s at stake if Font wins?
Being in his later years now, a victory in another high-profile fight could revive Font's career. He might be just one win away from a title shot after this fight.
My prediction
Given that Sandhagen has defeated fighters who have previously beaten Font, I foresee Sandhagen winning easily and convincingly. My prediction is a unanimous decision in favor of the Sandman. I don't think Sandhagen has the power to knock Font out.
Jake Paul, known as "The Problem Child," is returning from a split decision loss to his long-term rival, Tommy Fury. This time he's up against another MMA veteran, Nate Diaz.
Comparing the two, Jake is 12 years younger than Nate and has a slight height and reach advantage. Although Jake hasn't fought against world-ranked opponents, he does have more boxing experience compared to Nate, who is preparing for his first professional boxing match. However, when it comes to overall combat experience, Nate outshines Jake.
Nate's accolades are more impressive, winning The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 and earning 16 post-fight bonuses, a testament to his thrilling fighting style. Although Jake has achieved high pay-per-view buys, this is not recognized as an actual achievement in the fight game.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, boxing style, and fighting capabilities:
Jake has repeatedly demonstrated his knockout power. He has either knocked out or knocked down his opponents in all his fights. Nate, on the other hand, tends to achieve knockouts through a barrage of combinations rather than a single deadly punch. This gives Jake the edge in terms of raw power.
When it comes to speed, neither of them are particularly fast. However, Nate never showed quickness in his head movement and footwork in his fights.
In terms of endurance, Nate has proven he can go the distance, ready to exchange blows even in the final round. Jake can deliver sustained offense but tends to tire by the middle rounds. Nate's strategy is to wear down his opponents with his stamina and toughness. If Jake can't handle Nate's relentless high-paced pressure, he could be in big trouble.
As for their boxing styles, Jake has shown difficulty against opponents who can effectively brawl or jab. Nate's main weakness lies in his defense. Rather than dodging or blocking, Nate’s strategy is literally absorbing punches, effective in MMA, might not translate as well in a boxing match.
Nate has a strong finishing record in MMA, with 17 out of his 21 wins by finish. However, boxing is a different game, and Jake has finished 4 of his 6 opponents. So, the boxing advantage goes to Jake.
Analyzing their fighting capabilities, Jake primarily targets his opponent's head and rarely attacks the body, unlike Nate who mixes it up with heavy body shots then aims the head. Nate thrives in close-range brawls while Jake succeeds by gradually ramping up his offense before landing a major blow.
What’s At Stake if Jake Paul loses?
Losing to Tommy Fury who is an actual boxer is okay but losing to a 38 year old ex-UFC fighter would truly destroy his reputation as a top echelon of influencer boxing. He can never afford to lose twice in a row or else his career is over.
What’s At Stake if Nate Diaz wins?
He won against Conor Mcgregor in what is considered one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. If he repeats this in boxing, it’ll be another major upset, further solidifying the status of how great Nate Diaz truly was. Never count him out.
My prediction
If this is an MMA fight, I’ll put all my chips to Nate but it isn’t. Jake’s is on the rise, still showing signs of improvement in his early years, Nate’s on his way out and looks like he just wants the money. Jake’s way younger, bigger, stronger, and much more dedicated with his preparation. I think Jake could knock him out, I got Jake via knockout.
Shawn Porter told the media about the difference between the two fighters. He stated that during his fight with Spence, Spence was asserting dominance by aiming to defeat him using Porter's own strategy and style.
When he fought Crawford, Crawford was leading the dance, gradually tearing him down, and he could do nothing to stop it.
Porter fought much better against Spence because Spence seemed to forget that he should “Never box a master boxer.” Crawford proved too slick, too precise, too quick, and too smart.
Porter succeeded way better compared to Spence because Spence forgot the saying “Never box a master boxer”. Crawford was too slick, too precise, too quick, and too smart.
I expected a close fight but it was a one-sided massacre from the get go. When Crawford knocked down Spence in the second round, I knew it wasn’t going to be a decision. Crawford stops Spence inside the 9th round after knocking him down twice in the previous round.
Crawford improved his record to 40-0 overall, 18-0 with 15 knockouts in title fights, and 8-0 with 8 knockouts in the welterweight division, extending his knockout streak to eleven.
