I dunno how this goes down.I
I was too hard on DC before but the more I think about this, the more I think he may do well. Stipe should still take it, though.
Stipe has a pretty clear path to victory. He is bigger, stronger, and the much better pure boxer. DC has proven temporarily vulnerable to reactive takedowns from guys like Gus and Jones, so look for Stipe to try that to keep DC honest.
Stipe also likes body work, which DC hates.
Look for DC to throw big overhands on the way into the clinch, and try to grind along the fence and control the neck and throw those clinch uppercuts he loves so much. Also watch for the high crotch single.
I don't think DC can hold Stipe down, but I expect that he will try to grind him out and tire him out by forcing him to work back to his feet, like Cain did to JDS.
I do not think Stipe will gas like he did versus Ngannou. He clearly had an adrenaline dump because Ngannou went crazy on him, he got scared, and couldn't control the pace. Once you get tired like that, you can't come back. Against a much smaller DC, Stipe won't have the same problems, although DC may grind him out.
I hadn't really considered this, but both men have never really fought someone like the other before.
DC never fought a HW who could wrestle and who had both power and good boxing.
Stipe has never fought a good wrestler with power either.
If Stipe can deny DC the clinch or even fight back effectively there, he should win easily. Watch for him to use wrist control on DC's free hand. DC is bad at cutting the cage and has poor defense on the way in, often trusting his chin and taking a punch to establish the clinch, so if Stipe can hit him and circle out, DC is in for a long night.
If DC can avoid Stipe's counters on the way in and not bite on his feints as DC works to establish the clinch/takedown, and if he can cut the cage effectively while avoiding Stipe's long straight punches, he should win.
