I thought hed open a favorite but I cap him maybe around pick em, slight dog ish odds. So this is a god send. He doesn't even need to take Honeycutt down, if he can just grab him he can work from the clinch or pull guard. And Honeycutt is soooo used to preferring working in the pocket since he wrestles everyone, so it'll be interesting to see if he can't break that habit.
Plus I have confirmed something I said earlier. Lovato does have a jeet kune do background, his father was a jeet kune do instructor. Explains his understanding of range which is the thing thats stood out to me on the feet when he fights.
Against a much better striker who is his size Lovato might be awkward on the feet, but I believe Lovato's diverse striking is actually going to be as good as Honeycutt's here. Chris has decent boxing and a fair amount of power but Rafael can probably kick with impunity and likely win the clinch on the feet as well. I can't find the info online, but I'm curious how long 6' 3" Lovato's arms are compared to 73" for Honeycutt.
Good info- so a significant reach advantage too.His fight vs Rhodes listed his reach at 77.5"
American BJJ black belt and world champion Rafael Lovato Jr. towers over former welterweight wrestler Chris Honeycutt in this middleweight matchup. Huge size difference and Honeycutt is mostly a wrestler & grinder with decent boxing. Lovato is one of the very best BJJ & submission artists from the U.S. ever to compete in MMA and has much improved striking as well. 2 units on Lovato at +225. He can win this by KO, sub or maybe even decision.
Jesus Christhoooooooooooooooly shit lovato vs honeycutt staredown, omfg, look two weight classes apart. and what's honeycutt gonna do if he doesn't like the standup? wrestle? idk if he wants to.. i think his main gameplan will be to strike...
ok, full unit lovato +150. i wish to hell i got that +2xx. oh well.
hoooooooooooooooly shit lovato vs honeycutt staredown, omfg, look two weight classes apart. and what's honeycutt gonna do if he doesn't like the standup? wrestle? idk if he wants to.. i think his main gameplan will be to strike...
ok, full unit lovato +150. i wish to hell i got that +2xx. oh well.
Jesus, Jim mentioned a big size difference but wasn't expecting it to be that big. Fuckin jacked to shit too.