Crawford caught the biggest fish in the easiest fashion in his career and became the first man to win undisputed titles in two weight divisions putting himself in the conversation of the greatest of all time.
What’s next for Crawford?
At age 35, Crawford knows his career is nearing its end and he wants another undisputed title, give him Jermell Charlo next. If he manages to win his third undisputed title, this could rank Crawford as the greatest fighter in the 2020s.
What’s next for Spence?
Spence mentioned dehydration at 147 as a factor and wants a rematch at 154. However, a rematch may not be a good thing since the fight was never a close one. He should just rest for now and move up and fight a top contender in the 154 division to prove that he is still a big fish.
After winning the undisputed bantamweight title, Naoya “The Monster” Inuoe vacated all of his titles to go straight ahead to the super bantamweight division. Rejecting the idea of a tune-up fight, Inoue set his sights on the division's finest, the undefeated unified WBC and WBO super bantamweight champion, “Cool Boy Steph” Stephen Fulton.
On the 26th of July 2023, Inoue dominated Fulton, raining down jabs and unleashing devastating body punches. During the eighth round, Inoue landed a monstrous right hand that sent Fulton crashing down to the canvas. Though Fulton managed to rise, Inoue proved to be too much against the defending champion.
"The Monster" now proudly stands as a four-division world champion and currently wears the unified WBC and WBO super bantamweight titles.
After the fight, Inoue wasted no time identifying his next challenge. He had his sights on regaining his undisputed status, and to achieve that, he must face none other than the current unified WBA and IBF champion, Marlon “The Nightmare” Tapales.
Will “The Monster'' be Tapales’s biggest nightmare? Time will tell.
In 2017, Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier and Justin ‘The Highlight’ Gaethje first squared off and left fans in awe because of their high-paced aggressive stand-up battle. Poirier ended up knocking Gaethje out inside the fourth round.
Five years later, they are set to face each other once again, main eventing UFC 291 for the symbolic ‘BMF’ title.
Will Gaethje finally add Poirier into his ultimate highlight reel or will Poirier spark brighter the second time around?
Both fighters coming from an impressive win, Poirier submitting former title challenger, Michael Chandler while Gaethje stopped up-and-coming contender Rafael Fiziev who had a 6-fight winning streak.
Both fighters are coming off impressive victories, with Poirier submitting former title challenger Michael Chandler, and Gaethje stopping the momentum of the up-and-coming contender Rafael Fiziev, who was on a 6-fight winning streak.
Poirier hasn't been defeated in a non-title fight since 2017 while Gaethje hasn’t been defeated in a non-title bout since 2018. The winner will likely become the next contender for the UFC lightweight championship.
Let’s look at the Tale of the Tape:
Both Poirier and Gaethje are 34 years old, with Poirier having more MMA fights with 29 wins with 22 of those being finishes. Gaethje has 24 wins in his career, with an impressive 19 wins coming by way of knockout. Gaethje holds a slight advantage in height but Poirier has a noticeably longer reach. Poirier also has double the number of UFC fights compared to Gaethje. In their last five bouts, both fighters have a record of 3 wins and 2 losses. Both have also held an interim championship in their careers. When it comes to post-fight bonuses, Poirier has earned 13, while Gaethje has earned 11.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, boxing style, and fighting capabilities:
79% of Gaethje’s wins came by way of knockout. Poirier shows significant punching power, but Gaethje has the 'touch of death' or a punch to end the fight in an instant.
Poirier's quickness has consistently posed challenges for his opponents.
When it comes to stamina, Poirier has shown occasional signs of slowing down during the championship rounds. Gaethje’s world class performance against Tony Ferguson demonstrated his ability to maintain a high pace from start to finish.
Experience-wise, Poirier has been competing at the sport's elite level for a decade now and still maintains a positive record.
In terms of stand-up, Gaethje has displayed enhancements in his offensive strategy, while Poirier has demonstrated that he's added more techniques to his striking arsenal as well. It’s a toss up, too close to call who’s better.
Out of Gaethje’s 11 fights, he has never shown ground game, whereas Poirier just submitted Michael Chandler, marking Chandler’s first submission loss.
Gaethje consistently fights, moving forward and often disregarding defense. Poirier typically fights backwards, shifting gears only when he smells blood.
In terms of finishing abilities, Poirier is probably one of the best finishers in MMA history. He could finish through strikes and on the ground.
