Media DDP: Experience in adapting is why I'll wrestle (head coach agrees)

[mkess101]

What you're describing is literally what everyone tried and didn't work. Why would he follow that gameplan? He's not affraid to wrestle with Khamzat or being on the ground with Khamzat.

Volk stylistically should've avoided going to the ground with Islam too. But he didn't and it worked very well in the first fight.

I could be forgetting, but I literally don't think I've seen one person throw a knee or an uppercut when Khamzat has shot on them since he's been in the UFC. I've seen people back up and try to be defensive and avoid being taken down. Kind of a difference in those two strategies.

It's likely moot, I very much doubt DDP will even have the opportunity to initiate grappling within the first 2 rounds. Khamzat will shoot that explosive double early and take that choice away. After rd 2? At that point it's possible, depending on how each guy looks gas tank-wise. But if Khamzat does actually look really gassed, the threat is obviously way reduced and then it's likely not a bad idea for DDP to force some grappling if he's got the energy.

 

[Ramon Antonio]

I could be forgetting, but I literally don't think I've seen one person throw a knee or an uppercut when Khamzat has shot on them since he's been in the UFC. I've seen people back up and try to be defensive and avoid being taken down. Kind of a difference in those two strategies.

It's likely moot, I very much doubt DDP will even have the opportunity to initiate grappling within the first 2 rounds. Khamzat will shoot that explosive double early and take that choice away. After rd 2? At that point it's possible, depending on how each guy looks gas tank-wise. But if Khamzat does actually look really gassed, the threat is obviously way reduced and then it's likely not a bad idea for DDP to force some grappling if he's got the energy.

People don't throw the knee because Khamzat is that fast with his shot.

DDP will get opportunities. I don't see Khamzat doing him like Whittaker. DDP is a different type of fighter / mentality / strength.

 

[mkess101]

People don't throw the knee because Khamzat is that fast with his shot.

DDP will get opportunities. I don't see Khamzat doing him like Whittaker. DDP is a different type of fighter / mentality / strength.

I mean, on that we agree. I don't think DDP will be an "easy out" at all IF he's smart. But that's kinda my point. Khamzat is ultra aggressive in almost every way, including going for subs. Exposing a neck to him unnecessarily early on when he's fresh isn't good fight IQ. Khamzat is too opportunistic and good with chokes to gift wrap one for him needlessly.

 

[Ramon Antonio]

I mean, on that we agree. I don't think DDP will be an "easy out" at all IF he's smart. But that's kinda my point. Khamzat is ultra aggressive in almost every way, including going for subs. Exposing a neck to him unnecessarily early on when he's fresh isn't good fight IQ. Khamzat is too opportunistic and good with chokes to gift wrap one for him needlessly.

You can shoot a takedown without exposing your neck though. DDP trains wrestling and BJJ too. He knows this already.

He's not a play-it-safe type of fighter and that's what made him succesful so far. He's not going to change it up now. Even RDR who trained with both said that he thinks DDP can hang with Khamzat on the ground.

 

[mkess101]

You can shoot a takedown without exposing your neck though. DDP trains wrestling and BJJ too. He knows this already.

He's not a play-it-safe type of fighter and that's what made him succesful so far. He's not going to change it up now. Even RDR who trained with both said that he thinks DDP can hang with Khamzat on the ground.

Well, we're gonna find out. I have my view on how he should fight and where he is at a disadvantage and where he may be able to have success. I'm confident in my analysis but of course there's a chance I'm wrong.

 

[Ramon Antonio]

Well, we're gonna find out. I have my view on how he should fight and where he is at a disadvantage and where he may be able to have success. I'm confident in my analysis but of course there's a chance I'm wrong.

Wouldn't be suprised if my prediction is wrong either. I have DDP by TKO though.

Will be an exciting fight!

 

[fortheo]

Did I say he shouldn't let his hands go? Obviously he should try to cause damage. But shooting TD's early on is begging to be subbed by the better grappler.

I do think Dricus should shoot in round 1, but only if he notices that Khamzat is trying to pace himself early, and even then only shoot if there's like a minute or less left on the clock. That way dricus can make khamzat work for the last last minute, while also reducing the chance of getting submitted since it's very hard to submit a high level guy like dricus in just a minute.

Khamzat's shots in round one are so damn fast. I'm not sure if timing it with an upper cut or knee is that likely. A more feasible option would be lots of movement with lots of V and L steps, showing/ feinting the knee and upper cuts as a threat, and try a good down block/ circle away to the center when khamzat does shoot. I think DDP knows damn well that he will be taken down in round one, though. What i'm interested in seeing is if dricus will try to play guard and create space that way with various leg entanglements, or if he'll try to get an underhook or turtle and wrestle back up. Khamzat LOVES when people try to wrestle back up and he excels at riding them and breaking them back down and making them carry his weight, and he eventually takes their back when they inevitably give their back to get back up. I wouldn't hate if dricus accepts guard early and tries to work from there. Khamzat's best submissions are from the back, and the front headlock -- guard takes those both away. Granted, guard still won't be safe with Khamzat, but might be the lesser of two evils and allow DDP to make it to later rounds.