During their first fight, Gaethje’s success mostly happened in the mid range where he could throw his devastating leg kicks and hooks. Poirier is great in close combat fights and when he uses his straight punches.
What’s at stake if Poirier wins?
He will not just prove once again that he is levels above Gaethje but he is ready for his third title shot.
What’s at stake if Gaethje wins?
Proving that he is better than Poirier will also reserve him a spot for another title shot and a chance to finish a trilogy with Poirier in the near future.
My prediction
I don’t see this fight hearing the final bell. Both fighters are known for their aggressive style. Gaethje has improved tremendously since their first fight but I think Poirier’s overall skill set will prove that he is better the second time around. I have Poirier knocking out Gaethje in the third round.
Kenneth Sale
Kenneth Sale
What’s At Stake? Max Holloway vs The Korean Zombie
Since 2014, Max Holloway's only defeats have come in title fights. Will Holloway maintain his reputation as the featherweight division's second-best fighter, or will the Korean Zombie bounce back and prove he still has what it takes to be a champion?
Let’s look at the Tale of the Tape:
KZ, five years older than Holloway, has a 5-inch reach advantage despite Holloway standing 2 inches taller. Although KZ joined the UFC a year earlier in 2011, Holloway has more than twice the number of fights, with 16 more bouts than KZ. Both fighters have a recent record of three wins and two losses in their last five bouts. Regarding accolades, Holloway is a former UFC featherweight champion with three successful title defenses. Meanwhile, KZ holds the record for the quickest finish in UFC featherweight history, securing a win in just 7 seconds, a record he has held since 2011.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, style, and fighting capabilities:
Physical Attributes
Holloway excels as a volume striker, while KZ is renowned for his knockout power, often needing just one clean hit to finish an opponent. This demonstrates that KZ possesses a distinct power edge over Holloway. In terms of speed, Holloway's quickness has always been a defining aspect of his fighting style. While KZ has participated in several 5-round UFC bouts, Holloway's extensive experience indicates superior pacing over longer fights. Holloway's resilience is commendable; he's arguably one of the toughest fighters, having never been dropped in the UFC. KZ's durability was once legendary, but recent matches have shown vulnerabilities. Even though KZ entered the UFC a year before Holloway, Holloway has faced top-5 contenders more frequently and has maintained his elite status for nearly a decade.
Style
Holloway calls himself as the UFC's best boxer, and his skills undeniably rank among the top. On the other hand, while KZ is proficient in stand-up combat, he excels more on the ground. Holloway's high-volume offense and straightforward defense might pose challenges for KZ's more deliberate and methodical approach. Regarding finishing capabilities, Holloway, despite being known as a prolific finisher, hasn't managed to finish any opponent since 2018. Conversely, KZ finished 6 out of his 7 UFC wins. Out of his 17 victories, only three were decided by decision, underscoring his ability to end fights early.
Fighting capabilities
While KZ has a superior reach, Holloway excels at fighting from a distance, capitalizing on this range to deploy his signature straight punches. Holloway's speed has often proven problematic for opponents struggling to establish their range on the outside.
My prediction
Holloway has fought fighters with better speed and knockout power, I don’t see KZ landing the biggest shot to Holloway’s legendary chin. I got the Blessed Express, Max Holloway via decision.
2 years ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Kenneth Sale
What’s At Stake? Zhang vs Lemos
In the co-main event of UFC 292, the two-time strawweight queen, Zhang Weili, is gearing up to defend her title against the hard-hitting contender, Amanda Lemos. Will Lemos add Weili to her list of finishes, or will Weili successfully secure her first title defense in her second championship run?
Let’s look at the Tale of the Tape:
Both fighters are in their prime, with Lemos being two years older than Weili. They share the same height, though Lemos enjoys a 2-inch reach advantage. Both boast an impressive win rate of 80% or higher through finishes and have identical UFC records with 9 fights, 7 victories, and 2 defeats each. Lemos holds the record for the most finishes in the UFC women's strawweight division, whereas Weili is a distinguished two-time and reigning UFC women's strawweight champion.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, style, and fighting capabilities:
Physical attributes
While Weili has refined her striking and power, she doesn't pack the same knockout punch as Lemos, who has consistently showcased her ability to end fights abruptly. In terms of speed, Weili's explosiveness stands out in the division; she's notably quick for her weight class. When it comes to endurance, Weili has repeatedly proven herself in championship rounds, with grueling battles like the one against former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Both have tasted defeat by knockout, but only Lemos has been submitted, giving Weili a slight edge in durability.
Style
While Weili has honed her stand-up game in MMA, Lemos has consistently been a striker. Weili may possess a broader arsenal in stand-up, but striking remains Lemos' forte and comfort zone. Even though Lemos hails from Brazil, known for BJJ, Weili's evolving wrestling and BJJ techniques could tilt the scales in her favor. Offensively, Lemos appears more predictable in her approach, whereas Weili continues to showcase growth in both stand-up and ground game. Defensively, Weili's aggressive style can leave her exposed, and Lemos excels at capitalizing on such moments, especially when retreating. In terms of finishing fights, Lemos stands out with the highest number of finishes in the UFC, consistently finding a path to victory.
Fighting capabilities
Lemos' extended reach allowed her to effectively fight at a distance. While Weili's aggressive approach presented challenges when breaching Lemos's defenses, she excelled in close-quarters combat, often deploying elbows and knees. On the other hand, Lemos primarily relied on her fists, maintaining a boxing stance even in MMA settings.
My prediction
I believe Weili's dynamic and explosive style will overwhelm Lemos, who tends to be more flat-footed. Lemos' best shot at winning is by securing a knockout; otherwise, Weili will steadily overpower her, round after round. I got the Weili via submission or knockout.
2 years ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Kenneth Sale
What’s At Stake? Sterling vs O’Malley
After setting a new record for bantamweight title defenses by defeating the former champion, Henry Cejudo, just three months ago, Aljamain Sterling is now aiming to further his title defense streak by facing the UFC's emerging talent, 'Suga' Sean O'Malley.
Let’s look at the Tale of the Tape:
Sterling, being six years older, seems to be midway through his career, whereas Sean is steadily making a mark in the history books and nearing his physical prime. As the tallest bantamweight in the UFC with the division's longest reach, Sean will have a notable size advantage over the champion. While Sterling boasts almost twice as many victories as Sean, he has also faced more defeats. Both fighters have suffered one knockout loss in their UFC tenure.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, style, and fighting capabilities:
Out of his 16 wins, Sean O’Malley has delivered knockouts to 11 opponents. Sterling, while undeniably strong and powerful, doesn't have much lethal striking precision and finesse like O’Malley. A frequently overlooked asset of Sterling is his agility, particularly evident when he swiftly changes levels, catching his opponents off guard. Stamina-wise, Sterling holds an edge. He has fought championship rounds a few times, while O’Malley hasn't yet. Both are incredibly resilient fighters; however, O’Malley hasn't experienced being seriously rocked or knocked out, whereas Sterling has faced such moments a couple of times. In the bantamweight division, no one surpasses Sterling's championship experience and number of fights.
O’Malley undeniably holds the upper hand in striking, courtesy of his greater reach and diverse striking techniques. However, the real uncertainty lies in Sean's ground game. He hasn't yet faced a formidable wrestler in the octagon, and Sterling could potentially exploit this potential vulnerability in their matchup.
Sterling may not have more finishes but he definitely has better all-around tools especially in clinches and ground game, his stand-up game isn’t bad as people first thought of it but it serves a guide to his ground game. Sean has yet to experience truly deep waters and in his 10 UFC fights, he has only faced one loss and that speaks volume to how good his defense is. When Sean smells blood, he is good at finding the rhythm to close the show without leaving himself vulnerable.
While Sterling might not have as many finishes, he possesses a comprehensive skill set, particularly in clinches and on the ground. His stand-up game, contrary to initial perceptions, effectively complements his ground strategy. On the other hand, Sean's resilience and defense are evident. In his 10 UFC bouts, he's only tasted defeat once, highlighting his defensive skills. Moreover, when Sean senses an opportunity to end the fight, he establishes a rhythm to finish fights without compromising his defense.
Sean's optimal strategy is to maintain the fight in the center and at a long distance. Otherwise, Sterling will likely force him into the clinch and attempt to take him down as he gets within his preferred range.
What’s at stake if Sterling wins?
He'll continue his reign with the longest winning streak in the bantamweight division and set the record for the most title defenses in the bantamweight division. This momentum could catapult him into challenging for a second belt in the featherweight division.