Really curious to see what dricus attempts

 

[Uber_Noober]

I’m hoping this will be like Belcher grappling with Paul Harris

 

[mkess101]

I do think Dricus should shoot in round 1, but only if he notices that Khamzat is trying to pace himself early, and even then only shoot if there's like a minute or less left on the clock. That way dricus can make khamzat work for the last last minute, while also reducing the chance of getting submitted since it's very hard to submit a high level guy like dricus in just a minute.

Khamzat's shots in round one are so damn fast. I'm not sure if timing it with an upper cut or knee is that likely. A more feasible option would be lots of movement with lots of V and L steps, showing/ feinting the knee and upper cuts as a threat, and try a good down block/ circle away to the center when khamzat does shoot. I think DDP knows damn well that he will be taken down in round one, though. What i'm interested in seeing is if dricus will try to play guard and create space that way with various leg entanglements, or if he'll try to get an underhook or turtle and wrestle back up. Khamzat LOVES when people try to wrestle back up and he excels at riding them and breaking them back down and making them carry his weight, and he eventually takes their back when they inevitably give their back to get back up. I wouldn't hate if dricus accepts guard early and tries to work from there. Khamzat's best submissions are from the back, and the front headlock -- guard takes those both away. Granted, guard still won't be safe with Khamzat, but might be the lesser of two evils and allow DDP to make it to later rounds.

Really curious to see what dricus attempts

Yeah I don't totally disagree. But if you "know" you're gonna get taken down anyway, why not try to time a knee even against a missile like Khamzat coming in. Odds are you miss, but when he gets to the hips you're in position to have guard anyway.
I kind of agree on playing guard a bit...but that may be a case of "sounded like a good idea at the time" if he's eating solid gnp. Will definitely be interesting.

 

[Bradillac]

I think the play is to make Chimaev work as much as possible in round 1. DDP definitely isn’t going to let him pace himself.

 

[wisdom blows]

Consider Dricus's breakdown of wins:

11 - submission
9 - knockout
3 - decision

He himself is a world class MMA adapted grappler. Khamzat will be the best grappler he's faced, but Dricus is substantially better at submission grappling compared to most of Khamzats opponents. Burns would be the exception but the size difference between Dricus and Burns is massive.

Usman got off the couch and was stuffing take downs by round 2. If Dricus takes Khamzat into rounds 3-4-5 I could see him initiating grappling. Getting Khamzat to expend energy on counter wrestling could be a big advantage in later rounds when he's less dangerous.

Khamzat had a ruined hand that needed ligament repair surgery. Not really a good gauge. Usman also got taken down 14 mins into the fight as well.

 

[wisdom blows]

I think the play is to make Chimaev work as much as possible in round 1. DDP definitely isn’t going to let him pace himself.

DDP is gonna be the one working in round 1.

 

[188912345]

I think the play is to make Chimaev work as much as possible in round 1. DDP definitely isn’t going to let him pace himself.

DDP usually paces himself in round 1 (and 2), then ups the volume later on.

He doesn't have an unlimited gas tank either.

 

[Wicked_1]

Yeah he can learn to stop the top guy at his style in 1 camp. Not

 

[Wicked_1]

Sorry it's a dumb strategy for a guy that was taken down and was in horrible positions against guys like Brunson and even Till mounted him. Yes he got away with it against them. Chimaev is not those guys. I've never seen DDP defend subs cause he never fights guys with great subs. He wants to be in a dominated position with a killer...good plan. Yes Usman came off couch at 170. And was best first 2 rounds. At 185 and with a new condition coach that is a top tier guy, it's not going to go that way. Plus Usman knows how to defend and wrestle on a different level than DDP and he did not stop takedowns like all night. He was taken down several times. He is a top tier wrestler and was able to defend and get up. I don't see DDP ever doing that because he don't fight too tier guys until now. Gilbert burns is a top level subs guy and grappler. He also survived..but lost. So even if they say he was so tired..he won both fights. So he took has that winning drive. I don't think DDP will be able to defend it for first 3 rounds at all I don't really see him getting out of the 1st.

 

[Hotora86]

Whoever you pick to win, this is gonna be a good fight.
Can't wait!

 

[A Very Serious Cat]

I wouldn't put it past that crazy saffa

 

[SamuraiBro]

DDP will shoot the first takedown, mark my words.

 

[Koala]

Sidney Wheeler already tried to wrestle from the start and outkhamzat Khamzat

 

[TriangleMonkey]

Khamzats TD threat is so great, he could very well KO DDP

This fight has so many damn outcomes in reality and that whats makes this fight one of the best made recently