What’s at stake if O’Malley wins?
Crowning him as the new champion will propel him into stardom and breed new exciting matchups to the division.
My prediction
I see Sterling ragdolls O’Malley from start to finish and might get a submission. I got the Funkmaster, Aljamain Sterling via submission.
2 years ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Kenneth Sale
What’s At Stake? Luque vs Dos Anjos
Rafael Dos Anjos (RDA) marked his 15th year in the UFC with a bout against the dangerous finisher, Vicente Luque. To put it into perspective, when RDA had his UFC debut in 2008, Luque was yet to make his professional MMA debut. This highlights the extent of RDA's tenure competing against the world's elite MMA fighters.
Will Luque overcome his two-fight losing streak and make a fresh start in 2023? Or does RDA, drawing from his extensive career, have enough endurance to counter Luque's aggressive approach, which has a 90% finishing rate?
Let’s look at the Tale of the Tape:
RDA, at 38 years old, is confident he still has numerous opportunities to clinch his second belt. Luque has a height and reach advantage over RDA. With 15 years in the UFC and 33 fights to his name, RDA is tied for the sixth-most bouts in the promotion's history. Currently, Luque is on the first two-fight losing streak of his career. RDA stands out as the only UFC fighter to have logged over 8 hours of fight time inside the octagon.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, style, and fighting capabilities:
Luque knocked out 19 of his 21 opponents; only two have lasted until the final bell. His punching power is often the determining factor in his bouts: if he connects, he can often secure a knockout, but if he misses, he's vulnerable.
Even at 38, RDA's agility and burst of speed remain intact, often catching his adversaries off guard. Stamina-wise, RDA is accustomed to enduring longer, 5-round fights, successfully navigating them, while Luque hasn't yet experienced such extended MMA bouts. As for resilience, RDA has faced the canvas four times during his career, all in the lightweight division. He's remained unshaken in the welterweight category, suggesting his durability improves in heavier divisions. Luque experienced his first career knockout in his last bout, raising questions about potential changes in his fighting approach. Notably, neither fighter has been submitted, thanks to their proficient ground skills.
Luque certainly excels in stand-up combat, using his pressure to achieve powerful knockouts. However, RDA's formidable ground game might neutralize this advantage. If RDA can slightly outperform Luque's offensive stand-up and successfully wrestle and pin him, he could dominate the fight. RDA thrives in mid to close-range combat, often due to a reach disadvantage against taller opponents. He swiftly closes the gap to deliver powerful strikes and then takes his adversaries to the ground. Conversely, Luque prefers to maintain distance, methodically breaking down his foes until he finds the ideal moment to deliver a decisive blow.
What’s at stake if Luque wins?
It will put him back on track fighting higher rated fighters since he is close to fighting for the title before he lost twice in a row.
What’s at stake if RDA wins?
It will propel him into the top 10 in the welterweight division once again.
My prediction
I believe RDA's combination of experience and dynamism can challenge even younger fighters like Luque. Luque's somewhat static footwork might be more evident against a quicker adversary. My prediction is a victory for RDA by decision.
Here are my other predictions in this upcoming bout:
Marcus McGhee
Josh Fremd
Tafon Nchukwi
Polyana Viana
Khalil Rountree
2 years ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Kenneth Sale
Weekly winners: Jake Paul (Boxing), Cory Sandhagen (MMA)
Aftermath: Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz
Even at an old fighting age of 38, Nate Nate Diaz performed better against Jake Paul's other opponents. This fight revealed that if Jake's most powerful punches don't significantly affect his opponent, he could be in serious trouble. Despite Jake's victory, he found the fight challenging because he was not accustomed to fighting defensively. He would have fared better by maintaining distance, but instead, he allowed Diaz to dictate the pace, which in turn slowed Jake down as each round progressed.
As anticipated, Diaz's stamina was Jake's biggest challenge. Jake began each round strong, but as he began to tire and started backpedaling, Diaz took control of the latter part of the rounds.
Jake did not manage to knock out Diaz, but he did maintain his streak of knocking down all of his opponents at least once in each fight. Jake was too young, too fast, and too powerful for Nate, but it's doubtful that he could secure a victory against ranked opponents. To compete with real boxers, Jake needs to greatly improve his stamina and jab.
What’s next for Jake?
He said that he’ll either have a rematch with Nate inside the octagon or he’ll rematch Tommy Fury. Honestly, I don’t think he is ready for that rematch.
Aftermath: Sandhagen vs Font
The fight might have been boring for some, but for Sandhagen, it was a testament to other bantamweights that his ground game and wrestling are improving. It was marketed as a stand-up fight and I honestly thought it was going to be, but Sandhagen had other plans.
While some people might call him a 'coward', I consider it smart. In the post-fight interview, he revealed that he tore up his triceps in the first round, which resulted in him fighting that way.
What’s next for Sandhagen?
He expressed his desire for a title shot, but it might be beneficial for him to face Merab Dvalishvili first, to further demonstrate his improvements in wrestling.
2 years ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Kenneth Sale
What’s At Stake? Sandhagen vs Font
After destroying an undefeated up-and-coming fighter, Rob Font now faces another top contender. Seemingly on the brink of reclaiming his top contender status, he now faces 'The Sandman' Cory Sandhagen. Sandhagen's consecutive victories place him in a prime position for a shot at the bantamweight title. With a win, he can solidify his status as the top contender and prove he is ready for a rematch with the champion.
Sandhagen, though younger and with less MMA experience compared to Font, has shown his ability to devastate opponents. Despite Font's greater reach and additional UFC experience, Sandhagen's performance has been exceptional, except when facing a current or former champion.
In terms of accolades, Sandhagen has earned four post-fight bonuses, whereas Font has earned six post-fight bonuses and holds the record for the most significant strikes landed in the bantamweight division's history, with 1,151.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, style, and fighting capabilities:
Both fighters possess the ability to deliver a knockout. Sandhagen overwhelms his opponents with a barrage of strikes, while Font goes for the knockout blow. Font holds an advantage in raw power.
Sandhagen confounds opponents with his quick, elusive attacks, while Font often remains flat-footed, granting Sandhagen the advantage in speed.
Both fighters have demonstrated considerable stamina. However, Sandhagen maintains a higher pace in the later rounds, whereas Font seems to taper off.
Durability-wise, while neither fighter has ever been knocked out, Font has been rocked multiple times and faced significant damage. Sandhagen, on the other hand, has only been knocked down once and has remained relatively unscathed throughout his fights.
Font, having competed in the UFC since 2014, has four years of additional experience compared to Sandhagen. Although Sandhagen has achieved notable success, Font's losses have contributed to his growth as a fighter which makes his experience helpful throughout the years.
In terms of their stand-up game, Sandhagen appears to have a wider array of tools compared to Font, who primarily uses boxing. Their ground game is more evenly matched with both holding brown belts in BJJ. However, Sandhagen's ground defense, though solid, does not match Font's.
Overall, Sandhagen's variety of strikes, counterpunching, long-range attacks, and clinch work could be the deciding factors in this fight. Font's best chances lie in keeping the fight at a close range and going toe-to-toe, while Sandhagen's best opportunities may come from setting up strikes and fighting at a distance.
What’s at stake if Sandhagen wins?
Continuing his streak of victories against all non-champions and former champions, a third consecutive win would almost certainly guarantee Sandhagen his next title shot.
What’s at stake if Font wins?
Being in his later years now, a victory in another high-profile fight could revive Font's career. He might be just one win away from a title shot after this fight.
My prediction
Given that Sandhagen has defeated fighters who have previously beaten Font, I foresee Sandhagen winning easily and convincingly. My prediction is a unanimous decision in favor of the Sandman. I don't think Sandhagen has the power to knock Font out.
2 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Kenneth Sale
What’s At Stake? Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz
Jake Paul, known as "The Problem Child," is returning from a split decision loss to his long-term rival, Tommy Fury. This time he's up against another MMA veteran, Nate Diaz.
Comparing the two, Jake is 12 years younger than Nate and has a slight height and reach advantage. Although Jake hasn't fought against world-ranked opponents, he does have more boxing experience compared to Nate, who is preparing for his first professional boxing match. However, when it comes to overall combat experience, Nate outshines Jake.
Nate's accolades are more impressive, winning The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 and earning 16 post-fight bonuses, a testament to his thrilling fighting style. Although Jake has achieved high pay-per-view buys, this is not recognized as an actual achievement in the fight game.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, boxing style, and fighting capabilities:
Jake has repeatedly demonstrated his knockout power. He has either knocked out or knocked down his opponents in all his fights. Nate, on the other hand, tends to achieve knockouts through a barrage of combinations rather than a single deadly punch. This gives Jake the edge in terms of raw power.
When it comes to speed, neither of them are particularly fast. However, Nate never showed quickness in his head movement and footwork in his fights.
In terms of endurance, Nate has proven he can go the distance, ready to exchange blows even in the final round. Jake can deliver sustained offense but tends to tire by the middle rounds. Nate's strategy is to wear down his opponents with his stamina and toughness. If Jake can't handle Nate's relentless high-paced pressure, he could be in big trouble.
As for their boxing styles, Jake has shown difficulty against opponents who can effectively brawl or jab. Nate's main weakness lies in his defense. Rather than dodging or blocking, Nate’s strategy is literally absorbing punches, effective in MMA, might not translate as well in a boxing match.
Nate has a strong finishing record in MMA, with 17 out of his 21 wins by finish. However, boxing is a different game, and Jake has finished 4 of his 6 opponents. So, the boxing advantage goes to Jake.
Analyzing their fighting capabilities, Jake primarily targets his opponent's head and rarely attacks the body, unlike Nate who mixes it up with heavy body shots then aims the head. Nate thrives in close-range brawls while Jake succeeds by gradually ramping up his offense before landing a major blow.
What’s At Stake if Jake Paul loses?
Losing to Tommy Fury who is an actual boxer is okay but losing to a 38 year old ex-UFC fighter would truly destroy his reputation as a top echelon of influencer boxing. He can never afford to lose twice in a row or else his career is over.
What’s At Stake if Nate Diaz wins?
He won against Conor Mcgregor in what is considered one of the biggest upsets in MMA history. If he repeats this in boxing, it’ll be another major upset, further solidifying the status of how great Nate Diaz truly was. Never count him out.
My prediction
If this is an MMA fight, I’ll put all my chips to Nate but it isn’t. Jake’s is on the rise, still showing signs of improvement in his early years, Nate’s on his way out and looks like he just wants the money. Jake’s way younger, bigger, stronger, and much more dedicated with his preparation. I think Jake could knock him out, I got Jake via knockout.
2 years ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Kenneth Sale
Spence vs Crawford Aftermath
Shawn Porter told the media about the difference between the two fighters. He stated that during his fight with Spence, Spence was asserting dominance by aiming to defeat him using Porter's own strategy and style.
When he fought Crawford, Crawford was leading the dance, gradually tearing him down, and he could do nothing to stop it.
Porter fought much better against Spence because Spence seemed to forget that he should “Never box a master boxer.” Crawford proved too slick, too precise, too quick, and too smart.
Porter succeeded way better compared to Spence because Spence forgot the saying “Never box a master boxer”. Crawford was too slick, too precise, too quick, and too smart.
I expected a close fight but it was a one-sided massacre from the get go. When Crawford knocked down Spence in the second round, I knew it wasn’t going to be a decision. Crawford stops Spence inside the 9th round after knocking him down twice in the previous round.
Crawford improved his record to 40-0 overall, 18-0 with 15 knockouts in title fights, and 8-0 with 8 knockouts in the welterweight division, extending his knockout streak to eleven.
Crawford caught the biggest fish in the easiest fashion in his career and became the first man to win undisputed titles in two weight divisions putting himself in the conversation of the greatest of all time.
What’s next for Crawford?
At age 35, Crawford knows his career is nearing its end and he wants another undisputed title, give him Jermell Charlo next. If he manages to win his third undisputed title, this could rank Crawford as the greatest fighter in the 2020s.
What’s next for Spence?
Spence mentioned dehydration at 147 as a factor and wants a rematch at 154. However, a rematch may not be a good thing since the fight was never a close one. He should just rest for now and move up and fight a top contender in the 154 division to prove that he is still a big fish.
2 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Kenneth Sale
The Monster That Never Cooled Off
After winning the undisputed bantamweight title, Naoya “The Monster” Inuoe vacated all of his titles to go straight ahead to the super bantamweight division. Rejecting the idea of a tune-up fight, Inoue set his sights on the division's finest, the undefeated unified WBC and WBO super bantamweight champion, “Cool Boy Steph” Stephen Fulton.
On the 26th of July 2023, Inoue dominated Fulton, raining down jabs and unleashing devastating body punches. During the eighth round, Inoue landed a monstrous right hand that sent Fulton crashing down to the canvas. Though Fulton managed to rise, Inoue proved to be too much against the defending champion.
"The Monster" now proudly stands as a four-division world champion and currently wears the unified WBC and WBO super bantamweight titles.
After the fight, Inoue wasted no time identifying his next challenge. He had his sights on regaining his undisputed status, and to achieve that, he must face none other than the current unified WBA and IBF champion, Marlon “The Nightmare” Tapales.
Will “The Monster'' be Tapales’s biggest nightmare? Time will tell.
2 years ago | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Kenneth Sale
What’s At Stake? UFC 291: Poirier vs Gaethje
In 2017, Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier and Justin ‘The Highlight’ Gaethje first squared off and left fans in awe because of their high-paced aggressive stand-up battle. Poirier ended up knocking Gaethje out inside the fourth round.
Five years later, they are set to face each other once again, main eventing UFC 291 for the symbolic ‘BMF’ title.
Will Gaethje finally add Poirier into his ultimate highlight reel or will Poirier spark brighter the second time around?
Both fighters coming from an impressive win, Poirier submitting former title challenger, Michael Chandler while Gaethje stopped up-and-coming contender Rafael Fiziev who had a 6-fight winning streak.
Both fighters are coming off impressive victories, with Poirier submitting former title challenger Michael Chandler, and Gaethje stopping the momentum of the up-and-coming contender Rafael Fiziev, who was on a 6-fight winning streak.
Poirier hasn't been defeated in a non-title fight since 2017 while Gaethje hasn’t been defeated in a non-title bout since 2018. The winner will likely become the next contender for the UFC lightweight championship.
Let’s look at the Tale of the Tape:
Both Poirier and Gaethje are 34 years old, with Poirier having more MMA fights with 29 wins with 22 of those being finishes. Gaethje has 24 wins in his career, with an impressive 19 wins coming by way of knockout. Gaethje holds a slight advantage in height but Poirier has a noticeably longer reach. Poirier also has double the number of UFC fights compared to Gaethje. In their last five bouts, both fighters have a record of 3 wins and 2 losses. Both have also held an interim championship in their careers. When it comes to post-fight bonuses, Poirier has earned 13, while Gaethje has earned 11.
Here are my takes in terms of physical attributes, boxing style, and fighting capabilities:
79% of Gaethje’s wins came by way of knockout. Poirier shows significant punching power, but Gaethje has the 'touch of death' or a punch to end the fight in an instant.
Poirier's quickness has consistently posed challenges for his opponents.
When it comes to stamina, Poirier has shown occasional signs of slowing down during the championship rounds. Gaethje’s world class performance against Tony Ferguson demonstrated his ability to maintain a high pace from start to finish.
Experience-wise, Poirier has been competing at the sport's elite level for a decade now and still maintains a positive record.
In terms of stand-up, Gaethje has displayed enhancements in his offensive strategy, while Poirier has demonstrated that he's added more techniques to his striking arsenal as well. It’s a toss up, too close to call who’s better.
Out of Gaethje’s 11 fights, he has never shown ground game, whereas Poirier just submitted Michael Chandler, marking Chandler’s first submission loss.
Gaethje consistently fights, moving forward and often disregarding defense. Poirier typically fights backwards, shifting gears only when he smells blood.
In terms of finishing abilities, Poirier is probably one of the best finishers in MMA history. He could finish through strikes and on the ground.
During their first fight, Gaethje’s success mostly happened in the mid range where he could throw his devastating leg kicks and hooks. Poirier is great in close combat fights and when he uses his straight punches.
What’s at stake if Poirier wins?
He will not just prove once again that he is levels above Gaethje but he is ready for his third title shot.
What’s at stake if Gaethje wins?
Proving that he is better than Poirier will also reserve him a spot for another title shot and a chance to finish a trilogy with Poirier in the near future.
My prediction
I don’t see this fight hearing the final bell. Both fighters are known for their aggressive style. Gaethje has improved tremendously since their first fight but I think Poirier’s overall skill set will prove that he is better the second time around. I have Poirier knocking out Gaethje in the third round.
2 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 0
View 0 replies
Load more